As the Hebi-Gawa carves its way across the south of Ikaiguchi, it marks the edge of the Yasei’s land. The forest that shades its western banks is absent across the river, and the hinterlands to the east are unclaimed by the clans. The river is fordable nearer its source, but as it draws close to the southern sea, there is only one way across: Kōyō Bridge
This bridge is wrought from ironwood: both unbreakable and fireproof, it changes color with the season. In summer, the bridge blooms with red flowers, in autumn and spring the wood takes a green hue that darkens in winter and summer.
As the boundary of the Yasei’s land, the bridge is watched over by the clan. Above that, though, it is also home to a lone guardian, a samurai who is said to have watched over it since the reign of Toko Mitsuhide. The Hebi-Gawa leads to the heart of Ikaiguchi, so it is well that it is watched.
