Musha Shugyo Special-Kyuden Soyokaze by Otaku - Kaze no Shiro

Kyuden Soyokaze - The Actors24ings, it became apparent to them as they became adultsthat the affection they had for each other was somethingbeyond fraternal love. But then, Sumiko was betrothed toIchigero, and she was taken from Shurato. They continuedto exchange many letters afterwards, and Shurato wasacutely aware of Sumiko’s depression. When he finallydecided to visit her, it was too late: she had alreadypassed away. He swore to avenge her death and focusedhis anger towards the person he blames for the tragedy:Otomo Ichigero. He sold all his possessions and bought ahouse in Natsukaze, moved in and converted it into a teahouse. Shurato is a calculating and patient man. He neverwould be satisfied with simply killing Ichigero; he wantsto utterly destroy him and everything he has built. Whenhe arrived, he saw that Ichigero was trying to restore hisfamily’s status in the major courts of the Empire, and itlooked like he had the skills to succeed. Shurato resolvedto wait until Ichigero would be very close to success,and then he would ruin his name, destroy his reputation,and force him into a dishonorable death. While Ichigeroseemed difficult to corner, the same could not be said ofhis son Yusuke. It did not take long for Shurato to find away to exploit this weakness and make Yusuke addictedto butterfly tea. Through the son, Shurato plans to takedown the father.Doji Mogen,Representative of the Crane (20)Despite Doji Tadeno’s position as the chamberlain,the Crane Clan wants to affirm its support and deferenceto the Imperial families by assigning an official envoyto Kyuden Soyokaze. However, the job is not one thatis much sought after, and it was difficult to find candidatesuntil Mogen spontaneously expressed interest.Doji Mogen first came to Kyuden Soyokaze as a teenagerwith his father, the year before his gempukku. Hewas very interested in the Whispering Caves, in the Nohtroupe, and in the work of the various artisans livingin Natsukaze, just as it was expected of him accordingto his training. But someone else was more fascinatingthan all the other wonders the castle had to offer: OtomoYukimi. Mogen has been madly in love with the governor’sdaughter since his eyes set on her for the first time.Unfortunately, a marriage has already been arrangedwith an Crane maiden, and it has only been delayed untilnow because of Mogen’s remote assignment. The maiden’sparents are reluctant to see their daughter marriedto a man who apparently lacks ambition, and they arewaiting for Mogen to move on to a more prestigious job.This suits Mogen perfectly, and even though his familyis pressing him to come back, he is determined to staynear the object of his passion. Of course, he has alwaysacted properly and he has never expressed his feelings toYukimi, so the young woman has no clue about them andshe does not seem particularly interested in Mogen.Mogen’s good senses are not completely impaired byhis unrequited love. He is still a delightful guest and heshows great potential as a courtier. He is soft-spoken butknows how to be heard, and he strives to bring honor tohis clan—if only so that Yukimi finally notices him.Musha Shugyo Special Issue - Kyuden Soyokaze - April 2012Where arethe Guests’ Rooms?• Bayushi Shurato resides on the second floor of histea house, the Falling Leaf, in Natsukaze.• Doji Mogen is in guestroom B21• Ide Li-Xing is in guestroom D14• Ikoma Kagure is in guestroom B19• Oppai and the rest of the troupe are lodged inguestroom D8• Isawa Fujiko is in guestroom B23• Kakita Eiken is in guestroom D13• The Kakita Seigi twins share the guestroom B20• Kitsuki Yamaso is in guestroom D15• Miya Momiji is using a single section of the honorguestroom D22• Shiba Tokiden is in guestroom B22• Soshi Jyomon is in guestroom D17• Suzume Torihime is in guestroom B3b• Togashi Torao is lodged in the monastery• Tsuruchi Atsuka has a room at the Pinwheel inn,in Natsukaze• Yasuki Kurokage is in guestroom D9• Yoritomo Aoi and her mother Okana share theguestroom D11Ide Li-Xing,Caravan Master and Trader of Exotic Goods (22)Li-Xing was born into the Utaku family, but she neverwanted to become a warrior. She felt little affinity withthe Battle Maidens, as she has always been a social andrather talkative person. When it was time for her to trulybegin the training that would define the rest of her life, Li-Xing’s mother recognized her strengths and limitations.She also saw that her daughter shared many traits withher late father, Tomaru (formerly Otomo). She sent Li-Xing to study with their Ide cousins; a choice that Li-Xingwill forever be grateful for to her mother. Unsurprisingly,the combination of her natural social graces, great beautyand friendly demeanor allowed Li-Xing to become one ofthe best Ide diplomats of her generation. But it is withcommerce and trade negotiations that she excels, whenher strong-willed Otomo heritage resurfaces. Many aYasuki trader or a Yoritomo merchant captain have foundher to be their match despite her relatively young age.Li-Xing has been put in charge of a small trade caravanand she has quickly refocused it to take advantage of itsmodest size. She specializes in small items of high value,most of them of exotic origins. She also trades preciousstones and jewelry, antiquities, rare books and also afew delicacies such as fine sake, spices or tea. Xi-Lingcame to Kyuden Soyokaze hoping to find customers forher high-end wares, but she was pleasantly surprised todiscover Natsukaze’s unique blend of tea and is now incompetition with Yasuki Kurokage to secure this year’sproduction.