Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XX: Bad Dreams===
:>A gunso informed us one of his hohei did not show for muster this morning.
:>He said her name was Shiba Ayame.
:>Did she stay in the barracks here?
:>Hai, I shall show you.
:>Please do, Shiba-san.
:>As we headed towards the barracks Kitsuki-san looked again at the wakizashi.
:>Yes, this is indeed the blade of a private fresh from her gempukku.
:>In Rokugan, peasants are not allowed to carry weapons of any kind.
:>The exception being ashigaru, and crab peasants.
:>However, even peasant soldiers are never allowed to have a daisho.
:>The paired long and short blades are the symbol of a samurai's status.
:>Some Samurai do not wear their katana.
:>Wearing it means you claim skill with it.
:>And thus you must defend yourself with it.
:>That means that if, say, Kitsuki-san were to be challenged to a duel, he would have to fight it himself.
:>Whereas Naomi and Toshiro, who do not wear Katana, would have the right to name a champion to fight the duel in their stead.
:>ALL samurai wear their wakizashi however.
:>Even if, like Naomi, they only ever draw it to clean it.
:>In fact, in many places where a samurai is expected to leave their weapons behind, it is still acceptable to wear one's short blade.
:>For those of high rank, and especially those who expect never to have to fight with it, the short blade often becomes a work of art more than a weapon.
:>Kitsuki-san spoke again.
:>We will need to search her belongings thoroughly for any clue as to where she may have gone.
:>I came to an abrupt halt as we entered the barracks.
:>Or, she could have just overslept.
:>I find that hard to be...oh you've GOT to be kidding me.
:>Shiba Ayame lay on her futon, curled into a little ball and snored softly.
:>A daisho stand was at the head of her futon.
:>The saya for the wakizashi was empty.

:>I knelt down and prodded her gently.
:>Behind me I heard her gunso trying to decide if he should have a stroke, aneurysm, or apoplectic fit.
:>Hmmm? Whua?
:>Hey. Wake up.
:>We need to talk.
:>She sat up, bleary eyed and with a fairly advanced case of bed head.
:>Ayame must be a fitful sleeper as her obi had come undone.
:>I coughed loudly to help her wake up faster, and when she looked at me I pointed down a few times.
:>GAH!
:>She snatched her Kimono closed and began retying her obi.
:>Though embarrassed she did a good job feigning aloof dignity.
:>You don't sleep well?
:>She glared at me.
:>I don't see what business it is of yours.
:>Who are all you people anyway?
:>You didn't come here just on the off chance of catching a peek...
:>She finally noticed her gunso.
:>And that she was the only soldier in the barracks.
:>Uh... gunso? What time is it?
:>He decided he would have all three.
:>You... YOU IMBECILE! Do you have any idea-
:>Mantis-san stepped in front of him, cutting him off.
:>Like I said, we need to talk.
:>We gave her a moment to make her self presentable.
:>Then we played a game.
:>Good magistrate, better magistrate, bad magistrate, and keep that magistrate the hell away from me.
:>More specifically, Kitsuki-san asked her firm, yet polite questions.
:>Monkey would protest on her behalf at times, saying he could see she would not lie about this or that thing.
:>Mantis-san took over directly glowering at Kitsuki-san's signal
:>While I loomed just behind her, occasionally stepping just inside the edge of her vision for a moment or two.
:>The four way assault left Shiba Ayame terribly confused, stammering and stumbling over her words.
:>Kitsuki-san had said before that it was desirable for a suspect to be in such a state, as they would have a hard time remembering the little details of any lies they had to make up on the spot.
:>She freely admitted that the wakizashi was hers.
:>What is going on?
:>Are you saying you found this somewhere? That someone took it from the barracks while I slept?
:>Kitsuki-san shook his head.
:>Are you still maintaining that?
:>YES! I went to sleep around 10 last night, and I awoke here and now with you all leering at me! 
:>That is all!
:>This charm here. What is it for?
:>It's... nothing. 
:>Monkey blinked at her.
:>Ya sure? Cause I know that I can't see 'nothing' but I can see something on the end of your wakizashi here.
:>I could almost see the smoke coming out of ears as she tried to figure out what the hell Monkey just said.
:>I sympathized; I wasn't entirely certain Monkey wasn't having some sort of fit myself.
:>Kitsuki-san gave a sigh that sounded like a mildly disappointed parent.
:>Shiba-san, please do not insult my intelligence.
:>As my companion here has pointed out that charm is clearly not 'nothing'.
:>I will ask again. What is it?
:>It's what you think it is. I have bad dreams...
:>She seemed sullen about it.
:>Kitsuki-san closed his eyes and considered her words, tapping his fan in his hand.
:>Which was the signal for me to get back in her line of sight.
:>I did so, and loomed magnificently if I do say so myself.
:>That shocked her out of her sullen pout.
:>What is the nature of these dreams, Shiba-san?
:>Wh- why does that even matter?
:>Answer my question.
:>Monkey leaned in.
:>Hey, I'd like to know too. They're just dreams, aren't they.
:>Kitsuki-san turned to Monkey, but I could see him watching Ayame intently out of the corner of his eye as he replied.

