“Dimayo Ito has summoned your presence it is a matter of utmost importance. Prepare yourself for a journey. I hear you are to escort valuable cargo.”
Sayuri set her cup down on the table and looked over at the older man who delivered such a message.
“When does Dimayo need me to arrive?”
“First thing in the morning.”
“I shall not disappoint,” she replied her eyes solid and unmoving as they seemed to look off into another time and place.
“Very well,” the messenger said as he arose, “I must inform the others.” He turned to leave.
“Please,” she said interrupting his exit. He stopped and turned back to her as she still sat at her small table, “Please, take some onigiri with you. You must be hungry.”
The man nodded, “You are very kind, Sayuri-sama.”
She nodded, “Take your fill,” she said as she stood up and started walking back further into her tiny home.
In the back room she heard the man take a few before taking his leave. Once again, she was alone. Her eyes grew heavy as she looked upon her late husband's blade.
He died honorably, she thought to herself, couldn't hope for more than that...
- - - - - - -
Affront Daimyo Ito she stood with three other men, one was clearly older than the rest but she had found it unwise to judge someone so quickly. They knelt before the Daimyo as he spoke.
"Today you will set out with Princess Ito to the Province of Izumo. I expect your journey will not be easy but each of you has shown yourselves to be strong and honorable. I trust you will all protect my daughter's life with your own if necessary. You must travel as the common people do so be sure to gather what you need from town. Princess Ito will be joining you at the gates when you are ready to leave."
The conversation was short and forward, no other words need be said. They were dismissed and the eldest of the three men that were now to be companions for such a time had quickly made his leave. Sayuri, however, was already prepared. She made her way to the gates without a word to anyone else. Her attire was simple enough as it stood, but her hair was still quite formal. Having a meeting with the Daimyo himself would do that. She released her long dark hair and let it fall to her shoulders as she looked out to the lands beyond the gate, wondering what lay ahead.