Embers of War, Part 2: the Lion

By Shawn Carman

Edited by Fred Wan

The Western Wastes were a misbegotten place, a seat of misery and unpleasantness that most samurai wished to avoid at all costs. Even among the stalwart Unicorn, respected for their hardiness and their ability to adapt to new and unusual surroundings, few braved the Western Wastes by choice, and those few who did only did so for very short periods, always eager to leave them behind.

Ikoma Shinju imagined that she was the only soul in the mortal world that found the Wastes enjoyable. How could the others not see it? It was flawlessly barren, with resources so meager that only the most skilled and industrious of all warriors could derive sustenance enough to survive in its desolate expanse. It was the ultimate test of skill, the greatest challenge of a samurai’s will to survive. It thrilled her to test her training so completely, forcing her to fall back on the most essential teachings of her sensei back at the Ikoma dojo. This morning she had made a meal of eggs, a small clutch she had discovered after tracking a lizard through the loose soil. It was the first time she had eaten in two days, and the sensation of it still thrilled her. She felt the strength flow from the eggs into her body, restoring power to her limbs. She called upon that strength to allow her to move across the plains at remarkable speed.

The sun glinted off of something in the distance, bringing Shinju to an abrupt halt. Her breath was coming quicker now, but she did not permit fatigue to weaken her. She shielded her eyes from the sun, trying to make out whatever might have caught her attention from this distance. The stones in the Wastes were dull and flat, having been worn down over centuries of exposure to the winds that tore through the area much of the year. She frowned. Her supplies were long since gone, and even as gifted as she was, she knew very well that taking unnecessary risks was a dangerous and foolhardy game. If she deviated from her path and added too much time to her travels, she could risk her life. But then, Shinju reflected, risks were the spice that made a bland dish palatable. Shifting to face the new direction, she resumed running.

            There were many things that could have caused the glinting Shinju had noticed, but she had not expected anything like what she actually found. Every Lion knew the remains of a battle when they saw it, and this was surely the results of a battle. There was approximately one square mile of carnage that resulted from what she would estimate was a total force of approximately two hundred troops embroiled in desperate combat. She found signs everywhere that the Unicorn were among those embroiled in the battle. There were corpses, both man and horse, clad in the clan’s colors, and even a lone war banner that appeared to have fallen during the course of the fighting. Shinju could see no sign that other Unicorn had yet discovered the site of the battle, and indeed, it appeared as though the conflict had concluded only a matter of hours ago. If there was any point to the battle, Shinju could not easily determine what it might have been, for there were no signs of the caravans that the Unicorn frequently escorted through the Wastes. She would backtrack and check for signs of such things after she was finished, but for the moment, she felt the need to better understand exactly what she was seeing.

            Everywhere, Shinju found signs that bodies had been taken away. Whomever the Unicorn had battled, regardless of whether the clan had been victorious or defeated (and here Shinju felt sure she knew the answer even in the absence of testimony or evidence), it appeared that the dead had been carried away. For what purpose she was unsure, but she found the notion quite troubling. For some time, she scoured the battleground, searching for any trace of those who might have done such a terrible thing, and after some time she found only a blade. It was much shorter than a katana, shorter even than a wakizashi, but longer and heavier than a tanto. It was completely straight, and tapered to a centered point at the end. It was surprisingly heavy as well, and had little in the way of an edge. It was a strange weapon, a gaijin weapon, but Shinju knew that it might give some hint as to the nature of those who had done this thing. The Lion had no particular love for the Unicorn in these days, of course, but Shinju knew she was not alone in that she would die before she allowed a single samurai’s life to be extinguished by a gaijin when it was within her power to stop it.

            The master scout rose, carefully wrapping the blade to prevent losing it or, to be honest, having to touch it more than absolutely necessary. Then she turned toward the Empire and began the trek back toward the Lion lands.

            This time her pace was more urgent.

