Remove ads

Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)

Reader mode
Remove ads
3.18
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] Join Yasuki Goro in his meeting.


    "If it is alright with you, my Lord," you respond almost immediately. "I would stay by your side."

    You are the last remaining Yojimbo for Yasuki Goro. Even if he will almost certainly be safe within the confines of the castle, it doesn't feel right for you to leave your superior alone. His protection is your duty, and you must fulfill it to the best of your capabilities. If you are separated from him, you can't help but feel that you are being lax.

    Logically, you know that this sentiment isn't grounded in anything substantial. Within a castle, with likely a hundred guards housed within, your Lord will be safe. But after everything that has occurred a wave of anxiety has crept upon you. You're not certain exactly how rational this feeling is, but you've no will to oppose it right now.

    "Fair enough," Yasuki Goro says, nodding. "Come, then. You don't need to oversee the storing of our luggage." He turns back to Tonbo Akane. "If we are to talk, Tonbo-sama, I would prefer to do so now."

    "Then please," Tonbo Akane said, motioning for the door. "Follow me."

    The Champion of the Dragonfly leads you both to the doors, which open without her having to touch them. Four guards await within, clad in that same multicolored armor as the ones at the gate. They bow to each of you, and then close the doors behind as you all walk in. You glance behind you briefly as the portal closes, where Shirou waves to you as he helps the servants unload your caravan's cargo. Then the doors shut, and you are seaparated from the outside world.

    Two of them follow behind as Tonbo Akane leads you up the stairs. You go up two floors, then move away down a hallway. It is surprisingly austere, with minimal decoration despite all the bright colors outside or the gemstones upon the door. Many scrolls hang from the walls, each depicting passages from the Tao, and there are a few finely crafted statues set upon stands here and there. But aside from that, there is hardly anything. Compared to Kyuden Bayushi, this castle is practically empty of adornment.

    But then again, the Dragonfly are but a Minor Clan. Kyuden Tonbo is their only major holding, with the rest of their province being composed of farms and villages. They lack the resources that the Scorpion possess. Even more, their cultures are very different. The Dragonfly live close to the Dragon and the Phoenix, two very spiritually aligned Clans. They likely consider it a waste of resources to flaunt wealth.

    Frankly, you find these surroundings a fair bit more comfortable than Kyuden Bayushi. For one thing, there's enough light to actually see everything. This, even more than the lack of gaudy displays, makes your journey through this castle quite enjoyable in comparison to the Scorpion fortress.

    Tonbo Akane takes you both inside to a sitting room with a wide table, where there is everything set to prepare tea. The guards remain outside by the door, easily within earshot should their liege raise her voice. The Champion sits down first, then motions for you and your superior to join her. You both bow, showing the proper respect for someone of her station, and settle down at the table.

    "You are making the tea yourself?" Yasuki Goro asks as the Dragonfly Champion pours hot water into a bowl filled with leaves and begins to whisk them vigorously. "You do us great honor, Tonbo Akane-sama."

    "It is the least I can do," Tonbo Akane replied. "For those who have done my people such a great service."

    You freeze, slightly, as you settle down upon your cushion. She's speaking of the cave, of the Oni... You force thoughts of that aside before impressions of the past can invade the present. You've no time for such things right now. The Champion's words are not specific, but there is nothing else she could be referring to. You glance at your superior, who looks back at you and shakes his head very slightly.

    "I'm not sure I know what you mean," Yasuki Goro responds, his tone nonchalant but his eyes narrowing. "We are just emissaries, making our way to the lands beyond your borders to entreat the Dragon."

    "There is no need to be coy, Yasuki-san," Tonbo Akane says. She looks up from her work and smiles at the both of you. "The letter you sent to the Dragon Clan Champion, Mirumoto Kensuke-sama, arrived swiftly and safely. It is just that the Lord of the Dragon wished to disclose its contents with me, as well."

    Yasuki Goro breathes in, his brow furrowing. He taps a finger on the table once, twice, three times before he lays his palm flat. He closes his eyes, and then breathes out. Finally, he opens them again and observes the Dragonfly Champion as she pours the tea into cups.

