S3E6: Curses, Bastards, & Forgotten Fathers

Podcast of the Five Rings

Boa, Tsume, and Kaizoku dropped the issue of the child in front of the rest of the village, but Boa suggested speaking more about it in private with Kai’s mother, Hina.

After their audience with the village elder, Boa and Tsume sought aid for the wounds. Their search brought them to the priest, Akira. Concerned about the troubling dreams he’s been having, Tsume asked what they meant. Akira communed with the kami and attuned himself to Tsume. He was troubled with what he found. Tsume was afflicted, haunted by a vengeful ghost. When someone dies a violent, needless death and their body is not properly cared for, their spirit can become angry and terrorize the living. Akira concluded that it was the sword he found in the ashes of the waystation that was disturbing him. The owner of the sword must be living on through the sword, haunting whoever wields it. Akira recommended Tsume complete the ghost’s final mission: deliver the sword to its recipient. Then the spirit may rest. He warned Tsume though, if gone too long without treatment, his affliction can turn into the taint of Jigoku.

Meanwhile, Kaizoku searched Nestled Village for a fishing net to replace his lost one. He came to terms with the fact that with Kai staying with his mother, he’ll probably never get to see his father’s net again.

The next morning, Boa confronted Hina. He told her that Kai should be able to follow his hopes and dreams of becoming a samurai, and that he had no future in Nestled Village. Hina replied that following their hopes and dreams didn’t help them at all. Following their passions only lead to shame and isolation. They both had to give up their homes and their lives because of how they shamed themselves. They lost everything trying to pursue what they wanted. She believed it was best that Kai stayed in Nestled Village, learned discipline, and understood that it was where he belonged. His dreams of becoming a samurai were naive and silly. Boa wouldn’t hear it. He saw the trouble his son was getting into, and he wanted to be there to help him. He suggested that if he had some strong role models, maybe he could change his ways. Hina became angry, replying that she hardly believed Boa would be a good role model for Kai. Boa lost his temper and unmasked, storming out of Hina’s house, and giving up on convincing her to let the boy come with him.

On the outskirts of town, Boa, Tsume, and Kaizoku discussed what had just happened and considered their next steps. They were interrupted when a messenger came running into town with an urgent message: Setsuo had been arrested and is being held at Closed Shell Castle.

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings