[center]
[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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The party set out from Midgar soon after first light. By noon, they reached Edren's mountainous border with Osprey. The main pass, where Izayoi had conducted her last stand five years ago, was occupied by a Valheimian checkpoint. Reinforced with black steel and brimming with soldiers rigorously inspecting what few travelers passed through, it clearly wasn't the best way into Osprey. 

Instead, Izayoi led the party towards a side pass up the mountain, just wide enough for the wagon to accompany them. The terrain was steep, but with some effort, they managed to get all their mounts and supplies up the pass and started on the way down halfway through the afternoon. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Ahead is what remains of the village of Atsu."[/b][/color] Izayoi spoke for the first time in nearly an hour, staring down at the ransacked ruins at the foot of the mountain with a solemn gaze. [color=#736AFF][b]"My home for five years. We will have to stay there for the night. It ought to be near dusk by the time we arrive."[/b][/color] 

The house that she, Isshin, and Suzume shared had still been standing when she'd left half a year ago. There was no other reasonable solution. Using one of the other home still remaining was unthinkable. She'd known those owners. They'd welcomed her. Kept their peace regarding who she was when they'd inevitably found out. Izayoi would not send the others to squat in those houses. 

True to her estimate, dusk was an hour or two away by the time they approached what remained of the village. It hadn't been burned down in the attack, but several houses had been ransacked and debris still littered the street. Thankfully, there were no skeletal remains to be seen. Izayoi had seen to that months ago, spending days after the attack gathering the bodies to be burned away from the village. However, the closer they got, the more familiar the scene before her was.

Black-armored soldiers, milling about the ruins of the village. No more than two dozen in total, but...

[color=#736AFF][b][i]"What is this?"[/i][/b][/color] Izayoi could barely breathe as her vision filled with red. [color=#736AFF][b]"They dare return to the scene of the crime?"[/b][/color] A feral scream erupted from her mouth as she drew her sword and charged, the first soldier in her way cut down in an instant.

"Ambush!" Came the cry from the Valheimian contingent. "To arms! We're under attack!" A few moved to engage the first intruder in their midst, while the remainder of the soldiers started charging at the rest of the party, the first ranks bearing swords and shields while half a dozen gunmen took aim.


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[center][h1]Eight years ago...[/h1][/center]
“Your tea and sweets, my lady.” The girl laid a cup of bergamot tea and a tray of assorted rice dumplings down in front of Izayoi, and she nodded her thanks before dismissing the server. The Mystel raised the cup to her lips and took a sip, sighing in relief. She’d needed this. The past few months since she’d risen to being Lord Kaien’s captain of the guard had been nothing but hectic in acclimating to the responsibilities of her new position while still finding time to maintain her own skills and conditioning. After all, it wouldn’t do to slip from being one of the best swordsmen in the nation because she eased up on herself now. 

Still, she’d gotten enough of a handle on her duties now that there was finally time to schedule a small break for herself. Just for the afternoon, and only to indulge in a guilty pleasure. Another sip of tea, and she set the cup down to start hungrily laying into the first stick of dango on the tray. Rich sweets weren’t something she could bring herself to eat on a regular basis, but once in a blue moon was acceptable. 

The door to the teahouse slid open, and Izayoi briefly glanced up to see who was coming through. Hm. Wasn’t that a familiar face…?

Izayoi’s eyes weren’t the only pair to fall upon the young woman as she made her way inside, pale green eyes darting from table to table only to find each one occupied. She tapped her pointer fingers together, looking around the room until her eyes fell upon Izayoi. That is when she began to walk towards the warrior’s table, each step made with purpose and elegance. Whispers began to spread amidst the other patrons such as “It’s her, It’s Cira!” “Kori was right!” “I can’t believe I missed her show today!” and countless other musings.

[color=B2FFC4]“Excuse me, do you mind if I sit with you?”[/color] Her voice was smooth as silk and hopeful, a faint smile on her glossy lips. Her audience had requested, or rather demanded, an encore which didn’t leave her much time to visit her favorite teahouse in all of Kugane. It was a habit of hers to have tea after every performance, a great way to wind down. Ciradyl was already a known celebrity in the city, with her fame quickly reaching across Osprey and beyond. She had performed for countless nobles and even for the Emperor himself. 

