by Shawn Carman

Doji Jurian rose with the sun, as had always been his custom. His servants knew his routine well, and had taken all the necessary steps. His clothing was immaculate and properly prepared. Hot water had been drawn for his first bath of the day. His writing desk was supplied with the proper implements, including fresh scrolls of the highest quality, delivered regularly from the Asahina lands to the northeast. Fresh candles were lit and incense burned in the small shrine devoted to his ancestors that Jurian maintained in his private estate. He may be trapped in this wretched city, but he need not suffer the same drudgery as those who knew no better.

In moments of personal honesty, Jurian had no choice but to admit that his lot here was not as bad as he imagined it to be on many an occasion. Sunda Mizu Mura was a large city, and one that was crucial to ongoing relations between his clan and the Crab. His post was among the highest-ranking of all Crane in the city, and the quarters provided for him were nearly the equal of those he had received during his short stint in Toshi Ranbo. Despite the brevity of his stay there, however, Jurian often thought of his time in the capital with pangs of regret. He understood that his talents were put to better use here, where he could easily manipulate the court to suit his clan’s needs, but he missed the exhilarating pace of the Imperial Court. Even as a minor functionary, the sensation of participating in some great endeavor was truly intoxicating. Still, this was his place for now, and from here he could best serve the Crane.

To say nothing of the others whose interests he served.

Sunda Mizu Mura was pleasantly warm most of the year, with surprisingly mild winters considering its location in the mountains. During the summer, however, there were times when the heat was nothing less than stifling. Even wearing his lightest silk kimono, Jurian found it almost unbearable. Fortunately, his business today would take him to the Pleasant Evening sake house, where the owner had young women stirring the air with large fans for much of the afternoon. The breeze was most refreshing, and the tea and sake were exceptional. Say what one might about the Yasuki lands, but their sake houses were always exquisite. His business here today was equally interesting. Jurian stepped into the sake house and made a show of straightening his clothing. While doing so, he scanner the room for his prey.

There. Sitting alone, as usual. She looked up to see who had entered, and Jurian met her eyes with a warm, genuine smile. She smiled demurely and returned her attention to the scroll in her lap, but he took a slight glance back to see where he would sit. Excellent.

Jurian glided over to her table quietly. “Namika-san, so lovely to see you today. How does the day find you?”

“Well, Jurian-san,” the Yasuki woman answered with a coy smile. “I had wondered if I might see you here today. I understand you and I share a taste for their special blend of tea.”

“Oh yes,” Jurian agreed, sliding into a seat across from the Crab courtier. “I find the flavor unlike anything I’ve ever had before. I fear if I’m ever moved away from this city I shall have to purchase a private estate simply so I can return and enjoy it.”

“Well, I will hope that you aren’t moved away,” Namika said. “Who else would I discuss the happenings of our illustrious court with?”

Jurian’s smiled widened. “I found Moshi Burekan’s speech on the dangers of restrictive trade agreements yesterday particularly enlightening.”

Namika stifled a laugh. “That man was drunker than I’ve ever seen anyone in court, and living in Crab lands I can assure you I have seen a few court drunkards.”

“Surely not!” Jurian returned with false indignation. He laughed for a moment and took a cup of tea from the serving girl. They knew his preferences well here. “I saw something similar in the Imperial Court once.”

Namika’s eyes widened in surprise. “I would never imagine such things would be tolerated in the Emperor’s court.”

Jurian smiled slightly and shook his head. “I’m afraid you might be surprised, Namika-san,” he offered with a sigh. “Things are not what they once were under the Emperor’s father.”

She frowned. “How do you mean?”

Jurian made a show of looking uncomfortable. He glanced around casually to see if anyone was paying close attention to their conversation. “I merely mean that I have seen mistakes made, even at the highest levels of our court.” He ran his finger around the edge of his tea cup. “Sometimes it leads to uncomfortable situations.”

Namika’s expression was somber. “I have always imagined the Imperial Court to be some grand affair, but your stories rarely make it appear such. My experiences with Yasuki Hachi and his magistrates led me to look favorably on the Emperor, but I must confess that our discussions have left me with somewhat cold feelings toward his court.”

“The men and women who make up the court are by and large good and honorable people,” Jurian assured her. “The court is just… it is very chaotic. There is no real leadership among them.”

“Where should the Court look for guidance?” Namika questioned. “The Chancellor? The Imperial Advisor?”

Jurian shook his head. “I fear Tanitsu-sama and Kaukatsu-sama are kept very busy with their duties for the Emperor. They have little time to steer the affairs of court, even when they are as important as those discussed in Toshi Ranbo.”

Namika’s expression hardened. Jurian had grown accustomed to the expression in the Crab court. It was an expression of disquiet and irritation. The Crab did not suffer foolishness lightly. “Where is the Emperor, then?” she asked quietly. “If his duties keep the court’s leaders busy, then should it not fall to him to set the pace for those who enact his will?”

“The Empire is vast, and the Emperor is but a single man. Even the Son of Heaven cannot do everything that is expected of him. No one man can.”

Namika’s expression remained grim. “Your company is always enjoyable, but the tales you recount are troubling, Jurian-san.”

