The young man walked through the bamboo forest, trying not to reminisce on the many lives he had taken in eerie settings like these. His mind however, tended to be very persistent; and very vivid. Irritated, he diverted its roving eye somewhere else.
He went through his little list of things to do. The mask had been burnt, the tools of his trade, smelted in the resident sword-smith’s furnace. His small blade collection had been returned to said sword smith.
Door locked, windows closed, no perishables, all candles and incense sticks put out. He swung his pack out front as he walked, to rummage through its contents. Tea leaves, herbs, distilled spirit, clothing, cooking equipment, chopsticks, rope, bandages, fishing equipment and 5 days’ worth of food. He pulled the rope running through its lip and tied it, then slung the bag back over his shoulder.
A partially open aired shack stood in the distance. He picked up the pace to get there faster. Pausing at the door, he let his right hand reach back and touch his sword, which was in its familiar position at the small of his back. The door slid open before he could knock, and framed a smiling old lady. His neutral face broke quickly into a smile, as she greeted him.
“Old man Shiro!”
He stroked his imaginary beard.
“Sit down. I’ll be with you shortly. Do you want tea?”
“Yes, thank you.”He headed out to the open soba stand, which was empty, as always. The old lady appeared swiftly, carrying a pot and two cups. Setting them on the table, she filled both cups.
“Come, try this new leaf I got recently on my travels. Very fragrant, yes?” She lifted the lid off the pot and encouraged some of the invisible vapours to her nose.
“I can’t smell it yet.” Shiro picked up his cup.
“Oh ok. It certainly is unique.”
Some talk on where to get good and exotic teas ensued, but the conversation inevitable steered itself to the purpose of his visit, which you might guess by now, doesn’t occur very often.
“So, Shiro. I hear that you’ve quit the business?”
“Yes. I’ve earned enough. It’s not something I want to keep doing till I’m old either.”
“Money wasn’t the reason you started. Do you remember?”
“
Yea, but I’m done exacting vengeance on the world. These past years have been very aimless. There’s no end to scum. Sooner or later, you just have to accept that this world is evil, and get on with getting some happiness for yourself.”
“I see. Well, that’s good too. What are you going to do with your time now? Surely you are not going to waste it all away on searching for a good time?”
“
Of course not. I’m going to travel with a few good friends of mine. It’s a little aimless now, and probably will be for some time. But maybe we’ll find some purpose. At worst, we’ll just have had some good, relaxing times together. I think the business might have been even more tiring for them than it was for me. But that’s just speculation, anyway. How about you?”
“Those three you’re always telling me about? I see. Well, I’m still running the school. Not the one you were in, under me. The other one. Not taking so many students now, though. I’ve got little time left in this world now, there’s nothing wrong with being selfish with it.”
“I guessed it some time ago. How are the students?”
“Terrible, these days. Playful, not determined, careless, foolish, slow learners. Very slow.”
“You can’t be serious. Still, I’m flattered that you think so well of my younger self, in comparison.”“Well, it’s a different thing I’m teaching these days. I’m not complaining. I stopped passing on the art of killing since the day you got better at it than me, and there have been benefits. I don’t have to kill 70% of my students anymore, for example.”
“Well, students of the pen seldom have reason to go for their sensei. Seems like you’re doing a good work though, so you’re not the only one gaining from it.”
“They’re all peasants, so I’ve got to teach more or less for a payment of food. But they’re getting a decent enough an education for them to try their luck in applying to work as an official, or translator or whatever for some government or other. Work like that can be found in Rennon, mostly, since they’ve been more relaxed about the status of their applicants. You don’t have to be from a noble family. They don’t even ask where you come from. Could be something to do with Archibald’s coming to power five years ago. But most likely its because Rennon has a shortage of envoys and such, now that they’re allying themselves with Al’ Miramar. On top of that, they’re trying to assimilate the outlying autonomous villages.”
“Sounds big. Rennon seems desperate for something.”
“Yes, I only hint it to my students, since I’m not entirely sure, but it seems that we are on the brink of something. The local warlords are pretty much oblivious; too busy fighting the 10 other guys who are trying to increase their turf. Get up through the permanently warring peninsula though, to the unclaimed land near Rennon, and you’ll see that the people are agitated. They have no idea why the country is so intent on ‘welcoming’ them. The desert people in Al’ Miramar are getting closer to Rennon, though. They even have annual games together now.”
“Sounds sweet.”
“You know how the saying goes. If the lips perish, the teeth will suffer the cold. Rennon is practically protected by the huge blanket of desert to the north. They only have one exposed flank to the west where that one huge nameless nation growing in their side has been expanding just a little bit too fast. It’s vast, now, and has an un-naturally strong army. It’s not possible for such a young nation. But they’re probably just mercenaries.”
“Yeah well, it probably will amount to nothing, and I can’t be bothered anyway. I’m pretty good at taking care of myself. Anyway, the reason why I came today was to give you something.”
“Finally, a gift for me.”
He pulled his wakizashi out of his belt. It looked as new as the day it was bought, its lacquered black scabbard gleaming in the faint lantern light. His old teacher quickly took it off the table.
“You are too casual about such things, Shiro. The local upstart has enforced martial law against all who are found to carry swords. Surely you must know that.”
“I do, I just recently killed about 15 of his men. Anyhow, I’m returning it to you now. It’s been put to good use all this time, but I won’t be needing it anymore, I think. It’s a real bother to maintain, too.” He gave a boyish grin.
“I should have known. But I appreciate the sentiment. Out of all my students of old, you’re the only one that comes back.”
“Yeah, the rest are all dead.”
She slapped him playfully on the arm, laughing.
“Sharp tongue, as always.”
Disappearing into the shack, she came out again, having deposited the weapon. In return, she presented him a naginata.
“Ooh, a new addition to your collection?”
“My collection’s all but gone now. This is a leftover, which I kept for its beauty. Steel blade, cupped bronze guard, oak staff, a total of six feet exactly, all in.”
“Feels good too. Reasonably light, nice balance.”
“Glad you like it! It’s yours now.”
“A halberd! I’m going on a sight seeing journey, not a warrior pilgrimage!”
“Don’t be a fool, you’ll definitely need this. It has a leather sheath and a cloth cover on top of that, so it won’t pick you a fight.” She proceeded to demonstrate wrapping it up into a long, shapeless bundle. “Don’t fight. Kill. I’ve told you enough times that you’re probably sick of hearing it, even now, after all this time. You may not be looking to end anyone’s life, but it’s not realistic to take a vow never to kill again, either. You may live a different life now, but the same principles apply.”
“Fair enough, I give up. Thank you, it’s a beautiful gift, even if I never use it.”
“Stubborn as ever. It’s not good for sneaking around, obviously, but you won’t be doing much of that, anyway.”
“ANY of that.” He corrected her.
“Yes, yes. I think I see your friends approaching. Run along now. Just remember my words. In time you will find them to be true.”