Denki woke up some time later with a headache, to find he was tied to a tree. There were a lot of feminine voices around, and he could see several girls in armor walking around. Some of them were older women, even some elderly ladies. Not all of them wore armor. But most were young. A few were younger than him. There was a fire off to one side where some meat was roasting. He didn't see Kyoka anywhere-- or Tibult. 

"Uh... pardon me," he said to the nearest girls, who jumped and gave him wary looks, "Where's Kyoka? And... why am I tied up?"

The warriors ignored him, even looked disgusted and moved farther away.

"Civil..." Denki muttered to himself.

"I wouldn't speak, if you know what's good for you," an older woman said, polishing a knife, "We are not tolerant of people who try to charm us. A misplaced word could get your tongue removed from your throat."

Denki didn't answer her, just leaned as far away as he could while tied up.

                                                                                             * * *

Kyoka was off at a different part of the camp (which was the size of a legion), having a long argument with the leaders of the tribe. "He is not dangerous. You have no reason to capture him and beat him! How many times must I say!"

"It is hard to believe you," Rin, the Warrior who headed up the healers in the camp said, "When a bard could easily put an enchantment on you. Were you not attacking him when we came to your assistance?"

"No, I wasn't! I was trying to keep you all from attacking my guide!" Kyoka had explained to several people already, and it was like beating her head on a wall.

"It might be best to believe her," said Hanta, the leader of the hunting part of the tribe.

"I don't trust a bard," said the leader of the scouts, Kyoka's own matron, Sekko.

[ Hanta ハンター   means Huntress, Rin  凛 means dignified,  Sekko is a Japanese word for spy, or patrol.  斥候 Not the same as Seiko.]

"We're well aware,"  Rin said flatly. As might be expected, she was the most even tempered of the three-- also had been Momo's mentor until the queen had selected her. 

Kyoka wondered where the queen was and chose now to ask.

"The Queen has taken several of our strongest warriors to go west and try to hold off the Dark Lord's magic from entering this territory," Hanta said, "You know of our neighboring tribe, King Bakugo. They lost much of their land. We don't want it to go any farther. For now, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. Those squatters won't get off our territory without a nudge or two."

"In her place, it's up to the three of us to decide what to do," Sekko said severely, "and I don't trust a bard."

"That doesn't make him guilty," Rin spoke up, to Kyoka's relief. 

"Well, then, let's put it to the test," Sekko said, "Before the goddess. We'll see if there's any enchantment lingering on her."

"What?" Hanta said, "Do you know how painful it would be if it were true?"

"It's necessary. We must have complete purity in this tribe. No room for spells that could cloud judgment or corrupt our magic," Sekko insisted.

She had always been like that, Kyoka reflected. Sekko had been the one who brought her to the tribe when she was a baby. Kyoka didn't mind her strictness-- it was just part of being a warrior, upholding the excellence and bylaws of the tribe.

"I'll do it," she spoke up, "I have nothing to fear from it. I'm telling you, there's no spell."

"Should we put the male through it too?" Sekko mused.

"That could kill him. He hasn't our endurance," Rin said, "And if Kyoka is speaking truth about him, there's no need. But, Kyoka, are you certain you want to do this?"

Kyoka hesitated. "Let me ask him first."

"What? Are you mad? That's just what you shouldn't do," Sekko said.

Kyoka crossed her arms. "It won't matter. If there's an enchantment, you can just purge it out-- and talking to him won't make a difference-- and if there isn't and he's being honest, you'll have to let him go, won't you? Or do we punish innocent people now in this tribe?"

Kyoka had never talked back to a leader in her life, and she had forgotten that in her time with Momo insisting that they address each other as equals because they were in the party. The quest had made her more direct than before.... She realized this only once she saw their shocked faces.

But Rin was just and said, "She is right, you know.... It's not like we've never seen good men. Even Paladins can be men."

"What the divine chooses is its own business and its own discretion," Sekko said sourly, "We can trust it then, but as a rule, we have our laws for a reason."

"Originally, our laws were put in place to avoid distraction from a warrior's life, not to disparage men," Hanta, who was less merciful than Rin but less severe than Sekko, spoke up. She also spoke less in general, and they listened to her more. She was the strongest too, out of the three. 

