Yogo Hiro
Ronin
Daimyo * Shugenja * Air * Water * Ward Master * Hisas RP Yogo Alt.
Posts: 12
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Post by Yogo Hiro on Oct 7, 2011 19:45:10 GMT -5
Koi? Of course. Hiro again felt a fool, he had heard of the Jade arm but his grief or age prevented him from remembering the stories of Kisos father. He sheathed his blade and knelt beside Kiso and the other Scorpion whose name he didnt care to learn.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Oct 9, 2011 16:29:07 GMT -5
His shugenja had done their job. The spell had brought him instantly to Kyuden Bayushi as promised, as well as the vomiting fit. After mastering his body once more, Honzo immediately contacted his agents throughout the city. All was ready for him.
Several disguises and faces later, he was inside the castle. No one must ever know how the Master of Shadows got in, and that was just as he wanted it. A washerwoman became a blacksmith. A blacksmith became a messenger. A messenger became a castle guard. And a castle guard became a gardener in the service of the Bayushi. Once fully infiltrated, he became himself once more.
He signalled ever so subtly to his agents throughout Kyuden Bayushi. They would guard their master now. Even here, the Spider had agents too. He rooted them out whenever he could, but more seemed to squirm their way into Scorpion lands and into secure bases. His spies and agents had yet to discover how they were getting in without discovery, but secrets like that always were found by Honzo. No one kept secrets from him for long.
The Master of Shadows moved undetected throughout the castle. His compulsion to eavesdrop and gather more secrets had to be carefully tempered now. He had more important business and his "nightingales" always brought him information anyway.
He finally came to the room he knew that the Kiso-sama and the Yogo were hard at work. He decided a little theatricality would be just the thing. Using passages he and his agents used frequently, he slipped into the room.
Three men knelt there, rummaging through a pile of scrolls. Some were new, others quite old. Some of the old ones were even crumbling a bit and fraying on the ribbons that sealed them.
The Yogo was there, Honzo saw. He had obviously failed in his experiments. Honzo had no doubts that he would fail, but even if one of his agents had warned him, the man wouldn't have listened. The Yogo were too obsessed with power to stop because someone tells them to.
Kiso-sama was also there. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and his hands showed that he had been handling Senshi-sama's treatments with his bare hands. Angry welts erupted all over Kiso-sama's hands, and it was a wonder that he could work at all.
The younger man next to Kiso was one of his family, a Shosuro. He looked frantic, scooping up heaps of scrolls, throwing ones aside carelessly and his eyes behind his mask darting here and there. He was of no consequence to Honzo's presence. For the moment that is.
He decided to wait in the shadows a bit longer and studied the trio. Each man genuinely wanted to help Senshi-sama. He detected no falsehood or attempts at subtlety and guile. If he had, he would have killed the one on the spot and let the other two fumble about asking for an explanation. Honzo decided that it was time to set his entrance into motion.
A subtle nod to one of the servants in the room and she moved in to offer the three men tea. At the same time, he decided to emerge from his shadowy alcove towards the men. "Your delay is killing Senshi-sama, my lords." Honzo's voice echoed around the chamber and could not suppress a smile beneath his mask when the trio started from his sudden entrance. "Why have you failed to act, Kiso-sama? Did not I instruct you not to fail? I told you to act, and you sit here going through useless scrolls. Your father's spell is not there."
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Oct 10, 2011 9:34:12 GMT -5
Kyo's first reaction to the man's entrance was to immediately put down the man. He quickly squashed that feeling as he realized who the man was. He stood and bowed. Kyo knew who the man was even if he had never met the man. He ignored the woman asking for tea as he knew she was probably only a distraction.
He watched the man and waited to see what the Master of Shadows was going to do. He wondered of course if the real Master of Shadows was this man, or if he was using a subordinate as he was rumored to do often.
(I figure if you really are a high up member of our family I would have a general knowledge of your existance ;P )
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Oct 11, 2011 7:01:02 GMT -5
Even in the late night, the guard posts were well maintained in these tense times. However little really drew the attention of the budoka and the few samurai who maintained the posts routinely. They had only intensified their vigil upon hearing the return of the Scorpion Champion, although the nature and the state of his condition was kept relatively secret.
