A Land Far Away

Part One - The Flower and the Stone

There was little noise in the garden as young Itishi Sumitsa sat with her koto in her lap. The slight rustling of leaves as the breeze blew past the cherry trees, the familiar rythmic clonk of the bamboo fountain as it tilted to release the water that had been gathering within, and the slow tunning as Master Shi wound the small pedals, adjusting the sound. Itishi had been learning to adjust the sound by ear, but had broken the third string the evening before... Master Shi had been kind enough to display the lesson of restringing once again. His biwa lay near, ready to accompany Itishi when her koto was ready to play.

The two would have made a stark contrast to any of the servants passing by on their daily routine. Itishi, only six years of age, barely came to Master Shi's knee...indeed upon meeting Master Shi for the first time most did comment on his unusual height, for Master Shi stood a hand and a half taller than most on Shinkoku. The dark brown of Master Shi's skin varied in some places, old scars where the skin refused to brown anymore, whereas the skin of Itishi herself was as unbroken and as white as the flower of the lotus. Indeed, even their demeanor contrasted sharply...for Master Shi was as serious and stern as Itishi was playful and carefree...at least to the untrained eye. Those who knew both Master Shi and young Sumitsa would soon note how the demeanors of both seemed to be fusing together...indeed, in the coming weeks, Master Shi will be heard to actually hum while he tends his own small garden in the evenings...and if one looks closely, a slight smile will be seen upon his face. Itishi, likewise, will be found with a furrowed brow watching the young males play, commenting on just how barbaric and unruley the young sires will be. Of coarse...this coming from a six year old will surely bring a smile to any adult face....I think Master Shi himself will soon caution Itishi with a thought...Enjoy your youth, and do not seek to end it before it is done, for there is time enough for adult things.

Master Shi plucked the string, and then nodded, his ancient eyes narrowing, the wrinkles around them growing more pronounced. It is done, then. Master Shi hefted the long koto and placed it in Itishi's lap. It was a miniature version of a real koto, as her arms were no where near the length required to play a full sized one. Master Shi's eyes narrowed further, as he saw that Itishi's attention was not on the instrument, but on him.

Well?
Hmm? Itishi tore her eyes away from his shoulder to look him in the eyes.
Are you going to sit there all day with that fools expression on your face, or do you think my mind too simple to comprehend the thoughts of a young apprentice?

Itishi slowly smiled, then giggled a moment.
Master Shi...why do you wear the blossom on your hakama? I have seen them before, on others....

Master Shi frowned slowly, his eyes seeming to loose focus for a moment. He grunted, his eyes coming back into focus.

Ask me again, when you can reach my hair while I stand. For now, demonstrate for me blossom in the breeze.

Itishi Sumitsa's thumb, point and middle finger began to pick the strings, as her other hand adjusted the pitch, all thought of the grey blossom on Master Shi's hakama quickly fading.

You've got a gift, Dan...incredible!

It is not long after the practice in the garden...perhaps no more than two weeks. Itishi sits at the foot of the long sakura table, in her usual place. Though not the youngest, Itishi is the only female child of Tujira Sumitsa, Bannerbearer and Right Arm of Samuria Arata Cho. And so it is that at every meal, Itishi sits at the end of the table, and is always served last. Her five elder brothers would deem such a seat indescribably insulting. Not Itishi...for at every meal, she has the fortune to sit opposite her father who sits at the head of the long table, and gaze upon his face as she eats. In lesser houses, she would eat in a seperate room, but Tujira was more than willing to do away with many of the more unneccessary familial customs, especially when it came to Itishi. It is no secret among the family or servants that her brothers are the pride of Tujira's life, but that also Itishi is Tujira's dream come true. In fact, Itishi is Tujira's heart. Itishi's mother Kasumi sits to her left, always speaking with Itishi during meals. Kasumi is the portrait of Kara Tur'an beauty...her black hair waistlong when not curled and held in her hair with one of her many decorated hair sticks, her eyes perfectly almond and a deep jade green, her cheeks chiseled high and clearly defined, her neck long and distinguished. It is said that Itishi will likely mirror her mothers own beauty once she comes of age...many of the servants jest that Tujira might become the next emperors father-in-law.

