The Winds of Fate The two ships raced alone the rocky coast.

On the left a large reef with a natural channel lead out into deeper water, while to the right lay the island. In the front a sengokobune lumbered under the light wind, while behind it followed a lighter and faster kobune. The captain of the sengokobune really had no choice he would have to run the gauntlet of the reef. The wind would be stronger farther offshore and he would have a better chance to escape. He called out the course to the tiller-man, and his sailors started pulling lines and hauling sail in a valiant attempt to squeeze all the speed possible from the meager wind. The large ship turned into the channel. Behind them, the kobune matched their turn, continuing to gain on them. From the forward mast of the kobune, a white banner with the kanji for Death emblazoned in red was raised. There was no doubt as to their intentions, they were pirates and planed to kill all on board and loot the ship. The kobune closed, the gap. From the bow of the kobune, arrows were fired onto the rear decks of the larger ship. The tiller-man was wrestling with the lever, concentrating on keeping the ship off the reef, and never even looked back. An arrow in the back pierced his heart, and he fell dead. The now free tiller shifted with the current slightly altering the ships course. Another sailor climbed to the aft deck and raced for the tiller, just as all hell broke loose. Gale force winds, the result of a spell cast from the kobune, lashed into the larger vessel. The sails snapped full, pulling ropes from hands, and dragging sailors off their feet. The sailor on the aft deck was knocked over by the blast. The ship lurched forward, swung hard to starboard, and directly into the reef! Wood planks shattered as the sengokobune impaled itself on the steel hard coral. The large ship began taking water, as she lurched to a sudden stop. Arrows continued to rain down on the decks, striking sailors as they scrambled about looking for weapons to repel the pirates with. The kobune slid alongside the larger vessel and a dozen hooks tied to ropes sailed over the gunwales. The lines drew taught bringing the kobune abreast, and the pirates boarded the ship. They fought bravely but the sailors were no match for the wily pirates and were being forced back. Only one man was able to withstand them. Proud and tall he stood in a crimson kimono, his face covered in a mask of red silk. Katana in his right and wakizashi in the left, the samurai battled the pirates. Slash, cut, and thrust the samurai danced over the deck, killing pirates or driving them over the sides. He moved slowly from the bow, clearing the deck as he went. Nearby sailors cheered for the Scorpion, and his example inspired them to fight harder. Together with the sailors, they were slowly driving the pirates off the ship, and the samurai quickly surveyed the battle. On the kobune, the priest watched the battle unfold. His pirates started off well enough and would have triumphed but for the presence of that Scorpion Samurai. He had turned the tide of battle and now stood ready to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The priest simply could not allow that. He reached into a satchel at his side and retrieved a scroll. The priest pointed the scroll at the Scorpion Samurai, chanting the words inscribed upon the parchment. An orb of red flame began to appear in his other hand. As he chanted, the orb pulsed and grew brighter. As he finished the final line of the spell, the priest pushed the orb towards the Scorpion. It flew across the deck, crossing the space between the ships and straight towards the samurai. On the sengokobune, the samurai looked up just in time to see the ball of fire speeding towards him. Instinctively he raised his swords, crossing them in the path of the missile. It hit the crossed blades, passing over and through them and striking the Scorpion in the upper chest. He closed his eyes just as the orb exploded. A great ball of flames engulfed the samurais head, arms and chest, blasting outward driving back the

sailors around him. The Scorpion stumbled back from the force of the blast, tripping on a stunned sailor and falling heavily to the deck. Katana and wakizashi slipped from scorched fingers. His kimono ablaze, the samurai pulled his arms in rolled over and over trying to extinguish the flames. The sailors stood frozen in a circle created by the blast radius of the orb. Their weapons hung useless by their sides, as they stood awed by the shugenjas magical display. They did not assist the samurai in putting out the flames, nor did they resist as the pirates renewed their attack. In rapt awe they stood as the pirates slaughtered them to a man. The deck ran red with blood extinguishing any residual flame from the spell. The samurai lay on the deck, smoldering bits of kimono clinging to skin blistered and cracked from the magical flames. The last thing he saw were the pirates leering faces as they began to pummel him with fist and foot. Mercifully, he blacked out. Captain, shouted the lookout column of smoke