Masayoshi and Tesh: new threat p1

Several months had passed since Ronin had saved Tesh from the Yeti. Masayoshi sat on his bed sharpening his blade, when there was a knock on his door. He knew of few people who knew he was out here, and fewer that would be kind enough to bother to knock. Resheathing the katana he rose to answer the door. Behind it was the statuesque blonde warrior woman, Tesh. They’d spent enough time to get to know each other and despite the cultural differences she greeted him as he would greet her, with a small bow, with the ronin returned.

“Please come in.” he motioned, stepping out of her way.

Tesh stepped in, allowing Masayoshi to close the door, leaving her battle axe at the door, sitting where she always did by the hearth to warm up. “I don’t understand why you insist on living so far out.” she said. “My village would gladly welcome you, you are a fierce warrior.”

“I’d be a hazard to your people,” he replied. “Being fierce has little to do with it, few weapons can kill the dangers that chase me.”

Tesh watched the ronin through the flames, catching moments of his face past the licking flames, frowning slightly. “We could find a way.” she offered, before standing again, taking her axe and walking back over to Masayoshi. Holding it out effortlessly with one hand, Masayoshi had to grab it with both as she passed it over to him.

“Look at the blade.” she said, pointing out the runes carved along its curve. “I translated them from the inscription you told me into my peoples runes.” she said, and a Völva blessed it under our tradition. It will work.” she said.

Masayoshi studied the carvings. “I’m not sure it's that easy.” he said, “My blade was forged with the purpose of killing oni.”

Tesh reached to take the axe back. “So was mine.” where their hands would meet she pressed her palm against his, and locked her fingers through the space between his. “I want to help you.” she said, squeezing, not tight but firmly. “You shouldn’t be doing this alone. You are a fierce warrior but no warrior can do it alone.” she said.

Masayoshi closed his fingers around her hand. “I fought alone for so long, its hard to accept help. I don’t want to put people in danger for my sake, I stole away with the blade, it is my burden to carry the consequences of my actions.”

“Not anymore.” Tesh said, “Not with me around.” She gave his hand one more squeeze before letting go.

Masayoshi let her break contact first, standing there a moment as she went to put her axe back by the door. Leaning it against the wall she turned, something obviously on her mind. But she looked like she didn’t want to say it.

Sitting back on his bed and running the whetstone across the blade, it started making a rapid ‘tinking’ sound. Tesh had heard that sound before. The blade was telling Masayoshi that danger was near. The duo charged outside, a new sight greeted them. Some disgusting hybrid of oni and Tesh’s people. Dressed in furs, and metal, but hulking in a way that made it look more swollen with muscle than the bulk having any rhyme or reason. And far too tall even for her people.

“I guess we will see if my runes work.” Tesh said, flourishing her axe in a half circle at her side, kicking up powdery snow. As the beast growled. The three charged to clash somewhere in between.