L5R: TFW Scroll 26: Meeting a Matriarch II
The 11th night and 12th day of the month of the Dark Brother (mid-winter)
The 21st year in the reign of Emperor Shinji III (deceased), 1158 by the Isawa Calendar
Kensai runs through several basic kenjutsu katas, trying to get a feel for the gaijin weapon. [i] To his surprise, he finds the kopesh perfectly balanced, and his strikes are effortless. The weapon feels like an extension of his body and will, so he starts working through more complex kata. He finds that no matter how advanced and complicated his exercises, the Kopesh of Tem-Sepu adapts perfectly. He then hears someone approaching from behind him, and calls out, “And who’s that?” The person stops a few feet behind Kensai and replies with a highborn accent, “Just someone looking for the quartermaster of that large ship in port.”
Kensai turns slowly, blade at the ready, and spots a young man in the moonlight. The young man is clean-shaven, with a shaved pate and topknot. He is wearing a black kimono, but Kensai immediately slides the blade under his obi when he spots the Otomo mon worked in gold thread on the black silk. He bows low, as station demands. The young Otomo returns a shallow bow, and introduces himself as Otomo Hideyo, [ii] formal Imperial observer in the court of Tani Senshio. He eyes Kensai’s gaijin blade and asks, “May I?” as he holds out his hand. Kensai pulls the kopesh free and holds it out to Hideyo.
Hideyo takes the kopesh by the hilt and examines it carefully for several seconds before stepping back and taking a few basic swings with it. Kensai notes the young man clearly has had some kenjutsu training, but has no idea how extensive. [iii] Hideyo examines the weapon again before commenting, “Beautiful, despite its gaijin origins.” He reverses his grip and holds the blade out, hilt-first. Kensai retrieves the kopesh and Hideyo idly asks, “How did you come to possess such a weapon?” Kensai replies, “Some time ago, I needed help. A bargain was struck, and this blade is the cost - and symbol - of said bargain.”
Hideyo nods and doesn’t press further. He does state, “I need one crate delivered discreetly to Kyuden Gotei. I understand that’s your next stop?” Kensai nods, but explains he’ll need to clear this with the captain. Hideyo assures him that the crate carries no illicit substances, such as opium, weapons, or un licensed sake; Kensai frowns and replies, “I honestly didn’t assume there would be.” Hideyo laughs and admits a contact at Kyuden Gotei will handle pick-up. Kensai repeats the need to speak with the captain and asks how to find Hideyo later; Hideyo replies, “You have a meeting tomorrow night with the Moshi family daimyo. I’ll be present.” Kensai brightens and replies, “Excellent! Then I’ll have the captain give you his answer then!”
Hideyo looks amused, and Kensai’s face falls when he realizes, “Wait, I was present during the battle at Otosan Uchi. I’m going to be there too, aren’t I?” Hideyo smiles sympathetically and nods. Kensai audibly groans at the thought of another boring court session, and Hideyo counsels, “Strong spiced tea. It makes court sessions tolerable.” Kensai grumbles, “I sold the last of my good batch.” Hideyo laughs, and offers to walk Kensai back to the ship. Kensai agrees, and they head back to the docks together. Along the way, Hideyo idly asks, “So, what’s Yasuki Yashiki like?” Kensai launches into a fairly honest assessment of several people within the city - and all the hidden hidey-holes, smuggling tunnels, and the like. Hideyo seems to absorb all that without judgment, and asks, “What about Hida Kaneko? She’s set up shop there, right?”
Kensai replies honestly that Kaneko has indeed set up shop there, and acts as if she’s an Imperial. He confides, “Let’s be honest, she’s an Imperial now, like it or not,” and Hideyo nods in understanding. Kensai continues, “She hired us to bring her to Otosan Uchi. If she’d kept to herself, I’d have no opinion of her one way or the other, but there were some… incidents… along the way and she fought alongside us even though she didn’t have to. She showed compassion, courage, and honor, and upheld many of the tenants of Bushido. We respect her for that, and she became our friend.” They reach the gangplank and Hideyo politely bows and takes his leave.
