Patrick
Kentarō stepped away from the street, the scents and sights of the city at his back, the grand embassy of his clan rising up like a celestial temple toward the heavens. Kentarō was relieved; the journey had taken longer than he liked and he was anxious to refresh himself and acquaint himself with his new home. Still, duty called first.

He adjusted the Wakizashi at his obi and smoothed out his kimono. He was dressed in grey and black, with highlights of fiery orange that matched the short mantle over his shoulders, accented with jade at its clasps and a carved jade medallion hung at his neck with the mon of the Phoenix proudly displayed. He checked his topknot and, finding it satisfactory, said a brief prayer to the air Kami to improve his words. 

Looking again up at the embassy that so appealed to his spiritual sensibilities, he stepped toward the awaiting ashigaru who viewed him with warranted suspicion. Bowing appropriately, he produced a travel pass and gave it to them.

"Asawa no Shingon Kentarō, reporting for residence and to see the esteemed Ambassador."

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Emily
The ashigaru at the gate looked over the travel pass briefly, and nodded. "This seems to be in order, samurai-sama. Please, one moment while I ask where you will be received."

She disappeared into the embassy for a few brief minutes, the local traffic of minor bureaucrats traveling between embassies with missives and servants coming and going with goods from the market showed the embassy district as busy, but certainly quieter than the rest of the city. The ashigaru returned with one of the servants of the embassy, an elderly man who bowed and gestured for Kentarō to follow him into the embassy proper. 

Iemon waited in the prepared room, seated at a perfectly square table with three seats left open. The window behind him opened to a small central garden, the midday sun shining brightly, and the faint sound of a shishi-odoshi gently echoed into the room.

He was dressed in the kimono of his office, the orange shades like flickering flames lightening as it reached his hands. Giving a stately bow as the door was opened by the servant to allow their guest entrance, he gestured to the seat across from him as he rose. "Greetings, Isawa no Shingon Kentarō-san, I am Ambassador Shiba Iemon. We should be joined both by my Karo shortly, as well as some tea to refresh yourself after your journey. If you need anything else, you have but to ask."

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Patrick
The newly arrived shugenja bowed before his host with great respect. "Domo origato, Ambassador Shiba Iemon-sama. I am honoured to meet you and be here within this esteemed city."

Kentarō stepped forward toward the table and lifted lifted a parcel, wrapped in beautiful purple with a design of swimming carp emblazoned upon it in silver, with both hands and bowed slightly again. "I would be pleased to share a cup of tea with you, and await your esteemed Karo. I hope you would do me the honour of accepting this boring and humble gift, Ambassador."

He expected the other man to politely refuse a time or two, and he was prepared to insist each time with a smile. Within the finely wrapped package was a scroll, one designed to be displayed. Upon it, written in the script of a most accomplished Phoenix calligrapher, and surrounded with a border of gold leaf, was a poem attributed to Shinsei:

*Mountains stand unmoved,
Yet flow with the river's song,
Strength in yielding grace.*

Kentarō pulled his wakizashi from his belt and sat, placing the weapon to his right, blade facing toward himself and hilt positioned in an awkward way should he attempt to draw the weapon— polite, in deference.

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Emily
The polite refusals were of course offered, finally accepting on the third offering of the gift. Iemon marveled at the impeccable calligraphy contained in the scroll. "Absolutely stunning, thank you very much for your thoughtful gift!" 

The elderly servant returned with a soft rap at the door, bringing a pot of tea and three cups. Iemon poured immediately for his guest, a gesture of both humility and respect. He left the third cup empty, wishing for Sanumo's tea to be kept fresh and warm in the pot.

"It is an honor to receive you here in Ryoko Owari Toshi. May I ask what gift of the Fortunes has brought you to the city?"

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Patrick
He bowed his head with a smile. "I am most pleased that you find the scroll worthy, Ambassador." He awaited the Ambassador to drink before he would partake of the tea, but reached into the folds of his robe. 

