Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 18, 2011 18:45:30 GMT -5
Kazuma bowed to Mori and followed him to the table that he had set. He marveled at the display that the Ox clan champion was able to throw together in such a short amount of time. He walked over to the table and surveyed everything that was arrayed.
Thank you for your hospitality Morito-sama. I am sorry for catching you off guard with my impromptu visit, but I had to resolve this issue before it grew into something larger. Please let us sit and discuss everything over this fine banquet that you have managed to prepare.
Kazuma knelt on the straw mat on one side of the table motioning for Mori to do the same on the other.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 20, 2011 0:05:55 GMT -5
Mori would sit, offering Kazuma this or that, discussing the food and sake, before finally bringing the conversation around to the crisis at hand.
"How shall we end this conflict without bloodshed Kazuma sama?"
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 20, 2011 0:33:58 GMT -5
Kazuma enjoyed the food and polite conversation. When the question was finally broached Kazuma took a deep breath giving him a second to think before responding.
As I see it you have the advantage of mobility and cavalry. I have the advantage of being in a reinforced position with Shugenja and Archers. So as of this moment we are at a standstill. As a result of losing a large portion of my troops I am currently over supplied for the size army that I have which means that I can hold out for a very long time. Long enough for forces to arrive and provide aid to me. Once that occurs then another standoff will occur. Up until this point you have not attacked me or any member of my army and thus have not declared war. I have done the same and as a result I have not broken the emperors treaty.
Kazuma took a sip of tea before continuing.
You want the Dragon Heart Plain as grazing lands for your cattle. I want the Dragon Heart Plain so that it will provide a barrier against any maho users that may try and re-enter Shiro Chuda. I speak specifically of the Spider clan trying to restart the Snake clan. Since this is a time of war throughout Rokugan the Phoenix clan can not mobilize the size force that we would normally mobilize to deal with this situation.
Kazuma leaned back slightly as he placed his right hand under his chin with his index finger extended to cover his lips. He looked deep in thought as he tapped his lips with his finger. This lasted for a few seconds before he spoke again.
I propose a mutual holding of this territory. You have the cavalry and the interest to hold the Dragon Heart Plain and I have the inquisitors and more then enough troops to hold Shiro Chuda. You may use Dragon Heart Plain assuming you will hold this territory against attack or incursion from Maho users. I would also ask that you allow either Phoenix inquisitors or Kuni witch hunters, your choice, to investigate your clan for taint from time to time. I will keep several troops and Phoenix inquisitors in Shiro Chuda to cleanse the city be a last line of defense against Maho users trying to regain a hold in the area.
Kazuma leaned slightly forward as he sipped some more tea.
There is still the matter of who Dragon Heart Plain belongs to. I do not believe this dispute can be resolved at this time as it will require an in depth look into records and a resolution made by the emperor. Neither of which is possible with the current situation. As a result I propose that we allow Dragon Heart Plain to remain neutral. Are these terms suitable to you?
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 20, 2011 17:19:33 GMT -5
"I am willing to agree to the Phoenix clan's ownership of Shiro Chuda, as well as to the inspection of the Morito forces on the Dragon Heart Plains by Kuni Witch Hunters. Unfortunately, I cannot agree to the joint control of the Dragon Heart plains. Under the current deal, my Clan might end up with nothing, which would be a great dishonor to my house."
Morito Mori motioned to one of his body guards who spread a map of the North over an empty part of the table. Mori drew a point of charcoal from his belt, using it to point here and there upon the map.
"Instead I have a counter proposal. The Ox control the Dragon Heart plains and I decree that no Spider or Snake or whatever other name the tainted abominations choose for themselves will be allowed to stand on Ox soil and live. My clan is particularly suited to patrolling these lands anyway, far more so than anyone cursed to walk on foot. They will be hunted without restraint and exterminated. Any Maho Tsukai or tainted rabble captured will be turned over to the Phoenix forces garrisoning Shiro Chuda for proper interrogation and disposal, at your convenience and expertise. Our most hated enemies die, taint is controlled and wiped out."
Morito Mori would look to Asuka and nod, giving her the cue.
"Furthermore, I am willing to cede a corridor of land a half mile wide from the Phoenix border to Shiro Chuda to your most honorable clan so that you may travel to and from your newest holding freely and without harassment or toll. "
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Post by Morito Asuka on Oct 20, 2011 18:26:56 GMT -5
Playing the part of an attendant, Asuka dutifully stepped forward, bowed first to Mori, and then to Kazuma. She knealt before Kazuma and carefully undid the wrapping and opened the box she was holding to present the gift openly. Inside were cubes of refined, pressed, and imported sugar, slightly too big for immediate human consumption. Almost as if they were meant for an animal, like horses.
