𝐵𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝐸𝓎𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝓂𝓊𝓇𝒶𝒾: 𝒩𝒾𝓃𝒿𝒶 𝒜𝓈𝓈𝒶𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃 (𝑀𝒾𝓏𝓊 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓁𝑒𝒪𝒞)

Chapter 3: The Shindo-Ryu

The moon shined over the night sky, emitting its radiant glow over the land of Kyoto. Within the walls of the newly revealed Shindo Dojo, was the main building which roofed a large tengu shrine. A calligraphy brush could be seen dipping its delicate hairs across the dark ink, staining them as the person who held the brush began to write on the calligraphy paper that stood before them. The familiar blue eyed samurai kneeled some distance from the calligraphy table, awaiting a response from the person In front of her. A male Shindo subordinate who looked in his mid forties, creating the calligraphy that rested on table in front of him... finally sparking a conversation.

Subordinate: You may leave your message with me.

Mizu: What must be said, must be to the master directly.

The male made a pause in his calligraphy, as if he had taken offence by being instructed by an on-comer. His art continued.

Subordinate: I can assure you, what is for the master if for me... and I tell you now, the master does not meet with messengers.

Mizu: He will for me...

The man stopped his brush once more, frustration coursing through his veins as he narrowed his eyes towards the hatted figure.

Subordinate: You stand before the Shindo School.... For 200 years we have taught here the Shindo-Ryu. The secret method passed down from Priest Soto, taught to him at the peek of Mount Kurama by the mystic Tengu themselves.... Show your respect!

The man stood tall as he made his outburst, never breaking the lock of his eyes from the ronin. As she sat in silence... closing her eyes as if she was taking a silent breath, re-opening her eyelids immediately after.

Mizu: I must insist...

Her head lowered, breaking her eye contact with the standing male in front of her. The subordinate could only watch... fury rose as he witnessed such action of disrespect, he had enough... facing his students behind the "insolent" messenger, he gave his orders.

Subordinate: Escort him wherever you please... and far.

Behind the blue ronin stood a three students, one reached for Mizu from behind extending his hand after the received commands from his superior. The ronin flinched, turning away to avoid the hand slightly as she simply glanced towards the open palm.

Student: Come on, Blind beggar.

Mizu: You're bound by hospitality to feed a traveler who is within your gates... I came very far, I'm very hungry. Or has the Shindo Dojo done away from etiquette?

A look of annoyance plastered the subordinate's face as he kept his eyes narrowed towards the swordsman. But he thought over the words from said swordsman as her words were engraved with truth... if word were to be told to the public of what had unfolded at this moment it would harm the image and reputation of the Shindo School, he gave in.

Subordinate: Feed him.... Then throw him out.

The student from before grabbed the ronin's shoulders, hoisting her body off her feet with rough force as this causes her to stumble to her feet. The ronin felt her body being pushed forward, soon being pushed into a lonely dark room. She had almost tripped, turning around as she witnessed a single bowl being placed on a nearby table. Its contents looked slimy as it spilt onto the table...

Samurai: Eat... then leave.

The Shindo staff stepped out of the room as they laughed, mocking the blue robed "man" as if they had set an image of power. A single candle set the room alight, barely covering the entire table, thankfully the moonlight glow peered through the room's windows as it turn the tide of the surrounding darkness. The Samurai rolled her sleeve, tracing her thumb along the branded cross that resides on her forearm... she released a sigh. Her train of thought was soon to be broken by the sounds of objects, cutting the winter air as they made an audible yet distinctive sound outside the eerie room. She took a step to the window, the moon's light shining on her face as she looked beyond it, spotting numerous students. Each swinging a bokken of their own as they shadow fought... she continued to look towards the students, a smile would soon make its way to her lips. It was gentle... it reminded her of a time where she once watched others train before her.