But the night was broken by the sound of a lone rider pounding through the darkness. Lanterns were drawn and the guard shuffled a bit. Hardly an army, and no bandit would be so foolish to ride alone. But they were not even fast enough, as the quickest of the budoka just caught a glimpse of the rider as they rode past at an absolute blitz of a speed. The sheen of the horse's coat, and the shine of the rider's armor.
"Bayushi Haruka-dono..." The words had no sooner left his lips when they soon realized that there would be no way to stop this rider or alert anyone fully in advance. Under any other circumstance they never called on the powers of the shugenja at this hour, but luckily enough they were able to gain the assistance of a Yogo stationed at their post and taking his rest. Within moments the secret whispers of the air kami echoed in Soshi Kiso's ears. A single, one way message.
"She is coming."
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Post by Soshi Kiso on Oct 11, 2011 18:31:46 GMT -5
Kiso knew his father's spell wasn't here, he didn't need some ninja to tell him that. He was looking for clues to it's location. He had been through all of them before at one time or another in his life, but he had never been seeking specific knowledge.
He stood up, feeling the weariness in his legs in the process. Turning to face Honzo, his faced turned to stone. You bring me a method that might well kill the Champion and expect me to... jump on it?! He made no attempt to hide the anger in his voice. You do not instruct me to do anything. These useless scrolls... just might give us the option we need for Senshi-sama's future!
You are not in charge here, ninja. Hiro-san and I have been put in charge of caring for our Lord. I deem it necessary to explore all our options while we have the time, and none of them will be put into action until..... His thoughts we're interrupted by a whispered message in his ear, She is coming. Good, it felt like he'd been awaiting her return for weeks.
...Haruka-sama gets her input. This was apparently just what he needed, the anger at being questioned had raise his temperature, and he could no longer feel the ache in his legs. The blistering on his hands however, was flaring madly. The Mistress of Secrets will be here within the hour. So unless you have a new solution to present, we have work to do... He wasn't sure how Honzo was going to react, but he knew he had not made another friend this night. It was the first time he had truly spoken with such anger.
The words of prayers to fire kami danced in his head. No one was going to stop him from obtaining knowledge that might aid Senshi.
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Yogo Hiro
Ronin
Daimyo * Shugenja * Air * Water * Ward Master * Hisas RP Yogo Alt.
Posts: 12
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Post by Yogo Hiro on Oct 11, 2011 19:14:43 GMT -5
Hiro was beginning to grow impatient with the exchange between Kiso and Honzo. Their bickering was unbecoming of daimyos and they were beginning to remind him of the Crane courtiers of his youth. Stop this foolishness! he bellowed at the two samurai. Honzo-san, Kiso-san and I appreciate the offer of help, but we cannot be hasty. Our spells have slowed the infection long enough for his wife to get here. While Senshi-sama is unavailable to lead, that duty falls to his wife as hatamoto as you well know. Your scroll is dangerous and I would sooner take my life before casting it. As Kiso-san said, she is on her way, you can help us search for safer alternatives or you can take your leave, I do not care which.
He went back to reading the scroll in his hand. It was an epic flowing poem about the Koi clan, their achievements, and duties. It was obvious it was written by a member of that clan, the praise of their achievements in the Winter Court for their poetry went on for a full canto. It was the final canto that caught his attention. It spoke of Kiso's father and a temple in Otosan Uchi where he conducted his studies. The temple would be rubble now, but there was a chance that some of the old shugenja's scrolls and tomes could be found. Kiso, he whispered without pretense of formalities, look at this.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Oct 11, 2011 23:26:22 GMT -5
((for the sake of sanity and the sake of progress, I'm going to have to press it forward to her arrival.))
Within minutes, well before any of the guard could have anticipated, the battery of the stallion's hooves stopped before the grand building that was Kyuden Bayushi. Those standing watch at this hour all tensed briefly, and though it would be strange to them at first for such a reaction the appearance of the rider would soon explain their unease.
