Kijuro marched along with the other men from the village; the trek was going to be several days towards the south east to the first major city near Naebashi. From there they would be trained and prepared to join the forces gathering in the south. He didn’t resent the empire for doing what they did, Kijuro was a man of honor and he understood a citizen’s duty to the defense of the nation they called home and benefited from the security it provided. After years of surviving in the whild he only cared about one thing in this world and that was his family. He was going to survive this war and make it home he swore to the heavens he would.
Kijuro in his youth had done many less than honorable things prior to meeting his wife, but when he met her he put aside his brash brigand ways and adapted to being a humble huntsman on the outer edge of the empire. After many years his heart had softened and he was no longer a man who cared much for violence.
Knowing he would be part of the ranger division gave him some confidence while rangers were put into dangerous situations they also had high survival rates due to each one having to learn how to fend alone and as a team.
With his skills he firmly believed he would succeed. “I will return to your girls.” he whispered to himself as he watched the grasslands sway in the wind.
…
On the distant horizon spires began to fill the sky poking like little needles into the blue curtain above. As Rize and the company approached the Imperial capital Xi’an of the Sato Empire it became clear the sheer enormity of it. Rize had never seen anything even remotely close to it. The city was nestled up next to a green mountain range which would stretch from there all the way to the southern tip of the empire's territory.
Rize couldn’t suppress the excitement in her heart as she made her way towards the capital even though she still longed for her father and mother this was something that she couldn’t wait to experience. This was a fulfillment of all the dreams she would have when she talked about the world outside of Naebashi.
Approaching the city gates Captain Takeda showed his badge and the guards immediately let the small wagon train come through. The gates were twenty feet high and at least wide enough for 4 of the wagons to go through side by side. This was only one of the numerous entrances into the city and it screamed power and authority. The sight beyond the gate was something completely unreal to Rize as hundreds of people walked to and fro from every direction. Countless chatter and voices filled the area.
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The sound of blacksmiths hammering and shop doors opening and closing assaulted her senses. Rize was used to the quiet almost bewitching silence of the village with the occasional rustel of the trees that came from the Great Northern Forest. They made their way further inwards before they came to a huge complex surrounded by white stone walls with the symbol of a Phoenix on the face of it. These walls were not as domineering as the city walls themselves, but were still larger than the surrounding buildings. Quickly they were hurried as a group into the complex as they dismounted the wagons.
Once inside the noise of the city became a minor buzz before them were numerous buildings many stories high and larger than most of the buildings the shows used in the other parts of the city they traveled through.The area was meticulously cared for and was full of trees and ponds.
“Captain Takeda!” an old voice came from in front of them as a man descended the stairs of one of the main buildings “it has been a while hasn’t it? I wasn’t expecting you to personally bring more potential recruits so soon!”
Takeda bowed immediately when he saw the face of the man. “Grandmaster Zhou! It is truly an honor to see you again!” Takeda smiled as he gestured to the children “The recruits are ready to be evaluated.”
“Fantastic, we just began to process this months recruits anyways and we will throw them into the mix.” A hopeful look shone in his eyes as he observed the group of children. Rize felt slightly at ease similar to the feeling she got from Mr. Itakura. Rize was growing slightly restless as she had heard so many wonderful stories of magic users and if she had the opportunity to learn it, she would seize the chance.
Grandmaster Zhou chuckled as he led the way “now children follow me.”
Without saying a word Rize and the rest of the group followed him into the main building. Clenching her fist she knew that this was her opportunity just as her father always told her to not hesitate she went in with as much boldness and confidence as she could.