Kensai is halfway up the gangplank when he stops and utters, “Wait a minute.” He wracks his brain, trying to remember exactly what he told the young Imperial. He then looks up to see Togashi Sôsuke at the top of the gangplank, looking at him curiously. Kensai groans and walks up to the deck. He confides to Sôsuke, “I may have made an error in judgment.” He tells Sôsuke of his meeting with Hideyo and the subsequent conversation; Sôsuke nods gravely and asks, “What do you know of the Otomo?” Kensai admits he knows they’re an Imperial family - and that’s about it. Sôsuke visibly winces and tells Kensai, “They’re more than that. They’re the predators of the Imperial Courts.” Kensai groans and bleakly jokes, “I’m going to need to compose my seppuku haiku, won’t I?”
Sôsuke reflects, “I doubt the captain is going to go that far,” but acknowledges that garnering the attention of an Otomo is often a Very Bad Thing. He also tells Kensai, “Oh, I broke our Moshi guest with koans. She stopped screaming maybe ten minutes ago. And I appear to be counseling the Yoritomo… I think.” Kensai sighs and asks, “I need to get up there, do you mind helping me out?” Sôsuke nods and wraps Kensai in a bear hug - and then activates the Hawk tattoo. He leaps into the air towards the Great Climb, and proceeds to “bounce” three times up the stairs with Kensai clutching him tightly. There are a few cries from pilgrims on The Great Climb, and at least one outraged yell of, “That’s cheating!” The Moshi guards at the top of the stairs are aghast as Sôsuke lands, and mentally note, “Do not start a war with the Dragon Clan.” Sôsuke and Kensai walk to Moshi Aiganko’s estate normally. When they reach the gate, the guard on duty immediately moves to admit them. Sôsuke takes his leave to return to Umako’s Promise, and Kensai enters the estate. He is escorted to his room and settles in to wait for morning. As he waits, he hears a storm roll in and rain start to fall.
The samurai rise on the morning of the 12th day of the Month of the Dark Brother to find the storm from overnight is still around; rain is falling in spurts and there is some snow mixed in. The monks and shugenja chanting praises to Lady Sun are muted today, and the samurai are able to filter them out as they bathe, dress, and gather from breakfast. Moshi Aiganko is far more alert this morning, and keeps up light conversation for most of the meal. She does state, “I’ve informed the dock-masters that Yoritomo Kitao’s fleet will be arriving today, and her list of supplies. You have been summoned to a meeting tonight after dinner to see Moshi Jukio-sama to tell her of what happened in Otosan Uchi. The elite of the family will be present.” Ryo makes a snide comment and Aiganko adds, “Even your mother. You are all expected to attend.”
As breakfast wraps up, Kensai stands up and announces, “So… last night.” He then openly tells of his meeting with Otomo Hideyo, Hideyo’s request to transport one crate to Kyuden Gotei, and the polite conversation on the way back to the ship.” Captain Katsuji glares daggers at his quartermaster and growls, “And what did you talk about on the way back?” Kensai wilts a bit but Aiganko smoothly slides out a bottle of sake from under the table, pours a shot into a cup, and slides the cup down to the captain. Captain Katsuji - eyes still firmly on Kensai - slams the shot but winces and croaks, “That was a lot more potent than I was expecting.” Aiganko retorts, “How do you think I’m still alive?”
That helps break the tension, and Retsudo interjects, “I’ve heard of this Hideyo. He’s a firm supporter - and former classmate - of Hantei Naseru.” Kensai groans and admits he sang Kaneko’s praises during the conversation. Retsudo shrugs and replies, “It’s likely our transport of Kanko is common knowledge now.” Aiganko snaps, “Now? The Imperial Court knew she was coming five minutes after you left port.” Retsudo nods, conceding that point. Aiganko pours a second shot for Captain Katsuji and informs the officers, “He’s been here for six months. A lot of the old biddies are still pissed, as they were expecting to be graced with another woman as Imperial observer.”
