Dark Edge Village

If you want to find a Shiotome, look for her horse.


On this hottest of recent days Imane was taking extra care of her dearest friend in all the world. They had ridden in the morning when the heat was most bearable, and although they had dealt with such heat in the desert she still liked to fuss over Almatar on inclement days like this.

The stable boys were used to the sight of battle maidens pitching in to look after their horses, and gave her a wide berth. As the horse lapped up some water Imane sang a little tune as she brushed its flanks. It was a fine way to spend her afternoon.

Hideo had yet to meet any of the famous Shiotome. Every other Unicorn family, but not the Otaku. He had made it a focus to attempt to converse with them, but where?

The stables would be a first place, but in this building heat, Hideo had begun to question himself. He reached the stables, and looked at the horses. They really were quite impressive, and he again idly wondered what the Miya would do with such large horses.

Then he noticed those who were looking after the horses. The girl who was singing especially caught his attention.

That mon! It seems my hunch was right.

However, he decided just approaching in the middle of the stables could be an issue, so for the moment he remained a part of the audience

The horse seemed to become aware of the non-Unicorn face in the audience before Imane did. As she finished brushing down one flank the horse started to nod its head in the Imperial's direction, which resulted in a few comments from the Shiotome, seemingly in a foreign language, before she turned to see what the horse was on about.

As she rose a light bow was offered to the man she had not met before. He was smartly dressed and carried himself with poise that suggested he was used to receiving respect. In contrast Imane's clothes were more suited to athletic activity, modest but less so than that of a Rokugani unused to hard work such as this. She made a motion with her hands and the stable boys made themselves busy.

"Ohayou samurai-sama." Her voice was musical and retained an exotic lilt. "I am Otaku Imane, of the Shiotome, and this is my companion Almatar." The horse snorted on cue and she looked at it sternly before returning her gaze to the visitor. "Has your day been a pleasant one?"

When the horse nodded, Hideo was surprised. He recovered enough to offer a bow to the woman, and a polite smile. It was tricky to tell her rank and station while she was crouched by a horse in that outfit, so Hideo opted the safe option. Plus she introduced her horse, and confirmed she was a Shitome.

"Good day Otaku-sama, Almatar-sama" Hideo smiled, giving both woman and horse a bow - the horse had nodded to him after all "it is an honour to meet you both. I am Seppun Hideo, priest of the Imperial families. My days has been enjoyable so far, even if the heat is starting to get hotter. You and your kin have been very warm and welcoming hosts. I hope your day has been equally enjoyable?"

He paused. Normally he would approach to be in conversation distance, but he was wary of the horses.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, I had only intended on passing through but your stalwart companion here had garnered my attention. Almatar-sama is a quite magnificent horse, I cannot say I have seen such large horses before in all my days."

That piqued her curiosity, though only a sliver of it reached her face. "It has been a lovely day so far Seppun Hideo-sama, of the Imperial families." When she spoke the name it was slowly and precisely, almost as if she was savouring the sounds. Her light accent added an exotic air to the sound of the Imperial's own name.

"No need to apologise for your interest, I am honoured to meet you in return. You are the first member of the Imperial families I have ever met, and the second priest.". She smiled soothingly at the horse and moved a bit closer to Hideo. There was a small wooden gate between them. It was less of a barrier for the giant horse, more of a suggestion.

"It gladdens me to hear that my people have been good hosts to you Seppun-sama. Would you like to meet Almatar a little closer up? She is very friendly, while I am here at least. I would not recommend getting too close to an Otaku steed without her rider." She smiled with genuine warmth as she spoke.

"It is somewhat amusing that in my conversations yesterday I was expressing my surprise at the small stature of Rokugani horses. All a matter of perspective, yes?"

Her tone of voice, with the accent, made for a very unique reading of his own name. Her accent wasn't as strong as the Moto she had met, but stronger than Amaya.

"The first? I hope that I can leave a favourable impression of the Imperial families then" Hideo said with a chuckle "and thank you. I have looked forward to meeting the Unicorn ever since you and your kin returned, and I feel blessed to be here."

He looked up at the large horse, and after a few moments nodded. He didn't enter the stables until he had permission though.

"I would certainly be honoured to meet her if she would allow me to. It is interesting to see how the breeding and activities of the horses combined with the different environments have caused the horses to be quite so different to each other. The horses of the Miya family, the heralds of the Empire, are some of the quickest horses in the Empire, yet I do not believe they are even close to the speed and strength of your horses. You must be proud of her."

She smiled sweetly at the suggestion he was blessed to be there. "First impressions last, Seppun-sama, and yours is certainly favorable so far with me." Imane looked at her horse and patted it gently on the neck.

"Please come forward. Almatar will behave with dignity while I am here. You are right: I am very proud of her, but she has been with me since she was a foal. Much time and effort went into her training."

