Sewing the Seeds of Chaos [RP]

[utakumoli]

[OOC: This happens after the thread that begins at the House of Drifting Leaves in Tsuma - just so we have a sense of when this is.]

Utaku Mo-Li approached the Khan's chambers with severe trepidation. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to put words to something so awful, so shameful. When she entered the outer chamber, she dropped to one knee and lowered her head, looking only at the floor directly in front of her.

"This one is Utaku Mo-Li and I request an audience with the Khan," she announced simply and clearly enough to mask her worry.

One of the Khan's retainers greeted her sternly. "Moto Yoee-sama is an extremely busy man and doesn't have time for frivolous personal visits, Shiotome-san." If the man had been of a different clan, he would have looked down his nose at her. Since he was a Moto, he merely stared and waited for her to announce her business.

Mo-Li swallowed her fear long enough to state her intentions. "This one has very sensitive information from the front that is meant for the Khan's ears only," she replied, hoping this would be enough.

The retainer's eyebrow threatened to arch suspiciously, but he held it down. "I'm afraid the Khan is too busy. You'll have to try again tomorrow," he said, dismissing her.

"Please, I must see him," she implored, a crack forming in her iron-clad decorum. "I swear to you that this is no waste of Moto-sama's time. I know as well as anyone the threat facing our clan, and I would not deign to insult our Khan with unimportant things. Please...." Mo-Li dropped both hands to the floor and lowered herself to nearly-prostrate.

The man narrowed his eyes at her and sneered. "I will ask him," he replied curtly and left the room, away to the Khan's chamber.

[Moto Yoee]

- Who? The Khan asked, raising an eyebrow.

- A battle maiden named Utaku Mo-Li, my lord, his retainer replied placidly.

- And what does she want?

- She didn't tell me, arguing that it was meant for your ears only, my liege.

- Well, I was in the middle of my third bottle of kumis, but I guess that the information she has to report is far more pressing than trying to forget all the slights and insults implied by the presence of so many foreigners in my lands... you know, Arghoun-san, sometimes I feel like a very old man unable to defend himself.

He rubbed his face, as if he was trying to wash away the tiredness from it.

- Just give me a moment, and let her in. No matter what she will say, at least it will distract me from all the problems we have at the moment.

Arghoun, hatamoto of the Khan, exited the small audience chamber, and came back to where Mo-Li was waiting.

- The Khan has accepted tyour request, he said with a sneer, visibly annoyed that the Shiotome was allowed to meet his lord for what he judged was an unimportant matter.

[utakumoli]

When the hatamoto returned, his expression unchanged, Mo-Li's heart sank. She was sure that she'd be dismissed for good this time. Then who would she tell? Who would listen to her? Something had to be done, but she wasn't sure what she, a lone shiotome, could do... But as she steeled herself for the bad news, the hatamoto spoke.

"The Khan has accepted your request," he announced.

Mo-Li's heart skipped in elation, but her stomach was filled with dread. She had come this far, and knew that she had to say something, but she still had no idea what to say. She thanked the fortunes that she was in a deep enough bow to hide the wave of emotion that crashed over her. When it passed, she pressed slightly deeper into her bow.

"Thank you, Moto-sama," she replied, rising to her feet. Mo-Li followed the hatamoto to the Khan's chamber. Just before he let her in, he turned to her and their eyes met. His were hostile and contemptuous, and she became very afraid.

"Do not waste his time," the Moto warned through his teeth. Mo-Li swallowed hard and nodded, her trembling hands clenched into fists at her sides.

As she crossed the threshold into the Khan's chamber, she caught a glimpse of the formidable man's countenance. Surely, seeing his face in battle would bring terror into the hearts of his foes, she thought. Never before had she seen the Khan in person, for she was never important enough to get that close. A fearsome aura surrounded him, something she couldn't quite put to words, and she was filled with awe. She dropped to the floor and put her forehead on the ground before her between her hands.

She was wearing her battle armor, but had surrendered her blades to a servant at the entrance to Shiro Moto. Her hair was tied up simply into a long ponytail, but the hair by her face had been cut shorter than the rest, and the fringe brushed her cheeks as she fell to the floor. The mon of the Unicorn was painted boldly on her back, but the rest of the armor was unadorned. The armor itself was black with purple stitching, and the padding underneath was a rather feminine violet.

Mo-Li held her bow for what seemed like an eternity as she searched desperately for what to say...

