The Three Named Men

Life, Identity

On the shores of Oriab, within the new castle which marked Queen's Landing on the map, Hashinara Yoshitakatomo paced back and forth. Her* pondering was interrupted, quite suddenly, by the approach of a young foot soldier. This ashigaru was almost indistinguishable from the other brave souls who had chosen to join the Hashinara on this side of the portal. And yet there was something different about this one.   The sharp cut of his jaw, the confidence which invigorated his bearing, and the flare in his eyes all spoke to this foot soldier being just a bit more than his peers. Perhaps he would even be worthy to have the Princess-Daimyō learn his name. So wrapped up in her* consideration of the man was Yoshitakatomo that she* almost didn't hear the news he'd come to deliver. The horses and procession had been prepared for their journey to Baharna.

Yoshitakatomo took a moment to think. Yes, she* had made a declaration of that sort, hadn't she*? These mortals were clearly too inexperienced with service under her* to know that the Princess-Daimyō rarely traveled anywhere by foot or horse. What's more, they would yet wait for those who might still join them on this side of the Veil of Dreams. Still, this earnest young man might provide some entertainment in the interim.   Beginning with his name, Yoshitakatomo teased a few life details out of the man. He was Sada, a young soldier who came through the portal seeking fortune to bestow to his thirteen children back on Earth. Truly, this was a vital man to have so many children so young. Yoshitakatomo guessed, from his enthusiasm, that he was associated with Hosokawa Gracia's squad, which Sada confirmed.   Turning from the man, Yoshitakatomo began a soliloquy. She* mused that many, like Sada, who wished to find a purpose in this new world, in the Dreamlands. Such a major change in one's life warranted a change in one's name as well. Such was tradition among the generals, retainers, family, and adopted members of the clans within the Empire. It would not be unfitting, in the face of his bravery, for Sada to receive a name himself.   So it was that Hashinara Yoshitakatomo, dread Princess of the Hashinara Clan, bestowed upon Sada the surname "Ganzo," that his thirteen children might pride themselves in its tones and follow in his steps to overcome what nightmares may. Sada, now Ganzo Sada, was overcome with emotion. He fell to his knees and thanked the Daimyō for such an honor granted to one as lowly as he. He would wear it with pride. So, too, would his children, once Tōdaisen Nobuhara informed his family in the Earthly realm.   Even after such a grand gesture as that, Yoshitakatomo was not finished. This room had a pair of guards stationed within it as a matter of course, and it was to them that the Princess-Daimyō turned her* attention next. To them, she* gave the names Sakigaki, the pioneer, and Maebure, the harbinger. The two men approached, prostrating themselves as Ganzo Sada had. Now, Ganzo Sada, Sakigaki Mukō, and Maebure Mitsumoto had been brought together by fate. They were humbled, and yet exalted. Together, they were the Three Named Men and their great acts would mark forever the face of the Dreamlands.   For Yoshitakatomo, it was an ordinary mid-morning.   With that business done, the Daimyō informed her* new retainers that she* would be leaving briefly for Baharna in order to retrieve a captain for their ship. In the meantime, the Named Men were to double check that everything was in order in the castle and to increase the supplies of food and water. The three accepted the task with great honor. Then, Yoshitakatomo simply stepped through a shadow and was gone.   This was not the first time the aged Daimyō had cast this spell. Normally, it was as simple as passing through one shadow and out another at one's desired destination. Such things could not be taken for granted in the Dreamlands, however. Perhaps the firmament, the very stuff of this world, was stretched a bit thinner than that of Yoshitakatomo's home. When passing through it, she* seemed to pass through, for a time, somewhere other.   It was a gut-shifting experience, to be one moment casting a familiar spell and the next tumbling through a bizarre otherworldly abyss. Yoshitakatomo seemed to have no control over herself*. She could only plummet into the endless space and watch as great celestial spheres congregated overhead. The orbs moved in complex patterns, passing between and through one another. The closer of them turned and affixed upon Yoshitakatomo's movement, seeming to regard her* in turn. An overwhelming sense of some great presence filled her* mind, until...   As her* foot struck the paving stones of Baharna at an odd angle, Yoshitakatomo almost stumbled. Gods do not, as a rule, trip. So it was that the auspices of the universe came to the Princess-Daimyō's aid and righted her* before anything undignified could occur. She* blinked. It would be important to remember, in the future, that teleporting in the Dreamlands was perhaps not as simple as it was back home. She* had come back this time, but what of next? It was a risk; an unknown.   Shaking the last sensations of that formless enormity from her* head, Yoshitakatomo headed for the docks. Endless void of celestial orbs or no, she* was here to find their captain. The city's Chieftan, Veasna the Elder, had offered a certain individual up for this purpose. The port seemed like the right place to start looking for him.   It was a fair day and the streets were not empty of passerby. Most of them paid Yoshitakatomo little mind. Many Dreamers came through this area on a regular basis, and the ones from Oonai especially were known for their eccentric taste in clothing. Compared to such exotic cuts, Yoshitakatomo's noble robes were hardly noteworthy.   When she* arrived at the dock, the Daimyō spotted her* target immediately. Few could hide from one such as her* in the realm of dreams. Phiruna the Navigator was far in the distance, on a jetty only accessibly by a wall-spanning path on the western side of the port area. He stood with his back to the port, looking out to the sea. It was a corny pose, but probably the only sort of entertainment a man like him could get around Baharna.   As Yoshitakatomo proceeded towards the captain, she* was surprised to spot another familiar face in the crowd. Sasaki Kojirō intercepted the aged Daimyō on the docks, or perhaps their paths had crossed merely by coincidence. Both seemed equally surprised to see the other. After all, Kojirō had thought that Yoshiyuki* had gone back through the portal to Earth, while Yoshitakatomo hardly remembered that they'd left Kojirō behind to train.   Still, now that they had come together again, Kojirō has a request. Hunting Night-gaunts was not cutting it any longer. They were becoming easy prey for a veteran kensei like Kojirō. From the librarian in town, however, she had learned about another type of beast sometimes encountered on Oriab. Called "Star Shamblers," these creatures were normally invisible and apparently quite dangerous. To cut something entirely invisible is what Kojirō would consider the ultimate achievement, one step closer to striking down her nemesis.   For once, Yoshitakatomo hadn't heard of the monster in question. Still, there may be ways to lure on in, using Kojirō as the bait. She* would do it just for the curiosity of encountering such a thing, if not also to keep the kensei from doing something foolish like challenging a Wamp. The two would return to the topic later. Yoshitakatomo told Kojirō of their new base near the portal, and then continued on her* way, set on retrieving that captain for her* vessel.