    "I will admit," he says. "That I was hoping Mirumoto-sama would keep a better grasp of that information until we arrived within his lands."

    "If you fear news of your deeds spreading far and wide, Yasuki-san, then please be at ease," Tonbo Akane says, passing over two cups of dark green tea to both you and your Lord. "I am the only one amongst the Dragonfly who has been informed."

    "Mirumoto-sama holds great confidence in you, it seems," Yasuki Goro says, blowing on his tea softly before taking a sip. "To entrust with you details of a matter this sensitive."

    "Mirumoto-sama trusts me with several matters, Yasuki-san," Tonbo Akane replies, smiling behind her cup as she takes a sip of her own drink. "The Dragon and the Dragonfly have always been quite close."

    Yasuki Goro merely nods in acknowledgement of the point, taking another sip of his tea. You, meanwhile, simply stare down at your own cup. This meeting has become… awkward. The atmosphere is not tense, per se, but it's certainly not what you were expecting when you walked up the stairs to sit down for tea.

    [] Speak up. (Write in.)
    [] Stay silent.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Stay silent.

    You'll note that both of them are being very careful not to give specific details on what happened.
     
    3.19
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Stay silent.


    You hold your tongue as your superior and Dragonfly Champion speak. It is not your place to comment, and you fear all you would accomplish is embarrassing your superior if you did. It would not be a breach of etiquette for you to speak, of course. Your superior invited you to this meeting, and the Tonbo Akane did not object. That allows you a small amount of leeway…

    But, you decide, it would be best not to act upon it. The situation seems rather delicate to you, and while you have had a great deal of experience in diplomacy the last few months you've no desire to make a mess of things. Yasuki Goro certainly has a plan in mind, so you will simply sit and observe.

    You take a sip of your tea to distract yourself, and blink in surprise. The flavor is so bold, and yet it passes by your lips so smoothly! You look down at the cup, noticing the liquid for the first time. It is very dark, far darker than the green and jasmine teas you are so used to. In fact, you are not certain you've ever had tea like this before.

    "Do you like it?" Tonbo Akane asks you, smiling. "It is a special blend grown upon some of the higher hills near the mountains proper."

    "It is delicious, Tonbo-sama," you answer. "I've never had anything quite like it before."

    "It is my pleasure, Hiruma-san," the Dragonfly Champion responds. "I make it a point to exemplify the hospitality of my Clan whenever possible."

    "And truly, you do a fine job," Yasuki Goro says. "I have nothing but praise for our treatment within your lands."

    "But still, you seem troubled," Tonbo Akane says, looking back to your superior.

    "I must shamefully admit that I am," the courtier responds. "Though please, do not take it as a slight upon the accommodations you have provided."

    "If you say it is so, then it must be," she says back. "But still, I would know what it is that bothers my esteemed guest."

    The courtier pauses but a moment, his eyes locked upon Tonbo Akane. She, meanwhile, did nothing but smile cheerfully and sip her tea. You narrow your eyes as you observe them. This has been like an exchange of blows, but with words. So far, aside from mentioning the matter of the cave, these have been testing strikes.

    You think… You think that Tonbo Akane is digging for information. Either that, or she is simply having fun at your superior's expense. But no, that makes no sense. Why would she risk antagonizing Yasuki Goro like this merely for her own amusement? The reward is far too small to gain the potential ire of the Crab Clan.

    Perhaps the Dragon Clan Champion did not tell her everything? you wonder.

    Yes, that seems the most likely possibility. Tonbo Akane has likely only been told part of what happened, enough that she would know dangers have been narrowly averted so close to her lands. What she is doing now is trying to divine the full nature of said dangers.

    You can't blame her for trying, not really. She has a duty to protect her people and defend the integrity of her Clan. It's just that revealing too much information leaved open the possibility of useless panic and, perhaps, others who would try to take advantage these events.

