This is the first sea voyage that might prove
informative,
Takuma thinks as he sits in front of the Nezumi, who gratefully accepts the
offered sweet bean roll.
“Thank you-you for your hospitality Ki’rr’itch,” says Takuma in the
Nezumi tounge. “This is a long
trip-trip to the Shadowlands, and it is good to have agreeable company.”
“You-you bring nice sweets-sweets,” replies Ki’rr’itch. “Do you tell-tell stories-stories?”
“Not well, but I can-can try.
What-what do you want to hear?”
“Your yesterday-yesterday.”
“Well-well, where to begin,” Takuma starts, “I lost-lost my way when I
was a youngling.”
“Lost-lost your way-way? How
long-long were you lost?”
“Ah, I have-have started the story-story badly,” Takuma continues. “I lost-lost myself in this dream,”
he says as he waves his arms. “I use
to know-know my way, but then I became lost-lost.” Takuma sighs, “I was born in a
family-family, but now I walk as ronin-ronin.”
“I-I know that name-name.
They call-call you wave man-man, but you-you do not sail.”
“No, I-I do not sail, but I-I drift in this dream-dream. As I-I said, I-I was born into a
family, and dream-dreamed as children do of becoming-coming a great
warrior-warrior, a hero-hero. My
family sent me-me to a school for warrior-warriors, but I-I failed.“ He pauses, while Ki’rr’itch looks
expectantly.
“I-I am a shugenja, one-one who speaks with spirit-spirits, but I-I was
raised in a land-land where the spirit-spirit’s voices were silenced. When I-I went to school, I-I started
to hear their voices. I-I was
confused, scared-scared. I-I thought
I-I heard the voices of my-my ancestor-ancestors, now I-I do not know. They urged me-me to leave the school
to discover the Kami-Kami.”
“Kami-Kami, I know this name-name.
These are-are the spirit-spirits you-you spoke about. You-you must be powerful indeed.”
“I-I have learned that power is-is many things, but never what you-you
expect,” as Takuma speaks, Ki’rr’itch nods.
“My-my power came with a price, my-my family.”
“A heavy-heavy price to be-be cast out of one-one’s tribe.”
“Yes, it is a heavy-heavy price.
As wave-man must-must, I-I wandered coming into my-my power. I-I then tried to come home-home, and
in doing, I-I dishonored my-my family.
One-one of my-my family took pity, and gave me-me name-name, the
name-name I-I carry now.”
“A good-good story so far, but is-is there more?”
“Yes-Yes there is more-more, but it does-does bring pain in the
remember-remembering.” He waves off
Ki’rr’itch, “it does me-me good-good to talk about yesterday.” With another sigh, Takuma continues,
“From home, I-I again wandered the wave of this dream. I-I remembered the lessons of
honor, and tried to live an honorable life-life, but in this I-I fail-failed.”
“We-We hear of honor, but still do not understand what You-You mean by
honor.”
“I-I am not one-one to teach honor, but I-I will try to tell you-you so
that the Nezumi will remember.”
Takuma closes his eyes, “I-I am not skilled to teach you-you the history of
our-our culture, and most would say
that I know nothing of honor, but I-I will teach you-you what I-I can.”
“To the Rokugani, honor is-is life.
The Nezumi-Nezumi have traditions, ways of do-doing things that change little
from generation to generation. So to
do the Rokugani. The first part of
honor is-is to adhere to these traditions.
For example, truth is-is important to Rokugani, to be-be caught in a lie
is dishonorable. To tell-tell the
truth, even when it-it could hurt you-you, is-is highly honorable. Society-society determines whether
you-your actions are honorable, and society can be capricious. One-one who is-is already see-seen as
honorable and does such an act will-will be seen as more honorable. One-one who is-is see-seen as
dishonorable, well, their-their actions are-are often ignored. I-I tried to always act-act as I-I
was supposed to, act-acting as honorable samuri do. Where they-they were congratulated,
I-I was ignored. It made me-me
bitter, angry. Even those I-I travel
with have-have done this.” Takuma
bows his head for a few minutes, “but one-one must find work to live.”
“I-I sought to fit in, to act as I-I was supposed to; I-I desired to be see-seen
as honorable, and that was my error.
It is not only my-my error though, even some of those who-who travel with me-me
are afraid-afraid of losing their-their honor.
The samurai-samurai known as Kakita-Kakita Senji-Senji always look-looks
down on me as a dishonorable rouge.
If I-I act in a way that society-society will see as dishonorable, but will
see-see the successful conclusion of the mission, I-I am condemned by him. He-he does not do this to
teach-teach, but because society will see-see him-him as dishonorable. His-his fear of losing face, losing
honor, is greater than his-his desire to complete his-his task. This is why I-I say-say that honor in
the eye of society is capricious.”
“I-I have grown, and walk-walked down darker paths.” Shaking his head, “no-no, not the
darkness of the shadow-shadowlands, but the dark-darkness inside.” He again closes his eyes, “failure
seem-seems to be the destiny-destiny of my-my dream, my-my life. In the eyes of society-society, I-I
was stripped of all honor that had come to me-me.