* * * * *

            Kitsu Miro discreetly glanced out the window to gauge the position of the sun. Judging by the length of the shadows she could see, it was growing nearer to the hour of evening meal, and certainly well into the late afternoon. The court session would, she imagined, last only a short while longer. For that, she was grateful; she had been unable to visit her preferred shrine in the Temple District for the past two days due to the requirements of her duties, and she imagined that there was a growing spiritual pall over her that she needed to expunge with prayer and meditation. Her daily prayers had not ceased, of course, but it was necessary to reinforce such things with true acts of devotion, and time spent in the temple was the finest of such methods.

            “The hour grows late,” Moro heard the Imperial Governor say, her tone somewhere between propriety and boredom, as always. “There is but one more matter that must come before this court, and then we shall adjourn until the festival three days hence.” Miro sensed a stir from those around her at these words, for like she, they had believed the agenda for the day concluded. She was unaware of anything further to come before the court, and it seemed that there were others like her. The Imperial Governor exuded a glimmer of amusement at their discomfit, although it was possible this was merely Miro’s imagination.

            One of the Governor’s functionaries stepped forward and bowed. “The Governor is pleased to recognize the delegation of the Phoenix Clan at this time.”

            A member of thePhoenixstepped forward. She was a particularly pale woman, wearing a strange mask that appeared for all intents and purposes to be a blindfold, but Miro knew that to assume aPhoenixcould not see was folly; likely some manner of enchantment permitted it. Such masks were something of a fad among manyPhoenix, in honor of their Champion. “ThePhoenixare grateful to the Governor for permitting such a last minute addition to her already hectic schedule,” the woman said, her voice a harsh whisper that nevertheless carried perfectly. “I am Asako Kaitoko, representative of the Council of Elemental Masters and the ranking member of the Asako Inquisitors within the Colonies. As many of you may know, I recently experienced something of a personal difficulty during exploration of the unmapped regions of this splendid land, an endeavor that resulted in a costly wound to myself, and the even more costly loss of a great comrade among my clan.”

            There was a murmur among those assembled. The tales from the unexplored lands were circulating rapidly among those of the court, many growing in the telling. For one who had actually participated in such endeavors to return to share their story was something new, and it seemed many were excited by the possibility. “I have witnessed first hand, far more closely than I would have preferred, in retrospect, the dangers that this land presents to those who choose to dwell within it. And I speak here only of the physical dangers; I consider the danger the secrets this land presents to the souls of its denizens an order of magnitude more dangerous. It is the concern of the Phoenix Clan that the good and honorable people of theSecondCityare at risk during this time of exploration. New discoveries and secrets are being uncovered each day, and the potential for dangers to the spirit of even the most honorable samurai is very real.”

            Miro frowned. There were others around here, not Lion of course, who seemed as if they were in agreement. “To safeguard the denizens of theSecondCity, thePhoenixwish to petition for the right to create a new temple within the Temple District,” Kaitoko continued. “Further, we wish to formally inform the Governor of our intent to staff this temple with a significantly increased presence of Asako Inquisitors, whom we sincerely hope the Governor will make use of to ensure the proper protection of her vassals is continued with our expertise made proper use of.”

            Again, a murmur rippled through the court. A court of similar importance within the Empire proper would be free of such weak-willed utterances, Miro thought absently, even as she felt herself stepping forward. “My lady Governor,” she said, only recognizing that it was her voice as if in a dream, “this is a grave affront to the honor of the Lion Clan.”

            “Oh?” Otomo Suikihime said, arching her eyebrows in mock surprise. “That is a most interesting observation. Please, tell me how exactly this is an attack upon the Lion, because that is certainly not the first thing that entered my mind as Kaitoko was speaking.”

            All eyes turned upon Miro, but she did not permit herself to shrink from it. “The Lion are responsible for a minimum of half the forces currently serving in the forces that defend theSecondCityfrom all attacks,” she said. “The head of the venerable Second City Guardsmen is among our most celebrated heroes. This city is virtually free from crime or violence, thanks in large part due to the efforts of the Lion Clan. To imply that the city will come under some sudden onslaught of danger that only the Phoenix are fit to protect it from is a slander against the efforts of hundreds of honorable Lion warriors over the course of more than two decades.”

            “Your assertion is by and large correct,” Suikihime said. “I trust that the Lion, ever the greatest of warriors, are still not arrogant enough to presume that they can overcome any threat? Even those that they are completely ignorant of?”

