The justice is swift and final - Shoshen Makoto's head rolls on the floor. The Daimyo's brother and Commander of the Citidel,
Washima Hidemasa takes charge and begins issuing orders as the Daimyo proudly exits the chamber with his four personal bodyguards, endeavoring to not visibly rely on his cane more than a man in his late 40s should. At Hidemasa's command, the prisoners Kogatoro and his yakuza guard and roughly hustled away and lieutenants are sent to muster half the Citadel's bushi immediately. By dawn, a thousand men will go under his command to the hidden mountain camp and address the issue of treason occuring there. Justice shall be swift and complete.
The characters, haven brought this weighty issue and evidence to justice before the Daimyo, are interdicted by
Washima Kumpei, an elderly scholar and advisor to the Daimyo. Appearing in his late 60s with wrinkles and thinned, grayed hair, he commands great respect for his learning and wisdom as the Daimyo's chief advisor. He smiles and offers a respectful half-bow first to Satake Motoyuki, then to the Buddhists Taisho and Zenrin. You feel another chill of apprehension as you realize Satake Taka is already gone from the chamber. Kumpei speaks -
"My condolences for your losses, and the Daimyo's gratitude for your dilligence in this matter. It is no small weight that you have carried to ensure truth and honor. I convey to you the sincere appreciation of the Daimyo." He motions to two ministers who step up to join him.
"The Daimyo will be honored by your continued stay here in the Citadel, where you may have the summer to grieve and rest after your labors in his service." Mentioning the 'ronin,' Saizo, who is in the yards, he has the ministers take note to offer him lodgings and meals as well.
You are first taken to the baths, the ministers pointedly trying to not comment on your unwashed and bloodied condition, then you are each offered new
Good Clothing appropriate to your station, fresh and clean and fitted by a seamstress. You are each provided with a private room, accomodations appropriate for honored guests, and shown where to take your meals together as a group, separated by paper walls from other guests of the Daimyo. The
month of Uzuki now passed, you think how you wish to spend the month of
Satsuki, when the rice seedlings are planted, among these fine accomodations.
Over the next week, word spreads quickly of Makoto's treachery, of the show of strength and justice by the Daimyo, at the war camp found and dealt with by the Citidel and Hidemasa. The
flames of discontent among the populace of Takayama are quelled as confidence in the Daimyo is restored, knowledge of the yakuza's intentional agitation now causing the inverse reaction.
In the weeks to follow, the businesses of Makoto are quietly dismantled and disbursed, other merchants and 'merchants' assuming control of what once was his. Kogatoro is not spoken of again, nor his two sisters who aspired to higher station through their father's arranged marriages.
Tsuzawa Hoshii is slain at the war camp, and dishonor falls upon the Tsuzawa family name... the last strike against the once-proud family. They lose their last lands near Takayama, with whispers that they are quietly leaving the entire Hida province in disgrace. Gossips speculate what the Daimyo of Etchu province may wish in taking them in, especially if Washima Fuhito remains in a weakened position.
This concludes this chapter - you can continue with your downtime roleplay in [005] A Month of the Daimyo's Grace.