Togashi Amadan stood quietly behind the rock as the patrol moved by. The young scout had been frozen in the same position under the moonlight sky for fifteen minutes, watching as Naga went to and from the camp below him towards a camp closer to the walls of Mirumoto Castle. The attacks had stopped near sundown earlier in the day, and the soldiers on both sides waited for what the sunrise would bring. For now, they were content to watch the other from different sides of the fortified walls. No Naga expected a Dragon to come into their camp from outside the castle, so Amadan had little difficulty getting this close to the walls. As he got closer to the area of the bloodshed, however, the Naga patrols came more frequently, and he found his muscles began to stiffen as he had to wait silently for half hours at a time.
As the two spear-carrying Naga slithered by, the gaijin slipped behind them and crept his way up the mountain path. The road was rocky and narrow, and as he looked up the mountain face, he saw where it stopped completely. The Naga encampment was based in that very spot. He sighed, and began silently walking along the rock cliffs, wondering just how good Naga could see in the dark.
As Amadan got near the camp, he crept along the outside of the main groups, but listened for anything that he may overhear that could be of importance. He was near the edge of the forest when he heard a familiar voice. Turning slowly in the shadows, Amadan was surprised to see the face of Mirumoto Daini among many Naga warriors. He couldn't make out clearly what was being said, and moved on, hoping that perhaps Daini had enough influence among the Naga to promote peace between them and the Dragon Clan.
Nearly an hour later, the Dragon scout walked through the lower halls of Shiro Mirumoto, not even attempting to hide himself. The young man was overcome by mixed emotions; he no longer felt welcome in this, the only home that had welcomed him in this strange land or samurai and men willing to die simply for the ideas of tradition and etiquette. Passing another hall, he saw no guards, and he knew why. The Naga had gotten the attention of most of Clan Dragon's military, and the inside guard was usually light. Those who were not welcome into the castles of the Dragon did not get in.
Togashi Amadan reached his destintation, a small door into a side chamber left mostly unused for the past several years. It was his old quarters, the ones he had abandoned one year after the Clan Wars began. He was sent as a scout to the army of then-ronin Toturi, and as the Wars passed, he didn't feel right returning until he was comfortable with Lord Togashi's passing. When he did return, he left the next day, saying only, "I cannot reside here. I do not even know the woman who commands me now."
A month ago, he had gotten orders from Mirumoto Sukune to send reports on a massing Naga activity near the eastern border of the Shinomen Forest. "...if you are still loyal to our Clan, young gaijin." It said at the end. Amadan knew there was no where esle to go, and he had no qualms about his friends in the Clan. Nearly two weeks later, he received word that Emperor Toturi was missing. The next day, the Naga began to march towards the mountains of the Dragon Clan.
A week ago, a Dragon messenger was captured by the Naga close to the Shinomen Forest, and Amadan helped him escape. The messenger was sent to find him, and delivered his message. Hitomi Ryuongi wished to speak with him in private. He was needed in different ways to the Dragon now. Amadan knew the former Togashi would not lie to him, and set aside his personal tastes in order to help save his Clan.
As Amadan pushed open the door, all he saw was a table with two chairs, a flickering lamp over it, and in the far chair a dark man with skin blackened by countless tattoos sat quietly. His eyes seemed to have light of their own as they pierced the darkness between the two men.
"Kokujin..." Amadan muttered in surprise. Instinctively, he began to scan the entire room for ways to escape should this be a trap. He placed his left hand on the hilt of his katana, and asked quietly, "Why are you here? Where is the one who sent for me?" As Kokujin was Lady Hitomi's personal guard, Amadan had acted in extreme insolence, but Kokujin did not seem to take notice.
"He is busy with the generals and tacticians of our army." Kokujin motioned for the young man to sit, "And it is I who sent for you. I simply asked him to write the letter."
"You know I would not have come at your request, and you know why." Amadan said flatly. "If you wish to earn my loyalty and trust, I assure you there are far better ways to do it."
Kokujin's eyes narrowed, "I will take only so much disobedience, young gaijin. Know this: I am not concerned with your loyalty, and I do not care for your trust." His tone took a lower note, "What I ask now is not for me, not for Lady Hitomi, not for you, not for your lost lover... I ask you now as a Dragon."
Amadan let his hand fall from the handle of his blade. So, he thought to himself, perhaps he has decided to let me keep my own soul for this night. "What is it you will ask of me, Kokujin-san?"
"The Tournament of the Jade Champion will be held soon, despite the dissapearance of Emperor Toturi. We will have precense there, despite the pressure of these snakes." Kokujin's eyes filled with anger at the mention of the Naga. He looked at Amadan directly in the eye, "You will be there. You have spent much time in the company of other Clans, and even in the Imperial court. You must be one of our voices, as will many others." Kokujin looked away, and said quietly, "We must make peace with the Naga, or all is lost."
Amadan was stunned. "I beleive these are not your wishes directly, Kokujin." He said.
"No." The darker ise zumi almost spat. "They are the words of our Clan. They are the wishes of thousands of weary warriors, and even more broken families on our plains. They beleive the Naga are good, and we cannot allow our honorable bushi and shugenja die as well as... the good Naga."
Amadan stood rigid and bowed deeply. "You will have my every strength behind these wishes. I shall go to the Challenge of the Jade Champion, and I shall speak with the Clans about this."
"And the Naga," Interrupted Kokujin.
Amadan raised an eyebrow, "They will be there, too?"
Kokujin nodded. "Then I will talk with them as well. You will hear reports of our progress," Amadan stopped himself from saying "Kokujin-sama", and simply said, "...daily."
The young scout turned to leave, and Kokujin said, "Let none tarnish the name of the Dragon. Those who attempt to do so must be dealt with."
"Do I tarnish the Honorable name of the Dragon, Kokujin?" Amadan asked without turning.
Kokujin was silent. Amadan turned and their eyes locked for a moment. Finally, Kokujin whispered, "I am perhaps the last person in this land who could pass judgement on you in that fashion." Amadan almost could see remorse in the ise zumi's eyes, but then, Kokujin stood, and said, "Go, Amadan. Your speed may be the last hope of this Clan to prevent total war."
Amadan nodded, and left the room.
As he made his way to the paths that would take him to Otosan Uchi, he moved with all the speed of the wind, the courage of fire, the steadfastness of earth, the grace of water, and the calmness of the void. He could not settle for less in a time such as this.