The Fires of Otosan Uchi
The death of Seppun Ishikawa and the dispersal of senior city magistrates had brought the tensions in the city to a head. Most of the Crab samurai had completely abandoned the city, taking with them the long-running feud between the Jade Crab and the Obsidian Crab. Quiet investigation on the part of Hiruma Izuko revealed to her that those who carried the Obsidian Crab supported Hida Kisada and his desire for strength to unite Rokugan behind him, no matter the cost. The heart of support for the Jade Crab was as yet unknown, but clearly there were those in the Crab who disagreed with Kisada's priorities. But it was not the Crab that truly erupted into battle.
Ronin, once bearing the name Akodo, had been pouring in the city since before the Emerald Championship. Looking for work, for a return their rightful place, for purpose, for forgetfulness. They were leaderless and rudderless. The city was also teaming with Lion from other families, the most ardent followers of Matsu Tsuko who had competed, and lost, in the Emerald Championship. One night, Mai of the Red Cloud Yakuza and some of her bodyguards came to the magistrates' station in the Toyotomi district. She carried word that the Hojize district was aflame and there was open fighting and warfare in the streets. Families were being burned alive in their shops, and the violence was spreading to the edges of the Toyotomi district. She offered the service of herself and all those who followed her to aid the magistrates to end the fighting before more people were killed and the fire spread.
The magistrates took her up on the offer, and also rallied the able-bodied of Toyotomi to begin the fire-lines, led by Matsumoto Eiko, the minor-family leader. Asahina Ayame prepared healing for the wounded, while Hiruma Izuko and Moto Koshi scouted the Hojize and HInjaku districts, evacuating innocents into Toyotomi where they could and confirming Mai's observations. Mirumoto Kenuchio and Ikoma Neiji went first to the Lion embassy to plead with the Lion to control the Matsu samurai. They were abruptly turned away, informed that there had been orders from the Emperor that the ronin filth that were staying in the city had to be removed.
Wars between brothers always burn the hottest.
After regrouping, the magistrates decided to rally the ronin together and use the Red Cloud yakuza network of smuggler tunnels to get them out of the city before the Matsu could kill them. The Matsu ignored the magistrate's orders to stand down in the name of Imperial peace, and it took some time to make their way to the ronin, working with one of their leaders, Akodo Yobi, to help set up a defensive action that would allow the ronin to retreat. Mai's yakuza were able to reach many who were not yet under assault. It ended up being a long running battle through the streets of the city, but the magistrates were able to restore order, get the ex-Akodo out of sight, and disperse the Matsu before more were killed and more of the city was burned.
In a quiet back room on the edge of the city, the head of the Red Cloud Yakuza, Mai, met with the group of magistrates, Matsumoto Eiko, and Yobi and some of her fellow Ronin. Yobi was angry at seeing who was helping them, swearing that even if they were Ronin, they refused to work for yakuza or criminals of any stripe...they had their honor, no matter what the Empire might think.
The 15 year old, so young to be in charge of what was quickly becoming apparent to the magistrates a large criminal underground, shook her head. "I don't need you working for me. The Red Cloud serves itself...all men do, one way or another. But we are not blind. We can see what is coming. Disease and taint and war and death. None of them good for business. While all the clans play at war and bloodshed, no one is looking out for the people. You aren't willing to serve me, I understand. But I need the ashigaru. I need the heimen. The humble roots of the tree dig in the dirt, invisible to all, but without them, the tree will fall. Are you willing to serve them?"
Yobi was reluctant, and the magistrates were suspicious, but the Red Cloud did seem the best hope for maintaining peace, for now, and the best way to get the ronin to safety. Mirumoto Kenuchio offered, "You're saying Yobi should put together a ronin army to protect the heimen? It has no legitimacy. The clans would call this battle the start of a Ronin rebellion. That would make it worse for everyone." Ikoma Neiji, still feeling the weight of guilt about what happened to Akodo Toturi, shook his head. "Not if Toturi led them. There are many, even within the Lion, who think the Emperor was wrong to destroy the Akodo." He added softly, "Like me."
