Hey everyone! Before we get to the update, I wanted to tell you all that there's another L5R Quest here on SV! Gman has begun a
Ronin Quest, and it looks like it's going to be a wild ride. He's a great GM and knows the setting inside and out. So if you want to play some more L5R, and see Rokugan from a different perspective, I'd give his Quest a shot! Get yourself some more Samurai action in your life.
[x] Etched Steel
"Speaking of adventures," you say, noting something that Shirou said before. "What was your experience in Zakyo Toshi like? Or Ginasutra, for that matter?"
"Uneventful, for the most part," Shirou says. "Why do you ask? You've gone through them just a I have."
"That's true," you say. "But… Well, the caravan has been traveling near constantly because Dragon Lands are so far away. We really didn't get much time to explore either city."
"Ah," Shirou says. "I see. Well, I can't really tell you much. It's not like there was any great excitement when I visited either of them." He pauses. "Though Zakyo Toshi was certainly a fair bit rougher than Ginasutra."
"Oh?"
"Indeed," the monk says. "One time a few years ago six men decided they would rob us as we passed through, thinking three monks to be easy prey." Shirou gives a little laugh. "We handed them off to the magistrates with a few bruises, and ever since we have a no trouble when we visit that city."
"Word spread quickly, I take it?"
"Remarkably so," Shirou says. He gives you a considering look. "That is something you might wish to remember, Sosuke-sama. Word away travels swifter than you might think in cities. If I were you, I would take care as to what rumors spread from your actions."
"Thank you for the advice, Shirou," you respond. "Yasuki-sama has said some similar things, along with telling us to keep note of everything that is said to us." You straighten your posture a bit, remembering the courtier's words. "What we think we hear might not sign with what i actually being said."
"Yasuki-sama is wise," Shirou says, nodding. "But then, I suppose for one in his position he would need to be. The life of a courtier can be as dangerous as that of a warrior."
"Yasuki-sama tries his hand at the warriors arts as well," you say, looking at where the man rides at the head of the caravan. "He's a passionate Sumai practitioner, from what I hear."
"Indeed?" Shirou says, eyes widening a fraction before he joins you in looking at the courtier. "One day I will have to ask him if he would favor me with a training bout. I'm sure it would be quite invigorating!"
"I'm sure Yasuki-sama would enjoy that," you say. "He's mentioned looking forward to sparring with the monks of the Dragon Clan."
"I wouldn't mind trying my hand at that a well," Shirou says. He turns back to you and bows. "Thank you for the conversation, Sosuke-sama. You've given me some things to think about for the future."
"It was my pleasure, Shirou," you say, bowing back.
You make your way back to Yasuki Goro, who has since taken his eyes away from Kyuden Bayushi and is just staring ahead on the road. He nods his head to you when you approach, and you bow in response.
"Sosuke-san," he says. "Making the most of your day?"
"I have, Yasuki-sama," you respond. "I have just been getting to know the people in our caravan a little better."
"Not a bad idea," the courtier says. "I'm glad you're showing initiative and learning about your companions."
"It seemed the best course of action, especially since we will be traveling such distance," you say. "Speaking of actions, would you please permit me a question, Yasuki-sama?"
"Go on."
"Do you have a plan set for our time in Kyuden Bayushi?" you ask. "Is there anything you would like me to do?"
"Not as such, no. Aside from what I've already told you, anyway," Yasuki Goro says. "I trust you and Shasa-san not to go gossiping. I don't care if the Scorpion know where we're going or why we're doing it, but I don't want the details of my plan for the Dragon to get out. So keep that to yourself."
"Of course, Yasuki-sama."
"I will speak to the Ashigaru and servants myself, tonight," the courtier continues. "To let them know exactly what is expected of them." He sighs. "Chances are the Scorpion will learn more than we desire anyway, but I'll not make it easy for them."
You nod. This is, of course, the best way to handle your time in Kyuden Bayushi. Though the Scorpion will likely wheedle out more than you would imagine, you can do your best to ensure that this is as little as possible. Chances are you will be staying in the city for a few days, if only to ensure you give no offense and give the Scorpion no excuses to cause you grief. You will have to be on your guard during that time.
You stare up at the castle, smiling grimly. This is just another battlefield. A new one, to be sure, but you are not without the skills you need to hold your own. These last few weeks especially have helped teach you how to better handle the subtle dance that is conversation.
At least, you hope so.
o\O/o
It is late afternoon of the next day when your caravan reaches Kyuden Bayushi. The walled city is sprawling, surrounding the plateau upon which the castle rests. In size, it is very much similar to Kyuden Hida. That, however, is where the similarities end.
These buildings are made with more wood than stone, unlike the structures you are familiar with in your own lands, and every one has the Mon of the Scorpion plan set on it either as a marking on the walls or as statues atop the buildings. It gives the appearance of poisonous insects gazing from every shadow, waiting to strike. It is unnerving… Which might be precisely the point.
