Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)

[gman391]

-Summary of Imperial Arbitration

Spoiler: Spoiled for Length

The Crab have gained virtually everything they wanted, but have been forced to pay a heavy price in manpower and resources because of this. The loss of Kisada to you is ill liked, but accepted as your due.
Opinion change: +15-5-5=+5
(+15 for Yasuki lands)
(-5 for increased tithes of men and material)
(-5 for Kisada leaving their lands)

The Crane have lost their claim and with it the war. However, granting Domotai the rare honour of being permitted to carry her blade in your presence, along with a jewelled champions ship (Amethyst as it happens) Have combined with marrying several prominent Crane Courtiers to the Otomo and granting them prestigious posts in the Imperial Bureaucracy to mitigate the worst of the damage.
Opinion Change: -15+5+5=-5, no Daidoji revolt
(-15 for Yasuki lands)
(+5 for Domotai praise)
(+5 for Position)

The Scorpion have not gained anything, but they have lost comparatively little for that and gained what they went to war for in the first place. They are currently pondering their next move.
Opinion Change: +10-5-5=0
(+10 for Kisada removal)
(-5 for guilt admission)
(-5 for medicinal tribute)

Year 3 of your reign. 16th day of the Month of the Hare

While not everyone was truly happy over the outcome of your arbitration, in general, it was something everyone could live with. Which you suppose meant that it was a success after a fashion.

The early spring wind is still bitterly cold as you make the long ride towards the capital again. You opted to ride your horse today instead of being carried by a palanquin, whether your legs will be cursing you for that, remains yet to be seen.

However, you wanted to make sure you were able to see the rest of your party. Horiuchi Shem-Zhe was pensive as he rode beside you. Obviously the Great Ride of Vengeance, as it was becoming known weighed heavily on him. While there was indeed a deep infiltration of Goju in the Utaku lands, an infiltration that Moto Chagatai had burned out root and branch, the devastation left behind had scarred the land. The Utaku themselves were only barely restrained from the homicidal fury that had marked the Moto, if not for your will, you suspect that you would be hearing that they had assaulted Medinat al Salaam all by themselves. Shem-Zhe had done his part and then some. But you suspect that the burning of so many had marked him in a way that he had never looked for.

Still, your champion managed to put on a brave face, you've made a note to have him have a good vacation when you can. Although perhaps this slow ride back home will manage it? At the very least it's been pleasant riding through the lands and seeing all the new things that you had ordered built...

Huh?

You're snapped from your reverie as a small contingent of riders bearing the mons of the Lion and the Ikoma. You'd pass by Kyuden Ikoma days ago. Admittedly the Ikoma daimyo wasn't in residence, but you hadn't really paid that any mind at the time. Ikoma Korin was known for being somewhat eccentric and preferring the City of Rich Frog. (Which you had studiously avoided on advice from Akane and Kotaro)

You hold a hand up to stop the Seppun from charging forth to protect you. Their shame over your near death had filled them with a seemingly fanatical desire to die for you. However, that wasn't what you needed from them.

The Ikoma party comes to a stop and kow tows to you. One of them holds a tessen in his hand...wait is that the badge of the Daimyo?

"Rise" You call.

They do and the man holding a tessen reveals himself to you


Ikoma Korin, daimyo of the Ikoma, governor of Kyuden Ikoma and the city of Rich Frog. What on earth is he doing here.

"My Emperor, please forgive us for interrupting your journey." he says.

You don't think he's slept in days.

"Ikoma-san, I was given to understand that you were in your favoured city?"

Korin looks uncomfortable.
"I was last that I sent word to Kyuden Ikoma, I have been on the move since the message birds and spells began to fly. With word of Ikoma-ue's death."

You frown, the aftermath of that, did bother you. Most of Ikoma Otemi's nominal guards had opted for seppukku rather than live with the shame of failing their lord. With only the senior most Samurai along with the priests and a few courtiers living to journey home.

"I see...Otomo-san is there word of a new regent?" You ask to your side.

Kotaro shakes his head.
"No my Emperor, although the expectation is that Matsu Kenji will take over in stead of her former commander"

The Ikoma Daimyo looks away.
"In a good world that would be what happened...but Matsu Kenji has refused, she believes her place is at the front line of the next war. Indeed she has stepped down as Champion, her daughter Matsu Chizuki-san is to take over in a few years. Leaving Matsu Michi, her father, as regent for now."

Matsu Kenji, Paragon of Bushido, had made a choice not to serve. It was an honourable choice, to not feel that she was worthy to lead, and indeed accept that she had done all she could in her station and move on, that was beyond question. It was however still not what you expected.

Akane's eyes narrow as she seems to work out something in her head.

"Then who is currently leading the Lion for me Ikoma-san."

"...My Emperor, no one."

Distantly a part of you wonders if there will ever be a day when someone comes to see you for good things. That part is reminded of Kaname and shuts up.

"Explain?"

"Although he is but a year out from his gempukku most feel that Matsu Yoshino is not yet ready to lead. That said, there is no one of sufficient rank and will to become his regent. Both the Kitsu and Akodo daimyo argue that it is time for the Championship of the Lion to return to the Akodo once again. The Matsu disagree for obvious reasons. However, lacking a strong regent of their own, it has become something of a show down. The Matsu are unwilling to accept the Akodo and Kitsu candidates for regency, and so are they."

"And the Ikoma?"

"My Emperor the Ikoma wish to keep this from erupting into war. Thus we have positioned ourselves as neutral, but will come to the aid of whoever is attacked."

"It doesn't make sense, the Kitsu and Matsu have been closer than kin for generations." Kotaro mutters to himself.

Korin nods before shrugging a little.
"Hai, Otomo-sama, I do not know for sure what set Kitsu Katsuko against Yoshino, but something did."

"What would you have me do Ikoma-san?"

"I know we have no right to ask this of you Emperor, but I would ask you to choose a side and lend your support." Korin says.

On some level you expected that. It did not make it any easier to deal with, the Lion were perhaps your strongest force, that they would be now in disarray would make everything you meant to do to strengthen the realm even harder.

However, you do have a dearth of information....although granted you could probably badger more out of Korin, he himself doesn't seem to know more.

With that in mind you will

[] Support Akodo Shigetoshi in taking the championship
[] Arrange for a regent for Matsu Yoshino to take the Championship
[] Summon the leaders of both factions to Toshi Ranbo and hash this out in person
[] Write in

 

[gman391]

-Summon the leaders of both factions.

You don't have enough information and it's unlikely Korin will be able to help here. The Ikoma simply was too committed to neutrality to get close to either side.

"Ikoma-san, I will agree to arbitrate this dispute. However, I will not do so without hearing the case made by both sides. Send messages to the leaders of both factions to meet me in one month's time at Toshi Ranbo." You say.

"Hai, thank you my Emperor, we will ride at once to send the messages. Akodo Shigetoshi-sama and Matsu Satomi-sama will arrive in time." Korin declares.

The man and his party kow-tow again before departing.

Kotaro watches them go.
"The Matsu will be ill disposed to let the Championship go, the line of Akodo now sits on the Imperial throne. It is only right that the Matsu sit as their right hand" He says.

Akane sniffs.
"That is their belief, but the right hand of Akodo-no-kami was always Lord Ikoma, not Lady Matsu"

"Would that Ikoma Tsanuri-shiryo had left an heir." Kotaro comments laconically.

"Perhaps, but it is no help now. We ride for the Capital" You say.

Your companions nod as you resume your journey.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 3, 30th day of the month of the Hare

"Would that we had more time to sit around and discuss this my Counsellors but as it stands, we have very little time to debate this. The Lion Summit promises to take up much of my attention soon. However, given that in a mere three years, we will likely being fighting for our lives, I am loathe to put off the central planning for the year any longer."

You steeple your fingers.

"Therefore, I ask of you for advice as to how to strengthen the Empire in preparation for the coming war."

Akane takes a deep breath and speaks. "With internal tensions at least somewhat stabilized at present, I believe that the time has come to begin making tentative contacts with other powers in the Burning Sands and the northern Vales. Allies, or even just knowledge of what we are against would be invaluable"

You nod and tilt your head to Kakita Noritoshi.