I-I then was laid bare to last child-child of the Kami, the servant of
the moon-moon. He-he showed me-me
the errors of my life-life, and ask-asked me to serve him-him. I-I admit that I-I have felt
temptation as I-I seem destined to be a failed cast out. He-he offered me the one-one thing
I-I still desire, accept-acceptance.
But…”
“I-I do not understand this temp-temptation.
I-I know the word, but I-I do not know what-what you mean. It may-may be that I-I do not know
you-your pain. It must be-be from
when you-you were cast away.”
“Yes Ki’rr’itch. It is the pain of
have-having no family. You asked
about honor, and not my-my pain.”
Takuma takes a deep breath, slowly letting it go, “As I-I have say-said, while
society-society may judge one-one’s actions as honorable or not-not, the
eye-eyes of other-others is not-not honor.”
Takuma shakes his head, “I-I am not sure how-how to explain what-what I-I
feel-feel.” After breathing deeply
to steady himself, Takuma continues, “what I-I come to realize is that honor
is-is right action.” Again, he
shakes his head, “that mean-means nothing.”
He looks directly into Ki’rr’itch’s eyes, “If your tribe-tribe’s
younglings were threat-threatened, what would-would you-you do?”
“I-I would defend them-them with all I-I had.”
“Even if it-it meant you-your death?”
“Yes-yes.”
“That is right-right action, doing what-what needs to be done with-without
thought of one-one’s self. Sometimes
the act-action can be-be see-seen as cruel, but it-it still need-needs to be-be
done!” Takuma thinks for a moment,
“if you-you found a Hida warrior wander-wandering the Shadow-shadowlands, and it
was clear that taint was taking him-him, would you let him-him continue to
wander, or would you-you put him-him out of his-his misery?”
“Kill him!”
“Exactly. It is-is dangerous to let
them live-live, and better to let them-them leave this dream-dream before the
taint-taint takes them-them fully.”
As Ki’rr’itch nods agreement, Takuma continue, “but I-I have seen those who-who
are given power who-who have turned their backs on entire villages who-who fall
to the taint. Instead of granting
release-release from this dream before they-they become corrupt, they-they were
worried about how-how society-society would view them-them. Society-society praise-praised them,
but I-I was reviled for do-doing what was right-right. As I say-said, the eye and
judge-judgment of society-society is capricious.
Yes-yes, I-I am still-still bitter about not-not being recognized for
do-doing what is right.” Takuma
again shakes his head.
“This honor-honor does not-not sound good.
It sound-sounds like it would be bad-bad.”
“I-I am doing a bad-bad job. The
view-view of society-society can be bad-bad, especially when someone-one is
praised who-who does not-not deserve it.
But honor is more-more than what society-society judges. At least that is-is what I-I now
think.”
“Once I was-was on a mission that took me-me to a small village near the blasted
plains of Otosan-Uchi. There are-are
people who-who live there, but their-their life is as difficult as that within
the shadow-shadowlands. No one-one
in many yesterdays has help-helped them.
Even this mission was-was not to help-help them, it was-was for two men
to play a game-game in peace.”
“After the game, those who-who traveled with me-me left. I-I stayed. Why?
It was right to help-help these people.
So, I-I made this place my home-home.
When I-I came upon other lost samurai, ronin-ronin, I-I invited them to
come live-live in the village. I-I
began to construct a shrine-shrine to the kami-kami and fortune-fortunes. Across the land, I-I came across
weapon-weapons, katana, wakizashi, and others.
All of these weapon-weapons were abandon-abandoned after battles and left
to rust.” Shaking his head, “these
weapon-weapons are special to Rokugani, they-they are strong symbol-symbols
within the dream. Yet they were
left, and I-I am sure those who left the weapon-weapons to rust were seen as
honor-honorable,” he spits the last words out with disgust. “Every time I-I found these weapons,
I-I recovered them, sometimes into the hundreds, and brought these
weapon-weapons to the village. There
I-I asked the kami to repair the weapons, to reforge them.” Laughing, “in a way, I-I have been
work-working to build an army-army of ronin. In my-my travels, I-I have
convinced over twenty ronin and bandits to join me-me in the village, and I-I
have enough weapon-weapons to equip an army-army.
Now I-I wonder why-why?”
He bends his head and closes his eyes, “I-I would like to stop for now-now. Could you tell me-me the story-story
of your-yourself and tribe?”
Takuma listens to learn, but also to distract himself from the dark thoughts
that have been brought up. That
night he tries to meditate, but his concentration breaks with thoughts dredged
up during his conversation with Ki’rr’itch.
I am lost. I lost my way when I left
the Kakita dojo, when I listened to what I thought were my ancestors. Maybe they were, but the advice was
not good. Another time, another place, my leaving to learn how to speak with the
kami may have been right, but not now.