When the rice and roast fowl are eaten, and the servants have cleared the long table of the dishes, Tujira speaks. His own brown eyes pierce the room as he turns his head to each as he speaks. His eyes linger on Itishi, a smile appearing on his face.

I go to Doiyu when the sun next rises with Master Cho. It seems some of the northern samuria are shifting their alliegiances away from Shogun, and Master Cho seeks audiance with the Shogun to reassure him our support, as well as to take rice tribute. While I am gone, I would like for the rails to be stripped and painted...by you, not the servants. Hayato, you are in charge until I return.

Indeed, Tujira is a wise man, for stripping and painting the rails and columns was to be many days work, which would serve a two-fold purpose....the first, to take the families mind off of Tujira's absence, and the second, to bring the family together in common purpose. Itishi grimaces at the thought of the work, but then grins. Perhaps mother would place Itishi on her shoulders to paint the high places again. She adjusts the blossom in her hair, and leaves the table after the others and wanders into the garden to practice on her koto. She sits on her favorite rock as her mind wanders to what Doiyu looks like. The sun sets slowly this day, giving the sky an ominous purple sheen. Indeed, much in the days to come will lay the future path of Itishi...

...amazing how one trip to the capitol, not even made by oneself, can change one's life, yes?

Dan, you have a way of bringing character to life with few words, either narrative or RP. I look forward to getting to know this one.

It is now perhaps a moon since Tujira's trip to Doiyu. Itishi sits in the garden, on her favorite rock, opposite Master Shi. She finishes playing Floating Swan, the last chord twanging and then falling slowly silent as Master Shi sits with eyes closed. Itishi waits, as Master Shi slowly opens his eyes.

Master Shi.....why do you dislike Master Koa?

Master Shi furrows his brow, looking into her eyes.

Master Koa is much like Master Shi in temperament...on a good day he is a dragon with a thorn in it's foot. Itishi felt lucky many times over not to be the focus of Master Koa's ire, for that was displayed aptly throught the faults of her brothers. For you see, Master Koa is the teacher of Itishi's brothers, much like Master Shi is Itishi's teacher. The lessons are very different though.

Master Shi thinks long before answering.

I do not dislike Daichi Koa.

Itishi tilts her head.

Then why do you pass each other with nods? Why do you not speak?

Master Koa and I follow different teachings, apprentice. We see the world through different eyes, and no amount of words will ever make things different than this. What you have recognized as dislike, is not dislike at all, for to dislike another because they see the world differently is foolish, and for fools. Indeed, Master Koa and I speak often of the world, when not occupying ourselves with silly, unskilled and undisciplined pupils.

At this point, Master Shi grins slightly, and so too does Itishi, for of coarse, the words contextually are warmhearted banter between the two, whereas if told to a complete stranger would be construed as a minor insult in the very least. But enough, let us continue with what Master Shi says.

Itishi, hear me well. It is not dislike you see in the slightest. Master Koa and I respect each other, though we have different minds, for we know that many different minds, and many different paths, does it take to make the world the place that it is. To surround yourself with like minds, to validate your own exsistence, while in the same token shunning those who are of not like mind, is not only foolish, it is the utmost of all ignorances and stupidities. To show contempt for those unlike you, in mind, body or spirit, shows the pinnacle of overweening pride and vanity. If anything you ever learn from me, take this lesson to heart.

Itishi struggles with these many words....it will be many years before this lesson comes full circle from the hearing of it.....to the learning of it.

I love this, Hope there is more to come

Very nice.

Itishi watched as her father mounted his steed and rode out of the courtyard at a canter. Master Shi placed a hand to her shoulder, as if his hand itself would keep her from floating away.

Not an hour before, the messenger had ridden in with haste, bowing curtly as he entered the entry hall as the morning routine of cooking was taking place. Itishi, ever the curious one, peeked around the thin wall, listening to the man, Hakuro, speak with her father after the missive had been read.

Tujira: Three days then. You are certain? What does Kiraku report?
Hakuro: Head Scout Kiraku confirms. A small band, perhaps thirty to fifty, lightly armed and armoured, began their move two days ago, in the direction of the mine.
Tujira: So it begins. Likely Tsukari. He was one of the most vocal...send word to the thirds...prepare the men. We shall lay in wait for them at the mine, and take them when they come.Hakuro left, and Kasumi began to place on her husbands armour peice by peice, as he sat within his room.

