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Session

The Duel

Session 4·2025-04-01

Neither lord had sanctioned the duel, so Kakita Kazumi set terms that could not produce a corpse — until one man taps out, any weapon or armour a man owns, no fatal blow.

The Emperor knows that Matsu troops have crossed into Unicorn land and has said nothing. Until he speaks, or until the two clans agree between themselves, the war continues by default, and nobody is obliged to answer for a war that continues by default. Shinjo Mono carried that news to the Ide at Otosan Uchi with his Emerald Magistrate's badge newly around his neck, then cut straight for Loyalty Castle to get back to the front.

The Lion Clan intercepted him on the road. They were ready to take him prisoner; the badge turned it into an escort, and the journey was the same either way. At Loyalty Castle he found Doji Setsuna already there, and the two of them spoke while Lion observers watched from a distance and did not pretend otherwise.

The courtyard had been busy before either of them arrived. Bayushi Monban had insulted the daimyō's kitchen and been set upon by Lion bushi for it. A monk had stepped in with the Dragon teaching — neither shall I — and offered to take a blow for every blow they landed, which so confounded the arithmetic of the beating that Bayushi Monban was able to walk out of it during the commotion of Shinjo Mono's arrival. He kept the bruises. He also kept the belief that the insult had been offered to him first.

That evening Matsu Koda challenged Kakita Kazumi, with a warning not to set cowardly terms. Kakita Kazumi set them anyway, and set them carefully: until one man taps out, any weapon or armour a man owns, no fatal blow. Their lords had sanctioned nothing, and a corpse would have made the duel a matter for magistrates rather than for the two of them. Matsu Koda accepted. Then Kakita Kazumi arrived just short of the hour at which he would have forfeited, deliberately dishevelled, and put on Topaz Champion armour in front of the crowd with a Topaz Champion katana at his hip. The armour was aimed at the crowd, and it went on before the first exchange.

It did not work. Kakita Kazumi opened well — a hit, and a yoroi-dōshi, the armour-piercing knife his grandfather gave him, readied for the gap — but Matsu Koda answered with Striking as Water, which takes a man's resistance down and leaves the next blow to do more work than it should. Koda missed once and corrected it. He pressed and kept pressing. Kakita Kazumi tried a showy feint and overreached on it, and the finishing blow put him on the ground and rolled him onto his back with a blade at his throat. He yielded. Doji Setsuna and Shinjo Mono watched from among three Lion minders and a number of the bushi who had beaten Bayushi Monban the day before.

Matsu Koda declared his own grievance settled and named four more still owed. Doji Setsuna took that up on the spot, appealing to the custom that a duel resolved settles the matter for the whole of the offended party, not for one man of it. Kakita Kazumi added the other half — that a Lion had insulted Shiba Midori's ancestors in this castle, and that the Ruby Champion among others could attest to it. Matsu Koda reddened, bowed to both of them, and said he had not been told the circumstances under which his brother was wounded and regretted humbling a man without cause. If it makes you feel all the better, Kakita Kazumi said, I have suffered worse for less.

At dinner the party was seated near the daimyō's table, which at a Lion castle is a statement of standing. Shiba Midori took the measure of two Kitsu shrine maidens at the next table and found them idle but spiritually clean; asked to treat Bayushi Monban's injuries they declined, on the grounds that bruises earned by offending their lord were deserved — and noted, unprompted, that Kakita Kazumi's were not. Kakita Kazumi paid for the seating by performing, and gave the courtiers the Phoenix Lands and the ninja in the rain, and left them wanting the blue flame ninjas.

Then a plate came to Bayushi Monban with a conspicuous cut of meat on it and a note under it: a love poem, signed Yushi Sama, scented with cherry blossom, promising to wait beneath the Cherry Tree. He matched the scent to the earlier correspondence and understood, some days late, that the first gift had not been an insult at all. The kitchen he had insulted had done nothing to him. It cost him honour and gave him back his contempt for courtesy. He went to the tree at night to end the business, citing his betrothal. Kakita Kazumi followed and watched from cover in case it was a trap. It was not a trap. It was a catamite in a woman's kimono, powdered and speaking in falsetto, who called Bayushi Monban Chan and remembered a bed shared a fortnight ago — with his elder brother. On learning which brother he had, the admirer fled. Kakita Kazumi withdrew without being seen.

