Month 1 Excerpts

It was decided that before the year is out, Ryoma will embark upon his genpukku. I can only hope he will be prepared before then. It sounds like they will be sending some people with him – a sensible decision, considering the importance that he makes it through this alive. It seems the only person truly decided on, however, is Bayushi Hansuke – they say it will be a good opportunity for him to prove his goodwill. I can’t help but question the wisdom of this decision, though. I worry that if his intentions are less than pure, sending him with Ryoma will only make it all too easy for him to ensure that Ryoma does not return and blame it on the Shadowlands. Hopefully whoever else is selected is someone a bit more trustworthy, and I will need to make sure that Ryoma is duly cautious, not just of the Scorpion, but of everyone claiming to be his ally...
 
I attended a training session with Suzuha and Ryoma. At first I was just curious about her monastic order, but upon spending time with her, I sensed something off about her. A spiritual inbalance. To my surprise, she took it upon herself to speak with me first. She was exceedingly open about the issue, even when I assured her that what I sensed was not Shadowlands Taint. She explained this condition she has - Past Life Regression she calls it. She is connected to a past life of hers. She said she was a Courtier that seduced a monk. I don't fully understand it, but I saw the effects of it before my very eyes. She took on the mannerism of this past life, and spoke in an accent I do not recognize. Suzuha, it seems, was left at a monastery, abandoned by her parents because of her condition. The monastic path has given her a way to manage her symptoms. Though this wasn't really the answer I was looking for, it is enlightening nonetheless. I do wonder if there is a way to induce such a state, could a descendant of one of our great heroes find a way to channel them so to speak - think of what could be gained.
 
Suzuha herself, in spite of her inbalance, does not seem to be a threat to Ryoma. We will continue to watch her, but I feel comforted by her candor, and I would be lying if I didn't admit to feeling some amount of kinship with her. Perhaps it is because our stories are two sides of the same coin, inverses of each other. While Suzuha was discarded for the potential she held, I was chosen for mine. While Suzuha has pursued a path of enlightenment for mastery of herself and her own growth, I have chosen a path whose only goal is the betterent of my clan. In these differences, I find we are much the same.