Once every fall, the shugenja of Rokugan gather together and hold a great festival to celebrate the favors of the Fortunes and the wonders they have permitted them to view. The festival is held at the Shrine of the Ki-Rin in Phoenix lands. They gather above the Shrine of the Ki-Rin to feast, politick and compete in a grand tournament designed to challenge their wits and abilities. The winner of the tournament receives a cache of scrolls, gathered from all the major schools and monasteries of the empire. More than that, they gain the respect of their peers and the implicit acknowledgment that they are the greatest shugenja in the land. Traditionally, the Isawa family dominates the competition, but enough non-Phoenix have won to make the prospect worthwhile for more than a few spellcasters.

In addition to the tournament, the festival serves as another excuse for the courtiers and noblemen of Rokugan to play their endless games. Shugenja may be holy men, but they are also sources of power, and power attracts men like honey attracts ants. The Emperor's family usually attends, as well as daimyo from all seven Great Clans, and quite a few minor ones as well. Rivalries and alliances are forged behind the scenes here, and deals are made which can affect the future of Rokugan for years to come. The upcoming festival promises to be an especially interesting one, for the Emperor's niece, Otomo Yoroshiku, will be in attendance -- and her uncle has just announced her eligibility for marriage.

Before the Festival, all of the scrolls must be brought to Gisu castle, at the Shrine. For this purpose, the Isawa have arranged a caravan to travel throughout Rokugan and collect the scrolls from the various schools. Various daimyo from across the empire are assigned to its protection on different legs of the journey, as well as representatives from the clans assigned for the whole trip. Each clan has assigned a protector for the caravan, a ceremonial position more than anything -- the true protection of the caravan is taken care of by the daimyo in charge of their respective legs of the trip -- but it is an honor, nonetheless. And the shugenja escorting the caravan will even be allowed to participate in the competition.

Isawa Roshii, a talented young Fire Tensai was chosen by the Isawa. He and Agasha Nyoko, a fiery Dragon shugenja, have been with the caravan from its beginning in the Dragon Heart Plain. Lion bushi Akodo Aramoro joined them shortly thereafter, as the caravan crossed into Lion territories, making its way to the Imperial holdings. The caravan then traveled into the shadow of the Imperial City, to Kyuden Seppun. There, the delegation from Tani Senshio representing the minor clans met the caravan, along with Toritaka Pajaro, their protector. Also, the promising courtier Otomo Jin joined their ranks, bringing the scroll from the Imperial Families' shugenja.

Otomo Jin stood in his chambers in Mura Nishi Chushin, preparing to leave for the journey across the empire and to the Setsuban Festival. As he directed his servants in their packing, one of the heimin announced the arrival of Otomo Katero. Otomo Jin ordered the servants from the room, and welcomed his daimyo.

"Greetings, Otomo Katero-sama. To what do I owe this unexpected honor?"

"You may have already heard," began Katero, getting straight to his business, "but Otomo Yoroshiku, the niece of the Prince of Heaven will be at the festival with you, and her uncle intends to announce her eligibility for marriage before her departure. It is assumed that she will be engaged before the winter's court is completed. It would be a great dishonor for such a close relative of the Emperor to be married to a lesser samurai of some remote clan. Only you have the strength of heart to make her a proper husband. Because of this, while you are not fulfilling your duties as a guardian, you will spend your time at the Festival finding a way to stay for the Phoenix's winter court. While you are not gaining an invitation to their court, you will be attempting to win the heart of Otomo Yoroshiku."

"Hai, Katero-sama," replied Jin. This was going to be a very interesting winter.

After a short trip down the coast from Otosan Uichi, the caravan came to Kyuden Doji. There, Doji Kadokawa, representative of the Crane, joined the caravan in preparation for the long sea voyage by the Mantis fleet down the coast to Shinden Asahina to obtain the Asahina scroll.

Doji Kadokawa was meditating in the peaceful gardens of Kyuden Doji in preparation for his upcoming trek to the Setsuban Festival at the Shrine of the Ki-Rin. He would not allow himself the vice of pride in his appointment, but he was very much looking forward to contemplating the Fortunes at such a holy site. Unfortunately, Kadokawa was interrupted by summons from his daimyo, Doji Satsuko.