The letter of passage reached Shinjo Mono in the morning, clearing the party onto the Lion Roads toward the Castle of the Swift Sword: Crossroads Fortress the first day, past Rugashi the second, the castle on the third. They travelled in ordinary clothes rather than armour, which through Lion Lands in wartime is a courtesy and also a calculation. At every postal station the papers came out and Lion Clan officials read Shinjo Mono more carefully than they read the papers. Columns went north past them. Kakita Kazumi foraged what would poison a man and prepared it; Shiba Midori tried and failed to close Bayushi Monban's wounds; Bayushi Monban spent a night getting a formal letter's seals right against exemplars. Shiba Midori asked the shrine maidens what the kami were like where they were going and was told: well-tended, responsive, and mostly fire, with water and earth beneath. The road was good and nothing happened on it. The investigation would begin when they arrived.

Setsuna

Two things came out of Loyalty Castle and neither cost her anything.

The first was the custom. Matsu Koda had settled with Kakita Kazumi and reserved four more grievances; she closed all four by naming the rule that a duel answers for the whole offended party. It held — Koda bowed to her as well as to Kakita Kazumi. The Lion at this castle will now have a harder time reopening the matter piecemeal, and she has established in front of Lion witnesses that she argues from custom rather than from clan.

The second was a refusal, which is still information. She approached a well-connected courtier for a letter supporting Shinjo Harunobu's release — pressed as her own suit and deliberately kept separate from the general exchange of hostages — and was told to wait: such requests belong after hostilities, and her husband is safest where he is until matters resolve. That is the standing answer, and anyone below the rank that can overrule it will give her the same one. The same courtier passed on a rumour that the Emerald Championship may be delayed because the clan champions are committed to the war. She answered that Shinjo Harunobu would suffocate without the sky, and kept the conversation warm.

She did not learn what happened under the Cherry Tree, and Bayushi Monban has not told her.

Timeline

Arrival and Court Duel - Shinjo Mono returned to Otosan Uchi to brief the Emperor and then proceeded toward Loyalty Castle, where Lion Clan intercepted and escorted Shinjo Mono for questioning. At Loyalty Castle Doji Setsuna met Shinjo Mono while Lion Clan observers watched and Bayushi Monban's earlier beating by Lion Clan bushi was recalled during the arrival commotion. That evening Kakita Kazumi was challenged by Matsu Koda to a formal duel under nonfatal terms; Kakita Kazumi staged a late, disheveled entrance and donned Topaz Champion armor as a display. The duel progressed through multiple exchanges, ended with Matsu Koda's finishing blow and Kakita Kazumi's yield, and concluded with Doji Setsuna invoking dueling custom and Koda offering an apology.

Otosan Uchi briefing and escort - Shinjo Mono briefed the Emperor in Otosan Uchi about the Matsu incursion's defeat and learned the Emperor had made no declaration. Shinjo Mono then cut directly toward Loyalty Castle, was intercepted by Lion Clan, and was escorted for questioning after presenting the Emerald Magistrate Badge. At Loyalty Castle Doji Setsuna met Shinjo Mono while Lion Clan observers watched, and Bayushi Monban's prior beating and escape during the arrival commotion were recalled.

Duel challenge and display - In the evening Matsu Koda challenged Kakita Kazumi to a duel; Kakita Kazumi specified terms as 'until one taps out,' allowing personally owned weapons and armor and disallowing fatal blows. Kakita Kazumi deliberately arrived just before forfeiture time appearing disheveled to antagonize Matsu Koda, then donned Topaz Champion armor and wore a Topaz Champion katana as a deliberate display before the duel.

  • Bayushi Monban’s Prior Beating Recalled - Bayushi Monban, a Scorpion Clan yojimbo, had been beaten earlier by angry Lion Clan bushi for insulting their lord’s cuisine; a monk had tried to share the blows, creating confusion that allowed Bayushi Monban to escape during Shinjo Mono’s arrival commotion.
  • Kakita Kazumi Challenged to Duel - In the evening, Kakita Kazumi, a Crane Clan Topaz Champion, was challenged to a duel by Matsu Koda, a Lion Clan bushi, with a warning not to set “cowardly” terms.
  • Duel Terms Proposed - Kakita Kazumi specified duel terms as “until one taps out,” with all personally owned weapons and armor allowed, and no fatal blow permitted since lords had not sanctioned the duel; Matsu Koda accepted.
  • Kakita Kazumi’s Late Entrance - Kakita Kazumi deliberately arrived just before forfeiture time, appearing disheveled to antagonize Matsu Koda in the castle courtyard before spectators.

