Tiger's Wind, Dragon's Gaze Part 2
Servants soon scattered as Taiyang walked through the halls, making a bee line for Azura's office. His face was curled into one of distrust. Right when he was about to knock on the door, Kenshi interposed himself. However, before he spoke, he was taken aback by Taiyang's demeanor.
"Out of the way Kenshi. This doesn't concern you." Taiyang sternly said.
"If you need to speak to my brother, it does concern me. Is something wrong?" Kenshi replied, taken aback by the sudden rudeness.
"I want answers about your clansmen." Taiyang bluntly answered him.
"Wait… is this about Lady Sen'otome?" Kenshi asked, surprised.
"Yes." He answered simply, attempting to calm himself with a deep breath. However, it was clear to Kenshi it did him little good.
Without a word, Kenshi knocked on the door for him before stepping out of his way. Official structure of ranks and power in a situation such as this did not apply. Taiyang was a man on a mission, and he knew from personal experience he was not going to stop him. Soon the regally carved oaken door opened, and Azura was shocked by the stern figure of Taiyang before him.
"Sir Taiyang? Is something wrong?" Azura asked, clearly confused by his sudden arrival.
"I believe there is. Am I allowed to enter?" Taiyang said, remembering even in his distress proper form. Somewhat.
Azura nodded and motioned to the chair in front of his desk for Taiyang to take a seat. Kenshi closed the door behind him as Tai sat down before Azura. As Azura sat down, Taiyang saw the storm still thundering its watery cascade outside. The very storm that trapped them all here, like rats in a cage. Maybe that was what was getting to him, maybe it was this woman, Tai did not know. But he needed answers.
"What can you tell me about Lady Sen'otome?" Tai asked his lord directly.
Azura's eyes widened in further confusion. "I am not sure I fully understand, sir. What do you mean?" he replied, clearly prodding for answers himself.
"Are you not at all concerned that she knew about us before she met us? How quickly she got in with Ruby and Yang? The weird things that have been happening around here since she arrived? None of that concerns you?" Taiyang asked, frustration leaking out from his voice's tone.
Azura shook his head. "No, not really. Such strange occurrences are actually quite common around Shugenja like the Sato Family, especially with ones as powerful as Lady Sen'otome." He answered, clearly used to these kinds of things.
"I've heard you and Kenshi call her that earlier. But what is a Shugenja? Even the shamans of our land aren't able to do anything like what she did, summoning some spirit beast like that or these weird occurrences." Tai answered him.
Sighing, Azura sat down, clearly not looking forward to this explanation. "That is… difficult to explain. Some mistake them for witches or wizards with their ability to command magic… but that is not the case. Witches and wizards use potions or spells from spell books to command the power of magic. Some mistake them for Mystics like Ruby or a Sage, but that is not accurate either. For a Mystic wields magic by tapping into the power of an Elemental or a powerful nature spirit that they have become the host of while Sages wield the power of magic inherently in them due to a gift from the gods. The most accurate way to describe them would be… magicians. Immensely powerful magicians." He began to explain.
"And that's supposed to be better, how?" Tai asked. "We got lucky with Balam. How can we be so sure she isn't going to cause us major problems?"
"Magicians like Shugenja call upon the aid of spirits to cast magic. Spectral nature beings that embody the magic power of the world itself. Think of the spirits as being a step below Nature Gods like Lord Balam. Shugenja, like other magicians, call upon the aid of these spirits to cast magic, ranging anywhere from throwing bolts of mystical energy from their hands to bringing a mountain down on top of their foes. However, unlike most magicians, Shugenja are born with the ability to communicate with spirits, rather than having to learn to do it." Azura explained as best he could.
"... So instead of one super power spirit, she has access to power from a bunch of powerful ones…" Taiyang muttered.
"It is not quite that simple. You see, to call upon the power of these spirits to cast magic, Shugenja and other magicians must have a rapport with them. They must have the approval and trust of the spirits before the spirits will lend them their strength. Without that, they are little more than normal people." Azura continued his explanation.
"And she already clearly has a rapport with local spirits already. And that tiger spirit she summoned to open the vault?" Taiyang asked, his face painted with unease.
"That was what we in the east know as a Shikigami. A type of… familiar spirit that a magician can summon to fight for them in battle. Typically, Shikigami are powerful spirits that are… more difficult to build a rapport with. To do so, one must bring them to heel either through sheer force of will or trial by combat. Should the spirit deem you worthy, it will then consent to becoming your familiar and allow you to summon it to battle for you through either a hand seal or a special talisman." Azura explained, clearly trying to pick his words in a way Taiyang would understand.
"And her cryptic language and the fact she knew about my family before she ever met us?" Tai asked, his voice coming off now as more defensive.
