A deep rumble of vibrations deep within the young dwarf's chest sent his meditating mind tunneling back in time.
Before him stood his Daimyo. For him, Madragonahan would do anything. He was, after all his reason for existance. If Dansuro Sama had not seen fit to rescure him he would be long dead in a salt mine, his bones used for pickhandles.
It wasn't this fact alone however. Madragonahan had found through study and training, the most complete sense of loyalty he had ever known. More even than the bond he felt between his kinsmen. I his life he had met very few of his kind, and his original family was but a shodow of a memory. Even so, with the few he had met, he had felt immediate bonds with each and every one of them. Bonds that easily spanned the vast ocean over which he had voyaged.
I his thoughts he was trying to reconcile these two emotions. Devotion to once lord and master and a call to kinship. Individually the two emotions were so incredibly strong. What would it be like when the two were one?
It was a question that would soon be answered.
Dansuro's words from that time long ago seemed to give the warrior comfort.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Madragonahan." In fifty years, the now grey Dansuro had NEVER ask a favor of any of his men.
The young dwarf stared for a moment utterly uncomprehending. Then responded with trepidation. "My life, as always is your's to command my Lord."
The old man smiled. "That is what I intend on asking of you." the young dwarf furrowed his brows, clearly his confusion growing.
"I have a considerable debt that remains tied to me even as I prepare to journey onward." He continued. "I have found in the calm, that you are the only one who can settle this matter."
"My lord, I will do what ever is neccesary." Madragonahan said firmly.
"Please hear me out, for what I ask of you, should never been ask of any samurai. Your loyalty, to me, has been steadfast and true. Will you now be released from your oaths to me and swear to another? In doing so you will free my of my life's debt and help me to pass from this life in peace."
A long silence followed. Madragonahan unable to answer, barely able to comprehend.
"The man I am asking you to serve is unlike any other, the true measure of his quality is beyond mortal knowing. His name is Kilinar Klenk. He was the one responsible for saving my wife and son during the Tenshu raids, back when you were still very young."
The old man had to stop for a fit of coughing. Then continued.
"He is a lord of sorts among his own clan... a clan of dwarves."
Madragonahan had never seen an entire clan of dwarves before. Well he knew they existed but there were none that he new of. What would it be like among so many dwarves.
The curiousity was plain in his eyes, at least to the old daimyo.
"Will you, Madragonahan, carry out this, my final request?" He asked.
"Yes Lord, it would be my honor to serve you this one last time." Madragonahan finally answered.
His breath began to return to normal along with his thoughts. The last remnants of the vibration in his chest would soon fade from corporeal form. He knew now that everyting would be right. That this new daimyo would be an honor to serve and that his greatest friend would soon rest easy.
Before him stood his Daimyo. For him, Madragonahan would do anything. He was, after all his reason for existance. If Dansuro Sama had not seen fit to rescure him he would be long dead in a salt mine, his bones used for pickhandles.
It wasn't this fact alone however. Madragonahan had found through study and training, the most complete sense of loyalty he had ever known. More even than the bond he felt between his kinsmen. I his life he had met very few of his kind, and his original family was but a shodow of a memory. Even so, with the few he had met, he had felt immediate bonds with each and every one of them. Bonds that easily spanned the vast ocean over which he had voyaged.
I his thoughts he was trying to reconcile these two emotions. Devotion to once lord and master and a call to kinship. Individually the two emotions were so incredibly strong. What would it be like when the two were one?
It was a question that would soon be answered.
Dansuro's words from that time long ago seemed to give the warrior comfort.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Madragonahan." In fifty years, the now grey Dansuro had NEVER ask a favor of any of his men.
The young dwarf stared for a moment utterly uncomprehending. Then responded with trepidation. "My life, as always is your's to command my Lord."
The old man smiled. "That is what I intend on asking of you." the young dwarf furrowed his brows, clearly his confusion growing.
"I have a considerable debt that remains tied to me even as I prepare to journey onward." He continued. "I have found in the calm, that you are the only one who can settle this matter."
"My lord, I will do what ever is neccesary." Madragonahan said firmly.
"Please hear me out, for what I ask of you, should never been ask of any samurai. Your loyalty, to me, has been steadfast and true. Will you now be released from your oaths to me and swear to another? In doing so you will free my of my life's debt and help me to pass from this life in peace."
A long silence followed. Madragonahan unable to answer, barely able to comprehend.
"The man I am asking you to serve is unlike any other, the true measure of his quality is beyond mortal knowing. His name is Kilinar Klenk. He was the one responsible for saving my wife and son during the Tenshu raids, back when you were still very young."
The old man had to stop for a fit of coughing. Then continued.
"He is a lord of sorts among his own clan... a clan of dwarves."
Madragonahan had never seen an entire clan of dwarves before. Well he knew they existed but there were none that he new of. What would it be like among so many dwarves.
The curiousity was plain in his eyes, at least to the old daimyo.
"Will you, Madragonahan, carry out this, my final request?" He asked.
"Yes Lord, it would be my honor to serve you this one last time." Madragonahan finally answered.
His breath began to return to normal along with his thoughts. The last remnants of the vibration in his chest would soon fade from corporeal form. He knew now that everyting would be right. That this new daimyo would be an honor to serve and that his greatest friend would soon rest easy.
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