Duel exchanges and resolution - The duel opened with Kakita Kazumi striking with his katana and readying a yoroi-doshi; Matsu Koda countered using Striking as Water to reduce Kakita Kazumi's resistance and landed subsequent hits. After an initial miss was corrected, Koda pressed his advantage, Kakita Kazumi attempted a showy feint but overreached, and Koda's finishing blow toppled Kakita Kazumi, who was rolled over with a blade at his throat and yielded. Koda declared his grievance settled but warned of 'the other four'; Doji Setsuna appealed to dueling custom to settle the matter on behalf of the offended group, Kakita Kazumi raised a prior insult against Shiba Midori's ancestors, and Koda apologized.

  • Topaz Champion Display - Kakita Kazumi donned Topaz Champion armor and wore a Topaz Champion katana as a deliberate display before the duel.
  • First Exchange Struck - Kakita Kazumi opened with katana, hit Matsu Koda, and readied a yoroi-doshi, an armor-piercing knife gifted by his grandfather, dealing modest fatigue through Koda’s armor.
  • Koda’s Counter with Technique - Matsu Koda struck back using Striking as Water to reduce Kakita Kazumi’s physical resistance for subsequent blows while dealing katana damage.
  • Miss, Recentered Attack - An initial miss by Matsu Koda was corrected via a quick reflex re-engagement that landed a hit under the declared nonfatal terms.
  • Crowd of Onlookers - Doji Setsuna and Shinjo Mono, with three Lion Clan minders and several Lion Clan bushi (including some who had beaten Bayushi Monban earlier), observed the duel as court entertainment.
  • Koda Pressed Advantage - Matsu Koda intensified offense, spending resources to hit hard in a subsequent pass and positioning to land a decisive strike.
  • Kakita Kazumi’s Feint Attempt - Kakita Kazumi executed a showy feint (Flashing Steel Strike) to mislead Matsu Koda but overreached emotionally during the exchange.
  • Finishing Blow Triggered - Kakita Kazumi became compromised in the duel’s cadence, triggering Matsu Koda’s finishing blow under the duel’s rules.
  • Kakita Kazumi Overwhelmed - Matsu Koda’s finishing blow inflicted enough fatigue to topple Kakita Kazumi, who was then rolled over with a blade at his throat.
  • Kakita Kazumi Yielded - Kakita Kazumi yielded to Matsu Koda, who declared his own grievance settled but warned of “the other four” yet to be satisfied.
  • Doji Setsuna Invoked Dueling Custom - Doji Setsuna appealed on the spot to custom that the resolved duel settled the matter on behalf of the broader offended group.
  • Insult at Loyalty Castle Raised - Kakita Kazumi publicly referenced a Lion Clan’s prior vulgar insult toward Shiba Midori’s ancestors at the Loyalty Castle, noting the Ruby Champion and others could attest.

Dinner, Courtship, and Tryst - The party dined at Loyalty Castle near the daimyo's table while courtiers and observers gathered for gossip. Shiba Midori evaluated two Kitsu Family shrine maidens who declined to treat Bayushi Monban's wounds; Doji Setsuna sought a courtier's help to secure a letter for her husband's release but was advised to wait until hostilities ended. During dinner Bayushi Monban received a provocative plate and a love note signed 'Yushi Sama', identified the cherry blossom scent, realized he had misjudged a prior incident and suffered an honor loss, and decided to attend a nighttime rendezvous to confront the admirer. Kakita Kazumi shadowed the meeting under the Cherry Tree, observed a catamite reveal and flee after mistaking identities, and then withdrew quietly.

Daimyo dinner and appeals - Dinner was served at Loyalty Castle and the group sat near the daimyo's table amid a courtly crowd. Shiba Midori gauged two Kitsu Junior Shrine Maidens, found them spiritually clean but idle, and they refused to treat Bayushi Monban's injuries. Doji Setsuna initiated an intrigue appeal to a well-connected courtier for a letter supporting the release of Shinjo Harunobu; the courtier advised delay and suggested Harunobu was safest in Lion Clan custody until matters settled. Kakita Kazumi entertained courtiers by recounting exploits from the Phoenix Lands.