"Shugenja are a… mysterious bunch, Sir Taiyang. They rarely ever speak bluntly or plainly because the nature of communicating with spirits makes such things neigh impossible. As for how she knew of your family, it was likely through local spirits that she made a rapport with to gather information about the area. Ones that just so happened to already know about you all." Azura explained, hoping that he had answered all Taiyang's questions.
Tai let out a sigh at that. "Then I guess all I can ask you further is… do you trust her?" He asked hesitantly.
Azura nodded. "I do. Magic has a language to it that makes it impossible to tell true lies. You can tell half-truths or withhold information, but to use magic, one must not truly lie. For to lie is to deceive oneself, the spirits, and the world itself." He explained.
Taiyang did not feel the need to say anything more as he began to stand up. To Azura's surprise, Taiyang still clearly felt conflicted and distrustful. However, despite this surprise, Azura did not press him. Looking into Taiyang's eyes, it was not merely distrust or even paranoia that drove him. It was emotions that he understood all too well.
"I do not fault you Taiyang for your hesitancy. Perhaps getting some work done will help with some of the excess energy these feelings have given you?" Azura inquired to him.
Taiyang let out a deep sigh at that. "Some work may do me some good. I'll go and chop some firewood for a while." Taiyang said before turning to leave. However, he stopped as soon as he heard Azura.
"Is it wise to do that in this storm? We still have some firewood left over…" Azura tried to say but was shocked when Taiyang cut him off.
"I'll make sure to wear a poncho." Taiyang simply said before leaving, closing the door behind him as he left.
"... I hope I didn't make things worse somehow…" Azura muttered before getting back to work.
Everything seemed like a haze to Taiyang as he walked through the halls towards the stairs. What Azura said to him rang through his head, like a hammer hitting a bell repeatedly. It just did not make sense to him. Why was all of this happening to him and his family? Hadn't they suffered enough from the world and these "spirits"? He was so focused on these thoughts, he nearly barreled through a poor servant carrying fresh clothes. Indeed, he nearly did this to another before he stopped. It, however, was not because of the servant. It was the voices of his daughters and Balam in the next room.
"Lady Sen'otome's amazing, isn't she Ruby?" Yang's voice asked, her voice as upbeat as usual.
"I know right!? I hope I can summon a spirit like she did! Imagine having more than just Balam on our side!?" Ruby's voice answered excitedly.
"Normally, this one would be offended at the thought of not being enough for you, Lady Ruby, but I do see your point. More help in battle would always be appreciated." Balam's voice replied with a bit of mirth and playfulness to it.
"Oh, come on, Balam. No spirit could ever replace you." Ruby said, petting the small Jaguar spirit.
"Yeah, you and Ruby are partners. Besides, if I could learn how to do that, it'd be easier to help you and Ruby in a fight against really powerful enemies." Yang added.
"But you have fire gauntlets?" Ruby asked confusedly.
"Yeah, but that's still not as cool as summoning a spirit to fight for you or what you and Balam have going for you, Rubes." Yang playfully added.
"Maybe Lady Sen'otome will teach us how to do some of that?" Ruby asked hopefully, which caused a scowl to form on Taiyang's face.
"This one would advise you to not get your hopes up too high, young cubs. It is extremely difficult for mortals not born with the talent for communicating with spirits to learn magic. Possible, yes, but still extremely difficult." Balam explained.
"Is there any harm in at least asking her?" Ruby asked Balam. "Also, do you need a milk refill?"
"This one supposes there is no harm in asking. At the bare minimum, she could be helpful in your training, Lady Ruby. And yes, this one would very much appreciate more milk." Balam said with a smile.
Ruby began to pour more milk into the saucepan in front of the small jaguar spirit as Yang spoke up.
"Honestly, if me or dad could learn how to do this stuff, imagine how much more help we'd be to you in a fight. You'd only have to tap into Balam's powers in a real emergency." Yang noted with a smile.
Finally, Taiyang could stay silent near the doorway no more. "You two shouldn't be playing around with forces you have little understanding of." Taiyang sternly said, catching the three off-guard.
"Dad!? How long have you been there!?" Yang asked indignantly.
"Long enough." Taiyang cryptically replied.
"Dad, I know we don't know a lot about or understand this stuff, but, if you think about it, Lady Sen'otome is the perfect person to teach us so that we can know. I could get so much better and stronger with Balam's power under her." Ruby explained, pleading for Taiyang to understand.
"The supernatural has caused us enough loss and strife in our lives, we don't need any more." Taiyang answered her. "No offense meant, Balam."
"This one takes no offense, Sir Taiyang. I understand completely." Balam replied sympathetically.
"None of you do anything drastic. If you need me, I'll be outside chopping firewood." Taiyang ordered.
"But dad, it's still storming like crazy outside…" Yang noted with concern.