:>Dreams are never just dreams. They can show us glimpses of the future, or make sense of things we could not in our waking hours.
:>Sometimes little things we perceive, but whose significance is lost on us, become apparent in our dreams.
:>For example, a Lord once returned from winter court and had a nightmare that he was surrounded by a thousand enemies.
:>He chose to heed the warning of his dream and strengthened his castle's defences.
:>A week later, a military alliance that was formed during that winter court launched an attack on his castle, only to be repulsed due to his preparations.
:>Though he had never even found a hint of the alliance, he nonetheless saw hints in the behavior of the conspirators, that his dream then revealed.
:>Ayame bowed her head and shouted.
:>I DO NOT REMEMBER THEM!
:>Th-they slip from my grasp every time I awaken...
:>Only the feeling remains. And it is hard to describe.
:>Thump.
:>Drag.
:>While we had been interrogating her in another room, Toshiro and Naomi had searched her belongings for any clues.
:>They must have found something pertinent.
:>She looked up as Toshiro thumpdragged in.
:>He handed a piece of paper to Kitsuki-san.
:>Kitsuki-san unfolded it, and spread it out.
:>A single line surrounded by black ink, with only a small space of blank paper around it, was on that paper.
:>My painting! What are you doing with this?
:>You went through my things!?
:>Kitsuki-san ignored her questions.
:>Is this...
:>He tapped the painting with his fan.
:>What you feel when you wake up?
:>She looked around.
:>Monkey gave her an encouraging nod.
:>...Yes. It is.
:>Toshiro nodded to me.
:>I touched my jade to the back of her neck.
:>She yelped and jumped almost high enough to hit the ceiling.
:>But she did not burn.
:>What was that! Who ARE you people? Why aren't you answering me!?
:>She was on the verge of tears now.
:>We are magistrates.
:>Kitsuki-san replied.
:>A crime has been committed, and you are a suspect in that crime. 
:>That is all you need to know.
:>For now, I must ask you to please remain in this room while we continue our investigation.
:>She went paler with every word.
:>Oversleeping and missing muster was now the least of her worries.
:>We left, with Monkey and Naomi both giving her encouraging smiles.
:>Once we were alone.
:>Do you not think you perhaps were a BIT too harsh Kitsuki-san?
:>No Naomi-san, I do not. 
:>I needed to see the full range of her emotions with my own eyes, to better judge her.
:>And?
:>And she is telling the truth. She remembers only going to sleep and waking up.
:>So then she didn't do it?
:>Kitsuki-san shook his head.
:>Not necessarily.

