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Storms of War

By Brian Yoon

Edited by Fred Wan

            “It figures,” Tsuruchi Gosho growled as he stood on the deck of the Unknown Path. The downpour pounded on the ship without mercy. He swiped a hand over his head – a rather useless gesture as the water seemed never ending, but the small measure of control was comforting. “My first tour with the southern defense would be absolutely, without a doubt, miserable.”

            He shook his head. It was the strongest storm he had ever seen. It seemed abnormally heavy to him, but he was not yet accustomed to deep sea patrolling to be certain. It was his first time in five years to venture out into the open sea, where he could not spot the land from the deck. He was a pure Mantis and the rocking of a boat at sea was usually a comfortable feeling. However, the crashes of this violent storm had shattered his dreams and brought him to the deck in the middle of a nightmare. Of course, none of the others in the bunk had seemed affected. He cursed them under his breath. He grabbed the bottle by his side and opened its cork. The sake inside was worse for the rainwater that constantly fell into the bottle, but Gosho figured it was better than nothing.

            “I have heard the captain is a lenient man, but even he must object to a violation as significant as yours, Gosho-san,” Moshi Kamiya said. Gosho took another swig from his bottle before giving the shugenja an appreciative glance. Despite the torrent, the young woman was dressed in loose green robes that left much of her chest and arms bare. It was a popular style in the Islands of Spice and Silk and Gosho certainly enjoyed the sight, but it seemed ineffective in keeping the shugenja warm. Despite her garb, she seemed to bear the cold and the rain with equal indifference.

            As the pause grew longer, Kamiya frowned and stepped closer to the Tsuruchi. “Drinking on duty can subject you to harsh punishment. I think only of the ship’s ability to function, were it to lose an able bodied sailor such as yourself.”

            Gosho drank deeply once more before replying. “But I am not on duty, Kamiya-chan. I will stand watch during the night but the infernal rocking of the boat woke me early. I hope the storm passes or I won’t be able to see anything at all during my shift.”

            Kamiya stared up into the sky as if she had only just noticed the torrential weather. “We are nearing the crescendo,” she said. “Our ship will continue within the storm’s grasp until the kami decide to dance apart, ceasing their lovely courtship.”

            Gosho grimaced. Shugenja. “‘Lovely,’” he spat. He looked around the ship and watched the sailors struggle to keep the ship from capsizing. Large waves constantly struck the ship and spilt gallons of saltwater aboard the deck. Gosho grabbed a hold of netting and endured through a large wave that threatened to carry him overboard. When it passed, he grinned at Kamiya. “I have to ask, Kamiya-chan. Aren’t you cold?”

            She looked down at her drenched kimono and shook her head. “Not at all.”

            “I suppose you’ll tell me it’s something about the beauty of the elements, and nature, and all sorts of nonsense,” Gosho said scornfully. “Sometimes you shugenja are entirely too unrealistic.”

            “It’s not the kami, Gosho-san. It’s… her,” Kamiya replied. Gosho blinked at the hint of reverence that had crept into her voice. “After I bonded with her, I can feel her heartbeat with every part of her being. Her presence warms my soul, no matter what may affect my body.”

            “I’ll take your word for-” Gosho said and stopped midsentence. He squinted and pointed. “Is that a gaijin ship?”

            Kamiya followed the finger and shook her head. “I cannot see anything but the rain, Gosho-san. Are you certain?”

            “I need to tell the captain,” Gosho growled. He immediately burst out into a run toward the mast. A loud roar of water and wind swept across the ship and flung Gosho to the deck. He scrambled to grab something, anything – and a firm grip caught his shoulder and anchored him to the ship. The water receded and Gosho looked up to see Kamiya’s serene face.

            “We shall go together,” Kamiya said.

            Traveling across the boat was much easier with the weight of two to fight against the raging storm. Gosho searched each sailor’s face as they rushed about on their duties and finally spotted the first mate of the ship.

            “Fushou-sama! Enemy off starboard bow!” Gosho yelled over the din of the storm.

            Yoritomo Fushou looked in the direction and shook his head. “I don’t see anything, sailor. The spotter on watch has seen nothing. Are you certain?”
            “Of course I’m certain! That’s my job!” Gosho replied in a rush. When Fushou turned to face him, Gosho paled and bowed. “There is a gaijin warship within three hundred yards of us. It’s coming closer, Fushou-sama. Very fast.”

            “Then the ship must be ready. Enemy approaching!” Fushou bellowed. “Prepare for battle!”

            The ship burst out into action as the Mantis stopped their actions and ran for their weapons. Gosho hooked his foot through a rope strapped to the deck for support and began to string his bow. A predatory grin crossed his mouth. He had felt out of place in the tempest, but he was at home in the heart of battle. He slung the bow on his back and began to climb the mast to the crow’s nest.

            Kamiya bowed to Fushou. “With your leave, Fushou-sama, I will rouse my sister. She would not want to miss a battle.”

            Fushou raised his hand to stall her disappearance. “One moment, Kamiya-san,” Fushou replied. “Can you commune with the air kami and notify the other ships in the fleet? We may need help against the enemy, especially if they carry a hold of their demons.”

            “Of course, Fushou-sama,” Kamiya replied. She knelt onto the deck and closed her eyes. Her mouth moved without making any noise as she prayed to the kami. Fushou waited patiently by her side and braced himself against the furious waves. Finally, Kamiya opened her eyes and looked up at the first mate.

            “I am sorry, Fushou-sama,” Kamiya said. “The water kami are frenzied by an otherworldly presence nearby. Their panic is making communication with the air kami impossible.”

            “So we are on our own. Perfect!” Yoritomo Buntaro’s booming voice called out. “We shall have all the glory.”

            Fushou and Kamiya bowed immediately as the captain swaggered onto the deck. Buntaro seemed cheerful as ever and ready for combat. Kamiya nodded as her sister Moshi Chuuna appeared on the deck from the other side, looking refreshed and happy at the prospect of a good fight. She made her way through the ruckus of the deck with the grace of a dancer performing in front of the Imperial Court.

            “So what has invoked our readiness, Fushou-san?” Buntaro asked.

            “One of our scouts has spotted the enemy, Buntaro-sama, but we are not sure. The rain is making it impossible to see it with my eyes.”

            “My sister can clear that problem, my lords,” Kamiya said. “Chuuna has a talent in talking to the water and charming it under her command.”

            “I shall ask the storm to stand aside, Buntaro-sama,” Chuuna said.

            “Do it, girl,” Buntaro ordered. Chuuna knelt and unfurled a scroll in front of her.

            Gosho swung himself onto the top of the crow’s nest and peered out onto the waters. The storm seemed worse at the top of the ship. Still, the world felt different with his bow in his hands. He lightly touched the feathers in his arrow and searched the waters for his target. He smiled grimly, drew, and fired. Before he could see the arrow meet its target, he drew and fired once more.

            The storm began to draw back like curtains unveiling center stage. The gaijin ship was less than fifty yards away and bearing fast onto the Unknown Path. A Destroyer demon stood at the bow of its ship and roared in defiance. Its roar was cut short as Gosho’s arrow fell from the sky and lodged itself in the demon’s eye. Another Destroyer at the front of the raiding party fell over immediately after with an arrow in its throat.

