Kuno, Jekusu and Fuji smuggled their armor into the city by wrapping them up as gifts. As we walked, Fuji asked me when I would be returning to the camp. I told him tomorrow. He stopped in his tracks, flabbergasted. I have to admit I cringed. I had hoped he would take it better. He was very angry with me for not telling him sooner. I hope he can forgive me. I only wanted to save his feelings. He ordered his sister to take care of me. They all went off on taking care of me, as if I am incapable of caring for myself. It took much effort to not loose my temper with them all. Because I am shugenja, I am automatically someone who can't care for myself. Fortunes, why do they have such closed minds?! I am skilled in iaijutsu and kenjutsu. I can shoot an arrow and I can fight in battles. Did I not prove this in our battle in the Shadowlands? I did not wield magic there, only Fuji's wakazashi. I agreed to take the retainers to calm Fuji down, but surely I will teach Jekusu that I am capable of fighting someday. Light, why do I feel I must prove myself? It is ridiculous. It is as if I am running in circles.
Fuji grew very quiet, in that way he does when he is angry. He looked at me, and told me to be certain that dine is all Doji does with me. Nothing more, despite any other, less honorable, intentions the Emerald Champion may have. By all that is honorable, why does he insist on frustrating me so? Doesn't he know that I could never betray him or our love? Doesn't he know I'd take my life before succumbing? I assured him I had every intention of returning in the same state I leave, and that I anticipate finishing what Jekusu interrupted earlier.Our two groups parted, and I entered the castle. I was taken to a large dining room on one of the upper levels of the castle. The hardwood floor had sunken areas with pillows for relaxing on. The scent of cooking food and incense wafted through the air. The windows were open to let in the cool summer breeze. Long silk curtains hung from the ceiling. A servant informed me that Doji Satsume had chosen a kimono for me to wear this evening. I was taken aback. I had no idea what the etiquette is on such things. I asked Mizake for advice. We looked at the gown. It was deep crimson red with a black obi… it looked like something straight from Bayushi Kachiko's wardrobe. The kimono was cut to show off every curve I have, and some I didn't know I had. The conclusion I came up with is that either he wants to make sure I know he is in control here, and that he has ulterior motives, and intends to do more than dine with me. I refused to change.
Doji Satsume entered the room, radiating an aura of power, as he always seems to do. He looked at me, and must have been disappointed. He asked me if I didn't like the kimono. I assured him it was lovely, but that it didn't fit. He looked at me oddly, and said that he got my measurements from Asami. Oh, how I began to steam. I was so nervous; I probably would have given in if he demanded that I go change. As luck would have it, he did not.
Throughout the dinner, he criticized my choice in company, especially Fujizaka. He had the nerve to say that Fujizaka is seen as my lapdog. He even thinks that I ordered Fuji to throw the dock master into the sea earlier today, and I control everything he does. I had to do some smooth talking to assure him that Fuji is not my lapdog. He is my equal. Satsume claimed that he knows that I do not approve of what he is doing, to bring change to the Empire. He veritably admitted everything to me. He has had control of the Empire for so long, due to the Emperor's failing health, that he feels that he must have it on a more permanent basis. He told me to be careful whom I choose to be in company with. I told him it is my choice. No one else's. Mine. I noticed a cold breeze slip through the windows. Even Satsume shivered. It seems to be getting cold very early… this kind of cold should not be here for several more weeks. He asked me to join him in his garden. I motioned my retainers to follow, and we headed upstairs to an indoor rock garden that he created.
The stones on the floor were covered with magic markings, and set in circles. I knew instantly that this is the circle they intend to use to bring shadow warriors to destroy the Empire through from the Shadowlands. I understood instantly that while Calimari's army hit from the outside, this shadow army would tear apart the capital from within. He told me again, that I should choose carefully whom I associate with. He said he wanted to speak to me in private. Without my retainers. I told them to wait back, but within eye shot.
