Investigation of the Scene (Day 6, Late Afternoon, CLOSED)

[Rixy]

{{While the matter of magic is solved elsewhere, please proceed. We can't afford to wait for that forever.}}

[Yoritomo Kaito]

As the intervening mess of permissions and assurances is settled Kaito turns towards the temple. "Shall we go investigate this temple then? Bayushi-san could you tell of if the trail leads to the temples front gate or perhaps around to a side entrance?" He asks as he steps towards the dark foreboding temple in question.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

(ooc: I am happy to edit posts to take into account the change regarding magic! Keep us posted)

Tomoe nodded gravely, an even more serious look in her eyes than normal. She was glad Kaito had bumped into the group, even happier it was in different circumstances to the day before but... well, the circumstances were now quite grim. Perhaps an embarassing bath chat was the better option. Still, it couldn't be helped now. "I second Kaito-san's suggestion. Please Bayushi-san, you seem to have a good level of expertise for such things. If you could guide us then we will support you. Some of the guards here have agreed to accompany us to the temple but if we can find the entrance that was used then we can make this go faster."

She turned to address everyone, even the guards "remember, there is nothing definitive yet. It could be the murderer injured this heimin's charge and someone from the temple found them and brought them back for treatment." If only that were most likely. I'd like to avoid being the cause for a diplomatic incident "We should remain polite unless the situation warrants another kind of response..." Her words trailed off, their meaning hopefully clear.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded. That seemed like an even-handed response. He wasn't holding his breath.
[Permission secured!]

[Volsung]

The city guard seemed to find that scenario as likely as if it began to rain elephants that breathed fountains of gold out of their snouts.

Still, three of them followed after the samurai as they moved toward the black temple. More stayed back, ostensibly to clean up and continue investigation the scene. The temple raises higher into the sky as the group approach, and the city guard begin to move more slowly, more cautiously. After several minutes the samurai emerge from the alleys onto a massive plaza outside the temple itself. Each large temple had one, and most had been packed at seemingly all hours of the day. Here though, there was only silence. Only the wind stirred, and even that seemed to move with hesitation. No other human could be seen, no other gaijin. Not even the creatures that were native to this strange city made an appearance.

The trail led them to the mouth of the temple, a giant demon's head which opened above the gateway inside the temple itself, and where a strange mist seemed to be leaking out onto the ground outside.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi considered the mists for a moment. A long moment. "Well, I suppose that the direct approach would, in this instance, get us all killed. That was precisely against Captain's orders. Therefore, anyone have any ideas?"

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Aside from walking into the front door I don't see many options." Kaito replied his eyes glancing around the building for a few moments. "Unless someone knows of some kind of side entrance we could use but that would also throw all hoped of diplomacy out the window."

Seeing if I can spot anything of significance at the entrance.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I move over to Kaito, whispering "I think we both know it is most likely that diplomacy won't be possible. Did you see how guards approached? These people are dangerous. I fear more for whoever is in there with each passing minute. Storming in may be best. If they are truly innocent then they would not fight and we could apologise after". I wait to see what he thinks of this suggestion. Louder I say "still, another entry point would be useful". I check my equipment one more time. I miss my light armor but I am glad I took my yumi with me from the embassy, slung over my back.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito nodded slightly at the Mirumoto's words but if know one knew if there was a side entrance looking for one could be pointless. Turnign towards the crane he speak. "Daidoji-san do you think the Kami could tell you if there is anything odd about the fog or could you tell me if you don't think it would be wise to ask."

He said as he turned to the guards. "Guards do you know of any side entrances into this temple?"

[Volsung]

Kaito sees something shiny catching the last gleams of sunlight on the ground at the entrance to the temple.

The guards meanwhile just pale. "We no enter that temple." They both make blessing gestures as they continue to stare at the black mountain before them.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded once and began to pray, calling on the great stones upon which they stood.
Commune w/Earth Kami+1 raise for clarity. Tn=15, roll=49

Greetings, honored ones, this one is Daidoji Fuichi from far to the North. I have a question or two, if you would be so kind as to assist me. I would like to know how the fog affects those who pass the threshold of the temple.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito frowned slightly the guards were no use and went to take a closer look at the shiny object he had spotted perhaps it would reveal something of this place, its secrets or who they may have carried inside.

[Volsung]

The earth spirits stir at Fuichi's request, but they seem to stop at the edges of the plaza, not willing to come any closer to this desolate place. Still, they are close enough to speak to Fuichi as long as he does not stray too far. The spirits seem cautious, though still tired.

Fog? What fog?

Kaito moves closer, and manages to make out a bracelet clearly of Rokugani design.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi frowns in concentration.
The fog that gathers at the gateway of the temple. Surely you've felt what happens when people that do not follow the Destroyer pass through the gate.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

A bracelet? Kaito think reaching down to his side and pulling worth the kama and using the extra reach this provides to pull it closer so that he can pick it up and examine it further without stepping into the fog.

Trying to see if I knew who this bracelet might of belonged to.

[Bayushi Kichirou]

Kichirou had followed along the group. Occasionally pointing out blood spatter to keep them moving along. As they approached the courtyard the Scorpion found himself tensing up. Ambushes were sprung in empty courtyards, he didn't want to be on the wrong side of one of those.

As nothing happened however his tension eased a bit though the urgency remained, "If the gaijin do not know of a way in besides the front then the front it is. I doubt we have time to search for an alternate. I would wager whoever is inside already knows of our presence."

[Volsung]

The Earth kami shiver, their sleepiness fading away into fear.

We do not go near that place. It is a dark place where there is only death. We have never seen a fog that harms man or earth though.

With the questions answered, the kami quickly depart, happy to move away from this place once again.

The fog seems undisturbed as the Yoritomo sticks his kama into it and picks up the bracelet, which is similarly unaffected by the fog. But as the bracelet twists on the end of the blade, Kaito remembers who it belongs to. Asahina Narumi. The young prophetess.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Taking the bracelet from the end of his weapons he turns to show it to the group. "This belonged to Asahina-san it must be her who they took inside." He said a look of grim determination coming over his face as his fingers tighten around the haft of his weapon. "Mirumoto-san, could you instruct the guards to inform the embassy that one of our shujenga Asahina Narumi was kidnapped and taken into this temple and we went in to try to rescue her." He asked there was no question now weather they would enter or not.

"Daidoji-san did you learn anything of the fog?"

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I watch as Kaito inspects the bracelet though I do not recognise it. When he explains it belongs to one of our own with such certainty I can feel my anger increasing. I pass his message on to the guards in Rhumaal to make it very clear. I add "please do so with haste. We may not be coming back. Ask them to send assistance". With that I glance at the Scorpion, muttering "I would not go against that wager. The front door it is" before turning to the shugenja. "Can we proceed?". I step closer to the edge of the fog and the entrance. I have another look at it, trying to figure out if it really is safe to enter. My hands move to grip my blade, ready to draw them. I doubt they are innocent. Blood will soon be spilt. Let it be theirs

[Volsung]

There is no door to the front of the temple, it is left open for any who would dare to enter the home of Kali-Ma.

Daidoji Fuichi nods. "The kami do not know for certain, but they do not think the fog is a threat."

Two of the guards, at the behest of the commander turn and head back down the alley at a run. It didn't look like they needed much encouragement to get away from this place.