Mai smiled, her black eyes twinkling. "Done. I was thinking things are getting too hot in this city for a girl to do business any more. I do happen to know where the mysteriously missing Toturi the Black has hidden himself. And, so that you may trust me," she bowed to Yobi, "I will lead you and yours there myself. " She turned to the magistrates. "Don't wait too long to follow me. I was serious when I spoke of what was coming. You've served the people of this district well. You are hopelessly naive, but I find that rather...cute. I'd hate for something bad to happen to you."
The magistrates were torn, but Yobi agreed at the idea of discovering where Toturi had gone. The next day, the fires were out, the remaining geisha houses and gambling dens of any repute shut their doors, and a sullen silence settled on the city of Otosan Uchi. Any ronin who did not escape the city were killed by the Matsu, but most did manage to flee with the Red Cloud's help and intercession from the Magistrates where they could offer it. When that job was done, many samurai followed, disgusted at the Emperor's order and the way it had been carried out. The city just seemed more...dangerous now. Still, the Toyotomi district kept relative peace, hard as it was to win.
Answering Letters
One day, as the magistrates patrolled their district and its dwindling population, they received a summons, marked with the chop of the Emerald Champion. They immediately reported to the Inner City to meet with the Emerald Champion, Kakita Toshimoko. They were led to an inner chamber in the palace, a library room filled with maps and scrolls and all manner of correspondences and intelligence. The kenshinzen eyed them as they entered, scanning them up and down. He gave a weary smile. "Hah. I'd rather hoped it would be you." The magistrates made their obeisance and waited.
Toshimoko continued. "As you can see by this mess, I've been going through letters. Mostly not originally for me. Lord Doji Satsume received information from across the Empire. And Captain Ishikawa had much to say about the running of the city. And...one or two footnotes about you." He looked up with sharp eyes. "He was a trustworthy man. And he trusted you. Trust is a rare and valuable commodity, and not something that I can afford to waste."
Ayame bowed deeply. "You honor us."
A smirk twitched the corner of Toshimoko's mouth. "Few like the taste of my honor. Soon before he died, Lord Satsume received a letter from some barbaric spot in Unicorn lands. A...Moto Tsolmon..ally of his."
Moto Koshi stirred uncomfortably and Toshimoko cocked his head at him. "Ah...well...poor etiquette not to attend to it sooner, perhaps, but death has a way of doing that to the best of us." The Emerald Champion opened the letter. "The Iron Citadel, a cursed creation formed by one of the Black Scrolls nearly two decades ago, is crumbling, and the taint of the Shadowlands is erupting from the spot where it is standing. The Moto asks Satsume to send a trusted magistrate with experience with the Shadowlands to support the old Jade Champion there. Quickly." He shook his head.
Toshimoko folded the letter again. "News from the rest of the Empire is not good. The Crab have gone mad. They say Kisada's boy, Yakamo, the one who lost a hand during the Coup? Word is he has bound himself to an oni, and is on the march, and heading north. There's civil war within the Crab about it...but I suspect you knew." Izuko bit her lip, but Toshimoko pretended to ignore it. "Kisada himself is sailing to the capital as we speak. And the Shadowlands lies unguarded and pouring unchecked into Southern Crane Lands."
The magistrates glanced at each other, startled, plans to defend the city from Kisada already racing through their heads. Mirumoto Kenuchio couldn't keep the questions in. "Why aren't we mounting a defense? Recruiting magistrates?"
The Emerald Champion's eyes narrowed. "Magistrates where? The city is almost empty. But, no. That's not the reason." He pulled out one more scroll, this one of the finest and heaviest of paper, the gold seal of the emperor affixed upon it. "I have been ordered from the city. Sent to go and personally inform the Emerald Magistrates throughout the Empire that they will no longer be needed by the Hantei because of their failures in defending the Empire from the tainted Crab and the Scorpion beforehand. I am...assured...that my efforts in defending the capital are not necessary."