Imane pondered the statement about the Miya and their horses for a few moments. "I have not seen a Miya horse, but I would like to Seppun-sama. The Miya are another of the Imperial families, this I know, but not much else."

At that invitation, Hideo opened the gate to enter the stables. Warily approaching the large horse, but keeping himself calm. He trusted the Otaku to control her companion after all.

"You and your kin have left a welcoming impression on myself, which I will certainly relay back to the Imperial Families regardless of if I blessed to marry into the Unicorn, or if one of your own is blessed to become part of the families. I would be happy to share more information about the Imperial families if you would wish to learn more Otaku-san, I am a scholar and enjoy sharing knowledge."

He stopped in front of the large horse.

"She is certainly impressive" he said quietly, in awe of the large horse "to have grown with her since she was a foal...the bond must be strong between you. I had heard rumour of it, but one cannot confirm rumour as fact until they see it with ones own eyes, neh?"

She smiled at his obvious awe of her best friend in all the world. "Seppun-sama is correct, this is known. Now you know it as fact and can inform the Imperial families."

Imane gently stroked Almatar's side. "We fight as one when battle comes, and in all other things we are close. This is why as Otaku I seek to find a husband willing to join my family. Almatar needs the open fields and constant exercise you see."

She looked up at the Seppun and continued. "Please, I would very much like to learn more about the Imperial families Seppun-sama."

"Any that marry you will be marrying you both" Hideo said, understanding as he gazed upon the horse more "so it would be important I imagine for your companion to like the person you intend to marry. I guess you will need to bring them to meet her and see how she reacts?"

He paused to consider the final request.

"The Imperial families are the Families of the Emperor and his closest followers. We are no clan, instead blessed to serve the Emperor after our ancestors were picked by the first Hantei for servitude to him.The Miya was founded after spreading the news of the victory at the end of the War Against the ninth. They are the heralds of the Emperor, carrying missives, edictives, and other important documents. They are trained in running, riding, and memorization. Before you and your kin returned, they were the fastest horse riders in the Empire."

"The Seppun were founded after defending Seppun Hill with the aid of Hantei and the Kami. My kin are the majority of the Emperors personal guard, as well as maintaining the Imperial Histories through the Imperial Libraries. Their Miharu and shugenja were trained and entrusted especially to guard the Emperor."

"The Otomo were formed to ensure all courts would have an Imperial voice and presence. They are our courtiers and ambassadors, operate in the courts all around the empire as our diplomats, and surveyors of negotiations between the clans. Those who serve among the courts will have likely spoke with at least one Otomo."

He paused one final time to look at Imane.

"If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask, although I may in turn ask more about you and your clan, as I am still learning about the Unicorn."

She nodded approvingly at his first comment. "Seppun-sama cuts to the heart of the matter." Her eyes met those of Almatar as the man came closer. The horse seemed perfectly unfazed, though whether that was approval or the knowledge it could trample the little man with ease was hard to tell.

"I think I would like to meet some of the Miya. It could be useful to both families to learn more of each other. Your information on the other families is also most welcome."

A polite smile was offered. "It seems that Almatar does not object to your presence Seppun-sama, and I would be delighted to answer your questions about my people."

"The Miya are among the friendliest samurai you will ever meet, so I'm sure they would be more than happy to meet with yourself and the other Otaku. It would be an interesting discussion about horses" Hideo chuckled as he looked up at the large horse again. Now the horse seemed to approve of him, he could really get a look of the animal. The strength, the height. The power of the horse.

The colours?

"Ah, I had intended to ask about Otaku, but I...I'm now curious about something. Almatar's mane colours" he made a small motion to the colourful mane "may I ask about the colours? It's very beautiful, but I've never known a horses mane to be dyed before."

Her mouth opened and then closed again as she reconsidered her answer. It was a good question.

"Seppun-sama, you are very kind. This is my own handiwork. Almatar seems to like the attention when I apply the dye, but there is more to it than that."

She patted the flank and looked Hideo in the eye.

"How much do you know about the recent history of the Unicorn Seppun-sama? Have you heard of the Dark Ride?"

"I could only assume that someone Almatar trusts would be allowed to dye her mane, as it wouldn't be a fast job I imagine" Hideo smiled "she must be very patient, as well as yourself being very talented."

He then looked thoughtful as she spoke of the Dark Ride.

"I confess I know very little of the Dark Ride Otaku-sama, my apologies."

Imane smiled at the implication she was an artist. "She is patient when she needs to be Seppun-sama. It does not surprise me that the Dark Ride is unknown to you. The topic concerns part of our journey back to the Empire."

Her brow creased a little but she was young enough that it did not remain when she changed her expression.

"There is a land in which the shadows cannot be trusted. Our journey through it was a grueling challenge in which we discovered the importance of crystal." She brought forth a shard from her pack. "When the light strikes crystal in the right way it reveals a rainbow, and Almatar means rainbow in the tongue of the Sands.". She smiled. "So you see why I decorate her mane just so."