Game Thread

[Cadogan Trahem]

You have been sent to pose as an diplomat to the Chinese Kingdom of Wu. Your goal is to find information reguarding the Wu's stance on Japan, as well as whether it would be wise for the Japanese to back the Kingdom itself. "In Character" you are the Eldest Daughter of a wealthy family in Japan sent in to organise trade links with the Kingdom, It is expected that you are to stay as covert as possible and not allow the Chinese to suspect anything. If asked why a female was sent, you insist that your brothers were too young and the lord himself was not well, your interest in the martial arts in Japan has enabled your "family" to send you without guard or escourt.

After traveling across the seas your arived in Na King the port capital of the Wu Kingdom. Upon arrival, at night, you were escorted to the Palace and given a room were you retired for the night. Upon awaking in the morning you hear music and hussel coming from the courtyard which your only window overlooks.

Peering outside you finally get a greater perspective of the size of the palace. It is nearly a city within a city. High stone walls encircle the entire structure, and several smaller structures outside lay within the walls. Beyond the walls there are more buildings and farmland. You are struck in awe at the scale.

Bellow there appears to be some sort of celebration going on, after a moment you hear your door open and turn to see a young female slightly shorter then yourself, dressed in green robes and pants with an apron. She bows her head.

"Please excuse me, mistress. But I am Jun Pei, servant to his Lord Sun Chuan, and his Advisors. I was to wake you and serve you breakfast before asking you to accompany me to the celebration bellow. Is that to your agreement?"

The chinese comes out a little too fast at first and the women looks as though she has made a mistake and finally you begin to catch up and understand...

[Gralhruk]

Kataji smiles at the girl and bows formally before answering in Chinese. If she notices any mistake on Jun Pei's part she does not show it.

"Thank you and greetings, Jun Pei. That is perfectly acceptable; since I find that I am already awake I will gladly take some breakfast."

She smiles again and bows slightly. As Jun Pei turns to leave, she asks a final question.

"It looks to be a large celebration. What is the happy occaision?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"It is Lord Yun Kao's wedding, I am told his wife to be is of exceptional tallent with a weapon, something which helped his Lord decide." She enters the room and places a tray of food down on a near by table. "Lord Sun Chuan has made sure Wu is a place were warriors get the respect they deserve."


She moves towards your bed and tidies it up.

"Please," she indicates to the tray of food. "Eat, and once I am done here I will be glad to share some tales."

[Gralhruk]

Kataji sits and begins sampling the food while she watches Jun Pei work.

"Yes, it is important that warriors be recognized for their skill and valor. The lord is wise to look for that dedication in his bride-to-be."

She take some tea and sits back, looking around the room, noting the construction and decoration. She observes Jun Pei's clothing and wonders briefly if her courtier's outfit will be appropriate for the occaision.

"Come, have some tea, and tell me more about the lord and his bride."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Jun Pei spends sometime making the bed before moving back and joining you for breakfast.

"Lord Yun Kao is a general under Lord Sun Chuan. Long has he waited to marry and bare a son, and it appears he now is moving along that path. He has time to complete his request, without serious fighting between the Shu, Wei and Wu provinces." She poors herself a cup of tea and fills a bowl with some soup looking substance and eats some. "Wu is in strife at current, your visit was expected but its not exactly a good time, Wu itself cannot support its soldiers, The farmland left to us is infertile, even with of aid of earthen Ch'ishu."

She uses the chinese term for magic, or what they believe magic is, although you dont completely understand you understand enough to get the idea. She continues

"But enough of China, how does your family fair across the ocean?" She leans a bit closer and whispers. "And why have they sent you on such important business? Do women have an important role in Japanese society?" She asks the latter question as though she wishes it was true.

[Gralhruk]

"My family is well, thank you. Japan is eager to resume trade with your people, hopefully to the benefit of both."

She smiles and sips her drink before setting it down carefully on the table. Her smile widens and she leans forward, continuing in the same conspiratol tones as Jun Pei.

"Truth be told, this is a very important envoy which my father intended to resolve himself. However, shortly before he was scheduled to leave he was stricken with an illness that left him to weakened to travel.

Women in Japan hold a secondary role to the men, similar to the custom here. Ordinarily, even with my father ill I would not be sent. However, I have accompanied my father on a number of diplomatic missions and have acquired some skill in this respect. Also, I have some skill as a martial artist myself so no escort was required to protect me.

