Epilogue - The Snake Clan's new direction

[Shoju]

This is a post to sort of give some direction to what happens to the Snake Clan after I go crazy, and split. Several people have asked about it, so I figured it was a good time to handle it. This RP is open to anyone who might find themselves in a position to talk with the Snake Clan, or the travelers involved.

Tamihei Bonfei had circled around several times. His mind was flooded with what had happened that night. The Scorpion, and a Phoenix... Sho.. Sho something, had ambushed the camp, killed the guards. Killed... Tenshi.

His Champion. The man, who had given him purpose succumbed to the darkness inside all of them that night. He had broken his own rules, and oaths that he had set forth for the Snake. And then, he gave the mantle of Champion to Bonfei....

Twice now, Bonfei had left for home, but couldn't make himself keep moving that way. Unong, and the rest of the clan would want to know what happened, and tell them... Well, telling them that Their leader, Their hope for a life outside of the Shadowlands, had fallen apart, and dishonored himself like that... well... He just wasn't ready to do that. He rode back past the camp one last time. the smoke had died down, and there, in the middle of the camp was Shoju's No-Dachi, Thrust in the ground, and left there.

Bonfei had heard the rumors. The No-Dachi had been forged before the Snake Clan. When Shoju was just another tool in the hands of the Spider. When Shoju was just looking for vengeance upon Senshi. Some said the blade was cursed. But Bonfei knew better. Bonfei knew what Shoju was. A Samurai, A Magistrate, A skilled Maho-Tsukai, and a budding smith of weaponry. This blade had been a culmination of many things. This blade encompassed the entirety of the being that had been Tamihei Shoju.

Bonfei dismounted, and walked towards the blade. He could hear its faint whisper as he approached. He stood and stared at the No-Dachi protruding from the ground for a moment. He debated taking the blade, even as the blade whispered in his mind. The blade wanted to be wielded. The blade wanted to have a purpose. Certainly, the Snake Clan were best suited for the task yes?

Bonfei sighed heavily, and walked to the blade, and held his hand out, shaking like a leaf, at the edge of it, hovering... waiting... fearful, of what would happen when his hand touched the No-Dachi. As he siezed it, The voice in the blade screamed in his head. He wasn't Shoju, but he was familiar.

Bonfei remounted the horse, and headed for home. If it could even be called a home. As he rode with the No-Dachi strapped to his back, the No-Dachi's whispering became less, and it seemed less.

It seemed that The blade was a manifestation of purpose. With Shoju wielding it, its purpose was to kill Senshi. With Bonfei wielding it, its purpose had yet to be discerned.

As Bonfei rode back into the ruins of Otosan Uchi, he saw that many things had changed. The Snake Clan had renovated a large section of the inner ruins, using the exterior ruins as camouflage, they had begun to eek out an existence. The Tortoise's peasants were working well, and the Snake Clan was thriving. As Bonfei rode in, the commotion and excitement reached a crescendo.

Unong, met him, and helped him from the Steed. Bonfei-san! What are you doing back? How go the negotiations? [/b]

Bonfei looked at Unong, his face weary from the travel. Unong-san, Much has happened, we have much to discuss.

The two men entered Unong's home, and Bonfei recounted everything to him. The Ambush, What he knew of Yun's leave, the murder of Tenshi, Shoju's actions, picking up the No-Dachi. Everything. Unong sat in disbelief. How could he! How could he do this!? [/b]

Bonfei sighed. Unong-san, we must move on....

MOVE ON!? To WHAT!? He betrayed us. He left us here to ROT. You just can't see that, because you have his sword, and his position, and you think that you can do it. Unong was dejected. If Shoju-sama couldn't make the Empire see, then there is no point in going on. If you want to pretend that you can Make it on your own, So be it. [/b] Unong stood and started packing small things. Me? I'm going to beg forgiveness from the one man still sane who didn't abandon me. At least if he decides to end my life it will be swift, unlike the death out here. [/b]

As Unong began to prepare to leave, Bonfei tried to stop him, Unong shoved him back Don't! The City of the Lost is where I belong. I only followed Shoju-sama because he made me think there was hope. Without him? Heh. I'm headed back. I will take my chances.[/b]

Bonfei slammed his hand on the table. THESE PEOPLE NEED YOU! They need me! They followed a man... A man who is lost! A man who gave them a name, and trusted them, and made them believe in something that was honorable! I'm NOT going back to a life behind the wall.