to starboard. Kosho peered off the right side of the vessel, and saw the thin wispy line of black smoke. He pulled the tiller hard to the left, and the Jade Lotus swung around toward the smolder. So in tune to their captains wishes that they did not need the order, the crew quickly began to adjust sails to gain the maximum speed toward their goal. As they approached the smoldering ship, the crew could see the top of the reef sticking from the water. The tide was out, and the sharp coral burst the oceans surface like plants in a field. Sitting in the middle of the field was a smoldering sengokobune. Kosho skirted the reef, and turned into the channel. They sailed up from behind the vessel, tying to it as they pulled alongside. A plank was extended over the gap, and Kosho crossed onto the burnt hulk. Kosho headed aft and down into the ship, towards the captains quarters, while others explored the rest of the ship. When he arrived he was surprised to find the door shattered in. Someone or something had been locked inside. Any captain worth the title would have met the attackers on deck, not hid in his quarters while his ship was ravaged. Kosho crossed the threshold. Inside the carnage was everywhere. Panels had been smashed and all the furniture turned out. Anything that was not a part of the ship had been smashed, and tossed around the room. Amongst the wreckage were pieces of clothing. A crimson haori of silk embroidered with black scorpions, had been slashed into strips and thrown in one corner. A courtiers fan made of ivory and red silk was tossed in another. Kosho took these, along with some less ornate clothing and small personal items, and stuffed them into a sack. He then went to the rear wall of the ship. Kosho had grown up in the Inazuma province on the Islands of Silk and Spice. He was the third son of a Watanabe shipbuilder, and younger brother to a pair of shipbuilders. As a child the shipyard had been his playground. There was little about any ship that he did not know. This knowledge came in handy as a captain, if something needed to be repaired of replaced, he knew just how to do it. He was also familiar with the ship designs. Like, for instance, he knew that many of the sengokobune of this design had a secret compartment hidden in the vertical beam on the port side at the back of the ship. Kosho took a thin metal pin from a pocket, and slipped it into behind the beam, between the third and fourth boards down from the ceiling. He heard a slight click, and the secret panel popped open. Inside the hidden cabinet was a crimson silk bag. He took the bag from the compartment, and was just about to open it when he heard a shout. Captain, come to the fore-deck. Theres a survivor! Kosho stuffed the bag into the sack and ran to the fore deck. Hanging off the front of the ship, like a grim figurehead, was a man. His face and upper body was badly burned, with deep oozing crevices lining his skin. His hair had all

been burned away revealing large bruised and welts from the beating he had received. Scorched bits of a red kimono barely covered his midsection. He had been tied by the wrists and lowered over the front of the ship. The agony must have been unbelievable, but no sound could escape around the gag stuffed into his mouth. A sharp-eyed sailor had noticed the ropes tied off to the gunwale, and when he looked over the side, saw a pair of eyes staring up at him. The sailor did not see the burns, or the bruises, or anything but the eyes. Rage burned like twin suns in those eyes. There was not doubt as to this mans station. One look at those eyes and you knew this was a samurai. With great care, the sailors drew him onto the boat. For as long as anyone cared remember the Jade Lotus had been the home of Moshi Taya. Regardless of who the captain was Moshi Taya had stayed with the boat. Long ago, she had forsaken a life on land, endlessly involved in politics and war, for a simpler life on the sea. At sea, a water shugenja was a valuable asset, never more so than when someone was injured. As soon as the samurai was found tied to the front of the boat, a sailor ran to get Moshi Taya. She arrived as they pulled him over the rail and laid him on the deck. As the sailors untied the mans wrists, Moshi Taya inspected his wounds. His injuries were horrific. Between the burns, beating, and exposure it was a wonder that he had survived this long. Only that rage burning in his gaze was sustaining him now, and soon that would no longer be enough. Looking into his eyes, Taya could see the burning rage, but she also saw something else. Maybe it was because she was a Shugenja or maybe it was because she was a woman, but Taya saw something more. Behind the mask of rage, was shame and beyond that was fear. Kosho arrived as they were removing the gag. A sailor handed what was in the mans mouth to Kosho. It was a beautifully woven and embroidered silk mask, lacy and fine. Clearly this was a womans mask. Kosho glanced at Taya, and she shook her head slightly. There was nothing she could do to save this man his injuries were too extensive. Kosho called