Rising from his makeshift seat on the grassy knoll, Genshu rose, and walked casually to the gates of Muse. It was an elaborate city gate, the crest of the city embroidered upon the thick, iron doors.

“Please state your business in Muse.” One of the guards stated, as Genshu approached the gate.

Genshu did not respond. He reached into the folds of his robe, and removed the written letter from Lord Makai. Handing it to the guard, Genshu waited as the guard read over the document, and, stealing a suspicious glance toward the samurai, finally handed the letter back to Genshu, and opened the gate.

Genshu entered the city, his eyes adjusting to the mass number of buildings and populace that crowded the streets of this vast city. It was most expansive, and easily recognizable as to why this was the capital of the City-State. The capital building, a large monument to the greatness of Jowston, was an architectural masterpiece. A collage of finely sculpted marble and stone, though much more elegant than the capital of TwoRivers, yet far more modest than the castle of Rockaxe, Muse was a political center, displaying both, the power and glory of Jowston, yet the conservative nature of a ruler in tuned with the needs of the people.

Yet despite the hope that cascaded from the city and its lord, a certain fear permeated from the inhabitants. It was almost a strangled, despairing fear that filtered from the citizens, as they all seemed to share the common concern. Though Genshu entered Muse, his desire to end this war before it could start, he could not disregard the concerns of these people. Something was truly wrong here. Surely the massacre of the Unicorn Youth Brigade would not extend this emotional fear, and the pending war was not public knowledge. This fear extended from another source, and Genshu hoped beyond hope, he was wrong.

Seeing as time was a precious commodity, Genshu choose to forgo settling in, and walked to the gate of the Capital Building. He was pleased with the modesty of this establishment. Genshu determined that not one wasted corner was occupied by cobwebs. This was a truly efficient, and well-run city. Genshu paused to ask the whereabouts of the mayor’s office, before walking up the stairs, and standing outside the door.

“May I ask your business here sir.” An attendant inquired, barding the door. Genshu did not respond, but reached into the folds of his robe once more, and removed the letter of introduction from Lord Makai. The attendant read over the letter, studying the words, as well as the handwriting. As he did so, a tall, thin man with coal black hair and a ragged face, exited the mayor’s office, hurrying to fulfill the commands of his employer. He looked at Genshu with suspicious curiosity, through eyes that seemed to fight a losing battle against fatigue. And as quickly as he exited the room, to fulfill whatever mission he had been directed to undertake, he disappeared through the exit of the building, his pace a mild form of chaos. Genshu merely shook his head at the wonder that was politics.

“Excuse me for one moment sir.” The attendant stated, entering the mayor’ s office with the letter of introduction. Genshu stood, patiently awaiting the return of the little clerk and was surprised as the attendant returned with a rather short, mouse-brown haired individual.

The gentleman in a rather distinguished vest and suit, studied the letter of introduction and then turned his attention to Genshu. “Greetings Master Genshu,” the younger man stated, in his most business-like manner. “I am the assistant Mayor, Lord Jess. I see you come with the introduction of Lord Makai from TwoRivers.”

“Yes Lord Jess.” Genshu responded, bowing to the younger man. Though he could not understand this feeling, there was something he did not trust about him.

“I must apologize for the suddenness of this greeting, however, we are in the middle of an extremely important meeting, and I will not be able to speak with you about the reason for your coming to Muse today. However, I will have a room prepared for you at our Inn and I shall summon you tomorrow so we may discuss this. Now, if you will excuse me.” And with that, Lord Jess turned and vanished behind the thick, wooden door.

Genshu had had his dealings with lords and politicians enough to recognize the disarming tactics presented by Lord Jess. It was apparent that he did not trust Genshu fully, but he had agreed to meet with him tomorrow. He would simply have to wait until then to state his purpose.

Genshu exited the large city building, his mind reflected on the news he received from Lord Makai concerning the missing children. He would never understand the confusion concerning the abduction of the helpless and defenseless, despite having unknowingly been a part of such atrocities himself. That was one of the main reasons he chose to leave the Temple of the Silver Moon. He would forever be haunted by his crimes within the walls, disobeying his master, leaving Marai, the only woman he had ever loved, and failing to save her, when she ultimately paid the punishment meant to be his, which cost her life. Genshu would never forgive himself. Had he not left, had he obeyed the orders of his master and continue to be the person, the samurai he should have been, he would not have dishonored himself, he would not have left the woman he loved die for his disgrace, and he would not have allowed Sai to take the temple and corrupt it worse than it had ever been. And now, the fears of the people within this town, have caused Genshu to realize his greatest fear, the Temple has come to Jowston.

Genshu continued his walk through the ever-darkening city, his mind filling with the building conflict, when a darting shadowed caught his eye. Slowly, Genshu walked toward source of the shadow, a corner by the inn of Muse. Standing at the corner, Genshu recognized the scent he had not smelled in the longest time, a scent of a fleeting dream.

