Letter to Asahina Hoshiko from Daidoji Sae

[Daidoji Sae]

A neat letter, there are some marks as through the writer paused several times during its construction.

To Asahina Hoshiko, Honourable Priestess of House Yamada


Asahina-san, I was quietly pleased to hear you will also be attending this year's Imperial Winter Court. I have been consumed by my duties which have regrettably diverted my attention away from the upcoming rejoining of our two families. Please pass my sincere apologies on to Nahomi-san and to her parents. I will make the journey to the south when time permits.

In the meantime, I hope you will not mind if I come to call upon you during the winter. I understand you are a skilled priestess and I would welcome your insights into spiritual matters. I would also, at a time of mutual convenience, appreciate the opportunity to reminisce on Keiji-kun with someone who knew him well.

I pray this message reaches you in good health, and I shall be ready to receive any reply.

Until we meet again.

Sae of the Daidoji
[Chop]

[Ping]

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

The return letter bears familiar writing, the calligraphy finer than the paper (which is pretty nice) and filling the pages precisely. It is addressed to Daidoji Sae in care of the Office of the Emerald Magistrates in her last known assigned city.

Daidoji-sama,

Nahomi-chan was terribly sorry but exceedingly understanding that your duty should call you away from planned travels. So much so that she has entreated me to write to your superiors to stress the importance of leave for the betrothal ceremony; which I have agreed to do once the matchmakers, astronomers, and house diviners between our houses have settled upon that date. I'm afraid I have been enlisted to spy upon you and your retinue to ensure you have underlings enough to manage in your absence lest that provide some excuse. I do beg your indulgence and recognition that all her concern is due to her eagerness for this match and the very great esteem she holds you in.

For myself, I am very pleased to learn we will be attending the same court this winter! A happy surprise, and hopefully omen for the season to come. All accounts I have heard paint you the most flattering light, from your noble husband's brief happiness, which certainly must have stood him well in his transition to otherworldly courts, to Nahomi's inability to speak of much else of late. So I look forward to finally meeting one who fate has seen fit to send across my path from so many angles. Surely that means something?

If you have a specific spiritual matter on your mind, I would appreciate a hint of the general arena it lies in. Some advance intelligence does help one come prepared when they must pick and choose what treatises and tools to pack amid all the necessary elements for so august a court. I am, of course, always open to discussion of such topics and am dutybound to offer guidance as I am able, of course.

May all your roads be clear.

Hoshiko of House Yamata of the Asahina
<stamped with chop of same>

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

A reply letter arrives soon, marked with a faint smudge of dirt as if written from a campfire.

Asahina-san, I can share good news for your intelligence gathering. I have been informed that I will be meeting the new yoriki assigned to myself at the upcoming winter court. If she is capable then I should, with the blessing of Lady Amaterasu, be able to take a leave of absence. In truth, it pains me to leave any task unfinished, but I could not bear the thought of asking Nahomi-san to again wait on my delay.

My duties have taken me far afield, but I pray the messenger is able to bring this letter safely to the nearest waystation. I can at least be sure there will be no local bandits to bother him.

I confess I do not have much knowledge of signs and portents, but in my wisdom I always try to learn from those who do. If this is as it should be, then I will not question it. As to your question on specific spiritual matters, it would be seeking your advice on how best to show respect to those who have passed. It would perhaps be easiest to explain in person, if I can beg your patience.

Please pass my regards on to Nahomi-san, she is never far from my thoughts, as well as a short poem, if you would be so good as to do so. Although I confess I am far more skilled with a blade than a blush:

I want to see you

And to meet you out there

Stepping on the thin ice.



With my sincere regards, until we meet.

Sae of the Daidoji

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

A fresh autumn maple leaf, brilliantly red, is pressed within the folds of the letter, leaving a faint impression across the note itself.

You've skills enough to raise a blush at least. Nahomi-chan was quite charmed when I showed her your letter, and I believe you are quite forgiven in your delays. Do not be surprised if she sends me to court with tokens to pass along.

I do hope your expected yoriki meets all expectations. Otherwise, I have been asked to see to her education with all haste...something I fear may not be particularly politic, even with the great leeway offered to those on spiritual paths. I have not heard that the Emerald office is particularly open to such meddling!

As to other matters, patience I have in abundance, leaving the winds to carry all haste and restlessness for me. I shall be pleased to offer what counsel I may. As the topic touches solidly upon my studies and duties, I have some confidence of being of use. It sounds like a proper conversation for tea--by the river I'm told runs near to the court, perhaps?

I hope this finds you in your travels before the winter begins. It must be trying to settle so seldom.

Hoshiko of House Yamata of the Asahina
<stamped with chop of same>

ps: My patience is not shared, and I am begged to enclose a token in advance of the winter.

Closer examination of the leaf reveals characters painted between the veins on the back of the leaf.

Summer grasses wave
The wild deer loses his way
Hope breathes through paper

Grasses reveal spring pathways.
And I, on the thinning ice.

[Daidoji Sae]

Although no further letter was sent from the Daidoji, if Hoshiko guessed the Magistrate would find the hidden poem more than a little charming, she would have been right.

And in a couple weeks news of a small skirmish with some unimportant bandits might eventually filter down the various gossip networks before being quickly forgotten again over the succession speculation.