RP: After the battle

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

The peasants that followed the armies engaging the yobanji were like any other; eager for any small advantage or wealth they could gain. The least honourable among them, not that many expected honour from peasants, often snuck out at night after the battles and skirmishes of the day. Most were eta. Those who were not were either desperate or did not care about the severity and danger of their actions, and of touching the dead.

Some were never seen again.

Some returned with looted weapons and armour and did their best to sell them or even to pretend to be ronin or clan samurai. Most failed at these enterprises.

Some had more sense. A handful of eta, already skilled in handling the dead, were ahead of the inexperienced ordinary peasants. There was a reason they were regarded as so low in the celestial hierarchy. Sometimes they touched corpses for a noble purpose, such as an investigation. Most of the time it was for funeral purposes. However, some of the stigma also came from what these eta were doing over the course of some nights - looting the dead.

The valuable items of deceased items were taken by yobanjin scouts for analysis. Other unfortunate samurai were retrieved for burial and their equipment retaken by their families. The yobanjin themselves were less fortunate. The Rokugani samurai had no wish to pick through their bones, though some investigator's had their eta do just that. In the end, most of them lay in the wilderness and the hills, dead and helpless to searching fingers.

Now, why was any of this interesting? Looting happened all over the Empire. The difference here was in what was carried by the yobanjin. They had many items not commonly available in Rokugan. Gaijin technology, some of it potentially valuable. Much of it useful. They also had knowledge. They were capable scouts and had explored much. One unfortunate yobanjin explorer and observer had been killed by an unexpected rockfall after a shugenja had arrived to aid his kin in a medium sized skirmish.

This lone scout had been told to avoid the battle and report back. His officer had then charged in with the rest of his men to engage the samurai. The scout carried something valuable and his notes would also be useful. Luckily they would never reach his lines.

The Unicorn and Lion troops comprising the Rokugan side had emerged victorious, though worse for wear. The scout's body was left to rot as the samurai troops were recalled elsewhere.

Another lowly eta had searched his body, like the others that night, trying not to have high hopes and trying even more desperately to not make a sound or be seen. He failed at being silent upon discovering the tools the scout carried and his various pouches. Some had small notebooks and others held herbs and vials he hadn't seen before. The eta laughed to himself and snuck away into the night...

-------

Within a week he was dead. His previous profession of being an eta assistant to a now deceased Kitsuki family member had not helped him. He had died as easily as his master had weeks before at the start of the conflict.

The tools had been taken during a failed sale and were kept as a set by a Yakuza who resided on the edge of Scorpion lands. It was almost a clanless area, so few officials visited it. The man had nonchalantly passed the other items to his underlings to investigate. This included one book, thankfully not leather bound, that chronicled an initial investigation of some ruins that had been discovered just past the western edge of Rokugan and appeared undisturbed. Unfortunately, none of the yakuza's minions could read the foreign writing. Some more recent notes seemed to have been left over the book in brush strokes that were recognisable but... the gang hadn't seen them before. Some kind of code?

Beyond this though, there was one even more unfortunate thing for the yakuza. There had been witnesses to the murder and rumours of it soon spread. It was not long before investigations began

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi was bored. He hated that. He hated that he was doing nothing. His purpose in life, and the teachings he followed, demanded that he act, and sitting around and waiting for his arm to heal wasn't enough for him. So he paced. His servants waiting nearby should he need anything.

Only one was bold enough to interrupt his vigil, Alana, his most trusted and loyal servant. Being mute, she did not say anything, merely approached and handed him a scroll. It was from his shinobi agents, reporting on odd activity from the yakuza.

This peaked Senshi's interest, he stopped pacing and continued to read...

Apparently, the yakuza had managed to get their hands on some oddities from western cultures. Tools from a people not seen since the battle of white stag. Including.... No, a spyglass? Could it be? These were things that, in the right hands could be tools driving serious change in sailing and in battle. Senshi was just missing the potential use of such a device at the battle near mountain watch keep.

Senshi then lowered the scroll he was reading with enough vigor to cause him to wince, forgetting for a moment his hurt left arm. "Alana, fetch me a scroll and some ink. Someone send for Shosuro Keiko. Tell her to send my letter to our agents in the yakuza cell near Beiden."

When Alana had returned with Senshi's requested writing implements, he began to write furiously. Instructions detailing the recovery of these items, but not at the expense of their observation of the cell. When a young shinobi entered his private chambers, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the ground, Senshi remembered that he was still in his private chambers, and in less then formal wear. Feeling slightly embarrassed for acting on his impulse like that, he apologized for the unorthodox manner in which he requested her presence, and instructed her to send the scroll to Beiden.