Entering his lord's audience chambers, Kadokawa fell to the floor at his lord's feet. "Kadokawa-san," began Satsuko, "you may have already heard, but Otomo Yoroshiku, the niece of the Prince of Heaven will be at the festival with you, and her uncle intends to announce her eligibility for marriage before her departure. It is assumed that she will be engaged before the winter's court is completed.

"You are being given the chance to be part of a noble tradition, one that stretches back to the First Ones and will last for another thousand years. By taking this beautiful woman to be your wife, we can further fulfill our duty as the Emperor's Left Hand, and ensure the Empire's prosperity under his glorious reign."

The implication was obvious. It was suddenly clear that the finely stitched silk kimono that was left for him that morning was not an accident. Doji Kadokawa began to wonder if he would have any time for meditation this winter.

From Shinden Asahina, the caravan made the short trip to Yasuki Yashiki to obtain the Kuni school's scroll, as well as Hiruma Toshidaka, representative of the Crab.

One warm morning, Hiruma Toshidaka was heading to his usual post on the Wall, hoping for another dull day of killing the monsters of the Shadowlands. Unexpectedly, he was told to report to his daimyo, Hiruma Ryuden. Apperaing before Ryuden, and kneeling in his audience chamber, Toshidaka was given a bit of a surprise.

"You are about to take part in a journey to a festival in the Phoenix lands," Ryuden told him. It is an honor that will remove a valuable samurai from the Wall, but it is an honor I cannot refuse. It happens far too frequently that an able-bodied man gets pulled out of the defense of Rokugan, but rarely that we get any extra support from the rest of the Empire.

"We need resources, and this is the best way to get them: the Emperor's niece will be married off this winter. If you were to marry her, you would be in a position to procure what we need, when and where we need it. Go. Play the courtiers' games, and dance to their foolish tunes. But do not forget that brave men die here each day. By getting this Hantei woman, you could help end this bloodshed once and for all."

This was not going to be another dull day.

From the Crab lands, the caravan made its way north through Scorpion territory. In keeping with their ususal mysterious nature, the Scorpion representative met them at the border of Scorpion lands. Soshi Taeburo was a quiet shugenja with a very unsettling air about her. she guided them through Scorpion lands, never stopping in a city or palace, until the caravan reached Ryoko Owari. There, the caravan spent the night and departed in the morning for Unicorn lands, leaving not only Scorpion lands, but also Soshi Taeburo behind. Despite the fact that the Bayushi guard made a bandit attack seem the least likely out of any of the guardsmen that had been with the caravan before, they also made the whole caravan feel the least safe of any. None were truly disappointed to see them go.

For the last leg of the trip, a unicorn daimyo named Shinjo Gidayu has been given the honor of arranging protection for the caravan -- from the Unicorn lands to the Shrine of the Ki-Rin. Shinjo Gidayu is the governor of the City of the Rich Frog, the Unicorn's easternmost city, built where Drowned Merchant River meets Sleeping River, on the edge of Lion and Dragon lands. Gidayu prepared a grand dinner for the clans' representatives for the first night of their stay in the City, before they leave on the trip to Phoenix lands.

Gidayu is a warm conversationalist, telling them of his city and people, as well as tales of the Unicorn's times in the Burning Sands. He also provides the caravan with the traveling papers needed to continue on with the last leg of the journey. He informs the protectors that he will be traveling ahead, personally making sure the way is prepared for the caravan, and asks if there is anything they require, beyond the horses, guards and food that will be provided.

At one side of the room, a gruff looking bushi stands with a palm resting where his katana should be, obviously more used to a battlefield than a court. Akodo Aramoro nods and listens to Gidayu’s stories. When the daimyo asks what the party needs, those nearby him can almost make out the Lion mumble something to himself about curvy geisha. Out loud he only asks the time of the next meal.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, a small samurai dressed in a slightly old and long out of fashion Kimono steps forward. He is Dwarfed by most around him, and seems somewhat fragile. His head is completely shaved -- more like a monk than a samurai. "Kind Gidayu-sama; your hospitality is far greater than I deserve." His voice is calm and surprisingly strong for his size. "My Name is Doji Kadokawa and I ask nothing of you; but offer you this Kimono as a sign of friendship between our clans." Wrapped in rice paper is a finely stitched light blue Kimono. Above the right shoulder of the kimono shines a silver and purple Unicorn Clan Mon.

