Interlude - Shinobi

Similarly to but separate from Mika, Shinobi bid his comrades farewell and travelled stealthily across Rodinia and into Honshu. His destination was the Scorpion Province. He reported in to his Clan and provided a detailed account of his actions since departing the Scorpion lands months before. He also gave a vivid description of his visions from Zehir.   He was congratulated for his success in his mission to rescue Tara and her team, who had previously returned safe and sound. Shinobi enquired about the captive traitor they had accompanied, and what he had revealed under torture.   The Shogun�s wife had been a particularly devout follower of Zehir. The visions which Shinobi described had also been experienced by her. They were interpreted as a warning that the yuan-ti city of Anathema, gifted to them by Zehir, was under threat of reclamation by the drow, who had dwelled there previously when it was known as Erenira. It was unclear what course of action this dictated.   The Scorpion traitor was a high ranking member of the palace staff. He originated from an area right on the border with Rodinia and his family had suffered greatly with every Rodinian incursion. He predicted the Shogun would dedicate many resources to investigating Anathema if his wife requested, at the expense of protecting the Rodinia border. Hence why she needed to die. This was a surprising revelation as it had been widely supposed that the Shogun was the assassination target. The fact that Rodinia and Drow were implicated made the plan even better. His betrayal was due to his loyalty to his family over his religion.   The Shogun ordered Shinobi to investigate the threat to Anathema, deep in the Underdark, and see what action may be required of the Scorpion Clan to aid their fellow worshippers of Zehir . All the many resources of the Clan were made available to fully prepare Shinobi with whatever means necessary, including a suitable disguise or cover.   After sufficient training, meditation and preparation, it was time for Shinobi to rejoin his Nex Pervenio colleagues in distant Malea, taking the guise of �Yoichi�, a sell sword from the Crab Province.