A horrified silence at the implications descended. Finally Toshimoko broke it. "There are a few pieces of old business I must conduct before I depart. This is one of them. Eiko?"
A door on the other side of the library slid open, and the humbly-dressed samurai-ko of their district entered and bowed deeply to them. Toshimoko smiled at their surprise. "Matsumoto is a very ancient family...related to the Imperials, rather than one of the clans, though mostly forgotten these days. When you are as old as I am, I suppose, you remember some old stories most people never knew. Her forefathers used to be commissioned by the Emperor to quietly watch the capital and Imperial staff for signs of Shadowlands corruption. They would combat any such forces they found there. It would be too..impolitic...for any of the great clans to discover such within the Imperial family itself. " Matsumoto Eiko blushed and bowed even more deeply. "That use...and that family...were conveniently neglected over the years. Taint in the Imperial household was inconceivable, of course. I believe your father ended up as a fishmonger to support himself, is that not correct?"
"Hai, Toshimoko-sama." Eiko was not normally so subdued, but it was understandable given the lofty company. "But we have kept our family traditions."
"Good." Toshimoko looked at the magistrates. "The Phoenix and Dragon have both withdrawn into themselves. Who knows what madness they're up to, and the letter from Tsolmon notes his suspicion of the Inquisitors. The Kuni are involved with this Crab madness and the Yogo are no more. I have no experts on the Shadowlands to send. But I have you. Matsumoto Eiko is versed in detecting and fighting the Shadowlands and its creations...as versed as anyone I have. You, I trust...you've held the locations of the scrolls and handled that dutifully. And I've read reports that you've dealt with more than one supernatural threat out there. I am sending you to this Moto Tsolmon, with Eiko as the experienced magistrate that was requested. Defend her. Take a look at the Citadel. See if the old Jade Champion has the evil in check, and deal with it if you can. Find out what the Moto wants. I remember Satsume speaking to me once about traitors in the Clans. It...was not important to me at the time. But maybe it can explain what is going on with the Crab." Toshimoko hesitated for a moment. "Or with Doji Hoturi."
He shook his head. "Bring me all the information you can gather. There is a geisha house outside Western Hub Village called the House of Dawn Lotus. If I'm not there, you can leave information with the okā-san. It will reach me."
The magistrates all bowed deeply to Toshimoko, agreeing, and prepared to leave, but he held up a hand to stop them. "No. Ikoma Neiji...not you. I regret, I must call upon your...other skills. I've been around a few years and I can see that you have training in...being a discrete observer. I need you to be a discrete observer. "
Neiji bristled at the implication, but didn't dare challenge the duelist.
"Don't worry." Toshimoko continued. "I would never cause you to compromise your honor. Eiko here has told me, with great appreciation, of what you did in the conflict between the Akodo and the Matsu in the city last month. This Mai...and sending the Akodo off to Toturi. I knew Toturi. I think he is an honorable man...at least he was once. I need to know what they are doing. I want to make sure that this Mai girl isn't turning them to some sort of strange yakuza ends...and that they don't decide they need to extract vengeance against the Empire instead of just leaving us all to rot on our own. I need someone I can trust to join them, and give me information about their movements. I mean them no harm. But I have armies enough marching through Crane Lands, friendly and hostile. I don't need the wrong armies tripping over each other and slaughtering everyone by mistake. Can you be this person for me?"
Ikomo Neiji, much more subdued, answered "Hai, Toshimoko-sama. I will join them."
Toshimoko nodded. "I will give you all Imperial papers so you may travel freely. Well, as free as any can these days. Good luck. Stay alive. Dead warriors can't win duels. And if you have to throw your life away...make sure you made it worth it." With a gesture of his hand, the Emerald Champion dismissed them.
By nightfall, they had parted ways and left the City of Otosan Uchi behind them.
