Letter 1 (secondary)
(Clan Phoenix)
I have taken this moment to tell you the things that others do not know.
You have already heard of the Fall of Kakita Castle in the provinces of the
Crane, and how the battle was turned by the Crane's own Champion leading an army
of dead men against his own family, but what you have not heard is the truth.
That man is not Doji Hoturi.
I have recently spoken with Togashi Yokune, and he has assured me it was
the Lady Scorpion who was behind it all. She used the ancient Egg of P'an Ku to
create a duplicate of Lord Hoturi and kidnapped the Crane Lord, holding him
captive in the Imperial Palace. Only recently was he freed by a young ronin
named Akiyosho who was acting under Lord Yokune's orders. Let us make no
mistake, it is the Lady Scorpion who now rules the Palace. She has made dark
alliances, my friend, and a darker time than today is nearly upon us. We must
make certain that all is prepared.
The Battle for Baiden Pass is over, and we have accomplished what must
be done there. The Crab retreated from Kakita Castle to the Crossroads of the
Empire, and would have cut us off from the other Clans if it were not for the
noble Shiba Tsukune who led our army against them. Once again, her courage and
forethought were vital to our success. Pray for her, that she may continue to
lead our army to victory. The Unicorn now hold the Pass, and they have assured
me that we shall find save passage there.
There is no word from Isawa Tadaka on his journey to the Shadowlands.
When we learned of the opening of the First Scroll -- but then, you have not
heard of this news, have you? Forgive me, my friend, but there is much I cannot
say just yet. I can only tell you this: Long ago, an evil power was destroyed by
our Master Shinsei, and twelve Black Scrolls were the instruments of his
destruction. It was the duty of the Scorpion Clan to hide the Scrolls so they
may never be found, but it appears that the first guardian, a Scorpion shugenja
named Yugo Junzo, has opened the First Scroll. I can tell you now more, but we
have sent the Master of Earth to investigate the matter, and he has not
returned. We will keep you notified if the situation changes.
Shiba Ujimitsu