No worries.. we've all been there :)

Ume nodded gravely, and recounted the attack. She hoped the damnable fog wouldn't put too much strain on her witness account, but the others in the group should be able to support it before any scrutiny. She recounted the entire incident, leaving nothing out.

Her own anger began to rise as she recalled the battle, her cheeks flushing.

Was waiting for Matsu-san to post, seemed she was the most appropriate to describe the events.

Megumi listened to Ume's recounting of the events and added in a few choice bits in an attempt to damn the captive Dragon further. Even as she did so the samurai-ko's eyes were leveled on Tonbo Ukiya with a poorly hidden glare of contempt.

"Do not forget," She hastens to add. "That he was pursuant of Asako-san before this incident as well. There's no telling what levels that man might have stooped to to get his way."

"There's no telling what levels that man might have stooped to to get his way."

Ikoma Soaryu looks at the rest of you expectantly. as one of his yoriki waits to carefully write down your testimony, should you have any.

He seethed on the inside just being near the man. The Mountain stands tall and silent watching the proceedings intensely, the only things keeping him from crushing the Tonbo's skull on the way here being that the man had no obvious Shadowlands taint and protocol. Even so, his deference to Heihachi-san, who was much closer to a magistrate than he, is the real reason the man still lived. Perhaps the man would give them some clue to his masters whereabouts. The Magistrates and Shugenja had ways of finding out what they needed too.

The Dragon listens patiently as the others recount their tales to the magistrate and finally he makes a tsking noise.

"I believe that my companions are entirely to quick to judge the character of a man that they know nothing about. We should listen to the testimony of Ryoko-san in the matter of the misguided Tonbo. There is also the burden of proof of my clanman's involvement with the Bloodspeaker due to the nature of the fog and the unknown abilities of the Bloodspeaker's magic and what it can do to a man's mind. While I do believe his action towards Asako-san are both dishonorable and disgraceful it should be his own daimyo who decides the proper punishment for him."

The wintery look that sweeps off The Mountain slopes chills Daichi, "Ah yes, a play at mercy? Or is it protocol? That succeeds in only further endangering people. Either he will wake and beg for seppuku for his treachery which means there is still a shred of humanity left or he will try and squirm and lay the blame on others in which case putting him down like a rabid animal is the only blessing he can hope to receive."

The Dragon listens patiently as the others recount their tales to the magistrate and finally he makes a tsking noise.

"I believe that my companions are entirely to quick to judge the character of a man that they know nothing about. We should listen to the testimony of Ryoko-san in the matter of the misguided Tonbo. There is also the burden of proof of my clanman's involvement with the Bloodspeaker due to the nature of the fog and the unknown abilities of the Bloodspeaker's magic and what it can do to a man's mind. While I do believe his action towards Asako-san are both dishonorable and disgraceful it should be his own daimyo who decides the proper punishment for him."

"No. I do not believe that he conspired with Bloodspeakers at all, Kuni-san. I wasn't convinced after the incident that he wasn't effected by the maho of the Bloodspeaker. Asako-san further convinced me after the fog cleared when she spoke with Megumi and myself about the misguided Tonbo. I will not give her testimony for her so I will await her to delivery it."

Daichi seemed finished for a moment then nodded to nothing, "Unless you can prove a prior meeting between the Bloodspeaker at the Inn and the Tonbo it seems unlikely that if Kuni-san couldn't sense the Bloodspeaker then the Tonbo would have no way of knowing him. The incident at the teahouse happened in the wrong order for the Bloodspeaker to have gleamed the knowledge of the Tonbo's obsession to appoarch him. It is more likely the Tonbo followed us in the attempt to speak with Asako-san again and got caught up in the Bloodspeaker's spells."

For all that it is worth, Daichi seems to ignore Nagatsuna. Though his jaw is slightly tigthened and he is tensed in away that says he is displeased with Nagatsuna suggestion that he is acting out of mercy or a sense of protocol for the fellow Dragon clansmen.

Listening to the Mirumoto come to the defense of his clansmen startled the Crane. Her mind had been made up already, the Tonbo was guilty and there was nothing to say about his involvement with the Bloodspeakers. She nodded in agreement to the Ikoma just as her voice reverberated through the air.

"At the very least Tonbo Ukiya failed in his duty toward the Empire, we all heard Kuni-san give the warning about Blood-" The Crane stumbles over the word a few times before giving up. "The cultists yet he continued to harass Asako-san. I have little doubt that he arranged for one of the cultists to attack Hida-san as well, if he didn't personally lead that assault. Were it not for the great strength of our Crab companion no doubt Asako Ryoko would not be with us now. Every one of us did our part in our duties, why did Tonbo Ukiya fail in his? He allied with our enemies for a slim chance to steal his obsession, luckily he failed in that task as well."

