"Report," came a voice from the shadows. Both figures knelt and bowed their heads to the floor at the sound of the voice. Bayushi Aramoro, one of few that knew either the gaijin or the archer were still alive.
Amadan rose his head and spoke in a whisper, "Three things, Aramoro-sama. A message to be delivered to you. We found this paper," the gaijin pulled the letter from the folds of his obi and placed it on the ground before him, "in the fortress of the Lion. Shosuro Kage wishes for you to see it and treat it with the utmost importance."
"Where is Shosuro Kage, Dragon?" Came the voice again.
"That is the second thing, Aramoro-sama." Amadan paused a moment, then continued, "Shosuro Kage was killed by the blade of Kitsu Motso."
Tashiro raised his head and spoke, "I will accept the blame in this matter, my lord. I was appointed to defend Amadan and Kage-sensei with my life. I have failed."
Aramoro stepped from the shadows, his figure noticable but still not fully seperate from the darkness. "No, Bayushi Tashiro. I suspect Shosuro Kage lives yet," the Scorpion cast his glance to Amadan's kneeling form, "in name."
Amadan's upper body lifted from the ground as he looked at the ninja lord in confusion.
"The name Shosuro Kage," Aramoro explained, turning to look out the window, "is as old as the memory of my ancestor, my namesake, Aramoro." He paused, as if he remembered the first Kage himself. "Shosuro Kage was one of Aramoro's finest students, and when the Hantei commanded that the Scorpion network of spies be eliminated, Aramoro commanded Kage to be the guardian of the ninja and the Scorpion." He turned to lock eyes with the Dragon again, "He said, 'A day will come when even our shadows will turn against us, cousin. You will remain vigilant to that day.' And so it has been that the title of Shosuro Kage is handed down from ninja to ninja, each bearing the weight of protecting the shadows of Rokugan against their own kind."
"And that is why Kage was leading our expedition into the lands of the Lion," Amadan reasoned.
"Hai," Replied the Scorpion, without turning. "It is the very thing that he was vigilant for that has struck at the heart of our Empire. It was his duty to find our Emperor at all costs." Aramoro turned full to face the gaijin. "And now, that duty falls to you." The two locked eyes for a moment, and Aramoro's narrowed. "For now." he said finally, "The mantle of Shosuro Kage is for a Scorpion, Togashi Amadan. But for now, I would be a fool to wait and find a suitable replacement." Aramoro motioned for both bushi to rise, and he said, "What is the third thing, gaijin?"
"I wish to travel to Otosan Uchi, in the guise of a Kitsuki, to find what I can from the Court." Amadan said.
Aramoro nodded, "You suspect that some of the court nobles have connections to whatever force is behind the kidnapping?"
The scout raised an eyebrow, "I more than suspect."
The Scorpion laughed a little. "I agree." He turned to Tashiro, "Bayushi Tashiro, you spent many years among the Mirumoto?"
The archer nodded, "Hai, my lord."
"Good. You will travel with," Aramoro paused a moment, "Shosuro Kage to the city of the Emperor as his yojimbo." Aramoro turned back to his shadows, "I'm sure between the two of you, a convincing act could be made." And then he was gone.
"A Kitsuki?" Tashiro said, adjusting his ninja robes.
"Hai," Amadan replied, not taking his eyes off the shadows. "Kitsuki Retsu. A friend of mine that was slain in the Naga's initial attack."
Tashiro smiled a little, the first time Amadan had ever seen the Scorpion do so. "I have had an... interesting relationship with the Kitsuki, Dragon."
"It's about to get better." The scout replied, and checked the strap on his swords. "We can get a few hours of travelling done before the dawn. I suggest we go now."
Tashiro agreed, and once again, the two dead men set off across the moonlit fields to the east.