Prelude: Toritaka Yaso

[TetNak]

Roll

Ettiquete: 14, Fail

Yaso attempts to keep himself calm, but his face betrays him. The woman laughs behind her fan. "Do not concern yourself. I am no enemy of men. My father," she shrugs, "Could very well be."

She gives a look over the Falcon. "Yuudai-san is a dangerous man." She sighs, "And outside of my reach. Perhaps ... perhaps you could do the Scorpion a favor, and the Empire as a whole."

[mackaber]

Yaso nods indigently. "Hai Cho-sama. In fact I am currently travelling to Toshi Ranbo to serve the Empire as a Chrystantenum Magistrate!"

[TetNak]

"A Chrysanthemum Magistrate?" she asks. "I do not know what that might be." Lady Cho's voice is steady, showing no emotion, "Either way, if you have plans to travel to Toshi Ranbo, perhaps you can catch him on your way. I cannot tell you what punishment he should received, but, as a Crab, I believe you know what must be done to any that hold the Taint of the Shadowlands." Her head turns, nodding to one of her yojimbo, "Take this sum of koku to help you on your way. My men will see you to the pass. There are quicker ways across the mountains than most know."

The yojimbo hands out a sack full of koku to Yaso.

[mackaber]

Yaso bows to Lady Cho.
"Hai Cho-sama. Anyone carrying the taint and wishing to spread it deserves nothing but a swift death. I was planning on travelling further on the Kobune "the Lucky Arrow" and will have to return there quickly to recover my belongings"

[TetNak]

The woman says, "Very well. Meet Tobo-san at the north gate in one-half hour." She finally pulls her fan away from her face, exposing what Yaso has to think is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. "Good luck, Falcon-san."

[mackaber]

Yaso face slightly reddens at tthe joy of seeing such beauty then he bows again and replies "I will not disapoint you, and I will inform you once I have fullfilled my duty." with that he rises and quickly heads out back to the lucky arrow, his heart racing, and his pride invigorated by a sense of duty.

[TetNak]

The Falcon collects his gear and is off the boat as quickly as he boards. He finds his Falcon waiting on the rails of the ship. The bird relocates to Yaso's shoulder as he makes for the northern gate. He arrives very early, and instantly spots the yojimbo Tobo waiting for him.

Tobo waves over to the Falcon, having two Rokugani ponies waiting. "Come, we should hurry, it is night, and undoubtedly Yuudai has something up his sleeve."

[mackaber]

Yaso bounds towards Tobo and jumps onto his steed hastily driving the horse out of the City Gate. As they ride he says to Tonbo "Fear not that he might surprise us for we Falcon have sharp eyes and ears."

[TetNak]

"Good, you will need those sharp eyes, Falcon. Yuudai is dangerous." The yojimbo seems to show more fear or at least trepidation when dealing with the man known to Yaso as Yuudai. The pair ride out in the night in darkness ...

[TetNak]

Day 1, Month of the Ox

The days have passed in horrible conditions. After leaving the Scorpion lands Yaso has been completely on his own. The weather has been colder as he has come north, snow falling and slowing his way. At least he has enough koku to arrive at the capital, Toshi Ranbo. The Falcon had actually avoided any meeting with Unicorn, who are rumored to be on their way to attack the capital itself. They will soon be his enemies, he knows, and takes care to keep out of their way by asking if any had been seen and avoiding paths that might bring him into contact with them.

During the whole time there is no sign of Yuudai. In fact, although miserable, there has been no danger to be spoken of. Yaso had seen a bar fight, but nothing else. The local doshin took care of it quickly and the samurai's involvement was not needed.

Eventually, on the first day of the new month Toritaka Yaso arrives at the western gate of Toshi Ranbo. The gate is guarded heavily by budoka and actually samurai wearing the colors of the Scorpion clan.