The Topaz Championship

By Rusty Priske
Edited by Fred Wan

“Have you chosen yet?”

A young Unicorn glanced towards his companion, but ignored his question, continuing to brush his horse’s mane, in long, steady strokes.

The speaker paid no mind to the obvious snub and adjusted his position on the stable fence before he continued on, “I am thinking of taking an old name…  from the time away. What do you think?”

A third youth, on the cusp of gempukku like the others, entered the stables, leading his mount. “It would be easier to ask your horse than ask Hyun. You would get a more useful answer.”

Hyun looked up, but did not stop administering to his horse. “Useful? Jiro doesn’t really care what I have to say regardless. He speaks only to hear himself.”

Jiro hopped off the fence while laughing. “That is more than you said on the entire trip to Tsuma. We should mark this down for posterity, Kenji.”

Kenji looped his horse’s lead over an empty post and smiled. “And, as usual, he speaks the truth. You never cease talking, Jiro.”

“So you don’t care about such things as the name you will go by for the rest of your life? We are here for our gempukku. There won’t be many more chances to think about it.”

“I have known the name I would take for at least a year. Hansu.” Kenji snorted. “It is your own fault for leaving it so long. Besides, we are not just here for gempukku. We are here for the Topaz Championship. I think you should have more important things on your mind, Jiro.”

Jiro laughed again. “I will just be happy to get through it. You are the one bound for greatness, Kenji.” There was a slight mocking tone in Jiro’s voice, but there was no malice in it. “You will win this like you win everything. We are just along for the ride.”

He turned back to Hyun. “Come on, what name are you going to pick?”

Hyun switched sides and started brushing again. “I see nothing wrong with the name I was given. The rest is all foolishness.”

“Come on, Hyun. You need to pick something that matches your nature. How about Yokatsu? I heard he had no sense of humor either.”

Hyun’s face twisted in anger and he flushed as he dropped the brush and stepped towards Jiro with clenched fists. “You dare speak to me like that?”

Kenji quickly moved between his two friends. “Now, hold on, Hyun. Jiro was just being stupid, as usual.” He looked towards the youth, no longer smiling. “I am sure he will apologize.”

Jiro bowed towards Hyun. “I am sorry, Hyun. I spoke without thinking. No offense was meant.”

“Speaking without thinking is one of your defining traits. You had better watch that during the trials tomorrow.” Kenji turned back to Hyun. “We are all friends here, right Hyun?”

The angry Unicorn relaxed his fists and went back to scoop up his dropped brush. He said nothing as he returned to grooming his horse.

Kenji shot a reproachful look at Jiro before saying to Hyun. “So why did you agree to come? It is clear that you want no part in it. Our Sensei was quite clear that you could have been Topaz Champion yourself if you had only applied yourself.”

“I came because I was ordered to. I will participate and then I will serve.”

Kenji shook his head. “I do not understand you, Hyun. You aren’t Jiro. You could be a great samurai, but since you only give the required effort and no more, you will be nothing more than a sword. You could have glory.”

Hyun sneered slightly. “Glory is for sycophants and courtiers. Do you really think whether my name is known will have any effect on the world, Kenji? What about yours?”

“It will certainly affect my world.”

Hyun shook his head. “Look around at the world, Kenji. Kami walk among us and we play little games to say who was the greatest to get their gempukku. Why not ask who was the greatest termite or the greatest Tsu fish? It has the same effect on the world. We should spend our time finding ways to serve the empire rather than pursuing our petty goals.”

“Did you ever think that by gaining the sort of prestige that comes with the Topaz Championship that you can ensure that you are in position to serve to your best extent?”

Hyun looked at Kenji, with an expression tinged with sadness. “But who is to say what that position is?”

* * *

“Congratulations.”

The samurai now called Shinjo Tae-Hyun spun around at the unexpected voice. “I thank you, but you have me at a loss. I assume you are a Togashi from your demeanor, but you wear no mon.”

“You are very perceptive young Tae-Hyun. Of course I would expect nothing less from the new Topaz Champion.” The stranger kept his distance, standing in the lengthening shadows.”

“I am afraid I was too subtle, stranger, what is your-”

The stranger interrupted, cutting Tae-Hyun off before he could finish his question. “Your performance was something of a revelation. I do not think too many people considered you a serious candidate for the position.”

“They would not be alone, but I must insist-”

The stranger interrupted again. “Something lit a fire under you, that is certain. I have known something about fire in my time. It is a great tool but it carries certain dangers.” He stepped forward into the light and bowed. “It is my pleasure to meet you, Shinjo Tae-Hyun. My name is Togashi Mitsu.”

Tae-Hyun, the shock clear on his face, bowed deeply. “Mitsu-sama! My apologies. I didn’t not realize who you were.”

Mitsu nodded. “That was clear. It is too bad you never had the opportunity to ask.”

Tae-Hyun started to reply but quickly thought better of it and remained silent.

Mitsu waited for a moment and then nodded again. “You are quick, Tae-Hyun. It is not your wit that has drawn me to you, however. Can you tell me what you mean to do now that you have gained your prize?”

Tae-Hyun shook his head. “It is not my prize. It was a mistake to win it.” He thought of the look on Kenji’s face when Hyun’s name was announced. “It should have gone to someone who knew what to do with such an honor.”

Mitsu cocked his head. “And you do not?”

Tae-Hyun shook his head again. “I do not look for rank or honor. I only want to heal the earth wherever it bleeds. I wish to preserve the empire from its enemies. That is all.”

Mitsu’s eyebrow shot up. “That is all? That is a great ambition. It would be easier to ask to be a daimyo or general.” He appraised the young samurai. “But no, that is not what you want.”

Tae-Hyun looked levelly at Mitsu. “I know that you are an Oracle, Mitsu-sama.” He paused for acknowledgement but received none. “If I were to ask you how I could achieve my goals, you could answer.”

“I could, but you may not understand what I told you. A vague question receives a vague answer. If you did not truly understand what you want, how can you understand my response?” Mitsu looked at the Unicorn’s downcast face but said nothing further.

Tae-Hyun looked back up. “Then it is up to me to find my own path.”

“As it is for everyone.”

“Then how can…” Tae-Hyun trailed off, knowing better than to ask an unprepared question to the Oracle of Thunder. He waited for a moment and then said, “Mitsu-sama, if I wanted to be ready to protect Rokugan from a great threat posed against it, where I could do the most good, regardless of the impact on me or my life, where should I go?”

Togashi Mitsu smiled and answered.