Session Three; A Night of Letters

“What a spectacular match,” Anjin began talking to the person closest to him which happened to be a Scorpion. The clan didn’t matter; he was speaking loud enough so all those passing could hear as well as all those filling in the seats around him that had held the entire Spider traveling party just moments before. He had always had a way with words and he liked Asahina, so a little boasting was the least he could do in order to shine a more positive light on the duelist who bested his new yojimbo, Daigotsu. He very much appreciated Daigotsu as well, she had proven to be efficient enough to reach the finals and losing to a Kakita Duelist wasn’t something to be ashamed of; it was expected to happen.

“To win the tournament is one thing; but to win it in such magnificent style is unprecedented. It’s legendary! Such deeds of heroics shall surely be spread far and wide. Poems will be spoken of this man.”

Speaking of his bodyguard, Daigotsu wasn’t in sight. When the duels started he had been approached by Daigotsu Yanagi, the same man he spoke with the day before about assisting Anjin with matters outside of his abilities. Yanagi had introduced Daigotsu Katsumi, though no introduction was actually needed. Anjin had already met Katsumi in some strange clouded world, along with Asahina Kyuzo, Shiba Morasahi, and Matsu Mikoto. It seemed far from coincidence when Katsumi was the one tasked to protect him, more like destiny revealed. She probably slipped away to wherever it was the Spider had disappeared to after the match was lost. Anjin supposed it didn’t matter too much at the moment, the closing ceremonies were going to start soon and he had a perfect seat to watch from, a seat Daigotsu had procured for him.

It wasn’t long before the crowd settled back into the benches provided. It seemed to Anjin that more people were interested in shows of strength than the actual tournament as the crowd was at least halved in size from an hour ago when Daigotsu and Asahina had taken their positions across the dusty field from each other. It was unfortunate that so many were unaware of the power the mind held, and how much wealth could be gained simply from listening instead of applying brute force.

The Mayor began with all due respect given to the samurai who attended; so happy this year he had the honor of holding the championship in his lands, lands largely unaligned. It was a humbled and gracious speech, the perfect start to a long line of others more boastful and less appreciative that were to come. Teachers and dojo daimyos took their turns, speaking both of their schools and their students who placed first in the various competitions over the last three days. Asahina was awarded several scrolls, recommendations and vouchers along with flattering speeches about his skills. Somewhere around two hours, the ceremony finally came to a close, leaving Anjin wishing more Crane had spoken, since they were the type to have the most flowery, drawn-out speeches. He wouldn’t have minded another hour.

The stands began to empty and Anjin watched the people filter out, congregating in small clusters and speaking excitedly with one another. It had been an exciting turn of events this year, and most were unaware of the stranger events that had taken place in that dismal world reflecting this one. How interesting things had turned out. Asahina, Daigotsu, Shiba, Matsu and himself all drawn together in a dream-like place, and then to have found each other outside of it. There was something to it, even if he couldn’t see the reasoning clearly at this moment.

Anjin glanced around to make certain he wouldn’t impede those more mobile with his disability, which included nearly everyone except for small children. The stands were empty save for Daigotsu, who was, much to his surprise, quietly sitting behind him. How long she had been there he wasn’t sure, apparently the ceremony had kept his attention more rapt than he had previously believed. With the way she was hunching, her wrapped chin resting on her hand, elbow on knee, Anjin guessed she had been there quite a while. She had changed, this outfit free of the hole Asahina had inflicted on her clothes earlier.

“Daigotsu-sama, I’m happy to see you made it back to the closing ceremonies. Weren’t they wonderful?” Anjin smiled and began scooting out of his seat, readying his crutches. Daigotsu just stared at him blankly.

“I’m glad you enjoyed them as much as I.” He responded, blissfully ignoring her obvious boredom. Anjin hoisted himself up and started shuffling to the common way.

“Your issue doesn’t interfere with manual dexterity, does it?” Daigotsu questioned.

“Uh, no.” The question struck Anjin as peculiar; he turned back to Daigotsu wondering where she was going to go with it. A follow up never came. She simply stood and walked to the street waiting for him to join her.

Anjin made it to the common way and began towards his tent. The small groups shifted and parted around him providing ample room for him to maneuver safely without tripping. It was common for people to react in such a way when he was standing or walking, but Anjin had learned long ago it wasn’t out of politeness; the people of the Realm feared those who were imperfect. Perhaps that was why when Yanagi had come to him and so candidly referred to his lameness, he had agreed without second thought to accept a Spider in his everyday life. They were imperfect to the Realm as well. Anjin had witnessed the prejudice and fear associated with the Spider, and he found a commonality between them and himself. They were all outcasts. Who else would want to care for a cripple but someone who already had nothing to lose?