:>It is possible for some criminals to truly not remember their crimes.
:>Many killers drink so much that they cannot remember the night before and kill someone in a drunken rage, for example.
:>Kitsuki-san narrowed his eyes.
:>And, she harbors a bone deep hatred of the Mantis.
:>Huh?
:>Her eyes betrayed her, whenever she would look at you Mantis-san.
:>Toshiro folded his arms.
:>Mantis and Phoenix have had some minor issues in the past.
:>Toshiro was rather fond of understatement and one liners. 
:>In hindsight, I'm embarrassed I didn't realize 'Empty' was his painting.
:>Monkey snorted.
:>'Minor' yeah. Like the last time we were here.
:>Kitsuki-san stared at Monkey .
:>There are times, Monkey, when your genius astounds me.
:>Want to let the rest of us in that?
:>Her hatred is deep, and much more personal than just clan rivalries.
:>We need to split up, ask everyone you find about her.
:>She has some reason for her hatred; we must find out!
:>Naomi cocked her head at Kitsuki-san.
:>Are you honestly suggesting that Shiba Ayame is so full of repressed hatred she went into some sort of fuge state and butchered Yohko?
:>I'm not suggesting anything at this point Naomi-sama.
:>But I will say it's a strong possibility.
:>Mantis-san frowned.
:>I find that a little hard to believe myself, Naomi-sama, but Yohko DID have all those wounds...
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>And that painting. Ishigaki-san confirmed it was the taint taking hold of her, so it looks to me like madness instead.
:>Monkey shook his head.
:>I'm with Naomi-sama on this one. I just can't see it.
:>Kitsuki-san looked at Monkey and Naomi expectantly.
:>You have another explanation, then?
:>We split up trying to find out the source of Shiba Ayame's hate.
:>I was a bit distracted, wondering if I should have taken Kitsuki-san to task for the tone he took with my wife.
:>He could be single minded when pursuing an investigation.
:>And very self assured.
:>He'd even forgotten Naomi outranked him, briefly.

:>Unfortunately, our first day's inquiries revealed only that Ayame was too new to have made many acquaintances yet.
:>We ate dinner in our rooms, attempting to avoid questions.
:>Oka-san, however, came to speak with us.
:>Naomi-chan, how is your investigation going?
:>Kitsuki-san interrupted.
:>We really should not discuss an ongoing investigation.
:>Oka-san gave him a cold look.
:>Let me ask you this then. Do you realize what is at stake here?
:>I answered.
:>The peace talks, yes. 
:>No, Ishigaki-san, there is more on the line than you realize.
:>She looked at Naomi again.
:>It was made quite clear to your father that failure in these talks was NOT an option.
:>If the death of the Mantis delegate threatens the peace talks, then the Clan is quite willing to atone with the death of the responsible party.
:>The realization struck me like a tetsubo to the gut.
:>THAT explains Shoji's reaction, and why he was so desperate to find the killer.
:>Naomi didn't take the news that unless we found someone more suitable her father was going to be a sacrificial piece in this game of inter-clan politics very well.
:>No coughing fit, at least.
:>But she was still visibly shaken.
:>Who else knows how serious this is, Oka-san?
:>The Karo, and the Council. 
:>It was their decision for Shoji to host the peace talks, since this was site of the last battle between our clans, and the Mantis were defeated here.
:>The letter the council sent also let your father know EXACTLY how much was expected of him.
:>I scratched my beard.
:>Naomi, Toshiro, there's something I'd like to confirm.
:>Kitsuki-san looked up.
:>You have a thought, Ishiaki?
:>Yeah, I do.
:>I gathered up all of Ayame's belongings.
:>There weren't that many, really.
:>Daisho, stand, armor, naginata, kimono, and a spare, basic grooming tools, brushes and ink, a shogi board, a tea set and a few books.
:>Alright. 
:>I started.
:>Is it possible to cast a spell on something, and have it take effect later, when condition is met?
:>Naomi nodded right away.