"I find this city most interesting and am looking forward to learning more about it. As it so happens, however, I was charged with delivering this to you personally."

He produced a neatly folded letter. The seals of the Phoenix and of the Shiba were perfectly intact. He offered the communique to the ambassador with both hands, head again bowed. The temptation to open the letter had only burned within him for a few minutes into his journey to Ryoko Owari Toshi before his good sense was able to squash the desire to breach protocol. It was dishonourable, after all, to read another's mail and Kentarō knew that he would most likely be made privvy to any details that mattered to him at the Ambassador's discretion. Talk would soon turn to his assignment as an inquisitor, and he had no doubt that his duty as such would be more than enough to keep himself occupied.

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Maurice
During the transfer of this missive, Sanumo was admitted into the room by one of the embassy's servants. The young Karo bowed deeply to the Ambassador and slightly less so to their guest as he crossed the threshold. The gentle swish of the man's simple, earth-colored kimono softly cut the silence as he strode to the table and took his place alongside it.

« Apologies for the delay, Shiba-sama. I was caught in the midst of filling out some urgent paperwork. It is now on its way to the recipient and I am fully at your disposal. »

Though his appearance spoke of the toll of long hours of painstaking desk work, his gaze cut across their guest. He gleaned what information he could from examining the mons his attire displayed.

*Tsk, another Isawa. And an Inquisitor no less. A double-edged blessing, if I've ever seen one.*

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Emily
Iemon would accept the letter and take a swift sip of tea to allow his guest to partake as well. Sanumo's arrival stopped him from opening it immediately, though his curiosity was piqued by both the clan and his family's seal being on the missive.

"No need for apologies, Asako-san, Isawa-san and I were simply getting acquainted." He smiled, returning the bow and pouring a cup of tea for Sanumo. 

"If anything, your timing is perfect, as our guest was charged to deliver something of import directly to me. I was just about to open it in fact."

He carefully parted the seals and opened the letter to read.

