Hunter's End
Blood Dawn, Part X
By Shawn Carman and Rich Wulf

“Medinaat-al-Salaam,” the rakshasa continued, sighing as he tasted the name.

“I have heard of this place,” Iuchi Katamari replied. “It is a city in the desert, a free city where the people of many nations stand together.”
The rakshasa shrugged. “Not always so,” it said. “However, that is another story, and the stories in Medinaat-al-Salaam are as numerous and treacherous as the trees in the Shinomen Forest. Meat must not distract Adisabah, or we shall lose the path and it shall not be easily found again.”

Katamari nodded.

“At any rate, in this city, Jama found those that he sought,” Adisabah continued. “He sought out the secret order of the Khadi.”

“The heartless sorcerers you spoke of before,” Katamari replied.

Adisabah nodded. “Sorcerers, yes, but scholars also. Jama told them of his far-off home, and they devoured his tales eagerly. He offered them secrets, legends of his homeland, mysteries of elemental magic, in return for instruction in their ways. Of course, Jama was careful. He kept the best secrets, the black arts of maho, for himself. The khadi did not care, why should they? They knew well how their magics worked. One could not undergo their initiation and not become one of them, and what belonged to one khadi belonged to all.”

“Obviously not, in Iuchiban's case,” Katamari replied.

“The future is always obvious once it becomes the past,” Adisabah said ruefully. “You would do well to remember that rather than to judge others. Upon hearing meat's own tale, perhaps these khadi would say that Iuchi Shahai's disguise as Asako Genjiko was also ‘obvious.'”

“Point taken,” Katamari said quietly.

“You are right of course, the khadi made a foolish error,” Adisabah replied. “They underestimated Jama's power, and they underestimated his allies.”

“Yajinden and Suru?” Katamari asked.

“No,” Adisabah replied. “They would have been of precious little use in so foreign a place. No, Jama had greater allies yet.”

“Who?” Katamari asked.

The rakshasa let a puff of smoke escape from his pipe. “Why Adisabah, of course,” it said.

Toshi Ranbo, the Imperial City

Even when the Emperor was not in attendance, the court in the Imperial City was everything it had once been in Otosan Uchi and more. Situated on the border between Lion and Crane lands, the city was laden with Crane courtiers whose duty it was to oversee the city's magnificence, as well as the Otomo who dwelled here now. The Emperor's Scorpion subjects, perhaps his staunchest allies prior to his ascension to the throne, likewise had a formidable presence. In fact, the city's centralized location compared to the former capitol insured that many clans had greater representation than they once had in Otosan Uchi. In the five years since Toshi Ranbo had become the capital, it had nearly doubled in size, with new additions being completed each day as each clan sought to outdo the others in gaining the Emperor's favor.

The Righteous Emperor Toturi III was absent from the city, attending to private business. Regardless, the court proceeded without interruption. In the absence of any Emperor, Imperial Chancellor Bayushi Kaukatsu was delighted to oversee the day's schedule. Clapping his hand softly to signal that the short break in the day's activities was at an end, Kaukatsu addressed the assembled courtiers.

“My friends,” the Chancellor began. “We are fortunate indeed to have among us today a representative from the esteemed Khan. At our request, Moto Chagatai has dispatched this valiant commander to discuss with us the Unicorn's current disposition in the City of the Rich Frog.” Kaukatsu smiled and gestured the large warrior forward. “Come, my friend. Tell us of your lord's intentions in Kaeru Toshi.”

The Unicorn stepped forward into the chamber. Many among the court whom looked decidedly anxious as the broad-shouldered man strode into the center of the chamber, particularly the representatives of his own clan. Chaozhu's fine clothing was at odds with his surly expression and unruly hair. His air was one of polite disdain - it was quite clear he had no wish to be at court. “I am Moto Chaozhu, taisa of the Junghar, army of the great Khan.” He bowed before Kaukatsu. “It is my great honor to stand before you as my lord's representative.”

“The honor is ours, I'm quite certain,” Kaukatsu said, his voice bemused. “We are all grateful that your lord has consented to allow a man of your importance the opportunity to explain his current activities to us. Your associates among the Ide,” he gestured to the assembled Unicorn courtiers, “have been most helpful, but they lack the insight needed to offer the assurances many of us crave. War, while the duty of all samurai, is not an endeavor to be entered lightly. The court wishes to know that this one is indeed justified.”

