Favors
7 October 1998
by O'donna Dean

Marako's trust of this companion was growing stronger every day. It was amazing what this Ronin shugenja was willing to take on for this group of wanderers. Being a Ronin he didn't have to stay with them when the skeletons came, but she was grateful that he did.

"Ishi-san, will you be coming with me into the Unicorn enclave of the city when we arrive?" Marako asked Ishi.

"Possibly. I have several matters to attend to, but I am interested in seeing another part of the city. When, do you think, will we be meeting Rei?"

"As soon as I arrive at the enclave I will have the Unicorn Magistrate send a message to her. I am sure it will only take her a couple days to arrive after that."

From the west side of the river, Marako and Ishi could see Journey's End City. Marako felt some apprehension but she was also glad to finally be arriving. Ishi and Marako had decided to cross on the south bridge because it gave a better view of Teardrop Island.

Going thru the eta village was the only way to get to the bridge. As they rode thru the village, Marako noticed that the eta lived better here than even in Unicorn land. Walls on the huts and even some had doors.

As they crossed the bridge Marako, studied Teardrop Island. It looked as if it had been pulled strait from a fairy story. The way the sun was hitting it, the city looked as if it were an artist's picture. Every leaf on every tree looked like it had been painted there. Ishi gazed longingly at the city. Marako wondered what they might have in that city that could interest a samurai-ko.

"Ishi-san, if you want to leave me and go to the city, I would understand."

"Ah! No, I'll be going with you now. We will part company this evening. I would invite you, but I already know what your answer would be. Shall we enter the gates now?"

Marako nodded and lead the way.

After entering the city, it was easy to find the Unicorn enclave. As soon as the greeters realized who Marako was, she and Ishi were welcomed in. Marako asked where she could find the magistrate and they took her to him. After cordial greetings, Marako discussed matters with him. He bowed and said he would get right to it.

"Ishi-san, you seem a little preoccupied. I will be going to the Sasumi Inn. If you want to take your leave of me, we can meet again in two days. I am sure Rei will be here by then. Come to the Inn for dinner and we can talk with Rei."

"I believe I will do that. In two days we will meet again. Enjoy your time." Ishi and Marako bowed slightly at each other and Ishi walked away.

After a good nights rest at Sasumi Inn, Marako headed out to explore the village. There were a few things that she needed to get, but she mainly wanted to enjoy the surroundings that she was in. The enclave was as close to home as she was going to get until winter and she wanted to enjoy her time.

The smells were refreshing to her. Smells of home. Spices wafted thru the air. She was looking forward to trying the different eateries while she was here. Rokugani ways of cooking were different from the Unicorn way. Her palate was ready for something different.

First though, she needed to find a couple new kimonos. If the five samurai were going to be going into Crane lands she wanted to make sure that she represented the Unicorn the best that she could. After the battle with the skeletons, she needed a new kimono. Bloodstains and tears were not presentable.

As she walked to the silk merchant area of the enclave she saw many beautiful things. She picked up a few things here and there. A few things to make Motoko look a little more presentable. Some scrolls for Ishi. A new tetsubo for Naoki. Marako new that he needed one since he let his fallen friend have his in the battle with the skeletons. A new tea set for Takehai.

She had found gifts for everyone except Jinjiro when she arrived at the silk merchants. She went into the one store that was the most lavish. The head merchant came up, bowed and asked what was needed. Marako told the old man that she needed two of his best silk kimonos. Before she could tell him which mon that was needed he was off. She stood there wondering when an old woman came over to her and ushered her to the back of the store were the kimonos were tried on. The old man then came out with the most exquisite kimonos that Marako had ever seen. She looked at the first one to check the mon, and there was a Unicorn on the back. She then tried it on, and it fit perfectly.

"How did you know my size? You did not measure me. And how did you know my mon? I did not tell you."

The old man bowed and said, "That is my job. If I could not tell by looking at you, then I should just die now. Do these please you?"

"Yes, yes they do." Marako stammered. His words caught her off guard. She had never had anyone serve her like that before. She then signed for the bill and was on her way.

After searching all day for a gift for Jinjiro, she finally found it. She knew of his love for writings poetry, and this gift would be perfect. Fine paper, a quail pen, and powdered ink. The merchant said he would only need to add a small amount of water to it before he could use it. It made more sense than an ink well that might spill on our journey.

Now she could rest and enjoy a good meal.

The next morning, Marako decided to go see Teardrop Island. She had heard that the best Bath and Massage houses were there. She wanted to go see what they were like.

The city was even more beautiful than she had imagined. Nothing was out of place. Stone gardens, flower gardens, geisha houses, everything was perfect. It all looked like it was just placed there. How could this be? How could anything be this perfect?

Marako came upon a lavishly beautiful bathhouse and she went inside. She was immediately ushered into the female portion of the bathhouse. She was then bathed and then put into the communal bath to soak. After a nice leisurely soak, she was brought to a private room for a massage. It was the best massage that she had ever received. It helped drain all of the tension that had built up inside of her. It was nice to be relaxed for a change. She then got dressed, and left to look at the rest of the city.

The next evening as Marako sat in the common area of the Inn, Rei walked in. She saw Marako and walked over.

"I came as soon as I got the letter from the Unicorn Magistrate. What is so important that you needed me here right away?"

"I have some information that I thought you might like to have. It is something that I know that the Scorpion clan doesn't know."

"You have now piqued my interest. What is your information?"

"Recently my companions and myself were in the far reaches of Crab lands. We were helping a monk locate burial mounds, when we were attacked by a horde of the undead. The village that we were in was destroyed, forcing us to fall back to the monastery. When we met with the monk that we were helping he told us that he was expecting something like this to happen."

Rei held up her hand. "The Point?"

Marako held hers up as well, nodding impatiently. "The last head monk, who had just died, had gone up against a powerful shugenja.

He believed that this shugenja, who was supposed to be dead, was the one controlling this horde. This shugenja is Yogo Junzo. He came against us a day later, and then disappeared when we wounded him. Do you think that this is something that your clan might like to know?"

Rei studied Marako for several long moments. "Yes. Who else knows about this?"

"My companions and myself, besides the monk that told us."

"I suggest that you all keep this as quiet as you can."

"Well, my other companions, besides Ishi, are at the Hare Castle. I am sure that they have told them of our battle, but I will make sure that the only people who are told after that are our daimyo."

"That would be best. So what are you wanting in return for this information?"

"At this time I need nothing, but I might in the future."

"All I ask is that you don't cash it in to big."

"I will try."

Just then Ishi sauntered in humming to himself, his arms pulled inside his kimono. He flashed what to his mind must have been a winning smile, and winked. "Rei-san, would you honor me with your company this evening. I know this little sushi place..."