The Story: Investigation

Truce

"And so you seek to gain entrance to Togashi Kyugoro-sama's house, o-jii-san?" the gunso says to Takezo in a conversational tone.  His steely eyes give the lie to his light voice.

"Don't worry-worry," says Rik brightly, still wrapped up like an origami rat, "I have taken care of the problem.  He's with me!"  Glancing at Tazeko he continues, "You can let go-go."

"As you wish." Takezo begins to untie the Nezumi. He turns to the new arrivals, "The matter has already been settled, thank you for you help." After releasing the Nezumi he begins to unwrap the guards.

Tokkan, upon observing the end of the battle, stands motionless. His great hat reveals no emotion of the face concealed within. His only move is to extend a hand, palm up, towards Kentou.

Kentou stands, considering the tableau for a moment.  Finally, he shrugs and reaches deep within his simple clothing.  When his hand emerges, it holds a small bag.  He holds the bag up to his eye and opens it, searching through it.  Finally, he withdraws a single ryo coin and hands it to Tokkan, bowing deeply.  "Ee, those odds were too generous.  Well, now I know better," he murmurs.

Tokkan smiles beneath his hat, "I propose to use this money to buy fine wine for the group at the first inn we stay at in our upcoming travels."

The instant Tazeko's attention wanders from the Nezumi, Rik is free of his grasp and bounding away, executing a series of complex flips, backward rolls, kips, and handstands which ultimately leave him squatting in triumph atop a nearby boulder, chittering with laughter and the sheer joy of the adventure.  A huge grin bares his chisel-like incisors and he springs up from his crouch to do a Nezumi victory dance on the top of the rock.

"That was fun!" he exclaims, looking down at Tazeko.  "Shall we do-do it again?"

The spectators now realize that the infernal ratling was merely playing possum after deliberately letting Takezo catch him!

Tokkan frowns.  There is a distant rumble of thunder. Tokkan shrugs, and tosses the coin back, to be followed by two more of of the same value.  "It appears that it was I who miscalculated the odds."

There is a crackle of electricity as Tokkan turns towards Togashi Toshi. "Sir, this man believes he can contribute to our quest..."  A wave of the hand indicates Takezo.  "I believe my companions, and I have decided to include him on our travels... if we are able to procure permission for him to enter these walls and join us in our preperations  for the journey.  Might we prevail upon you to provide the missing consent in the name of our host?"

The gunso's eyes remain cold, but he turns his glance towards Lord Kyugoro's assistant.  Toshi smooths out the pained expression stamped on his face, and gives Tokkan a bow.  "Hai, Isawa-san, indeed Tono Kyugoro-sama sent me to enquire about this visitor."  Toshi's deadpan expression is now nearly a match for Kentou's usual one.  "I would be pleased to report to him that this wise elderly one is your ally and you will vouch for him."

While Toshi speaks, the gunso's eyes flicker briefly at the 'wise elderly one', then at the two unwrapped guards who are now prostrated on their knees, foreheads to the ground, in utter shame.

Tokkan returns the bow.  "You honor me with the acceptance of this stranger.  He has shown an acceptable degree of skill that might well prove an asset when we encounter the villains we are stalking."

Hiro and Toshino have wandered up to the gate to see the events for themselves.  Toshino, rousing himself after it appears the spectacle at the gate seems to be winding down, catches Hiro's eye with a nod and addresses the gunso.

"Honored gunso-san, if you are not too busy... uh... untangling the other guests, might I impose upon you for a small favor?  Hiro-san and myself are but only recently arrived, but we have some concerns about the assailants that attacked the procession.  Might we be allowed to examine their remains?"

The gunso schools all expression off his rugged face.  Although he has obviously been infuriated by the disturbance and by his men's shame, he is still a Dragon, an officer, and for the moment a representative of Lord Kyugoro.  The honoured guests must be treated with respect, as must the honourable investigator Mirumoto Hiro and his recent associate the Ki-Rin yoriki, who carries with him a reputation as a shrewd man.  Finally, the attack on the funeral is an important matter (another one which rankles!)