"With the...generous donated labour of the Kaiu and the Crab, it is entirely possible for us to direct our efforts towards fortification. While the Unicorn are unlikely to grant us full access, or indeed even like us doing anything to the Khol wall, the fact remains that with the Kaiu we could fortify that wall beyond anything north of the Carpenter Wall in the South. Furthermore in doing this we could lay down new roads and ensure our logistics are in check"

"I must protest this expenditure" Hiroko looks like someone force fed her a lemon with vinegar to drink.
She looks around. "The Emperor at present has nothing to fear for his personal expenditures to be clear, but on the whole, even with the Crab donation there is very little room in the treasury for new expenditures. If the Emperor wishes to continue his course, we must reform trade and begin to promoting the growth of the people in order to continue"

"Strange considering it was your attempt---" Noritoshi begins.

Akane smoothly manages to cut off the Crane before he promotes another fight.
"Yoritomo-san, you say we must reform trade and promote growth, how would you do this?"

"If I had the means, I would sever us from the rice standard entirely. As it is. I wish to grant Imperial charters to several cities, roads and rivers in the Empire. These charters would exempt merchants from taxation entirely"

"That is madness" Noritoshi says.

You have to admit that he has a point. To move off the rice standard? Not taxing merchants? What lunacy was this. The entire point of merchants was to move stuff and to pay you for the privilege of doing so.

Hiroko slams her hand down.
"It is innovation Kakita-san of the kind we need. Merchants will use these areas and as they get more and more rich, they will pour more and more koku into the coffers of the locals, who we will tax. I am aware that the Kakita push all of their---

"Enough" Shem-zhe says cutting off Hiroko before she can cause a duel.

"Indeed Horiuchi-san is right. Uncle, you have been oddly quiet, tell me what would you have us do."

Kaneka looks up from the small netsuke he was playing with in his hand.
"I won't say that my plan is anymore likely to make Yoritomo-san happy. But I want a free hand to reform the legions. It will cost, if nothing else political capital. However, it needs to be done."

"I will take that under advisement...Horiuchi-san?"

"Emperor the Grand Conclave needs to be called, your efforts with Kisada-no-kami have proven fruitful, but it has only further divided the sects against each other. Another year, two at the outside, before we see things escalate to violence."

Problems, problems everywhere....still you need to make a decision

[] Eyes and ears in foreign places will be good for the Empire as a whole. You will endeavour to have Akane and Kotaro work towards getting you said eyes and ears (TN 25 65% Chance. +5 to Unicorn, Mantis. -5 Lion, Crane)

[] You've forced the Crab to give you the finest architects in the Empire. Time to make use of this, even if it angers the Unicorn. That wall on their borders is your first and best defence (TN 20, 93% Chance. +5 Lion, Crab. -5 to Unicorn, Dragon.)


[] You need an army worthy of the name. Even if it will anger many, you intend to give your uncle a free hand in making the Imperial Legion live up to the legacy of your Grandfather. (TN 20, 54% Chance) (+5 to Lion, Crab, Unicorn. -5 Scorpion, Crane, Phoenix)

[] While the idea of moving off the rice standard is complete insanity. The notion of these 'charters' has some merit. It's really just taxing people for providing things for merchants. You think you can sell it, although...yeah, you're going to take a hit on this (TN 30, 16% Chance. +10 to Mantis, +5 to Unicorn. -5 to Lion, Crane, Crab)

[] The spiritual is as important as the physical, if your monks and priests are arguing with themselves, how can they minister to your people? No time to focus on taking care of that side of things. (TN 20, 49% chance.) (+10 to Dragon, Phoenix. -5 Unicorn, Lion, Scorpion, Mantis)

"I have made my decision...."

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 3 16th day of the Dragon

You can't sleep. This doesn't usually happen to you, the long day of ceremony, filing, judging, training, and everything else, well that's enough to tire any man out. So why are you looking up at the ceiling with your wife no where near you?

Well, if you were being honest, it was mostly Kaname's fault. You had told her about the summit of course, you had told her that you intended to listen to both sides and decide things equitably and properly. She had even agreed you were showing judgement.

Which makes it all the stranger what happened doesn't it? The summit was meant to begin tomorrow, with the Matsu and Akodo delegations having arrived a few days ago. Everything was going according to plan...and then somehow, Kaname and Matsu Satomi had ended up fighting. Servants reported that the words 'treasonous bitch' and 'weak whore' had been thrown around...and that was the mild version.

Regardless of how it happened, the net result was that Kaname had methodically taken Satomi apart and put the older Matsu woman into the infirmary. Leading the Matsu delegation to demand concessions or they were prepared to seppukku and call off the talks.

A part of you is far too pleased at the strength of your wife. The rest of you is quietly exasperated. Kaname had been...better about her opinions being expressed, but she hadn't really changed her views. Piecing it together, you saw that Kaname had attempted no doubt to try and convince Satomi that it was better for the competing lines to be united and Shigetoshi given the Championship after he adopted Yoshiro as his heir.

And Satomi, being a Matsu had taken the worst possible interpretation of that. That she would sell out her flesh and blood for 'favours' and well that was an insult even to the Scorpion.

You sit up, you can't sleep, it's no use in trying. Still as Lady Moon hangs in the sky, you suppose you could go do something...

[] Go check in on your wife. Satomi got wrecked, but Kaname was hurt a little.
[] Go see if your daughter is awake, she probably is the little hellion
[] Go talk to one of your advisors (Write in)
[] Go for a walk around the palace to calm yourself
[] Go talk to Matsu Satomi
[] Go talk to Akodo Shigetoshi

 

[gman391]

-Void (Raise used)
-Speak to Horiuchi Shem-Zhe

You can't sleep, and perhaps it is paranoid of you, to suspect that the semi immortal, shape shifting master of primordial emptiness is using tricks against you. On the other hand, it might not be paranoia.
With that in mind you decide to go talk to your Jade Champion, he's probably asleep by now, but as Emperor you have a royal prerogative to make sure that if you don't sleep, no one does.

After making your way into one of the warmer art galleries, you send a servant to go summon Shem-Zhe to you. You could go visit the Castle of Law you suppose, but on the other hand...it's cold outside and truth be told you promised Domotai that you'd go judge the art here a while a go, may as well get it done. The art gallery has a theme and it seems to be that of animals, paintings, sculpture, wood carving all revolving around animals in play and life, but nothing about war. A subtle reminder of what was promised or a veiled threat of what they would fight for? A matter of interpretation you suppose.

You find the best one of the lot in your opinion, two cranes standing side by side looking at the moon. The creator is someone you've never heard of, a Kakita Tamae. Probably a newly minted Samurai, she'll go far in the art world you think.

Shem-Zhe appears beside you, looking somewhat annoyed and very carefully pulling his kimono close. You spot it for only a second, but the mark on his neck suggests that bringing his wife with him has proven very popular indeed for the man. (In theory Shem-Zhe could be having affair, but ultimately he doesn't seem the type)

"My Emperor, I live to serve." he says.

"Of course Horiuchi-san, I apologize for distracting you from certain duties. But I wish for your opinion with the situation of my wife and Matsu Satomi"

Shem-zhe, cracks his neck and looks at the painting.
"It is well known that Matsu Satomi-san never took the loss of her brothers well. Particularly with the events surrounding Matsu Domotai unfolding as they did. Matsu are already by nature impulsive, seven breaths to divine a course of action, and then stick to it, though all the world comes against them. If I had to guess, I would say any attempt to forgo what she sees as her nephew's birth right would have met with the same response."

He shrugs.
"It is ill luck that made it your wife the one to do that. The Empress is beautiful and good, but her political skills have yet to fully bloom"

Translation: I like your wife, but she's got the political instincts of a bull.
Which you suppose was fair enough assessment.

You nod.

"I see, as it stands, I'm not sure who has more legal claim. Akodo-san has the blood, but Matsu Nimuro-san the last champion was not related to the Akodo line at all so that seems to be less of a concern. However my wife being harmed leaves me somewhat biased."

