Kyuden Shika

"Ah, well, it gets a bit more complicated with fealty involved."

He said, as yet unaware of the turn his particular fealty was going to take.

"How'd you end up having to do that anyway? Who'd you piss off?"

"Nobody. My dissatisfaction as a soldier was noted and requests were made."

"...So now you're a yojimbo... for a minor clanner."

"In the capital, and the Minor Clanner works for that delightful relative of yours..."

Unsei's face paled upon the realization. The two people at the miai that they absolutely could not stand were now about to be working together. At the capital. Right smack in the same place Unsei was to be working.

They felt weak and whoozy, unable to focus as they went through all the stages of grief in a split second.

Of course, they could see terrible entities trying to kill the Emperor, but they couldn't see their own demise.

"A-Are you serious?"

"Very much so. Of course... I also think your kinsman might not fully understand what he's in for, knowing the recruitment list as I do. I think his head might explode, actually..."

"Might have to find an assignment away from the capital now. They are both the last people I want to run into, and that's saying something since I already have to deal with enough egotistical Imperials."

"Well, wherever you go, don't be a stranger, all right? I'm going to miss our occasional chats..."

He grimaced.

"Or I could subject you to my letters..."

"Hey, much the same for you. Write, and write often. I'll write back and we definitely need to keep in touch. Oh, and of course you're invited to my wedding." They chuckled. "As much as I joke, I'll probably still be at the capital though, so I'll be there."