He bows.  "Hai, Shinjo-san," he acquiesces.  "I thank you and Mirumoto-san for deigning to bring your enlightened gaze upon the matter.  At Kyugoro-dono's command, the bodies of the worthless ones have been placed in a cold cellar so they could be examined in the morning.  Casks of salt have also been brought in case it is necessary to keep them longer."

"EEEWWWW!" comments Rik.

Toshino says, "Perhaps it is best if we examined them now. If we find any leads, they would be cold in the morning. And besides, we won't have to deal with such unpleasant business in the morning, and we can start fresh and early on our journey. Could you perhaps lead the way...?"

Hiro nods in agreement.  "I agree, Shinjo-san. It would be better to see the bodies as soon as possible, for both the reasons you give."  He grimaces inwardly as he looks at the scene in front of the gate.  A drunkard and a Nezumi - the kami are surely testing him now!  Hiro returns his gaze to the gunso expectantly.

"Then we should go now," says Takezo.

Rik hops off his rock.  "OK," he says, walking over to the others by the gate.

The gunso bows, directing his bow to Hiro and Toshino and thus away from Takezo and Rik.  "Hai, bushi-san."

He saves a final glare for his two men and barks: "YOU!  Get back to your posts -- I'll send a kitchen wench to protect you when I have a chance!  I will deal with you later..."
 

The Bodies of Evidence

The wooden door to the cellars is set three steps down below the courtyards' floor, and is very low.  The visitors have to bend somewhat awkwardly to enter.  Inside, the flickering light of lanterns reveals casks of rice, sake, and various supplies, packed in rice straw and neatly ordered.  A group of men dressed only in loincloths, despite the ambient cold, are busy moving some casks.  As soon as they see the officer and vistors come in, they fall on their knees and touch their foreheads to the ground.  They remain silent and motionless, waiting for a command.

The gunso ignores the eta at first, and gestures wordlessly towards another door on the opposite wall.  He continues on to walk through this door into a second storage area, also lit; there, a dozen or so bodies are stretched on makeshift benches.

"Nonkimono!" he shouts.

An eta come running in and makes a deep obeisance.  "Yes, sama?  How may this lowly one serve?"

"The honoured bushi -- and their visitors -- want to see the bodies.  Assist them."

"Hai, sama!"  The eta adds another deep bow, forehead to floor, for the newcomers' benefit.  "How may Nonkimono serve you, honoured ones?"

Hiro steps forward quietly with a calm look on his face and begins examining the bodies with practiced assurance. After his initial assessment, he turns to his companions.  "Tell me - did any of these men appear to you to be in command during the attack?"

Rik pipes up.  "No, there was another one who was in charge.  He got away, but I hit him in the face with a rock."

Hiro nods. "I see.  Was he the one with the medallion that foiled your sorcery, Isawa-san?"

Tokkan reluctantly follows this group down to examine the bodies, having already expressed his distaste for this sort of thing. He had contemplated returning to the garden, but he is curious as to what these two new comers feel they can accomplish here.

"Yes, the archer," Tokkan replies cooly, not relishing the opportunity to relive his past failure, "Or he that guided the horse that picked him up after he had fallen. It was difficult to tell, given the circumstances."

"Hai - it is probably safe to assume it was the leader. Apart from the medallion, was there anything else that set him apart from his men that anyone could notice? A different set of clothes, perhaps?"

Hiro begins examining the bodies for strange marks, odd scars, or anything else out of the ordinary.  It appears he's not averse to handling the bodies himself if he needs to to get at something worthwhile.  The bodies have they been stripped, but the clothes and scant personal effects have been carefully folded and stacked to one side.  Hiro checks them as well.  The piles have been kept separate, so the eta can still tell which body the personal effects  were taken from.  The weapons recovered from the battleground have also been brought here.

