guilty blade

8/15/2019 Guilty Blade

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The Guilty Blade

Joshua McNatt

Creative Writing Final

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Chapter 1: Blood on the Cobblestones

Blood hit the cracked stones of the pit floor in a burst of small droplets, and with a sucking

sound the child pulled the broken splinter of wood free of his opponents abdomen, pushing the now!

lifeless bod" awa" from him and turning to face the other two still left standing in the small arena# $

half!do%en other fresh corpses, some of them children and a few ragged!looking adults, were scattered

about with similar wounds# &ne of the larger bo"s still standing "anked a broken!looking a'e out of his

previous adversar" and moved toward the smallest of the survivors, violent madness painted across his

face# (ucking under the first swing, the "ounger child headbutted him, the shard of wood in his hand

rising to the raised arms pit and sinking until bone brought it to a halt# With a choked scream, the

attackers a'e fell from his hand and clattered to the floor, the sound of the weapons impact unheard

over the roar of the crowd#

)*otential, if somewhat lacking in direction#+ wo of those at the edge of the pit looked down

with a more detached interest than the cheering locals, easil" told apart even without the wildl"

different manner of dress# While the people gathered around the fight below wore the clothing of

laborers, loose shirts and pants befitting long hours at work, the two were draped in silken clothing of

ornate design# Blues and gre"s blended into each other to create the impression of crashing waves# Both

were armed, the "ounger of them bearing a pair of matched swords at his hip while the older had onl"

the shorter waki%ashi at his side- the weapons of nobles#

)What was that, m" lord.+ he "ounger of the two turned his attention from the fight to his

master#

)/ook at him#+ he older man nodded his head to the bo" stepping awa" from the falling bod"

of his latest kill# )Whats different about him.+

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)m not sure, m" lord# ###+ he samurais e"es narrowed and he frowned# )he others are

performing# *utting on a show# 2es 3ust killing# r"ing to be the last one standing#+

)Mm# *erhaps, with some direction and discipline, he could make a valuable servant to our

house# What do "ou think.+

he samurai frowned# )m not sure if could make him an" more than a killer, but perhaps the

4un emple could# believe the master there is accepting students again#+

he noble lord nodded, thinking# )/ets go find out who owns him#+

$nother pained cr" was followed b" the crowd cheering and the scream of a trumpet#

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2e was escorted b" two armed guards, shackles on his ankles and wrists# 2ed been cleaned up

in the hour since the fight, made presentable# Walking down the corridor, the bo" was silent, following

the guard in front of him until the" arrived in the well!furnished room of the arenas owner#

)$h, "es, there he is# Come over here, bo"#+ he fighter did as he was told, walking over to

where the large man spoke with his guests# )his is /ord Jinin of 2ouse 6ar3a# 2e saw "our fight

toda"#+

/ooking at the two blue!robed men, then back at the arenas owner, the bo" frowned#

)4o.+

)4o the"ve decided to purchase "ou#+

)&h#+

)What is "our name.+ his time it was the older nobleman that spoke, giving a polite smile

toward the slave#

)4hir"ou, sir#+ 2e shifted nervousl"#

)Well, 4hir"ou, would like to give "ou an opportunit"# $s it stands, a recent disaster has left

m" houses guard somewhat short!staffed# 7ou were ver" efficient in the fight toda"###+

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)m efficient in ever" fight# hats how "ou live#+ he arenas owner tensed at the interruption#

*eople had been killed for less insult before#

)###"es# With some education and direction, "ou could be a valuable member of 2ouse 6ar3a#+

)hank "ou, sir#+

4oon the bo" and the samurai waited outside as pa"ment was arranged, then /ord Jinin 3oined

them# )$re "ou read" to go. (o "ou have ever"thing.+

4hir"ou looked a little confused at the notion he might have things to take with him, then he

smiled# )&ne moment#+ (isappearing down the side of the fighting pit, he climbed back out after a few

minutes with a stained, crude knife carved from a large wooden splinter# )Now m read"#+

he two noblemen e'changed a glance, then headed with him back to the caravan#

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Chapter 2: Temple of the Sun

