Kenshiru’s Journey – Story 5
Gisu Castle
And so, a few days after the end of the Setsuban Festival at the Shrine of the Ki-Rin, Kenshiru, Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima joined Otomo Yoroshiko’s grand procession travelling to nearby Gisu Castle for the Winter Court.
The Winter Court is a three month period during which the nobles of Rokugan assemble at various designated locations throughout the land. These gatherings are social occasions but also provide an opportunity to use courtly graces and political manipulation to gather resources and information. The young samurai were greatly honoured to be invited to the court at Gisu castle for in addition to it being attended by the Imperial Princess it was also to be the High Court of the Phoenix Clan.
Gisu Palace is surrounded by spectacular scenery and is famous for it’s festivals and celebrations. It rests high on a mountainside overlooking a perfectly clear lake. The palace has many balconies, most facing the magnificent view. In the evenings of late fall, before the first snow, members of the court gather on these balconies, to watch as the flaming sun dies each night over the crystal waters. When the winter snows come, the branches of the brown trees rise like fingers, nearly touching the sky. The palace is obviously built for defence against the elements rather than battles and sieges.
A small waterfall feeds the lake to the north. Its waters rising from a clear spring near the Ki-Rin Shrine. The falls are known as the Firebird Falls and they are a sacred place to the Phoenix. It is a place of mystical power. The uppermost level of Gisu palace is built so near to the top of the falls that a small rope bridge is able to connect the centre of the top most terrace with a small garden area built on the rocks at the top of the falls.
As the procession arrived at Gisu Palace the young lord of the area, Asako Kagetsu, greeted all of his guests individually. He stood with his guard at the top of a long staircase that lead to the palace gates for nearly ten hours as each of the noble and Imperial guests were brought in. To each guest he offered a small gift wrapped in coloured paper, and asked that they did not open it before the feast that would be held that evening.
After meeting Kagetsu, the four friends were escorted to an adjoining set of rooms on one of the lower levels. Although these rooms were below the balconies of the daimyos and the Imperial Princess their balcony still offered a fine view of the lake, down through the trees. Inside the palace was constructed with thick mahogany posts and richly painted rice-paper walls and sliding doors. Ornate carvings lined the outer walls and gates.
In each guestroom an exquisite kimono was laid out. These kimonos’s were of the highest quality and were made in the clan colours of the guest they were for. Each had the appropriate clan mon embroidered on the back and the family mon on the sleeve. No courtesy had been ignored.
Kagetsu’s Game
The feast that evening was a magnificent welcoming dinner, full of excellent sake and beautifully arranged food. Near the end of the meal Asako Kagetsu made an announcement about the gifts that had been given to each guest when they arrived. These gifts were to be part of the entertainment. Each was a small item that was part of a pair. The object of the game would be to find the person whose gift matched your own. Once you had found them you could ask them one question per day, which by their honour, they had to answer truthfully.
A hush fell over the court and then concerned voices began to whisper through the audience.
“Of course” Kagetsu continued ignoring the chatter “you are free to trade objects among yourselves, changing the game each time that you do. However remember that the person with the object that matches yours will also be seeking you so I suggest you keep your object hidden. There are only two final rules. The item you own can only be traded for another object which is in the game and it must be kept on your person at all times.”
Kagetsu smiled and after a moments hesitation Yoroshiko began to clap in appreciation of the game. Soon all of the courtiers enthusiastically followed suit.
Later, in his room, Kenshiru opened the small package that had been given to him and discovered that his object was an Ivory Hairpin. He turned it over in his hand and pondered the possible repercussions of Kagetsu’s game. It did not particularly concern Kenshiru that he might have to truthfully answer a question posed by another guest but he wondered how many others lived in fear of their secrets being revealed.
That evening Takashima was summoned by his daimyo Daidoji Ryuden. Ryuden was not typical of the courtly Crane clan. He was not very tactful and more suited to the battlefield than the courts. He was more like a Crab. He questioned Takashima in depth regarding what had occurred in the courting of the princess and was strangely interested in the events surrounding the Setsuban Festival. Particularly regarding details of the group of Ronin led by Niban and the location of their village. Finally Ryuden declared that he no longer required Takashima to court Yoroshiko but that instead the young samurai would be asked to represent Ryuden’s own interest with her. Upon meeting the young princess Ryuden had decided that she should not be turned over to a lesser man but that he would win her for himself.
