Year of the Boar, Sixth Month, Day 16.
The gossip-mongers say that Lord Kenta lives. They say he was so moved by the hysterical screaming of some slave that he realised it would not be at all honourable to leave his House in the hands of any that would come after him; that he must take care of it himself. That only in remaining to rule Silent Thunder firmly yet fairly, would he find true honour. That is what they say... but when I think about the gossip I have heard concerning *myself* which still causes my cheeks to flush with shame, I do not know if it is all to be believed...I must admit that the gossip has given me slight pause to wonder whether everything they say about Dying Crane is also true or not...
They say Lord Kenta lives but that he cloisters himself with the monks. That he seeks to purge his soul of some wrong-doing - this he must do to regain his honour before he resumes his duties as lord of his House. His honour guard refuse to acknowledge me - I have tried weeping and screaming and even resorting to a fully-blown temper tantrum right outside his lordship's quarters, yet still, they remain impassive. I sent his favourite foods and tea to his quarters every day yet they do not allow me to know if he has eaten, secretly returning plates and dishes to the kitchens, empty or full, I know not - indeed they refuse to tell me honestly, whether he truly lives or whether he plunged his katana into his side and left this mortal coil. Two days I knelt outside his chamber, my head pressed to the cool wooden door, alternatively weeping and calling his name until two of them picked me up and forcibly removed me...
A while later, the door slid open and three slaves I did not recognise came in bearing trays of food, rice and fish were put in front of me and soft voices told me firmly that I was to eat... that I would not be allowed to leave my room until I had. So I ate, and bitter tears fell into the bowl salting the rice and I forced the sticky clumps down my throat as if it were painful... not looking at anyone, but asking them in a voice cracked with crying and screaming, to let me see him, alive or dead. And in soft voices, I was refused...the same soft voices told me that there had come a visitor to Silent Thunder, a wanderer. He had come seeking a place to rest with his...pet... I was to bathe, dress and receive him as was customary, offer him hospitality, tea and sweets. I shook my head, I cannot, I told them, it is not for me to offer anyone hospitality now. Lord Kenta has decreed it came the reply and then my heart leapt for I knew without a doubt that he must be alive... I pushed aside the food and made to go immediately to the bath house, but I was forced to finish every last bite and second helpings besides... I demurred, I could not eat anything more, but the voices insisted, you have not taken care of yourself, his lordship is not pleased, you... must... eat...
I bathed and dressed and went as I was asked to the reception room to greet the visitor and offer Silent Thunder's hospitality. I was very nearly dispossessed of all my poise when I encountered him, for he was a man not of our Kingdom. Perhaps from as far away as the First, indeed, even in books I had never seen such a person. I knelt at the tea table and began heating water in preparation for tea and I did ask him with customary politeness how he came to find himself at Silent Thunder... And as I made the tea, such a strange tale he told of being a mage from a far off country, a country further even than the First Kingdom. I could not imagine such a place, a place where men keep horned horses as pets and things called ...dragons.... I offered him tea, the finest of Silent Thunder, criticising it as is customary... but the stranger, Calendon, his name, told me it was a fine tea. I let it pass because I could see that he was not accustomed to our ways, he declined a sweetmeat and then offered a gift of his own. Since he was not of our people, I had not the heart to tell him that he had offended the laws of hospitality and truth to tell, I was a little curious. He waved his hand and there on the table was a round .... thing. It came from nowhere, I was amazed, too amazed to say anything. Calendon told me that it was made from the milk of goats and I confess, I could not imagine such a thing... milk? From goats..? He told me the name of it, it was unfamiliar to my tongue... I think he said... cheez... he assured me that it was quite safe to eat and bade me try it... I was distrustful so he ate a piece first, demonstrating that it was alright... I ate a tiny piece and although it was not horrible, I should not like to eat it again... Calendon was amused, yet he did not mock me but suggested I keep the cheez and acquire a taste for it... he talked a while longer of his people and his life and he asked me about Silent Thunder... had he a special power I do not know, but I found myself telling the good man everything... his ear was sympathetic, he did not judge me, he made no suggestion, he simply listened. When I had no more to tell, he asked for my wrist; reluctantly I proffered it and around it, Calendon snapped a bracelet - I opened my mouth to tell him I could not possibly accept but when it was on my wrist, it disappeared. I gasped in consternation, not able to understand; he told me to touch it and when I did, he spoke to me without moving his lips. He told me that none could ever see the bracelet, that where he comes from, there are items of magic and that if ever I needed help, I was to touch it and speak to him and he would bring his.... dragon to my aid... wide-eyed, I gaped like a carp and he said he had been so moved by my hospitality and wished to offer it in return. He took his leave, asking only that he and the ...dragon be allowed a small corner of the field in which to make camp. I offered a bed in the guest wing, Calendon thanked me kindly but took his leave... I am still baffled, I do not know if the episode was a dream and I am too afraid to touch the bracelet and find out... I must go to Lord Kenta and await his return to courtly life...
