[RP] A visitor from the Crane

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Nearing dusk, a few Kakita horsemen arrived at the gates of Kyuden Isawa, their horses extremely tired, foam at their mouths, giving loud hissing sounds with every breath. The man leading the horseman dismounted, leaving his retinue at the stables, and rushed towards the castle. A servant followed him with a fresh kimono, to which the Kakita changed in side chambers, before entering the main courtroom. He quickly looked around and approached an official of the court, and took a bow.

“Isawa-san, may I pardon me interrupting you. My name is Kakita Hiroshi. I bring an important message and a plea for the Elemental Council. I would wish to ask you to inform your lords of my arrival and my humble request for a private audience. I would be deeply obliged.”

This being said, Hiroshi bowed again. And waited for the Isawa's reaction.

[Agasha Shodai]

Agasha Shodai, Void Master and Voice of the Elemental Council, perked up as his sharp ears heard Hiroshi's request. The Master wore deceptively simple-looking clothing despite his high station... His robes were cut along the lines of an itinerant monk - a role Shodai had assumed for a time while seeking Enlightenment - and only a sharp eye would realize the black and red robes were not made of the rough wool common to monks but was made of silk instead.

Shodai approached the visitor and the warder that he was talking to. "I'll handle this, Isawa Zarashi."[/b] The Master said.

The warder nodded slightly - Shodai had given standing orders that he was to be treated as a monk when he was not in the Robe of the Void Master - and stood aside. The Agasha looked important, but Shodai was confident in his still near anonymity - he'd only been Void Master for a few months and word was still being spread to the various clans.

"Welcome to Kyuden Isawa, young Kakita-san. As you may guess, the members of our Elemental Council are very busy individuals - each with the responsibilities on par with a Clan Champion."[/b] Shodai gestured to an area to one side of the main court hall where people could have discussions with some modicum of peace. "Please, join me for a cup of tea. We will discuss what has brought you to our fine castle and I will determine if your need is important enough to disturb the Council."[/b]

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Kakita Hiroshi nodded his head to greet Agasha Shodai. For a moment, he hesitated, but then accepted the invitation and followed the monk. He noticed the material of the monk's robes. For a second he was surprised, but then he thought that not all monks might be forced to take vows of poverty.

“Thank you for your invitation, kind Agasha-san,” he said, sitting on his place. “As to my interest with the Council... I assume you know about the happenings at Toshi Ranbo?” Hiroshi looked at the monk making the first rites of the ceremony. The Kakita seemed to notice the monk's head making a slight nod. Taking it as a confirmation, he continued. “I was there, when an emissary of the Phoenix declared full support for the Emperor. As the things are, you are the only clan to do it so far...” A careful observer might notice hesitation in Hiroshi's voice, and a slight sign of shame on his face.

“You are probably very well aware of the group of Ronin and outcasts from the Shadowlands, that claim to be a clan. Their presence there is enough of an offense, but to seek recognition as a major clan... But this is not what I meant to speak of. When I rode to Kyuden Doji to inform our Champion about this, I also learned that the so-called Spider also sent similar emissaries to Kaneka-dono, also seeking his support. Whether they also sent troops there, I do not know. What I do know, that you can't fight on both sides of a battle. They will betray either Kaneka-dono, or the Son of Heavens...”

The Kakita stopped for a while, to play his part in the ceremony, and then continued.

“One does not know, if there aren't any Oni in the camp near Toshi Ranbo. Alas, I've even slain an Oni myself, in Kyuden Doji, in the very palace, not three days ago! I've been to the Wall and beyond it, I know for almost certain that the plague is no coincidence... it was malevolently cast down on the Empire! And then a force comes from Shadowlands, claiming to be defenders of the throne?” Hiroshi took a deep breath to calm down, it was clear that he was more a fighter than a courtier.

[Agasha Shodai]

OOC: This conversation is assumed to be after the Conclusion of the Threads of Destiny arc as Shodai would otherwise still be on the road with Kakita Mitsouko.

Agasha Shodai nodded, rocking his hand in a slight circular motion to swirl his tea within the tea cup. He moved slowly and deliberately to give the younger man a chance to recover his wits. "Oh, yes, I am rather painfully aware of the debates underway in Toshi Ranbo as well as the various Clan capitals. I, too, was there when Void Master Agasha Shodai pledged his personal oath of fealty to Hantei the 40th and when the letter from Fire Master Agasha Miga announced that the Elemental Council had decided to support Hantei was delivered."[/b]

The Void Master noticed the young man's discomfort at the fact that the Crane Clan Champion had not announced an official stance for his clan. "You must understand, young Kakita-san, that this decision comes easier to us than it does to others... Our Clan's connection to the natural world and the other spirit worlds is second to none. Since we have recieved no insight suggesting that Tengoku is displeased with Hantei, we would be in the wrong to dispute the Celestial Order.

