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Post by tadakasan on Mar 24, 2011 14:30:22 GMT -5
Tadaka weaves his way through the crowd; he sees Keshi look at someone else and thinks he sees someone recognizable slip through the crowd down an alley but the person is gone as soon as they're there. It doesn't take him too much longer to reach Keshi where she has stopped at the edge of the path, "Well, of all people; I didn't expect to run into you here Keshi-san. A pleasant surprise at the very least. Did you enjoy the ceremony? For I am afraid I seem to have arrived late."
He turns to Jinu, looking over the man with a curious look, "Ah, and you must be Kashi-san's courtier guide and guardian I have heard so much about." Tadaka bows fairly low, "It is truly an honor to have at last met you."
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Mar 25, 2011 1:01:25 GMT -5
Jinu is taken aback by the Phoenix shugenja's manners and finds himself at a loss for words.
Keshi laughs quietly at Jinu's expression as the kitsune courtier backs a step away from Tadaka. "Forgive his silence, as he's not used to honesty in manners."
She smoothes her kimono under her fingers nervously, "I did enjoy the ceremony, it was beautiful. I do feel as if I'm not exactly welcome here. Given the bad blood between my clan and yours. I'm extremely glad to see you again." She focuses a frown at Jinu as the kitsune snorts softly at the understatement of welcome.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Mar 25, 2011 1:09:42 GMT -5
"I fully agree that the time spent in court navigating the social byways so that we may tap into the vast reserviors of mystical knowledge held by the other clans is frustrating."
Agasha Shodai gave Taeshik a wan smile as he accepted the chair. "I'm at an advantage there because of watching the countless debates between my two grandfathers as to which direction they wanted my parents to steer my future. As you probably read in my Tao, they couldn't have been more different: Tousan's father bushi and a Gunso in the army of the Shogun before Kaneka and Kaasan's being the Void Master over 50 years ago. I learned how to soothe egos and broker deals with panache that would probably rival that of an Emerald Magistrate."
"As for being able to utilize all five schools, it has both its pros and its cons, Taeshik-dono. If we were to get into a friendly competition of Wind spells, you would undoubtedly best me because you have specialized in them. I have no doubt even the most complex Air magic comes to you almost instinctively; probably with no more difficulty than it takes to breathe or move your limbs."
"I traded that capability for versatility. I can cast spells of up to the 2nd rank from memory. He tapped his side where the water scroll he'd used earlier - along with its four siblings - rested against his muscular frame. I can use rank 3 and 4 spells, but not from memory and with the occasional difficulty."
"In the end, no one - save the Gods - can say which of us took the wisest course of action. I diversified my skills because Gunso Ojisan drummed into me the importance of versitility and I was blessed with the raw talent to be able to pull it off. As long as at the end of our journey through life we can look back on our major life choices and feel no shame, then we have done as well as can be expected of us. Wouldn't you agree?"
Agasha Shodai shook his head with a wry chuckle. And once again I have managed to monopolize the conversation! I'll have to remember some of those lines for the next scroll of my Tao."
"As for Tadaka-san..." Shodai frowned, banishing his levity as he gathered the disparate pieces together. "It's mostly rumors; nothing I have witnessed with my own eyes. Talk of him being in the macabre City of the Lost within the Shadowlands for reasons other than purging its corruption. Whispers of him being seen utilizing Maho spells..."
The man in monk's robes shook his head. "I have always looked up to Tadaka-san; I consider him a friendly rival of sorts. When I heard the first rumors, I challenged five men to a duel of honor to expunge what I was certain were lies generated to bring a great and honorable man down. And yet the rumors persist, coming from nearly every Crab city that borders the Wall."
After the 5th duel, I took a new direction before I ended up killing all the best scouts the Crab has to offer to defend my friend's reputation. I tried to seek Tadaka-san's chi through the Void in an effort to confirm his location, but found my efforts blocked by a magical barrier that reeked of Taint. Changing tactics, I then attempted to check the Divine Wheel, but the spot where I have always found information the Void Master was occluded.
Shodai sighed. "I, too, was hoping that Tadaka-san would be here for this event. I mean, I'm notorious for flitting about the Empire like a hyper-active hummingbird, leaving no clue where I may be headed next, but this dearth of information..."
Shodai shook his head. "If the blocks are of Tadaka-san's making, it suggests he is involved in something that he wishes to keep secret, lest people jump to the wrong conclusion. But if they are of someone else's making, it could be that he is in great danger. And if that doesn't put the fear of the Gods in you, nothing will..."
