A few weeks later Kiyoshi finds himself knee-deep in mud and sludge as he journeys across swamp waters to reach his new mission. As gas bubbles form on the surface of the swamp water burst into malodours, the smell of toxins and decay fills the air. The croaking of dozens of frogs fills the air with such substandard melodies it almost drove the samurai mad hearing it. The water was so thick and dark that visibility was impossible.
"What group of people choose to live in such a place?" Kiyoshi thought to himself as he traverse the wasteland. Outside the swamp, Kiyoshi finds a small pond. The water wasn't one hundred percent clean. But it would have to do to wash the mud off the samurai's clothing. As his clothes dry on some nearby trees. Kiyoshi relaxes on a rock as Lilly asks him what their new mission entails.
"Am not sure, all master told me is that it should be a simple mission and that I would get all the info from the client," remarked Kiyoshi. "I wonder what type of mission it is? it is not like him to keep you in the dark," replied Lilly. "I know, but he must have a good reason for it, so I won't question his decision," remarked Kiyoshi.
As the night sets in, Kiyoshi decides to set up camp and continue his journey in the morning. As he sits by the fire, eating bread and fried fish he caught earlier. He reminisces about all that he has done up to this point. He wonders if it made a difference to the people he helped. Could he right the many wrongs in his life? "Too late now to think about that." he thinks to himself as he outs the fire and heads to bed under the starry night sky.
As he drifts off into deep slumber, his nightmares begin to manifest. Same as usual, him as a young boy being attacked by a group of boys by the river bank. His eyes turn a demonic red and the noon sky turns a hellish black. But unlike before, the dream doesn't end with the sky turning black. Now the ground beneath him starts releasing a blackish sludge-like substance, which bubbles as it continues to flow. Ghoulish hands appear from the surface of the sludge, but before the faces of hands could be relieved, Kiyoshi awakes. Breathing heavily and cold sweat running down his back.
He composes himself, recollecting his breath as the bags around his eyes vanish. With a gloomy look on his face, he gathers his supplies and continues on his journey. After a few hours of traversing through the forest, he finds himself in a meadow. In the far distance were several tent-like structures. "That must be the location," Kiyoshi remarked to himself as he made way to the site.
As he walks through the village, the people stare at him with curiosity and worried looks on their faces, as if they have never seen anyone outside of their village before. As he continues on his way, he can notice that there were only women in the village. Their clothing comprised fur cloaks and skirts with feathers of various birds are decors. "Where are all the men in this village? Is this just a village of women?" Kiyoshi to himself.
But before Kiyoshi can finish gathering his thoughts, he felt a sharp pain in his neck. As he turned to the side, he found a spear was poking him in his neck, causing a small amount of blood to be drawn. The wielder of the spear was a man about in his late twenties with a tall, muscular body. He wore only a pair of pants made of bear fur and two feathers on top of his long black hair. His skin was a shade of fresh clay with several scars and markings, suggesting he was a warrior of some kind. His eyes were dark brown and had a crazed look in them.
"State your business here stranger before you lose your head." replied the man in a furious tone of voice. Kiyoshi remained silent, which made the young man grow angrier by the second. "So you refuse to answer me, then die you bastard." shouted the man as he swings his spear. "Stop Madoka!" shouted an old man appearing from one of the tents.
"But chief, this man is a stranger who refuses to tell me why he is here." Replied the young man. "But I know why he is here." Replied the old man. "You do? Why?" asked the young man.
"Because I summoned him here, Madoka. Now drop your weapon. Commanded the old man.
Madoka dropped his weapon and proceeded in the opposite direction, staring down Kiyoshi as he did so. "Come inside samurai, we have much to discuss." remarked the old man as Kiyoshi followed him inside the tent. Inside the tent was marvelous as paints of animals filled the walls. Statues and other decors also covered the entire area. As the old man sat down, Kiyoshi could finally observe him. He was at least seventy years old, as wrinkles covered his face. His gray hair looked like the fur of a wolf. As he wore pants and a shirt made from bear and fox skin. On top of his head was a crown-like structure made of long peacock feathers. At least fifty feathers ranging from one foot to three feet tall. In his hand was a staff man of oak wood with a blue marble on the top.