Toshino looks over the bodies as well, hoping to catch something that might have been missed by his esteemed comrades. In particular, he's looking for any distinguishing marks such as scars and tattoos on the bodies.  Criminals are particularly fond of tattoos, and do have a habit of picking up scars. Any on the face and hands could lead to identification.  Anything on the scalp that might be hidden by thick hair?  He examines the hands again. Are they rough, as you'd expect from heavy manual labor, or smooth, suggesting a more affluent background?  The teeth. Any distinctive dental work?  Do they have a lot of teeth in good condition, or does it look like they come from a working-class background?

He moves to the piles of clothes, weapons, and sandals.  The fabric of their clothes... is it coarse and shoddily made, or fine expensive silk?  Any clues to where it might have been manufactured, or if it was made locally?  He goes over their weapons, looking to see if the weaponsmith left any distinguishing marks. And the quality of the weapons, were they made by a master or of poorer workmanship? Is there a particular style that might be recognized, or any telltale flaws?  Is it the same quality of weapons made locally, or are they obviously from somewhere else?  Were they carrying any kind of currency, like coins or paper money?  If coins, are there any marks or clues to tell where they might be minted?  Are they fresh or well-worn?  If paper, same thing, any marks to tell where it was printed, and is it fresh or worn?  Any personal effects, like tobacco, pipe, or comb?  Anything that might be recognized by a local merchant?

Takezo finds the corner farthest from any body and samples his "waterskin".  He also looks on with concealed distaste when anyone touches the bodies.

With their careful examination, the two lawmen piece together the following picture: from the shape of the calluses on their hands and the trimming of their nails, the dead men were probably neither peasants nor nobles, but did have some practice with weapons.  The soles of their feet are also callused as if they had done much walking.  Most of them bore multiple scars, and many have tattoos of various sorts although they do not seem to share one identifying pattern.  Their personal grooming habits were generally less than impeccable, but the clothes they wore had seen little use; they were all dressed identically, and the brown cloth used to make their garments is of extremely commonplace making.  Its most distinguishing feature is the complete lack of patterning, given that makers of even the most basic cloth usually include at least a checker motif, stripes, or some other simple design to make the fabric more attractive.

Toshino tugs at his beard, then huddles with Hiro, hoping to compare notes. His voice is hushed, but mostly out of respect for the dead rather than secrecy. He shakes his head in confusion. "I am puzzled. Monks, or merchants, maybe? You must know these Dragon lands better than I, but I can't place them."

Hiro shakes his head briefly. "Nor I. The scars and tattoos would seem to rule out their being merchants. Those, in combination with the calluses on their hands and feet suggest to me that they were most likely professional criminals, perhaps former caravan guards. I have a theory, but it needs further confirmation before I release it for testing."

The footgear is constituted mostly of heavy wooden geta [clogs] of rough manufacture, and some straw sandals.  They look of uneven age and wear, with traces of the mud that is still found in many areas at this time of mid-spring.  The men's weapons are well-maintained, and the steel is of high quality, but the patterning and decoration are minimal.  All the arrows that were fired included a hikime bulb, and all the shuriken are star-shaped.  The men carried none of the personal effects one would normally expect, and certainly no travel gear.  Only one body carried any money, three gold ryo and  two strings of zeni wrapped in a grimy kerchief, and Nonkimono deferentially explains that this was found tucked deep inside the clothes of the man.

Toshino picks up one of the hikime arrows. "This might lead to something.  All hikime, no other types of arrows. Kind of unusual to use so many... if they didn't manufacture them, they might have bought them from a fletcher who might remember such an unusual request. It might be worthwhile to discreetly interview some of the local fletchers. This probably isn't their work, however... I suspect these attackers  weren't locals."  Toshino holds on to the hikime, in case he runs into any fletchers later.

Hiro nods. "As do I, Toshino-san. The exclusive use of hikime arrows might lead one to suspect that they were more interested in causing chaos and mayhem rather than actually carrying out some kind of ambush."

Wrapped along with the coins were a set of commonplace dice and a small carving of a dragon in ivory.  The ryo coins are in the style minted in Imperial Provinces -- something not seen that often in this area.

