By Brian Yoon
Development & Additional Writing by Fred Wan
Dark clouds rolled over the morning sky, blocking all hints of the beautiful light. The Dragon Clan Champion’s personal gardens near the outskirts of the High House of Light were usually breathtaking, but the oppressive darkness seemed to seep into the plants that lined the path. Mirumoto Kei glanced at her surroundings and frowned. Though everything was quite beautiful, she was struck with a powerful sense of isolation as they slowly followed the winding trail deeper and deeper into the sanctuary.
“Perhaps it is unseemly to say so,” Mirumoto Mareshi suddenly said, breaking the silence, “but of late I have begun to find these meetings unsettling.”
Kei simply looked back at her husband and waited for him to continue.
“We inform him of the events of the Empire yet each time he simply listens and waits. Why wait for the gods to show us one worthy for the throne when we know someone wiser than any mortal man? The Clans, fools that they are, begin to squabble amongst themselves. Unless something changes, we will see the land torn asunder once more.”
“Perhaps,” Kei said quietly, “yet it is not our place to say so. Our lord will guide the clan through what he sees is the correct way. We can do nothing else but wait.”
“I know that,” Mareshi responded with a sigh. “I am but a humble servant and I have faith in Satsu-sama. I simply wish that my eyes could be open to the path.”
“Humble?” Kei said, shaking her head. “What use is there of a humble daimyo?”
Mareshi laughed. “I suppose you must be arrogant enough for the both of us, my wife.”
Kei smiled back at him and they continued down the path in peaceful silence. Finally they reached the end of the path and a sheer cliff that soared above the rest of the castle. A large waterfall cascaded down the cliff and ended in a pool churning and frothing with the force of the water. A small stream snaked out and traveled south. A woman knelt by it, trailing her fingers in the coursing water, and Kei immediately recognized her as Tamori Shaitung. She looked up as they approached and nodded in recognition.
Kei began to wrack her mind for news she might have missed through the Empire. Shaitung lived far from the High House of Light and she rarely made the trek without cause. She could think of nothing of such importance that would drag the Tamori Daimyo from her work.
If those same concerns ran through Mareshi’s head, he gave no indication of it. “I hope your travel was agreeable, Shaitung-san,” Mareshi said.
“It was not unpleasant,” Shaitung said curtly. “The roads leading out of Shiro Tamori are still snowed in. It took several prayers to the kami before I could make any headway.”
“I am sorry we have not visited your lands in several months,” Kei said. “You know of our northern troubles. Every extra resource has been relocated to that front to combat the increased activity.”
“He arrives,” Shaitung said suddenly. Kei looked up at the cliff and witnessed a truly spectacular sight. The pond began to ripple and part as a large form moved just below the surface. A loud roar echoed through the mountain and Togashi Satsu emerged in the majesty of his dragon form. Drops of water adorned each scale, and they glistened even without the presence of the sun. Satsu flew in place above the cliff. Slowly, he turned his head and fixed his inhuman gaze upon the three daimyo. As one, they bowed deeply to their lord.
Satsu acknowledged the bow with a simple nod and descended to the ground. He settled on a large rock next to the pool and wrapped his long, serpentine body around it.
“I am sure you will not mind my bringing forth the first topic of the morning, Mareshi-san, Kei-san. Nakamuro has informed me of a situation in the Phoenix lands demands your attention, my lord,” Shaitung began without preamble. “The Elemental Council has decided to engage the Dark Oracles. They reason that, as the Oracles have distanced themselves from mortal concern, a Dark Oracle who is slain shall not be replaced.”
“Although no clan understands the way of the heavens better than the Phoenix,” Mareshi said slowly, “their decision is dangerous. While we have our own problems along our northern border, the other Dark Oracles have not done much damage to the Empire. There is a chance that the Phoenix are incorrect, and that the death of a Dark Oracle will simply raise another to fill the position. Better the threat we know than risk another.”
“What greater evil can there be than a Dark Oracle?” Kei asked. “Every Dark Oracle is a menace, regardless of who he once may have been.”
Shaitung looked at Mareshi, distaste clearly marked on her face. “There is certainly a possibility that a something worse might ascend, but it is more likely that the Empire will be no worse off. The Dark Oracle may be a lesser danger, or not replaced at all. One cannot let mere possibilities prevent one from acting.”
“Everyone knows the tale of the Dark Oracle of Void, who sacrificed his own neutrality for the sake of the balance of the heavens,” Mareshi said. “Even now, he performs no overt actions against Rokugan. Should he die, so that our curiosity on this theological matter can be appeased?”
“His tale is a tragedy,” Kei responded. “It does not change what he is. He is a Dark Oracle, and though he was once a hero of the empire he is an embodiment of the evil that now threatens it.”
“Besides, the Phoenix do not need to begin their crusade with the Dark Oracle of Void,” Shaitung interjected. She pointedly stared at Mareshi, and her voice was infused with barely disguised hate. “They could start with the Dark Oracle of Fire, whose actions threaten the Dragon even today.”
