The wind blew cold out of the hills around Shiro Kitsuki; Daidoji Yaichiro felt it pluck at his cloak and slip cold fingers inside of his padded winter kimono. He resisted the urge to pull his cloak tighter around himself and instead focused on the hope that in a few minutes he would have finished his nightly walk around camp and would be snugly ensconced in his tent with a steaming pot of tea and a stack of reports.

"I look forward to the day when I am a chui," Gempachi said. "Then I can make my gunso take the night watch while I sit warm inside my tent."

"When you are a chui," Yaichiro said, "you will be taking the night watch and making your gunso do your paperwork."

Gempachi laughed and was about to reply when the sound of a running man reached them. The runner came into view a moment later, a man wearing the light armor and straw-padded cloak of a sentry. He caught sight of his officers and put on a burst of speed, heading towards them.

"Chui-sama!" the man said, kneeling down. "I bring word from the sentry post at Silk Point--we think we have a howler coming in." The soldier glanced away from his commander and bowed slightly, as if in apology, to the full moon.

"Alert the scout commander," Yaichiro said crisply. "Tell him the gunso and I are already moving to Silk."

"Hai, Chui-sama!" the man said. The man hadn't quite finished his salute to his officers before he was off running again. Yaichiro didn't notice; he and Gempachi were already running themselves. When they reached the sentry post that had been designated Silk Point the soldier there greeted them with relief. "I lost sight of him a moment ago, Chui-sama, Gunso-sama, when the path dropped into a low point. He should be coming up soon."

"Light on me," Yaichiro said, "Gempachi, you take point."

"Hai," Gempachi said. The gunso picked up a spear from the rack, walked a few paces forward and knelt down. The sentry lit a large lamp, arranged it so that its light fell on Yaichiro and then melted back into the darkness. Yaichiro waited, focusing his senses on the night around him and trying to ignore the wind. Before long he heard a long shrieking wail and glimpsed movement coming out of the boulders ahead.

"Dragon!" he yelled, falling into an iai stance. "I am Daidoji Yaichiro! Stop and state your business!"

There was no answer, save for a loud, low growl. A lightly-clad tattooed man came racing out of the darkness straight towards Yaichiro. The chui remained in his stance, unmoving, as the other man approached. The tattooed man was close enough for Yaichiro to see the frenzied rage that burned in the other man's eyes when Gempachi smoothly grounded the butt of his spear and raised the point directly into the path of the runner's chest. The tattooed man kept running until he fetched up against the cross-bar of the spear, and then, incredibly, snarled in frustration as he tried to break through it. Gempachi struggled a moment trying to keep control of his weapon and then the sentry hurtled out of the darkness with his own spear leveled, catching the tattooed man on his blade. The man twisted and jerked for a few more moments and then went limp.

"It always works," Gempachi said, shaking his head wonderingly. He let go of his spear and stood up. "It always works."

"It has always worked so far," Yaichiro corrected. He stood gazing out into the darkness in the direction of the Dragon encampment, listening. So far there had never been a case of a howler being accompanied by a larger force, but there was always a first. What he heard, however, was the sound of men coming up behind him. Turning around he saw a half-dozen dark-clad scouts, accompanied by the sentry who had originally alerted him. The scouts bowed and murmured polite greetings to him before filtering out into the darkness, the sentry knelt and gave his report. "Chui-sama, the scout commander has been informed and he has increased the size of the outer screen. Also, he says he will send word to the neighboring camps."

"Well done," Yaichiro said. "You may resume your watch." He glanced back into the darkness and frowned.

"Why are you unhappy now?" Gempachi said. "We’ve dealt with the howler," he nodded briefly to the moon, "and the other camps have been alerted."

"I would be happier," Yaichiro said, "if I understood what was going on."

"Mirumoto-san," Hitomi Kagetora said, "would you explain to me what is going on?" He could feel the rage building, and tamped it down with a lifetime of discipline. He wanted information, and tearing apart random Mirumoto officers would not aid him in getting it.

Mirumoto Etsuya did his best to summon up a smooth, unworried face. Even under the best of circumstances there was always something vaguely threatening about the leader of the kikage zumi, and at the moment Kagetora was more than vaguely threatening. "Of course, Kagetora-san," he said. "How may I help you?"

"These men," Kagetora gestured towards a trio of Mirumoto bushi, "were just speaking of how a Hitomi monk has been sent down into the valley, alone, to attack a Crane camp. I would like to know why," his rage leaked out into his voice, just a little, "a member of my order would be given such orders."