"Kadokawa-san, the presence of yourself and your companions is all the thanks I need for my hospitality," the Unicorn replies, politely refusing the gift.

"Gidayu-sama, your presence is an honor we return in kind with our own. For the kindness you have shown, please accept this gift."

"Kadokawa-san, my kindness is freely given to all my allies. The friendship between our clans is all the thanks I require."

"Gidayu-sama, because of the friendship between our clans, please accept this gift as a token of goodwill from the clan of the Lady Doji to the clan of the Lady Shinjo, the fairest of the Kami."

"Very well, Kadokawa-san. As a blessing from the Lady Doji, I will accept this gift," says Gidayu, with the ritual coming to a close.

Silently in the corner rises a slim figure in very expensive clothing. Otomo Jin's twitching smile is so consistent that he goes unnoticed after a time. He eyes everyone and everything so that he can take in the full gravity of the upcoming festival and the competitors. He smoothly glides to the nearest window and looks out as if looking for someone or something. Instantly he turns around and starts asking everyone simple questions about their plans for the festival.

Still at the table sits a samurai-ko in the gold and green robes of an Agasha shugenja, as most Dragon, she is tall for a samurai. Normally at her belt is not only a wakizashi but also a katana -- a statement to the world she needs no yojimbo, she is her own blade. They are absent now only out of politness to her host's court. Agasha Nyoko's hair is also neither shaved in the manner of the Dragon, nor allowed to grow long. Instead, it is cut to fall just below her jaw line. Vivid tattoos of dragons and lions run up and down her arms, which show signs of training with the blade.

Nyoko listens with rapt attention to Gidayu-san's stories. The Dragon and Unicorn are neighbors, after all, even if they would never be called exactly sociable. She barely speaks through most of his bantering, with only an odd, but pleasant, brightening her features - seemingly at a joke only she gets.

One of his stories finishes with a round of pleasant laughter, with only Nyoko's being genuine. A Seppun in the court smiles at Nyoko from behind his fan. "The wise Dragon. Do you find some universal wisdom in our honored host's story? Please, share your enlightenment with us." He seeks to make a mild spectacle out of the court-shy Dragon for his own advancement, clearly.

Nyoko only raises an eyebrow and smiles.

"You see?" The courtier asks, looking to the small group before him. "Ah, the silent Dragon, let us never forget. Their wisdom is for themselves."

The Agasha takes a step forward, her face cocked in a grin and her lilting voice for the group, "The Emperor asked Shinsei, 'How will I find enlightenment?'

"Shinsei said, 'I do not know.'

"The Emperor frowned. 'But you found it.'

"Shinsei smiled. 'Does that mean I know how you will find it?'"

The group titters behind their fans, the Seppun blinks, and Nyoko walks away.

After some time of talking and feasting, Shinjo Gidayu stands. "If none of you have anything further to request of me, I believe that I will retire for the evening. Stay and feast as long as you like. Tomorrow morning, I leave for the Shrine of the Ki-Rin, but you will stay as my honored guests until the reprsentatives from the Iuchi school arrive in two days time. Be well, and enjoy your journey." And with that, he leaves you alone in the hall.

At end of the table is a tall samurai, nearly 6'3", cloaked in green and dark gray, with a live falcon tethered on his shoulder. Toritaka Pajaro stands to leave after Gidayu has retired for the evening. He looks down at the Crane Rather oddly and smiles, not sure what to make of him. Pajaro strokes the falcon softly and bows to the table before he leaves.

Otomo Jin stands back up tall, proud and smirking. He surveys the room again and nods politely to all and with a bow he exits the room in such a way as to leave the group with the sense of awe and respect for this illustrious Courtier of the Emperor's Court.

Seeing no reason to stay any longer, Akodo Aramoro and Agasha Nyoko retire to practice their kenjutsu, and Hiruma Toshidaka, Isawa Roshii and Doji Kadokawa retire to meditate.

