Endless Road - Part 1

From Heroes Of Rokugan
Jump to: navigation, search

Iuchigun Provience, in the lands of the Crane Clan: Spring 1138

It has been nearly two weeks since the Asahina lands were devestated by a massive tsunami and the roads were still clogged with refugees. All classes of Rokugani are here, and the emotions of them are just as wide ranging. Desponant was the most common feeling: peasant, merchant, and samurai alike all wondering how they would rebuilt their lives after the disaster. There was fear present as well: if such an occurance could happen once what would prevent the displeased Heavens from doing so again. Other people were angry, looking for someone to blame for their latest misfortune.

Progress was slow yet steady as the throng passed through the gates of Mura Sabishii Toshi. There was nothing "lonely" about this coastal city as the streets were packed with refugees from the disaster with more streaming in. The newcomers pressed forward, fighting for every inch of progress. It was a riot of sound and smells as people from all stations on the Celestial Wheel raised their voices as one. Some asked for news from the south, whether it be concerning missing family or talk of the military build-up along the border with the Crab. Others wanted anything that one could spare, for they had lost everything when the waves crashed along the shoreline.

Pressed in among the crowd was Kitsuki Ketsumei, newly appointed diplomat from the Dragon Clan. A dream of the Air Dragon had sent him southward from his mountain home on a mission of great importance. After reaching his journey's end at the famed Tidal Landbridge, the courtier of the Dragon Clan stayed to assist the downtrodden as best he could. Although not a wealthy man by any means, Ketsumei had learned to make the most out of what his lord had given him. Considered that many people on this road had nothing left at all, even the smallest amount went a long way.

His simple generousity was well received by those that needed it. A rice ball given here or there was perhaps the difference between starvation and survival. A little bit of medicine from his kit could prevent an infection from getting worse. Grateful smiles and deep bows were all the payment he needed, and if his actions of compassion improved how these people looked upon his patrons in the Dragon Clan then that was a pleasant side effect. Seeds planted to harvest one day in the future.

Ketsumei crossed into the Noble District of the city in order to make his presence known to the city's governor. Traffic was much clearer here, the Daidoji guards doing an excellent job of keeping the swell of humanity away from the upper classes of Rokugani society. Even so, there was a small gathering waiting outside the gates of the governor's estate.

A pair of samurai, both Mantis based on the mons on the back of their kimono, were speaking to the guard on station. While waiting his turn, Ketsumei looked them over. The one on the left had attire of a higher quality than his companion, although the other's kimono was certainly appropriate and well tended to. Both carried a full daisho, but it was clear based on how the blades were sitting on his hip that the samurai on the right didn't use it much. No, he favored the bow hanging across his back.

Both men bowed to the Daidoji on duty, then drifted to the side. Ketsumei took this chance to present his chop to the guard. As he stepped forward, he was able to see the front of both men out of the corner of his eye: the samurai with the bow was a Tsuruchi while the other was of the Yoritomo family. After a short conversation with the sentry, the Crane motioned for all three men to follow him inside.

A short walk later, the samurai were all seated in a well-appointed waiting room. At least Ketsumei thought so: it was clear that the Yoritomo expected something more lavish. His facial expressions gave his opinions away, as well as a not-so-silent side comment to the Tsuruchi that things are nicer on the Isles. Considering the fine silk of his kimono, it was plain that only the finest, most opulant things would satisfy this man. The Dragon just sat there, enjoying the tea the servants had provided, silently noting that the other Mantis wasn't interested in the room or the Yoritomo's opinions. No, he was studying Ketsumei.

The courtier shifted his eyes to lock on the Tsuruchi's. The Mantis's eyes widened slightly, not realizing his observations had been noticed. Ketsumei smiled a litle. "Never seen a Dragon before Tsuruchi-san?"

"Never seen a Dragon courtier before," was his reply. Clearly he was surprised by Ketsumei's directness. The other Mantis stopped picking the room apart long enough to watch the interchange.

"Am I what you expected?"

He coughed slightly before responding. "You don't have any tattooes." The Yoritomo beside him couldn't help but laugh out loud at that.