"This one was a gambler," Toshino comments, "probably a good one, he seems to have quite a stash. The ryo isn't local, so he probably won it somewhere else. The dragon carving might have been won from a local, probably a recent conquest."

Hiro nods.  "Possibly, yes. I suspect these men were hired from somewhere outside the local area and brought in. He may have won the coins from his comrades, or that may be the total of their pay for the job. The dragon carving is something of a mystery to me."

The zeni are so worn as to be practically smooth, and they have clearly been restrung recently, their edges don't match very well.  Toshino opens one to see how old and worn the copper coins are inside -  perhaps the gambler was "shorting" them to stretch his winnings out a bit?  The coins are worn, but most don't seem ridiculously thin.  However, Toshino soon realizes from his close inspection that the zeni are strung 90 to a package.

Toshino tries to sum it all up, but none of it makes any sense right now.  "Middle class, probably not locals. New clothes, but shoddily made, perhaps sewn by themselves. A large number of hikime arrows. I'm sure Togashi's men can investigate these things here locally. We may find more answers outside the Dragon lands. I'd hate to think Akibin Mura is our only lead, but we may have to start there - with the trail several months cold and the villagers probably already distrustful of strangers. Your thoughts, Hiro-san?"

Hiro frowns. "The bulk of the evidence seems to point that way. From what we have here, I would theorize that these men were criminals hired from somewhere outside the Dragon province specifically for this attack. The material of the clothes lacks even the most basic of patterning, an oddity in itself. The cloth may have been provided by their employer, as a further guarantee of anonymity. The use of hikime arrows, as I said before, suggests to me that murder was not their primary objective. That, combined with the uniform shape of the throwing stars, leads me to believe that they were at least partially supplied by whoever hired them."

Gesturing to each body in turn, he continues. "The clothes, the arrows, and the shuriken are all identical, but there are no common markings on the bodies, as might be expected with an established group.These men most probably did not know each other before being hired, and were most likely going to split up once the job was done, making tracking them that much harder."

Hiro turns back to Toshino. "Getting this number of men together at short notice is not something easily done. There was a great deal of planning involved here - something I find singularly lacking in most cases I have investigated. Whoever planned this has a great deal of money, and is very smart. You are right, Toshino-san. To investigate this further, we will most likely have to venture outside Dragon lands. If there is a connection between the murder and the attack on the funeral, however, we may find an alternate avenue of investigation in Akibin Mura. At this point, I'm afraid it is our only concrete lead. Everything else we have found points to the competence of our adversaries."

Hiro examines the dragon carving.  Both the material and the carver's skill seems of excellent quality. The carving is about three fingers' width and very delicately worked to
show a dragon curving in a double loop.  The dragon's scales, whiskers, and claws are rendered in detail; one clawed limb holds a round ivory pearl.  The ivory is very fine, somewhat translucent.  No seal marks the object, but remnants of threads caught on an edge indicate that it was probably hung on a silk cord at one point.

Hiro turns the carving over in his hand, examining it carefully. "This seems to me to be exquisite work - somewhat out of keeping with everything else we have seen here, wouldn't you say? Perhaps this was a prized personal belonging of one of the attackers; it does seem to have been worn around the neck. What do you think, Toshino-san?" He hands the carving to Toshino.

Toshino examines it, shrugs, and hands it back. "Since it's a dragon, I would expect it was from this province, but it's of no use to us if we can't connect it to a previous owner."

"Indeed. Perhaps we should take it with us. If someone we encounter recognises it, that may be useful."  Hiro places the carving into his robes and turns to the others.

Hiro straightens up and stretches. "I think we have discovered all we can here, Toshino-san. You have my gratitude for your assistance in this unpleasant task - you have an unerring eye for detail. I hope one day my expertise will match yours."

Takezo speaks up "There aren't many places where you can find an artisan who could create something of this quality.  The Kaiu may have the technical skills to create such an item, but only a Kakita artisan is likely to make an item of such beauty. If we have no other leads, perhaps we could talk with any such artisans in the province."