Sekko scowled at her words.

"I'm willing to give the lad a chance," Hanta said, "but we must be certain your story is true, Kyoka. I will have to agree on that. But go ahead and speak to him. We'll see if he can tell the truth."

                                                                                       * * *

That was how Kyoka ended up walking to the tree, with all three of them following her-- and an entourage of curious warriors who wanted to see the commotion. It was pretty embarrassing, but Hanta waved most of them off so they couldn't get close enough to hear.

"Kyoka! Oh, thank goodness!" Denki said, "Assuming this isn't your fault that I'm here, get me out of this!"

"Believe me, this was not my idea," Kyoka said self consciously, "but it's developed into a problem.... Now, I have to ask you a question, and you have to swear you're going to answer honestly... or they're going to beat you up."

"What?" Denki said, "Please tell me it's not an embarrassing question."

"Only if the answer is yes," Kyoka muttered, "You need to swear that you did not, at any point, use any kind of enchantment on me. Charisma or... anything else."

"Oh? That's it?" Denki said, "I thought it might be something a little harder than that, like the laws of the tribe..."

"Just answer."

"I didn't! I told you!... At least not on purpose..." Denki frowned, "Does that time I got a little... uh... out of control count?"

"That was an accident, so no," Kyoka said. She glanced at the older ladies. "Right?"

"If it was truly an accident," Hanta agreed.

"That shouldn't matter," Sekko said severely.

"Don't be a fool," Rin said, "Even we have made mistakes. He's a young male-- he's still not had time to master his abilities. All our girls do that. Unless they are prodigies, perhaps."

"He doesn't look like a prodigy," Sekko conceded.

"Is that your mother?" Denki asked Kyoka.

Sekko was offended. "You dare insinuate something like that!? Worm! That is it! I'm cutting out his tongue."

"Sekko, will you please refrain from making any decisions until we've come to a consensus!" Hanta and Rin grabbed her arms.

"He's an idiot. He didn't realize what he was saying." Kyoka kicked Denki in the shin, which wasn't very fair since he couldn't run away. "Apologize."

"I'm sorry... uh... lady..." Denki said, "I just meant that Kyoka acts a lot like you."

Sekko raised an eyebrow.

"Considering that's your star pupil, you should be flattered," Rin said to her.

"I act like her?" Kyoka gave Denki an annoyed look. 

"Oh, well if she's your teacher, you should be flattered," Denki said slyly.

Kyoka wanted to punch him but held back.

"I don't like smooth talkers," Sekko said.

"It's not a crime," Rin rolled her eyes, "He hasn't lied yet, as far as we know. Now, man, please, on your honor, you've not intentionally put a spell on Kyoka at any time?"

"No, ma'am, I swear, I don't do that to my fri--uh, companions," Denki said vehemently, "In fact, I'm not actually that good at it, so even if I wanted to, I think she'd just kill me. I mean, she said she'd do that on the first day we met, so--"

"You talk too much,"  Hanta said dryly. Denki shut up.

"I'll wager he's not lying if he can babble on like that." Hanta turned to the others. "But we'll have to test it. Are you ready, Kyoka?"

Kyoka nodded.

"It won't hurt her much if there's nothing here, will it?" Rin said, "I hate watching this."

"She'll be fine," Hanta said.

"It's no more than is neccessary," Sekko added.

"Uh... what are you doing? Running a guantlet?" Denki said.

"No, just a ritual we have to do if we've possibly been expose to any magic," Kyoka said, "Any that would linger, that is.... It's fine. It won't kill me."

"Uh, this sounds bad.... Wait, am I going to be untied?" Denki asked.

"Once I pass, yes, probably..." Kyoka walked away.

"Probably! Pass? Kyoka!!" Denki cried, but she was gone.

Some of the other warriors, the littler ones, came a little closer to him. 

"I thought it'd be scarier looking," one little redheaded girl said.

"I thought it'd be taller," said another.

Denki thought that this would have gone differently.  Though he couldn't really hear what was going on with Kyoka, he could see something. It looked like the three leaders were going up to a shrine (the kind you could move and carry with you) and doing some ceremony. Then there was a blaze up of fire.