For the next few days the socialising continued. Each of the samurai suitors found opportunities to pass the time with Yoroshiko in an attempt to strengthen their case for her hand in marriage. She in turn kept them on their toes and played games of politics in order to manipulate them. Sadly for Ryuden on all these occasions he was clumsy and awkward, and bored Yoroshiko with conversation of battle and tactics, until she started trying to avoid him.
On the seventh day Kenshiru was approached by one of Yoroshiko’s maids, Kakita Nantoko, who challenged him that she believed his item to be a scroll with a poem by Princess Yoroshiko written on it. Of course this was not the case but when Nantoko asked him to exchange with her because she feared that someone was close to guessing her item he agreed. She thanked him and told him that there was a private audience that evening where the Lady Yoroshiko would entertain a number of her more prominent suitors. Nantoko could arrange for Kenshiru and Jinsho to be admitted and the Lady Yoroshiko would like it very much if they would be able to attend.
A Simple Blossom
So later that evening Kenshiru and Jinsho put on their best kimonos and made their way up to the Imperial suite on the top floor of Gisu Palace. True to her word Kakita Nantoko had arranged for them to be admitted and they joined the Princess, her maids and the twenty or so other suitors who were inside. It turned out to be an unusual evening. Once again the suitors spent their time vying for Yoroshiko’s attention. Kenshiru and Jinsho remained somewhat apart from these proceedings. Kenshiru because he had no aptitude for, nor desire to participate in, the games of empty praise and adulation, and Jinsho, because he had no inclination to court the Princess.
After an hour or so Yoroshiko closed her eyes and sighed dreamily. “Winter’s friend? Not I… I would trade my fan for this… A simple blossom.”
There was scattered applause from the fawning suitors for this spontaneous haiku.
“If only a blossom could be found” she added with a faint smile.
There was a hint of challenge in her tone and Kenshiru and Jinsho were not the only ones to have picked up on it.
One of the suitors knelt before her.
“If there is a blossom to be found I will find it for you” he declared before rising and leaving the room.
“It is I who will succeed in returning with the blossom you desire”, said another.
Others were following.
The room was emptying rapidly.
“Come on” urged Jinsho, grabbing Kenshiru’s arm “I have an idea”
The two friends were not far behind the other suitors when they left the Princess’s room but the other samurai were all heading for the stairs and Jinsho hurried off in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going?” Kenshiru asked as he caught up with him.
“You’ll see” Jinsho grinned.
Jinsho led them along a corridor muttering distractedly to himself.
“I’m sure it’s here somewhere… It has to be nearby… Now we were on the west side of the palace so… Ah, there it is!”
Excitedly he dragged Kenshiru towards their destination.
Of course, Kenshiru realised, it was the rope bridge that led to the small garden area built on the rocks at the top of the Firebird Falls. If there were a blossom to be found anywhere it would be in that magical place.
Eagerly the two friends spanned the chasm. The water from the falls fell for many feet, crashing through the otherwise pristine lake surface and merging with the water from the lake far below. It was a long way down.
From the other side the view was spectacular, and even in winter the garden was beautiful to behold. It was an enchanted place. They did not have to search for long before they found a group of flowers still in bloom. Kenshiru reflected that it seemed a shame to pick one, but Jinsho leant down, whispering a quiet prayer to the spirits of the garden, and carefully took one. When he rose again he turned and offered the blossom to his friend.
“Here take it to the Princess” he said.
Kenshiru hesitated. He could not.
“It was your idea” he replied “I would not have found it without your guidance. It should be you who returns with it.”
“I want you to take it” Jinsho insisted.
“As we found it together we will take it to her together” Kenshiru suggested.
“If you are certain my friend” Jinsho accepted.
