L5r - scroll 01 - The Scorpion Read online

  The party skirted well around the Imperial City of Otosan Uchi. Their destination, Mura Kita Chusen, lay to the capital's north and east. The detour caused a slight delay, but their disguises ran a greater chance of being uncovered in the capital itself. Avoiding the capital altogether, Kachiko led her party circuitously to their destination.

  Mura Kita Chusen was a pleasant, beautiful town. One of the villages that encircled Otosan Uchi, it was nearly as well kept as the capital. Long rows of docks lined the town's harbor and provided shelter for fishing boats—the village's main source of income. There were other industries on Mura Kita Chusen as well, most serving the needs of the Hantei capital.

  The northern outskirts of the town stretched well beyond the city walls, even to the edge of the Imperial Forest, Fudaraku no Mori, "The Forest of Paradise." Kachiko knew from her spies that the Lion Akodo Toturi cherished those woods. He often hunted in them to escape the cramped existence of life at court.

  She knew another reason he liked the town. Mura Kita Chusen held the house where Toturi's geisha worked, and thus it held the keys to the Lion's heart. Kachiko planned to hold those keys in her own delicate hands very soon.

  Two of her people scouted ahead of the party and entered the village before her. They secured suitable lodging for their mistress, well away from the usual Scorpion safe houses. The accommodations were not as lavish as her station dictated, but were far better than conditions on the road.

  Upon arriving at her rented villa, the Mother of Scorpions sent her ninja-ko to pave the way for their mission. Kachiko bathed and prepared herself for the path ahead.

  Months ago when her spies had first learned of Toturi's weakness for the geisha Hatsuko, Kachiko had immediately set on a course of action. She knew such indiscretion could eventually be turned to the Scorpions' advantage, though she had not guessed how soon.

  Kachiko's initial step was to gain control of the geisha house from its previous owners. Kitsune Junko, mistress of the house, was fronting for a local merchant. He put up little resistance to the Scorpions' offer, and thus saved his own life. Kachiko had been glad. Though she didn't mind necessary killing, she disliked the publicity caused by assassinations.

  Fortunately, a well-placed word and a small amount of gold was all the silk broker required to relinquish control of Junko's geisha house. The well-placed word had been about a certain youthful indiscretion in the banker's past. The gold had merely been a formality to hurry things along. Victims squawked less if they believed they were paid off, rather than merely blackmailed.

  The completion of the takeover had been so easy Kachiko barely considered it a victory. After the buyout, operation of the geisha house had been turned over to Yogo Asami, who had been sent to Mura Kita Chusen specifically for that purpose by the far-sighted Scorpion lady.

  Asami shared a unique history with her mistress. When they were both fourteen, Bayushi Kachiko had chanced to see Asami at a geisha house. Noticing the strong resemblance between the two of them, the future Mother of Scorpions immediately purchased the girl's contract.

  Kachiko trained Asami in the ways of the Scorpion, and soon the girl was able to impersonate her mistress quite effectively. This allowed Kachiko a measure of freedom she had not possessed previously. No one at her father's court suspected that the young woman walking the gardens at night was not, in fact, Kachiko. Thus, Kachiko had been freed to pursue her own passions.

  She treated Asami well. The former geisha never had cause to inform on her mistress. In fact, Asami quite enjoyed the role and the measure of power it brought her. The two young women continued the deception for a number of years, almost until Kachiko's marriage to Shoju—though it had become more difficult as their bodies matured along somewhat different lines.

  While the Scorpion lady had since eclipsed the beauty of her former pupil, the two still shared a close working relationship and a more than passing resemblance. Kachiko intended to use that resemblance to her advantage once more, but this time, in reverse.

  Asami had done a fine job manipulating the affairs of

  Junko's geisha house so far. Things now required a more delicate—and persuasive—touch. One of Kachiko's ninja-ko had been sent to fetch Asami.

  The other had been sent on a sabotage mission—to keep a love-struck Lion busy.

  Asami arrived promptly at Kachiko's dwelling and was ushered into her mistress's inner chambers.

  "My lady," Asami said, bowing low. "How may I serve you?"

  Kachiko smiled; Asami was ever quick to come to the point.

