(Sorry for the delay)
-Simonbob
You consider for a moment, and then shake your head.
"No, Kaiu-sama has made an oath. I can not regain my honour by asking another to abandon theirs. So I will go and speak to Kakita Reika-sama"
Jubei nods, and Sayako raises an eyebrow.
"I see, Kakita-sama can be found at the Bluebird's Forge in Eiyuu, shouldn't be hard to find.
You nod, remembering this time to ask for direction which are quickly given.
"Megumi-san, will you walk with me down to the Temple of Inari?" Sayako asks.
"Consider it your chores for today" Jubei tells you.
Right, you have to do those, in exchange for staying at the Shrine. Well your pounding head suggests going back to sleep, you manage to bow and agree to walk home the young Soju.
Once again, you reflect at just how high up the Toriyama Ward goes, you can see at the distant top a temple being put together. Turning away from the height, and the feeling of anguish you get just thinking of walking up there every day. Your gaze makes its way back to Sayako, who walks down toward one of the large temples at the bottom of the hill.
A comfortable silence falls on you two. The green trees lining the roads, rustling with a warm wind.
"Brother Jubei often volunteers his guests....it's a bad habit of his, even if they usually work out for the best." Sayako says seemingly out of the blue.
You shrug.
"Perhaps, but I owe him my life I think."
Sayak0 gives a thoughtful look.
"Probably, but while his idea has merit, taking you on that sort of journey would be troublesome."
You raise an eyebrow in question.
"Why's that?"
The woman gives an apologetic look.
"Mostly because I don't know what you see for the future."
Taking a deep breath you consider your answer carefully. Don't want to seem like a cowardly ronin, or lie, or look bad, if that job thing pans out that might be what lets you finally get some real food with fish and everything!
So you answer:
"I try to see myself as alive for the most part. I want...I want to have a Clan Name." You say softly.
"An ambition many ronin have, but the question always arises how. Not many will accept a ronin into their ranks. It is said that a ronin must be a hero beyond compare or a villain to earn a name." Sayako says.
Thinking back to your grandmother...yeah, no villany for you.
"Hai, but I don't think my ancestors would like me being a villain."
Sayako shrugs.
"Rarely they do...but then there is already much that the Ancestors no doubt seethe at in this Empire of ours."
"Oh?"
You know vaguely that the Empire has changed vastly from before you were born until now, and not everyone liked that, but...hmm politics, you were a Crane you got politics, but a view from the hinterlands you didn't have that.
Sayako twirls black hair around her finger in thought.
"Hai, the Emperor may the Heaven's Bless him forever, has wrought much change and difference over the Empire since the War of the Eagles, but in doing so, much has been disrupted. I do not doubt that our Emperor is doing what is right, but his followers, his followers push harder than he does and in doing so, the strength that turned back the Yodotai will be lost, I think."
Alright, you remember enough politics to know what that means.
"That would make you a follower of the Owl Philosophy." You say.
Her eyes widen slightly.
"...Hai, I'm surprised a ronin knows such things."
You shrug, you are a Crane after all.
"Not every ronin is the same. Some follow the Owl, believing that now it is time to watch and wait preparing what we have for the next crisis and opportunity. Others follow the Hawk, believing that we should search the world for the next thing to seize with our own two hands, it's an old argument that's gone on forever, just a new form."
Sayako lets go of her hair to give a firm shaking of her head.
"Not precisely the same. While what you say is true, it's changed since the war. For centuries the Emerald Empire looked within, now it is forced to look without. That is a very different thing. Looking without brings change, chaos, disharmony...I am but a young woman yes, but I can read and learn, learn of how much has changed. And see all the problems that come from it."
"Problems?" You ask, still a little curious.
"Hai, the Heimin grow restless as they perceive that their place in the order is changed the Samurai grow restless in turn. Tensions rise, and revolts are put down. The merchants groan under the high taxes and chafe that they who allow the Empire to grow have no say in it's rule. It's all held together by the will of the Emperor, and he has done so much for us, how much longer can we cling to him like we do?" She asks.
That...is a better question than most would like. The Sword Emperor has ruled for twenty years, but the traditional age of retirement, forty is nearing quickly for him. While yes Emperors don't have to, most do, in order to keep the Emperor dynamic and active. The Iweko had been particularly adroit on this.
Which meant in two maybe three years the Emperor would probably step down...what happened after, well no one was too sure.
"The Emperor long may he live knows what he's doing." You say loyally.
"It hasn't been the same since his heir disappeared...it feels different, the omens are cloudy....I suppose."
She admits.
Which is the closest anyone will get to criticizing the Saviour of the Empire.
"So you believe the Empire should turn back?" You ask.
Even as the Temple to Inari looms close, Sayako still seems focused on you.
"No, that is impossible, the Shield Cities have grown too much to just be abandoned, but stop yes, stop pushing their borders forward. Stop antagonizing the Ivory Maharajah and the Steel Caliph. Stop trying to prove themselves to gaijin, we are the Emerald Empire, why should we fear? No we should stop, and consolidate, rebuild the Celestial order as it should be, give relief to the Castes"
You nod, that makes more sense then some Lion you've heard who think that things should become like they were in the days of the Hantei over two centuries ago now. Not too bright that man, cute butt, but not bright.
"So I suppose before I make sure to keep you in mind when this journey begins, I have to ask what do you believe?"
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