27th June 112 BNM

Far East, Salaman Islands

Salaman Empire

The Salaman Empire was home to the amphibious Giant Salamander population, as they constructed cities with many aquaducts and streams integrated to make life easy for them. Pandina culture mixed heavily in this golden age, readily so, as the Salaman had migrated from Pandina in a time before history was written.

6 feet long, with often moist black bodies, wide heads with small eyes, and arms and legs that could tuck in to be quite short, or extend enough for dexterity and even stand 4-foot upright walking on land when used with their tails bent in a specific way.

Giant Salamanders could reside out of water for longer during the rainy seasons, but would often become less active in the winter months.

To those who saw them become involved in acts that dismembered or wounded them, the truly astonishing feats of the Salamders was revealed. They could regrow entire limbs or chunks of flesh, if not lethal wounds in the vital organs in the torso, back entirely within a few months at most. A common joke was that a living Salamander was only ever short of a limb or tail if it was still growing back.

Even parts of their brains could be regrown, though there was often a noticeable loss of memory that was never recovered if so. But skills could be relearned so long as the Salamander hadn't died from the wound.

The Salaman Empire was in a golden age of peace, from outside threat that is. The Haien Royal Family ruled the nation fairly and justly, but they were public figures, the ones who took a more philosophical, hands off approach.

With the right to govern granted to them by the royal family, the TRUE power of the Salaman Empire rested with the Shogun warlord, and the lesser warlords under the Shogun, the Daimo, most of them members of the Fijuwara clan. Wars against enemies of their allies in Pandina's north eastern regions had made the title of Shogun and Daimyo legendary in their exploits, and the security of the realm, maintaining stability, was in their hands, and in the hands of the Samurai who served them.

The Emperor was the guiding hand, while the Shogun was the forceful hand, the Daimyo his fingers. In this golden age where there was peace on the outside, the code of rule began to turn in on itself.

It never escalated far, but the Daimyo were already known to wage micro wars between their own private forces. In later centuries, as their power grew, the Daimyo, led by their Shogun, would eventually take over Salaman entirely, placing the strongest Shogun as the emperor.

But as of now, there was relative peace. But in peace, there is always the desire for glory, and philosophies held by some differing views on the subject of battle, honour, and those that lived by the warrior's code meant conflicts were not infrequent.

As the years progressed, Daimyo provinces grew in size, while others shrank or were swallowed by infighting by the nobility. The Peasantry were usually unharmed, as it merely meant a different leadership personnel and not much more. In time, as they grew too big, the larger provinces would split, and the cycle would start again.

The cycle of division and unity was done by many ways, peacefully, or bloody. But there was never a cycle devoid of bloodshed.

After all, the various Samurai clanss held onto the mixed philosophies of Pandhism and Tigaoism, a mixture of the concept of reincarnation and rebirth, and of the greater good.

Death was an accepted part of life, particularly for the warrior guild.

What it meant was some acts were justified more than some who received it could live with, even if they were part of their Daimyo's militia, the Samurai.

Those who abandoned the cause of the Samurai, of the life of Bushido, and remained masterless, refusing to commit seppuku, an honourable suicide, became lesser as warriors, shamed and vagrants in the eyes of anyone who ranked as Samurai or higher. They became a wanderer, a masterless warrior.

Wanderers, who deviated from their path sworn in life for whatever reason. Many would abandon the warrior way entirely; others would re-join other samurai clans after proving themselves worthy.

Some however, chose to remain masterless. Some let what events made them masterless define their life, and what they chose to do in wake of becoming one.

Little did a certain Grey Wizard Unicorn arriving in Salaman, summoned by a prophecy imbued in his mind, that the destiny of one lone Salamander and his own would be intertwined in ways that neither could foresee.

A lone samurai who had ventured down an extreme path of Tigaoism's philosophy of reciprocity, of returning the favour greater than he had received, by returning pain, suffering, and cruelty greater than he himself had been dealt, to any who had done it, in whatever way he could. Cruelty from his enemies, and even from those he had served.

