Chapter 5: Shizen's Warning

A few months had passed since my visit to that sacred willow tree and soon the season changed to autumn. My people were very busy gathering provisions for the winter to come. We picked the fruit and nuts from the trees, hunted and fished game, and collected wood for fire. I helped along with my mother, skinning the rabbits and foxes so that we may make clothing from their pelts.

The Kaze Clan helped to lift everyone's spirits, making light of our work by singing Shizen's blessings:

In the autumn breeze, I sing to thee,

My children of the wood,

For winter's wrath is close at hand,

So mind now what you should.

Hunt and gather what you must,

To endure what lies ahead,

My blessings now I send to you,

To ease your cause for dread.

Once we felt we had stored enough supplies for the winter months to come, we took a few weeks to rest. All four clans met together for a celebrations to eat, drink and share stories. This would be the last time that we would be able to gather before the season changed.

I loved this time of year because it meant meeting members of the other clans that I usually did not see otherwise. I talked to other youths from the other clans, telling them the story of my meeting with Shizen. Another boy from the Dobutsu Clan told me about how he had helped nurse a baby deer that had lost its mother to illness. He spoke with pride as he recounted his tale, telling of the joy he felt at saving the animal's life. It was great being able to talk to others of my people, especially those close to my age. Even though I enjoyed talking to Nature, it was still good to socialize with other humans as well.

We celebrated into the wee hours of the night, as the embers of our fires had started to lose their glow. Soon the four clans would go their separate ways. Just as the last clan had packed up to head out, we heard strange noises coming towards our camp.

Something large and loud was headed for us, the likes of which we had never encountered before. Closer and closer it came until finally, we could see what the source of the noise was. Three large iron beasts had approached our camp with bright lights shining from their ugly faces, cutting through the darkness. They roared loudly as they crunched the leaves and branches on the forest floor. We watched in wonder, not knowing what to expect as they slowed to a stop before us.

Suddenly, a man wearing strange clothing hopped out of the belly of one of the iron beasts. He was tall and thin, with brown hair. Soon after, two others emerged from within the other two beasts: another man and a woman. My people stood and watched, unable to fully understand what was happening. Because we were always a peaceful people, we never felt the need to carry weapons, besides the knives we used to hunt. All we could do was stand our ground, waiting for what these strangers to make their move.

"Hello there!" Said the first man as he walked towards us, holding his hands above himself and speaking in a language I had never heard before, "We mean you no harm." The other two people followed close behind him, also holding up their hands, as if trying to tell us that they were harmless. Seeing as they were quite outnumbered, our collective fear slowly ebbed. When the three strangers had reached our fire circle, I could see that Obasan had risen from her seat to greet them.

"Good evening strangers. We are the clan of the wind. What business have you here?"

It was obvious that these newcomers did not understand us any more than we did them, for they continued to stare at us, hands still raised. Obasan stood still, rooted in her spot, waiting for their reply. They had stopped moving. Both sides were cautiously awaiting the other's next move, both unsure how to proceed. It was at that moment that I heard Shizen's voice whisper in my ear:

Oh child of mine with silver eyes,

Within whom my soul resides,

Be careful of these strange men,

For they are neither foe nor friend.

Heed my warning, for in time,

True destruction soon will lie,

Within your midst as they will come,

And cause much pain for everyone.

Take caution now, or wait and see,

What horrors shall become of thee,

Be weary now, my dearest son,

My silver-eyes, my chosen one.

Relay my message to one and all,

Make sure to tell, or you may fall,

Or become a victim to their greed,

These strangers who will just deceive.

Hear my warning, my child, my son,

My silver eyes, my chosen one.

As She finished her song of warning I could feel a sinking sensation within. Shizen's words were very clear to me: do not trust these strangers. I attempted to walk towards Obasan to tell her what I had heard, but it was too late. She had already greeted the three, stretching her arms open wide in our traditional way. She leaned forward in a slight bow, showing that we meant no harm to them, which they bowed back to us to show that they felt the same. Obasan had motioned for the three to sit beside the fire with the rest of us, showing them kindness despite our differences. Although Her words still echoed in my head, I decided that Obasan knew what was best and stopped my worrying.

That night, after the Misu Clan had left, the Kaze Clan decided that they would bring the newcomers to our camp. We set up an extra tent just for them right next to Obasan. They seemed to be happy for this and smiled and bowed as we all retired for the night. As I went to my own tent with my mother to go to sleep, I still could not shake the heavy feeling in my chest.