Shem-zhe looks at the painting.
"It is indeed a conundrum. If one were to go strictly by Blood, you or your brother has the greatest claim to the position, but given your efforts running the Empire, I cannot imagine you wishing to add a Clan on top of that."

In the privacy of your own mind you laugh at that idea. You running the Lion, as if there was a quicker way to lose everyone else.

"None of the other clans would stand for it in any event. At least here we are safe from our enemy to the east." You say.

The Unicorn picks up on the subtle question.
"Hai, as much as one can be. The protections that your Uncle, my predecessor and the Oracles wove into the Imperial Palace are complex. They lack the power of the ones at the old capital, but they also lack its weakness as well. I will not say that the Shadow Dragon could not send a purely human agent here to do mischief, but another Goju should be impossible."

So in other words: If Matsu Satomi is in fact a Shadow Dragon agent, she's a purely mortal one with all that implies. Damn, you had hoped to be able to just sweep this under the rug.

"I suppose that is as much as I can ask for. Would that we have fewer enemies...but it cannot be helped, Honour is forever assaulted by those who fear it's strength" You say.

"Hai" he agrees.

'How goes the Conclave so far?"

Shem-Zhe answers.
"The Head Abbot says that there is a lot of quiet rumours floating about a scroll written by Master Suana, the man who helped raise your grandfather, and what it says."

"He's something of a legend in the Brotherhood isn't he?" You ask.

"Too many yes, but no I don't know where the Scroll came from or what it says. The Head Abbot seems to think it means good things for you though." Shem-Zhe agrees.

You decide that graciousness is best here.
"I was blessed by Lord Sun and Lady Moon once, I do not wish to be so ungrateful as to ask for more."

The earlier wariness of Shem-Zhe slides away.
"Well said. In terms of participation though, I think you will be happy, we're still waiting for the more remote monasteries...but it seems every major sect in the Empire and roughly ninety percent of the minor ones, will arrive in the city over the coming months"

You almost smile yourself. You had hoped to get the major sects, but that many? Oh this could be the greatest Conclave since the Great Conclave in the 6th century.

You say.
"That is good news. I know that your office is technically only charged with hunting down heretics and blasphemers...but it does me good to know that I can rely on you to look on the other matters of spiritual health."

"Thank you my Emperor..." He says.
Shem-zhe doesn't quite want to say he wants to go back to bed. But it's obvious what he wants.

You shake your head, ignoring the pain of your own wife being in the infirmary.
"...Go back to your duty, and give her my well wishes."

"Thank you my Emperor"

So you stood there alone. It was good you supposed to know that the Conclave seemed to be heading towards a good conclusion for yourself. However, that Matsu Satomi apparently of her own accord got into a fight with your wife...less so. Even if by most accounts your wife was the one who started it.

Time to try and get some more sleep, as you leave, you quietly write down on the scroll that Kakita Tamae is the winner in your eye.

An Emperor's work is never done. As your head hits the pillow you already begin planning who to talk to first.

[] Akodo Delegation
[] Matsu Delegation
[] Some one else (Write in)

 

[gman391]

Meh counting that into Plan Sirrocco, of the Tiny Squid Dynasty.

-------------Plan:Sirocco

You wish you could say that you slept well, but that would be a lie. As you wake up to Lord Sun's baleful gaze, the strong blend of Iron Benten tea is probably the only thing that makes you feel human before you finish the morning routine, and wake up fully.

The plan was a relatively simple one. Go talk to Kaname, find out what happened, why, and figure out a way to get her to apologize to Satomi. Then talk to Satomi and find a solution that would make everyone happy.

Although that apology thing might take a lot more work than it first sounded. Kaname had by dint of you putting in literal days of time and effort, learned to bend a little. But she still refused to back down when she thought she was right, which was all the time.

Mind, she was cute when she was doing the righteous anger thing.
Focus Hisao, you tell yourself. Pushing the thought aside, you stride confidently into the Empress own quarters. The Daidoji around you going straighter than arrows as you approach. Their leader, a Daidoji by the name of Ayeka as you recall, kowtows to you. The sight of a woman nearly a head taller than you kow towing should be somewhat funny but it isn't.

She begs forgiveness from you and offers her life, taking the blame of her subordinates on herself.
You tell her that her punishment is up to Kaname. You know that Kaname would never allow Ayeka to suffer because of her, but it's good to make them squirm a little.

Ayeka agrees, and without moving some signal is given to let you into Kaname's inner chambers.
There on the futon you see Kaname arm in sling looking somewhat exasperated as the elderly Imperial Physician. Otomo Kauro, studies her arm with exhausting detail. The white bandage wrapped around it shows that for all her skill. Kaname can still be hurt, a thought that worries you more than you let on.

"Otomo-sensei, am I interrupting?" You call.

Kauro turns around and kowtows.
"Sorry my Emperor, the Empress is...reluctant to take my advice and I wished to be sure that her meridians were not unduly affecting her judgement"

"And?"

"No, it seems that the Empress is just naturally like this."

He mumbles something about bushi being too damned prideful, but you choose to ignore that.
"Then if it is all right, I'd like to speak to my wife in private."

Kauro looks between you and Kaname for a moment and quietly sights.
"I will be waiting outside Emperor, should you again have need of me....nothing too exotic please, her stitches are holding but not by that much."

Wait what?

The man again kowtows leaving you alone.

Kaname shakes her head.
"That man, I've had worse blows in the dojo and come out of it fine. I may be the Empress, but that does not make me a porcelain doll." She grumps.

"That man is reportedly the best physician in the Empire. I understand your impatience, but do try to listen to him...I'll make it up to you later."

Kaname gives a sly look.
"...as you say my Emperor."

"How are you feeling otherwise?" You ask.

Her face turns downward as she looks at her lap.
"Annoyed, tired, and more than a little confused. Nothing I said was dishonourable, for Matsu-san to react as though I did...it makes no sense to me. I knew the Matsu were...violently obsessed with violence but with the Empire going to war soon how can she do this?"

You sit down beside her on the futon. It is an irony of ironies that your wife would make a good Matsu in another life, you suppose.

"Start from the beginning, what happened?" You ask.

"I knew that you were waiting a few days before granting audience to both sides after speaking with them privately. I...wanted to help, to end this cleanly. Bayushi Hoshi-san agreed with me and offered a solution."

"Shosuro Jimen's-san yojimbo?" You ask.

"Hai." she answers.

"Wasn't aware you two were close."

Kaname shrugs.

"There are few in the capital who are willing to actually...fight me. I am no Lion or Crab in love with battle for it's own sake. But if I am to protect you and my children, then I must be at my best....the Daidoji, the Seppun, they both hold back. Bayushi-san, doesn't." She says.

You suppress a frown, something about that doesn't feel right. But you aren't sure what. Bayushi Hoshi was one of your potential wives, but you had decided against her, but even if she killed Kaname in an untraceable way, you were no more likely to marry the Unicorn or the Lion than the Scorpion, if you even did marry again. So assassination wasn't likely, but still, the woman was said to be politically skilled, and a skilled Scorpion woman befriending your wife without your knowledge...was concerning.
Pushing the thought aside, you refocus on Kaname.

"What solution did Bayushi-san come up with."

"Akodo-san has a young daughter Himiko, only two years younger than Matsu Yoshino-san. If they were to wed then the claims could be united into one line. As your great Uncle married into the Matsu it is appropriate for Matsu-san to marry out. However, the heir could decide which family they belonged to on their gempukku, like Lord Kakita and Doji-no-kami's children did."

All in all it was an elegant solution. Satomi would never go for marrying Yoshino out, but modified the other way with a gurauntee that the heir would be an Akodo...it could have worked.

"Did you mention the Crane to Matsu-san?" You ask.

"Hai...the Crane and Lion are allies now, that blood feud needs to be put to rest."

Well that explained everything now didn't it. Kaname had with the best of intentions you were sure explained her idea, Satomi was incensed by the idea of her nephew losing the Matsu name, but able to control it...and then Kaname suggested they imitate the children of Kakita...the Kakita that had humiliated Matsu over a thousand years ago. (Or treated her the way she treated everyone else, depending on whose side you were on) And well, things had exploded from there.

"I understand....then what happened?"

