Togashi Ieshige strode down a well-lit hallway, taking no note of the delicate stonework surrounding him. He walked with a purpose towards the two monks awaiting him at the far end.
As he approached, the monks stepped to each side, allowing him access to the doorway they guarded. Despite his apparent urgency, Ieshige stopped and bowed to each man in turn. They returned the bow, markedly deeper.
“Three will be arriving here shortly. Allow them to enter.”
“Hai, Ieshige-sama.”
With no further word, Ieshige slipped into the door, closing it firmly behind himself.
The chamber beyond was one Ieshige had spent much time in over the previous year. It was bare, apart from the wooden structure, as tall as he was, in the very center of the room. He knelt in front of it, whispering words of prayer to the kami all around him.
Satisfied, he rose and started to disassemble the wooden casing. As it came apart, it became clear it was actually a covering, a sort of turtle shell over a more ornate wooden stand underneath. This stand was not bare, however. It held a large, oblong item, which in turn was shrouded in deep green cloth.
Ieshige finished removing the protective case, which folded away into a discrete closet in the far corner of the room, leaving no sign it had ever been there. He tested the silk cloth, making sure it was still in its proper place.
Finally he took a position between the item and the door, facing the entrance. There he waited, unmoving.
Three shugenja – two men and one woman – followed a single Togashi monk down the same hall. The shugenja wore Dragon colors and markings, just as the monk did, but their bearing implied unfamiliarity with the building they were now in.
“Togashi-san? Can you tell us where we are going?” Tamori Shiki grunted in annoyance. “I cannot speak for my companions, but I can assure you I have been taken from very important work.”
“My apologies Tamori-sama,” replied the monk, “But I was instructed to bring you directly. I am certain your questions will be answered presently.”
The larger man, Tamori Wotan, suppressed a laugh. “Yes, because the Togashi are known fir their clarity in answers.” He smiled at the monk. “Yet I have faith, Togashi-san. I am confident you would not lead us astray.”
Tamori Noriko cocked her head towards the men accompanying her. “Our instructions to follow this man came from Shaitung-san, no? Why would we question that?”
Wotan grinned. “I question everything, Noriki-san. And I question nothing. I find life much more enjoyable that way.”
Shiki gestured down the hall to where the monks still guarded the door. “I think we are at our destination.”
A simple nod from their escort confirmed it and as they approached, the guards stepped aside and opened the door, ushering the three shugenja through. The door shut firmly behind them, leaving them facing Togashi Ieshige.
Ieshige wasted no time on formality, saying only, “Do you know why you have been summoned?”
“Not at all Ieshige-san, but I am sure it was for something important.” Shiki answered with only a trace of irritability in his voice.
“It was.” Ieshige gestured towards the item behind him. “Do you know that this is?”
Shiki and Wotan shook their heads, but Noriko said, “I believe so.” The three men all looked at her as she continued. “I believe it is the legacy of Toturi III, carried in turn by Mirumoto Rosanjin and Shosuro Aroru.”
Ieshige nodded, and the eyes of Shiki and Wotan widened. “It was brought from the Tomb of the Seven Thunders and placed in the care of Togashi Satsu, our champion. He, in turn, entrusted it to the three orders, which have now become one. The task of custodian was given to me. Now, do you know what the item actually is?”
Shiki nodded. “It is a mirror of jade. It is said to reflect only truth.”
“That is as good an explanation as any. You three have been brought here to gaze into the mirror and allow me to see your truth.”
Anger flashed in Shiki's face. “Has there been some allegation made? Are we three accused of some deception?”
Ieshige shook his head. “No accusations have been made, Shiki-san. However, this is a very important request, from both Tamori Shaitung and from Lord Satsu himself. I am not at liberty to discuss the reasons behind the request at this time, but I assure you, no slight is meant against any of you.”
“I will go first.” Noriko's voice rang out. “I have wanted to see mirror since I first heard of it.”
Ieshige nodded and escorted Noriko around the structure, standing where both he and she could see the reflection, but the other Tamori could not. Without a further word he removed the green cloth and exposed the mirror.
“It is...beautiful. Look at the carving, so intricate...” Noriko's face beamed with delight. Ieshige looked deep into the mirror at Noriko's reflection. At first it showed only her smiling face, but then the image changed. Rather than Noriko herself, he saw a painting of her, elegantly done. The painting changed to a tapestry, and then a sculpture, still depicting Noriko. Finally the image changed to a relief, made entirely of jade, much as the mirror itself was.
Ieshige smiled slightly. “You are an artist, Noriko-san.” She nodded. He looked towards the other two men.
“I will go next, Ieshige-san,” Wotan said. “I have nothing to hide.”
Ieshige re-covered the mirror while Wotan changed places with Noriko. Then he removed the cloth, as before.
“I look...young, somewhat. What does that mean?”
“I do not decipher the images, Wotan-san. I only look for dangerous signs.”
“So, this means I am...young at heart maybe?”
The image was not that of a child, but it looked like Wotan just after his gempukku. His face was vibrant and full of joy.
Ieshige smiled and nodded to Wotan. “The image is nothing for me to be concerned about. Such an image of vibrant life could never be a negative thing.”
He placed the cloth back over the mirror as Wotan rejoined his companions. Shiki, however, did not move from where he stood. “Is there some concern, Shiki-san? Do you believe the image will show something you do not want seen?” Ieshige's tone was innocent, but his eyes locked onto Shiki.
“I just do not appreciate being tested. I have proven myself to the Dragon many times over.”
“Yes, you have.”
“Then what gives you the right to judge me?”
“I judge no one. I just follow the orders of our Lord. I assume you would do the same.”
Shiki's eyes dropped for a moment. “Hai.”
He walked around the mirror, with Ieshige's gaze on him constantly. As the Togashi pulled the cloth away, Shiki averted his eyes.
In the mirror Ieshige saw Shiki, standing upright and staring unafraid into the future. His raiment was rich and trimmed with gold. Behind his head was a glow unlike any that Ieshige had seen in the mirror – a radiance that seemed as bright as Lord Sun himself, although it did not blind, nor did it cause Shiki to be seen in silhouette.
Ieshige re-covered the mirror without Shiki ever looking at the image. The shugenja answered Ieshige's quizzical gaze. “My life has been a quest to discover who I am. If I can look into this mirror and find the answer so easily, my life's purpose will be meaningless. I trust the answers you sought were satisfactory.”
“They were.” He waited until Shiki had rejoined his companions. “Now I will tell you why you had to undergo this test. Shaitung-sama needed to be certain she was not sending anything other than what she thought.”
Wotan said, “Sending? We are being sent somewhere?”
Ieshige nodded. “Yes. There is to be a competition to determine the new Jade Champion of Rokugan, and you three are to represent the Dragon Clan.”
Shiki's eyebrows shot up. “This is an honor.”
“It is more than that. Lord Satsu feels it is very important for a Dragon to wear the mantle of the Jade Champion. A Jade Champion with access to this,” he motioned toward the mirror, “would be very formidable indeed. He believes that in the dark days ahead, such a person will help Rokugan survive.”
First Noriko, then Wotan and Shiki, all bowed.
Ieshige returned the bows in kind. “This is a great burden placed upon you three, but it is a necessary burden and one only you can bear. Lord Satsu has faith in you.”