Chapter One

~Dark. Dank. Uncomfortable.~ Mira thought as she looked out the store window a moment longer. Turning her attention to the store, it wasn't much better than outside. The place was just a large room with counters towards the back to separate the floor room with the back stock and the stairs to the upstairs. The place was run down like every other building on the alley, but Mira knew it was the only place she could afford at the moment. ~In time,~ she thought, ~I'll have a place like my parents always wanted. Until then, this will do.~ She found her way to her work area, turned on an oil lamp and sat down. There were piles of fabric, thread, and scraps all around her and she couldn't help but smile with contentedness. She picked up an orange piece of fabric that she had been working on the night before. She had begun outlining flowers and now was ready to fill them in.

Stitching on patterns to fabric was her favorite part. She could see the pattern she wanted to stitch before she even began stitching and it always seemed to turn out exactly right. It even ended up being exactly what her customers wanted. That is, whenever she had customers to serve. They were few and far between, but Mira was alright with that. She knew how to stretch money. She was in the process of making a festival gown for a client who loved orange and flowers. With almost a month to the festival, Mira felt confident that she would have the order done in enough time.

After she had been working on the gown for a few hours, Mira came out of her work cloud at the sound of knocking on the door. This was the first time she noticed it had grown lighter outside. Setting her work aside, Mira attended to the waiting guests. She was shocked to see the royal general of the kingdom's army and another high ranking soldier. "C...Can I help you?" she asked quietly with her head bowed.

"Good morning. I am sorry to be calling upon you so early, but I am looking for Mira Takeda who was apprenticed to the master seamster Teilo," the royal general greeted. "The name is General Kybele."

"Of… course. I'm Mira," she answered. "What can I do for you?"

"May we bring this conversation inside?"

Mira was hesitant only a second before she let them in. With the morning beginning to brighten even more, the fullness of the rundown store became apparent. It needed a good handyman to fix the wood flooring and a painter to fix the walls. Hanging on one of the walls was a kimono dark blue in color. It had numerous japanese koi stitched into it of various colors and a red obi hanging next to it.

"So, you do have it," Kybele sighed as he took in the kimono. "I heard that Seamster Teilo no longer had it in his possession anymore and wouldn't say where it was."

"He cast it out when he casted me out," Mira answered.

"Why did he cast the two of you out?" Kybele asked.

"Because it apparently was my fault that the kimono was torn in half," Mira answered.

"It doesn't look that way to me."

"Because I fixed it," Mira answered, "Master Teilo didn't appreciate my efforts in repairing it and casted me out with the kimono. I've been keeping it safe."

"Thank you for keeping it safe," Kybele answered. "But please, tell me the tale as to what led you and the yakuta here."

"Uh," Mira stammered. "Of course. I'll put the tea on then."

"Perfect. Thank you," Kybele replied. "Will we sit out here?"

"Yes, it might be more comfortable out here, I will be right back," Mira replied.

Kybel nodded and sat.

Mira hesitated a moment before heading towards the back of the store and up the stairs. Once up there, she started having a panic attack. A visit from the general of the royal army was in her shop. After a moment of breathing, Mira set about searching for tea and tea cups. Looking in her relatively bare cupboards, she managed to find tea and a couple cups. Setting about boiling water, she went about finding something she could use as a serving tray for the tea.

After getting things together and ready, she brought the tea down to her waiting guests. After serving them, the general gave her a slight nod to start her story. "About five years ago, I became Master Teilo's apprentice. Shortly after that, my parents passed and Master Teilo took me under his wings allowing me to move into the shop to continue my apprenticeship. Things were going well. It was a year ago when the shop was raided by a street gang. Master Teilo and I tried to stop them from destroying many of the clothes. It only seemed to anger them and they took to knocking us around. They eventually found the kimono that Master Teilo was working on for your order, General," Mira explained. "And ripped it in half. After the damage was done, they left. Master Teilo was beyond comfort about the Kimono. He blamed me for not protecting it since I was in front of it and should have protected it more. He casted me out of the shop, life, and of my apprenticeship along with the kimono. it was only six months ago I was able to get this shop and move the kimono and the fabrics and supplies I inherited from my parents in."

"It sounds like it's been a long and hard journey for you," Kybele said after taking a long moment.

"It has," Mira answered, "but it has also taught me many things. I don't like dwelling on how hard and difficult things have been. I like to dwell on what I have learned and turn it all into something positive."

"That's a very nice point of view to have," Kybele replied. "Seeing the kimono like it is makes me marvel at the talent Seamster Teilo has and as well as yours."

"I wish I had as much talent as Master Teilo's," Mira sighed, "I have enough to get by."

"I wouldn't count yourself so short," Kybele said, "I see some of your work over there. It's quite beautiful."

Mira blushed. "Thank you. I'm just glad the kimono you've commissioned is still safe and you're able to finally collect it."

"Thank you for doing so. I will go see Seamster Teilo now and pay him for the kimono," Kybele answered. "Asherah, stay here to protect the kimono. We don't need any more damages."

"Of course General," the soldier answered with a bow.

Before Mira could say a word in protest, the general was gone. She stood awkwardly as Asherah stood at attention. "Would you, uh, like more tea?" she asked.

Asherah gave her a thoughtful look before replying, "Thank you for the offer, but I am good."

"Of course," Mira sighed. "I guess I should get the kimono down and package it up. That is, if it's all right?"

"Let me help you," Asherah offered.

"Thank you." Mira helped Asherah by guiding him in how to take it off the wall. With his help, the kimono was taken off the wall and folded up nicely. The obi was next and was tied around the kimono in a bow. With Asherah holding the kimono bundle, Mira went in search of a box to keep the kimono in. When she returned, and they began packing it away, Mira asked, "How long have you been in service?"