            “It is the duty of the Lion to stand against any and all threats, no matter what their nature or origin,” Miro said proudly. “I have all faith in my kinsmen. The inevitability of our victory is as sure as that as fact that the Jade Sun shall rise each morning, and the Obsidian Moon each night. There is room for nothing in my heart but certainty.” She glanced at thePhoenix.

            “Most curious,” the Governor said. “I seem to recall that the Lion failed to anticipate and protect my predecessor from the threat posed by the Dark Naga.”

            The sound of fans popping open throughout the chamber was like the harshest of all whispers, and Miro felt her face grow hot. “For that mistake, atonement has been made,” she said quietly. “Tsudoken-sama offered his seppuku, and it was denied by the Imperial families. To condemn a single soul for the actions of an inhuman monster…”

            “Would be to condemn all who were victimized by its nefarious actions, yes,” Suikihime said, affecting an air of slight disinterest. “I recall the edicts of my family rather clearly. Still, I should think that the Lion would wish to thank the Phoenix for such efforts of such a nature. After all, if thePhoenixwere permitted to perform such a duty, it would only ensure that further such embarrassments were far less likely to occur in the future, would you not agree? It is not as if the Lion are particularly well known for their knowledge of or expertise in countering spiritual threats, after all. Present company excluded, of course.”

            Miro attempted to overlook the obvious slight. “My presence and the others of my family who dwell within the city were deployed here for specifically this reason, my lady: to ensure that such surprises could not occur again.”

            “The Lion were wise to take such precautions,” the Governor said with a nod. “Perhaps others will say the same about me when I take steps to ensure that there are additional precautions in place.” She nodded to thePhoenixdelegation. “Permission is granted for the construction of a new temple for the Asako Inquisitors within the Temple District.” The Governor rose from her seat atop the dais. “I believe our agenda for the day is complete. I will see you all again after the end of the festival celebration. Please enjoy your respite.”

            Miro stood fuming, aware of the smug glance she received from Kaitoko. “This will end poorly for you,Phoenix,” she muttered under her breath.

* * * * *

Akodo Uehara grimaced as he entered the library. The weather outside was abominably warm, as was to be expected at this time of year, and his shoulder ached miserably. The wound he had suffered as a young man had healed long ago, but only partially, and it seemed he would go to the next world with it troubling him, assuming that the summer’s heat or the winter’s could in the realm his soul eventually reached were as extreme as they were within Rokugan.

            As Uehara replaced the scrolls he had taken for the evening, his eyes wandered as they so often did to the small table that held the library’s single copy of De Bellis Yoditorum, a treatise on gaijin tactics that was often found in libraries throughout the Lion land. Uehara felt quite confident that it was the only gaijin work found anywhere in the entire province, quite possibly the whole of Lion territory. It was in a format called a book, which the elder samurai found distasteful, yet respected it for its ability to contain a great amount of information in a relatively portable manner. No, he did not take offense from its existence or its physical form, but rather its necessity.

            De Bellis Yoditorum was a work that detailed the strategies and tactics of a vast Empire of warriors known as the Yodotai, who existed far beyond the boundaries of Rokugan. If the information on them from the book was accurate, then they were a threat the likes of which no one had ever even conceived. The thought that they continued to exist out there somewhere was far from comforting, and privately Uehara hoped that they would never encounter Rokugan or any of its Colonies.

            A chill ran through Uehara suddenly. It caused his shoulder to ache terribly.

 TO BE CONTINUED

Discuss the events of this fiction in our Story Forum!

It is with great pride and joy that the Imperial Bank of Rokugan announces that we will be opening up our coffers in order to offer to you all some of the rare cards from the Emperor Edition base set! The new Cards for Koku will be going live at 10AM PST on Friday, May 18th, 2012 . Thank you all for your support of the Imperial Bank, and of her most gracious Empress Iweko I.

