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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 872586" data-attributes="member: 79">Mir spent a rough week in seclusion with her companions, especially Yukiyo, looking after her, until Mindra had finished his communing with the spirits.  When he was ready he began the ritual, a mix of monkey chanting and sweeping gestures that summoned the spirit of Mir back into her body.  Mir had only the slightest idea of what had happened since her ‘poisoning’.   If there was anyone with the suspicion that Mir’s seclusion had been a lie to cover something less acceptable, they did not care to speak out against the people who had saved the life of Lord Jyaku’s daughter.Lord Jyaku invited the group to dinner that evening for more official thanks for their loyal and dedicated service.  During the pleasant conversation during dinner, Lord Jyaku also assured Toshiro that the negotiations to formally arrange his wedding were coming along well.  “In truth, we’d probably already have finished, but I’m enjoying a chance to match up against your father again, even if it’s with words instead of steel.”  Toshiro agreed his father was probably enjoying the challenge as well.After the dinner was complete, Lord Jyaku had gifts to present to the group.  “Service is properly rendered because of duty or honor, rather than expectation of rewards.  But it’s a very pleasant part of being a Lord that you are allowed to reward those who have served well.”Toshiro was presented with a black mempo, a armored mark that would fit into his helmet, that would make him proof against the fear effects of many Shadowlands creatures.  Kaz received a kimono sash, an obi that would make the tough Crab even stronger.  Akodo Verick also got an obi, golden in color, a gift received by Lord Jyaku some time ago from a friend in the Lion clan.  The obi would allow Verick to see with catlike clarity at night.  Yukiyo received magically enhanced arrows.  Volar was given an amulet in leaf green that would make the elf’s keen intelligence even sharper.  Mindra similarly got an amulet that would add to the Vanara’s insight and wisdom.  And finally, Mir received hairpins in gold and purple that enhanced her charisma even more.[DM Note:  I’m sure there is a better term than hairpins, since they are more hair spears, but for the life of me I can’t think of the proper term.  And I’m sure the choice of gifts has nothing to do with Verick making sure Buka’s highly suggestive painting of Mir was sent to Lord Jyaku.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />]Lord Jyaku did have one bit of bad news for the group as well.  The shape shifting girl they had captured during the battle to save O-Hisa had escaped from her captivity in the temple.  The exact means were unknown, but she was a master of disguise and illusions and it was suspected Nagatori had given her a very good idea of even the secret ways of the temple.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Several weeks passed as the group settled into their normal routine and news trickled in from the rest of the empire.  With the death of the Splendid Emperor and the disappearance of his wife, there is confusion over who will take the throne.  In the meantime, clans have taken this as their chance to redress old grievances.  Forced from their mountains by volcanoes and earthquakes, the Dragon Clan has invaded the lands of the Phoenix, defeating them and capturing the Ki-Rin Shrine.  Despite the Phoenix mastery of all things magical, the Dragon Clan’s mix of martial mastery and mystic enlightenment had proved too much for them.  In response, the Phoenix has called upon their new alliance with the Lion Clan.The Crab Clan had also decided to march.  The death of the Emperor has put an end to any chance for a peaceful settlement in the dispute over the Yasuki lands, and Hida O-Ushi, sister of the Sun and Champion of the Crab Clan has led them and their Mantis allies in an invasion of Crane lands, to settle the dispute once and for all.  And Toshiro’s good friend Lord Yasuki Hachi emerged victorious in the tournament to determine the next Emerald Champion, leader of the Imperial Magistrates.  Though his victory was flawed and suspicious.  Many believed he had been installed in the position as a pawn of Hantei Naseru, one of the three children of the deceased emperor.  Toshiro couldn’t help but hope Hachi could find some way of resolving the Yasuki issue without violence.Volar returned to his school, picking up the instruction of his students while adding Shinjo Toryu, a young, fresh samurai straight off his gempukku, to his varied roster of aspiring wizards.  Volar’s ‘wizard tower’ was under construction, but only the first level had been completed.  Volar was already making plans for the areas he’d use Stone and Iron Wall spells to make his tower even more secure.  Volar had also instructed his students to start being helpful throughout Bugaisha, using their growing magical abilities for free now and then as a way of making a good impression for a school many were still deeply suspicious of.Mindra returned to his carpentry, enjoying the chance to relax and not worry about anything more stressful than making sure the spirits of a wooden roof would get along.  He also spent time studying his Naga pearl, trying to find a way to guide it’s visions to what he wished to see rather than what it wished to show him.  His success in this area was still very limited, as he found his awareness swept up and away, zooming over the landscape to the far east of the Empire, a place he had never visited in person.  The scene was the aftermath of a bloody battlefield, Crab and Crane samurai laying in crimson pools, figures moving here and there to tend to the wounded.  Then the scene shifted to a Crab leader, a powerful man with a massive war hammer, reviewing the decapitated heads of the fallen Crane samurai.  The grisly trophies were the signs of Crab samurai’s victories, and Mindra could not suppress a shudder.  –He- was the barbarian here?Mir returned to find her Grove in fine shape.  Cracked Nut had been active helping the local peasants and had even taken care of some straggling Hordeland nomads who had troubled the area.  Slowly but surely the Grove of the Oak Kami was being accepted.  Mir knew soon enough she was going to be busy.  During her time ‘away’, she had been granted a vision by the Oak Father, showing an ancient temple deep in a forest she recognized.  