[D10, LN, EVENT] Here Comes the Night

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Kakita-sama."
Sae sheathes her blade and bows very low indeed before falling in beside the Emerald Champion. Good samurai were on the scene now and the ronin were safe.

Sae recounts the events of the skirmish calmly and without embellishment, doing her best to mention:

- The relative locations of the players she could have made out in the dark
- The heroism of the various samurai who had charged out to thwart the would be assassins
- That Tatsuya and his son appeared to have dealt with many of the attackers and even recognised one
- A prisoner had been taken

She continues following Hajime along the walls, instinctively moving to cover the Champion's back in case the castle was overrun with killers.

[Kakita Hajime]

"Kakita-sama."
Sae sheathes her blade and bows very low indeed before falling in beside the Emerald Champion. Good samurai were on the scene now and the ronin were safe.

Sae recounts the events of the skirmish calmly and without embellishment, doing her best to mention:

- The relative locations of the players she could have made out in the dark
- The heroism of the various samurai who had charged out to thwart the would be assassins
- That Tatsuya and his son appeared to have dealt with many of the attackers and even recognised one
- A prisoner had been taken

She continues following Hajime along the walls, instinctively moving to cover the Champion's back in case the castle was overrun with killers.

Hajime nods along pleasantly, stopping to ask a follow up question about the recognized assassin. "Oh? Who was he to them?"

But the situation at the top of the wall is not as rosy as it ought to be. It appears that in the immediate area of the stairs, two Ikoma samurai have been murdered, their blood seeping thickly over the stones of the parapet from deep injuries, and a 9th assassin is clearly visible at the base of the wall, having one of the guard's spears through his neck. A little further down, not far from where the assassin's ropes are tied--their means of access--a Seppun has also had his throat cut and is lying in his life's blood. He appears not to have been aware of his attackers.

Hajime shakes his head a little sadly at the sight and peeks over the parapet. "No horses, Daidoji-san. What do we make of that?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Hajime nods along pleasantly, stopping to ask a follow up question about the recognized assassin. "Oh? Who was he to them?"

"Ryunosuke-san claimed he was a man named 'Nobu' he recognised him from a riverboat ten years ago."
Which was a rather impressive recall indeed, but Tatsuya's son was full of unexpected talents.

Hajime shakes his head a little sadly at the sight and peeks over the parapet. "No horses, Daidoji-san. What do we make of that?"

Sae's nostrils flare and the grip on her sword tightens for a moment. Such dishonourable butchery. These had been guards like Sayomi, just doing their duty.

"It is likely they did not have to journey far, perhaps they have a compatriot hiding nearby with their steeds, but the risk seems far too great."
Carefully looking to see if she can spot any climbing equipment.
"They likely came from nearby, a small camp or the Eye itself. They did not have easy access to the castle, but they came in numbers prepared to kill their way to Tatsuya-san. However I am unsure of how skilled they were, many tried to flee, poorly, and they failed to kill their sleeping target."

She looks back at Hajime.
"It would take considerable money or influence to send such a large band on such a dangerous mission, and to allow them to reach the walls without attracting notice. And if their target was Tatsuya and his son suspicion would naturally land on those who would benefit from their passing."

Her gaze flickers to the Kyuden for a moment before centring back on Hajime.

"The prisoner may know more, or he may have been hired through an intermediary. Either way, I ask for your blessing to investigate this matter."

[Kakita Hajime]

Sae's nostrils flare and the grip on her sword tightens for a moment. Such dishonourable butchery. These had been guards like Sayomi, just doing their duty.

"It is likely they did not have to journey far, perhaps they have a compatriot hiding nearby with their steeds, but the risk seems far too great."
Carefully looking to see if she can spot any climbing equipment.
"They likely came from nearby, a small camp or the Eye itself. They did not have easy access to the castle, but they came in numbers prepared to kill their way to Tatsuya-san. However I am unsure of how skilled they were, many tried to flee, poorly, and they failed to kill their sleeping target."

She looks back at Hajime.
"It would take considerable money or influence to send such a large band on such a dangerous mission, and to allow them to reach the walls without attracting notice. And if their target was Tatsuya and his son suspicion would naturally land on those who would benefit from their passing."

Her gaze flickers to the Kyuden for a moment before centring back on Hajime.

"The prisoner may know more, or he may have been hired through an intermediary. Either way, I ask for your blessing to investigate this matter."

