Entering Sendai, the four Samurai and some of the Samurai that had supported them at the gate, made their way towards the ruins of the ancestral palace of the Daimyo, looking for Chief Magistrate Hie Yama-Uno – or whoever was left in charge.
It was not long, before they were spotted and contacted by a messenger, who directed them to the home of Hie Yama-Uno, the former Second Magistrate and now the new Chief Magistrate of Sendai.
There, they ran into Yuki (as she was coming down from the Temple of the Ancestors) – but before they could talk to her, everyone was ushered inside to be addressed by Juro Saito (Noburu’s brother and former Steward of Sendai), who was now wearing the official dress of Second Magistrate. Waiting at the head of the room upon a raised platform was Chief Magistrate Hie Yama-Uno.
“Welcome Samurai of Sendai,” Juro began – “It is most fortuitous that you have returned to Sendai from your unexpected disappearance.”
“We have much to discuss, but first you must know that Magistrate Saito is dead (and others). This is Chief Magistrate Hie Yama-Uno – You know him already of course, but now you also know his new station (and mine).”
“As of this moment, you are all officially instated as the Yoriki of Chief Magistrate Yama-Uno.”
“We will see to the rebuilding of Sendai, and do as much as we can to restore her, before our Daimyo and an emissary of the Shogunate arrives. Due to the emergency, the Daimyo has been ordered back to Sendai from Edo with the emissary of the Shogun, Imperial Magistrate Jiang Li Feng; who is coming with him to view the restoration of Sendai for herself.”
Second Magistrate Saito finished and bowed; then Chief Magistrate Yama-Uno spoke – “Good. Now that the formalities are satisfied, I bid you all relax.”
“I am not so hard a man as my predecessor, Magistrate Saito – and as long as you show proper respect, you may address my freely during our official meetings.”
“I’m sure that you have many questions.”
“And I do have one important question of my own to ask first – where were you in Sendai’s hour of need? I trust that there were extenuating circumstances for your absence; but your presence was sorely missed. You were last seen in Sendai with the traitor Yunikawa, just moments before the disaster – and had we not known of your unquestionable integrity, we might have suspected you were a part of Yunikawa’s attack.”
Here Chief Magistrate Yama-Uno gave pause – long enough for the Samurai to answer…