  "Our geisha house—the one run by the Kitsune woman," Kachiko said, "how does it fare?"

  "It is a boring enterprise, hardly worthy of the Scorpion," Asami replied, revealing just a bit of her ambitious nature. "I could change that, if you desire, Mistress."

  "Until now, I have not seen fit to reveal our interest in the house to you, Asami."

  "I suspect it has something to do with the young lion who prowls the grounds like a cat in heat," Asami said.

  Kachiko chuckled. "I see you have lost none of your perceptive abilities."

  "I haven't. You trained me well. But it doesn't take a Scorpion to see through Akodo Toturi's disguise. Even the woman who runs the house knows that he's more than he seems— though she doesn't realize who he is."

  Kachiko frowned. "Hmm. Perhaps she should be removed."

  "If you think so, Mistress."

  "I'll judge for myself when I see her."

  "When you see her, Mistress?"

  "Yes, I intend to take your place for a while."

  Asami smiled. "Have we come full circle, then?" she asked.

  "Hardly. I've merely decided to take a personal interest in the house at this point."

  "Bearding lions can be dangerous," Asami said.

  Kachiko frowned; sometimes her former pupil assumed too much. The Scorpion mistress leaned closer to Asami. "I've played many dangerous games in my life, but this is the most dangerous of all—and the most critical. I know that Shoju and I can count on your unwavering support."

  Asami bowed again. "As always, Mistress."

  Kachiko leaned back. "Now, then," she said, straightening the folds of her elegant silk robe, "tell me everything you've learned. Start with what false name and background you have been using as the house's owner. Then I want you to send a note to this Junko. Tell her I, that is you, want to see her immediately. I'll have one of my samurai deliver the note as you fill me in on the rest."

  xxxxxxxx

  Four hours later, Junko and her assistant Yoko arrived at Bayushi Kachiko's temporary residence. Using a seeing spell, Miyuki told her mistress the two women appeared nervous. This made the Scorpion lady glad.

  Asami had told Kachiko she never allowed Junko to visit her lodgings. How could she? The Scorpions valued thrift, and Asami had found it unnecessary to take luxurious accommodations to keep up her deception. The Kitsune geisha mistress could be just as easily deceived by a nice kimono and the occasional visit to her house of business. Kachiko appreciated Asami's frugality and made a mental note to give Asami some small reward at a later time.

  It had taken less than an hour for Kachiko to carefully transform herself into the image of her former slave. Clothes and makeup did most of the job. The rest Kachiko accomplished by mimicking the manners of the girl she'd grown up beside. When she had finished, only Bayushi Shoju himself could have told the two apart.

  As Kachiko had worked on her appearance, Asami had continued her briefing.

  Kachiko's former double had done her job well. She knew details about the house, its operations, and its clients that Kachiko could not have learned from any conventional source. She also appreciated the role Asami had chosen: Aki, the widow of a well-to-do Crane samurai. Too respectable to work, Aki had spent her inheritance on several small businesses, which provided her enough income to live comfortably. Aki was a respectable woman, impressive in her quiet strength, and as persuasive as a Scorpion. It was a role Kachiko f
it into with ease.

  As she donned an appropriate wig, Kachiko had thought perhaps she and Asami had not grown up so differently after all.

  Kachiko's samurai ushered Junko and Yoko into the inner part of Kachiko's townhouse. As they did, Asami and Miyuki took up positions behind a concealing screen near their mistress. Kachiko, now Aki, seated herself in a small depression in the center of the house's dining room. A low, ornate table sat in the depression before her. There was just enough room on the other side of the table for her guests to sit. Kachiko-Aki nodded at the women as they entered the room, quickly sizing them up.

  Time had not been kind to Junko. The trials of the geisha business had aged her beyond her years. Though she'd carefully made up her face, she could not hide the wrinkles. Strands of gray hair peeked out from beneath Junko's black wig.

  Yoko was younger, little more than a girl. She wore her own hair tied up in a bun. Her face was pretty, but she smiled too frequently, betraying a lack of intelligence. The girl carefully stayed in her mistress's shadow. Yoko was rumored to be Junko's niece. The resemblance between the two made her more likely an illegitimate daughter. Kachiko made a mental note to have Asami check on it.