"A reasonable question," Etsuya said, "and one to which the head of Lady Moon's own order is perfectly entitled to. If you would accompany me to the command tent I would be happy to discuss it with you."

Kagetora considered this a moment. There was something he didn't like about Etsuya's manner, something oily, but the man didn't seem to be lying. "Very well," he said. He could always kill him later.

"This way then, Kagetora-san," Etsuya said. As the officer turned around to lead the way to the tent he took one last look at the three samurai who had triggered this and made sure he knew their names. He would deal with them in time.

Kagetora waited until they were seated in the tent and tea had been served before speaking. "You were going to explain those orders."

"Of course, Kagetora-san," Etsuya said, picking up his teacup. "A great many of your order have come to the front lines of our conflict with the Crane, to their great honor and the glory of--"

"Get to the point," Kagetora rumbled.

Etsuya managed not to drop his cup. "Kagetora-sama, we didn't order him to go down to the Crane camp. The truth is, we were unable to restrain him."

"That is not what I was told," Kagetora said, "and those men were not lying."

"They were repeating what they had been told, Kagetora-sama. When it first started happening, the decision was made to make it appear intentional. There are many in the Empire who claim that the Hitomi are mad, and we did not wish to give aid to their efforts."

"So the officers of the Mirumoto hushed the matter up and did nothing?"

"No," Etsuya said. "Well, not quite. At first it was only the youngest monks who were affected, and that did not concern us much. The energy of youth, the power of the Lady, an enemy in clear view--who would not be tempted to race off and spill Crane blood? But as time went on older monks began to do it, and we began to worry. Several unit commanders sent reports to Mareshi-sama, who sent word back that he would notify you. That is why, when you arrived in camp, I did not invite you here at once and explain. I thought you already knew."

Kagetora fought to concentrate. Mareshi's name had caused a spike in his rage, and he didn't remember why. When it came down to it, he didn't remember why he had come here, either. He struggled to find the memory, thought warring with a rising tide of red fury. Taking a deep breath the old monk closed his eyes and imagined a clear, deep pond, the Lady's face reflecting serenely on its surface. He held the image in his mind until its peace became his.

Kagetora opened his eyes finally to see Etsuya staring at him with the wide eyes of a man who sees his own death approach. "I thank you for this news," he said gently. "I will leave now, and investigate this matter further."

Over the years Mirumoto Mareshi had spent a great deal of time in Shiro Mirumoto, but now as he walked down the hall towards the main audience chamber something about it seemed different. His glance darted around as he tried to figure out what the problem was.

"You seem distracted, Mareshi-san," Kitsuki Iweko commented.

Mareshi looked back at her, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "My apologies for neglecting you, Iweko-san. It is just--there is something has changed about this hallway, and I cannot place what."

Iweko nodded. "It is not the hallway that has changed, Mareshi-san, but you. Becoming a daimyo shifts one's perspective, and you have not spent enough time in this castle to become accustomed to it."

Mareshi smiled. “Kei-san will be assuming the responsibilities of daimyo once this war has concluded,” he said. “She is more suited to lead than I.”

“Be that as it may, your perspective has still changed,” Iweko countered. “It is unlikely you will see things the same way again regardless.”

"You speak as if you have experienced this."

"I grew up in Shiro Kitsuki, and had been schooled in the Kitsuki Method from the time I could talk--but when I became head of my family everything about it seemed new to me. It was a sobering reminder about how much our own perspective influences how we interpret the world around us."

Mareshi nodded, feeling oddly comforted. His Naga heritage made him unique in many things; to find that there was one thing in which he was like everyone else was a pleasant novelty. Before he could offer any comment in reply the two daimyo came to the end of the hallway.

The door of the audience chamber was slid aside to reveal Tamori Shaitung studying a map spread out on a low table. At the sound she straightened, turned towards the two in the doorway and bowed low. "Please forgive my forwardness in coming directly here instead of formally announcing myself to you, Mareshi-san," she said. "But the news was so astonishing I thought speed was more important than ceremony."

Mareshi gave her a puzzled look. He could see the earth kami that swirled around her and today they jittered about her, forming odd patterns that broke up and reformed with a speed unusual for spirits of the earth. The Tamori daimyo was truly agitated. "I thank you for your concern, Shaitung-san, but I fear that perhaps you give the matter more urgency that it deserves."

Shaitung favored him with a look of open incredulity. "I don't know how one could give the news that Kyuden Ikoma has been overrun by the Unicorn more urgency than it deserves."

