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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tokiwong" data-source="post: 58667" data-attributes="member: 961">Rokugan #4: The Shadows Fall15th through 20th of Ryoshun in the 1158th year of the Emerald EmpireThe winter season was slowly drawing to a close and many of the Winter Courts were winding down, new loyalties cemented across Rokugan.  Along with many old and new wounds opened for the ripe spring season.  Such concerns mattered little to the group of samurai assembled in the ancestral manse of Shiba Yotunaga.  The room they had convened in smelled of jasmine incense, which was burning slowly at the center of the low table that dominated the room.Shiba Ryoko smiled pleasantly attired in a fiery red kimono, the edges looking like flames, her daisho neatly placed in her bright yellow obi.  The samurai-ko was all smiles to her peers.  She glanced to the giant of a man on her left, Matsu Eiji a young berserker of the Lion; “Welcome, Matsu-san, I have heard of the exploits of your father, I can only hope you emulate such bravery.”  She smiled politely and ran her gaze over the rest of those assembled.  Eiji replied with a pleasant nod, "I am proud to represent my family in service to the honorable Phoenix."  He had an obvious look of discomfort, but maintained his stoic façade.Directly across from Ryoko sat Kakita Ameiko and Kakita Renshi, the children of the famed hero, Kakita Hyuske.  To Ameiko’s left sat the stalwart and ever wary Daidoji Yugiashi.  Daidoji glanced across the table towards the rough looking warrior.  At his side a strange curved blade, unlike any he had seen in all of Rokugan, a gaijin weapon to be sure.Ryoko turned to the stranger and spoke calmly, “Yamochi Junoki, welcome.”Junoki bowed his head, “Thank you,” he continued his silence observing the others.Ryoko smiled gently once more before she spoke, "I apologize for my father, he has been away at the Winter Court, but I am sure the servants of the house have been satisfactory to your needs.  I trust you all aware of why you are here?"Falm who sat at the edge of the table gave Ryoko a sideward glance with her golden eyes, “No, I do not.  I had thought to be sent to the front… not… here where more circumspect actions would be needed.”Ryoko gave Falm a pleasant smile, “You are where you need to be Agasha... have faith in that."  Falm bristled at the words, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.Ryoko placed a map on the table and unfurled it; it depicted the northern lands of the Phoenix territory.  She danced her fingers over the map depicting rugged mountain ranges and low-lying valleys of the northern Phoenix territory, her finger finally resting over location denoted, “Shiro Moritami”.  Ryoko spoke to the group, “This is where we leave for in the morning, Shiro Moritami, there is a village near by, we can seek rest there once we arrive.  The journey should take no more then four days, with the thawing of the roads."Falm glanced to the map, "And what do we do once we arrive?"Ryoko looked up to Falm, but ignored her plea, continuing, “The castle itself has been abandoned, for quite some time... but if it is sound, it may prove useful in the coming conflict.”Falm simply glared at Ryoko, but said nothing as Ryoko continued, “If there are no questions you may all prepare and enjoy the evening.”Falm replied tersely, “Why are we going?  What are we expected to do?”Ryoko stood and smoothed our her brilliant red kimono; “Why? To strengthen the north... it is weakly defended.  We are expected to do as told... Agasha-san.”Yugiashi spoke as Falm gnashed her teeth in obvious irritation, "What are our specific duties?"Falm echoed his sentiment, “Indeed what are our ‘specific duties’?”Ryoko smiled sweetly to Yugiashi, “we are to prepare the fortress for use in the spring, remove any vermin that may have taken root, and make it ready for warfare.  With the come of the spring my soldiers will arrive, which will be a great assistance to making the fortress battle ready.”Ryoko glanced around the room quickly each of the samurai meeting her gaze, “If there are no further questions, I shall retire, enjoy this eve.  