News travels as quickly as the winds of war in Rokugan, but because of the ravages of the war, communication has reduced itself to rumors and accusations. To the north and east, the armies of the Lion continued their assault of Doji Castle. Standing alone against the fiercest samurai in the Empire were the tiny army of the Crane, led by Daidoji Uji, and an army of Phoenix shugenja led by the samurai-maiden Shiba Tsukune.

Time after Ume, Matsu Tsuko found herself put to the task as the Crane samurai used the familiarity of the terrain to their advantage while the unorthodox strate'gies and sorceries of the Phoenix thwarted Tsuke's tactics. It seemed as if the Lion would be forced to retreat for reinforcements when another army - a Shadowlands army - advanced from the direct/on of the Emperor's Palace.

Scouts report that it seemed the three armies would band together to fight the threat but at the last moment, the Lion anny retreated, leaving the Crane and Phoenix to stand alone against the threat. It was only a matter of hours before the armies of the Empire were forced to retreat buying just enough time for the inhabitants of Doji castle to abandon the ancient stronghold of the Crane. Doji Castle is now in the hands of the Shadowlands army led by the mad mockery of the Clan's Champion. Meanwhile, Doji Hoturi has massed a large force of Cranes in the south of their lands, complemented with a small contingent of Naga led by the warlord Shadaret.

Meanwhile, in the west the "ronin army" continues to gather strength. What was once a insignificant army of Dragon samurai led by a disgraced champion is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Toturi has defeated the Crab and Hida Sukune at Beiden Pass, has forced Sukune's brother Yahmo, to retreat to the walls of Yasuki Castle, and was apparently preparing an assault on the ancient fortress when news from the Imperial Palace told him of the Lion assault at Doji Castle. Upon hearing of the assault of Shadowlands armies on the Crane, the ronin Toturi turned his army from the Crab territories back to Beiden Pass. For reasons that are as yet unclear, the Unicorn contingent there refused him passage tbrough the Pass, forcing him to turn north through the lands of his old Clansmen, the Lion.

And speaking of the Lion ...

Only recently, Ikoma Kaoku has put down rumors of a riot in Matsu Castle. Spies from the other Clans have confirmed that the house is in chaos searching for a spy who has stolen The Ancestral Sword of the Lion. Word has it that Bayushi Kachiko has recovered the blade after her own bodyguard killed such a spy trying to steal the Emperor's sword. She has told Kaoku that she will keep the sword in the Emperor's Palace... just in case.

And all the clans worry over the state of the Unicorn. For many months, they have refused to speak to the rest of the clans. Only Shinjo Yasamura has spoken at all, choosing to ride for a time with the ronin Toturi, but with his refusal to allow Toturi through Beiden Pass, the Clans have all begun to question the motives of the Unicorn.

I will be bringing you more news from the Empire, but now I must return to my letters. My spies have uncovered a great many new facts that I must collate before I can reveal them. Good luck, and keep your ears to the wind!

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