Hidden Emperor 4
Across the plain, the distant moon shone its light brightly upon Shiro no Matsu. Beneath it, two figures wove their way through dark corridors and empty rooms. The castle was undecorated, cold grey stone and blackened torch holders. Inside the Matsu walls, two fingers crept in an open window, vanishing past the guards and into the heart of the castle.
"To the left," the first man whispered, moving as if he had come this way many times before. "We have to find the new Matsu daimyo - only she can recall the Lion troops before there is open war."
"I still say its a stupid idea. They're Matsu." The second man, a broad-shouldered, foul-smelling, bullish bushi muttered. "We never should have come here..." He cursed once, loudly, his hoarse voice scraping against taut nerves. At the sound, the second figure tensed, his hand reaching instinctively for his chained weapons.
And the sound of iron-shod boots paused in the corridor.
Turned.
And stepped toward them.
With a swift movement, the white ninja vanished into the stonework, drawing the weapon from Êhis belt. The second man, taller and broader by a hand's width, shook his head warningly, and reached for the sword bound in its blood-red saya. When the torch rounded the corner, both weapons struck with deadly accuracy ...
But both met nothing, and the torch fell to the floor, sparking ashes across the stone. Behind the corner, a woman's voice mocked, "So it is you, you old bandit, Akodo Ginawa ... first a traitor, and now skulking through the corridors of his old home. Are you planning to add thief to your list of crimes, ronin?"
"Ginawa. Only Ginawa now." The ronin's face darkened on the other side of the stone, and his thick brows furrowed. "Ketsui?" he asked, recognizing the woman's voice, the sword humming in his tight grip as he fought to control its rage.
"You've returned, and the penalty is death." Her voice, cool and laughing, echoed strangely in the narrow corridor, and far away, he heard the sshhhh of a rice paper door. "Why should I spare your life?"
"You... spare me?"
"The Matsu follow me, now." Ginawa glanced at his companion.
"Never..." Hiroru hissed, and her laughter was his only reply.
"You brough a friend, I see." She mumured.
Ginawa snarled, "We need your help. For the Emperor."
"A dead Emperor." The whisper flicked like a stinging whip. "And a dead Empire."
"This is a Lion's voice I hear?" Ginawa's fists clenched. "Or is this te Scorpion Palace?"
More laughter. "Always the idealist, old friend. Who do you expect me to serve? That foold Chancellor? The Mantis psychopath?" The torch flickered on the hallway floor, casting strange dancing shadows. If this was a trap, Ginawa thought, this was a good place for it.
"Serve your conscience, Lady Ketseui." Hiroru whispered. "Recall the troops which march on the Crab borders. Stop this foolish war."
"Tsuko's brother!" Her voice hissed, barely able to mask its surprise. "Back from the dead, I see. Some company you keep, ronin."
"Recall the troops." Ginawa moved, trying to gauge the distance around the corner.
"No."
"You want a war?"
"I won't betray Tsanuri."
"She's an Ikoma." snarled the ronin, his sword quivering in his hand.
"She's my Champion. Now where's that loyalty you praised.?"
A pause, silence. Hiroru grasped Ginawa's tattered sleeve and pointed toward the passage, where movement echoed. "An Ikoma was never meant to lead the Lion!" Ginawa hissed, tearing his sleeve from Hiroru's hand.
"You don't think I know?" Her voice was harsh, filled with malice. "You don't think the ancestors remind me with each breath? I hear Tusko's voice!'
"Ketsui ..."
Go now, ronin, and take your ghost with you." The daimyo's words tore from a ragged throat. "No one can recall the troops. It's already too late." There was no reply from the darkness as she leaded back against the corridor wall, the torch sputtering on the ground.
Within moments, the House Guard came around the corner, hands on their katana. "My Lady Daimyo-sama," One said, surprised. "I ... I'm sorry to disturb you. One of my men heard voices ..."
"Yes, Aikeku-san," she turned to stare at him, her black eyes thoughtful. A lock of red hair, dyed in the tradition of the Matsu clan, fell over her face as she turned away. "Voices and ghosts. Nothing more.'
As she walked away, the torch guttered, and the light died.
A year has passed since Toturi was lost, a year of chaos and confusion. As the Unicorn ride to enforce the laws of the Empire, brigands plunder the fields, destroying all they cannot carry away.
The Unicorn have claimed the city of Ryoko Owari, destroying all who oppose them. Their Magistrates race across the land, slaughtering all who oppose them. They hold the Emperor's writ, and speak with the Emperor's voice. But it is a dead voice, and a dying people. Without an Emperor, the people of Rokugan dissolve into terror and defeat.
The Chancellor seeks to restore order, while the court watches, ready to capitalize on any weakness. Only the guidance of a Crane keeps the Imperial Court from destruction over some imagined prize. From the Dragon Mountains, ambassadors speak of peace, a message of goodwill and unity, and an offer of brotherhood to all who wish to join her in her quest for enlightenment.
To the south, the Lion march toward Crab lands, toward the lightly defended Kaiu Wall. The Crab struggle to defend against an invasion, while their brothers slowly die in lost Hiruma Castle. The Crane and Mantis engage in bitter war, and from the Phoenix, no word comes. It is a time of shadows, treachery and war - and it is a time of heroes.