Hajime smiled and nodded. "I agree entirely. Someone nearby has paid a great deal of money. Of course, Ryoko Owari is not far, but this doesn't have Lord Shosuro's fingerprints on it. No advantage for him. So this castle most likely holds our adversary. But that also means that even your position may not be enough to protect you, Daidoji-san. I would like you to conduct the investigation, but I would like to discuss your findings with you tomorrow in the Early Evening and we will determine next steps then, before we disturb the hornet's nest, hm?"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Of course Kakita-sama. I will leave no stone unturned, no question unasked."
The timing would be tight, but a matter this serious could hardly wait.

"By tomorrow I will have a full report for your consideration. There are good samurai here."
Her gaze lingers on the dead guards for a moment.
"I am confident the resources exist to find the culprit."

Sae bows again.

[Daidoji Ryu]

After a quick reassuring smile for his cousin and Hoshiko, Ryo did his best to examine the attackers, shifting them with a stick if need be. Perhaps there was more that could be learned from them...

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D10LN, Any more to learn? Inv/per, VP spent | 8k3 ⇒ 34

[Kakita Hajime]

Hajime replies with a bow of his own before turning to let his eyes wander over the Tenshu, then down at Lord Ikoma's villa, and then down over the delegation houses. "Hm," he says absently. "Well, that's that for tonight. We'll have Mirumoto-san get the eta to work down in the Eye in the morning, but hopefully it won't be that long before they can clear up this mess," he said, waving at the temple plaza.

"Have you any questions for me?"

[Cearnach]

After a quick reassuring smile for his cousin and Hoshiko, Ryo did his best to examine the attackers, shifting them with a stick if need be. Perhaps there was more that could be learned from them...

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D10LN, Any more to learn? Inv/per, VP spent | 8k3 ⇒ 34

No readily identifiable markers were about, though Mean Fella had a sword of good quality. All of them were a little scruffy, a little down on their luck, and somehow sad-looking, now, having been sliced and hacked and battered to bits and shot through with arrows.

[Daidoji Ryu]

Such was the nature of death, Ryu knew. As he rose, he cast Hoshiko a look. He suspected she'd understand.

Walking casually, he returned to where Sae stood, bowing as he reached her. "Cousin." He greeted her, his tone very businesslike. "I've investigated the attackers. There wasn't much to find, as one might expect. However, one did have quite a well-made sword. It's possible either it's owner or it's maker can be found."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Only if Kakita-sama would lend his voice to supporting an increase in security for Tatsuya-san and his son? I do not imagine a similar attempt is likely to occur anytime soon, but there are other ways to kill a man. Should he die of poison or some unfortunate accident before the investigation is complete, I would consider myself a failure."

Sae pauses for a moment.
"I will of course continue to do my utmost to respect Ikoma-sama's jurisdiction over this castle and the town. But I may need to work fast and hard, feathers may be ruffled, even inadvertently."
Left unspoken was that Sae would hope Hajime could smooth that ruffling back down, up to a point at least.

It was at that moment as she turned to look into the Kyuden that Sae realised she had been talking murder and treachery with her boss while wearing an extremely cute set of pyjamas.

Clearing her throat with the faintest trace of colour in her cheeks.
"With your leave, I will see about beginning this investigation."

Walking casually, he returned to where Sae stood, bowing as he reached her. "Cousin." He greeted her, his tone very businesslike. "I've investigated the attackers. There wasn't much to find, as one might expect. However, one did have quite a well-made sword. It's possible either it's owner or it's maker will be known."

"Ryu-san." Sae clears her throat.

"Uh, as you can see Kakita-sama, we are already working quickly. The sword is a good find, we will need every advantage we have, and your skills in the morning."

[Daidoji Ryu]

"Thank you, Miyahara-sama." Ryu said, bowing. "I shall place myself at your disposal whenever you wish."

"Kakita-sama." He said, bowing to Hajime as well.

[Kakita Hajime]

Hajime beamed. "A good find, and a good cousin for a magistrate to have. Well done." He glanced back at Sae. "Lady Seppun may be beginning to feel a pinch in her resources, but I will see to it that Tatsuya and Ryunosuke are not without protection."

[Akodo Kenji]

Once the prisoner was secured Akodo Kenji would offer to escort him to the Magistrates holding facility.

"You know. It would be much easier if the Emerald Office was right here in the Castle. Instead of the Eye."

Once the prisoner was in safe hands it would be time for a good cleansing. There was blood in his hair, on his ace, his chest, his hakama, his sword, it just wasn't a great look from a fashion point of view. Although he looked like he had been in a proper battle so that was nice.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

For her part, Hoshiko will be certain there's nothing to be done for any guards, check if Tatsuya and son need/want further healing, and begin the process of summoning water for cleaning and implements for basic cleansing before everyone goes traipsing blood and it's spiritual impurity into their 'homes'.