“It is,” Chaozhu said flatly.

“Excellent,” Kaukatsu returned. He gestured to the others. “Please justify your actions to us, then, Chaozhu-san.”

Chaozhu frowned. “I would never presume to know the Khan's mind, but he has told me his thoughts on this matter. It is no secret that Kaeru Toshi was unjustly seized by the Lion years ago,” Chaozhu said. “That Chagatai-sama gave them so long to repeal this act of war is a sign of his commitment to peace with his allies.”

“An act of war?” inquired Ikoma Sume. “You use serious words in a casual manner, Taisa.”

“The City of the Rich Frog has marked the border between Lion and Unicorn lands for centuries,” Chaozhu countered. “The Lion seizing it could easily have been the beginning of an attack on Unicorn territory.”
“Regardless of the possible truth of your Khan's suspicions,” Kaukatsu replied in a calm voice. “It cannot be denied that your clan made the first move. You performed a violent and unprovoked act of war against a fellow Great Clan, an act prohibited by Imperial Edict since the first Yasuki War.”

“What we did was not prohibited at all,” Chaozhu replied. “The edict to which you refer was reviewed by our own Khan. It mentions only six Great Clans. My own clan was beyond the borders of the Empire at the time, and thus were not included in that edict.”

“The implication is clear in that it refers to all the Great Clans,” Sume said with a sneer.

“The law is the law, Sume-sama,” Chaozhu said mildly. “If we cannot be held to the law, there is only chaos.”

“A preposterous and cowardly interpretation of an ancient document,” Sume retorted. The old man smiled to the others. “We have held the city for five years. If Nimuro-sama had wished to attack the Unicorn, he would surely have done so before now. If the Khan were truly offended by our presence in Kaeru Toshi, he could have said so before now.”

“How many times did the Lion attack the city of Toshi Ranbo when it had been held by the Crane?” Chaozhu countered. “And how many years before your clan took vengeance upon the Dragonfly for the insult offered at their creation? Your clan has proven its patience in combat, and it has not gone unnoticed. Lion troops have continued to increase their number in Kaeru Toshi for years, and the Khan is no fool.”

“What are the Khan's intentions beyond Kaeru Toshi, Chaozhu-san?” Kaukatsu inquired smoothly.

“We were ordered to seize and hold the city,” the samurai answered. “I cannot say what my Khan wishes beyond that, but he did imply that if the Lion met us as foes, they were to be treated as foes. Thus further expansion into their lands would not be surprising.”

“Be careful what you suggest, Chaozhu-san,” Bayushi Kaukatsu replied. “Your Khan should not be so eager about flouting his immunity to Imperial Edict. After all, what is beyond the Emperor's control might also be beyond his protection.” The Chancellor allowed himself a small smile.

Chaozhu frowned. “Is that a threat, Bayushi-sama?” Chaozhu asked.
“No threats,” Kaukatsu replied. “Merely a wisdom that just struck me, and I felt an urge to share. Old men such as myself often do babble on so. Don't we, Sume, old friend?”

Ikoma Sume raised an eyebrow at the Chancellor.

“Very well,” Chaozhu replied. “I will share your… wisdom… with my Khan.”

“See that you do, Chaozhu-san,” Kaukatsu replied. “We are done now, Taisa. You may go.”

Hours later, Chaozhu finally escaped the madness of court. Despite Kaukatsu's dismissal, dozens of other representatives had a seemingly endless series of questions regarding Kaeru Toshi, many of which he had refused to answer. Now he knew why the Khan had not come personally. The pathetic fools seemed surprised or even irritated that he would not reveal his clan's military secrets with them, as if somehow their station entitled them to know information that could put thousands of Unicorn lives at stake. Chaozhu had often heard that court was the deadliest battlefield in the Empire. To him, it was nothing more than madness and stupidity.

“Well done, Chaozhu. You fared far better than I would have imagined.”
Chaozhu turned to face the speaker. His eyes narrowed and his hand moved toward the handle of his blade as he recognized the man standing before him. “Struggle to imagine how empty I find your praise, brother.”