"She called me a cowardly Phoenix that fought with words and not weapons, and that if I was so eager for peace, that I should just go convince you to rule for the Matsu using my 'wiles' after all, that was why you chose me."

"...What" You say quietly.

"To be more accurate, she said that 'If you are so eager for peace, go counsel your husband to do the right thing, using the same method that you convinced him to marry you in the first place, it's obviously effective' I know you chose me for reasons other than my beauty...but..." Kaname trails off.

There was no real insult in the words, nothing you could directly punish Satomi for, yet even for a Matsu who were almost as blunt as Crabs, that level of innuendo was...uncouth.

"So then you fought her." You say.

"I told her to draw her sword and grabbed a naginata from one of my guards and attacked her yes."

"...Kaname-chan you can't just attack people like that." You say gently.

She stares at you with angry eyes.
"Matsu-san insulted you by implying you were so petty as to be distracted by beauty, and me by saying I would stoop so low to convince you. I did the right thing Hisao."

You find yourself reaching for her, but she scoots away.

She looks at you.
"No, if you are going to scold me, then scold me, but don't try to scold me and then comfort me Hisao, I am not some minor functionary to be managed, I am your wife."

You sigh, and nod.
"Hai, you are my wife. It's not that I don't understand your anger, I feel it too...but anger cannot rule me. It cannot rule you either. The Matsu will use this in their favour, and to avoid the appearance of bias, I will have to give them something for that."

"She is the one--!"

You cut her off
"But her words were not a direct insult, all you had to do was ask that she apologize and she would have. You were the one who attacked. This isn't about right Kaname-chan, I wish it was. It's about politics"

"Hisao, I have tried, and studied, and done everything I can to accept that politics are politics and no on is doing things just because of their evil. But you will not make me bend on this. Matsu-san is in the wrong. If they use that against you, then their vaunted loyalty is worth less than the dirt on the ground."

There was a saying your sensei taught you when you asked about women.
'A wise man knows that a woman who knows she is right, is as immovable as a river'

You suspect that saying holds true here. Kaname is not going to do anything but forge ahead on this. She certainly isn't going to apologize for the fight. Still, you were a stubborn sort when you got down to it.

"Your plan wasn't a bad one Kaname, but Matsu Satomi, is one of the people who never gave up the feud with the Kakita, she was as angry as you are now, and spoke without thinking. It does not absolve her words, I won't make you apologize, but try to see her perspective."

Kaname sighs.
"...Fine, I will...think about it..."

She's still angry about it, so you figure that maybe in the name of marital relations, you should take the first step.

"I'm sorry I upset you" you say.

There's a long pause as if she's mulling it over. Kaname scoots back over and puts her good arm around you.

"I'm sorry I made more work for you." she says.

You kiss her on the lips.
"It's alright, you didn't do anything wrong."


"I know...but why is Matsu-san so...angry."

"I think it's because her nephew is the last of her real family she has left. She's seen everything sacrificed to the Lion, and the Empire, she won't sacrifice her family again, not easily."

"...I'm still not apologizing" She says.

"I know, you don't have to apologize for that, but if there's anything at all...something to sooth her pride."

"Hisao, the gods declared me right in my actions. It might not have been a formal duel, but it was duel. I have nothing to apologize for."

And that was that you suppose.

You could push it, but did you want to?
No not really. You'd manage without it.

You give her another kiss.

"I'm sorry"

"You try for the best outcome Hisao, I know that, but sometimes your ideals blind you to truth" she says.

"Hai" You agree.

"Are you meeting the Matsu today?"

"Hai, the Akodo have been mollified by being given a private audience with my uncle." You explain.

"Go prepare then. Tell Matsu-san that I only meant to break one of her ribs, and apologize for the other four." Kaname says at last.

With that in your ears, you leave. It's not quite what you want, but on the other hand you suspect that putting Kaname and Satomi in the same room will start an argument that will once again leave you looking at the shattered remains of diplomacy.

The Imperial Hospice, is all in all not a large part of the Imperial Complex, the truly sick are expected to go to the Temple of Juroijin on the other side of the city. However, it is well appointed and carefully built with marble, bamboo and glass to maximize the purity of the place, and keep it warm yet cool. The bright light of Lord Sun beats down in a small trail across the the white marble.

A half dozen Matsu and one Abbess of the Ancestors surrounds the single bed. So Sister Aya, Matsu Satomi's mother was here. Wonderful, Aya was probably the political advisor that the Matsu relied on. It wasn't that the Matsu didn't have courtiers. But the woman once known as Matsu Ketsui had a wealth of experience to draw on that most didn't have. She had never been known as a politician but Ketsui had managed in an age of Ide Tadaji, Otomo Hoketuhime, and your own father. That was not without merit.

"Matsu-san, I hope I'm not late for our meeting?" You call out.

As one the Matsu and Aya spin and kowtow to you. Revealing Matsu Satomi, legs and arms held in place by bindings, as her torso is covered in bandages. Kaname had really done a number on the woman. To her credit, Satomi tried to kowtow as well but was stopped to her shame.
You wondered how badly she was wounded for the healing magic that your guests traditionally enjoyed to not be able to bring her back completely.

Perhaps, Satomi had refused that magic, such things had happened in the past.

"No Tenno, you are of course on time." came the chorus of replies.

You strode through the room, Seppun flanking you, as you approached the foot of the bed.

"Matsu Satomi-san, I greet you."

"My Emperor" She says. her voice slightly dry.

"It is unfortunate when an altercation is severe enough to put one of my samurai into bed. Even more so when it is one known her for her honour and pride. You have my blessings for a quick healing"

"Thank you for graciousness Emperor" She says a little dully.

"I would ask then, Matsu-san, what else can be done to make your stay more comfortable?" You ask.

"My heart would be relieved my benevolent Mikado, if my nephew was confirmed in his position of Champion of the Lion, so that he can serve you with the strength the Lion will need in the coming war."

"The Akodo have of course claimed that they would fit better, but it is the Matsu who fought loyally for your father, not the Akodo" Aya chimes in.

That wasn't strictly speaking true, but close enough for you not to push too hard on it. The Lion that supported your uncle, were indeed mostly Akodo.

"This is true. However, the Akodo have also served loyally and we will need them in the coming war, just as we will need the strength of the Matsu." You say blandly.

"Akodo-sama seeks to steal a birthright of her family" Aya says.

You give a short glare.
"Sister, I respect your counsel, but I speak to one of my trusted vassals, not you."

Aya pulls back.

"She is not wrong holy Emperor"

"There are some who say the claim is deeper and truer to the Akodo than it has ever been with the Matsu. Tell me, are you truly so wary of your brothers in the Lion?" You ask.

Another Matsu, you don't remember her name off hand speaks.

"Lady Matsu was ever the hand of war for Akodo-no-kami. The Lion have ever been the hand of war for the Empire. With Toturi-shiryo taking the line of Akodo-no-kami to the Imperial Throne, it makes sense for Lady Matsu's line to continue to serve as it has been."

"There is a certain symmetry to it" You say quietly.

"But as I said, I ask Matsu Satomi-san for her thoughts."

Satomi looks at the others and then draws up a well of strength.
"My family has sacrificed and bled for the Lion, over and over again it was we who answered the call of honour and duty. When the Akodo were gone, we were the Lion's protectors. When the Kitsu failed, we were the Lion's protectors, when the Ikoma submitted, we were the Lion's protectors. A Champion rules because she is the strongest Samurai who can protect everyone in her clan with that strength. Akodo-sama is not someone who can do that. My nephew can."

Well that was blunt.
"And what makes you think that. Akodo-san has to my knowledge served well and ably in every position he has had."

"He is not Matsu, the strength of the Akodo lies in your line Emperor."

"So then there is no reconciliation between your two families? Akodo-no-kami himself commanded you to be as brothers and sisters" You say.

There's a slight tensing as they all take that rebuke with carefully concealed anger. You had placed the onus on them to accommodate in a way they could not just reject.

"My Emperor we would gradually reconcile if Akodo Shigetoshi-sama were to drop his claim and accept that the championship is in Matsu hands now." Satomi says simply.