It was a moment before Mareshi could speak. "Kyuden Ikoma has been overrun?" he said, trying to imagine how one successfully attacked a castle full of Lion samurai in the middle of winter.

"Yes," Shaitung said. "You did not know? Then what is your news?"

"We have come to consult with Lord Satsu about the Hitomi," Iweko answered. "They are acting in a peculiar manner."

"How can you tell?" Shaitung asked.

"They are behaving in a violent and irrational fashion," Iweko said. Shaitung gave her a puzzled look. "Relative to their normal behavior," Iweko clarified. "But Kyuden Ikoma--when? How do you know? How trustworthy is the information?"

"Two weeks ago," Shaitung said. "Nakamuro received the news, and passed it along to me. The Khan's forces struck at Shiranai Toshi, then moved deeper into Lion territory."

"Qolsa and Zamalash said that the Khan was taking men from the Shinomen Guard," Mareshi said thoughtfully. "I do not think this is a simple raid."

Iweko moved to the table and looked at the map. "We received our last shipment of rice from the Unicorn two weeks ago," she murmured. "The next shipment will arrive two weeks from now..." Her voice trailed off.

"Do you think this will interrupt the rice shipment?" Shaitung asked.

"No," Iweko said softly. "No, I do not."

"We did not come to this place out of concern about the Unicorn." The voice came from no particular place in the room, and by the time the three daimyo had registered it Togashi Satsu stood in the doorway. He looked like an ordinary man today, but all three daimyo could feel how his spirit filled the room with his presence, just as they knew there were days he was unable to assume the form of a man. He nodded to acknowledge their bows and then looked at Mareshi. "You wished to speak to me about the Hitomi," he said.

"Yes, Lord Satsu," Mareshi said. "My commanders are having difficulties with them rushing out to engage with Crane units encamped in the area around Shiro Kitsuki."

"They are attacking our enemies?" Satsu said. "That is not usually considered a problem."

"It is when they do it alone, without coordination with my troops. They rush out without warning, without support, only to be cut down by the Daidoji. They accomplish nothing but to make the Crane commanders more alert in their duties."

"Still," Satsu said, "this is a matter more appropriately handled by speaking with Hitomi Kagetora." There was no emotion on his face, but his voice held a slight hint of reproof.

"Lord Satsu, I agree. I sent him a full report of the matter, and asked if he could explain to me what was happening." Mareshi paused. "I received back a letter telling me that if I continued to interfere with the affairs of his order that he, Kagetora, would pull off my arms and beat me to death with them."

"That is how I learned of the matter," Iweko said. "Mareshi brought the letter to me, fearing that it had been forged."

"And was it?" asked Shaitung.

Iweko hesitated. "The paper, ink, and writing are all consistent with Hitomi Kagetora being the author," she said finally.

"So you are saying that it is not a forgery," Shaitung said.

"No, I am saying that I cannot prove that it is a forgery."

"You think it is a forgery, then?"

"Everything points to Kagetora being the author--except for the content."

"It is unlikely to be a forgery," Satsu said. "It is part of a larger mystery that has engulfed the Three Orders."

"A mystery?" Iweko said. "What is it, Lord Satsu? How may my family serve you?"

"The...irritability of the Hitomi has also been noticed in the High House of Light," Satsu said. "At the same time, some of the Hoshi are growing...distant. Wayan rarely speaks, and when he does it is as if his mind were elsewhere. Some of the Hoshi do not speak at all, and show no sign they hear what is spoken to them."

Shaitung frowned. "Hoshi Oki is at Winter Court, and she does not seem to be having difficulties. Nor does Hitomi Vedau."

"And not all of the Hitomi in Dragon lands are rushing out to attack the Crane," Iweko said. "But the numbers are growing over time. That is what concerns you, Lord Satsu, is it not? Not the numbers, but the pattern."

Satsu nodded. "I do not know what is happening to the other two orders, or why the Togashi are unaffected. Or if we are affected, what the symptoms might be."

The back of Mareshi's neck prickled at the thought of some unknown force threatening his lord's life, and he could see similar reactions in his fellow daimyo. Even more frightening that something could affect the Dragon and Satsu's vast knowledge couldn't tell them what it was.

"I will gather a team of my finest investigators and scholars and bring them to the High House," Iweko said.

"I will bring my most skilled shugenja," Shaitung said. "If we can strengthen the earth in the afflicted, they will be better able to answer your investigators' questions."

"There is nothing I can do to aid in the search," Mareshi said. "But if this is some plot by an enemy to undermine the Dragon Clan, they will answer to Mirumoto steel."

