A Quartermaster's Morning

A Quartermaster's Morning

An Heir of Blood Short Story by Frank Holtham

Face of the East Castle
Morning came all too quickly at the Face of the East Castle. Learning to rise early was something hammered into the Crab at an early age. Not being able to rise swiftly and leave could mean death in the Shadowlands. And while Kaiu Tetsu had not spent much time south of the wall, he still had learned to wake well before dawn. His partner from the night before, however, not so much.
The young Hiruma girl still lay in the futon they shared, her long black hair covering much of her naked body. Tetsu looked down at her for a moment before covering her with a sheet, slowly slipping his kimono over his broad shoulders.
Tetsu was the master smith and quartermaster at the Face of the East Castle, and so there was much work to be done before the sun had a chance to fully rise. His head still pounded from the night before, a feeling he was all too used to. He thought for a moment about rousing his guest, but ultimately decided to let her sleep. They both drank in excess last night, and while she may have the benefit of youth, she also lacked the experience of age.
After dressing himself and making sure his long hair was properly groomed and tied, Tetsu carefully opened the sliding door of his room, so not to disturb the girl. Waiting outside for him was his trusted attendant, Genta. Genta knew his master well, and already prepared a dish of warm rice porridge and egg. He silently handed the bowl to him, and Tetsu ate quickly.
Genta took a small scroll from his obi, and raised it up to Tetsu, lowering his head, waiting for his master to take it. The scroll bore the seal and chop of Kaiu Chie, the official Quartermaster of the Kaiu family. He took the scroll from Genta, relieving the man oh his duty, and read it carefully.
Tetsu’s brow furrowed as he read each line. More of the same. More requests for arms and siege weapons. More denials of ore and tools due to lack of supply. More commands to make due with what we had. The Kaiu were exceptional at their work, but even they couldn’t forge a blade from a single piece of stone.
Just as Tetsu was about to feel disheartened, Genta produced a second scroll. This one bore the chop of Kuni Yori. Intrigued, Tetsu thanked Genta and took the scroll, carefully opening it.
He had to read the missive several times, making sure he had not misread a kanji or two in overeagerness. But by the third read, he allowed a grin to cut across his face.
“To the Great Kuni Tetsu, master smith, and engineer of Higashino Shiro no Kao

I hope you will forgive me for my lack of formalities. But my time is too short to waste in writing useless pleasantries, as is yours to read them. I will soon be sending one of my top Witch Hunters to your castle, Kuni Rohaku. His mission is of grave importance, and will require the assistance of one with talents such as yours.

The minions of Fu Leng grow more aggressive, and many of our resources go to the Carpenter Wall. Because of this, I will be sending you a supply of jade, ore, leather, and bone. I know someone of your skill knows the art of the Sirogane pattern, and I ask that you use the provided materials to assist them in their mission.

And if there happens to be a surplus of materials, I am sure the armories of Face of the East Castle, and yourself, will know what to do with it.”
Tetsu handed the scroll back to Genta, ordering him to burn them. He had a lot of work to do, if he was to prepare for a shipment of such importance from Kuni Yori himself. It had been a while since he had the task of personally arming a small group of samurai. He couldn’t wait to meet them.
Especially if there were women among them.
“Come, Genta. I have need of you. There is work to be done.”
“And of your guest, Tetsu-sama? Shall I have other attendants come and wait for her to wake, with fresh food?”
Tetsu thought for a moment, trying to decide which would be more embarrassing for the young scout. Realizing she could easily blend right into the castle and leave without notice, he shook his head. “Leave some food at the door, but let her be. She is a Hiruma, Genta. If she can make it out of the Shadowlands, surely she can find her way out of a bedroom.”