The Story: Dragon Conversations

Lord Kyugoro

With a few quick turns through narrowing corridors, the apprentice leads the four guests to a room guarded by two empty suits of ceremonial armour, the empty eyes of their mempo staring into darkness.  The mempo are full-face masks of the moriyo style, depicting ghostly faces meant to scare the enemy.  One shows the mon of lord Kyugoro's family, the other the official Togashi mon. The workmanship on both is remarkable.

The apprentice pauses briefly to bow to each suit of armour in turn, then kneels like a servant to slide the wooden door open.  He bows deeply.  "Togashi-sama, forgive this lowly one the intrusion, but your guests are here."

"Let them in, Toshi" answers lord Kyugoro's affable voice from inside.

Obediently, the apprentice rises, bows to the four guests and steps out of their way.  "Tea will be brought shortly," he adds.

Stepping in, the "brave defenders" see a scholar's sober but well-appointed library.  Scroll cases are neatly arranged and labelled on shelves, brushes hang on rosewood stands, ink stones are carefully aligned on a small writing stand.  Along the far wall a fire pit contains a brasero to heat up a room that must be quite cold on winter nights.  Mats of fresh reeds line the floor, and sitting cushions have been laid out.

A single painting graces one wall, an extremely simple yet elegant ink drawing of bamboo stalks, a motif usually given to beginning students of painting and calligraphy, but rendered with such mastery that this cannot be the work of a neophyte.  In the alcove where one would expect to see a painting, a poem scroll, or a flower arrangement, sits a jug of the simplest brown clay.  Upon examination, the jug proves to be cracked from top to bottom.

Togashi Kyugoro is kneeling at the writing table, reading.  Upon his guests' entrance, he lets go of the scroll, which rolls back on itself. Toshi kneels again to close the door and leave Kyugoro with his guests.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, and welcome into my study," greets the lord of the house.  "Please, make yourselves comfortable.  You honour my house."  He rises and bows to them, then approaches to sit with them near the brazier.

As soon as Kyugoro and his guests settle on the cushions, a servant brings the promised tea, pour, and leaves a kettle on the brasero before retreating with silent deference.  Lord Kyugoro looks down in his cup, collecting himself for a moment, then raises his gaze to look at the four expectant guests.

"Honoured guests, I already owe you much thanks.  Yet I wish to ask even more of you, and I must beg your forgiveness for this presumption.  Kaneka-san's murder has been a sad blow to his clan, his family, and his retainers.  He brought justice to an area that is only nominally under the Emperor's protection and is frequently oppressed by self-appointed lords and ruthless bandits.  I and others wish to pursue his efforts, but no one had planned on taking over for such a skilled magistrate and lord on such short notice.  Much help will be needed.  Moreover, those who had been cowed by Kaneka-san's swift and strong actions will now rise again, thinking they can resume their lawless ways with impunity."

Ishi bows in response to Togashi Kyugoro, and makes damn sure that his bow is the deeper one.

Tokkan nods imperceptably, and breaks his silence, "When the lantern is withdrawn, darkness advances."

Lord Kyugoro pauses, leans forward a bit.  "I wish to beg your help in finding his murderers, avenging his death, and pacifying the northern lands again.  Ueda-san, I know your daimyo and Kaneka-san have exchanged help in the past, and I bear some hope that Hiruma Shuro-san would approve of this.  Isawa-san, you have been our friend in the past and perhaps you may be able to lend us your strength again.  As for your companions, I know them not but they have shown bravery and resourcefulness beyond what is expected of them.  Before I continue, may I ask if you four brave defenders look upon this request with some favour?"

Rik opens his mouth to yell "YEAH!" but Ishi-san gets there first.

"My daimyo has already told me that he would like to see the killers pay for their crime," Ishi answers, "and I assume that is the reason why he sent me instead of someone more...appropriate...to represent him," Ishi starts out. "I think that it is also safe to assume that Hiruma-san would not want his representative to dishonour him by abandoning a people in need. Thus, I am at your service." Ishi finishes his little speech by bowing deeply from his sitting position.

"Me too!" adds Rik enthusiastically.

Kyugoro bows in return, unrattled.  So to speak.  "I am in your debt again, honoured guests," he thanks them.

Kentou shrugs.  "The debt I owed Kaneka-sama is great enough that I'd have done so anyway."

Kyugoro's bow is also a nod this time.  "Yes," he agrees softly, many of us owed our gratitude to Kaneka-san.  I thank you for your assitance."

"I will accept this challenge," replies Tokkan. "The storm tosses the petal of the cherry blossom where they need to be."  He looks at the Elder, "Is the one resposible for this foul murder known to you?"

"All right," says Rik, unable to contain his enthusiasm any longer (it's been well over 30 seconds after all.)  "What can we do?"

Kyugoro shakes his head sadly.  "By relentlessly pursuing justice, Kaneka-san had gathered many enemies among those who prefer to wield their might or cunning without such considerations. I do not know who is responsible for his death.  Allow me to tell you what I know of his murder."

He joins his fingertips and bows his head, deep in thought.  He begins speaking again, slowly and deliberately.

"Kaneka-san considered it part of his duties to tour his province regularly, and even to visit the outlying areas that do not reliably observe the Emperor's law.  More than that, he said that this is how he could truly understand the lives of those for whom he meted justice.  He would almost aways make these tours on foot, accompanied by his two yojimbo.  Sometimes he went disguised, other times he chose an official approach.