Seppun Washi

The Imperial Bank of Rokugan

Embers of War, Part 1: The Unicorn

By Shawn Carman

Edited by Fred Wan

            It was said by many throughout the Empire, not all of them Unicorn, that it was in the provinces of the Unicorn Clan that the greatest beauty of Rokugan could be found. Although he paid lip service to such claims, the truth was that Moto Jun-ni could not see beauty here. To be completely honest, he could not see beauty anywhere. The world was an ugly, unpleasant place, filled with selfish, ignorant people, and he could not recall the last time he had looked upon anything and thought that it was not ugly. The woman that he and his men were presently escorting was perfect proof of that.

            There was doubtless no shortage of men who would argue endlessly that Susumu Kuroko was a woman possessed of incredible beauty. Her features were pristine, and perfectly placed. Her hair was a brilliant white color, supposedly a tribute to her mother’s people, the Crane. Yet Jun-ni looked at her and saw only the conniving, evil spirit that he knew must dwell within. She cared nothing for men such as he, seeing them only as pawns and fools to be manipulated like the pieces on a go board. Even as he dwelled on such thoughts, he noticed that she looked toward him, and he forced a smile. “It will not be a great deal farther, my lady,” he said, struggling without success to keep his voice from its normal, gruff timbre.

            “That is a shame,” the courtier said. “I so enjoy traveling in the Unicorn lands, and I feel that you and I have scarcely had a chance to get to know one another.”

            Jun-ni frowned slightly. He had been unaware that his duty to escort the Susumu family daimyo to the recently constructed Spider Clan monastery in his family’s home province had included a social component. “I am aware that you requested me as your escort,” he said after a moment’s consideration. “May I ask why?”

            “You are Moto Jun-ni,” she said, as if this explained everything. “The legendary Demon Slayer of the Unicorn Clan. How could I pass up the opportunity?”

            “Oh, that,” Jun-ni said. “Is there something you wish to know in particular?”

            “How did you come by such a name, and such a fearsome reputation?”

            The old warrior shrugged. “I was fresh from my gempukku when the Destroyer War began,” he said. “Little more than a child, really. That conflict crushed every vestige of idealism or innocence that remained within me. When it was over, I simply could not bear to return home and deal with life after such a change. So I joined the forces hunting what remained of the Destroyers. Then I joined another force to hunt demons from the time when the Carpenter Wall was down, or that escaped from the Second Pit.” He shrugged. “I suppose I got good at it, is all.”

            “So I have heard,” Kuroko said. “Few can claim such proficiency, even among the Crab. I understand you have received accolades from Kuni Renyu himself.”

            “It was a small matter,” Jun-ni said.

            “Modesty?” Kuroko sounded amused, and it irritated Jun-ni to no end. “How unexpected.”

            It sounded as if the noble lady might say something else, but Jun-ni had noticed his scout ahead becoming alert, and he held up his hand for silence. To her credit, Kuroko stopped at once. Jun-ni rode ahead a hundred paces to be within earshot of the scout. “What do you see?” he asked the Shinjo.

            The young man nodded toward the forest in the distance. “Something there has been moved since we came through here last,” he noted. “The tree line is different.”

            Jun-ni could tell no difference, but he knew better than to question a Shinjo scout. “Ambush?” he asked.

            “Perhaps,” the scout replied. “It might be nothing. Or it might be a distraction.”

            “Distraction?” Jun-ni was instantly alarmed.

            The scout nodded. “If I wanted to attack a well guarded caravan, I’d try and find some means of drawing their attention away from the direction of the attack.”

            “Damn!” Jun-ni cursed and turned his horse back toward the caravan. Even as he spurred the animal into a gallop, he saw a half dozen men erupt from a low ditch on the opposite side of the road. They must have been lying there, covered with a thin layer of dirt, waiting for some indication that their prey was near.

            “Death to the Spider!” one of the men shouted. “Let the god of darkness starve without his worshippers!”

            The other guards were after the assailants at once, but for such an attack to even have been implemented, those who conducted it must have had no plans to survive. Jun-ni knew all too well how difficult it could be to stop suicide attacks. The Shinjo and Utaku under his command were on the men in an instant, but the majority of them appeared to be protecting the man at their center, who was wielding what appeared to be a bow of Mantis origin, albeit in rather shoddy shape. The man drew and fired an arrow, a sinister, black-looking thing, his expression never changing. The man’s mind was on the kill and nothing else.

