Kenshiru’s Journey – Story 7

To be completed…

The Scorpion Messengers

Throughout the Spring, Kenshiru, Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima remained in the Phoenix lands and continued to serve as magistrates to the Phoenix daimyo. They enjoyed great favour amongst the people of the Phoenix clan who held them in high esteem for their bravery and the noble deeds that they had performed during the year. They were provided with quarters and a number of personal servants to attend them and though the time of the Topaz Championship came and passed and the title of Topaz Champion was given to another the tale of the final duel between the Honourable Crab and the Dishonourable Scorpion was still remembered.

Spring was nearing an end when word came that a party of Scorpions had arrived at the castle. They were travel-worn and weary and had obviously ridden some distance. When they were challenged at the castle gate the party had stated that they had come on an important errand and wished to speak with the Crab samurai named Hiruma Kenshiru.

Based on his experience of the Scorpion clan to date Kenshiru was disturbed by the news. He chose to wait for his unexpected guests in one of the larger rooms in the castle and sent one of his retainers to bring them to him.

The five Scorpion who entered were led by a man who introduced himself as Shosuro Yamuchi. He was accompanied by two men and two women. Yamuchi’s manners were impeccable, he apologised for the delay it would cause but asked that he and his associates be allowed to bathe and change from their travelling clothes before they discussed the matter that had brought them there. For a host to refuse such a request would have been rude so Kenshiru was forced to wait impatiently for over an hour while they preened themselves for the meeting.

Eventually Yamuchi and his two male colleagues returned. The silver-tongued Yamuchi politely thanked Kenshiru for allowing them the time to bathe and complimented him on his hospitality before launching into endless pleasantries and small-talk. There seemed no sign that Yamuchi would get to the real reason for the meeting any time soon. This was to be expected however as the Scorpion were renowned for their subtlety. Kenshiru had not anticipated a forthright conversation and it would have been impolite for him to force the issue so he had to play along. Gradually Kenshiru was able to ascertain that Yamuchi and his colleagues were from Ryoko Owari, also known as the City of Green Walls. A city that was the focal point for trade in the Scorpion lands far to the south. Apparently a certain ronin had been making some disturbing allegations within the city and had come to the attention of Yamuchi’s mistress, the governor of the city, Shosuro Hyobu. According to Yamuchi the rumours that were being spread would concern Kenshiru in particular.

This revelation did not come as a surprise to Kenshiru who already suspected that the delegation was there in connection with Niban’s allegations regarding Princess Yoroshiko’s birth and that Tobuko was at the heart of it. What was of interest to him was what part the treacherous Scorpion intended to play in the matter. For long minutes Kenshiru endeavoured to encourage Yamuchi to disclose the Scorpion’s intentions, but with a fluid tongue Yamuchi was able to avoid any direct response. In fact he did not even reveal the true nature of the rumours but instead alluded only to the Imperial importance of the whole situation.

Eventually Kenshiru was unable to contain his impatience.

“Come let us speak plainly” he urged. “Surely for you to have travelled so far you must have something specific on your mind. You have already said as much. Let us get to the matter directly.”

Yamuchi paused for a moment and appeared to weigh the situation carefully.

“It is an awkward matter” he said, “and needs treating delicately but very well, if you insist. Has anything happened recently to cast doubt on the lineage of the Princess Yoroshiko, your betrothed?”

Kenshiru’s eyes narrowed. Finally the question that he had been expecting.

“Allegations were made by the ronin Niban” he replied coldly. “These lies were proved false when I slew him in combat and I would challenge anyone who spread them further.”

Yamuchi pondered Kenshiru’s response.

“As you say…” he said carefully, “there is no question that the allegations are false but unfortunately the slaying of Niban was not a formal duel sanctioned by the appropriate authorities. It proves nothing.”

Kenshiru did not comment, though he knew that Yamuchi was technically correct.

“The situation remains unresolved” Yamuchi continued. “Governor Hyobu is disturbed by such events occurring in her city, but there are others who are not of a similar mind. I hear that Sugai, the nephew of Bayushi Kachiko, journeys to our fair city from the south even as we speak. I believe you have had dealings with him before. The governor would like to see the matter settled before it gets out of hand, but it is not her position to intervene…”

Kenshiru raised an eyebrow. This was a surprise. He had not expected to find these Scorpions were his allies. He wondered if there might be some deception going on.