Haruka came storming in, her arms bursting the doors apart as she didn't even hesitate to allow the servants to part them for her. Her armor was splendid, flaring a brilliant red and gold against the lights, but more notably a massive lion pelt cloak hung over her left shoulder and draped all across her back. The faint outline of a mon hidden by her form as she wore it, and the head of the lion resting protectively over her left shoulder.
Her voice blasting through the halls with the authority and rage she had built up over the past weeks. "WHERE is MY husband!?"
The attendants immediately groveled at her appearance as she came striding over to one, her feet beating against the floor with an intense force that could be heard through the halls. "Where is Soshi Kiso, take me to them now." She grit her teeth when speaking to the attendant, following after him in her full armor, even striding through court with her weapons still affixed to her.
Riku lazily went back to the stables to check on the recovering mare, Rin, gently nosing a greeting as they were reunited over the fence. Although such a delicate greeting would likely be reserved for the horses in Haruka's mind. She wanted answers, now.
The servant continually lead her to where her husband was now unconscious, explaining things to her in a terrified and subdued tone. "B-b-bayushi-dono, he is, that is.. he is rather out of sorts, mistress. Bayushi Senshi-dono... he is, he cannot speak or move. He is very ill and the Soshi-dono..." Haruka continuing to walk with a dominant authority as she was lead to the very room they were all shuffling about in. Her hands flexed in the quiet as the gentle clenching of her leather gloves could be heard, while her eyes fixed on those before her.
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Post by Soshi Kiso on Oct 11, 2011 23:34:45 GMT -5
Kiso saw her first, gleaning with a sweat that made both her armor and face shine. She looked ready to do battle. If you placed a katana in her hand, that's exactly what Kiso would have thought she was doing. He stood up from peering over Hiro's shoulder, and bowed low.
Ha-Haruka-sama.... He had thought he was prepared to say more, but the words fell right out of his mouth.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Oct 12, 2011 1:54:53 GMT -5
"Enough of this hesitation. I've been apart from Kyuden Bayushi, rid of the grasp of the snaring words and the slashing arguments of court, and here I find myself still catching rumors..."
Her voice remained intensely even, too infuriated to even meet eyes with the others gathered there. "Rumors that MY husband has recanted and that the Scorpion have cast their fate to Hantei. And now return to my home to find that he doesn't even have the strength to speak with me.
Tell me, someone please tell me, just what has happened so that we can correct this. There are so many words to be had, and my time is short." Her words sliced through the air as she practically glanced out the window as though expecting some sort of beacon to call her back away to the needs of the Toturi supporters.
She knew she stood practically alone in a den of the Hantei supporters, but now if ever was the time she had to stand without so much as a flinch.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Oct 12, 2011 7:59:38 GMT -5
The Master of Shadows took Kiso's rant in stride. He has lost face. He's afraid. Afraid of failure. I can see that now. He is burdened too greatly; he thinks he must find the answer to this alone. Honzo fell into Heart of Stone to calm his thoughts and block out emotion. He must be still and weather the storm. Kiso thinks me impertinent, but really I am his closest ally in this struggle.
He did not rise to the bait and begin a shouting match. That would avail nothing. Making Kiso-dono his enemy was never the intention. Kiso was the best man for the job, but he was misconstruing Honzo's intent. If only he knew that the instant that the Master of Secrets collapsed, his agents had rooted out a couple of Spider assassins who planned on killing Senshi on his way back to Kyuden Bayushi. They had been dealt with. What Kiso should be grateful for most of all, was the assassin they had sent to kill Kiso himself had also been eliminated just the other night, as he was tending their fallen lord. Honzo's best agents had been posted to oversee to their Champion's protection, and it was a cautious gesture that was wise in its implementation. It was the reason Honzo was impatient. The longer that Senshi-dono was out of commission, the more that the Spider would see the Clan as being vulnerable.
