The Lone Samurai

[gainreduction]

He stood alone, on the Suzail docks.

The man was dressed in the black armour of Kozakuran design. Under his arm lies a closed ceremonial mask and helm in the design of an eastern dragon.

Strapped to his back is two swords of daisho style, a katana, and a wazikashi. They seem simple and modest in their design, but they look like fine blades.

As the boat approaches, he watches the sun rise over the monument of King Azoun IV fighting the devil dragon, it bathing it with light.

The boat approaches, he admires the wake of water it leaves along the bow. It reminds him of a haiku his master once wrote in beautiful calligraphy:

Like falling water
We are reborn to ourselves
the fall is to rise

[Levedara]

Mithika pauses in her path, setting her amber eyes upon Kenji as he prepares to disembark. When he looks back to the statue she carefully nudges into the shadows, letting the passing people shield her from view. As he steps foot in the boat she moves forward, letting sun touch her scales and wings, their glimmer far brighter than the snow white dress she wears.

As the boat drifts away she lifts her wings and waves a delicate hand, smiling to the warrior she's long admired. He didn't seem to have a mind for goodbyes so she left it at this, a proud friend upon the shore to keep memory of him here.

When the boat is no longer in sight she turns, and says to herself, "Everyone leaves," yet despite the phrase her words are spoken with a smile on her lips.

[longearmage]

Cald Ashall, Silverstring, sat at his desk at the RCMH Outpost, staring at a note on the polished duskwood of the desk.

Eventually, he looked up at the wall and muttered, "Safe travels, my friend. May your blades be sharp, your days long and your honor unassailable."