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Ralph
The letter, crisp and white with fine writing, is read as follows:

```To all faithful keepers of peace and righteousness throughout our great Empire:

First, it is with profound gratitude and humility that I offer my sincerest respect for the work each of you continue to perform. It is through the actions of your hand and the words of your voices that the domain of the Son of Heaven retains its spiritual health in a time of unrest. Without your strength, neither I nor the Elemental Council would have the reach or resources to perform such an expansive task.

It is with this solemn duty in mind that I feel the need to inform our esteemed Ambassadors of recent developments. As you are far too well aware, the betrayer Kuni Yori took the Elemental Master of Earth captive, dragged him to the stronghold of Akuma no Oni, and slaughtered him in some unholy ritual in hopes of unleashing a yet greater evil upon our lands. That Isawa Tadaka-sama remained unblemished even when faced with an attempt to desecrate and corrupt his very soul speaks as a testament to his purity of heart. Make no mistake, without his aid even as he lay dying, the Battle of Cherry Blossom Snow would have ended with total annihilation.

It is impossible to believe the Daimyo of the Kuni acted without the knowledge of others. Hida Yakamo denies it adamantly, yet refuses to allow external investigators—not even the Emerald Champion herself—to verify the truth of his words.

The Crab are closing ranks around something. I pray it is not vile. Agents of Emerald Champion Mirumoto Hitomi-sama are on the brink of uncovering the truth. Until then, I ask each of you to remain alert, to keep ever watchful against those who claim to fight the darkness, for those who remain closest to it fall the furthest.

Spring blossoms give way to the purifying sun of summer. The day of revelation draws near. Act with surety and purpose

And kindly destroy this letter.

Shiba Tsukune,
The Soul of the Shiba, Keeper of the Tao, Daimyo of the Shiba, and Champion of the Phoenix Clan```

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Patrick
Kentarō bowed respectfully to the man who entered the room. "Asako Sanumo-sama, it is an honour to meet you." Seating himself again he took of sip of the hot tea after the ambassador had done so and listened carefully as he read the letter aloud. His previous assignments had given him a view of the intrigue that followed clans and he was always fascinated at the different flavours of strife that afflicted all in different regions. 

He was going to have his work cut out for him. 

He waited patiently for the other men to speak before he would ask any questions, but his mind already whirled. He had hoped to make an envoy with the Crab and their witch hunters as he executed his duty, but now he wondered if that line would be closed to him or worse, a trap should he pursue it.

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Maurice
Trained though he may be in the arts of courtly intrigue, Sanumo was among fellow clan mates and this news, while not unpredictable, represented a notable escalation.

His eyebrows escalated similarly and he took a short time to figure out the most tactful way to get his thoughts across.

« Shiba-sama, I believe this represents the turn of a new era in Phoenix policy. While one could argue that we could best aid the Clan Champion's endeavors by prying personally into the Crab's operations, I worry that we might risk a repeat, albeit of a lesser scale, of Kuni Yori's example. I urge you to take the prudence and caution this letter urges to heart. »

« Until the Crab can prove their own cohesion and purity, I believe we are best served by keeping our distance and working in public or through intermediaries when we **Must** Interact with them. »

He had heard Iemon speak hopefully in the past about prospects regarding the Crab. If the ambassador would not protect himself, his reputation, and his soul... Well, then his Karo would have to take matters into his own hands.

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Emily
Iemon gave a resigned sigh, and nodded. "Your advice is practical, Asako-san, though it is indeed regrettable. The local Crab I have interacted with have been nothing short of honorable, but we must avoid judging by appearances alone." The memory of sharing drinks with Koyama was indeed a pleasant one, and while he had disliked losing his duel in front of the Crab Ambassador, the older samurai's cry to hold had likely saved the ronin's life, shocking Iemon back to being cognizant of his loss. *If he were truly an agent of corruption, would he not have let me sully my honor?* 

Not that he could go against the Clan Champion. No one other than the Elemental Council, that is, though in time of war, the Champion was final arbiter of Clan decisions. *And should she fear spiritual corruption of the very Defenders of Rokugan... That day may not be far off...*

For a moment, the weight of that thought visibly weighs on the Ambassador, and a grim look of resolution crosses his face. "It is as our Champion says, those who would fight the darkness have the farthest to fall. In much the same way, we must ensure to guard ourselves, that we must not become that which we face."

He clears his throat, straightening slightly. "Would that you had brought happier tidings, Isawa-san, but it is not your hand that penned the letter."

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Patrick
The inquisitor leaned forward, trying to absorb as much as he could. With movements of the masters of each clan like a complicated game of *Shogi* With multiple players, every step, even the cautious ones, could lead to disaster. Kentarō was eager to not step into such a trap, and the landscape already appeared thick with them.

