<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/13/Keitaro.jpg)</div>Keitaro took a deep breath as he walked into the next room. For all that he was certain that he was doing the right thing - it was the only way he could become a worthwhile samurai again, and after all, his liege had suggested it - it was also a huge change in his life, and there would be no going back.<br/><br/>He listened intently to the Otomo's proclamation, and waited for the rest of it... but no more was forthcoming. He was taken aback a little by the lack of ceremony, but such would be life in the Owl Clan, it seemed.<br/><br/>Maseko was first to step forward, and he paid close attention to her oath of fealty, impressed by the reach of her voice. He bit his lip when she cast aside her veil - most samurai never saw a Scorpion remove her mask. The fact that she was so intriguingly pretty underneath the veil only added to his shock.<br/><br/>The moment soon passed, though, and he knew his duty. He stepped forward and addressed the Otomo, in the voice he used for making military reports. "I am Matsu Keitaro, son of Matsu Kiriko, daughter of Matsu Aoshi, daughter of Matsu Ineko. I am the vassal of Matsi Koniriko, in service to the Lion Clan and the Emperor.<br/><br/>"Matsu Ineko-sama has freed me from my oath of fealty to her, and I now swear fealty to..." The young bushi hesitated for just a moment as his eyes flickered between the Otomo and the Lion, and he realised that no representative of the Owl Clan would be here to accept his service. The thought saddened him a little, but he pressed on before his hesitation became too obvious. "To the Owl Clan. May my life and death serve the Owl in peace and in war."<br/><br/>He bowed to the two samurai before him, then stepped back into the line. Inside, his heart was yearning for a face or even a name to whom his service was owed. This was nothing like his gempukku, when Koniriko-sama had accepted his fealty with welcoming gladness. This... this felt like nothing at all.