  Junko and Yoko bowed deeply.

  "Mistress, we are honored you allow us to visit you in your home," Junko said, pulling nervously at the hem of her kimono. It was a fine garment, but had not been kept in the best repair.

  "I am pleased to have you in my humble abode," Kachiko said graciously. She nodded to her ninja-ko, who played the role of a servant. The ninja woman left the room and returned a moment later with a tray bearing a jar of sake and three cups. She set the drinks on the low table in front of her mistress.

  "I hope you don't mind," Kachiko said, indicating the alcohol, "but it helps calm my nerves in this heat." To emphasize, she picked up a nearby fan and waved it at herself.

  "Not at all, Mistress," said Junko. She and Yoko practically fell over themselves reaching for the bottle. Junko seized it and poured a cup first for Kachiko, then a smaller portion for Yoko, and then one for herself.

  Kachiko picked up the cup and raised it to her lips. The other women did the same, carefully watching to make sure they didn't drink longer than Kachiko did. Inwardly, Kachiko chuckled. She would have no trouble bending these toadies to her will.

  "It has come to my attention," Kachiko said, "that our house is doing very respectable business."

  "Thank you, Mistress," both women chimed. They bowed.

  "However," Kachiko said, putting down her cup, "I believe we could do—we can do better."

  Junko and Yoko looked at each other, crestfallen. Kachiko reached to refill her cup. Yoko got the bottle first and poured for her.

  "Our girls," Kachiko continued. "Are they everything they could be? Beautiful? Talented in conversation and music? Clean?"

  "Y-yes, Mistress," Junko said, and both women bowed again.

  Kachiko waved her fan. "Then the trouble must lie elsewhere. I know several houses of the same size that are making far more money than we are. Is the quality of our food and drink good?"

  Junko and Yoko nodded like birds bobbing their heads. "Yes, Mistress."

  "Our prices, they are not too low nor too high?"

  "Neither, Mistress," said Junko.

  "We charge what the market will bear," Yoko added.

  Kachiko nodded knowingly. "I see. I see. Perhaps we are not serving our customers as well as we could."

  "Our service is impeccable!" Junko said, shocked at the suggestion.

  "No, no, no," Kachiko said sternly, flicking her fan at them. "You misunderstand. I do not mean our service is lacking. What I mean is perhaps there are things our customers want that we are not giving them."

  "In what way, Mistress?" Junko asked. She seemed unnerved by the whole conversation, which was exactly what Kachiko wanted.

  Kachiko rose and walked about the room, waving her fan like a fluttering bird.

  "In the Willow World, the fantasies of men are supposed to come true. Perhaps our clients have special dreams and desires that we could fulfill."

  "Oh," said Junko, appearing much relieved. "What kind of things do you mean, Aki-sama?"

  Kachiko appeared impatient. "You should know that far better than I, Junko. You and Yoko are there every day. Surely we have regular customers. We must. I have seen them when I check on the house."

  "Of course, Mistress," Yoko said.

  "Many regular customers," Junko added.

  "Well, tell me about them," Kachiko said, finally turning the conversation where she wanted it to go. "Who is our best customer?"

  "That would be Inoshiro Toshiro," Yoko said.

  Kachiko waved her fan impatiently and stopped walking. "The guardsman? 1 know all about him," she said. "To serve his desires, we would have to turn the whole house into a brothel." She humphed theatrically.

  Yoko and Junko laughed nervously until Kachiko smiled. Then their laughter grew more genuine.

  "And we would have to give sake away for free," Yoko added.

  Junko appeared about to scold her young charge, but when Kachiko smiled at the quip, Junko stopped short. "We could never do that," Kachiko said. "We couldn't do either of those things. Surely we have more normal customers. People we could please without debasing ourselves. People who would pay more for special services, services not provided by brothels."

  "Perhaps," Junko said, rubbing her chin.

  Yoko chimed in. "There's the wandering soldier," she said.

  "Ah!" said Kachiko. "I think I've seen him. He's one of Chuko's customers. The one who always wears the blue armor."