“Governor Hyobu would not be displeased to see Princess Yoroshiko’s betrothed arrive to defend her honour then?” Kenshiru asked.

“Such an eventuality would be to everyone’s benefit” Yamuchi observed, “except for the ronin of course.”

Kenshiru nodded. It appeared they had come to an understanding.

“We are very tired after our long journey” Yamuchi stated, rising from where he was seated. “I think it is time that we retired.”

Kenshiru stood. The meeting was ended.

As Yamuchi made to leave he hesitated for a moment and then turned back. He bowed.

“We have heard much about you Hiruma Kenshiru and we have not been disappointed” he said.

Their business apparently settled the Scorpion representatives departed the following day. As to Kenshiru and the matter of the Princess’s honour, no daimyo would stand between a samurai and his defence of a member of the Imperial line and so he was granted permission to leave the lands of the Phoenix and travel to the Scorpion city of Ryoko Owari. At their request his good friends Shiniko, Jinsho and Takashima were granted leave to go with him.

Farewell

Before the four friends departed they were summoned to the great hall where the daimyo thanked them for the services they had performed for the Phoenix clan over the past year and commended them on their honour and bravery. He said that he was saddened to lose such noble samurai but that he recognised that the time had arrived to release them from their responsibilities as Phoenix magistrates in order that they might pursue their own destiny. They should know however that they would always be welcome in the lands of the Phoenix.

At the end of his speech the daimyo presented each of the four with a small gold pin in the shape of a phoenix and ordered that their personal retainers and a unit of men be placed at their disposal. This was a generous gesture and the young samurai thanked their master for his kindness.

The following day they set off on the long journey south to the Scorpion lands.

Ryoko Owari

Five and a half uneventful weeks later the friends arrived at the city of Ryoko Owari. It’s massive green stone walls towered above them as they entered through the main gates. Inside they found the streets were a hive of activity, with townsfolk and merchants bustling to and fro intent on their daily chores. People from all the clans were present as the city was one of the most cosmopolitan in Rokugan. A focal point for trade, the native population mixed freely with contingents of Unicorn, Crane and Crab who were also residents of the city and a perpetual stream of merchants and travellers from other clans were always passing through.

Coincidentally both Jinsho and Shiniko had spent a portion of their childhood in the city and though their families had long since moved on it was still a kind of homecoming for them.

The city was particularly busy at the time the group arrived because preparations were already underway for the Bon Festival which was due to be held in a few days time. As a result it took some time for the young samurai to find an establishment with enough room to house their whole party. A task that was all the more difficult because in addition to the four young samurai there were now some two dozen servants and twenty soldiers to find space for. Fortunately thanks to Shiniko’s Unicorn contacts within the city they were eventually able to arrange for lodgings at the Inn of the Orange Blossom. A quaint little place in the merchant quarter run by a man called Hametsu and his family.

For the next few days the friends bided their time. It was an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the city and to renew old acquaintances or forge new ones.

Kenshiru made an appointment to see Governor Hyobu so that he might determine where she stood on the matter of Yoroshiko’s honour. He knew that the law dictated that any formal duel must be sanctioned by a samurai’s daimyo or, when this was not possible, by the local governor. This fact meant that Hyobu would have a large part to play in any challenge made against Tobuko.

A shrewd middle-aged woman, Governor Shosuro Hyobu appeared more than willing to engineer the duel. As Shosuro Yamuchi had indicated, she was aggrieved at the nature of the rumours that Tobuko had been spreading in her city and wished to put an end to the matter. Unfortunately however Tobuko was no longer within the city walls and could only be pressed into a confrontation when she returned. For the time being Kenshiru would have to wait.

The Inn of the Orange Blossom

A few days later the eve of the Bon Festival arrived. As dusk was gathering and people hurried home to prepare for the festivities that were due to commence just after dark, the four friends elected to enjoy a quiet meal at the Inn of the Orange Blossom. They released their retainers, so that they too could enjoy the celebrations, and made their way back to the merchant quarter near the waterfront where the quaint little establishment nestled on the corner of Saffron Street and Brass Avenue.

The master of the inn, the jovial Unicorn Hametsu, greeted them warmly and, after checking their weapons at the door, escorted them toward a private room at the rear.

