The morning after the plan was formed, Zilo made his way to the Rai residence. He hadn't had the opportunity to examine the place while he was leaving, but now he was amazed by it once he passed the outer wall. While it was not elevated like the Umie manor, this one did have a large entryway with ponds and green landscaping glittering the walkways.
He could see some obviously cared for trees and butterflies fluttering around the flowers that lined the walkways and pond edges. He was snapped out of this staring as he was hailed by a guard at the inner gate.
"State your business."
Zilo puts on a fake smile and twirls his hat into a flamboyant bowing stance as he says, "Morning, I'm here to speak with the lord of the manor and his daughter, My name is Zilo Realms, Mas-"
"-Ter of Strings? Mistress Ai has been speaking of you since yesterday. Please come at once." Zilo is guided inside and brought to a formal meeting room and told to be seated at the table. The other end of the room has an elevated floor for the lords of the manor.
After a few moments, a middle-aged man and woman, slightly older than the Umie family heads, arrive and take a seat on the platform. Accompanying them is a young man in samurai armor who resembles a younger version of the elder man.
The man examines Zilo for a few moments and as Zilo speaks, "Hello, I'm told that Ai has made my reputation known, might you be her elder siblings?" The woman and man both give a small smile at the bard's statement while the samurai just stares with a serious expression.
The elder man speaks, "We are her parents and this is her eldest brother, Mr. Realms, and she shall be along in a few moments. First, tell me, you seem pale and your eyes are odd, from what land do you hail?"
"No land of this world, I'm from the plane of shadows. I'm what is known as a Fetchling." The woman taps her chin and speaks, "Another plane you say, a rarity beyond most we've seen, tell me... ah. There is Ai." Ai finally arrives in the room and her eyes connect with Zilo immediately.
Her face erupts in a smile as she composes herself before sitting to her mother's side. After she does, the man speaks again, "Well then, now that Ai is here, please Mr. Realms, speak your business." Zilo nods and begins the speech he rehearsed all night.
"Well, If you have not been made aware, I am your daughter's escort to the proposal of the Prince of Deneval and Umie Xunchu. Well, having just arrived in the city a few days ago, I have been paying for my sleeping arrangements with a local inn. I-"
"That won't do, you will stay here." Interrupts the father. Zilo's speech is obliterated in an instant and he stutters out, "Re-really?" The man nods and speaks to his wife," Our third son, Ryuichi is currently away at the capital in the military and his room is unoccupied."
Zilo waves his hands and speaks, "Please, no, there is no need. I would be more than happy with the servant quart-" This time the mother cuts him off and speaks, "Absolutely not. No guest of our house will share a bed that isn't the very best."
Zilo's pale face turns paler as he speaks, " Y-y- you are too kind." The brother, who had been eyeing Zilo over the entire time, finally speaks, "Mother, father, I have a request." The father looks to the man and says, "Yes Adachi?"
The man returns his gaze to Zilo and says, "Sir Realms, I heard from my sister that you arrived at our home only because you were wounded in a fight with some local drunks. I think my sister should be escorted by a man who is a bit more of a warrior than some rabble."
Zilo speaks without thinking, "Ah, they were cheating." Adachi grits his teeth and speaks again, "You miss my meaning. I wish for you to redeem yourself." The man grips his blade on his hip. The mother and father look intrigued, but Ai looks nervous. Adachi motions his head toward the courtyard in the center of the manor and Zilo follows.
They both take up a position in the natural terrain. Adachi speaks, "I notice you carry a sword of your own but fear not. This will not be to the death, In fact, I think if you can land a single cut on me then you'll have proven your worth."
Zilo smiles and speaks confidently, "You must be pretty confident, But let's keep it fair, first blood wins. I have a history of one-sided duals." Adachi chuckles and speaks, "Fine, draw your blade."
Zilo and the man take out their blades and the other family members and a few guards begin to stop on the wooden edge of the courtyard to watch. Zilo shouts, "Begin!" Adachi draws his blade and holds it out in a defensive stance. Zilo does the same.
Both have their eyes widen, as they both expected the other to make the first move. For a few more moments they wait until Zilo grows impatient and makes his move, spurred on by his magic blade Zilo is on Adachi in a moment with a short flurry of slashes.
Adachi was not expecting Zilo's speed and just barely manages to block the series of swings before he hops back and resumes his stance. He speaks with shock in his voice," So you are skilled, I was worried when Ai described the circumstances."
Zilo flicks his blade in a flourish and retorts, "Like I said, they cheated, plus I was fighting not to hurt them, but to knock them out."
"I see, forgive me for my arrogance, I will no hold back in this dual." Adachi makes a rush forward with a mighty overhead slash, but Zilo angles a block above and deflects the attack. Zilo flicks his blade about with a spin as Adachi hops back again and resumes his stance.
Adachi and Zilo begin to circle as they both begin to sweat from their old exchanges. After what seems to be a full minute Zilo begins to sheath his blade. Adachi is confused and speaks, "Giving in already?" Zilo merely points to his forehead.
Adachi looks up to his own forehead where he does note feels a bit sweaty, he wipes away the liquid to discover that there is blood mixed in with the sweat. In shock, he tried to follow the blood drip and finds an unnoticeable paper-thin cut right at his hairline.
"When did you-?"
"When you jumped and I deflected you left yourself wide open. I didn't want to leave a noticeable scar so I have to use the point of my sword when I spun away. I was pretty sure I did it right but had to wait til I could see the blood."
Adachi was blown away, he had trained for years to use the blade and survey a battlefield, and this man had just made him look like a novice. Zilo smiles as he shouts to the observers, "I believe that proves my ability, as we agreed, Now who can show me to my room."
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