The Fifth Scroll - Temple of Ten Thousand Fortunes

[Vardaen]

"Do you plan to strike us down with it?" The statement is obviously rhetorical, and the monk makes no motion as to where Oniji should leave it, or that he is worried one bit about the monk being armed while in Osano-Wo's temple. Those that know the Kami of Fire and Thunder know he respects strength and those that carry it.

He leads Oinji through the temple, up one flight of stairs where he stops, and raps on a door. The door slides open, a young monk on the other side. "We are here to speak to Brother Gou." A few minutes of waiting and Oniji is brought before one of the elder monks of the temple in a simple chamber that serves as both audiance, dojo, and lesson chamber as well as many other purposes. Brother Gou is an old man, wrinkled and aged, easily within his 80th winter of life. He wiggles his bottom lip, unconsiously and uncontrollably. "Speak loudly little brother, my hearing is blessed with many thounderclaps of Osano-Wo." Placing a hand to his ear and squinting, the old monk awaits Oniji. The other monks have backed up to the door, and politely wait there.

[MadVlat]

Oniji bows his head as the other monk finishes speaking. "As you well know little brother our strength comes from within". He allows a small smile to creep across his face. Then he places the bladed shaft against the wall of the temple. He follows the monk to the audience chamber and waits to be recieved. Finally he is ushered before the older monk. He bows at the waist and stands once again, "I am honored that you could see me on such short notice Venerable Gou". Though louder than normal his voice remains subdued and polite...

[Vardaen]

"All my time is short." The quivering old lip of the mostly toothless monk turns up in a smile. This man is ancient, that much is obvious. "You come seeking something, blessins of the Kami? Nope, nope, that you may find anyplace you look. You look for someone?" His hand shakes slightly the entire time he talks, unable to control the slight tremors.

[MadVlat]

Oniji kneels before the older man and begins to speak reverntly. "Master Katshuda of the Temple of ten thousand fortunes has bid me the task of seeking out a murderer. He targets those of the orders. Two have been found so far and master Katshuda fears that there will be more if the killer is not stopped". He pauses briefly to allow the ancient monk to process what he has said. Then begins anew, "I seek information about the two that have been killed. Can the brethern of the Temple of Osana Wo be of assistance in this matter, Master Gou?". His hand unconciously moving the beads around his waist while he utters silent prayers to the fortunes in his mind...

[Vardaen]

The old monk sits there listening, and his eyes close. For several long minutes he says and does notthing. Oniji begins to suspect that the old man has fallen asleep sitting there infront of him. Just when Oniji is about to give up and do something, the old man opens his eyes. The shaking in his hand has stopped, and he seems more focused and centered. "There are no brothers of Osano-Wo's order missing or vicitims of your murderer. Anyone seeking the death of one of us would be foolish to attempt such an act. Perhaps you should seek out one of the other Temples for the dead monks. I can not help you young one."

[MadVlat]

"You are truly wise Master Gou. I must admire your simple truths. May the blessings of the fortunes be upon you". Oniji gives a pleasurable bow towards the ancient monk. "I will waste no more of your or your brethern's precious time. Please forgive my intrusion". He stands and offers one last bow. Then turns his unshod feet moving silently across the dojo floor as he moves to the door...

[Vardaen]

Oniji leaves the Temple of Osano-Wo and begins his travel of the Isle of Silk. Seeking out each temple on the island, he speaks to half a dozen sensei or elder monks of various orders that are located here on the Mantis Isles. They all give basically the same reply. None of them have any missing monks, or monks unaccounted for. Several of them don't seem to even know there is a danger on the isle that might threaten their order. It takes Oniji several days to complete his survay of the temples but he is no closer to finding out anything than when he started. Perhaps this is some form of test from Master Katshuda to test his resolve. If so Oniji is not the kind of man to give up, so he presses on.

It isn't until nearly a week of hunting for answers, or even for a question, that Oniji finally catches a break. Word reaches him that it seems an eta's dog had been searching a garbage heap on the Isle of Silk when it found a body that has been tentatively identified as Togashi Nobue, a venerated ise zumi of the Dragon Clan. It was not an easy identification -- it had decomposed for perhaps two weeks, and it had been skinned! By the time Oniji had caught word of this, the body had already been burned.