Denki was not very perceptive, magically speaking, but it was clear even to him that it was the same sort of power as Princess Momo could wield when she was in full Paladin form. The goddess Creati's blessing. He didn't know too much about this goddess, though as a bard, he had due respect for any creative deity. But he knew that sometimes creation was associated with truth, because you could, theoretically, not create something unless it is real, and therefore, true, in a way. He wondered if that had something to do with what was going on.

Kyoka was just standing in front of the fire. Then it seemed to leap off the braziers of the shrine and circle around her. White flames.... Then they burst into a sort of iridescent color as they shot up into the air and faded away.

The rest of the tribe who was watching seemed to be relieved.

Kyoka, for her part, had felt like searing heat went over her whole body, and then relief and a sort of calm.

"That's a relief," Rin spoke, "I didn't think the bard would have done much, but one can never be sure they don't pick up something in the Dark Lands. It's important to be cleansed."

"It's decided. We'll let him go." Hanta nodded to a couple of guards in the tribe. 

"And returned the alpaca," Kyoka said, because Denki wouldn't leave without it.

"Yes, return that," Hanta agreed.

"I think we could let the poor human have a meal before we just kick it out after nearly braining it," Rin said, "and I should make sure no permanent damage was done. I also think whoever acted so rashly should be reprimanded, Sekko." Because it was Sekko's troop that had been responsible for that.

Sekko rolled her eyes.

"Seiko! Helena! Mind your use of force in the future, if you aren't sure of a foe.... There, satisfied?"

"No," Rin muttered, "but I know that is all I am going to get."

"Well, do what you want with it," Hanta said, "I don't really care as long as I don't have to look at it." She walked off towards a different section of the camp.

The guards had gone and started cutting Denki loose from his tree.... They were careful not to touch him, like it might burn them if they did.

"Sheesh, ladies, I'm not going to bite you..." Denki muttered, rubbing his hands. His legs were asleep too.

Kyoka walked up. "They're going to let you go."

"Really? No cutting off my toes or anything?" Denki said.

"Toes?" Kyoka said, "Why would they cut off that?"

"I was trying to be refined," Denki said.

Kyoka didn't get it. "Whatever. Rin says you can have a meal, and she's going to see to your injuries first."

Rin had followed her. "I apologize for our subordinates' rash actions."

"You must be Momo's leader, huh?" Denki said.

Rin tilted her head. "How did you know that?"

"You're actually nice," Denki said.

Kyoka glared at him. 

"I mean, you talk like her," Denki amended.

Rin laughed slightly. "It doesn't cost me to be nice. I don't really see a need to assert my superiority through being rude or forceful. I'm the Healer Mage of the tribe. A lot of paladins start off as healers. Creative energy and healing energy are very similar."

"Woah, does that mean Momo can heal?" Denki said.

"Call her Princess Momo while we're here," Kyoka said.

"Oh... right. Princess Momo," Denki said.

"Momo didn't get so far at magical healing. Her aptitude was for craftsmenship," Rin replied, "but she is as good as anyone at the basics. Come with me if you can walk."

Denki stumbled as best as he could. 

"Isn't it forbidden for me to be here, though?" he said.

"Not on special occasions," Kyoka said, "and getting captured is one of them."

"What're the other ones?" Denki asked.

"I believe warning us of a grave danger, getting lost, or being near to death and in need of help are the other qualifying circumstances," she replied.

"What if some joker who was just curious came up and pretended to be lost, but he really just wanted to see the camp?" Denki said.

"Then we kill him," Rin said, "or perhaps give him a lashing. It would depend on the sentiments of the queen at the time. Blinding is also a possibility."

"Kyoka's personality is making a whole lot more sense now," Denki muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyoka said.

"Oh, you know exactly what I mean," Denki said, "Oh, wait, if I say that here do I get killed too? How far does this go? Do I have to be all nice like at first if I don't want to die?"

"How exactly do you know this person?" Rin asked Kyoka, as she had Denki sit down on a rock by a small tent that was used for medical purposes (and with all the training, it was needed on a daily basis). 

"He was in my party." Kyoka trusted she could tell Rin this without an overreaction.

Rin raised an eyebrow. "How... unusual.... That's forbidden."

