Spin the Tanto

 

            “All I know is that the fate of the Empire depends on us being at Otosan Uchi in one month.” Whispered the masked Keshijo to his companions. “We must not be late, or all will be lost.”

 

            No one answered, so the frustrated Keshijo stopped Udon, Habikki and Kuno in the center of a dry dirt road to force a discussion about their destination. Sousha and Oku walked their horse ahead in the distance, lost in their own conversation. It was a hot mid-morning. The group had just left a small merchant town that was under the watchful guidance of a Crane Magistrate, Kakita Homaru, who they had just eaten a formal breakfast with. Homaru was not able to help them on their quest. Disappointed, they left the town, their spirits low. Until Keshijo had spoken, each Bearer had been lost in their own thoughts as they let their horses lead them down this long and empty road.

 

            “How do you know this, Keshijo?” asked Kuno as he adjusted his armor. “More Scorpion secrets and plotting?”

 

            Keshijo let out a heavy sigh and crossed his arms. “I just know, Kuno.” He whispered.

 

            “Well, I believe Keshijo-san. Even if his information is wrong, is it something we can risk?” asked Udon. With a shake of his head, Udon shrugged and said, “My teacher would have thrown a stick in the air and see which direction it landed at times like this.”

 

“Let the fates decide our path, so long as we are in Otosan Uchi in one month.” Replied Keshijo dryly.

 

            “I’ll follow you guys, just stop talking so loud.” Moaned Habikki the ronin-ko, as she rubbed her temples. “Gods that geisha could drink.” She said quietly to herself.

 

            “Maybe we should spin a Tanto of the Kami’s!” screamed Udon, despite (or perhaps because of) Habikki’s hung over plea.

 

            “The Tanto’s are not toys.” Replied Keshijo in a harsh whisper.

 

            “You are right! They are not toys, Keshijo.” Replied Udon with a wink, “We are the toys!”

 

            Keshijo shook his head and kicked a small pebble off the dirt road.  Kuno took his Lion Tanto out of its silk wrapping and knelt to the ground. With great care he spread the silk wrapping out on the ground and placed the Lion Tanto in the center. “It can’t hurt, Keshijo. We have never tried this before, perhaps something extraordinary will happen.” Kuno said looking up at Keshijo.

 

            He then spun his ornate tanto as the others looked on. It spun easily on the silk wrapping. They all looked on in anticipation, fully expecting something miraculous to happen. It was, after all a Tanto of the Kami’s. Slowly, the tanto came to a stop with it pointing towards the Dragon Lands. Everyone was still for a moment, holding their breath, positive something would happen.

 

            “Spin it again!” squealed Habikki, ignoring her hangover. “Maybe it will tell us the same place.” Habikki quickly leaned in past Kuno and spun the Lion Tanto. Aghast, Kuno tried to stop her, but was not quick enough. As soon as Habikki’s hand touched the Kuno’s Lion Tanto, Keshijo and Udon tensed.  They knew how the samurai would react to having a drunken ronin-ko touch the tanto he bears.

 

            In a burst of speed, Kuno’s hand flashed to the hilt of his blade and he stood, ready to strike. His eyes narrowed and he said in a menacing voice, “You touch my tanto again and you may well lose a hand.”

 

            Watching the tanto complete its spin, Habikki said tauntingly, “You shouldn’t play with your sword in public, Kuno.” She chuckled and shook her head.

 

            The air filled with heavy tension. Doubly insulted, Kuno flung his bloodlust at Habikki as he reached for the Void. So deep and powerful was Kuno’s emotion that not only did Keshijo feel it, but it disturbed the balance so much that the monk felt it too. Habikki was oblivious (or appeared to be) to the fact that she was seconds away from loosing a hand and perhaps more. 

 

            Udon started to maneuver himself between Habikki and Kuno. In a quite, somber tone, Keshijo said, “Please, put the tanto away.” The tanto’s spin slowly came to a stop. Kuno bent down to retrieve the Lion Tanto.

 

            “Now it points to Otosan Uchi! What a piece of garbage!” Habikki threw her arms up and turned to leave.

 

Before she could take a step, Udon cut her off. He looked at his companions and felt defeated. Dark thoughts fill his mind. Sadly and perhaps ominously, he said, “The path ahead of us is shrouded in darkness. Behind us the shadows move to cover our beginnings. The ground we walk upon is covered in the heavy blood that falls from our weapons.” He paused, then began again, “I look at each of my companions and see myself reflected in none of them. Am I to be the candle against this darkness or would our path be easier if walked in the dark?” he closed his eyes, “Am I to be the conscience of my empty companions or have I found the way to kill myself?” he looked up at his companions and finished, “Every candle needs fuel and air, which of you may I count on? Or is there only darkness?”

 

            They all stood motionless and silent, looking at one another. A slow dusty dry wind blew past them. For a moment they were all lost in their own thoughts, until Habikki broke their contemplation, “Whatever, Udon.” She said as she pushed past him. She managed to knock him back a step by delivering a shoulder on her way past. He grunted.

 

Without looking back at them, she said, “Udon, you need sake more then I do, I think.”

 

She walked fast, trying to catch up with Sousha and Oku, who were far ahead. Foolish people everywhere, she thought. I left three fools to catch up with a couple of different fools. Habikki’s pace slowed to a stop. She looked back over her shoulder to see the monk, demon hunter and the self-righteous samurai talking to each other. She could feel their tension from where she had stopped.

           

            They aren’t concerned with me, Habikki thought. Neither are those two, she thought looking ahead at the courier and the artist. Must I be here with them? I could really use another drink. The Empire isn’t going anywhere, regardless of what those fools think. Fate, if it even exists, can be denied. We don’t need each other; the only thing that brought them together was this silly tanto she found. Which, by the way, she thought, she could easily sell and retire by next week and live the rest of her life in absolute luxurious magnificence. “Fools.” She whispered as she disappeared.

By Paul Litch, Copyright 2003