Aiganko turns to Kensai and gently asks if he’s aware of the Otomo family’s reputation. Kensai admits he didn’t at the time, and has just learned that the Otomo are the alpha dire wolves in the predators that make up court. Aiganko - clearly too old to give a damn - blithely retorts, “That’s insulting - to wolves. But yes, that’s essentially correct.” Retsudo chimes in, “At this point, the damage is already done. All we can do is prevent further information from being divulged. Honestly, the crate is probably nothing other than the gambit needed to begin the conversation.” Captain Katsuji growls, “How much can we charge for this?” Kensai replies, “There’s the base rate, plus the 250% surcharge for using me and annoying the captain, I’d say fifteen koku.”
Ryo adds, “He is paying for discretion, after all.” Retsudo interjects, “He may just pay it without caring. Or he may insist we should be honored to be helping a member of the Otomo family and thus do it for free. He could go either way.” The captain considers their opinions and decrees, “Ten koku.” Moshi Aiganko stands and says she must speak with her grandson. She then turns to the captain and says sternly, “No blood on anything I own.” Captain Katsuji is caught off-guard and actually takes a step back; Aiganko motions for Ryo to follow her. Ryo bows to the captain and departs. As soon as they leave, Kensai shares Sôsuke’s interactions with the prisoners. Hidaki mutters, “That’s important to know.” The samurai leave the dining room, and the captain walks out clutching the sake.
Kensai returns to his room to keep a low profile, but Retsudo heads out into the village. He starts a quiet investigation into Otomo Hideyo, and spends the day speaking with samurai and heimin alike. He discovers quite a few different reactions; most female Moshi consider him a snake in the grass and resent his presence because of his gender. Most male Moshi - and several more-intelligent female Moshi - regard him warily, as the young man is fiercely perceptive and seems to enjoy stirring the pot to enflame tensions. The heimin have a different opinion, as he seems to treat them fairly, and is rumored to have passed some coin to needy families here and there. Retsudo concludes that Hideyo is an intelligent man with deep pockets and access to the Otomo intelligence network - the only network the Scorpion consider an actual rival - and he clearly enjoys his reputation as a “rogue boy.” As to why he’s deliberately poking people, Retsudo suspects he’s testing how far he can push things in this valley.
Ryo and Aiganko retire to the private sitting room, and Aiganko tells him, “Your father will be here in an hour. Do you want to use this room for privacy?” Ryo nods gratefully, and spends the hour speaking with his grandmother. She asks about his time on Umako’s Promise, and he tells her as much as he can. At the Hour of Hantei, [iv] a servant ushers in a samurai in a basket hat. Moshi Ryojin quickly doffs the basket hat and stands awkwardly in the room; Ryo realizes this is the first time the two have been in close proximity in twenty years. Aiganko bows and departs, giving the men the room. Ryojin settles in as best he can, and Ryo calls for some tea.
A servant arrives with the tea, and father and son share a quiet moment sipping before Ryojin breaks the silence and states, “Since your grandmother burned a few favors to get me here, I assume this is important?” Ryo nods and says, “I have a message for you… from my brother.” Ryojin stares at his son uncomprehendingly for several seconds before replying, “What?” Ryo fishes out Ichiro Sue’s netsuke and passes it on to his father. Ryojin stares at the netsuke and then looks up at his son. Ryo gently says, “His name is Ichiro Susumu. He approached me at Kyuden Doji. They don’t want or expect anything, but Susumu would like to meet you at some point, if you’re willing.”
Father and son talk frankly, and Ryojin tells of the early days of the Moshi family, after the Tsuruchi ceded them this valley. The original valley was a bandit hideout, and the Moshi hired Ichiro mercenaries for muscle to aid the Tsuruchi archers and shugenja in cleaning out and reshaping the valley to their liking. The Ichiro remained to protect the new valley, and Ichiro Sui served with Ryojin and Sakiko as yojimbo more than once. Ryojin recalls that Sui always liked Ryo as an infant, and saved his life once. Ryo admits he has absolutely no recollection of that - or her. Ryojin shrugs and replies, “Not surprised, you were only a year old.” He recalls how Sui grew to resent Sakiko for how she disregarded Ryo almost immediately after he was born, and apparently the two got into arguments. When the Ichiro contract was up and the Bader were leaving the valley to return home, Sakiko openly considered sending Ryo with Sui. Ryojin admitted he has pretended for twenty years that she was joking. Ryo snorts, “I doubt she was.”
