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Tomoe awoke to the sounds of a flute. At first her mind was filled with the gentle song of birds, and she could see in her mind's eye their flight through the sky and around her was peace and tranquillity. Then her eyes opened and the truth was revealed. She could hear outside her quarters the movements of the army, but above it was the flute. Tomoe quickly put on her armour, picked up her sword and set out to find out what was happening out in the world. As she tied on her helmet, she tried to turn her thoughts back to the day before, but there was a haze over her memories. Tomoe understood the meaning of that all too clearly; she had witnessed something she shouldn't have and heaven was either being cautious or merciful. Either way the woman did not press the issue. There were more important matters to deal with. And just as she stepped out of the farmhouse, Tomoe was nearly run over by a horse cart; the driver yelled at her to get the hell off the road. She smiled and then turned her attention to village as a whole; it was a whirlwind of activity. Men and horses vied for every spare corner in the tiny area. The army was preparing for the assault she ordered. Tomoe laughed at herself. The silly woman nearly missed her own battle.
She decided to search for the source of the flute playing fist, though she had a good idea who the musician was. There was only one man in all creation bold enough and cultured enough to ever consider playing a flute openly and for the all to hear, including the enemy, in time of war. Tomoe walked toward the castle of the Shadow Lord, and sure enough the music became louder and clearer. At the pickets, she noticed soldiers were riveted by something in the distance. Only when Tomoe was standing next to them did they finally guess as to the identity of who was in their midst. They bowed and begged forgiveness. Tomoe waved at them to stop and stepped outside the picket line. She noticed what had so captivated their attention. Yasuhira was seated on the hilltop where Tomoe had observed the enemy position the day before. But he was making a spectacle of himself with his music. Tomoe removed her eyeglass and scanned the trench works of the enemy; they were alive with activity too. Officers and men pointed in Yasuhira's direction and even a company of archers was settled into position. That was disconcerting. Tomoe called for a horse.
Yasuhira was in armour, but he had removed his helmet and set his sword on the ground beside it. He kept his eyes shut as he played. But even as he heard the approach of a horse it did not interrupt his performance. Tomoe dismounted and set her horse beside Yasuhira's. Tomoe walked up the hill with less care than yesterday. She showed herself to the enemy too and sat down beside her love. She said nothing. However, she continued to watch the enemy with her eyeglass, even as she listened to the magnificent song Yasuhira was playing. It was haunting dirge and the notes lifted high into the air and flowed in every direction. Tomoe knew the Shadow Lord was listening too. She wondered what he was thinking. Finally, as with all things, the song came to an end and Yasuhira lowered the flute to his lap. He took a deep breath.
"That was marvellous, Yasu."
He looked at the instrument, "It's a creation of my own," He clucked his tongue, "I composed it while on the march, as it was only the free time open to me," He smiled and looked out to the castle, "This was first time I ever played it."
