Tamori Taka: The visit from a man of skill and compassion

Author: HS Wift

I have been HS Wift for the longest time now, through some of the darkest hours I have known, and it warms my heart to know that the light that led me through lives on still.

May it never die.

One afternoon, about a week after New Year's, Taka was returning elated from seeing Keshintai, when she bounced off a tall man. The man was robed in green, like the robes of a Dragon samurai, but accentuated with silver instead of gold. This man was a Mantis, wearing Tsuruchi mons.

"Slow yourself, child. You could hurt yourself." The man backed up a bit and bowed. "Tsuruchi Kabura. My party and I are just returning from the festivities at Shiro Mirumoto, and have requested hospitality on our return journey." The man smiled at her. "I expect I shall see you at dinner."

Indeed, Kabura seated himself beside her at dinner. They conversed pleasantly throughout the meal, reaching the topic of further education as they finished.

"So you wish to become a shugenja? Like your father?"

"I'm hoping to, yes."

"And your martial training goes well? You'll need some combat prowess to join the great Tamori War Priests."

"Yeah... there's the problem..."

Kabura simply smiled.