"His last such visit began in the month of the Boar [late fall, almost six months ago].  Unfortunately, that time, one of his yojimbo was taken ill and could not accompany him.  It was late in the season, and rather than wait until spring, Kaneka-san chose to leave with only one yojimbo, brother to the one left behind.  When Kaneka did not come back by the expected the time, there was little worry at first, as his travels were often very circuitous.  But the first snows came, then the storms...

"The yojimbo who had stayed behind, Mirumoto Haruka, felt herself sufficiently recovered to in search of her lord and her brother despite the winter conditions.  She tracked their route from village to village, finally coming to the end of the trail. She ended up at a village where she spoke to the hetman asking of her brother. He looked at her sadly and told her he had come upon the remains of a battle in the forest where several samurai lay dead or dying.  He had happened upon one who could still talk. The man had said that one day a woman would come who looked remarkably like him (Haruka and Haru were twins) and would ask of him.  The hetman walked into the other room and returned, bearing her brother's katana.

"Kaneka-san and his bodyguard had been ambushed by brigands not very far from the village.  They apparently managed to kill several of their assailants, but the bodies had been stripped of weapons, armour, and identifying marks or possessions.  Interestingly, the bodies of Togashi Kaneka and Mirumoto Haru had not been looted.  The peasants, guessing correctly that someone would be along to search for two well-armed samurai, had kept the bodies.  This was made easy by the winter conditions.  Haruka made her way back, bringing the bodies with the help of peasants she hired.

"There was great consternation in the clan and the province when Kaneka-san's death was known.  He was very respected and many of us looked up to him for guidance.  We had not counted on losing his wisdom so early. A horoscope was cast to choose the day of his funeral, and the shugenja finally selected the month of the Dragon [mid-spring], on the day of the New Moon [last day of the month], while Lord Moon is blind.  Somehow, the day has not seem as auspicious as we had hoped to send two souls on to Jigokku, but I now realize that the blessing may have come in disguise since it allowed the Defenders to step from the ranks.

"I am saddened to say, however, that Mirumoto Haruka, whom you saw by your side fighting the attackers this afternoon, has remained in poor health since she was first taken ill last fall.  Her search during the winter months did nothing to help her condition, and she has been coughing blood.  Today, after the fight, she was laid down with a great fever, and the healers have determined that she should be kept in bed with sleeping drafts.  I regret it not only because she is an outstanding bushi, but also because I had hoped she would assist you in this endeavour.

"The small village where Kaneka-san was killed is called Akibin ["empty bottle"] and is situated in the northern mountains between the Dragon and Phoenix lands, in the lower part of the Great Wall of the North.  It is merely a hamlet, where perhaps a dozen families live.  Haruka-san said they were very poor, although very hospitable."

"S-s-sounds like a good place to sstart-art," says Rik, trying not to chitter too much with excitement.  "When can we get-et going?"

"I find it strange, " Ishi begins, "that the brigands would leave the bodies of their victims, and then send a group of assassins to interfere with the burial of one of them.  If they did not want Kaneka-san to have a proper burial, would it not have been prudent to have done something about that while they took the time to strip their fallen?  Did they now fear that Haruka-san would come after her brother's murderers with vengeance in her heart, and perhaps interfere with their carefully laid plans?  They seem highly sensitive about their true identity, which indicates that they are either weak, or have a hidden purpose."  To signal that he is done talking for the moment, Ishi noisily takes a sip from his cup of tea.

Kyugoro listens to Ishi and Rik's words and nods.

"The attack was quite unexpected, and I cannot explain it to myself either," he agrees.  He looks at Tokkan.  "You asked if I knew who was responsible for this and I said no.  But perhaps I can tell you what I do know of some of the enemies Kaneka-san had acquired."

Using a few drops of tea that have spilled on the low table, he starts drawing a crude map of the Dragon provinces and the surrounding areas.

"Kaneka-san was magistrate for the province of Yumeji, here in the south part of Dragon lands, but he was also judiciary advisor to the clan, and his wisdom was often sought by colleagues and daimyo, such as Shuro-sama."  He bows for Ishi's benefit.  "Unike the clans of central Rokugan, the Dragon clan does not share any borders with anyone.  This means we are surrounded with lawless lands where bandit leaders can set themselves up as local lords by terrorizing the peasants.  While these areas are not claimed by the Dragon clan, their inhabitants often turn to us (or sometimes to the Lion and the Phoenix) for protection.

"My friend often investigated the abuses of such miscreants, as far as Ryu [Dragon] Lake to the west, Shiroi Kishi [White Shore] Lake to the southwest, and the Phoenix lands to the east.  Only rarely did he wander towards the border of Lion and Crane territories, since those areas are generally well-patrolled by the other clans and mindful of Imperial law.

"I can think of several people who must be rejoicing at his downfall.  The bandits that plague the lowlands of the Dragon territories and the fertile lands along the Nemui [Sleeping] and Hae Moete [Firefly] rivers and Shiroi Kishi Lake to the west are one such group.  I understand the leadership of those bands is fiercely disputed; I have been going through Kaneka-san's notes, and he appears to have believed three bandit chieftains were vying for supremacy there: Karasuhebi [Black Snake], Shuumi [Stink], and Koushou [Loud Laughter].  There were vague reports in the late winter that one of them had managed to kill the other two and claim supremacy, but I do not know more.

"Up near Ryu Lake, a warlord has established himself in the northern mountains and makes periodic forays in the lowlands to capture peasants, presumably to use them as slaves -- although some have suggested even darker purposes.  Lord Hikarimono is what he calls himself.  Some say he is of the Dragon Clan, and Kaneka was much concerned that one of our clan might bring us such shame, and led no less than three expeditions against him with the Daimyo's troups.  At one point we had thought Hikarimono dead, but he started his raids again almost two years ago.