As the group was passing through the common room, which was mostly occupied by simple heimin and merchants, Takashima noticed three of his fellow Crane at one of the tables. Among them was a member of his own family, the Daidoji. Takashima paused to introduce himself and discovered that the man was Daidoji Anitano, and his two companions were Doji Juzo and Doji Usiina, Crane merchants of some note within the city. They were engaged in a business meeting however and it would have been impolite to intrude further so Takashima rejoined Jinsho, Shiniko and Kenshiru for the meal.

Soon the young samurai were feasting on sumptuous food and drinking sake, telling tales of their adventures to one another. Hametsu, his wife Kimoko, and their young daughter Hakiku, bustled around cheerfully serving their guests. They were pleasant, smiled a lot and asked no questions.

Suddenly, without any warning, there was a loud explosion in the common room. Pieces of wood and ceramic ripped through the walls, some narrowly missing the friends. As soon as they had recovered from the surprise they all leapt to their feet and rushed to see what had happened. However they were unprepared for the sight that greeted them when they burst onto the scene.

The doors to the inn were shattered and torn from their hinges. Smoke hung in the air. Amidst the stunned patrons at the centre of the room an inhuman creature, much larger than a man, held one of the Crane dignitaries above it’s head. It stood around seven feet tall, had three eyes, a long slithering tongue and pods bulging between the ridges of it’s extended spine. Its body gave off a foul brackish smell and its black green body was covered in slime. Long dripping claws reached out to shred the man it held, ripping through muscle and sinew with little effort before casting him aside. Another Crane, barely recognizable as Daidoji Anitano, was lying in a pool of blood at its feet. The third, Doji Juzo, cowered nearby.

Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima immediately leapt into the fray but Kenshiru hesitated when he heard a tiny whimper and noticed a small form lying against the wall not far away. A dark stain was spreading across the floor. Fearing what he would find, he bent over where little Hakiku lay. Blood flowed freely from a wound in her chest where a large piece of wood was protruding. Despite her tears she was trying to be brave.

“No” he mouthed silently.

But he could see that the injury was too severe. The child was going to die.

“It’s so cold”, she said weakly. Her breaths came in short ragged gasps.

Kenshiru knew that it would not be long now. He wanted to join his friends who were fighting the oni only a short distance away but he could not leave the child to die alone. He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.

“Do not fear little Hakiku” he reassured “the Goddess Amaterasu will protect you.”

Meanwhile Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima were facing the oni. An already dangerous situation was made worse because their weapons were still in the alcove by the door. Heedless of the danger to himself Takashima threw himself between the oni and Doji Juzo trying to distract the creature from its apparent target. Its claws raked the air within inches of his face but somehow he managed to avoid them. Jinsho began chanting, weaving his hands in the intricate patterns that would summon the spirits of fire to combat the demon, while Shiniko attempted to reach the alcove and her katana. Ahead of her a ronin, one of the few patrons who was not too stunned to react, made it to the weapons and grabbed his own sword. He jumped courageously into the fray drawing the oni’s attention away from Takashima. Sadly the diversion was only momentary as the demon mercilessly turned on the ronin and disemboweled him with a thrashing of its long talons. He died with a slight whimper, an expression of horror and surprise fixed upon his face.

As the ronin fell Jinsho released a burst of flame that licked hungrily around the oni, driving it backward. The creature screamed in frustration. Behind it Shiniko grabbed her katana from the alcove and turned ready to do battle.

Almost simultaneously Kenshiru stood from where he had been kneeling by little Hakiku. She was dead. Kenshiru turned grim faced toward the demon.

Hissing and spitting disgusting yellow venom the oni reached toward the cluster of strange fleshy growths that protruded from its spinal ridge. With a savage rip and a vile tearing sound it pulled three of the lumps from its back and threw them to the floor with a sticky glop. The masses sprouted spidery legs and sharp claws and each of them opened three small glowing eyes. They grew gaping jaws that revealed rows of sharp yellow teeth and then skittered toward the samurai with phenomenal speed.

Jinsho incinerated one, which dissolved into a puddle of smelly black tar, but the other two engaged Shiniko and Kenshiru. They were dangerous little creatures, snapping their savage little mouths in repeated attempts to sink their teeth into the two samurai. Eventually Jinsho was able to dispose of these two as well, but in the confusion the oni had leapt past Shiniko and out the front door. It disappeared with a series of tremendous bounds that took it over nearby houses and across the city rooftops. By the time Shiniko and Kenshiru got outside it was gone.

… to be completed.