Kachiko watched as the Emperor slid deeper into the sickness that had befallen him. The scents of incense were thick in the room from the holy men that prayed to the Gods of Fortune, but she knew it would take more than prayer to save the dying Lord. Wise men from across the Empire -- the shugenja -- pored over their ancient scrolls of wisdom, but so far, none of their spells could break the Great Lord's fever. Already news was arriving from every Province, telling of the six Clans moving against each other. It was only days ago that the Emperor's Emerald Champion had fallen and until a new Champion could be chosen, the Clans would be free from enforcement of the Laws of the Land. While some Clans would cling to the Provinces they already controlled, others would be acting quickly to snatc