It did not take long for Jinsho and Kenshiru to return across the bridge to the palace and then to the Princess’s chambers. A small group of interested courtiers had gathered and they chattered excitedly as the two young samurai entered. It was quite a surprise that anyone had returned so quickly.
For a moment Kenshiru thought that he detected a slight smile on Yoroshiko’s lips but it was quickly gone.
The two young men approached the Princess and knelt before her.
“My Princess, on behalf of my friend and comrade Hiruma Kenshiru I present you with this flower from the garden atop Firebird Falls”, Jinsho declared loudly.
This time Yoroshiko’s smile was plain for all to see.
“Thank you Shiba Jinsho. It is apparent that the stories of you and your companions that we have heard at the Imperial court are not exaggerated. You are truly worthy samurai.”
She reached out and gently took the flower from his hand.
“This presents me with somewhat of a dilemma” she continued, “for I said that I would trade my fan for a blossom, yet there are two noble samurai and only one fan”. She eyed Jinsho and Kenshiru thoughtfully for a moment. “I think that as it was you who actually gave me the flower Shiba Jinsho I must give my fan to you…” She handed Jinsho the fan, which he hesitantly accepted, and then with a smile she turned to Kenshiru. Standing before him she added, “As I have nothing left to give you Hiruma Kenshiru you will have to make do with this.” And so saying she gracefully bent forward and gently gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Winter Passes
As the days went by the game continued. Kenshiru and Jinsho didn’t see much of either Shiniko or Takashima, both of whom had found romance amongst the numerous samurai and samuraiko who attended the Winter Court. Shiniko had met a handsome young Lion clan samurai, and Takashima was courting a feisty Phoenix samuraiko, who he had promised he would introduce to them sometime later.
Since Kenshiru and Jinsho were less than popular amongst Yoroshiko’s suitors after their success in finding the flower, they found themselves passing the time with an aged Emerald Magistrate named Hiruma Usigo. He had recently retired from his magisterial duties but was still greatly respected by the Phoenix clan members, particularly the Asako who were hosting the court. Coincidentally he had begun his career by serving as a magistrate in the Phoenix lands for almost thirty years. He seemed to take a liking to the two young samurai, particularly Kenshiru, because they had so much in common. Though he was old and partially blind his mind was sharp and he clearly remembered his youth. He obviously loved to reminisce about his duties and had plenty of advice for them.
After a few days Kenshiru traded the scroll with the poem on it with Jinsho for a beautifully made tanto. As Yoroshiko had written the poem Kenshiru would have liked to keep the scroll but Jinsho asked him to make the exchange as a favour because the person with the other tanto had found him. Kenshiru was obliged to Jinsho for finding the blossom so he agreed.
Not long after, Jinsho’s sister Iruko, who was also attending the court, invited him to meet a young Crane clan samurai who had been courting her. Apparently things had begun to get serious between them. With typical brotherly reservations about the situation Jinsho agreed to the meeting. When he arrived at his sister’s room he was greatly surprised to find that there was already someone he knew there.
“What are you doing here Takashima?” Jinsho asked warily.
“I was going to ask you the same question”, Takashima said with a puzzled expression.
“This is my sister’s room” Jinsho answered.
“Oh” said Takashima.
“Have you two already met?” asked Iruko.
The Poetry Competition
One day, while Kenshiru, Jinsho and Takashima were out walking before the evening feast a Phoenix courtier named Shiba Nessen approached Jinsho and begged him to trade items with him. He explained that the rather large and unpleasant looking Crab samuraiko who was acting as the Princess’s maid seemed to be attracted to him and that she had the matching object. He would consider it a great favour if Jinsho would aid him in avoiding the maid’s attentions. Jinsho shrugged and indicated that he would be glad to help. Thus he traded the scroll for Nessen’s object, which was a small porcelain doll modelled after the Lady Shinjo.
It was later, during the feast, that one of the suitors stood and approached the dais where Princess Yoroshiko was seated. He smiled at her and drew a golden fan from inside his kimono.
“I believe, my Lady, that you have in your possession the matching object?”