"Princess Momo felt it was permissible under the grave circumstances," Kyoka said, "We... had a lead to the 8th, but it was with a man... so we protected him.... And that's more we must discuss.... There is a new holder now."

Rin looked up from bandaging a cut Denki had gotten while being dragged around by the warriors, to stare at her. "That's... something you must tell all of us at once... and where is Princess Momo, Kyoka? I thought she would have arrived by now. Did you not spread out to look for us after all?"

Kyoka was silent for a moment, then she said, "Perhaps you should know first.... Princess Momo is not returning."

"What?" Denki cried. This was the first time he had heard this.

Rin stared at Kyoka for a long moment, then she smiled almost ironically. "I thought that might happen. It's surprising, but... that lady always had an inquisitive mind. Once allowed out into a wider world, I didn't think she'd be anxious to come back to our small, little society... and you decided to return, anyway? Kyoka? I confess... I almost thought you might be of the same sort in that way."

Denki knew enough to shut up now and not say anything if he wanted to get any more information.

Kyoka looked somber. "Why? This is my home. Why would I leave? She has a mission as a Paladin she feels she must fulfill away from the tribe. I understand her reasons, but I am not a paladin. This is the only thing I've known."

Rin pursed her lips. Then she finished up on Denki quickly. "Give us a moment, bard. If you go ask one of those warriors, they can take you to your animal. I trust it has been well looked after."

"Oh... sure..." Denki walked away.

"Kyoka," Rin spoke, "it was your first time away from the tribe, and you've never been as open minded as the Princess... but, I confess, I thought a little more hesitation would have suited you."

"What?" Kyoka said oddly, "Why?"

"Being a warrior of the tribe is something everyone should think long and hard about," Rin said, "Some girls, they understand that, even as little ones. They know they want to go out and see more of the world. Others, they think it's easier not to think about it.... I always thought you were one of those."

"You... thought I'm a coward?" Kyoka felt a little shaken up.

"Not a coward in battle," Rin said, "but when it comes to confronting the truth, I do not think you try so hard as you might. It's not our way to avoid the troubles of the world just because we live apart from it. If one tribe suffers, all of us will suffer in the long run. That's just as true of the Kingdoms of men as of our warriors. We have our differences, but their welfare and ours is always going to be linked.  If you have failed to see that since going on your quest, then you have failed to be as wise as I would wish you to be."

Kyoka didn't know what to say to that.

Rin tilted her head slightly and spoke more gently than warriors were wont to do. "I know you've never been my especial charge, but I was here the day Sekko brought you in... and your father..."

"What?" Kyoka was appalled. "Don't speak of him to me."

"Why not?" Rin said.

"He was a dishonorable man," Kyoka said angrily, "Why would I wish to hear it?"

"I don't know about that," Rin said, "Is it dishonorable to wish from something better for your child than you can give?"

"Pardon me? That's got nothing to do with it," Kyoka said.

Rin frowned. "Really? I'm surprised to hear you say that. I always thought you were a bit too harsh, but I thought you were fair."

"It is fair! Anyone who values their easy life over their responsibilities is worthless," Kyoka said. This was one of the teachings of the tribe. 

"That is so, but I don't know that I would be so quick to judge that the reason..." Rin stopped. "Sekko is the one who told you what happened, I suppose?"

"Yes... a long time ago." Kyoka had been about 5 when she asked for the last time and finally got an answer.

"Sekko..." Rin pursed her lips. "A good warrior, but very, very set in her own ways. I would not speak ill of another leader, but when someone wants to see something, Kyoka, they will see it. Sekko has lived comfortably enough with her perspective on the world, and she teaches it to all of her trainees. A lot of it is right, but there's little margin for error in her mind. And all the best of us can admit we make mistakes, Kyoka. It's so easy for all you young warriors to talk of our pride as a tribe, as if that puts us above reproach, but it's just the opposite. We are even more open to reproach because we must strive to eliminate any impurity in ourselves. If we would be vessels for the goddess, we must not be harboring untruths and false ideas.... I do not wish to start rumors, but very few priestesses have come out of the Scouts quarter since Sekko took over."

Kyoka could not believe what she was hearing. "I... if this was true, why wouldn't you say so before?"