Be prepared to leave bright and early.”  Ryoko turned and exited the rest of the group slowly retiring to their individual quarters, to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.The morning came swiftly, and with it the journey to Shiro Moritami began.  The assembled for the most part traveled by horse, all except Matsu Eiji; his small family could not afford such extravagances for the young berserker.  The journey was gentle and sweet, the ice and snow had begun to slowly thaw, and the air was fresh and amicable.The first part of their journey was uneventful, with Ryoko engaging the party with conversation; much to her chagrin the party was pretty close-lipped.  The majority of the journey traveled in uneasy silence, by the evening the party had arrived at a small roadside inn and decided to seek rest and shelter.Ryoko was the first to enter the quaint little inn; three young men sat at a table sipping at sake and glanced to the party as they entered.  An elderly woman welcomed them with a smile and bade them to sit wherever they like.  She slowly waddled, shuffling nearly inch by inch to gather sake and soup for the guests. Ryoko sighed and went to speak with the inn keep, Eiji and Junoki followed her as Renshi, Yugiashi, and Ameiko waited near the doorway ever wary and watchful.  Falm sighed and slumped into a chair and opened and focused her thoughts on her studies.One of the men smiled as the party entered, he had a boyish face, with an elegant smile.  His hair was worn long, an ebon black with a gentle sheen, he spoke in a manner that belied his aristocratic upbringing, “Evening... Not often one sees travelers in winter.”Junoki replied with a glance to the stranger, “Have to travel sometime. End of winter isn't so bad to travel.”The stranger stood and gave Junoki a gracious bow, “Well of course, for such a band as yours...”Junoki replied in a relaxed manner, “Yes, not bad for us.”The stranger turned his attentions to Falm, “And who is this golden-haired beauty?”Falm looked up from her studies and met the man’s almond brown eyes with her own eyes of gold, “Kusan Falm, of the Agasha School of fire.”The stranger smiled, taken back her beauty, “With such strange eyes to match, what creature has descended from the heavens to grace us with her presence.  Kusan Falm... I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said with a gentle bow.Ameiko glanced to the conversation still standing with Yugiashi and Renshi.  Falm sighed, looking uncomfortable with the attention, “I think I should retire.”The stranger replied with a smile, “I had hoped we could chat Kusan Falm.”Falm replied tersely, “I must pray sir.”The stranger pressed the issue; “You have captivated me with your otherworldly beauty... I am Uda Hiyone... Poet... and playwright... and you have inspired poetry fit for the Four Winds... please I beg of you, stay for awhile?”Falm looked to Ryoko pleadingly, but Ryoko simply smiled pleased with the predicament that Falm had found herself in.  Ryoko turned her attention away from Falm and the amorous Hiyone and focused on Junoki, “Hungry Yamochi-san?”Junoki replied with a smile and sat, “Yes, thank you.”Falm huffed and sat back down, “Very well sir poet.”Hiyone smiled brightly, very pleased, “You honor me this day, Kusan Falm, by your presence I am sure many weep in your passing for they may never approach the beauty that you are...”The rest of the party eventually took seats and settled in, the Crane samurai sitting together casting strange glances about the room.  The Crane kept to themselves simply watching, and listening to the spectacle that was Hiyone and Falm.  Falm gritted her teeth in annoyance, but resigned herself to the company of the smitten poet.Hiyone smiled at Falm longingly, “Your golden hair is lovely… as if touched by Lord Sun himself...”Falm replied tersely, “My… thanks milord, it's a trait of my family.”“Please simply Hiyone, it is I who should honor you for your beauty,” Hiyone sipped at his sake, “What brings a goddess such as you this way?”Falm replied casting her eyes about the room, “Duty.”