The New Winds

Sanzo, in a surprising turn of events, had quickly eaten a smaller meal than normal. There was something else he needed to do.

The young Phoenix heads over to the quarters of Asako Himeya with a good measure of haste. He asks one of the servants if they could find Asako sensei for him, and to give her a note requesting some of her time for an important discussion. The servant takes the note and heads off to see if he could find her. Sanzo waits patiently, curious about what insights will come of this.

He wasn't waiting for long. The sensei turned the corner and gives a shallow bow.

"Hello, Asako-san. What can I do for you?"

Sanzo returns a very polite bow.

"Asako sensei, I was hoping I could discuss a matter in private with you: guidance I feel that you are uniquely suited to provide."

"Certainly. Come, let us go inside."

Sanzo nods and follows the sensei.

Once they are inside her room, she slides the screen closed.

"What can I do for you?"

"Recently, I was training with Asako Saburo-san. We were talking, and the subject of ambition came up. I have meditated and considered his words, and feel that setting some sort of lofty goal might be good for my growth. This brings me to a crossroads. I know that many from my school serve as yojimbo for our shugenja and courtiers. I know this to be an honorable and worthy path, though one that is commonly walked. However, I have also heard that our family has some sort of order of magistrates, though, I've only heard about them in passing."

He pauses for a moment.

"So, I come to you seeking more information about these magistrates, to know if this is a path I should consider walking. And for your guidance, as a Phoenix, an Asako, a shugenja, and a sensei, to perhaps see if there are yet other paths I should consider taking from this crossroad."

"Your lord will set you on the path they think is right for you, Asako-san. As far as the Magistrates you speak of..."

She closes her eyes and shudders a little.

"If you are worthy, they will seek you out, not the other way around."

"Right, of course." It was known that one's lord selected one's lot in life. But that wasn't really what Sanzo was trying to get at.

"Hmmm... well... I suppose what I'm really asking is what sorts of qualities are sought after in a yojimbo? And what sorts of qualities do these Magistrates look for?"

"An uncorruptable soul, for one. A samurai who is steadfast in all of their tenets who could never be swayed to take the easy way out, even if it would lead to great temporary success."

"I see, I see." Sanzo nods along with the Asako's words, taking mental notes of everything she is saying.

"And what sorts of skills should a yojimbo focus on? Anything more than the ability to defend their charge and duel in their stead? And what sorts of skills are expected of our family's Magistrates?"

"The ability to notice things out of place, knowledge of magical theory, and some court skills are all important."

Sanzo keeps nodding, taking more mental notes.

"It sounds as if the requirements for these different paths seem very similar." the young samurai says, with some sense of hope in his voice. Perhaps their similarity is an omen or sign of some sort?

"Is there anything else I should know about these paths? Otherwise, I think I now have a much better idea of where to focus my efforts!"

"They do go hand in hand, though there is more to our special Magistrates than just normal Yojimbo abilities. And, if they do seek you out to join them, you will be working alone most of your life."

"I see. Alone, eh? Well, that's not too bad, as long as I get to travel and meet new people."

"You will meet many, though most will shy away from you. Your job is to hunt down criminals. It can be a lonely life."

Sanzo considers what the Asako sensei was saying.

Resolved, he says, "If it is what is required of me, I would not mind such a fate."

She nods solemnly.

"Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"Well... now I know what I don't know, which is exactly what I was looking for. I think that is enough for now, though perhaps I might like to ask more about these subjects or about the law at a later time."

He gives a very respectful bow.

"Thank you, sensei."

THe bow is returned.

"Any time, Asako-san"