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| Character | Seppun Nikana | |
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Nikana Seppun exhaled deeply watching the misted air swirl away from him. He would have to tip the bath attendant for keeping him up so late.
His mind wandered.
The last days had been most unexpected. Champion of the White Orchid Festival. Most unexpected. The last day of competition seemed to offer few opportunities to excel, but he had found a way. Is this what was mean by 'Having no desires, the spirit is free to act?' Hope of not shaming his family turned to honor gained.
A small smile grew in Nikana's face as he thought about the last several days. Tetsujin proved to a most worthy competitor, pushing him to do his best througout. And the last duel, it was an honor to face a samurai of his training. No, Nikana was not suprised by Tetsujin's skill shown in the tournament – Nikana knew that outward appearances were often misleading.
Takako turned out to be a bit of a suprise. Not that she won the Shugenja Championship, but her spirit in competition – almost defeating Tetsujin. Such fierceness demanded respect.
And now Doji Shiju had enlisted Nikana and the others into his service. Nikana wasn't sure what to make of this. Pleased that his Daimyo saw fit to trust him. Excited at the prospect of serving the Empire in some way. Still, something uneasy sat in the pit of his stomach. Growing up in the Imperial Court had taught him some caution – things were seldom what they seemed, and those who served often didn't know the real ends of their masters. Best to discreetly write Daimyo Kiharu. Nikana's uneasiness turned to a knot – this assignment would return him to the place of his grandfather's disgrace. Nikana closed his eyes and wondered if he would get a nights rest there with the voices of dead Emperors and Empresses rebuking him. NO, in that place he would show them his mettle, and that he had no part of his grandfathers legacy.
"Seppun-sama?" the attendant inquired hesitantly.
Nikana sat with his spine ram-rod straight staring sharply ahead. Looking at the attendant he relaxed his posture. "You may go now," Nikana dismissed the attendant, tossing him several small coins.
As Nikana dressed he wondered how this new fellowship forged by Doji Shiju would fare – would the greater game going on around them strenthen their bonds, or would it fracture them?