4hir"ou stood in his new masters office, completel" still in the blue and gre" uniform of 2ouse

6ar3as warriors# he desk across from him was covered with scattered and disorgani%ed paperwork#

Jinin sat on the other side of it, reading through some papers with a small grin#

)7our handwriting is getting better, 4hi# 7our poetr" is lacking in much artistic language, but

suppose that isnt "our strongest suit# suneni tells me "ouve re:uested that he bring back an" books he

can find on his ne't route#+

)Well, ve read all of the ones in the librar", sir#+

Jinin smiled and set the papers down# )m glad to see that "ouve found a liking for something#

4uiton was concerned when we first brought "ou here that "ou were interested onl" in violence# 7ou

were uncomfortabl" good at it, considering "our age#+

4hir"ou stiffened# )t was a means to an end#+

Jinin nodded and moved to stand, walking around his desk to a map on the wall# )7ouve

absorbed "our lessons well in the last few "ears# ;eading, writing, music# 2istories and philosophies#

7ou pa" "our respects to the gods and humble "ourself before "our betters#+

)hank "ou, sir#+

Jinin thought for a moment# ) think its time "ou went to the emple of the 4un#+

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he sun was setting when the" arrived at the small monaster" at the top of a large hill# n the

court"ard that served as its entrance was a beautiful sun of inlaid topa% gems, the sunset reflecting to

bathe the place it colors# 4hir"ou paused to marvel at the displa" before ad3usting the bag on his

shoulder and following 4uiton#


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)he da" we found "ou in that town predicted "oud end up here#+ he samurai looked as

though he had aged a decade in the few "ears since the" had met, the ravages of an affliction that had

never :uite left him be# )m interested in seeing what "ou pick up here# $h= Master enken# hank "ou

for accepting our re:uest#+

$n older man was waiting for them at the other end of the court"ard# (ressed in a simple white

set of clothes, he and the samurai bowed to one another as the" neared, and he looked to the "oung

man#

)4o, this is the student. What is "our name.+

)4hir"ou, master#+

)$nd do "ou know wh" "ou have been brought to me.+

4hir"ou looked around# )o learn swordpla", master#+

he monk grinned# )*la" is for children, "oung man# What teach is art#+

4uiton patted his companions shoulder# )ll stop b" in a few da"s to see how "oure doing and

bring "ou an" news# r" not to make a fool of "ourself#+

Master enken bowed again to the samurai before gesturing toward the inside of the temple#

)Come now, let me show "ou to "our room#+ $s the" walked together through the halls, 4hir"ou looked

around at the painted architecture, finall" pausing before a golden sword enshrined in a side passage#

)Whats this.+

enken turned to look at him, then followed his ga%e to the sword# )$h# hat is 2inoiri# t

belonged to the founder of this temple#+

)Wh" is it here.+

enken, looked between the bo" and the sword for a time, then took a deep breath# )2inoiris

master was a samurai named 4angeki Motoi# 2e was a veteran of the wars fought to free this land from

the t"rann" of the old 7ama >ings, the demons that ruled over the world in the old da"s# 2e founded

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the emple of the 4un, as did man" of those responsible for banishing the 7ama >ings, in order to

ensure the" never returned# t was 4angeki who defeated the last of them, destro"ing its earthl" form#

)But the victor" was short!lived# he 7ama >ings spirit took refuge within 4angeki# t nestled

in his chest, and as the weeks passed it began to take over 4angekis heart, turning the peaceful monk to

acts of violence and debaucher"# When he reali%ed what had happened, 4angeki took up 2inoiri one

last time, using the golden blade to cut out his own heart#+

4hir"ou frowned, e"es transfi'ed on the weapon# )hat was stupid of him# Who would cut out

their own heart.+

enken sighed, tugging on the bo"s shirt to get his attention# )ts not for us to sa" if it was right

or wrong# Would "ou have the courage to carve evil from "our breast.+

he bo" frowned, his ga%e lingering on the enshrined blade one last time before he followed the

monk deeper into the temple#

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Chapter 3: Catch the Sun

Metal clashed on metal, the air ringing for several seconds before the two combatants broke

apart# Breathing heavil", 4hir"ou raised the sword in his hands to a more defensive position, read"ing

to face a counter assault while he caught his breath# $cross the suns image in the court"ard, 4uiton

shifted his footing before launching forward, blade hori%ontal to the ground in a swift thrust# here was

a sound of metal grinding against metal as it was barel" deflected b" the "ounger mans sword, sliding

along until he managed to stumble out of reach#

)4top#+ enken sat in the shade of a tree, three meals set out before him# )Come# 4it#+