“I got your letter.” Stated a voice, concealed within the shadows of the vanishing sunlight. “You realize what your asking is impossible.”

“Yes, but I have no other options, if the temple has…”

“It is the temple alright.” The shadow said, never moving within the light, yet Genshu did not need to see whom he spoke to.

“As I thought, and they are responsible for the missing children?” Genshu continued.

“Yes.”

“Then I will need your help.”

A long, drawn silence only added to the eerie atmosphere of the ever darkening and sparsely populated streets, yet this samurai, and this shadow were unconcerned by the atmosphere of the city. For these two rarely feared anything.

“Very well,” the voice responded. “But I want…”

“You’ll have it.” Genshu stated, turning from the corner and walking into the inn. He had become so weary from the stress and emotion draining him from the past few weeks that he did not even recall finding his room, or lying on his bed, he merely fell asleep.

Yet it seem only mere moments before Genshu was awakened by the same, sterling figure who had assulted him though his visions and dreams. The man, fully clothed in the garb of the Temple of the Silver Moon, stood, his sadistic grin splitting the silence of the evening like a callous murderer, stealing through the night.

Genshu had no time to react, as the man standing before him, his black hair shining like strands of silver in the moonlight, grabbed the sleeping samurai by his cloak, and threw him effortlessly into the opposite wall. Genshu flew through the air, slammed into the wall and slumped to the ground. He not only had to battle the brunt of the unexpected attack, but the looming fatigue as well.

But as Genshu crouched on the ground, attempting to shake the haze from his mind, his attacker again came at him, grabbing the dazed samurai by the throat and lifting him off the ground with but one arm. Genshu fought furiously with the stun and shock seeping into his mind, as he glared defiantly at his antagonist, yet he seemed unable to counter this man in any way.

“I am disappointed in you Lord Genshu.” The man spoke, his icy voice sending chills through the haunting night. “You have become weak in your servitude to the righteous. The temple, however, is not above giving a second chance. I will let you live, for tonight. But remember, you will burn in the pits of your own dishonor.” And with these words, this intruder released his grip, and allowed Genshu to slump to the ground. Genshu attempted to rise, but fell to the embrace of fatigue, and succumbed to his own exhaustion.

It wasn’t until a knock at his door woke the samurai, that he painfully lifted himself off the floor. Tired, hurt, and growing increasingly distracted by these assaults from this unknown man, Genshu absentmindedly wiped away the drying blood trickling from his lip. Even in life, he could not recall this man, or his connection to his past. It would have to wait however, as the knock at his door shook him from his thoughts.

Painfully rising to his feet, Genshu opened the door and was greeted by two, heavily armed guards.

“Lord Jess will meet with you now.” The guard stated, leading Genshu out of the inn and into the street. Yet as they stepped into the brightly lit streets, they were all too aware of the frantic screams of a woman, racing through the streets.

“Dillon!” The woman screamed, tears painting her reddened eyes as she clutched a blanket in her hands, the blanket which belonged to a young child. “DILLON!!!!” The woman screamed, until she finally collapsed on the hard earth, her neighbors and friends rushing to comfort her.

“Dammit.” Said one of the guards. “Not again.”

The three continued in an uncomfortable silence, reaching the hall in but a few short moments.

“Sir” one of the guards stated, stopping Genshu before he could enter the conference room to where he was to meet with Lord Jess. “Your weapon, if you please, sir.”

Genshu cursed himself. He had been so distracted by his nightly visitor, and the horrifying screams of the mother, that he had forgotten his weapon, or his traditional greeting when meeting a lord. Even with the struggles of the country, Genshu should not have forgotten these most basic things.

Removing his sword and holding it out before him, Genshu bowed deeply as the guard took possession of the weapon. Genshu entered the room, to see it as being almost of a courtroom capacity. Apparently this room was designed to hear complaints against individuals of one degree or another.

The large, circular oaken desk, sat elevated above the only chair in this room. Seated in the large, plush office chair behind the elaborate desk, was Lord Jess, at his side, a rather large, dark skinned man, in a blue uniform, his face a sheet of granite as he eyed Genshu with cautious suspicion. Genshu also noticed a number of other armed guards surrounding the chamber, consisting of four solders and six archers. This appeared to be a bad sign to Genshu.

“Sir Genshu, please take a seat. I apologize that Lady Anabelle is not available to hear your petition, but she has matters of her own to attend to.” Lord Jess stated, pausing to wait as Genshu bowed to both him and the large solder shadowing the assistant mayor, and sat in the overly uncomfortable, wooden chair.

“I must beg your forgiveness for the apparent distrust in you.” Jess stated, removing a watch from his vest pocket and examining the time. “It ’s not that we do not trust you, but after the little incident with Lord Gorudo, let’s just say, we would rather take precaution. Oh yes, allow me to introduce General Hauser.” Jess stated, turning toward the large man standing behind him.

