#tokun

I crept silently through woods, keeping a sharp eye out for any patrols. A wealthy man like Bao Chang was guaranteed to have his own personal security around, and rumor had it he did NOT take kindly to trespassing, let-alone theft. Still, I figured he had far too much for his own good, and cutting down a man of his caliber was certain to be the talk of the town.

The lay of the land took some getting used to, but eventually, I managed to slip past the guards with their little shooting-sticks, which had apparently been commissioned by an anonymous weapon smith... I didn’t know how they worked, exactly, but I wasn’t thrilled to find out. Keeping to the shadows, I soon found myself hugging the wall of Bao’s huge estate. I checked the window, and to my surprise, it creaked open. I couldn’t help but smile.

Now, my part was done. I silently fingered through my pocket, and dispensed a small talisman. Before I found this thing, I’d never much cared for all that spiritual nonsense people are always rambling on about... But I’ve come to learn that spirits are a lot more like people than we think; some are strong, so are gentle... And some are mischief makers, like me.

“Otah,” I say as quietly as I could muster. The trinket in my hand expels an ethereal, rainbow-colored mist. Slowly, that mist takes the vague appearance of some kind of serpent-like being, and creeps in through the open window. Minutes pass, and though I knew it was risky to stay in the same place for too long, my patience was soon rewarded as my helpful little spirit companion, Otah, returned with the price we sought; a hefty sum of gold, and a bamboo scroll sealed with some kind of magic; we’d worry about that later.