Harlan nods.
"Agreed."
With no objections he will use his second (and last) scroll to speed their travel.
"I really need to learn this spell."
You leave the temple and ride the winds back to Enganoka, reaching the city within a few hours. At the inn, you reunite with Sandru and Koya. They are happy to see you, but shocked and dismayed by your prisoner.
"It's true. She tried to have them kill us."
Sandru's face darkens while Koya shakes her head sadly. "How could she betray us like this? She was always a bit... odd, but I'd never have thought her capable of this kind of treachery. Was she charmed, under a spell of some sort?"
Malnival shakes his head. "No. Maybe torturing led her mind to snap as she implied or she chose willingly."
Ameiko's demeanor remains as grim as she has been since the ambush. "We'll get to the bottom of it, but there are other matters at hand. We cannot drag her from city to city. Sandru, Koya and I can escort her back to Seinaru Heikiko, leaving the rest of you free to wrap up negotiations with the ninja and Itsuru. You can rejoin us there after. Agreed?"
Ameiko nods, sighing. "Perhaps, but I don't want to drag her in chains around the countryside... not exactly a low profile. At least at Seinaru Heikiko, I can have Jiro's samurai watch over her. I'm open to any other ideas..."
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Heng thinks. "Yes, I would feel better if she were secured at the fortress. The question is how to get her there safely. By that I mean without her hurting anyone else. Following Great Irori's example, I have sought to master many things, but cleverness still eludes me."
He pauses rubbing his head. "If we could travel swiftly as we just did perhaps we could finish here and then all travel to the fortress before our appointment with the Daimyo's brother. I have heard of great wizards who can travel across the world in the blink of an eye, but I do not believe we know any wizards. We have some money from the ninjas left perhaps we could acquire more scrolls for Harlan."
The stout orc looks pained as he squeezes the top of his skull. "I do not know." He turns to Koya. "Tata, could your cards predict the best course? I can sleep on it. My dreams hold answers some times."
Harlan nods.
"A few scrolls would get us there and back, and maybe even on to our next destination. We could do it with one, but Koya and Sandru would need to ride back the slow way."
"Time is on our side. The Jade Regent has known of our coming for months, has tried to stop us on multiple occasions, and failed. We have the initiative, and the more time word of Ameiko's arrival has to spread, the better."
Koya winks and smiles, "We're no stranger to the roads. We'll be careful and meet you there."
"Maeve is slippery, we need to be sure she is well contained. We can't consider her a common prisoner."
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Koya winks and smiles, "We're no stranger to the roads...."
"That is certainly true," Heng allows with a faint smile. "Then let us quickly conduct our meeting and return to the road... and sky. I will stay and guard Maeve while you meet with the three monkeys. I am not much clever negotiations and I will not feel relaxed until she is properly secured."
Heng stays at the inn with Koya and Sandru watching over Maeve, while Kiyomi, Parity, Malnival, Harlan and Ameiko return to the Kuroi Yane Market. As before, the market is packed with buyers and sellers of all kinds. This time, as you approach the central restaurant, the guards nod and let you pass without payment.
As soon as you enter, a hostess guides you up to third floor, where you find the 'Three Monkeys' sitting around the same table. Hosokaya Kazu smiles as you approach, "What brings you back so soon? Our conditions for you have not changed with the new day."
Harlan gives a short bow, attempting to mimic the customs he has observed.
"Your conditions for us have not changed, but our fulfillment of them has. Kaibuninsho is dead and Black Moth captured. As you said before, which him dead you are free to assist us."
Kazu's eyes widen and for the first time you see his smile fade. Ishibasho and Kondo Yori also sit up attentively, though the former remains stoic as ever.
"Kaibuninsho dead?" Kondo Yori asks, eyes intent. "How did you accomplish this so quickly? And did you recover the Shinobi Fuhonsen?"
"Yes, he's dead. He underestimated us and then tried to run. Heng chased him down and snapped his neck."
Harlan very clearly does not mention Shinobi Fuhonsen.
Kazu nods, an impressed look upon his face. "Very good... that swine was a blight upon our kind. We congratulate you on your victory, and nullified death mark. Do you have any proof of his demise?"
Parity fingers the coin, but awaits Harlan's lead.