I have wandered, and I am not sure any longer what honor is, what bushido
is. I have seen other samurai be
seen as the pinnacle of honor, when their hearts are filled with desire, fear
and regret. I accept my desires and
my regrets, I see them, I acknowledge them.
I see my hatred, and understand my bitterness. Laughing slightly, he consider, I
could take my own life, but to what purpose?
Will it purge the dishonor to my family?
No. Can it purge the soul of
one who did not have the will to stand against last child of the Kami? Can it purge the soul of one who is
seen as nothing but an honorless dog?
Why do I see it as cowardice to go that route? I must find myself again, that which
I lost when I left the dojo. In the
city of the void, I saw the action that would have led to honor for my father,
the action I did not see in my confusion.
I realize that it was my choice, and the choice was made. But do I wish to live trying to do
good, not seeking honor, but doing what is right, or do I lose myself to the
moon? I have prayed to the moon,
even carving images of the obsidian dragon, ready to dedicate a shrine in his
honor, but is that who I am? Is it
the dream I once had, or is it perversion of what I was? That is what I must find at this
crossroads.
Takuma’s sleep is disturbed, and tosses and turns
throughout the night, troubled by dreams perverted. The next day, he awakens and goes to
meet Ki’rr’itch again. “Are you-you
free to talk-talk?”
“Yes-Yes. I-I wanted to talk-talk
with you again. I-I wanted to
know-know more about you.”
“I-I did not know-know my-my life would be interesting,” says Takuma as he looks
down in shame. “Since you-you
ask, what do you-you want to know-know.”
“Your-your adventures!” So Takuma
talked about his adventures. While
not a storyteller, he told of what he had seen in Rokugan. He held little back from Ki’rr’itch,
telling him the good and bad. Toward
mid-day, Takuma grew tired.
Ki’rr’itch saw this and asked, “do you want a story?”
“Actually Ki’rr’itch, I-I would like to ask you-you something. Ask-ask for your-your help. I-I have lost-lost my dream-dream. The Nezumi-Nezumi know the
dream-dream, and I have heard that remember-rememberers can walk in the dream of
your-your lost city.” He pauses,
considering once more what he is about to ask.
“Can you help me to walk though dreams?
Can you help me to find my dream lost yesterday? I heard from my father that the
Nezumi know how to give a new name to a person.
I want to seek my dream and find my true name.”
Ki’rr’itch thinks upon Takuma’s words, then says, “I-I do not-not know how
one-one can lose their dream-dream.
We-we are the dream-dream, but You-You of Rokugan live separate from
dream-dream. You-you say I-I can
walk in the City-City of the Nezumi-Nezumi, but I-I am always-always walking
there. I-I do not-not know how
you-you live such divided lives-lives.”
He considers again, “you-you are friend-friend, and I-I see pain in
your-your eyes. You-you will-will
sleep here-here tonight. Now, let
us-us tell story-stories.”
That night, Takuma returned to Ki’rr’itch.
After telling more stories, Takuma laid down near the hull of the ship. Snorting, Ki’rr’itch said, “you must
sleep in the middle of the Nezumi”.
I asked for this, thought Takuma as he
moved into the middle of the room.
Sleep came with difficulty. Even
though ronin, Takuma was Rokugani.
Sleep so close to others was uncomfortable, and though he liked the Nezumi, he
never thought he would be sleeping so close to so many. Eventually, the rocking of the ship
and exhaustion took hold, and Takuma fell asleep.
The view is beautiful,
thought Takuma as he looked from the high stairs.
Before him stood the statues of two Fu Lions, both seeming to look at
him. From behind, a chitterling
voice asks, “where are we?”
Looking around, Takuma sees Ki’rr’itch, and realizes that the Nezumi rememberer
was true to his word. Looking again,
he realizes that this was not the place he remembered, but a dream of that
place. “We are at the steps leading
into the Shrine of Shinsei. One of
the most sacred sites of Rokugan. I
came here with companions to find a monk who could help the Emperor.”
“Why are we here?”
“I don’t know.”
“Takuma friend, you came to search for your dream, to be one with it. A clue to your dream must be in this
place. What happened here?”
“We passed though many tests to get to this place, to stand before the Shrine of
Shinsei. These statues though were
the guardians of the Shrine. Only
those of honor could pass. Two of
our group were judged worthy, the others were not. I looked at them, for in my heart I
knew I was unworthy.”
“How did they know you were unworthy?”
I never thought of that.
Takuma becomes lost in thought, and then
turns to the statues. “How do you
know if one is worthy?”
Rumbling, the statues stand, and look to Takuma.
With growling voices, “the soul of one who stands in the light of Bushido
are worthy!”
“What does it mean to stand in the light of Bushido?”
“If you do not know, then you do not stand in the Light of Bushido!” With that, they return to their
guardian posture.
“This is what I speak of Ki’rr’itch.
It is the message I constantly hear, you know what honor is if you or honorable. It is meaningless. How does one learn honor? How is honor given to the young? How is one to learn honor if their
elders show no honor?”