After two days as the guest of the city's governor, the Iuchi representatives arrive in the City of the Rich Frog. Their representative, Iuchi Taiga, is a shugenja with little care for the ettiquette or niceties of court. He is a gruff, direct man who takes his assigned duty deathly seriously. As the Unicorn clan protector, he was left personally in charge of the scrolls care by Shinjo Gidayu. As a result, he fairly easily takes control of the scrolls, never letting them leave his sight. He commandeers one of the wagons in the caravan for himself, and spends the days locked inside with the scrolls.

The representatives have all spent the last two days studying the Festival, their sword and spell skills, and the caravan and its guards. All of the clans' representatives are confident in the guards' abilities. The caravan is disguised as a merchant caravan, and there is no reason anyone should think otherwise, because it is a merchant caravan. The scrolls are travelling with merchant wagons, and actual merchants who are going to the Festival to peddle their wares. The guard is not very large -- 15 bushi -- but more would draw too much suspicion.

Pajaro steps forward, looking at the 15 Unicorn bushi under his command. "Excuse me, if may make a small request? If I am to put the scrolls under my care with the rest, I will be riding inside the wagon With the scrolls. Because, you see, it's my hide if we are hijacked. Any Objections?"

As the seemingly vocal Pajaro exclaims his belief in the instability of the trek, Otomo Jin steps forward. "Surely, you must think that if my Dear Relative, the Emperor, is to sanction this festival, then should you really be so scared? Hijacking would bring death to the offender. Surely you must be under the spell of a different encantation... Sake, maybe? Well, fear not, I have the assurance of all that we will be secured."

Iuchi Taiga looks at the two arguing bushi. "It is very true that banditry would mean the death of those involved. But if you do not believe that the powerful spells we carry would make it seem worthwhile to many, perhaps it is you who are under a spell. I will be in this wagon with the spells. You protect it from outside, and I will protect it from within."

Jin, being the cocky relative to the emperor, stands and says, "You all should realize that my presence alone will bring death to anyone who would dare to attack our caravan. I have the blood of the Emperor running through my veins! Let us reason, who could possibly dare to threaten me!?"

The Dragon looks as if she is about to speak to Jin, pauses, then closes her mouth and contents her self with riding on one of the cabins, eventually talking animatedly with the driver.

"Very well, Cousin of Heaven," says Taiga. If there is any sarcasm to his voice, it is not apparent. "But nonetheless, I am riding with the scrolls. Pajaro, if you care to join me, come now. The rest of you must stay outside; these wagons are not large enough for very many people to ride in, and I fear too many will be too uncomfortable."

Pajaro bows in reply, thinking that the scrolls will not be safe in the wagon. He doesn't say a word as he climbs into the wagon with Taiga.

Nyoko watches Taiga huff his way into the scroll wagon, head tilted with a mischevious little grin. "Shinsei said that the sweetest moment of a journey is before you take a single step. I'd vaguely hoped that a Clan as well-traveled as the Unicorn would know that, of all people."

She looks at Taiga's wagon for a moment. "Of course, the Little Teacher also said never trust a man who doesn't know how to smile." Questioning looks toward Nyoko only get a strange smile in return.

Kadokawa nods knowingly at at the samurai-ko. "I see Shinsei is well thought of by others in my company. I am blessed to have such honorable travel companions such as yourself. May I have your name again Dragon-sama?" His face is earnest and kind. No ill intent could ever be perceived in his voice.

"Agasha Nyoko, Kadokawa-san," Nyoko says, turning a truly winning smile on him. "The Dragon are always happy to travel with their Crane cousins, even if there is some confusion about the number of swords they should hold," she says, follwed with a bow low enough to show respect.

After learning his Companion's name he returns his and bows gracefully. "I have no gifts but my trust and friendship to offer to you this day. But these are two of the things I hold in highest regard."

"Then you've offered me something greater than all the gold in our mountains, Kadokawa-san." She bows again, slightly deeper this time. "To you, I offer this." The Dragon rummages briefly in her traveling pack and proffers a ricecake into the Crane's hand. "There is wisdom everywhere."