"Well, I have this new ring here, but there are so many of those who could count. I'm guessing my friend's new nunchaku aren't as common however. Would that be proof enough? We're not really much for trophies, but we are still alive. He had a blowgun disguised as a flute and a portable hole filled with disguises. And, of course, Shinobi Fuhonsen."
Kiyomi clears her throat. "Honorable monkeys, these men are heroes. They do not lie for their own gain. The dishonored Kaibunisho had slain many priests to take their place in a cowardly manner. The dead man's nunchaku ought to serve as proof along with their word."
"I guess next time you would have us bring his head back in a sack?"
Kazu shrugs, "Anything identifiable as his will do... his head, or the Shinobi Fuhonsen. Kaibuninsho would part with neither while any life remained in his body. If you indeed have the coin, let us see it. What do you intend to do with it?"
"Well, it is a coin. How much loyalty do you think we could buy with it?"
Parity holds the coin up, "Sell it?" He states sarcastically.
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Kazu's smile returns, and he leans back. "Good. You've come to the right place! I cannot speak for my peers here, but I am sure any of us would waive a goodly amount of their traditional fees for the Shinobi Fuhonsen. But, there is only one coin and three of us... you must choose a clan to favor."
Harlan eyes each leader.
"Well, why should be pick you? Can you tell me why one clan might be better than another?"
Kondo Yori stands and bows before you. "We know you seek to restore a rightful ruler to the throne of Minkai. More importantly, we have seen you are good people who value justice and oppose those who abuse their power and position to further their own selfish ends. The Emerald Branch shares these goals. We are your natural allies, and would be honored to bear the Shinobi Fuhonsen to help you bring down the Jade Regent and his henchmen."
Kazu chuckles and shakes his head, "She's not wrong, you know? I'm sure she and her clan would happily give you their all to help topple the Jade Regent and put you up in his place. But where does that leave you when you are now in power... Suddenly, you've empowered a radical who doesn't like how you're talking to the little people." Kondo turns and gives him a dark look, but bis smile remains as he shakes his head again. "We of the Dragonshadow have no such conflicts of interest. We serve an imperial dragon, first and always. We will honor our contract and then be on our way..."
As always, Ishibasho remains stoically silent.
Harlan turns to the silent monkey.
"And you Ishibasho-sama? Why would you be best to bear the Shinobi Fuhonsen?"
Ishibasho nods once, and speaks for the first time since you met. "You know why I am here. The reputation of the Black Lotus clan speaks for itself. If you do not understand this..." He shakes his head to accentuate his point.
Ameiko turns to you, speaking low. "Should we discuss this in private first? It appears several of us have some reservations here."
Harlan smiles at the three monkeys.
"A moment please."
He withdraws with the group.
"I'm all for the Black Lotus. The Emerald Branch want justice, the Dragons only care about serving the throne, but the Black Lotus care about killing, and that's what we need, right?"
Parity raises an eyebrow at Harlan's suggestion, but shrugs and says "Sure, works for me, although aren't we getting ready to take the throne? Wouldn't that make the Dragons more the long term solution?"
"They're not loyal to us. None of them are. And of the three, I trust the one that's only loyal to money."
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Though Heng is not present, you recall his vision which seems to support Harlan's intuition...
"I had a dream before we left, a premonition perhaps. There were three monkeys holding court: one black, one gray and one brown. We treated with them for an alliance. The black seemed most honest, the brown sympathetic, I could not read the gray one."
Malnival nods at his monk friend. "Always bet on black."
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Hearing no dissent, Harlan moves back to the monkeys.
"The Black Lotus is our choice."
Ishibasho nods, his face stoically impassive, but you detect an intense glitter in his eyes. Kazu shakes his head, but retains his grin and says nothing as he returns to his seat.
Kondo Yori is more obviously displeased. "I am disappointed. The Emerald Branch are still aligned with your political goals, but make no mistake... we will be watching. For your sake, I hope you do not adopt the habits of your predecessors."
Parity flips the coin to Ishibasho, "We'll be calling upon you when we need you. Be prepared."
To the others, "Let's move on to our next objective."
And under his breath, "I still hate ninjas."
He stalks out of the restaurant.