The revelation that this ise zumi, a monk of the Dragon, was killed explains why none of the temples were missing anyone. This changes things slightly for Oniji, for now the investigation is far grander in scope than it would be if it was an unaligned monk gone dead.

Oniji finds himself inside the Temple of Ten Thousand Fortunes, in Master Katshuda's chamber, summoned there by the Master himself. The two men sit across the small room from one another, small statues of the Seven Fortunes adorn one wall, but otherwise the chamber is rather plain. Master Katshuda is silent for several long minutes before he begins to speak "Oniji, your presistence and dedication to the riddle placed before you is commendable. I have seen you working diligently this week, even in the face of confusion and lack of guidance. Like a man that is dropped at sea, you swam in every direction even with little hope of finding the shore. Now however our shark as struck again, and your report about the man's identity is troubling. We can not continue on as we have been. The Dragon are in a precarious place in the Empire now. The wrong action could cause them to withdraw even further, or worse, join with Shoju the 1st. We must seek the council of Yoritomo-dono now, and gain his guidance and permission to continue this investigation." He pushes a scroll across the floor at you. "I have prepaired a letter of introduction for you. You are to take it and present it to the Mantis Champion, and seek permission to continue your task as well as what aid might be offered. It will explain much to the Son of Storms and with the blessing of the Fortunes, we shall bring this murderer to justice."


Isles of the Mantis. Dawn, Early Winter, 12th Day of the Month of Hida, 1123 The First Year of Hantei the 39th's Rule. May it be forever glorious.

OOC

Major push to keep things rolling, and move you into the main thread. You can consider the infor here your knowledge, but you only just found out yesterday and have had no time to investigate further when the issue of a Great Clan being involved came up and you were summoned to see Master Katshuda.

[MadVlat]

"Master Katshuda I am honored by your praise. Though such is not necessary. I would gladly risk everything to save even one life. Let alone several. I will leave at first light if that pleases you". Oniji shows no emotion on his face but his voice hints of a light sense of pride. He knows that such a task is not given lightly...

[Vardaen]

OOC

Please note, it IS first light. That is why I post the date and time in the posts.

"No. You shall leave now, first light is already past and Lord Yoritomo-dono is not the sort of man you keep waiting with information about dead men on his islands." He makes sure Oniji has the letter, and then stands up. "Waste no time, and keep no secrets little brother." He bows to the man and then leaves the room.

Oniji will eventually gather himself and his things and proceed onwards to speak to the Mantis Clan Damiyo Yoritomo, the Son of Storms, himself about the matter of the now, 3 dead, monks. By all accounts the third, and possibly the other two, was a Dragon Ise Zumi, meaning they were more than monks, they were Samurai as well.

Oniji travels to the donjon of the Mantis Champion, Yoritomo's palace, Kyuden Gotei, is a simple square, stone structure, reflecting hundreds of years of silent protest against the destruction of the beautiful, ornate Kyuden Gusai (torn down when Gusai Rioshida tried to hold the Emperor's son hostage, resulting in the dissolution of the Gusai family, and near-destruction of the Mantis). Inside, the castle is a strange mix of Rokugani and foreign decorations, more furniture than in most Rokugani dwellings, including carved wood chairs and tables, thick rugs, and silk curtains, all of which spell "ostentation" to most classy samurai.

Oniji finds himself spending an hour waiting at the front gates while his letter of introduction is taken and examined. He is then admited into the castle, the same castle that Hantei the 39th is also staying at; no doubt the reason for the high security as there are Storm Legion bushi all around. Eventually the young monk is taken to a chamber filled with chairs and tables for those in waiting to enjoy sitting in. The thick rugs are warm to stand on, and the ostentatious and often gaudy gold decorations declares the Mantis to be a very rich clan, perhaps as rich as a Great Clan even.

When Oniji arrives he finds there are others in the room also waiting for an audiance with Yoritomo. One group of men and woman consists of two Crane, one man, one woman, plus two more people that appear to be ronin, again one of each gender. Also there are several Mantis sitting and speaking to one another about trade winds, shipping lanes, and other matters of commerce hardly suitible for samurai or monks.

OOC

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