01: Arrival at Tsuma

Kashita, Aki, Suteko - if Jun takes any offence at Suteko's directness he doesn't show it, the easy smile not leaving his face. Turning to Kashita he nods "Neither are us Crab, a certain directness is refreshing when in....other clans lands. Whilst I am skilled in some areas alas my skill with a blade is not as advanced as many of the rest of our fellow competitors. My skills lie more with assisting my clan at court than on the battlefield." he turns back to Suteko "But we were talking of the history of this fine contest, let me think..." his gaze turns for a moment to regard Hitoshi "One that comes to mind of particular relevance to this years tournament, given the somewhat unusual make up of the competitors, is the story of Tetsuken of the Mantis who won the championship in the 7th century" he proceeds to tell the tale of the Mantis samurai who won the Topaz Championship, sailed many foreign lands and returned to become the Mantis Clan Champion before finally leading a fleet to intercept a Shadowlands fleet who were sailing for Otosan Uchi (the capital of the Empire), giving his life as he sailed his vessel into the heart of the enemy fleet to hold them in position whilst the remainder of his fleet systematically destroyed the Shadowlands vessels. It is rare for a samurai of a minor clan to compete in the championship and virtually unheard of for one to win but who knows, perhaps this is the year for history to repeat itself"

"Indeed it does. A welcome respite is to be found here, for those weary from the road in the manner that we are,"

Kyo motions to one of the servants to bring a round of sake out to the table. When she arrives a moment later, he raises his glass

A toast, to the end of one successful journey, and the start of another!"

Jun chuckles amiably "Well, whilst the Mantis are not a Great Clan they do have the distinction of being the oldest of the Minor clans. They were formed in the year 80 when Kaimetsu-Uo was passed over for leadership of the Crab and...." he trails off as Toya gently lays a hand upon the sleeve of his kimono. "Our fellow competitors here have had a long journey and are doubtless weary from the road. Perhaps the history lesson could wait for another time?" Toya says gently. Jun smiles and inclines his head to everyone at the table "Of course. Let us take our ease for the rest of the evening so we are rested for tomorrows tests" as he finishes he takes another drink of tea.

The next few hours pass without incident and you all enjoy the now quite relaxed atmosphere within the House of the Laughing Carp until one by one you seek your rooms.

You are not sure how long has passed before you are awoken with no clear sense of why, and find that light is shining in the courtyard outside the paper screen door of your room. Emerging, you find a stern-faced older man kneeling by a formal tea set at a low table in the center of the courtyard. Moonlight shimmers on his blue-and-emerald silk kimono as he gestures for you to join him.
"Sit by me," he says. "Who will pour the tea?" You realize with a shock that this is Doji Satsume, the dead Emerald Champion. It appears he wants you to perform a tea ceremony, and it may not be wise to argue with a ghost.

The spirit of Doji Satsume sits and waits patiently for one of you to begin.

The spirit sniffs with approval before speaking "Most satisfactory" he glances at the scroll case Aki is carrying but does not say anything further. The night air is still and quiet, leaving you the opportunity to ask what you may...