Gunso Kitsuki Mokichi has remained well away from Hiro and Toshino's examination of the bodies and personal effects, looking stoic.  When Hiro indicates his intention to keep the piece of evidence, and Toshino does the same for the hikime arrow, the officer pulls a scroll from his sleeve and begins unrolling it.

"Honoured investigators, may I trouble you to give your personal mark to indicate your custody of any objects you wish to retain for your investigation?"  He presents the list of evidence and a small portable sumi-e [writing set], smoothing the rice paper on the comparatively flat top of a cask to provide a better writing surface.

Toshino says, "Of course," and signs his name.

Hiro nods. "Certainly, Mokichi-san."  He signs his name, and bows.

Rik's Burden

Ishi then decides that maybe it would be for the best if he went looking for the missing samurai, while at the same time musing over the similarities between a group of samurai and a herd of cattle. As soon as a leader shows up, they both go stampeding off in a new direction. That could definitely make for an amusing poem, but unfortunately the writer of such a poem would most certainly receive enough attention to end his life. So Ishi is content with simply letting out a small chuckle into the night.  He walks down to the the gate, where he has little trouble learning that Togashi Toshi and gunso Kitsuki Mokichi have accompanied Mirumoto-san, Shinjo-san, Isawa-san, the heimin, the giant rat, and the drunk into the cellars to view the bodies of the dead assailants.

As one might expect, Ishi immediately acts upon this information and wanders off to the castle cellars. While he's in the middle of the courtyard he takes a moment to carefully check the rooftops for dark clad spies and assassins. Would be awfully embarrassing if he let any of those slip by him.  But no, it seems there are no more unwanted visitors trying to make their way into the castle.

Ishi is met by a servant near the cellars, and led down to rejoin his companions.  There, he finds Mirumoto Hiro and Shinjo Toshino examining the bodies and effects of the attackers. Tokkan stands nearby observing with distate, while Takezo the belligerant monk looks on the proceedings from a corner and takes an occasional from his waterskin.  Rik seems less enthusiastic than usual, and is not nibbling anything.  Kentou is unfazed, standing by with a dispassionate expression.

"Why are you all standing down here, watching these two at work?" Ishi asks the onlookers. "I was expecting your swift return to the garden so that we could continue making plans and discussing our options. Granted that the examination could yield important information that would change all our plans, but if we really thought that, would we not have examined the bodies ourselves?"

Tokkan shrugs, "I thought it distasteful, however these honored souls seemed convinced that secrets would be revealed through this examination. I am afraid my curiosity overwhelmed my sense of discretion and taste.  My apologies for keeping you waiting. Shall we adjourn to a more pleasant local?"

"Fine by me," replies Ishi. "Unless you two are nearly finished here," he says to Hiro and Toshino. "Because then we might as well wait for you here."

Hiro glances at Toshino for confirmation, and then turns back to his waiting companions. "Thank you for your patience and forbearance. I think we have gleaned all we can. We should probably clean up, however, so perhaps we could meet you in the gardens?"

A look of horror comes over Rik's face.  "The gardens?  The GARDENS!"  he begins to bow frantically while edging towards the door.  "Please excuse...  need to meet... supposed to be...  sorry, sorry...  was going to...." with that he turns and bolts out the door.

Toshino nods. "We've seen enough here. We should return to the garden."

"Very well. I will see you in the gardens. Nonkimono will show you out."  Hiro bows and leaves for his room.

The eta prostrate themselves suitably and their chief, Nonkimono, obediently shows the bushi, the "Brave Defenders," and the feisty monk out of the cellars, then humbly begs a servant to take them to the garden.¹  The house servant, with a look of disdain for the lowly one and a deep bow for Honoured Ones, mutely complies.

As the party emerges they find Rik, not five paces down the hallway, his ratty head desperately whipping back and forth as he tries to figure out which way to go to get to the gardens.  These human warrens are so confusing!  Laying eyes on the servant, and his companions, Rik visibly relaxes.  "Are you heading for the gardens" he asks in a poor attempt to be nonchalant.  "If so, I shall accompany you."