4hir"ou did as he was told, sitting at one and putting the weapon hed been using aside# 4uiton

leaned his against the tree before taking a seat and gratefull" beginning to eat#

)ell me, child, what was "our error.+

4hir"ou hesitated, then shrugged# ) suppose wasnt fast enough#+ he old man shook his head#

)No, child# 7ou are faster than most# r" again#+

2e thought again for a time, taking a few bites of food as he did# ) needed to catch m" breath#+

he two older men e'changed a glance, and 4hir"ou continued to eat, watching them#

)2ow would "ou describe "our initial moments in the duel.+

2e stopped eating, knowing the answer# ) attacked a lot and wore m"self out#+

)4lopp"# 7ou were slopp" in the beginning, and tr"ing to make up for it the rest of the fight# $ll

he had to do was make small ad3ustments to avoid "our fren%" of attacks while he waited for "ou to

e'haust "ourself#+

)7ou were swinging too hard, too# 7oure not strong enough to let that be the defining feature

"ou bring into a fight# M" hands are a little numb, but "our hand will shatter before these weapons do#

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Just focus on tr"ing to land hits# 7oure not hewing logs#+

4hir"ou nodded, pausing in his eating as a small koi!like creature flitted through the branches

above them, trailing candlelight# 4miling, he reached up his arm with his hand in a circle for the little

fire!spirit to pla" around, passing through it like a trained animal 3umping through hoops# 2is two

instructors watched silentl" until the little creature found something else to occup" it and drifted awa"#

)Can tr" again.+ he "oung mans attention turned to them, finishing the last few bites and

standing with the weapon# 4uiton started to rise, stopping when the old monk waved him back down#

Walking into the temple, he returned with another sword, drawing it for a moment, then letting it fall

back into the scabbard most of the wa" before taking his position across from where his student alread"

waited with weapon drawn#

4ilentl", the old monk waited, watching 4hir"ou patientl"# $fter a hesitation, the bo" rushed

across the court"ard at him, weapon coming down toward the monks shoulder# 4uddenl", there was a

flash of light that blinded him, and he felt onl" a rush of wind, refle'ivel" 3umping back# ;ubbing his

watering e"es, he looked at the monk, still standing where he was, sword still at his side# hen he saw

the pendant hed been wearing, a small stone he had found while fishing one da" and put on a necklace,

la"ing on the ground at the monks feet# ;eaching to his neck, he found the chord it had been hanging

from cut in two places, and looked at the string he pulled from the back of his neck in disbelief#

)Wha###what the###.+ 2e looked back toward the monk, still waiting patientl" as if for the fight

to begin# $ :uick look toward the samurai still eating under the tree confirmed he wasnt the onl" one

impressed, and as the shock was wearing off he raised the weapon again for another attack, retrieving a

rock from the ground and taking a stance#

$fter what seemed an eternit", he threw the rock, aiming for the infuriatingl" calm old mans

face# his time from where he stood, he saw it- the blade catching the sunlight for an instant as it

struck, drawn and returned to its place in what seemed no time at all# "es widening, 4hir"ou retreated