“Duty... to spread such beauty... a wonderful duty it must be...” he replied with a serene smile.Junoki sipped his sake, turning to Ryoko, “It seems that Falm-san has an admirer.”Ryoko replied with a coy smile, “Yes, it seems she does.”“Do you think he will want to travel with us?” Junoki replied earnestly.Ryoko casted Hiyone a sideward glance, “I pray not... we need men of action not words…”Junoki smiled, “But we might learn how to speak better.”Ryoko laughed heartily at his comment, “Perhaps that is so, but I seek to do precious little speaking with my enemies... I let my Grandfather's Edge speak for me,” as she patted the crimson pommel of her ancestral katana.  Ryoko peered curiously at Junoki’s scimitar, “What do you call that weapon?” pointing ever so slightly.Junoki glanced to his blade, “This?  It is a scimitar, I... acquired it in a trade some time ago. It has a very sharp bite to it.”Ryoko furrowed her brow, “A scimitar?  That is an interesting weapon.”Junoki replied as he sipped at his sake, “It's the only one I have ever seen. But I prefer it over all other swords I have tried.”Behind Ryoko one of Hiyone’s companions glanced to Renshi with a glare.  He stood, wavering, his breath reeking of sake and shouted, “You! I told you never to come here.... need a lesson eh!”Renshi turned slowly to the drunkard, “I do not believe I know you,” he stood, his glare stiff and formal.  Yugiashi followed suit, standing casting a disapproving frown to the drunkard.The man scowled gesturing to his katana at his side, “Ahh so you claim ignorance...” he slurred his words, gesturing to Renshi, “Come then.”Renshi narrowed his eyes, “There is no honor in cutting down a drunken fool.”Hiyone glanced from Falm to his companion, “Calm yourself Tenchi-san!”  Falm stood and moved to stand with her newfound companions.  Hiyone stood holding out his hand to Tenchi, “Control yourself…”Tenchi sneered, with a chuckle; “You think you are swift... this time it ends...” he stepped towards Renshi.  Tenchi violently kicked a chair out of the way, sending it tumbling across the floor to clear a path between him and Renshi.  Renshi relaxed his stance resting his hand near the pommel of his blade casually.Falm tried to lighten the mood, “I think you have had too much sake, perhaps you should rest a while before handing out challenges.”Tenchi lolled his head to Falm for a moment before focusing on Renshi, “Come then Yoshi... show me your stance.”Junoki spoke up glancing casually to Tenchi, “I would stay your hand, Crane bushi are known for the swiftness.”  Ryoko simply watched seated, sipping at her sake lightly.Tenchi glanced to Junoki quizzically then squinted towards Renshi, “Crane?”Renshi kept his narrowed eyes focused on Tenchi, “My name is Kakita Renshi, you would do well to remember that… fool.”Tenchi roared through gritted teeth, “FOOL!” and prepared to strike.Hiyone shouted, “Stop this madness Tenchi-san!”Tenchi ignored Hiyone crouching low, as Renshi stayed patient taking the measure of his inferior opponent.  Tenchi drew his blade surprisingly quick, but his skill was pale in comparison to the physical poetry of Renshi’s iaijutsu skills.  The blade slid from Renshi’s saya with ease and whipped through the air faster then eyes could follow.  Tenchi was taken aback by the show of skill as the ancestral blade ripped through his shirt at his stomach, but leaving not a mark upon his skin.  Tenchi tumbled backwards his blade still in hand, surprised at the skill of Kakita Renshi.Renshi glared at Tenchi, “Next time, you will lose more than just your honor.”Ryoko smiled arching her brow while sipping her sake, “The Crane is quick.”Junoki smiled to Ryoko, “That he is.”Hiyone knelt down at the side of his humbled comrade, “Such skill… and speed,” he glanced to Renshi, “certainly you are a man worthy of many tales...”Tenchi scrambled out of the inn, his companion following him swiftly.  Hiyone remained, watching his friends go.  Hiyone turned to Renshi and his company and made a gracious bow, “I wish to join you, and record your exploits for surely skill such as that... will lead to great things.”Renshi simply sat and continued to converse with Ameiko and Yugiashi, ignoring the praise of Hiyone.  “What is the name of the bushi that has so easily tamed the fury of the famous duelist Tenchi?” Hiyone continued undaunted, “so humble that he dare not speak his own name?  He is truly a hero worthy of recounting.”Renshi glanced to Hiyone with a slightly embarrassed look, “My apologies.  I am Kakita Renshi.”“Ahhh the Kakita... Kakita Renshi... he humbled the great Tenchi... I am Uda Hiyone; humble poet and playwright.”Junoki quipped to Hiyone, “You do not know where we go, or what we face.”Hiyone retorted, “I am prepared to face the horrors of Jigoku if I may but travel in your wake...”Junoki smirked, “You could make up stories here, safe from what is out there.”Ryoko smiled to Junoki, “Leave him Junoki he is man who does not know his own limits...”Junoki sighed, “Perhaps.”Falm interjected giving Hiyone a cold look, “Sadly our duties will take us places a poet won't be helpful,” as she returned to her studies and sipping peacefully of her sake.Ryoko smiled to Junoki, “I must say he might be rather entertaining.”"To some," Junoki looked at Falm, "Not to others."Ryoko smiled, “That is not my concern.”Hiyone bowed once more to Renshi, “Please allow me the pleasure of traveling with you Kakita-sama.”Renshi turned to Ryoko, “I leave that decision to Ryoko-san.”Falm piped up, “Truthfully, we can't be burdened with a poet, it would be best if you stayed and found us another day.”Ryoko smiled, “If he wishes to go, I see no harm...”Renshi nodded, “Very well then, welcome Uda Hiyone.”Hiyone smiled brightly, “Thank you Kakita-sama.”Junoki smirked, “I hope you bring us luck, Hiyone-san.”Hiyone smirked, “The fortunes favor me, I bring much luck.”The rest of the party settled in nicely, putting the events of the evening out of their minds.  The day had been long and many began to retire leaving only Junoki and Hiyone in the small common room.Junoki glanced to Hiyone looking up from his bowl of miso soup, “Hiyone-san, where do you call home?”Hiyone replied, “I am a traveler, I try not to call any one place home… this world is far too small to stay in one place...”“As do I.  Have you been here long?” Junoki replied.“I have been for a few months languishing away the winter... in the company of my previous company Tenchi,” he replied sipping at his sake.“Tell me of some of the places you have been, what you have seen,” Junoki asked curiously.Hiyone smiled brightly to Junoki, “well... I spent a lovely a summer in Ryoko Owari the city of the Scorpion... and had quite the affair with a Soshi shugenja... that was a time of much enjoyment... she taught many things...”Junoki smirked, “Sounds dangerous.”“Oh very much so... but I improved my flexibility three fold,” Hiyone replied with a sly smile.  Hiyone thought for a moment then spoke, “I am afraid I know not your name.”Junoki simply laughed, while he sipped at his sake, and then replied with a simple smile, “I am Yamochi Junoki.”“The Yamochi… that is not a name I familiar with… Ronin?”Junoki smiled, “Is that a problem?”“No of course not, I am Uda my name is not great, but such titles are useless on the road, I rely on my wits.  Not my name,” Hiyone replied.“What made you decide to live the life of a poet?” Junoki questioned with a gentle wave of his hand.“I am a man of words... not action... but... there was a time when it was not so.”“What happened?” Junoki replied, “If you do not mind answering.”“I had served once as bushi, until the day I slew my brother in an honest duel... over a woman,” Hiyone took a sip of his sake and continued, “I was faster. Much faster then he ever could be.”“Was she worth it?”“I cared little for her... it was my father's choice. But my brother he loved her,” Hiyone replied, staring off.“Then why duel?  Let your brother believe he beat you for her affections,” Junoki asked questioningly.“I was a younger man... full of fire... I had no intention of killing him... only to show my skill... but those days are long past... I have not dueled since,” he glanced to his empty cup, “I should retire.”  Hiyone stood and bowed to Junoki, “Good eve Junoki of the Yamochi.”Junoki stood, “Good eve to you Hiyone of the Uda.”The two retired to their beds.  