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[Lee, Samurai of Honor]

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Lee had once been the leader of a fledgling guild of honorable men and women, but, he felt deep in his heart that he had yet to see what the outside of Tokuno had to offer him. He was a very honorable man, quite capable of leading, but he doubted himself. He felt he was not ready for such a responsibility, and decided that he needed to go away for a while, on a journey of self exploration. To go where the winds would take him, to find out who he really was.

He handed control and leadership over to his most trusted friend and advisor, Jaynus Kawubara. "May the virtues guide and protect you, my friend.", Jaynus said. "Please give Chessintra and Nedylene my regards, my dear friend, and take care. You will make a great leader.", stated Lee. With that, Lee mounted his horse, and rode off, leaving behind all he had know since he was a child, to venture out into Sosaria.

While traveling, Lee thought of Tokuno, and the many people that had touched his life. There was one, in particular, who had shown him kindness and caring beyond measure.....Rryn Anyai. There was something of a connection between them, he felt, but he could not put his finger on it. Maybe he was just daydreaming. He thought of her often, and of her kind words and the way she didnt hesitate to help him when he needed it most. He wanted to desperately tell her that he really cared for her, but the samurai in him and common sense held him back. She was taken, and he would not disrespect her in that way. Someday, perhaps I will, he thought to himself.

His journeys had taken him to the many places in Sosaria, from the several deadly dungeons, to the many beatiful cities he had never seen before. Indeed, Sosaria is a beautiful place, he thought to himself. He had been gone for three years, when he came upon a desolate, dark place, the city of Umbra...in his journeys, he had seen a female, many times, one that seemed to be very dark, but her features, were of an unusual beauty..he felt he needed to know more..something had lead him here....to this...place...In his time away..he managed to build him a home, which was very close to where he was being led...he didnt know why or how..but he felt he needed to know about her, who she was, what she was about......He visited this place and she had shown him horrors he had never known.....he penned an entry in his journal:

He had seen horrors he had only heard in tales and folklore, and the child, her eyes, the horror in them before she passed into the other realm. That vision will indeed stick with him for quite a while, as he was a man of honor. That child did not deserve her fate, but as he learned all to often, fate can be cruel, and it can change like the wind.

However, he still could not get her.....off of his mind. Her beauty haunts his dreams, ever since he layed eyes on her, he was smitten. He had to know of her, how to get closer to her, to know what she wants, what she needs. He was once part of a great Tokuno alliance, but he was now only one. He knew that going to seek her out could mean certain death for him, but he was not afraid. He had to know...he had to...

She killed that child, and everything that was good and wholesome inside of him wanted to strike her and her associates down, but he couldnt do it...he wanted to be with her, to be next to her....after the incident with the child, he asked to speak with her alone. He wanted to look into her eyes, to be closer, to peek into her soul. As he talked to her, he looked at her. She had a beauty that he had not quite seen before. Her pure white hair, her smooth blue skin, and her deep purple eyes. He was stunned how beafutiful she was, but yet he did not understand how she could be so evil. He sensed a great deal of anger in her, and he wanted to know more....Before he could get any further with her, he was was dismissed.

Taken through a moongate, they all arrived back in Umbra. She kept her barbs and insults constantly flowing at him, but he would only counter back in kindness. This clearly frustrated her, and he knew she would be tough and would not give an inch, and neither would he. He would seek her out again and he would find her....the one called Ceinwyn....

Ceinwyn is her name...maybe he would seek her out and find out what she was truly about. For now, he felt it was time for him to journey back home, to Tokuno. He had his confidence back, and he knew who he was. He was ready to go back and help make Tokuno great again. During his travels, he heard that there was turmoil, and he wanted to see what was going on.

