Rei-Shaad Monks
Rhyatril’s footsteps made soft scrunching sounds as she walked along the uneven stone path towards the shrine. The only other sound was a soft rush of breeze through the trees, as if even animals didn’t wish to disturb the sanctity of this place. Shizu’kana J’ina was one of the holiest shrines for the Rei’Shaad monks, and it was exceedingly rare for someone not of their order to be allowed to visit, let alone ordered to do so. Little else had swirled in her head through the hours of hiking from Sakari. Had she done something wrong? The reclusive monks were well respected throughout Koolong, and had risen to prominence with the elevation of Ojo Kusanagi. The Ojo had risen from obscurity within the order, to ruling one of the most powerful nations in the world seemingly between breaths. Perhaps the Rei’Shaad did not approve of Rhyatril’s selection to accompany Ambassador Makoto with the peace delegation?
She shook her head, as if to clear it. Regardless, one did not ignore the Rei’Shaad. She had made the journey from the the capital where the peace envoy would set off towards distant Devin to the foothills where the shrine lay, and followed the winding path up the hill. That same path wound through trees and ahead she saw a old cracked wooden archway across the path. To her dismay a rumble of thunder sounded overhead. Her travel back to civilization was sure to be wet and miserable.
She wasn’t entirely sure what she had expected, but the Shizu’kana J’ina shrine wasn’t an impressive location. A small crumbling stone structure lay in one corner of the clearing, unkempt grass filled the rest, and towards the center of the clearing a flat area of unadorned stone was being swept by a dark haired young man, no more than 20 years old, in plain breeches and tunic. He hadn’t seemed to have heard her approach, so she cleared her throat announcing her presence, coming to a stop just past the archway. “I… I was told to meet someone here…”, she offered helpfully when the young man didn’t look up from his methodical sweeping.
“Yes.”, the man responded matter of factly, without pausing in his sweeping. His voice was deeper than she had expected. He walked across to the crumbled stone and leaned his crude broom against it, before turning to look at her. Whatever vague concerns she had about meeting the Rei’Shaad, and her reputation vanished like fog in hot afternoon sun when his gaze caught hers. His eyes were like glittering opals, dark and full of mystery. He looked at her as if seeing through her clothes, through her skin, into her very bones. Without realizing it, her breath had caught under that stare, a mouse under the watchful eyes of a predatory bird. As quickly as it had happened, it was gone. He looked again a young human man, and turned from her to sit lotus style on the swept stone, gesturing for her to join him. As Rhyatril moved to join him, she saw the stone was not actually flat. Imprints in the stone marred the surface. To her surprise, she realized they were impressions of the clawed paws of Feran feet.
After a moment’s pause, he spoke, “You were sponsored for the peace envoy by the Shinomura clan?” Rhyatril nodded, “Yes, I have on occasion aided the Shinomura, providing security for their factors. I suppose my service has been satisfactory, and I was requested to join the envoy… is there… is there something wrong?” His brows rose slightly, “Ah yes, security is important when traveling through Rukii is it not?” Rhyatril managed to keep her expression blank, and did not respond. “They know about Aeldar”, she cursed in her head. To her surprise the man chuckled, and a genuine smile appeared on his youthful face. “I am Adachi Kazu, a member of the Rei’Shaad. The Ojo has requested that I safeguard Seyama during his travel to Devin. In the days past the Rei’Shaad cared little for politics, yet now we find ourselves thrust among them. I wished to see the truth of you before extending my welcome. You may join Seyama’s escort.”
It wasn’t until Rhyatril has made it halfway down the hill that the storm broke, dousing her in spring rain. Amidst her soggy slow going she thought through every comment Adachi had made… hours of travel, for that? Surely the other members of the escort had not endured this? She quirked her lips at the thought of Noritada Shinomura, head of his clan, slogging through the mud up an old hill to sit on a rock and be stared at by a boy. Just her then? Why? She still hadn’t figured it out by the time she returned to the capital.