Rough journey
The fisherman had said he was going north on an exploratory sail to see if there were alternate fishing grounds that may be more lucrative. He insisted that Tomoe come along for she alone could warn him of bad weather. The daimyo had fallen for the story and they were not hampered when they left port. They expected no atakebune to follow them.
The first day had been slow going, choppy seas and wind that tended to squall from all points on the compass. The second day she tapped into the messages and saw clearly the reason why going had been so painstakingly slow. The little junk was being played with by the god of storms and seas, Susanoo. There was little she could do to appease him, so she informed the captain to push on. The rest of the day had played out much like the first, leaving the small crew on edge and tired.
By the third morning she decided she must do something to assist their safe passage. The wind was out of the North again and it seemed to be increasing. Black clouds where hugging the Western coastline, and she did not like the feeling in the air one bit. Her old joints told her the air pressure was dropping. Quickly tapping into the messages she was struck by how much closer the mongols where. It would not be long now, perhaps a month or two before they were at war. Moving her focus to more pressing matters she requested a private audience with Susanoo. He arrived some time later, swirling in purple cloud. Out on the deck the small crew huddled together. They could not see the presence of the divinity but knew something was happening, as the water around the small boat suddenly flattened like glass and the wind that had previously been tearing at the small canvas sail was gone. They whispered to each other, "Funayūrei!" The Funayūrei, Tomoe thought were the least of their problems. In fact if she could not appease Susanoo, then the crew were destined to join those who died at sea- become one of the Funayūrei.
"You are angry with me great one?" she asked Susanoo.
He came to rest on the jib of the small boat. His form moving in and out of purple cloud. He nodded at her.
"I have taken your sport, by informing the fishermen when it was not safe to launch their vessels."
He nodded again.
"A ronin warrior will soon fly from the mainland to the island in the north, the one we are seeking. If we can make it to Sadogashima before this warrior arrives, perhaps a life can be saved."
Susanoo stared down at her but she dared not return the gaze, it would be disrespectful. They had met before on the turret of the tower, and at that meeting she had been bold. The village had paid the price, with three fishing boats destroyed and nine men lost at sea.
"I thank you for coming to listen to my case." She bowed her head low, as low as her old body would let her.
Then Susanoo was gone. She returned to upright and felt the wind pick up again. This time from the south, a spritely playful wind, filling the little sail so that the junk pushed on at a lively clip. She smiled to herself. She had no idea what she had said that made Susanoo change his mind but she was dreadfully glad he had. Glancing over to the shoreline she noticed the black clouds retreat further inland. The danger for the moment at least had passed.
She smiled at the small crew. Their faces pale, they were beginning to busy themselves by tending to the lines, ensuring they got the most out of the little boat. The captain approached her, squeezing her hand he said, "You are a clever one shimai, now the men will think you an Arikura-no-baba."
"That is because I am brother, and you well know it." She tugged playfully at his ear and went back to the small salon to shelter from the wind and count her blessings.
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