“You study the teachings of Shinsei ronin,” says a voice from behind him. Turning, Takuma sees the figure of a
young man.
“I remember you, the young monk in training whose master was prepared to give
you to the Obsidian Dragon. Your
name was Koi.”
Ko looks at Takuma. “Am I ronin? Is that how you remember Koi?”
“Your master was too proud. He told
people that spirits could lie, or distract, but he took his own vision as divine
truth.”
“But it was Divine Truth.”
Considering his response, Takuma replies, “yes it was, but was it a truth he
would have accepted? His remorse
after your death was real.”
“So, if he had known that the vision came from the Obsidian Dragon, he would not
have performed the ritual. You may
be right about him, but what would you do?”
“I convinced those that I was with to stop the rite. They did not want to kill you, had
grown attached to you.”
“That was not the question ronin.
What would you do?”
Takuma looks around him, the fog lifting to reveal the blasted plains of Otosan
Uchi, with the monks enacting the rite.
Koi stands in the middle with the shadowy figure of a monk. “What would you do ronin?” The misty form of the Obsidian Dragon
wafts up toward Koi, encircling him in its coils.
“I would not stop the process.”
“Even if it would give the Obsidian Dragon an Oracle?”
“The Obsidian Dragon has had an Oracle in Rokugan before. Shosuro Maru was the first.”
The coils of the dragon continue to constrict around Koi as Takuma answers. “The Obsidian Dragon was born to
balance the interventions of the Jade Dragon.
It is the balance of the Jade Dragon.”
“Why does virtue need vice ronin?”
Looking to the heavens, seeing the image of a dragon within the stars, an image
he has seen before, Takuma looks to Koi, “that is the way of the heavens, and of
men’s hearts. Where there is sun,
there is moon; day to night; virtue and vice.
It’s too simple to say that there can be no virtue without vice. Virtue and Vice exist side by side in
men’s heart.”
“Then, did my master do what was right?”
Takuma looks with confusion at Koi, who looks down. When he raises his head, the voice of
the Obsidian Dragon comes from the boys mouth, “RONIN, you said that you follow
right action, but what is that? Did
the monk do what was right?”
“For the wrong reasons…”
“BUT DID HE DO WHAT WAS RIGHT?”
“I don’t know.”
“YOU DO KNOW THE ANSWER RONIN! YOU
HAVE ALREADY SAID IT!”
“Yes, it was right to bring you into an oracle.”
The dream oracle smiles.
Turning away in shame, Takuma once again sees Koi. “Why do you feel ashamed ronin? Do you so relish in your sin?”
“It seems wrong to bring the Oracle of Vice into the world.”
“But you have already voiced that the Obsidian Dragon has a place in Tengoku,
and thus in the celestial wheel.”
“Yes, I did, but I see it as wrong.”
“What would the code of Bushido say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why do you constantly tell yourself that you do not know?”
“Because I feel unworthy.”
“Speak from your heart ronin. What
would Bushido say?”
Takuma looks to Koi, growing confusion on his face. “Bushido are the seven virtues. The Jade Dragon is the embodiment of
virtue. How can Bushido allow for
vice?”
“Will virtuous ignore vice?”
Bitterly, Takuma replies, “the virtuous have condemned what they see as my
vices.”
“No ronin, can the virtuous ignore the vice within themselves?”
“The human heart holds both virtue and vice,” replies Takuma in a whisper. “To become virtuous, a samurai must
face their vice, must name it. They
must have the courage to do this.”
“Can a virtuous man become blinded to his vices?”
Takuma looks to Koi, “yes. Your
master was an example. He so desired
to be loved by the people, to be seen as a savior, the one who restored the
blasted plains that he ignored the truth of what he was about.”
“Yet his action was right.”
“Yes. It served the celestial wheel. It was his secret hidden vice that
allowed the Obsidian Dragon entrance.”
Koi nods.
“But isn’t the reason important?”
“Is not the reason vice?”
Takuma considers this in silence, no response coming.
“Ronin, why do you work in the village of Iechi Muro?”
“I no longer know.”
“Then you must first discover why you remained in this village when the Go
masters left.”
Takuma wakes with a start.
Ki’rr’itch hands Takuma water saying, “you-you remained in you-your dream-dream
for a long time. Did you discover
you-yourself?”
“I-I have started the journey-journey, but it-it is not-not over.”
“You-you have been-been shown the way-way in.
When ready-ready, you-your journey will-will continue.”
Takuma’s thoughts were in turmoil as he left Crab lands, making his way back to
Iechi Muro.
Why do I return to Iechi Muro?, was that kept forcing its way into
his mind.
The people needed someone, was his only reply.
Why did I feel that I was worth of
aiding them? I didn’t, but none of
the clan samurai were going to do it.
They were going to leave ‘these peasants’ to their fate. Yet, does not compassion and duty
dictate a different course? The
people of Iechi Muro did what is expected; they worked the land, as best they
could; they lived, they loved, they did their duty without thought of reward or
assistant. Yet, is it not our duty
to aid those beneath us, as well as above us?
