[Day 0 - LE] Letters from the Front

[Doji Kintaro]

Kintaro had set the table to best overlook the garden and koi pond lit by lanterns in the waning light as night set in. It gave the view an aesthetic of peace and relaxation. It also provided him enough light to pen letters home, the first to his wife and beloved and then a second to his Lord to let them know they had made it to the border without incident.

He was sure his Lord would not mind that they came second to his wife, and if they did it wasn't like he was going to reveal this slight indiscretion. A moment to enjoy the silence he began writing with practiced grace, he was unsure when they would find a place so peaceful in the lands of the Crab.

[Doji Soon-ja]

The inn attendants showed a late arrival to another nearby table - an elderly Crane lady in a richly embroidered kimono. She moved slowly and haltingly toward her table, leaning on a walking stick for support.

"Please pardon my intrusion," she said in a thin, reedy voice, bowing in Kintaro's direction before taking a seat facing the garden. "Lovely view, isn't it? I'm called Doji Soon-ja."

"Thank you, that will do nicely," Soon-ja said with a kindly smile to an inn attendant who had brought her a pot of fresh tea.

[Doji Kintaro]

He rose and gave the older woman proper honor, age was to be respected. He then said kindly, “Doji-san, it is beautiful and an indulgence I doubt we will see once we cross the border. It may be selfish but I hope to have the image stuck in my mind so I can recall it when we are well, no need to think of such things.”

“I am honored that you have joined us, we will all benefit from your experience,” he said taking his seat.

[Doji Soon-ja]

"What a lovely sentiment," Soon-ja said, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. "Yet surely the Crab provinces must have some sort of beauty in them... if perhaps beauty of a stark, austere kind."

"Perhaps you would care to join me for tea?" the older woman suggested in her thin voice as she poured a cup. Despite her difficulty while walking, her hands were perfectly steady as they held the tea pot. "I always find it tastes better when shared, don't you?"

[Doji Kintaro]

“I would be honored,” he replied making adjustments for the older woman.

“If it does not displease you that I write while we enjoy this evening together?”

[Doji Soon-ja]

"Of course, of course, Doji-sama," Soon-ja said, nodding vigorously as she poured another cup. "Do not let this old woman distract you from your Important Business."

Turning to the inn attendant, Soon-ja ordered an assortment of small cakes to go with the tea, then turned to gaze at the koi pond, giving Kintaro some space to finish his letters.

[Doji Kintaro]

"I pray that I can reach such wisdom and grace. My wife is assuredly tired of my many letters but I feel obligated to keep her informed," he said thoughtfully as he wrote.

"What are your thoughts on the days ahead?"

[Doji Soon-ja]

“Naturally, the upcoming nuptials are a great and good thing,” Soon-ja said, pleased at Kintaro’s interest. “To mend the rift between families will benefit both the Crane and the Crab, and with the pleasant spring season and Venus in the constellation of the Crab, it’s a most auspicious date for a wedding.”

“Yet there are warning signs, also,” the elderly Crane cautioned. “Mercury is in retrograde, and birds are late returning to Kyuden Doji this year. We all know what that means: unexpected difficulties, misunderstandings between friends… even the possibility of hidden dangers.” She took a sip of her tea as she let the significance of these portents sink in.

“There are those who might not feel it was in their interests for Crane and Crab to mend fences,” Soon-ja said at last. “Perhaps these concerns will come to nothing. In fact, I hope so. But if you don’t mind hearing the advice of an old woman such as myself, it might be wise to be on your guard. Just in case.”

[Doji Kintaro]

"It is the foolish man that ignores the wisdom of their elders. With the Scorpion lurking about, I suspect there will be difficulties. Your words are taken to heart and will be heeded," he said honestly.

[Doji Soon-ja]

“You’re such a fine young fellow, Doji-sama, to humor an old biddy like me,” Soon-ja said, eyes crinkling again. “Is your honored wife in Kyuden Doji often? Perhaps I might have met her before.”

[Doji Kintaro]

"On occasion, she is originally from the clan of our cousins, the Sparrow. She prefers the country side so we moved to a small village and maintain a modest manor there though I keep a residence at Kyuden Doji for my frequent duties there. It was a match under Benten's grace," he said to the older woman.

"This will hopefully be my last diplomatic mission for some time, I have put in for a reassignment to oversee the region as a steward, keeping me close to home."

[Doji Soon-ja]

"How delightful!" Soon-ja said, smiling. "Supervising a small pastoral village from a country manor sounds absolutely charming. If it wouldn't be too forward of me to suggest, I would be glad to put in a few words of support back in Kyuden Doji for your appointment to such a post. I've lived in the Doji palaces for many years, and am not completely without influence there."

[Doji Kintaro]

“Oh this humble servant could not ask such a thing of you, though he is sure such words from someone so respected would have great weight. Still it would be impertinent to ask such a thing,” he said warmly.

“But if you insist then if this one can be of service in some way to you and yours, then you have but to ask.”

[Doji Soon-ja]

"Tsh, think nothing of it," Soon-ja said, waving her hand genially. "I'd be glad to do a good turn for such an honorable and well-spoken gentleman as yourself. I'm sure that you and your family deserve a comfortable estate and more. You and your wife do have a family, yes?"

[Doji Kintaro]

"Oh yes, we are blessed with healthy children," he said proudly.

"I pray for their futures, daily."