Ryojin acknowledges that bleak assessment as Ryo vents some of the hatred he has for his mother. Ryojin then changes subjects and asks if he’s inheriting Aiganko’s estate. Ryo nods, so his father tells him seriously, “Be very careful. Doing so will make you a target.” Ryo asks his father to clarify; Ryojin replies with a finger-across-the-throat gesture. Ryo nods and admits that’s not surprising, but he is a shugenja, he has some connections, and he’s not going to back down if the Moshi elite comes after him - regardless of how many bodies end up on his lawn. Ryojin nods and tells his son, “Cultivate your strength. Cultivate you allies. You will need them.”
Ryojin departs shortly thereafter, to grapple with the knowledge he has a grown son. Ryo sits alone for a while before his grandmother rejoins him. They spend the rest of the day together, and Aiganko starts showing him around the house to give him some idea of how the estate functions. Ryo quietly brings up his father’s concerns; Aiganko admits Ryojin is right. Ryo asks about defenses and who he can trust; Aiganko replies, “I trust my staff and the three ji-samurai sworn to me implicitly. But I have no ashigaru, as I never wanted to attract that much attention.” Ryo says they’ll need some sort of additional security, so Aiganko promises to quietly look into hiring reputable ashigaru. Either way, she’ll let him know in an innocuous letter.
[i] Game was 10/17/16. Tony was absent due to a council meeting.
[ii] Otomo Hideyo: male Otomo Courter 2, b. 1140. 5’5” with shaved pate and topknot, piercing eyes, clean-shaven face. Former classmate and loyal supporter of Hantei Naseru. Favors black kimono with the Otomo mon worked in gold thread. Approached Yoritomo Kensai on 11 Dark Brother 1158 and successfully pumped him for information about Hida Kaneko.
[iii] Not much. He knows the very basics, but a trained bushi could easily overpower him.
[iv] 10:00 AM
The 21st year in the reign of Emperor Shinji III (deceased), 1158 by the Isawa Calendar
Kensai runs through several basic kenjutsu katas, trying to get a feel for the gaijin weapon. [i] To his surprise, he finds the kopesh perfectly balanced, and his strikes are effortless. The weapon feels like an extension of his body and will, so he starts working through more complex kata. He finds that no matter how advanced and complicated his exercises, the Kopesh of Tem-Sepu adapts perfectly. He then hears someone approaching from behind him, and calls out, “And who’s that?” The person stops a few feet behind Kensai and replies with a highborn accent, “Just someone looking for the quartermaster of that large ship in port.”
Kensai turns slowly, blade at the ready, and spots a young man in the moonlight. The young man is clean-shaven, with a shaved pate and topknot. He is wearing a black kimono, but Kensai immediately slides the blade under his obi when he spots the Otomo mon worked in gold thread on the black silk. He bows low, as station demands. The young Otomo returns a shallow bow, and introduces himself as Otomo Hideyo, [ii] formal Imperial observer in the court of Tani Senshio. He eyes Kensai’s gaijin blade and asks, “May I?” as he holds out his hand. Kensai pulls the kopesh free and holds it out to Hideyo.
Hideyo takes the kopesh by the hilt and examines it carefully for several seconds before stepping back and taking a few basic swings with it. Kensai notes the young man clearly has had some kenjutsu training, but has no idea how extensive. [iii] Hideyo examines the weapon again before commenting, “Beautiful, despite its gaijin origins.” He reverses his grip and holds the blade out, hilt-first. Kensai retrieves the kopesh and Hideyo idly asks, “How did you come to possess such a weapon?” Kensai replies, “Some time ago, I needed help. A bargain was struck, and this blade is the cost - and symbol - of said bargain.”