At the thought of Daigotsu, Anjin peered over his shoulder to where she was walking behind him. She wasn’t there. He halted and pivoted, searching for his black and white covered bodyguard. She was no where in sight. This was the second time today she had just vanished from his side. And although she had told him not to expect her to be like most yojimbo, he had still expected at least her presence when in public. He supposed it didn’t matter much, he had more than a few errands to see to in town and although some assistance would be nice, he had spent the last two days without someone shadowing his every move and thus didn‘t fear for his life in the slightest.

First, he had to find some servants to carry his goods and help arrange for his luncheon. After asking around, Anjin had some peasant youths volunteered by their parents following him through the city. He would have felt uneasy by the whole ordeal except he was much older than most of those who attended the tournament, so these youths, although twelve to fourteen, were still years behind him. He found the perfect paper for his invitation in the third store he stopped, and spoke with some cooks who would cater for a small fee. It was getting on to evening, and although he hadn’t yet found a place to hold the event, the gala was starting which meant finding the rest of those required for tomorrow would have to wait until morning. It was going to be nearly impossible to requisition what he still needed during the celebration.

Evening turned to night, and paper lanterns lined the streets bringing warm light to the cool dark. It was late spring and the nights weren’t yet balmy but comfortable with little need for extra clothing. Anjin had his share of food from the festivities and sat watching a group of Crab loudly telling tales their parents had shared with them of goblins and heroics on the Wall. Their boisterous voices ushered in the fireworks, the only thing that drowned out the drunken students. Anjin hadn’t seen any of the others about, but that wasn’t surprising since everyone camped, living, or visiting the city was out in the streets. Besides a place to showoff their new talent, it was also a place to make connections between different clans. Granted, not anything like the Winter Courts, but networking did happen at each of the championships held throughout the Empire.

After the fireworks display had finished, Anjin took his leave of the merry affair. It was reaching the time of night when children were in bed and those still celebrating turned to drinking in excess and making tawdry fools of themselves. Anjin had very little interest in doing one or the other, not enjoying the taste of alcohol and knowing full well he wasn’t one to be enjoying company either. Besides that, he had invitations to still write. He returned to his tent and began addressing his first letter to Asahina Kyuzo. Next was Matsu Mikoto. He was in the middle of scripting the invitation to Daigotsu Katsumi when a call came from the front of his tent.

“Kitsuki-san, are you inside?” It was Daigotsu’s voice.

“I am,” Anjin responded.

There was a pause long enough for Anjin to wonder if she was waiting for him to invite her in when, “Are you decent?” finally came.

He almost laughed. It wasn’t as if he was going to be walking around in the nude, and if he was indisposed, something that he didn’t even consider a possibility here, he wasn’t going to be answering a call from the front of his tent. He cleared his throat and called back through the canvas, “Yes, Daigotsu-san. Please come in.”

She pushed open the flap for his doorway and stood in the entrance not stepping inside. Anjin’s smile faded as he gaped at Daigotsu. He promptly dropped his eyes to the paper he was working on, attempting to cover his shock before she noticed.

“You are not leaving tomorrow morning, are you?” Daigotsu asked in the way she seemed to ask most questions, where she was telling you the answer then giving you the chance to agree.

Collecting himself, Anjin met Daigotsu’s inquiring gaze. It looked so different on her when her eyes were all you could see, hard and cold. But now she was without her shozuko and Anjin couldn’t have imagined he would have ever mistaken her for a boy. She was youthful, he knew she was younger than him, but she had to be no older than the children who helped him run errands today. She was pale skinned, with a thin, long nose, high cheekbones and a feminine chin coming to a point. Her hair was long and black, tied back as Scorpion or Crane men were known to do. She didn’t seem to have noticed his initial bewilderment.

“No, Daigotsu-san. I plan to be around most of the day.”

She nodded and dropped the flap, obscuring herself from view. He heard her footsteps moving away, apparently that was all she had to say. Anjin returned to his calligraphy, inviting Daigotsu to his lunch gathering for tomorrow. He was finishing his last letter, this one to Shiba Morasahi when there was a timid voice from outside his tent.

“Kitsuki Anjin-sama? I have a letter to deliver.”

“Please,” Anjin called out, “Come in to deliver it.” The messenger bowed graciously and produced a sealed paper to Anjin then scurried out of the tent.

Anjin turned it over in his hands; the seal was the mon of the Imperial family. Carefully he unfolded the exquisite paper; it was of very fine quality putting the paper he chose for his invitations to shame. He read the lines with equal parts excitement and caution, as one ought to do when receiving correspondence from one of the Imperial families. It was inviting him to a dinner tomorrow night at the mayor’s house. The chop at the bottom decreed it was signed by Otomo Nagi, the delegate sent in place of the Empress for this tournament. Although not the Empress, this was still a great honor to sit with one of the Imperial family. It seemed he had even more reason to stay for another day.