"Some of Kaneka-san's enemies were within the Empire.  Lord Doji Shunichi is one; he is a brother of the governor of the northern province of Kintani, and on occasion has acted as if this meant he was governor himself.  He had been vying for a position as Emerald Magistrate, but Kaneka-san pleaded against this with the Emerald Champion, arguing that Shunichi's abuses were intolerable, and would only get worse with more power.  The Emerald Champion concurred, and Shunichi was sent home without a title.  Shunichi's wife, Lady Doji Tomomi, also swore vengeance against Kaneka-san because she had hoped to move to the capital and was much resentful of having to remain in the "backward provinces".

"Finally, there is of course the matter of the mountain lands between the Dragon and Phoenix territories.  Periodically we hear rumours of dark magic being worked in these remote areas.  The Dragon have often collaborated with the Phoenix to investigate such reports.  However, the villagers of Akibin had heard of nothing more than the occasional bandit, nothing to warrant action so far from our lands.

"So you see, it is entirely possible that Ishi-san is right and today's attack is not related to Kaneka-san's murder."

Rik's mind is a bit too full of potential HEROICs at the moment to really grasp the rundown of Kaneka-san's enemies.  But he does notice when there is a lull in the conversation.  "Great-great!  Let's go-go!" he says enthusiastically (hoping with his little ratty heart that somewhere in the previous monologue was some indication of where they should be going that one of the other HEROES might have picked up on.)

Tokkan nods grimly. "I see a web of shadows within shadows, dancing with menace and death. Darkness approaches from all horizons, and each point faced teams with more enemies. When faced with many choices, one can do naught but to eliminate the possibilities: one by one. The village of Akibin would seem like the obvious choice to start with. We may not solve the mystery with this first look, but it will be a simple matter of expanding our efforts, through Lord Kaneka-san's many enemies, until all have been cleared, or destroyed. Justice shall be served, in the end."

He looks around the room. "It is late now, for starting such an expedition."  Rik looks crestfallen.  Tokkan continues: "Perhaps tonight would be best spent equipping ourselves for the voyage, which can start with the sun's rising, as an omen of the forces of light driving back the dark."

Rik perks up.  What a cool thought!

After his long silence, Ishi speaks up. "The well known tactic of 'beating the grass to startle the snakes'," he nods. "I believe that starting our investigation at the most obvious place could bring dangerous attention to ourselves."

Tokkan shrugs. He seems little concerned with drawing the attention of enemies.

"I also fear, continues Ishi, "that this long after the attack occurred, the villagers will have long forgotten anything easily overlooked, whích would be the only things that they would have failed to mention to Haruka-san when she was there. But for a speedy resolution, this might be the best way to go about things."

Tokkan nods. The points are well vaild.  His eyes flicker over the other gathered guests, "And who knows what tongues might be loosed at the sight of a fierce Ratling warrior, and company? It is agreed then, to begin at, what is essentially the beginning?"

"Yeah!" says Rik enthusiastically.  Only by noting that others are not doing so does he halt at the last instant and not simply leap to his "big, ratty feet" and rush out of the room.  Instead he settles back down and looks around at his newfound followers.  Perhaps the humans are not quite obnoxious as he had heard...

... and seen.  The sudden memory floods through his being like an icy river, sweeping away his enthusiasm and happiness.  The face of a very particular human looms large in Rik's mind - a human he will kill, with his own paws, with his own strength, or die in the attempt.

The next chitter, which he does not quite manage to suppress, sounds more like a snarl, and his eyes glitter, just for an instant, with feral, animal hatred.  As quickly as he can, he calms himself - but the memory lingers, sapping the joy from his heart.

"In the morning we shall go-go, as you say honored samurai," he intones, bowing.  "As a rep-rep-representative of my people, I-I am at your service in this matter-atter."  He pauses a moment to gain control over his normally chittering speech, and with some effort continues in flawless Rokugani "We shall find the murderers of Kaneka-sama and bring them to justice."

Ishi nods in agreement, and finishes off his tea.

Togashi Kyugoro listens to his guests and nods in turn.  "I will send one or two of  my most reliable men to guide you and assist in this investigation.  I am expecting to hear from them later tonight.  I will also supply you with the needed provisions for the trip, and mounts or porters if you need them.  Make your requests known to Toshi, and he will see to them.  Is there anything else I may offer to help you in this endeavour and thank you for your efforts?"

"Your generosity and hospitality is more than appreciated," replies Tokkan, "I am sure the supplies you have offered to provide will suffice for my needs. Though, I cannot speak for my newly found travelling companions in this regard."

"I can think of nothing right now," replies Ishi. "We have our weapons, and we have our wits. If we also need a small army, I hope that we will not realise that too late."

Kentou shrugs.  "There's only so much you can do before you throw the dice," he says in a lazy tone.
 

Hiro and Toshino

He claps his hands and almost immediately Toshi slides the shoji door open, from a kneeling position on the other side.  The apprentice gets up, walks in, kneels down, slides the door closed, gets up again, and approaches his lord.  He bows deeply and murmurs a few words in Kyugoro's ear.  The master of the house brightens visibly.

"Ah, excellent!" he exclaims.  "Bring them in!"  He turns back to his guests while Toshi quickly steps out with all due reverence.  "Toshi tells me that the men I hoped to send with you are back.  One is a bushi of the Dragon clan, Mirumoto Hiro; he is young, but very skilled and adept at fighting the more... unnatural threats. The other I do not know as well, but he comes with high recommendations; he is a yoriki of the Ki-Rin clan, Shinjo Toshino, and he has some knowledge of the areas to the south and east of the Dragon provinces."

