Heavenfall

"Would it help if you were able to ask the Emperor? He's not forcing anyone to leave their tribes or the lands they inhabit so far, and he usually has an ear for the concerns of other people."

"I... suppose so. I doubt he'd want to hear from an Ongaku of a tribe of nomads in the south..."

She took a slow breath. "But if I could convince him not to take all our pastures for his new villages and stone houses... I don't want to see my people lose everything that makes us... us."

"The thing about our Emperor, Ryoko, is that he wants to hear from everyone. When he met me, I was an even more uncouth specimen than I am now- a bloody-handed ember of the Hikaru who radiated hostility to just about everyone and everything. He listened to me. I confessed certain... details to him on the first day of his reign. His response was to entrust me with the guardianship of his children."

He sighed.

"I can't promise that he will give your people what they seek, but I can promise that he will hear you."

"Then perhaps I will try to speak with him, if I can make it to his lands."

She nodded.

"It is a relief... to know that there might be a willingness to let my tribe endure."

"When this is over, I'll write you a letter of introduction. And if for some reason I don't make it, my name should carry some weight."

"A letter... that is a marking of shapes that means something?"

Ryoko seemed curious. "How will they know it isn't fake?"

He chuckled.

"Who would present a well-written fake she couldn't read? Besides, the Emperor was one of my teachers. He knows my style."

"Then I'd welcome your 'letter'."

Ryoko beamed, momentarily forgetting her discomfort, and hopped down from the rock.

"Perhaps if I plead my case well, my people won't lose our pastures."

"Again, it's not my place to make promises for what the Emperor will do with the information, but I can promise that he will hear you out."

"I couldn't ask for more."

With a smile she ducked in, giving the man a hug, and then bounced back.

"I feel a lot better... I mean I still hurt but it isn't so bad. Thank you, Mr. Sora."

Sora surprised himself by not tensing up at the hug.

The past five years really had wrought some changes on him.

"It is my pleasure, Ryoko of the Ongaku. But if you're in pain... shouldn't you be seeing one of our healers?"

"I doubt they can help... I mean I have no idea what it is. It's a headache, sort of."

She let go the hug. "I'll go if it doesn't get better, but maybe it's just the weather."

Stepping back, she added, thoughtfully, "I suppose I should go get dinner. Maybe we can meet later and you can show me your letters."

"If you'd like."

He smiled and half-bowed.

"I find the written word is an amazing thing."

Attempting a bow of her own, if a bit clumsily, she added, "Well, I look forward to seeing it. Maybe the other Jiyo, Ayumu I think, can help me understand them too."

Then she turned back toward camp.

"Next time!"

/exit unless stopped.

Sora smiled and shook his head as she left.

So many young people on this trip... they reminded him of the kids back home.

I'll try to keep them safe too. Best I can.

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