Hideyo nods and doesn’t press further. He does state, “I need one crate delivered discreetly to Kyuden Gotei. I understand that’s your next stop?” Kensai nods, but explains he’ll need to clear this with the captain. Hideyo assures him that the crate carries no illicit substances, such as opium, weapons, or un licensed sake; Kensai frowns and replies, “I honestly didn’t assume there would be.” Hideyo laughs and admits a contact at Kyuden Gotei will handle pick-up. Kensai repeats the need to speak with the captain and asks how to find Hideyo later; Hideyo replies, “You have a meeting tomorrow night with the Moshi family daimyo. I’ll be present.” Kensai brightens and replies, “Excellent! Then I’ll have the captain give you his answer then!”
Hideyo looks amused, and Kensai’s face falls when he realizes, “Wait, I was present during the battle at Otosan Uchi. I’m going to be there too, aren’t I?” Hideyo smiles sympathetically and nods. Kensai audibly groans at the thought of another boring court session, and Hideyo counsels, “Strong spiced tea. It makes court sessions tolerable.” Kensai grumbles, “I sold the last of my good batch.” Hideyo laughs, and offers to walk Kensai back to the ship. Kensai agrees, and they head back to the docks together. Along the way, Hideyo idly asks, “So, what’s Yasuki Yashiki like?” Kensai launches into a fairly honest assessment of several people within the city - and all the hidden hidey-holes, smuggling tunnels, and the like. Hideyo seems to absorb all that without judgment, and asks, “What about Hida Kaneko? She’s set up shop there, right?”
Kensai replies honestly that Kaneko has indeed set up shop there, and acts as if she’s an Imperial. He confides, “Let’s be honest, she’s an Imperial now, like it or not,” and Hideyo nods in understanding. Kensai continues, “She hired us to bring her to Otosan Uchi. If she’d kept to herself, I’d have no opinion of her one way or the other, but there were some… incidents… along the way and she fought alongside us even though she didn’t have to. She showed compassion, courage, and honor, and upheld many of the tenants of Bushido. We respect her for that, and she became our friend.” They reach the gangplank and Hideyo politely bows and takes his leave.
Kensai is halfway up the gangplank when he stops and utters, “Wait a minute.” He wracks his brain, trying to remember exactly what he told the young Imperial. He then looks up to see Togashi Sôsuke at the top of the gangplank, looking at him curiously. Kensai groans and walks up to the deck. He confides to Sôsuke, “I may have made an error in judgment.” He tells Sôsuke of his meeting with Hideyo and the subsequent conversation; Sôsuke nods gravely and asks, “What do you know of the Otomo?” Kensai admits he knows they’re an Imperial family - and that’s about it. Sôsuke visibly winces and tells Kensai, “They’re more than that. They’re the predators of the Imperial Courts.” Kensai groans and bleakly jokes, “I’m going to need to compose my seppuku haiku, won’t I?”
Sôsuke reflects, “I doubt the captain is going to go that far,” but acknowledges that garnering the attention of an Otomo is often a Very Bad Thing. He also tells Kensai, “Oh, I broke our Moshi guest with koans. She stopped screaming maybe ten minutes ago. And I appear to be counseling the Yoritomo… I think.” Kensai sighs and asks, “I need to get up there, do you mind helping me out?” Sôsuke nods and wraps Kensai in a bear hug - and then activates the Hawk tattoo. He leaps into the air towards the Great Climb, and proceeds to “bounce” three times up the stairs with Kensai clutching him tightly. There are a few cries from pilgrims on The Great Climb, and at least one outraged yell of, “That’s cheating!” The Moshi guards at the top of the stairs are aghast as Sôsuke lands, and mentally note, “Do not start a war with the Dragon Clan.” Sôsuke and Kensai walk to Moshi Aiganko’s estate normally. When they reach the gate, the guard on duty immediately moves to admit them. Sôsuke takes his leave to return to Umako’s Promise, and Kensai enters the estate. He is escorted to his room and settles in to wait for morning. As he waits, he hears a storm roll in and rain start to fall.
