Editing Sha Yan Shi (section)

==Part 2: The Pen Is Mightier...==

[[Sapphire River at Midnight]] coughed politely, her hands folded into the sleeves of her robe.  Startled, Sha Yan Shi jumped back a pace, her hair bristling, and reached for the sword that was currently propped against her bed on the other side of the room.

“My apologies for startling you,” Sapphire River smiled.  “I knocked several times, but there was no answer at the door.  The staff assured me that you hadn’t left, so I let myself  into your room.”  She walked to the catgirl’s side.  “I was told that you wanted to meet with me as soon as possible, but now I'm curious.  What is it that had you so transfixed?”

Sha Yan Shi coughed slightly and gestured with one claw at a scroll hanging on the wall of the bedroom.  “This.”

“Ah, yes.  A piece of our scripture.  It can indeed be fascinating.  You see, we are trying to bring the beliefs of the Marukan Alliance more into sync with…”  She stopped as the half-caste snorted derisively, shaking her head.

“No, no, no.  Not that.  That’s drivel.  Everyone knows that the religion of the Empire is useless, weak, and corrupt.  Attempting to “bring it into sync” with anything is like trying to strengthen a pig iron sword by tossing a handful of silver into the mix.  Worthless.”

“Then what…”

“It’s not what’s be written, but how it’s been written.  The calligraphy."  She leaned eagerly towards the long strip of rice paper, one finger hovering just over the kanji as it traced their outline."  Can’t you see it?”

“Well, it’s not really my area of expertise, but [[Nameless Ravine]] certainly…”

“Nameless Ravine?”  Sha Yan Shi seemed to swirl the words about in her mouth for a few moments.  “Nameless Ravine.  There is strength in that name.  And even greater strength in his hands, I bet."  Her smile became slightly lascivious.  "He’s a swordsman, yes?”

The Eclipse caste eyed the girl, somewhat taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm.  “Yes, he is.  In fact, he is among the greatest…”

“I knew it!”  Sha Yan Shi hopped up and down in place, her hands clasped in front of her.  “Only a master swordsman could write like this.  When will I meet him?”

“Well, you and I haven’t really had a chance to speak yet about your position of embassy, but I’m sure…”

“So the sooner we get that over with, the sooner I can meet him, right?”  Sha Yan Shi turned to face the older woman, a wide grin now plastered across her face.  “What are we waiting for, then?”