Itishi watched the dust trail as her father faded out of sight, and then looked up to Master Shi questioningly. She had explained already to Master Shi what she had heard...not that he had asked, but it was to be expected.

IShi: Itishi...this is the way of things, at times. Some grow restless and discontent with the emperor. And they will show this by causing trouble. The men your father goes to fight...will be labled as brigands and outlaws. They are meant to cause destruction, and to kill. But, there is a hand behind them...Shogun Tsukari most likely, as he is the one to gain from it. He seeks to show that your father, and our Shogun, is weak, and cannot protect the Emperial mine....and since the mine is near his lands, hopes to gain control of the mine. In such a manner, he can secure a source of iron, which he will then likely mine more than reported, to build up his own arms, to supply more men, in order to make war on those like your father whom support the Emperor. These brigands will attack the mine, and Tsukari will make a diplomatic move against your father and our shogun. But we are smart. Our eyes and our ears see far, and hear much. Your father will put these brigands down, and likely will capture those whom surrender to find out whom is behind this trick. What is the lesson then, Itishi?
Itishi: The lesson is, that all is not what it would appear to the eye. Those whom would see these men as outlaws and theives, are wrong, for they act with a Shogun's intent, and thus must be considered a part of that Shogun's acts. As well...knowledge is key to victory.
Shi: Very good. Now...play for me Doiyu Fair.
Itishi sat, with her small biwa, and began playing the rythmic tune....


......................................................................................................

Itishi watched the man flee into the inn, as her finger picked the last chord of the song she learned so long ago. Not all would be as it appeared. This man...Jack...these were his theives that blocked her progress to the Gem, from this shambles of a small village called Rivermoot. Not only that...but this same man Jack, was hiring out guards to merchants and the like, so that they may pass by his own thieves. Create the need for the guards, and then deploy them...Jack made money either through his cut of what the guards were paid..or what the theives took from those whom were not guarded. Only this time...guards were hired, but failed to do their appointed task. Of coarse this Jack wanted them hunted down and killed...he could not let people thinik his "guards" were incapable and that he was selling their services for nothing. In the end, it all amounted to extortion. Nevermind Jacks messengers...this Livia Starr and Tom, the silent blade, from the Gem. Two of this Jack's underlings...two used to silence by threat or force. Itishi wondered how much this Legion knew of the activities...and better yet, whom within this Legion was being paid off and bribed to look the other way while it happend. Father....Father would have never stood for such...but then again, Father was dead....and Itishi a long way from home.

Very nice, a very enjoyable read.

The stories were true. Indeed, these were strange lands with strange customs. Female emperors...female shoguns...female samurai. A whole host of great spirits, Gods and Godessess they were called...though not Dragonblood. Elven gods, human gods. She had witnessed the healing power of shamans course through others...but they made no rituals, no sacrifices to ancestors for their blessings. Preists, and preistesses, they were called. Apparently their powers stemmed from these Gods instead. Ancestors....are not spoken of. Perhaps direct lineage....Keren had spoken of his mother...and Malmsy her Uncles. She had tried explaining the principles of ancestors to Keren...but she did not think she had done a very good job of such. He seemed more concerned with the individual, than community...perhaps not fully understanding that it is because of individuals and their acts that a heirarchy is formed. She still firmly believed that if everyone were equal...they would simply be self-serving. Things would merely fall apart...it takes individuals that rise above the set standard....like himself...like Malmsy, to establish and maintain some semblance of order. Keren and Malmsy may be only farm folk...but even a peasant can rise and distinguish themselves in dire times in the protection of their lessers.

Even female Wujen. Malmsy was one. In her lands it would be forbidden...those females with the natural talent shunned and outcast, if not killed outright. Yet Maeredhel thought perhaps Itishi had the aptitude to learn. And so comes the question...how much of her former life should she sacrifice to live in these new lands? Should she investigate this Milil?

The elven Jheryn had spoken of great dragons that had enslaved his race, how they had fought back. It was not surprising...dragons were the powerful creators of all. Still...she thought there was much more to the story than what he told...Master Shi always said the victors write and rewrite history to suit their own agenda's and ways of thinking. She wondered...had these elves also bartered with the dragons for their Wujen...or was it taken by force, under the guise of a rebellion against extreme oppression? Perhaps both?

And done.