The samurai rise on the morning of the 12th day of the Month of the Dark Brother to find the storm from overnight is still around; rain is falling in spurts and there is some snow mixed in. The monks and shugenja chanting praises to Lady Sun are muted today, and the samurai are able to filter them out as they bathe, dress, and gather from breakfast. Moshi Aiganko is far more alert this morning, and keeps up light conversation for most of the meal. She does state, “I’ve informed the dock-masters that Yoritomo Kitao’s fleet will be arriving today, and her list of supplies. You have been summoned to a meeting tonight after dinner to see Moshi Jukio-sama to tell her of what happened in Otosan Uchi. The elite of the family will be present.” Ryo makes a snide comment and Aiganko adds, “Even your mother. You are all expected to attend.”
As breakfast wraps up, Kensai stands up and announces, “So… last night.” He then openly tells of his meeting with Otomo Hideyo, Hideyo’s request to transport one crate to Kyuden Gotei, and the polite conversation on the way back to the ship.” Captain Katsuji glares daggers at his quartermaster and growls, “And what did you talk about on the way back?” Kensai wilts a bit but Aiganko smoothly slides out a bottle of sake from under the table, pours a shot into a cup, and slides the cup down to the captain. Captain Katsuji - eyes still firmly on Kensai - slams the shot but winces and croaks, “That was a lot more potent than I was expecting.” Aiganko retorts, “How do you think I’m still alive?”
That helps break the tension, and Retsudo interjects, “I’ve heard of this Hideyo. He’s a firm supporter - and former classmate - of Hantei Naseru.” Kensai groans and admits he sang Kaneko’s praises during the conversation. Retsudo shrugs and replies, “It’s likely our transport of Kanko is common knowledge now.” Aiganko snaps, “Now? The Imperial Court knew she was coming five minutes after you left port.” Retsudo nods, conceding that point. Aiganko pours a second shot for Captain Katsuji and informs the officers, “He’s been here for six months. A lot of the old biddies are still pissed, as they were expecting to be graced with another woman as Imperial observer.”
Aiganko turns to Kensai and gently asks if he’s aware of the Otomo family’s reputation. Kensai admits he didn’t at the time, and has just learned that the Otomo are the alpha dire wolves in the predators that make up court. Aiganko - clearly too old to give a damn - blithely retorts, “That’s insulting - to wolves. But yes, that’s essentially correct.” Retsudo chimes in, “At this point, the damage is already done. All we can do is prevent further information from being divulged. Honestly, the crate is probably nothing other than the gambit needed to begin the conversation.” Captain Katsuji growls, “How much can we charge for this?” Kensai replies, “There’s the base rate, plus the 250% surcharge for using me and annoying the captain, I’d say fifteen koku.”
Ryo adds, “He is paying for discretion, after all.” Retsudo interjects, “He may just pay it without caring. Or he may insist we should be honored to be helping a member of the Otomo family and thus do it for free. He could go either way.” The captain considers their opinions and decrees, “Ten koku.” Moshi Aiganko stands and says she must speak with her grandson. She then turns to the captain and says sternly, “No blood on anything I own.” Captain Katsuji is caught off-guard and actually takes a step back; Aiganko motions for Ryo to follow her. Ryo bows to the captain and departs. As soon as they leave, Kensai shares Sôsuke’s interactions with the prisoners. Hidaki mutters, “That’s important to know.” The samurai leave the dining room, and the captain walks out clutching the sake.
Kensai returns to his room to keep a low profile, but Retsudo heads out into the village. He starts a quiet investigation into Otomo Hideyo, and spends the day speaking with samurai and heimin alike. He discovers quite a few different reactions; most female Moshi consider him a snake in the grass and resent his presence because of his gender. Most male Moshi - and several more-intelligent female Moshi - regard him warily, as the young man is fiercely perceptive and seems to enjoy stirring the pot to enflame tensions. The heimin have a different opinion, as he seems to treat them fairly, and is rumored to have passed some coin to needy families here and there. Retsudo concludes that Hideyo is an intelligent man with deep pockets and access to the Otomo intelligence network - the only network the Scorpion consider an actual rival - and he clearly enjoys his reputation as a “rogue boy.” As to why he’s deliberately poking people, Retsudo suspects he’s testing how far he can push things in this valley.
