We awoke in the morning to find ourselves surrounded by a scene of carnage. Whatever glamour the spirits hid it with last night had dissipated. A pool of blood spread across the table we ate at last evening. Everything was in disarray. I demanded everyone share with me what happened the night before. I was so busy performing the purification rites for the dead, I didn't know what happened. I was curious to know why Haichi was acting so strange. Something upset him, and I felt it my duty to discover what.
Kakita Mizake and Bayushi Aleao revealed that while they were searching for firewood, they encountered a ghost in the woods. She was looking for Amorei, the smith. Aleao told the spirit that they saw him on the other side of the forest, and fled the opposite direction when the poor woman followed their directions. I asked them why they didn't talk to the spirit. They turned pale and insisted they did. I suppose it didn't occur to them to inquire of her what had happened to the village.
Akodo Kaze and Haichi had an even more interesting tale to tell. Spirits of the villagers who once owned the sake house discovered Haichi took money and sake from their establishment, and went after him, trying to tear his heart out. Haichi returned the money. A wise choice. This explains why he refused to move unless there were a ward against such things in place. I suppose it's a good thing Aleao was with us then, for I don't have that scroll.
As we were talking, Hida Hisaki and Haichi left to scout the area. While they were gone, Megumi's servant Hamorei approached on horseback. He came for Aleao. He said he has a task for her. I agreed to let him take her away. It seems that she was to perform this task, and Bayushi Kachiko knew it. Then, what a surprise, the girl is gone away with her new sensei. Burn me, but I still can't see myself in that position. She is a lovely girl, with great potential. Any idiot can see that, but I'm no teacher. It's a bit of a relief to have Hamorei take her away, if even for a short time, so that I may gather my wits about me.
Hamorei reported that Asami will see no one but Bayushi Shoju. She trusts him, and no others. Shoju is advising her not to see anyone for the time being, for there is something amiss. Doji Kuwanan is still trying to set himself up as Emerald Champion. The poor fool will never get up. I think he is up to something. Did he learn nothing when he lost to Kuno in that duel so long ago? Hamorei also reports that Bayushi Kachiko has left Otosan Uchi, headed toward Kyuden Bayushi.
I can't figure why she would give me the decoding scroll. The key to Scorpion secrets. It will obviously serve a purpose for her, but what? I could go mad!
It seems that there is a budding romance between Kakita Mizake and Hamorei. It is very sweet, and a great pleasure to see Mizake happy. She has had a rough time these last few months, losing Asami the way that she did. It took me long enough to figure out what was going on between those two. Hamorei left something for us. For what reason I don't know... perhaps he knows more than he lets on. He brought Hida Kisada's abalone and jade katana. The blade last held by Fujizaka's sister, Makana.
Hida Hisaki and Haichi returned with news. They found wagon tracks heading west. There were no children's bodies among those we burned last night, and it's fairly safe to assume that whoever did the killing took them away. In order to do so, they would have to carry them, drag them, or put them all on horses. As there were still horses in the village, well and alive, we decided to follow these wagon tracks.Before long, we came upon a woman. The strangest looking woman I have ever seen. Hair the color of golden sunlight, and eyes bluer than the sky on a clear day. She was scared to death, anyone could plainly see that. But by some luck, she managed to lock Kaze in her arms, holding a shuriken to the Lion Samurai-ko's neck by pretending to pass out, and attacking when Kaze went to investigate. I watched Kaze's eyes widen as if she were a deer in a wild hunt just before she bolted. She struggled out of the Gaijin's grasp. The tall golden haired woman held the shuriken out before her as if it were some kind of knife, obviously not knowing how it was used. Hisaki shot the woman in the shoulder with an arrow, and she promptly passed out. I protested at everyone's behavior. Haichi wanted to behead the Gaijin right there, but I refused to let him. I dismounted from Kiseki and approached the woman. She had the fresh wound on her shoulder, bleeding profusely now due to Haichi inhumanely pulling it from her body, and an older wound in her side. Probably caused by the shuriken she tried to use against us, the wound was old and she had lost a lot of blood.