The rest had long retired; there was still much travel to be done.  Though that did not stop Ameiko and Yugiashi from enjoying a pleasant evening walk, ending with a strange show of affection on Ameiko’s part; a kiss on Yugiashi’s cheek before parting to rest.  The morning came on swift wings, and Lord Sun began to rise over the eastern horizon as the party set out once more towards Shiro Moritami.  Uda Hiyone walking alongside Matsu Eiji as the rest traveled by horseback.The intervening three days of travel were cold, but not overly so.  The group making good time along the thawing roads, there travel papers allowing them easy passage through the Phoenix lands.  The journey was safe if not overly dull.  They arrived at the small village of Toyan, amidst Hiyone’s tales of his days along the Kaiu Wall.  The heimin were out in the fields assessing the damage of the winter as the party trotted into view of the quaint village.Hiyone glanced to the fields and then paused raising his hand to shield his vision from Lord Sun.  He spotted three heimin running towards them across the icy field.  One slipped and fell, and he caught a glimpse of what pursued them.  Eight squat heavily muscled creatures, they were a mottled green in color and bounded quickly after the heimin.  A large nasty looking brute of a bushi waded out from the frozen tree line, dressed for battle hefting a massive tetsubo.  Hiyone shouted, “Bakemono!” as he pointed to the rushing creatures.  They tore at the fallen heimin and then rushed onward blood on their talons, charging madly.  The party quickly assessed the situation and drew their yumi and began to pepper the Bakemono and their ogre gunso with arrow fire.  Ryoko snarled and charged into the fray but her horse lost its footing on the slick ice and she was sent tumbling to the ground amidst the charging bakemono.  Ameiko sighed as she drew her ofuda and prepared for the inevitable bloodshed.  Two bakemono stayed to harass Ryoko as the other six charged headlong at the group.  Yugiashi, Junoki, and Eiji continued to fire arrows at the wily bakemono, but they evaded the strikes and charged into melee.  Luckily Falm enchanted the creatures with a spell and lulled four of the creatures to sleep. Two of the loathsome creatures rushed to attack one nearly ripping out Falm’s throat as it scratched at her eyes.  The other attacked Yugiashi with little success.  The creatures were nimble but not nimble enough as Renshi took the head of one bakemono.  Eiji turned on the second and finished it with bloody strike.  The party moved forward to finish the remaining creatures as Ameiko healed Falm, channeling the powers of the kami through her.  Yugiashi kicked his horse forward and charged the ogre as it swatted at Ryoko as if she was little more then a fly.  Ryoko stood her ground but was harried from all sides, and desperately losing strength from the vicious attacks.Yugiashi charged he ogre but was unable to pierce its hide armor as it turned and swung its mighty tetsubo knocking Yugiashi off of his horse, leaving him weak, his chest nearly caved inward.  Ameiko shrieked and rushed forward to the side of her yojimbo.  The ogre sneered as Ryoko tried to take advantage of its distraction but was unable to do any harm.  It swung at Ryoko and knocked her flat and then moved to advance upon Ameiko and Yugiashi.  The rest of the party advanced further, trying to assist Ameiko and Yugiashi.  Ameiko used her magic to heal Yugiashi as the ogre stalked forward.  Renshi charged into the fray and gutted the ogre, its eyes wide with surprise as it stumbled backward.  The party turned on the remaining two bakemono and made short work of one.  The other nearly killed Eiji before being put down for good by Junoki.Hiyone waved from the horses as the party healed, “Good battle... heroes...!”  The day had certainly been eventful.  Forces of the shadow lands this far north, could only be a bad omen.  The heroes had stepped into some nasty business; only time would tell if they would meet the growing darkness with honor, or with their lives.</blockquote>

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