These two skills do much to raise my status, as does the wealth of my family, but even that would normally not be enough to have me substitute for my father on such important business. Still a man would have been sent but my four surviving brothers are all younger than I. Being the eldest daughter, and skilled as I am, it was the most honorable decision to be made."

[Cadogan Trahem]

((Gralhruk I should have mentioned, Tea has not been introduced into Chinese culture by this time, infact it does not appear for another 400 years. I didn't notice it untill now.))

The girl listens intently and seems a little disheartend by your words of inequality in Japan.

"Women here in China too take a second role to men, only few have proven themselves worthy of equality, and only in two areas. As Martial Artists of which I have no Skill, or in Ch'ishu, an area too that I have no tallent." She pauses and picks at some of the fruit from the tray.

"I fear I am bound to my duties as a servant to his lord, but it would be nice to travel. Atleast I can still have my dreams." She smiles and eats some fruit.

"Once we're done here I will find you some appropriate dress for the celebration, and then you can go and enjoy yourself and be entertained. I fear your business will not be completed this day for everyone is too happy for Lord Yun Kao and his bride to worry about diplomacy."

[Gralhruk]

<OOC: Sorry about the tea thing, it never even entered my mind that it might not be available.>

Kataji takes a piece of fruit and sits back before giving a small smile.

"It is important to have dreams, for dreams give us hope for the future. With hope and hard work, some day you may make those dreams come true."

She rises and walks to the window. She places one hand on the edge and looks out at the sun and the crowd below.

"It looks very entertaining, and yet quite busy and confusing at the same time. I fear I will not know where to begin."

[Cadogan Trahem]

She listens to your words carefully as she eats a piece of bread. Soon she stands and joins you at the window, peering out she speaks ever so quietly.

"Its not to complicated, rather its just enjoyment. You'll fit in, just don't wander off and get lost." She ushers you back to the table. "Now eat, Im sure you are hungry from you travels. I will return shortly with some clothing you could wear, my sister is around the same size as you im sure she wont mind..." the last word trails off as the young lady skips out the door closing it behind her and down the hall leaving you alone to enjoy your meal.

[Gralhruk]

"I suppose you are correct. Thank you very much for seeing to my attire."

Kataji examines the remaining food as Jun Pei exits the room, staring thoughfully after her. Selecting a piece of fruit, she wanders about the small chamber, looking for anything unusual. Once her search is complete she heads once more for the window, observing the gathering for anybody that looks inconsistent or out of place.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The room is secure enough, with stone walls, and paper and wooden doors which swing rather then slide oddly enough. Nothing appears out of place. Bellow at the party there are several people who appear out of place, most appear to be non-Chinese or Japanese and all are enjoying themselves. Red appears to be the colour of the occasion, with nearly everyone, entertainers included, wearing a red outfit.

Almost suddenly you are taken back as something hisses past your window and a thunderious crash is heard in the sky, sparks of fire and ash float downward towards the ground, never before have you been so suprised...

Just then Jun Pei enters holding a red outfit which looks a little too big for you. She lays it down on the bed before rushing (relatively) towards the window and peering out.

"Have they started already!?" she exclaims with excitment. "We must go! Hurry Hurry Hurry!" she edges you towards the bed and the clothing layed there. Before heading to the door.

"I will wait out here, once you a ready meet me in the hall." Is all she says in her excitment as she ushers herself outside, whatever the hissing crashing thing was, Jun Pei seemed not to care or rather, excited about it.

In the background a second hissing screaming sound followed by a crackle is heard...

[Gralhruk]

With one last curious look towards the window, Kataji quickly moves to the bed and gives the garments a glance as Jun Pei shuts the door behind her. She quickly shrugs out of her monk silks and dons the red outfit. She takes a brief look in the mirror to assure her that nothing is out of place and then, scooping up her pouch, opens the door into the hall.

"I am ready to go now, I hope we haven't missed all the excitement."

[Cadogan Trahem]

She nods and leads you quickly down a hall, down a flight of stairs and finally into the open, and then turns left immediately followed by another left and into the court yard of the palace. People are seated everywhere talking and chatting, eating and drinking. In the middle of the courtyard a group of acrobats flip and juggle, and attempt to act out various martial art plays (like fighting but without actually hitting). Jun Pei leads you to a seat which is next to a strange japanese man, taking the seat Jun Pei bows her head to the man and to yourself before finally skitting off to a seperate table on the far side of the area. It would appear that you are to be entertained.

