Two arrows whistle through the air past Emi to strike into the street, but just after she had withdrawn her head again. Her quick look has shown her that there is a rickety looking stairway which leads up to a walkway that runs around the inside of the building. The two archers are in front of a doorway on this upper level. As you stuck your head in, both were glancing back behind them, and the look on their faces is ... surprising. They look terrified.<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>Hashimoto, it has been a while since you played a game of go, but the strategy soon comes back to you. For all the old man's appearance, he does seem to know the game well though. It does take him a while to choose the placement of his stones, allowing you to listen as the others talk over tea.<br/><br/>Tsumetsu has had a low table brought it, and set nearby, and a little time passes in the polite formalities of Crane behaviour. Eventually he moves on to something you would consider of substance. "I had been called away." he explains. "Actually Oraku, I was looking for you. It seemed a job more for a magistrate than a hatamoto, but since you were not around, the duty fell to me. One of the Unicorn warehouses in the Merchant Quarter was attacked, and all their trade stock destroyed. Since we had a shipment of silks coming, they let me know about it." He gives his head a shake. "It's a strange day when criminals destroy valuable goods, and make off with party favours for the Bon Festival."<br/><br/>"Festival items?" replies Oruku. "That is strange."<br/><br/>"What is stranger still," says Tsumetsu, setting down his tea, "is that we cannot tell what they took. They went to the effort of breaking in to the warehouse, ransacking it and breaking open all the crates, but seem to have taken nothing." He frowns. "Of course, I am sure that once the Unicorn have completed their inventory they will find something missing. It would make no sense otherwise."<br/><br/>At the go board, the old man chuckles happily and places another stone.<br/><br/>As Tsumetsu explains further, you realise the break in must have happened about the time you encountered the bandits yourself, at the eta village.<br/><br/>Outside, you begin to hear 'hiss' and dull 'crump' noises. With a moments thought you realise that people are beginning to send fireworks up into the night sky, in celebration of the Festival. You know people will now be gathering in the streets, torches held high, celebrating their ancestors.<br/><br/>Tsumetsu tells you that the a grand parade has been arranged for the hour of the Goat (2am to 4am), that will follow the perimeter road through the city to the Temple of the Sun Goddess herself. "The high point is when the great globe at the Temple will be lit by Amaterasu's own fire, bringing Her blessings to all of Ryoko Owari. It is a grand moment, and more than merely symbolic. It is said that if the globe is not lit, Lady Sun will look on the city with disfavour, and there would be many misfortunes in the coming year." He leans back in his chair, taking a sip of tea.<br/><br/>Hashimoto, you get the feeling that something strange is going on. The old man seems to pass over several of what you would consider perfectly good placements in order to place his stones elsewhere. As you watch, you see an opportunity for victory. There is a stylised move called "the Tattooed Friend", which relies on your opponent outsmarting himself. Indeed, as you play it, this is just what happens, and the old man laughs with glee, bowing to you and conceding the game.<br/><br/>"You are a good player." he says. "We play again, later .. yes later, not now. Too much for samurai to do this night. But since you win, you should have a prize." He begins to pat his kimono and obi, and out of one sleeve he produces a thin statuette, shaped like an hourglass. One of the bulbs has broken, and most of the sand appears to have run out of it.<br/><br/>"Found this outside." he explains. "You won it, you keep it. Can't lie around sleeping all night though, too much to do." As he drops the hourglass into your hand you feel a wave of tiredness steal over you, and your jaw clenches to prevent a yawn coming out. After a moment the sensation fades though.  The old man bows again, and walks off, singing something to himself.<br/><br/>