The Swordsman From a Foreign Land

Town 1: Arrival

I had fallen asleep to the long, gentle rocking of the ship. As a trapdoor in the roof had opened, sunlight flooded in from above. It filled  my temporary abode as well as waking me. I was sitting, leaning against some crates  when my hands reacted, shielding the eyes to the brightness.  My sight blurred for the moment as I sat still. I was carefully listening to the sounds that might be anyone approaching for the duration of my stunned state. Although it didn't last long, I was a little worried someone might attack. In the year I remained, I have scarcely been challenged. That doesn't excuse me from letting my guard down though. After all, I was heading to a new continent. I expected nothing to be the same. I also didn't expect it to be any better.

The last continent was full of large hawks on four legs with a slender tail. For the years I spent with them, I picked up their language without forgetting mine. They referred to themselves as 'Gryphons,' but have seemed no different in behavior than what I was used to two years ago in Japan; they were all predictable. Some had shops and some picked fights. Some had children and some acted like children. But they all had one thing in common: the desire for something more out of themselves. This could be as simple as making decent food or as complex as obtaining a high position.

They didn't see themselves as who they were, but who they wanted to be. I was not used to that. Either I hadn't noticed people like that, or there were significantly less who took on that ambition. This desire was all the Gryphons talked about. They were serious about it as well. Plotting it like a great thievery or assassination attempt.

I had sat up with my left hand holding the sword to my hip. After deciding my vision was fine and ready for the sun, I had moved my hand off my eyes. Grabbing my bag with the now empty hand, I flung it over my shoulder and held onto the strap. I turned my head to a clatter. A platform was lowered by a cable to my right. On the my left a few horses with a conversation came passed tall stacks of crates and into the much larger cargo space where I was. I had not paid attention to their exchange, but they were laughing. It must have been gossip or a joke. After the laughter ended, the sight of a man with a Katana brushed off their smiles. We all must have been thinking the same thing. What an odd sight.

We stood and stared at each other for a few moments, intimidated and wary, before I cautiously tread for their direction. As I got closer, they backed away with equal caution. I stood about a half shaku taller than them. Eventually I came so close they moved to the sides of the narrow hall made by stacked crates of varying sizes. They were four and I was one. Two on either side of me. My right hand was holding my satchel over the shoulder. My left hand near the guard of my sword. The only direction I looked was forward, trapping them all in my peripheral vision until they were behind. After we passed, I was tensing myself, focusing my breathing and the sound of their steps. I didn't start to relax again until I felt we were at a comfortable distance. They started another conversation as I continued walking, but they didn't seem to think I could hear them.

Seems 'Gryphon' is a common language. Coincidental or lucky for me."What was that all about?" I can't describe the voices well enough, so I will call this Voice 1.

Voice 2 was quick with a retort, "How do you expect me to know? I've never seen anything like that before."

"Do you think it was a monkey like that Tirek from a few months ago?" I stopped to listen in. Voice 3 had managed to interest me. If I am in a new land, I should learn of things to avoid or go towards. In a worry it stated, "He showed up out of nowhere and took every pony's magic!"

Voice 2 again, "Even if that thing was like Tirek, I'm sure the princesses and elements can stop that thing's evil, whatever it may be."

This must've been a new voice, because it was much softer. "If it makes you feel better, we could report it after we move all these boxes." Voice  4 dismissed.

"She's right," Voice 3 told. "We can't do anything until we relieve ourselves from our job." The voices' stomachs groaned before Voice 3 continued. "And get some lunch, I guess."

I peeked around the corner to see that they were placing boxes onto the platform. I made note as I saw it was being hoisted into the air by what I assumed to be some kind of crane. Continuing my walk, I eventually came across a large open door on the right side. This was the same entrance I took earlier to board the ship. Light emanated from this door. I progressed and with each step I saw more of the world beyond as well as a wide, sloping plank. Assuming the plank led to the dock, I stopped to check my bag before recommencing. I still had my two books: "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto and "Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō" by the Shogun. I had a diminishing polishing kit for my sword, makeshift fire starters I make when I can, a poor quality knife for general purpose and string for use as a fishing line.