With them out of hearing distance, he proceeded to propose that I join him in his alliance with Fu Leng's minions. He has justified that Fu Leng has a rightful place here, by being a son of the Sun and Moon. Doesn't he understand that Fu Leng would destroy everything, including him? He has been caught by the shadow's powerful spell. He tried to make a good argument for me to join his efforts using flattery and promises of great glory and power. I refused, and motioned my retainers to come.Mizake, Fuji's sister and I retired to my room for the evening, and sat about for quite some time, trying to decide what to do. While we were there, we heard a loud boom… like an explosion. Finally, we decided to sneak back up to the garden and attempt to destroy the gateway.
We sneaked back up the stairs, and met two guards at the garden door. They refused our entrance, saying that no one enters that garden without Doji Satsume. My retainers set forth to seducing the guards while I examined the circles.
I knelt beside the outer circle and communed with the earth in the stones. I asked it if there were a ward on the circle, and it answered yes. I poured more energy into the spell, and asked how to break the ward. The stone seemed to giggle, and said that it would take four spells. I sensed something wrong with the stone. I believe that it was from the shadowlands. Its spirit was tainted.
Just then, sharp excruciating pain jolted me from my trance like state. I felt steel tearing through my back, and spun around to see a man with two katanas, wearing a mask baring one of his swords. My blood covered his blade. Furiously, I threw a ball of fire at the man, who sliced at me simultaneously. His katana swung true and cut me across my chest. I collapsed onto the ground, and the man who I can only assume was one of the Dragon Clan, flew back from the power of the fire.
I don't remember much from that moment on… I know that my retainers were there, and were forced to kill the two guards. Fuji's sister was hurt too. More guards came, and I think that the blame of the death of the two Imperial Guards was placed on the dead Dragon Bushi.
I must have been picked up, because the next thing I knew, I was lying on some sort of cot, being carried toward the temple. I looked up and saw the face of the Emperor. He looked mortified. He apologized for my being hurt in his city. I smiled lamely. He asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I asked him to destroy the garden. He looked confused, and asked me why I didn't like the garden. I sighed, and asked him if he would, if it were my dying wish. He still seemed confused, but ordered the garden to be torn down. Actually, I recall him ordering Doji Satsume to see it done, and that the Emperor himself was going to look to it in the morning, to be sure it was complete. I will never forget the look of shock that hit Satsume. He recovered quickly, but I knew how he must have felt about being ordered to destroy his own plans.
We were taken to the temple and healed. The Emperor supplied a new kimono for me, as the beautiful one Asami bought me was destroyed. Fuji, Jekusu and Kuno met up with us there. I was calmly sipping tea when Fuji sat next to me, and asked why we were here. I explained that his sister had been hurt. I did not tell him I was the one who had nearly been killed. I couldn't face him if he knew, especially after getting so upset earlier about being able to take care of myself. He didn't seem to notice that I was wearing different clothes. I do not want him to know what really happened.
It turns out that the trip to the docks was eventful for my three companions. They discovered the barrels we found in the warehouse belonged to Doji Satsume… big surprise. They caught the cheating bastard, Bayushi Sugai, and got information from him before Fuji killed him. Sugai told them of a ship that was to attack the Gaijin ship the Emperor was to go on the cruise on. They boarded the ship pointed out by Sugai. After confirming that it contained cannon and black powder, they blew up the ship… well, Jekusu blew the ship up. That must have been a sight to see. I hope no innocent bystanders were harmed. I think that there must be a back up plan though. Like powder on the Gaijin ship, for example.
I told everyone what I had found out from Doji Satsume, and how the gateway was ordered to be destroyed. However, I was concerned that Satsume would weasel a way out of it. We decided to write a letter to Bayushi Shoju. He would be interested in knowing this, I'm sure. Mizake wrote a beautiful letter, and had it delivered. I hesitated for a moment, but submitted to my companion's decision. We place the responsibility for the gateway in Bayushi Shoju's hands.