He arrived in the town of Zento, everything still looked as it was when he left. He smiled as he saw the many familiar faces as he rode through town. As he approached the bank, he saw Lady Isthar, the High Priestess of the Hand on Ra, and....it was her....Lady Rryn....the most beautiful face he had seen, the one he had coveted most...."Hail Mlady", said Lee, as he bowed deeply. "Konichiwa", she said in a lovely sweet voice. "I have heard of your impending return, Lord Lee, it is good to see you have made it back safely." "It is good to be home, mlady, said Lee. "I have heard of many changes about here in the Islands, and I would love to come back and help." "Well, said Rryn, we should have tea and I will fill you in." "I would like that, said Lee, and I also have something I would like to tell you."

The next day, Lady Rryn told him what happend while he was away. She was now Empress of Makato-Jima. She was now one instead of two. The lands had been split up among the most powerful leaders of the Islands, and she was now opening up Makato to more things and the island itself was thriving. "Well, those are quite interesting developments.", said Lee, "I would like to join you and help keep the island safe and prosperous." "Then you are welcome here with open arms, welcome home, Lord Lee.", Lady Rryn said with a smile. Lee almost felt complete, except for one thing....he needed to tell her how he felt about her. There was nothing holding him back now. "Mlady, there is something I need to tell you.", said Lee. "I would like to talk to you in private, please come with me." Lady Rryn nodded and followed him to the small garden tucked away in zento and sat, looking at him intently...........

[Rryn Anyai]

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She sat quietly listening to him. Samurai were not known to speak of their feeling much less openly as he was. Though, between them, they had always had a strange connection and had spoken more freely to one another as good friends would.

She was not quite sure what to make of what he was talking about. He was speaking of his journey and the woman he had met. The darkness that seemed to pull him in somehow. He spoke ashamed of not defending a child and feeling helpless to help her and detach her killers. Rryn looked at him concerned when he mentioned the woman's request to kill one of her daughters. He did not mention her name.

"Is that why you have returned then, to do this woman's bidding?" Rryn looked at him intently narrowing her eyes and slipping her hands, unnoticed to him, into her obi , feeling the steel edges of her fans. She listened intently to the shadows sensing her guards sudden alertness and readiness to defend her.

"Iie, never ! I could never hurt you or your children. It is what brought me back to my senses, the reminder of you. I knew then I must come home." he called out quickly, explaining what had transpired that night.

Rryn relaxed slightly. " I am sorry my friend. We were made aware by an anonymous source that a samurai was being sent to kill one of the girls. Thus why they were sent away. It appears our worries, for now, are clear."

Lee nodded slowly, staring at her face. " I came home. I had heard and I see these changes. I must tell you now. I ... came home .. for you."

Rryn looked at him. Realization began to dawn on what he was saying. She was shocked. She knew they had always had this uncanny connection, but she had never realized he had kept such a secret. She passively looked to the shadows and with a slight nod dismissed her guards to allow them privacy. They would not go to far but out of earshot unless she called out for them.

He continued ... " When I left, you belonged to another. I could not dishonor you or your family by telling you how I felt. I could not express these feelings I had and still have for you. Now I can. I mean no disrespect to you my Lady. I had to tell you now and relieve this secret I have carried for so long. I will understand if you do not feel the same."

Rryn looked at him closely for a moment. Thoughts of the past and small gestures and things said came back to her.
" I have often felt this close connection we share. I apologize, I never realized how you felt."

" My Lady, who do I ask permission to court you?" he blurted out suddenly.

Rryn blinked several times and then laughed lightly to herself as she replied to him . "Well, I do not think I need parental permission any longer to court whom I wish. However ...There is something you must know before I agree. I do not have need of a male to help me reign. Understand , should we court and should it lead to marriage in the future, I have an heir in place to the throne. My future husband, if any, will not take precedent over my heir. I have set this to discourage any would be suitors from pursuing favor of my throne."

He smiled at her, then went to bended knee taking her hand. " Then I request the Empress's blessing to court her. I have no want of your throne, nor of power.. only to know the woman I have carried in my heart." He kissed her hand lightly.
She thought a moment then nodded slightly giving him the permission he had asked for.

" We shall see where this destiny may lead us then......"