:>There is indeed a potent water spell that does something like that. I can prepare a spell and set a condition under which the kami will grant it.
:>Toshiro nodded as well.
:>The Asahina family has a type of magic where they bind spells into objects. 'Fetishes' they call them.
:>Hai. And the Iuchi have their gaijin crystal magic, though I do not know more than that some Iuchi use crystals in place of Scrolls...
:>I nodded.
:>Okay then, if there were a spell that subverted a person's mind...
:>Toshiro and Naomi looked at one another.
:>Pulled scrolls and began to work their magic.
:>Kitsuki-san watched intently, gnawing on the tip of his fan.
:>At this point, everyone knew what I was thinking.
:>THEM.
:>Toshiro let up a cry.
:>The Charm!
:>It's the damn charm!
:>He pulled a pair of chopsticks and pulled the charm off with them.
:>Naomi selected one of the scrolls she had spread out.
:>Careful, don't touch it directly.
:>There's some taint left on this thing. Very faint, but it's there.
:>Naomi held her hands just around the charm.
:>They started to glow with a soft blue light.
:>Yes... yes there was magic in this charm.
:>It's gone now though, I can't tell anymore than that. But it was Maho!
:>So. We all let the implications of that sink in for a moment and properly terrify us.
:>We then went to ask Shiba Ayame where she had gotten the charm.
:>Huh? The charm? I bought it, from a traveling merchant.
:>Is he still here?
:>I don't know, I've been locked up in this room all day thanks to you!
:>Well what did he look like?
:>Just a merchant, pudgy guy, plainly dressed, big pack on his back full of trinkets to sell...
:>What, what's going on?
:>That merchant sold you a Tainted charm.
:>What, tainted how? Wait. Do you mean Tainted tainted? THAT Tainted?!
:>I nodded. "It had a Maho spell place upon it, that brought out your hatred of the Mantis."
:>How do you know?
:>I jerked my head over to Kitsuki-san.
:>So, what is it? Why do you hate them?
:>...p...
:>What?
:>... e...
:>Speak up!
:>SENPAI!
:>Uh...

:>Those bastards KILLED HIM!
:>Here! Right here in this castle!
:>Holy shit.
:>Wait. Ayame-san, are you saying that your senpai graduated and was stationed here when the Mantis attacked?
:>Yes.
:>And now they have the gall to come waltzing back in, making more demands, as though they didn't get trounced the last time!
:>We all stared at each other in shock.
:>Toshiro said it.
:>Destiny is a bitch.
:>Bonds of fate.
:>Connections to people we didn't even know, or notice.
:>Events in out past impacting the present.
:>Ayame looked at us in confusion.
:>What is it?
:>Naomi spoke to her.
:>How much do you know of what happened that night Ayame-san?
:>Only that the Mantis attacked in the dead of night, like cowards. Senpai died when an arrow struck him. It was one of the first they fired.
:>Samurai are supposed to have glorious, honorable deaths!
:>He was just standing there when an arrow came out of the night and hit him!
:>She was glaring at Mantis-san.
:>Had been, the whole time.
:>Naomi knelt down beside her.
:>Ayame-san, I am a water tensai.
:>Huh? But you're a Hida.
:>By marriage.
:>She glanced my way, and Ayame followed her gaze.
:>Oh.
:>Before that I was Isawa Naomi.
:>Oh
:>And I was here that night.
:>So was everyone else, save Toshiro.
:>Everyone...?
:>And we all fought to protect this castle.
:>But...
:>I don't think they had any idea I was here.
:>And no one bothered to tell me they were going to start some shit.
:>I see.
:>Wow.
:>...
:>You said I was sold a tainted charm, and a Maho spell influenced me somehow.
:>But you touched me with jade, right?
:>Yeah. You're clean.
:>She looked relieved.
:>So. You still haven't told me what I did.
:>You killed Yoritomo Yohko, the head of the Mantis delegation.
:>Her eyes went wide.
:>What's going to happen to me now?
:>That was a very good question.

