Some of the Samurai ride forward and turn to interpose themselves between the larger group and Roka. Among them was Roka’s friend Kado Gensai (though none of his other minions seemed to be present).
“Roka-San is right,” one of the Senior Noblemen said, “the plan to bring back the bones was approved by the Exalted Patriarch of Sendai’s Temple of the Ancestors. It is the wrong words to call them ‘damned’.”
A murmur of agreement then goes up among the Nobles and everyone can see the wind go right out of Kado Hasekura’s sails.
“That is not what I meant!” Kado Hasekura growls, highly irritated at the sudden loss of Face – but rather than risk further embarrassment , he turns his horse away – followed by his more loyal supporters.
Rai meanwhile, gets hate-filled thoughts from the man, indicating a current desire to see the mob riled against Roka and Rai particularly for some reason. Unfortunately for him, Roka’s rebuke completely dashed those plans.
The majority of the Samurai then disperse, leaving the smaller group (and Roka’s friend Kado Gensai). Their Leader, the Nobleman that spoke to Roka’s defense speaks to the four Samurai.
“As you can see, disaster has befallen Sendai. The great castle of the Daimyo has been destroyed. The entire city was pounded by a storm of fire and stone falling from the heavens, followed by a plague of Oni. Much of the city has been burned and hundreds of people have died or been carried off by the demons.”
“All this because of Yunikawa’s treachery.”
“We,” he continues, indicating the Samurai that have stayed, “do not believe you were party to this madness.”
“But your association with Yunikawa, is hard for some to ignore.”
“At any rate, you are here now and you can help Sendai.”
“Word of what happened has been sent to Edo, and I hear that Daimyo Shinsen Hasekura will be returning to Sendai as soon as possible with a delegate of the Shogunate itself, to witness for themselves firsthand the destruction of Sendai and to oversee the reconstruction efforts.”
“Magistrate Mikio Amori of Morioka has also been appraised of Sendai’s misfortune and is sending her army to help restore order and to rebuild the city.”
“But first things first – you need to go into the city and report to the new Chief Magistrate, Hie Yama-Uno.”
Then bowing his head, the Nobleman explains, “Chief Magistrate Noburu Saito was killed in the fall of the Ancestral Castle of the Daimyo.”