A instant later, Toshi opens the door again and shows two men in.  Togashi Kyugoro makes introductions all around.

A young man in simple, yet elegant garb in the colours of the Dragon clan enters. Tall, handsome enough, but with a grim countenance and a vertical scar down the left side of his face - his eyes are a bright green, and they speak of indescribable things faced and defeated. He seems somewhat distracted at the moment, as if his mind is somewhere else.

Hiro bows deeply upon entering, first to Lord Kyugoro, and then to each of the others as Togashi-sama introduces each of them. There is the barest hint of a raised eyebrow at seeing the nezumi. Hiro turns to face Togashi.  "Forgive my tardiness, sama. I came as quickly as I could - I am Mirumoto Hiro. How may I serve?"

Shinjo Toshino enters, attired in simple clothes more befitting a public servant, but trimmed in the purple and gold of his clan. His chonmage [topknot] is tied with a white ribbon. He appears to be a young man, but even now little shades of middle age seem to be creeping up on him. His grey eyes, like two rings of hammered steel, sweep across the room to take in the new faces, but there is an emptiness behind them and a hollowness to his face that suggests loss and sadness. He brings his hands forward to bow, and those who pay attention notice the little finger on his left hand is missing.

Toshino says, "Kyugoro-sama, I am honored to be chosen as an instrument to seek justice for Kaneka-sama. How may I be of service?"

Lord Kyugoro nods pleasantly to the newcomers.  "Mirumoto-san, Shinjo-san, allow me to introduce the brave guests who defended this household's honour today.  Isawa Tokkan-san, shugenja of the Phoenix clan and a long-time friend of our clan; Hiruma Ueda Ishi-san, envoy of the daimyo of the Hiruma family, Hiruma Shuro-sama; and Kentou and Rik'EEEE'k'chik Tukkatukka.  They have generously agreed to help us by tracking Kaneka-san's murderers.  I would like you to help them in this mission.  Perhaps the six of you can get acquainted and discuss the details of the expedition.  Mounts and supplies will be provided for your departure in the morning."

Togashi Toshi bows to the guests and newcomers, and slides the shoji door open to indicate the interview with his master is at an end.

Ishi bows in Lord Kyugoro's direction and exits the room. He then waits outside until everyone else has come out, and greets the two new samurai with yet another bow.  "We are most fortunate to have your assistance in this matter," he says, and with a humourous glance at his previous companions he adds: "It seems as if we got ourselves a small army after all. Now nothing can go wrong!"

Toshino raises an eyebrow to this, but otherwise doesn't comment. He waits quietly to see if anyone has any other preparations that need to be discussed.

Seeing that their audience with the Lord of the Manor is at end, Tokkan doesn't so much stand, as he does rise from the floor, crackling with electricity, and then extends his legs to stand upon the floor.

Rik almost bounds out of the room, and it is clear to all that whatever dark cloud momentarily touched his heart has now passed far, far over the horizon of his soul, to be seen no more.  Once before the new samurai he puffs his chest out squares his shoulders, and tries to make himself look as large and brave as possible, then bows formally.

"Greetings-eetings samurai!  I am Rik'EEE'k'chik Thukkathukka."  Rik's tail lashes back and forth with excitement and enthusiasm.  "It is good-good to have you with us-us.  Together we will certainly find those we seek, and bring them to justice!"  His eyes dance, and his whiskers veritably bristle with excitement.

"I see-see you have met my companion Ueda Ishi, a brave warrior of the Crab Clan!  Please-please allow me to introduce the others.  This," he gestures towards the Phoenix, "is Isawa Tokkan, a wise-wise and powerful shugenja of the Phoenix clan-clan.  And over there is Kentou."  Rik leans forward and says in a hushed tone, "He is quite... clever!"

Kentou bows deeply to Hiro, and if this keeps his expression out of sight, so much the better.  Hiro bows to each person as they are introduced. The faintest trace of a smile crosses his face in response to Rik's enthusiasm.  Tokkan bows formally in kind.

"I am honoured to meet you all," says Hiro. "Toshi informed us of your actions earlier today - I am in your debt for your fierce protection of Kaneka-sama and Haru-san's dignity.  I was intending to spend some time in the gardens before retiring for the night - perhaps that would be a suitable place to discuss our plans for tomorrow? The pleasant surrounds may do something to maintain our good spirits while we talk of conspiracy and murder."

Kentou bows again.  "As you say, bushi-sama.  It will be a pleasant change, as I am used to hearing of dark deeds in dark places, not peaceful ones."  His expression is carefully blank.

"Lead the way," Ishi responds curtly.  He doubts that maintaining good spirits when discussing conspiracy and murder is the wisest decision, as it could be much more fruitful to consult ones darker sides for inspiration and understanding of ones foes.  But he isn't about to start an argument over such a small issue.  Soon enough they will all know where the others stand.

Tokkan nods, "The gardens here are of exceptional quality. They will provide the serenity and order, that will provide balance to us as we discuss situations of chaos and fear."

Hiro nods briefly.  "Very well. I will arrange for some seats to be set out. I must go to my quarters to change out of these robes. I will be in the gardens in about an hour."

"I too feel somewhat confined by these formal robes," says Tokkan. "I shall meet you in the gardens shortly."  He bows to all present, and then returns to his room.

