Post by Ni' Xuin on May 24, 2009 8:28:41 GMT -5
Far from the troubles boiling over into chaos in Zento and the surrounding islands, Ni’Xuin the youngest child of Lahan of the Hanzagiri clan, arranged flowers quietly in the gardens surrounding her gated world. The snow capped mountains acted as a shield from the turmoil her family was creating. Her every need was met without question and occasional messengers arrived at the gate, making her guardians extremely nervous.
But today was much different. The messenger was dirty from his travels, and from where Ni’Xuin sat with the farmer’s daughter and wife arranging flowers, it seemed the man was bloodied. The man fell to his knees, and the farmer, along with his farm-hands, rushed to aid him. Ladles of water were held to his lips, and attempts to get the man back to his feet were failing. Ni’Xuin noticed attention was being focused to where the women sat under the shade of the maple tree.
It all happened so quickly, and in slow motion.
The flowers fell from Ni'Xuin's hands to the ground, and the sound of her kimono tearing was heard. Screams of anger and of rejoice rang out, her feet pounding against the uneven road. Along the mountain was as far as she could run, crumbling against the jagged rocks.
“What is happening?” Ni’s mind raced, “Have I dishonored my guardians?”
Then sleep overtook her.
Ni’Xuin always knew the farm was not her home. Fleeting memories of a boy chasing her, her father’s armor hanging in the room, passed through her mind. Then one day a gilded litter with heavy purple curtains arrived in the courtyard and Lahan picked her up from the porch. He placed the child Ni’Xuin into the litter, the boy, her brother, was grabbing their father’s leg begging to let her stay. His eyes, her father’s eyes, falling over her; dark closeness of the drawn curtains, the commotion outside, the cries of her brother and mother, the hurried movement of litter leaving her home.
Homare!
Startled awake by the rattling of pack animals approaching her on the road, the peddler leaned over her and asked, "Child, were you robbed?"
“Sir help me find my way home, I must travel to Homare.”
Along the way the news of what transpired was revealed. The Emperor and his son were murdered, the Princess kidnapped and taken by Lahan of the Hanzagiri clan. Ni’Xuin remained silent the rest of the way.
Homare was in ruins, and there was no reason to stay, nowhere for her to go. The peddler noticed how utterly lost she was. He approached her slowly, “Child, why would you wish to come here? The people we travel with wish to know your name.”
After a long pause, Ni stood looking from the peddler towards the rest of their party. “I am Ni’Xuin; my family is torn by these troubles, and seems I was separated from them. Sir, I ask for mercy. I only wish to find my family, their fate would be mine.”
The old man stared at her with the oddest look. “Speak not your name again but there are rumors, of one that may be able to help you, but we must find you a way to the great city of Zento.”
The boat landed at the docks, and Ni exited. Bowing deeply to the peddler, she murmured, “If I can ever repay you I shall. Thank you.”
The old man smiled with a toothless grin. “Child. You must find a great dojo here, those inside will be able to help you, may Buddha bless you child.” He bowed as she stepped off the plank, and into the city of Zento. The breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms, the fish, and spices on the dock and circled round her, ruffling her hair.
“A great dojo,” she said quietly to herself.
Ni’Xuin made her way through the city gates.
But today was much different. The messenger was dirty from his travels, and from where Ni’Xuin sat with the farmer’s daughter and wife arranging flowers, it seemed the man was bloodied. The man fell to his knees, and the farmer, along with his farm-hands, rushed to aid him. Ladles of water were held to his lips, and attempts to get the man back to his feet were failing. Ni’Xuin noticed attention was being focused to where the women sat under the shade of the maple tree.
It all happened so quickly, and in slow motion.
The flowers fell from Ni'Xuin's hands to the ground, and the sound of her kimono tearing was heard. Screams of anger and of rejoice rang out, her feet pounding against the uneven road. Along the mountain was as far as she could run, crumbling against the jagged rocks.
“What is happening?” Ni’s mind raced, “Have I dishonored my guardians?”
Then sleep overtook her.
Ni’Xuin always knew the farm was not her home. Fleeting memories of a boy chasing her, her father’s armor hanging in the room, passed through her mind. Then one day a gilded litter with heavy purple curtains arrived in the courtyard and Lahan picked her up from the porch. He placed the child Ni’Xuin into the litter, the boy, her brother, was grabbing their father’s leg begging to let her stay. His eyes, her father’s eyes, falling over her; dark closeness of the drawn curtains, the commotion outside, the cries of her brother and mother, the hurried movement of litter leaving her home.
Homare!
Startled awake by the rattling of pack animals approaching her on the road, the peddler leaned over her and asked, "Child, were you robbed?"
“Sir help me find my way home, I must travel to Homare.”
Along the way the news of what transpired was revealed. The Emperor and his son were murdered, the Princess kidnapped and taken by Lahan of the Hanzagiri clan. Ni’Xuin remained silent the rest of the way.
Homare was in ruins, and there was no reason to stay, nowhere for her to go. The peddler noticed how utterly lost she was. He approached her slowly, “Child, why would you wish to come here? The people we travel with wish to know your name.”
After a long pause, Ni stood looking from the peddler towards the rest of their party. “I am Ni’Xuin; my family is torn by these troubles, and seems I was separated from them. Sir, I ask for mercy. I only wish to find my family, their fate would be mine.”
The old man stared at her with the oddest look. “Speak not your name again but there are rumors, of one that may be able to help you, but we must find you a way to the great city of Zento.”
The boat landed at the docks, and Ni exited. Bowing deeply to the peddler, she murmured, “If I can ever repay you I shall. Thank you.”
The old man smiled with a toothless grin. “Child. You must find a great dojo here, those inside will be able to help you, may Buddha bless you child.” He bowed as she stepped off the plank, and into the city of Zento. The breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms, the fish, and spices on the dock and circled round her, ruffling her hair.
“A great dojo,” she said quietly to herself.
Ni’Xuin made her way through the city gates.