Shinomen forest, the home of the Naga and the place where Sho had died fighting the ogre.  Soon the temple would be reawakened.  Not yet, but soon…Yukiyo’s news wasn’t quite so cheerful.  The hard faced man she had initially contracted to see to the assassination of Cracked Nut did not bring news of his death, but rather returned her 500 koku.  As he explained “He’s a monk in the service of a gaijin in high favor with Lord Jyaku and a powerful wielder of some foreign magic.  As are her friends Volar and Mindra.  She is also a good friend of Toshiro, well known by now to be the future son-in-law of Lord Jyaku.  An attack on Cracked Nut is an attack on her.  Her friends would certainly help her.  And that may bring in Lord Jyaku, even if his help is not requested.  That sort of trouble is simply not worth 500 koku.  I suggest you find someone elsewhere.”  Grimly Yukiyo simply nodded and started her plans.Verick had his own duties to return to.  He was given a new home, suited to a junior diplomat from the Akodo to the Shinjo.  At the suggestion of Toshiro’s little old lady, several of the girls serving in Toshiro’s house were transferred over to Verick’s new place, including the girl previously in charge of the smuggler, Yasuki Kome’s house.  His sensei began Verick on a new course of lessons, this time in etiquette and courtly games like Go, as well as working on Iaijutsu.  Verick also took time out from his schedule to compose a letter to the family of the Golden Scorpion, praising him as a brave and honorable opponent, and making it clear there was no grudge against the Scorpion Clan on his part.  And he received a most welcome letter from a certain Phoenix lady. Akodo Verick, Greetings!   I trust the last several weeks have found you well.  I’ve been very well indeed.  My chances of passing my gempukku at the Topaz Championships were considered less than certain, so my victory has made a number of people take notice.  I’ve been assigned to Otosan-uchi, the capital of the Empire, serving as a junior diplomat for the clan.  It’s very exciting.  I was pleased to hear you were made an ambassador, it seems we’ll be working in much the same area.  Perhaps we’ll be meeting again soon.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the move by the Dragon at the Ki-Rin shrine and the battle there.  There should be some fierce battles, the grudge between the Dragon and Phoenix has lingered for several years now.  Perhaps this will finally put an end to it.  I look forward to hearing how your trip went and what adventures you’ve gotten yourself into.Warm Wishes, Isawa OrokoPhoenix Clan Junior Diplomat, Otosan-Uchi.Kaz returned to his normal duties, leading patrols and carousing.  Toshiro returned to his normal duties as well.  But with frequent visits from O-Hisa, happily chatting about the war Toshiro had missed and bugging him for details about his own battles and glories.  The fight against the ‘oni’, though Toshiro honestly admitted it was simply a mujina.  The fight against the Shadowlands creature, and the various battles in Ryoko Owari.  Toshiro also received two messages that would cause him trouble later with the group.  First from his friend, Lord Yasuki Hachi. Hiruma Toshiro,I’ve done so investigating as you and your friends wished.  I’ve tried to be as discrete as possible, but I’m more warrior than courtier, I’m sure someone is wondering why I’m asking these questions.  I’ve spoen with several of the weapon smiths who make such blades and shown the rubbings taken from the blade.  357 years ago it was given to Kakita Haruka.  Asking around with my sensei in the Kakita, I found the blade had been passed down to a certain Kakita Yukiko, who was lost in the great battle with the Lying Darkness at Oblivion’s Gate.  I hope this is the information you needed.  I now leave to try and difuse the tensions between the Crane and Crab.  My position as Emerald Champion allows me to try and transcend the bounds of clan and age old grudge.  You may have heard about the tournament and how it went.  Do not believe all you hear.  You know me, I have confidence you will see through the smoke to the truth.Yasuki Hachi, Emerald Champion and Daimyo of the YasukiThen more ominously, a he awoke a few mornings later to find left beside his bed a single red rose and a note. I find myself filled with terrible purpose by the Shadow Dragon.  I cannot remain, my will is not enough to overcome the Darkness.  I regret not keeping my word to you, but I hope we will meet again soon.  I need to know which of you has my sword.  It is my anchor to what I once was, what I can dream I might be again.  Please leave a note under your bed with the person’s name, I swear I will do them no harm.Tears in the darknessHonor lost then found again?I’ll return for youToshiro considered this for an hour before he finally settled down to write.Your name is Kakita Yukiko.  We’re trying to find a way to help you.  Your sword is in the keeping of Verick right now.  Do not hurt him, please.By the time Toshiro returned home that day, the message was already gone.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The group’s period of rest and routine didn’t last too long.  Long enough for their training to finish and them to get settled in their duties again.  Then they received a summons to meet with Lord Jyaku on a matter most urgent and secret.They arrived to find him already waiting, practicing his poetry.  But his mood was somber.“The Red Wizards have been quite.  Too quiet.  They have had people out gathering information.  Making deals with people they should not be meeting.  However, they are also in favor with the Champion of my clan.  Or at least his grandson and heir, Moto Chagatai.  Thus I am put in a difficult position.  I am sworn to protect the Empire and the Unicorn Clan.  I cannot prove what the Red Wizards are doing in a fashion the Moto will accept.  So I must do something more direct.  I have solid information that a Red Wizard will be traveling from Bugaisha a day from now, accompanied by a Thayan Yojimbo and ronin of the Broken Mirror.  You must see to it the Red Wizard never gets to that meeting.  Toshiro…Kaz…you have my permission to use disguise.  In fact, I suggest you make it seem like a bandit attack from the rabble of Kuzo, so you also have my permission to remove items from the bodies that bandits might find useful.  Though you are not to keep anything of theirs.  The Red Wizards must NOT find out who is behind this attack.”</blockquote>

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