            Jun-ni hurled himself from his horse, using his body to shield his charge, the alleged lady Susumu Kuroko. The impact from the arrow was stunning, and its size and construction was such that it punched through the armored plates of his do-maru without any noticeable resistance. As if from some great distance, despite the chaos, Jun-ni heard a strange, flat clink that he realized was the arrowhead striking the plate that protected his back. At least, he reasoned, the arrow did not go through him and strike the Spider. From the ground he watched as a Shinjo and Utaku converged on the archer. The Shinjo struck low and the Utaku high. The man who had almost certainly killed him collapsed onto the ground in a number of pieces.

             Kuroko appeared in his field of vision, her piercing gaze taking in his wound. “I have sent for a shugenja,” she said, her voice soft and low, “but I do not think much can be done for you. The wound is quite grave.”

            “Grave indeed,” he said, chuckling. The chuckle was a terrible idea, as it gave way to a cough that was agony itself. “You are… uninjured?”

            “Yes,” Kuroko replied. “I likely would have been fine regardless. I have my own protections in place.”

            “Ah,” Jun-ni rasped. “I… I rather wish… I had known that earlier.”

            “You despise me,” she said, her voice growing quieter, so that only the two of them could hear. “You loathe me and my entire clan. You are not alone among the Unicorn, but your feelings seem particularly strong. Why? Why did you save me at all?”

            “My… my duty,” he sputtered. “This is… for the best. My family has… suffered much shame. My death will… erase some of it.”

            Kuroko frowned. “You are a great hero. What shame could possibly remain?”

            Jun-ni’s eyes shone brightly. “My father’s brother… was Moto Kang.”

            Despite her training, despite her reputation, Susumu Kuroko drew back slightly at the mention of the name, something that filled Jun-ni with amusement and shame all at once. “I did not know that,” she said. She paused for a moment. “I will ensure that all know of your bravery here, your sacrifice. I will see your family’s honor restored, no matter what it costs.”

            Jun-ni’s face relaxed. It was a strange thing, to be surprised by a woman like this. And all at once, he realized that she truly was a beautiful woman. Perhaps the most beautiful he had ever seen. “Thank you… my lady.”

            Moto Jun-ni’s hand fell away from his blade.

* * * * *

The Ki-Rin’s Path was a long and arduous trek, consisting of weeks of overland travel from the most remote, westernmost regions of the Unicorn Clan’s holdings before finally reaching the northern reaches of the Colonies. Despite the difficulty of the trip, Moto Isul adored it completely for many reasons, not the least of which were the raucous celebrations his people held at Journey’sEndCityupon their eventual arrival in the Colonies. More so than many of his clansmen, Isul suffered from wanderlust the likes of which could not be tamed. Remaining in one place for more than one week began to sour his disposition to the point that he was eventually unsuitable for companionship, or so he had been told. Thus the duty of caravan escort had been given to him, and he had never been happier with any detail he had endured.

The stone formation that Isul had come to recognize as the mid-way point of the trip was looming on the northern facing of the path. It was a welcome sight, not only because it indicated that the terrain from here on out would be smoother and less rocky, but the weather would quickly become much warmer. He always enjoyed those portions of the trip more, when the freezing temperatures of the Empire were not nipping at his back.

A dust cloud was rising up to the northwest. That typically meant a sandstorm was coming in from the western wastes, and that put a damper on Isul’s mood somewhat. Something about it bothered him, though… something he could not quite put his finger on. He stared at the cloud for several minutes, his frown growing deeper as he did so. And then it occurred to him: the wind was blowing the wrong way.

“Riders!” he shouted at the top of lungs. “Riders approaching!’

Isul drew his blade. There were far too many of them for it to be anything other than an attack force on the move, and moving fast.

Utaku Eun-ju was at his side in an instant, her eyes blazing, her face a mask of eagerness. “What is it, commander?” she said, her voice hungry.

“Riders,” he repeated. “Take the rear units and escort the caravan to the secondary route immediately. You have command.”

“What?” she blurted out. Disappointment was etched on every inch of her face. “My lord, why? Let me have the bandit scum! I will bring you victory!”