As for the Yogo, he had a point. Honzo's tact could have been different. If only so much didn't weigh upon his mind right now. The two shugenja had no idea just what might be at stake here, and indecision and delays could be fatal. The two shugenja along with their best peers could pull off the ritual, which is why The Master of Shadows suggested it in the first place, with emphasis on the time to ensure Senshi-sama's survival.
What Honzo saw now on Kiso-sama's haggard, angry face was his fear. He hadn't slept and he was desperate to find the solution that would save not just Senshi, but his arm as well. He sought the spell of the legendary 'Jade Arm', or clues to its location. What Kiso didn't know, was exactly where to look.
After Hiro-sama exhaled loudly and brought Kiso's attention to one scroll, the two shugenja were again too wrapped up to listen to Honzo. It was only a slight insult that his presence was being ignored for the moment. Honzo did not wish to disturb their research over a trifle.
When he heard the shouting coming from the hall, he knew immediately who it was. The doors burst open, but the samurai-ko he had expected to see, all in crimson and black silks did not appear. This samurai-ko was dressed more akin to her roots. A lion pelt cloak and leather gloves and riding boots adorned a very angry and travel-stained Bayushi Haruka. Honzo had never officially met her, but he could see her belly swollen with child under her accoutrements. The future of the Clan is there. She must be protected as well. I'll make the arrangements later.
When her shouting had ended and the room stood silent, it was Honzo who decided to break the tension. He bowed low, as befitting her station as hatamoto. "Bayushi-dono, you do us great honor by your presence. I am saddened to tell you that the rumors are true. We are now aligned with the Emperor Hantei. Senshi-dono agonized over his decision. In the end, he did what he thought was right. However, there is more. Mistress, it grieves me to tell you that your husband is gravely wounded...by his own hand. To show the sincerity of our allegiance to the Hantei, he burned off his own right hand. Now, the wound festers and he may well lose his arm, if not his life. We...the loyal servants to Senshi-dono, have been quite diligently seeking a means of saving the Champion's life. Methods have been posed by all of us. Disagreements divide our cause, and the Champion's last lucid words were to summon you to his bedside. He has not regained consciousness since. We are pleased to see you Mistress, for your arrival solves two problems and will offer us the means we need to save your lord husband's life."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Oct 12, 2011 8:38:00 GMT -5
Haruka seemed almost stilled by Honzo's even nature in this matter. Inwardly she was impressed, but for the moment no such sentiment crossed her expression. At the very least she seemed to settle her hurried form down, her hand relaxing as she had finally arrived after so many report and rumors. Too long of a time had her questions gone unrequited too long had her thoughts weighed down on her like an armor too heavy for her form.
She looked straight at this new face, not having seen him before herself, but her eyes took an appraisal and at least recognized his nature. His words parted her fears and she would have all the information she craved. And better still, for the moment he seemed to rise above any fear of her.
"Speak Shosuro-san." Her gloved hand rising in its usual pacifying gesture practically pulling him from the bow. "If my husband was so wise, he would not need me. But that it hardly the matter at hand now." She actually stopped a moment, turning to her side to regard some otherwise disregarded ikebana piece that still remained, in spite of the research tearing through the room. The single flowering piece among the carefully selected vines and ferns that gave the singular bloom all the more an effect.
More so, she had given herself a stance that was less impacting, allowing them to speak more freely. And while she was still intimidating, it wasn't as though any of them were in any danger now because of her. Well except maybe for Senshi, but he was not even capable of defending himself now, and such dishonorable thoughts were far from her mind.
She shook her head a moment as she kept her eyes averted in the unspoken attempt to gain their words. The rush and the anger of it all now being shoved back down inside again. "You speak of options and treatments that are available to him." She nodded to herself, knowing her duty and why she was summoned. "Tell me all the options and I will make this decision for him. He is still alive now, and that much I am grateful for, but clearly more is needed. Tell me everything."
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Oct 12, 2011 9:49:45 GMT -5
Kyo kept his face and outward appearance calm nad in check. He had seen many armed men and thugs come yelling and scream many a time, but not had not scared him nearly as much as the expecting mother in front of him. He made sure to keep the fear inside and out of his eyes. No need to appear weak here.
