Swift Sword [open]

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Just after Keisuke left, Tsanuri went to meet with palace guards superior. She found him drinking tea while reading some documents, probably reports crossed her mind when she approached. He looked at her the moment she went in and resumed his work without paying any attention to her. Tsanuri came closer, nodded and sat on the other side of the table. She waited for a while for him to stop reading. She was losing her temper. Just when she opened her mouth to break the silence, he put down the scroll and looked at her.
To what do I owe your visit, Akodo-san?
I want you to tighten the security around the palace.
He grimaced, poured fresh tea into his cup and sipped some.
I don't see why I should. The security is sufficient.
They don't even check if those who came have weapons.
How do you imagine checking everyone? That would be impossible. And inappropriate.
Tsanuri quietened.
There was another assassination attempt. This time it was Unicorn messenger. She nearly succeeded.
He didn't know. She saw it in his face. No wonder it only happened, not even half an hour passed.
I will look into it.
Tsanuri nodded. Not exactly what she wanted, but it could have been worse. She bowed and left.


Tsanuri was near the palace walls when she saw Unicorn walking in her direction. It wouldn't be weird, there were quite some Unicorns in the capitol, not all of them left after the won siege, but this one looked peculiar walking slowly with her fine clothes in the heavy rain.

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

When she was passing the city streets, Yuiren did feel a few pair of eyes fixed on her, and it was a bit disturbing. But here, on palace grounds her clothing should not be an attraction. The lantern is also quite explainable in a rainy weather.
She turned her head around, to do at least some sightseeing – she has never been here before.

When she looked forward, she met eyes of Tsanuri. A Lion wearing such a good outfit probably was from Akodo Keisuke’s retinue. She came closer, and bowed to welcome her. Yuiren was much taller than Tsanuri, almost as tall as a man, but probably about the same age.
- Konnichiwa, have you eaten rice today? I wonder if you could help me, young samurai-ko. I am looking for Akodo Keisuke-sama, is he around? I have a letter from one of Moto generals, and I also wish to speak with him as a representative of Horiuchi family. – she said all this like she’d discuss about weather.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Young? That Unicorn looked like if she was younger then me. Tsanuri was nearly sure the Unicorn girl was shugenja, only sword at her side spoiled that impression. It wasn't that common to use shugenja as messengers. And her clothes was far too good. Maybe she changed after coming to Toshi Ranbo to present herself properly. Horiuchi deffinitely wasn't in a hurry.

Tsanuri bowed.
'Konnichiwa. Akodo-dono is busy right now and he shouldn't be disturbed. But you can talk with me now. My name is Akodo Tsanuri and I am Akodo Keisuke-dono karo.'

'From whom is the letter you've brought?'

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

Such a young karo. Even if shugenja was surprised a bit, there were no signs of it.
“She must be very talented” – she thought.

- Ach, really? Then I am very glad to meet you. I am sorry for not introducing myself properly. My name is Horiuchi Yuiren, and, as I have said, I am here in the name of Horiuchi family. My family might not be numerous, but we do have an army.
- The letter is from Moto Baatarsaikhan, who camps near the Castle of the Swift Sword. The situation doesn’t look too well. You will surely find details in the letter.

Yuiren took the box out of her left sleeve, but her hand stopped before opening it.
- I would suggest to go inside. It’s raining and the letter could get damaged. I’d ask you to lead the way, for I don’t know this place very well.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Tsanuri nodded on Horiuchi's remark about damaging the letter.
'Take it for now. I will see to it in better conditions.' She rubbed small scar she had near left brow.
'Akodo-dono already received message from your commander. The messenger came about an hour ago. It will probably be the same information and as I said Akodo-dono is busy right now.'

'I'm on the way to my quarters. Would you join me for tea? I would look into the letter and we could talk. It's not far from here.'

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

Hearing that one of the messengers came safely relieved her. However, it seemed that the third one didn’t make it. Maybe he’ll arrive later?
- I don’t want to bother Keisuke-sama, and since you are so kind to offer your time to me, I don’t think his presence will be necessary. I’ll join you gladly.


She followed Tsanuri, walking a few steps behind her. She had to put some effort to keep up – samurai-ko’s pace was faster than her usual.
Suddenly, Yuiren stopped.
- Tsanuri-san… That stain on your side… Is that blood? Are you all right?

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Tsanuri stopped for a moment not hearing any steps following her and turned to Yuiren.
'I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.' She wanted to move but instead she once again faced Unicorn.
'I will need to visit 2 places before we can get to my quarters. It's on the way and it won't take long.' She started walking again not waiting for Horiuchi's reaction.