  • Koda Apologized - Matsu Koda reddened, bowed to Kakita Kazumi and Doji Setsuna, and apologized, stating he had not been informed of the circumstances under which his brother had been wounded.
  • Party Seated with Daimyo - Dinner was served at Loyalty Castle; the group received places of honor near the daimyo’s table amid a courtly crowd seeking gossip.
  • Shiba Midori Gauged Kitsu Family Acolytes - Shiba Midori, a Phoenix Clan shugenja, evaluated two Kitsu Junior Shrine Maidens at a nearby table, finding them layabouts but spiritually clean, and chatted politely about origins and companions.
  • Kitsu Family Refused to Aid Bayushi Monban - The two Kitsu Junior Shrine Maidens declined to treat Bayushi Monban, saying any bruises for offending their lord were deserved, while remarking that Kakita Kazumi had not deserved his injuries.
  • Doji Setsuna Sought Husband’s Release - Doji Setsuna initiated an intrigue appeal to a well-connected courtier at Loyalty Castle for a letter supporting the release of her husband, Shinjo Harunobu, distinct from general hostage exchanges.
  • Courtier Advised Delay - The courtier counseled that release requests were appropriate after hostilities, shared a rumor that the Emerald Championship might be delayed due to clan champions’ involvement, and asserted Shinjo Harunobu was safest in Lion Clan custody until matters resolved.
  • Doji Setsuna Noted Unicorn Clan Nature - Doji Setsuna responded that Shinjo Harunobu would “suffocate without the sky,” emphasizing the Unicorn Clan need for open horizons while maintaining cordial relations.

Notes, scent, and decision - During casual checks Bayushi Monban's cherry blossom scent was remarked upon; at dinner his plate arrived with a phallic cut of meat and a slipped note. Bayushi Monban opened the note and identified a saccharine love poem from 'Yushi Sama', matched the cherry scent to earlier correspondence, realized he had misinterpreted a prior gift as an insult, lost honor and regained the Disdain for Courtesy disadvantage, and resolved to attend the nighttime rendezvous beneath the Cherry Tree to confront the admirer.

  • Kakita Kazumi Embellished Exploits - Kakita Kazumi entertained courtiers with a stirring performance recounting the group’s Phoenix Lands exploits, including fighting ninja in the rain, stoking curiosity about “blue flame ninjas.”
  • Bayushi Monban’s Cherry Scent Questioned - During casual checks on Bayushi Monban’s injuries, his cherry blossom scent was remarked upon; he downplayed it as a “day scent.”
  • Second Note and Meat Delivered - At dinner, Bayushi Monban’s plate arrived with a conspicuously phallic cut of meat and a note slipped under it, resembling prior provocative gestures.
  • Love Poem Identified - Bayushi Monban opened the new note, confirming a saccharine love poem from “Yushi Sama,” who referenced a prior “treat” and promised to wait “under the Cherry Tree.”
  • Scent Linked to Admirer - Bayushi Monban matched the cherry blossom perfume to earlier correspondence, recognizing the admirer’s consistent signal.
  • Misjudgment Recognized - Bayushi Monban realized he had not been sent animal “balls” as an insult earlier, and thus had insulted the host without cause.
  • Courtesy Breach Penalized - For the baseless insult, Bayushi Monban suffered a loss of honor and regained the Disdain for Courtesy disadvantage as a consequence.

Cherry Tree tryst revealed - Kakita Kazumi shadowed the rendezvous beneath the Cherry Tree to observe for traps or ambush. A feminine silhouette speaking in falsetto stepped into the light and revealed a male catamite in women's kimono; the catamite addressed Bayushi Monban as 'Chan', indicating a mistaken identity after recalling a bed shared 'a fortnight ago'. Upon learning Bayushi Monban was the younger brother the catamite fled, and Kakita Kazumi withdrew quietly, leaving Bayushi Monban to reflect privately on the misunderstanding.

  • Rendezvous Decided - Bayushi Monban resolved to attend the nighttime rendezvous beneath the Cherry Tree to stop the advances, citing his betrothal.
  • Kakita Kazumi Shadowed the Tryst - Kakita Kazumi secretly skulked to observe the Cherry Tree meeting from a distance to ensure no ambush or shenanigans unfolded.
  • Catamite Revealed - Under the Cherry Tree, a feminine silhouette spoke in falsetto; when pressed, the figure stepped into the light as a catamite, a male courtesan in a woman’s kimono, heavily powdered and made up.
  • Mistaken for “Chan” - The catamite addressed Bayushi Monban as if he were his brother, “Chan,” recalling a bed shared “a fortnight ago,” revealing the admirer had mistaken identities.
  • Admirer Fled - Upon learning Bayushi Monban was the younger brother, the catamite dashed off into the night, leaving the scent of cherry blossoms lingering in the garden.

