The journey from Otosan-Uichi has been long, weeks on the roads leaving your saddle sore and hungry for the comforst of an inn and a bath, but you are samurai, and duty should be seen as no hardship. Even so, you are gladdened to see the green walls of Ryoko Owari ahead of you, only a few miles distant.<br/><br/>As your equally weary horses follow the road to the city, through fields of rice and poppies, your minds fall back to the capital, and your brief meeting with the Emerald Champion himself, Doji Satsume.<br/><br/><em>"The loss of a magistrate is a tragedy, doubly so when the loss occurs in such an unexpected fashion. Your devotion to duty does you and your families honour for taking this assignment so swiftly."<br/><br/>"I had not thought the situation there serious enough to require more than a single magistrate, but Naritokis death has prove that wrong. Based on his reports, these are what I believe to be the main threats to public order in the city."<br/><br/>"Firstly, the assassin of Ashidaka Naritoki." He paused momentarily to look at the Crane in front of him. "I know you will have a particular desire to see the murderer of your kinsman brought to justice. His body was found in his own carriage. It had been set alight, and burned swiftly for such a wet night. Naritoki died of the burns, and being stabbed through the walls of the carriage. His yoriki, a shukenja called True Word was found in front of him. It seems he had vinegar thrown in his eyes to stop him reading his scrolls, and was then cut down while trying to draw his blade."<br/><br/>"Second, the bandit known as Fade has plagued the lands around the city for almost 2 years now. He has a gang of at least 35 men, all armed and armoured. In the past he has attacked caravans on the road and the river both, not to mention several villages. Naritoki suspects his mounted tactics indicate him as being a former Unicorn, though the leadership skills he shows could also indicate a Lion. Both clans deny this possibility of course. Whoever he is, he seems to have a particular hatred of the Scorpion, and has confined his attacks to them."<br/><br/>"Thirdly, the so called ninja. It seems there is at least one gang of criminals in the city who perpetuate the myth of ninja to cover their activities, and scare the more superstitious of the heimen. Both Naritoki and his predecessor, Matsu Shigoku reported some successes against them, but they seem to pop up every few months."<br/><br/>"Lastly, the thief known as Wind. This criminal has operated for at least the last two years, stealing small objects from the houses of many noble samurai. Not always the most valuable object apparently, which is strange behaviour. Neither the household guards nor those inside saw or heard anything. Naritoko suspected it could be a noble, doing this out of some misplaced sense of adventure. Whoever they are, and whatever their motivation, they must be stopped. The material losses are minor, but they steal away the sense of safety that the nobles have in their homes, and that carries a greater weight."<br/><br/>He looked around the group slowly, taking in the expression and bearing of each of you. "I have no doubts that you will do well, and bring honour to your families in solving these. Remember also, the primary task you have been given ... break up the illegal opium trade."</em><br/><br/>Seeing the walls of the city now brings all that back to you, and the gravity of your task settles heavy on your shoulders. You are samurai though, and will do no less than succeed.<br/><br/>As you reach the city gates, it is nearing the end of the hour of the Monkey, and Lady Sun is dipping below the horizon, her last rays illuminating the smudge in the west that is the infamous forest of Shinomen Mori. Soon the gates will close, and the guards turn their attention to the city itself, for tonight is the Festival of Bon, when one remembers their ancestors, and gives thanks for their wisdom. On this night the ancestors are at their closest, and the streets will be filled with representations of the Kami, the Dragons, white faced ghosts and the spirits of honourable ancestors alike, as well as fireworks, parades, music and dance.<br/><br/>Yes, the Thunder Guard will be busy indeed tonight.