"I see, is there nothing else that can assuage the Matsu's concerns?"

"..." They look at each other in silence as they look at you.

They're not going to say that they would like to beat up the Kakita again. But they really don't need to. The grudge the Matsu and Kakita share is legendary for a reason.

"Very well. I will be honest about this Matsu-san. There is a war coming, and I will need my right hand to be strong for it. Can I have you word, that whatever happens, you will remain loyal?" You ask.

The Matsu look uncomfortable as they slowly give their oaths. You suspect that they will hold to it but that does not guarantee the Matsu as a whole will. If nothing else Yoshino is just old enough to convince people to do something stupid, and young enough to think of it.

"Thank you, I will of course keep the Matsu concerns in my thoughts and deliberations. Matsu-san, I wish to express my well wishes for your recovery, and my wife offers her apologies for letting her temper get the better of her."

"...I thank you for your words Tenno"

They kowtow again as your turn to get out.
There was more to this than they were willing to admit. The Akodo might have insights. Or you could turn to Kotaro it was nice having a competent spy master, or you could talk to Akane...

[] Just have the meeting with the Akodo and see what they say.
[] Talk to Otomo Kotaro
[] Talk to Kitsuki Akane

AN: That was a long one. Kaname refused to play ball.

 

[gman391]

--The Akodo

It took a day to arrange the meeting with the Akodo. In the end you ended up sitting across from Akodo Shigetoshi, playing a game of Go to your annoyance, he's winning. Behind you, the seppun guards watch Akodo Bakin and Akodo Natsumi wearily. No on expects a fight, no one wants a fight. Yet, your Seppun have found that they must always be on guard.

Shigeotoshi places a black piece down, as he waits for you to speak. Clearly relying on his patience to carry the day rather than brash declarations, you suppose you could out wait him, but that would be wasting both of your time.

You place down a white piece catching him off guard.
"You play well Akodo-san, how often do you practice?" You ask.

"I don't, I play the game as often as I am able but it is not practice for me...more meditation" Shigeotshi answers.

He places another black piece, neatly trapping you.
"I see, you must meditate often, was that meditation what led you to this position?"

You see a feint within a feint, but place your piece to turn it back on him.

"Hai, in part. In honesty it was your request for brides that brought this about."

You raise an eyebrow.
"I remember, Ikoma Motoko was her name, a master spear woman. My wife often wonders if her naginata would match her spear."

Shigetoshi nods.
"It's good to have rivals to propel you to new heights, but yes. After the Empress was chosen, I decided to make use of Ikoma-san's new found visibility by letting Akodo Bakin turn her into one of his proteges"

"A fine reward, Akodo Bakin-san is justly renowned for his skill." You say.

"Indeed, Bakin-san, perhaps you should explain this?"

Akodo Bakin nods and the smaller man takes a breath.
"I set her a task I set all of my students, most when they are children, but well I did not have a chance train her as a child to my sorrow, if I had..." He trails off. "Regardless the task is a simple one, any student of war is familiar with it. Chart out the greatest strategic threats to the Clan. Or Empire. Most prefer the Clan as it's easier to grasp"

You place another piece, springing your own trap around Shigetoshi, dragging the game back to a stalemate.

"Ikoma-san did not want to show me her results. I was confused, and thought perhaps she had been lazy...but that woman is many things but lazy wasn't one of them. I eventually ordered her to show me the work she did. And she revealed why she did not want to speak it. From the evaluation she did, the greatest strategic threat to the Lion...was ourselves"

You pause for a moment, the three Lion looking distinctly ashamed to have that said, but resolute in it.
"There was no mistake?" You at last get out.

Bikan had a bitter wryness to his voice.
"Not that I could determine. It's a simple sort of logic, but it is not one that any normal Lion would see. The Lion have fought and bled since the time of your Great Grandfather, we have fought and bled too much in every conflict, more and more of us honour our ancestors. At our current rate of engagement, this is not sustainable"

"With respect Akodo-san, I need the Lion for the next war."

Shigetoshi is gruff as he declares.
"Of course, we would never forsake that duty. But we cannot war again against all of Rokugan."

You blink for a moment putting it together.
"No it is not the Lion as a whole that is the problem, you foresee Matsu Yoshino dragging you into more wars. To keep you from recovering even a little strength until..."

Shigetoshi nods.
"Until the Lion must give the position of Right Hand to another. On that day, we die in spirit if not in truth."

The third Akodo, Natsumi speaks up.
"We mean no disrespect to Matsu Yoshino-san or his house. He is fine man, a fine samurai one who would lead us with honour."

"I could simply order him to not wage war on anyone."

They look at each other.
"Matsu-san would likely take that as an insult, and seppuku for offending you so" Bakin says at last.

Okay, but you didn't have to grant that either.
"A very honourable Samurai indeed, but I could forbid it."

"Our holy Mikado, even you are not permitted to deny a man kanshi" Shigetoshi says stoically.

Well that was a novel concept now wasn't it? Ceremonially killing yourself to protest that you weren't given the right to ceremonially kill yourself. Although, it would work, and damage your prestige besides.

Natsumi speaks again.
"My Emperor, we have discussed this...we do not see an outcome where the Lion are able to hold a peace so long as the Matsu rule us. Their honour will compel them to war again and again and they will be good wars, proper wars. But they will be wars that kills us slowly, and though they know that, they say it is worth it for honour's sake."

The air is heavy as you take all of that in. You look at them, they are all thoroughly miserable about doing this, but they do not see any choice. That looks was on your face when you ordered your Uncle north. They do not want to do this, but they must.

Finally Shigetoshi speaks up again.
"Were it only for myself, I would never seek to take Matsu-san's place. But for my Clan, for my people, I will take this burden and bear it until it is my time"

You place down your last piece.
"Have you heard of the proposal the Empress floated to Matsu Satomi-san?"

Shigetoshi nods.
"Hai...I am not opposed. I do not think my daughter and Matsu Yoshino will have a happy marriage, but marriage is about politics and children, not love" Shigetoshi says.

"It is an honourable solution, I do not think that he will object, while his...zeal is something of an issue, his honour is not in question" Bakin says.

Shigetoshi places the last piece of the game. You can see he's won.

"You've given me much to think about Akodo-san, I will summon you and Matsu Satomi-san for a true conference as soon as she is fully healed."

"Of course."

They kowtow and leave the small room, with only your two guards beside you.

What a mess, you can see that the Akodo believe truly that the Matsu will destroy them in the end. Thinking back and thinking about how much blood, sweat, and koku they've spent in the last forty years you aren't sure you disagree with it. The Clan Wars were a bloody free for all, but one that the Lion arguably won. The War Against Shadow, needed a full multi clan coalition to win. And the War of Spirits so a multi sided civil war for nearly two generations. That isn't getting into the Wars again Daigotsu and Iuchiban...no the Lion have bled and died for forty years now. Bled so other clans didn't have to, bled to save the Empire...also to rule it but details. However, unlike the Crab, they didn't have the infrastructure set up to support that kind of system.

You stand up and walk outside to the garden looking for some air. Your guards of course follow you, but other than that, you seem to be alone in the mostly dead garden, the spring life is just beginning to come back in full.

A sound in a nearby alcove, you move around the alcove and you see...

[] Otomo Hoketuhime the aged matron of the Otomo and arguably the greatest politician alive
[] Kaneka, your uncle, and perhaps the man closest to the Lion while still being in another Clan
[] You younger brother, apparently enjoying the spring air.
[] Bayushi Hoshi, the yojimbo to the Imperial Chancellor.
[] (Write in within reason.)

 

[gman391]

-Otomo Hoketuhime

Sitting on the wooden bench, fingers softly plucking a koto, Otomo Hoketuhime sat. A small woman with fine porcelain features and deep blue eyes, despite her age, you could readily believe that she was consider amongst the most beautiful women in Rokugan at one time.

But that time is if not passed fully, of far less concern than her other talents. The one woman in the Empire who had consistently matched your father blow for blow in politics, for a time they had seemed fated to wed...only for your mother to interfere. Your father and mother never truly spoke of what happened around that, only that Otomo Hoketuhime had remained loyal to your father and you. Albeit going into a sort of self imposed exile, her last great act being to allow Bayushi Kaukatsu to assume his place as chancellor.

