QM's note - Not a lot of formalized votes here, but there does seem to be a general consensus stemming from the discussion I've seen. With that in mind, have an update:
-/-
You breath out slowly, fitting things together in your mind.
"It seems, Yogo-san, that you may find the opportunity you seek here after all."
It makes a terrible kind of sense, really - during the events leading up to the Second Day of Thunder, an appalling number of shadowlands creatures and tainted warriors entered Rokugan. The majority of them were destroyed outside Otosan Uchi, but a considerable number fled into the wilderness while the armies of Rokugan were too exhausted to pursue. Emperor Toturi has spent much of his early reign coordinating the forces sent to hunt down and exterminate those lingering remnants, but the Empire is a big place. It is entirely believable that twisted monsters such as that would attempt to create strife and discord in the Empire through underhanded means - the real surprise is that they were able to intercept the communications of a Clan Champion.
Hanzo stiffens briefly as the true import of your words sinks in, and then he nods. "The spirits of the Earth are the ones most closely associated with Jade." He says, a kind of baleful hate underlying his words. "Few things arose their ire like the corruption of the spirit."
"Would you be able to use your gifts to seek out other signs of them?" You ask slowly, considering the full implications of what this might mean.
"I... could, to a certain extent." Hanzo says after a moment. "The kami do not perceive time and space in the same way that we do. The spirits in that paper were not generally agitated, only when I asked about a specific individual. Tracking down other signs that way would be deeply inefficient and rather unreliable."
"I see." You nod thoughtfully. You suppose that infiltrators from the shadowlands would not be nearly so dangerous if any Shugenja could unmask them so easily.
"There is another prayer that I know which could assist." Yogo Hanzo offers. "The spirits of fire can be entreated to ward a particular location for approximately a day. Anything that bears any kind of taint is barred from entering the area. Normally this would be of purely defensive use, for it takes time to set up and the Ward is immobile, but I know of a way to imbue the prayer into an individual piece of specially prepared paper, for immediate deployment."
You raise one eyebrow. "That sounds... incredibly useful, Yogo-san. I presume there is a reason why this spell is not more frequently used?"
The Shugenja's mask prevents you from seeing his face, but you are fairly sure he is smiling. "Primarily because it wards against tainted creatures by, ah, setting them on fire, Soshi-san, and most buildings are constructed from wood and paper." He pauses to consider for a moment. "The activation is also fairly obvious. If I were to employ the spell in a particular room, virtually anyone with any kind of spiritual education would be able to tell that I was examining them for the Taint."
Which would also be taken as an accusation by many, and responded to as one would any other mortal insult. Yes, you can see why that would be potentially problematic.
"A method best kept in reserve, then." You say dryly. "Very well. I will make a written record of my findings, and then seek out Bayushi-sama. She needs to know about this."
"Know about what?" Bayushi Kimoko says, from her position by the doorway. You twitch slightly in surprise, for you could have sworn you were alone in these apartments with Hanzo. Still, it probably should not be a great surprise to find that your superior is skilled in the arts of stealth as well as being spectacularly lethal with a sword. And now that she is here, you can make your report.
-/-
It does not take long to convey the gist of things to Bayushi Kimoko, who for all of her creative approach to delicate situations still possesses a keen mind and the benefit of significant experience. What takes rather longer is the explanation of all of the details and the debates over the particular methods and likely implications thereof - your superior clearly wants to make absolutely sure of her position on this matter before moving ahead. All in all, it is completely dark outside by the time that you actually get around to finishing up.
Eventually, she sits back and nods thoughtfully. "This is, needless to say, highly significant." She says drumming her fingers on the side of the small table in front of her. "Very well. I will pass this up the chain of command, with my full authority attached to it. Our lord's need to know, and they will have the perspective and authority to make sure that this is properly acted upon."
She fixes you with her one remaining eye, and the intensity in her glare is enough to make you glad that you are already seated. "In the meantime, Soshi-san, Yogo-san, we hold this secret close. Tell no-one of your suspicions, until our lords have made their own decision. This is a direct order, you understand?"
"Yes, Bayushi-sama." You reply, Hanzo echoing your response a moment later. Your lord has given you an order, and you will obey. "If I may ask... what of Ikoma Genji?"
Kimoko nods. "Find a way to inform him that the letter was forged, but nothing more. That should be enough to earn the embassy, particularly if we can assist him further in the future. In fact... Soshi-san, you will attend the Winding River Banquet tomorrow. Use the opportunity to inform him in a deniable fashion."
"Hai, Bayushi-sama."
-/-
Fifteenth Day of the Boar
You awaken before dawn the next day, though with the coming of winter that means less than it otherwise might. Still, today is likely to be a busy one, and in preparation for a courtly activity you need to be sure that you are dressed appropriately and fully prepared for a public display.
It is as you are returning from the baths, making your way back to your quarters in the pre-dawn gloom, that you catch sight of her. Moving with deliberate grace, Doji Mariko is crossing the parade ground, having just left the tower, and is heading towards the castle exit. Daidoji Chen is at her shoulder, and her kimono is one of purest white.
The colour of death.
What do you do?
[ ] Attempt to speak with her.
- [ ] What about?
[ ] Follow and observe silently.
[ ] Respect her apparent desire for privacy and stay away.
