Letter to Yasuki Chad (CLOSED RP)

[Matsu Yoshino]

A Miya herald, wearing symbols of neutrality, approaches Yasuki Chad's tent with a message. He bows politely, deeper than any bow Yasuki Chad would make back, recognizing their difference in station.

The seal on the letter is that of Matsu Yoshino.

The Miya breaks the seal and reads it:

Yasuki-sama,

I have recently visited with a number of members of your clan. My travels took me through the carpenter pass and into the Hiruma lands. Excellent scouts, they, and a credit to your clan much as your family is a credit to your clan. Truly, all the Crab have a very specialized role to play. I find I admire them more and more each day.

While scouting the lands of the Hiruma, studying with them and helping provide much needed rest from their constant vigilance, my patrol and I came across what appeared to be a large Shadowlands army preparing to march on the Crab. More disturbingly, I noticed that some of them had symbols of the Hantei, mockingly, I must imagine.

I was shocked and indeed dismayed. I have fought in the Shadowlands with your bretheren, but this was a far larger force than any I had seen before.

I wish to meet with you and discuss the implications and see if we can work out anything.

In addition, I have followed up on your comments and have traveled far and wide, looking into the forces at work behind this war. I am as disturbed as you.

Perhaps we could meet in the same place as last time?

Sincerely,
Matsu Yoshino
Matsu Elite Guard

(OOC: Please PM me if you want in on this. Also, Chad-sama, I am prepared to offer a great many in game things, including offering to leave the battles at Toshi Ranbo for a time to defend Crab lands with you.)

[Yasuki Chad]

Several Hours later the Miya returns to Yoshino. He hands her a scrollcase bearing the personal mon of Yasuki Chad. The message inside is short and to the point.

Matsu Yoshino

I Have heard the same reports as you. I shall be there at daybreak, when the truce is in effect.

Yasuki Chad, Daimyo of the Yasuki

[Yasuki Chad]

Just before Daybreak a lone figure makes his way to the Bamboo grove, avoiding the watchful notice of both Lion and Imperial patrols. He wore Light armor, in imperial colors, and carried a Daisho. The Night brought a storm the likes not seen in a century and both the city and the Lion camp was in dissaray from it's wrath. The Sky remained overcast and a steady rain soaked the region. Finding a spot that both concealed his presence and gave some cover from the unseasonally chill rain, Yasuki Chad waited for the Lioness that called this meeting. He reread the message once again, wondering.

[Matsu Yoshino]

The same dawn breaking reveals a woman wearing light armor and a fine kimono. The Lion and their allies easily let the woman through, while she manages to slip past watchful Imperial patrols into the bamboo grove. She carries a daisho and a Tsuruchi Longbow.

She enters the bamboo grove openly, giving a quick salutation the rising sun. She calls you, "Yasuki-Daimyo, are you here?"

[Yasuki Chad]

Yasuki Chad stands up and leaves his sheltered area. Walking toward the Lioness he waves at her.

"I am here, Yoshino-sama, I must admit more then a passing curiosity at the meaning of your letter. It is true, the lost besiege The Hiruma castle."

He stops before her, and gives a brief bow.

"Tell me, Yoshino-sama, does the shadowlands attack seem connected to the orginized chaos in the rest of the empire, or simply revenge for our treatment of their.....ambassadors?"

[Matsu Yoshino]

(OOC: Apologies, Sama. Life has been crazy.)

Yoshino glares up at the sky for a second as a drop of water passes through her mane hitting her eye.

She bows deeply.

Chad-Sama, you need not stand on ceremony with your inferiors. I am a San to you, as you are a Daimyo and I but a commander, albeit of an elite force. I do, however, appreciate the flattery.

Are her cheeks coloring a tiny bit? No, it must just be the cold.

The meaning of my letter? I thought I was plain. Perhaps you are looking for more under the surface than is there? The Lost besiege Hiruma castle while all the clans flock here to fight.

She still needs a moment to think, fighting to avoid an awkward silence, she makes polite conversation.

This rain, it is quite unseasonable. I have heard my peasants saying that this may ruin the harvest, while others argue that it will increase it. You are a Yasuki, what say you?

Finally having an answer, she continues, almost in the same breath, obviously waiting for an answer as to the harvest till later.

Treatment of their ambassadors.She snorts a laugh, then colors at such an un-ladylike sound.At least there we are all in agreement! Yes, to answer your question, it seems to be a part of the rest of the chaos. The Celestial Order is broken. We could argue about whose fault it is, but I fear that such arguments, be they with words or something much louder. She pauses as a building collapses due to too much strain during this battle. As I was saying, words or something much louder is a waste of time. I doubt we will be able to convince them of that. Her hand waves, indicating all those assembled.

I am at a loss, as I am but a highly trained soldier. What would you suggest, Daimyo-sama?

[Yasuki Chad]

"The Shadowlands attack all the time, even an army as large as the combined forces here would be hard pressed to take the Hiruma Castle quickly, or without enourmass causalties."

He pauses in thought for a moment before adding, almost under his breath, "Though my report indicated such an army before the lines of communication were cut. I do think it is both exactly as it appears and nothing as we suspect. This war was orchestrated by Someone of Great Influence. The likely result is the elimation of either the Emperor or Shogun, and the weakening of the other. I almost wonder if Daigotsu has stepped into the same trap we have. He makes his move too soon to be responsible for it all. His invasion has a remote chance of uniting all of us against him before we turn on each other again. All factions involved would be weakened."

He brings one hand up to his head, and apparently brushes all these theories away. "Or maybe I was a magistrate for a little to long, and have grown paranoid under the stress of it all. It could happen. But if not, then who would gain the most? The Kolat? Gozoku? A Rogue Oni Lord? We need more information."

"The war is more likely to ruin your harvest then this rain. The Battle at Permission City is coming to its conclusion. Where will the Emerald Champion turn next, I wonder?"

Chad grimaces slightly, and makes another bow.

"I mean no insult."