“There is no time to discuss this!” Isul thundered. “You have command of the second unit! If they attack it as well, you will be the only hope of stopping them long enough for the merchants and the Imperial cargo to escape. Now do as you are ordered!”

From the look on her face, Isul could tell Eun-ju was almost hoping that there was a second attack, but of course she would never say such a thing. “Your will, commander,” was all she said before turning and spurring her horse to join the rear unit. He could hear her clear, concise commands ringing out sharply to the others in the caravan. It eased his mind greatly to know that she would lead the others. Her prowess was unquestionable, and if Isul and his men fell, she could still save the day.  Of course, he had no intentions whatsoever of falling.

Isul drew his sword and looked at his men. “They outnumber us, from the look of it!” he shouted. “Surely the Fortunes smile upon us! More glory for us and souls for the Lords of Death!”

The men roared in agreement, and Isul sounded the charge. 

* * * * *

Shinjo Tselu was aware of the presence of someone behind him as he finished carefully tying all the items he needed to his horse’s saddle. It was more than he normally carried, and he did not wish to risk the horse developing an injury as a result. “Do you need something?” he finally asked of the unseen presence behind him.

“Forgive me my lord, but… are you leaving the city?”

Tselu turned to face Akodo Tsudoken, master of the Second City Guard. “I have duties beyond the walls, yes.”

“I seem to recall you lamenting the poorly-defined state of your duties on at least two occasions,” Tsudoken observed.

Tselu maintained an appropriate expression, but it was difficult. “Do you have something that requires my attention, senior guardsman? Or do you consider wasting my time a suitable fulfillment of your own duties?”

“You are a man of honor,” Tsudoken said flatly. “I have concerns that you will allow yourself to be overcome with emotion and act in a manner that you will later regret. I would hate to see a young man of such promise live with such a burden for the remainder of his years. If I may say so, Ivory Champion.”

“You may say what you wish,” Tselu said. “I will not be deterred.”

Tsudoken seemed determined. “You are needed here, Champion.”

“Do not be ridiculous,” Tselu insisted.

“You are known to the men,” the old Lion pressed. “They see you as one of them. They follow your lead. The Governor… she is an unknown, and frankly impossible to understand, quantity. You are the key to stability in this city. Do you truly not know that?”

Tselu turned and frowned. After a long moment’s consideration, he shook his head slowly. “It does not matter.”

“What?”

Tselu’s eyes were piercing. “In defiance of all reason and logic, I am the highest ranking Unicorn samurai in the Colonies. I have troops at my disposal. I am trained as both a magistrate and an explorer. You know as well as I do that there is no way that this attack, an attack not only against my clan but against the Imperial families I am sworn to serve, could be completely hidden. Somewhere in the Colonies, there is a bandit or a criminal who knows the truth, and I will find him. I will find him and I will make him tell me everything he knows, or I will make him beg the Fortunes to take him. I promise you that.”

Without another word, the Ivory Champion swung atop his horse and urged it forward, leaving the commander of the Second City Guard standing and watching as he rode through the gates and departed the city. A much younger woman milling about in the area stepped forward. “What has gotten into him?” she wondered aloud.

“If I were to hazard a guess,” Tsudoken said, “I would say wrath.”

“Huh,” the Matsu warrior said, watching after him. “It looks good on him.”

* * * * *

            Daigotsu Negishi had never been in the presence of a samurai from another clan who had made him uncomfortable. Indeed, that was a role that was typically reversed, for it was Negishi who made others uncomfortable. It was not something he attempted to achieve or reveled in, unlike so many other of his kinsmen; it was merely a fact of life regarding the existence he now enjoyed, and he did not struggle with it. At this moment, however, he had full empathy for those who clearly found his presence disturbing, for he was in the presence of perhaps the most disturbing individual he had ever met in his lifetime. “The prophet will be with you shortly, my lady.”

            Moto Rani turned and regarded him coldly, and it was all he could do not to shudder under the intensity of her gaze. “Thank you,” she said, her voice strangely deep and hollow, as if it was the voice of another merely using her body.

            Negishi forced a smile that he was sure was frankly hideous. “I trust your journey was not unpleasant?” he said, desperate to fill the silence.