Moto Chen's expression did not change. His kimono was a magnificent blend of purple and green in a strange, interlocking pattern, and his blades were tucked into his obi in an unusual position. Chaozhu wondered idly if some bizarre Naga fighting technique that caused him to wear them so. “Would you draw your blade on me here, Chaozhu?” he asked. “The Seppun Guardsmen would soon find you had struck me down in the Imperial Palace. You would be executed, heaping even more shame upon our family name.”

Chaozhu smirked. “I am not the one who has brought shame to our family,” he said, his hand falling from the hilt of his sword.

Chen looked toward the nearest window, studying the sunset as he ignored his brother's jibe. “I have often wondered when I might see you next,” Chen finally said. “I did not imagine it would be here.”

“You have changed much over the years,” Chaozhu said curtly. “You were never one for platitudes.”

“Blame the courts,” the younger man answered. “I have picked up some bad habits, I think.”

“The court, yes,” Chaozhu said with a smirk. “You represent the Khan's economic interests, do you not?” Chaozhu snickered. “What an honorable task you've been given. A glorified merchant patron. I'm certain you are the envy of all who meet you.”

“I fulfill my duties,” Chen replied flatly. “Which are quite interesting, despite what you might think. I track all our clan's imports and exports throughout the Empire and beyond. I have found many surprising things in these past few years.”

Chaozhu's eyes narrowed. “Such as?”

“Such as a large amount of gaijin weaponry and Ashalan crystal brought into the Empire by a caravan who believed they were acting upon the Khan's orders. The materials were diverted from our home provinces bound for somewhere in Phoenix lands.”

Chaozhu paused for a brief moment before replying. “A few smugglers making away with a few koku of the Emperor's taxes. I hope you tracked them down like a good hound, little brother.”

“All traffic in magical artifacts from outside the Empire's borders is closely monitored, brother, you know that,” Chen said. “These were no mere smugglers. Imagine my surprise when, seeking more information on this matter, every merchant I inquired with met with unfortunate accidents before I could find the caravan's final destination,” Chen answered. “Isn't that odd?”

Chaozhu laughed. “Why bother me with this, Chen?” he asked. “Are you such a failure that even the meager responsibilities the Khan has spared you are beyond your ability? Do you require my aid? After five years of a wasted life are you done chasing shadows and finally prepared to acknowledge I am your better?”

Chen did not respond to the baiting. “I know you are involved in this, Chaozhu,” he replied. “I know who your allies were. I will find the truth.”
Chaozhu laughed even harder. “Then I hope your phantom quest will someday lead us to meet outside the Imperial Guard's protection,” he said, glancing down at his swords with a quick grin. “Until next we meet, my brother.”

Chen tried to keep his anger from boiling over as he made his way through the palace. He was too disgusted to remain, although the court would likely continue well into the afternoon. He could always learn what happened from the Ide. For now, he needed to be alone. He could not represent the Unicorn in this state, not with his hatred for Chaozhu so close to the surface.

“Chen-sama.” The Unicorn glanced over his shoulder. A Lion courtier was making his way toward him. Chen sighed at the thought of further discussing the situation in Kaeru Toshi.

“Ikoma-sama,” he began, “I regret that I have no time for…”

“I saw you with your brother,” the Lion interrupted in a low voice. He glanced surreptitiously to each side, insuring none overheard. “I too share your hatred of those he represents. Perhaps you and I could be of assistance to one another.”

Chen stopped and stared at the Lion carefully, glancing around quickly to see if any others were in earshot. “I do not know you.”

“I am Ikoma Tsai,” the man said with a quick bow. “I have hoped for an ally among the court. I have watched you for some time. I pray to my ancestors that you might be the ally I seek.”

“You know of the Kolat?” Chen said in a low whisper.

Tsai's eyes widened briefly and he waved the comment away. “We cannot speak of such things here, Chen-sama. Ears hear words unspoken.” He pulled as scroll from his sleeve and handed it to the Unicorn. “Meet me in two hours and I shall tell you what I know. Suffice it to say that I need aid extracting myself from alliances that have become… dangerous. I think that we can help one another. I will have my freedom, and you will have your revenge.”

“Why approach me?” Chen demanded. “Why not one of Hachi's men?”

Tsai chuckled. “Surely in your years of hunting your brother's employers you have learned how rare it is to find a trustworthy ally,” Tsai replied. “You take action where others only discuss the matter.”