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even further from his teacher, tr"ing to think of a wa" around such a defense# Finall", his shoulders

slumped and he lowered his weapon#

) dont###theres no###+ 2is e'pression changed to one of curiosit"# )2ow do "ou do that.+

enken pushed the sword the last inch into the scabbard, locking it# Diving a dismissing nod to

the samurai, he started going back into the temple# With a :uick bow and a wave to 4uiton, the bo"

followed#

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$fter his three "ears in the temple, the room the" sat in was a familiar one# t was the place he

came to meditate ever" da"# 2ed learned old stories here, been taught languages b" a engu, one of the

humanoid birds whose settlements dotted the forested regions between the temple and the mountain

range to the north# Now, he sat :uietl" as his teacher gathered his thoughts#

)(o "ou know what the most important part of a duel is, 4hir"ou.+

) dont think so#+

he old monk began painting, the thin brush gliding over the large paper in front of him in

shapes 4hir"ou couldnt see from where he sat#

)he most important part of a duel is the deciding blow# t ma" come at an" time, and will

rarel" be e'pected# $t that point, the fight might continue, but this is wasted energ"# he victor has

been decided, and ever"thing following this is his to determine#+

)###think understand#+

he monk continued his painting in silence for a time#

)But what about larger battles. t cant be that simple in such a melee###+ he painting stopped,

and the monk blew on the ink for a moment before turning the work to show him# 4everal warriors

battled, a sea of weapons and bodies between two men on horseback#

)ell me what "ou see#+

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4hir"ou studied the image for a long time before finall" speaking up#

)$ fight. wo warlords and their armies.+

)hat is correct, but not what meant#+

4hir"ou frowned and studied the picture for a moment gain#

)he"re all having little battles# ach person is fighting his own little duel before moving on to

the ne't one#+

enken nodded#

)ven the two warlords are locked in a duel# heir armies are their weapons# (o "ou

understand.+

he bo" nodded# )7es, think so# What does this have to do with that think "ou did in the

court"ard, though.+

)Which of these two warlords is going to be victorious.+

4hir"ou frowned when it seemed his :uestion was ignored and turned his attention to the image#

)he red one, suppose#+

)Wh".+

) dont understand what this has to do with an"thing###+

)2umor me#+

4hir"ou sighed and studied the image for a while#

)2is forces have more direction# he warlord painted in green is throwing his arm" at the his

enem" to overwhelm him, and the people in red seem to have a plan#+

)'plain#+

)Well###+ 2e was hesitant# )he green warlord has his warriors scattered ever"where, with no

direction but their own# he reds conscripted soldiers###at least think thats what the ones with farming

attire and spears are###are being used as buffers while the samurai move toward the enem" commander#+

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2e looked up at the old monk, who was nodding#

)he" prepare for the decisive blow#+

)4o what is it that "ou did before with the sunlight and the moving reall" fast.+

enken frowned slightl"#

)mpatient, arent "ou. ell me again, wh" did "ou lose.+

) was tr"ing too hard to overwhelm 4uiton with brute force, and thought that could use m"

speed to put "ou on the defensive and lost balance#+

)7ou lost because "ou lacked focus#+

)###&ka"###.+

)$ man with a hammer can strike at a block of stone all da" and onl" serve to wear out himself

and his instrument# t is the vision and the chisel that allows him to sculpt an image#+

4hir"ou blinked, looking at the painting and the granite block before turning his attention back

to his teacher#

)s this how "oure tr"ing to tell me "ouve alwa"s dreamed of being an artist, master.+

he old monk sighed in frustration#

)m tr"ing to lead "ou to understanding with metaphor# t helps "ou remember it when it was

almost "our idea# 6er" well, have a language think "oull understand# *ass me that practice sword#+

4hir"ou did as he was asked, handing the monk the edgeless metal weapon# 4tanding, enken

went to the granite block and took the same stance hed had before in the court"ard# aking a deep

breath in his nose and e'haling slowl" through his mouth, the monk drew the blade, moving it through

the ob3ect as though cutting water and returning the weapon to its place in the same motion#

4hir"ou sat, wide!e"ed, his brain still tr"ing to register the motion# )2ow did "ou### mean, that

wasnt even sharp=+

)he focused mind can pierce through stone#+ he monk turned to look at him, then the dust