As Koi said, the answers are within the teachings of Sensei, but that is
one study I have neglected.
As he walked toward Iechi Muro, he thought of all he had done in the village. While the shrine was cleaned and
fixed before the Go Masters’ arrival, it still needed more work.
Carving new statues, creating calligraphy
banners, and furthering the repairs, all of this has been done. Meili, the blacksmith’s daughter,
helped to keep the shrine clean, even oiling the new figures I carved. While I spent the money I had earned,
or stolen, on the shrine, I also bought rice and grain for the village. I also importuned the aid of the kami
to help make their fields more fruitful.
I have even tried to find ways of correcting the blight of the Kuni’s
cleansing of the land. On my
journeys, I have been able to buy dirt, blessed by monks. This earth was brought to the fields
of Iechi Muro, and into the blighted lands, in an attempt to enlist the aid of
Earth Kami. I have brought wind
chimes, seeds, seedlings and water, all blessed by monks. Then there were the embers I tenderly
brought from the fires that burn in temples and shrines, and the incense crafted
by monks of various temples. Though
sorely distressed in life, I have even gotten the people of Iechi Muro to
celebrate the great festivals, and even create some to thank the Kami for all
their blessings, which at times are weak at best.
But why did I do this? In my
heart I know I did this because it needed to be done. I have to admit though that there
were selfish motives. I thought that
this might show me worthy of my family, but as I continued, this became less of
a motivation. Meili, she shows me
the worth of what I have done; she knows me better than most, and her honest
appreciation is always welcome. I
know when I return, she will have food and a bath ready for me, though both are
extravagant luxuries.
Then there are the ronin. What was I
thinking? It was anger. I wanted to build an army to fight
the evil of I saw in the clan samurai.
I wanted to give them a home, something to do other than highway
banditry. And then the weapons! Those recovered when we left the
shrine of Sensei, those from the mass graves of the ronin village in Lion Lands. All across the lands, I have found
daisho that were left to rot in the earth, something that seems not only wrong,
but evil. To condemn the dead in
such a way. How much time have I
spent asking the Kami to repair these ill tended weapons? I’ve even asked the Kami to rework
the blades, removing the imperfections crafted into them by weak willed smiths. I thought in my anger that it was to
arm a force to stand against the evil within the clans, to support the last
child of the Kami, but was that truly the reason.
I no longer know.
“Takuma!”
Looking up, Takuma saw the ronnin Ashago, one of those whom Takuma had invited
to Iechi Muro.
“Greetings Ashago! How fair you, it
seems that you were able to acquire the earth.”
Leading the ox drawn cart, “yes, and more than expected. Upon hearing the reason, the monks
were willing to help. They gave us
double of what I asked.”
When I first met Ashago, he was living as a bandit. He was not very good a banditry, and
would most likely have starved. Why
is he so excited about this earth?
It is not Koku, but he is excited.
Is it true that a Samurai is only whole when he has a duty? Have I given this to him?
“One of the monks also gave me this,” Ashago withdrew a small figurine. “It is
Kenro-ji-jin, the fortune of soil.
He said that it would bring blessings to the fields.”
“Yes, it just might.”
“Forgive
Takuma, but you seem distant. Has
something happened.”
“I met
someone wise, who asked me a question that I have yet to answer.” He smiles to Ashago, “but that is not
important now. Your success will
help the village. We must celebrate
when we return.”
As they
approached the village, Takuma’s thoughts wandered to the ronin he had
recruited.
I asked them to give up their former lives for a life with hardships. Not all were up to the task, even if
they might have joined an army. They
took the money promised and left.
Some, like Ashago, stayed. They
protect the village, and go off for supplies, soil, and water. A few have even become proficient in
pleading the case of the village.
Sooner or later, what we are doing will attract attention; I pray to the kami
and fortunes that it will be later.
Word spread
before them that Takuma and Ashago had returned.
The villagers and ronin were waiting in the village square as they
approached, each eager to report on the events that had transpired since Takuma
had left. Jokichi, the innkeeper and
head man, reigned in the villagers say, “we are glad that you have safely
returned Takuma-sama.” Though he
hated it, he could not get Jokichi to stop calling him sama, so he impartially
accepted. “Iechi and Tsiecin,” two
of the ronin, “intercepted a group of bandits who sought to steal our grain.” They both nodded. “They offered the ronin the peace you
have extended to all ronin, but three did not accept. Their remains were burned, and their
graves await blessing.” Jokichi bows
his head for a moment, “but there is good news as well. The cow you brought has given birth
to a fine calf. It is the first such
birth in all of our memories.”
“Then this
is doubly a time to celebrate. Come,
let us eat and give thanks to Hujokuko
for this joyous event and Ashago’s success.
See, he has brought more earth for our fields.”
As always,
Meili had a bath ready when he returned.
As the others prepared, Takuma and Ashago relaxed and washed the dirt of
the road from themselves.