for water, and helped the man sit up. He held the water jug to the mans lips, and let a swallow roll into his mouth. The man sputtered and coughed, but managed to get most of the water down. Yoritomo? the man asked. No, Scorpion-sama, I am a Watanabe Kosho, captain of the Jade Lotus. I am Bayushi Fujio. What are you doing here, Kosho? My crew and I are looking for a group of pirates that make berth on one of these islands, Bayushi-sama. We saw smoke on the water and thought we had at last caught up to them. They attacked us, driving our ship onto the reef. Fujio coughed and spat up some blood. Can we speak in private Kosho-san? he asked, glancing at the sailors. Everyone back to the ship, except for you Taya. The sailors quickly left them alone on the destroyed vessel, returning to the Jade Lotus. Kosho introduced Taya, This is Moshi Taya, a samurai and shugenja. Can I cast a spell to ease you pain, Bayushi-sama? asked the woman. No, I know I will not last much longer. Watanabe-sama, I must beg a favor of you. I have failed in my duty. I was yojimbo to a courtier for the Scorpion Clan. Her name is Bayushi Nao. It was my job to protect her, and I failed. I was forced to watch as the pirates took her with them. That is her mask you hold in your hand. I fought, but they had a shugenja, his eyes fell to the deck for a moment, and in a whisper he said and they took my daisho. He raised his head, fixed Kosho with a stern gaze and in a commanding tone said You are to rescue her, and see her safely to her destination. Kosho knew that look and tone. He had first experienced it when he went to the Yoritomo Bushi School. He was the first child in his family to attend the school, both of his older brothers having apprenticed with their father at the shipyard. It was there that

he came to truly understand the rules of status and station. Being a Watanabe, a vassal family to the Yoritomo he was instantly looked down upon by members of the parent families of the Mantis Clan. The look and tone said, My parents are better than yours, so you have to do what I say! Kosho didnt accept it then, and he didnt accept it now! My duty is to stop the pirates, not clean up the mess of a yojimbo who failed in his duty. If I do assist your mistress, it will be through the compassion of the Mantis, and not because a disgraced samurai has ordered it to be! Fujios face fell. He was a Scorpion and used to being in control of any situation. He was trained to manipulate friend and foe alike, to gain an advantage to exploit. Kosho was the first man to ever best Fujio, and he was finally powerless before a foe. It was not a Scorpion who spoke now, but a dying man asking for help. I know that you do not owe me or my clan anything, and I know that I am in no position to command you. Kosho could see the pain in Fujios eyes and spared him, If she is still alive, I will help her. Do you know where they were heading.? They sailed towards an island with three peaks in the direction of the setting sun. Kosho squinted out over the ocean. He could barely see the islands in the distance, but knew the Scorpion was correct. Hed been told of that island in the past, and he knew how to find it. Turning back to Fujio, he said, Lets get you to my ship. No, you must get going if you are to catch the pirates. Leave me here. This ship has suffered to much damage. When the tide raises it will break apart and sink into the reef. We will not be able to recover your body for your family. I die in shame and disgrace, why would they want me? Nor am I worthy to be interned with my ancestors. You do me a kindness leaving me here. Now go! Taya opened her mouth to say something, but Kosho motioned for her to be silent. He understood the mans feelings, and would honor his final wish. With nothing more to say, Kosho and Taya bowed to the samurai and returned to the Jade Lotus. The crew untied the kobune, and it sailed through the channel and off towards the islands on the horizon. Kosho looked back over the stern rail as they sailed off. He wondered if when his end came, he would face it as bravely as Bayushi Fujio. Heading to Phoenix lands by sea seemed like such a smart idea. With plague across the central Empire and war at either end, taking a ship made such good sense that is until your attacked by pirates. Fujio wanted to stay and protect her here, but that was foolish. In the small cabin his swords would be useless. She ordered him to the deck to repel the boarders. Again it seemed like the smart idea but now she was alone. She went about the room, gathering everything important into a crimson bag. Through the decks, she could hear the cries of the sailors as they prepared to meet the pirates. She could hear the clash of metal weapons, and the screams of the dying. The worst part was not knowing what was happening on deck. She sat in the small room listening to the sounds trying to figure out what was transpiring above. Suddenly, the sound of battle stopped. All the noise that had filled the cabin only minutes before was gone, like a candle-flame snuffed out. She listened intently for any