            Buntaro laughed. “Our intrepid scout has shown us the way! Mantis, let us follow his lead!” Everyone cheered.

            Kamiya raised her hands, palms up, to the sky. Her eyes glowed bright blue and her hands tingled with energy. “Your continued attempts to cross onto Rokugan will fail, demons,” she said, her voice echoing with power. “Who are you to step onto our soil, where gods have lived and died?”

            “We shall show them, sister,” Chuuna said, rising to her feet beside Kamiya. Her eyes began to glow with the same power that now filled her sister. “We shall show them the strength of our bond with the Thunder Dragon.”

            The Unknown Path crashed into the Ivory Kingdoms ship. Mantis sailors bellowed at the top of their lungs, and the skies exploded with lightning.

* * * * *

            Another demon roared in the distance, and Matsu Mari could not help but flinch. She considered herself a brave warrior, but this campaign had proven to her that she was clearly beyond her capabilities in the south. She faced flaming servants of the Dark Oracle in the previous war, and the experience simply did not compare to fighting at the southern line. The Destroyers held no concept of honor, but this was nothing new; after all, few Clans held themselves to the high standards of Lion honor. The problem lay in the fact that the Destroyers and Shadowlands creatures did not seem to hold themselves to the laws of reality. She had seen one impossible thing after another, and it was tiring to her mental health. Quietly, Mari gave a snort of exasperation and made a promise to herself. When this was all over, she would return home and perform deeds where she would be safe against these horrors. She would accomplish something simple, like singlehandedly facing a ravenous gaijin horde or finding a trustworthy Scorpion.

            Her snort had seemed nearly inaudible to her own ears, but her companion span in place and fixed her with a sharp glare. Hiruma Etsuro knelt and crawled his way to the Lion. Mari still marveled at how the young Etsuro never seemed to make a sound, though he passed through some thick shrubs along the way to her. Her colleagues had informed her that he was one of the Hiruma family daimyo’s prized students and it showed in Etsuro’s every movement. It was just as apparent that the Hiruma family did not seem to prize any sense of humor or zest for life, because Etsuro was the dullest man she’d ever met.

            Etsuro continued toward her at a steady pace and stopped uncomfortably close to Mari. She forced herself to ignore the breach in etiquette – her sisters were not here, but if they ever heard of the event she knew they would mock her mercilessly. Etsuro leaned in and whispered, merely inches away from her ear.

            “Be cautious, Mari-san,” Etsuro said. “There’s a patrol of Destroyers only three hundred yards to our west. It would not do to attract their attention.”

            Mari hadn’t even seen the demons but didn’t doubt the dour young man’s word. “Can these… things hear us?” Mari whispered back.

            Etsuro’s stare did not move from her eyes as he responded. It was more than a bit unsettling. “I do not know,” he admitted, his voice never louder than the faintest undertone. “Mari-san, assume that everything can exploit every weakness you show in the Shadowlands. That is how the Hiruma survive.”

            Mari nodded slowly. “Have the Hiruma learned much from their vigil at the castle?”

            Etsuro looked at the scroll case by his side. “We’ve written everything we have observed in these scrolls. It is my duty to place these in Hida Reiha-sama’s hands. We will succeed if you follow my every instruction. Now be quiet and follow me, Mari-san.”

            Etsuro turned away as soon as the last words left his mouth. He knelt to the ground and began to crawl toward the eastern beach. Mari idly fingered the grip of her trident and wished she could simply skewer her problems away. She swung her weapon to her back and crawled behind the Hiruma. Once again she regretted the insane impulse that had pushed her to volunteer for the duty. She had joined a group of veteran Hiruma scouts and battle hardened Lion warriors nearly two weeks ago. They crossed enemy lines and slowly traveled across the Shadowlands. Their aim was not to cripple the enemy but to reestablish contact with Kyuden Hiruma. Those who survived the trek now remained at the castle to help bolster defenses, while she and Etsuro slowly made their way back to the front lines. The idea seemed more like sheer insanity the longer she dwelt on it.

            They continued their silent journey for what seemed like hours. Each passing hour seemed to crawl along slower than their current pace. To Mari, not knowing the destination (or even the path) made it worse. Etsuro seemed to stop at random moments to survey the area. He made abrupt turns for no reason Mari could understand. Mari knew that their path kept them close to the coast, but that was all she could decipher. Worst yet, he seemed perfectly suited to maintaining the maddening silence. The only reason she could remain quiet herself was her stubborn desire to show the Hiruma she could do it.

            Etsuro unexpectedly paused in his tracks once more and his head turned to the west. Mari looked in the same direction but could see nothing. Etsuro moved closer to the Lion, tapped her on her right shoulder and pointed to the eastern coast. She flinched at the unexpected physical contact then looked as he directed. To her surprise, she could see a Mantis boat sailing closer to the shore.

            “There’s our way out,” Etsuro whispered. “The captain will only stop for one minute. Get ready to run to the shore immediately when I head out. There’s another group of Destroyers nearby. Be careful.”

            “Wait,” Mari hissed back. The anger in her voice gave Etsuro pause. “You had this planned all along? Why didn’t you let me know?”
            Etsuro’s expression did not change. “Our superiors put me in charge of this mission, Mari-san. All you needed to do was trust me to get you out. I didn’t know you would have a problem with it. After all, Lion samurai are used to following orders, are they not?”
            “Yes, but—” Mari whispered.

            Etsuro turned away as if the conversation held no more interest for him. He crouched lightly on his feet and watched both the patrol and the ship with equal intensity. Mari watched the Hiruma for her cue to move. Even then Etsuro’s sudden jolt toward the beach came as a surprise – the man was still one moment and running the next. Mari cursed under her breath and ran after the Hiruma.

            They reached the beach mere seconds after the ship. A single Mantis stood at its head. The man scowled at them as they drew near, but reached out a hand to help them on board.

            “You’re late this week, Etsuro,” the Mantis said.

            The Hiruma bowed. “I apologize, Iwata-sama, but the plans have changed.”

            Yoritomo Iwata looked at the Lion girl and nodded. “I can see that. Shall I stow the supplies below?”

            “Yes,” Etsuro said. “I need safe transport back to the Crab Champion. I carry important papers that must find way to her hands.”

            Iwata snorted. “If you think what I do is safe, Etsuro, you don’t understand what I’ve been risking on your behalf.”

            “Excuse me,” Mari interjected. “You’re a Mantis, and you’re carrying supplies for the Hiruma?”

            Iwata stared at her with a glare that clearly said ‘well done, you’ve puzzled out the obvious.’ Mari ignored it for one moment and turned to Etsuro.

            “Why didn’t we know of this arrangement? Benjiro-sama told us nothing of a Mantis ship supplying the Hiruma.”

            The ship rocked as it began to pull back out to the open sea. Mari barely caught her balance and continued to glare at the Hiruma. Etsuro, of course, didn’t look affected by the movement at all.

            “I don’t know if the Crab Clan Champion knows of the arrangement,” Etsuro answered. “It’s one of the items that must come to her attention. It’s written here in one of these scrolls.”