The Tensai frowned. "I continue to assume the best about my friend until I can confirm otherwise. If the odius stories are true that he has Fallen, I will do all I can to help him recover his senses. If it turns out to be a smear campaign, the streets will run red with the blood of those who are perpetrating it. And if he has been captured by the Spider..." Shodai shrugged. "Then I my efforts to destroy the City of the Lost will be for personal reasons instead of just for the honor of the Empire."
Agasha Shodai picked up his cup of tea, taking a long sip to break his rythmn and allow Taeshik-dono to get a word in edgewise.
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Agasha Taeshik
Banned
Phoenix ? Shugenja ? Elemental Master ? Air
Posts: 73
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Post by Agasha Taeshik on Mar 25, 2011 3:44:43 GMT -5
"Shodai-san, you try too hard to be modest. You performed a Rank 6 spell just to reach here in time, I clearly sensed your use of Walking the Way, a spell only a Master of the Air Element could perform, one even I use only on the rarest of occasions. And according to my senses, Air isn't even the element you've become most attuned towards. Be truthful first to yourself.", Taeshik comments in response to Shodai's modesty over his school rank.
"As for Tadaka, it is the greatest danger of the Void. It's why I have never chosen to dabble deeply into that element, and why most schools refuse to even teach its use. Most Void Masters do indeed get pulled over to the Taint. It's a part of the circle. And if we lose Tadaka, someone else will rise to take his place and the circle will begin anew. A dangerous position, but one that must be held for more than just the knowledge therein. And if Tadaka falls, and can not be saved, I will personally handle the problem as a member of the Jade Legionnaire.", Taeshik frowns, aware that it may at some point come down to just that.
"Let's speak of things more pleasant though, until such time that we can face our Void Master to put such concerns to rest.", he says, pointing to various Air Kamis that seem focused on the conversation. "Tell me of the Council, and of politics. The Shogun, the Emerald Champion, anything except the Yobajin war which I've been far to embroiled within."
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Hiruma Koji
Crab Clan
Hiruma * Crab * Scout * Hiruma Daimyo
Posts: 96
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Post by Hiruma Koji on Mar 25, 2011 5:23:02 GMT -5
Koji's ears were itching for some reason. He wasn't quite sure just why.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Mar 25, 2011 7:35:51 GMT -5
"I fear I have not heard much on the Council lately," Shodai admitted. "I know that Isawa Kinen holds Tadaka-san's seat in trust and Agasha Miga is still the Fire Master. The Earth and Water Master positions are still vacant since the previous Masters either stepped down or passed from this life; I don't recall hearing an official announcement one way or the other, but then I have yet to meet a courier who can keep up with my movements. I usually have to hope to see the news in the Divine Wheel or get caught up when I return to Kyuden Agasha.
"With regards to the Shogun, I was rather stunned by his abrupt actions in gathering an army and marching off before the Emperor gave it blessing on it. As I was unable to find anything in the Tapestry of Fate that these events should be happening, I advised caution, but the Shogun took personal exception to it..." The Tensai rolled his eyes to the heavens. "This is what happens when you give a career soldier a whiff of a fight and then expect him to utilize common sense, I guess. And I must admit that before I learned Shinsei's Tao, I too would have probably been more gung-ho in jumping straight to war."
Shodai frowned. "Add to that the fact the Shogun and the Kakita daimyo have a rather public falling out and the Emperor's sudden decree for a second army... It's almost as if someone is orchestrating events so the Empire's left hand is attempting to assassinate the right or something. I don't know which concerns me more, the strange events of the Imperial Court or the mine that I discovered in the Mori Isawa being mined by the tainted creatures of the Shadowlands..."
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Post by tadakasan on Mar 25, 2011 10:45:57 GMT -5
Tadaka chuckles softly and smiles, "No offense taken. I think you are more than aware that I'm more than comfortable with myself. As far as you not being welcome..." He looks around at the mingling priests and courtiers in the nearby square and the passers by, "I suppose there are some truth to those words. It just goes to show how uninformed some people are and their level of self righteousness. I promise that those people are in the minority Keshi-san; I'm honestly sure most of the guests here including my Clan cousins are more than happy to see a Kitsune so far from their forest. In fact, I think many of the looks you are getting are more curiosity than anything... though if I recall correctly you would hardly relish the attention..."