****************************
Speaking of spiritual impurity...any sign of hungry spirits drawn to the blood, violence, fear? Since we're hunting for spiritual ID tests for our visitor, seems worth ruling those out/in as attractants.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Neither is it mine, sadly, Hiruma-sama. We might be able to do a proper job with some joiny effort, maybe..."

She regretted not having the chance to work - or play - more often in her family's riverboats then, but such is life.

"Nothing for it then." Daichi replied as he did his best to tie the man up. He was probably too injured still to attempt any serious running away anyways. He'd then let the Akodo gentleman take him away. This was Lion's lands after all, and he didn't want to be overly helpful.

[Yasuki Masaki]

For her part, Hoshiko will be certain there's nothing to be done for any guards, check if Tatsuya and son need/want further healing, and begin the process of summoning water for cleaning and implements for basic cleansing before everyone goes traipsing blood and it's spiritual impurity into their 'homes'.

****************************
Speaking of spiritual impurity...any sign of hungry spirits drawn to the blood, violence, fear? Since we're hunting for spiritual ID tests for our visitor, seems worth ruling those out/in as attractants.

After nossing to Daichi and letting him handle the prisoner, Masaki will tag along Hoshiko for these exact same duties. She didn't quite think of an influence from Gaki-do - the Spirit Realms were a part of Theology Hoshiko was much more used to dealing with, after all.

But she *did* decide to check if any of the spirits around felt anything weird... especially corruption. She felt her connection to the Air weak for the night, and corruption *was* something the Earth spirits were most sensitive to, so that it was.

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D10 LN - Commune with Earth. | 4k2 ⇒ 15 (TN: 10)

Question 1:
"Steady and purest
Land unchanging
As this night feet
trod your landing
Did you feel them
fully human?
Were there signs of
blighted numen?"
(I.e. "Were there any signs of corruption as feet invaded the temple grounds and the area around it tonight?")

[Cearnach]

Speaking of spiritual impurity...any sign of hungry spirits drawn to the blood, violence, fear? Since we're hunting for spiritual ID tests for our visitor, seems worth ruling those out/in as attractants.

No one seems to be acting strangely...or more strangely than usual for some, given the situation.

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D10 LN - Commune with Earth. | 4k2 ⇒ 15 (TN: 10)

Question 1:
"Steady and purest
Land unchanging
As this night feet
trod your landing
Did you feel them
fully human?
Were there signs of
blighted numen?"
(I.e. "Were there any signs of corruption as feet invaded the temple grounds and the area around it tonight?")

The earth rumbled beneath her feet.

"Much Blood! Much Blood Within the Sacred Precincts! The blood of Ningen!
Thick and Rich and Laden with Iron and with Salt, it seeps down, down, to nourish us!
Yum!"

[Yasuki Masaki]

---------
The earth rumbled beneath her feet.

"Much Blood! Much Blood Within the Sacred Precincts! The blood of Ningen!
Thick and Rich and Laden with Iron and with Salt, it seeps down, down, to nourish us!
Yum!"

The next question is murmured aloud - perhaps unknowingly. The soft voice does sound a bit askance...

"'Ere this richest
meal of iron
reached your rocks this
night in splashes,
there were steps that
broke the silence -
from those feet that
brought in violence,
are there soles you
know from memory?"

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OOC:
Question 2: "Do you recognise any of the feet that first invaded the temple while everyone was sleeping?"

And also - with all this glee for blood... does Masaki feel anything odd about these Earth spirit? Or doea she feel they are just happy for a hearty meal?

[Cearnach]

[I mean, it's not un-creepy, but they're also not trying to rip Masaki's face off, so they're most likely not kansen.]

"Some have walked here before. But not all."

[Yasuki Masaki]

[I mean, it's not un-creepy, but they're also not trying to rip Masaki's face off, so they're most likely not kansen.]

"Some have walked here before. But not all."

The next question would be obvious... but she was unsure how clear the spirits would be on it.

Still worth trying, but first...

.

When Sae's chat with the Imperial Magistrate is done, she walks up to her. "Daidoji-sama", she says with a low bow. "One of my lessons at the temple could allow us to see if the invaders' weapons could tell us anything of their past - or identity, possibly. If you believe this could be of help, I'll be glad to offer my assistance."

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(OOC: Reflections of Pan Ku on a sword, possibly the well-made one, could maybe help. Dayflip is around the corner, so leaving a roll here since nobody else asked for healing - assuming the help is accepted, to avoid rolling after dayflip. I still have one healing slot available if needed.

The actual deed would happen after Sae's allowing it - which should take a while given timezones.)

D10 LN - Reflecrions of Pan Ku | 5k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 10)