Storms of Shadows

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Oh please…Saiki murmured, clearly irritated. I don’t wish to be a burden, though. If everybody goes to the village, I go too. Just don’t expect me to look for things in the bushes.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Ayumu grinned at the scorpion as he stroked his beard. Obviously, the man had some insecurities regarding his wife.

"I certainly meant her no offense, Eiji-san. But the fact remains that your wife has an excellent idea, and it should be pursued by those best suited to attend court. As Shosuro-san has clearly stated that her talents would be of more use there than digging through the brush looking for who knows what, and seeing as it was her idea to begin with, I thought it only fitting that she should attend. If you wish to go with her then by all means, that is of course your right. I only ask that you don't offend the Seppun in court by imagining some slight from them. A duel with a member of that family can prove fatal, and I would hate to lose a valuable member of our group such as yourself, Eiji-san, to the typical barbs and jabs one finds in any court in the empire. Particularly given that you may have more than the usual directed at you, given your recent return to the empire and the circumstances surrounding that situation."

One day, this scorpion's arrogance will get him killed. I hope I can help him see this before that day comes.

He turned to address the Mantis who had made his presence known and bowed in return to the man. "Akizora-san, it brings me great pleasure to have a Mantis in our company. I am Tsi Ayumu."

"Well, it would seem that some of us have an idea as to how they want to investigate this matter. Does anyone else have anything they wish to contribute?" Ayumu turned his gaze to the silent Crane, his eyebrows raised in an expression that clearly indicates that he wants to hear what the man has to say.

[Iuchi Ozora]

While looking through the documents and seemingly to ignore the back and forth that the others have between themselves, Shigeoki looks up finally at the end. "It may be well that you feel that staying here at court, but I trust that this location is as secured as anywhere in the Empire at this time. While you feel you will be searching through the bushes, fear not for that is what one such as I is used for. I believe though that not all will rotate around an outdoors search. A search through the people that we come across, as only a trained courtier can do, speaking eloquently or with a veiled dagger can open many doors that open force cannot."

Shigeoki puts the papers back away as he steps out towards the others, moving as he speaks. "I am Daidoji Shegioki. I am my Clan's representative for this endeavor." A wily smile cracks his otherwise dead face before receding back into his blank 'mask'. "Having both a strong sword and a strong word to conduct this search will ensure it's rapid conclusion much more than splitting our strength in the face of such trivials."

[Kakita Mitsouko]

“Speaking eloquently… or with a veiled dagger...” Please Crane-san, clarify this point for me, please. “Veiled dagger…” What it means? I’ve been far from Rokugan for a while, maybe it’s a new expression to mention courtiers abilities or something else I am not aware of. Forgive my ignorance.
Saiki frowned, but she probably can’t look angry, just discomfortable.

[Iuchi Ozora]

A purse of his lips is the only outward sign as Shigeoki takes a moment to think of his response. "Scorpion-san, it is that little promise of what may occur if the conversation does not go the direction in which you wish it. That is about as simple as I can make it."

Shigeoki moves his focus away from Saiki to see if the others have anything else to add to his own, or to argue against it.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Ah yes. I see. Thank you, Crane-san. For a moment I understood it really different. The young woman seemed to be satisfied with his answer, and turned to Tsi Ayumu, that was next to her, with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. So, must we go now?
But... can someone say if… Any of you had been there before? Is it too far? How do we go? Do we have a place to stay? Is our arrival expected? Do we have a list of person to interview? Is this village colder than the capital? How long do you think we will stay there? If we found nothing there, has someone here a B plan? I mean... what do you think, Tsi san?

[Daigotsu Thrakhath]

Kazushige couldn't contain his laugh; a booming sound that reverberated throughout the chamber. "Where's your sense of adventure, Shosuro-san?" he said gleefully. "Let us simply take what provisions we have and go, I'm sure the kami will provide." He frowned slightly. "Though I suppose it would be useful to know which direction to go..."

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Saiki laughed with the Dragon, more by instinct than something else, it seems, in fact maybe too openly for a proper lady to Rokugani standards. The huge difference in their heights made to her even difficult to look at his face to say:
Ah yes...adventure, Tamori-san... my feet will probably sink in the snow if I try any adventure... But maybe I am too anxious. I will let the "adventurers" guide my path, then... Please don't take offense on it, but if you go ahead this tiny Shosuro, it will help with the snow.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Ayumu looked over at Kazushige and shared his laugh at Saiki's exuberance as she went through her list of questions. She seemed genuinely excited to be here.

Do they never let this poor woman out?