The death of Seppun Ishikawa and the dispersal of senior city magistrates had brought the tensions in the city to a head. Most of the Crab samurai had completely abandoned the city, taking with them the long-running feud between the Jade Crab and the Obsidian Crab. Quiet investigation on the part of Hiruma Izuko revealed to her that those who carried the Obsidian Crab supported Hida Kisada and his desire for strength to unite Rokugan behind him, no matter the cost. The heart of support for the Jade Crab was as yet unknown, but clearly there were those in the Crab who disagreed with Kisada's priorities. But it was not the Crab that truly erupted into battle.
Ronin, once bearing the name Akodo, had been pouring in the city since before the Emerald Championship. Looking for work, for a return their rightful place, for purpose, for forgetfulness. They were leaderless and rudderless. The city was also teaming with Lion from other families, the most ardent followers of Matsu Tsuko who had competed, and lost, in the Emerald Championship. One night, Mai of the Red Cloud Yakuza and some of her bodyguards came to the magistrates' station in the Toyotomi district. She carried word that the Hojize district was aflame and there was open fighting and warfare in the streets. Families were being burned alive in their shops, and the violence was spreading to the edges of the Toyotomi district. She offered the service of herself and all those who followed her to aid the magistrates to end the fighting before more people were killed and the fire spread.
The magistrates took her up on the offer, and also rallied the able-bodied of Toyotomi to begin the fire-lines, led by Matsumoto Eiko, the minor-family leader. Asahina Ayame prepared healing for the wounded, while Hiruma Izuko and Moto Koshi scouted the Hojize and HInjaku districts, evacuating innocents into Toyotomi where they could and confirming Mai's observations. Mirumoto Kenuchio and Ikoma Neiji went first to the Lion embassy to plead with the Lion to control the Matsu samurai. They were abruptly turned away, informed that there had been orders from the Emperor that the ronin filth that were staying in the city had to be removed.
Wars between brothers always burn the hottest.
After regrouping, the magistrates decided to rally the ronin together and use the Red Cloud yakuza network of smuggler tunnels to get them out of the city before the Matsu could kill them. The Matsu ignored the magistrate's orders to stand down in the name of Imperial peace, and it took some time to make their way to the ronin, working with one of their leaders, Akodo Yobi, to help set up a defensive action that would allow the ronin to retreat. Mai's yakuza were able to reach many who were not yet under assault. It ended up being a long running battle through the streets of the city, but the magistrates were able to restore order, get the ex-Akodo out of sight, and disperse the Matsu before more were killed and more of the city was burned.
In a quiet back room on the edge of the city, the head of the Red Cloud Yakuza, Mai, met with the group of magistrates, Matsumoto Eiko, and Yobi and some of her fellow Ronin. Yobi was angry at seeing who was helping them, swearing that even if they were Ronin, they refused to work for yakuza or criminals of any stripe...they had their honor, no matter what the Empire might think.
The 15 year old, so young to be in charge of what was quickly becoming apparent to the magistrates a large criminal underground, shook her head. "I don't need you working for me. The Red Cloud serves itself...all men do, one way or another. But we are not blind. We can see what is coming. Disease and taint and war and death. None of them good for business. While all the clans play at war and bloodshed, no one is looking out for the people. You aren't willing to serve me, I understand. But I need the ashigaru. I need the heimen. The humble roots of the tree dig in the dirt, invisible to all, but without them, the tree will fall. Are you willing to serve them?"
Yobi was reluctant, and the magistrates were suspicious, but the Red Cloud did seem the best hope for maintaining peace, for now, and the best way to get the ronin to safety. Mirumoto Kenuchio offered, "You're saying Yobi should put together a ronin army to protect the heimen? It has no legitimacy. The clans would call this battle the start of a Ronin rebellion. That would make it worse for everyone." Ikoma Neiji, still feeling the weight of guilt about what happened to Akodo Toturi, shook his head. "Not if Toturi led them. There are many, even within the Lion, who think the Emperor was wrong to destroy the Akodo." He added softly, "Like me."