Tadaka frowns a little, leaning on his walking staff lightly, "Anyways, I fear I do not have long to talk at the moment; I should probably go congratulate Kazuma-sama upon his choosing by the Soul and check in how things are doing with the Council for once. I owe my Clan much and the least I could do is show the proper respect on a day as important as today. I trust, if you feel comfortable enough, that we would be able to talk later though and properly catch up?" He bows again slightly to Jinu again, "You would be invited as well Kitsune-san."
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Agasha Taeshik
Banned
Phoenix ? Shugenja ? Elemental Master ? Air
Posts: 73
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Post by Agasha Taeshik on Mar 25, 2011 16:19:39 GMT -5
"No Earth or Water Masters?", Taeshik pondered out loud, that was pretty much unheard of. "Perhaps to honor our Daimyo, we should have a performance of the Shugenjas, and perhaps in the process, fill those gaps. A non-lethal ceremony of Taryu-Jiai. Let the Kamis decide who should fill those positions. With so many Isawa present today and for the coming days, it would be a most interesting endeavor indeed."
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Mar 25, 2011 18:20:07 GMT -5
The Crab Ambassador shuffled his way through the crowd. He didn't want to be away from the event for too long - his duty to his lord would not allow it. Still feeling like a stuffed lobster in his formal robes the Crab made his way through the main chamber. Too much water and sake had led to a pressing concern, as the Crabs left hand briefly touched his jade pendant.
The Crab slid past the Phoenix and Mantis, not really paying much attention due to other matters keeping his attention.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Mar 25, 2011 19:35:21 GMT -5
Shodai nodded. "Indeed; perhaps nigh impossible. And I do like your idea of a competition to decide who is selected to fill the roles." He paused thoughtfully. "In fact, I may even compete myself to honor Ojiisan Isawa Ujina's final request; he always hoped that he'd live to see the day when I would join the Council, though I was too focused on seeing the world at the time of his death. If I am not successful, then perhaps at least Ojiisan will rest a bit more knowing that I have not forgotten my promise."
Agasha Shodai paused recalling something Taeshik had said earlier. "Actually, I was not attempting humility earlier. On my skill alone, it takes me effort to use spells above the third ranks. However, thanks to the Isawa blood in my veins, I became Ishi when I was very young. But I have an unusual affinity for the Void; I respect its power, but I do not fear it as it does not affect me in the way it does others. When my need is great I can tap into the raw substance of the Void to fuse its power with my chi long enough to cast such spells. My means of travel, though the core of the spell was the standard Air Element Teleportation spell, became a mixed Air/Void spell in its execution; I was carried from Shiro Hiruma through the Realm of the Void's infinite space that connects everything in this world together to here in the space of a heartbeat..."
He was silent for a moment as his mind began to see the tactical and strategic ramifications of his spell. "It was a strange trip to say the least, but if I can study it and find some way to make it safe to anyone to take, can you imagine the benefits? We could theoretically revolutionize travel through the Empire and the warfare applications are staggering..."
The younger shugenja reached into his robe for his Void scroll and asked for one of the servants to fetch him a brush and ink. "What if we could connect the Empire's resources to the soldiers at Mountain Watch Keep or on the Wall of the Shadowlands, allowing near instantaneous reinforcements and delivery of food, medical and war supplies... It could make the Empire's defenses nigh unbreachable."
The servant returned with the supplies Shodai had asked for shortly after the man had rolled his scroll down to where it was blank. "This idea is too important to risk my forgetting, so I ask your apologies, Taeshik-dono. But I find I can focus on many things at once, so please do not let my note-taking interrupt our conversation." He said to the Air Master as he began to rapidly make notes to himself.
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Mar 25, 2011 22:37:29 GMT -5
Keshi smiles at Tadaka, knowing he was wrong about his fellow clansmen's curiosity, saying nothing about it. "It would be nice to catch up. Especially since it has been a while. I think I'll probably find a courtier to show me to these famous Phoenix libraries. I would love to see new spells." Her voice is fairly wistful, as she had used the same tricks for years.
Jinu continues to be silent, he still wasn't quite sure how to take this Phoenix Ishiken. The one who treated them like equals instead of like Mantis.