"Honored Lord and Champion of the Phoenix, Shiba Kazuma," she began in High Rokugani, "My Honored Lord Morito Mori, Champion of the Ox, desires to gift you with these simple cubes of sugar, as we also wish that peaceful resolution may sweeten the bitterness of loss. May your Tsuka remain forever long."
She hoped that it would be taken well. Coming up with an appropriate saying for a gift was a hard challenge. She did not have the silvered tongue of dedicated courtiers, and her hands were noticeably callused and scarred even at her young age, from years of training with horses, daisho, lance, and Ono. She hoped that the old wish for peace, that the tsuka, or handles, of the daisho would remain long, as in the style of daishos manufactured during long peacetimes, with the intended meaning: to stand firm in pursuit of peace even if war should come to the doorstep, would be understood by everyone. It was a risky saying, and she said it anyway, ready to accept the consequences. It was the only thing she could think to say with such a gift to be given!
And prepared for the ritual custom of gift giving. She could feel the eyes of the witnesses to this deliberation boring through her.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 21, 2011 21:03:42 GMT -5
Kazuma carefully considered the counter offer as he looked over the gift and Asuka. He politly declined the appropriate amount of times before accepting the gift. He took the box from Asuka and placed it next to him before bowing to her and then to Mori.
Thank you for this gift.
Kazuma then finished his cup of tea before leaning back.
I will accept these terms for they are fair. The Phoenix clan will control Shiro Chuda, a path leading to Shiro Chuda, and a cordon around Shiro Chuda. The Ox clan will patrol the remainder of Dragon Heart Plain and prevent any Maho users and tainted from entering Shiro Chuda. I thank you for your understanding in this matter. I also thank you for the meal and hospitality.
Kazuma poured himself some more tea and offered some to Mori.
To temperate minds.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 22, 2011 0:17:26 GMT -5
"Temperate minds, honor, and the Spider Clan's Annihilation."
Morito Mori toasted the peace; they had achieved their objective without bloodshed
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
|
Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 22, 2011 13:32:08 GMT -5
Kazuma drank his tea before standing.
If you will excuse me Morito-sama I have other business that I must attend to. If you need anything else please do not hesitate to send a message to Shiro Chuda. The two inquisitors there are Shiba Ame and Agasha Agito. My personal yojimbo will be in control of the garrison that I will be leaving behind, his name is Shiba Hogosha.
Kazuma bowed slightly. Before picking up his gift and making his way towards the exit.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 25, 2011 22:24:51 GMT -5
Morito Mori would grin as he left, summoning his generals in order to start patrols and give them their orders to kill the Spider wherever they may appear
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Post by Morito Asuka on Oct 26, 2011 21:38:12 GMT -5
Asuka had been practically holding her breath the entire time the exchange had gone on. To have the entire clan submit? Pray to the fortunes it was not so! Such a thing was unprecedented in the open, and subject to the wagging tongues of the empire. It made her itch for the well worn feel of her katana's handle. That was something that she could understand far easier than the intracacies of the court.
She was not naïve enough to think that there would be no consequence. This meant the Ox clan would be under perpetual suspicion; perpetual surveillance. It was a bad deal, but one that was not lightly objected to now that it had been agreed upon. She followed Lord Mori out, waiting for what he would do next.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Oct 27, 2011 10:32:27 GMT -5
Kazuma left the camp and motioned for his guards and horse as he did so. He mounted his horse and headed back towards Shiro Chuda. When Kazuma got back to camp he called Agito, Ame, and Hogosha into the command tent for a meeting. There he discussed the terms that he agreed upon with the Ox clan and the fact that he would be leaving to go join the rest of the Phoenix clan army currently stationed at Permission city.
I will be leaving Hogosha in charge of the forces that I will be leaving with you. His job will be to protect both of you. Shiba said as he nodded to both Ame and Agito. I want to reclaim this city in the name of the Phoenix clan. If at all possible cleanse the taint from this place. If the snake clan want to get their old capitol back then they are going to have to take it from us. Hogosha I will be leaving you with a contingent of 150 troops about 50 Shugenja and the rest are Bushi. I expect you to lead these troops and assist both Ame-sama and Agito-sama in their duties.
Kazuma looked around at each of those gathered.
Are there any questions?
Hogosha spoke up first.
No Shiba-sama. I will do as you have asked.
Hogosha took a deep bow before looking to the other two to see if they had any questions.
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Post by Morito Mori on Oct 30, 2011 5:24:46 GMT -5
"Asuka-san... Pen a letter to my good friend and Allie Hida Setsuro-sama. I await any spare Kuni Witch Hunters he might have to join us in the Dragon Heart plains."
Lord Mori took a deep breathe and grinned broadly
"Do you understand what we did here Asuka san?"
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