Unong looked at him. Then they should have the choice. [/b]

Bonfei nodded, and the two men set about getting the Clan together in the center of the ruins. Bonfei quieted his mind, and used the Incantation that Shoju taught him what seemed an eternity ago. His voice carried on the wind for all to hear. As he explained the events for the second time in such a short time, the murmurs throughout the crowd grew. When he explained that Unong was headed back towards the City of the Lost, a small gasp overcame the crowd. Bonfei gave them all the choice to stay or go.

Of the just over one thousand Snake that had lived this long, only a few dozen followed Unong back towards the Shadowlands. The rest, work to build a life for themselves in the Eastern Ruins of Otosan Uchi. Championed by Tamihei Bonfei, they are a mysterious group, with a purpose yet realized.

[Daigotsu Thrakhath]

The City of the Lost, Some Time Later

Thrakhath sat at a desk, in a room that could only be described as a study. The room was a disaster, with books strewn about the floor in various states of open, more books lining the shelves on the wall. The desk was littered with parchments and ink stains. A pen gripped in one hand, he slowly turned the pages of a book that lay open before him, taking notes now and then as he read. Since his defeat at Shiro Hiruma, Thrakhath had taken to spending most of his time here, researching. It was in this state that one of his guards found him when he entered the room. Thrakhath did not acknowledge his entrance. "My lord," the guard said with a bow.

"Yes, what is it?" Thrakhath said, not looking up.

"There is a... man here to see you, my lord," the guard said tentatively. "He claims to be from the Snake Clan."

"Send him in then," Thrakhath said, making another note on his parchment.

The guard hesitated a moment. "Here, my lord?" he said. "Would it not be better to receive him elsewhere?"

Thrakhath finally looked up, and the look he gave the guard brooked no argument. "As you wish, my lord," the guard said quickly, bowing and retreating from the room. Words were exchanged outside the study, and moments later the guards escorted a man into the room.

Thrakhath set his pen in its ink well and closed the book, marking his page. He faced the man and placed his hands on the desk, interlacing his fingers. "This should be good," he said, looking his visitor directly in the eye expectantly.

[Shoju]

Tamihei Unong had been a courtier in his time with the Spider. He had been a conniver, Never one to favor direct action, he was one who had favored less direct ways of assaulting the Empire. Some would say he was a sycophant, other would say he was spineless. Yet others, might have seen a still unsavory, yet more notable trait in him. He was a survivor.

Unong waited what felt like an eternity agonizing while the guard was inquiring about the arrival and his group of former Snake Defectors. A lot had happened in his absence from the Spider. Most Notably, the appointment of an Obsidian Champion... Regent of the Spider, Answering only to Daigotsu himself... Unong only hoped that it was someone who had been sympathetic to the whims of the mad man he had once followed.

When the gaurd returned, and said Thrakhath-sama will see you now Unong realized who the Obsidian Champion was.

As he entered the room, he took note of its condition, surprised at what he saw. Daigotsu Thrakhath-sama, I am Unong. I was once Daigotsu Unong, a courtier in Spider Court. [/b]Unong bowed deep. When the Tsukai, Shoju, asked Daigotsu for leave to establish his ancestral birthright, I followed.[/b] Unong looked hesitantly at Thrakhath, knowing that it was his forces who had attempted to destroy them at Candas.

It appears that the man once known as Tamihei Shoju has failed. The Scorpion clan, and the Master of the Void obliterated his camp, killed the woman he kept company with, his guards, and the handmaidens.[/b] Unong wiped his brow.The whereabouts of Shoju are unknown. Without his... influence, some of us have realized the folley of following him. We realize now that it was foolhardy for us to leave the Spider. That... THIS is where we belong, and that the Empire truly has no love for us. We see now the madness, and the blasphemy of the Tsukai's actions, and I have come to beg for the forgiveness of the Spider, and if forgiveness is granted, a place for those of us who have seen the error of our ways, to rejoin the spider.[/b]

Unong bowed low again. His words dripped with sincerity. His face betrayed a desperation.

[Daigotsu Thrakhath]

Thrakhath listened intently to what Unong had to say. He was clearly a gifted courtier; someone who had spent a lot of time talking and developing his skill with language. The sort of man Thrakhath himself had no use for, but recognized their necessity nonetheless. He waited patiently for Unong to finish, taking in the story he had to tell. He did not immediately respond to Unong after he made his plea. For several moments, what must have been an eternity for the anxious courtier, Thrakhath remained silent; as if processing the information he'd just received.