            “Good,” Iwata growled. “I expect to be well compensated for my troubles. I won’t get paid if the Champion doesn’t know about it.”

            The Mantis walked away, shouting orders to his crewmen. Mari stared at his retreating back as thoughts tumbled around in her mind. “If Reiha-sama doesn’t know of the Mantis, how did you ever arrange it?”

            “He sailed along the coast for a few week, risking exposure to the Destroyers, before he caught the attention of one of our scouts,” Etsuro answered quietly. There was no more need for silence, but it seemed to have been trained into every part of his life. “He doesn’t speak much about himself, but it’s clear he’s not doing this for the money. He knew we’d need the supplies and he made sure we’d get it.”

            “An altruistic Mantis?” Mari mused out loud as the ship took on speed and the Shadowlands began to shrink into the horizon. “Surely I have seen it all…”

* * * * *

            “We need to retreat,” Horiuchi Nobane said. “We will all die here if we dally any longer.”

            “We need more time,” Hida Otoya replied. He gestured to the hundreds of scrolls piled against the wall. “Shiro Kuni served as the center of Crab Clan’s defenses. Tacticians planned here for centuries and compiled years of knowledge here. There’s hundreds of unique spell scrolls cached in underground chambers that can’t be found anywhere else. If we retreat, the Destroyers will burn this place to the ground.”

            “Whatever your reservations, Otoya-san, we cannot stay here,” Shiba Rae said. He placed his elbow on his kabuto, placed on the table, and leaned against it. “Our arrival seems to have slowed down their advance, but they are becoming accustomed to our unique tactics. It’s only a matter of time until the continued assault grinds us down to nothing.”

            His gunso, Shiba Raiden, glanced at him but said nothing.

            Mirumoto Takehiro nodded. “We’re losing men faster than expected. We didn’t have time to gather more under our banner, as we understood that time was of the essence during our arrival.”

            “Unfortunately, the matter is out of my hands,” Otoya said, not budging from his seat. “You may not be aware of my history, but I was not born a Crab. I serve them because of an oath, but the truth remains that I was once an outsider. I am as loyal as the next Crab but I must show my devotion with deeds, not words. The Crab Clan Champion gave me explicit orders to save the knowledge maintained within these walls. I will die before I disobey them.”

            Nobane paced. “Your adherence to your word is wonderful, Otoya-san, and please do not misunderstand my next words. You and your men will die if you stay here. Dead men cannot follow orders.”

            “Such is bushido,” Takehiro said. He rubbed his chin and stared out into the distance. “There must be a way to solve this in a manner that will satisfy everyone.”

            “I believe there might be a Phoenix solution to this, my lords,” an aide dressed in the colors of the Phoenix said from the back of the room. The commanders turned to face the young girl. She bowed deeply and stepped forward.

            “I am Isawa Yutako and I have been training to join the Tsunami Legion,” she said. “There are many of us who excel in speaking with the water kami. If we are given permission, we will help transport the scrolls from this place to a place of safe keeping in the north. We can save the knowledge and all the men who would die in a futile defense.”

            “A place of safe keeping?” Otoya echoed. “Would this place be under Phoenix control?”

            Yutako hesitated for one brief moment before nodding. “Yes.”

            Otoya shook his head. “No. These documents are secret to the Crab and cannot be viewed by other Clans. Many of them are written in cipher, but with enough time you would be able to unravel its mysteries. It would be a violation of my orders.”

            Nobane turned to Rae. “Can you swear upon your honor that the Phoenix will not open these scrolls?”

            Rae frowned. “The Phoenix Clan is the Clan of knowledge, friends. We would not abuse any of the information found in those scrolls, and increasing our libraries could only benefit Rokugan. Perhaps you can see it as a cost of our aid, Otoya-san. Would you prefer you die here, your knowledge forever lost, or share it with fellow Rokugani? When the Army of Dark Fire stampeded down the northern mountains over the Phoenix lands, we knew our duty. We asked Crab and Scorpion samurai to help take valuable scrolls and artifacts away from the dangerous zones to safeguard for posterity. I ask that you show such selfless devotion to our empire.”

            “You will not gain control of those scrolls,” Otoya growled.

            “My lords,” Takehiro interrupted, “this is a matter of life and death. Relent, Rae-san, and we can walk away from this alive. The Dragon forces will not leave their Crab brethren to die alone, and if you will not give your word you will be condemning Dragon and Crab to die.”

            “It would not please the commander of my armies, Yu Pan-sama,” Nobane added, “but I will not leave our allies to die as well. Please, Rae-san.”

            Rae turned to look at each of the commanders’ faces in turn. Finally, he turned to Yutako. “Begin your preparations, Yutako-san. I give my word the Phoenix will not touch those scrolls. The Legion of Flame will postpone the next attack for as long as we require.”

            Otoya stood from his seat. “Everything left of the Crab forces will be by your side, Rae-san. Thank you.”

            “I cannot follow the call of knowledge when lives are at stake,” Rae replied as he left the room. “I only hope that our selfless actions will urge you to serve the good of the empire in the future. The Phoenix will preserve the safety of the empire if only we work and stand together.”

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Scenes from the Empire

By Brian Yoon, Rusty Priske, and Shawn Carman

Edited by Fred Wan

            The corpse was half hidden under the charred remains of the cottage, but the broken red mask caught the glint of the moonlight and revealed its trophy below. Bayushi Hikoko, holding a silken handkerchief over his nose, moved over to the broken home and gestured to his companion. The servant stepped forward and began to sift through the wreckage with slight hesitation. His vigorous efforts quickly exposed the gruesome remains. The corpse had been left to burn under the cottage. Nothing remained but charred bones and half a mask, but Hikoko knew he had finally found the missing patrol.

            “Interesting,” Hikoko murmured. “That mask is unmistakable, but I must be completely sure. The plague was not reported in this town. Continue your search.”

            His investigator bowed and continued to sift through the material without complaint. Hikoko turned away, his brow furrowed in thought. The Scorpion had not heard from Shosuro Tomoko and her patrol after their departure two months ago from the safety of Kyuden Bayushi. They were tasked to find the source of the plague that swept across the Scorpion’s lands. Everyone from that investigation – the villagers, the patrollers, and even the ronin hired to die – had completely disappeared, leaving Hikoko and dozens of others like him to puzzle out the truth. Perhaps he finally had a way to strike back at those responsible.

            “Your man looks repulsed, Hikoko-san. Did you finally find something?” Bayushi Minoru asked as he approached, his voice muffled under the demon mask that covered his entire face. The Bitter Lies swordsman was a recent addition to his retinue, one that Hikoko was not yet sure was beneficial. The man lived up to the sordid reputation of his school and seemed endlessly restless.

            “That mask belonged to Shosuro Tomoko,” Hikoko answered.
            “Here, of all places. This is more than fifty miles from where you expected her to be. What could have possibly brought her here?” Minoru mused. He placed a hand under his chin and slowly stroked it.

            “Absolutely nothing,” Hikoko said. “There’s nothing that would bring the Scorpion patrol here. Perhaps they were ambushed then dragged to the current position.”