True to his nature as a soldier, Aramoro takes close inventory of the men and supplies available to them. He is, at first, frustrated that the obvious leader of the caravan has locked himself away by himself. Aramoro attempts to organize a guard rotation and assign other duties without losing face or affronting anyone’s honor. He is not a natural leader, but when Aramoro observes the outrageous display made by Otomo Jin, the Lion is sure he will have his hands full trying to protect him. He tries to garner some support from the other bushi, trying at making friends with Kadokawa, Pajaro, and Nyoko. After all she does wear a full daisho.

Like all her Clan, Nyoko is content to watch. She trusts everyone to respond each according to his or her own gifts, and action is only required when it is needed. She remains very alert while guarding the caravan, giving her assistance and support whenever needed.

Kadokawa takes the duty much more seriously than most of the others. While most of the Samurai realize this is more of an honorary mission, with no real chance of failing, Kadokawa never even coniders that possibilty. During the day he walks on the left side of the coach containing the scrolls. At night he sleeps underneath it.

Jin, to prove his point, decides to ride on his horse without cover and proudly show his badge of family and court to all the people that they pass. He is definately attempting to clench his reputation as a cocky, headstong courtier.

Roshii looks up from were he is sitting gives a start at the sight of Jin strutting around on his horse, in all his glory. He shakes himself and then proceeds to climb onto a wagon, content to ride along.

Roshii's face takes on a look of concentration as he tries to commune with the air in attempt to locate anyone near in the vicinity of the wagons. After doing so, he looks around the caravan making mental notes of were everyone is traveling. He nods his approval at Aramoro at trying to organize the guards. Then he falls back into meditation, coming out every few minutes to commune with the air or the earth.

Toshidaka sits quitely on the caravan doing little more than reading an old worn book and enjoying a hot cup of tea. Although seemingly withdrawn from all of the social aspects of the festival, he occansionally engages in small talk with those he comes in contact asking about their thoughts and feelings of all the festivities. He is mostly quite and reserved and even though he is not the most presentable man, he seems to radiate confidence and quickly earns the respect of the bushi under him.

Akodo Aramoro strolls up next to Doji Kadokawa, "Hello Crane-san. What guard rotation will you take tonight, the one before mine or after? Or maybe I should ask, do you want to wake me up in the quiet darkness... or would you rather I did that to you?" He laughs, apparently thinking this is funny. "If you're a heavy sleeper, Kadokawa, you'll probably want to go first. You wouldn't enjoy the way I wake up sleeping soldiers."

"Honorable Aramoro-san," Kadokawa says as he bows slightly. "I shall be content with whatever rotation is given me. But the true guardian remains always alert. Perhaps by chance our watch shall be together. I would be proud to hear the history of yourself. And perhaps I could share some of my own fortunes."

The Crane is clearly different from all others Aramoro has ever met. His words are simple, and carry little possibility for double meaning. At the same time, his old and worn Kimono shows little regard for prestige or narcisism. All in all if one had to guess on appearence and actions alone, Aramoro would surely classify this man as a monk. "What do you say Lion-sama? Shall we hold each others company tonight on the guard.?"

Aramoro smiles a wry smile which broadens. He makes a note to himself to remember how this samurai showed respect to his clan. The larger bushi claps a hand on Kadokawa’s shoulder. “Kadodawa-san, as you have requested, so I will share my guard with you, but there will be no telling of tales. As you say, the true guardian remains always alert, and I don’t speak while I guard.” He taps himself on the head to explain. “I’m not smart enough to do both at once.” Aramoro resists the urge to say something that might disrespect Doji Kadokawa. The solders he lives with poke fun at each other frequently and laugh nearly as often. Today, Akodo Aramoo simply bows instead and follows the caravan, walking near his new friend.

Along the road, early one morning as the wagons begin to move again for the day, Isawa Roshii steps out from the shadows of one of the wagons. Seemingly unaware of the world around him, he examines a strange glass bottle. "I really shouldn't use this anymore," he says, thinking out loud. "It brings dishonor to my school and to the Phoenix." He tosses the potion to the ground and jumps on one of the moving wagons. With a pang of regret, he looks back once. But only once.