[center][h2]C H A P T E R  O N E: 
T H E   I N V I T A T I O N[/h2]
[color=6ecff6]Autumn of 1141UM[/color]

[img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b7/20/91/b72091fb905bfbf8c44372f2c685838a.jpg[/img]
Inoue, Capital City of The Lotus
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Taiko drums boomed, hyoshigi sticks clapped, and bells of all shapes and sizes rang throughout the city. Children run the streets with pinwheels, sparklers or Den-Den Daiko drums in hand, zigzagging through clusters of festive adults parading  with joy. There were performers at every turn, each serving a slice of Kujin clan culture to the willful passerby. The Asagao archer wooed by juggling arrows with one hand, then quickly slotting and releasing each one from her bow, hitting targets painted along stacks of hay with theatric finesse. The Tsubaki Shadow Puppeteer reenacted a folk tale about the old fish and trickster eel, dazzling crowds with silhouetted creatures manipulated by enchanted candle light fixtures. The Lotus Kabuki danced to the contemplative rhythms of a Koto instrumentalist, dressed in vibrant colors, fabrics, and make up. He then sang a beautiful song about the end of war, and the reunification of Kujin as one family. The song is called, [i]The Wind That Carries Our Ashes Home[/i], written by Shogun Useugi Mitsuhide himself. 
[center]***[/center]
Miles and miles away from the festive splendor of the city, he sits in his fleeting carriage. Though he cannot hear the Kabuki, each chord and note echoes deep within his heart as he looks upon the starry night sky. He smiles at the stream of twinkling paper lanterns floating to the clouds. It is both a beautiful and somber sight to behold, for each lantern personifies a departed soul, and their numbers were vast enough to rival the cosmos. 

Memories of a blood soaked war clap at his mind like distant thunder. The slain bodies and agonized faces of death try to claw out from his nightmares and into his conscious routine. But like always, Useugi remains unphased. Tonight, the people of Kujin celebrate unity, and perhaps survival. As the lanterns disappear into the moon's radiance, the shogun vows that the dead will not die in vain. Kujin will live on as a strong and prosperous nation. No matter the consequence. 

[center]***

Lotus Territory: Northeastern Coastline, Odikawa Port City[/center]

The shogun arrived by midnight. He slept through most of the journey, but the occasional pothole and whinnying of horses prevented any meaningful sleep. He was strongly advised against being transported in a thatchy farmer's carriage, but he insisted, for the royal lacquer of a shogun drew too much attention. He also refused an escort guard, so extra steps were taken to properly secure the route. Upon arrival at the undisclosed location, he was greeted by Unit Officer Nomi Masanori, who sheepishly bowed after mistaking the shogun and his carriage driver for lost peasants. It was to be expected. After all, Useugi wore a plain kimono with no emblem or design to implicate his status, and kept most of his face covered with a ragged wheat hat. The shogun laughed it off, but the man's behavior toward the lower cast didn't go unnoticed. 

Nomi lead the shogun into a sectioned off manor that was right off the docks. From there, he met with Constable Saniro, the owner of this establishment, as well as a number of other key figures. Constable Saniro insisted the shogun make use of the manor's amenities after his long journey, but he went straight to the main living chambers. At the center of the room stood a large oak desk, maps, scrolls, and illustrations neatly organized along its edges.  

"They will be arriving soon." The shogun said, making heads bow. "In the meantime we will make sure everything is in order."

Nomi Masanori bowed deeply, perhaps to still cower in shame from earlier. "Our Shinsengumi (secret police) have confirmed that the scrolls were all delivered five days ago. Most of the individuals you've requested are either en route or already in the city."

The shogun nodded approvingly. He reached over the pile of papers and grabbed a scroll. It was the original draft he wrote for the calligraphers to duplicate and send off to his invitees. He broke its wax lotus seal and unraveled it near the closest candle light. 


[i]"I dare not convey through fanciful words my most humblest request for your presence. It is with deep regret that I pry you from the greatest night of our lantern festival, but you are needed to maintain the peace we've worked so hard to achieve. 

After reading this message, the courier will give you a package containing one block of gold. That is just a piece of the reward I am willing to offer you for the success of this mission. 

The details will be expanded upon your arrival. Should you accept this invitation, the courier will tell you the exact time, date, and location of our meeting. If you refuse, please, take the block of gold as a gift. 

Should you refuse after hearing the details of this mission, you will be rewarded for the inconvenience. We trust that regardless of your decision, the information you will acquire remains confidential." [/i]

Useugi stared at the waxed emblem stamped below the message, then threw it back on the table. 

"Let us prepare."