"Of course you are, hero," Ishi says dryly.  As previously, the magic word acts to remove any doubt, confusion, or lack of confidence in Rik's demeanor.  "We would not think of going anywhere without you.  Who are you going to meet there anyway?  I thought we all were gathered here.  Have you found a little ratling girl perhaps?" he adds with mock suspicion in his eyes.

...and the reality of Rik's life envelops him once again.  The blood, the screams, the curses of the samurai.  The cries of terror from the pups as they were slain.  His mother.  His sister.  His cousins.  His friends.

"Wha...?  Ratling girl...?"  Rik stammers, shoulders slumping, tail sagging.  He makes a visible and valiant attempt at pulling himself together, actually pulls it off for a moment - almost.  "I...  I prefer...  prefer...  the term Ne...  Nezumi.  Rats are... are..."

Rik's head droops to his chest.  His normally hunched posture folds in on itself like a piece of origami.  In a choked, barely understandable voice he whispers, "... vermin."

He turns away, his head hung in shame, and looks desperately for some dark hole he can slink into so the humans will not have to look at him anymore.

"You know, for a sensible being of the woods, you sure put a lot of weight in mere words," Ishi says, annoyed that a single word could make the Nezumi crumble like that. "As a hero --"

The magical word, spoken again, elicits a somewhat different effect this time.  With a cry of despair Rik turns in the direction of whatever doorway, passage, staircase, or hallway appears closest and flees headlong.

"Well, I guess you can take a Nezumi out of the woods, but not the woods out of a Nezumi," says a dejected Ishi. Without looking back he then sets off towards the gardens.  Ishi realizes that this whole investigation could turn into one long exercise for his tongue, with him continually having to guide Rik through the intricacies of human social life. Oh mercy.

Tokkan, for all his reluctance to go to the temporary morgue, is one of the last to leave, lost in his own thoughts. He comes upon the confrontation in time to see Rik scurry away, as Ishi departs. His hands snapped to his sides in flashes of electricity, and then uses the lightning to lift him after the ratling.  He lands behind Rik, and calls out in his most commanding voice, the voice used to command the very elements of the sky, "Hold!"

Rik lets out a surprised squeak, and does not "Hold!" so much as crash into the nearest wall with enough force to a) stun himself and b) check his headlong flight momentarily.

Tokkan walks over to were Rik has fallen.  He bows his head to look down on the Beast Warrior from where he stands and tilts his basket hat back so that his face can be seen. "And where are you going, Rik'eee'k'chik?"  (Ok, so his ratling pronunciation isn't too good.)

After a moment Rik shakes his head and sits up.  His ratty nose is bleeding a bit from the force of the impact.  He tries to think of an answer to the human's question, but realizes after a moment that saying "away" isn't going to answer the question, and that he didn't have a clue where he was going anyhow.

"Why-why humans hate Nezumi?" he asks after a moment.

"Because they fear the Nezumi," replies Tokkan in a quiet voice, "they fear the Nezumi because they do not know the Nezumi.  Humans hate what they fear, and fear what they do not know.  This holds true not only for the Nezumi, but for all things, and manner of beings.  There are three paths to follow when confronted by this situation: First one may fight and oppose all that hate him, until finally he is brought down himself.  Secondly, one might enhance the fear people feel so as to make the people reluctant to display the hatred they feel deep down inside, and thusly lead a lonely life of isolation.  Or Thirdly one might try to know those that fear one, and let them get to know the feared one.  One must decide for one's self which path to follow, and let that path guide them through the forests of ones life."

He thinks to himself, they fear those that live with the lightning fire from the skies as well.  He sighs as he considers the path he has chosen, and worries that it was not the best one, and it is too late to change.

"Now then, our group is gathering in the garden, and I fear we will be lost without our leader, Brave Nezumi."  He extends a hand to the prone creature, "Will you not join us?"

After a short pause, Rik takes the proffered hand and gets up.  He shakes his head.