The term coined for him would become a term for any samurai who fell from his path of honour, serving themselves or serving the master in ways the master wouldn't want.

Ronin.

27th June 112 BNM

Early Afternoon

Salaman Empire, Main island's North-Western coast

Mutsae town, Docks

It had been over a month, 4 weeks, since he had emerged from his timejump in the cave all the way in Glaceland, now over 5000 miles away. For 2 weeks he travelled, beckoned east yet again, further than ever before, teleporting over land and taking boats on the stretches of water where he could not teleport far enough to avoid plunging into the ocean.

His teleporting had improved as he used it, and now he could manage 30 mile bursts in one teleport. Some water crossings were still too far for that, which had been the slower parts of his journey. But now he had arrived, the nation where the prophecy burned into his mind beckoned him to for the 6th, and final exemplary being.

And yet, he had been in the Salaman Islands for 2 weeks now, with no sign of whomever it was. He'd travelled from Kuysuh in the south, ventured to the smaller Shikoku island state, and to the north of the main island of Hunsho, but something in his mind urged him that whomever it was wouldn't be found on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, so he didn't bother venturing there.

So he returned to the south of the Hunsho, the largest island, letting the vague prophetic dreams he had guide him each day.

Sometimes the vagueness was irritating, downright insulting at times given other events occurring while he was stuck on this duty set so long ago.

But he had seen something else, as well as rumors of it when he'd hung around Glaceland and the Eoropean kingdoms before heading east.

War involving Equestria and the New Gryphon empire.

Staring at the Equestrian merchant ship moored nearby, Starswirl still couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe what he'd found out as he'd been summoned across the world by the prophecy burned into his mind.

Equestria was at war with the New Gryphon Empire to its north borders, for 8 years now, with no end in sight.

Granted it was a series of wars squabbling over territory between their borders, mineral rich mountains and fertile lands less populated, but the fact that war had come to be the solution.

And here he was, summoned by duty to the other side of the western ocean from Equestria to find the last of the 6 exemplars.

The only consolation was that maybe, MAYBE, Siral was still doing what he could. Maybe if he had timejumped, he'd have stayed in Equestria when he emerged. Knowing how Siral was concerned, it was the most likely outcome.

For this reason, Starswirl paid no heed to any hope of Siral coming to find him all the way out here, IF he even knew he was in Salaman of all places.

He just couldn't help but see the sight of the Equestrian trade ship in port, and think of events he wished to address as soon as this 6th one had been found and set the example.

When this was over, Starswirl decided to forge his own destiny in the short term. He had to, he'd ignored events for too long.

Mid Afternoon

Mutsae town, Daimyo's palace

Entry plaza

Stood beside the main pathway, amidst a group of Salamanders and a few dogs, the procession was clearly ceremonial, heralding a foreign official's arrival.

The Equestrian merchant ship had also been a transport for a Unicorn dignitary, and by what he heard, one who had ties directly to the royal family in Equestria. Starswirl couldn't help but notice the royal crest was different from the one worn by the royal family at the time when he had last been in Equestria to see it, over 600 years ago.

But what was very slightly strange was a second emblem that the translator Unicorn wore. A silver lightning bolt slightly curving like an S, emblazoned a black circular mark.

He hadn't seen an insignia like that in his life.

The metal armour on the Pegasi, Earth ponies and Unicorn ambassador glinted in the sunlit sky, as the Equestrian procession of 6 soldiers, the ambassador and translator Unicorns, entered through the Torii gate that marked the entry to the palace.

The Salamanders, decked in full samurai armour on either side of the gate, stood steadfast and to attention as the visitors to their master passed by.

Starswirl kept out of sight of them, he felt that following them was not his path. Besides, the reason they were here proved a suspicion he had looking at the town.

Mutsae was clearly the capital of a province in good financial state, hence why the Equestrians came here among other towns and cities in Salaman to trade, for what Starswirl did not know.

As the Wizard turned away, the crowds watching the procession began to disperse. Thinking to himself, Starswirl knew the prophecy warned of a cruel person, who would come to exhibit kindness.