Almost out of the blue the Japanese man turns towards you and speaks in fluent Japanese.

"Greetings, I am Matrio Lushima." He smiles and then continues to introduce himself, the son of someone, who is the heir of something on the Western coast of Japan.

"And you are?" He asks almost instantly when done. "I do not recognise you, however many assosciates I have spoken with are men. Rarely is a women diplomat used..." He lets the sentence trail off expecting you to answer the unspoken question.

[Gralhruk]

Kataji bids Jun Pei farewell as she takes her seat, arranging herself carefully next to the stranger. She is careful to present a humble but dignified appearance.

"Greetings and well met, Matrio. I am Kataji of the Tsune family and it is a pleasure to meet a fellow traveller."

She smiles briefly and glances over at the entertainers before looking back to Matrio and continuing.

"Yes, I suppose you will not have met many women in this role. I have often accompanied my father in such tasks and I have learned a great deal in this regard. When he fell ill, it was decided that I should come in his stead rather than break the engagement."

<OOC: Sense motive [+2] on Matrio.>

[Cadogan Trahem]

Matrio nods and smiles uneasily before he directs your attention to the entertainment.

"We had better enjoy the show, for fear our hosts become disapointed." While he sounds serious, and stern there is also a scent of playful and uneasy in his voice. Remember back to what he said you're sure you've heard of the family in question, although the story doesn't seem to match your memories entirely.

Glancing further down the table, you can see many people from a Japanese heritage, some you recognise as the leaders of powerful houses. The remaining people dont appear to be Japanese or Chinese, perhaps another land. You are distracted once again as a hissing sound followed by a thunderious crash. You glance up and see beautiful colours flying through the air, before they exstinguish into nothing You glance around to see where it was fired from. One of the fortress walls no doubt.

Matrio leans over.

"Chinese rockets, great for entertainment. Don't feel ashamed, I was supprised by first one also." He smiles warmly before turning back to his conversation with the old non-Japanese man next to him, both are speaking in Chinese.

[Gralhruk]

Kataji smiles at the man before directing her eyes to the scene before her, hoping that she does not offend her hosts.

"Yes, I was a bit surprised by these rockets. They are most interesting."

She sits back to enjoy the show, doing her best to appear both regal and happy. Meanwhile, she attempts to overhear the conversation that Matrio is having without appearing to do so.

Lushima. What have I heard of this house? Something Matrio said does not seem quite right, if only I could remember more.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Listening as hard as you can you can barely make out parts of the conversation. Due to the very nature of the festivities around you.

"Please, -tinue." Matrio says in fluence chinese
"As - was saying, - Trade - much good - - people." The man speaks.
"Tell me - of - land - people. " Matrio comments while reaching for his beverage.
"Far - -, Access - sea - - - poor..."

Your attention is diverted away from the conversation as you find your lap filled with the cold chill only a drink could make, Matrio spins.

"Oh please forgive me!" he glances around to find someone who he waves over. Speaking once again in chinese,

"There has been an accident, please make sure that this women's clothing is washed and replaced so that she can join us post haste."

"I do appologise, return swiftly." He takes your hand and passes it to the servent who begins to lead you away from the table.

You know however that was no accident, Matrio must have spotted you listening in on his conversation. Only true genious could think of such a way to temporarily remove the fly on the wall, and infront of so many guests! Of course this leaves you puzzeled as to why he would pull such a stunt.

[Gralhruk]

"Think nothing of it, there is no harm done. I will be back shortly."

With that she rises and follows the servant. She does leave behind her belt pouch, though. Once they are out of sight she taps the servant on the shoulder.

"Oh, silly me, I have forgotten my pouch. Wait here a moment, I shall be right back."

With that she carefully steals back to her table, approaching from an angle behind Matrio. She slows as she nears them and tries to catch anything else they say before she announces her precense. Reaching for the pouch, she begins speaking.

"Ah, good! There it is, I feared I had lost it. I must be forgetful today, with all of these festivities. I will see you shortly."

She waves and smiles, turning back and moving quickly to the servant.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You return to your seat silently and quietly behind the talking pair. You only manage to catch one sentence from Matrio.

"Then it is agreed, I will arrange our meeting at a later date."

At this point you make your presense known, and both men scawn you for an instant before you quickly explain yourself and head away. The last thing you hear from the pair is.