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and pieces of broken rock scattered around where he was# )Clean up in here, then take the night to

reflect on toda"# omorrow well start working on teaching "ou to use "our sword in this manner and

catch the sun with "our blade#+

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Chapter 4: Homecoming

4hir"ou looked about him as the" made their wa" through the village, taking in the sights and

tr"ing to :uell his nervousness# t had been almost eight "ears since he was home, and so much had

changed# &ld shops he thought he could recall were gone, replaced b" alien sights and smells# he

horse beneath him knew the wa", following enkens mount ahead of it and picking its wa" up the

cobblestone streets toward the manor# ven the estate itself had changed, with new banners and

trophies lining the entr"wa"#

he people waiting at the grand halls entrance had changed most of all# /ord Jinin was now

gre"!haired, with the stature of a man who spent more time in a chair than the proud warrior that he had

met when he was 3ust a child fighting desperatel" to survive# 4uiton was older, too, but it seemed less

noticeable# 4hir"ou decided it must have been due to his fre:uent visits to the temple#

2e rode in silence, finall" dismounting the animal and approaching at the left of his teacher, a

few steps behind him# Moving to stand before his lord, he lowered himself to his knees and bowed his

head, e"es closed and sword across his legs, parallel to the stone beneath him#

)7ou have a stubborn "oung warrior here, /ord Jinin# think got through to him, though#+ he

monk grinned, bowing to the nobleman#

)hank "ou, old friend# am eager to see what "ou have molded him into#+ /ooking toward his

right!hand man, Jinin smiled# )What do "ou think, 4uiton. Would "ou like to see what our investment

has grown to become.+ he samurai nodded#

/ooking back to the "oung warrior, Jinin stepped forward and offered a hand# )Come, now# his

is "our da", it should not be spent on "our knees#+ 4hir"ou took the hand and rose, bowing to his

master#

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)hank "ou, m" lord#+

he two elders looked between 4uiton and 4hir"ou, then started to make their wa" toward the

open fields#

)Well, come on then# /ets go see what the old man has taught "ou#+ 4uiton followed after them,

4hir"ou onl" a few steps behind#

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Man" of the houses servants had come to watch, gathered in a thin crowd around where the two

warriors faced each other# 4uiton drew his weapon, beginning to pace in a small arc, watching for

movement from the still "ounger warrior# 4hir"ou left his weapon mostl" undrawn, observing the

samurai and waiting for the first move# $fter what seemed an eternit" of silence, the samurai rushed

forward and struck from the left, prompting the weapon to leave the sheathe# &nl" the flash of sunlight

and the clamoring of metal gave the audience an indicator of what had deflected the first strike, but as

the second started to move in from above the kensai stepped forward, drawing the weapon forward to

drive the butt of the handle into his opponents abdomen before sliding the weapon back into its sheathe

and sidestepping the downward strike# $s 4uiton turned to strike again, the 4hir"ou danced around his

back, foot coming out to hook the samurais leg and pull him off balance# hrown off balance, the

samurai ducked into the fall to roll, coming up to parr" a strike at him with his weapon# $ moment later

he was standing again, a flurr" of attacks driving 4hir"ou backwards, weapon full" out of its place at

his side and moving to knock aside the attacks# Minutes passed, an erratic metronome of ringing and

crashing metal as the two danced back and forth through the circle of onlookers, until eventuall" both

stopped, breaking apart and looking at each other across a space of a few "ards, breathing heavil" from

the e'ertion# hen, with a bow, 4uiton put awa" his weapon#

)7ou have improved greatl"# am proud to welcome "ou back into our house#+

he onlookers scattered, talking amongst themselves e'citedl" as the returned to their duties#

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Jinin and enken spoke briefl" for a time, then the two nobleman returned to the manor#

)7ou have come a long wa" since "ou were first brought to the temple, child#+ enken patted

him on the shoulder# )But dont take that to mean "ou have nothing left to learn#+ $s 4hir"ou put awa"

his weapon, the old monk moved to sit on the e'posed root of a large tree at the edge of the field#

)ven this ancient warden has room left to grow#+

) understand, master#+ he "ounger man sat on another root, looking out over the village below

them#

) have spoken to /ord Jinin# &ne da", "ou ma" be called upon to take m" place at the temple#

2e has accepted such an event# Be that as it is, would like it if "ou resumed "our duties there from

time to time, so that the transition will be easier#+ 4hir"ou looked startled, but nodded#

