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[Celestia]

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The black sand beach of Hikuro harbor stretched for miles along the shore of this remote island. Each day, for the last six months, young Yoshi Shimakaze, first and only child to Lord Ikrua Shimakaze walked these deserted beaches come rain or shine. Each day, from sunup to sundown, she scanned the distant horizon for some sign that her father was returning. Whenever a ship arrived at the docks, regardless of the hour, she questioned captain and crew for any information of her father’s missing ship. No wreckage or bodies were ever found. Six months and ten-thousand steps through the black sand of Hikuro beach brought no answers. Eventually she stopped going to the beach. Stopped walking the sand and shielding her eyes against the glare of the sun. Instead she walked through the empty house and adjoining buildings thinking of her mother, her teacher and her father. She stood alone on the balcony and stretched her eyes towards the western horizon. Out there beyond the curve of the ocean lay Britannia, a land she knew, a land she once served. There she had friends. There too she had enemies. It would take courage to face both. Ask favor of one and forgiveness of the other. She could return again, but not as before, not as diplomat, not as daughter to a noble house, but as a common citizen, a person of little interest, a ronin, without home or master. There were, however, other possibilities. And with each possibility came a small glimmer of hope.

In the dark moon of her seventh month of loss, Yoshi Shimakaze sat and penned several letters to those who had shown her friendship in the past. If one accepted her offer she would dismiss her staff, disband what was left of House Shimakaze and set sail for that distant curve of ocean. She would return to serve once more, fulfill her duty to her ancestors and pay her debt, her Gimu, thus honoring the deaths of her grandfather, mother and now, her missing father. She would find honor again. She would restore her name.

In the first light of morning, Yoshi Shimakaze sent two white falcons winging westward. She watched as they vanished in the distant haze then went down to walk the black sand beach of Hikuro Harbor once more.

[Celestia]

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The broad winged hawk swept in low over the blue waters of Hikuro Harbor. A thin line of white, it skiped over the white-caps as it caught the afternoon breeze. Yoshi watched as the bird hung for a moment where the blue water meets black sand. The warm air of the sunlit shore carried the bird up in a gentle arc until it was high above the small fishing village. She smiled as it circled once on a lifting thermal skreighing its joy of flight. Then it folded it's broad wings and fell like a stone to the rooftops. In a rush of air it thrust open it's wings and settled on the banister of House Shimakaze. Yoshi quickly hooded the tired hawk and, after removing the parchment from its leg, handed the bird to a servant.

“See he is fed and rested,” she said runing her fingers over the hawk’s smooth feathers. “He has served us well these many days.”

The servant bowed low and departed.

Yoshi watched until the servant left with the hawk before she knelt at the low polished table situated in the exact center of the room. She closed her eyes and calmed her breathing. A warm gust of wind rustled the gauze curtains and shifted a strand of her long ebony hair. Slowly she opened her eyes, broke the seal of Magincia and read the short note.

Closing her eyes again she leaned forward bowing her thanks to the distant lord.

“Domo Arigato,” she whispered.

Rising gracefully from her kneeling position she moved to the shouji separating her father’s office and the hallway. Sliding it open she motioned to a servant kneeling outside.

“Hannyuu bekko Taka. Satto!” She ordered.

The servant bowed. “Hai!” He answered and scampered off to fetch another messenger hawk.

Moving to her father’s western style writing desk she sat and penned another short letter:

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To Lord Isk, Magnate of Magincia:

My Lord:

I have received your letter with great humility and accept your gracious offer to meet with you to discuss my serving your House. I have ordered a ship prepared to sail on the next tide. In all it will take four to five days to reach the shores of Magincia. Upon my arrival I will take lodging at the local inn where I will await your orders.

I stand as Yoshi Shimakaze, First Daughter to House Shimakaze and offer you my thanks and humble gratitude.

Sincerely,

Yoshi Shimakaze.

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Sealing the letter she folded it, inserted it into the small leather tube and, as the servant held the Red-Tailed hawk steady, tied the tube securely to its leg. Removing the leather hood covering the bird’s eyes she ran her hand along its wing.

“Fly swift. Fly safe,” she whispered.

Yoshi watched as the bird swept westward over the blue waters of Hikuro Harbor, then turned and ordered the servant to gather the household staff.

She had news.