“We must keep the faith, Namika,” he assured her. “The Emperor will see us through these difficult times. Or perhaps we will see him through.”

The young Crab shook her head slightly. “I hope that is so, but we are not all as optimistic as you, my friend.”

On the outside, Jurian kept his mouth poised in a thin line and nodded wordlessly. Inside, his smile was as broad as ever.

It was late in the evening before Lord Sun’s relentless heat finally abated, leaving the city mercifully cool. Jurian was grateful, having spent the day moving from place to place, engaging any number of other courtiers in spirited discussions. Some were a legitimate part of his duties on behalf of the Crane within the city, while others were merely a façade to further his secondary motivations. A handful were purely for recreational purposes, but he rarely permitted himself to enjoy those. Attachments and friendship were ill at odds in the end given his goals.

Jurian returned to his private chambers after dismissing his servants for the evening. His days were spent in endless conferences with others, and he often preferred to spend his evenings alone with his thoughts, the quiet stillness of an empty house helping him to clear his mind and focus on his objectives. The Crane courtier stepped into his chambers with plans to write a few important letters, then stopped in his tracks. He glanced once around the room carefully, his mouth set in a thin line. “I’m quite certain I’ve asked you not to enter my home uninvited. Several times, actually.”

“Jurian-sama, I’m hurt by your insinuation.” The dry voice had no clear origin. There was a stirring of air in the chamber, like a breeze that gently lifts the fallen leaves, then a black and red clad form appeared near the closed window. “I would think that I was always welcome in your home.”

“Think as you wish, Natsuo-san,” Jurian said in the same cross tone, “but my home is private. Please remember that.”

Soshi Natsuo bowed slightly in an apologetic, almost comedic manner, but his expression showed neither remorse nor amusement. His features were as cold and solemn as always, a fact that Jurian continued to find disturbing. Not that he would ever reveal his discomfort. “What progress have you made?”

“It is going well,” Jurian replied. “I have arranged for several changes to be made in the local trading policies that should benefit our efforts. Several agents loyal to our cause have been installed into the local bureaucracy as well. They should be able to continue our infiltration. We should have a foothold within the Crab Clan in a matter of months.”

“Months may be too long,” Natsuo observed dryly. “The Shogun is moving faster than we anticipated. If he forces an open conflict with the Emperor’s forces, we will need support in all the clans if we are to have any hope of success.”

“Open conflict?” Jurian said incredulously. “I thought that was only to be used as a last resort. We can only truly benefit if the Emperor remains on the throne.”

“Agreed,” Natsuo answered. “However, should our hand be forced, and Kaneka find himself on the throne, I imagine he will prove far easier to manipulate than Naseru. He seems… somewhat less politically inclined.”

The Crane shook his head. “Underestimating Kaneka is a mistake. This is not what I expected.”

“Expectations are for the foolish,” Natsuo replied with a hint of a smile. “Now, what of young Yasuki Namika? She is of keen interest to our mutual superiors.”

Jurian smiled. “Things are proceeding extremely well. Already my discussions with Namika have fostered seeds of doubt. I predict she will join our cause with great enthusiasm in the near future. She possesses a great deal of loyalty to the Emerald Champion due to some mutual adventure in Shinsei’s Last Hope but I doubt it is anything so important she will deny an alliance with us.” He looked at the shugenja with satisfaction. “Who will be making the initial contact?”

Natsuo raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You, of course. Who else?”

The Crane frowned. “That may not be the best idea.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Namika is more intelligent than I initially believed,” Jurian answered. “If she suddenly learns I am part of some vast conspiracy, she may well come to the conclusion that our discussions were intended to steer her toward that end.”

“Then you will not have done your job well enough,” Natsuo said casually. “She is yours to recruit one way or another, Jurian.”

The courtier’s eyes narrowed slightly. “An easy statement, considering I do all the work in this endeavor.”

The Scorpion grew still and turned his expressionless eyes on Jurian. “Do not mistake our familiarity for friendship, Jurian,” he said quietly. “Our cause is just, but discretion must be foremost in our minds. If you cannot accomplish your assigned duties, then you become a liability.” He shook his head sadly. “And at this point in our great endeavor, liabilities are something we simply cannot afford. Do you understand?”

Jurian paled slightly. “Of course, Natsuo-san. Forgive me.” He had no wish to anger someone such as Natsuo, who seemed without remorse or inhibition of any sort. “I will deal with Namika personally, as you say.”

“You are a wise man, Doji Jurian,” Natsuo replied calmly. “It would very much be in your best interest to remember that none of us, not you, I, or even your sensei Munemori, are more important than the cause we serve.”

“The Empire above all,” Jurian replied with a short bow. “I will remember.”

“Well said,” Natsuo agreed. “Yasuki Namika is not only responsible for all the tax collection throughout the Yasuki provinces, but also the influx of koku coming from Crane lands to aid their Crab allies. A woman in her position on our side could permit us to manipulate the entire economic landscape of this region to our advantage, and hungry men tend to blame those who rule them for their circumstances. And I would not discourage her admiration for the Emerald Champion. Instead, she might one day prove useful if we need to pry Hachi’s loyalty away from the Emperor.”