Ketsumei nodded with a smile, giving the man points for honesty. "We are not as flamboyant as our Togashi brethen, or as numerous as the Mirumoto, yet we are samurai all the same. With our duty to the Empire. Something the Tsuruchi are well known for."

Now the other man smiled. "Quite so. I am Tsuruchi Renraku, sworn to the service of Tsuruchi Meiji." He motioned to his right. "This is Yoritomo Ajiwau, servant of Yoritomo Aizune."

"Kitsuki Ketsumei, vassal of Kitsuki Baishon." The Dragon replied before bowing his head to both of them.

A short time later, Ketsumei stepped out of the estate, his audience with the young governor complete. A cold breeze encircled the Dragon, just like the wind coming down from the mountains in his home lands. Ketsumei found himself wistful for a moment. He really didn't have a "home", just his duty. Still unmarried, the Dragon Clan had not given him a bride yet. Therefore there was no one tending to his household, no one to raise the next generation of his line.

His thoughts turned to his own family for the first time in years. His mother was one of the few Kitsuki that could speak to the kami. Even stranger for a shugenja of the Dragon, it was the elemental spirits of air that were partial to her. That was the major reason the clan found her a husband from the Asahina, in hopes of developing a new line of shugenja to support the family's courtly activities. Although Ketsumei was born without such talent, Sakura showed all the signs of such a gift. Ketsumei loved his little sister, spending every second not devoted to his studies with her. Their lives were full and happy.

The youth was oblivious of the Clan War being waged south of the great Dragon mountains. Unfortunately the war did not stay there. His parents and sister were visiting a monastery less than a day from Shiro Kitsuki when it was attacked by marauding Shadowlands forces. The modest facility was razed to the ground. Everyone was slaughtered. Man. Woman. Child.

Ketsumei wasn't there when it happened: if he had been he would of been killed too. No, he was back at Open Eye Dojo with his sensei helping some older students prepare for their gempukku. Ketsumei remembered the messenger; the look in his sensei's eyes when he received the ill news... The memory caused Ketsumei to shiver, something the cold wind couldn't cause.

The sound of footsteps behind him freed the courtier from his memories. A servant rapidly approached, stopping and bowing to Ketsumei as the Dragon turned around. Offering a scroll, the servant bowed again before retreating from the chill in the air. After reading the parchment and looking at the chop on the bottom, Ketsumei groaned as the scar on his forehead throbbled slightly. With a sigh the Dragon headed off to the Warm Breeze Inn, wondering if again he would nearly die in the service of Emerald Magistrate Doji Oharu...

"It could of been worse," Ketsumei mused as he finished his tale. "None of them had bows."

Tsuruchi Renraku laughed out loud. The Dragon had just finished recounting the events of a few days earlier over lunch with his new friend. At least the parts he could talk about. Ketsumei knew some things couldn't be repeated, yet he still could keep the audience enthralled with the other details. Ketsumei survived unscathed, although his travelling clothes were still drying out...

"How does a courtier find himself in such situations?" Renraku asked after regaining his breathe.

"Just lucky I guess" Ketsumei said simply, which drew another laugh from the Mantis. "Thank you for the meal my friend, unfortunately I have a ship to catch. I have to be in Otosan Uchi in a few days."

Both men rose from their seats, leaving empty bowls for a serving girl to collect. "It was my pleasure Ketsumei-san. Perhaps you will be back in this part of the Empire soon. Next meal is on you."

"Perhaps Renraku-san," the courtier said with a nod. "The path of a samurai is never a straight one, yet I will continue to travel this endless road."

The other man blinked for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled as Ketsumei walked away. "Almost forgot he was a Dragon," Renraku mumbled.

"It'll be a shame you'll never collect on that meal he owes you." Yoritomo Aizune said as stepped up beside Renraku. "He has seen too much. We cannot let him put the pieces together. Kitsuki have a bad habit of doing that..."

The Tsuruchi waved off the man's comment. "I know that. He will not be a problem much longer." He did his best to ignore the uneasy feeling that that fact caused in his stomach.