            Rani stared at him for a moment. “I find social niceties as alien as you surely do,” she said. “You may dispense with them, if you wish.”

            “Well if you insist,” Negishi said. He looked around the chamber, unsure what else to do.

            “You are dismissed, Negishi,” a voice said suddenly. It was as deep as the thunder and as clear as the ringing of a bell. “I must confess, it is unusual for a guest to make my retainers uncomfortable. But then you are hardly a typical guest.”

            “Usually Dragon, I presume,” Moto Rani said.

            Daigotsu Tenbatsu smiled, his solid-white eyes incapable of betraying emotion. “Quite right,” he said. “How may I serve an emissary of the Unicorn Clan, staunchest allies of the Spider?”

            Rani’s eyes glanced to the blade on Tenbatsu’s hip. “You still carry Seiatsu, then?”

            “Of course,” Tenbatsu replied. “In accordance with the arrangement between your Champion and mine, it remains in the hands of a warrior without the blessings of Jigoku, a category into which I fall.” His hand strayed across the hilt of the weapon, highlighting the detail on its grip. “It is a magnificent blade. My thanks to the smiths who created it.”

            “I will pass on your gratitude,” Rani said. “Are the Spider involved in the attack on the Unicorn?”

            “Of course not,” Tenbatsu replied at once. “I presume you would know if I were lying.”

            “That is why they sent me,” Rani said. “I do not believe any of our people in the Colonies actually suspect the Spider, but it was necessary to be certain.” She offered a half-smile. “I presume you would know if I were lying.”

            “Indeed I would,” Tenbatsu replied. “We appear to be two of a kind in that regard. How should we proceed?”

            “The Unicorn will discover the truth,” she answered. “Any assistance the Spider might offer would be most welcome indeed. Particularly the aid of a man such as yourself, a former member of the council who ruled your clan during your lord’s childhood.”

            Tenbatsu bowed. “It would be my exquisite pleasure to ensure the continued alliance between our clans,” the prophet said. “I presume you have an idea as to where to begin?”

            “I have a number of them,” Rani replied, “but one that I think you will particularly enjoy.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Discuss the events of this fiction in our Story Forum!

Across the Emerald Empire, the greatest servants of the Emperor make their homes in ancient castles, elaborate courts, impregnable fortresses, venerable dojo, and majestic palaces. Some exist in the wilds of the Empire, while others mark the center of great, sprawling cities. Some are centers of trade and artistry, while others exist far from any other sign of civilization. And yet, despite their many differences, it is in the heart of each of these bold strongholds that the heart of the samurai dwells.

Strongholds of the Empire explores a handful of the many unique cities throughout Rokugan, seeking out those with particular interests for the different Great Clans. In addition to new mechanics for each of the clans as well as for each individual city, this book contains information on the following:

• The Crab’s economic powerhouse, Clear Water Village
• The extensive holdings of the Crane and Lion clans in the Imperial City, Toshi Ranbo
• The tradition of the Dragon Clan’s smiths in Water Hammer City
• The mainland Mantis port of Broken Wave City
• The diplomatic endeavors of the Phoenix centered in Nikesake
• The illicit interests of the Scorpion at Zakyo Toshi
• The Spider Clan’s sinister secrets in the ruined city of Otosan Uchi
• The dueling traditions of the Unicorn at Dark Edge Village
• And more!

Note: The Black & White print editions of this book are not full-bleed. Because of printing requirements there is a small white border around the edge of the pages.

We hope you are enjoying the beginning of the month of May, as well as the Kotei season. The week 11 results have been posted here, and the map is beginning to fill up nicely. District 5 is already completely full, and District 3 is beginning to fill up as well. Which location will be claimed next. Will it be you, claiming more lands for your clan in the Colonies? And where will you claim? What wonders and adventures await the samurai of the Great Clans? Find out next week!

Crab: Hida Yamadera
Crane: Doji Dainagon
Dragon: Togashi Korimi
Lion: Pride of the Hand
Mantis: Moshi Madoka
Phoenix: Kunji
Scorpion: Shosuro Hawado
Spider: Daigotsu Negishi
Unicorn: Shinjo Byung

Thank you for participating in such large numbers to this unique vote!