Cruelty was found in places of hardship, caused by or causing it. He had to move on to other places for his sought individual.

The Wizard, his blue cloak hiding his Unicorn coat and horn, began his journey to the edge of town. He knew an inn where he could stay the night.

Around him, the many water channels continued to flow as usual, along with the stone paving of the town's roadways, the city build for amphibious and land dwellers alike, as with many port cities in Salaman.

But for now, Starswirl readied for yet another day in 2 weeks of not finding his target.

Evening

Mutsae town, Daimyo's palace

Dining room

The trade agreement had gone smoothly, and the Daimyo had invited the 2 Unicorns, the ambassador and his translator/aide, to dinner with his family to honour the arrangement's success.

The rice and vegetable option was enough for the ponies, while the Salamanders indulged in sushi with the meal.

Daimyo Hisao, a regal robed, middle aged male Salamander, turned with a polite tone to the Unicorn ambassador, a pale grey furred, black maned stallion wearing regal dinner wear himself.

The translator kept her cloak on, the cloak of a royal court magician, and her younger, marble white fur and blue/grey mane was kept in a bun for practicality. The Unicorn mare, Teal Quirt, still wore the emblem of her teacher and magical guild, along with the royal family's crest, proudly upon her cloak, the grey lightning bolt atop the black circle, shaped like an S.

She had gained notoriety as Savant Guild's best pupil since his sudden re-emergence into Equestria 109 years ago, and his disappearance 49 years ago, in which time he'd participated in many political disputes within Equestria, and had even taken part in some discussions, to little avail, between Equestria and New Gryphon.

Siral the Savant had left a legacy within the 60 years he'd mysteriously returned, more than he'd left Equestria with over 600 years ago as of present for certain.

Supposedly a self-imposed exile, others said he had retired, as even Wizards could die of age.

But that was history, as she listened intently to the smalltalk of the agreement.

Amidst the Equestrian-New Gryphon war, now 8 years in, there was need for new weapons on both sides, and the New Gryphons worked hard to disrupt trade routes across the Muttlantic to Eorope, meaning they had the advantage there.

Opening trade across the Mustific meant an uninterrupted trade route by the enemy, and economic gain for the Salaman empire.

Magic from Equestria could be passed on in trade, in teachings or even tools, while Salaman offered what weaponry it had devised in its centuries of warrior code and culture to Equestria, to be used how it could by Pegasi and Earth ponies, and mercenaries they hired, and made even better in the hooves of the Unicorns and even Alicorn superiors.

As his wife and young son eat their meals quietly, Daimyo Hisao remarked idly to the Unicorn ambassador, Ash Clincher: "I have heard of your Alicorn leaders with great regard."

"Yes, they are a sight to behold, much like your Emperor from what I gather. Though they allow the commoners to lay eyes upon them as one difference." Ash Clincher remarked, his white magic lifting the chopsticks of rice to his mouth as Hisao replied offhandedly.

"That difference shows how respected they are, or that your people maybe don't respect them as much as their might should give them reason to be."

Quietly eating her meal, the Unicorn Mare aide, Teal Quirt, kept quiet, as she couldn't help but recall one unique thing about the Savant, her magical teacher's own teacher.

Siral had expressed his dislike of Alicorns, though he never fully elaborated why, besides having a bad history with them and not seeing the best of futures from them.

All the while though, the town began to fall to night.

Meanwhile

Evening

Mutsae town, Town docks

The first sounds had been a faint splash, as something had leapt from the water onto the deck, a blade's wet slash as it cut through the torso of a guard echoing in the night. 2 other guards charged, lower level samurai guards, towards the attacker.

The mysterious Salamander, decked in flowing robes and dark brown and red trimmed armour on the torso, and a mask like a blank faced statue covering his round, flat head.

A few yells came before they were upon the attacker, to guarantee a response from elsewhere later on. The guards charged, their swords ringing as they swung. But even with the attacker not looking at them, he ducked and swung out his tail, sweeping one samurai off his feet, while he had grabbed the other by the neck mid charge and hurled him in the same direction. The guard's head slammed into the railing, knocking him out, while the attacker walked up briskly to the now scrambling up guard.