I knelt beside her body, and healed her with the gracious water spirits around us. She woke and sat upright, her fright returned, along with confusion. She knew her wounds were healed. I smiled warmly at her and bowed slightly. I could hear Haichi grumbling something about dirty Gaijin, but I ignored it. I tried to reassure her with my smiles, holding my empty hands in my lap for her to see. I did not want her to think I was an enemy. She spoke strange words. I can't even begin to fathom what she was saying. Then she pointed to herself. She called herself Eleanor. A strange name. Very difficult to pronounce as well. I and Kaze introduced ourselves to her and stood. I wanted to take her to the river to bathe. She looked as if she hadn't done so in a very long time. She understood and came with us. She wore layers and layers of clothes... odd clothes with bright colors. I can't imagine how stifling and hot they must have been. And she was so white. Nearly as white as the pale moon as she stepped into the water. I eyed the clothes that now lie in a pile near the river bank. Stained with blood, they were tainted beyond repair. Kaze ran back to the horses and the men, and returned with a kimono of her own. The woman who we now call Elly accepted the kimono, but was disgruntled to see how badly it fit. Her buxom, tall body was not built to fit into our style of clothes, I suppose.
Kaze ran back to get one of Haichi's kimonos. Certainly it would be a bit larger across the chest due to his broad shoulders. We discovered a rope tied to a tree, and strung across the river... and many wagon wheel ruts driving into the river as well. We found the spot that our wagons had crossed. We agreed to tell the men when we were done with Elly. But... Haichi chased Kaze back to the river, protesting against our use of his kimono. Luckily, Hisaki came as well, and the wagon trails caught their attention. We women were able to slip into the trees and help Elly into the larger Kimono. She had strange boots that she pulled onto her feet.After a short debate, we decided to cross the river here. Hisaki cut a branch from a nearby tree to use in floating across the river, and Kaze mimicked his idea, helping Elly across as well. I believe Haichi did the same, and I crossed the river on Kiseki. My Unicorn horse was the only big enough to cross the rapid swollen river. Once across, I looked back to the other side, and saw Mizake looking perplexed. It was then that I remembered one of my newest spells. One I had yet to use, for lack of a reason to do so. Teleportation. I prayed to the Air spirits who granted me their aid. Moments later, Mizake sat on her horse near me. Everyone gave me an exasperated look. I merely shrugged. Elly didn't seem too surprised, but was equally frustrated with my ill memory. We all stood dripping wet, except Mizake. I went ahead and teleported Kaze and Haichi's horses over as well. Kaze looked quite pleased. I was forced, however, to leave our pack horse on the opposite bank.
Everyone dressed in their armor, myself even taking a moment to slip behind a tree and put on the black chain armor given to me by Bayushi Asamara just before our battle against Oni no Satsume. I only wore some of it, so it would not be seen under my kimono.After a short time traveling in the forest, an arrow buzzed past Haichi's head. I don't think he liked that idea much, and chased the culprit into the woods. After a careful look, I saw that the Ronin was chasing a man wearing a short peasant kimono. I drew my bow and shot the man in the leg. I didn't want to kill him, for the information he may have was important to us. He fell as my arrow penetrated his leg, but both he and Haichi had other plans. The archer turned and we could see a Scorpion mon emblazoned on his shoulder. He drew his tanto and yelled something about the "Glory of the Scorpion Clan" and thrust it into his belly. Suicide was not the best decision. Before the fool's tanto could do any amount of damage, Haichi pummeled the man with his bare fists. A blow to the head was all it took for the Scorpion to die.
At that point we decided it was not safe to ride on the roads, especially with everyone in armor. Traveling in this manner, especially in Scorpion lands, would do nothing but invite trouble. Haichi and Hida Hisaki left us to go scouting ahead.
They returned later that evening with news of a site that made me chill. Several strange Gaijin wagons held dozens of children, and were being used to mine gold under the guard of several samurai and two shugenja. We decided to attack just before dawn, striking quickly to dispose of the samurai and shugenja while freeing the children.Dawn was soon to creep over the the horizon as we looked over a ridge into a shallow valley at the strange wagons below. Elly began gesturing wildly and speaking her strange language. We can only guess, but I believe these wagons once belonged to her. She carries a strange looking flute made of some sort of bone, so Kaze thinks she's some sort of bard.
Kaze snuck down into the valley while Haichi and Hisaki boldly ran down screaming their battle cries. Mizake, and myself remained above to provide cover with arrows, will Elly accompanying us. Kaze gave the Gaijin her tanto for self defense should anything happen.