Tsanuri was reminding herself to walk slower so the Unicorn could follow her without problem but she was quickly forgetting and returning to her usual pace. Two times she went inside some buildings. Once it was a teahouse and second time house of geisha. In each place she found a few officers that she knew from every-evening meetings that Keisuke made her attend and she told them about next morning march to Castle of the Swoft Sword. Each of these visits took her no longer then 2-3 minutes.


Common people, not familiar with capitol would get lost pretty easily in the maze of streets that Tsanuri led Yuiren. She stopped before one of the small, 1-floor-high houses, the type usually used by low rank samurai families or richer merchants of lower caste.
'It's here.' she went inside assuming that Unicorn girl will follow her.

The house was small. Paper making most of the walls was new, floor was clean but covered with scratches typical for longer use and tatami mats were faded. Yet small decorations and flowers compositions made the house very cozy and family-like.

Tsanuri walked inside and disappeared in one of the rooms. When Yuiren came in she could have seen Tsanuri kneeling at the furnace in the center of the room lighting the fire.

'Please, sit down' she gestured towards table while putting pot with water on the furnace. 'The tea should be ready soon.'

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

Yuiren followed Tsanuri, and quietly waited outside when her guide was gone about her business. She was quite curious, but not so much as to break the silence and ask. Especially that it wasn’t long, so it probably was some common, boring kind of thing. And not her business.

As Tsanuri strided, shugenja also paced up – if she somehow lost her guide, the only thing she could do was to go back to palace. It wasn’t really difficult, she just wasn’t used to it. Yes, she wasn’t used to having urgent affairs. But this one certainly was.

Yuiren took off her sandals and entered the house, saying “o-jama shimasu” quietly. Inside, she looked around curiously. This didn’t really look like an officer’s quarter. This looked like a normal house.
- Tsanuri-san, is this your house? - visiting house of someone whom she just met, moreover – Akodo family Karo – it somehow seemed inappropriate.

- Are you sure you’re all right? I could heal you, if you wish. – She said, while seating herself on tatami by the table.

The silence didn’t last long. Yuiren cleared her throat.
Khem… - However I would love to offer that I go for sweets for the tea to the shop I have seen on the way here, while waiting for the water to boil, and however I would love to chat with you longer, I am sure you have many duties waiting for you. Do not let me take too much of your precious time.
Again she took out the letter, handed it to Tsanuri, and waited for her to read it.
It was the same message as Shinjo Nanami has brought.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

'It's not my house. It belonged to samurai family which members died during the siege or left the city afterwards. I am just using it for the time being.'

'It's fine. It wasn't deep. I will take care of it later.'

Tsanuri took the letter out of the box slowly and put it on the table. 'Forgive me for a moment.' She went out of the room and when she came back not long later she was having a tray with 2 cups, small kettle, box with tea and some sweets.

The water was ready so she put some leaves in the teapot and brew it with hot water.
'It will take a moment for leaves to take in water. Please enjoy the candies for now. And excuse me, I will change into fresh clothes. It might take a moment, so when the tea is ready please help yourself with it.'

Tsanuri stood up and went to the other room. The letter's seal was still intact.

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

When Tsanuri put the trace on the table, Yuiren felt awkward.
- I didn’t mean it that way… I didn’t suggest there should be candies…! I am sorry.
But Tsanuri already left.
This wasn’t exactly what she’d expect from a war council. Not that she didn’t like it, but still…
Yuiren looked around the house. Yes, she should have known it belonged to some family. She should have been smarter, but one can probably never get used to war.

Yuiren hoped for some heimin to come out. She wanted to send someone to Inko – her servant was probably looking for her. But none did.

As minutes passed, Yuiren became bored and wanted something – anything – to happen. She looked into tea cups and started to interpret the composition and shapes of leaves inside, but got bored soon.

Right when she was about to stand up and walk around, Tsanuri returned.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

'I'm sorry it took so long. I hope you enjoy the tea.' Tsanuri said and sat at the opposite side of the table. She was dressed in fresh kimono kept in brown with delicate leafs pattern.
When she poured tea to both Unicorn's and her own cups she slowly took the letter. She hesitated for a split second before she opened it with one swift move. She read the letter slowly comparing if it was saying the same thing as the one she handed Keisuke earlier that day.
After Tsanuri finished reading, she fold the letter the way it was and put it aside.
'Akodo-dono already received letter with the same information as you've brought from other messenger. She came a few hours ago. Yet, thank you for your hard work.' Tsanuri bowed with only her head.
'Unfortunately Shinjo-san couldn't tell much more then what is written about the situation at the Castle of the Swift Sword plains. I would like to hear form you how does it looked there before you left.'
She took her teacup and sipped a bit. It would seem like normal semi-formal talk if Tsanuri's gaze wasn't so intense and so focused on Horiuchi's every move.