"Such a silly women."
"All women are, but that one is different. I dont-." The remainder of the conversation is covered by another whisle and crack from a rocket.

The servent leads you away to a small wash room where she gives you a change of clothing, these also red, and takes Jun Pei's sisters away to be washed. She then escourts you back to your seat. You are disappointed to find however that Matrio and the man are missing from their seats. Whatever trick of revenge your mind could produce will now have to be delayed as the sharp faced Lushima son has escaped.

[Gralhruk]

Sitting in her borrowed clothes, Kataji smiles briefly at Jun Pei before turning her attention to the crowd around her. Matrio has disappeared and she finds herself wondering where he has gone. He seemed far too furtive for her liking; doubtless the man was up to something. She remembers the old man he was speaking with, trying her best to commit his face to memory.

Scanning the crowd once more, she hopes to spot either of them amongst the unfamiliar faces. All the while she ponders the snippets of conversation she did hear but she can make little sense of them. Not enough pieces. Yet.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You cannot find them in the immedate crowd around the table, nor in the glimpses of the crowd beyond. It appears they are rather skilled at slipping out of existance.

Meanwhile the party rages around you, with dancers and acrobats, martial artists and performers of many kinds. As well as rockets, drink and food. Today is indeed a festive occasion.

[Gralhruk]

Unable to locate the two men, Kataji decides to relax and enjoy the show. Seated alone, she sips a drink and takes in the festivities. Eventually, she decides to wander around the square and see what else is about.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You enjoy your drink, and some food which is passed around. Finally deciding to wander around to have a look around you stand and look at all the displays. Just as you're about to merg with a crowd to view a display of some sort, everything goes quiet. First the music stops, and slowly the crowd is reduced to mumbles before finally nothing.

Eventually a path is cleared and a tall man mounted in a black horse, clad in strange armour made of plates and chain (very unlike traditional Japanese armour) rides forward. In his left hand he holds the reigns of his horse, and in his right he holds a scroll of sorts. He rides forward before finally stopping.

He clears his throat.

"His Lord Yun Kao and his Wife." he says in a loud clear voice in chinese. Instantly, Music begins and another horse rides forward, this man is tall lean, and looks like he has seen many battles. He is clad too in armour with a sword at his side and a spear in his hand. Behind him a carriage comes forward, of which is seated a young women who appears happy but over adorned in dress.

The music stops as Yun Kao comes towards the first man, the man bows and rides aside.

"Greetings honoured generals, followers of Sun Chuan and Diplomats of nations far beyond China. Welcome to Na King." He adds the last part after a moment.

"It is today that you witness my marriage, and hopefully some of you will witness my heir!" The crowd yells out in celebration and the man waves his spear and his other hand to calm the crowd.

"Today I am both a Proud Husband, and a Proud Father to be!" Again the crowd goes wild and the general is forced to calm them once more.

"Today we celebrate, and tomorrow we solve our problems! For Sun Chuan! For Wu! For China!" and again a deafening roar raises as the Music picks up and the general dismounts and takes a position at the head of the celebration. His wife is led to his side. Just as you thought it couldn't get any louder, several chinese rockets take flight.

It appears that today is going to be Joyess, Joyess and loud.

[Gralhruk]

Kataji presses forward to better view the married couple. She watches with great interest as they pass, scanning the crowd for other noteworthy people.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Appart from the Non-Chinese people who you assume are ambassadors and diplomats from other nations, you spot a few notable chinese people. Most are sitted with the general and his wife and those that arn't are around the general vacinity of him.

Around you however, the party is alive, people are chatting and talking getting to know each other it would seem. Just beyond them dancers perform with the aid of acrobats and martial artists for the people less interested in the dancing performance, or the other way around if you wish.

[Gralhruk]

Kataji drifts over to the crowd observing the acrobats and martial artists, feeling a little out of place without Jun-pei. She watches the combat maneuvers carefully, attempting to discern any differences from the styles she is used to. The information might come in handy at some point.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Many of the martial arts concentrate on weapons of strange design rather then unarmed combat although they do combine unarmed and weapons at many times you can tell they favour the cold steel of chinese weapons.

As the day draws to noon you find that people are heading indoors with the celebration, and a familiar face appears. It is Jun Pei, as she approches you see a second familar face through the crowd, one Matrio Lushima he has changed talking partners to someone a little more chinese. He glances in your direction, as the dispersing crowds have left you exposed like a single flower in a field of grass, but says nothing but continues to stare before moving out of sight.