"When I was young, just before I came of age, humans came to my family.  We small but do well, even though we live in Shadowlands with bad things now.  Humans come, with blue armor - not blue like Crab friends, but blue like sky on clear day.  We hide-hide, they no see.  Leader of humans, man with shiny helmet and hair that smells like flowers, talk to others say they look for bad-bad things to kill-kill, gain much glory.  We see right away blue humans in trouble - they have much shiny, pretty armor, combed hair, but no jade!  Surely they know they need jade to fight creatures of shadow.

"Just then come ogres - two, no three!  They attack blue humans.  Blue humans have no magic, no jade.  Blue human with hair that smells like flowers step forward and offer to fight big ogre by himself!  Ogre laugh and hit human with hair that smells like flowers with club, knock him down, then ogres attack.

"Mother not know what to do.  These humans not friend Crab humans, but maybe they friends of friend Crab humans.  Ogres big,but they not know nezumi there because nezumi quiet-quiet!  Mother decide that all attack ogres for blue humans.  All nezumi attack - mother, father, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters - all older than pup attack.  We take ogres by surprise and kill-kill with help of blue humans.  During battle Rik get hit here, in side of head, by ogre.  Big wound, much blood in eyes, blood in nose.  Rik cannot see, cannot think, fall over.  Maybe ogres think dead.  Maybe blue humans think dead too.  But I was not dead, just stunned and dizzy.

"When battle over-over nezumi try to talk to blue humans, but blue humans not listen. Blue human with hair that smell like flowers get up, very mad because he was lying on ground during battle, did not get chance to show how brave he is.  He tell other blue humans that nezumi are bad things from shadowlands, just like ogres, only trying to trick blue humans.  I try to talk, warn others, tell blue humans this not so, but too sick, to dizzy - cannot get up."

Rik clenches his hands together in helpless fury.

"Blue humans attack nezumi.  Kill-kill father, kill-kill uncles, kill-kill aunts, kill-kill cousins and brothers and sisters.  Some get away - mother and some cousins and one sister.  Then...  then...  blue humans kill all pups!  Pups scream, beg humans not to kill-kill, but blue humans not listen.  Rik try and try to get up, to help pups, to tell humans, but can't!  Blue humans kill all pups - no pups left...  no pups...,"

"Blue human with hair that smell like flowers say to other humans that nezumi are monsters.  That we are...  vermin.  Blue humans cut off heads of ogres and father and uncles and aunts and cousins and brothers and sisters, take as trophies, even though we kill two ogres and they only kill one.  Then blue humans leave."

"Later mother and cousins and sister come back, find Rik.  Family now too small to live by itself, no pups.  Must go find another family of the tribe and live with them instead.  But mother say I must not go to other family.  If blue humans come and attack nezumi once, maybe other humans come and attack nezumi.  If Crab humans be nezumi friends, then maybe other humans be nezumi friends.  That is why Rik get his name - Rik'EEE'k'chik mean 'friend of humans' in our language.  Mother send Rik out to see other humans, maybe find other friends for nezumi."

"But wherever I go, humans call nezumi 'ratlings' and treat them like vermin.  How can humans and nezumi be friends?  Rik not know.  I try to do what mother wanted, but sometimes I think that my name has no power.  When I arrive here I think maybe Green humans be friends with nezumi - maybe I help them and they help me.  I fight for Green humans, defeat many assassins.  But still no one really think of Rik as hero.  Rik...  I wish it were true - then I could have big name, much power.  But I am 'friend of humans' - friend to people who are not friend to me, or to nezumi.  I must-must accept this, not try to steal more power than my name has."

"Let us go-go to the garden, and meet with the others now."

Tokkan does not turn to leave. Instead he continues to gaze at Rik. After what might seem like an uncomfortably long amount of time, Tokkan bows to Rik. "You have my sincerest apologies honored Nezumi warrior. I will admit that I, like many of the other humans did not take your efforts seriously, despite the fact that you proved again and again that you had the ability and the heart of a true warrior hero. Know then, that your words have given your name the power you would desire, and consider this lowly human a friend. If one attacks you, they attack me."

