An Unearthing of Goddesses

An Unearthing of Goddesses Part 17

The next morning, the duo visited a bath house where they soaked and scrubbed and were left as pink as plum blossoms themselves. That night was the party, and Anya took most of the afternoon to prepare.

"How does my hair look?" Anya asked Lhamo approximately five times. In an elaborate updo of knots and chrysanthemum blooms, it was a masterpiece. She wore a red kimono with a pattern of cherry blossoms. Her face was powdered white with a red highlight on her lower lip.

"You look as radiant as a moon goddess visiting the Earth. Let's hope our guest of honor finds inspiration in your complicated hairdo." Lhamo chuckled. Anya smacked him with her fan. When they arrived at the Governor's house, a large gracious wooden structure with lanterns lighting the porch and walkway, they were met by Otomo Tabito himself. The man was distinguished, with greying dark hair fixed in an ornamented topknot and a pointed goatee.

"Greetings, Anya Tan and Lhamo Zhao. I am Otomo Tabito, the Governor General of this auspicious city."

They all bowed deeply and the Governor proceeded to give them a tour of his home, highlighting his favorite artworks, many of them Buddhist. He seemed delighted to have Lhamo, a Buddhist monk to critique them, who managed to come up with a satisfyingly ephemeral comment on each item. When they came to a case of swords, the Governor took out his favorite and proudly struck a warrior pose.

"It is exquisite, is it not?" The sword was finely crafted and highly decorated with a bejeweled hilt and engraved blade. Anya's eyes wandered to a more humble piece in the case. She gasped.

"Yes, Governor it is breathtaking. It does honor to your station," she nodded. "But may I inquire – what is this sword in the back? It looks newly forged."

Tabito pulled the second sword from the case and wielded it.

"Ah, my latest acquisition, from a fine craftsman in the city. A basic piece meant for daily use, yet it weighs nicely in my hand and lacks nothing in value for its simplicity."

"May I?" Anya held out her hands and the governor, amused, placed it there.

"Are you a swordswoman?" His eyes crinkled.

She examined the sword carefully. The hilt was jade and a plum blossom was carved into the base of the blade. No mistaking it.

"No – yet I admire an object of elegance. This sword has a simple beauty."

He smiled. "Well spoken and observed. Shall we visit the garden?"

He led them outside, where lovely manicured lawns and plum trees overlooked a koi pond below. On the large back porch sat the other party guests, enjoying their sake as a light breeze blew the blossoms from the trees down upon them. Tabito excused himself to greet the next round of guests.

"Lhamo!" Anya hissed. "That sword! It is an air weapon. It used to belong to Aurae, and is now her favorite piece at the Elemental museum. I should know, she's dragged me there countless times. It's always moving and it's a huge ordeal to find."

"The sword?" Lhamo said, furrowing his brows in confusion.

"The museum. The sword is one of the artifacts there. It's dated to the eighth century Japan. This must be the same one."

"Well, that is quite the coincidence."

"I don't believe in coincidences. There's got to be a reason why it's here." Anya raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, yet we must mingle now and leave that mystery for later." Lhamo pulled her to the crowd of guests.

An attendant guided them to their seats and they were introduced to a who's who of the city, from government officials to courtiers to courtesans. They conversed with the guests on topics ranging from politics to poetry, court gossip to the nature of the new religion, Buddhism. Lhamo was able to educate on the theological topics and, thanks to the inn proprietor's wife, Anya had some choice gossip.