"Well Shosuro-san, the village is not far from here, and I have been there a few times to visit my uncle. We can most likely stay at his residence once the magistrates are done there, although it may be somewhat crowded. While we don't have a list of people exactly, I'm sure someone there knows or has seen something, and if not then we will expand our search. Someone associated with the missing people is bound to know something. It's not any colder there than it is here, and as far as a Plan B is concerned, I think you have already come up with an excellent Plan B."

"Akizora-san, do you have anything you wish to add?"

[Zeure]

Eiji had been rather silent since the Tsi's outburst trying to convert his way of thinking to his. Little did they know that inwardly, the Shosuro was laughing at them. He just let it all roll off of him, there was no point in getting upset if it wasn't where his wife was concerned.

"If I may presume, Samurai, let us talk as we walk towards the stables."

Eiji led the way by example taking several strides that direction and hoping that everyone would follow. Over his shoulder he mentioned to his wife:

"Saiki, do you need to get anything before we leave from our chambers?"

[Doji Naetaru]

Akizora looked at Tsi Ayumu as he addressed him, he grinned with excitement and said:

"Certainly Ayumu-san, I would be glad indeed to accompany a bunch of such interesting men along."

Turning over to the rest of the people present.

"Apparently we have a first lead in the aforementioned village. Tsi Ayumu proposed to shelter us there. From there we can lead an investigation. I presume that Shosuro-sans and I will be adequate in "extracting" any hidden evidence that those people may be hiding. Plus Shigeoki-san is also trained in this."

His voice seemed to be making a silly noise as he exhales, speaking with his nose, he turned over to the Shosuro woman.

"And I assure you, we've got a Plan B." grinning rather hideously.

He turned over to the Tamori and grinned. On the same time he felt pretty secure and needed to say "Hey, at least we've got the Tamori!" but he suppressed it. Idiot if Akizora may have been, he wasn't a buffoon.

[Daigotsu Thrakhath]

Kazushige took the Mantis's comment and subsequent look his way to mean that he was the Plan B Akizora spoke of. "Hurling boulders is always a good backup plan, I've found," Kazushige said, grinning right back at the Mantis. "By all means, let's be off. We can certainly discuss whatever we need to discuss along the way, Shosuro-san," he said, with an acknowledging nod toward Eiji.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Tsu Ayumu led the group to his Uncle's forge on the outskirts of town. (OOC moving us along)

[Saiko]

Chapter One: Tears of Smoke and Ash

After no more than two hours of light riding, you arrive in Shikanoku, one of the many villages on the outskirts of the capital. At first glance, it seems no different from any of the others, but as you enter the town proper, there is a heavy feeling that any samurai would be able to sense; fear. The air was thick with it. Merchants quietly conduct their affairs in hushed tones, doors and windows are firmly shut, and nowhere is there the laughter of children.

Following Ayumu, you approach a small, very well-kept estate near the center of town. Emblazoned on the iron gate are the mons of the Oriole clan and the Seppun family, though the gate is currently closed, guarded by two emerald legionnaires. After a brief exchange of words, and the presentation of the documents of authority, you are allowed entrance. Though the estate has been fully investigated already, because of the high importance of the location, it is still being guarded full time, and only those with the proper authority are being granted access.

As you enter the home of Tsi Logu, everywhere there are signs that the man is very successful. The house itself, while quite spartan, is lacking none of the necessities, and there is enough room to comfortably house the entire group, for a time. Outside the house, a small stable stands empty, but for the horses you arrived upon, and a beautiful garden stretches to the walls of the estate. On the other side of the house, though, is one of the most well-equipped forges you have ever seen, though it stands sadly cold and dark with the absence of the man who is essentially the beating heart of it.

Mid-afternoon approaches, and dark clouds are on the horizon; it would seem there is a storm coming. The streets thicken with people bustling back and forth, trying to finish everything their errands before the rain comes,and more than a few people are turned away at the gates as well, whether for seeking the blacksmith or curious about the new arrivals to the town. Across the main road from the estate, a large sake house is also gradually filling with people, a faded sign above the door reading The House of the Last Dragon

[Zeure]

Eiji was looking around for a few seconds while concentrating. He seemed distracted but then he looks directly at the forge.

"How long ago was your relative abducted, Tsi-san?"

Eiji began moving towards the forge without waiting for an answer, but it is not so far away that he could not hear one.

He picked up and examined a few of the tools, but his eyes came to rest on the furnace of the forge multiple times, as if he thought there might be something in it. He crossed his arms and looked at it rather intently.