Senshi sighed as Keiko left, noticing the sly smirk on Alana's face. "Cut that out. And prepare my bath, I smell like the dead." And with that, Senshi decided that perhaps, just this once, it would be ok to relax... for a little while.

[Bayushi Senshi]

A few more days had passed, and Senshi was relegated to having to do his more officious duties, while favoring his arm inside of his court kimonos. Seeing delegates, listening to war plans, and organizing troop data regarding the Shogun's call. He was in the process of composing a notice to be sent to Shosuro Ichiro regarding which samurai would be entrusted with the leadership of the scorpion armies, and had even informed him that his veterens from Mountain Watch Keep would be joining the forces when he noticed Alana looking to Senshi from across the hall, with a scroll in her hand.

Senshi quickly wrapped up what he was doing and motioned for her to come over. She brought him a scroll from his agents in Beiden, stating that the operation to recover the artifacts was a success, and that they would be arriving before nightfall.

There was a glint in Senshi's eye, "Cancel the rest of my meetings today, and reschedule the visit from Yogo Kiyoku." Senshi read the notice again, before hastening to finish his letter to Ichiro regarding the Kitsuki girl and military deployments.

Senshi paced in his private chambers, now impatient for the arrival of his new additions to his collection. He had already mapped out in his mind where he would be placing the trinkets, when he heard a gentle knock. "Enter"

One of his beautiful helpers walked in, "Sama. Shosuro Keiko request-"

"Yes, yes! Send her in." Senshi had already considered that the shinobi would be visiting his chambers again so soon after her last trip, but had at least made the effort to dress less comfortably for the occasion. The shinobi girl, entered with her head bowed, holding a box in her hands. She placed it on the floor at Senshi's feet, bowing low enough that her forehead was on the ground again. Senshi bent down to pick up the box, and whispered to her his thanks for retrieving it, and informed her it was ok for her to leave now.

Senshi then lifted the lid on the box, and marveled at its contents, and what he saw inside...

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Included some small glass vials of different coloured liquids, powders and plant materials, some building and measuring tools - some of which were very different to Rokugan's own, and a small spyglass (for seeing long distances). There were some other objects, presumably for scouting, that seemed interesting. One seemed to always have a line pointing in one direction. This was a lovely set of curiosities for Senshi to find. Another useful item was a small but detailed map of some of the Unicorn's northern-most territory. It seemed yobanjin scouts had gotten quite far. However, most attractive was a collection of notepages that were bound together.

The entries seemed to be over quite some time; based on the writing style changes. Unfortunately it was not possible to know more for the whole thing was written in yobanjin. Senshi would need some translators. More curiously were the Rokugan appearing characters that were scrawled over some of the pages. Why did these make no sense?

Senshi could recall seeing some of these used by a handful of Kitsuki investigators but even his best best and brightest had, thus far, been unable to crack any code in regards to their meaning. Surely they had one though? Who wrote these notes on the pages anyway and what did it all mean? This was a very enticing enigma for Senshi, as well as a few of his underlings who had been involved in taking the items from the yakuza in the first place. Their assets had been left alone, as had most of their membership. Those few who were working on the pages and the yakuza lieutenant who had found them would not be heard from again...

[Daidoji Hikori]

(ooc: does this have anything to do with Reso?)

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

(ooc: updated and nope, nothing to do with Reso. Kitsuki Justicar secret writings ^^ - we will still need a translator, but I think Senshi can find an underling that knows yobanjin!)

Before the more troublesome yakuza had died they had been questioned. They had revealed details about the original finder of the yobanjin item collection. He had been an eta and claimed to be an ex-assistant to a Dragon investigator that had died early on in the fighting. He had survived and turned to looting corpses to survive. He was too ashamed at cowardly running from battle rather than defending his master... so he dared not return to Dragon lands. Now he was just another corpse, lost somewhere in the Empire. The Scorpion did not care - all that mattered was the information and from the looks in the eyes of the yakuza as they begged for their lives - it seemed to be the truth.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Not wasting any time, and not letting his concerned attendants waylay him further, Senshi had left a few days in advance to arrive in time for Hida Setsuro's ascension to championship. He brought the new trinkets with him as well as a gift, which traveled with a separate horse. As he went he speant many of his traveling hours toiling over the odd bound book. He knew a little of the written Yobanjin language, but not enough to decode the message, and clearly what was written was in either a different form of Yobanjin, or an older dialect, either way it was one rarely used.

His mind kept drifting to the figures that looked to be an attempt at a mockery of the Rokugani written language, thinking about its possible connection to the Kitsuki. How fortunate then that he would soon be greeted by an inquisitive Kitsuki courtier as an ambassador from the Dragon clan. He had read the reports on Yuushahime, and had no doubt that she would be more then helpful in helping to understand its contents. He was a tad worried however, about parting information about his own hobby with someone from another clan but he decided to cross that bridge as it came.

