Lady of Whispers

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Lady of Whispers was a virtual representation of one of Yasuke's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Yasuke travels to Azuchi to meet his contact.

Dialogue

Yasuke arrived at Azuchi Castle, where he was greeted by the guards.

• Ashigaru Spearman: Yasuke, sir! You survived Honnoji. You bring hope to us all.

He went up the stairs, overhearing the residents.

• Man 1: (gasps) It's him. Lord Nobunaga's outlander. Look at him now!
• Man 2: He's as glorious and terrifying as they say.

Yasuke arrived at the Hideyoshi Residence, where he was greeted by hostile samurai and soldiers.

• Samurai Duelist: No sign of Hideyoshi or Nene.
• Samurai: Keep looking.
• Samurai Duelist: They must be hiding.

Yasuke recognised them as soldiers serving under Akechi Mitsuhide and his clan.

• Yasuke: I need to find Lady Nene before these Akechi dogs.

Yasuke attacked and eliminated the Akechi soldiers. He then spoke to the surviving servant.

• Yasuke: Are you hurt?
• Servant: I don't think so. Thank you, sir Yasuke.
• Yasuke: These men were looking for Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Nene. Do you know if Lady Nene is safe?
• Servant: Yes. She is nearby. I will take her to Sokenji Temple. Meet us there.
• Yasuke: Thank you. I will.

Yasuke left the residence and made his way to Sokenji Temple. Going up the stairs, he heard more gossip.

• Man 3: My father lived here. And his father before him. I am not leaving!
• Woman: If we don't move with the times, we'll be dead as they are. The Akechi will return in force.
• Man 3: But where there to go? Wakasa is a den of pirates and thieves.

He heard more gossips from a group of elderly after climbing another set of stairs.

• Elderly Woman 1: The years of peace have come and gone. Say what you will about Lord Nobunaga, but he was decisive.
• Elderly Woman 2: How quickly Iga fell! Now look at these Akechi pretenders outside the walls.
• Elderly Woman 3: They cannot even finish what they started.

Yasuke passed by the Nobutada Estate where he caught the temple in his sights.

• Yasuke: I am close to Sōken-ji. Where I learned what it truly means to take up the sword.

He passed by a pair of ashigaru archers, hearing their conversation.

• Ashigaru Archer 1: I did not expect to see battle so soon. How was five days' training enough to prepare us?
• Ashigaru Archer 2: Let those Akechi dogs come. I'll shoot them dead.
• Ashigaru Archer 1: Not if they shoot you first.

Yasuke entered the temple complex, overhearing a pair of visitors.

• Man 4: You have often visited the temple these days. What do you pray for in the silence of your heart?
• Man 5: Deliverance. From the wars of the daimyo and the blood they spill.
• Man 4: Did the venerable Eisai go through tribulations such as these in his time?

Yasuke made his way to the pavilion.

• Yasuke: That is the place.

He inspected the calligraphy tools on the table, reminiscing about his first visit some months ago in the spring of 1581, where he first met Lady Nene.

• Lady Nene: Ah, Diogo. You have arrived.
• Diogo: Greetings, Lady Nene. I was sent to see you by Nobutsuna sensei. Though, I am not sure why.
• Lady Nene: Indded. Come with me, so that you may learn the fine art of calligraphy as it is done in this land.
• Diogo: As you wish, my lady.

Nene invited Yasuke to take a seat at the table, sitting opposite her.

• Lady Nene: I take it the training with Nobutsuna sensei has been... challenging.
• Diogo: I cannot touch him, he just beats me to the mat. He must think I am unfit to hold a sword. So he has sent me to wield a brush instead.
• Lady Nene: What did he say to you?
• Diogo: That I was reacting, not responding. Like a man lashing out at his own shadow, unsure of whom he is.
• Lady Nene: And are you?
• Diogo: I—

Diogo was unsure of how to respond.

• Lady Nene: Since the days of the Heian emperors, the sons and daughters of great nobility have received instruction in calligraphy. Diogo. You must know that you were sent here not for chastisement, but for contemplation. There are tenets that Nobutsuna sensei cleaves to. Virtues thar dictate what it means for one to walk the way of the warrior. To take up the sword. The sword and the brush are but expressions of the self. And the self may yet be molded by the sharpening of either. Let us begin.

Diogo began observing Lady Nene as she dipped her brush into the ink and prepared to write.

• Lady Nene: Observe how the stroke is placed.

Nene began writing.

• Lady Nene: The line does not seek to overpower the space. It plays within it, shows its fluidity and depth because of it.

After dipping the brush in ink, Nene placed another stroke.

• Lady Nene: That is how the character gains form and balance... and balance is everything.
• Diogo: As in the martial arts.
• Lady Nene: Yes, and beyond them.

Nene finished her drawing.

• Lady Nene: The balance of one's stroke comes from the knowing of one's place.
• Diogo: What is my place in all of this?
• Lady Nene: Take up the brush, write from the heart, and you shall see.

Diogo listened to Nene's words and picked up the brush, dipping it in ink.

• Lady Nene: Benevolence.

Diogo then tried to draw like Nene did.

• Lady Nene: Righteousness. Courtesy. Wisdom. Integrity. And courage.

Diogo finished his drawing.

• Diogo: To keep fighting... even when afraid.

Nene gave a smile as Yasuke looked to be proud of himself.

• Diogo: These virtues... this is the way of the warrior, then? This is what Nobutsuna sensei would have me become.
• Lady Nene: Diogo, it is who you already are.
• Lady Nene: The Oda clan asks no more of you than what it has seen in you from the start. Do you understand?

Yasuke reflected on her words. Back in the present, Lady Nene arrived from behind Yasuke.

• Lady Nene: You were a quick study in those days.

Yasuke stood up and turned around to greet the lady.

• Yasuke: Lady Nene. It is good to see you are safe.
• Lady Nene: I hoped you would come, samurai.
• Yasuke: You must know about Lord Nobunaga.
• Lady Nene: Yes, I was sorry to hear of our lord's death.
• Yasuke: Those behond this betrayal will pay dearly. Mitsuhide must die.
• Lady Nene: Yes. But he did not act alone.
• Yasuke: You know of the Shinbakufu?

Yasuke walked with the lady.

• Lady Nene: In a room of gossiping men, there is much an overlooked woman can learn.
• Yasuke: The same was true for a slave among Christians.
• Lady Nene: You have overcome much, Yasuke. But your lord is dead, and your enemies are many.
• Yasuke: I, too, am not alone. I have allies. Those loyal to the Oda clan and others.
• Lady Nene: Indeed. My spies tell me you travel with a young Igan woman named Naoe. Do you trust her?
• Yasuke: I must. You told me to have courage, Lady Nene. I cling to that.
• Lady Nene: Then count me as one more ally. But the Shinbakufu will come for us. And I fear my husband will be their next target.
• Yasuke: Where can I find Lord Hideyoshi?
• Lady Nene: He gathers allies at Himeji Castle.
• Yasuke: I will go to him.
• Lady Nene: One more thing. I have a contact named Aoi in Otsu. She reports that our enemies are active there as well. I will tell her to expect you and this Naoe.
• Yasuke: Thank you, Lady Nene. We will find your contact in Otsu. Please, keep yourself safe.
• Lady Nene: Until we meet again. Have courage, Yasuke.

Nene left with her servants.

Outcome

Yasuke met and reunited with Lady Nene, who had taught him calligraphy last year. She directed him to Himeji in Harima, where Hideyoshi's allies were gathering, and to Otsu where her contact Aoi has information on the Shinbakufu.