    Something that your superior, wisely, wishes to avoid.

    "I had heard that the Dragon did take great care of the Dragonfly," Yasuki Goro replies. "Though I must admit, revealing such delicate matters as this was not what I anticipated."

    "And do you think that the Dragonfly should have been kept wholly ignorant of the evils happening so close to our borders?" Tonbo Akane asks, quirking her head. There is no accusation in her tone that you can tell. In fact, she seems genuinely curious. "Or perhaps that I might not be able to keep it secret that a Maho-tsukai was tormenting those poor villagers near the edge of our territory?"

    "I think nothing of the sort," Yasuki Goro responds. "And I must apologize if I implied such. I was simply surprised, is all."

    "I suppose that is understandable," Tonbo Akane says with a nod. "So few truly understand how close we stand together."

    "I suppose I should have given the matter more thought," your superior says, crossing his arms and nodding as well. "For after all, are not the Dragonfly the honored gatekeepers for the Dragon?"

    "We do take a measure of pride in performing that duty," Tonbo Akane says with a smile. "I suppose you would like the proper travel papers arranged for your caravan?"

    "With as much speed as you can provide," Yasuki Goro answers. "Not that I do not enjoy your Clan's hospitality, but I fear we are on a mission of some great importance."

    "I can have them written up and in your hands in the morning," the Dragonfly Champion says. "The weather in the mountains has been quite good, and you should arrive at Shiro Kitsuki swiftly."

    "I must thank you for the speed at which you grant us passage, Tonbo-sama," Yasuki Goro says, bowing in his seat. "I believe I speak for all the Crab when I say we appreciate your efforts."

    "Please, no thanks are necessary for such a small matter," Tonbo Akane says. "I am happy to be of service to those who have given so much for the protection of the Empire."

    "I feel I must thank you still, for this aids me greatly in performing my duties for my Clan," Yasuki Goro responded. He took a deep sip of his tea, finishing the cup. "If you will forgive me, Tonbo-sama, I feel wearied from my journey. If I might be excused?"

    "There is nothing to forgive. I will have my servants escort you, Yasuki-san," Tonbo Akane responds. "I wish you a pleasant day."

    "And to you, Tonbo-sama," Yasuki Goro says back.

    You down your tea quickly and follow your superior as he walks out. A servant bows deeply to both of you, and quickly leads you back down one flight of stairs to the second floor. Down the hallway from the stairs he motions to two doors, set close to each other. These would be your rooms.

    Yasuki Goro nods as the servant walks away, and opens his door. From a brief glance you can see that all his possessions have been accounted for. Your superior has everything he might require for the evening before you head out the next morning.

    Which means, ultimately, there's little left for you to do right now. Within this palace Yasuki Goro will be as well protected as Tonbo Akane herself. Dozens of armed and armored Samurai will lay down their lives to prevent him from coming to harm. While less defended than some castles you have been in, Kyuden Tonbo is still a fortress. For the moment, at least, your duty is complete.

    That gives you options for the rest of the day.


    [] Retire to your rooms for the day.
    [] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [] Request some time to explore the city.
    [] Write in.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [X] Request some time to explore the city.

    These don't seem to be mutually exclusive and it would be informative to hear what Yasuki took away from the meeting.
     
    [X] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [X] Request some time to explore the city.
    [x]Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds.

    Exploring the city sounds good. and a potential quest point?
     
    Last edited:
    [X] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [X] Request some time to explore the city.
    -[X] Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds.
     
    Last edited:
    [x] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [x] Request some time to explore the city.
    -[x] Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds.

    Don't forget the bracket, guys.
     
    [x] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [x] Request some time to explore the city.
    -[x] Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds.
     
    Sorry to bother, but I could really do with a few more votes just to be sure I've got a consensus.
     
    [x] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [x] Request some time to explore the city.
    -[x] Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds.
     
    [x] Ask to speak with Yasuki Goro about the meeting.
    [x] Request some time to explore the city.
    -[x] Ask your monk friend to accompany you if he is on the grounds
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top