There Tokkan puts away his formal garments, and replaces them with his working clothes. As he slips the metal scaled tunic on, he considers his new companions. They represent diversity, and mystery as well. He decides that the signs are very positive for this endeavor...  Yet, the ease the escaping assassin used when turning aside his spell, indicates that all was not as it seems, and that for all his power, he may yet be rendered powerless in the conflicts ahead.  On that dark note, he makes his way to the formal garden. He browses through the peaceful splendor of the gardens as he waits for the others to arrive.

In the intervening hour, Toshino wanders over to the kitchens, asking around for some chamomile tea in the hopes that it might help him sleep easier.  He easily obtains the required herbal tea.  Then he wanders over to the gardens, looking for Hiro or whoever would be considered "in charge" of the investigation.
 

Togashi's Shadow

Upon reaching his room, he finds that someone has left a note for him. Skillfully folded into the complex shape of a dragon, it appears unlikely anyone would have opened it without damaging the origami pattern.  It is not the very fine paper normally used for such art, but thicker writing paper and Kentou can see traces of dried ink on the edges, the folds hiding the painted characters.

Kentou considers the note for a few moments without touching it, studying it.  Then, still without touching the note, he makes a quick inspection of the room, looking for anything that has changed since his last inspection, beyond the simple appearance of the note.

Finally, he picks up the dragon.  Again he studies it before proceeding.  A pang of nostalgia lances through him.  He has not been able to devote time to the gentler arts since his father's death, and these refined surroundings have been wearing at him.  He turns the note over and over in his hands, studying the folds.  His hands are too clumsy to reproduce it, but he still wants to understand how it is put together.

Finally, he very carefully begins the unfolding process, studying it carefully at each step.

The shape gradually collapses as Kentou opens the folds, turning into nothing more than a wrinkled penned note.

"Walk to the end of the West corridor on the fourth level and give this note to the guard there.  You will be brought in to see me."

Underneath is the print of a seal, followed by three short lines:

     "The wind's colour
      The breath of the full moon
      A shadow's touch"

The handwriting matches that of the calligraphied poem on the room's wall.

The fourth level is the same floor Kentou's room is situated on (and the other guests' as well.)

Kentou mouth twists into a smile of sorts.  "A shadow's touch, ne?  Hai, hai."  Picking a coat suitable for outside, he slips the note inside it, folding it so that only the seal is at first visible, and heads down the hall, trying to avoid anyone without being conspicuous about it.

Finding the guard, he shows the seal, though he is ready to hand over the note if it is required.

The single guard posted at the end of the West corridor is a young woman, dressed in light armour with a haramaki-do [armoured corselet opening in the back] and sune-ate [shin guards] of lacquered geen over a short kimono of pale yellow silk and baggy trousers printed with the Togashi mon.  Her helmet is crested with a coiling dragon, and her half-face mempo is hanging from its straps.  Behind him, a door of gleaming red wood hides what Kentou expects, from the location, to be a stairways.

The guard looks Kentou, then at the seal on the letter.  Her dark eyes are sharply inquisitive, and the flicker of the lanterns adds a touch of foreboding to her gaze.  She extends her hand and Kentou, a bit reluctantly, relinquishes the letter.  The guard unfolds it to read the poem, and nods.  She looks into Kentou's impassive eyes and smiles very minutely.  She extends her hand again, returning the missive.  Then she turns and opens the door for Kentou, revealing, unsurprisingly, a sharply angled stairway leading up. The flickering light is even sparser on that side of the door.  The guard lets Kentou through, then says in a pleasant voice:

"Climb the stairs for two more levels.  Someone will meet you there.  Do not try to enter one of the other levels; we regret that the conditions of some areas of the castle make it unsafe for visitors, especially in the dark."

Her gaze is openly amused, and perhaps -- appraising?

Kentou bows.  Not as deeply as to some, deep enough.  Over the years this has become deeply ingrained enough that it doesn't even cause a twinge inside.  Well, not much of one, anyway.  "Thank you for the warning, honored protector.  I shall certainly bear it in mind."

The pretty dark eyes do not change expression as the guard nods serenely.

She closes the door behind Kentou with a creak of hinges.  A moment later, he hears the faint tinkle of a bell somewhere upstairs. The stairs climb steeply ahead, turning out of sight with a sharp right-hand turn somewhere above his head.  It is a risky climb in the poorly lit stairwell, but Kentou reflects that it would probably be even more difficult going down if someone was in a great hurry.

Kentou takes the stairs very carefully, counting as he goes.  At the intermediate level, he pauses and considers, then shrugs.  They know very well where he is, and both top and bottom of the stairs know how long it should take to climb.  He continues the climb, keeping the count in his head in case he should have to take this stairwell again in even less certain circumstances.

At each level he meets another wooden door.  The stairs continue past the sixth level, somewhere out of sight.  From what he say of the castle's exterior, Kentou guesses that it's probably only one more level to the top of this wing, with perhaps a small attic above that.

He tries the door.  It opens readily, letting in a breath of cold air into the the smoky stairwell.  There is a light scent of drying herbs and something muskier, peppery.  The door opens onto a stone corridor, as dimly lit as the stairs.  A very young Togashi apprentice, perhaps fifteen years old, greets him, bowing politely.  "Greeting, visitor," he murmurs.  "Meijin-sama [the honoured master] will be delighted for your gracious visit.  Follow me, please."   The apprentice is dressed in a dark green cotton kimono, and walking barefoot on the cold flagstones.

Kentou is led down the corridor and through a side passage to a set of double doors, made of the same rich red wood used for the doors, posts, and beams of the manor.  Although it is customary in most castles to paint these in some propitious colour, usually red, here the natural hue of the wood seems to have been deemed sufficient. The scent of beeswax is strong when he approaches the door.

