The Daimyo of the clan of easily-overlooked-birds was a cunning man. Upon hearing that the famed wandering swordsman, who traveled the provinces challenging each clan's warriors to duels, was to visit, he saw an opportunity for honor, and not danger.
He gathered his Samurai before him, and spoke of how they must turn his visit to their advantage - and honor him as a guest, and in turn honor the clan.
A mystery to many, this swordsman was not so dark a shadow to the wise Samurai who fought under the Nightingale banner. Especially not so to Tatsuo, spy master of the clan, a sly puppet master who betrayed his once-clan for that of the clever Daimyo.
He knew that this wanderer was not banished from his clan, but left on his own.
He was journeying to their province for a reason -
And the reason was to find Tatsuo...
... Who had slighted him.
The samurai - Whose blade is never poisoned -
Knew that only Tatsuo could prove his innocence...
And the wanderer would duel Tatsuo, to bring him back.
Known for the ritual he performs before each duel,
he felt that he had to fight Tatsuo -
Because Tatsuo is his brother -
And, once, they shared a great dishonor.
But, to the other Samurai, he makes only one detail be known: "I cannot be here when the wanderer arrives."
The Onmyoji, advisor of the spiritual, had the ears of the province perked to his words, especially when speaking soft truths. In the hopes of maintaining control for the swordsman's visit, he sought to sully the wanderer's legend... and encourage those with doubt to test him as he passed through the province. Of course, he may as well make sure that only families who did not support the Daimyo earn the brunt of the wanderer's ire.
It is known, among the province, that Kuaru, patriarch of the Emerald Fox family, works against the Daimyo, in the shadows.
And so, the spymaster and the Daimyo's Yojimbo met with a member of the house.
They knew that the house was distrusted by the Daimyo -
But, the third son of the house is favored by him.
And this third son is more loyal to the Daimyo, than his own family...
...For he had sold out his most radical family members to earn the Daimyo's favor.
And he would tell the Yojimbo more, if his house were given more rice, come harvest.
But the third son's wife truly spied for his younger brother, the 4th son...
... And the third son knows that this time, his information will make heads roll...
... And the third son's wife overhears him and the Yojimbo dealing.
But, her guilt and disloyalty is revealed, when she spills tea during their meeting -
And the third son, seeing the truth, kills her -
And the fourth son vanishes, when next he is looked for.
Armed with the knowledge of the third son, the Onmyoji spreads word that the wanderer cannot be all he seems - And those swayed b his words to test his mettle, those not skilled enough to detect the Onmyoji's hidden warning, flock to waylay the traveler.
The Wanderer is waylaid by many fools, none of whom are his equal, or even close...
But honor prevents him from taking their inadequate lives.
And yet he does not find a moment of rest...
... And rumor spreads that he is merciful.
But the trials of these fools at the Wanderer's blade provide many chances for spies to discern the details of his ritual.
It demands he be given solitude,
And light a fortuitous number of candles,
with a bough from his ancestral lands.
And he must eat only rice,
And recite his name, which means 'Leaf which supports the tree'
As the Spymaster, Onmyoji, and Yojimbo scurry around making their preparations, Manatawa, the clan Executioner, keeper of the Clan's sword, simply waits. The wandered will challenge him, of course. It is inevitable. Trained by the ogre who lives atop the tallest mountain in the province, wielding the sword the ogre himself forged, He must simply wait until the moment is right to draw his weapon and use it as he has trained to do.
The Onmyoji makes plans, as the rabble keeps the Wanderer awake for his night in the province. He concocts a poison with which he can again help control the wanderer's visit.
The poison is a rare, but strong toxin.
It can be applied to a weapon, or ingested in food,
And it is hard to trace, after it has been applied to weapon of meal.
The Yojimbo arranges for his men to guard the Wanderer, knowing he must have solitude for his ritual preperations, and ready to spoil it with his noisiest compliment of bodyguards.
The next day, before the Wanderer arrived to the Daimyo's court, Tatsuo and the Onmyoji met. The advisor had spread words that business would take Tatsuo out of court, and out of the province for the day... when in reality, their combined talents would hide the clever puppeteer in plain sight among the Daimyo's guards.
When the Wanderer arrived, he did not see through their disguise...
... But did recognize Tatsuo's eyes as familiar...
... But the Daimyo saw through him entirely...
... And said nothing.
The disguise was so fine, Tatsuo's sword and armor blended with those of the guard.
The wanderer is no fool, and he knows much as he faces down the executioner. He claims that he will only fight the samurai known as Tatsuo - For, he reveals he is the other Samurai's brother.
Manatawa will have none of it - For he has decided, that for the honor of the clan, he will duel this man, and no force can stop him.
The wanderer knows that there is a member of his clan among the Daimyo's guards -
For he can tell members of his clan with but a glance.
He sees the Executioner's point, and accepts - But if he wins, he will face Tatsuo.
And Manatawa counters; "And if I win, you will serve the Daimyo for a year."
"Yes-And surely, your Daimyo will trust your Blade with the best man in his employ."
(Manatawa is taken aback. Should he win, he may lose his post to this Ronin!)
"Yes-But, then you will never be able to return to your old clan." notes Manatawa.
"Yes. And now, I wish your Daimyo's soldiers guard my meditation."
Of course, this troubles the Yojimbo... and his plans to interrupt the ritual.
He exchanges looks with the Daimyo however...
... And decides to allow the Wanderer his request.
... And, as he prepares, the 4th Emerald Fox Son tries to kill the Yojimbo.
The wanderer emerged, spoiling the son's surprise and saving the Yojimbo.
The Yojimbo recovered, fending off the assailant, and emerging unscathed...
... And then the son tried to attack the wanderer...
... But the Yojimbo interposed himself, and softened the Son's blow to nothing.
The son's actions were clearly his own, unrelated to his family...
... And he was taken by the Daimyo's men, the Wanderer finishing his ritual in peace.
Finally, The Wanderer and the Clan's executioner would duel. They sized eac hother up, at first. The Executioner drew his weapon, the wanderer refusing to first.
In the end, Manatawa lost the fight...
... But it was exceptionally close. The Wanderer said to Manatawa,
"I admire your style - For I, Too, was trained by the Ogre of the mountain."
And Manatawa said, "But I was his favorite student."
"I know," said the wanderer. "But I have come back to take that title."
"Defeating me will not fix that." said the Executioner, blade readied.
"But it is a step; And one that would be unnecessary, were the third student here!"
And Manatawa knew - That student, was Tatsuo. And he is here.
Rather than allow harm to come to the Executioner at the blade of the wandering swordsman, Tatsuo strode forward and revealed himself, pointed out by Manatawa.
As the swordsman turned and approached, The Yojimbo feared the worst - Even though, as Tatsuo placed his hand on his sword, the Swordsman sheathed his own katana.
He moved too quickly for the Yojimbo, striding to Tatsuo - And the Yojimbo paused, the Daimyo holding his hand high.
Leaf which supports the tree placed his hand on his brother's shoulder then. "Brother, will you return to what was once our homes, and help prove my innocence?"
Despite not wishing to return to the land that called him traitor, Tatsuo could only agree. For he knew that he was the third student - And to his old clan, his failure to kill the Ogre on the mountain while posing his student was treachery. But to the province of the nightingale, honoring his sensei, even if not the best student (his brother) or favorite student (Manatawa), was considered a duty.