Yoroshiko returned his smile, and held out her own object for him to see. It was not a fan but a small white porcelain doll. The courtiers applauded whispering to each other of the Princess’s cleverness. The disappointed suitor withdrew.
Slowly, almost unable to believe it, Jinsho reached into the folds of his kimono and drew forth the matching figure. He held it there for a moment, turning it in his fingers as though making sure it was real. A whisper of expectation spread amongst the members of the court as they realised what he held.
He hadn’t anticipated this. What should he do?
Hurriedly Daidoji Ryuden rose from where he was seated and approached them. He made straight for Jinsho.
“Jinsho-san, you would do me a great favour by trading your item with me” he said. There was a look that could almost be described as desperation on his normally impassive face. “Please Jinsho-san”
Jinsho gazed up uncertainly at the Crane daimyo and then Takashima spoke to add weight to his Lord’s plea.
“Please do this Jinsho” he urged “You would also be doing me a great favour by agreeing to this.”
In a few moments Jinsho was persuaded and he handed over the doll in exchange for Ryuden’s object. Triumphantly Ryuden turned and held up the doll for all to see.
“My Lady” he declared “I only wish to know one thing.” The hush was audible as the court listened to his words. “What, above all else, would make you happiest at this moment?”
Yoroshiko nodded as the court whispered approvingly.
“The good health of my Uncle, Hantei” she replied “and a poetry competition by the fine members of this court.”
Those who wished to be involved in the contest were given two hours to come up with a poem. As one of the courting samurai Kenshiru began hunting for that perfect haiku that would gain the Princess’s appreciation. He was relatively skilled in the art of poetry for a member of the war-like Crab clan but he was still not that good, so it was not a simple task.
Not long after the contest had been announced Takashima also found himself sweating over the creation of the ultimate haiku. Though he had no inclination to court the Princess himself he had once again been embroiled in Ryuden’s quest for Yoroshiko’s hand in marriage.
“I need a poem, Takashima” Ryuden had said excitedly “One to woo Yoroshiko. Only this afternoon in the garden she spoke sweet words of love and told me that she had all but chosen me. She says that I need to prove my skills off the battlefield aswell as on. I know she has arranged for this poetry competition to help me prove my worth so that she can marry me. I don’t care how you arrange it, but you must get me a poem that is better than any other. I must win this competition. The honour of our house, and the Lady’s heart, rely on it.”
Time ticked by and still Kenshiru struggled to find the words. The contest was nearly upon them when Hiruma Usigo tapped him on the shoulder with his cane.
“Well let’s hear it then”
Hesitantly Kenshiru read his sorry offering.
“My… my… that wont do” Usigo wheezed. “Let me see, now where did I put it?” He began rumaging in his kimono until he had a crumpled piece of parchment in his hand. “Try this” he said, waving the small piece of paper in the air. “It was good enough to win the heart of my love, many years ago”, he added.
Kenshiru bowed deeply and gently took the poem.
It read.
“A snowflake’s beauty… unique beyond all compare… fragile, wonderful”
It was pretty good he had to admit. It was much better than his.
“But I didn’t write it” he said.
Usigo gave him a scathing look.
“You youngsters never learn” he admonished “Do you want to win the Princess’s hand or not?”
The hour of the contest arrived and Kenshiru sat and listened as each suitor stood and performed his haiku. Soon it was his turn. He felt confident that nothing that had been read so far matched Usigo’s poem but he could not claim it as his own.
“My Princess” Kenshiru said, so that all could hear “I am a warrior, I do not have the skill to create a haiku such as the one I will read for you, but if my heart had a voice this is what it would say.”
And he read Usigo’s words.
“A snowflake’s beauty… unique beyond all compare… fragile, wonderful”
The poem was met with great approval.
There were a few other performances and then it was Ryuden’s turn. Takashima watched nervously as his daimyo prepared to read the poem he had created. However as Ryuden started to speak he was rudely interrupted by Shiba Himitsu, the young Phoenix champion to be. Himitsu appeared to be slightly drunk and he had his own poem to offer in tribute to the Princess of the Hantei.