The apprentice picks up the single lantern hung near the door, and Kentou notes that this is the most poorly lit area he has yet encountered.

"Please, visitor, leave your sandals at the door and enter.  Meijin-sama will be with you immediately.  Please do not be alarmed by the discretion meijin-sama uses in everything."  he turns and walks away, without waiting for Kentou to open the door, taking with him the single source of light in this area.

Kentou removes his sandals.  And why should I be alarmed by discretion? he thinks.  It's reassuring, if anything.  In my situation I would be far more concerned about dealing with the indiscreet.

The acolyte's bobbing lantern, receding down the corridor, sheds just enough light for Kentou to make out the outline of the raised wooden floor before he closes the door.  This is regularly used as living quarters, then.  He leaves his sandals on the stone area at the entrance, then steps up onto the elevated wood floor in near total darkness.  The floor boards do not creak.  He easily finds sitting cushions where they are normally kept and lowers himself to the floor.  He carefully sits cross-legged, avoiding both kneeling and the possible offense of letting the soles of his feet point towards where he expects "meijin-sama" to sit.  Kentou stays alert, listening for any hint of activity in the room.

The room's temperature is comfortable, there must be a brazier somewhere keeping it warm against the coolness of a spring night.  There is a light smell in the air that speaks of books, ink, and very fine dust.  The windows may be covered with shutters, since barely any light at all seeps in; on the other hand of course, this is the night of the New Moon.

As he settles down, Kentou is conscious of another presence in the room, betrayed by the small sounds of movement and breathing.

"Welcome, Kenichi-san."

The voice is a whisper like the sound of wind blowing through hollow reeds, beautiful like the memory of a lost autumn night.  It is both young and old and it is neither; and it is impossible to decide whether the speaker is a man or woman.  From the voice's direction, Kentou judges that his host is situated somewhere ahead of him and a little to the right, a few paces off.  His eyes cannot make out more than a shapeless black outline.

"I apologize for this unusual welcome, but I regret that I am not... a sight to please the eye.  I wanted to meet you for myself, but I do not wish to alarm you or inspire revulsion.  You know me as Togashi's Shadow, Togashi Hitokage.  I worked closely with Togashi Kaneka, and although I cannot go out into the world as he did, I want to continue lending my help to his life's work.  Kyugoro-san is aware of my interest, but I asked him to let me contact you for myself.

"I understand you made some... acquaintances today, who are willing to look for Kaneka-san's murderers and bring them to justice.  That is good, although I do not feel I can contact them yet.  But although you do not know me, I know you.  Kaneka-san trusted you, and that is a high recommendation in my eyes.  He wanted to help you as you helped him.  I hope that I can earn your trust and help despite my... unusual way of greeting you.  I will try to answer your questions as completely and truthfully as I can, if you wish to ask them now, before I present my request."

Kentou adjusts his position slightly, turning himself slightly more towards the other's position.  Not pleasing to the eye?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Regardless, he keeps his face down, thinking as quickly as he can even as he speaks.

"Well then, o-kage-sama, pardon my inexcusable bluntness, but I will ask.  You say you know me, and your actions so far give credence to this.  But just what do you know of me?  I would know what Kaneka-sama has told you.  The rest of my questions... might be better served by waiting to hear your request.  Such as, what would you have me do?  As I told Kyugoro-sama, I would seek out Kaneka-sama's killers without being asked, so it would seem you want something more than that.  I could ask if you know anything of the death that we were not told, or of the men who attacked the funeral today, but as these things are important to the goal, you will surely tell me of them if you see fit.  Ne, o-kage-sama?"

"Hai," whispers the woodwind voice.  "What I know...  I know of tasks you have accomplished for Kaneka-san.  I know of the description you gave him of your father's murderer.  I know of the heirloom that was stolen from you.  I learned these things because Kaneka-san did me the honour of discussing his cases with me, knowing that they would be welcome puzzles to occupy my meagre talents, and that I would gladly offer any insight.  I have not given up hope of finding some information that may be of help in your particular case.

"And I know my friend thought you were reliable and trustworthy.  He believed that, like a fine sword, you knew how to bend without breaking, and could cut between truth and lies."

There is a small rustling sound, like someone shuffling to a more comfortable position, and a thoughtful sigh.

"As for what I would ask, I believe it is in direct continuation of what you have done for Kaneka-san, and what Kyugoro-san says you have agreed to do for him.  I would enlist your help, and perhaps if they prove trustworthy, that of your new companions, to continue the work of freeing Rokugan from tyrannical warlords, bandits, evil spirits, and dark sorcerers.  But first, I must tell you a bit of what is at stake.

"Rokugan is dotted with sites of power.  Some call these ki sites.  They are sites where the spiritual and magical energy of the elements flow more easily to the earth's surface.  The strength of the elements flows across the earth along energy lines, known as Dragon Lines.  Where Dragon Lines cross, a site of power is likely to occur; the more lines crossing, the more powerful the site.

"Kami are more likely to congregate around sites of power: spirits of the elements, ghosts of the ancestors, creatures not entire born of the mortal world.  They may be the site's guardians, they may be parasites feeding off it.  Sorcerers are also attracted to these sites, where they can tap the ki energy and shape it at will to power spells otherwise impossible to achieve.  Even ordinary mortals can channel the ki from a site of power, often without knowing it.  I believe the bandits roaming the wild lands to the west may have access to such as site, probably not even realizing what they have stumbled upon.  Certainly Kaneka-san believed that the the lair of the self-styled Lord Hikarimono was a ki site, and unfortunately Hikarimono knows it too.  This sorcerer has made an unfortunate habit of coming back from Jigoku.

