Beinn 4.3
Katashi eyed the stranger warily, unsure of just who and what he was looking at. He seemed friendly enough but long ago Katashi had learned to look past the outward appearance that things presented to him. In the end the thing that made him decide to trust the stranger was something that made him smile. When Katashi simply stood there , unmoving, looking at the man and not accepting his offer of sharing a meal with him the man simply looked at him and smiled, and nodding in understanding began to consume the meal himself. This made Katashi smile because it was exactly the same thing he would do himself. He recognized this wasn’t much to go with but it was enough, this and a feeling that this man in large part was what he seemed, at least with respect to the offer of a meal.
The bacon was truly delicious too. The both ate with relish. The stranger was visibly pleased when Katashi sat down to join him. At length Katashi looked up at him. “Thank you for sharing your meal this morning. I am on a journey and must be leaving now. I have far to go.”
“A journey indeed,” Mushroom said. “I too am going on a journey.”
Katashi looked at him not believing in coincidences, “And where might I ask are you going?”
“To Highland City,” Mushroom replied. Then without being asked he offered up some additional information, “The festival of lights is next month and I always go. It is a good time to be in Highland City. Have you ever seen it?”
Katashi of course knew what Mushroom was talking about. The festival of lights was a pagan festival that marked the beginning of spring. He had of course never seen it and had no desire to. He considered it a vulgar abomination, as did all members of his sect. Still, Katashi had the decency to not offend, even if the man should have known by the robes Katashi was wearing that it would indeed be highly unlikely for him to have answered in the affirmative. He smiled slightly, “No, I never have. I am a zealot and choose not to participate in such rites.”
Mushroom was not at all taken back by the response. “Yes well I understand of course. Still even a zealot can choose to have a little fun on occasion don’t you think?”
Katashi merely smiled in reply.
Again, with effervescence and not at all taken aback by Katashi’s subdued manner he continued, “Well my good man you have lead a sheltered life indeed. If the occassion ever presents I will take it as my personal responsibility to expand your education.” Then abruptly changing subjects, “But where are you going?”
“Katashi studied the man as he replied, “I too am going to Highland City.” Mushrooms face lit up at his reply and Katashi found himself liking the man in spite of himself and any remaining caution he had over the situation was swept aside.
“Wonderful! Then we should be traveling companions. Together we will be much safer. Oh and I can assure you that in spite of what you may think by my appearance I will not slow you down in the least.”
Katashi merely nodded in the affirmative. Mushroom was fairly bouncing with excitement. The journey at least would not be dull he thought to himself, and then hoped this was not a premonition of any sort.
“Understand Mushroom, I am a Priest, and will therefore need some time each day in solitude.”
“Yes yes of course,” Mushroom replied. “I have known quite a few of you and am well acquainted with your needs. Trust me,” he said with a conspiratorial wink, “You and I will get along well indeed.”
They broke camp which after all wasn’t hard as they both seemed to be traveling rather light. Katashi really was comfortable with the situation too. The only thing that gave him pause was a brief glimpse of the handles of two long narrow blades, tucked deep in his pack. He recognized them immediately and knew them as a weapon of choice of those highly skilled in the art of the blade. He himself was a master with them. Strangely this gave him no pause at the time. He merely noted it as something that seemed oddly out of place.
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