“A blighted flower… dandelion among chrysanthemums… A weed knows a weed”
There were gasps of anger and astonishment around the court and Princess Yoroshiko turned pale. Several of the samurai rose in protest, including Kenshiru and the host of the Winter Court, Asako Kagetsu.
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded Kagetsu.
“The meaning?” Himitsu sneered. “The meaning you will see for yourself. Tomorrow at sunset.”
Angrily Ryuden stepped between Himitsu and the dais.
“I formally challenge you to a duel, samurai” he snarled through clenched teeth “Your bad manners and impudent tongue have cost you your life.”
Himitsu nodded.
“Tomorrow at dawn then. And afterward I will produce my testimony about this… weed”
With fire in his eyes Himitsu presented a curt bow to the members of the court and then left.
The court was left in stunned silence.
After the incident the Princess retired for the evening and Ryuden stormed out in a rage.
Those that remained watched the performance of a play called ‘The Death of the First Hantei’ by the Shosuro acting troupe of the Scorpion clan. The play began with the war against the Shadowlands and the first defeat of Fu Leng, but ended with the mortally wounded Hantei being brought back to the palace at Otosan Uchi. While he lay dying, his sister Doji, the first Crane, tended his wounds, and Akodo, the Lion, and Bayushi, the Scorpion, stood ready to defend him.
Hantei turned to Doji and asked if he was going to die.
“No brother”, Doji replied. “Your wounds are not grave. You will live.”
Hantei then turned to Akodo and asked the same question.
“Your name will live on with honour, brother” the Lion answered. “A man with honour can never die.”
Finally Hantei turned to Bayushi and asked once again, “Am I going to die?”
Bayushi knelt by his brother and said coldly “Yes, Hantei-sama. You are going to die, and you are going to be alone, but one day we will come after, to be by your side again.”
The Hantei shuddered and died.
“What have you done?” Doji whispered.
Bayushi stood to face Doji and Akodo.
“You sister, cared for our brother’s body, Akodo cared for his honour, but I cared for his soul.”
After the play the remaining members of the court, who were overcome with a strange mix of eager anticipation and dread regarding the next days events, retired for the evening.
The Next Morning
The next day, just before dawn, the young samurai were woken by the sound of the alarm being raised. Guards bolted the doors and lit fires on the walls. Hurriedly they dressed and went to discover what was going on.
At first they could find no one who would tell them anything but then they ran into Hiruma Usigo.
“Ah… there you are”, he said. “Come with me.”
“What’s happening?” Shiniko asked, moving to help the old man as he shuffled along leaning heavily on his cane.
“We have a crime to solve” declared Usigo keenly “Shiba Himitsu has been murdered.”
The aging Hiruma Usigo led the young magistrates to Himitsu’s chambers, where an investigation was already underway. Asako Kagetsu was there with the Elemental Master of Water, Isawa Tomo, and his apprentice Isawa Uona, the winner of the shugenga competition at the Setsuban festival. They seemed to be studying the pattern of broken items strewn about the floor. As Usigo entered they paused in their deliberation. The old man took the opportunity to announce “These young magistrates are acting as my assistants in this matter.”
Isawa Tomo shrugged and returned to the investigation, while Kagetsu came to greet Usigo warmly. Shiniko, Jinsho, Kenshiru and Takashima were left to survey the carnage.
Himitsu’s murder had been particularly brutal. It was not a pleasant sight. A broken door marked the murderer’s entrance. It had been torn apart and what remained hung in tattered pieces from the frame. Nearby a low table had been overturned. A jug of sake had smashed and the liquid was mixed with Himitsu’s blood on the wooden floor. Himitsu’s body lay sprawled awkwardly. His blood spattered outward from several wounds. Most gruesomely his head had been completely severed and rested some feet away in a pool of blood.
After an initial inspection Jinsho and Isawa Uona elected to question the spirits to determine what had gone on. Unusually they discovered that there were no spirits in the area. It was as if they had all been scared away or removed.
Two major pieces of evidence were uncovered however; a letter addressed to Himitsu that had been hidden in his room and the testimony of an elderly woman who occupied the next room.