)&f course, master# t would be an honor#+

)7ou are welcomed to return at an" time "our duties allow# ntil then, child#+ ;ising, the old

monk made his wa" across the field back toward the house to retrieve the horses#

4hir"ou remained where he sat for a few moments, watching the sun set before finall" returning

home#

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Chapter : !mong "hispering Trees

he wooden wheels rattled along the hard!packed dirt of the road, two horses ahead making

their wa" with practiced strides as the pulled the trade cart along# Four people sat atop the cart, amid

bo'es and canvas sacks# $t the head, a merchant in the emplo" of house 6ar3a, steering the horses in

silence, taking his attention from the horses onl" to voice a reprimand when his "oung son started

pla"ing with the goods the" were transporting#

)uchi, stop that# hose arent to"s#+ he bo" looked guilt" again, returning the 3ade statuettes to

their crate and sitting back with his hands in his lap# t wasnt long until his e"es were roaming the

stacks of crates and bags for something he hadnt been told not to touch "et# he two sitting with their

legs hanging off the back of the cart smiled, watching the child with amusement#

4hir"ou sat in the signature blue and gre" robes of the houses warriors, his sword resting across

his lap and a chord around his neck, the top of his uniform concealing whatever hung on the end of it# t

had been a few "ears since his return to the estate, and this wasnt the first time he had made such a trip#

While the caravans were rarel" attacked along this route, /ord Jinin was alwa"s more careful with the

safet" of his people than was usuall" necessar"# ;egardless of the reasoning, 4hir"ou en3o"ed the

chances to visit other places#

Beside him sat a man a few "ears older, dressed in the red and green robes of clan $kodo, a

famil" that had 3ust over a "ear ago been brought under the protection of house 6ar3a following their

home being submerged in a rash of vicious storms# $ handful of them were warriors, and gladl"

worked in service of the house in return for the aid and hospitalit"# he mans naginata was hanging

from a pair of loops along the side of the cart, eas" to retrieve if needed but out of reach of the curious

bo" now digging into a bag of colored glass marbles#

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)&h, come now, ousen, hes 3ust having a look# We wont let him break an"thing#+ 2igeki

$kodo grinned, looking toward 4hir"ou and retrieving a flute from his bag#

)$nother grand ballad to "our legend, 2igeki.+

)&f course= his one will tell the stor" of the battle against the wild beast the gods unleashed

upon the poor village of omaru last spring, and how struck the beast down while bereft of m"

weapon#+

)7ou mean that time a wild boar got loose in the market s:uare and broke a fruit stand. he one

"ou killed with a farmers shovel.+

)Bah, "oure a terrible stor"teller# $ll legends have a little embellishment# ts what makes them,

"ou know, entertaining#+

4hir"ou rolled his e"es, then ad3usted some of the silks to make a cushion and laid back#

Moving his sun hat to cover his face, he closed his e"es, mumbling barel" audibl" through the straw#

)m gonna take a nap, then# Wake me up if "ou need someone to e'plain awa" the screams of

the damned soon to follow us down the road#+

)2a ha, "our wit is as sharp as "our weapon#+ 2igeki raised the flute to his lips and started

pla"ing, the melod" echoing out through the forest, as if inviting the birds to 3oin in#

hen, the cart stopped#

4hir"ou frowned, setting aside his hat and turning to look at the source of their dela"# $ log had

been placed across the road, stripped of its branches and leaves#

)Bandits#+ he two men grabbed their weapons, turning to look about# t wasnt long before the

culprits appeared#

)2ello, gentlemen# ts a good thing we caught up to "ou in time# Would be a shame if "ou had

made it an" further without pa"ing the ta'#+ Four men in light to heav" armor made to surround the

cart, armed with swords and one carr"ing a large studded club#

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)What ta'. heres no ta' for these roads#+