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Post by tadakasan on Mar 26, 2011 4:23:03 GMT -5
Tadaka nods in return, not entirely convinced Keshi is no longer feeling out of place, but then he knew she probably would in some manner no matter what he said. Just like he felt out of place in his own way... Standing up straight and no longer leaning on his staff, Tadaka finishes his bean paste bun in one bite, swallowing the last small piece with the relish of festival sweets. He bows on last time at the two Kitsune, "The libraries sound like a fine idea; so much to see and read, very peaceful and quiet, marvelous old architecture, and most of the librarians are friendly Asako monks actually, so it's really quite enjoyable in a way. I will try to not be too long, but I know the libraries are vast and that Phoenix lords tend to have a lot of questions to ask ishiken who are away for a long time."
Tadaka turns to go to the palace, looking over his shoulder, "I will look for you at the libraries then when I am done Keshi-san. It won't be too hard for me to find you unless you decide to hide somewhere. Until then, take care of yourself. And that goes for you to Kitsune-san." Turning back he walks towards the palace gates, disappearing into the throng of people on the main road. -----------------------------------------------------
Only a few minutes later Tadaka arrived at the gates to the palace itself, where the feast is being held. The Shiba sentries did not recognize him though. How ironic... he thought to himself, "In my quest to be somewhat anonymous while travelling has made it so that when I get back home they don't recognize me either. I suppose with the beard now, no more mask, a much dingier hat, and regular elegant clothing rather than the robes of a Council Member... I'm not sure I can blame them.
Even with his chop the guards thought him to be an impostor and told him he wasn't getting into the feast; especially not without an invitation. Tadaka frowned a little and thought. Finally he handed the chop to one of the guards and muttered a prayer quietly, a barrier in his mind dropping, "Take that chop to your superiors and have a reputable Ishiken look at it; they will be able to know who I am just by looking at it, trust me on that Shiba-sama"
The Shiba guardsman hesitated to take the thing, thinking it might be cursed, but a minor shugenja serving with the gatehouse confirmed there was nothing magical or cursed about it. Grunting the guard allowed the chop to be taken in, but threatened Tadaka with being turned over to the magistrates if this proved to be a waste of the time of the shugenja in the palace. Tadaka agreed and stood patiently, taking in the magnificent gatehouse of the castle.
Meanwhile, the guardsman gave the chop to his gunso, his gunso not conviced of any importance to this matter, but deciding it should be looked into anyways, if for no other reason than protocol. Thinking for a second he remembered that there was news Agasha Shodai-sama had arrived at the palace; that seemed like a good plan. The gunso walked into the main gates, turning towards where the servants said Shodai-sama was. He arrived at his destination as Shodai was taking notes, writing something down on parchment while Taeshik-sama stood nearby.
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Agasha Taeshik
Banned
Phoenix ? Shugenja ? Elemental Master ? Air
Posts: 73
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Post by Agasha Taeshik on Mar 26, 2011 6:30:50 GMT -5
Taeshik looks up as the Shiba approaches, sensing a problem or something other. He rises, " i will be right back, Shodai, finish your writings, i sense something is amiss"
The Gunso looks hesitatingly at Taeshik, not recognizing him at first, but quickly recovering ahd handing the Chop to Taeshik who barely seemed to notice or care. "Where is he?", was his only question, to which the Gunso pointed in Tadaka's general direction.
Taeshik follows the Gunsos finger to the figure waiting, and beneath the bead and clothes, Taeshik immediately recognizes his old friend and smiles. Hands outreached, he approaches Tadaka with warmth only to stop a few feet away, looking past Tadaka at something unseen, his Personal Kami friend who was given Tadaka a look that it only gives to creatures of the Shadowlands.
"Tadaka, my old friend... What have you done?", his arms dropping to his side, a look of near despair appearing across his face.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Mar 27, 2011 11:54:33 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai nodded briefly as he wrote his ideas down for a object that would be large enough to permit a horse-drawn wago to pass through that the Void magics could be infused with so that, preferably, any shugenja could activate it. The Tensai had learned how to creating spells from nothing, but he had never looked into infusing objects with power. Such things were done only with great caution ever since the creation of the Last Wish of Isawa over 1,000 years eariler.
"Do you really think that strange man you saw at the guardhouse was Tadaka-sama?" The servant who had brought Shodai the ink and brush set asked someone behind him.
A no-nonsense voice replied. "Master Taeshik seems to think so." Said the Gunso who had brought the chop to the council chambers. "But I couldn't tell; he looks so different."