That she would be here now, is no coincidence. How she knew you would be here, you're less certain of although you're pretty sure that it wasn't hard to guess what you would do next. Quietly she bows.

Her voice is rich like silk, suiting her frame, yet grabbing your attention tighter than any binding.
"Tenno, would you let an old woman play her song before we begin work?"

Work? What game was Hoketuhime playing?
"...you may" You say.

With that she begins to play a simple song by the standards of the koto, but she plays it well for that. Bringing a level of peace and relaxation before amping up again. As the song finishes you give a polite bow of appreciation.

"Thank you Emperor, do you wish to learn to play?" She asks.

"Perhaps another time" You answer.

"Ah always another time. There is a certain value to the arts, to clear the mind and push away the distraction to focus on the task at hand. But then, like most young men, the Emperor prefers more...forceful acts." She gives a knowing look.

The Seppun guards beside you look tense, as if expecting something terrible to happen.
You give a slight nod of acknowledgement.

"You can tell Kiharu-san, that I mean the Emperor no harm." Hoketuhime says.

Your guards don't relax.
"Peace, if she meant to do something, the Princess of Winter could do something much less obvious than this" you say.

A flash of something in her eyes, calculated? Perhaps, you don't know, and for the first time you realize just how much self control that that Hoketuhime really has. All of her emotions...are what she wants you to see.


Her voice is warm.
"So there are some who remember that old title...although you are right."

The guards relax a little.
"As you command Mikado."

You look at Hoketuhime with a slight raised eyebrow.
"I have to admit to hear that the Daimyo of the Seppun would worn his people against the daimyo of the Otomo is somewhat...surprising"

"Yes, it is isn't it? But I have made my oaths of silence, the only one who could tell you why is your mother. Of course she's spending more and more time outside the capital lately isn't she?"

"She's restless, its not a bad thing for her to do some work." You say.

Hoketuhime nods.
"I quite agree, do you wish to sit? there is plenty of room."

You shake your head.
"I'll stand thank you."

"Suit yourself." Hoketuhime says as she begins to pluck the strings again.

"A fine day for playing is it not?" You ask.

"Indeed, you've enjoyed your game with Akodo-san, I trust?" She asks.

You nod.
"I did, thank you. So you know of that?"

Hoketuhime allows a twinkle of a smile in her eyes.
"My Emperor there are few in these halls who do not know of the Lion summit. How is your wife?"

You take her serve and send it back.
"As strong as ever, thank you."

"It is good to hear that the Empress will return to us." She says.

"She is too strong to be held down by such trifling injuries for long." You say.

"Ah the vanity of youth, at my age I would take a little longer to bounce back as they say."

"Somehow Otomo-san, I doubt that you would even need to raise a finger to take Matsu-san apart."

"Oh, it is good to be respected by a fine young man. You have the same way of words as your father...perhaps a touch less ruthless though"

"There is a time to sever and a time to bind."

"As the Little Teacher says, the question then is what to sever"

"A tiger can only have one tail."

"And it cannot change it's stripes. Master Jobai? It seems that Kenku was well read." She says amused.

"Itsume-sensei was very thorough" You agree.

"I am surprised you brought your little brother out of his tutelage." She says.

You give a slight raised eyebrow.
"He wished to be at hand to learn the court ways directly"

"Ah, but is that all he can do?"

"What do you mean?"

"It depends on what you wish for the Lion."

"I wish for their continued success as any overlord would wish for their vassals."

"Ambiguous phrase, 'continued success' the Akodo certainly don't think so." She says.

You reply.
"The Akodo are not always right."

"No but in this case I rather suspect they are."

Giving the slight flick of your hand that is the equivalent of a shrug.
"Perhaps, but the honour and loyalty of the Matsu is not something to ignore"

"Loyalty and Honour are fine traits in a Samurai, but they are not the only traits a lord should have."

"Otomo Tairun-shiryo's commentary on 'Subtlety of the Courts' rather obvious isn't it?" You say dryly.

"I suppose, but allow me a little vanity for my own family." Hoketuhime begins to play again.

The song shifts into four different if related melodies. You understand her meaning, you think, she believes that the Matsu should not be left in charge of the Lion. However there is more than one way to accomplish that. As you listen to the melody, the under current flows through you. Taking her advice you let yourself empty, focusing only on the task at hand.

You see several options flowing out before you, along the music that Hoketuhime plays.

[] Simply appoint Akodo Shigetoshi and be done with it. Make some political appointments to salvage the Matsu's pride, and hope enough of them die in the oncoming war for it not to be a problem.

[] Allow Matsu Yoshino to become Champion, the Akodo will bend, they will not be happy, but they will bend. Arrange for the Akodo to have some tax relief to try and counterbalance the Lion's decline.

[] Unite the two lines with Akodo Dairuko and Matsu Yoshino. Akodo Shigetoshi will remain regent until Yoshino is ready to take over. No one will be truly happy about this. But the Matsu are unlikely to complain over much outside of Matsu Yoshino's direct family.

[] Arrange a competition between Akodo Shigetoshi and Matsu Yoshino in the upcoming war. Both will be granted an Imperial Legion to use, whoever does better in the war as determined by your Shogun will receive the Championship

[] You will have your younger brother become the Lion Champion with Akodo Shigetoshi and Matsu Yoshino as regents until he is of age. This is a rather drastic step, but none can really deny his claim. Although you will have to betroth him young if you do that.

[] You've got a better plan (Write in)

(AN: Whatever you choose there will be an air ring roll made to see how it goes. You cannot fail, but the higher it is the less trouble this will cause in the future)

 

[gman391]

3rd year of your reign, Month of the Goat, 28th day

You don't really get days off. Oh you have times where you're relaxing, and by dint of Kanasuke and your wife, you've carved out a reliable four hours of sleep a night. But days where you don't have to be the Emperor, have to make some decision, talk to people, those don't happen.

A part of you idly wonders if that was why your father ended up doing what he did, for ten years holding the Empire together with blood, sweat, and tears anyone would get tired of that. Tired enough to need vacation, unfortunately, his vacation was all too permanent.

This comes to mind as you watch the water float by. You are on possibly the most opulent river barge in existence. Oh it's not tacky like the Mantis would be. No the Scorpion are classier than that. But there is no doubt in your mind that Bayushi Paneki has instructed Shosuro Jimen to woo you after a fashion.

And since you couldn't refuse an invitation to a festival to honour Bayushi-no-kami...here you were. On a boat you kind of just wanted to stay on forever with your family and sail somewhere else. That wasn't going to happen you had your duty after all, and well, as nice as the shamisen and singers were. Truth be told you preferred solid land all told.

For now though, you were just going to enjoy this moment, the brief respite you had had in the last few months. Your unilateral decision to simply given the Lion to the direct heir, consequences be damned had surprised everyone.

But between you, Akane, and Hoketuhime who helped for reasons of her own. Things seemed to have worked out. Shigetoshi had married his daughter to Yoshino, and with that marriage. The pair had become your younger brother's chief tutors on what it means to lead the Lion. With that delegated, Shigetoshi had taken up the reins of regency without complaint from the Matsu. Save for Satomi who had gone ronin rather than serve in the new regime. Where she now was...no one knew.

Daio for his part had taken some time getting used to the idea. But after several long weeks where you spent your evening with him. He accepted that this was what he was born to be. After reassuring him that you would always be family. Daio had hugged you and promised to be your strong right hand when the time came.

No it had all worked out, Kaneka hadn't even been that miffed when you explained your reasoning for not asking him. You hadn't wanted him to choose sides because he had good friends on both sides. The other Clans according Keitaro had been more relieved that they wouldn't have to worry about 'Suddenly Matsu' than your over reach of power.'

So why weren't you satisfied?

The lapping water against the boat gives no answer, even as you hear a new song play.

Shosuro Jimen came up behind you.
"My Emperor, it is not seemly to have the guest of honour spending his time out on the balcony."

"Hai, just wanted to look at the outside of your magnificent vessel Shosuro-san."

"You are most gracious, shall we return?" He asks lightly.