Genshu could feel his skin tighten. He knew Gorudo would cause him trouble, even after their meeting. And now, that difficulty was all too apparent.

“Though, if not for your letter of introduction from Lord Makai, I doubt we would have taken you seriously.” Jess stated, arrogantly leaning back in his chair as he continued to study Genshu. Jess seemed almost disappointed that Genshu would not express any reaction at all, but continued, despite Genshu’s own display of arrogance.

“However, I must say, Lord Makai is a good man, yet he’s a little blind to the way the world works. I’m sure he was not aware of your little stunt in Rockaxe, and probably doesn’t concern himself with it, but I, on the other hand, am concerned. But I must warn you, that you are in Muse, and the welfare of the citizens is our primary concern, and behavior such as that exhibited in Rockaxe with Lord Gorudo will not be tolerated. So Sir Genshu, what is it you have come to speak about?” Jess stated, again that smug grin, displaying that he had the power as of right now, and he would surely use that power, if he felt it necessary.

“Milord Jess.” Genshu replied, bowing to the assistant Mayor. “I have come from Highland to report the slaughter of the Unicorn Youth Brigade. The citizens of Highland are angered by this carnage, and seek retribution for these crimes. Though the government of Highland blames the City-State, and wishes to renew the war against Jowston, as a warrior myself, I know the impossibility to invade a country without detection. I am also aware that the government of Highland is using the anger of the people to further fuel their war. I have come to warn you of this, in the hope that you may stay the war before needless lives are lost.” Genshu finished his speech, and returned to his seat.

All through this dissertation, Jess sat unmoving, his elbows reclining on the arm rests of his chairs, his fingers folded together. He was cautiously ignoring eye contact with Genshu, as he listened to the remarks of this samurai. And finally leaning forward on his desk, his hands folding and resting just below his nose, covering his mouth, Jess studied the samurai, and finally answered him. “Yes, I am aware of the plans of Highland.” Jess returned, leaning back into the reclining, casual posture that he used to further dig into his visitors.

“Then, if you know of Highland’s plan, you must stop them.” Genshu stated.

“Tell then, Sir Genshu,” Jess answered, continuing to recline in his chair. “What would you have me do? We have sent delegates to Highland, hoping to reaffirm the peace treaty. We have opened all means of communications at our disposal, in the hope to avert this crisis. The only thing we have not done was to apologize for the murder of the Unicorn Youth Brigade, which in itself is an admittance of our non-existent guilt, and a declaration of war. I know this isn’t easy, but I assure you, we are doing everything within our power to prevent this war. But as for the information you have provided us. We have suspected for some time this to be the case, your report only proves our theories. I thank you for your time, Sir Genshu. That will be all.”

But as Lord Jess had dismissed Genshu, the samurai refused to leave.

“Is there something else you wish to speak about?” Jess pursued.

“Yes milord. I have heard tales of children, within the confines of the city, disappearing. If you will allow me, I would like to grant my assistance in this matter.” Genshu responded.

“Interesting, and where have you heard these ‘tales’?” Jess continued.

“From Lord Makai, milord.”

“Typical.” Jess deduced, reclining even further back, and staring at the ceiling of the vast chamber. “He doesn’t concern himself in the politics of the City-State, but he is more than willing to spread these rumors.” Jess then turned his eyes toward Genshu. “What do you know of these abductions?”

“Only what you will tell me, milord.” Genshu answered.

Jess smiled smugly at this comment. Somehow, in his twisted little political mind, he liked the comment, and he saw in Genshu, a man, who wasted his talent in warfare, and should have pursued politics, or law. “Very well. The abductions began roughly a week ago, yet in that time, 13 cases, including one today, has been reported. This is not something we would ignore, but with the Highland crisis looming, we only have so many resources to employ in dealing with such a problem. If you would care to investigate, I would be pleased to accept your offer.”

“Of course milord.” Genshu stood, and bowed to Jess and General Hauser before leaving the conference room. He retrieved his sword from the guard, and continued toward the exit. He ventured into the city of Muse, again studying the fear of the townspeople. The fear was thick in this town, like a shroud or cloak of damning anticipation. Genshu walked until he reached the inn, though he did not feel like rest. He walked to the bar and ordered a soothing cup of herbal tea, before finding a place at a secluded corner and taking a seat. Again, he had failed. The war would only be a matter of time now. Nothing, despite his best efforts, could avert the disaster. As Genshu enjoyed the soothing release of this elixir his solitude was broken by a woman, garbed in battle attire and long, flowing brown hair. She was quite attractive, though Genshu had not cared to pay attention to such detail.

“So, I’ve finally found you.” The woman stated, her eyes glittering with determination as she focused on the lone samurai. “I’ve been looking all over town for you, Lord Genshu.”

“And, milady, may I ask who you are, and your business with me?”