"I have wondered if it is an enemy from without, or some weakness from within," Satsu said. "The first is easily dealt with--what steel can help us against the second?"

Doji Domotai scowled at the papers on her desk. Kyuden Ikoma had fallen, the Imperial Court was in an uproar, and she had to sit here and deal with a vassal too incompetent, or too lazy, to notice blatant graft when it stared him in the face. None of her sensei had prepared her for days like this.

There was a soft scratching at the door. "Come in," she said, and the door slid aside to reveal the kneeling form of Daidoji Kikaze. He bowed to her, moved into the room, and knelt before her writing desk at a polite distance.

"Kikaze-san, you have heard the news from the Lion," Domotai said.

"Yes, Lady Domotai," Kikaze said.

"They think that this signals the start of an attempt to take the Throne by force."

Kikaze frowned. "It is an incredible charge, my Lady. But if the Lion understand one thing, it is war--we shouldn't dismiss their word on this out-of-hand."

"Whether the Khan's goal is to seize the Throne or simply annex the Lion lands, we will be there to oppose him." Domotai's voice was firm. "The Lion have aided us in our war with the Dragon, and we will stand with them against the Unicorn."

"As you say, Lady Domotai." Try as he might, Kikaze had never shook the feeling that it was fundamentally wrong to be fighting with a Lion army, and not against one--but he could not deny that the Akodo had been more than useful. "But it will be difficult. The bulk of our forces are committed to the war against the Dragon; most of the remaining units that would normally be stationed in the west have been shifted south, closer to the Crab border. Just in case."

"It will be difficult, and will require us to use our resources with great care." She paused and fiddled with the scroll on her desk for a moment. "Shiro Giji," Domotai said. "What do you know of it?"

Kikaze blinked slightly in confusion. He had never found out if Domotai had been told about his brothers, did not know exactly what she meant by the question. "It is a temple, my Lady," he said finally, "dedicated to Doji-kami and other notable ancestors."

"An odd name for a temple," Domotai said.

"It was built on the ruins of a castle destroyed by arson," Kikaze said. Did she know or not?

"An interesting co-incidence", Domotai said sharply, indicating the scroll. "Because each year it apparently consumes the same amount of supplies as a small castle garrison." How, she wondered again, could he have not noticed this?

There was a moment of silence as Kikaze digested both her words and her tone of anger. She didn't know. "The temple occupies the upper level of the training complex," he said.

Now it was Domotai's turn to blink in confusion. "Training...complex? For who?"

"The Harriers, my Lady."

"What is a Harrier?" Domotai said.

"We are special type of skirmisher. It is our task to cause the maximum disruption among invading armies, by whatever means at hand."

"'We'. You are a Harrier?"

"Yes, my lady," Kikaze hesitated, just a bit, "My sensei chose me to train with them shortly after my father's death. I am sorry that this is news to you," he added, "I had expected your father to tell you after your gempukku."

"The Harriers," Domotai repeated, intrigued. Growing up in Shiro Matsu she had heard Matsu samurai accuse the Daidoji of using dishonorable tactics to accomplish their successes. Domotai had always assumed that these were merely tales and exaggerations, meant to save face of the Lion, but she had often wondered. Were the Harriers the answer?” "How do you do it?"

"Various ways, my Lady." Kikaze shrugged. "Ambush officers or messengers, false messages, poison wells, drive off their remount herd, destroy their supply dumps--"

"Destroy their supply dumps?" Domotai straightened up, alarmed. "With what?"

"With gaijin pepper, my Lady. It is compact to carry and very reliable."

"It is against Imperial Law!"

Kikaze nodded. "You need not worry, my Lady. We are careful to always use the minimum needed, and we have courtier assets ready to bury any unfortunate rumors."

"That does not make it legal!" Domotai said. "Nor does it save the honor of the Crane!"

"There is no dishonor to the Crane," Kikaze said. "We sacrifice our own honor for the good of the clan."

"How can you say that?" Domotai said. "Your base, your supplies, your 'courtier assets'--all come from the clan. How can we not be involved in your dishonor?"

"My lady, for centuries Crane Champions have used us. Do you question their honor? What would you say to them?"

"I would tell them to rejoice," Domotai shot back, "for their daughter is about to set right their ancient mistake."

"Lady Domotai, you must accept this," Kikaze said. "Our war with the Dragon, the coming conflict with the Unicorn, the possible conflict with the Crab--we will need all of our strength for our clan to survive."