The slightly curved blade swung out, but a similar one met it from the attacker, still stained with the first guard's blood from the water ambush. A leather booted foot kicked the guard's ankle, and the attacker's sword forced the katana out of the way, before it came stabbing down into the guard's chest, silencing him.

Nearby, turning to look around, the attacker, his face still hidden from view, scanned the ship with his venomous green eyes. He saw an oil lamp nearby, just as expected.

Not paying any heed to the 3rd guard, only unconscious, the attacker sheathed his sword while pulling out his bow and arrow, and grabbing the lantern from the railing.

A few distant shouts came from the docks as someone spotted him on the deck as he smashed open the lantern, dipping his arrows in the oil and then beginning to set fire to them as he fired them off.

He targeted the ships of the Daimyo's ownership, ignoring small fishing boats.

But he made sure to fire at least 3 arrows at the Equestrian merchant ship to ruin it. That was something that would benefit the Daimyo in the long run, something the Ronin refused to let happen in any way if he drew breath. The Daimyos of this province had to pay much more before he was done.

A few twangs of arrows from long range volleys reached his senses, as he sidestepped to avoid one hitting a railing too close for anyone but him.

The Ronin turned to loose arrows in the direction of the swarming guards, even setting lamp oil and fire to them before he loosed them to make them burn and penetrate at the same time if they landed.

But one or two arrows missed, and hit some of the houses, as the thatched rooves began to catch fire. That was what set off panic in the streets.

Running out of arrows, but seeing his handiwork, Chack turned back to the railing, making sure to hurl the oil and flame ridden lamp on the deck of the ship before he jumped off into the water nearby.

Swimming away under the dark waters, out of sight, he ignored the glow as the ship he'd fired from and set fire to went up in flames, killing the 3rd samurai guard aboard it too that he'd knocked unconscious.

He'd done what damage he wanted.

Evening

Mutsae town, Daimyo's palace

Dining room

A Salamander messenger came rushing into the dinner room, quickly bowing respectfully to the Daimyo and his family as he spoke quickly in the native tongue:

"Daimyo-Sama! Rōnin! Kare wa, minato de fune ni hi o settei shite imasu!"

Eyes widening, Daimyo Hisao surged up from where he saw, his slightly moist skin glistening from his robe sleeve as the Salamander's eyes widened as he barked back in a tongue too quick to even be understood, but the message was clearly understood by the messenger, who darted from the room to the main barracks with a very quick, respectful bow beforehand.

He would quickly explain to the Equestrian guests why their ship had been burned and sunk, and the scrolls of knowledge they brought lost. There was a Ronin out there with an unknown agenda against the provinces, his appearance and identity unknown by the disguise he wore, a remnant of a defeated previous Daimyo in this province who had refused to cooperate with the takeover, even when everyone else in his samurai guild had either committed seppuku out of loyalty, or had realigned with him.

But rumors spread that this Ronin had been made one before the takeover even, becoming disgraced in the period of time when there had been conflict between Daimyo Hisao and the previous one in this region 20 years ago, Daimyo Masahio.

A relic of a small war already lost, and he was a rebel, nothing more.

But he was a very capable force, even for a Samurai. Hisao had his secret fears that this Ronin would slip away yet again.

Next Day

Mid Morning

28th June, 112 BNM

Salaman Empire, Main island's North-Western coast

Mutsae town outskirts, northern hill path

The fire in the docks had been disruptive to his sleep, but Starswirl's help hadn't been needed. Though the 6 guards killed, 3 by sword and others by arrow, had been among the 11 dead. An air of slight grief and fear had gripped the town, but they'd recover.

The attacker was nowhere to be seen though.

Still, Starswirl had places to go.

