End of the Line
The magistrates prepared to meet Fade's recent challenge. Kasuga Osamu went out to scout the location, finding that the given site held little possibility of perfidy: a fairly wide, open plain near the river north of the city with no place to hide or easy way to approach without being seen well in advance. After discussing how to handle Fade's possible involvement with the assassination of Naritoki, the decision was made not to bring any observers. Akodo Tadashi bringing a detachment of Kenjingumi as a safety measure.
Upon reaching the site they found Fade already stripped down to nothing but a fundoshi along with a half dozen of his men. The magistrates were instructed to disarm themselves and strip to the waist in surety that they would follow through on their obligation should Mirumoto Tetsuzae fall. All took their positions before the provided wakizashi with the exception of Ichiro Bando, who instead waited stubbornly by the horses with his nage-yari at hand.
Fade and Mirumoto faced one another, but after surveying one another and before either could draw Fade fell to his knees vomiting instead. Mirumoto, following through with his intentions, cleanly took his incapacitated enemy's head.
Seeing Fade drop to the ground one of his men panicked and swung his sword at Kasuga, missing wide. This triggered his compatriots to break and begin attacking, which the magistrates answered in kind. While many were killed or fled, they were able to take several prisoners in the end. Subsequent interrogation would have them stating that they were, to the best of their knowledge, the last of Fade's followers.
Mirumoto personally dug a grave for his fallen foe before returning to the city. Finding Fade's sword still retained a Unicorn motif tsuba, Ichiro took it to Otaku Genshi stating that he had been made aware that it belonged to her cousin, Otaku Isas, who had died in a duel and he wished to see it returned to his family. She seemed conflicted by the news, but expressed satisfaction that at least he had died nobly, in the manner befitting a warrior rather than as the victim of Scorpion treachery.
Barging In
Early in the morning on the day before The Poppy Invitational was scheduled to begin, the magistrates were summoned to the Civil Hall by Yogo Yoshi. A notice was nailed to the front door some time overnight and he felt that given similarities to recent events in other cities it might best be seen by the Emerald Magistrates:
“The venomous councilors who pour their poison in the nation’s ear shall reap the consequences. Tenchu (heaven's punishment) awaits.”
The magistrates thanked Yo-Yo and took the note with them.
Returning home, Ichiro was intercepted by a small group of men, some of whom he recognized as those who had taken an interest in the outcome of the Rumble in Ryoko. Katashi, their apparent leader, asked if he would be able to encourage Akodo Ume to leave the competition. Akodo, present at the time, responded quite firmly, reiterating the nature of the Lion Clan as warrior-poets.
Meanwhile, Kasuga had an unexpected visitor to his lab. Slipping out the back to observe who it might be, he discovered it to be a young geisha who introduced herself as Syrup. Inviting her in, she stated that she had heard of Kasuga's experience with medicine and was interested in purchasing something that would be able to peaceably deal with some vermin. Letting them hopefully reincarnate into a new, better life. Kasuga told her that he had no knowledge of any such substances but instead recommended some natural methods to discourage mice. A bit sadly she thanked him for his time and left.
Back at the Magistrate Residence the poet Doji Yogoso requested that the magistrates provide protection for him while he is in the city for the competition, citing the many dangers in the Scorpion city. After some negotiation, Togashi Tenko agreed to help the man.
Hearing the sound of drumming in the distance all eyes turned to the Grand Wharf. While Ichiro stayed back at the compound the other magistrates traveled to the waterfront in time to see the elaborate arrival festivities for Bayushi Kachiko's barge. Shosuro Jocho personally welcomed her alongside an honor guard. While unable to gather the same force, Akodo was able to find another member of the Kenjingumi in order to see that the organization was also represented. Kachiko thanked Jocho for the display and, offered a poem she had composed as a gift for the hospitality, commenting on the city's beauty among the vast fields of poppies outside its walls.
While the crowd was significant with people lining the bridges, dotting the Bay of Drowned Honor in boats of all sizes, and filling the streets along both sides of the river, a particular onlooker drew Akodo's attention. A young woman of about 16 or 17 wearing what he recognized as a uniform typical of the Matsu family dojo had been intently watching Kachiko, Jocho, and her retainers on the wharf rather than the fireworks arcing overhead. When he looked back, she had vanished into the crowd.
While preparations were being made for her welcoming procession to the Shosuro Palace, an unfamiliar man approached Akodo and introduced himself as Shiba Tetsuo, a recently appointed Emerald Magistrate newly assigned to bolster their forces in the city.
Accompanying Kachiko's procession the celebrations were suddenly interrupted as a black arrow sank itself into her palanquin, nearly missing Akodo in the process. The crowd was thrown into confusion as her yojimbo, Bayushi Shizuka, sprang into action and her guards moved to secure the area.