The War of Dark Hearts

by Nancy Sauer & Shawn Carman

It wasn’t much of a snowfall; just barely enough to cover the streets with a soft mantle of white. It was early in the year for it as well, and Kakita Matabei knew that when morning came the feeble heat of the sun would melt it away. Nothing was forever.

Matabei strolled through the quiet streets taking turns at random. Winter was almost here, and soon he would be swept up in the glitter and show of court politics. The season promised to be an odd one: on the one hand, no one wanted to be seen impeding the defense of the Empire, and on the other hand material and manpower were beginning to run low, and lords were starting to think about protecting their own. Tonight he could forget it all and simply walk in the snow.

Turning back home he chose an alleyway that let to the main street of the temple district. Matabei had not gotten halfway through when three men in Scorpion red entered the other end and came walking towards him. None of them had weapons to hand but the Kenshinzen felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle. He stopped and waited.

The three came to just outside of his zone and stopped. “Your pardon, Crane-san, but are you Kakita Matabei?” the middle one asked. He wore a red mask with a demon’s feral grin.

“I am,” Matabei said. Three ahead of him, and two more behind; he wondered if there was anyone on the rooftops.

“Excellent. I am Bayushi Sorii, and by my authority I require you to come with me.”

“I am not subject to a Scorpion magistrate’s authority,” Matabei said.

“Forgive me, but I see I have been imprecise,” Sorii responded. He reached and held up a jade seal carved with chrysanthemum. “I am an Emerald Magistrate.”

One or Jimen’s dogs, Matabei thought. Shosuro Jimen, who had brought him back into the good graces of the Imperial Court. Who had ordered the murder of Kakita Mai. Were you thinking of her when you stood there in court? he wondered. Even then, were you planning the death of my lord’s wife?

“My time is valuable,” Sorii interjected upon Matabei’s thoughts. “You will come with us, now.” The two men at his side had their hands on their hilts, watching for the Kakita to fall into a dueling stance, and Matabei could tell without looking that the two behind had already drawn steel.

“I am afraid you are mistaken,” Matabei said. “If you or your time were valuable, Jimen would not have sent you after me.”

“I...” Sorei mumbled, and then Matabei was drawing his blade, turning in a smooth arc to meet the men behind him. The magistrate blinked in amazement – the Kakita hadn’t even changed his stance – and then he was drawing his own blade and joining the fray.

When silence returned, the alley stunk of blood and offal. Matabei cleaned his blade with a precise move and sheathed it. He wasn’t sure what sort of message Jimen intended to send by this, but the Kakita was quite sure of what message he wanted the Emerald Champion to receive. “For the coward there is no life,” he said, then he walked away.

•

“My lord, I... I am horrified. I have no idea what to say.” The Crane magistrate was paler than anyone Jimen had seen in recent memory, although there were certain elixirs that could elicit a similar response. “Are you... forgive me, but are you absolutely certain that Matabei was involved in this... this carnage?”

“Unquestionably,” Jimen said. His tone perfectly casual. “I would also describe it as unsurprising.”

Doji Numata’s complexion grew even paler somehow. “I’m sorry, my lord. Of course I will notify my lady immediately and see to it that restitution is made to the families of your men and of course a search for Matabei will begin immediately.”

“No thank you,” Jimen said. “Matabei is a bit of a disappointment, but ultimately he is a symptom and not the problem itself.”

Numata stared at Jimen blankly. “Are you suggesting that the Crane are complicit, my lord? Because I can assure you...”

“Kakita Noritoshi,” Jimen said, shaking his head. “It was only a few years ago. But I was quite young and foolish, or so it seems to me now.” He gestured around the office. “I craved authority and power, the ability to enact my wishes without obstacles.” He sighed lightly. “I fear I underestimated Noritoshi’s tenacity. He must be some sort of lunatic idealist to have clung so tightly to the idea of justice and revenge for so long. And after I have taken so much from him already.”

“It... you... Kakita Mai-sama,” Numata sputtered.

“Or course,” Jimen said. “It did cost me quite badly though. I regret it quite a bit.” He shook his head again. “So many of his vassals, men like Matabei, refuse to do the sensible thing and turn their back on him. It’s maddening, really. How many more of my own forces will I have to compromise to end the game? No, I made an error when I made an enemy of Noritoshi. Even after his death, I will have squandered so much time and so many resources. It will not even be satisfying.”

“My lord,” Numata said. “You are confessing to terrible, terrible things! Why are you telling me this?”

“A moment of weakness, I suppose,” Jimen said with a shrug. “I really should not have, although of course you will say nothing. To do otherwise would ruin you utterly and gain nothing.” He stopped and looked at Numata for a long moment. “Will you join me for tea?”

“I... think not, thank you,” Numata said.

A thin smile spread slowly over Jimen’s face. “I really must insist.”