|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 20, 2014 18:35:27 GMT
Kasumi had arrived at the offices of the Emerald magistrates. Normally a castle of this size had one or two emerald magistrates, but now the Emerald champion was also the Yasuki family daimyo, there were many more as the organisation was lead from here if Hachi was here. "Tsuruchi-sama," one of the magistrates, a young Kitsuki said with a deep bow as she was escorted into the office. Kasumi was surprised at the sama, but she said nothing about it. "I have a letter from Yasuki Hachi-sama," the same magistrate continued, "he would have told you himself, but he has other duties at the moment. He appointed you as his personal assistant for all investigations concerning the Kolat. Congratulations." "Thank you, Kitsuki-san," she said, taking the letter and putting it away. This was a great honour, but she wasn't sure she was ready for it. But duty was duty. With another bow, she left again, back to her quarters to read and to pack.
The following day she was ready to ride back to Kyuden Seppun right after breakfast. It would be a long trip, but on the upside she could spend a couple of days at home, as it was on the way. On the back of her horse was a sack with letters for magistrates all over the empire which she had to take to Kyuden Seppun.
|
|
|
Post by Asako Chisato on May 20, 2014 21:16:00 GMT
A courtier of the Phoenix clan, often seen at Asako Chisato's side arives. She is Asako Megumi, Chisato's personal aide.
"Tsuruchi san? I understand you are heading to the capitol. May the fortunes grace your steps with haste and safety. Would you be so kind to take this letter from my Daimyo to the Imperial Advisor? We would be very appreciative." She hands it over with a bow of her head.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 21, 2014 7:03:51 GMT
"I will make sure it arrives at the correct location, Asako-san," Kasumi said, taking the letter and putting it with the others. Clearly the rumour mill was turning full power, if people already knew she was heading towards the capital. She only received her assignment yesterday. Well, no sense in wasting daylight, she tought as she moved out of the castle.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 23, 2014 7:34:10 GMT
Kasumi was riding hard, although not as hard as she had done to get here. There was no need for it right now, except that she wanted to stay with her family at least for one day. She was now a lot more secure in her horsemanship skills than at the beginning of her trip and while she certainly was not at the level of the Unicorn, she thought she was better than most of her family members. Living in mountainous terrain limited the use of horses.
She had been riding about half a day when she spotted another figure riding in the same direction. Coming closer she saw it was Shiba Kaigen, the gunso of the imperial legions who had found the heimin infiltrator together with Odai. She rode up to him. "Shiba-san, what a surprise," she said with a nod, as bowing was not possible on horseback, at least not without danger of falling off, "I thought you would be with your legion."
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 23, 2014 16:21:40 GMT
The Phoenix arched an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side, then somewhat awkwardly returned the bow.
"Tsuruchi-san. No, I have actually been on formal leave since before this recent... business. But I could not pass through the Crab Lands without offering my assistance to the Legion in light of such troublesome events." Yes, keep talking, you're soooo good at it.
"But with the matter resolved," in the most insane fashion available"I have become free to resume my journey north."
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 23, 2014 16:55:55 GMT
"So your heading back to the Phoenix lands," Kasumi said, "maybe we can travel together for some part of the journey. I'm on my way to Kyuden Seppun. And although we both can defend ourselves, traveling together is safer, don't you think?" And that way I can maybe ask a couple of questions on that assassin you and Odai found, she didn't add aloud.
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 23, 2014 18:56:11 GMT
"Always strength in numbers."
And having an Emerald Magistrate along will no doubt speed things up at the borders of provinces.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 23, 2014 20:27:16 GMT
"That's true, Shiba-san," Kasumi said, before getting her horse back on track. "I have a question," she said after some time, "you were there when that heimin was interrogated, right? Did he say anything special? I've been assigned to the investigation of the Kolat, so anything to help the investigation along can be useful."
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 24, 2014 0:30:29 GMT
"I was actually not present for any interrogation, Tsuruchi-san... after helping apprehend him, I returned to my temporary duties among the guard. I had little care for his motives, only his actions."
And it makes my life far easier to keep it that way.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 24, 2014 11:11:54 GMT
"No problem," Kasumi said, "if you don't mind, I would like to move a bit faster. That way I can spend a day at home on the way to the capital. You are welcome in my house, of course."
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 24, 2014 16:13:16 GMT
Yes, because the Phoenix get along so swimmingly with the Mantis.
Eh. Worst that happens, they shoot me full of arrows and blame bandits.
"I would be honored to accept the gracious offer of your family's hospitality, Tsuruchi-san."
At least more politics seem unlikely.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 24, 2014 17:13:47 GMT
For the next days they rode through the empire, going north. They stayed the nights at Emerald magistrate posts and Kasumi's mail bag became bigger with the reports of those posts. Soon they arrived at the Tsuruchi lands. "About one hour more, Shiba-san," Kasumi said when she turned from the main road towards her house, which was not far from the Dojo where her husband was a sensei.
One hour later they arrived at a typical Rokugani house. Before she could say something, two children came running out of the main house. "Mamma, you're back," the oldest, a boy of about six, shouted as he came running towards her. She forgot all protocol and hugged her two children before she remembered that Kaigen was with her. "Who's that, mamma," Sayuri, her youngest, asked. "That's Shiba Kaigen," she said to her daughter, "he's from the imperial legions and he is staying with us tonight."
Takeshi, her husband, had heard the children and he had also come to see what was going on. "Kasumi-chan," he said as he embraced her shortly, "you're back." "Only tomorrow," she said, "I have to go to the capital. This is Shiba Kaigen, a gunso in the imperial legions. He's on his way home and we decided to travel together. Shiba-san, this is my husband, Tsuruchi Takeshi. He's a sensei at the tsuruchi dojo." Takeshi bowed to the Phoenix. "Welcome to our house, Shiba-san," he said.
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 24, 2014 18:30:26 GMT
Downright domestic. Unfamiliar ground. I must be cautious.
"I thank you, Tsuruchi-san. Were it not for your hospitality, I would most likely be sleeping out of doors tonight."
Not that that's anything new, or even particularly unpleasant.
Kaigen dismounted, keeping his composure as he felt his back complain at the long travel on horseback.
Wretched business. No wonder the Unicorn are so strange... a life astride a horse would unhinge the sternest of men.
"If at any time any of you find yourselves in the Phoenix lands, my family would be honored to repay the favor."
Livid. Mother would be livid. But as I am unlikely to be there to endure the repercussions, entirely worthwhile.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 24, 2014 18:57:18 GMT
Servants arrived to take the horses. Takeshi motioned for another servant who bowed deep for Kaigen. "I'm sure you want to refresh yourself after such a journey," he said, "if you would like to follow Jiro, he will bring you to your quarters and the bath house."
|
|
|
Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 24, 2014 19:27:39 GMT
Kaigen politely returned the bow.
"Many thanks."
I suppose I smell now. Something else I am entirely too accustomed to.
Well, that's unfair, the Crab had excellent facilities.
As he followed the servant, he realized he might be carrying a few more weapons than might be seemly.
All right, so I'll stash the naginata, the tantos, my armor, and the aiguchi.
Hrm. I hope they have room for it all.
|
|