Rumina's outburst appears to have soured the mood, because the campsite soon falls quiet afterwards, with everyone preparing for their bedrolls or otherwise settling themselves in for the night. Because of your spot in the center of the campgrounds, you are able to see the remaining squads come in one by one - first Eighth and Tenth squad, near the supper bell, then Second Squad, near sundown, with Seventh stumbling in after dark, navigating by torchlight and moonlight.
Despite your precautions, there appear to be no ambushes by the Seppun this night, and the watches pass swiftly.
The next morning dawns clammy, with a light fog covering the hills that will soon burn off as Yakamo rises in the sky. With daybreak comes a horn, a long and mournful sound emanating from the spires of Shiro Yogasha. Miya Masatsuko leads you all back to the castle, where the Seppun are waiting. Whereas before there was merely one lone Guardswoman, today the Seppun are in relatively full force - the bulk of the family are doubtless preparing with the Shogun's armies, but nevertheless there are a goodly number of the warriors of the Empire standing before you.
They are led by a figure in emerald armor, a man clearly of no small importance.
As the various squads slowly fall in, lining up in front of the rear gates to Shiro Yogasha, you note that many of them still appear fatigued from the previous day, with their late arrivals perhaps preventing them from achieving enough rest to make up for the fast marches of the previous day. As the last of you arrive, the miharu in charge speaks up with a firm voice used to conveying orders on the battlefield.
"Attention!" He commands, and the ranks snap to. "I am
shireikan Seppun Tasuke. Listen closely, because I will only explain this once. You are here to uphold the honor of the Seppun - and beyond that, to serve in the defense of the Empire. As members of the Sapphire Guard, you will be asked to work with old rivals and to put Clan enmities aside, in defense of the greater good. Even now, the armies of Iuchiban march. We have received word that the Great Carpenter Wall is once again under heavy assault - and, at the same time, that cabals of Bloodspeakers are moving through the Empire to parts unknown. Danger could come from anywhere and anyone, which it is why it is
critical," he says emphatically, "that you all learn to function as teams. As such, over the next few days your teamwork will be tested."
He turns to another member of the Seppun behind him, and receives a small bag roughly the size of two clenched fists, which he plunks down on the wooden stage next to him. "Many of you may have noticed that you were given very little in the way of food yesterday in your supplies for camping. This was no mistake. Rokugan is currently undergoing a serious shortage of food that is safe to eat and that has not been ruined by the Rain of Blood. While we have more than enough to feed everyone here for the moment," he says with a dramatic pause, "if you fail in your missions in the field, the army will starve. As such, for the duration of the training, food will
only be awarded to those who succeed in the challenges ahead. I realize that some of you may have dried or otherwise preserved foods given to you by your Clans as travel rations - while I will not ask that you surrender such items, I do ask that you refrain from using them during the duration of these challenges. I assure you, you will need that food far more in the days to come."
Two Seppun in the background bring out a large piece of slate, which has been drawn upon in chalk large enough to be visible to you all. On it are the eight mon of the eight great clans, interspersed over what appears to be a rough map of the surrounding area. "In order to test your cooperation, there are eight tests for you all to accomplish, at eight locations to found in the woods nearby. Your knowledge of the laws of Rokugan, provided to you last night, will be tested at every step; similarly, each location will test a necessary skill that corresponds in some way to the specialty of a particular Clan. Success at these challenges - provided that not too many of the other squads have made it to the same location first - will grant you points towards victory, as well as food for the days ahead. But be warned! Your squads will be tested as groups, rather than as individuals. The more of you who pass, the more of you who will receive food, and it will be up to you to decide how to distribute said food."
His gaze searches over you all. "Are there any questions?"