"Fifteen years," Asherah replied, "Hoping to serve many more years."

"I'm glad there are such dedicated soldiers among the army and guard. I'm sure Princess Isidora feels the same."

"Such kind words," Asherah replied. "I hope I can continue living up to them."

"I'm sure you will," Mira said with a small smile. "Is it hard work being in the army?"

"Some days are harder than others," Asherah said. "However, I haven't been pulled out to war yet, so I can't really say how hard it can be."

"My father used to say that war was quite difficult," Mira sighed. "Said the hardest part for him was being away from his family, especially his young family. Mom and me. He also said it was hard because he wanted to come back alive, but was afraid he was going to die leaving mom and me so young. Despite mom being a seamstress and a great one to boot."

"Your mother was a seamstress?"

"Yeah. She learned it from my grandmother. I learned most of what I know from my mom."

"Then why were you apprenticing under Seamster Teilo?"

"It's a tradition in my family," Mira explained. "We learn all that we can from our mothers and grandmothers and then continue learning under a master. Mom said it started centuries back because there were a few family members that were having trouble learning just from their mothers and grandmothers. The tradition was kept. I always loved that history. Mom always added that something about our being seamstress's also came from a legendary Seamstress that had the ability to weave power and magic into her designs that always helped people in what they needed."

"That's quite interesting. And your father was in the royal army?"

"Yes. As he put it, 'Way back when'. He was made lieutenant."

"May I ask the name?"

"He was Lieutenant Caspien Takeda."

"It sounds familiar. Like I've heard recently. I'm sorry for your loss of both mother and father."

"Thank you. What about your mother and father?"

"Father is a merchant. A wealthy one. So my mother has been able to stay home with me and my sister."

"What made you join the army?"

"I didn't want to go into my father's business."

"I see," Mira answered. "How old is your sister?"

"She just turned six."

"That's quite the age gap. Do you get along?"

"For the most part, when I am home at least."

"How often do you get home?"

"One weekend a month or so. Are we playing twenty questions or something?"

"I'm terribly sorry if I've overstepped," Mira said quickly. "I don't get many visitors and I tend to forget my manners. Please forgive me."

"It's quite alright. I find it rather easy to talk to you," Asherah answered. "May I have the pleasure of stopping by when I have time for a quick chat?"

"Really?" Mira asked, surprised. "I'd like that."

"It won't be too often though, but I'm glad it's okay."

"Of course, I appreciate your kindness."

"Perhaps on one of these visits, you could tell me more about your father as well as about that legendary seamstress."

"I'd be happy too."

"If I commissioned you for a yukata for the Moonlight Festival, what would it look like?"

"Oh, well," Mira said thoughtfully. She looked at the soldier, Ashera, and considered what she would make. "I'd consider a deep blue yukata with white underneath. I'd probably stitch on stars, a moon, and some firework displays. White stars and moon, yellow, orange, and red fireworks. At least, that's what first comes to mind while I'm thinking about it."

"That sounds really good to me," Ashera replied after a moment. "I'm amazed that you were able to get such a clear idea right off the bat like that."

"It's a gift I've always had," Mira replied. "I've always been able to look at someone and imagine what sort of kimono or yukata would look nice on them. Then, every piece of garment I envision and go to stitch, it turns out exactly as I envisioned it. It's always been a gift that runs in the family."

"Quite the gift," Ashera replied, "Wish I was as good as that at something."

"Sometimes we need someone to point it out for us," Mira replied.

"I suppose that can be true." Ashera replied. "I think I would like you to commission that Yakuta for me then."

"It'd be a pleasure sir," Mira replied with a bow.

The two continued to talk about the yakuta until General Kybele returned for the kimono. "I would like to pay you for the work you've done on this kimono."

"I can't accept payment, I'm sorry," Mira said sadly, "It is Master Teilo's work and I shouldn't benefit from his work."

"He has refused payment for it," the general replied, "I'll keep his payment until he's ready to wise up about it. I'm wanting to pay you for your work on fixing it. I know it wasn't easy and cost time and material to fix. Allow me to pay you for that."

Mira was ready to refuse again, but something stopped her. In the back of her mind, she knew the general wouldn't take no for an answer. "All right, if you insist," she replied quietly. She bowed and said, "Thank you."

"How much do alterations and fixes like this go, nowadays?" the general asked.

"From what I've heard from my mother, sir," Ashera replied, "something like the fix of this kimono would be a hefty two hundred gold pieces."

"Is Ashera telling me the truth, Mira?" the general asked.

"That is what Master Teilo would charge," Mira confirmed, "but because I haven't graduated, I am unable to charge that much."

"Those council rules are a pain, aren't they?" Kybele asked with a tsk. "Why don't we say you didn't charge me that much and I pay you that much anyway?"

"But-"

"Do you really think you can win an argument with me, young lady?" Kybele asked.

Mira opened her mouth to dispute, but closed it back up with a sigh. He was right. She wasn't going to win. "Fine," she sighed.

"Good," Kybele replied. He pulled out his pouch and proceeded to pay Mira. Once that was done, Kybele said, "It's been a pleasure Miss Takeda. You've done a fine job with this kimono. I hope things begin to look up for you soon."

"Thank you General," Mira answered. "Both of you are welcome anytime." She bowed and saw them out. After they had gone, Mira looked at the pouch of gold coins in her hand. ~I'll have to be careful how to spread this out and to hide it so it's not found by robbers.~ Mira thought.