Toturi's Army Letter - #3
My distant ally,
Now is the time for unity. Now is the time for strength and courage. We must unite, all of us. The Clans bicker while the Shadowlands and its allies gain strength. Soon each of the Clans will encounter their doom, and only those who have remained faithful to the Emperor will have the strength to defeat it. If we wait - if we hesitate now - all will be lost.
Although I appreciate your letters of warning, I must assure you that I am very aware of the trap that has been prepared for me in my homeland. How could I not be? After Lord Yasamura would not allow me through Beiden Pass, I knew there was treachery afoot. I have spoken with my sensei, Akodo Kage, and he has assured me that my army will be provided safe haven in my old homeland. I have instructed him to speak to my student Tsanuri. Hopefully, she will see the logic of the situation and come to our aid. There are very few I can trust now, my friend. I only pray a Scorpion's tongue has not swayed you as it did Hitomi and Tsuko. Lady Kachiko knows how to play with desire. It is as if she can smell it on your breath. Trust me, I know.
As for our allies in the east, I have sent an army of Naga to assist Lord Doji. Even now they are attempting to cross the river into the Crane lands. When I asked their Warlord (who stands three feet taller than I) if he could cross the great river, he only smiled. Unlike a Scorpion, I have learned I to trust a snake when it smiles. Daini goes with them to show them the way. I only pray they can reach the beleagued Crane armies in time. They have retreated with the remainder of the Phoenix army to the temples of the Asahina shugenja, not a place known for its fortifications. And our allies in the north, the Phoenix, have also sent word. They tell me that almost all of the Black Scrolls have been accounted for.
Unfortunately, nearly all of them have been opened. There are only two that remain a mystery. I have seen Morito Tokei cringe with unbearable pain at times. When I ask him what the matter was, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and told me "Another scroll has been opened." If it is true that these scrolls are draining our shugenja of their strength, then we must destroy them. I cannot convince my Phoenix allies of this, but if I cannot, then you must. The Empire depends on us being at our full strength and capacity when the darkest time arises. Just before his disappearance, Togashi Yokuni came to me and told me that time is close. I do not know why, but I have always trusted the Dragon Champion. There is something ... something ancient in his eyes. I cannot explain more.
Have trust and faith, my friend. The dark time is nearly upon us, but if we have strength and faith, we shall preserve the Empire and our beloved Emperor. May the Seven Thunders keep you and walk beside you until your final day.
Toturi