  "No, that's not who I mean," said Yoko, slightly embarrassed at having to correct her mistress. "I mean the one who rides the tall horse, and wears simple robes. I'd think him a monk if I didn't know better."

  "What makes you think he's a soldier?" Kachiko asked.

  "Hatsuko told me so," the young woman said.

  "I have seen his dai-sho," Junko added. "The swords are very fine—at least to judge from their scabbards."

  "And sometimes he brings a bow," said Yoko, excited that she could add so much to the conversation. "He brings us game, upon occasion. I think he hunts in the Imperial Wood."

  "Is the Imperial Wood not forbidden?" Kachiko asked.

  "Not to samurai of sufficient rank," Junko said.

  Kachiko sat back down and smiled, allowing the robes to fall pleasingly around her form. "Does this high-ranking samurai have a name?"

  "He has never told us," Yoko said.

  "Though once—a long time ago—he came in with Ikoma Bentai," Junko added. "So I think he must be a Lion."

  "Well, it doesn't matter," Kachiko said, waving her fan. "So long as we keep him happy. Good customers bring repeat business and other quality customers as well. Who did you say served him?"

  "Hatsuko," said Yoko.

  "One of our best girls," Junko added.

  "Perhaps I should talk with her," Kachiko said thoughtfully. "First, tell me—is there anything this samurai desires that we have not supplied? Does he have any dreams that the Willow World could fulfill?"

  "He likes the gardens," said Junko.

  "Sometimes we even let him take Hatsuko for a walk," Yoko said. She covered her mouth with her hands, realizing she may have made a mistake.

  Kachiko raised one eyebrow. "That's most unusual, is it not?" she asked.

  Junko pulled nervously at the hem of her kimono. "It is," the older woman said, "but he seems a trustworthy sort."

  "And he pays well for the girl's time," said Yoko.

  Kachiko nodded. "Then perhaps that is just the kind of special service we should give our gentlemen. Perhaps there is even more we could do in that direction. Where does this samurai like to go on his walks?"

  "The woods, I think," Junko said. "The edge of the Imperial Forest is not far from the rear of our house, as you know."

  "Yes," Kachiko replied. "The beauty of the forest is one of the reasons I bou
ght the house in the first place." It was a lie, but it brought a smile to the faces of the other women. They bowed. "The beauty of nature compliments the beauty of our girls," Kachiko continued. Yoko and Junko bowed again. "So, the samurai likes the woods?"

  "Hatsuko told me once that he longs for a cabin in the mountains," Yoko said, pleased to add a tidbit to the conversation once again.

  "Does he?" Kachiko said. She was careful not to show any emotion, but the revelation made her heart flutter. This fact could play into her scheme very well. She waved her fan and laughed. "Too bad we couldn't afford anything like that."

  The other women laughed as well.

  "Perhaps there are other things we could do for him—and our other customers too. The walks in the woods seem

  harmless enough, if the man is of good standing." Kachiko straightened her robes. "We should do more things like that," she concluded.

  Junko and Yoko bowed. "As you wish, Mistress," they said in unison.

  Kachiko folded her fan with a swift motion. "I have an assignment for you, then," she said. "You will talk to our other girls and find out what special services we might provide— services unusual for a geisha house, but ones that will not endanger our girls nor damage our reputation."

  "Hai, Mistress," the women said in unison.

  Kachiko stood, indicating by her manner that the audience was over. Junko and Yoko stood as well.

  "I shall interview this Hatsuko myself," she said. "Perhaps there is more she could tell me."

  Yoko and Junko nodded.

  "My servant shall notify you before I arrive," Kachiko said. "Now I am fatigued."

  Both women bowed low to Aki, and a ninja-ko servant ushered them out. When they had gone, Kachiko slid open the panel behind which Miyuki and Asami had been hiding.

  "Asami," she said, "I have a new assignment for you."

  Asami bowed slightly. "I live to serve," she said.

  "I need you to find me a cabin in the woods nearby," Kachiko said. "If you cannot find one within the Imperial Forest itself, one in the adjoining land will do. It must be secluded. It must be nice enough to tempt a daimyo but plain enough to appeal to a monk."