"Of course the source of this information is reliable. After so long, do you doubt my word, Nodoteki-san?" The aged face stared into his own, earnest that he believe the words. He wished that it were so easy to do. This man had once been the chief advisor to his Daimyo, to the whole of the Alliance. Yoritomo Nodoteki had no idea why the Tortoise Clan had spurned the Mantis since the Clan War. The truth remained, however, that they had done so.
Now Kemmei-sama had approached him, here in this tea-house.
Him.
"Listen to me, Nodoteki-san. The regents who rule in the Emperor's place are uncertain, and their hesitation will lose everything. Everything for all of us. Your Daimyo must know what I have told you. He must know as swiftly as possible. The Scorpion lands do not matter. It will happen _again_. Leave Otosan Uchi tonight, and take my message with all haste back to Shima no Kinu.
"It cannot happen again."
Nodoteki looked at the old advisor. Kemmei-sama looked worn. Nervous. If what he had said was true, then Nodoteki could understand why. Perhaps it was best if he did not himself decide, but simply delivered the message, and allowed those with swifter minds than his -
"Yes. Take your ship at dawn, and may Amaterasu guide your sail." The old man stood, bowed lightly, and was gone. A young geisha entered with tea for two men, saw that he was alone, and poured for one. Then she, too was gone, leaving him alone.
Not completely alone. He could hear through the paper-thin walls, the sounds of men making merry, for were they not in the tea-house? The sounds of the water trade surrounded him. Could it be true?
He had heard that a Lion Shugenja had been appointed to the Jade Championship. Of that he was certain. Ee. That was true. But _this_. When the old man had spoken of them, Nodoteki had shuddered. The sailors used the names the old man had spoken, to fighten those new to ship-life. Names used in jest, in fear. He had almost disbelieved in the people to whom those names belonged.
Bloodspeakers.
Even to think the word send cold water along his spine. He shifted his shoulders.
Maho.
Nodoteki glanced around, in case anyone had heard his thoughts. Even to think such a word... Could it be true? If the old man did not lie, there was a reason that there had been no Jade Champion for so many, many years. The old man had not truly said so, but the implication was that the last Jade Champion had even been.. Iie. He could not even _think_ that name. But if true?
And the Lion army had been sighted by Wasp skirmishers, moving toward the Crab Lands.
The Crab. If the Crab should fall, who would stop the Horrors from returning? Is that what the old man meant? It must not happen _again_? But if -
The sudden sound of breaking porcelain shattered his thoughts, and his mind scrambled to sweep them up, as he lurched to his feet. Nodoteki glanced about him. He reached down and picked up his wakizashi. Then he strode quickly to the door.
He had to make ready to sail at dawn.