Walking past the rather deep stream, where the last of the town's rice paddy fields ended, Starswirl saw the path winding before him, heading south west. He truly was winging it now, following his heart. The last time an attack had occurred in a town he stayed in, it had been when he and Siral had met an exemplar being, the Eastern Dragoness Hinai in Pandina, or when Irvin the Fox had pickpocketed Starswirl amidst a pirate raid in the Shetland Kingdom.

That was not the case here, as Starswirl faced yet another day, an entire month after coming out of his time jump, and 2 weeks after arriving in Salaman, without the one of cruelty to show kindness he was looking for.

With a slight sigh, Starswirl couldn't help but think over how he was wasting time on this quest, and that how much more quickly time seemed to go in finding the beings when Siral was at his side.

The Grey Wizard walked on, mumbling under his breath as his hooves rustled on the stone gravel pathway, the river running alongside:

"I sincerely hope Siral is having better luck wherever he is, if he has emerged as promised."

Given the New Gryphon war in equestrian right now though, Starswirl wondered if he and Siral could compare shortcomings on their recent ventures if they met again. Little did Starswirl know of two beings of concern to him being in places he didn't think of.

Elsewhere, his friend was out there, as Siral was doing what he thought was for the best, for Equestria and the world, though he had a loose end or two to address.

But more crucially would be a feeling Starswirl began to have later on.

Early Afternoon

Hill/river pathway

It had been for a while now, and yet as he came close to the river each time on his path, he got this distinct impression that somebody was following him. And yet nobody was walking up the path at all, nor was there a boat on the deep river either.

Starswirl's magic had sensed somebody following him from a distance, with potentially ill intent, and so he was on guard now.

Swimming, hidden beneath the river, his armour worn inside out to show dark grey colour to match his dark amphibious hide, the Ronin swam upstream underwater, eyes able to see the Wizard Unicorn further ahead while he could not see him.

Chack's green eyes narrowed behind his bank mask, as he saw an opportunity to hurt the leadership's power by slaying this Equestrian, foolish enough to take a wander outside of town alone.

He swam upriver unseen by anyone, as Starswirl continued his trek towards a village marked nearby, where this river ran from. Chack knew that was where he was headed, and began to swim upriver, to get ahead.

Up on the bridge, Starswirl could have sworn he saw the very faintest flicker of a green hue take over his mind, but unlike first sightings of the other exemplar beings, this one hadn't lasted full tilt, but seemed to give out after a blink. Almost as if only a brief glimpse had been made.

Stopping, Starswirl searched around the nearby forests, plains and river with his eyes, but saw no living creature of note.

He could have sworn he felt something following him, and now his mind was playing deceit upon him.

This leg of his journey without Siral had been going less smoothly from the start, and Starswirl wondered more and more that Siral had been right to go back to Equestria and try and solve problems.

Given the war unfolding there now, he wondered if he should have gone back too.

The Unicorn continued up the road, while his hunter, Chack the Ronin, swam unseen up the river, breathing underwater the whole way. Chack had one goal, to kill the Equestrians he'd seen in town.

Daimyo Hisao had been allying with Equstrians to gain economic and political influence, and Chack had a desire to undermine his influence by any means, harming innocents or not. It was only fair after what was done to his bretheren, both in harming them and turning those that remained from the true path in order to serve their new master.

After all, Tigaoism said to do unto others more than as they did unto you, for better or worse. He had been greatly wronged by them, and so he would do much worse in kind.

Slaying this Unicorn who clearly had come with them was merely another way of cutting the new Daimyo's influence. Simple as that.

Chack swam upriver, while Starswirl walked to the distant river mountain village of the same. He'd ambushed others, pony or not, in a similar way, in different places. He knew the land, this Unicorn did not.

He wouldn't be given the chance to.

Author's Notes:

This is the first time an exemplar being actively is hunting one of the Wizards for a long period of time, whereas at most they were random, brief pursuits or encounters.

Based on Taoism's principle of Reciprocity, Chack has a great deal of payback to give yet to Daimyo Hisao and anyone who serves him, or even the innocents who live and in any way help to give him power. To in any way associate with Daimyo makes them a target in Chack's eyes.