"Now, Rik'EEE'k'chik, who is truly a hero, let us go to the garden together and see what the smart people up there have decided about our upcoming expedition."

And up to the garden they go, with Tokkan actually walking for once, in deference to  Rik.
 

Back to the Garden

"No tea for me, but if you have any shoju...?" Takezo looks expectantly at the servant.  Takezo then turns to the group. "Do we have any better leads to follow than the dragon carving?"

Ishi declines the offer of tea on his behalf, but if anyone else wants some the servant may busy himself with bringing it.

Kentou grins at the servant.  "Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I think tea'd be a good idea, to help keep the chill out of our bones.  Of course, something stronger like ojii-san's suggested would be an even better idea."

The servant looks pained at Takezo's request.  Ishi might have saved his self-respect but oh no, the high and mighty Crab bushi had to refuse tea so now the servant has to either bow to the rude old drunk's request or risk offending a guest.  Then Kentou agrees with the drunk, creating a mid-point.  He is just a heimin, but he is a heimin who has been honoured as a guest by Lord Kyugoro, and who has defended the cortege against attackers.

Wistfully, the servant bows to the guests, still centering his bow on Ishi.  "Hai," he murmurs, scurrying away.

When the servant's gone, Kentou starts to reach into his sleeve to draw something out, but then seems to be struck with a thought.  He seats himself up against the base of a tree and seems to be trying to meditate.

By the time the servant gets back, Hiro and Toshino have had time to cleanse themselves and return to the garden.  The servant brings tea, and two bottles containing sake and plum wine, with a plate of little crackers and cakes.  He kneels and puts the tray down, bowing.

"I regret to inform the honoured guests that Togashi-dono does not normally require shoju to be kept in the castle's supplies, but I have brought other refreshments.  If the honoured guests care to wait while they sample these modest liquids, I will go outside and get shoju in the village.  Or perhaps someone in the garrison may have a personal supply, which I am sure they would be happy to surrender to the honoured guests.  I will enquire."

"Don't worry about it," says Takezo.  He then takes a swig from each of the bottles, considers and then holds out the bottle with the higher alcohol content.  "Just get me a couple of these."

The servant grits his teeth, gives as shallow a bow as he can manage without dishonouring Lord Kyugoro's hospitality, and departs.  Takezo quaffs another generous helping of fine aged ume-shu [plum "wine," or rather brandy].

Toshino, Hiro, Ishi, Takezo, and Kentou have only been waiting for a few minutes when Tokkan and Rik rejoin them.  Those who pay attention notice that Tokkan arrives sedately walking up the stairs like most mortals, instead of flying over the wall.

Takezo is too busy appreciating the refreshments to notice something so mundane as the method of locomotion of a shugenja.  Since the servant has not yet come back, he reaches for the second tokkuri [small-necked saké bottle].

"So, before we almost doubled our numbers, we agreed to journey to the village of Akibin, as that was the place where Togashi Kaneka died. Has anything come to light that changes this decision, or does any of our newcomers have other ideas?" Ishi asks while looking around at everyone.  While listening to what is then said, he partakes in the bounty that is displayed on the tray.

"Sounds good, Akibin it is." Takezo announces.

Tokkan partakes of the tea and crackers, but seems somewhat lost in thought. He compare Rik's story with his own expeditions in the Shadowlands, and considers his never ending search for his sister. He wondered if this expedition might not eventually lead them to the Shadowlands as well. The place that filled normal people's hearts with terror, awoke a burning desire to launch yet another search for her...  Eventually he realizes he is making very little contribution to the night's discussion, so he quietly excuses himself and returns to his chamber.

After some polite small talk, everyone agrees to retire.  There has been enough to reflect on for one day.  The "Brave Defenders" return to the guest rooms that have been supplied them; Hiro and Toshino have their own quarters with the other unmarried samurai of the household.  Togashi Toshi returns to announce that some quarters have just been prepared for Takezo (not as easy as it sounds since the castle is already filled with guests).
 

To Be Continued...