)&h, but there is# 7ou see, its a life insurance ta'# 7ou pa" it to ensure "ou make it the rest of

the wa" down the road with "our life# (angerous folk about this part of the wood, "ou know# $ccidents

happen#+

)7eah, accidents# 2ow much is the ta'.+

)$ ver" fair price, think# &nl" ever"thing in the cart, save for some food# We are reasonable

men, after all, and wouldnt deprive "ou of transportation and meals so deep into the woods#+

)7es, thats ver" reasonable# 2ow about a counter!offer, then. 7ou go ahead and clear the path,

and we pa" "ou for the labor.+

he leader made a show of thinking about it for a few seconds, then shook his head# )$ kind

offer, but feel must insist "ou accept the initial bargain# $fter all, we could 3ust take ever"thing,

including "our lives#+

4hir"ou shrugged, hopping off the cart and moving toward the spokesperson, weapon still at his

side and his hands empt"#

)rue, but we are traveling for house 6ar3a# 7ou could kill us, but it might invoke the 4teel

empests wrath#+ &ne of the bandits faltered a little, his weapon lowering 3ust enough to be noticeable#

)he empest. Ma"be this isnt such a good idea# ve heard it can call winds strong enough to

carr" awa" a village#+

)What are "ou talking about.+ he spokesperson looked toward the speaker, irritated#

)2avent "ou heard. /ord 6ar3a made a pact with an air spirit# he 4teel empest killed an

entire invading force without even being seen# know a gu" who was there#+

he leader seemed to consider this, then frowned and looked at the cart# )$lright, well move

the tree for some food and a few gold coins#+

4hir"ou bowed# )$ wise choice#+

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he transaction finished and the log moved to the side of the road, the two warriors settled back

into their place in the back of the cart# 2igeki stared at 4hir"ou as the "ounger man waved farewell to

the bandits#

)We dont have an" kind of air spirit like that# What kind of rumors have "ou been spreading.+

4hir"ou grinned and shrugged#

)Ma"be m not such a bad stor"teller after all#+

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Chapter #: Tragedy

t was late in the night when 4hir"ou returned to the estate from his latest visit to the 4un

emple# 2e found the place full of activit", people rushing about franticall"# Making his wa" through

the chaos, he found 4uiton making his wa" toward the court"ard#

)Whats going on.+

4uiton 3umped, turning to look at him# (istress was painted across his face and his entire bod"

was tense# 6oice choked a little, he tried to speak#

)ts /ord Jinin# 2es dead# 2e was struck suddenl" ill in the night# 2igeki found him while on

guard#+

4hir"ous blood ran cold, and he put a hand on the wall to stead" himself# 4taring at the floor, he

sighed#

)2ow can he be dead. 2e### mean, he was fine this afternoon# Was he poisoned.+

) cant imagine an"one got past 2igeki#+

)###"eah, thats true###+ 4hir"ou sighed and closed his e"es, still reeling from this turn of events#

)What can do.+

)Det some rest# Weve got it covered# News will have to go out# heres going to be a power

vacuum, so for the ne't few weeks we need to keep ever"thing from getting out of hand# Do get some

rest, weve got a lot of work ahead of us#+

4hir"ou nodded, then walked to his :uarters in a da%e#

55555

he ne't few weeks passed in a ha%e# ver"one that was available was called back to the estate,

and within a week the service had been performed# here was some debate among the house about who

01


22/26


23/26

Chapter $: %e&elation

4hir"ou was out on the weather deck, leaning against the railing and watching the sunrise over

the ocean# he"d left port a few da"s before, and he was eager to return home to the temple# here was

something about transporting live cargo that bothered him, and the captains insistence that he go into

town while the animals were loaded on board bothered him even more#

)*rett", aint it.+ 2e turned his head to see one of the deckhands standing nearb", taking a break

from his mopping#

)7es# heres not so man" colors here, though# Back home it shines in an arra" of shades#+

he sailor shrugged# )7eah, well, once we get our ship tied up in port "ou can be on "our wa"#

