Ikasu sat in the city’s garden with a small group of men. Makoto sat beside him. Uragiri sat across from him. Ikasu was speaking quietly to the group about the teachings of his God. It was nothing Makoto and Uragiri had not heard before. Uragiri was interested in hearing what Ikasu would say about Ototo-shi, but so far he hadn’t brought up the subject.
It was then that the Guntai came into the garden. Ikasu continued his teaching as if he hadn’t seen them. Uragiri wondered again if he had done the right thing. Magic was supposed to be a dark and destructive force, but he didn’t see any of that darkness in Ikasu. Was it possible for a kind person to become swayed by the evil of Tain and still remain deluded about their goodness? If so, whose teachings were being presented here?
What Ikasu was talking about certainly didn’t sound like the will of Tain. He spoke of love and forgiveness for your fellow man. He spoke of a chance for redemption even for the most corrupt or fallen souls… Uragiri wondered if that included him.
The Guntai stood beside the group for a moment, seemingly waiting for Ikasu to finish. When he had reached the end of his parable, Ikasu rose from the ground and turned to the Captain of the Guntai.
“Please, join our circle,” Ikasu said.
The entire group was surprised. They all suspected that the guard had come for Ikasu. Didn’t he know that?
The Captain laughed and shook his head.
“Ikasu, you are under arrest for the crime of casting magic,” the Captain said.
“I have cast no magic,” Ikasu said.
“What of Ototo-shi then? Is it not true that you raised him from the dead?” the Guard asked.
“Yes, I called Ototo-shi back from death, but there was no magic. It was merely the will of God,” Ikasu said.
“You are under arrest,” the Captain repeated.
Ikasu nodded.
Makoto stood and laid his hand gently on Ikasu’s arm.
“Please, don’t do this,” Makoto whispered with tears in his eyes.
Ikasu embraced Makoto briefly.
“This is the will of God. Know that I have loved you.”
Ikasu went with them quietly and made no effort to fight them. The group watched him leave. Uragiri again wondered about the choice he’d made…
