The Yobanjin Threat [Everyone!]

[Doji Hyuu]

"There is no commotion here, Tomatsu-sama, but it is always a pleasure to speak with you"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

And always a pleasure to speak with you, Doji-san. I was more referring to the larger issue here, rather than the small dispute over Crane and Lion. I hear something about Yobanjin I believe? Did we not defeat them already? I could have sworn that the defeat they suffered was far greater than the ache in my sword arm that I've developed. He smiles. Shenshi-san perhaps you can shed some light for this Lion? He says as he waves a hand, dismissing the courtiers around him and moving closer to his old friend.

[Hida Setsuro]

Before Setsuro was to retire, he sized up the various entrants into the room and then bowed lowly to the Lion Champion. He was no fool to ignore the aspects of court, especially not to one that he might consider a friend.

"Tomatsu-sama, the fact of the matter is that we were wrong. The Yobanjin make for war. Camps have been set up for it and they intend to march this way." His eyes shifted back over to Senshi-sama, "Your offer is generous Senshi-sama, but I will be fine. These wounds are nothing." He took a light breath and shook his head, his mind running through the possible places where he could recruit men to aid him. All three answers were viable ones.

Shiro Akodo offered some of the most trained men in the Empire. Kosaten Shiro offered some of the most determined. In the Unicorn lands one could find the most skilled horsemen you could ask for. Along with archers, he would be needing to hit all three places if he was going to get any sort of army built. Surely they would flock to the cause.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Bows deeply towards Setsuro. Ah Setsuro-san, forgive my rudeness for not greeting you my friend, you see I am a bit flustered by the whole situation without having enough details to see thing clearly. He places a thoughtful hand on his chin, stroking his short beard in thought for a moment. From what I hear, Setsuro-san, you are not incorrect about their intentions. I just heard this morning from one of my returning Samurai about the Yobanjin camps. Perhaps we should muster the Imperial Legions for such a threat to the entire Empire such as this? I do not fear that the clans could not handle this threat on their own, but why risk anything when there is a threat to the Empire as a whole?

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi allowed the commotion following his abrupt declaration go uninterrupted, and grinned as the Lion's champion entered the room. He knew better then to say anything as the Lion would be quick to act. In all seriousness however, he was surprised at how quickly the Crane courtiers recovered. Before Setsuro had even arrived, this same argument was growing tiresome, for the debate in court that very evening had been about the incident at Three Sides River. And for Senshi's purposes, the crabs arrival could not have been better timed.

Senshi raised both arms, "Everyone, please. This debate regarding the buildup of forces along your borders grows old and tiring. My apologies to our esteemed Crane guests for requesting your aid in the matter, but consider this: Had I asked the Unicorn to muster their troops, I would seem as intelligent as a lump of opiates. Had I asked the Crab to muster, I would seem blind to Setsuro's injuries. Had I asked the Lion to muster, I would seem foolish, for the lion always muster. Your land is far from the front, and it is the last place I would have looked for an army to deal with this threat.

"Yet the enemy are upon us, and there is an army available to deal with the threat right under our noses. I apologize if I have offended your sense of duty. But this message makes our purpose clear."

He paused for a second before speaking, hoping that this would end the old argument, "We can no longer consider having the Lion and Crane clans go to war, not with the Yobanjin at our doorstep. It is as I was saying all night long, the clans must not make war amongst one another. Rather lets repurpose the already mustered forces to deal with the Yobanjin before the threat escalates deeper into Rokugan."

After his little speech, he turned and bowed to the Lion champion, "Tomatsu-san, thank you for rejoining us. I think you are correct in mustering the imperial legions. But while we wait for them to mobilize, perhaps we should discuss the logistics of getting troops already raised to the front, and quickly."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

We always muster do we? Obviously taking great offense at the statement, which broke a second later into a smile. Well someone has to keep an eye out for the welfare of the military aspect of the Empire. Now as to your proposal... He grabbed a minor courtier by the shoulder, snatching from his hands his Sumi-e set and his paper, with a polite smile and a "Thank you" and quickly penned a note, which he rolled up and sealed before turning to Doji Hyuu. Doji-san, will you kindly send a letter for me to your Champion? I extend to him an offer to meet with me in person, to attempt to settle all matters between our clans, once and for all. Also I propose we send a joint military force of equal numbers to fight the Yobanjin. Something for him to think over. He says as he extends the letter to him and smiles.

