Arc 3, Session 19, L5R

January, 1118, Week 1: To Dine & Dish
It took several days for the cleansing rites to be completed to the Wardens' exacting standards. The matter was complicated due to the extensive nature of Hiruma Kazu's injuries; our heroes had done an admirable job of saving his life on the journey, but the long road to recovery must be walked under his power alone. Still, the group could only delay their return for so long.

Carrying the Hiruma on a stretcher, they set off North at the earliest opportunity. By the time they reached the castle, the courtier was able to move about on his own once more. Yudai made a beeline to his lord's quarters while most of the others partook in a restorative meal. Was it just their imagination, or did the staff seem more...nervously professional?

Takeshi's stomach burned no less than the others, but he had a promise to fulfill. He retraced steps he had taken weeks before in thoughtful silence. The room of the fallen was still & solemn. Though their own journey into the Shadowlands had been brief, Takeshi could see several new names had already been carved into the wooden plaques.

He read these testaments, before preparing to carve one of his own. The scent of earthy incense filled the space as he worked. Steady, measured cuts recorded the ending that had come to Hida Iwa. His soul had been lost, condemned to an eternity of torment- but such was a Crab's duty, & he had met it with honor.

When Yudai reached the door to Kaiu Asano's office, he found the door closed, an unfamiliar guard posted out front. Kaiu Gudeta awaited outside of her personal chambers. Upon seeing Yudai, the yojimbo quickly ushered him inside.

As had been dreaded, the Hiruma Daimyo had arrived at the castle shortly after our heroes' departure. She outranked Kaiu Asano, & had thus taken an active role in the proceedings of the Winter Court. His lord let Yudai know that the Daimyo would certainly wish to speak to him before asking for his report.

Hayata returned to the libraries, & his quill could be heard until late in the night. Kiyuki spent some time with Otomo Kuni, catching up on what had occurred in the group's absence. The Kaiu made no specific petitions to the council during their week. Though they noted they could use more jade, it would be difficult to source it. Interestingly, the animal remains Kuni Enko had brought before the council had apparently been stolen. No formal investigation had been launched into this, for some reason or other.

Megumi visited her quarters only to fetch her owl, Sakana. With the bird in hand, she made her way to Takeshi's stables. The Crab had been taking as much care of her steed as they could. Their stables were ill-equipped for a horse of his size, & they could not devote much time to letting him run. The Unicorn rode as far afield as she could in the waning light of day. Perhaps if she moved fast enough, she could shake the visions of Daylight Castle haunting her mind.

Only a short while after the following day's breakfast, each of the party found themselves invited to speak with the visiting Daimyo in turn. Takeshi was selected first, followed by Yudai. Next went Megumi, then Hayata. Finally, Kiyuki sat with the Daimyo.

Though he had only mentioned her briefly, Hiruma Kazu had...respectfully intimated that his lord would likely be incensed at the death of her nephew. Yet, each of our heroes found her unshakably polite & calm.

The samurai were all met with deep bows, & asked to sit at a table covered in small appetizers on offer. Hiruma Yoshino poured tea for each when they sat with her. Her robes were befitting a lord of her station, though she looked like she would be more at home in scout's armor. Any streaks of grey in her hair served only to reflect the iron in her soul.

Over the course of the meetings, she thanked each samurai for their aid in investigating Hiruma Yori's death & undertaking the trek to Daylight Castle. Light questioning followed. Some of her questions were expected, while others- in moments when a touch of sorrow broke through her facade- were a surprise.

And after hearing each response, her hand would absentmindedly reach down to the table of food. Directly in front of her sat a large bowl of colored glass beads. Surrounding it were four small, empty trays. Whenever her fingers dipped, a glass bead was placed in one of these trays, without comment.

The repeated "takk" of beads hitting the dishes underscored the conversations to a rhythm none of the samurai could parse. Was it a strange form of intimidation tactic, or something more? Given the Daimyo's status, it would be an impropriety to ask. (Though this did not stop some of our heroes.)

Each conversation closed the same way: Hiruma Yoshino bowed low to her visitors once more, & thanked them for an "enlightening" conversation. During Kiyuki's luncheon, the Scorpion presented the surviving hilt of Kishu to her host. The courtier claimed that the relic should be carried by one worthy of its storied history.

Later, the group discussed these meetings briefly before dinner. Otomo Kuni was able to confirm that the Daimyo had been having such discussions with near everyone in attendance since her arrival. Given the events that had preceded the party's departure, it seemed the Daimyo was simply performing her due diligence- nothing more.


January, 1118, Week 2: A Second Severing

All of the Crab families had spoken their piece over the past two months. With only three weeks remaining in the Winter Court, it was time to begin the final debates on which decision to grant. Kaiu Asano sat at her standard location at the council. Hiruma Yoshino sat a short way off to her side in a position of respect. The host began to call the meeting to order, only to be immediately cut off by the visiting Daimyo.