The Yasuki gardens were lovely in the moonlight. Nothing to rival the beauty of those found in Doji lands, of course, but in the absence of his home comforts, Jurian would gladly accept these as a suitable replacement. At least for the time being.

The letter had arrived at his home at dusk, only a few short hours ago. Namika wished to meet him in private, naming one of the city’s smaller, less popular gardens as the meeting place. In his experience, those who wished for such private meetings had one of two intentions. The first was to make some confession, unburdening the soul to a trusted confidant. Based on the conversations Jurian and Namika had had over the past week since Natsuo’s unpleasant visit, he expected her to admit her doubt concerning Naseru’s rule. Naturally, she would turn to her good friend, the more experienced and delightfully charming Crane who opened her eyes to such matters. And, of course, if her intent was also the second most likely motivation, he would be happy to oblige her that as well. Namika was an attractive woman, after all.

There was a rustling from the bushes that threatened to grow over one of the darker garden paths. Jurian turned and assumed one of his most sincere and welcoming expressions. Namika emerged from the path, an expression of surprise on her face. “Namika-chan,” he said warmly. “I was so delighted to receive your…”

The look of empty surprise halted Jurian mid-sentence. The smear of color on her lips was too bright to be cosmetic. It could only be blood. A cold sensation settled in Jurian’s chest. He had not even brought his wakizashi, not that he had any real skill in using it. He was defenseless.

Namika fell face-first on the garden’s stone path. A red stain marred the back of her silken kimono. She stirred slightly for a moment, then was still. Jurian took a step backwards, his mind racing to find the quickest and most direct exit from the garden and into the more heavily-populated section of town. A tea house or sake house would be ideal. Intoxicated samurai were always eager to ingratiate themselves into any violent endeavors.

“Be at ease, Jurian,” a rough voice came from the shadows. A small man, his features twisted with age, stepped out from the path where Namika had appeared only seconds before. “There’s no reason for alarm.” He paused for a moment. “Not as long as your loyalty remains intact, at least.”

Jurian stared blankly for a moment. “Ide Haichang?” he said at last, unable to keep the surprise from his voice. “What… what are you… why?”

“Oh, be quiet,” the old man snapped irritably. “You sound like an idiot.”

“What is this?” Jurian demanded suddenly. “What have you done, you fool?”

The Unicorn merchant gestured toward the Crane with a long knife, its blade still stained with blood. “Careful, young man. I may pretend to be oblivious to you and your sycophants’ barbs in court, but I have no patience for that nonsense otherwise.”

“Do you know what you’ve done?” he hissed at Haichang angrily. “You’ve ruined everything!”

“I did what you should have done in the first place,” Haichang returned. “I investigated your recruit far more thoroughly than you ever did.”

Jurian drew back, blinking in surprise. “Recruit? You know? Are you…?”

“Yes,” the old man answered. “I serve the same masters you do, and a far sight better. Do you know anything about this woman?” He gestured towards Namika’s lifeless body.

“I know she would have been invaluable to our cause,” Jurian hissed. “You’ve undone months of work in a single moment.”

“Fool,” Haichang spat. “Namika is from a minor branch of the Yasuki family. She rose to prominence when she turned her own father in for stealing from the family to further his personal ambitions. He was executed, and she was granted a more prestigious post for her loyalty and honor.” He shook his head. “She would never have betrayed her daimyo, the Emperor’s Emerald Champion. Do you even have any clue what the two of them went through in Shinsei’s Last Hope?”

“No,” Jurian disagreed. “She was very open to our ideas. I led her to her own conclusions. She would have joined us.”

“You were manipulated!” Haichang shouted, mere feet from Jurian’s face. “She played you for a fool, and you allowed it! You endangered our entire presence in this region with your idiotic reliance on your charm and good looks.” He sneered at the Crane in disgust. “I should scar your face so that you might learn to trust your other talents, assuming you have them.”

Jurian discovered the cold sensation from moments before now replaced by anger. “Try it if you wish, little man,” he snarled. “We shall see what happens.”

Haichang’s expression lightened somewhat, and one corner of his mouth curled up in a smile. “Perhaps there is more to you than I thought,” he admitted. “But now for the true test of your loyalty.” He gestured to the body. “We must dispose of her, and you will play the part of the mourning friend for the court over the next few weeks. You will be above suspicion, naturally.” His smile widened. “And who would suspect a doddering old merchant like myself?”

“What of the letter she sent me?” Jurian asked.

“I sent the letter,” Haichang answered, “and one to her as well. I will deal with them. Do not concern yourself with such things.”

“And the tax collection?”

Haichang nodded. “Mindful of your duty. My estimation of you increases by the moment.” He smirked again. “Never fear. I have ensured that Namika’s replacement will be more receptive to our overtures. Wait one week, then approach him. He will be expecting contact from someone within our organization.” He wiped the blade on Namika’s clothing, then placed it in his obi. “Now, we must dispose of this corpse. Get the feet.”

Jurian paled at the thought, his gullet rumbling. “For the Empire,” he croaked, and reached to comply.