[Daidoji Fitsu]

Fitsu bows low to the assembed great men of the Empire.

"I am certain my Champion will be glad of this meeting you propose. He considers this matter of the utmost importance, hence my presence and the considerable forces he sent with me. While I am clearly surrounded by some of the Empire's greatest men, even those far above my station have no doubt heard of my tactical acumen, and I would posit myself and my legions as the beginning of this joint effort you suggest.

The Daidoji's words carry the measured tone of one who wants to convey something of importance without insulting those higher in the Celestial Order than he.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He turns, holding out the letter to Fitsu I would be honored to have the brilliant strategist take my letter to your champion. Perhaps, if you will indulge me some time, in a game of Go or two? I have hear that you must be the descendant of Akodo himself to possess that much military acumen. I would be honored to test my mettle against yours at some point in the future.

[Daidoji Fitsu]

It would be my great honor to deliver this to my Champion. Your words are far beyond what I would deserve Akodo-sama. And though my blood flows down from great men such as Daidoji Masashigi, all I can claim of Akodo himself is that I have studied his Leadership every day since I learned to read. It has always been my desire to follow in the footsteps of Doji Kuwanan-sama and discuss it's finer details at your famed War College. As for us playing a game, it would be a privelege I would brag of to my dieing day no matter the game's outcome.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi bowed then to the host of the court, then to Akodo Tomatsu, "Well then, I believe I should get some rest for the evening before tomorrow's journey. I intend to head to Shiro Akodo, before making the trek back to Unicorn lands. Will you be gracing your hometown with your presence, Tomatsu-san?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Yes I think I will share the road with you, it would certainly make your journey much easier once we get to my lands. Turns once again to Fitsu Perhaps Daidoji-san would care to join us once he meets with his Champion, I would love to show you to the War College and introduce you to the instructors there. I'm sure you will become much more familiar with the school there once the matter of peace is achieved between our two clans.

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Very well then, I bid you all a pleasant evening." He turned and started to head out the door, "I will be in my chambers, if someone needs me, you need but to knock."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

I will greet you again in the morning, for our travels. Bows respectfully deep to his old friend.

[Daidoji Fitsu]

Daidoji Fitsu bows deeply.
Nothing would please me more Akodo-sama. I will inform my Champion of your invitation and hope he sees fit to grant me leave to do so.

[kasuga]

The small and lowly Kasuga Hatamoto steps forward...

"Noble and Powerful Samurai, the threat you now see has been forseen by the Tortoise for some time. Ever since the days of the battle of White Stag, when the Gaijin attacked from the sea, we have stood watch. The Emperor himself, through divine mandate, gave us the task to watch and deal with these unsavory gaijin. I was one of the first to report the Yobanjin to the Moto, and to the empire at large this winter.
I need not remind the learned Samurai and Lords of the great cost of the battle of White Stag. We lost half of the flower of rokugan's samurai, our empress and our fleet... all in noble sacrifice to defeat the dreaded Gaijin. Now they come again, and it seems obvious that we must again put aside our own goals for gain for ourselves or our clans, and sacrifice for the empire. Every action must be to build our troops, our strength and our knowledge of these Yobanjin.
The Tortoise stand ready to provide intelligence, knowledge and past history of the Yobanjin. Even Akodo's leadership itself recognizes the importance of knowledge before battle.
Let us all do honorably.... and let me no more see flower picking and meditation from fellow samurai, when training, combat, and arms should be our common purpose."

With these words, the lowly Kasuga steps aside.