Lord Takeda called for doctor Mushiso to be brought before him.
"My Lord." The physician bowed and knelt in front of his liege.
"What is your opinion about Ana-San?" The intonation was neutral, as if of a question posed by a master enquiring about a servant.
"I believe that physically she is recovering very well. Better than I had anticipated, in fact. Soon she will be able to commence her training, if that is what you wish for."
Takeda noticed that his physician was choosing his words carefully. "But?" His eyebrow rose slightly.
"But mentally she is still extremely fragile."
"What would be your recommendation?"
"To distract her with something. Take her mind of the loss."
The Lord nodded in agreement. "That is also my opinion. Can she ride?"
"I expect so. But not too far and not with any degree of exertion."
"Good. Thank you, Mushiso-San."
After the doctor's departure Takeda chose for Anna one of his own riding hakama and went to her rooms.
Sumiko bowed low when he entered. He handed her the clothes. "Make sure your Lady is ready to go out in a short while. Now go and instruct my groom to saddle the horses."
"Hai, My Lord." With a bow she disappeared to follow his orders.
"Ana-San," He stood in front of the sitting figure, towering over her. "We are going for a short trip. Mushiso says that you can ride, if you are careful." She looked at him dispassionately, without a single thought or emotion displayed on her face. "I told you before, I had a surprise for you." He continued undeterred; his tone even. "Please, dress accordingly. I will expect you shortly in the courtyard." He left, not waiting for the reply. Obviously he didn't expect her to do anything else, but obey.
On her return Sumiko found Anna trying on the garment left for her by the Lord. It was easy to put on, even without any help, but the maid assisted nevertheless and then bound Anna's hair with a simple ribbon. Satisfied with her efforts, she lifted both swords from their stand and handed them to the Lady with a bow.
Carrying them in her hand, Anna stepped out of the room, first time in weeks. The maid was walking ahead, as always, showing her the way out of the building. The people they met on the way moved out of Anna's path and bowed politely. Seemingly, they had accepted her as samurai.
Lord Takeda waited patiently next to the saddled horses. His heart skipped a beat when he caught the sight of her. Anna was very pale and her face was drawn, but she was still very beautiful and he couldn't take his eyes of her. Despite her recent ordeal, she moved with natural elegance and poise.
He noticed that she was carrying the swords in her hand. "My Lady," He nodded to her as if nothing had happened. "Allow me to show you how to place your swords comfortably."
"ArigatÅ gozaimasu, Takeda-Sama." She bowed.
He explained that the smaller sword goes first and katana sits a little higher, ready to be drawn in an instant, if necessary. She took it all in without another word.
"I have a gift for you." Takeda indicated one of the horses. "You will need a suitable mount."
Anna stepped closer and extended her hand, gently touching the horse's nose. He was dark brown, with a shiny coat and an elegant neck. His legs were long and graceful. He regarded her with his intelligent eyes for a while and then bumped her shoulder with his head, as if demanding a treat or a caress.
"He already likes you." The Lord smiled. "Do you approve of him?"
"He is magnificent. Does he have a name?"
"Kaze."
"Wind." She whispered to the horse, stroking his neck. "I hope you are as fast as the wind." Then she turned back to Hikaru. "My Lord, thank you for this generous gift. I will take good care of him." She bowed.
"Let us go." He held Kaze's reins and extended his hand to assist her with mounting. For a split second he feared she would reject his help, but she accepted it with gratitude. An expression of pain appeared briefly on her face, but she disregarded it in the true samurai spirit.
Takeda mounted his own horse and they moved out towards the gate.
She looked around with some surprise. "My Lord, what about your guard?"
"We don't need them, where we are going." He replied, once more moved by her concern for his safety.
"Where are we going?" Her question came only after they left the gate and were on the bridge.
"Up." That was all he said.
She followed the line of his sight and again saw the temple she had noticed on the first day. She didn't ask anything else.
Their pace was slow, to avoid causing her unnecessary pain. They were silent, but Takeda observed her from the corner of his eye. She breathed deeply a few times and he had a distinct impression of her shedding the old, wounded self, to emerge, as if from a cocoon, to become once again a beautiful butterfly. She squared her shoulders and sat straighter in the saddle. Her face remained impassive, but regained a little colour and lost its austere expression. He let out a sigh of relief. This was precisely what he had hoped for, when he suggested this outing. He needed her to be herself again. He missed her so much.
They stopped at the gate and dismounted. Once more he offered his help which she again accepted with gratitude. He lifted her off the saddle and gently set her on the ground. It was the first time he held her so close in his arms since her miscarriage.
"Thank you, My Lord." She smiled with warmth.
They left the horses tethered there and walked together through Torii. From there a set of steps led to the temple itself. They climbed slowly and with each step Anna seemed to transform in front of his eyes. He couldn't really explain what he had witnessed, but it was a very moving experience.
"Do you remember, once you asked me where I had learned English?" It was a long climb to the monastery and he stopped at the half way point, partially to give her a moment of rest on the steep stairs and partially to be able to look at her face. "It was here."
Her brows furrowed in incomprehension.
He was going to explain, when suddenly they heard a laughter coming from behind some bushes, on the side of the temple. Hearing that laugh Anna froze on the spot. Her face went deathly pale and Takeda made a step towards her, in case she was going to faint again. But she didn't even notice him. She started to move towards the voices, drawn to them in some unexplained way. She forced her way through the bushes and came to a clearing, where a few monks were enjoying the sun.
"Pappi." She whispered, almost inaudibly.
The monks noticed her and fell silent, rising from the ground. But soon they recognised Lord Takeda who followed the woman closely and they bowed.
Anna was staring at the man who remained seated. He had white hair and appeared to be blind. Hearing somebody approaching, he turned his head towards the newcomers.
"Who's that?" His Japanese was good, but it was evident it wasn't his native tongue.
"It's me, Sensei, Hikaru." The Lord stepped forward. "I bring you a guest."
"Takeda Hikaru." The old man smiled and turned his unseeing eyes in their direction. "And who did you bring?"
"Pappi..." She said for a second time. Somehow she managed to sound like a little girl.
The old man stiffened. "Jeg kjenner denne stemmen." He whispered to himself in disbelief. "I know this voice, but... that's impossible!"
"Pappi!" Anna ran towards him.
"Lottie? But how?..."
He wasn't able to say anything else as Anna threw herself at him, sobbing miserably.
All present watched the scene with the utmost surprise. The first to put two and two together was Lord Takeda. In the flash of inspiration he understood. He motioned for the monks and they all left, allowing father and daughter the time to talk.