            Minoru stood completely still as the thoughts raced through his mind. When he spoke, his voice came out as a deep growl. “If what you say is true, magistrate, it would mean someone is deliberately trying to cause trouble for the Scorpion Clan. We would have an enemy.”

            Hikoko snorted. “I think they proved that when they murdered our men, Minoru-san.”

            Minoru turned away from Hikoko and stared into the distance. “Our enemy seems to have succeeded,” he said. Hikoko followed his gaze and spotted the horsemen bearing Crane banners.

            Hikoko gestured to his servant with two fingers and spread his hands out in a non-threatening gesture. “Remain calm, Minoru, and follow my lead.” Minoru’s soft snort was not a reassuring answer, but Hikoko’s attention was fixed on the approaching Crane patrol. They were armed, some with bows and some with swords, but all seemed attentive and ready for a fight.

            The young woman in charge seemed barely old enough for the responsibility. Her armor was impeccably clean and eminently fashionable. She dismounted from her horse with ease and sauntered over to the waiting group. She stared at each Scorpion in turn before finally stopping in front of Hikoko. Hikoko smiled.

            “This village is well within Crane borders, Bayushi-san,” the woman said. “Your presence is unwelcome, especially at such a delicate time.”

            “My name is Hikoko, magistrate of the Bayushi family,” Hikoko answered. “Who do I have the pleasure of addressing?”

            The woman bowed slightly before replying. “My name is Doji Shikana, and my patrol is responsible for this area. So I ask again, what are you doing here?”

            “I am investigating a murder that occurred a month ago. My trail has led me here,” Hikoko said. He pointed at the destroyed hut as evidence. Shikana turned and followed his gesture to the broken building.

            One of Shikana’s followers, still on horseback, laughed. “A likely story,” he said, scorn dripping from each word. “A simpler answer would be that they are here to hide a murder. They might have torched the building themselves.”

            “Tensan, please,” Shikana said calmly. She examined the wreckage in silence.

            Hikoko gestured toward the building. “I found the unfortunate woman’s mask under the wreckage. As you can see, the building has been in this state of disrepair for a long time.”

            “I am surprised the Crane would allow such ugliness to remain in their lands unattended for so long,” Minoru said.

            Hikoko raised a hand in a placating manner. “I did not intend to intrude onto your provinces, Shikana-san. In my eagerness to pursue justice, I did not realize we had crossed borders. I hope you can understand my position.”

            It was a lie, but one that was easy to accept. Shikana looked into Hikoko’s eyes, as if she were trying to see directly into the truth.

            “Your man is pale and shaky,” Tensan suddenly said. “He looks like he’s been infected with the plague!”

            Instantly the mood changed. Shikana took a quick step backwards and glared at Hikoko’s servant. Under the attention, the eta turned paler with fright.

            “No, he is not,” Hikoko replied quickly. “He is simply my—”

            “They plan on spreading that cursed disease deeper into Crane lands! Shikana-san, this act cannot go unanswered!” Tensan continued.

            “Did this murdered woman have anything to do with the plague, Hikoko-san?” Shikana demanded.

            The lie came easily to his lips. “No,” Hikoko answered.

            “He lies!” Tensan shrieked. His hand flashed down to the sword at his side.

            That was all the impetus Bayushi Minoru needed. The Bitter Lies swordsman howled at the top of his lungs and leapt forward into the Crane patrol. The sound of steel leaving scabbards filled the air.

            The situation was now beyond words, and there was nothing Hikoko could do but join the skirmish.

* * * * *

            The Hiruma scout stood on the balls of his feet, carefully shifting his weight in time with the swaying of the deck as the kobune crested from one wave to the next. Balancing was an instinctual act, one that he paid no attention to. His attention was focused on the horizon, and he squinted against the glare to make out the details in the distance. The others on deck looked at him curiously, then stared vacantly at the horizon and shook their heads in wonder. The scout paid them no mind. Finally, after several moments of intense scrutiny, he turned and crossed the deck before disappearing into the hold below.

            “Another Mantis ship interdicted, my lady,” he reported with a quick bow. “The ship in question flies both the Scorpion and Imperial colors.”

            Hida Reiha nodded curtly and dismissed the scout. “The Emerald Champion is quite busy, it seems,” she observed. She glanced across the hold at her guests, frowning slightly. “Are you absolutely certain that there is not information you have withheld from me, Treasurer?”

            “I am quite certain, yes,” Yoritomo Utemaro said, never stopping his hurried writing. “And if I were not, I probably would not mention it.” He glanced up for a moment. “I believe you are being adequately compensated for your trouble, Lady Hida. Do you have further reservations?”

            “My reservation is that the Crab Clan has enough plaguing it without adding the wrath of the Emerald Champion to the affair,” Reiha said. “Although, if I am to be completely honest, the nature of your… associates, also troubles me somewhat.”

            Utemaro sighed heavily and set his brush down. “I believe we discussed this prior to our departure, Lady Hida.”

            “We did,” she confirmed. “Assuage my concerns and explain it again.”

            Utemaro forced a slight smile. “As you are doubtless aware,” he said with great patience, “during the Empress’ time in the islands, she availed herself of our clan’s rather unique expertise in the distant lands known as the Ivory Kingdoms. There are many among certain clans, your own included, who believe that the threat we face originates from there, and that in fact the Kingdoms may have declared war upon our own Empire.”

            “That theory does have some weight to it,” Reiha observed.

            “Be that as it may,” Utemaro said, raising a hand to forestall objections from the others within the cabin, “the Empress obviously found no fault with my associates, as you call them, and made ample use of their knowledge. Some of them, anyway. Now, we simply wish to transport them to the Imperial City so that, should the Empress so wish, she may have them at her disposal once more.”

            Reiha nodded absently as she surveyed the three individuals sitting within the cabin. “What say you, gaijin?” she finally asked. “Why does the Emerald Champion seek you out, if your counsel has been so valuable to the Empress?”

            Yoritomo Singh bowed his head slightly in respect. “I believe, Crab Champion, that he seeks to protect the Empress.”

            Reiha smirked slightly. “How so?”

            “There are some within the Empire, perhaps even many, who find association with individuals such as myself to be unclean,” the gaijin said. “He wishes to protect the Empress from losing face in the eyes of others. If he could find and ‘detain’ us, then he would be protecting her, if even from herself. Of all I have met, Shosuro Jimen alone has both the loyalty to the Empress and the self-importance for such an act.”

            Reiha chuckled slightly. “I suppose that is true enough. Jimen is a serpent, make no mistake about that. I would not be surprised if he felt he needed to protect the Empress from herself. Who would know better than he what is best for the Empire, after all?”

            “He is a man with a shadow for a heart,” the odd looking Rokugani woman sitting at Singh’s side said. “The only light within him is loyalty, and even that is stained. His being is full of blood and poison.”

            “That will be quite enough, Kekiesu,” Utemaro said. He smiled to Reiha, slightly apologetically. “Please forgive her. Her time in the Kingdoms appears to have made her somewhat, shall we say, morbid.”

            “So it would seem. And what of that one?” Reiha gestured to the foreign woman sitting demurely to Singh’s other side.