Mai smiled, her black eyes twinkling. "Done. I was thinking things are getting too hot in this city for a girl to do business any more. I do happen to know where the mysteriously missing Toturi the Black has hidden himself. And, so that you may trust me," she bowed to Yobi, "I will lead you and yours there myself. " She turned to the magistrates. "Don't wait too long to follow me. I was serious when I spoke of what was coming. You've served the people of this district well. You are hopelessly naive, but I find that rather...cute. I'd hate for something bad to happen to you."
The magistrates were torn, but Yobi agreed at the idea of discovering where Toturi had gone. The next day, the fires were out, the remaining geisha houses and gambling dens of any repute shut their doors, and a sullen silence settled on the city of Otosan Uchi. Any ronin who did not escape the city were killed by the Matsu, but most did manage to flee with the Red Cloud's help and intercession from the Magistrates where they could offer it. When that job was done, many samurai followed, disgusted at the Emperor's order and the way it had been carried out. The city just seemed more...dangerous now. Still, the Toyotomi district kept relative peace, hard as it was to win.
Answering Letters
One day, as the magistrates patrolled their district and its dwindling population, they received a summons, marked with the chop of the Emerald Champion. They immediately reported to the Inner City to meet with the Emerald Champion, Kakita Toshimoko. They were led to an inner chamber in the palace, a library room filled with maps and scrolls and all manner of correspondences and intelligence. The kenshinzen eyed them as they entered, scanning them up and down. He gave a weary smile. "Hah. I'd rather hoped it would be you." The magistrates made their obeisance and waited.
Toshimoko continued. "As you can see by this mess, I've been going through letters. Mostly not originally for me. Lord Doji Satsume received information from across the Empire. And Captain Ishikawa had much to say about the running of the city. And...one or two footnotes about you." He looked up with sharp eyes. "He was a trustworthy man. And he trusted you. Trust is a rare and valuable commodity, and not something that I can afford to waste."
Ayame bowed deeply. "You honor us."
A smirk twitched the corner of Toshimoko's mouth. "Few like the taste of my honor. Soon before he died, Lord Satsume received a letter from some barbaric spot in Unicorn lands. A...Moto Tsolmon..ally of his."
Moto Koshi stirred uncomfortably and Toshimoko cocked his head at him. "Ah...well...poor etiquette not to attend to it sooner, perhaps, but death has a way of doing that to the best of us." The Emerald Champion opened the letter. "The Iron Citadel, a cursed creation formed by one of the Black Scrolls nearly two decades ago, is crumbling, and the taint of the Shadowlands is erupting from the spot where it is standing. The Moto asks Satsume to send a trusted magistrate with experience with the Shadowlands to support the old Jade Champion there. Quickly." He shook his head.
Toshimoko folded the letter again. "News from the rest of the Empire is not good. The Crab have gone mad. They say Kisada's boy, Yakamo, the one who lost a hand during the Coup? Word is he has bound himself to an oni, and is on the march, and heading north. There's civil war within the Crab about it...but I suspect you knew." Izuko bit her lip, but Toshimoko pretended to ignore it. "Kisada himself is sailing to the capital as we speak. And the Shadowlands lies unguarded and pouring unchecked into Southern Crane Lands."
The magistrates glanced at each other, startled, plans to defend the city from Kisada already racing through their heads. Mirumoto Kenuchio couldn't keep the questions in. "Why aren't we mounting a defense? Recruiting magistrates?"
The Emerald Champion's eyes narrowed. "Magistrates where? The city is almost empty. But, no. That's not the reason." He pulled out one more scroll, this one of the finest and heaviest of paper, the gold seal of the emperor affixed upon it. "I have been ordered from the city. Sent to go and personally inform the Emerald Magistrates throughout the Empire that they will no longer be needed by the Hantei because of their failures in defending the Empire from the tainted Crab and the Scorpion beforehand. I am...assured...that my efforts in defending the capital are not necessary."