Decorum had never been Izayoi’s strong suit, but five years of having it beaten into her head as a retainer proved useful enough as she briefly gazed towards every occupied table before offering the Faye an understanding nod. They’d met briefly but a month ago when she’d performed for Lord Kaien and his retinue, including herself. If anything, Izayoi was more surprised that the woman remembered her at all. 

[color=#736AFF][b]”If you must.”[/b][/color] She resisted the urge to groan at having her own private time interrupted. Nevertheless, Izayoi ripped another rice dumpling from the skewer with her teeth and started to chew, washing it down with more tea after. [color=#736AFF][b]”Though I hope you aren’t expecting me to cover your bill. My salary isn’t [i]that[/i] generous.”[/b][/color]

[color=B2FFC4]”Thank you.”[/color] Ciradyl pulled a chair out for herself and sat down, smoothing out her dress as she shifted slightly to get comfortable. In a strange way, she felt Izayoi was more approachable than most. What might frighten or turn away others served to make her feel more at ease. Ciradyl leaned on the table a bit with one forearm [color=B2FFC4]”And I find that to be a true travesty!”[/color] A light giggle escaped her lips as she sat back and raised her hand into the air, looking towards a waitress, for a moment before letting it come to a rest once more. [color=B2FFC4]”I have a good rapport with the owner. They should have my order ready.”[/color] The light in her eyes flickers as if a sudden realization hits her and a pout overtakes her smile [color=B2FFC4]”I just hope it isn’t cold already…”[/color] Her voice trailed off.

For her part, Izayoi only shrugged as she started in on another sweet. Gods help her, small talk was absolutely not her forte. It wasn’t much of an issue most of the time considering that she’d never had to engage in it much as a retainer, and her subordinates were tolerant enough of her little quirk, thanks in no small part to her strength. Still, she should probably say something at least. Damn her master for being the most taciturn bastard on the continent and barely engaging in any conversation that didn’t have something to do with swordplay for an entire decade.

[color=#736AFF][b]”For what it’s worth, I have never known this establishment to put out a bad order. And I’ve been here at least once every time I’ve come to the capital.”[/b][/color] After all, no other teahouse in Kugane had bergamot tea in stock. An unfortunate shame, that. Especially for her gil purse. Still, it was a miracle that any upscale teahouse in this city stocked something that wasn’t matcha, much less a foreign blend.

Izayoi popped a strawberry daifuku into her mouth. As she chewed slowly, one of her ears twitched slightly upon picking up on a nearby conversation between three portly men at a neighboring table. Merchants, most likely. Samurai and nobility wouldn’t be so crass.

[i]”Isn’t that Lord Kaien’s pet barbarian that Madam Ciradyl is sitting with?”[/i]

[i]”Not so loud! Barbarian or not, she’s still samurai. Do you want to give her an excuse to cut you down?”[/i]

[i]”Even so, it’s no wonder the eastern daimyo keeps her on. They call her the Wild Dance for a reason. Did you hear about how she mutilated the frontrunner of the last winter court’s tournament? Word was, the duel barely lasted three strokes.”[/i]

Izayoi’s tail curled slightly behind her, but she covered her mouth with her teacup, taking another long sip.

Ciradyl nodded enthusiastically. [color=B2FFC4]”I know! I’ve been coming to this place ever since my parents moved here.”[/color] While her hearing wasn’t as keen as Izayoi’s, even she picked up on what the first merchant said. How despicable. It didn’t take a long look to know who the merchants were from her father’s connections. Kono Masahisa. Ujitaka Ishino. Yagyuu Morinori. She couldn’t pick up on the rest of what they were saying but reading Izayoi’s expressions she could tell it was nothing flattering. Mint eyes snapped to the group, eyes closed and head slightly tilted as her smile twisted into a menacing grin. Their attention quickly snapped away and she shifted her focus back. Ciradyl sniffed the air a few times and a delighted smile creased her lips [color=B2FFC4]”Is that bergamot?”[/color]. The waitress whom she had flagged down earlier brought Ciradyl her order: bergamot tea with a plate of dorayaki. The smell of the former was unmistakable as near-invisible steam waffed off its surface.

Rumors were always floating around in the circles that Ciradyl traversed so she was astutely aware of Izayoi’s reported ‘reputation’. She rarely put much stock in such sources until she could verify them herself. Her lips pursed as she raised the teacup, blowing gently across its surface before taking a slow sip. The Mystrel was proving to be excellent company so far.