Agasha Shodai set the brush down; the notes for his rough idea finished until he could converse with someone who practiced the art of crafting mystical implements. He raised a finger, a miniscule flame appearing at the tip as an equally weak breeze washed over the back of his hand. The flame warmed the air and, as it touched the wet ink on the scroll, dried it almost instantly.
The Tensai rolled up his scroll and returned it to its resting place within his robes. While the magics his scroll contained were far less dangerous than the Black Scrolls he had chanced upon before returning them to the Scorpion clan, the shugenja would be remiss to leave them lying around.
Shodai rose from his chair, handing the ink and brush to the servant with a nod of thanks. That was when he noticed it; the air was practically crackling with energy. And from this close, the shroud that had hidden his friend from him for weeks was now either gone or was not thick enough at such close range that the young man could now sense Tadaka-san's chi.
His corrupted chi.
'The rumors were true...' Shodai thought to himself, bile rising in his throat. He had betrayed his own philosophy in defense of a friend for whom the accusations were factual. 'May the souls of those whose lives I wrongly took find peace in the next world and may the Kami guide me to help my friend before he crosses the line of no return.'
As he looked in the direction of Tadaka-san's chi, he could see Taeshik-dono, his arms to his side and his body stiff as a board as he stared at a bearded man with a dingy straw hat. Despite the fact the man was not wearing his mempo mask or the robes of the Void master, Shodai recognized him instantly as Tadaka.
There was a thick crowd between himself and the two Council Masters and, determined to hear Tadaka's reasoning for his own actions for himself, Shodai used a unique Void spell he had developed for moving instantly between points that were too close for a Teleportation spell to handle.
Shodai began muttering an incantation as he channeled his skills in Ishiken-do to cast a Void spell; focusing on the spot just to the right of Tadaka-san. "Open maw of the world that binds all space and time and make me a path between where I am and where I wish to be. Void style, Stepping Stone technique."
A doorway, visible only to those with the gift of Ishiken-do, appeared between Shodai and his view of the scene. It looked like a normal rice-paper and wood door, but Shodai knew that its appearance was based on the eye of the beholder; much as anything did where the World of the Void was concerned. For others it would look like a cave or some other portal.
As it slid open, this time Shodai saw a river of blood with five stepping stones fashioned from skulls. The Tensai sighed, recognizing the scenery as an expression of his own remorse and nothing more. Making a silent vow to use his own accumulated assets to arrange for a shrine in the Crab lands for each of the men he'd murdered for telling a truth he hadn't wanted to hear because of the pride and vanity that he had though he'd left behind upon achieving Enlightenment, Shodai walked through the doorway.
He stepped nimbly across the "stones" in five easy steps to open the sliding door to on the far side. As it opened, he could see that despite the Taint his chi now carried, Tadaka was still a living being with no outward manifestation of the corruption that touched his soul.
Agasha Shodai exited the Void and stood beside the man that was his inspiration, his rival, and, most important of all, his friend. The shugenja heard one of the guards behind him drop his polearm in shock as he saw the Tensai materialize before him on centimeter at a time.
"Welcome back to Kyuden Isawa, Tadaka-san." Agasha Shodai said to the man whom he hoped he still knew. "I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find you."
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Post by tadakasan on Mar 27, 2011 13:27:00 GMT -5
Tadaka stirred from his somewhat restful observations of the architecture, looking up to see Taeshik approaching; he certainly wasn't expecting the air prodigy to be the one to arrive, but there was no reason to be picky since Taeshik semed to recognize him. However, he could see Taeshik looking through him, or into him, the man seeming to be looking for something before stopping and his arms dropping to his sides. Tadaka blinked, "What... have I done Taeshik-sama?"
As he answered he could feel something like a doorway to the void opening nearby and saw Shodai step through that feeling a moment later. Taking his hat off his head and putting it onto his back with the straps around his neck, Tadaka looked back and forth between the two, "Surely you did not think I would ever get in over my head Shodai-sama; I'm a pacifist who doesn't make a habit of getting into fights or into dangerous situations unless I need to. It is good to be home though and thank you for the welcome.
He bowed low to the two before looking back up, looking over at Taeshik, "Now then, you said something about me 'doing something' Taeshik-sama? Surely there have not been rumors floating around about me cutting people down or burning down villages or anything? I think you both know me better than that,
Truthfully the welcome wasn't altogether unexpected; He had been gone a long time after all, and with all the things he had had the chance to do on his pilgrimage so far it would not be strange at all if some turned into stories of one sort or another. True or false.
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