Back to the Dragon lands [Closed RP]

[Mirumoto Shigekazu]

[Several days ago]
Morning sun shone above Shiro Moto when servant entered Shigekazu's office.
- My lord, Hisanobu-sama returned from mission and asks for audience.
- Let him in - ambassador even not raised his head above the papers.
- Yes, my lord.
Several minutes later medium aged samurai entered the room. Shigekazu looked at tired Mirumoto in official kimono.
- Please, have a seat. - Shigekazu pointed at one of pillows - Do you want some tea, Hisanobu-san?
- With pleasure, Shigekazu-sama.
Ambassador served tea to officer; both sipped a bit and Hisanobu smiled gently.
- You serve excellent tea, Shigekazu-sama. I wish I could visit you more often.
- Hisanobu-san, you are chui under my command, you may visit me as often, as you like. - Shigekazu pasused and smiled - Of course as long as it does not interrupt duties of neither of us.
- Of course, my lord.
- Speaking of duties... I have received your rapport on armies movements. I am happy and sad in the same time. Happy that your mission of sealing up a perimeter around Kaneka's army was successful and Hantei forces realized too late that they went too far without any precaution. Sad that Dragon forces are those which will be captured in envelopment. Do you have any personal feelings about this situation, Hisanobu-san?
- Yes, of course, my lord.
- May you share them with me?
- Yees, Shigekazu-sama, of course - chui was a bit surprised - I think that is horrible that our actions must be pointed against our brethren. But I think it is inevitable since some Dragons rebelled against decisions of their Daymio and now are commanded by foreigners.
- Thank you for your sincerity, Hisanobu-san. Since your mission to capture Hantei infiltrators is over you should no longer need to deal with our brethren from the other camp. Now you will serve as my deputy. This will become official this afternoon.
- My lord, I am so grateful, this is a big honour - Hisanobu bowed deeply touching floor with head - But why me and now?
- Yesterday courier from Shiro Kitsuki brought a message that Tamori daymio disappeared. Since Ojii-dono and Takezo-dono are tired of mortal world and Yuushahime-sama is forced to hide in her chambers, the Dragon have no strong leader. Takezo provided me with recommendation letters and appointed me as new Mirumoto daymio and Yuushahime promised to support me. I am going back to the Dragon lands and you will perform my duties here. Everything is clear now?
- No my lord, not everything, but enough for me.
- Good. You may go prepare to your new duties.
- Thank you Shigekazu-sama, I would not let you down.
When Hisanobu left the room Shigekazu started to write down dispositions for next hours.

---

[Next day, before sunrise]
Five men and two women waited mounted at the gates of Shiro Moto. Guardsmen were looking at unusual group: little Dragon ambassador and even smaller female shugenja, huge as mountain tattooed monk, lovely Kitsuki daymio, magistrate armed with jitte and chain, one-eyed bushi and Dragon sensei without any weapon.
- Yes, everything seems legit. - said guard officer passing checked travel papers to Shigekazu - And you have lovely travelling kimono, Yuushahime-sama.
Kitsuki Kimiko, Yuushahime's courier smiled lovely and nodded. Gates opened and seven horsemen rode into fading night in silence.

---

[Names of travellers:
- Mirumoto Shigekazu
- Ojii
- Kitsuki Kimiko, Yuushahime's courier
- Tamori Mizu (little shugenja) NPC
- Mirumoto Tadao (one-eyed bushi) NPC
- Kitsuki Sotatsu (hunter and chain master) NPC
- Togashi Akira (muscled tattooed monk) NPC]

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Kimiko enjoyed the journey back as it gave her time to think. There was much to consider. Would her Lord finally be motivated enough to act with Shigekazu returning to Dragon lands and ready to provide some leadership based on Takezo's nomination?

She made light talk with the well respected information chief of the Dragon. "Mirumoto Shigekazu-sama, I am sure Lady Yuushahime-sama will be joyful to see you. As you know, she has not left Shiro Kitsuki since her return from Ka... eto... Toturi-sama's camp. If I may be so bold..." she lowered her head a great deal before demurely asking "please my Lord, snap her out of her current solitude and indecision". Kimiko remained head down, even as her horse rode on.

[Mirumoto Shigekazu]

Before night felt riders approached lone monastery. When they passed the gate servants with Dragon mons took their horses to clearly larger than usual stables. Couple of travellers seemed to be intrigued, so Shigekazu explained:
- This is our last stop before the mountain passes. This monastery serves as a courier post and orphanage. Servants you saw are orphans taken under Dragon's roof and trained to be loyal and helpful. Some of them become couriers who courses between Shiro Moto and Shiro Mirumoto through Morning Frost Castle; the same way we take tomorrow. Please go to your rooms now and gather at supper later.

---

[At the supper]
(...)
- Kimiko-san - said Shigekazu - I may assure you that my goal is to move the Dragon from inside. Too much bad things happened because of moving from outside and it have to change. Change very quickly, I would say, before not only our warriors, so hastily moved into enemy's land with virtually no reconnaissance when they should stay in the mountains, but also our land will be in serious danger.
- What about Tamori Manji? - asked little shugenja with blue hair - He origins from other Clan.
- I do not consider him as an outsider, Mizu-san. He took our name, he serves for our Clan. In fact I hope to make some agreements with him, cooperate for good of our Clan... well, what do you think of it, Ojii-dono?

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Kimiko nodded her head in agreement. She had heard only good things about Tamori Manji.

When able to speak she did add to the conversation. "Please do not try to move too quickly my Lord. One can lead a horse to water but one cannot force it to drink. My Lady will not be easy to move. Perhaps the best route would be more indirect? I cannot be sure though. My humblest apologies. She has not quite... been herself lately. I worry that the Dragon split has hurt her deeply"