A Late Night Stroll about the Palace

 

            It was growing late and the urge to walk had taken Keshijo again.  The strange and disturbing news about Habikki had bothered him.  She was a ronin, but she was one of them.  Keshijo respected her, especially now that he lived as a Wave Man himself.  Despite his transformation into his alternate persona, Shinjoten, Keshijo still gave into the urge to wander at night.  It was the only time he felt like his true self.  There was something honest about the night, something pure.  The night had secrets and did not hide that fact.  Much like Keshijo, much like the Shosuro, much like the Scorpion.  The cool air of early spring was sure to lift his spirits.              He was not sure if it was by chance or by reason, but he found himself where the madness that tore down his world was born: the gates of the palace of Otosan Uchi, the home of the last Hantei, who would bring Fu Leng back to Rokugan.  A place of great corruption.  Yet, it gave him hope.  Inside was Bayushi Kachiko, the Mother of Scorpions, and one of the new Thunders.  She may have been forced to marry the Emperor and give up her clan and family but she would always be the wife of Keshijo's departed lord Bayushi Shoju.  The outer gates were closed, not a surprise considering the hour.  Thinking that breaking in would not be a good idea, Keshijo did what an uncouth ronin like Shinjoten would do.  He knocked.  That should get somebody's attention.  There was no answer from inside but Keshijo spotted what he was really looking for out of the corner of his eye. 

            He spoke a quick prayer of protection and followed the shadow down an alley.  What he found was an old man smoking a pipe.  Keshijo spoke first.  "Nice night for a stroll good sir."

            "Yes, little hidden one?  That palace is a dangerous place these days," the man laughed quietly through his breath. 

            "It is a dangerous place, especially now."

            "Why come here now?  What are you looking for, Bearer?"

            "Sometimes it is best to look for things at the heart of matters.  The best information can usually be found there. And the most interesting associates."  Try as he might, Keshijo couldn't recognize the old man.  Still, he had told his companions that the Scorpion always guarded the heart of the Empire.  Their supposed exile would not stop them from fulfilling their duty. 

            "I have all you will need."  The man shifted slightly and opened a small door, barely large enough to crawl through.  He motioned for Keshijo to follow and disappeared down the passage.

            The greatest risks can bring the greatest rewards.  Keshijo took a breath and followed the man down the passage.  He arrived to find the old man sitting in a small room some fifty feet underground.  Behind him were a desk, some paper and several scrolls, rolled and otherwise. 

            "What did you want?" the man asked. 

            "I seek news of Habikki, the tantos, and my clan."

"I do not know your bearer...but take this.  And spare the formalities.  We do not need to play the Court's game of refusal" He handed Keshijo a scroll.  "Now return...and use it only when you really need it."

"Thank you. I am in your debt," Keshijo bowed his head, as if to ask his name.  The man

merely tipped his hat down and again and swung his arm to the door.  Taking his cue, Keshijo left.  When he was far enough away and sure he was alone, Keshijo peeked at the scroll and let out a slow breath.  What he held in his hands was priceless.  A map of a secret entrance into Otosan Uchi.  He quickly went back to his friends and a warm bed. 

-by Brian Welch