"I would once again like to graciously thank you for affording me my impromptu visit," she interjected in an even tone. "Before we discuss the petitions of this season, there is one small matter I would like to address." Her stony face turned to the honored samurai gathered in the room...before resting on one in particular.

"Hiruma Kazu. Please, sit before me."

The maimed courtier seemed unsurprised at this. With as much dignity as his current condition allowed, he struggled to rise & reposition himself accordingly in the chamber. Slowly, in a matter-of-fact manner, Hiruma Yoshino began to ask him to confirm or deny a series of short statements.

Our heroes felt a collective chill as they realized her words were reflections of all they had told her the day prior. Each sentence she presented to Hiruma Kazu fell like the lashing of a whip despite her even tone.

Had Hiruma Yori died under his watch? Had it been Hiruma Kazu who had waived the family's right to a trial of Ikoma Choshi, clearing the only suspect of any wrongdoing? Had it not been Hiruma Kazu's hand that shattered the irreplaceable artifact of their honored ancestor, & caused further damage to their stolen keep?

At this, the Daimyo unwrapped a small object, laying the hilt of Kishu on the tatami floor between them. Gasps & quiet murmurs were birthed & killed in the span of a heartbeat at the sight of the desecrated sword. Holding his head level, Hiruma Kazu quietly confirmed each of the accusations laid against him.

Memories ran through the minds of the party. How Hiruma Kazu had been driven to act in terror of his lord's reprisal when Hiruma Yori had been killed; how he had confessed that he would rather risk destroying the sword than encourage his Daimyo to send more Hiruma to pointless deaths.

Takeshi could bear this no longer. He respectfully began to speak on behalf of the Crab courtier, but Hiruma Yoshino made it evident that she had already heard all she needed to from the Lion on this matter, thanking him once again for his previous testimony. Pushing the matter any further- publicly disagreeing with how the Daimyo should see to her own- could only be seen as dishonorable.

Hiruma Yoshino ordered Hiruma Kazu to take up what remained of Kishu.

"Was that once a weapon of the purest jade, unblemished despite centuries in the Shadowlands?" she asked, barely above a whisper. "And does nothing yet remain of that holy blade for you to fall on?"

Hiruma Kazu confirmed.

"Then there is little more that needs to be said." The Daimyo pointed at the fabric on the floor, watching with hooded eyes as Hiruma Kazu reverently placed the hilt upon it. "It is clear to all gathered that you have not only failed in the duties assigned to you, but have caused great damage to the august roots of your own family tree." She paused only to cast her gaze at her audience.

"Were Kishu still with us, I would order you to perform the three cuts with it. In lieu of that, let my proclamation now be writ in stone: this...man before me belongs not to any house of the Crab. He is without honor, without use, & without family. Any records of his service will make sure to note his many faults, that we may never again see them performed."

The ronin Kazu adjusted his gaze, bowing his head to avoid eye contact with any of the samurai in the room. He stood in silence, doing his best not to sway on his feet.

Takeshi rose from his own seat, & called to the man as he began making his way to the exit of the chamber. Pointedly turning his back towards the remaining Hiruma, the Lion offered Kazu a bow of the deepest level of respect. He was repaid in kind.

Shocking everyone, Kiyuki walked over to the hilt & snatched it up. The little Scorpion's eyes appeared to be dark hollows behind her mask as she reiterated to the Daimyo that she had given the remains of the blade only to one whose own honor matched the sword. Though the Daimyo visibly tensed her shoulders in rage, she said nothing as Kiyuki knelt to offer the relic to Kazu. The ronin took it with a bemused expression & a sincere word of thanks.

His back had barely left the hall before Megumi shot to her feet. Whatever anger the Hiruma Daimyo was feeling, its equal was writ plain on the Unicorn's face. Up until now, she all but spat out, she had believed the Crab all possessed honor beyond reproach- up until now. Not trusting herself to keep from saying anything further, the bushi stalked out after Kazu to speak with him.

Hiruma Yoshino managed to maintain her steely expression. With her "business" now concluded, she thanked Kaiu Asano for the floor time & granted leave for the council to reconvene their discussion of the family petitions. If one were to judge solely based on her presence, it was as if the previous few moments had not happened at all.


January, 1118, Week 3: An Ending In Sight
The tension from the previous week had mostly dissipated by the time the council was reconvened for final arguments. There were even rumors that someone had ridden out & retrieved the hilt of Kishu from Kazu, though no one seemed certain as to who had done so.

