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The activities of the Iris Festival were a welcome change to the duties Marako had undertaken in the past couple of months. This bath was also a welcome change. After the run and the mock battle a clean body and her favorite kimono were needed before she could attend the feast.
The voice next to her brought her back to reality. "I was amazed at how easy you made defense look against Lao-Jin-san and myself, " Suzu said. "The stories about your abilities in a battle do not do you justice. You are amazing. I have never seen a battle maiden move the way that you do. I was also honored that you struck me; I will cherish this bruise for as long as it lasts. I wish that..."
"Suzu-san," Marako said. "I am glad that you enjoyed the mock battle, but this is time to relax and meditate on today's activities. This is the one place that I find that my mind is at it's clearest."
Suzu looked at Marako for a moment. Then she closed her eyes, sat back, and relaxed. Marako smiled and did the same.
A while passed and Marako, feeling centered again, decided to break the silence.
"Suzu-san."
"Yes, Marako-sama?"
"You did well today, and I am sure that after a little more practice you will be able to anticipate your enemies defenses before they have time to bring them up."
"Thank you, Marako-sama, but I am sure I will never be as good as you."
"Suzu-san, always do your best, and never tell yourself that you will never be as good as another. When I went to the Topaz Challenge, I was not expected to win. I did not let that stop me. I did my best and I believed that I could be as good as the rest and that is what helped me win. Some of the competitors thought they were better than me, and because they felt that way they were not ready for me when we meet in the competition. They did not anticipate, and that is why they lost and why I won."
"So what you are telling me is, when I meet an enemy I should not think that they are better than me or that I am better than them?"
"I am saying, be prepared. What they bring into the battle is different than what you bring into it. But it is no better or worse."
"Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, Marako-sama."
"You are welcome, Suzu-san. I will be returning home when I am through here at the festival. You and your companions, Lao-Jin-san and Honda-san, are welcome to travel with me."
"Hai, Marako-sama, Hai! I would be honored to travel with you back to our home lands."
"Very well then. Ask your friends. We leave soon."
The wise and beautiful battle maiden stood and stepped out of the bath. The young Shinjo followed. Servants were there ready to help them get ready for the nights festivities.
"Now let us join our friends."