"For others, things are not so clear-cut... Shogun Kaneka - you'll note I personally refuse to acknowledge his treasonous declaration of a new name - HAS a sizable military force at his disposal and has proven himself in battle. This makes his banner more appealing to those of the bushi class and those whom see the seemingly overwhelming odds against Hantei and do not wish to risk backing the 'losing side.'"[/b]

Shodai took a deep sip from his tea cup. "We, too, have recieved a letter from the so-called Spider Clan and the general concensus the Council has reached is that we will not trust them, but at the same time we cannot risk starting an open conflict with them - especially since they ostensibly come in peace - until we have dealt with the traitor Kaneka... An army that fights a war on two fronts typically loses twice, after all..."

"In all likelihood, the Spider will ultimately side with whomever will give them what they want, but that is merely politics in action, but it's a very tricky situation... If either the Emperor or the would-be usurper gives them what they want, he would alienate many of those whom flock to his banner."[/b]

The Phoenix poured more tea for himself and refreshed the Kakita's own cup. "You must understand, our Council is akin to a Clan Champion whose duties and power are divided between the members, so I would be remiss if I did not ask you this question... Under whose authority do you seek an audience with the Council?"[/b]

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Kakita Hiroshi bowed his head when the monk refilled his cup. For a few moments, he slowly drank the tea in small sips, pondering at Agasha's words.

“I come under noone's authority but my own. From Toshi Ranbo, I went directly to Kyuden Doji, to report to our Clan Champion. He didn't order me to come here, nor did he forbid me to do it. I came here, wishing to seek the aid of the only Clan allies Hantei-dono has... officially. I also couldn't risk the slight chance that the Elemental Council was not aware of the Spider emissaries in Kaneka-dono's camp. This information reached me second hand, but from a trusted source”.

Hiroshi took another sip from the cup and looked at the monk.

“I have a very bad feeling about the Spider presence near the capital. Granted, currently, many samurai flock to the Shogun's banner as moths to a flame, so the list of allies of the Son of Heavens is short, and scratching any one of them might look to be counterproductive... The time is short, and is getting shorter with every passing day. There is something sinister in play in the Empire. I just do not believe in coincidences. Failed assassination attempts at two of the winds. The plague hitting just as the battle against the Yobanjin ended. Spider emissaries showing up almost the day after Kaneka-dono's proclamation. Or maybe there were in his camp even earlier? What if when the Shogun strikes at the capital, every ally of the Emperor out on the field, defending the city... What if then Spider forces turn back and strike at the very heart of the Empire? Can we... can anyone risk that they kill the Son of Heavens... or worse?”

Kakita Hiroshi took another sip from the cup and then placed it in front of him on the table.

“I might be here without any actual authority. I might even be later condemned for my actions. But I simply could not, and cannot risk that what I fear might come to pass, and we will have two ghost towns in the place of former capitals, instead of one.”

Having said that he looked the monk in the eyes, carefully studying his reaction.

[Agasha Miga]

(OOC: Thanks Shodai-san to handle this discussion. I am delighted by the way you are developping it!)

[Kakita Hiroshi]

(( OOC: Are we assuming this conversation ended, considering the latest turn of events? ))

[Agasha Shodai]

((OOC: No, sorry. Just been very busy helping a friend study for a major math exam. It killed all my free time this past week.))

[Kakita Hiroshi]

(( OOC: OK then, take your time ))

[Agasha Shodai]

((OOC: At this point, Agasha Shodai - Phoenix Void Master - and Kakita Mitsouko - Kakita Family Daimyo - are assumed to be engaged and in the one month seperation period customary in Rokugani culture prior to the actual marriage. The Threads of Destiny Series hasn't gotten this far yet because of RL difficulties.))