Chen looked unconvinced. “Were you so certain that I would help you?” he asked. “If you know our enemies, you know the risk you take meeting me openly.”

“And I knew you would not consent to meet you if I did not speak with you in person,” Tsai answered. He glanced at the scroll. “Please, Chen-sama. We will both benefit greatly.” He looked around nervously. “I cannot say more for now. I hope to see you later. If not, then I will continue as if this meeting had never happened.”

With that, the Lion bowed and smiled broadly, then turned to return to the other courtiers. Chen stared blankly at the scroll in his hand, then turned to leave, tucking it securely in his obi.

It was late in the afternoon. Moto Chen lounged in the shadows of the alley, carefully scrutinizing the large geisha house. The building was large, but not ostentatious. It was well made and discreet, bearing no indication as to its purpose. For the past ten minutes, Chen had stood silently, observing. He had spied several servants moving within. Two customers had come and gone, wrapped in thick cloaks to obscure their identities.

Tsai's confession still perplexed him. Of all the Ikoma that Chen had come to know during his time in Toshi Ranbo, none seemed an obvious choice for a Kolat agent. Their daimyo, Sume, was the only one Chen could imagine partaking in any sort of shady behavior. The old man was cunning beyond belief, and seemed to have a hand in virtually everything that went on in the city. Chen had never truly suspected Sume of any association with the Kolat, but he had certainly not suspected Tsai.
But then underestimating the depths to which his enemies would sink was what had brought him to misjudge his brother on so many occasions. Chen shook his head and straightened his kimono. The sky rumbled overhead, threatening rain. There was nothing to be gained except a damp kimono if he stood out in the street all night. Glancing around to make certain he was not being followed, he stepped through the door and entered the geisha house.

The interior was tastefully decorated in a manner befitting the fine geisha houses Chen had visited in Ryoko Owari and Otosan Uchi. As in those, there was a man awaiting him at the entrance who offered to polish his daisho for him, a courtesy that stripped customers of their weapons while allowing them to retain their honor. It was a custom Chen disliked, but one that he must observe if he wished to enter. He turned over both his blades to the ronin, who accepted them reverently and disappeared with them into a small adjoining room.

It seemed that Chen was expected. A servant met him and greeted him, although he did not use Chen's name. He was escorted into a private room on the second floor. It was small but functional. A delicate biwa rested on a cushion near the window, and a tea set sat ready at a low table. He moved to the window, opening it slightly and placing a small paper lantern there as he breathed in the evening air. There was a rustling sound from the adjoining chamber, and Chen saw movement through the thin shoji screen that separated them. He sat down next to the screen. “I'm here,” he said softly. “I came, as you asked.”

“What?” demanded a rough, familiar voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Chaozhu?” Chen said, rising to his feet and reaching for his absent blade. He pushed the screen aside. His brother knelt only feet away, his face a mask of rage. “Is this your doing? If you concocted this pathetic scheme to face me, then you'll find it will cost you dearly.”

“What a pathetic excuse,” he replied, rising lazily to his feet. “Tell me how you learned the codes to lure me here.”

Alarm registered in the back of Chen's mind. “Codes?”

Chaozhu's eyes widened. “My… superiors summoned me here,” he replied, “but if you are here…”

A slow realization dawned over Chen. “I came to close to catching your smugglers,” Chen said. “You came too close to getting caught. Tsai has betrayed us both.”

“Tsai?” Chaozhu roared.

The sound of a muffled footstep echoed in the hallway outside. Another creak sounded from the ceiling above them. Chaozhu cocked his head slightly and held out one hand, palm down. It was a gesture they had used when hunting as youths, signaling that one of them had heard their prey.

Chen listened closely as well, then held out six fingers, indicating the number he had heard below. Chaozhu nodded slowly. A rice paper wall exploded inward as a plain-faced man clad in brown robes leapt toward them, a ninja-to held in an attacking position. Chaozhu shattered the biwa across the man's head, stunning him even as Chen rolled away from the strike. The other walls exploded and the ceiling opened as a half dozen assassins flooded into the room.