Capnll send "our boss our praise# mean, never seen one a them water things before leave a ship

alone# hen again, neer thought to tr" talkn to it, neither#+

)t 3ust wanted us to acknowledge that we were passing through its domain#+ /ooking toward

the trap door, he shifted his weight# )No ones fed them this morning# $n" reason "oure not.+

he deck hand shook his head#

)Naw, gonna wait til someone else takes care of it# hate lissenin to em# (unno wh" the"

askin me to let em go, snot m" place#+

he warriors stance shifted#

)'cuse me. he sheep talk to "ou.+ 2ed heard of shamans that could speak to animals, but

somehow he doubted this deckhand had the capacit" for it#

)4heep. $h, naw m not one a them cra%ies what thinks the" hear animals# But mean,

peoplere alwa"s sore about being chained up in a ship, speciall" if the"re goin to work in a mine#+

Now 4hir"ou was on his feet, a hand around the surprised deckhands throat#

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)'plain "ourself# Now#+

)W!well m!mean wes shippin slaves# $int no animals down there but them standin on two

fe!+ 2e was cut off b" the grip tightening on his throat, and then released#

)7ou should have been more honest with me#+ Now was not the time to let anger get the better

of him, and he turned and went back to his :uarters in silence# When the" reached port, he slipped off

the ship and went to the temple#

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25/26

Chapter ': The Golden Blade

2is mind raced as he ascended the steps of the temple, moving through its passages in search of

its keeper# 2e found him in the classroom, working on a painting, a mural of 4angekis

accomplishments before founding the temple#

)Master enken, do "ou have a moment.+ 4hir"ou moved to sit in the place he had as a child,

when things had been simpler# )m in need of###something has happened#+

he old monk turned to regard his old student, seeing the look on his face and setting the brush

aside#

)What is wrong, child.+ enken moved to sit across the table from him, concerned#

)/ord 7otsu# he new head of the house, hes###strangers come to the manor at odd hours, with

the look of criminals about them# 2e makes odd pa"ments, there are new businesses in the village#

here have been rumors# 4ome of our soldiers are now highwa"men# $ssassins# nforcers#+ 2e shook

his head, staring at the tabletop# ) ignored them, told m"self that it was talk# hat m" suspicions were

unfounded#+ 2is e"es turned up to look his old master in the face, conflict visible behind them#

)Master, ve been awa" on a guard assignment for a few weeks# We were transporting

livestock, was told# 4heep# was deceived, and was responsible for protecting slavers#+

enkens frown deepened and he put a hand on the "ounger mans shoulder#

) have no###there is nothing have that can guide "ou here# No past e'periences can draw

upon# his hurts me, to have m" oldest friends legac" stained in such a wa"# What will "ou do. 4urel"

there must be something, someone "ou can alert# 4uiton, perhaps.+

)4uiton is gone# 2es been across the sea for over a month now on orders# think ma"be he saw

what now see and was sent awa", or worse#+

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enken nodded slowl", helping 4hir"ou to his feet# ) have duties must attend, its almost

sunset# Do to the shrine, ask 4angeki for guidance# ;eflect# Meditate# *ra"# (o whatever "ou must# ll

3oin "ou shortl"#+

4hir"ou nodded, sighing and going to the shrine# >neeling before the sword and armor there#

"es closed, head bowed, he cleared his mind, reflecting on ever"thing he had learned, the last decade

and a half of teachings# /ooking toward the armor, he sighed#

)What would "ou do. Were "ou in m" place, what answers would "ou see that are hidden from

me###.+ $ thought occurred to him, half!forgotten and buried in over ten "ears of memories# Would you

have the courage to carve out your own heart? 2is attention shifted from the armor, and he saw his

answer#

t was over an hour later that enken finished his duties, walking into the shrine room and

stopping in his tracks, finding it empt" of more than 3ust his student#

)No, child, what have "ou done###.+

4hir"ou spurred his horse faster, making for the estate overlooking the village that was now as

alien to him as it had been the first da" of his new life# he "oung monk would do an"thing to protect

the legac" of the man and famil" that had given him that life# 2e steeled himself for what he needed to

do, the act that would make him a traitor# $n e'ile, never to return home# 2e thought about the future

he was about to abandon, the life he was about to take, and turned his head to look at the weapon at his

side#

he fires of the setting sun shone off the golden blade#

0?

guilty blade

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