The battle below was quick and devastating. For both sides. Our cover of arrows did little good, and when the two shugenja finally emerged from the mine's opening, Haichi was wounded and Hida Hisaki had been slaughtered by two of the samurai. There was little left of the evil samurai who were guarding the area, for Haichi managed to bring them down despite his wounds. The two shugenja brought lightening down on the poor Ronin. Two could play at that game. With them now in view, I called down the fury of Osano-Wo, praying fervently for support from the fire spirits. I split the lightening bolt in two and hit them at the same time. Meanwhile, Kaze, the white haired Lion, buried an arrow in one of them, and Haichi cut the other one in two. I breathed a sigh of relief as I set down my scroll when the ground began to shake and I saw something I hoped to never see again.A Kyoso no Oni burst from the ground like a geyser. It's female looking form made my blood run cold as she lashed about with her four long arms. A dark rack of horns on her head stretched out toward the heavens, as if in defiance of Mother Sun and Father Moon. Having entrusted Kakita Mizake with the jade katana brought to us by Hamorei, the necessary actions were obvious. Mizake dropped her bow and ran down into the valley. Elly fainted near my feet.
I immediately began to plead with the earth spirits for assistance in destroying this tainted creature. This daughter of Fu Leng. Using the power of earth within myself and the surrounding area, I hit the oni with a Jade Strike. Her high pitched scream of frustration and anger will echo forever in my ears.
Mizake hit the evil creature with the jade katana as I prepared another Jade Strike. I glanced at Akodo Kaze who was frozen near one of the wagons full of children. Her lips were parted and eyes wide with fear, as if a scream were trapped in her throat. I doubt the young girl has ever seen a real battle, let alone an Oni, but it still seems strange for Lion to freeze in such a way. Most of the Lions I have met have been bolder and braver than is healthy. Haichi was in bad shape from the other shugenja's fire. Knowing how he would be of little help in this fight, and that Mizake could not battle this thing alone out there, I poured my energy into my prayers, pleading the Earth Spirits to aid us. My Jade Strike hit home as the Oni lashed out at me with a terrifying attack. Unholy Fire shot across the air with frightening speed.
Having studied with the Crab clan all winter, I became somewhat versed in different kinds of onis. This attack hits one's soul. A most horrifying death, to be sure. If my soul were destroyed, I could never reach Jigoku and never be reincarnated. The luck of the fortunes was with me when her attack missed. I was finally able to release the breath I didn't realize I was holding when I saw the Kyoso no Oni die.My first task was performing the cleansing and purification ritual for Hida Hisaki. The man bravely lost his life trying to protect mine. I don't know how I'm going to tell Fujizaka. For once, I regret not having that bold Kitsu Kuno around. I wish he had not disappeared, for surely if he had been with us, we would not have suffered any losses. I grudgingly give that Lion credit for his fighting abilities.
A quick check over the area revealed a great deal of information. We found many papers: traveling papers, instructions, rituals and others in the wagons. Using the code given to me by Bayushi Kachiko, I was able to decipher what the papers said. It points to Bayushi Shoju for this abomination. Using the gold found in this mine to build an army for his clan, and using the Oni to do so. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Bayushi Kachiko had to have known I would find this, for why else would she give me a key to unlock Scorpion secrets? But why would she go against her husband?
So here we stand with a wagon full of gold, a fist full of evidence, and about sixty children to care for. It seems they used the children to work in the mine with the oni. I will see justice done for those responsible. If only I can discern who exactly is responsible...
I went down into the mine, and came back with two Gaijin lanterns, but no more information. We decided to wait here while Haichi and Kaze go to the next city to buy horses to pull the wagon of gold.
It appears that Elly has found her home. She has been wonderful entertaining the children with music and throwing colorful balls in the air. This was once her home, this strange wagon. The two wagons that held children, barred and heavy, will not be needed. Elly's home here might be able to be pulled by the two horses here, but the wagon of gold needs to be delivered to Empress Asami. We intend to leave the orphaned children with Jekusu. The land she is establishing her clan on is not far from here. She won't appreciate it, but it's too dangerous to travel far with so many children. They have nowhere else to go. When we arrive at Otosan Uchi, we will ask Asami if she would like something different done with them.I await the return of my colleagues with the horses, wondering how this will turn out. Should I try to talk to Kachiko or Shoju before turning the evidence in to Asami? Should I run away to Ryoko Owari in search of Fuji? I don't know the answer to any of these questions. My heart tells me to run away, but my duty to Asami tells me to see this through until the end. Is this, perhaps, what Megumi meant by a choice between my love and the Empire? If so, I fear Fuji may be in trouble. I am so lost, and dumbfounded by my discoveries. I didn't ask for this responsibility. I am no magistrate and I am no Samurai. Why can't life be simple?