My blade cuts down the guard in a flash. I've never had patience for Crane chatter.

The other guard is smarter, faster. His blade is ready as I turn to him. I shrug off my disguise, loosing the Crane cloak to reveal my armor underneath.

"A Scorpion," the guard utters, narrowing his eyes.

"I have an urgent message to deliver to Doji Gandame." I let my contempt edge my voice.

"Your delivery is without tact, accursed one. I will kill you where you stand for the death of my brother."

"If you kill me, every single man in this castle will die a terrible death at the hands of the armies massing to the south." I grin, letting my teeth shine through my broken mask. "Besides, if you act against me, you will share in his fate." I lift my sword into the light, showing the Crane the dark magics I have bargained with for the coming moments. Already, the sword has taken most of the fallen guard's blood and soul.

"Wait here." Impressive. Not the slightest tremor of fear. The guard sheathes his blade, disappearing into his lord's gate.

Ten minutes pass. I begin wondering whether I should do Kuni Yori's work for him and be done with it when a voice shatters the silence along the battlements.

"You are Bayushi Chimizu?"

I ponder for a moment. Only Shinsei knew that I was coming. Perhaps he'd betrayed me.

"I am."

The gates open, revealing a token guard of Daidoji, and a woman.

"Greetings, Chimizu-sama. This way." Kazuko bows, deeply. I'd hoped Gandame wouldn't be so cowardly.

As I follow, I whisper to her. "This was the only way, beloved. I am sorry."

She frowns slightly. Seven years under the Crane's yoke have not diminished her beauty, but perhaps her will.

"I know, Chimizu. Gandame thinks you're here to take me from him, and is positive the only way you won't kill him is to have me accompany you at all times."

The guard stand too closely, and overhear our words. I'm sure Kazuko intended as such.

Doji Gandame meets us in his private quarters. Great, delicate tapestries depicting his ancestors line every wall. His kimono is hemmed in golden silk.

"You are a traitor to the Empire and your clan for coming here." He sits on a small, would-be throne, grinning like a lunatic as his guard await the slightest threat from me.

I resist the urge to smile. The man always was a fool. "That I am."

He frowns. Last answer he expected. "Why are you here?"

"There is an army approaching your city from the south."

"What do I care? A legion of dedicated Daidoji have already marched to meet them."

"They march into a trap. You fight not men, but the undead armies of Kuni Yori."

The man pauses, tasting my words like overripe sake.

"How do you know this, Scorpion?"

"It was my plan. I offered you and your troops to Kuni Yori in exchange for the life of Soshi Kazuko."

"She is a Doji, now, Chimizu-san, and you lie poorly. Guards-" as he raises his hand, I step in front of Kazuko. It is best that she not see this.

"Is this a lie, coward?" and I remove my mask.

A small pact I made with my oni was this: while I wore my mask, my nature would be partially hidden. It is almost worth the corruption I bear to see my most hated enemy restrain his breakfast at the sight of me.

I replace my mask. "Yori has already taken your legion. He thinks you will be an easy victory, that you'll be the last men he needs to dominate the Shadowlands. If you ready your troops, you can have the head of the necromancer, and Kuwanan's favor."

Gandame, still pale even as a Crane, waves away his men. "Most of my troops faced Yori. We have perhaps a hundred left."

"Not to worry. They'll do."

"You want something from me, Chimizu. What?"

"I know you hold several of my clan's children here. Evacuate them to the hills to the north."

"You will fight the more bravely knowing they will die if you fail."

"I would kill them myself rather than see them raised as Yori's servants, but not before my blade tastes your soul."

He frowns again. No spine, this one. No wonder Kuwanan left him such a meager army. "When will Yori be here?"

"Tomorrow, at sunset."

"I will ready my troops. Until then, you will be confined to the guest's quarters."

The guard keep a respectful distance from me this time.

It is midnight, and the beast that bears my name roils within my gut. I have wasted too much time, and it will soon be upon me. I have only two fingers of jade left.

"Chimizu." Without entrance, Kazuko is already in my room.

"Kazuko. You'd best be away."

"What is this madness? You ally with the undead, you steal men's souls, and you bear the corruption of the Dark God. What have you done?"

"I do not know, yet. Truthfully, the plan is stillborn. Yori's troops are too many. This castle will fall."

"What do you want with me, then?"

"Stay in the hills. Gather the children, and let them watch."

"Watch what?"

"Our people are exiled, beloved, and I will not live to see their return. The Crane do not know how to raise them."

"And you do? You've slipped too far, Chimizu. Let me see the price you've paid for this."

I sigh. I have never had strength enough to refuse her. She hides her disgust well, and another part of me dies seeing my new face reflected in her eyes.

"The taint will overcome me soon, Kazuko. When I face Yori tomorrow, he will use it against me. I care neither for Yori nor the Crane. The children must learn what it is to be a Scorpion, before they forget the fields of the Bayushi. That is what you must do for me.

"Let the children see how a Scorpion dies."