[Moto Yoee]

During the brief moment when he had been left alone, the Khan had somehow regained his composure. Even if he received some unnatural aid in eliminating any trace of the beverages he had drunk before her arrival, he wasn't too washed up in the first place, and kumis had never been an issue for him.

When the young battle maiden entered the small chamber, he simply nodded, acknowledging her. He was not as fearsome or intimidating as Mo-Li had perceived him, his expression was a mixture of curiosity and authority.

- Utaku Mo-Li-san, he simply stated, as if reading her name on the long list of his vassals. I heard that a very pressing matter brought you here.

He leaned forward across the table, his face mere inches from her bowed figure.

- So please, stand up and speak, he almost whispered. I don't fancy civilities as much as diligence.

He then returned to his initial position, clearly waiting for the Shiotome to speak.

[utakumoli]

When Mo-Li rose, she noticed that the man before her was far less intimidating than she'd thought just a moment ago. Perhaps my nerves are getting the best of me, she thought, taking a deep breath.

"I apologize, my lord," Mo-Li paused briefly. At that moment, she realized how close they were and shrunk back a few inches, then lowered her eyes to the table. "I am afraid that there's -" She searched for the right term. "- I'm afraid that our scouts have been.... infiltrated." Almost wincing at the word, she braced for the anger of the Khan. Suggesting such a shameful thing could be awful for her, even though she knew it was true. "I believe that when I was out on the battlefield with my troops, I was given a falsified report by one of our Shinjo scouts that led to an ambush and my capture, then being delivered to the Yobanjin. What's worse, is that the scout was clearly Rokugani... so this invasion, I believe, is from within the Empire."

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee's jaw dropped silghtly, as he was still trying to analyze the information the young Shiotome had just given to him.

- A... a traitor? he mumbled.

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment he was thoughtful. His right hand mechanically started to rub his beard as he was scanning the samurai-ko sitting in front of him. Was this some kind of particularly elaborate joke? Or was something rotten in the Empire of Rokugan?

Suddenly, the Khan's fist made a brutal encounter with the wooden table and a disgusted smirk appeared on his face.

- Do you know the name of that scout? Or do I have to kill each and everyone of them in order to deal with this mole?

[utakumoli]

Mo-Li started as the Khan's fist met wood. The maiden's heart sank again.

"No, my liege, I did not realize that it was a ruse until I had already been caught up in it, and I did not ask for the scout's name."

The crushing defeat played across her face.

"If my lord wishes three cuts from me for my failure..." she began, hanging her head in shame.

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee chuckled, but didn't seem amused at all.

- Three cuts? No, you don't need to do that, Mo-Li-san, he said calmly. Your honor is unquestionable, and the only one who has to give his life is the one who fooled you.

He waited a moment, his gaze intently riveted to her eyes.

- However, there is something you can do. Hunt down this traitor, find his possible accomplices, and wash our clan's honor with their foul blood, he stated, barely containing his rage.

His clenched fist slammed once again on the table, and a small crack appeared.

- We cannot allow this disgrace to continue any longer. Is that clear?

[utakumoli]

The Khan's gaze was intense, and she was profoundly uncomfortable to be making eye contact with another samurai - let alone one of such superior station. She shifted slightly in her seat and nodded.

"Yes, Khan-sama. I will find this traitor and his allies, and eradicate the threat from our clan. I will cleanse this stain with their blood," she replied, her voice steadied with new-found conviction.

Mo-Li bowed low.

"Thank you, my Lord."

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee nodded, approving the determination in the Shiotome's voice.

- Arghoun-san! The Khan's voice echoed through the small chamber.

A figure appeared a few moments later at the entrance.

- My lord, the hatamoto said, bowing low.

- The next time Utaku Mo-Li-san will come here looking for me, bring her in my office at once. The matter we have discussed is serious, and I will not accept any delay in receiving information about it. Is that clear, Arghoun-san?

- Yes, my lord, the samurai replied respectfully.

- Mo-Li-san, Yoee said, turning back his attention to the battle maiden, as soon as you have new information about this issue, I want you to come back here. Be careful during your investigations, I wouldn't like you to risk your life carelessly.

[utakumoli]

"I will be cautious, my lord. You can count on me," Mo-Li replied, backing toward the door on her knees. "If you will excuse me, Khan-sama, I have much work to do, as I'm sure you have as well. Thank you for allowing me the honor of your presence."

[Moto Yoee]

The Khan bowed slightly to the Shiotome.

- Before you go, Mo-li-san, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the swiftness with which you have given me this valuable piece of information, he said respectfully. This will not be forgotten.

/thread?