The letter read as follows.
Himitsu-sama
Y is not what she seems to be. My honour demands that I bring testimony before a formal court. However without someone of your stature to support me I could not even begin to approach such a gathering. I know it requires three such testaments to prove such a tale to be true and I suggest you talk to Y’s maidservants. One of them knows far more than she offers, and may be willing to help for the sake of honour. I know that years ago she was willing to speak. As for a third I cannot say. Perhaps if the tale is finally brought to light another way be willing to admit their part in the deception. Meet me during the hour of the Rooster on the twelfth day of Horse month, outside the castle where Sazanami Lake meets the Drowned Merchant River, and I will tell you all.
Below the words was a symbol that the friends recognised as Niban’s mark.
The elderly lady courtier who occupied the room next to Himitsu’s fearfully testified that visitors came to the room three times during the night.
First Ryuden had come. He was drunk and angry and he shouted a lot. The two argued and then Ryuden left.
Some time later the Ronin named Koan arrived. She had not heard what had been discussed because she had fallen asleep. She did not remember hearing Koan leave.
Then in the early hours of the morning more shouting and the sound of a struggle had woken her. She had peered through a tiny hole in the wall adjoining the two rooms and had seen a man fighting a woman that she did not recognise. After a moment they had disappeared from view and the next thing she had seen clearly was the figure of Ryuden choking Himitsu. She had been too afraid to watch any more so she had hidden until it was quiet and then crept out to find help.
After hearing the woman’s story the Phoenix, particularly Isawa Tomo, seemed convinced that Ryuden was guilty however Hiruma Usigo reserved judgement until he had spoken to the accused personally.
Shiniko, Jinsho, Kenshiru and Takashima went with Usigo to Ryuden’s room where he had been placed under guard.
The Crane daimyo’s eyes were hollow and darkened and he sat impassively listening to the evidence that had been found against him. He admitted going to Himitsu’s room earlier in the evening, saying that he had tried to talk the young Phoenix out of the duel, but denied murdering him. Jinsho was able to confirm this using his magic but they were no nearer to proving it.
After they had talked to Ryuden, at Jinsho’s urging, the four friends went to find Koan while Usigo returned to his room to meditate on the evidence. They found Koan in the garden and Jinsho asked him directly about Niban’s involvement with Himitsu. Koan was reluctant to speak of it but eventually he admitted that Niban had something against Princess Yoroshiko and that he had been supposed to arrive that morning with information that he and Himitsu would have taken before the Phoenix council. Koan did not know what the information was but said that he trusted Niban and that he was a man of his word. If Niban said he had something to say about the Princess he would be telling the truth.
After their discussion with Koan the young magistrates began to wonder if someone else had endeavored to ensure that Niban’s testimony would not be heard.
Things Are Not What They Seem
They returned to Hiruma Usigo and found the old man puzzling over a poem that had been left in his room by an unknown informant. The poem read ‘Three little kittens… And the Emperor’s Cat… Stares in the mirror… And sees two’
“What does it mean?” asked Shiniko.
“And who could have left it here?” added Jinsho.
“Both very good questions” Usigo mused.
“Could the Emperor’s Cat be the Princess?” Shiniko went on “If so then the three little kittens would be her maids.”
“Stares in the mirror and sees two” muttered Jinsho. “Three stare in the mirror and see only two.”
“It’s telling us one of the maids is not what she seems”, concluded Shiniko.
They turned to Usigo to see if the old man agreed with their assessment. He gazed back at them with a slightly surprised expression on his face. For a moment it looked as though he was going to say something important but then he slumped forwards onto the floor. He was dead.
A quick search of the immediate area revealed that his tea had been poisoned.
After alerting Asako Kagetsu and Isawa Tomo to Usigo’s death the four samurai went in search of the Princess and her maids. Kenshiru and Takashima headed for the Princess’s rooms on the top floor of the palace, while Jinsho and Shiniko went out into the gardens.
When they reached the top floor Kenshiru and Takashima found that the Princess’s rooms were empty.
