To Stand Against Authority

Emrica stood at a distance as Yoshuu began to work on something at the forge. As he saw her looking on, curiously, he said I am making something for you!

What is it, she asked with excitement?

Well it isn't a glass slipper he joked. Like the one you told me about from that story.

The English novel, she asked?

Yes, he responded. Cindy Dorella, I believe was the name.

Emrica's laugh echoed through the room with the forge. It's Cinderella, she corrected.

Haven't you been brushing up on English like I have been teaching you, Emrica asked teasingly.

I have been. Whenever I can, responded Yoshuu.

Oh, I am finished continued Yoshuu as he submerged two metal bracelets into a bucket of water. A burst of steam rose upwards as they entered the water. When he took them out, he waited for them to cool.

After it did, he took one and placed it on her left hand.

Yoshuu: This will symbolize a piece of the link between you and I.

Then he placed one on his right. This is the other piece of the link. Two parts to signify a whole.

Emrica smiled and said, Isn't it a bit early for a wedding band?

Yoshuu laughed. It's never too early to express my love to you. She tried not to blush however she did so he held her in a loving embrace and kissed her.

After that she left his home for the night, as it was getting late. Yoshuu waved to her as she rode off in the distance, in the direction of her home. He did not know that that was the last time that he would hug her alive.

The next day, men from the kingdom came to the Ackermann property. One came to inspect the farm and its produce. The others were guards were dispatched to take up temporary residence at their home to protect the future wife of the shogun.

After inspection, a special badge was given to Mr Ackermann which would allow him to sell his produce to the general public anywhere in the region. Then the inspector left the property and headed back to the kingdom.

Two days had now passed and Yoshuu saw no sign of Emrica, his love. He began to wonder if something had happened to her and her family. Yoshuu's father saw that his son was worried so he told him to go and check on his future wife.

Yoshuu quickly rode off towards the Ackermann's estate with joy in his heart, only to be confronted by armed men on their property. An armored guard with a golden sword at his side, blocked Yoshuu from even heading towards the front door.

Commander: If you know what's good for you boy, do not come back to this house else we will pay a visit to your house… Yoshuu.

Yoshuu: How do you know my name?

Commander: That is not important. What is important is that we know who you are. We know where you live and if I ever see your face again, if I am in a good mood you will see the inside of a prison cell. You understand… boy?

Yoshuu: I understand.

Commander: Good boy. Now run along home.

Yoshuu rode home with a heavy heart to tell his father what had happened. He had never been this confused before and wanted some understanding of the current situation.

Had he done something to lose his betrothed forever?

Four days later....

A carriage pulled up to the blacksmiths home. It was Misses Ackermann who came to relate to Yoshuu, all the things that had transpired because he deserved to hear it from them and he deserved an apology.

She also apologized for the absenteeism of her husband who was unable to face Yoshuu directly, after breaking his oath.

Tears welded up in the eyes of Yoshuu as he listened to how Emrica was taken away from him forever.

Not accepting this cruel hand that fate had dealt them, Yoshuu went to change and decided to make a journey to the Kingdom on his own.

Yamato did not stop him but Erica's mother stood up from her seat and said "My husband and I really am truly sorry because we know how much you loved her however this is the shogun that you would be up against."

I do not fear the shogun or what he may do to me. All I care about is getting Emrica, back. Staring out in the distance, Yoshuu continued, or getting her out of the clutches of the shogun.

Yoshuu picked up a backpack and was about to leave when he said, your husband is still a good man. He did what he saw was right for the welfare of his family.

Yoshuu left his father's house on horseback, riding off in the direction of the kingdom with no idea how he would rescue his love, from the grasps of the shogun.

"Good luck," my son, Yamato said as he stood at the front door watching his son ride off into the distance.