The Silver Sphinx

 

“If you love your son, send him out into the world."

Kamigawan proverb

 

 

First Guild Day of Savorus, 126 HR

It was the late afternoon of the First Guild Day of Savorus, and so it wasn't surprising that the Barracks' library was quite empty. The tall shelves bent under the weight of the folios and octavos full of laws and rules, but also instructions on personnel management and conversation techniques, as well as works on forensics. Between them, a young soldier in full armor sat alone at a table, looking down at a piece of paper inscribed with elaborate characters, which he held in his hands covered in brass-colored scales. With one hand, he repeatedly played with the seal of white wax that dangled from a thread of sky-blue silk at the bottom of the paper. Kiyoshi seemed to be completely alone in his small, secluded corner of this world of knowledge and learning, where he dealt exclusively with this document, reading it over and over again. Finally, he took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He laid the sheet on the table, put his hand to his forehead and gazed into the distance, through the bookshelves to a place that seemed to exist only in his mind. He was so absorbed in himself that he only noticed the heavy, metallic-sounding steps echoing through the library when they had almost reached his table.

“Soldier Kiyoshi,” a full, deep voice boomed through the halls of the library. Kiyoshi jerked, turned his head around and looked into the face of decurion Nallart, his practical instructor. The young man jumped to his feet, turned to the dwarf and assumed the proper posture. He saluted by slamming his fist on the center of the breastplate and replied: “Son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei” in a neutral tone of voice.

The dwarf looked up a little at his protégé and the tips of his mustache lifted a little, the only hint on the veteran's face that suggested a smile. “Well, then show me your investigative skills. What has changed, soldier?”

“Forgive my ignorance, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei, but I am not sure what you mean by that.”

“Then you must listen more carefully, soldier.” It was the way the dwarf emphasized the last word that gave Kiyoshi the needed clue.

“So I have passed my basic training, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei?” Kiyoshi asked, still with a neutral tone of voice that showed no emotion whatsoever.

“Exactly so, soldier. A reason to be happy, one would say, maybe even to celebrate. What do you think?”

“You are certainly right, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei.”

The dwarf scrutinized the new soldier, then looked at the document lying on the table behind him. “You don't seem particularly enthusiastic, soldier. What is that?” he asked, pointing at the table.

Kiyoshi turned around and picked up the paper to show it to his instructor. “These are my marching orders from my home world of Kamigawa. My allegiance to Ittosai Musashi-tenno is dissolved, I am honorably discharged from his army and, as a last order, I am permanently placed under the command of Factol Sarin-heika.”

“Well, congratulations on that too ...” The dwarf lowered his voice and looked Kiyoshi in the eye. After a short pause, he continued. ”But that's not everything, is it? The whole thing has a deeper meaning, right?”

Kiyoshi lowered his eyes. “Indeed, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei. It is, so to speak, synonymous with the fact that Kamigawa is no longer my home.”

The dwarf looked up at Kiyoshi calmly for a moment and then nodded slowly. ”I understand, soldier. Roots are important, and right now it feels like someone is pulling the rug out from under your feet, is that it?”

“Your words speak of great wisdom, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei. Indeed, I feel a little disoriented, as if the last tie between me and the ground has been cut.” Kiyoshi's shoulders slowly slumped forward, the eyebrows of his otherwise motionless face dropped and his lips began to tremble a little.

Decurion Nallart slapped him on the right upper arm. “Cheer up, soldier. You're now part of the Harmonium, the best bunch of decent men and women in the multiverse. We are now your new home, your new family, and no matter what happens, we won't let you down. We'll back you up, support you and if need be, we'll stand with you, side by side, against anything that may come. And you now belong to Sarin's troops, the best factol in the whole Cage. That alone is a reason to celebrate. Come on, we'll go to a bar, drink, talk about your old home and toast your new home together.” He gave the soldier an encouraging look and one of his rare smiles.

“Excuse me, son of Dwozurt Nallart-sensei, but I don't drink alcohol.”

“That's not a problem at all. Since I don't know your old home world that well, you'll have to do a bit more of the talking, while I will do a bit more of the drinking. We'll manage just fine, the two of us. Now follow me, that's kind of an order.”

Both left the library and the Barracks and headed for the Clerks Ward, completely forgetting the letter from Kamigawa on the library table, surrounded by all the other documents that once had changed the lives of individuals.

 

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This chapter was written by Kiyoshi's player.