"There is no strength in dishonor!" Domotai shouted. She gained control of herself and leaned over the table. "I will not permit this to go on. We are the children of Doji-kami, the Daughter of the Sun who brought culture and government to Rokugan. We have made a mockery of these things! Use of gaijin pepper is a capital crime in Imperial Law--but you tell me the Crane Clan has been using it for years. We are no better than maho-tsukai! You will disband the Harriers and destroy all stocks of gaijin powder they possessed."

"You cannot ask this," Kikaze said, almost frantic. "We need that, need them! We have nothing to replace their loss!"

"We will replace it with the strength of honor," Domotai said.

"The strength of honor?" Kikaze gave a short, bitter laugh. "Ask the Lion how much their honor saved them against us. Or the Khan."

There was a loud crash as Domotai reached out with one hand and swept the writing desk aside, flinging it into the wall. "Ask Iuchiban how many Crane fell to darkness in his Blood Rain," she said grimly. "How many might have been saved, had dishonor not been gnawing on their hearts?" She rose and walked to the alcove where her father's daisho sat in state. "I am the Champion of the Crane," she said, "and it falls to me to guide and protect the clan." She drew the katana reverently. "I will protect it from enemies without--and within." Domotai turned around and looked at Kikaze with hard, cold eyes, and for a moment he was startled by how much she looked like her father. Slowly she started to walk towards him. One strike was all it would take, she thought. The tatami mats would be ruined and the whole room would have to be cleaned and purified, but those were small problems. "You are a creature without honor," she said. "So low that not only do you break the Emperor's laws, you publicly give lie to his word of honor!"

Kikaze watched her approach. His hands were clenched at his side and his lips were drawn back in a snarl but there was no fear in his eyes. "As my mother made me," he whispered.

Domotai stopped. Akiko, her mother, had died with treason in her mouth. It was her cousin Nagori who had suggested that she be sent to study with the Lion. If her mother had had her way, what kind of person would Domotai be now?

"Daidoji Kikaze," she said finally, "you are a lord of the Crane and from this day on you will act like one. You will disband the Harriers, and you will turn them into samurai fit to be called the Protectors of the Doji. Do you understand?"

A moment of silence, and then, "Your will, my Lady," Kikaze said.

"You are dismissed," Domotai said.

The daggers flew the length of the dojo and sank into the wood of the practice dummy, their twin impacts blending into one sound. Kikaze stood looking at them, shaking slightly. He had almost killed his daimyo. He walked slowly to the dummy, the memory of it replaying in his mind. She had walked towards him blade in hand, and all he could think of was all the ways he could kill her. She was far too gone in her rage to have countered him. The thought made him sick. 'You are a creature without honor', she had said. He pulled the daggers out of the dummy and returned them to their sheaths. "No," he said.

You are disgrace to your family, your clan, and the Emperor you left to die. "Shut up, Mother," he growled.

Footsteps sounded in the hall outside and the door slid open. Kikaze looked over to see Kakita Matabei entering the dojo. "Kikaze-sama! I did not expect to see you at Kyuden Doji." He bowed to the dojo's shrine and then to Kikaze.

Kikaze returned the bow. "I was called here to meet with Lady Domotai. And you? What brings the commander of the Empress Guard here?"

"I have been sent on a task for the Empress. In some ways, I protect her best by representing her interests elsewhere." He shrugged lightly. "Someday, perhaps, I may use my sword in her service, but for now she needs the service of a man of honor more."

Kikaze found himself staring at the floor. "She is fortunate to have you," he said.

Matabei bowed slightly, accepting the praise. "But I did not mean to interrupt your kata. Please, go on with your training, and I will not bother you further."

"You did not interrupt," Kikaze said. "Truthfully, I had not begun."

"Perhaps then we could spar together?" Matabei brightened at the thought. "I rarely have the privilege of training with a Daidoji. Kenjutsu? Or better still, iai?"

Kikaze hesitated, tempted by the idea of a distraction. But kenjustsu with Matabei was a bad idea; the kenshinzen was far too likely to notice the oddities in his style. "I have spent most of my time training with the yari," he said, falling back on the old excuse. "I know little of iaijutsu beyond the basic kata."

"In the Academy we have a story about a legendary sensei whose first and last lesson was the same." Matabei grinned. "So you see, you are not so far from me in knowledge."

You are a lord of the Crane and from this day on you will act like one. "Perhaps," Kikaze said. He walked towards the rack of practice weapons. "But until I try, who can say for sure?"