Genshu had finally arrived in Rockaxe, garbed in the heavy canvas cloak that concealed his true nature. It was, as he had assumed, not the best option to walk into the city where he assaulted the lord but a mere month prior. Thus, he hid his face from sight, posing as a beggar and making his way through the streets of the towering city. Again, the disgust for such needless flaunting of power consumed him, and despite his own better judgment, he felt the distaste for Lord Gorudo’s methods increase within him. How odd it was that through his training, he was taught the meaning of respect. Never question a superior. However, as he was now free of the restraining hand of the temple, his mind began to search for not what he was told he must know, but for the truth of his own heart.

Thus, in his guise as a peasant, Genshu easily entered the guarded gates and traveled the back alleys of Rockaxe, listening intently as he did so to any person, whom he passed, taking in the rumors and information needed to find his query. The boy, Futch, and the Blue Knight Miklotov, had surely arrived at the city by now. It was only a matter of time before Genshu located them. However, he now understood with the increased nightly patrols as spoken by one couple on the balcony of their home as Genshu passed beneath, the odds of finding the boy and his knight guardian and still remaining unnoticed, would make his task all the more difficult.

Wearily, Genshu continued his endless trek, skulking through the bowels of the metropolitan city. And as his journey continued, a steadily growing chill climbed through the darkness and gnawed mercilessly at his senses. He had seen such fright and terror before, while walking through the streets of Muse, a terrified realism that sheltered the city from the known safety of their world. And yet, he was uncertain as to what this strangling fear meant, for rumors did not give meaning to the emotions of those who spoke them.

Genshu thought cautiously a moment before entering the local tavern. He did not wish to be discovered by anyone of his own presence, however he could no longer contain his curiosity, for the rumors of the streets were never as enlightening as those whose lips were loosened by the vintage taste of alcohol.

Upon entering the tavern, Genshu made his way stealthily to the back corner table. The bar was fairly empty, and the dimly lit chamber allowed him to easily walk to the back table without notice. Keeping his head low so the cloak sheltered his face, he sat and pondered his course of action. However, the conversation of the three patrons drew his attention from his own solitary thoughts.

“It’s true, the Highland Army has completely taken out Ryube and Toto. There’s nothing but ash and ruin wherever they go.” The first man proclaimed.

“But, what if they come here? Can they really beat the knighthood?” The second asked, his voice quaking in open fear.

“I…I don’t know, to think that the Highland Army is so brazen to attack both those villages. Toto is under the protectorate of South Window, and Ryube under Muse’s jurisdiction. They’ve declared war with both cities at once. Surely if they both join forces now, the Highlanders will be driven out of Jowston.” The first continued.

“Pah…” a third, as of yet silent voice interrupted in an apparent sigh of exasperation. “South Window is under the leadership of that old coward Granmeyer and Lady Annabelle is so preoccupied with trying to make sure the rest of the state play nice with each other, she probably hasn’t even noticed yet. There’s not a one of them worth their salt. The only one’s with any brass is Ridley, and what could he do but lead a few pups to war. Oh yeah, that’s a threat. Run, or the mighty kolbold army will come and hump our legs.”

The intended insult was granted its approval with a few hearty chuckles from the meekly patronage. However Genshu had not even seemed to notice the statement. His thoughts paused as he raised his eyes and studied the owner of the third voice, raising his head briefly to identify the source of this despoiler. He was a tall man, and though his skin had been tanned from the many years of fieldwork, perhaps as a farmer or common laborer, simple observation, if one knew what to look for, pointed that this man seemed as out of place as a Highland solder in the Toran Courts. Though he held himself as a simple laborer, his stance was a slight bit more secure, as if boasting exceptional confidence in his station, something that seemed out of place in his apparent line of work. In addition, his breathing itself was wrong, not the deep restful breathes of a simple townsmen, but the quick, rapidly shallow breathes of one who has studied a lifetime of disciple in the martial arts. Yet the most common factor he caught was the dialect, a slight tinge of Harmonian accent danced across his words, and though cleverly hidden beneath a southern dialect, it was still, nevertheless, open to observation.

Genshu paused a moment, listening to this conversation before rising to his feet rose and silently making his way toward the door. More than his observation of this man’s false face, was the information he had overheard. It appeared as if the war had started, and though he sought to deny fate’s hand, it seemed the fickle lady would not be denied.

Upon making his way from the bar into the cooling night air and damp atmosphere of the mountainous city, Genshu paused a moment and turned toward the bar, waiting in anticipation as the door opened and the third man from the pub exited the establishment.

“So, it really is you.” The man stated in a low, brisk voice as he stared at the hooded Genshu. “I had heard you were back in Rockaxe, but didn’t believe it. I didn’t really believe you were that stupid, but then again, you did burn the Muse temple did you not?”

Genshu, still holding his head bent as to guard his face, did not respond to this younger man’s claims, nor did he feel the necessity to explain anything to this intrusive individual. And yet, the discovery of his identity did not faze him, for he knew, that an intuitive link seemed to bind all students of the samurai to one another. It was but an aura that seemed to show the true identity. Thus, he was not surprised to be discovered within this town, but perhaps surprised to see that a disciple of the temple was in fact in Rockaxe.