If anything he was thrilled, he was havin ga chance to help the honorable Scorpion Champion himself, not to mention the Damiyos who were among his retinue trying to cure the disease struck Bayushi-dono. He bowed deeply before Haruka and stood there silently, not trusting his voice. Waiting for the chance that he sould be needed for a task.
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Yogo Hiro
Ronin
Daimyo * Shugenja * Air * Water * Ward Master * Hisas RP Yogo Alt.
Posts: 12
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Post by Yogo Hiro on Oct 12, 2011 10:21:30 GMT -5
Hiro stepped forward now that Haruka had seem to calm somewhat and bowed to her. Haruka-sama, here are the options we are currently considering. Honzo-san has delivered a scroll that will restore his arm as a lifeless hunk of crystal. The infection will stop, but if we fail in casting the ritual it could turn the Master and all present to crystal as well. Kiso-san is searching for the legendary Jade Arm his father made. It would return the use of the arm to Senshi-sama. As for myself, I attempted to alter a ward designed to combat infections caused by Taint in an attempt to salvage his natural arm... but I failed. He regret in his voice apparent in his last words. We are all agreed at this point our only hope at saving Senshi-samas life is to remove the arm. Kiso-san and I slowed the infection enough to carry out his last wish of seeing you before he fell unconscious. As his wife, and hatamoto of the Scorpion, it is your decision as to how to proceed.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Oct 12, 2011 11:22:31 GMT -5
Haruka remained silent for the time, taking in their words until the choices were all presented, her mind churning all the while in thought as she knew the burden now fell on her to make the decision that her husband alone was unable to now. She never could have guessed in the brief months that transitioned her, a simple unknown heart hidden from the eyes of the empire, into one who would decide the fate of a champion. Haruka had not relished the chance to stand up and vie for her clan's fate with mere words, for that was never her way.
Her gaze gently lifted up to a scroll upon the wall, one of many that portrayed the lake before Kyuden Bayushi. But this was not a moment of memory as her mind's eye shifted to what each fate lie in store for her husband depending on her choice. The flickering firelight betrayed her eyes as they grew heavier and more damp but relinquished no tears as the painful thoughts passed through her mind.
Such a dangerous spell, to render him and everyone else lifeless and forever entombed... Treated as though it was the taint, and yet yielding nothing. He was never cursed with such a darkness. He always loathed it, but at least it was not that unspeakable disease in the south ravaging him now.
Her eyes came to a close as she settled on something in her mind, only a single fear pricking at the back of her heart.
What if they should not find it, what if they should-
She shifted her head a bit, making a snap in her neck that could be heard through the room. A warrior's tension, now remedied with an action rather than a word or a coaxing motion, as she forced the doubt from her mind.
"I see it now." Her eyes coming open again as if to awaken to her own decision. "We must seek out the Jade Arm then, we must find this replacement for his sake and for all of ours." But after she said the words she seemed to be taken back a little, as if slammed by her own bluntness in it all. Her rage and fury now stemmed in light of this, she realized now that she harbored sympathy too. She looked to Soshi Kiso briefly.
"I trust you to assemble all that you need in order to secure this item, be it men or resources, you are the one who knows the most about it out of us all, Kiso-san." She only glanced back now, turning to the side as if preparing to leave and addressing the servant with her eyes in passing.
"Unless you need anything else of me, I need to be with my husband." Her gaze lowered along with the liveliness in her tone, "I need to see him."
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Post by Soshi Kiso on Oct 12, 2011 14:27:00 GMT -5
The small exchange of words almost went by in a blur. The sudden burst of energy he had gotten from yelling at Honzo left him just as quickly as it had come. But he heard clearly....he must go in search of the mystery of his father's creation. He nodded in understanding.
He wanted to let Haruka move on to see Senshi, but there was still a matter that needed to be taken care of. The Jade Arm may well be the solution for Senshi's future, but his current one was still infected. If Kiso were to leave, he would not be able to maintain his care and the infection would spread.
Haruka-sama, There is one matter that must be taken care of soon, rather then later. Senshi's arm must be removed before the infection spreads.
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