"Is everything alright?" Jun Pei enquires. "You don't look like you enjoyed much of the festivities..."

[Gralhruk]

"Oh, no, I am fine and have been enjoying the wonderful show. The general and his bride are most impressive."

She smiles and then sighs briefly.

"It is just a little overwhelming. Only a few short days ago, I was travelling on my own and now I am surrounded by such crowds and activity."

With one last look in Matrio's direction, she turns back to Jun Pei.

"It was indeed entertaining, though. I met another traveller from Japan - a man by the name of Matrio. Do you know him?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

Jun Pei half nods half shakes her head.

"I know -of- the man, but nothing much else. He arrived, like you only a few days earlier. My friend, Lei Ping, was to be his guide and she does nothing but complain of his mannerism and disrespect. Although..." she pauses. "Lei Ping, always does complain about the smallest insignificant thing, I have however seen the man and must say if half the things she tells me are true I wouldn't complain." She smiles and you can guess what Matrio manners and disrespect have been doing.

She begins to walk towards a building and ushers you to follow. The structure is three stories tall, made of stone with several doors on the bottem floor and many windows towards the roof.

As you enter you find yourself in a great hall with a great many tables spanning around. Here you can see people, including servents, sitting and talking while drinking and eating some cooked chicken and greens of sort.

Jun Pei sits you down and skirts off to gather some food before returning she places the plate of food down in the middle of the table and passes you an empty plate before sitting herself. As you glance around the hall Matrio is not in sight, again he has slipped out of sight.

"Why do you ask?" at first Jun Pei's question makes no sense, but then you realise she is continueing her converstation from earlier.

[Gralhruk]

"Oh, just curious. I met him at the fair today and he introduced himself. It seemed to me that I remember his family name from Japan, but I could not recall any other details."

Kataji helps herself to the food and takes a few bites before continuing.

"I did not want to insult him by asking and I thought perhaps you knew something that would help me to remember."

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Oh. I could find out some information if you like, as I said my friend was to be his guide. Im sure she has had enough of the man to give what she knows up willingly. As for the rest I could try myself." Comes the unexpected reply from Jun Pei. You stare at her with a questionable gaze knowing its not the standard to exepect from women, let alone Chinese servent women.

"Well... I was thinking...." She starts a little blushed, the rest comes in whispered tones. "Im sick of the normal boring servant life, when you spoke to me earlier in your room I had hoped Japan was some what different, if it was I surely would have fled there. You understand women are not as accepted as men here and so you, as a women, can understand me as well."

[Gralhruk]

She frowns thoughtfully before leaning a little closer to Jun Pei. The gesture is a friendly way of signalling she is indeed a co-conspirator. In truth, Kataji uses her new vantage to examine the other woman's face for any clue as to what she is thinking.

"I understand completely. It is difficult being sentenced to a lesser role when your abilities would dictate otherwise."

<OOC: sense motive +2, diplomacy +1, bluff +4>

[Cadogan Trahem]

See seems to hide nothing in her face and eyes, her tone of voice indicates she is speaking truthfully. Your little investigation of her integrety goes unnoticed.

[Gralhruk]

"Yes, any information that you could get would be most helpful. I would very much appreciate it, though it must remain a secret between us; it would bring me great dishonor if he was to find out I was prying into his affairs. Men have little idea what women can accomplish on their own!"

She smiles brightly with this last sentence, hoping that her trust in Jun Pei is not unfounded. At this point, there was little to do but follow her instincts and hope for the best.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The remainder of the day goes uneventful, you see little of the mysterious Japanese man again, although you do see several spectacular sites, such as brilliant fireworks performed in the air, and exotic dancers from far and abroad. Soon it is dark and you are escourted back to your room to retire for the night.

Jun Pei is waiting for you inside.

"I have made your bed, and a night cap is ready." She seems less chit chatty then usual, and her voice is strained. "If there is anything else, please just ask." And she moves towards the door to leave.

[Gralhruk]

Kataji frowns thougtfully at Jun Pei's behavior. Foremost in her mind is whether her intentions have been made known to Matrio, but she is concerned as well that her instruction has gotten Jun Pei into some trouble. Things could get dangerous.

"Jun Pei, wait. Is something wrong? I hope I have not gotten you into any trouble; I could not abide it if you were punished while doing something for me. You have been my friend and I would be a friend in return."