“So, nothing to say?” The third man said, pausing to study of the length of the street before continuing his conversation. “I’ve always wondered why we in Rockaxe have been almost forgotten, but to think, the legendary Genshu, here among us now. How glorious it will be to prove to Master Sai our worth my handing him your dead body.”

“You wouldn’t kill me boy.” Genshu said briefly, now finally speaking to this upstart who openly challenged him. “Killing me will compromise your temple’s secrecy within this town. You can’t afford it.”

“Oh, but I think I can. But of course, I must be careful, for you did murder Sage. I was quite stunned to realize that he had died by the hands of an old man as you.” The snarling young man spat, his eyes begging for a test of his anxious skills.

“It appears your isolation within this damning city has made you soft child, for one should know better than to test his better.” Genshu paused, pulling the hood from his face. “If it is a test you wish, then I shall send you to Hell boy.”

The young man however, brave at first, stammered after studying Genshu. It seemed this young man was indeed soft, untested behind the safeguarding walls of this city, whereas Genshu’s eyes reflected the torn life of a man tested through a thousand deaths as he stared at the younger man behind his pale gray orbs.

“Tell me now boy, what is the temple doing here?” Genshu spoke, but the younger man had regained his will, and stared defiantly at the elder samurai. No words or whispers escaped his lips, though it was not as if Genshu expected he would tell him, but Genshu felt it best to inform the younger man he would seek the answers himself. When one made a target of himself, he can usually spot his enemies coming towards him better than in the shadows.

“How foolish do you think I am Lord Genshu?” The younger spat again, his resolve building in the presence of this older man. “You can’t kill me either, for that would reveal your identity. I doubt you walk the streets of a beggar to be noticed.” The young man stated, eyeing the gritty cloak. “It seems what we have here is a test of wills.”

“Perhaps,” Genshu stated stoically, staring into the eyes of this young man. Then, with a brief nod, he turned, and throwing the hood back over his head, began to walk down an adjoining alleyway.

“I will however tell you this Genshu.” The younger conversationalist called after the disappearing shadow. “You will know why the temple is here when the time comes.” And with that, the young man too, departed.

Genshu could not explain as to why the temple was in Rockaxe, or even why fate had again brought him to this town. However he knew all too well, the necessity of time, and that he was sorely lacking. He was certain the Sir Miklotov and young Futch, whom he tracked, were here, but he was unable to ascertain any leads to their current whereabouts. With a hefty, draining sigh, Genshu made his way to the far steps of the city that divided the city into two fronts. There was a small alcove beneath the stone stairs that may provide some degree of protection from the elements this night, for in his oath of poverty, Genshu could not afford the security of the inn.

However, as he made his way slowly to the western district, the sudden alarm of hysteria tore through the evening air. It was well into the night, and the cries of distress would alert one to the probability of thievery or murder. Curiosity, though a virtue not permitted in the temple, was a trait Genshu had never the courage to shed. Thus, he made his way to the square, where mobs of shouting citizens began to demand an answer. Lying in a pool of blackish blood, the effects caused by having already partially dried, was the body of an older man, well into his twilight, yet seemingly well respected, as was the consensus of the screaming mob.

Genshu, satisfied with his view, chose to remain in the shadows, hidden from the crowd, yet he felt cowardly doing so, like a thieving ninja. However, despite his discomfort with his present caution, he remained, watching as an older man, perhaps having recently celebrated his fortieth summer, rode into the midst of the gathered crowd. He was a tall man, with well knowing eyes and a commanding presence or sense of action. Within moments of his arrival, several white knights had already arrived, clearing away the crowd and searching the grounds. This seemed to continue with no true result, and Genshu, feeling this to be a waste of time, began to turn away, but stopped when a man in a blue knights uniform marched toward the elder man instructing the search. For the briefest of moments, Genshu thought him to be his query Miklotov, but saw the bright red hair and knew him to be someone else.

The exchange between the older commander and the younger blue knight was brief, but Genshu could see the sense of determination and perhaps, unease concerning the situation before them. Then, with a few inaudible words to the younger knight, the elder mounted his horse. Though for a moment, his eyes strayed across the scene, and rested purposely upon the darkened alley where Genshu now stood. For but a moment, he stared into the shadow, piercing Genshu with his eyes, and Genshu, likewise locked eyes with this man, despite knowing he could not be seen in his dark pitch corridor. Though, the man upon his horse turned his steed and rode back toward the castle, leaving the investigation to the younger man.

There was stillness in the air, an unnatural evil that cast itself upon the scene as Genshu felt the cool night air embrace him. And it was then, as he stared at the bashed in skull and lifeless eyes of the old man lying motionless upon the cobblestone street, that Genshu recalled the warning of the temple disciple outside the tavern. Perhaps this was the warning Genshu was given, for it did appear as if this man was one of status. And thus, Genshu knew what was to come.

Closing his eyes slightly as if concentrating through his mind’s eye, Genshu uttered a simple phrase into the empty night air before returning to his search for a suitable resting place.