Yudai declared that the Hida had no interest in the Kuni family's request, while Takeshi suggested that he & Yudai lead some of the Lion soldiers to rout the Yasuki's ronin problem.

Unexpectedly, Megumi introduced a last-minute suggestion for one of the families' petition. Given that taking Daylight Castle was *clearly* impossible at the moment, why not dock some jade from the Hiruma for the Kaiu?

The Hiruma Daimyo offered no response.


January, 1118, Week 4: Thawing of the Roads
So sad, that the Winter Court drew now to a close. What wouldn't our heroes give to extend their stay by even just one more week?

Kaiu Asano prepared to declare her final decisions for the season. The Hida had asked for nothing, & were welcome to it. Following the Unicorn's proposal, some of the jade typically allotted for Hiruma scouting parties would be instead given to the Kaiu for the year. Even if the Kuni had managed to find their stolen bones, it was decided they could not reach out to further outsiders for information.

When spring had banished the last vestiges of snow, Yudai & Takeshi would lend their aid to the Yasuki. Kaiu Asano was unable to make any statement regarding the Hiruma's request before the Daimyo spoke up. To avoid any more of the "loss of face & honor" Kazu had caused, she rescinded their petition for this year's council. No one looked particularly enthused at the graceful withdrawal.

A chill lingered in the air as our heroes gathered to bid their farewells. Before this, Otomo Kuni made her first official move in her new position as Crystal Magistrate: she would be honored if Takeshi could lend his experience to their collective cause. The Lion hesitated only briefly before accepting the offer.

For now, each of the samurai must resume their standard duties, be they at home or here. The ranks of their assembly had grown as a result of their time in Crab lands. If they came away with little more than that, it was still a productive season. Though some of them were certainly leaving with a bit more......
 

Elsewhere

Scorpion Lands
Seppun Toshio wrote several controversial books & treatises a decade or so ago. His chief subject was the examination of how the caste system & Clan separations are dooming the country. The most famous of his books was Fractures in the Emerald Throne.

Most officials wanted him dead for criticizing the Imperial systems, but the Scorpion recognized his potential usefulness. He has been living in Chizu no nai seiiki, The Mapless Sanctuary, for several years now. This “monastery” is hidden in the mountains, & houses outcasts & exiles of all colors. True, it is also an opium nest, but one cannot judge too harshly.

During the winter, Seppun Toshio was found dead in his quarters. His myriad notes & planning boards were all burnt or destroyed. The Scorpion claim to have no idea how this could happen- they may even be telling the truth. Only high-ranking Scorpions even knew the location of the sanctuary to begin with.

Thankfully, this is no real loss for the Empire. Of what worth could his studies have been to true servants of the throne?


Tortoise Lands
The Tortoise were beginning to build a stronghold in a small port town north of the Centipede Castle known as Shio no yama, or The Salt Heap. Many years ago, Isawa Amaya, a Phoenix shugenja, was executed there for the study of gaijin magicks. With her dying breath, she cursed the nearby farmlands: all of the crops were transformed into rocks of salt. Nothing has grown here ever since.

Rumors told that strange ships of non-Rokugani-make were seen delivering funds & workers for the Tortoise. Clearly, this is a lie. Outsiders are banned by Imperial decree!  I’m sure it was simply mercenary pirates.

In any case, the project seems to have fallen through for some reason. The Tortoise have become sullen & withdrawn. All building efforts have ceased, & they have left the port to its own devices. Now, the only ships seen in the area belong to the rōnin scum who hold sway there.


Unicorn Lands
To the West of the Unicorn lands, the Burning Sands house an array of mysteries. One of the more fantastical is Madiq ‘abrad layla: The Gorge of the Coldest Night. This strange pit is only traversable once a year, & is said to house a hearth that has burned for centuries.

Akodo Hanako & Moto Borte had a relatively friendly rivalry of sorts. Both were explorers, charters of unknown lands. Though they were on good terms, their respective clans were not; many clan officials would bet on which of the two would win their “races” to new destinations. There are even rumors that some would attempt to “hedge their bets”, as it were.

Both groups set out early in the winter season. They were well-stocked, & each traveled with a coterie of vassals. Finding the Gorge must have been difficult, as no one had returned by the planned date. Token search parties were dispatched, but this was no real cause for worry. The pair were some of the greatest survivalists in recorded history.

Imagine the surprise when the scouts found Akodo Hanako wandering alone through the desert. Most of his clothing had been burnt & charred. The only thing he carried was his daisho, though the blades were naught but molten slag. His eyes were milky-white, & he appeared on the verge of death.
Even after nursing him back to health, no one has any idea what occurred out in the wastes. You see, Akodo Hanako may have returned, but his wits did not. His family is now shamed to care for him, as he babbles incoherently about traitors & fire…


END ARC 3