You nod and follow him in to the main 'party room' and work to keep your head above water as the Scorpion do their very best to beguile you. You don't think you're going to forget Bayushi Hoshi in that outfit for sometime....

No you don't get days off, but you do get a lot of perks.

---------------------------------------------
Year 3: Month of the Monkey, Fifth Day

The quiet of your office is punctuated by the manic energy of Shem-Zhe, for someone who is usually so calm and collected. It's quite a sight to see him worked up, pacing about.

"Horiuchi-san, calm down and run that by me again."

"Apologies Emperor, its, just...the Thunders reincarnating made sense, even the Champions, but the Heavenly Kami? That is not something we've ever seen before" Shem-zhe pauses.

"Although granted, we've never really had Heavenly Kami who passed before"

"And this scroll of Master Suana's foretold it?" You ask.

"It foretold that Amaterasu-no-kami would be born to your line." Shem-zhe says.

"So with my aunt..."

"The Conclave has concluded that your aunt was indeed the reincarnation of Amaterasu-no-kami, and that is why she was able to do what she did against the Usurper."

"Which retroactively legitimises the whole thing now doesn't it?" You ask.

"In essence, there are still a few details to be worked out, but the Toturi seem to definitively have the mandate of Heaven."

"That's good to hear my friend, but that still doesn't quite explain why you're so giddy"

"...My Emperor if Amaterasu-no-kami can come back...then Shinjo-no-kami can come back to us, just as she promised" Shem-Zhe says.

Well, you hadn't though of that but that would explain it.
"So you're clan is going to be looking for her to return then"

"Hai, perhaps once we win this war, we will have redeemed ourselves for her." Shem-zhe says with hope.

"I can only pray the Heavens take note of your request, Horiuhchi-san."

"Indeed. That is the most important thing I think, however, the Conclave has said to me privately that they plan to ask you to confirm your divinity by appointing a Fortune at the end of the Conclave. It would be wise to think of who you intend to promote for that my Emperor"

"Thank you Horiuchi-san, do you have suggestions?"

"Whoever you promote this will be seen as a large boon to the Clan they are from, but I would go from the quality you wish to promote then find a hero who fits"

You nod.
"Thank you Horiuchi-san, I'll think on this and get back to you"

The Unicorn bows and leaves you in your office as you lean back and think.

What sort of Fortune do you want...

[] Given the upcoming war, someone who embraced that and exemplified a martial virtue
[] War is not everything, and you want there to be people who think about after the war. An artist who shows the cultural strength of the land
[] The heavens should probably be appeased at this point. A sage and holy person would do nicely.

From the
[] Crab
[] Crane
[] Dragon
[] Lion
[] Mantis
[] Phoenix
[] Scorpion
[] Unicorn
[] Minor Clans
[] Imperial families

(AN. Choosing a Great Clan will give a +10 opinion boost to that Clan. Choosing the Minor Clans will reward you economically, and the Imperials, politically.)

 

[gman391]

---Minor Clan
--A Holy (Wo)man

The Badger have had a difficult time in this last century, you could admit that much honestly. A mere decade ago and they were thought to be doomed. Their numbers never recovering from the powerful oni that had ravaged them in secret while the rest of the Empire had burned.

However, where once there was a grim fatalism, now a stubborn hope persisted. Hidden even from the Badger's own knowledge had been a redoubt of Badger Samurai led not by a bushi, but a simple, and ultimately very lost shugenja of the Kitsune family. Ichiro no Kitsune Tamamae had upon leaving the realm of spirits, found herself in an unfamiliar land with an unfamiliar castle near by. Exploring it she had discovered the Badger, and realizing the power of the Oni begged to be allowed to set up a sacred place for the children, the old and the sick so that they may hide from the Oni and free up the might of the Badger to go on the offensive.

A futile gesture in some respects. The Badger that new the secret place had gone to his grave without revealing it. So for nearly fifty years Tamamae had led the Sanctuary she had created, having taken the Badger name and been the only one who could maintain it. With the peaceful (for Rokugan) years past, the Sanctuary had opted to rejoin their brethren bringing the Badger back to nearly their full might. (You are told that for fifty years there had been not much to do besides work, and well...procreate vigorously)
Having seen her charges through, the now aged shugenja had passed in her sleep around the time of the Goju assault last winter. Reportedly she was smiling and had a bright light emanate from her form.

The Tamamae line was now quite prominent as a line of shugenja within the Badger who called the ancient Clan to a more balanced state of being. While there is tension, the Champion of the Badger has no intention of ruining his Clan's hope.

Regardless with Tamamae's death, the Badger had dutifully worshipped her as ancestor and saviour. Now you would elevate her into a minor goddess. The Fortune of Priestly Guardians, it would be her duty to continue to guide all those who found themselves in situations similar to hers. Cut off from the outside world with only their faith in the Heavens to sustain them they would find succour in her name.

-----------

In retrospect you didn't know what you had expected from the Minor Clans when you made your announcement. It certainly had not been this. You look at the strong, proud Badger Samurai kowtowed before you, beside them sitting on an enormous cart. Is perhaps the greatest collection of gold and precious gems that you have seen outside of the Imperial Treasury. Standing at least three times your height and a dozen times your length, your admittedly lackluster math estimates this is enough to run the Empire for a year? Maybe two?

Yoritomo Hiroko stands beside you, visibly affected by the sight. You'd think someone had just brought her newborn grandson by the way she seems to want to touch it. In her defence, you have a little trouble believing it yourself.

Quietly you bid the Badger to stand up.

"Ichiro Megumi-san...I do not deny the tribute you have brought before me, I only ask for how you have done this. My samurai do no good to anyone if they cannot eat." You say.

Megumi nods, her flat broad face coached into stillness.

"When the Sanctuary discovered...they had laid up taxes dutifully for all the time they had spent hidden away. It had been thought that we would use it to pay our dues to the Emperor over time while we recovered...but with the Emperor's acknowledgement and gratitude, we found that we could no longer justify to ourselves holding it back. Even if it was not something you would ask for in your gracious munificence"

Were the Badger Lands really that productive? You need to remind Hiroko that there is more to wealth than trade.

"Very well, I would ask the Badger to continue their loyal duty in the north, and thank them for their generosity."

Megumi shifts a little.
"Honesty compels me to say that the Minor Clan Alliance also all contributed a small amount. When your father raised Toku-no-kami up. We saw it as repayment for all the efforts he made for your Grandfather. When you raised Tamamae-no-kami up, we see it as your wisdom and insight showing that we are worth the same to you as the Great Clans, and we will not forget your praise"

"The Minor Clans were created in honour of the valour of their founders. It pleases me to see my faith in them is not misplaced" You say.

There's a bit more back and forth, but ultimately, the Badger depart, and you find yourself looking back at this year, as something of an astounding victory. It may have taken two years to get to the point where things go smooth, but it had happened.

You only hope that you thinking that somehow hasn't caused something somewhere to jinx you. It'd be nice to go a few months without something major happening, or in the immediate offing.

--------------

Ah winter court, your first one in a foreign court with your wife even. This should prove a nice working vacation of sorts...okay probably not, but you have optimism dammit. Now where were you going again?

[] Crab Clan (Kyuden Hida)
[] Crane Clan (Kyuden Doji)
[] Dragon Clan (High House of Light)
[] Lion Clan (Kyuden Ikoma)
[] Mantis Clan (Kyuden Gisei)
[] Phoenix Clan (Kyuden Asako)
[] Scorpion Clan (Kyuden Bayushi)

Unicorn are not available for 7 more years

(AN Remember this is essentially +5 influence to that Clan)

 

[gman391]

The Imperial ship was beautiful. That was the first thought that entered you mind as the mighty vessel entered into the bay. Anyone on the Isles of Silk and Spice learned to judge the worth of a ship at the same time they learned to walk.

Kaede's Grace you had heard it called. You don't actually know who Kaede is, but she must have been pretty to have a ship like that named after her. Long sleek lines, sails spun from the finest cloth in the world, paint that would never have chance to fade or chip. Her very motion saying to all the world that she was a queen to be respected as such.

