Honor and Duty

Ninakami was slowly recovering from the disaster that had befallen its inhabitants. Families began their bereavement, the market reopened, and the streets came to life again. After a speech by Shogun Maeda Ichigo, the truth came to light, though the names of the culprits were withheld so as not to dishonor the Kawasaki clan and the other victims of the dragon blood dealers.

As for Eiji, he managed to overcome his sadness, even though Ruka still haunted his thoughts. He resumed his guard duty as usual. But he had not forgotten Tahrren's proposal.

Tahrren was still in the city, wandering around. Eiji sometimes crossed his path while on guard duty at the market. Every time they met, Tahrren would ask him if he had made up his mind.

Finally, he gave him an ultimatum. He had until the next morning to make a decision, because he had to continue his journey.

At the end of his shift, Eiji decided to ask for advice.

"Father..."

They were in the majors' room, decorated with its golden and obsidian possessions.

"Eiji. Did your shift go well?"

The young guard stared at his father, still searching for words.

"Yes..."

"You seem preoccupied, son. You can tell me anything. It's Tahrren's proposal that worries you, isn't it? Why are you so hesitant? Your future lies in the guard."

"Father. I think I will follow him."

The major frowned.

"And why would you? He took your mother from us, and your sister! I won't let him take my son as well."

Eiji lowered his gaze slightly. He suspected that his father would be against it, and that was his main obstacle to making a decision. He wished to respect his feelings.

"Father. Please listen to me. I think it is my duty."

The major got slightly carried away, raising his voice sharply.

"What do you mean, your duty? Your duty is to defend your people. Defend the Higashito!"

Eiji raised his voice in turn.

"Precisely! If a war is coming, how can I defend our people by staying here? How will I be able to protect the people, how will I be able to prevent new tragedies?"

His father replied as if he hadn't been listening.

"And how will the others react? The Kawasaki son is leaving? Is he running away from his responsibilities? Is he running away from the Higashito? We barely avoided dishonor on our clan, and now you're putting us in jeopardy again."

"And so, is there nothing more honorable than helping your fellow man, whether he is Higashito or not? If Tahrren is telling the truth, then the world will fall into chaos very soon! I cannot let that happen. And at that time, no one will be safe whether they are Higashito or not."

His father remained silent. He turned and walked a few steps before staring at himself in a mirror, thinking. He frowned and mechanically stroked his face.

"You're probably right. Maybe I am a little too conservative? You're young, strong, and talented. And you know the pain of losing a loved one. I'm honestly not surprised that he'd suggest you follow him. Even among the older ones, few surpass you. Even Ameshiki was not as strong at your age. Very well, I allow you to go. But I forbid you to dishonor the Higashito on the battlefield. Bring glory and honor to your mission. Be the emissary of our lands in this struggle."

"Thank you, Father. I assure you that you won't regret it."

Eiji drew a small smile of pride on his face.

"I will see to it that the general is informed. As for you, you can prepare to leave. If I am not mistaken, Tahrren leaves at dawn. I promise to be there for your departure as well."

Eiji greeted his father before he left. Shortly after, the door opened again, and a stone voice echoed through the major's room.

"Shun... Your son has grown up! Enough to stand up to you, I see!"

Surprised, Major Kawasaki turned to the person who had just entered.

"General Maeda, have you been listening to us?"

The general chuckled slightly.

"Shun, call me Akihiro, please. It's been we know each other. The walls are thin here, and don't forget that my office is next door. So if you raise your voice, I will hear you!"

Shun sighed slightly and invited the general to sit down. The latter, a bit taller than him and much more massive, sat heavily on a dark leather chair. His scarred face and close-cropped brown hair showed a lifetime of fighting, and despite his stern face, his broad smile gave him a unique charisma.

Commander Shun pulled a bottle of rice wine from a drawer and placed two cups on the cedar table that separated the two men. The general clapped his hand on his thigh and chuckled.

"Haha! Nothing like a good glass of wine to end the day on a high note."

Shun smiled at his colleague, whom he knew to be an inveterate drinker.

"So, Shun. Tell me, at what point did he convince you?"

Shun opened the bottle, poured the two cups, and brought the alcohol to his lips.

"Honestly, I didn't expect him to lecture me about honor and duty. But he's right, I was in denial. I didn't want to see the truth. It's surely his destiny to leave us and see the bigger picture.

General Maeda swallowed a gulp of alcohol before laughing again.

"You're probably right. This boy is talented. If the situation is as bad as this elf says, then the world will need this boy. And as he so aptly put it, there's probably nothing more honorable than saving the world."

He raised his glass. The Commander quickly followed his gesture.

"Honor to the new generation," they said in unison.

Then the general continued alone.

"May his blade darken the skies of his enemies and fall upon them like lightning."

Finally, the two men drank their cups and chained them together until not a drop of alcohol remained in the bottle.

"You don't seem to be very affected by the death of your wife and daughter."

Shun grumbled at the question. With the empty glass in his hand, he stuttered a few words.

"With time... You get used to people... Their death. No rest in the army. Haha."

With a heavy look and a bitter smile on his sorry and obviously sad face, he put his glass down on the table with difficulty.

"What about you?"

Akihiro almost choked on his laughter at this question. After a short coughing fit, he continued laughing as usual:

"You won't believe me... The mother died! And the worst thing, a natural death. Haha! The world goes crazy and she dies in her sleep! Probably the happiest person in town. One hundred and five years! One hundred and five!"

"One of the deans of the city... At least she had a peaceful death."

The two men drank and talked more. They did not finish until the moons were high in the sky.