clue as to the battles outcome. Then came the thud, someone was trying to open the door. Nao moved quickly. She stuffed the bag into the secret compartment, but paused and removed a letter before closing the door. These were her orders, and she would not allow even the possibility of them falling into someone elses hands. She held the letter to a candle flame. The thin paper burnt quickly and she threw it out the window when it was all but consumed. She also tossed the key to the secret door. Calls had turned to shouts and threats outside the door. The frame shuddered as the door was hit with an axe. Nao stood in the cabin, holding an aiguchi and calculating her options. Fighting would be foolish, if they could overcome Fujio they would have no problem with her. She

could kill herself. That would save her the shame of being captured and the other unpleasantness that was sure to follow, but that was equal to giving up on her mission, and she believed that so long as she was alive, she could fulfill her duty. She would do what ever was necessary to survive, that was the Scorpion Way, after all. She turned and tossed the knife out the window. Splinters were flying off the door now she had only a few more moments until they broke through. She removed much of her outer garments, lay seductively upon the bunk, and waited for her captors entrance. In his cabin on the Jade Lotus, Kosho studied the items that had been retrieved from the wreck. There was the slashed haori and the ivory and silk fan. There was a simple tan kimono with sandals, a pair of cherry wood hairpins, small clothes, an empty obi pouch, a hairbrush, and the crimson bag that was in the secret compartment. Kosho took the bag and opened it, reaching inside to remove the items. First he removed a sumi-e box. It was made of bone white ivory, with a jade carving of a scorpion inlaid into the top. At the bottom of the bow was a drawer filled with blank paper, and inside was a wide assortment of brushes inks and sand. The box also contained was the personal seal of Bayushi Nao, and several letters. He set the writing box aside, and reached back into the bag. He removed a small box containing a travel go set. Inside was a simple but well crafted game board and polished red and blue stones. Then came a pair of pillow-books and a copy of Tangens Lies. Kosho removed three strings of coins, one koku, one bu, and one zeni, each having fifty coins on it. Near the bottom of the bag was a silken parcel. It seemed heavy for its size, and after unwrapping it Kosho found a small dagger. The dagger was made of a dark, almost black crystal. It was exquisitely carved with no tool marks at all on the weapon. The edge was a sharp as a razor and it was perfectly balanced. Kosho reached into the sack and removed the last item, a cylinder of jade with a cap at one end. As he grasped the cap to open the tube, an overwhelming uneasiness seized him. Kosho was a practical man, and had never given much stock to superstitions, but this was something beyond his experience. He stared at the tube, overcome with a feeling of terror. He removed his hand from the cap and placed the tube down on the table. The feeling passed as soon as he let go of the scroll case. Kosho didnt know what was going on, but he couldnt deal with it now. He had to make plans for the upcoming battle, so he collected all the items, returned them to the sack, and went to find the quartermaster. Kosho had been to this island before. He was second mate on a smuggling ship known as the Slippery Eel. They had been seen taking on cargo that had not had the taxed paid on it, and an Emerald Magistrate pursued them. The captain of the Eel changed course and ran out to sea off the island with three peaks. As they sailed out, he cut a sharp turn and ran through a channel by a sandbar. They sailed up to a secret beach where they moored the ship. The captain ordered half the sailors to disembark with him and Kosho. They hid in the cave just beyond the beach. They waited for several hours, but the magistrate never arrived. A scout was sent up the mountain to look, and the kobune was gone. Kosho asked the captain about it, and the captain explained that you could only see the channel from out on the east side. The captain also explained that the back of the cave had a tunnel that branched out into dozens of secret exits. If they had been trapped, the crew on the beach could sneak out the tunnels, come back around the island, and retake the ship. A few months later, Kosho took a job as captain for a Yasuki Merchant, and left the Eel. Years later, Kosho received word that the Slippery Eel had been caught in a typhoon and sunk with all hands lost. He mourned his former captain, but used his experiences to plan his attack.

Kosho and seven others would take a small boat and find one of the secret exits. Then they would backtrack to the cave and wait for the kobune to attack. This way they could keep any of the pirates from escaping. Moshi Taya would command their kobune, and would make sure that the pirates ship did not get away, by any means necessary!