Chen reached behind his back and withdrew a Naga dagger from its hiding place in his obi. He parried a rapid succession of strikes from his next attacker, then finished by driving his knee into the confused man's midsection. Chaozhu had likewise produced a weapon, a pair of iron claws jutting from his fists. He raked one across an assassin's chest and hurled him screaming against two others, distracting them long enough for him to take up the dead man's sword. Two attempted to flank him, but he sliced one's arm off at the elbow and used him as shield, catching another's blade in his body. Chaozhu grabbed the confused assassin by the throat and squeezed. Chen heard the man's death rattle as his throat was crushed.

Chen gradually backed toward the window, giving ground slowly. “I think you have fallen from favor, brother,” Chen shouted as he slashed another assassin across the belly and wrenched the sword from his hands.

“If we kill these they will send more,” Chaozhu shouted. “They will burn the house to kill us if they must.”

“You would know,” Chen replied grimly, burying his sword in the chest of another masked killer.

Chaozhu laughed out loud. “I will meet my death like a samurai,” he retorted. “You, on the other hand, will flee as you always do. I have no doubt you came here with your escape planned, ready to flee Tsai as you always fled from me.”

Chen glanced out the window, past the lantern to the street below.

Across the street, he could see Akasha mounted on her Shinjo steed in the shadows of an alley, Chen's horse just beside her. He looked back at Chaozhu, fighting beside him against the Kolat assassins.

“Are you so ready to die?” Chen shouted, opening the window and signaling to Akasha.

Chaozhu looked at his brother, surprised and confused.

“This way, Chaozhu!” Chen shouted, opening the window and signaling to Akasha. Chen uncoiled the rope hidden beneath his kimono, hooking one end to the windowsill and letting it tumble out the window.

Chaozhu ran to his brother's side, looked down at the rope, looked at Chen in surprise as his brother climbed out first.

“You trust me not to cut the rope?” Chaozhu asked.

“We both know you would not strand yourself here to kill me,” Chen replied. “Given the choice, I do not think I would do the same.”

Chaozhu nodded, climbing out after his brother. As they reached the bottom, Akasha looked at Chen in confusion. He silently climbed into the saddle behind her and gestured for Chaozhu to take his steed. The two brothers prepared to make their escape, but turned to find the streets on either side now lined with a dozen armored bushi. Some wore the symbol of the Lion Clan. Others wore the Imperial Chrysanthemum. At the head of the group stood Ikoma Tsai, glaring at them in quiet rage.

“These are the two men, captain,” Tsai replied. “They entered my establishment armed. When my men attempted to escort them out, they became violent. Look at the blood on their clothing. I do not know who this harlot is, but presumably she is their accomplice.”

“Tsai,” Chen growled.

“Save your outrage, brother,” Chaozhu replied. “Any accusation you make will only be buried under more of this worm's lies.”

“You should have known better than to allow such trash in your establishment, Tsai-san,” the Lion Imperial Guardsman said, stepping forward with a thinly veiled look of triumph. “Moto Chaozhu. Are you not the same Unicorn who bragged that his clan was beyond the Emperor's command in the courts just this morning?”

Chen shared a hopeless look with his brother. Tsai had planned his trap neatly. Where assassins failed, he had called upon the loyal soldiers of the Emperor. Where the Kolat failed, he would use his clan's own hatred of the Unicorn to kill them both. If they fought back, they would be fighting honest Imperial Guardsmen. No matter what they did, even if they escaped, both of them would become outcasts, criminals.”

The sky cried out with thunder, and rain poured down on them all. Chen gasped as the rain struck him, reeling as feelings of doubt, agony, and confusion roiled through his mind. His hands balled into fists, so tight his fingernails chewed into his palms. Images of the past, how his brother had carefully organized his downfall from one of the highest stations in the Unicorn army, how he had been cast into shame, into dishonor… Then a cool hand took his own, and he looked up into Akasha's pale green eyes.

“Chen,” she whispered to him, and the anger melted away.

Chen looked up to see the ranks of guardsmen had fallen into confusion. Ikoma Tsai knelt in a puddle of blood, screaming in laughter as he lifted his hands to the sky. Others had drawn their swords and began cutting down their brethren with glee. Chen spared not another moment, but kicked his horse to a gallop and fled as fast as it would carry him.

It was not until a few minutes later that he realized Chaozhu no longer followed him.

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