Izayoi curled her lips up only a smidge at the sight of her impromptu company cowing the merchants. Not enough to be called a smile, and barely noticeable. She’d heard worse frequently, but Ciradyl saved her the effort, at least. Perhaps this might not be as tiresome as she had feared. 

So she decided to indulge Ciradyl’s question, if only to reward her for not being intolerable. 

[color=#736AFF][b]”Indeed. It was the only tea my teacher cared to drink, and therefore the only tea we had available for years on end short of whenever I had the coin or opportunity to purchase otherwise. Needless to say, I had to either develop a taste for it or go thirsty.”[/b][/color]

Fond memories, now. Not so much in the moment. That, and reminiscing too long inevitably sent her mind spiraling back to how it all ended. Even now, seven years later, she still thought to herself on occasion that there had to be [i]something[/i] she could have done differently. 

[color=#736AFF][b]”He complained about a lack of lemon and sugar often, but I’ve never tried it with those. We stick closely enough with tradition such that I wouldn’t be surprised to be banned for life were I to ask.”[/b][/color]

Ciradyl set down the tea cup and traded it for a dorayaki, taking a small bite as she listened closely. The tea was as much a tradition as it was a mere drink. Her paternal grandfather would brew the tea for their visits. The two of them would sit on a balcony, listen to the sounds of the forest while morning air chilled their skin and the tea warmed them back up. [color=B2FFC4]”Would you be opposed to trying some with lemon and sugar? I’m sure I could bring some next time.”[/color]

[color=#736AFF][b]”Next time? You presume a great deal.”[/b][/color] Izayoi huffed, finishing her tea. [color=#736AFF][b]”I am fortunate to have even one afternoon available each moon. Being a daimyo’s bodyguard captain occupies much and more of my waking hours-”[/b][/color]

She was interrupted by the door to the teahouse being suddenly and rudely kicked down, a trio of armed men bearing short blades entering. 

“Right, lads. The foreigner Faye. Find her, get out, and we get our payday.”

“Think that’s her in the back, brother! Across from that Mystel.” 

Izayoi gave a deep, aggrieved sigh, nonchalantly rising to her feet. 

[color=#736AFF][b]”Can I not have even a single afternoon without being interrupted by buffoons?”[/b][/color] She murmured in disgust, starting to stride forward. [color=#736AFF][b]”Allow me to take care of this nuisance. I may even leave one breathing for you to question as to who demands your presence so badly.”[/b][/color]

Ciradyl slyly grinned at her companion’s response, she would find a way to arrange another teatime. The grin quickly vanished as a trio of ruffians burst through the entrance. [i]The Foreigner Faye[/i]. A troubled look washed over Ciradyl before her attention shifted to her new acquaintance [color=B2FFC4]”Izayoi…”[/color]. There was not a shred of fear visible in the Mystel. In fact, she spoke as if they were nothing more than bugs to be squashed. Ciradyl was aware of her reputation but to experience it firsthand was another matter. It gave her confidence and the worry that had started to grip her faded quickly.

[color=B2FFC4]”Of course…they are…yours to dispose of.[/color] Ciradyl for once struggled to find the right words. Asking Izayoi to be safe or wishing her good luck seemed inappropriate and possibly insulting to a warrior of her caliber. 

Izayoi nodded to Ciradyl before surging forward, her feet seeming to barely touch the ground, if at all. She slammed into the leader in the middle with a palm strike, knocking him back through the open doorway he just came through. As the patrons began to scream in alarm and the other two ruffians turned to her, mouths agape, the samurai grabbed them by the scruff with one hand each and bodily hurled them out. 

The trio groaned as they stood, gripping their wakizashi with scowls. 

“Damn it, they didn’t say anything about a bodyguard!”

“At her! She can’t take us by surprise twice!”

Izayoi stepped out of the doorway into the street, her blades still sheathed at her side. In truth, she would have slaughtered them where they stood while still indoors, had there not been a risk of reprisal from the proprietors for causing an unseemly mess. She enjoyed this teahouse enough that she wouldn’t take that chance.

The thugs rushed her, and Izayoi spent several seconds simply ducking and sidestepping their clumsy blows, her face expressing nothing but utter boredom. Nothing but untrained gutter trash, after all. After a few more moments, she reached down towards her sheathed sword. Steel flashed for an instant, and blood sprayed across the road as the two subordinates found themselves decapitated simultaneously.

