In the early six hundreds the Yamato Clan discover their leader Hisashi is planning on going back to China for more metal. The problem was none of his men knew why. The Commander Tanaka Kenzō goes to find out why he has kept it quiet and most importantly why was he going alone?
The stunning god gently pats the side of the man’s face and replies, “You should not trouble yourself over this. You know full well, no one would ever attack me. Even if they did, they would be dead before they even have to drawn their sword, for I am way faster than you mortals.”
“I know my lord. I am just asking you to please do not do this alone... Please allow at least a small group of us to come with you.”
“Kenzō, my sweet lad, you do not understand. Even a small group could look like we are about to attack. And that is the last impression I want to make.”
The Commander shakes his head and replies, “You are right I do understand. I am just concerned. I mean if anything wer-”
Hisashi quickly silence him by placing his left index finger to the man’s thin lips and says, “My dear boy, clam yourself. You know full well nothing will ever happen to me, hmm?”
“Yes, my lord,” replies Kenzō, performing a deep bow. “Please though may I ask, why now are you getting more metal?”
Hisashi pats him on the shoulder and replies, “That my son, is on a need to know bases and right now you do not need to know.”
The Commander looks at him all confused and the moment he is about to ask, please tell me, his lord whispers in his ear, “Keep this to yourself, my son. We are going to be attacked, in autumn, as I saw leaves were littering the ground.”
“A vision?” Kenzō whispers.
“Yes, a strong one too. You know yourself with the army growing we need more armour and swords.”
“That is true, my lord. I will come with you.”
The god laughs and replies, “Even if ordered you not to come, you will. All right, you may join me, my son. On one condition do not tell anyone. Just say it is a private mission.”
The Commander sees the god wink his left eye, he gives him a nod and replies, “My lips are sealed, my lord.”
“All right, pack for I leave at first light.”
“Yes, my lord,” replies the young man, performing a slight bow before he rises, walks over to the door, turning back to give him another bow as he steps backwards into the corridor and slides the door closed.
The moment some of the other offices see their Commander emerge from the leader’s home they crowd round him to hear the news. When he tells them it is a private mission the men are not at all pleased and they start to demand him for more information.
“My orders are not to say a word,” says Kenzō in a bold voice.
The small crowd falls silent and one of the men asks, “A vision?”
“You should not asked him that,” says another in a harsh whisper.
“Yes you are right, I take it back. Just one question, you are going with him?”
The Commander nods and replies, “I persuaded him.”
All the men congratulate him, then they return to their duties. Kenzō starts to head home, on the way he meets the woman he loves, it is obvious from her expression she is concerned.
“Is everything all right?” she asks with a troubled voice.
“Do not worry, everything is fine. Our leader would just like me to accompany him to China. It will not be long befor-”
The commander is unable to finish his sentence for his love gives him a kiss. He then takes her into his arms and they continue home. Once he has packed for the journey, they go on to spend some time together. The following morning before his love awakens, he gets dressed and sneaks out of the house, down to the harbour to meet up with his lord, on board his ship.
“Good morning, glad you could join us,” he says, patting him on the arm.
This is when the commander sees they are not a lone as there is a full crew on board. He looks back to his leader who just gives him a faint smile and winks his left eye. Then gives the order to set sail.
The rough crossing makes Kenzō feel unwell, until the god gives him a green shoot to chew on and the feeling of sickness goes away.
Once they reach the port on the southern cost of China, they head inland to a small village where the people are more than happy to give the god all the materials he needs to make fine armour and weapons. They even provide them with stirrups so shooting an arrow from horseback becomes possible. Hisashi has no trouble hitting the targets even when the horse is galloping, which impress the mortals, because when the Commander tries he is lucky to hit two.
“Practice, dear boy. Practice.”
“Yes, my lord,” replies the young man performing a shallow bow.
The once bright sunny weather turns dull and a cold wind starts to come in off the sea. A storm was coming. They all take shelter in the huts which creak and moan in the strong wind. All through the night the storm continue to rage. The Commander’s thoughts turn to his dear love, for it could be a few days before they see each other again.
Kenzō was right, the bad weather continues on into the next day; making him wonder could she be missing him just as much?
“Akiko, my love,” he whispers, looking out of of the window.
ns 15.158.61.18da2