A horrified silence at the implications descended. Finally Toshimoko broke it. "There are a few pieces of old business I must conduct before I depart. This is one of them. Eiko?"
A door on the other side of the library slid open, and the humbly-dressed samurai-ko of their district entered and bowed deeply to them. Toshimoko smiled at their surprise. "Matsumoto is a very ancient family...related to the Imperials, rather than one of the clans, though mostly forgotten these days. When you are as old as I am, I suppose, you remember some old stories most people never knew. Her forefathers used to be commissioned by the Emperor to quietly watch the capital and Imperial staff for signs of Shadowlands corruption. They would combat any such forces they found there. It would be too..impolitic...for any of the great clans to discover such within the Imperial family itself. " Matsumoto Eiko blushed and bowed even more deeply. "That use...and that family...were conveniently neglected over the years. Taint in the Imperial household was inconceivable, of course. I believe your father ended up as a fishmonger to support himself, is that not correct?"
"Hai, Toshimoko-sama." Eiko was not normally so subdued, but it was understandable given the lofty company. "But we have kept our family traditions."
"Good." Toshimoko looked at the magistrates. "The Phoenix and Dragon have both withdrawn into themselves. Who knows what madness they're up to, and the letter from Tsolmon notes his suspicion of the Inquisitors. The Kuni are involved with this Crab madness and the Yogo are no more. I have no experts on the Shadowlands to send. But I have you. Matsumoto Eiko is versed in detecting and fighting the Shadowlands and its creations...as versed as anyone I have. You, I trust...you've held the locations of the scrolls and handled that dutifully. And I've read reports that you've dealt with more than one supernatural threat out there. I am sending you to this Moto Tsolmon, with Eiko as the experienced magistrate that was requested. Defend her. Take a look at the Citadel. See if the old Jade Champion has the evil in check, and deal with it if you can. Find out what the Moto wants. I remember Satsume speaking to me once about traitors in the Clans. It...was not important to me at the time. But maybe it can explain what is going on with the Crab." Toshimoko hesitated for a moment. "Or with Doji Hoturi."
He shook his head. "Bring me all the information you can gather. There is a geisha house outside Western Hub Village called the House of Dawn Lotus. If I'm not there, you can leave information with the okā-san. It will reach me."
The magistrates all bowed deeply to Toshimoko, agreeing, and prepared to leave, but he held up a hand to stop them. "No. Ikoma Neiji...not you. I regret, I must call upon your...other skills. I've been around a few years and I can see that you have training in...being a discrete observer. I need you to be a discrete observer. "
Neiji bristled at the implication, but didn't dare challenge the duelist.
"Don't worry." Toshimoko continued. "I would never cause you to compromise your honor. Eiko here has told me, with great appreciation, of what you did in the conflict between the Akodo and the Matsu in the city last month. This Mai...and sending the Akodo off to Toturi. I knew Toturi. I think he is an honorable man...at least he was once. I need to know what they are doing. I want to make sure that this Mai girl isn't turning them to some sort of strange yakuza ends...and that they don't decide they need to extract vengeance against the Empire instead of just leaving us all to rot on our own. I need someone I can trust to join them, and give me information about their movements. I mean them no harm. But I have armies enough marching through Crane Lands, friendly and hostile. I don't need the wrong armies tripping over each other and slaughtering everyone by mistake. Can you be this person for me?"
Ikomo Neiji, much more subdued, answered "Hai, Toshimoko-sama. I will join them."
Toshimoko nodded. "I will give you all Imperial papers so you may travel freely. Well, as free as any can these days. Good luck. Stay alive. Dead warriors can't win duels. And if you have to throw your life away...make sure you made it worth it." With a gesture of his hand, the Emerald Champion dismissed them.
By nightfall, they had parted ways and left the City of Otosan Uchi behind them.