[color=#736AFF][b]”Enough. I grow tired of this farce.”[/b][/color] Izayoi drawled, taking advantage of the leader’s utter shock to roundhouse kick him into the wall on the other side of the street. [color=#736AFF][b]”Answer truthfully, and you may not join your fellows in the hells on this day. Who hired you?”[/b][/color]

Ciradyl emerged timidly from the teahouse after Izayoi just in time to see the two henchmen lose their heads. Mint green eyes went wide as she felt the tea and dorayaki churn in her stomach, but managed to steady herself. It was her first time seeing something so grisly and it all happened so fast.

His fearful eyes flashed to Ciradyl for a brief moment, sweat dripping down his face, before locking eyes with the demon in front of him “M-Mizutani Tane!” He quickly chirped, voice trembling as his hands shook. Mizutani Tane. She ran a small merchant empire but she was about legitimate a business woman as a peasant was an heir to the throne. Rumors constantly circulated about shady dealings but nothing concrete was ever discovered.

Ciradyl recognized the name and fear flashed in her eyes. Mizutani was someone her father expressed great disdain for and warned against getting anywhere close to that ‘witch’. There were rumors that she was responsible for an underground human trafficking operation that supplied much of the illicit brothels that dotted the empire. [color=B2FFC4]“What are you going to do with him?”[/color] She asked, unsuccessfully hiding her newfound anxiety at the thought of being kidnapped and made to ‘disappear’. 

Izayoi recognized the name as well, of course. Mizutani’s name had crossed the lips of those of wealth and power enough that even samurai in Kugane knew of her. She narrowed her eyes, glaring down at the thug in front of her.

[color=#736AFF][b]”His life is forfeit regardless. If I do not kill him, his employer will. And the message will be more effective this way.”[/b][/color] Her katana completed the trifecta as it lopped the last attempted kidnapper’s head off, Izayoi catching the decapitated limb by the hair on its way down. She started to tie it to her sash, looking back towards Ciradyl.

[color=#736AFF][b]”I must apologize. Were I able to slay Mizutani without consequence, I would. But my sword is not my own. Should I act without reserve, the repercussions would fall onto my lord. Even a samurai cannot slaughter a merchant of that bitch’s reputation and influence without reprisal, no matter how odious her manner is.”[/b][/color] Izayoi bowed her head towards the Faye in apology.

[color=#736AFF][b]”Regardless, she has overstepped this time, if only by a miniscule degree. I will send this to her,”[/b][/color] A gesture towards the severed head. [color=#736AFF][b]”And we will hope that the message sinks in. If she escalates…I will have my excuse to be rid of her.”[/b][/color]

A part of Ciradyl had been hopeful Izayoi would indeed spare the last man’s life. That perhaps this brush with death would result in him turning his life around. Instead the samurai would give her the first lesson in the brutal reality of the world. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the head that now resided on Izayoi’s sash. The sight would surely burn its way into her dreams that night.

[color=B2FFC4]“No, no. If not for you…”[/color] The thought was quickly pushed out of her head and she bowed in reply  [color=B2FFC4]“Thank you for protecting me, even if it ruined your afternoon.”[/color] She said gratefully. Fate had surely intervened by placing them together today. Her stomach was still queasy from the viscera but it was the least of her worries.  [color=B2FFC4]“There are more ways than one to-”[/color] She took a small gulp  [color=B2FFC4]“-gut a fish, as my father would say.”[/color] and with that quip she understood that any flicker of appetite she may have had left was gone. 

Ciradyl glanced back at the teahouse  [color=B2FFC4]“If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of your bill. It’s the least I can do.”[/color] Mint eyes looked back at Izayoi, the smile she had approached the Mystrel with returned.  [color=B2FFC4]”It was an exciting first outing if nothing else.”[/color]

Mizutani’s criminal empire slowly began to crumble after this incident and appeared to be on the verge of collapse when the war began. The noose that had been tightening around her neck loosened and Mizutani regained her power in the shadows. The operation to kidnap Ciradyl was abandoned in lieu of a score to settle. When the Valheimians invaded, Mizutani and her resources were quick to bend the knee and was rewarded with status greater than ever before. She would never forget, however, the person who had cost her so dearly.

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