And then, the Obsidian Champion burst into laughter. A full-blown, mirthful laughter, as if Thrakhath had just heard the most hilarious joke of his existence. He went on that way for some time, banging the table as he laughed uncontrollably, with Unong staring at him incredulously, mouth agape. The two guards standing at the door peeked in curiously when he showed no sign of stopping.

It was several moments before Thrakhath had regained enough control over his voice to issue commands. "Take.. take this man to..." he snorted, and nearly started up again, "to a cell," he said. "Fear not, my friend," he said at the look on Unong's face. "It is a temporary arrangement only. You and your fellows will be held there until I decide where best you can serve the clan." He stood and bowed, the smile on his face betraying how hard a time he was having keeping it all in. "Welcome home."

As Unong was escorted out of the study, a fresh burst of deafening laughter followed him out the door. Servants in the palace exchanged looks as the sound echoed throughout the building, wondering if perhaps the champion had finally lost his mind for good.

[Khamul]

Slowly, a small number of Sohei and budoka had begun trickling into the area within Otosan Uchi that the Snake had clamed for their own. Tamihei Bonfei had meant to have them questioned, not least of which on how they even new that a settlement was there, but they had had willingly volunteered their own services in helping the reconstruction and had not stirred up any trouble, besides which administrative concerns had kept him occupied. He also thought he recognized a few of them from that terrible night from a group that had attacked the Scorpion causing enough of a distraction to allow his own escape. If these were the same monks, he did not whish to address the situation at this time; the hurt was still too fresh...

Then, one day, a servant brought news; another Sohei had arrived, but this one was different; he had strange eyes, carried a strange double ended yari, carried himself with an air of authority and, most intriguing of all, the other monks seemed to defer to him. Now this one, who called himself Khamul, wished to speak with the lord of the Snake.

It seemed that the matter could no longer be avoided...

[Shoju]

Members of the Snake Clan had flocked to the small former inn that served as the Court of the Clan. Bonfei looked up at a young one who came and told him of the arrival of the new monk looking to speak with him. Bonfei nodded, and prepared himself.

He prepared himself for the meeting, and moved from his private chamber that was cluttered with maps, and piles of parchment, and into the 'court', a wide open room off the foyer of the Inn. Bonfei sat down, and told them to bring in the Monk.

When he came in, Bonfei stood, bowed slightly, and addressed him. Greetings Sohei, Welcome to Dokuhebi no sōkutsu. I've been told that you wished a word with me. Bonfei sat back down, and offered a cushion in front of him to the Sohei. Truth be told, I should be thanking you and your Sohei for aiding us. Bonfei smiled. Tell me Sohei, what can I do for you?

[Khamul]

Khamul looked briefly at the cushion, his eyes narrowing as if he wanted to stab it. "You will forgive me if I stand." From his tone, this was not a question. Also, the accent seemed... strange... Bonfei could not place it.

The Sohei returned his gaze to Bonfei. "Your thanks are not necessary, I merely fulfilled my part of a bargain with your former lord and it is concerning that bargain that I have come to see you now. Tamihei Shoju had made an agreement with me, I would establish and care for a shrine in Snake lands and aid him in claiming those lands, and in return I and my students would be allowed free movement to, from, and through those lands." Khamul's eyes narrowed again, though not so dangerously as before. "The situation has changed. You are now lord of the Snake and it seems that these are the lands you have claimed. My students have already begun to aid you in the resoration of these holdings as an... act of goodwill. Therefore I make you the same offer. My students will continue to aid you in your efforts in establing yourself here, they will even help you guard your new holdings; in return I ask only that we be allowed to establish a shrine and dojo, and that we be allowed free movement to and from them."

[Shoju]

Bonfei listened to what the Sohei said, and sat silent for a moment. He then stood, and walked towards the window on the right. I fear it will take us forever to shed the mistakes of those who have led the Snake. I almost feel like the very mantle of Champion is burdened by a curse. Bonfei watched out the window. One could view the artisan's crafting a large snake statue in the middle of the garden outside the building.

The Snake appreciate, and accept your offer of generosity, and that you have held to an agreement struck with the Lost Champion. Bonfei bowed slightly to the Sohei. Do tell me if there is anything that we can do to aid you.

[Khamul]

Khamul paused in thought for a moment but made no move to return the bow. "Deliveries to our shrine may begin soon through the Tortoise; I would prefer to see them treated with the same... courtesy allowed my students. Aside from that, the terms of agreement and the continued strengthening of Snake should be sufficient for now. You will know my students and deliveries by this mark" At this he placed down a bit of parchment. Inked onto it was the Snake mon in black surrounding a symbol like a star.