            “Arjuna is… I suppose you might call her a distant cousin, in your language,” Singh said. “As of yet she does not speak your beautiful language well, although she understands much of it.”

            The exotic looking young woman smiled and bowed respectfully to Reiha, who only looked at her quizzically. “Well enough, I suppose,” she finally said. “The Emerald Champion can hardly stop every vessel returning to the mainland. The Crab are among the last ones he would suspect of ferrying you around, I suppose.”

            “No, that would be the Dragon,” Utemaro said. “Which is why I made sure Jimen’s agents saw me speaking furtively to a Dragon a few days ago.”

            Reiha stared at Utemaro for a few moments. “Should I trust you any more than I would trust Jimen?”

            “Almost certainly not,” Utemaro answered at once. “Although I will say that I find your Yasuki family’s tax records delightfully entertaining.”

            Reiha scowled and made for the deck. Before she stepped up, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder. “If I had declined to transport you and your associates,” she asked, “what would have been the result?”

            “I would likely have suddenly remembered a horrific tax oversight your clan made in the winter of 448,” Utemaro answered. “How fortunate to leave such unpleasantness in the past, wouldn’t you agree?”

            Reiha made no effort to hide her snarl of distaste. “Imperials,” she growled, and strode above deck.

* * * * *

Things rarely slowed down in a port town, especially down on the docks. Between the sailors going to and from their ships, merchants trying to sell their cargo or sell supplies to the ship captains, and dockworkers loading and unloading, there was always movement and there were always crowds.

That made the passage of a single figure that much easier.

She moved amongst the din, unnoticed and unaccosted, with her hood pulled low around her eyes. She did not travel in a straight line, but neither did she meander. Her path took her to specific places where she could see a certain ship being loaded or a certain captain shouting orders over the tumult of the docks. She did not tarry at any spot too long and if there was a pattern in her observances, it was known only to her.

Eventually she stood on the dock next to a merchant ship called the Ocean’s Road. The ship flew no clan colors and bore the markings of a ronin craft, likely owned by a merchant of no serious wealth. It was weather beaten and its crew clearly cared little about the aesthetic of the craft, but it still looked sea-worthy. The signs that only an experienced sailor would notice showed that the crew knew their way around the deck of a ship.

She noticed other things as well.

“Excuse me.” The woman approached a man who was directing the flow of cargo onto the Ocean’s Road.

The sailor, rough in dress but clean in complexion, looked up at the previously unnoticed woman. “Yes?”

“I was wondering if you could take me to the captain of this vessel. I am looking to purchase passage to your next destination.”

The sailor’s eyebrow shot up. There were usually people on the docks looking for passage, but this woman had said the wrong thing. “And what would that destination be, since we have not posted that information anywhere?”

The woman said nothing. She just gazed at the sailor impassively.

“This is not a passenger ship. The captain does not take on tourists.”

“I assure you, that I am no tourist.”

The sailor snorted. “I do not care if you are Shinsei himself, barring an order from the Empress, the captain will not be allowing you aboard. so go find yourself another ship. We have work to do before we miss the tide.”

The woman said nothing for a moment and the sailor could not read her expression in the shadow of her hood. Finally she said, “Very well. I will leave you to your work.”

The sailor, Mago, watched her for a minute as she walked away from the Ocean’s Road. He considered the oddity of the woman for a moment before returning to his work. She had no reason to think the same of him as he had not told her anything that was untrue and there was much for him to do before they set sail.

The captain of the Ocean’s Road tossed the shipping manifests to the side of her desk. They did not truly concern her but they were still necessary. She looked up at her cargo master and nodded. “I assume that these manifests will hold up to scrutiny.”

Mago bowed his head. “Of course, Captain-sama. There is no indication that we are anything other than what we seem.”

“That is mostly true.”

Mago drew a long, jagged dagger from the sash around his waist as the captain moved into a defensive posture two feet to the right of her initial position. The voice came from a corner that sat in shadow just past the beams of sunshine that flowed through the portholes.

The stranger from the dock stepped into view.

“The signs are very slight and I believe it would only be the most highly trained who could see them. Your cargo master does not have quite the marks of wind on his skin that time on the sea brings. It is true that this could be the result of spending most of his time below decks. You aren’t the pilot, after all. On the other hand, your masking of the jade and other wards is nearly flawless. It would take a very close inspection to tell that the Ocean’s Road is actually a koutetsukan.”

Mago shot a glance towards his captain who said, “Apparently those efforts were in vain.”

“Oh, do not judge the efforts of your crew so harshly. The only reason I was able to spot the details is that I knew they were there. Otherwise I would have had no idea. But then,” the woman threw back her hood, “I had an advantage.”

The cargo master’s eyes grew wide though the captain expressed no shock. They both bowed quickly and the captain said, “Mirumoto Masae. It is my honor to welcome you aboard the Ocean’s Road.”

Masae returned the bow. “Your welcome is appreciated, Yogo Rieko. I will keep my presence aboard your ship known only to you and Bayushi Mago, if that is your wish.”

Rieko betrayed no emotion. “It is.”

“As I said, I was aware of the true nature of the Ocean’s Road, as well as the ship’s actual assignment, but there are a number of questions I still have, if you would oblige me.”

“I will answer what I am able. You understand that I am not privy to the thoughts of my superiors, nor will I divulge anything that could damage the Scorpion. I have great respect for both you and your position as Keeper of Air, but there are limits to my hospitality.”

Masae bowed slightly. “I appreciate your candor, Rieko-san, as well as your respect. I would never dream to put you in the awkward position of choosing between your loyalty to Rokugan and to the Scorpion.”

“There is no choice.”

“Of course.” Masae turned to Mago. “Do you wish Mago-san to stay for this conversation, captain?”

Mago glanced towards Rieko who said, “Considering what has already been said, I think it would be in my best interests for him to remain where he is. While I am certain that none would doubt my loyalty, the addition of a witness to that fact could never hurt one’s allegations.”

Masae’s mouth turned up a little at one corner. “Spoken like a true daughter of the times, Rieko-san. Now to my questions – let me start with a simple one. Kuni Daigo personally appointed you as a Jade Magistrate, Rieko-san. How is it that you can be captain of this ship, while still completing your duties?”

“My duties as a Jade Magistrate are currently suspended. Daigo-sama knows that I have duties to my clan that have taken my attention for the time. He has been assured that not only are these tasks temporary but they are in the pursuit of the larger goal of the Jade Champion and his magistrates – the protection of the empire from the corruption beyond.”

“So Kuni Daigo knows that you are sailing the Sea of Shadows?”

Rieko smirked slightly. “Ah, I had thought you knew everything about our mission, Keeper-sama, but it seems you do not. We do not sail the Sea of Shadows. That would be a violation of Imperial law, would it not? The Crab would never allow our passage.”

“So you certainly would not tell Kuni Daigo if that is where you were going.”

Rieko leveled her gaze at Masae. “As I said, Keeper-sama. Our orders are not to pierce the Sea of Shadows.”