"Ambassador-sama, Asako-sama, I beg your patience as I seek understanding; I am clearly entering the city at the cresting of much tension. The elemental masters, preoccupied as they are, have mandated that I use what skills I have in untangling the Phoenix of anything that may impede the spiritual progress of our clan, or the empire as a whole whilst I am on assignment here. If possible, I would be most grateful for your wisdom in understanding the position of our clan here, our relationships with the other clans, notable members of other clans that would be wise for me to to meet or with whom I could liaise and, if it be wise, an understanding of our clans goals here. The last thing I want is for my investigations into *Maho* Or corruption to inadvertently lead the city, or our clan, into an even more dangerous situation for which we are not prepared."

His voice was even, the air kami to which he had prayed before entering bringing an touch of authority and grace to his words and soothing over any amount of nervousness he might feel. 

He was, in fact, there to do his duty and support the phoenix clan while rooting out threats to Rokugan. He hoped that those objectives were not mutually exclusive.

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Maurice
« Apologies, Shingon-san. You are correct in that this meeting has strayed from its original scope. Allow me to reign it back in. »

He weighed how much to tell the newcomer, a visible - if short - hesitation occurring before he proceeded.

« I will skip over our relations with the Crab since I feel like the last few minutes have elucidated that enough. The Crane, while historically strong allies of ours, have essentially left us to our own devices until they recently extended an invitation to reconnect. We get along well with the Dragon, especially insofar as our feelings towards the Crab, but they appear to have a small - or perhaps quiet - presence in the city. »

Pausing, the tea was a welcome reprieve for the rambling courtier, both for his throat and because these facts were realities of his day-to-day existence. Inescapable truths that steered his every action in oft subtle ways.

« The Lion, surprisingly enough, appear to have a more peace-focused bunch present in the city. We have grown close in the Crane's absence and suspect they may share our vision for the city's future. This is not yet any of the Crane's business, I'm sure you understand. »

He delivered that line flatly, his gaze almost challenging Kentaro to dispute it.

« The Scorpion have been working with us to strengthen ties and increase access to opium for medicinal use. Paired with the Lion, they appear to be our most potent and amicable fellows. The Mantis are largely neutral towards us. We tend to stay out of each other's way rather well. »

And then the mood got rather tense, Sanumo ||and likely Iemon as well|| growing uncomfortable.

« We are on frankly awful footing with the Unicorn. A now-ronin Isawa caught a prominent Utaku in the crossfire of one of their invocations. A private duel was held to put an end to the matter, but relations have not recovered. »

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« As you likely know, the Governor will be advising the Emperor at this year's Winter Court on which Clan he thinks deserved governance of Ryoko Owari Toshi. We have no interest in claiming the city for ourselves. » The words were delivered bluntly and matter-of-fact.

« Our major goals are preserving the peace and stability of the city, ensuring that opium continues to flow for medicinal use, and looking after the spiritual health of its population. We would all do well to keep these in mind. »

« In pursuit of these, we are working towards more tangible goals, such as recovering the missing daughter of a Phoenix provincial governor before her betrothed Scorpion grows further enraged, investigating claims of a crime boss being revered as a Fortune, and other such circumstances. It is also worth noting that there is an ongoing investigation into Meishodo being conducted by Isawa Noboru. »

« Whom you should meet or consult with in the course of your duties really depends on how we work you into these ongoing operations. »

At that, he ceded the floor to the Ambassador. Iemon tended to have reliable instincts regarding these sorts of things.

Though, truth be told, Sanumo knew how he wished to channel the Inquisitor's talents.

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Patrick
The shugenja nodded, listening carefully. It was not the way of the Phoenix to seek leadership in overt ways, but to guide those in leadership though spiritual obstacles and he was pleased that their goals in this city were in line with this. He was disturbed at the idea that a governor's daughter was missing, but did not allow his thoughts to yet linger on that particular challenge. Instead, he waited to hear the words of the ambassador before he spoke again.

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Emily
Iemon pondered briefly. "Two tasks come most readily to mind as being the most suited to your skills, Shingon-san. The first, as mentioned, is the question of the missing Isawa. From the reports discovered so far, there is a matter of properly honoring a local kami, if I recollect rightly." He paused momentarily with a look to Sanumo for confirmation. "That seems to be her motivation for delaying her completing the journey to her betrothed." The fact that her Yojimbo escort had allowed such a deviation was an additional point of annoyance that sprang briefly to mind, but he dismissed the otherwise petty agitation as unimportant. 