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

While Tsanuri was reading the letter, Yuiren took a candy and sucked it while drinking the tea. This made the tea less bitter. However it wasn’t even half as good as the Unicorn Clan tea, she thought.

There was something not right. In all this talk. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but there just was something not right. Why samurai-ko’s gaze was so intense?
Tsaruri’s question broke Yuiren from her thoughts, surprising her the more.
- “Oh… Hmm. How do I say that? I’m not a tactician. I could give you a false image of the situation by sharing my opinion. It might be better to rely on the written word. But if you insisted, I’d say it looked…” – she made a pause, thinking how to put things she had on her mind. Her gaze seemed to concentrate on the table.
There was no use trying to put bad news in a better light. The Lion, even a woman, would probably not appreciate it.

Her green eyes darkened, and her voice became serious.
- “Well, it looked bad. Really bad. I think we’ve arrived in the last moment. If our outpost didn’t divert their attention, probably there would be… no castle to be saved. Now, that we are close, the Dragon cannot attack with full strength, they have to watch their backs.”
Now she looked Tsanuri directly in her eyes.
- “But even with this, I think this battle is already lost. That we are only delaying the inescapable loss. I am sorry for bringing such news, but this is the way I see it. I wish my inexperience in battle influences my view of things… But I doubt that.”
- “What is the Lion going to do, Tsanuri-dono?”

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Tsanuri was sitting motionless. If what the Unicorn just said was true, the situation was far worse than what she thought and what the letter indicated. If Horiuchi's words were true. Tsanuri looked at Yuiren. She did seem to be sincere. Scorpions are also very sincere.

'I've got two more questions for you. What do you think about other messengers that was send with the same letter as yours, I am more interested in one called Shinjo Nanami here, and what do you intend to do after we finish this talk.'

[Horiuchi Yuiren]

- About the messenger Shinjo Nanami? Let me tell you something.
The atmosphere was suddenly tense, but Yuiren made herself comfortable on the tatami before started talking. She picked up a cup and took a big sip – just to discreetly spit out a candy, so she can talk clearly.
- This mission was only for volunteers. It seemed nearly impossible to cross the front without being noticed. I volunteered, and Moto Baatarsaikhan asked me to send the message with kaze no kami. However, I decided to go here on my own, since I was confident I can, and wished to talk with you. Why am I telling you this? - Yuiren smiled. She knew her little story wasn’t interesting, but it led to a point.
- The other messengers were confident too. So was probably Shinjo Nanami. She was young, I know, but I think her skills were trusted. But I can’t be sure, since I didin’t really know her. Actually I have seen her only once – at the briefing.
She could see this wasn’t exactly what Tsanuri wanted to hear. But what could she say more?
- er… if you wish, I can describe her looks and behavior... if you fear she’s an imposter, or something... Or I can meet with her, if she is still present in the city. But the letter is the same, isn't it? - she suddenly thought that it actually might be not. But the reactions of Tsanuri suggested that they were.

- What I intend to do after this talk?
I intend to send kaze no kami to my troops, with orders given by Akodo Keisuke. I wish to give him as much assistance as I can. But this future is not decided yet. It depends on your answer, for which I am still waiting. What will the Lion do?
“Will you crawl back to your cave, or will you draw out you claws and strike?” Yuiren really wished to hear the answer. She always admired Lions for their courage and persistence.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Tsanuri once again ignored Yuiren's question and walked to the side where small desk was, probably used by children to learn how to write. She took a pencil and few sheets of paper that were lying on the desk. Yuiren couldn't be sure what Tsanuri was doing from the place where she was sitting. She was getting confused with Lion's behavior. Yet before she menaged to fold a long, elaborated and comply with the rules of etiquette question "excuse me, but what the heck are you doing?", Tsanuri came back to the table.

'Was Nanami-san looking like this?' she asked while handling Yuiren paper with Nanami's portrait drawn. It wasn't the most accurate, but resemblance to Shinjo messenger was clearly visible.
When Yuiren confirmed the face drawn belonged to Nanami, Tsanuri continued.
'You won't be able to meet Shinjo-san. She died not long after performing her duty.'

Tsanuri took her cup but found it empty. She started to play with it, moving it slightly from side to side and rotating. How much this Unicorn was trustful? She stopped playing.
'Akodo-dono intends to move part of the troops from here to aid Unicorn armies at the Castle of the Swift Sword.'
'I ask you not to report it to your commander. If the message is intercepted by enemy forces, they might ambush us.'
'The time when we depart is not certain yet. Tell me where you stay so I can inform you when it is known. Or if you prefer, you can stay here.'