Takuma ate
at the celebration, but his mind was on other things. “You seem troubled sama,” said Meili. “Come, dance with the others.” She always knew how to lighten
Takuma’s heart, and the dancing helped take his mind from the darker thoughts. Afterwards, Takuma took his leave,
going to the shrine to pray and meditate.
In the
morning, Takuma saw to some of the necessities of the village, and then
proceeded to the edge of the blasted lands with a bucket of the fresh earth that
Ashago had brought.
The only way to bring health back to the
fields is to appease the Kami’s fear of this place. Focusing himself, he addressed the
Earth Kami within the bucket.
“Beloved brothers, I thank you for your presence.
I have brought you hear to awaken the earth around here.” He then explained what he had done,
of the furrows he had dug by hand, filling with fresh earth. How he had spoken to the kami,
keeping them strong with his words and power.
He showed them other fresh patches of earth where the Kami were still
strong. He eased their concern, and
with reverence added the fresh earth to what was already there.
In fifty years, I may be able to reclaim
three hand lengths of earth. Why do
I do this? Day after day, why do I
work with the earth kami to correct the harm done by the Kuni? I know why they cleansed the land,
but the cost is so great. It has
stolen so much from the people that live at the edge, people who have nowhere
else to go. Why do I do this? Because it must be done. Koi’s mentor tried to heal this
place. The reasons may be
questionable, but still he attempted.
Something that the Clan shugenja have not done. Oh, the Kuni claim that there is no
way, but they put their energy into the fight they are destined to wage; they
are not healers. Yet all believe
their word. Why do I do this? Because I believe it can be done. What I do now may not work in the
end, but there is a way. I know in
my heart that there is a way. I may
not be the one who figures it out, but at least I am trying with all that I
have.
That night,
while sitting in meditation, his mind drifted to his time in the shadow lands. “You seem to have found your next
clue friend Takuma.” Turning, he is
momentarily shocked to see
Ki’rr’itch.
“You found your way back as I knew you would. Whether you know it or not, you are
part of this place Takuma, and your searching brought you here for a reason.”
Looking around, he saw the practice gardens of Master Kakita Momoru’s Dojo in
Samui Kaze Toshi. He was looking at
his last day there, when the presence of the Kami distracted him so much that he
could not concentrate on the lessons.
“This is where I lost myself Ki’rr’itch.”
The scene was filled with students and Master Kakita Momoru, and it was easy to
see the shame and confusion on the face of the young Tiger who would become
Takuma. “How did you lose yourself
young Takuma.”
“I fled from this place is secret, in shame.”
“Why?” said another voice.
Turning, Takuma came face to face with Master Kakita Momoru. The anger and disappointment was
barely concealed by his On. “Why did
you bring shame upon my house and upon your family?”
“I was afraid?”
“Of what? Of being blessed to hear
the Kami?”
“I wanted to be a swordsman. It is
what my father wanted.”
“Your desires are unimportant student.
Would your father have been unhappy to know that his seed had produced a
shugenja?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why did you leave.”
“I didn’t want to be a shugenja.”
“So you turned your back on the will of the celestial heavens!”
I never thought of it like that, but how could it have been different?
With a glimpse of compassion, Master Kakita Momoru looked to Takuma, “you could
have come to me. You could have
explained what was happening. I knew
something was wrong, but I didn’t suspect that you were hearing the kami.”
“I saw that once, while looking into the Font of the Void. I didn’t have the will to change what
had once occurred.”
“It would have been wrong to change it, for you have learned nothing from what
had occurred, what is going to occur.”
Confused, Takuma looked at the dream of his former teacher. “Takuma, you are who you are because
of your choices. Your life would be
different if you changed the past, but would it have been better? Would you stayed to help the people
of Iechi Muro, or would you have left as the other clan Samurai? Would you have offered assistance to
other ronin? Would Ashago have died
in a ditch if you had changed your past?”
He’s right, I have only thought of myself, my shame, my pain.
“Do not change the past Takuma, but look to who you are now,” said his teacher. “Cast away your pain.”
Takuma looked at his teacher, and considered his pain.
What is it that tears at my heart? He thought about it as the
dreaming sun began to set. As day
became night, Takuma took his Daisho and placed it at the feet of his teacher. “I broke my soul in an attempt to be
something that the Celestial Heavens deemed was not my path. I pierced my heart on a blade forged
on my own selfishness.” Master
Kakita picked up the blades and bowed.
Takuma watched as he walked toward the sunset.
Takuma awoke as the first rays of the sun streamed into the shrine. Though drowsy, he got up and looked
at the sunrise, enthralled by the colors of the land. He felt light, as if a burden was
taken from him. He didn’t even
realize that his Daisho was not with him until someone commented that he was not
wearing his wakisashi. “It is where
it should be my friend,” and thinking to himself,
it was a childhood dream. It is fitting that the blades remain
where they were forged.
That day, he worked as he had never before.