“Our troops are sufficient to handle the current situation,” Mareshi said. “The Dark Oracle of Fire is a perfect example of how things could prove disastrous. Even though the Dark Oracle seeks our destruction, his power is limited by Nakamuro’s use of the Dark Covenant. What if another Dark Oracle arises, one who is not prohibited from acting against us?”
“Each life taken by the Dark Oracle of Fire is one too many,” Kei said. “We should do whatever we can to eliminate the threat.”
The conversation stilled as each daimyo surreptitiously glanced at Satsu. Still, the Dragon Clan Champion remained silent. The humans looked at each other and reached a silent agreement to continue on the dialogue. Mareshi and Kei were quite used to the situation. Satsu spoke less and less during each meeting, preferring instead to listen and issue a proclamation at the end of each argument.
“Perhaps we are concerned with the wrong question,” Shaitung said. “The morality of the action should not be the focus of our discussion. The Phoenix Clan has decided to do this, with or without our input. What we should decide is whether or not they deserve our aid.”
“We should give them every resource available to us,” Kei responded immediately. “The Dragon and Phoenix were once the closest of allies, and events after the Second Day of Thunder tested that bond to its breaking point. This noble quest can help mend those relations until we can proudly stand, side by side.”
“Such a predictable response, Kei-san,” Mareshi said, lessening the sharp remark with a warm smile. “I understand the need to make allies, yet any aid we give them will be construed as an endorsement from the Dragon Clan for their actions. Do we want to encourage them in their activities? We do not know for certain that they can succeed. If they approach us for help, I suggest we tell them of our disapproval of their actions and deny all aid.”
“Even if we believe their actions are wrong, can we truly stand by and watch them walk into danger? The Dark Oracles are dangerous creatures. If the Phoenix Clan attempts to destroy them, the Oracles can use their full power. The Phoenix are serving the Empire. It is cowardice to make them serve alone because we are afraid of the future.”
“We cannot spare military aid,” Mareshi said. “It was not so long ago that we were forced to turn away the Naga from our doorstep. Their cause is just as noble as this quest. The situation is no different.”
Shaitung opened her mouth to speak, but Satsu’s voice silenced her reply. His giant eyes clouded with some deep emotion that Kei could not recognize.
“My vision is limited,” Satsu said. “Chosai lies outside the borders of these lands and I cannot see what would happen if Dragon samurai assault his home. I will not allow it. The Phoenix Clan stands alone in this journey.”
“My lord,” Kei said, “when do you believe we can take the attack to the Dark Oracle of Fire? His men continue to plague our defenses, and something must be done.”
“No,” Satsu said. “I cannot ensure the safety of any who extends beyond my sight. I will not risk Dragon lives if I cannot be certain of the future. We will not send Dragon samurai outside of Rokugan.”
Kei bowed. “Your will be done, my lord.”
Mareshi glanced at Shaitung, but she seemed to have quieted all of her protests with Satsu’s announcement. “Does that mean that you will refuse the Caliph’s request for a representative of the Dragon Clan in Medinaat-al-Salaam?”
Satsu turned his gaze to Mareshi. “We spoke of this during last month’s gathering, Mareshi. Has something in the situation changed?”
“Yes, Satsu-sama,” Mareshi said. He reached into his sash and pulled out a scroll. It was sealed with the Scorpion Champion’s personal mon. “We received a letter from Paneki-sama about the ambassador position.”
“Open it,” Satsu said.
Mareshi broke the seal and unfurled the letter. He quickly browsed through the contents of the scroll. “He asserts the importance of a Rokugani presence in the Burning Sands, as many things have changed in that land. He also states that since the Caliph specifically asked for a Dragon, we should not ignore her demand. He includes a list of candidates he believes will perform admirably in the distant city.”
“Paneki believes we should honor the request?” Satsu asked.
“Yes, my lord.”
The three daimyo waited as Satsu quietly mulled over the situation.
“The Scorpion are trustworthy allies,” he finally declared. “They would not lead us astray. Send word to the Caliph that a Dragon ambassador will soon head for her city.”
“Who should go?” Mareshi asked.
“Choose from the candidates on Paneki’s list. The Scorpion understand politics,” Satsu said.
Mareshi bowed. Shaitung and Kei quickly followed suit. Satsu unrolled his body from the rock. He rose from the ground and flew toward the castle. And then he was gone as quickly as he appeared.
Shaitung looked at Kei. “Our lord grows more and more distant,” she said. “It troubles me. The empire is in turmoil, and we could use the guidance.”
“It is said his grandfather Togashi rarely spoke to anyone other than his daimyo,” Mareshi said. “Perhaps Satsu-sama feels the burden of his divinity more than ever.”
Kei stared out in the direction of her departing lord and did not reply.