"The Crab have been given the task of guarding Rokugan's border against the Shadowlands; the Scorpion guard the Black Scrolls against those who would release Fu Leng; the Lion's armies guard the land from mortal forces, the Phoenix protects it form magical threats; the Crane guard its culture, and the Ki-Rin, well...  No one knows what they have been tasked with.  But it is the Clan of the Dragon that has been tasked with guarding Rokugan's sites of power.  Thus the clan -- or those of  the clan whose business it is to care for such things -- try to follow the Dragon Lines, find the ki sites of Rokugan, free them from those who would misuse the power, and protect the sites.

"We do not have the numbers to simply send armies; nor do we wish to claim lands beyond our current provinces.  It would not matter in the end: there are sites of power everywhere, and how could we claim those belonging to other clans?  Some people can be trusted with the knowledge of ki sites, such as Hiruma Shuro, who has been defending such a site from the attacks of the Shadowlands.  But if their existence was commonly known, every power-hungry second-rate shugenja, every ambitious karo would try to seize such sites and use them to rule, wage war, and destroy the land.  Some of our shugenja even believe that it is even possible to use the power of very strong ki sites to spread dominion through a Dragon Line.  This is akin to an illness taking over a body by unbalancing its ki lines.

"You must understand that I tell you all this because of the great trust Kaneka-san had in you.  And, I will not deny, because without him I need new hands and eyes exploring the land for signs of ki sites claimed by bandits, oni, or maho tsukai.  Sometimes, you may also find such sites free from encroachment by evil forces: a healthy village, an untouched glade, a holy shrine.  Then we simply watch from afar and protect when needed.  But when a site of power is sullied, we must act before its power, and the wielder, extend the blight further."

There is a pause and more sounds of shifting.

"I apologize for the uncourteous length of this explanation," Togashi's Shadow whispers at last.

Kentou sits in silence for a few moments following the explanation.  "I see.  Or perhaps I should say, I see some things while others remain... in the darkness, shall we say?  Never mind.  I will think on what you have said, but now I will say that I will serve you as I did Kaneka-sama.  You should know that, as with Kaneka-sama, if I find a clue that could lead to my father's murderer, I will follow it... once Kaneka-sama's killers are dealt with."

Kentou pauses, then shrugs, dropping out of the formal posture into one more typical for him.  "And as for the kind words Kaneka-sama said of me, well time and the Fortunes will show if I can live up to them, ne?  Is there anything else you want to tell me before we leave to investigate?  Additional facts, or instructions as the case may be?"

The shapeless patch of darkness seems to shift a bit with a small sound of rustling fabric.  Kentou realizes that his host is probably using a fan.

"The warning is fair," the reed whisper agrees wistfully.  "Although I hope you will not have to make precipitous decisions in this regard.

"You have asked me if I knew of anything that might help you in elucidating Kaneka-san's foul murder.  I know that my friend was investigating a ki site in the mountains to the east when he was struck down.  I would also wager with you that the attack on his funeral this afternoon was not the work of those who murdered him."  There is bitter humour in the last few words.  "Kyugoro-san described the object that was used by an attacker to deflect a destructive spell.  This would be a powerful object indeed, and therefore I cannnot see these raiders as mere brigands.  Whatever else they are, they have access to sorcery of their own.  They seemed organized, although of low skill, and they seem concerned with hiding their identity.  All this makes me want to look closer for the truth -- or look again at threats we believed we knew.  I regret that I have no new facts to offer you, only these speculations; what I know I have shared with Kyugoro-san already, and he with you.

"Now.  I offer you my word that I will use every opportunity to search for information about your own quest.  Do you wish to tell me more about the man you seek, or the heirloom you lost?"

Kentou stares into the darkness, but not at the shadowy form of the other.  His gaze is focussed far into the past instead.  Slowly, he begins to speak.
 

Flashback!

There was a long pause and Kenichi wondered if he had misheard.  Finally, Tatsuya's voice came, strained.  "Bring me the family sword."  Kenichi sat, stunned, for a few seconds.  Why could he want the sword?  "Did you hear me, Kenichi?"

"Hai!"  Hastily, Kenichi got up and ran to the family shrine.  There, on a shelf beneath the incense, was where they kept the sword.  Reverently, he picked up the katana, and the wakizashi with it.  Carefully now, he returned and kneeled before the door.

"Come in, Kenichi."  His hands full, opening the door while maintaining his dignity was difficult, but he managed it.  Inside, the room was dark -- though that much he'd been able to tell from outside -- with just enough moonlight shining in from  outside to reveal that his father was sitting across from someone whom Kenichi couldn't see well.  Between them, as Kenichi had known it would be, was the dice bowl.

Kenichi moved forward and kneeled, offering the daisho to his father.  Tatsuya took the katana and held it in front of him, looking at it.  Suddenly, with one swift move, he began the draw--but the other man, without even seeming to move, suddenly held his own blade to Tatsuya's throat.  "You're not fast enough to get out of the bet, old man," came a harsh whisper.  Kenichi was frozen; what could he do?

Tatsuya stared at the shadowy figure.  "I... cannot.  I would rather die than give you this blade."

A chuckle came in response.  "You should have thought of that before you began to lose."  The shadow's right hand emerged from the darkness, and Kenichi saw a long, oddly curved scar running down the forearm.  The hand and forearm almost seemed disconnected from a body as the dice bowl was picked up, shaken, and slammed down.  "Call, old man."