"I'll be fine. I've been through worse." Taiyang answered her, trying to reassure her.
"Please be careful, dad…" Ruby told him worriedly.
Taiyang gave the two a smile. "I always am, Ruby." He replied.
With that Taiyang left them. It did not take long for him to notice that their conversation turned to them worrying about him. He sighed as he grabbed a poncho and made his way towards the back door. However, he soon saw the candles flickering in the hall, as if an ethereal breeze came through. Looking down, there walking towards him was Sen'otome herself, wearing thin silken robes of clearly eastern design.
"Good afternoon, Lord Taiyang. Where could you possibly be going in such a dreadful hour?" Sen'otome asked him playfully.
"Don't call me lord, I work for a living. As for where I'm going, I'm just heading outside to cut some more firewood as a precaution." Taiyang explained to her.
"I meant no disrespect, Sir Taiyang. I was merely going to advise against going outside at this time." She replied, caught off guard by his tone.
Taiyang shrugged in response. "I'll be fine. I've dealt with much worse in life than a little storm. Though I'm sure the local spirits have probably already told you that much…" He said, looking down as he went to grab the hatchet.
"They have not, Sir Taiyang. The spirits do not tell me everything. I merely heard through them of your family's exploits on account of the sudden events that have happened here recently. I have not been prying into your family's lives. That would be a dishonorable action I could never live with." Sen'otome explained, sensing a disturbance coming from the man.
Taiyang sighed at that. "I appreciate that. There are some things that are meant to be private…" He replied, frustrated about the idea of having to deal with more magic.
"Sir Taiyang? Have I offended you in some way?" She asked him, taking a step towards him.
"No. I just… I don't like magic much. It hasn't really… done me or my family any favors in the past…" Taiyang explained, trying to not have to open up any more than he needed to.
She then stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. The action caused him to jump a bit. However, before he could swing around to confront her, he then felt her grip. It was a gentle, comforting one. And what began to frighten him was the fact it was kind of comforting for him.
"I know it might not mean much to hear after the tragedies that have befallen you, but I find it regrettable that your first experiences of the supernatural are like that. Despite what it may seem, it is not a force for good or for ill. It is how it is wielded or left to its own devices." Sen'otome explained, regret and sorrow oozing from her voice as she spoke.
Taking a deep breath, Taiyang turned to look at her with a small smile. "That does offer me some small bit of relief. Thank you, Lady Sen'otome…" He told her, sounding genuinely grateful for her words.
"I apologize for being so coy and mysterious with you at first. To speak to the supernatural, it is a language of absolute truth. The only way I can keep my distance or not say what I should not, is to speak cryptically or lie by omission. For that, I am terribly sorry. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to come to me." Sen'otome explained.
Taiyang nodded. "I understand. Lord Azura explained that much to me. For what it's worth, I don't hold it against you. I simply want to know why you were so coy with me." He replied.
"Lord Azura speaks from an extremely limited set of knowledge. That is not a slight against him. Unless one speaks to a spirit, has a rapport with them, any amount of knowledge is like a drop inside an empty bucket." She explained, though not touching the latter question.
Taiyang nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. So, I guess that means it's something that someone born with that ability can't easily teach." He said in response, equal parts relieved and a little disappointed.
"It is not. Any way I could try to explain it… well, it would sound positively insane. But I am still willing to try if you or your daughters are willing to put up with it." She offered.
Taiyang gave a smile at that. "We'll see. Yang and Ruby did express an interest in it. Ruby because she thinks it's incredible and Yang because she wants to better protect her little sister." He explained.
This got a smile out of the Shugenja. "I am most flattered by your daughters' admiration, but I don't think it's really deserved." She answered, trying to wave it off.
"I'd disagree. For all my issues with magic, regardless of your source for being able to use it, it's an amazing ability to have. And the fact that you wield it by communicating with and borrowing power from the supernatural makes it even more wondrous in the eyes of people as young as Yang and Ruby." Taiyang told her with a hint of genuine mirth and joy.
To Taiyang's shock, he saw a small blush creep across her cheeks. "You and your family flatter me too much. I am not used to such compliments." She answered him, dare he say a hint sheepishly.
"Well, you deserve them. Though I notice that you didn't answer my earlier question on why you were being so coy with me." Taiyang replied with a raised eyebrow.
Sen'otome then gave him her coy smile. "Sir Taiyang, just because we are more open with each other now, does not mean you get to know everything. Besides, it is more fun to keep you guessing." She said before giving him a small peck on his right cheek and walking away.
Taiyang stood there frozen. Did she just do that? No, that had to be some form of trick. All that openness and explanations to end it on her still being coy with him? It left him with a feeling as he began to open the door, was his paranoia justified? Or was it about to take a whole new form…?