Passage and Travel Toward Castle - By morning Shinjo Mono received a letter of passage authorizing use of Lion Roads toward the Castle of the Swift Sword and the group debated travel pace and stops. They agreed to reach Crossroads Fortress on day one, pass Rugashi on day two, and arrive at the Castle of the Swift Sword on day three. While traveling the party presented papers at postal stations, was scrutinized by Lion Clan officials and escorts, observed Lion Clan columns, and eschewed armor for normal clothes; Kakita Kazumi foraged noxious flora and prepared a poison, and attempts to treat Bayushi Monban's wounds failed. Bayushi Monban composed a formal sealed letter, Shiba Midori queried Kitsu Family shrine maidens about regional kami, the group made swift, uneventful progress across Lion Clan heartland, and the session concluded with the party en route to the Castle prepared to begin investigations next session.

Letter of passage and routing plan - Shinjo Mono received a letter of passage clearing the group's use of Lion Roads toward the Castle of the Swift Sword. The party debated pace and stops and agreed on a three-day plan: Crossroads Fortress on day one, past Rugashi on day two, and arriving at the Castle of the Swift Sword on day three with sufficient rest.

  • Kakita Kazumi Withdrew Quietly - Satisfied there was no trap, Kakita Kazumi disengaged and returned to quarters, leaving Bayushi Monban to reflect privately on the misunderstanding.
  • Shinjo Mono Issued Passage Letter - By morning, Shinjo Mono received a letter of passage similar to the party’s, clearing use of Lion Roads toward the Castle of the Swift Sword.
  • Travel Plan Debated - The group considered pace and stops, weighing pushing hard through Lion Lands versus resting in villages or castles en route.

Lion Roads travel and downtime - At each postal station the party presented papers and Lion Clan officials scrutinized Shinjo Mono, occasionally providing escorts through specific daimyo domains while columns of Lion Clan soldiers marched north nearby. The group traveled in normal clothes rather than armor to avoid insulting hosts; during downtime Kakita Kazumi foraged toxic herbs and prepared a noxious poison, and attempts under Shiba Midori's supervision to treat Bayushi Monban's light ring wounds failed to relieve his injuries.

  • Crossroads Route Chosen - The party agreed to reach Crossroads Fortress on day one, then proceed past Rugashi on day two, aiming to arrive at the Castle of the Swift Sword on day three with sufficient rest.
  • Papers Presented En Route - At each postal station, the group presented papers; Lion Clan officials scrutinized Shinjo Mono and sometimes provided escorts through particular daimyo domains.
  • Columns on the March - The group observed columns of Lion Clan soldiers marching north while the party, bearing imperial authority, was allowed passage along the Lion Roads.
  • Armor Eschewed for Courtesy - Kakita Kazumi and others traveled in normal clothes rather than armor through Lion Lands to avoid insulting their hosts during wartime.
  • Kakita Kazumi Foraged Toxic Herbs - During travel downtime, Kakita Kazumi foraged for noxious flora (aloe vera concentrates and similar “less than healthy” herbs) and prepared a noxious poison for later use.

Preparations and safe progress - Bayushi Monban composed a formal, properly sealed letter after comparing exemplars. Shiba Midori obtained guidance from Kitsu Family shrine maidens that the local kami near the Castle of the Swift Sword were well-tended with a predominance of fire kami alongside water and earth; Lion Clan escorts continued to scrutinize Shinjo Mono but no incidents occurred, and the party made swift, uneventful progress across Lion Clan heartland, concluding the session en route and prepared to begin investigations upon arrival next session.

  • Bayushi Monban’s Wounds Untreated - Attempts to treat Bayushi Monban’s multiple light ring wounds using a battlefield medic pack under Shiba Midori’s supervision (with Kakita Kazumi assisting) failed to relieve the injuries during the journey.
  • Bayushi Monban Composed Formal Letter - Bayushi Monban spent nighttime composing a formal, properly sealed letter, ensuring the signs and seals were correctly placed after comparing with exemplars.
  • Shiba Midori Queried Kitsu Family Lore - Shiba Midori obtained guidance about the Castle of the Swift Sword region from Kitsu Family shrine maidens: the kami there were well-tended and responsive, with a predominance of fire kami alongside water and earth.
  • Shinjo Mono Watched Closely - Throughout the ride, Lion Clan escorts and officials consistently scrutinized Shinjo Mono as a Unicorn Clan traveling through Lion Clan territories, though no incidents occurred.
  • Safe Progress Through Lion Lands - The party made swift, uneventful progress across the Lion Clan heartland toward their target, benefiting from good roads, imperial writ, and the Lions’ suppression of banditry.
  • Arrival Plan Set - The session concluded with the group en route to the Castle of the Swift Sword under the agreed three-day plan, prepared to begin investigations upon arrival next session.

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