Roy
The travel to Journey's End had been long, and not without trials. First came the flash flood which swept away half of their supplies. Then the detour through the affected villages, providing what aid they could to the desperate villagers whose livelihoods were shattered. Injuries had to be tended to, shrines and houses rebuilt, bandits deterred. It was long hours of tiring work, and had delayed their arrival in the city by nearly a month.

Yet finally the weary traveling party had made it: past the bazaar, through the Unicorn Gate, and to the steps of the Ide Residence. As the stablehands took the reins of their horses, the contingent of new arrivals could take stock of themselves and the new assignment. This was to be home for the foreseeable future. It may be their last moment of respite—the task ahead would certainly not be easy.

Iuchi Makoto took a moment to pay his respects to the small shrine set up to Natsu-togumara, the Fortune of Travel and Experience. Once completed, he rejoined his fellow shugenja, smiling warmly. He was glad that his friends' spirits remained high despite their hardships. "So this is Journey's End? More like Journey's Beginning for us. If the situation is half as bad as when we started our trek here we'll be up to our eyes in work in no time."

The priest laughed heartily. Over their travels the party would have come to know his frequent attempts to maintain levity, often with widely varying results. Still, it was always genuine and warm, quite different than what would often be expected of the pious religious class. Makoto was a man of the people, and his delegation was handpicked to be likewise. The citizens of the city needed religious stability, and the Unicorn aimed to provide that. At least so he hoped.

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Mary
With flowing grace, the sisterly, sunburnt shugenja studied her companions in one sweeping glance. The duty was sudden, but they had ample opportunity to grow closer, and she had taken care to remember as many details as they shared with her. 

This city, despite its ancestry, was far from what the Unicorn found comfortable, let alone their shugenja who knew the freedom of the kami of Air and Water more intimately. She had already resolved to help guide and support whoever she could, be they peasant or samurai.

Upon Iuchi Makoto's return, Ide Khulan smiled in response to his jests. They weren't as out of place in the company of the Unicorn's free-spirited priesthood, but it did remind her of her 'younger brother' who grew into *Oto-san* Jokes.

"In every end, a new beginning. And in every trial, an opportunity." Khulan mused thoughtfully. Philosophy shifted to quiet resolve as she added "If even half the stories of this city are true, we will have ample opportunity to demonstrate our Clan's Compassion."

Turning to her fellow priests, she smiled understandingly. Her voice spoke with experience and her tone was firm but warm. The group would have come to know by now that while she was just as much a Unicorn shugenja as the rest of them, she was also by nature a grounding influence. One who showed compassion and understanding, but could also stand firm and rein in their more fanciful impulses.

"But first things first. As soon as we are presentable, it would be wise to meet with our superiors." 

Her initial suggestion, spoken with disciplined propriety, softened into a knowing look. Particularly, among those who shared a bit more about what awaited them here.

"And perhaps any old friends who happen to be here."

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Jack
In the travels, Hikari had been a helpful aide and it was well that she'd been taken along, while there was nothing to be done to stop the flooding, she was able to prove a vessel for the offering of deliverance in the form of foods brought forth by the blessed Kami, helping the people recover from their misfortune. Where the worst of the rubble was, she called the spirits of the air to help where the debris proved difficult to remove.

"I like having a lot of work to do, it makes me feel my time is well spent, Iuchi Makoto-sama." Hikari commented, smiling broadly, "Relaxing is what mother does, as she is weary with age, until the day when she goes to join grandmother and grandfather. I'll have time to relax when I too am aching and stiff in the morning."
Roy
The Iuchi's smile grew ever wider as he took in the comments of his fellow shugenja. Yes, he was glad to share the title of priest with ones like these. "Well, I hope we all have at least a few more years before the creaking and groaning of age finds us. I'm not quite ready for that just yet."

A slight color entered the man's cheeks at Khulan's final words. In his case superior and old friend were one and the same, as his two companions were well-aware by this point. "We should get the dirt from the road off us and present ourselves before the Ambassador with haste. She does not care to be left waiting."

After all had properly washed and dressed themselves, the three entered into a waiting room. In short order, a heimin girl of perhaps ten or eleven would enter, bowing respectfully to the floor before her betters. "Great samurai-samas, welcome to Ryoko Owari. Utaku-sama is ready to meet with you if you would follow this one."

The girl took the three to the Ambassador's offices. A stern, imposing, tall Unicorn woman sat behind an elegantly crafted desk with a contrastingly short peasant woman standing behind and beside her. In front of the desk were three cushions; on the desk were four cups with tea. The Battle Maiden affixed the members of the delegation with a cold stare before nodding and gesturing for them to be seated.

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Mary
After the entourage cleaned up, Khulan followed them in to meet with the Ambassador.

She made sure to smile warmly to the young girl. Though *Heimin* Largely went about their days in distant awe of the samurai, like any Unicorn, she felt strongly about treating them well. That was one of the many foundations of their strengths.

"Thank you, young one. Please lead the way."

The Ide followed their guide inwards, taking note of the Residence's style. True to form, it was very much a blend of Unicorn and traditional tastes, though some areas seemed to lean more towards one side or the other.

Once inside the offices, the tanned Ide studied the Ambassador even as she followed Makoto's lead in her greetings.

*I know some among my family might feel a courtier would be better suited. But a strong leader who can delegate can achieve great things, too.*

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Roy
*She's not happy. Hopefully not because of us.* Makoto bowed low as he entered. In a calm and collected voice, recognized as the tone he used in formal situations, he introduced his party. "Utaku-sama, thank you for agreeing to see us today. Allow me to introduce my traveling companions, Ide Khulan and Iuchi Hikari."

He did not introduce himself; it was not needed, as the others knew. There was no great secret about his betrothal to the Unicorn Ambassador, or why he elected to lead this delegation to the city she was stationed at. After he introduced himself he took a seat at the centermost position.

"I bid you all welcome. The woman speaking is Fuyuko-san. She serves as my translator, as I am unable to speak clearly after attempts on my life. Any words conveyed by her have the same weight as my own." The previously diminutive by appearance servant spoke in a loud and clear voice as the Ambassador signed. Without breaking pace, the greeting quickly shifted. "Perhaps we could begin by having you explain precisely why it is that you show up unannounced at the Embassy *Four weeks late*."

*Ok, so she* Is *Mad at us.* Makoto looked ready to reply, then held himself back. Turning to his friends, he opted for a different tactic. "Perhaps it would be better for Ide-san and Iuchi-san to explain how it quickly became evident the Kami had other plans for our travel."

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Mary
With deliberate dignity and an air of assurance, Ide Khulan stepped forward. While clad in the more freeflowing garb of the Unicorn's shugenja, she bowed deeply with a grace that wouldn't be out of place at court.

"Greetings, Utaku-sama. Fuyuko-san. We thank you for receiving us so warmly. We offer our sincerest apologies for our late arrival, but it is indeed as Iuchi Makoto-sama said."

As she rose from her address, the Ide's expression was one of serene calm. She did not seem intimidated by Kazuko, only appropriately respectful.


"The Kami of Water saw fit to dance and thrash wildly, unleashing a flash flood upon our journey and sweeping away half of our supplies." Khulan explained. To those outside the Clan, her devout words and harmonious mien might seem at odds with her features, at once both slender yet forged by the elements. "We saw the need to restock, and in the process, we diverted our path towards the affected villages."

Finishing her half of the report, she bowed again. A nod towards Iuchi Hikari served as a wordless signal for her colleague to provide the rest of what had transpired.

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