They could see blood from outside the pub. Blood was flowing down from the doorsteps. It had already begun to clot in the cold environment.
“Who did this?” Shinji hasted while searching for any living being in the reception.
The nice woman had missing piece of flesh on her chest. Mugs were scattered everywhere.
Smell of alcohol and blood made Fujimoto feel nausea.
Shinji pushed the door open to see corpses. One thing amused him the most. None of them had taken their swords out.
Every blade remained in the sheath.
“Didn’t they try to defend themselves?” Fujimoto was unable to understand the situation.
Shinji was no different. He walked over bodies, looking at any movement in chests of people.
Shinji found a breathing person nearby the fireplace. Even though the man was on the pool of blood, he had life yet to leave him.
“Who did this?” Shinji asked, hoping for an answer.
“Are you insane?” Fujimoto rushed to the injured man as soon as he got wind of his voice, “Stop his damn bleeding.”
Fujimoto put his hand of his blood leaking chest. But the man was puking blood already.
“Who did this?” Shinji repeated himself.
“O-old Chosokabe.” Wounded cut-throat let words out from his bloodied mouth.
“This is why none of you raised your swords?” Shinji questioned.
He didn’t answer but both knew what the case was.
“Why did he do this? Doesn’t he know we are sworn to protect his family?” Shinji had to say.
“H-he d-doesn’t un-understand.”
“Looks like he perceived us differently. First he hangs our man and then kills everyone.” Shinji sighed.
“Protect them, no matter what he did to us.”
“Was he alone or his son was also here?” Shinji asked as Fujimoto tried hard to stop his blood loss.
“He was enough.”
“I would have cut his f****** arm if I was here.” Shinji grinded his teeth in rage, “At least it would have prevented his teleportation sorcery.”
“T-teleportation?”
“Yes. Chosokabe disappeared with his house.”
“He needs an alchemist.” Fujimoto interrupted by showing him his palms drenched in blood.
“I won’t survive.” Man’s words were losing strength.
“Neither will we. Chosokabe is gone.” Shinji sat down with palm on his forehead.
“No. Go to Pryeg. A-ask where Tetsu is.” His strength was giving up. “He will tell you where Chosokabes might be.”
“Will he help us?” Shinji was skeptical.
“Take my name. He will help you in this. Tetsu is well aware with situation about Chosokabes. But don’t tell him I am dead.”
Fujimoto stopped working on him after he said so.
“Why so?” Fujimoto asked.
“Because I am his son.” The cut-throat coughed.
“Thank you Hisao.” Shinji whispered and got up.
“Please stay with me for a while.” Hisao shed tears of agony, “I don’t want to die alone. Be with me till I sleep.”
“You won’t see us wailing though.” Shinji warned him.
“Doesn’t matter.” Hisao uttered and coughed a big clot of blood.
From there on, he did not speak much.
In front of the dying fire, he took his last breath.
His open mouth confirmed his death.
It had taken over two hours.
“Let’s keep moving.” Shinji stood up.
“What? We should bury him. Don’t keep him deprived of his last rites.” Fujimoto had to say.
“How many should we bury then? Look around.” Shinji spread his arms, “They were ready to die anyways. Do you think the enemies would give them burial?”
“It is an afterthought. Only Lord knows when it will happen.”
“We have to reach Pryeg by noon. Either follow me or find a shovel from somewhere.” Shinji said and began to march without waiting for Fujimoto.
Fujimoto sighed in anger but followed him to the stable from where they took two horses and set off for the city.
