Blackfeather Woods 緑

that fear eases when the man speaks. another of their own. kaede lets herself glimpse him in snatches of flickering lash. he bears more scarring than she has realized, a warrior older than masa-sama or those who follow the samurai.

older, but not ancient.

"i travel with akashita masa and his men," kaede responds, her eyes downcast now in politeness. had he too seen her as a lady? then he will take her words as warning; she is not a woman alone.

but kaede believes in the code which binds such men. perhaps she should, but no longer does she fear him.