As you approach the gates to the city you can see the streets inside. They are bustling with people, an there is apparently a festival going on. From the look of it, it has been going for quite some time. Peasants are stumbling about drunk, indulging in games set up at little stalls. More than a few Samurai are wandering around with a stagger to their step as well, obviously well into the celebration. Merchants hawk their wares, mostly sweets and drinks when they aren't trying to push little trinkets upon those walking by. It is bedlam.
Children are running about as well, laughing and playing games with balls and other toys. Kites are flying everywhere, filling the sky with multicolored paper. Many such youngsters gather around jugglers as they toss knives into the air only to deftly catch them in dizzying arrays, and you even see someone breathing a streamer of fire into the air by blowing on a torch. These antics make observers cry in delight, clapping their hands and adding to the overall din of the celebrations.
Everything is color and noise and a thousand smells mixing together. All the stimulation is giving you a headache, and you put a hand to your skull to block out some of the tumult going on before you. You're not used to this… How can anyone function in such… such chaos?
"Halt!" cries a woman at the gate, startling you out of your thoughts. Standing there is a Scorpion Samurai wearing a mask that hides her lower face. A long scar travels down her face and through her left eye, giving her a menacing appearance. "You must present your papers before entering the city."
"Naturally," Yasuki Goro says, handing over the group's traveling papers.
The woman looks at the papers quickly, and scanning them with practiced efficiency, before handing them back to Yasuki Goro. She bows to him deeply, almost going parallel to the ground. That makes you blink. This is a remarkable amount of respect to show someone of another Clan.
"Welcome, Yasuki Goro-sama. My lady Bayushi Chisata-sama has been expecting your arrival." She straightens and lets out a piercing whistle, which brings two more Samurai out from the nearby guardhouse. "These men will escort you to the castle."
"Very well," Yasuki Goro says, pocketing the travel papers. "Lead on."
"Make way!" one of the men calls, walking forward. "Make way for guests of the Daimyo!"
The two Scorpion Samurai clear a path for your caravan, pushing people aside and making room for your wagon. Many grumble and curse at shoving, but a glare from the Samurai stops anyone from raising a fuss. Peasants are not going to cause issues with armed an armored Samurai, even if drunk, and none of the Samurai partaking in the celebration are foolish enough to interfere with the business of their own Daimyo.
As you walk you slowly get more used to all the commotion going on, and the pounding in your skull fades away. You have a chance to better observe the streets, and you can see there are lanterns hanging all around. They're not lit yet, but during the night they will give off an orange glow.
They're almost red, really. That causes you some confusion. How, then, is anyone supposed to tell the difference from the regular streets from the red lantern district… You shake your head and decide not to think on it too much. Nothing good will come of it.
You arrive at the forest surrounding the castle more swiftly than you would think considering the celebration. Within the forest are tall walls made of stone, and the guards take you through a short but well made labyrinth. You can see how it might be a little confusing to navigate, but the Scorpion Samurai seem to know the way by heart, and in minutes your group reaches the other end and comes out toward the castle. As you exit those twisting paths, you look back and nod.
"Not the most difficult maze," you mutter. "Not nearly enough turns."
"If you believe it so, then of course it must be," one of the guides says with some humor in his tone, and you can't help but feel he's making fun of you a little. You glare at him, but beneath his mask he appears the absolute soul of innocence.
Of course he does, you grumble in your mind
. And I'll bet everyone else will look just the same as they crack jokes. You sigh.
These people are odd.
"On behalf of my lady Bayushi Chisata-sama," an older, fairly good looking man say from the front gate, dragging you away from your musings. His mask is more like a veil, keeping his lower jaw just out of view. "I welcome you to Kyuden Bayushi. I am Bayushi Yarato, the honorable Daimyo's majordomo." He bows to you all, his fine kimono flourishing a little with the motion. "Rooms will be provided for you all, of course. And if it pleases you, Yasuki Goro-sama, my Lady wishes a meeting at your earliest convenience."
"I would be honored," Yasuki Goro responds. "Does the esteemed Bayushi Chisata-sama desire this be a private meeting?"
"I could not say for certain, and would not dream to presume upon my Lady's intentions," Bayushi Yarato says as he straightens. "Though if you would allow this humble servant to express his own meager observations, my Lady did not appear as if she desired expansive company this evening."
"I see," Yasuki Goro says, giving the man a small bow. "Thank you for sharing your thoughts. There can be no doubt that you, being so close to your Lady, would know her desires better than anyone else. As is only natural, for one in such an esteemed position as yourself."
"Your words give me too much credit," Bayushi Yarato says, bowing again. "I am but a humble servant, doing my duty for the Clan and Empire." He looks up, and you think you see a smile underneath that translucent covering. "Just as we all do."
"No doubt," Yasuki Goro responds. He turns back to you and Shasa, speaking in a lower voice. "You may accompany me, if you wish. I will not require you to, however. At this point, it seems like Bayushi Chisata-sama wishes for a more restrained meeting."
[] Go with Yasuki Goro.
[] Go down to the city.
[] Write in.
Sosuke has taken the time to better get to know his companions, and in doing so has become perhaps a little bit closer to them. As such, he has earned 1 experience point.
