[Post here first!] Main Gate

"Yes, of course. One moment while I check the records."

This really meant he was going to ask someone, who was going to ask someone else, who had permission to ask someone else, who was going to ask someone else, who actually has permission to be in the daimyo's company.

It was about five minutes before he returned.

"Yes. Come on in."

For Nakatani, the doors are opened.

A small armed convoy arrives. Hoisted by four servants by rods was what appeared to be a box draped with embroidery. It would be brought into the castle. Ketsueki, having been confined to the cage within, would notice that after approximately two days of travel, which proceeded very similarly to her travel before Kiyonai, she would arrive... though where that destination was still to be revealed...

Setoku would be granted entry.

Kaen walked up the winding path, cursing at the fact he has a rock in such a position the a constant shaking of his foot would not unlodge it between his foot and the zori. As he limped his way up to the main gate he nodded at the guard "Good morning, the Daimyo sent for me, my name is Kaen Kogoeshinu." He said finally getting the rock out. He put the full weight on his foot, his partially black partially silver bangs spilled from the top of his head cover his left eye. The rest of his hair bound neatly in back in a top knot. His clothes were oddly neat for a ronin. The light hit his neck in such a way his necklace sparkled.

Kaen nods sternly, "Thank you." He said adjusting his necklace. He took a slower walk to observe the people, very nicely laid out, he thought to himself

"Oh? Like what sort of plans? Do you know the name?"
He was most likely unsure. But sandals was something else.

"The best sandal maker is in Shimokawa. The town is two days north of here."

The third day after Setoku had departed, he made his return. New Haori, new footwear, and he kept his word on most counts... As he approached the gate, he stopped. His No-dachi looking sheath was gone, replaced with a Katana wrapped in clothe stuffed into his obi, and the end of a wakizashi hilt protruding from his kimonos collar.

"Guard-San, thanks for the heads up on sandals. Good choice... Now, I didn't research medical things like I said I would..."

Setoku frowned, and pulled up his left hand, as the sleeves of his kimono fell back, a ribbon was tied around his hand and wrist.

"But no bloodshed!"

Setoku smiled, and headed toward the gates, not even waiting for the guards answer, if one came

The compound had been positioned high atop a large hill, its glittering torchlights like sentries in the night. Heavily guarded and strategically positioned, the Hizashi manor would prove extremely difficult to infiltrate. Only one pathway wove its way up the mountain, which was otherwise too treacherous and rocky in most areas, making night climbing a dangerous task indeed. Along the left and back perimeters of the manor, rocky cliff built up nearly vertically to the walls above. Their point of entry would be limited to a couple sides of the wall.

As they drew nearer, they'd find that the compound was quite crowded - more so than they may have expected. They could hear the laughs and jeering of men, many of whom were now drunk for the evening, and an entertaining flute hitting high notes as a part of some show. The Hizashi mansion certainly seemed festive for such an evening!

The main gate would be discovered to be too dangerous. The walls doubled around the gate, forming a sort of vestibule or checking area, which would become a virtual death trap if anything went wrong. With the way the gate guards had been staggered, much of the wealth of options for simpler scenarios (the classic diversion, a silent takedown, etc) had been eliminated. Lord Genji was often considered frivolous, revolutionary, or even counter-culture by his peers, often to a fault. Yet this had a nature of disguising the true meddle of the Kiyonai warlord, who had guarded his manor meticulously and took all matters into scrutiny.

This would leave only the walls to the right of the gate, where visibility by the guards would be less vigilant, and the rocky incline was capable of being scaled (by only the most skilled and courageous, and even then it was a gamble). Provided they made it up without issue, the walls of the compound themselves were not too tall to scale with some good equipment and perseverance, though they may be forced to hoist over a watchman over their own shoulders, given the roof-like inclines of the wall's top did not make for the same sort of grasp for grapple hooks that a European crenelation would.
If they managed to sneak a pair of eyes over that wall, an already extremely risky endeavor, they'd notice all the people. The courtyard was very crowded, as festivities played out before them. A makeshift stage area had been formed, where actors played out various satires, some of which poked fun at the current Shogunate and the political state of Jeoncho.

At this time, Lord Genji himself was nowhere to be seen, most assuredly within the innermost gardens. With the state of the manor as it was, getting inside seemed virtually impossible.

The festival at the Hizashi Mansion had come and gone and a new morning had arrived. The sun was shining high in the sky and the temperature was pleasant.

In the distance, a small group of men on horses could be seen protecting a highly decorated carriage that was between them. The horses would slowly trot their way up to the gates before coming to a halt. The rider of one of the horses would get off and give his reins to another. He then walked towards the carriage door and opened it gently. "We have arrived Sayuri-sama." he would say and bow deeply.

A woman stepped out of the carriage. She was fair and slim, a beautiful silken kimono enhancing her hips and slim waist. Her hair fall close to her knees and was knotted partly back to keep it away from her face. Sayuri was very tired from their long journey but was determined to not show it. "Thank you, Kento-san." she said and would give the guard a small nod with her head as thanks. She would then walk towards one of the guards and hand him a letter with the Hizashi crest on it. "I have received an invitation of Lord Genji. I am to be a resident at his estate from this moment on or for as long as my Lord would have me. I trust you have heard the word of my impending arrival." she said smile gently while she waited for his response.

She had been sent to the Hizashi estate as a suitor to Lord Genji, would he find her a well enough match they were to be married. She had met him once before, but had been met by a very politicly correct Daimyo. She was hoping that she would soon be able to see the person behind. They had talked about his role in Katashima and about his current state of Daimyo in the Tawakoshi region. Her father had thought him a good husband and had offered her to Lord Genji, which to their surprise, had accepted.