The lightness brought a joy to his daily duties that he had never known
before. Around midday, Meili brought
a lunch to Takuma who worked at the edge of the blight. “Meili,” Takuma asked at her
approach, “why do you take such pains to see to my needs?”
“It offers me no pains Takuma-sama to bring you lunch.”
“But why?”
“It is an honor to serve one who has done so much for our village Takuma-sama.”
As she looked up, Takuma realized that he had never really seen her before.
She is beautiful, and in her simple
answer, she speaks with more wisdom than I have ever had.
He accepts the cup of offered tea, and sits and thinks upon his life in Iechi
Muro. Meili has been a part of his
life ever since he first came to the village.
She worked beside him as he cleared the shrine. Once his thoughts of that time were
only to condemn the arrogant Samurai who would not help, but now he was grateful
to have had the time with someone of simple joys.
For the next few days, he talked to the Kami of the fields and to those who were
helping in the blighted land. His
work though had taken on a different tone.
There was no urgency, and no pompous ceremony; no thought of a great
plan, or a noble conclusion. He
simply talked to the Earth Kami about the land, and why he started this path. He neither implored nor commanded the
kami’s aid, but talked as an equal to those who could work to heal the land. During the day, he met with the
ronin, helped them come up with schedules of when to scout and guard, when to
work out, and find ways to keep busy.
The villagers also needed direction, and he worked with them as well,
looking over the reports of the fields, and looking at the rice and grain
supplies. Takuma realized from all
these talks that he would have to look beyond himself. No matter the reason, he had placed
himself in a position where he had to look out for these people. There was no arrogance in his
thought, just the cold hard reality that these people did indeed look to him. Following that was the realization
that he had to make sure that there would be enough food
That night, he worked on a letter to one in the Shosuro family whom he knew. He had built a relationship with the
Scorpion, and they were the only family that could help him now. Shosuro Sanzo had travelled with
Takuma before, and of all people, only Takuma knew the true heart of Shosuro
Sanzo. Of all Scorpions Takuma had
met, Sanzo’s mask was the most deceptive, and he owed Takuma.
That night, he loaded a cart with many of the blade that he had recovered and
repaired with the aid of Earth kami.
He covered them with a tarp, and then covered that with bags of soil and grain. In the morning, he approached Ashago
with a mission.
“Ashago, lead this cart to the scorpion lands, and carry this letter to a blind
Scorpion Samurai named Shosuro Sanzo. Take Takei and Ryoko with you as guards,
and Surma to tend to the ox and cart.
On your way back, as always, bring fresh soil and water. Shosuro Sanzo will also give you
something to bring back to me.”
Without question, Ashago carried out the order.
For a moment, that one act frightened Takuma.
Would Ashago do anything I asked without question?
Have I ever acted as nobly?
Not only did Sanzo owe Takuma, but he had gained favors from the Shosuro and the
Bayushi. They would be able to sell
the swords, and give a fair price in return, minus their cut. Still, it would be more than Takuma
could get.
Kakita Senji would have a fit if he knew
what I was doing here, but then again, he was willing to let these swords lie
disgraced in the earth until they rusted away.
I wonder what he would think if his blades were treated in that manner?
Later in mediation, he continued to look at his actions.
Is it virtue or vice that I would sell
these swords? My head would be
forfeit if the Emerald Magistrates knew, but is it wrong?
“Why
did you do it then,” said a voice.
Turning, Takuma once again saw the form of Ki’rr’itch. “I see my journey continues,”
commented Takuma.
“Yes. You must have needed to return
here as it seems you need to understand something you have done. Is this the village you spoke of?”
Looking around, Takuma could see the dream impression of the shrine and the
village. “Yes, and it is fitting, as
my questions arise from this place.”
“And what are these questions?”
“I have realized that my place is here Ki’rr’itch. That my decisions have linked my fate
with this place, and without realizing, I have become a leader to these people. It is not a place I am use to
filling, nor something I thought of.”
“Takuma, I am leader to my people, and see it as a great responsibility, but
from your words, you seem to take it as a burden.”
“Perhaps. What concerns me now is
that those of this village do what I say with no question, even though I have
questions as to my actions.”
“Is that not what your people crave?
Duty you call it. They want
direction. It is not that they
cannot live without it, but you of Rokugan thrive when you have a duty to
perform. It is not for the people to
question that is for the leaders.”
“This must be what my uncle meant when he spoke of the burdens of leadership. Though I have found joy from the
clarity I have found here, it has brought these questions and burdens upon me.”
“Then leave,” said another voice.
“If the burden is so great, pack your bags and leave.” The figure spoke from outside of the
shrine, an area cloaked in shadow.
“My presence has affected these people, and if I leave, they will flounder.”
The laugh was cold, “arrogance!”
“Arrogance or truth,” said Takuma, who bristled at the insult.
“Would not another rise to take your place?
Ashago? Would not he take
over? He could lead them to ruin or
victory; either way, it would no longer be up to you.”
Takuma just stared at the shadowy figure.
“I am right, am I not.”
