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Editor's Note:
Bryan was not a player in the game, but posted this to the club's e-mail list
as a joke. As the GM, I found it hugely entertaining, but the players were
ambivalent, so Bryan stopped after this post.
The minion of the Shadow smiled as he watched the games at the Kakita school. He grinned openly and perhaps even laughed a bit when the novice Crane Kakita Jinjiro slew the favored of the peasants, Doji Kuwanan, also of the foolish Crane. As skilled as the Crane may be at courtly games and political intrigue, it only serves them better when they join at the table of Shadow.
This great sport was not the best of the entertainment to be seen here though. For the same Kakita Jinjiro who so fortunately slew Doji Kuwanan was now about to duel with a Crab. The minion watched as Hida Naoki entered the circle. It was obvious that the Crab was not clearly concentrating on the upcoming duel. For a moment the minion gave pause, did the Crab somehow sense the minion's presence? It seemed unlikely, as this was mere bushi, not shugenja. However, of all the clans arrayed here, the Crab were the closest to the Shadow. Ask a Crab, and they will give you stories of being the watchers on the wall, the guardians against shadow and other such tales. The minion knew the truth, of course. Just that morning the minion had observed a young Crab shugenja, already with the mark, fools would call it the taint, of shadow upon his soul. This one would bear watching.
As Hida Naoki stepped up, Kakita Jinjiro, kin-slayer, waited. As the foolish Crab missed completely, kin-slayer did not. Interesting, kin-slayer did not kill this one. Oh well, the Crab will have a few bruises from which to remember this day.
Bruises which will heal, but which will serve as a lesson. Yes even the dense
Crab may learn, and as this Crab learns the truths of life, more quickly will
he realize the truths of life.
More quickly will he learn his true destiny.
More quickly will he embrace his future.
More quickly will he reach for the Shadow.