The Cainite Order

CHAPTER 23

ЭНЭ НЬ ЗУРАГ АВАЛТЫН ҮЕД НЬ ХУЛСАН НУГАЛАХ ЭХЛЭХ

CHAPTER 23

"To bend a bamboo, start when it is a shoot."

1301- Shiga Prefecture, Japan

The crisp cool air of the mountain pulled at Chiyoko's kimono. The path was freshly covered in dew making the monastery path glisten like a polished pearl. She could hardly contain her excitement, for today was the day it would finally happen. She would be the only other of her kind to ascend to the ninth rank. It had been so long in coming, it was hard to believe it was finally her time. Reaching the immense double doors, she rang the ceremonial gong nine times, signifying her new level. The doors parted revealing her sisters seated along either side of her path. The cherry blossoms floated through the air like a couple dancing on an invisible floor. She began down the path, performing the ritual dance she had been practicing for almost two years now.

Her movements were as sharp and as crisp as the mountain air. Each movement part of a carefully woven spell. More than, that it was a pact with Inari. She would now be one of his supreme messengers; bringing word to foreign dignitaries, Shogun's, and perhaps even the Emperor himself. She pushed the thoughts back out of her mind. If even one movement or phrase was done improperly she would have to wait until she proved herself again. That could take another hundred years. She began to sing the final part of the incantation. Her voice carried on the wind like the heavenly aroma of Karanegi wafting on a summer breeze.

"Congratulations my child, you have performed the ceremony perfectly; making me very proud to count you among my very best. As such, you will now bear the mark of your new station." praised Inari ethereally.

All assembled immediately fell to their knees and outstretched their hands in front of one of their gods.

"My lord, I did not know you were in attendance." Chiyoko said, allowing her head to rise only enough that she could be understood.

"I wouldn't miss this any more than I would miss the harvest my dear. Now please rise so we may discuss your new duties." the Kami said with a smile, now standing in front of her.

She did as instructed but still kept her gaze low, as custom demanded. For many hours the two talked in the heart of the temple.

"From now until the end of all things you will be known as Wakahisa Chiyoko, the child of a thousand generations who is forever young." Inari said, revealing her name's new meaning.

"Thank you my lord. I will not disappoint you." she replied, trying to hide her excitement.

...

Several years had passed since that day. Chiyoko had become one of the most loving, benevolent, and wisest of her sisters. Every day she tried to help the people of her province become better. Not just at their everyday tasks but being better in every definition of the word. Helping those who needed it, simply because it was the right thing to do, was one of her favorite pastimes. She was so proud of the people she watched after and they adored her. One day she was tasked with delivering a special message to a visiting merchant in Kyoto. Overjoyed to be meeting new people she wasted little time in making her way to the city.

He was supposed to be near the southern end of the city setting up a travelling merchant's booth from the West. She had never liked shopping much. Trading something for something else was a purely human idea. She preferred to simply give what someone needed and take only what she required. Having to place value on things seemed demeaning to her. Even if they did have interesting things from far off lands. Upon reaching one of the bridges to the city, she saw the small caravan that would change her life forever.