One day, you'll definitely sail on something like that. You'll be a bold sailor, fighting and seeing the world in the name of the Mantis. Or that's the dream anyways.

"HEY KID!" You hear a shot from below your perch.

The Lonely Asahina was a sake bar, it was also an apartment and some other things. Long story short was it was three stories tall and gave you plenty of room to see out to the harbour. However it was also the local guard hang out. Probably should have thought of that ahead of time.

"What?!" You call down.

"You're trespassing, get down from there!"

"And if I do!?"

Someone else interjects
"We'll give you a lesson you won't forget"

Yep that sounds like a whipping, and you are just not down with that

"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN YOU FUCKS!" You shout.

Then you run, while hearing someone getting their head smacked. The sound of legs and people on the road behind you. Without thinking you jump the ledge between the two buildings, move fast, move with you body, never hesitate. That's what Takao had taught you.

Hands reach for a hanging laundry line as you swing across the next building. Honestly, you love this way too much....

Your name is Minato, you are fourteen years old by your own count. Your real age...you don't actually know. It might be younger it might be older. You know your father was a Samurai, as his daisho that you keep in secret tells you so. But which Samurai? That you don't know either. Your mother was a simple geisha that barely roused herself from the opium stupor these days, let alone remembered the past.

Sliding to a stop as you reach the top of the hiding hole that you and the rest of the street rats had put together. You put your hands on your knees and gasp for air. The guards were getting faster these days. They said it was because the Emperor was coming and Yoritomo-Ue did not want anything going wrong...but truthfully you think it's because they don't want to get slapped for getting the wrong person again.

Truly the Emperor had been very generous in giving guidelines and laws on how to treat the lower classes. Even if it meant you had a tougher time outrunning guards now motivated by the threat to their wallets if they caught the wrong person.
Upsides and downside, as it were.

Finally your lungs stop heaving, and heart slows, and you can look around the small hide out that you and the other rats use. An abandoned shack on top of an abandoned warehouse, these places weren't the height of class, but they were dry, and that's about all they had going for them. Well that and the people.

You smile at Eri, the cute fisherman's daughter who has been the closest thing you had to a conscience.

"Guards chasing you again Mina-kun?" She asks.

You shrug. "Ah, they didn't like me hanging out on top of their sake bar."

"Mou, one of these days Mina-kun, they will get you"

You wave your hands.
"Ain't anyone in Kyuden Gisei that can catch me. What'd you think of the ship?"

"She was beautiful...I wish I could be on a ship like that." Eri says, her dark eyes going far away.

"Well maybe we can sneak on?" You suggest.

She looks at you like you had grown two heads.
"No one can hide from a Seppun, that's what they say...it's a nice dream, but--"

The chime of ship coming in echoes across the shack.

"That might be papa's I gotta go!" Eri says. She thinks for a moment and adds "Don't do anything stupid"

You roll your eyes. One time you break into a Samurai's home to get some sword oils, and suddenly your marked for life as an idiot.

"Toka was waiting for you over by Old Hatani's place, you should go there."

With that last line, Eri disappears from the shack, leaving you alone. Girls, you didn't understand them at all. Sure you got into trouble from time to time, but does she have to be so bossy about it? It's not like you didn't get out of it or anything.

That said, the Emperor's ship was docking, you could try going to see it from a different angle...
Or go see whatever Toka was up too...
Or just because you wanted to bum some fish from her old man, follow Eri. (No you didn't like her or anything.)

Decisions decisions...

[] Ship
[] Eri
[] Toka
[] Go clean your daisho and train a little.
[] Nah you got a different idea (write in)

(AN: So this is a POV shift for this Winter Court, Minato is both going to give a bit of view from the lower classes for a lot of things. This is strictly narrative, so don't worry about his stats. He will eventually meet up with Hisao, but how he gets there is going to be up to you)

 

[gman391]

-Toka

As you watch Eri go, you decide that you will at least go hear Toka out before going to the ship or practising with your sword. Carefully you look outside the hide out, and see that the coast is clear. With that in mind, you begin to move and climb.

The feel of wood and bamboo under your feet along with thatch is as familiar as breathing for you. Kyuden Gisei might not be the largest city in the Empire, but its still huge. Or at least you think it is, fourteen years here and there's still ways around the city you don't know.

You swing from the bamboo pole to the street below, rolling with the impact and standing up. In front of you is Toka. Standing maybe two inches over you (Which he never lets you forget) If you wanted to describe Toka in one word....you'd go with cat. Not in a bad way, but he's sleek, eyes on the prize, with a wiry strength about him that one wouldn't expect.

He waves.

"Minato, what took ya?" his voice is always a friendly baritone.

"Was watching the Ship come in, Eri said you had something you wanted to show me?"

He nods.
"Was looking for some...salvage, and I found something. You got more book learnin than I do"

You scratch the back of your head. That was true, your father had left a hidden scroll in his daisho, it hadn't been much, but combined with Mama Willow teaching you to read and write, you were noticeably more knowledgeable than most of the Frenzy. As Toka had insisted on naming your group when he found out what a group of sharks was called.

You thought it was stupid, but he had a stronger right hook than you did.

"Alright, lead the way." You say.

Toka nods, and begins to run along the streets using barrels, crates, and anything else he could to get himself up to the roofs, you were right on his heels. Below you, a few people look up, but most ignore you. People roof running is a common enough sight in the city. Some say that Mantis samurai like to do it when they get bored. You don't know about that ,but it could be a thing you suppose.

Eventually, you find yourself stopping in front of the taller buildings in the city. This is...Golden Oak's place. The richest merchant in the quarter. Man was a bit of an ass but people excused a lot when you could make it rain koku. Literally, you saw him do so once at the Temple of Daikoku.

"Toka, why are you at Golden Oak's place"

"....Salvage, follow me." He says.

You frown, you knew his salvage was often theft, but there was theft, and then there was taking out your genitals and slapping a Matsu berserker with it. This seemed uncomfortably like the latter. But as he climbs the building, you look for guards and follow him.

Having apparently set up a way in ahead of time. Breaking into one of the upper floors is easy. The rich mahogany wood beneath you gives an uncomfortable creak as Toka leads you deeper into the building.
Finally after avoiding a patrol, he leads you into a small empty closet. After a moment Toka pushes a panel and there is a click and the wall slides away.

You come into a new room, red lantern light bathing everything in a slightly sinister light. In the centre of the room is a simple black altar made of a shiny stone that you don't recognize, although it kind of looks like the descriptions of obsidian that you heard of before. Around the altar is circle of carved writing in bright white ink, barely visible in the light. The circle has four more lines of writing going off the cardinal directions leading up to four different sets of armour complete with demon masks.

All in all it's fucking terrifying.

"Toka what the hell?!" You hiss.

"I need you to read the writing, I want to know what this is."

"Bad stuff, obviously bad stuff!" you answer.

"...Yes but is it for here or the entire building" Toka asks.

Kami dammit Toka. You think to yourself as you begin to read it.

The words chill you, it's a prayer to...Fu Leng, the Dark God, but he's dead isn't he? You keep reading, the writing is invoking the name of the Dark God and Jigoku for...you can't be sure of the writing, some sort of ritual to have Fu Leng's power manifest? In the end you can't make heads or tails of what it exactly is saying, but it seems like it involves making those demon armours into...well things that can move. This is obviously a Maho-Tsukai cell.

In the capital of the Mantis, when the Emperor is here. Somehow that doesn't seem like it's not connected.

"No the rest of the building isn't cursed, this is mean to do something with those armours." You say at last.

"Good we should get out of here..." Toka says.

You leave the secret room of doom and begin to head towards the vaults. You may as well get paid for this madness. When you hear a group of people approaching, without a word, Toka and you hide inside a side room, and watch them as they pass. Four of them two of them look...wrong for lack of a better term. Their eyes are too big, their skin too pale, and necks at just the angle to be unsettling without being impossible. One of them has a sack with what looks like a person in it.

After the pass Toka motions for you to keep following him but you...

[] Decide to follow those strange people, whatever they're planning to do with a person in there it can't be good
[] Follow him to the vault
[] Fuck this shit you're out, you're finding a good magistrate and reporting this in