Letter to the Monkey

[Komori Yukio]

The Bat shugenja that had been assigned to aid the Monkey during the recent yobanjin invasion, quietly approaches the Monkey Clan Champion (or the closest representative), and waits to be acknowledged. Once he has been, he unrolls a small scroll and says:

I have received the following message from Komori Warai-dono with instructions that it be related to yourself as soon as possible.

Greetings to our honorable friends, may the fortunes guide and bless you.

I am certain that you are aware of the rising tensions between those who follow the one calling himself Emperor Toturi the 3rd, formerly Shogun Kaneka-sama, and his brother the Emperor Hantei the 40th. I do not send word attempting to persuade you to one side or the other. It is not my place to remind such great ones as to their honor, oaths sworn, duty to be fulfilled, or where their loyalty should lie according to the mandate of heaven.

No, that is not my place. Rather, I send a warning and a word of advice to the true sons and daughters of Rokugan. I sense an unseen hand in this conflict, and indeed even in the recent attempted invasion by the gaijin barbarians. The spirits whisper of hidden secrets, and I am troubled. I do not believe, that the current troubles are mere coincidence; nor that either of the sons of Toturi are aware of their true cause. No, I believe that there is an unknown player acting in this matter. Testing us with outside invasion, turning brother against brother, twisting the empire against itself.

Therefore I offer this advice and request. Support who you will, and advise them to gather their strength before any clash of arms. In this way time might be bought. Time so that, if my words ring true in your ears, you may send forth your magistrates and seek to discover the true cause of this conflict before it is to late.

- Komori Warai, Bat Clan Champion and Head Priest of the Minor Clan Alliance

The shugenja re-rolls the scroll and waits a moment for those present to digest the message, then says:

Is there any message that I may send back in response?

(ooc: Further consequences of these statements can be found rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ic&thread=1005 )

[Toku Hirotomo]

Hirotomo placed down the scroll and looked over to Rinko. He needed to show strength. It may very well be a ploy. The Bat supported Hantei after all. Still, it would be unwise to throw the matter out of hand. He was advising the Shogun to gather support anyway. He thought for a moment than summoned paper and ink. His father was the scholar, not him, but what his writing lacked in colorful speech made up for in intricate and beautiful writing.

Komori Warai-sama,
It may seem unusual taking into account our chosen sides, but I hope this letter reaches you in good health. The Monkey have always been one to ferret out the evils within the Empire, and I assure you I will delve into this matter as much as I am able. Due to our opposite sides, forgive me if I offer no guarantees on the status of the advancement of the hostilities. Even if I had the power to assuage the growing fear of war, I would be unable due to my oath. If there is such an evil, I pray that we discover it. If not, then nothing will stop this. I hope to see you at the end.

Toku Hirotomo
Champion of the Monkey

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Kitsuki Rinko, in the background, nodded at the exchange. While she did not want to voice her opinion from the sidelines in the Toku's court, she was very glad to see that Hirotomo was wise enough to be mindful of the big picture - just because one was on the other side did not mean their words should be ignored. She had heard only that morning that the Dragon had received the same message from another Bat messenger and her daimyo had responded much the same as Hirotomo, if slightly more long winded. This boded well for the coming marriage - hopefully the Dragon and Toku would continue to view matters similarly. Rinko did not relish the idea of ever finding herself, due to a marriage into the Toku, at odds with the Dragon

[Komori Yukio]

(ooc: This post occurs after the events of this thread: rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ic&action=display&thread=1005 )

The following day, the Bat shugenja returns, and after being granted audience he bows once more.

Toku-dono, please pardon the intrusion, but I must ask your permission to return to my homelands. I have just recieved word that Warai-dono was attacked by unknown assassins in Toshi Ranbo shortly after sending his previous message, and now hovers between life and death. He is even now being moved back to Kyuden Komori and all Bat currently assigned elsewhere have been requested to return to aid in our lord's recovery.

[Toku Hirotomo]

Hirotomo chewed his lip in thought. "Of course, Komori-san. I hope your champion recovers quickly." Hirotomo motioned to one of his aids. His own magistrates may be able to ferret out what was going on.

[Komori Yukio]

A young samurai enters hurriedly and bows. My apologies for the intrusion my lord but we just received word. Komori Warai-sama has succumbed to his wounds.

ooc: For the actual death see rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=bathq&thread=1074&page=1