“There’s something very odd going on here” Kenshiru commented.
The two samurai quickly searched through the maids’ belongings but found nothing that would suggest any of them were other than they seemed.
“Let’s get back to the others” suggested Takashima.
As they left the Princess’s rooms they realised there was a figure waiting for them near the top of the stairs. For a moment they didn’t recognise who it was, but then they saw that it was Jinsho.
“What are you doing here?” asked Takashima.
“The killer is cornered in the kitchens”, Jinsho said. “Come we must hurry.”
He turned and bounded off down the stairs.
Kenshiru and Takashima looked at one another and then set off after him. They found it hard to keep up.
The Kitchens
By the time they reached the kitchens the two young samurai were breathing heavily. Still a short way ahead of them, Jinsho waved them forward.
“Quickly, in here” he called before disappearing inside.
Beyond the doorway that Jinsho had entered the room was filled with thick black smoke. It hung so heavily in the air that visibility was reduced to almost zero.
“Jinsho wait” called Takashima as he and Kenshiru arrived at the threshold.
Hearing no reply the young Crane was about to plunge into the darkness when Kenshiru held him back.
“Where are the guards?” Kenshiru asked, “Jinsho said that the killer was cornered here but there are no guards.”
Takashima looked around but Kenshiru was right.
“I think we should proceed with caution”, Kenshiru added, peering into the dark.
Takashima nodded and the two drew their katanas before stepping inside.
Kenshiru moved slowly to the left, Takashima to the right. Both young samurai were straining their senses to detect the slightest movement but the inky black shroud obscured everything. In a moment they had even lost sight of one another.
Kenshiru tried to keep track of Takashima’s progress by listening to the sound of his footfalls on the stone floor but the smoke dulled the noise. The soot in the air made it difficult to breathe and began to irritate his eyes.
“Jinsho? Is that you?” he heard Takashima ask uncertainly.
There came a faint whisper in reply.
“Over here” it hissed. It didn’t sound like Jinsho.
There was a moment of silence and then the sound of something moving out in the darkness. Suddenly there was a grunt of pain from Takashima and a thud.
“Kenshiru” Takashima groaned.
With as much speed as was possible while the smoke blinded him, Kenshiru made his way through the blackness in the direction of the sound.
“Takashima” he called softly. And again more urgently when there was no reply “Takashima”
“Over here” came Takashima’s voice from off to his left. Kenshiru turned, puzzled by the change of direction. He was certain that the first noise hadn’t come from there.
Cautiously he moved forward.
“Kenshiru… that… isn’t… me” he heard weakly from back over to the right.
Kenshiru froze and at that instant he sensed something lurking in the darkness close by. There was a burst of movement and whatever it was lunged toward him. Instinctively he swung his katana around in a defensive arc and threw himself to one side. The blade hit something and there was a scream of pain. At the same time sharp claws grazed along Kenshiru’s side. The young Crab staggered backward, cursing the smoke. Phantoms moved in the dark and he could not tell what was real and what was imagined. He backed away. Fortunately he was not badly wounded but he had been totally disorientated by the attack.
Glancing around Kenshiru thought he could just discern a slight lightening of the gloom somewhere off to his right. He hoped that it was the doorway they had entered through and edged cautiously towards it. It came as a great relief to the young samurai when it turned out that he was right.
Once he was out of the kitchen Kenshiru sucked in deep lung fulls of air and then called for the guards. He tried to clear his head but he knew that he did not have long for Takashima was still inside. It was only during these few moments that he finally stopped to consider that it had not been Jinsho who had led the two of them down there. It had been something else. Something that had sounded like Jinsho and that had worn his skin. Something with a dark purpose that had driven it to lure them down to the kitchens intending to kill them. A shiver ran down his spine.
When the first guard arrived, Kenshiru instructed him to raise the alarm and fetch Jinsho and Shiniko, then he swallowed a last breath of air and plunged back inside.
The darkness immediately closed in around him again and he crouched low, listening; intent on any sound that would alert him to the presence of their adversary. He was still unable to discern anything through the gloom however and was forced to edge slowly forward keeping close to the ground. He prayed that the spirits watched over him.