In the distance, the cicadas sang, but Kenichi couldn't hear them over the pounding of his heart.  As if from a great distance, his father's voice finally came.  "Odd."  The shadow lifted the cup.

Time went away as Kenichi stared at the dice, showing two ones.  Even.  He couldn't have said if it was a second or an hour before the blood sprayed across him and Tatsuya fell forward, his throat pierced, the katana already missing from his lap.

Kenichi let loose a scream and tried to draw the wakizashi which he still held, but then he caught a glimpse of flying steel and felt the impact as the back side of the blade hit his skull.

It was only a matter of moments before he regained his senses, but his father was dead and the shadow was gone, and the swords with him.  Already he could hear shouts and the pounding of feet as the household responded to his scream.  Besides his father's body, all that was in the room was the dice bowl.  He stared at it and picked up the dice as he swore an oath in his heart.

Kentou's expression would be difficult to read even in full light.  "My family... was left to deal with many debts.  It fell to me to deal with the debt of honor, while my mother and sister dealt with the debts of material things.  Bit by bit, the estate was sold while I learned  the ways of the half-world."  He sighs deeply.  "Now, I have the money that would have paid those debts easily, and I have been able to secretly  provide for my mother and sister again... but even once I have dealt with my father's killer, it will take a long time to regain the scattered pieces of my family's heritage."

"Thank you for entrusting me with your story," the voice whispers.  "I will do everything in my power to learn what has become of your heritage -- and your quarry."

There is a pause, and Kentou hears a scraping sound like a small object being dragged on the mats covering the floor.  A black lacquered tray bumps against his foot.  Amid the gold tracing of the dragon motif decorating the tray lies a small pouch of green embroidered silk.

"This will help you follow Dragon Lines, and realize when a site is bathed in more ki than its surroundings.  In time, you will learn to recognize such sites without the assistance of material objects, but this will be of value to you until then.  The pouch contains a crystal pendant.  The crystal should grow warmer and start giving off a light glow in the presence of strong elemental ki.  It will be faint and perhaps difficult to detect at first, especially on Dragon Lines and weak sites, but strong sites will be immediately noticeable.  Use the pendant to determine the direction of the Dragon Lines by entering a state of light meditation and letting it swing back and forth of its own accord while standing on the line; the pendant's movement will align itself with the Dragon Line.  You can practice recognizing the crystal's signature here -- all Dragon castles, keeps, and villages are built near ki sites, however weak.  But please wait until you have left this room.

"Is there anything else which you wish to ask now, or which I may help you with?"

Kentou picks up the silk pouch.  He is tempted to remove the crystal now, but decides not to do so, instead carefully placing the pouch deep within his clothing, where it would take a most determined search to find it.

"No, o-kage-sama.  Doubtless, I will find myself later despairing that I did not take full advantage of your wisdom, but for now I have no further questions or requests.  I thank you for entrusting me with this crystal, and will strive to live up to this honor."

It is strange, how easily the old formal speech comes back, possibly because he has just been walking in the valleys of memory.  With an effort, he forces himself back into character.  "Well, I suppose I'd better be getting on to the gardens, to see what planning the bushi and shugenja have in mind, unless there's anything else."

"No, Kenichi-san.  If you should have pressing need to speak to me, come to the guard at the  end of the West corridor as you did tonight, and ask to speak to the painter in the tower.  Someone will come to take your message and, if my health permits me, I will receive you.  Or at least send an answer for you."

"Hai.  With your leave, then."  Kentou stands and takes the couple of steps backward to the door and exits.  He waits there for a few moments, considering what he's just heard -- and perhaps as importantly, what he's just said.  He begins to reach for the pouch, then thinks better of it.  Discretion is the key word, after all.

Finally, he carefully descends the stairs and exits back on to the fourth floor, bowing politely to the guard.  She slips him another sideways looks and nods.  He can feel her eyes following him down the corridor.

Returning to his quarters, he looks around once again, this time specifically making sure there are no holes or thin spots in the paper where an observer could see through.  Two of the walls are timber, bamboo, and mud, since Kentou received a corner room.  The other two are paper but seem in good shape.  Everything seems quiet on the the other side of the wall that separates this room from Rik's -- for once.  No sound of footsteps or flicker of moving lights beyond the wall separating him from the corridor either.  The paper walls are in good condition.  When he is satisfied, only then does he draw out the pouch and remove the crystal.

Kentou examines the crystal closely, studying it, seeing what sensation it gives to the touch.  Then, not knowing whether he might be on a Dragon Line or not, he sets it swinging while doing his best to meditate.

The pendant appears as an irregularly cut piece of quartz, wrapped in a filigree of silver wire and hung on a cord of fine, slightly faded red silk.  Although Kentou's room is only lit by a single lantern right now, there is no discernable light coming from the stone.  Only when Kentou puts out the lantern does the pendant's own light become noticeable, like a spill of moonlight in the cusp of his hand.  The crystal is glowing with a gentle, milky inner light.  Sometimes the light seems to pulse slowly, but mostly it remains steady, if faint.  The soft warmth of the stone might be nothing but the heat absorbed from his own skin, but it seems to tickle slightly.  Or is it just his imagination because he is waiting for something to happen?

He lets the crystal hang from the silk cord.  The makeshift pendulum slowly begins oscillating, first roughly east-west, then north-south, then switches to lazy circles before resuming erratic oscillations.  It never settles for a consistent orientation.

Finally, he puts it around his neck, below all of his clothing, resting the crystal against the skin of his chest.  And now, to the garden, he thinks.
 

To Be Continued...