[Cadogan Trahem]

She stops at the door but does not turn.

"No, its nothing." She moves through the door and hestitates turning slightly and whispering. "I'll speak with you tomorrow." And with that she skits down the hall way and disappears.


Edit: Deleted some repeatativeness on my part, largely just what you said in the above post.

[Gralhruk]

The skin on the back of her neck prickles as Jun Pei turns to leave. That the other woman had left the room before replying is not lost on her. Trying her best to look relaxed, she represses a shudder feeling as if eyes are watching her every move.

Her mind races as she tries to think back to her conversations with Jun Pei. Had she said anything incriminating? Certainly she had kept her suspicions to herself, but having Jun Pei investigate the man would not look good. Well, there was nothing to be done for it now.

She must find a way to search her room, but how to know when it was safe to do so? She must find a time when others would not expect her to be here. For now, though, she would have to bide her time. Donning her robe, she leaves the room to explore the building.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You leave your room and go into the silent cool night outside. The hallway is long and quiet, only one side has doors the other is simply rock. Possibly to shelter the hall way from the elements or just to make the building appear less open from the outside view. To the right is the stairs that lead down to the grounds bellow. To the left the hall continues.

Moving down the left hall as quietly as possible you pass several doors. Judging from the absense of noise all rooms are either empty or their occupants asleep. Soon you reach another stair well which leads downwards to the grounds bellow. You move quietly down and find yourself at at a second hallway similiar to that above. Moving down it you can see the light from the moon at the end of the open hall, doors line the walls here. None of the rooms appear occupied as most doors are ajar and the inside reveals nothing but emptiness.

At the end of the Hall way you ponder your next move, to head up and return to your room or to explore the rest of the compound as best you can.

Almost like a flash you believe you see a shadow jump across the roofs in the corner of your eye but before you can turn to investigate you are startled by a Chinese man dressed in light armour with a sheathed sword.

"Halt! Who Goes there!? Oh, I recognise you - you're a guest from afar. It would be wise to return to your room and remain out of the compound at night. We have already had one incident tonight, lets not make it two."

The man speaks quietly and harsh, something you would expect from a Soldier.

[Gralhruk]

"Incident? What has happened?"

She listens quietly to the soldier and then nods politely.

"The festivities today have left me unable to sleep and I was hoping to take a walk to help clear my mind. I am a guest here and will abide by the wishes of my host, but as a diplomat I understood that I was to have the freedoms appropriate to my station. I feel safe enough with men such as yourself on duty; I will not be long and I will stay within shouting distance, if it please you."

<OOC: Diplomacy +1, Bluff +4>

[Cadogan Trahem]

In reply to your first question the man sort of squirms for a while.

"We don't want it to become public knowledge, so keep this to yourself. But a servant girl was just attacked and killed while going back to her room. It was less then 5 minutes ago. We are not worried at the loss of the servant, but it could have as easily been a diplomat or noble."

He listens to your request about taking a walk.

"Im afraid I can't allow that. Appropriate freedoms you may have, but my orders are clear. Please return to your room immediately."

It appears there is no compromise to be found.

[Gralhruk]

"A servant? Killed, you say? This is very tragic news indeed. Who was it?"

Her mind has already jumped to the possibility that it might be Jun Pei but she takes pains to keep her face and voice neutral. Hoping against hope that the soldier will give her better news than she is expecting, she waits.

If she has died I will find out why.

[Cadogan Trahem]

"One of the Jun girls, the youngest I think. What was her name..." The man struggles with the names, but you have the dreadful feeling that you know exactly who has perished this night.

Finally the man gives up with names.

"Either way, it was a strange death. Never have I seen a murderer decapitate their targets. Most do not have the time I suppose, but this must have required some level of skill." The man pauses and looks across the yard where another guard is waving him over.

"I must go, please return to your room immediately and latch the door." He lingers a while longer to see if you have anything to add, if not he retreats to his comrade who walks with him off into the darkness.

[Gralhruk]

"Yes, well I am certain that you know best. May the rest of the evening pass uneventfully."

She turns and heads back the way she came and up the stairs to the second floor. However, once there she moves quickly to the first stairwell she had come upon and creeps down, keeping a wary eye out for any guard as well as any way out into the compound.

