In the Pass of Miyuki

Green-cloaked Romer

Miyuki stood there, utterly shocked and befuddled. Why would a Romer be at her door? They were little seen anymore, just observed on the edge of sight, usually by the few remaining shepherds in the region, observing the Romers wandering, as it seemed, aimlessly through the soaked countryside.  

In a strong accent, which pronounced "t"s in a more "d"-like fashion, the Romer stated,

"Before you ask any questions, might I suggest we adjourn to indoors? The world is full of darkness-beheld ears and eyes, miss Tsukuda."

There was something about him that commanded respect and honour, something powerful lurking within, an ancient lineage of hierarchical dominance that seemed to flood the surrounding area where he stood.

He had caught Miyuki off-guard. If anything, the most likely person to be back at her door would be her mother, having forgotten something. Whatever happened, she was vulnerable, so what was the point in standing in the rain waiting for what may be inevitable, that is, being attacked for money, and many other alternates? 

She let him inside the entrance hall.

"Good," he said. "Now that I am out of this blasted weather, might we get down to business? You do not know who I am, but I know who you are; strange, it may seem to you, but there is much stranger in this forgotten world that you know not of, Miyuki."

Now it was Miyuki's turn to talk.

"Okay, for one thing, why do you know my name, or did you guess - look into my mind perhaps, or just look inside the letterbox out the front?"

"This is not a petty chance that has brought us together, Tsukuda; much unrest may befall this little dominion you call home."

Miyuki fell silent, but then regained her composure, and continued: 

"I do not care for the counsel of a Romer who hunts deer and sleeps under a precipitated sky, whoever you may be. But that brings me to a question that may prove worth my asking: who are you?"

"All will be told in good time, Miyuki, but first, I think an explanation of my appearance at your door may prove above all else the most paramount. And this is why."

At the conclusion of this statement, the Romer held up a small object, as sort of yellowy sheen seemed to shine from it, but the colour was richer, deeper, more beautiful than any ordinary yellow.

"This," spoke the Romer, "is gold, an ore named after its colour; the colour of it is also called gold. It was once a well-known entity, especially in the March of Mining era. Which leads me onto--"

Miyuki spoke over him, her ears registering something she had heard of.

"The March of Mining era! I was just reading about it. Some new evidence suggests that one of the later meteorite mines crashed to earth many years ago, causing the Miyuki Pass to come into existence!" 

"Well then, that will save us precious time. Put simply, this ore was once thought lost, but I rediscovered it when I was camping in the Pass. Sleet had been relentlessly shooting from the sky; I was in the middle of the Pass, so the rain and snow mixed together to form the sleet. I then stumbled upon a cave. 

"Seeming dry and warm, I went inside. I then lit my torch, and yes, I carry many things under this cloak. Anyway, I noticed a yellowish gleam inside the cave wall as I walked past. As no-one was about, I safely could do a trick or two and behold!" He said, "I found gold!

"Long has this been prophesized, and that may prove our downfall. For Miyuki, danger is coming - danger unknown of since the ninety-minute feud. We will all be tested."