The old man smiled as he watched Kiyoshi taking in the tent's atmosphere. "So you're the client?" asked Kiyoshi, breaking the silence. "Yes, I am. My name is Enyeto and I am the chief of this village." Replied the old man. "So what's the mission that I am here for?" asked Kiyoshi. "Ah yes, why are you here? Let's get to that, shall we?" replied Enyeto.
"Cheyenne, Cheyenne." Shouted Enyeto calling out to someone. Soon, a young woman appeared in front of them. She was in her early twenties, her skin was like brown sugar with no imperfections on it. Her Hair was a midnight shade of black whilst her dark brown eyes were cosmic and mesmerizing. She wore a long off white dress with red strips running across it. As well as a headband with two peacock feathers sticking out from the back as her hair was placed in a ponytail.
She bowed her head as she greeted the two men and sat next to Enyeto. "Yes, father, you called?" asked the young lady. "Yes, my child, this man in front of you is here to escort you new home," replied Enyeto. "I understand, father." Replied the young lady. "Cheyenne is my only child. I need you to escort her and make sure she is safe," remarked Enyeto. "To where?" asked Kiyoshi.
"To Shangdow port where a Xeng ship will be waiting to carry her to Xeng." express Enyeto. "Why Xeng if I may ask?" replied Kiyoshi. "Two months ago my daughter was at the port gathering medicine when the prince of Xeng, prince Wang Lei, saw my daughter and wanted to make her his wife. He was so taken back by Cheyenne that he broke it off with his girlfriend and refused to marry unless it was with my daughter. They even send messengers with presents and even offered protection and a better life for our people in return for my daughter's hand in marriage." Replied Enyeto.
"Why doesn't the prince or better yet a group of Xeng soldiers come for her instead of me bringing her to them?" asked Kiyoshi, confused by the unfolding events. "The prince and queen are worried if they do that, then other nations might find out and try to kill my daughter to eliminate the possibility of future Xeng heir. Replied Enyeto. "I understand you might not agree with this but this is best for my people, so please help us." cried Enyeto.
"I never turn down a mission, so when do we leave?" stated Kiyoshi. " In the morning, you and a group of my finest warriors will escort her," replied Enyeto. "But tonight we feast under the stars. He continued.
Later that night, the villagers gather around a gigantic fire as they dance, ate, and played music. Kiyoshi sat among them as Enyeto and Cheyenne appeared. "Tonight we celebrate not only the union of two people but the union of two cultures, as my daughter Cheyenne travels tomorrow to marry prince Wang Lei," remarked Enyeto. "Tonight, our spirit animals and ancestors smile upon us as they give their blessing for this union to come to pass." Cheyenne, my daughter I have loved ever since I held you. Your mother would be so proud of you right now." Enyeto expressed. "Thank you, father," replied Cheyenne.
Enyeto drips his fingers a blow of red mud as passes his fingers alongside Cheyenne's face, making a pattern. He then dips into his pockets and pulls out a necklace with an eagle pendant on it, and places it around Cheyenne's neck. "May our ancestor guide you and may your spirit animal protect you on this journey as mine has for me," remarked Enyeto as he pulls out a necklace with a bear pendant from around his neck. "Thank you, father." Replied Cheyenne. "Now that the ritual is finished, we can all celebrate," shouted Enyeto as women grab Cheyenne to dance.
Enyeto approaches Kiyoshi with Madoka alongside him. "Samurai, you have met Madoka before. He is my top warrior and will be in charge of Cheyenne's escort service," announced Enyeto. "Madoka, you are my greatest warrior. I am counting on you to protect Cheyenne. The samurai will be at your service to achieve that task. Be safe and protect her." remarked Enyeto. " I will not fail you, chief," replied Madoka. "Good. Now that all the formalities are out of the way, let's celebrate," shouted Enyeto as he rejoins the other villagers in the festivities.
With Enyeto gone, Madoka whispers into Kiyoshi's ears. "You heard the chief. You follow my commands and if you slip up you're dead." With Both Enyeto and Madoka gone, Kiyoshi resides himself alone holding his head. "I thought you said this was going to be a straightforward mission?" asked Lilly for the deeps of the sword. " I thought so too, but let's just enjoy the night and relax will deal with the rest in the morning," replied Kiyoshi as he looks on at the celebrations awaiting the morning to come.