Princess-Daimyō's Hospitality

Miscellaneous

In the ancient halls of Wakigami Castle, Princess-Daimyō Hashinara Yoshitakatomo found her* usual dark workings interrupted by an unexpected visitor. Following Tōdaisen Nobuhara's summons, she* ascended to the ground floor and traversed the halls to the adviser's office. There, Yoshitakatomo found a tall, handsome man in gleaming white armor. From the crescent on his helmet to the signature eyepatch down to the tips of his shiny boots, this could only be one man: The White Blade of Hope: Date Masamune. Surely, though, Yoshitakatomo and her* allies had all seen Date⚔Masamune obliterated by Musashibō Benkei during the Mōri tournament. This new Masamune's presence merely confirmed their suspicions that something was amiss in the identity (or identities) of the Date Clan Daimyō.

Once formalities were over, this gleaming Masamune struck to the heart of his purpose for being there. It was, indeed, a case of the White Blade hunting the Black. He was searching for Matsumoto Ooawagaeri, intent on bringing the maverick general to heel for his many perceived crimes in Mutsu Province. As the other explained, Yoshitakatomo cast a critical eye over him. Indeed, there was a great deal of Creation-aspected magic floating around this simulacra, but none of it coalesced into something as ordered and rational as a spell.   Not answering his pursuit immediately, Yoshitakatomo instead wondered what the great Daimyō Date Masamune was doing so far away from his lands. Surely they required his attention more than a single renegade. The White Blade was ready with an answer, however. His provinces were peaceful and prosperous, safely tended by his close allies when they were not otherwise enjoying themselves at the great tournament. Indeed, Masamune hoped that his fellow ruler, whom he saw as Hashinara Yoshiyuki, would extend her hospitality in allowing him to stay in Wakigami for a few days.   Why? Well, he wanted to speak to the laypeople of the town. That the Hashinara Clan and Matsumoto were no longer aligned was common knowledge, but still there may be some in Wakigami who knew more of the Black Blade's whereabouts. Masamune also knew of a temple some miles to the south with a connection to that ancient, Taira-born line.   After another caution that many who spoke to the Black Blade would not know it, Yoshitakatomo finally accepted. Date Masamune, this Date Masamune, could remain in her provinces indefinitely so long as he caused no chaos. In her* magnanimous grace, Yoshitakatomo fed one more hint to the hunter. At the base of the mountain, in sacred Tōdai-ji, he might find Matsumoto Ooawagaeri's old mentor. This was not entirely an act of generosity. If the White Blade of Hope ran afoul of Osakabe-hime and did not conduct himself properly, the problem might well just disappear on its own.   With a refusal of an escort that was equal parts polite and vain, Date Masamune took his leave. Musing on their encounter, Yoshitakatomo asked her* faithful adviser, just how many Date Masamune had they encountered now? Nobuhara was ready with an answer: four, counting those who were currently aboard the Matsumoto Black Galleon. He went on to relay the recent events involving a Hound of Tindalos attacking Maxim and Ooawagaeri himself, in his guise as Fubuki. When told that the assault was likely predicated on reckless use of temporal magic, Yoshitakatomo came to a decision.   Before Hakutaku learned of this problem, she* herself* would take Matsumoto Hiei and Hosokawa Gracia to Ise Grand Shrine in hopes of closing the Dreamlands rift from the other side.