"Asako-hime," Kisada said. "I believe..." he glanced at Ranma appraisingly. "...the young woman requires your attention. Ranma escort the ladies to her proper quarters and hurry back here. We have to discuss this attack on our person."
"Hai, father," Ranma said, nodding.
"And you do know where her proper quarters are," Kisada asked. "The room with the tapestry of the 6th Emporers reign?"
"But that's my..." Ranma blushed and nodded. "Hai, My lord. Ah, Kimuri..."
"I know the way, Hida-san," Kimuri assured him, smiling indulgently.
The three left the room as another group entered. Ranma didn't notice them, his eyes centered on Kyoko as he left. But the Crane and Dragon noticed the young Crab gingerly carrying what appeared to be a Scorpion and heading out with an Asako healer ahead of him.
O-Ushi recognized her quickly enough, however.
"So the little girl survived the sting?" O-Ushi asked offhandedly.
"That was the assassin's target?" Ruri asked in disbelief.
"Nah, she just got in the way," O-Ushi said offhandedly. "Kinda of surprising for a Scorpion."
"Kyoko is not a Scorpion any longer," Kisada said, with a trace of triumph. Even if she was young, turning a Scorpion was a great coup, even if he hadn't intended such or done it directly. "For the moment she is nameless, though I don't believe that will last long." He handed her mask to one of his attendants. "I believe she requested that this be burned."
"Immediately my lord," the samurai said, taking the mask and leaving the room.
"And what do the Crane and Dragon seek in my lands?" Kisada asked seeing the visitors. "I am very busy at the moment, so if you could make your business plain."
"I have come to investigate rumors that one of your Crabs used a technique very similar to those in the Kakita school to slay an oni," Korin said. "We do not begrudge the use of the technique, but we are troubled that someone might be spreading our secrets without the proper authority."
Kisada understood that well enough, the idea that an unsanctioned instructor was teaching their understanding of a school's art and philosophy was always troubling. Especially as their actions, assuming their understanding was different from the main schools, might cause reputations problems eventually.
"And the Dragon?" Kisada asked.
"I was sent to investigate matters in Kyuden Hida," Mirumoto Ruri said. "And that's as specific as my Lord's orders are."
"I see," Kisada said slowly. "Well...this might be fortuitous." Indeed it was, time to propagandise a little. "The Scorpion have just made a move in what is part of a campaign to rule the throne of the empire."
The faces of the two visiting samurai betrayed their surprise and outright shock. The evidence, surrounding Crabs and the visiting Unicorns silently supported the statement, however.
"Those traitorous insects!" Ruri snapped angrily.
"Fortunately," Kisada said. "Some among their clan have remained true to their Clan's ancient charge and I have been spared the Scorpion's sting by their efforts. And news of their plans have been brought to us as well." He gestured toward Nori.
All eyes turned to the lovely but haggard woman in the tattered, and blood-stained rags of what used to be a Scorpion kimono.
See other episodes by Thrythlind
(Posted Sun, 10 Nov 2002 20:46)
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