<OOC: Hide +9, Move Silent +9, Spot +2, Listen +2>

[Cadogan Trahem]

You move back up towards your room and instead by-pass it and head down the second set of stairs and into the compound beyond. You dont spot and guards and plan your next move. Directly across you from appears to be the compound wall, shortly down to your right is the feeding hall where you ate earlier today and infront of that the open space where the ceremonies where held. To your left there appears to be more sleeping compounds, a stable of sorts and beyond that a large single story building which is heavily guarded. Infront of all three is a large long guarden, beyond it there are more buildings - too far for you to make out at this distance during the night.

[Gralhruk]

Unsure of how to proceed, Kataji creeps silently out onto the grounds in the direction of the mysterious figure she saw earlier. She glances up trying to see the window to her own room, wondering if the intruder had been spying on her.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You glance upwards, finding it hard to spot your room at first, but finally seeing it. It is dark and silent inside, and the window is closed as you left it. You could have swarn you saw something come past here, although you could be mistaken not having the night-sight of an owl.

Just as you're about to turn away your window opens up silently, and a dark figure crawls out onto the roof and glances around. Shinobi! The thought races through your mind as the Japanese assasin stays crouching glancing around the compound, sword drawn the figure looks ready to kill. Suddenly the dark figure sees you, at first you're not sure what to do - the sword is thrown at you, you dodge it easily, and it lands with a loud crang. The dim moonlight showing that it is caked in freash blood. Such a strange attack - or was it? You glance up to see the figure throwing something small. Shurikens you think, as the tiny object hits you clean in the chest.

However instead of the burning sensation of pain, you hear a hiss and smell a strange substance making its way into your lungs.. and darkness becomes you.

You find yourself back in Japan...

((Chance to grab some bonus EXP, write a short-medium post about what your character dreams about. It can be anything, from a childhood memory to a terrorifying nightmare. I will award based on the performance. :) Please end it with, "and then a white flash as my eyes try to focus..." or something of the equivilant.))

[Gralhruk]

Kataji is creeping along in the shadows; around her acrobats tumble and strange dragons roar off into the sky to explode in brilliant bright colors. There are people everywhere; talking, laughing, drinking. One man in particular catches her eye - he is staring at her despite the fact the he cannot possibly see her. His face is shadowy and unrecognizable but she has a nagging feeling that she should know him.

The skin on her neck prickles and she ducks around a corner and into the gardens. Up ahead, she can see a women kneeling before a fountain. From the way she sits and the slope of her shoulders it looks like her mother. She runs forward, her slippers making only a whisper of sound on the stone. When she touches the woman, she notices that she is cold. Dread siezes her in icy fingers and she peers at the face, shadowed beneath an elaborate headdress.

Her relief is only temporary; the woman is not her mother, it is her friend and servant Jun Pei and she is most certainly dead. Skin so purple it is almost black, yellowed crusty eyes, a wet hole for a mouth - she is almost unrecognizable. Kataji reels back until her back strikes the fountain while Jun Pei's body melts like hot wax until it is little more than a puddle. There is a small slap from within the fountain and Kataji turns and peers over the edge. The water is dark and there are ripples on the surface as though a fish just leaped. Looking closer she can see that the water is clear but dark and deep; far beneath the surface she sees the shadowy face of the man she spotted earlier. She jumps when it smiles at her and turns her head rapidly, thinking the man must be behind her.

There is nobody there and she turns to look once again at the still waters. Suddenly, they boil white and erupt as the man rises up out of the fountain. Grabbing her tunic he pulls her under the water. She cannot breathe and her muscles ache with the strain of resisting him. Twisting, she catches his elbow and squeezes hard on the juncture where nerve and tendon are close to the surface. His grip loosens and she swings an elbow blindly, it strikes home and she is rewarded with a muffled crunch as the man's hands slip free. The surface is ridiculously far above, a tiny pinpoint of white light, and her body is burning for air.

She claws wildly up as her vision starts to fade, feeling something brush against her toes as she does so. The water seems to go on forever and bright, colorful flashes are now interspered with the darkness of her vision. Her arms and legs feel as thought they are weighted with lead and she wonders briefly if the man has captured her again. After an eternity, her head breaks the surface and she drinks in huge gulps of air. Her eyes crack open and she is blinded by the white flash of the sun as her eyes try to focus . . .

[Cadogan Trahem]

OOC: Well Done! :) Add 500 EXP to your sheet, also Add 250 EXP for advancing to Chapter One: Cruel Suspicions - Also check the new thread.