Interesting Times - Chapter 1: The Host

A Little north of the Kaiu Kabe, the Great Wall of the Crab Clan, stood a state that once belonged to a merchant named Yasuki Toketsu. Kyuden Toketsu became the home of many people following the death of the merchant some 400 years ago, but now it was a home to a very dangerous person that has made too many enemies for his short life.
Bayushi Bijomaru, a member of the Scorpion clan and Topaz Champion on the year 1167, was sent there as a sort of punishment but also for protection. A lot of people sought retribution and he was not always clever enough to fool everyone; he was just a young scorpion, but avarice had led him to seek greater things with risks he was not prepared to take.

That morning he went to tend to his personal garden. No one was allowed to even speak of that place in Kyuden Kotetsu, only he could take care of his precious plants that were grown for "medicinal" purposes; and as he walked he saw a piece of paper laying in the wooden floor of the outdoor halls he walked to get to that place of secrecy. He picked up the piece of paper smiling under the veil he was wearing. Upon entering his private garden he opened the paper and it was blank, then he took a petal from a strange looking flower and rubbed it against the paper and, slowly, the message was revealed. In a writing style that he and very few others could understood were written very good news for him.

Asako Shiori, a Shugenja of the Phoenix Clan, was coming to Kyuden Toketsu to conduct an investigation regarding Maho-Tsukai. He was not to be informed; however, the Scorpion Clan has it's ways. His guest would arrive Kyden Toketsu tomorrow, so he thought to himself -I've been stuck here far too long, time for me to break free of this place-. He smiled to himself, rose to his feet and went to his room; about and hour later he came back out, still smiling and leaving piece of blank paper on the table of his writing kit.

The next morning he sat to drink tea, waiting. Around noon on of his servants came in the room
- Bayushi-sama there is a Lady of the Phoenix Clan's Asako family by the name Shiori that is requesting an audience with you.
- Interesting... - The sarcasm was unbelievable - ... is she alone?.
- No, she has come with his Yojimbo and a handmaid. Apparently her Yojimbo is wounded.
- I will go to them now.
He stood up, changed his veil for a wooden menpo and went to his audience room to meet with these "unexpected" visitors. He opened the screen paper door and let everyone in the room see him enter, unusual for a Scorpion. He looked at his guest. the Lady Asako was young and beautiful, and so was her handmaid; flawless, he thought, but then he saw her Yojimbo and he was sweating profusely. Finally he spoke
- The Kami ARE wise after all. I thought my stay here was for nothing, but they have given me the change to aid the needy. My name is Bayushi Bijomaru, at your service - and he bowed to his guest
The Lady Asako answered after bowing lower - Thank you for receiving me, Bayushi-san, I am honored - Yes she was honored, but she was also disgusted - My name is Asako Shiori; these people are my Yojimbo, Shiba Tenkai and my handmaid Asako Yuriko.
- I am honored to meet you. Would you like some tea, Asako-san?.
- No, thank you, there are more urgent matters.
- Perhaps your companions would like some...?.
- No thanks, and forgive my rudeness, but there really are more urgent matters to discus.
Taking a seat Bijomaru answered - I am all ears.
- This morning on our way here we were attacked by some bandits. Tenkai-san protected us, but he has suffered wounds that are beyond my powers to restore
Bijoumaru looked at Tenkai for a moment and said - It is most likely that he has been poisoned, many of the bandits in the area like to use such tactics on their victims, it is easier to fight an ill opponent.
- The growth and use of poison is illegal, do you haven any idea where they might be getting it? - said the Yojimbo
- I am afraid not - replayed his host, smiling under his menpo.
The lady Asako said to her Yojimbo - We will deal with that later Tenkai-san, now we must make haste for Kyden Hida so they can treat you.
- Asako-san, if I may - said Bijomaru - Kyuden Hida is far from here, Tenkai-san might not have that long, and I just happen to have experience dealing with such poison; perhaps you'd like to rest here in Kyden Toketsu for today while we treat Shiba-san's condition.
The Lady Asako stood quiet, thinking for a while about what she should do. The people of the Scorpion Clan had a notorious reputation of being manipulative snakes that twisted things so they could get away with their plans. Maybe Bijomaru was planing something, but the Lady had no choice, if Tenkai was indeed poisoned then he would need treatment quickly... so she said the most logical thing to say - I would be honored to be your guest for today.
Bijomaru, smiling again, replied while bowing - Then I will order the servants to prepare your rooms immediately.

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Author's Note:
For all those who aren't familiar with the setting:
- A Yojimbo is a warrior assigned to protect someone that has not practiced the way of the sword, such as Shugenjas and Courtiers
- A menpo is a mask. Usually it only covers the lower portion of the face, from the nose down, but some times a full face menpo is used.