:>Kitsuki-san frowned.
:>On the one hand, we know what really happened to you.
:>On the other hand we have no real testimony to support this.
:>Monkey spoke up.
:>Wait, wouldn't it be Toshiro and Naomi testifying what they learned with magic?
:>That last part is the problem.
:>Little different than when we use physical evidence to lead us to the answers.
:>Oh. Shit.
:>Indeed.
:>Mantis-san slipped out of the room.
:>Still, in this case there is no testimony to directly tie you to the crime either.
:>It depends greatly on the magistrates in question then, but it's not uncommon for the person with the most... apparent guilt to be asked to confess.
:>And that would be me.
:>Yes.
:>The outcome can vary greatly depending on the crime in question, the status of the individuals involved... the list of considerations goes on for quite some time...
:>What do you think will happen then, Kitsuki-sama?
:>He hesitated.
:>Do not lie to me, please.
:>The death of the Mantis delegate is a serious issue. The Phoenix clan must make amends with either the life of the murderer, or the life of the Lord who failed to protect the dignitary in his care.
:>We all know you are not the murderer, but the tool used to commit the crime.
:>The Mantis delegation simply will not accept that. Someone must pay for this. That is all there is to it.
:>And right now that someone is either a Shiba hohei or the Isawa who rules this castle. Hah.
:>Unless you can find the one merchant I bought a charm from a week ago.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>Naomi was looking at me.
:>I could see the tears welling up.
:>I had to look away.
:>This was leaving a foul taste in my mouth.
:>Ayame looked up at the ceiling.
:>And... even if you did catch him, he's just a merchant. I doubt the Mantis would accept he was the real culprit unless you caught him red handed with Maho.
:>The pained grimace on Kitsuki-san's face told me she was probably right about that.
:>Her shoulders shook a bit.
:>Will they at least allow me to cleanse my shame?

:>That depends on the judge. For internal matters the highest ranked magistrate or the local lord would fill that role.
:>For crimes committed by a samurai from one clan to a samurai of another clan, it would require someone who carries the authority of the Emperor.
:>Isn't that you?
:>Well, it should be Emerald Magistrates, not Jade, as we are.
:>Our being appointed to investigate this matter was originally unusual.
:>It is also possible for the Lords of both Samurai, or the ones who speak with their voice to agree on a judgment and resolve the matter themselves.
:>That is the most likely I think. Shoji will bow to the desires of the Mantis as it is they who are wronged.
:>So my fate, whether I can least die with honor or not, is in the hands of the Mantis?
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>I must have done something truly terrible to deserve this.
:>Mantis-san came back in.
:>He whispered into Kitsuki-san's ear.
:>Really?
:>Nod.
:>Kitsuki-san looked at Ayame.
:>A week ago, you said?
:>She nodded.
:>He stood up.
:>The rest of us straightened as well.
:>Hey, what is it?
:>I... I do not want to get your hopes up.
:>But Mantis-san says the guards report no one leaving the castle in almost two weeks.
:>He may still be here after all.
:>We headed down to the courtyard.
:>This castle was a pagoda.
:>Layer upon layer reaching up, a tall thin tower.
:>A rectangular wall ran along the outside, creating a long courtyard which contained, among other things, housing for the servants and and lower class guests.
:>We went to the building where traveling merchants would stay.
:>Rounded up every last one of them.
:>And brought them all before Shiba Ayame.
:>She looked at each in turn, and shook her head.
:>So, the little bastard realized he was in deep shit and is hiding.
:>Naomi went to her mother requesting the gates be officially closed until we could find him.
:>Her father was apparently going to protest until it pointed out that if he HAD already gotten away that meant that he had done so under the noses Shoji's guards.

:>I suggested Kitsuki-san to go to the Mantis delegation.
:>He looked taken aback by that.
:>Well, we are basically saying a merchant, the lowest class of peasant there is, is the one responsible.
:>They might need some... extra persuasion on this.
:>Y- you're right of course, but Naomi-sama...
:>Is busy dealing with her father. Also, the daughter of the Phoenix lord here.
:>It has to be you.
:>You want me to go? Or Monkey?
:>No. No I see your point.
:>He sighed deeply as he took off.
:>Leaving Me, Mantis-san and Monkey to question the other merchants in the hopes of learning something about their now absent colleague.
:>Toshiro was busy checking around for tainted things. Some scrap that may help prove Maho was at work and give us the authority to judge this case after all.
:>While Toshiro found noting, some of the merchants DID remember a fellow who didn't speak to many others.
:>We were even able to get a (very) rough description.
:>Now we just had to figure out where in this castle he was hiding.