"But the question of a criminal being overtly given reverence that should be exclusively reserved for the kami? That is a particular heresy that cannot be allowed to stand." There were aspects of this that were troublesome, and the thought of being a cat's paw in underworld games of power, but if there was even the possibility of a cult taking root and guiding people away from the celestial order, it was imperative it be rooted out.


"Given your background, the second seems the most appropriate choice, but both of these are problems we are called upon to solve."

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Patrick
"In my experience," He said thoughtfully, pausing for a moment of reflection, "That Kami, once offended and ignored for too long become *Indiscriminate* In how they demonstrate their displeasure." 

He cast his eyes between the to men and nodded. "I am only one man, however. Rooting out the heresy of some *Heimen* Criminal that would place himself above his station seems paramount, especially if he, or she, is gaining followers. Do you have any leads? Where should I begin my labour?"

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Maurice
« While the Ambassador and I could give you a primer,-» he took the opportunity to speak, «-there is already a bushi we have assigned to investigate. It is my recommendation that you speak with Shiba Terumi-san to get the most up-to-date information that may not yet have been brought to our attention. » He briefly frowned, the peculiar smiling visage of the man flashing into his mind's eye.



He shook his head as if to clear the image away, « But there is also the matter of your safety during your inquiries. Isawa-san » *And that of those around you.* « We have recently enacted a policy that our shugenja should not travel beyond the embassy without a Yojimbo, special circumstances notwithstanding. When you meet with Shiba Terumi-san, please inquire with him about his feelings on assuming that role and get back to me with your findings. I **Can** Find another candidate, but it would be most convenient for this to fall into place. »

He glanced sidelong at Iemon as if to ensure that he was not overstepping.

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Emily
"Shiba Terumi?" Iemon asked aloud, quirking a single eyebrow. "Working with him perhaps, but I don't think it would be advantageous to have him split his time between the investigation and protection of a Shugenja, even if that Shugenja is pursuing the same investigation. An additional bushi would free both of them up to operate independently and cover more ground, both literal and figurative." 

He considered their available personnel. "Shiba Shion has a separate investigation of her own that she needs to pursue, but working with Shingon-san could provide her with more contacts for her search, as well as allowing her to learn the city. I feel she would be a better fit as Yojimbo in this case."

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Maurice
Sanumo straightened a little in surprise. It was not every day in which his suggestion was so decisively set aside, rather than accepted or steered elsewhere.

*I could bring up how Shion already lost one shugenja; how it would be just as easy for another to go missing on her watch. I-*

The realization hit him hard.
*Iemon used to be a yojimbo himself. He knows precisely what he is talking about and makes this decision regardless.*

It was not his place to second-guess him. Not now. Not in this.

« Your words ring true in hindsight, Shiba-sama. We shall have it be so. »

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Patrick
Kentarō nodded politely, listening. He was intuitive enough to know that much of the conversation was not being said, but he knew that much would be revealed if he kept his eyes up and ears open, espeically if the Kami had any wisdom to impart.

"I shall speak with Shiba Shion then, and see how I might be able to assist in her investigation. I look forward to helping our humble efforts in the city to flourish." He paused for a moment as he took another sip of his tea, finishing the cup.

"Is there anything else I might be able to do to lighten either of your burdens, Shiba-sama, and Asako-sama?"

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Maurice
« So long as you conduct yourself well and uplift the spiritual health of the city, you will do wonders for my own burdens. Nothing beyond that is necessary at this time - not for me. » He would not, in this instance, speak for the Ambassador.

To say he was skeptical of how this would turn out would be an understatement, but Sanumo trusted Iemon's instincts. If he thought this would work out for the best, he would stand aside and observe. Maybe he would learn something along the way.

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Patrick
Kentaro bowed his head. "I will endeavor to pull at these threads while also ensuring the tapestry of Phoenix is maintained." He could feel a touch of apprehension from Asako-sama, but he often did from others. "Thank you for the tea. With your kind permission, I should like to begin my work."

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Emily
"Shiba Shion-san's task, while important, must be secondary to this issue. If you are willing to assist her once that matter is concluded, I would be grateful for your assistance, as I am sure she would." The matter of heresy was a much more serious matter than Shion's errant Shugenja, but at least this would be a way for her to serve the Clan *While* Acclimating to the city as a whole. If she were to gain a few leads while doing so, all the better.

"By all means. Go with the Fortunes, Shingon-san, and I look forward to seeing your efforts bear fruit for our Clan in this city." Iemon finished the last sip of his tea and gave a respectful bow to the Shugenja. 

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