Ryo and Aiganko retire to the private sitting room, and Aiganko tells him, “Your father will be here in an hour. Do you want to use this room for privacy?” Ryo nods gratefully, and spends the hour speaking with his grandmother. She asks about his time on Umako’s Promise, and he tells her as much as he can. At the Hour of Hantei, [iv] a servant ushers in a samurai in a basket hat. Moshi Ryojin quickly doffs the basket hat and stands awkwardly in the room; Ryo realizes this is the first time the two have been in close proximity in twenty years. Aiganko bows and departs, giving the men the room. Ryojin settles in as best he can, and Ryo calls for some tea.
A servant arrives with the tea, and father and son share a quiet moment sipping before Ryojin breaks the silence and states, “Since your grandmother burned a few favors to get me here, I assume this is important?” Ryo nods and says, “I have a message for you… from my brother.” Ryojin stares at his son uncomprehendingly for several seconds before replying, “What?” Ryo fishes out Ichiro Sue’s netsuke and passes it on to his father. Ryojin stares at the netsuke and then looks up at his son. Ryo gently says, “His name is Ichiro Susumu. He approached me at Kyuden Doji. They don’t want or expect anything, but Susumu would like to meet you at some point, if you’re willing.”
Father and son talk frankly, and Ryojin tells of the early days of the Moshi family, after the Tsuruchi ceded them this valley. The original valley was a bandit hideout, and the Moshi hired Ichiro mercenaries for muscle to aid the Tsuruchi archers and shugenja in cleaning out and reshaping the valley to their liking. The Ichiro remained to protect the new valley, and Ichiro Sui served with Ryojin and Sakiko as yojimbo more than once. Ryojin recalls that Sui always liked Ryo as an infant, and saved his life once. Ryo admits he has absolutely no recollection of that - or her. Ryojin shrugs and replies, “Not surprised, you were only a year old.” He recalls how Sui grew to resent Sakiko for how she disregarded Ryo almost immediately after he was born, and apparently the two got into arguments. When the Ichiro contract was up and the Bader were leaving the valley to return home, Sakiko openly considered sending Ryo with Sui. Ryojin admitted he has pretended for twenty years that she was joking. Ryo snorts, “I doubt she was.”
Ryojin acknowledges that bleak assessment as Ryo vents some of the hatred he has for his mother. Ryojin then changes subjects and asks if he’s inheriting Aiganko’s estate. Ryo nods, so his father tells him seriously, “Be very careful. Doing so will make you a target.” Ryo asks his father to clarify; Ryojin replies with a finger-across-the-throat gesture. Ryo nods and admits that’s not surprising, but he is a shugenja, he has some connections, and he’s not going to back down if the Moshi elite comes after him - regardless of how many bodies end up on his lawn. Ryojin nods and tells his son, “Cultivate your strength. Cultivate you allies. You will need them.”
Ryojin departs shortly thereafter, to grapple with the knowledge he has a grown son. Ryo sits alone for a while before his grandmother rejoins him. They spend the rest of the day together, and Aiganko starts showing him around the house to give him some idea of how the estate functions. Ryo quietly brings up his father’s concerns; Aiganko admits Ryojin is right. Ryo asks about defenses and who he can trust; Aiganko replies, “I trust my staff and the three ji-samurai sworn to me implicitly. But I have no ashigaru, as I never wanted to attract that much attention.” Ryo says they’ll need some sort of additional security, so Aiganko promises to quietly look into hiring reputable ashigaru. Either way, she’ll let him know in an innocuous letter.
[i] Game was 10/17/16. Tony was absent due to a council meeting.
[ii] Otomo Hideyo: male Otomo Courter 2, b. 1140. 5’5” with shaved pate and topknot, piercing eyes, clean-shaven face. Former classmate and loyal supporter of Hantei Naseru. Favors black kimono with the Otomo mon worked in gold thread. Approached Yoritomo Kensai on 11 Dark Brother 1158 and successfully pumped him for information about Hida Kaneko.
[iii] Not much. He knows the very basics, but a trained bushi could easily overpower him.
[iv] 10:00 AM