novelraw Chapter 47: Uesugi Clan I
Chapter 47: Uesugi Clan I
(A.N.: For whatever reason, some traditional cultures from every continent still exist in this world. We’re talking warlords, shamans, the Dahomey Amazons, the Zulu and Nubians of Africa. Ninjas, the Shi, Rajput, and samurai from Asia. Aboriginal warriors from Australia. Knights, Spartans, and Vikings from Europe. Eagle and Jaguar warriors, the Comanche, Apache, and Mohawk from North America. The Inca, Mapuche, and Guecha from South America.
I want to weave as much of our world’s real cultures into this novel as I possibly can. That means I have a lot of research to do. And please if I get something wrong, tell me.)
The Uesugi Clan was made up mostly of awakened people who followed the ancient laws of samurai and ninjas.
Over time, cultures and people had mixed together so much that they were almost impossible to tell apart but some old ways still remained.
The Uesugi was one such clan, they followed the paths of ancient Japan, though not as strictly as their ancestors.
The Uesugi clan had a large compound that could comfortably house more than three hundred people, and it did.
The buildings were styled like old Japanese architecture with wooden walls, curved roofs, paper screens and stone paths winding through gardens.
Their logo was a cedar tree.
The clan mostly worked in mercenary and guarding jobs... offering security for hire, protection for caravans and bodyguards for the wealthy.
On the downlow, they also traded information and from what Jensen had gathered, this Uesugi family was a branch of a branch of the main clan.
He walked toward the main gate and once he was close enough, two guards standing by the gate spoke in unison.
"Halt and identify yourself." Their voices were sharp and their hands moved to their weapons threatening but not drawing.
Jensen stopped.
"I am here to see your clan head," Jensen said. "Send him a picture and tell him I am here."
The guards froze for a second and they exchanged a glance. Then one of them pulled out his communication device and sent the information to his higher-ups.
Normally, they would be informed if an important person was visiting and there was no one coming for days.
But impromptu visits were not uncommon, sometimes important people just showed up, and the standard procedure was to inform the higher ups.
Letting them decide.
But the young man in front of them did not look like someone important. He was too young and he had no entourage as well as nothing fancy car.
Still, the guards did not dismiss him.
In this world, you never knew who you were speaking to. The wrong word could send you to an immediate grave.
So, they waited, while a waste of time, it wouldn’t be too hard to throw him out after confirming.
A few minutes passed before the guard’s communication device buzzed. He looked at the screen and his eyes widened.
He and his partner immediately bowed with their foreheads almost touching the ground.
"Sorry for holding you here, young master."
Jensen glanced at them and nodded then he walked forward.
A small hover cart was approaching. It looked like a golf cart but hovered a few inches off the ground.
The cart stopped not far away and a lady stepped out.
Jensen got a proper view of her now.
She was wearing a green kimono and the fabric seemed rich with subtle patterns on it. But the cedar tree symbol was etched clearly into the cloth, right over her heart.
She stepped out and stopped and waited for him to approach her.
Jensen walked until he was a few feet away then he stopped.
She bowed; her body bent at almost a sixty-degree angle with her hands rested on her knees and her head was low.
"Please come in," she said. "Welcome to the Uesugi clan. We have been humbly waiting for you."
Jensen caught the guards’ reactions. The way their backs straightened to her presence.
He knew immediately that he was speaking to an important member of the family, but he was also sure this was not Daisaku’s granddaughter.
"Thank you for having me," Jensen said as he gave her a small nod.
"Please." She stretched her hand toward the hover cart. "Master Daisaku is expecting you."
Jensen stepped into the cart first and she stepped in after him.
They sat in silence as the cart glided deeper into the compound.
They passed several people along the way. Men and women going about their business and they gave a small bow as they passed beside them.
Until they arrived in what seemed to be the inner courtyard and it was beautiful.
A large cedar tree grew in the centre; its trunk was thick with branches spread wide.
A small pond surrounded the base of the tree, and the water was clear with beautiful ornamental fishes swimming in lazy circles.
Daisaku sat on a small wooden platform near the pond. He was dressed simply and with bare feet. There was a ceramic teapot sat on a low table beside him with two cups.
He was enjoying his tea, his eyes were half closed, and his body seemed to be relaxed.
But the moment he saw Jensen; he stood up and offered a small bow. Not as deep as the lady beside him but still respectful.
"Young Master Jensen," Daisaku said. "Welcome to my humble abode. Please, come have a seat."
He stepped forward and took Jensen’s hand and pulled Jensen gently toward the platform.
"Please," Daisaku said again. "Sit."
Jensen nodded. He removed his shoes and stepped onto the wooden platform.
He sat cross-legged on a cushion while Daisaku sat across from him and the low table sat between them.
"I believe you have met my adopted daughter, Kairi." Daisaku gestured toward the woman standing at the entrance of the courtyard.
Jensen glanced at the lady that had brought him there, she stood perfectly still with her hands were folded in front of her.
"Indeed," Jensen said. "She is beautiful."
Daisaku smiled proudly at Jensen’s comment like the compliment was meant for him.
"I am sorry for not coming to welcome you into my home personally," Daisaku said as he bowed his head again. "The family has been on edge ever since I returned injured from the forest. I hope sending my adopted daughter shows just how much you mean to me."
Jensen waved his hand. "I do not care much for such etiquette."
Daisaku nodded before he reached for the teapot. He poured tea into one cup and handed it to Jensen then he poured his own cup and brought it to his lips.
He took a sip, closed his eyes and savoured the flavour for a few seconds.
Then he opened his eyes and looked at Jensen.
Jensen was staring at the cup in his hand; the liquid was pale green, and smell was surprisingly good given the weird green leaves floating around without addictive.
He brought it to his lips and took a sip.
Daisaku nodded, a small gesture of thanks to Jensen for accepting his show of hospitality.
"I still have not thanked you enough for saving my life," Daisaku said.
Kairi spoke from the doorway; her voice was soft and sincere. "Thank you very much, young master, for saving father’s life."
Jensen turned to her and offered a small smile. "There is no need for your thanks," he said.
Daisaku shook his head. "No, no, no." He leaned forward; his eyes were intense. "Any other person would have left me for dead."
Jensen did not argue this time and simply nodded.
For the next few minutes, they sat in comfortable silence as they drank their tea.
Eventually they began talking about small things like the weather, the types of fishes in the pond, the cedar tree and so on.
Finally, Daisaku set down his cup, and his face grew serious as he turned to Kairi.
"Kai," he said. "Please excuse us. I have something very important to discuss with Young Master Jensen."
Kairi did not hesitate; she bowed and stepped out of the courtyard, pulling the door shut behind her.