Masae assessed the captain and then said, “I see. Then why a koutetsekan and why in secret? It took much planning to have the ship made and concealed while claiming to be independent merchants. You are risking the wrath of the Crab, which I am certain the Scorpion would not wish to raise again… to what end?”

“Do you have a question, Keeper-sama?”

Masae thought for a moment. “You are not entering the Sea of Shadows, but you are protected against the threat of the taint. The ship is traveling along the coast in the direction of the Otaku Route, but you insist – and I believe you – that you are not planning on entering. That leads me to believe that you are preparing for some threat to exit that route.”

Rieko nodded. “Congratulations, Masae-sama. Yes, we are to patrol the area. Watching.”

Masae thought for a moment more. “You do not believe that any force that could overwhelm the Stone Storm which patrols the Route would be something you could defeat. This ship is not outfitted for battle. It is designed to weather an assault and then escape. You are here to warn the Empire if something breaks through the Crab defenses.”

Rieko did not respond.

Masae continued, “This means that you suspect a threat, but do not feel that you can approach the Crab with your suspicions.”

Rieko shook her head. “We know of no threat other than what the Empire already faces.”

“Yet you are here. If you know of no specific threat then you monitor this area out of concern that its normal defenses are not sufficient. You feel that the Crab should not be trusted to…” Masae trailed off and then her eyebrows rose slightly. “I see. You feel the Crab have already failed to protect the Empire and cannot be trusted with the sole defense of the region, but you cannot voice those concerns. The Empress has absolved the Crab of any dishonor in their failure of duty, and to even mention it would be to go against her word. So you remain behind the cover of this charade.”

Rieko straightened her back. “Keeper-sama, I am prepared to state that this entire mission was conducted without the knowledge of my superiors in either my clan or among the Jade Magistrates. If there is any dishonor it is on me and me alone and I will request the privilege of seppuku if any of my betters express their displeasure over it.”

Masae looked at Rieko for a moment. She then looked at Mago, who remained an impassive observer, and then back at Rieko. “I did not come here to expose your ruse, Rieko-san. I came aboard your ship to judge your intentions and I have done so. I see your intentions as being both pure and noble. You seek only to protect. Whether that brings you into conflict with the Empress’ edict is for some other to decide. I make no such accusation.”

Rieko bowed to Masae but said nothing.

“In fact, Rieko-san, I have a gift for you. Since receiving the honor and burden of being the Keeper of Air, I have been writing a work on the nature of Air and how this ever-pervasive element rules every aspect of our existence and being. I would like you to have it, Rieko-san. I feel that it would serve you well and you would put its teachings to good use, both here and when you return to the Jade Magistrates.”

Rieko bowed deeply. “I am greatly honored, Keeper-sama. I am certain I will learn much from your experience and knowledge.”

Masae returned the bow. “I feel that the Empire has many lessons to learn and a very short time to learn them. I have to hope that the final lessons will not be at our expense.”

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Conjunctions and Aspects

By Nancy Sauer

Edited by Fred Wan

            “This isn’t getting us anywhere,” Yoritomo Saburo complained.  He looked across the table at Akodo Shunori, who was trying to teach him the finer points of go.  “Winter is ending, the wars in the north and south are renewing, and we are sitting around in the gardens of the Imperial Palace?  Why?  There must be something better we can be doing.”

            Doji Ayano looked up from the conversation she was having with Utaku Kohana.  “You wish to gain an audience with the Empress, but cannot explain to anyone why you need to speak to her,” she said, and then swept her fan about to indicate the garden around them.  “Yoyonagi-sama would not arrange an audience, but she did grant you permission to visit the palace’s private gardens.  Now you must spend enough time here to be noticed by the others who have permission to be here, so that they will know that you have very powerful patrons.  Then you can start to approach them and negotiate for an audience with the Empress.”

            Listening to her speak, Kohana thought, one would never guess that Ayano had already explained this twice already.  It was an amazing show of discipline, and it made the Battle Maiden slightly sorrowful that the Crane Clan hadn’t seen fit to train Ayano as a warrior.  She would have been splendid at it.

            “It is costing us time!  Time the Empire doesn’t have.”  Saburo built up a small stack of go stones and then destroyed it.  With every day word came of the southern armies being pushed back a little more.  With every day the memory of the comrades he had left behind to die became a little sharper.

            “It is taking time,” Shunori said, “but it cannot be helped.  Common soldiers do not barge into the general’s tent; they go to their superiors and offer their reports.  We need to follow the protocols of court if we are to succeed.” 

            Kakita Hideo paused from his endless pacing of the clearing they were in.  “Akodo-san is correct,” he said, causing everyone to stop and look at him.  “We need to use the court, not fight it.”

            “The Empress is now back in the palace,” Kohana said.  “Surely that favors us.”

            “She is back, and so is the crowd of bottom-feeders that follow her around, trying to curry some advantage from her,” Saburo said.  Shunori quickly looked away, in case Ayano wanted to glare at him without loss of face, and noticed a Seppun samurai standing in the entryway of the clearing.  The Lion tensed slightly, but the guard simply looked over the group and departed.

            “What a unique description of Imperial Court,” Hideo said.  “I am sure the Amethyst Champion and the Imperial Treasurer would find it fascinating.”

            “I’m not talking about the courtiers who have things to do,” Saburo said.

            “None of us here–except for Ayano-san, of course–knows enough about court to understand all that happens here,” Kohana said.  There was never an Ide around when you needed one, she thought to herself, and then plunged on.  “But we have gotten here, to the Empress’s own gardens.  That is progress.”

            “It is too slow,” Saburo said.  “The Prophecy won’t wait.”  He stood up and started walking towards where the clearing flowed into the greater gardens. 

            “Where are you going?”  Hideo demanded.

            “To find a way to see the Empress,” Saburo said.  “What else?”

            “We have a way,” Hideo said, “and it requires that you stay here.”

            “I don’t like this way,” Saburo said.

            “You called us together and sent us into the Shadowlands!  You left Kitsuki Taiko to die there!  And now you refuse to see a plan through because it takes too long?” Hideo did not move, but something about the way he stood changed.

            “Taiko died to help stop the Destroyers!” Saburo replied.  “And I will see that the Empress will hear of it!”

            “Hideo-san, Saburo-san, please do not shout,” Ayano said.

            “We all need to be patient,” Kohana said.

            “Seppun-sama, how may we be of service to you?” Shunori said.

             There was a moment of silence, and then the other four followed the direction of the Lion’s gaze to see three Seppun guardsmen staring at them.  “The Empress commands your presence,” one of them said.

*     *     *     *     *

            Saburo stared intently at the floor and tried to gather his scattered thoughts.  While he had said he wanted to see the Empress quickly, he had in mind ‘sometime this week’ and not ‘ten minutes after she heard shouting while waking in her garden’. 

            There was a slight breeze, as if from a door being slid open, and then Togashi Satsu, the Voice of the Empress, walked into the room and stood before the screen on the dais.  The group prostrated themselves before him, all of them somehow aware that the Empress was now sitting behind the screen.

