Post by Shosuro Honzo on Oct 7, 2011 4:12:47 GMT -5
Shosuro Honzo finally made it back to Shiro no Shosuro. He had been busy these past few nights, as the Scorpion Champion lay on his sleeping mat covered in sweat, fighting for his life. He had done as his master had instructed and given Kiso-sama the scroll that would save his life. His extra eyes, however had told him that Kiso-sama had yet to act. This was troublesome. What could make Kiso-sama delay? Time is of the essence!
After entering the city, Honzo made his way to the Hooded Lantern Geisha House. There, the madam of the house had only to look at him to recognize him and wave him through the entrance. Once inside, she handed him a paper lantern with red screens and lit it for him.
Honzo followed the madam of the Hooded Lantern down a series of twisting corridors. Shoji screens concealed various geisha entertaining guests. The sounds of a biwa could be heard coming from behind one screen, laughter and muffled conversations another. Honzo ignored it all.
When at last the path came to a dead end, the madam took the paper lantern from Honzo and hung it up on the southeast wall. She lifted a small figurine of a nightingale, and a panel in the wall opened slightly. Honzo squeezed through the opening and when his foot pressed on the pressure plate across the threshold, the panel clicked shut behind him.
Now, in total darkness where Honzo was at home, he made his way deep beneath the geisha house. He knew that to anyone but one of his school, the pathway would be fatal. One small misstep would be unforgiving. It was one of the many things that kept this place a secret.
About an hour later, after all the traps had been bypassed, the secret doors unlocked and the narrow ledges at the edge of seemingly bottomless depths traversed, Honzo at last saw a faint red glow from up ahead. He made his way towards it now.
Deep beneath the complex the Shrine of the Deadly Shadow stood foreboding and dominant in the darkness. Dimly lit by crimson lanterns, it appeared to ooze luminescent blood from every level. It's good to be home , thought Honzo.
Honzo entered the shrine to find an ominous figure, shrouded in shadows and sitting in a lotus position. "Master, I have returned", said Honzo.
The Master of the Deadly Shadow gazed at his agent, and remained silent for a few moments before finally asking, "Has Kiso performed the ritual?"
"No, Master not yet. He is exploring all possible cures for the Champion before resorting to your methods."
"That is unfortunate. And foolish. Kiso-sama should know by now that all the useless prayers, opium and stingnettle will only delay the inevitable. Curse that man, we need Senshi to live. Further delays will only jeopardize his chances to survive."
"Hai Master, it is as you say", Honzo replied. "How will I convince him to perform the ritual? He will not listen. When I gave him the scroll and told him of its purpose, the man's eyes saw but his ears were deaf to my words. What will I say to convince him?"
"You will not, my agent", the master said. "He will only listen to me, that is plain now. I sent you when I should have gone myself, and it is no fault of yours that this is so. Your task is done, find yourself a new face and await my orders. Your time as Shosuro Honzo is done."
"Master, if I failed you I will gladly take my own life..."
"That is unnecessary, for it is I who have failed Senshi-sama by my deception. I will go to Kyuden Bayushi and make Kiso-sama listen."
The agent bowed low, then left silently, blending into the shadows to become another man, just as his Master had commanded.
Shosuro Honzo, the real Shosuro Honzo, Master of the Deadly Shadow stood and started making his journey to save the Scorpion Clan Champion's life, no matter the cost.
After entering the city, Honzo made his way to the Hooded Lantern Geisha House. There, the madam of the house had only to look at him to recognize him and wave him through the entrance. Once inside, she handed him a paper lantern with red screens and lit it for him.
Honzo followed the madam of the Hooded Lantern down a series of twisting corridors. Shoji screens concealed various geisha entertaining guests. The sounds of a biwa could be heard coming from behind one screen, laughter and muffled conversations another. Honzo ignored it all.
When at last the path came to a dead end, the madam took the paper lantern from Honzo and hung it up on the southeast wall. She lifted a small figurine of a nightingale, and a panel in the wall opened slightly. Honzo squeezed through the opening and when his foot pressed on the pressure plate across the threshold, the panel clicked shut behind him.
Now, in total darkness where Honzo was at home, he made his way deep beneath the geisha house. He knew that to anyone but one of his school, the pathway would be fatal. One small misstep would be unforgiving. It was one of the many things that kept this place a secret.
About an hour later, after all the traps had been bypassed, the secret doors unlocked and the narrow ledges at the edge of seemingly bottomless depths traversed, Honzo at last saw a faint red glow from up ahead. He made his way towards it now.
Deep beneath the complex the Shrine of the Deadly Shadow stood foreboding and dominant in the darkness. Dimly lit by crimson lanterns, it appeared to ooze luminescent blood from every level. It's good to be home , thought Honzo.
Honzo entered the shrine to find an ominous figure, shrouded in shadows and sitting in a lotus position. "Master, I have returned", said Honzo.
The Master of the Deadly Shadow gazed at his agent, and remained silent for a few moments before finally asking, "Has Kiso performed the ritual?"
"No, Master not yet. He is exploring all possible cures for the Champion before resorting to your methods."
"That is unfortunate. And foolish. Kiso-sama should know by now that all the useless prayers, opium and stingnettle will only delay the inevitable. Curse that man, we need Senshi to live. Further delays will only jeopardize his chances to survive."
"Hai Master, it is as you say", Honzo replied. "How will I convince him to perform the ritual? He will not listen. When I gave him the scroll and told him of its purpose, the man's eyes saw but his ears were deaf to my words. What will I say to convince him?"
"You will not, my agent", the master said. "He will only listen to me, that is plain now. I sent you when I should have gone myself, and it is no fault of yours that this is so. Your task is done, find yourself a new face and await my orders. Your time as Shosuro Honzo is done."
"Master, if I failed you I will gladly take my own life..."
"That is unnecessary, for it is I who have failed Senshi-sama by my deception. I will go to Kyuden Bayushi and make Kiso-sama listen."
The agent bowed low, then left silently, blending into the shadows to become another man, just as his Master had commanded.
Shosuro Honzo, the real Shosuro Honzo, Master of the Deadly Shadow stood and started making his journey to save the Scorpion Clan Champion's life, no matter the cost.