Night Councils
29 July 2005
by Jason Postma

Night had descended on the valley of the White Orchid. The streets of the village rested empty, the paper lanterns of the festival of the White Orchid swaying lightly in the sea breeze. The sound of the ocean beating against the cliffs below had subsided to a gentle hiss.

Doji Shiju listened with only half an ear to his wife's excited recounting of the day's events with a contented smile on his face. He had taken pains to make this the grandest festival his fief could afford, and Shiko had very much enjoyed the spectacle. She had heard enough news of the court from their guests to last her through the year, and she seemed to want to tell him as much of it as she could in one night. She was in the middle of an interesting tale of some Iuchi courtier's latest fumbles at court when Shiju heard what he had been listening for – the distinctive squeak of the nightingale floor outside their rooms.

"My dear," he said, raising a hand as she paused for breath, "I'm afraid that I must go and hear Kerai's report before it gets any later. But I will want to hear the end of the story when I return." He gave his wife a brief kiss on the cheek and stood to leave, taking his daisho from its stand by the door.

Kakita Kerai was waiting for him in the darkened hallway outside the door. The guard normally posted outside the room had retreated to the end of the hallway so that the two could speak in privacy. Kerai bowed low to his master.

"So, tell me what you have discovered about our guests." Shiju was all business.

"My lord, I shall begin with the Wasp. It appears that he is an opium addict. He has been seen in the village asking where he can buy liquid void, and I believe he has been directed to Hideki."

Shiju let out an exasperated sigh. "I knew Hideki would be trouble the moment he arrived. So long as he sold only to the heimin I was willing to tolerate his presence." The fact that their tolerance of Hideki had proven quite profitable went unsaid. "He goes too far when he offers his wares to visiting samurai, even if they are Wasps. We shall have to take steps. After the festival."

Kerai nodded.

"Needless to say, Tsuruchi-san will be encouraged to leave quickly after the festival," Shiju continued. "Such a man can have no place in our plan. So, what of the Crab? Was he ill?"

"In a way, my lord. Immediately after the race he went to Berasu's inn and began to drink sho-chu as if it were water."

Shiju's expression implied that he expected no better from a Crab samurai.

"He also told a story of how he is a coward, how he betrayed his squad to their deaths in the Shadowlands and how he lied to his daimyo about the incident. Berasu heard every word."

That was something Shiju had not expected from a Crab. "Were there other witnesses?"

"That is perhaps the strangest part of the story, Lord. He chose to make this confession to the Scorpion – Ridachi-san."

Shiju let out a surprised snort. "I thought the Crab could hold their liquor. A man who blurts out his darkest secrets – to a Scorpion – after a few bottles cannot be trusted. I think his daimyo will request that he return to the wall immediately after the conclusion of the festival." He paused to consider. "Ridachi-san must have thought he would gain more from keeping the secret than from removing the Crab from the competition."

"Strangely enough, Lord, Berasu reports that Taro-san was ready to depart the competition, but Ridachi-san convinced him to remain."

"Tell me more of Ridachi-san. He cheated during the race, correct?"

"Yes Lord. I believe he convinced a peasant to tell him of a shortcut. He also arranged for Seppun Nikana to have the best steed available during the horsemanship contest by bribing the stables."

"Such behavior is to be expected from the Scorpion. He builds influence with those around him." There was a measure of respect in Shiju's voice. He noticed the expression on his karo's face. "I think you are wondering again, Kerai, why I chose to invite a Scorpion."

"I admit, Lord, that I feel he can be dangerous. You spoke of needing men we can trust."

"The Scorpion would have discovered our actions sooner or later. Better to invite them sooner – to make them a part of the plan. If they see more value in protecting our secrets than in betraying them then they will protect them. They are more skilled at such protection than we. We will also be better able to control what they know if we know who their source is. No, I am convinced this is the right course of action."

"As you wish, Lord." It was obvious that Kerai still had his doubts, but he felt it was not his place to question the will of his daimyo.

"And what of the others?"

"The Unicorn seems very interested in the Wasp's secrets. He may also discover Hideki."

"If he does we will allow him to deal with Hideki as he wishes. Perhaps he will even denounce Iesada-san, which could prove interesting. Neither one is a duelist."

Kerai nodded again. "Madoka-san and Ridachi-san were seen in the gardens together, and Nyoko-san and Shaiyan-san were seen walking along the cliffs together."

Shiju seemed largely uninterested with who might be pillowing with whom and motioned for Kerai to move on.

"I have nothing else substantial to report." The karo again bowed low.

"You have done quite well Kerai. I think the final group will be the two Dragons, the Scorpion, the Seppun, the Isawa, and the Unicorn, assuming he doesn't get himself killed by Iesada-san in the meantime. As expected, the Lion will have no part in our plans, and the Fox is unneeded while we have two other shugenja."

"Both of the Dragon, Lord? Tetsujin-san has an ill look to him."

"You speak truth, and I admit he is no orator. I think, however, that these things make him easy to underestimate. That could be most useful." He glanced towards the small window at the end of the hall that looked out to sea. When he spoke again it was barely above a whisper. "I hope we shall see no more lights at sea while these guests are here? Having Shaiyan-san speak of it in front of our guests was most unwelcome."

"I have been assured we have no cause to worry, Lord. They have given their word that no more lights will be lit until the end of the festival." Kerai matched the volume of his master's words, glancing towards the guard at the end of the hall to ensure he heard nothing.

"Good. I shall retire now. Continue to watch our guests – discreetly, of course, and make another report to me tomorrow."

Kerai bowed low again and walked away, his footsteps squeaking loudly on the nightingale floor. Shiju watched his guard take up his normal position before his door before returning to hear the rest of his wife's story.