They say Lord Kenta lives but that he cloisters himself with the monks. That he seeks to purge his soul of some wrong-doing - this he must do to regain his honour before he resumes his duties as lord of his House. His honour guard refuse to acknowledge me - I have tried weeping and screaming and even resorting to a fully-blown temper tantrum right outside his lordship's quarters, yet still, they remain impassive. I sent his favourite foods and tea to his quarters every day yet they do not allow me to know if he has eaten, secretly returning plates and dishes to the kitchens, empty or full, I know not - indeed they refuse to tell me honestly, whether he truly lives or whether he plunged his katana into his side and left this mortal coil. Two days I knelt outside his chamber, my head pressed to the cool wooden door, alternatively weeping and calling his name until two of them picked me up and forcibly removed me...
A while later, the door slid open and three slaves I did not recognise came in bearing trays of food, rice and fish were put in front of me and soft voices told me firmly that I was to eat... that I would not be allowed to leave my room until I had. So I ate, and bitter tears fell into the bowl salting the rice and I forced the sticky clumps down my throat as if it were painful... not looking at anyone, but asking them in a voice cracked with crying and screaming, to let me see him, alive or dead. And in soft voices, I was refused...the same soft voices told me that there had come a visitor to Silent Thunder, a wanderer. He had come seeking a place to rest with his...pet... I was to bathe, dress and receive him as was customary, offer him hospitality, tea and sweets. I shook my head, I cannot, I told them, it is not for me to offer anyone hospitality now. Lord Kenta has decreed it came the reply and then my heart leapt for I knew without a doubt that he must be alive... I pushed aside the food and made to go immediately to the bath house, but I was forced to finish every last bite and second helpings besides... I demurred, I could not eat anything more, but the voices insisted, you have not taken care of yourself, his lordship is not pleased, you... must... eat...
I bathed and dressed and went as I was asked to the reception room to greet the visitor and offer Silent Thunder's hospitality. I was very nearly dispossessed of all my poise when I encountered him, for he was a man not of our Kingdom. Perhaps from as far away as the First, indeed, even in books I had never seen such a person. I knelt at the tea table and began heating water in preparation for tea and I did ask him with customary politeness how he came to find himself at Silent Thunder... And as I made the tea, such a strange tale he told of being a mage from a far off country, a country further even than the First Kingdom. I could not imagine such a place, a place where men keep horned horses as pets and things called ...dragons.... I offered him tea, the finest of Silent Thunder, criticising it as is customary... but the stranger, Calendon, his name, told me it was a fine tea. I let it pass because I could see that he was not accustomed to our ways, he declined a sweetmeat and then offered a gift of his own. Since he was not of our people, I had not the heart to tell him that he had offended the laws of hospitality and truth to tell, I was a little curious. He waved his hand and there on the table was a round .... thing. It came from nowhere, I was amazed, too amazed to say anything. Calendon told me that it was made from the milk of goats and I confess, I could not imagine such a thing... milk? From goats..? He told me the name of it, it was unfamiliar to my tongue... I think he said... cheez... he assured me that it was quite safe to eat and bade me try it... I was distrustful so he ate a piece first, demonstrating that it was alright... I ate a tiny piece and although it was not horrible, I should not like to eat it again... Calendon was amused, yet he did not mock me but suggested I keep the cheez and acquire a taste for it... he talked a while longer of his people and his life and he asked me about Silent Thunder... had he a special power I do not know, but I found myself telling the good man everything... his ear was sympathetic, he did not judge me, he made no suggestion, he simply listened. When I had no more to tell, he asked for my wrist; reluctantly I proffered it and around it, Calendon snapped a bracelet - I opened my mouth to tell him I could not possibly accept but when it was on my wrist, it disappeared. I gasped in consternation, not able to understand; he told me to touch it and when I did, he spoke to me without moving his lips. He told me that none could ever see the bracelet, that where he comes from, there are items of magic and that if ever I needed help, I was to touch it and speak to him and he would bring his.... dragon to my aid... wide-eyed, I gaped like a carp and he said he had been so moved by my hospitality and wished to offer it in return. He took his leave, asking only that he and the ...dragon be allowed a small corner of the field in which to make camp. I offered a bed in the guest wing, Calendon thanked me kindly but took his leave... I am still baffled, I do not know if the episode was a dream and I am too afraid to touch the bracelet and find out... I must go to Lord Kenta and await his return to courtly life...
posted by Lady Kaede @ 16:36
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