            “When I was the Champion of the Dragon Clan,” Satsu said, “I became aware that a young woman in the Kitsuki was marked for an unusual destiny.  I gave her a tattoo, which intrigued her daimyo considerably.  The Kitsuki have passed to other hands, but the Daughter of Heaven has not lost her interest in Kitsuki Taiko.  It is her command that you tell her how she died.”

            Saburo breathed out a quick prayer to the Dragon of Thunder.  “Divine One, I am Yoritomo Saburo and I am one of the guardians of the prophet Kitsune Narako.  This has bearing on Taiko’s death, but it will not be easy to explain why.  I beg your patience in this.”  

            “Proceed,” Satsu said.

            “It begins in the Kitsune Mori with the Sons of Winter,” Saburo began.  He explained their connection to the Shadow Dragon, and the prophet, and related the Second Prophecy.  As he spoke it he felt as if a great weight were dropping off of his shoulders.  He then told of their journey into the Shadowlands, glossing over the unfortunate conflict between Hideo and Shunroi and detailing in full the bravery shown by Hiruma Aki, Bayushi Eisaku, Moto Juncheng and Kitsuki Taiko.  And he told everything he knew about the malevolent power that Juncheng had named Kali-ma, and the nightmare creatures that served as her soldiers.  When he finished he found he was shaking slightly.

            The room was silent for a few moments after he finished, as Satsu looked from one of the group to another.  “You grieve for Taiko’s death,” he said to Hideo.

“I grieve that I could not die by her side,” Hideo answered quietly. 

            Satsu turned his attention to Shunori.  “You did not hear the Second Prophecy, but you went in to the Shadowlands with the others,” he said.

The Lion reached up a hand and ran it over his face.  “The oni’s attack changed nothing, and everything.  I didn’t know what to think.  But when they said that they were going to fight for the Empire, it seemed right for me to help them.”

            “And you?” Satsu said to Ayano.

“Voice of the Empress,” she said, “I have known Hideo for many years.  I knew that he knew this request–to see the Empress without having to explain why–was so impossible as to verge on idiocy.  But he was seeking it anyway, which meant that his reason was quite dire.  I had to help him.”

            “All of you who heard the Prophecy knew that a great threat was approaching the Empire, but you told no one,” Satsu said, and a note of judgment rang through his voice.

Kohana breathed deeply, as if gathering herself for a jump, and spoke.  “Narako knew of the Empress’s ascension before it happened.  What where we to think but that she spoke the commands of the Celestial Heavens?” she said.

            Satsu looked at them all once more, and then he walked up the steps of the dais and went behind the screen.  The young samurai exchanged glances among themselves, but none of them dared to speak.  When Satsu emerged from behind the screen they bowed down again. “The Divine One finds you blameless in withholding your knowledge of the Second Prophecy,” he said, “and she commends the courage and determination you have all shown in bringing word of this Kali-ma to her.  She will inform your daimyo and those of your fallen comrades that you have preformed a great service to the Empire.  In the meantime, you will not leave the city without permission.” 

*     *     *     *     *

            The streets were noisy and filled with people going about their business.  Shunori moved through the crowds without noticing them. He had been in the presence of the Empress and received her praise.  He had achieved the goal of every Lion samurai, but instead of being filled with joy it made him feel hollow and unreal. 

            “Shunori!”  A familiar voice called out behind him.  “Shunori-kun!”  He turned around and saw Matsu Takeko striding through the crowd towards him.  “Shunori-kun, I–” She stopped abruptly and looked embarrassed.  “Excuse me, Akodo-san,” she said, bowing deeply.  “I had mistaken you for an old friend of mine.  Please pardon my poor eyesight.”

            “Takeko-chan,” he said, startling her.  “It is me, Shunori.”

            “I–you look so different,” she said. 

            “I was at the Wall,” Shunori said.  “There was an oni who attacked my unit.  I survived, but it changed me.”  Takeko took a step back, and Shunori fought down a surge of anger.  “Do not worry, there was no Taint involved.”

            “I am sorry, Shunori-kun,” Takeko said.  “I was at the fight where Matsu Robun was Tainted; I am pleased that you escaped his fate.”

            “We need not speak of apologies,” Shunori said.  

            Takeko smiled in response.  “Are you at liberty now?  I have finished my duties for the day, so we could go to a teahouse and talk.”

            Shunori was about to refuse when a thought struck him.  Satsu had not called them to secrecy, so he could tell Takeko about the Empress.  “Yes,” he said.  “I have much to tell you.”

            They found a teahouse not far away, and Shunori insisted on getting a private room.  When the servant had come and gone he started in on his story, beginning with the oni and going on to explain the samurai he had met afterwards and what had led them to the Wall.  Takeko listened in rapt silence, eyes shining as he described the battles he had been in. 

            When he reached the point where those left behind had covered the retreat of the others, she clapped her hands in approval.  “How fortunate they were, to die in the Empress’s service!” she said.  “Though of course you are fortunate too, as you may continue serving her.”  Shunori remembered what it was like to face the oncoming wave of Destroyers and bit back his reply to her.

            “Our problem then was to see the Empress, to tell her what we had learned,” he said instead.  “But today it happened, in a way we hadn’t guessed.  We spoke to her Voice, and in her presence we were able to pass on our report.”

            “What was she like?” Takeko said.  “Does she really attract songbirds out of the air and glow with the light of a dozen suns?” 

            “I–don’t think so,” Shunori said.  “We did not see her directly; she sits behind a screen and spoke to us through her Voice.  But you could feel her spirit–as soon as she came into the room you knew there was someone there.”

            “You have been in her presence,” Takeko said wonderingly.  She stared off into the distance for a moment, then shifted back and prostrated herself before him.  “You have brought great honor to the Lion today.  I am honored beyond all telling to be your friend, to be allowed to share tea with you.  Should you ever have need of my service, you need but ask.”

            Shunori found himself smiling at her enthusiasm.  “Thank you, Takeko-chan,” he said.  “You are a good friend, and I will remember this.”

*     *     *     *     *

            Hideo put down his tea cup and glanced at his two companions.  Neither Kohana nor Saburo had spoken since the server had brought their tea, and given the way they were staring at their cups he didn’t think either of them would start soon.  “Congratulations, Saburo-san.  You found your way.”

            The Mantis looked up.  “I wish my way had involved a little more time to prepare.  I’m happier when I can see the hurricane on the horizon.”

            “What should we do next?” Kohana asked.

            “Nothing,” Saburo said.  “We have delivered the Prophecy to the Empress.  The matter is over.”

            “You don’t really think that,” Kohana said.  “None of us do.  That is why we are here,” she waved a hand to indicate the porch of the tea house, “instead of going off to our own business.” 

            “She is right,” Hideo said.  “It feels…unfinished.”

            “Utaku-san is very observant,” a new voice said.  The three looked up to see a monk with a straw hat and a bell-tipped staff looking at them from the garden.

            “Brother Furumaro!” Kohana said.

            “You have met?” Saburo said, glancing from her to the monk.

            “I have met a few of your companions,” Furumaro said, “and now that you have spoken with the Empress, I thought it was time to meet with you again.”

            “How do you know we have met the Empress?” Hideo said.