Takuma bowed his head in agreement.
“Then why do you stay, and do not say that you don’t know.”
“Because I have a purpose in this village.”
“And that is what you have desired this whole time.”
“Yes,” was all that Takuma could say.
“But in this act, do you not also do what is right?” said another voice. The speaker stood in the light, his
form ablaze with the rising sun.
“Yes, it is right to show compassion and help them find duty.”
“But it has come from your vices,” said the shadowy form.
“And yet it becomes virtue.”
Takuma then noticed that to each figure, there was a sinewy shadow of a dragons
tail. “I know you both,” he said.
From the shadows strode forth a figure with the appearance of Takuma, but with
the complexion of Jade, while from the light emerged a figure the twin of Takuma
but with the coloration of Obsidian.
“Yes,” they both said in unison, “you know us, for we are always in you.”
“The seed of virtue is in vice, and the seed of vice is always in virtue,” said
Takuma.
“We are in the hearts of all men, both at the same time.”
“Though one may choose virtue, sin lingers on the edge of the heart, and can
result in the foulest actions imaginable” said the Obsidian Takuma.
“And even the acts of the most vile heart can create great virtue,” said the
Jade Takuma.
“Your problem Takuma,” both said in unison, “is that you think too much about
virtue and vice.”
Takuma looked at them in shock.
“What do you mean?”
“No matter their rank, all who lead must make decisions for their people. Some are burdened by these decisions,
because they fear the regret that will come if their decision is flawed. Remember the Lion who came to rule
over Khihuchi Muro? He wanted to be
loved by his people, and every decision was molded by that desire. He agonizes over decisions that could
affect his popularity, even if the decision is right.”
“The burden of leadership is for those who lead only with their desires. Thus has there been war waged by the
Crab,” said Jade Takuma.
“But a leader who holds no desire cannot lead.
They can serve, but never lead.
It is the leader’s desire to do the best for his people that makes a
ruler truly great,” said the Obsidian Takuma.
“It is your decision whether to be ruled by Jade or Obsidian Takuma,” they said
together, “but you cannot rule with just one of us. That is the balance of the celestial
heavens.”
Takuma looked into his face of Jade and Obsidian.
“You are both within me.” He
bows to his Obsidian form, “I acknowledge that you are within me, and that I
must see each of my desires in clarity. Likewise,
my fears I must acknowledge if I am ever to step past them. And stepping past is what must be
done to regret.” He turns and walks
from Obsidian to Jade. “Bushido is
our guide. This I have seen on the
faces of the people of Iechi Muro.
Ashago’s devotion to new found duty, as well as Meili’s dedicated service to
myself. Compassion that led me to
help those of Iechi Muro and the ronin who now live there. Now I must show courage to step away
from my fears, and become a leader for these people. Your light will guide me, and I must
always remain open to the wisdom you reveal in even simple actions.”
Turning from the Jade form, he moves between the two. “I accept both of you in my life.” Turning toward Jade, “I will look to
the sun before me for direction, and acknowledge the moon behind me for the
wisdom, seen with clarity, found within my sins.”
With that, Takuma sits to meditate.
“Then accept your place Samurai,” said the two figures as they faded away.
He heard his ratling friend say, as if far away, “I believe you have found what
you sought friend Takuma. You have
now walked in your dreams, and forever will the veil between the worlds be thin
for you. Whenever you have
questions, you can find your answers here.”
Takuma awoke as dawn approached.
Focused and centered, he started the day.
Soon there would be another request for his services, one that would take
him from Iechi Muro, but which would bring Koku to the village. First though, there were things that
needed to be done. Plans to be made
as winter approached, buildings to be repairs, and all the mundane things which
Takuma realized he enjoyed. As he
gathered himself to rise, he noticed that upon the altar was a daisho. It looked like the one he lost within
the realm of Yume-Do, but it was different.
Picking up the Katana, he saw the hilt now seemed carved of stone. On one side was a depiction of the
sun and Jade dragon carved of jade.
The other side showed the moon and Obsidian dragon carved into obsidian. The veil was truly thin to loose and
then recover blades, and for those blades to be changed by the realm of dreams. Perhaps he has spent too much time
wandering the roads of Dream. Still,
there were other things to do than think about his journeys through Yume-Do and
what consequences may come from them.
There were preperations to be made.
Toward the evening, he went to the home of Tange, the blacksmith, for a private
word. “Tange. Since I first came here, I have felt
connected to the village and its people.
Since that first visit, I have tried to help when and where I could.”
“You have done great things here Takuma-sama.”
For the first time, he did not try to correct Tange, or even show humility that
was near falsehood. “I have done
what was needed to help the people of Iechi Muro, nothing more. But I have come to you for another
reason.”
“I am ronin Tange. There is no true
place for me within the Clans, but I have a place here. I wish to make Iechi Muro my true
home. There is one within this town
that has worked to take me, and recently I have seen just how much this has
helped me. I have come to ask for
the hand of Meili in marriage.”