"There is one final matter." Khamul put his hand to a satchel slung across his shoulder and withdrew what looked like a folded bundle of green cloth and placed it before Bonfei. "You former lord entrusted me with this to lend legitimicy to the previous shrine. He claimed that it is a Kimono once worn by Isawa Chuda in the courts. I no longer have use for it, but you do Tamihei Bonfei." The Sohei's eyes narrowed again. "It is not fitting that the Lord and Champion of any Clan should have no official garb with which to inpire and lead. Even the Sparrow Champion has such. Therefore I advise that you take and use this Ancestral Kimono of the Snake."

[Shoju]

Bonfei looked at the kimono slightly dumbfounded. it was truly exquisite, and very much looked the part. He looked at the Kimono, and back at the Sohei. I am truly humbled by this. He took it and bowed deep. You, your students, and your shipments will be welcome in Dokuhebi no sōkutsu. Bonfei stood up and looked at the Sohei. Bonfei's face flushed for a moment. And here I am, without even knowing the name of the Man I am to thank for this gift.

[Khamul]

"I am called Khamul," the sohei lifted his hand "and your thanks are not necessary. I would see the Snake strengthened in the days to come and each of these actions will aid in that process."

Khamul eyed the Snake champion curiously for a moment. "You are not Shoju, Tamihei Bonfei. Your path is a different path, your strength a different strength. Do not forget that."

After the Meeting

For the next three days Khamul and the inner circle of his monks were hardly seen except for when he was overseeing the laying of the foundations of the new shrine and dojo. On the fourth day, he was observed leaving Dokuhebi no sôkutsu and heading further into the ruins of the northern section of Otosan Uchi. Where he was headed, none knew, and when he would return his students would only reply "When the time is right."

(ooc: If you wanted to keep going with the meeting between Bonfei and Khamul we can, of course, I just wanted to throw that in so that I wouldn't forget later... )

[Shoju]

[ooc]Nope, sounds good. Might want to change Toshi Ranbo to Otosan Uchi though [/ooc]

Bonfei watched the Sohei leave. His words were curious. He looked at the court attendants, and back at the retreating form of the Sohei, and spoke quietly Some days, I think people made more sense on the other side of the wall

The Snake worked in tandem with the Sohei, and Dokuhebi no sōkutsu began to take shape in the heart of the ruins. A small Clan, in the middle of the ruined imperial city.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Several days later.....


The trip through the void that Shodai provided was a spectacular experience for Sojiro - not the most pleasant thing, but exhilirating regardless. They emerged from the void in the ruins of what was once a camp, and immediately he knew where he was - the sight of Senshi's assault on Shoju and his followers. Only something was wrong.

There was no nodachi to be found.

Shodai confirmed what Sojiro's eyes and jade ring told him - he couldn't feel the sword here.

"So what do we do now? Can you feel the damned thing anywhere near here?"

[Kakita Sojiro]

Getting nowhere fast, Sojiro took a second to sit down in the middle of the ruined encampment and think.

Shoju mentioned turning the Snake clan over to his second. I'm willing to bet that the new Snake champion claimed the old Snake champion's sword as his own.

This is a large group of people wanting to escape the shadowlands, but also not wanting to be found by the rest of the empire or raise suspicions about their true origins. They had to have help from our side of the wall to get here - meaning that someone has to know where they are. So, if I was wanting to remain unseen as I left Spider territory, how would I do it? The wall is covered on both sides by patrols that would kill anyone suspicious first and then ask questions. So, the only other route would be the sea... and the Mantis wouldn't touch this, particularly after their involvement at Seawatch.

"Shodai-sama, can you take me to Kyuden Kasuga?"

[Agasha Shodai]

Agasha Shodai was confused by the disappearance of Shoju's sword. He'd THOUGHT he'd laid down so many enchantments upon it that it would have been frozen in place for the rest of time...

Unless...

The Void Master hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. "A KANSEN nemuranai! I should have realized there was more to that weapon than it just being over-loaded with Shoju's dark intent towards Bayushi Senshi... I forgot the enchantments to keep kansen spirits silenced; they would have been able to work at corrupting the time and space seal I placed to force the sword to remain here!"[/b]

He turned to Kakita Sojiro. "Kyuden Kasuga? What could be in the Tortoise lands?"[/b]