The city was crowded, more so the closer Katsumi got to the registration booths. She had noted the sheer amount of people the day before, when her traveling group first entered the city and set up their tent. Katsumi had never seen so many people, even though the Topaz Championship was the smallest jewel-named tournament the Realm had to offer, it still invited several students from across the land, from every clan, coupled with the town’s own population there were easily more people than the small villages Katsumi had grown up around. Even the Black Silk dojo couldn’t have held this many people when it was still operational, before it was burned to the ground. That was back when the Empire had declared her clan outlaws, when they were actively hunted, and all because of what? A little trickery and espionage. The other clans partook in those activities daily, and had been for centuries. That time, however was over, and now here she stood, proudly wearing her clan’s mon upon her back and there was nothing the rest of the Empire could do about it, no matter how much they sneered and turned up their noses at her. It really didn’t bother Katsumi, she was used to scowls and stares, she barely noticed them anymore.
She glanced over the list of events, pinned to the walls by the each of the tables used for registering competitors. It was a silly list, full of frivolous events that had no baring on what a real champion should uphold. Things like painting, origami, even flower arranging, made up the bulk of the itinerary. The real events, the ones that took strength and courage, were saved for the last day, no doubt set-up that way so people would be inclined to spend more coin to cure their inexorable boredom during their wait. Katsumi stepped up to the table, a middle-aged man sat on the other side, carefully dipping his brush in ink, preparing to register the next guest. His hair was graying and he wore the clothes of the eta, though Katsumi noted they were clean and fresh, probably something provided by the city.
“Hajime-mashite, please state your name, clan and school you are representing.” The man said without ever looking at her. It was amusing to Katsumi, for a great many years she had been treated no better than the common folk, and now here she was, looking down at one of the working class and he wouldn’t even make eye contact with her. Such was the life of a samurai, what amazing things a simple title could change.
“Daigotsu Katsumi. Spider clan. Order of the Spider Monks.”
The man stopped mid stroke and dared a glance up at Katsumi. Curiosity and unease filled his dark eyes which he quickly shot back down towards the paper and began brushing her clan name again. He swallowed, an act that obviously did little for him since his voice cracked and wavered when he spoke his next words.
“Domo arigato gozaimasu. What events would you like your name assigned to, Daigotsu-sama?”
“Jiujitsu and kenjutsu.”
“Very well, jiujitsu will be held on the second day and the kenjutsu tournaments are currently scheduled for the final day. Please enjoy your visit, we would like to have you again.” The man bowed his head to nearly touching the table, with that Katsumi nodded and made her way back to the Spider camp.
She glanced over the list of events, pinned to the walls by the each of the tables used for registering competitors. It was a silly list, full of frivolous events that had no baring on what a real champion should uphold. Things like painting, origami, even flower arranging, made up the bulk of the itinerary. The real events, the ones that took strength and courage, were saved for the last day, no doubt set-up that way so people would be inclined to spend more coin to cure their inexorable boredom during their wait. Katsumi stepped up to the table, a middle-aged man sat on the other side, carefully dipping his brush in ink, preparing to register the next guest. His hair was graying and he wore the clothes of the eta, though Katsumi noted they were clean and fresh, probably something provided by the city.
“Hajime-mashite, please state your name, clan and school you are representing.” The man said without ever looking at her. It was amusing to Katsumi, for a great many years she had been treated no better than the common folk, and now here she was, looking down at one of the working class and he wouldn’t even make eye contact with her. Such was the life of a samurai, what amazing things a simple title could change.
“Daigotsu Katsumi. Spider clan. Order of the Spider Monks.”
The man stopped mid stroke and dared a glance up at Katsumi. Curiosity and unease filled his dark eyes which he quickly shot back down towards the paper and began brushing her clan name again. He swallowed, an act that obviously did little for him since his voice cracked and wavered when he spoke his next words.
“Domo arigato gozaimasu. What events would you like your name assigned to, Daigotsu-sama?”
“Jiujitsu and kenjutsu.”
“Very well, jiujitsu will be held on the second day and the kenjutsu tournaments are currently scheduled for the final day. Please enjoy your visit, we would like to have you again.” The man bowed his head to nearly touching the table, with that Katsumi nodded and made her way back to the Spider camp.