Soaryu listens intently, his gaze shifting to each speaker in turn. He bristles slightly when Daichi states that this is a matter for the Tonbo's master, but allows the argument to continue.

"Enough! The man you brought with you is Samurai, though your testimony brings his worthiness of the title into question. Regardless of his clan, he has assaulted an ally of the Lion in our own territory, and WE will be the ones to decide his fate. The only question is whether he will be allowed to die as a samurai or hung as a traitor."

His steely gaze turns to the young Phoenix. "You have not spoken, yet you seem to be at the heart of this matter. I would have your testimony, Asako-san."

Asako Ryoko, her eyes reddening with the tears she is struggling to hold back, raises her eyes to meet the Ikoma's. "F..Forgive me for my silence, Ikoma-sama. I have known Tonbo Ukiyo for more than a year, and I cannot bring myself to believe that he has allied himself with those fiends. To do so would mean that he was able to elude the years of experience belonging to my uncle. I know that the timing of the attacks is suspicious, and I do not fault my companions for reaching their conclusion. Whatever your decision, Ikoma-sama, I know that Ukiyo-san has brought it upon himself."

"Thank you, Asaka-san. While your testimony sheds some small amount of doubt on the prisoner's involvement with the cultists, it does not outweigh the testimony of your companions." Soaryu says before turning to Utaku Yukari,"What say you, Utaku-san?"

"Of course, Ikoma-sama. I will stay long enough to bear witness then carry the news on the wind to Agemasu-sama." The Mirumoto responded with a respectful bow. He tensed again like a coiled spring and went stone-faced just waiting for the proceedings to end as there was nothing else that he could do for the Tonbo or Ryoko because he had no authority over Ikoma Soaryu in this and it would take more time then the Tonbo had to inform the Dragon Clan.

Everybody do the bump-it! *Dances in strange, bumping fashion* It will draw Utaku-san to us.

Hmmm the bumpty dance, not often we see that outside the Kaiu walls.

The Hida's appreciation of the dance had grown steadily over the year since the tournament. More than once it seemed to be the only thing that would keep the world from slipping forever into the Shadowlands...."

Yukari's account of the assault does not differ much from those that came before, and once she finishes speaking, Ikoma Soaryu stands and begins pacing in front of you, arms clasped behind his back.

"Clearly, your testimony proves that Tonbo Ukiyo attempted an assault on Asako Ryoko, which the rest of you were able to fend off. Were this the only crime commited, I would gladly hand him over to the Dragon to determine his fate," he says, nodding at Daichi grudgingly.

"What makes this case less clear is whether or not he had plotted with the cultists that slaughtered my guards and made off with the report that Asako-san was carrying. Normally, I would have him... questioned ...until he confessed to the full extent of his involvement with the blasphemers, but given the sensitive relations between our three clans, and Asako-san's personal testimony of the man, I will give him an opportunity to make the proper choice and reclaim his honor."

"I trust this meets your approval, Mirumoto-san?" he finishes with a growl.

"Hai, Ikoma-sama." Daichi believed it would have been the same choice given to the unforunate Tonbo by his daimyo, and more then he deserved given the testamony of the other bushi in the group. The Ikoma had shown his respect in his own way to the Dragon by offering the option in the first place when it wasn't required and Daichi would make sure to report as much to the Dragon.

"Hai, Ikoma-sama."

"If I may make a suggestion," Ryoko offers quietly, "my uncle made arrangements for us to stay at the Koi's Pearl Inn, if it suits you?"

Bowing to Ikoma-sama, "If the Tonbo provides any further knowledge as to the location of the creature that escaped, than I hope you will inform us Crab so we can hunt it down." The big man nods slightly to Ryoko still tense and alert for any continuing signs of the Shadowlands.

"Agreed, we cannot abide the shadow anywhere, especially beyond the Kaiu walls."

*Bump* To keep the thread out of the Shadowlands of ArChiVe

Hmmmm, been a month. From what I understand we are real close to the end. Not sure it's going to happen though.

One last try. I re-read both this thread and the Test of the Emerald Champion thread and really think they are some of the best PBP's I have seen on these boards (alot of depth). I'll remember our adventures fondly.

The Mountain

Indeed, this has been a fun game Hida-sama.

Please see Discussion Thread