"Because I can be a coward too," Rin said sadly, "I'm a healer. I don't like conflict. I was drawn to the tribe for the purity and loyalty, but not the more warlike aspects of it. We're many things, you know.... I don't have a lot of bravery, Kyoka, and truthfully, I would not have spoken to you of this at all, if Momo had returned with you... but seeing that my star pupil is braver than I am has put me to shame. I'm sure she told you what she thought, did she not? But you were too scared to listen... and teaching fear is wrong, Kyoka, when it's the fear of the truth."

Kyoka stared at her in amazement.

Rin stood up. "Losing Momo is my just desert for not speaking up about this sooner. But perhaps I can atone for it now. I have stood out a little against Sekko, even today, you see. Maybe I will get stronger... but I feel I would get stronger faster if I could see that you were doing this with your eyes open. Don't take the oath until you are very, very certain it is what you want. And if you think more time in the outside world might change your mind.... Then that is something you ought to confront head on and not use this as a way not to do so." She put a hand on Kyoka's shoulder briefly before walking away.

Kyoka stood there for some time not doing anything, just thinking

                                                                                           * * *

The feast was grand. Kyoka's prediction had been true. The warriors really did welcome back people from traveling with a bang. But it was a little sobered by the fact that Momo had not appeared.

Kyoka had informed the other leaders of Momo's decision about an hour or so after Rin, and Sekko was not pleased. Hanta was not pleased either, but she was characteristically laconic about it.

Word spread through the camp in no time. It was not the first time this had happened, and not the first time it was a paladin either... but, for many of the younger girls it was the first time in their lives, and memories, and Momo was liked by almost everyone, it seemed. No surprise. Denki didn't know anyone who didn't like Momo almost immediately once they met her. He had himself. Hating her was like hating a cute, little bunny... if the bunny had the skills of a lioness in battle.

Denki's treatment by the warriors was both what he expected-- and not. Some of them acted like he was a bug and wouldn't even talk to him-- not that he tried much, but they made it so apparent that if he did try, they wouldn't.

Plenty of the younger girls didn't seem to find it so abhorrent however and acted like he was a rare species of animal. Some even tried to poke him. 

Kyoka seemed to find this annoying and threw stones at them till they went away.

"What's got you in such a mood? Aren't you happy to be home?" Denki said, "Really, it's not so bad. Surprisingly not as frightening as I expected."

"For the record, I think a lot of the little ones think you're just an ugly girl," Kyoka said.

Denki looked crushed. "Uh... right.... That's comforting. Well, the food's good anyway.... That lady was nicer than I thought. But the other ones keep glaring at me."

He meant Sekko and her own troop, who were in fact giving him death glares. 

Kyoka glanced at them and scowled. "It can't be."

"What can't be?" Denki asked.

"Shut up," Kyoka said.

Denki finally had had enough of this. "Listen, lady! I don't know what  your problem is, but you have been rude and mean and aggressive ever since I met you! And now you're still being that way! What did I ever do to you!?" 

Kyoka flinched. "Don't yell at me."

"Why the heck not!?" Denki began. Kyoka covered his mouth with her hand and turned his face to look at the several warriors who were leaning forward with their hands on their weapons.

Denki went a little squeaky.  

Kyoka got up and dragged him after her away from the feast area.

"Where are we going?" Denki asked.

"Allegedly, where I can beat you up myself for that display of disrespect," Kyoka said. 

"Uh... and in reality?" Denki said.

"Don't tempt me," Kyoka muttered.

She stopped outside the healer's tent again. "I guess you can hide in here until enough time goes by.... I have something to take care of."

"Uh... Kyoka..." Denki rubbed his head nervously, "Sorry about snapping like that.... Actually, it seem like something is bothering you.... Are you all right?"

"Me? Why wouldn't I be?" Kyoka didn't make eye contact.

"I dunno. You've been acting weird since earlier," Denki said, "What did that lady say to you?"

"It's... uh.... It's nothing you need to be concerned about," Kyoka said.

"If it's bothering you that much, I'm kind of concerned," Denki said. 

Kyoka sighed. "I... well..."

Who else was she going to talk to? But before she really could begin to explain, Sekko came storming up to them.

"I thought you were gone for too long. What are you doing, Kyoka? This isn't teaching him respect!"

Kyoka and Denki both froze.