More and more of their comrades found their way into the commander's room and Gengyo and Matsudaira's quiet was soon interrupted.
"Takeshi," Gengyo said with a smile when he saw the timid smith walk in behind the rest of them.
"M-my Lord," the smith said with a stiff bow, "it is good to see you."
Gengyo rose to meet him. "You've done me well with this sword. If not for it in my hand, then I might have been a dead man by now."
"I'm… I'm very glad to hear it… Has there been any damage to it?" Takeshi asked, struggling to keep the topic steered firmly towards his strengths.
Gengyo drew the blade from his hip and set it down on the table for Takeshi to examine. The blood and the dirt had long since been washed away. It drew the attention of the rest of their comrades.
