Hatsumi was exhausted by the time she had settled into camp with her new companions. The months she had stayed in the village were long, fearful and quiet. The knowledge of having taken it too far was fresh in her mind, it was foolish to have stolen what she did, foolish to try and sway the feelings of such a powerful and dangerous man. The men she had taken before him were obvious in their weaknesses. They offered jewels, favours and social gains – so vulnerable and easy to influence with the aid of her companion, Ayami – the retired court lady that provided Hatsumi with the materials to offer more than just tea in her ceremonies to her unsuspecting clients.
Ah... tea… what a lovely thought for Hatsumi. Her collection of fine and imported teas had to be left behind when she departed hastily from the court house. Empress Teishi would most assuredly have sold them all by now, or perhaps had her collection put to waste as a statement of the betrayal left by Hatsumi’s devious nature. Hatsumi thought herself quite good at her subtle craft – of influencing men by ways of Ayami's magical tea leaves. If only she had not tempted fate by offering such tea to him…
Hatsumi stole a glance over the sleeping silhouettes of her traveling friends. She thought to herself in the dark of night… "I do not know these people so well… they serve me well as to provide me with a cover-story while traveling along these unknown roads… but how long until I am caught? How long until I can walk freely without fear?"
Hatsumi gently moved her hand to her dwindling coin pouch, almost smiling with guilty pleasure at the memory of a life she once enjoyed.
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