Indeed, even this trip to Yasuki lands was fortuitous. He intended to be at Setsuro's celebration regardless, but it helped that he was going to meet an expert on Yobanjin written languages while he was there. An old acquaintance of his who shared his fascination, though he hadn't seen the man in many days. He carried his own Gaijin name, Yoritomo Bescat. The old coot had spent years traveling all of Rokugan to trade with the foreigners, but had now retired to comfortable living near the shores of Yasuki lands.

The next few days promised to be very entertaining.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi had arrived in Crab lands a whole day before the party actually began. He had been sure to utilize his time traveling as quickly as possible, and traveled mostly by himself after he left scorpion lands, disguised as a Miya courier. He didn't like having to sneak past so many guard posts, but it was necessary to avoid having his papers checked at every major and minor border, and causing a diplomatic scene. To let such happen would only take more time.

He was at least several hours ahead of his caravan containing his gift and trinkets, but still held the odd book in his possession. He galloped along the shoreline until he reached a familiar peer, and new he was near the home of Yoritomo Bescat. Senshi, wasting no time, dismounted and traversed the cobbled stones that made Bescat's stairway to his home.

Servants, noticing his arrival, hurried in to inform their master of the guest. Senshi, while no one was looking, quickly and quietly donned his dark cowl, and held the book in his outstretched arms no longer trying to maintain his cover.

Yoritomo Bescat, a very tanned fellow from years on the road, with as many age lines showing as hairs on his still full mustache stepped out and paused seeing Senshi at his doorstep.
"Been a long time, huh Senshi?" He grinned, then as if just remembering bowed in comedic manner, "Oh, I'm sorry, I meant to say, 'Oh great keeper of secrets-sama, you grace me with your presence."

Hearing this Senshi grinned, not quite able to resist the old man's mirth. The servants of Yoritomo Bescat didn't know how to react, so they just bowed their heads low, and made a terrible show of trying to look calm.

"Whats that in your hands?" He asked, his grin disappearing in favor of a squinting frown to peer through the sunlight.

"Something that requires your delicate touch, Bescat-san. Care to translate this for me?"

[Daidoji Hikori]

(ooc: argh...too late...Hikori knows both Yobanjin and Ruamal ... oh well...)

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

"You've only just arrived and greeted me and you're already asking for a favour?! Hahahaha. You always were to the point. Come inside first would you?"

He continued to laugh as he walked back indoors and led Senshi to his guest lounge, taking a seat at a medium sized table.

"Pass it here then Senshi. You can entertain yourself with some of our tea or whatever else now pleases his Lordship" He smiled and winked, taking the book from Senshi and placing it infront of him as he opened it and started to read. It wasn't long before he was muttering to himself and running a hand over one side of his face and his moustache as he became lost in thought. He exclaimed the odd word of excitement. Senshi knew it would be some time before he would have his attention again.

The lounge was reasonably spacious but decorated in a spartan way. Still, other rooms held many items that Senshi found fascinating. Bescta's servants anxiously waited on the outskirts of the room after bringing him some green tea. They were desperate to please but nervous about the familiar behaviour of their master to a Clan Champion.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi took the tea without hesitation. Eager to hear Bescat's reply, but knowing that it would have to wait. Senshi, adjusted his robes as best he could, knowing he would have to leave for the party as soon as would be possible. He knew he was expected, but he was willing to take the time to get the information. Who knew? It could end up leading him to something truly grand.

He then began to ponder plans and strategies regarding the unity of the Lion, Crab, and Scorpion. His ancestors would balk at trying to create such an alliance, but all the pieces were slowly coming together.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

After what felt like an eternity the older man turned the final page and gave it a quick scan before raising his head. He then helped himself to the tea, grinning like a young fool

"I thought you'd have gone to one of the other rooms to see if I'd found any new foreign items. Instead you're still here. You must be needed elsewhere eh?" He gulped down some of the tea letting out a pleased sigh "Fine, i'll fill you in quickly. Next time I expect a longer visit though huh? We ought to catch up"

He placed the book infront of Senshi again and started explaining how it was both a personal journal of a yobanjin scout as well as an information diary on some of their expeditions. Highly valuable. He kept turning the pages to point out relevant sections and to highlight key findings.

"They aren't anywhere near as primitive as most people think they are. They are quite talented in some ways, wouldn't you agree? Ambitious too, ne?" He asked, tapping his finger on a section that suggested the yobanjin were trying to learn some of the Rokugan sword making techniques.