After what seemed like an eternity spent fumbling around in the darkness Kenshiru heard Jinsho’s voice calling from somewhere behind him.
“Kenshiru. Takashima. Are you in there?”
Kenshiru hesitated for a moment, uncertain as to whether he could trust his senses. Was it really Jinsho this time? In the end he decided to take the chance.
“Jinsho, there’s something in here. I think Takashima is injured but there is too much smoke.”
Outside at the kitchen doorway Jinsho and Shiniko stood peering into the blackness.
“It’s no good Jinsho, I can’t make anything out” muttered Shiniko exasperatedly.
Jinsho looked thoughtful.
“Perhaps I can help”, he said mysteriously.
The young shugenga began to chant, expertly tracing arcane patterns in the air with agile fingers. As he did so a gentle breeze began to blow along the palace corridors. As the summoning continued the wind grew stronger.
Back inside the kitchen Kenshiru felt it too. The thick black smoke began to shift, agitated by the swiftly passing currents of air. Strands of darkness were caught by the wind and blown away. Gradually the smoke began to dissipate. It was still very dark, but faint outlines of shapes started to become visible through the gloom. Kenshiru readied himself. As the cloak of darkness that had shielded their adversary was torn away the creature would be forced to make a move.
Jinsho continued for a few minutes longer until the majority of the smoke had been cleared. Inside the kitchen was still quite dark.
“Now all we need is some illumination”, he said.
Gesturing again and muttering magical commands in a strange tone, he motioned into the darkness and gouts of fire erupted on the far side of the kitchen, spreading across the wall.
Shiniko gasped as the light from the flames revealed an alarming scene. Takashima lay in a heap on the floor, totally defenseless as an almost featureless black figure loomed over him. It’s claws were raised as if it were about to strike a final killing blow.
Without hesitation Kenshiru and Shiniko leapt forward but each of them knew in their heart that they were too far away to intervene. As the creature’s clawed hand descended toward Takashima there was a sudden hum of energy and bolts of blue lightning crackled in the air. The bolts streamed past Kenshiru and Shiniko causing the two young samurai to falter and shield their eyes against the sudden flash of light. The creature emitted a high pitched inhuman scream as powerful magical forces struck it and tore it asunder. It convulsed violently for a moment as the magic enveloped it and then it burst into flame. In moments it was nothing but a pile of ash on the stone floor.
Kenshiru and Shiniko turned. In the doorway next to Jinsho stood Isawa Tomo, the Elemental Master of Water. He lowered his hands and the last few sparks of magic faded from the room. But fire still glowed in his eyes.
“No one must learn of what happened here today” he declared in a tone that challenged any of the young samurai to disagree with him. “There are those who would twist these events against the Princess Yoroshiko. They would say that it was she who ordered the murder of Himitsu. She would be dishonoured and any stain on her honour is a stain on the Emperor’s name. No dishonour can be allowed to be placed at the feet of the Hantei family.”
“But how can we explain everything?” Jinsho questioned.
“There is nothing to explain” Isawa Tomo answered coldly. “Hiruma Usigo was an old man, no one would be surprised to learn that he now rested with his ancestors, and it has already been established that Daidoji Ryuden was responsible for the murder of Shiba Himitsu.”
“But he’s innocent” Jinsho protested.
“He is samurai” bellowed Tomo angrily. “A samurai lives to serve the Emperor. Any samurai would gladly die to protect the honour of the Hantei. Ryuden knows that he will be richly rewarded for such a sacrifice in his next life.”
The young samurai were silent. They knew that this was true. Chugo (Duty and Loyalty) is one of the main tenets of the code of bushido.
And so the matter was ended. As Tomo predicted Daidoji Ryuden committed seppuku, bearing the dishonour of murdering Himitsu in order to protect the Princess’s honour. The truth was kept secret. No one was told that the creature was responsible or that it had posed as Yoroshiko’s maid, Kakita Nantoko. The four young magistrates could only wonder when the dark servant had taken Nantoko’s place and what its true motives had been?