Agasha Shodai listened to the young man's concerns - some of which the Void Master actually shared with him - but maintained his cool composure. "I can assure you, my young friend, that every member of the Elemental Council is every bit as distrustful of the motives of the so-called Spider Clan as you are... Some of them more so. We have plans to reinforce the Toshi Ranbo garrison with some of our elite troops; as well as a Master or two."[/b]

The Void Master took a sip of tea. "Oh, and I doubt there will be any negative repercussions for you, Kakita-san. In fact, I can guarantee it..."[/b] A secretive smile crossed Shodai's lips as he thought of his bride-to-be before he took a sip of his tea. After the two months spent on the road with Mitsouko, the socially mandated weeks of seperation were undoubtedly making him the loneliest he'd been in many years. "After all, you've been rather polite about overstepping your personal authority and your efforts ARE for the greater good of the Empire. I cannot and will not condemn you for bending the rules in your effort. Others might be more strict about proprieties and I would not recommend trying this with other clans..."[/b]

Just then, Isawa Zarashi and a fatigued-looking Miya courier stepped over. The eyebrow over Shodai's gray left eye arched slightly as he recognized the Courier. "Miya Toshiro? I thought you were being punished to work in the Miya Family archives indefinitely."[/b]

"I was..."[/b] The courier said breathlessly, limping slightly from months spent riding a desk in Kyuden Miya instead of a Miya steed. "But thanks to Daimyo Kakita Mitsouko-sama and yourself, Void Master Agasha Shodai-dono, I've been cleared for active duty again in the Phoenix, Crane, and Imperial Capital territories.[/b] He pulled out a scroll sealed by the sigil of Emperor Hantei XL and handed it to Shodai.

The Void Master broke the seal, his eyes quickly reading the message while his peripheral vision looked over the top the scroll to see the young Kakita's reaction when he realized he was talking to the future husband of his Family Daimyo.

It was a declaration that the Imperial Families as well as the Crane, Dragon, and Phoenix clans - by and large - had chosen to swear fealty to Hantei the 40th while the Crab, Lion, Mantis and Unicorn clans were siding with the Shogun. The Scorpion clan remained undecided and the Emperor was calling his loyal subjects to make recommendations as to who to send as ambassador for the Imperial Court to secure the Scorpion Clan's loyalty.

Shodai nodded to himself, handing the scroll back to the Miya and looking at Zarashi. "Escort our guest to the Council chambers; Miga-san and the others should see this immediately. Tell them I'll be along in due course and then see to accomodations for the evening for Toshiro-san here."[/b]

The Isawa warder bowed slightly while the Miya courier bowed deeply to the man that had saved him from a dim future career in the archives before both departed.

Agasha Shodai turned back to his guest for tea taking a moment to refresh his cup. "It looks like you made your ride for nothing, Kakita-san... The Emperor has just acknowledged the alligance of the Crane, Dragon and Phoenix clans under his banner in what will, unfortunately, be the start of a civil war for the Imperial Throne..."[/b] Shodai said calmly as he took a sip from his tea cup.

[Kakita Hiroshi]

It was clear that the Kakita was shocked when it became clear, who his interlocutor really is. For a split second, his eyes widened in disbelief mixed with... fear? But then, quickly he regained his composure and covered up his surprise. He gently put down the tea cup, moved a bit away from the table and bowed deeply on his knees, touching the floor with his forehead. Without raising his head, he said: “Void Master Agasha Shodai-sama, please forgive me for not recognizing you. I should have paid my respects properly the second I've seen you, but please accept them now. And please accept my deepest gratitude for accepting my coming here for what it was, for I do not deserve the honor of you approving my motives.”

After a while, he sat back at the tea table, and continued: “The news is not a minute late. But I would dare to disagree in one thing, Agasha Shodai-sama, if you would allow such. My ride was not for nothing. I would make ten such rides without sleep if in the end I was to hear your wise words. It seems... I may be needed back in the Crane lands...” Kakita Hiroshi bowed his head. “If I may ask for the honor of bringing my lords the word that the Phoenix will help protect the Son of Heavens against the vile Spider, or would you wish someone more fitting from your own Clan to carry that news?”

[Agasha Shodai]

"No apology required, Kakita-san."[/b] Agasha Shodai replied urbanely, pulling slightly at the front of his robes. "After all, I rather doubt I fit the normal image most people picture in their minds when they think of the Void Master. You must understand that I have come to realize that my skills and abilities are mine because Tengoku CHOSE to give them to me because they decided that I would be best suited for the tasks that needed to be done... It would be the height of presumptive arrogance to demand glory or honor for something that was given to me; it's what you DO with what you're given that is glorious or honorable."[/b]

Shodai took another drink from his cup. "I would not be adverse to permitting you the honor of sharing the news of the Council's intent with your Clan, my young friend. I think it would hearten many to have that knowledge spread amongst the Crane clan."[/b]

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Kakita Hiroshi took the last sip from his cup, put it down on the table, and bowed.

“Thank you, Agasha Shodai-sama. I will bring your words and the will of the most honored Elemental Council to my Clan. If you would allow it, I will now ride straight to Kyuden Doji with my men.”