Pigeons were commonly used in Rokugan as couriers for messages from a retainer to their daimyo.
Pigeons aren't only animals in Tortall . They are the Black God's messengers and carry the spirits of the dead. Most spirits continue to the Peaceful Realms quickly but those of persons who didn't die of natural causes but were murdered remain in the Mortal Realms, riding the pigeons, until their unfinished business is dealt with. The ghosts don't let go of the bird they are riding until their murderers are brought to justice and their corpses are found.
Pigeons were commonly used in Rokugan as couriers for messages from a retainer to their daimyo.
Pigeons aren't only animals in Tortall . They are the Black God's messengers and carry the spirits of the dead. Most spirits continue to the Peaceful Realms quickly but those of persons who didn't die of natural causes but were murdered remain in the Mortal Realms, riding the pigeons, until their unfinished business is dealt with. The ghosts don't let go of the bird they are riding until their murderers are brought to justice and their corpses are found. Many of the pigeons Beka talks to are native to the Lower City of Corus. Sometimes birds bred for use as messengers and for races escape and bring more colours into the flock like pink, copper and white.