He then flicked to one of the later entries, the one with the most Rokugan characters around the edges as annotation. He started lecturing Senshi on how it appeared that the author and some of his companions had come across an old and abandoned site of interest. Underneath it had been what seemed to be a mine network at first but had in fact, on closer inspection, been some kind of burial ground. The entry wrote of some maps they'd made as a preliminary investigation. Bescat was saddened to find out that Senshi did not have these. Bescat explained that the investigation had been put on hold while yobanjin forces were mobilised to attack Unicorn lands. The party had even found some secret rooms but didn't have time to loot the place or fully explore it. They'd only been there for just over a day. He then began speaking of where it would be found

"This ruin is therefore in the northern moutains, before the burning sands, though the entries in here only give a rough accounting of where exactly you'd find them. You'd need a talented scout or two to help pinpoint these ruins I imagine. Most interestingly though - they aren't just old. The yobanjin who wrote this thought they weren't quite Rokugani in nature either. There were some carvings inside of different creatures. It is a shame he didn't sketch some here"

Bescat yawned wearily and complained about the lack of complete information. He seemed quite keen to find out more about the site himself.

"Do you plan on trying to find it Senshi? Well? And be honest with me eh? I won't tell a soul. You do also realise you'd have to get past most of the yobanjin forces to find it don't you?"

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Bescat san, you must know by now that there is nowhere I can't go in this world. The code of Bushido is my only leash. Unless I miss my guess, there will be opportunity for me to meet some capable trackers in the coming day or two, I expect there to be a hunting competition at Setsuro's celebration. I will glean the information I need to find a suitable scout or two. Senshi looked down at the odder markings, the ones he suspected having to do with the Kitsuki, "What did you make of these again? Oh, and do not worry, I'll offer you first crack at any artifacts that I might wish to part with."

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Bescat leaned backwards in thought, nodding at Senshi's words

"Alright, well, you take care while you're away. Don't forget your responsibilities either. And you damn well better offer me first rights - remember that little trinket I passed on to you last year!"

His smile was in opposition to his loud voice but he soon quietened down as he looked over the Rokugani script again.

"I can probably only tell you what you already know. The handwriting is different to that of the yobanjin who wrote this. The characters don't mean anything by themselves. It is a code script and not elegantly done either. I have seen similar use by some magistrates, most if not all of them having received advanced training at the Kitsuki and Mirumoto Justicar school. It's a useful shorthand for them. I only learnt what some of it signified..."

He flicked through the book again, arriving at one of the earliest entries. He reread it before explaining one of the meanings "This is a character that used to be associated with fields in normal use. In their use I think it meant hidden wealth or some such. He seems to be suggesting that the herbs talked about in this paragraph were rare and could be valuable if sold I suppose? If you found any with this book then it'd be worth looking at this to figure out what they'd be useful for."
He stands up, scratching his head. "Honestly I did not learn much about their secret script as they kept it just that; secret. I'm not sure how much help I can be there. I think the writer must have known something extra about the yobanjin though or he wouldn't have felt the need to encode his findings?" Bescat offered this explanation but did not seem entirely sure. He sighed as he paced around the room

He stopped and turned to his younger friend "Do tell me how it all goes yes? Maybe I could use some of the information at the least. Good luck with finding some good scouts. Enjoy the celebrations Senshi! I sense you could use a break from things...". His voice trailed off as he gave Senshi an almost sad glance

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Yes, thank you Bescat san, your help is very appreciated. But I must take my leave of you. There is much that must be done before the morrow."

He left then, knowing Bescat would not be too pleased about the sudden departure of Senshi. But Senshi was too lost in his thoughts to care. He devoted some of his thoughts to how he would dress for the party, some of it to finding scouts, but the majority of his thoughts fell upon one small matter. How and why would a Yobanjin be using Kitsuki Justicar encoded script?

That night as he awaited the start of the next days festivities he wrote another letter to Shosuro Ichiro in the capital, knowing it would likely get to him after he left for Kyuden Doji.


Ichiro,
You are now instructed to bring Kitsuki Yuushahime directly to me instead of Kyuden Bayushi, I will meet you two outside Kyuden Kitsune, near the Kitsune mori, on the castle's north side. Apologize for the odd matter of our first introduction to one another. If she requires further reason for the detour, show her this page from a book I have recently come into possession of, and tell her that the master of secrets has a favor to ask of her, one that he would be most willing to repay in kind one day.

Senshi then tore one of the encoded pages from the book, and rolled it in with the scroll. He didn't really hope that the page contained significant data, it could be a recipe for split pea soup for all he cared, but he was now certain he would need her help. He was equally as certain that this would pique her curiosity.