It didn't take the party much longer to get to the Matsu keep of interest. Imperials were rarely delayed (and that at the risk of their own heads), and so it was that the small group arrived at the Cavern's Roar. Nestled on the side of the Spine of the World Mountains, it looked impregnable. It towered above the surrounding trees, as if it were a great Daimyo with its wooden army. The wind whispered through the trees, making it sound as if they were speaking among themselves. The fortress was surrounded by an artificial cliff, the equivalent of a moat, with but one road going to it. If any were foolish enough to attack the fortress, they would be pelted by arrows and destroyed before they got very far.

That was the theory at least.

Otaku Koharu was a good distance in front scouting the terrain. Not that there was much of a need for it here, but it never hurt to be prepared. When she approached the gate, she stopped and made a quarter turn -- making sure that the jade handles of her new Jitte were showing (lest the archers on the wall got antsy). It was only once they approached the entrance that they could see a small village a bit further up the mountain. Rice fields were interspersed with trees, and the houses seemed to be made to blend into the area.

The entrance to the fortress was ... not as formal as one would expect. Not that it would be insulting to the cousins of the Son of Heaven. To the contrary, it appeared that there simply wasn't very much in the way of manpower to spare. Those guards that had failed their duty committed Seppuku to atone for their shame, leaving only a small force to keep it.

Plus there was a distraction in the courtyard.

"I just wanted to say 'hello' to my old friend before continuing on. The Magistrate in charge of this case will be here soon enough."

An all to familiar Scorpion -- Soshi Kageshin -- was face-to-face with about a dozen Lion's Pride.

"Isn't that convenient."

The group did not recognize the speaker. She bore the rank of Lieutenant and the insignia of the Lion's Pride. The spectacle was interrupted by a guard announcing the party's arrival.

"Introducing Otomo Hoshi, her Emerald Magistrates, and her troops!"

Yumiko found the samurai tradition of committing seppuku immediately upon a profound failure exceedingly distasteful. Not that seppuku was inappropriate, but the timing was inconvenient. Testimony couldn't be collected from a corpse (and a skillful operation couldn't send magistrates scurrying off in the wrong direction with good disguises, but that probably wasn't the situation here).

Yumiko kept a suspicious eye on Soshi Kageshin--not that she suspected him of anything. Being cautious around a Scorpion was just good sense.

Even if you were a Scorpion.

Especially if you were a Scorpion.

There were a number of things requiring Yumiko's attention though. Like a preliminary schedule for testimony interviews. As much as she didn't like it, she should arrange for someone else to interview Suzu-chan. This was too important for Yumiko to risk her own biases getting in the way. And even just her presence might botch the interview, so she couldn't even be there to take notes.

Suzu would hate it. But that was better than letting investigative suspicions come between them.

Travel in the hinterlands always puts Hoshi in a bad mood.  She is a creature of civilisation, with its houses and crime and drinking halls (not that she would ever be in one of those) and theatres and markets, and the things humans make. Trees and rocks are something for looking at out of a window or in a painting--or for indulging her sister in visiting for a hike.

  But to be out for a long time, sleeping rough, was something the elder twin does what she can to keep out of her life. But alas, one has duties.

  Coming to an introduction almost makes it worthwhile.  It rings nicely.

  But, there is a mess about.  Much of the testimony was lost like spilled pots of red ink.  But, Hoshi has faith in the Lion soldiers.  Shamed as they might be, she knows they are good stock.  And good stock hold grudges.  Good stock settle scores.  Good stock--when there are clever--leave clues.  Surely there must have been at least one clever one amongst them, even out here.

  And so, Hoshi removes her gloves and stands tall, as if she owns the place.

  "Convenience would have been that the whole matter had been avoided to begin with. But, given the circumstance, a quick arrival with have to do.  That, and food, water, and a list of who is here to interview today."

There was an order to these things, a certain ... face that one must wear when investigating. The only justice that shall be done here is the Justice of the Son of Heaven. The two carry the Will of the Emperor. The Emperor's Guard notices everything.

Noticing was what Urako was focusing on. The subtle smells. The textures. The various moods. There was far more here than stone, trees, and rice fields. Sure, that was what it was supposed to appear -- but appearances are deceptive. So while her sister grabbed the focus of the citadel, Urako simply noticed.  The smell of hot water. The  freshly cleaned grass. Those on the walls who spent more time watching the Matsu Lieutenant than any others. Urako noticed these things. And what one twin notices, the other also notices.

