We headed back into the shadow realm once again for a walkabout. I have lost track of which god is trying to get me to do what. Who knows which wants us to save O-Sayumi.

The clues left by O-Sayumi almost seemed as if she was leaving the clues to someone like me. I am fairly sure we would have run into a lot more of these shadows had we deviated from the path. The mirrors turned out to be a very interesting trick. It was fascinating that looking at them would trigger a semi real trap. I felt like I was hogging all of the fun with the mirrors trigger so I asked if anyone else wanted to also experience the wonder. Kali just gave me the “Are you nuts look” and I noticed that the others did not at all seem interested in the mirrors.

My companions don’t seem to enjoy the simple moments in life and these are the type of experiences that I am glad the gods provided me. I am not sure why my companions get so overwhelmed with dread at times like these. It was the same out on the ice. I still can’t figure out why they didn’t enjoy our time at the top of the world. Most people never get to experience the wonders of the crown of the world and yet I traveled with a group that could not wait to get off the ice. Always looking ahead and not enjoying the moment and at times they seem a little broody.

Looking into Aiemko’s eyes t was clear that she believed that things here would kill her. At that moment I realized that everyone else was likely thinking the same thing. Huh looks like once again Amieko has provided me with some insight about myself.

In truth beyond this point everything would have killed Ameiko before she could get herself out of the way. It didn’t look like fear but it just seemed that she decided to trust us to take care of the situation. Well that is what I hope that look was about.

The pearl merchant seemed over confident about his chances. He seemed to be under the misconception that we needed him. It seems like he knew why we were there but did not seem concerned. I don’t understand why he didn’t send all of his forces against us at once. Dealing with the shadows, the tiger thing, and the women would have been a big challenge for us. Yet he let us take them on in small groups which was to our advantage.

When Kali said there was a white pearl I blurted out “That’s the one” even before Qatana could determine that it was magical. It just seemed like she would be the white pearl. I am not saying that she is or is not pure of heart. It was more about not being dark and broody.

The response from the sending of the special message from O-Sayumi seems to point to her being O-Sayumi and not the wife of the pearl merchant. Something about O-Sayumi seems mysterious and the gods are being very quiet. I am not sure if that means anything or not.

I am not sure what a group of Oni is called but it looks as if there was a group of them on the boat. O-Sayumi used the spell to hold a monster and one of the oni fell from the sky. I like what I was seeing but I was also wonder how often in her line of work she actually had to use these spells. I really hope that she never has to use them while working.

I find myself more than a little confused. I have been pushing Amieko a little bit to see if the old Amieko will show up. I now have to consider that she is still the same old Amieko and that it is me that is different. She has an entire country of people to save so she has to rise up and become the type of leader that I expect. I just know that it is somewhere there insider her.