            “How do you know when a man has been walking in the rain?  Or has been in a battle?  Destiny has no secrets.”  Furumaro gestured at the table.  “May I sit, samurai-san?”

            “Destiny?” Saburo said, and then gestured for the monk to sit.  “What do you mean?’

            Furumaro settled himself comfortably.  “I thought I had made myself plain.  The Empire is beset by armies from the Shadowlands in the south and the burning legions of the Oracle of Fire in the north.  Plague stalks the land, killing high and low and leaving uneasy corpses in its wake.  Can there be any doubt that now is the time for great heroes to arise?  And you three will stand among them.”

            “And that would make you Shinsei, I suppose,” Hideo said dryly.

            Furumaro laughed.  “Shinsei? Me?”  He reached up and tapped a shoulder.  “I would have to find a crow first, yes?  But what was Shinsei?  A man who knew enough to see the web of destiny being woven together, and who cared enough to act on what he saw.  By that reckoning, I suppose I am Shinsei.  Or one who follows in his path.”

            Saburo found himself thinking of the scar that ran down his chest, the one he had earned from a moment of inattention at the Topaz Championship.  He had given up his hopes of becoming a magistrate after that, knowing that his embarrassment would follow him always.  But since then he had done undreamed of things and received the praise of the Divine One herself.  Furumaro’s words seemed incredible–but were they any more incredible than what had happened to him already?

            “What should we do next?” he asked, hoping that the answer was not, ‘gather four other samurai and go kill Kali-ma’.

            “That is difficult to say,” Furumaro said.  Saburo sighed to himself in relief.  “Did the Empress give you any orders?”

            “Only that we were to stay in Toshi Ranbo,” Hideo said.

            Furumaro nodded.  “She thinks you may be of use to her, then, and seeks to keep you close.  So now you must wait.”

            “Oh, good,” Hideo said. “Patience is our strong point.”

            Kohana quickly picked up her tea and drank it down, gurgling a little as she did.  Saburo gave Hideo a level stare.  “Do you have any other suggestions, Kakita-san?” he said. 

            “None at all,” Hideo said.  “Except, if you are going to take him seriously, we will have to find Brother Furumaro a pet crow.”

*     *     *     *     *

            It had been a very long, strange day, Saburo decided.  He walked through the twilit streets towards the noodle shop that had become his favorite, wondering what to do after dinner.  Since he no longer had to worry about rising early and going to the garden he could go to one of the sake houses near the Mantis embassy and do some drinking.  Or maybe he could find a copy of the Tao and read it.  He laughed to himself as he reached the shop’s door, almost running into another samurai who was also trying to enter.

            “Excuse me, samurai, but I am trying to go through this door.  Perhaps you should finish your laugh before seeking your entry,” the other samurai said.

            “I can walk on a kobune deck at sea, so I am sure I can laugh and walk at the same–” Saburo’s voice cut off as he recognized the other man. “Miromoto Ichizo-san,” he said quietly.

            “Yoritomo Saburo-san,” Ichizo said, equally quiet.

            The two men stared at each other for a moment, and then Saburo grinned.  “Mirumoto-san, are you free to have dinner with me tonight?  I have a story to tell you.”

            Ichizo blinked slightly in surprise.  “A story?”

            “An amazing story,” Saburo said.  “You will like it; it involves a prophecy.  And a monk.”

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The AEG Team

Stronghold
You play a stronghold (Shiro No Name) with the following stats:
5 Province Strength
5 Gold Production
5 Starting Honor

Shiro No Name has no traits or abilities.

You do not start with either of the Celestial Edition starting Holdings in play.

Clan Alignment
You are your own Clan and all Personalities in your deck (even if unaligned) are aligned to you in addition to printed alignments. You still lose honor for Shadowlands cards.

Rounds
Find another player that is at Round 1. Open a booster pack, and keeping the cards face down without looking at any of them, sort your cards into Fate and Dynasty. Put the Koku into the collection bin. Shuffle each deck. Roll off for starting player.

For each round a military win is taking all the opponent’s Provinces, for other wins:
Round 1: 15 honor, 1 ring or -10 honor
Round 2: 20 honor, 2 rings or -15 honor
Round 3: 30 honor, 3 rings or -20 honor
Round 4: 40 honor, 4 rings or -20 honor

Each round you have a different number of Provinces and cards in starting hand:
Round 1: 2 provinces, 3 fate cards
Round 2: 3 provinces, 4 fate cards
Round 3: 4 provinces, 5 fate cards
Round 4: 4 provinces, 5 fate cards

The rounds do not have time limits and the highest number of rounds allowed is 4. Players who find themselves at a stalemate, with no playable cards left in decks and no way to take Provinces or win by honor, should roll off for the win. In all rounds, if any deck is empty when drawing a card or refilling a Province is necessary, re-shuffle the discard and use the cards again. At the end of each game, the winner must take all the loser’s cards and combine them with his own, making a new deck. They then find someone else that has the same number of wins and they play off. There is no sequence to pairing players, just take whoever is finished and ready to play.

Two-Headed Oni Variant
Two-Headed Oni is played the same as Suicide, only in this version there are two-player teams, with one player on each team controlling the Dynasty cards, and the other player controlling the fate cards. The only communication allowed between team members are things such as:

Dynasty player (turning to fate player): Do I have any open actions?
Fate player (revealing a follower): I would like to attach this follower to this personality, do you pay the costs?
Dynasty player (looks at costs): Nah. (Fate player returns card to hand)

Battles can easily result in the following:

Dynasty player: I defend with these two units.
Opposing dynasty player: You get first action.
Dynasty player (turning to fate player): Do I have any actions?
Fate player: Pass.
Dynasty player: #$%^!

(Thanks to Ookami Leon for the examples of Two-Headed Oni. Yeah, that’s right, we remember your old handle.)

Banking Koku -
As mentioned, as you select your cards, the cost in koku will be automatically deducted from your koku bank, so be sure to send in your koku now to bank it. Remember to use the Koku Deposit Slip found in your profile under “Account Information.”

Processing Fees -
The processing fee covers the cost of postage and packaging and any other associated costs incurred by AEG. What that means is you no longer need to send in a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. International customers no longer need to track down and send in Universal Postage Union coupons (U.P.U.) with their Self Addressed Envelope. Fees are based on destination, and the number of cards ordered. North American members fee is $1.25 for up to 9 cards, and $1.75 for up to 18 cards. International members fee is $1.75 for up to 9 cards, and $2.75 for up to 18 cards.

Packing & Shipping -
Cards will be placed in a soft plastic card sleeve inside a regular envelope and shipped via first class mail or first class mail international. It will be shipped to the address in your member account. If you don’t receive your order within 15 business days, you may contact imperialassembly@alderac.com to check on your order.

Can non-Assembly members redeem koku?
While koku redemption is normally a members only benefit, due to the Harbinger wrappers being worth 10 koku each instead of the normal one, we will allow non-members to bank and redeem koku for a limited time only (from Feb 1- Aug 1). They must, however, get a deposit slip from an assembly member and contact AEG prior to sending koku in so that an account can be created specifically for this purpose. Their account will not entitle them to other benefits of being an assembly member like Mega Game voting, Heralds, promos, etc.