Or so it must appear.

So it was that Urako turned to Yumiko, so that the younger twin appeared to be talking to Yumiko instead of Hoshi. What was noticed was noticed, even when it was not.

Especially when it was not.

"There is a hot spring here, we must find out why we were not told of it. Also, twelve committed seppuku, but twenty are missing from the walls, indicating that some have been forbidden seppuku. For now, at any rate. We will need to know of their collective family backgrounds to ascertain why these decisions have been made."

"It has nothing to do with their backgrounds." It was tough to tell if this Matsu was in awe or annoyed. Well, being Matsu she could very well be both at the same time. "Twelve saw nothing and had no testimony to offer."

Urako's voice got soft, as the waves retreat before they crash. It was not a good sign.

"That was not your decision to make."


From ... somewhere ... another Lion silently walked into the courtyard. He bore the traditional Lion colors, the wild mane of hair that was traditional in certain lines, as well as the Mon of the Kitsu family. Curiously, he did not wear the other Lion Mon -- only the Kitsu. He was standing apart from the others in a place where he would not interfere with the goings on. If the Magistrates wished to do something, well, that was none of his business.

Unless they made it his business, of course.

[OOC: Quick note: the highest ranking Lion in the fortress right now is -- Drumroll Please -- Kitsu Akio.]

Hoshi is annoyed.  Back talk out of a Lion is not tolerable--especially not to her twin.  The elder twin leans slightly forward, shoulders back, broad and proud.  "Peh, your head is high."

But, a hot spring is an interesting addition.  Depending on its layout, it could be a point of entry.  Being based in water, possibly under water, tracks would be difficult to detect. That is clever, and worth investigating.

Then Hoshi looks to her sister.  "What shall it be first, family histories or the spring?"

Both have their merits.

Some can be stressed to the point that they leave something slip, that they say something that they wouldn't have otherwise. Of course the same can be said for relaxation. It would put them off balance, making them say something that they wouldn't have otherwise. And they wouldn't be expecting it.

Adding the relaxation that they would enjoy at the same time ...

"The baths" Urako finally answered.

"The baths it is then," Hoshi announces with a look to her entourage.  Here they can give objections or comments.

There would be no forgiveness of course, if Akio were to admit that he forgot he carried any rank in the fortress.  In the months of travel he'd gotten used to travelling in the presence of imperials.  His choice of breakfast even wasn't really a choice.  The Kitsu had decided that there was no choice in grumbling, whatever Hoshi's stomach craved was what the cook catered to.  His purpose when visiting these strongholds often was more about making sure the Kitsu made proper observances for the Otomo.

Akio spent most of the conversation watching - strong and silent with keen eyes.  It wasn't a predatory gaze, but one well practiced at taking everything in.  Little got by him... unless, of course, he was distracted.  Which happened often.  Distraction can be hard to avoid when the dead won't leave you alone.

Perhaps that was why it took him a moment to move to the Kitsu (he without the Lion mon) and address him.

"Now would be a good time to introduce yourself," he bade abruptly.  "And state your business."  One didn't waste the Otomo's time with small talk.

"Kitsu Shoji" the stranger said, handing Akio two scrolls and a book. The book was the well known type, those that are typically carried when a Shugenja travels from shrine to shrine and temple to temple on their variant of a Musha Shugyo. Of course, with this quest one didn't have to give up clan and family, but rather just the comforts of their home temple.

The two scrolls were also familiar, though their contents would not be. They were typically carried by those same shugenja giving permission to travel for their quest.

"I am here to visit the two Cavern's Roar shrines."

"Otomo-San" Kageshin said, not taking his eyes off the Lion guards, "You won't mind if I stay out here, will you?"

Whether he was asking for information, telling the guards that he was the same social station as the Otomo, or both was difficult to tell. He was, after all, Scorpion. Even if he was Junshin.

Yumiko glanced at Otomo Hoshi, awaiting her response to Kageshin's question. As a Scorpion and a secretary, being left to assist Kageshin (and report any information back to Hoshi) would be her natural inclination. But without more information about the situation she didn't know what to look for.

[OOC: Akio: Rereading, I think I need to clear something up in PM ...]