The Will To Find Your Way
The prayers to the Kami began, Isawa Tamaki san knew tales of many kami. He chose to invoke one he was familiar with, Kagutsuchi, was a name for an ancient Kami of fire before Osano-wo took on that mantle. Perhaps by appealing to the former father of fire he could have him find the missing spirit.
Crimson breath of forge,
Kagutsuchi, ancient heart,
Stone awaits your spark.
Silent, cooled ember,
Once your dwelling, now a form,
Grant it living heat.
Flickering spirit,
Dance within this hardened shell,
Awaken the flame.
Mountain’s molten core,
Whisper through the granite veins,
Warmth, a sacred gift.
Stillness holds the fire,
Until the moment’s true need,
Kami, lend your strength.
Crimson, roaring god,
Dragon’s steel, a hungry gift,
Feed, and grant your grace.
Sharp edge, spirit bound,
Wakizashi, offered now,
Flames accept the soul.
Stone, a silent form,
Where your ancient heat once slept,
Awaken, blaze anew.
Dragon’s fading breath,
Kami’s fire, a rising surge,
Stone, receive the might.
Steel’s last, keenest cry,
Nourishment for burning heart,
Stone, ignite and live.
Forge’s ancient breath,
Through the metal, to the stone,
Kagutsuchi’s will.
The wakizashi Donoha sama sacrificed as a means of apology if he had hurt the kami was accepted and it flared up as though it simply caught fire sitting atop the boulder! The metal parts melted and seemed to me absorbed in the stone, while the rest burned to ash and fluttered away in the cold breeze. The frozen water became liquid quickly but not hot or boiling by any means. Having put things back the way the Mirumoto family daimyo wanted. Most of the group returned to make their report that it was completed. Otaku Gunba sama stayed behind to pray and meditate on the events that had transpired.
Reporting to Mirumoto Masashige sama at the Pine Needle Retreat. The three samurai found themselves in a discussion of fate. Of the various threads that led them to be part of the Emperor’s Gift caravan. To be brought together, to be in this village at such an auspicious occasion. The way Donoha sama explained it to me. He feels Hanzo san has like they’ve been given a second chance being brought into the group. Tamaki san appears to feel a strong connection to Donoha sama and fate.
Mirumoto Masashige sama thanked them for their answers and mentioned he was leaving to visit the stone. Food had been prepared for everyone and they should partake of it. With that the daimyo left with his six guard retinue in tow. After finishing the food brought for him, the Phoenix shugenja left to go and give Taro san a brake at the hole, and bring a few rice balls and a small wooden container of weak tea to throw down at the disgraced Crane within.
When Gunba sama returns to the others he mentions having a similar conversation about the threads of fate. Before being dismissed in the most polite and gentle manner one could do. About an Hour of the Day later Masashige sama returned and partook of the samurai’s company once more. He and the Scorpion courtier played a game of Go, but Hanzo san was using some of the insight the Dragon family daimyo had shared with him. Donoha sama could see his game had improved from when he played him last, but Masashige sama was the victor.
After complimenting the noted use of his advice to Hanzo san, Mirumoto Masashige sama asked us to deliver the news of this event to the Dragon Clan Champion. They were to head out in the morning and if we needed anything Sanjiro san would have it provided. The group were informed by Tetsuo san that this part of the journey would be done by foot, and our mounts would be stabled here and await our return. The samurai asked the village headman if they could have a cart they could strap the chest of missives to that their prisoner could push. They were told it would be waiting for them in the morning outside of their home used here in the village.
The Dragon also asked for provisions to be made for the trek and was told they would also be made ready. While the others made ready the Unicorn shugenja went to speak with the Earth Kami. Earlier that day he had asked them to change the switchback trail leading up to the tree the village had been named for. Now a straight path cut through the entire center of the switchback trail. After communing with the Earth Kami it was decided to keep both trails. However, where the straight path intersected with each level of the switchback trail a flattened landing would be made to allow travelers to stop and appreciate the valley from different elevations. Thus did the Unicorn shugenja sculpt the side of a mountain to bring man and spirit closer together.
On the 7th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}) we found the group in the early morning with the Dragon sitting next to the Unicorn shugenja as they tossed and turned in their sleep. No jade had changed colors as he watched over his friend. Donoha sama felt Gunba sama was having a vision and he would not disturb him. Using one of his many mint colored cloths he dabbed his forehead to address any sweat. Even with the Scorpion prodding him to intervene the Dragon let his friend have the vision the kami chose to share with him.
Once they woke up Donoha sama had a change of Gunba sama’s clothes ready and had Taro san get this set washed immediately. This was to prevent Gunba sama from catching a cold. The group had rice with their morning meal and made ready to leave to the High House of Light. With Tetsuo san as their guide the reached the Bridge of Resourcefulness late in the day. It stood above them with no clear way onto it. This was their first challenge.
