The first winter court of the Minor Clan Alliance

[Morito Ryohei]

Shiro Morito is a small castle better suited to war than court frippery. But the Ox have made all their efforts and now it stands decked in splendor waiting for visitors of the Minor Clan Alliance.

Ox courtiers greet the new arrivals and give them gifts of barley sweets from the Ox lands. Ox heavy cavalry form an honour guard escorting them. The banners of enemies slain by the Ox, from Hantei XVI's soldiers to Yobanjin raiders, hang above the mightiest gate.

Once all are within the feast hall of Shiro Morito, Morito Ryohei, Champion of Ox, stands. The Champions of the other Minor Clans sit alongside him as he speaks.

"Greetings all who have come here. I know many of you are eager to rush back to the defense of the Empire and I will gladly join you in this. But I think we also do the Empire service here"

"Our orders of business are to reaffirm the Alliance and decide how we may combine our forces to best battle the yobanjin. We need to reform the Army of the Minor Clans. We must appoint a General. We also need a representative who can speak for us in the Imperial Courts and the courts of the Great Clans. And I think we also need a great shugenja who can stand alongside us in the libraries and before the Five Masters"

"But I am no idle fellow. I do not speak of these offices lightly. I have my idea for who to fill them. And so I nominate Kasuga for the position of Spokesman for the Alliance. I further nominate myself as General of the Minor Clans. And I think that the best one to represent our Shugenja is Komori Warai of the Bat Clan"
Ryohei sits as the hall erupts into discussion.

[kasuga]

The travel-worn Kasuga Himiwari, his robes still suitable in blue and gold... welcomes his friend and host Morito.
"Only recently did I become Clan Champion, as my noble friend and fellow Tortoise Kasuga Leigh resigned in order to fight the Yobanjin at their very doorstep. Yet still, I agree and add my second to all of Morito-sans statements and positions, with the exception that I will abstain from any recommendation for voice among the courts.

And though we have important goals and a shortened timeline... still, there may be time for a game of kemari, a hunt among the Morito's beautiful lands, and perhaps a friendly competition of artistry or skill?

Perhaps, as a start to such, there might be a guide among the Morito who could speak of the many fine sights and features of the dragon heart plains and the lands of the Ox... so that I may relish each one with the scant moments we have.

Again, I thank you, Noble Morito-san, gracious hosts, and all those who have taken the time to join us."

[Komori Yukio]

Warai stands with a smile and fluidly bows to Ryohei and then to Himiwari.

I too would like offer gratitude for the generous hospitality that the Ox have shown and my sincerest anticipation of the coming weeks and the beauty that the plains have to offer. I would also like to offer my humble gratitude for your trust in what little wisdom the fortunes have seen fit to grant me.

Turning slightly to address those assembled.

However, while I agree with Morito-sama and Kasuga-sama's statements and postions in general, I must defer that there are those of greater standing and wisdom than I available to represent us before the Masters. Therefore, if it does not offend, I would like to submit that Tonbo Takeshi would be a more suitable representative. Still, if it is the wish of those assembled here, I will strive to fill the role as is fitting to such an august position.

[Morito Ryohei]

Ryohei laughs.

"I would be most glad to escort any of you who wish to join me in a hunt. Game has been scarce this year but that is just a challenge for us to scare up what we can. My beaters stand ready to go but it is my custom as it was Morito's to drink a measure of sake before each hunt and then offer some to the fortunes so that they may favour our hunt. Will you join me in this?"

[kasuga]

But of course! A Kasuga cannot turn down such hospitality or beverage...
Also, I have heard many tales of the hunting prowess of the Ox Clan and am eager to see it in person! What shall we be hunting this day?

[Morito Ryohei]

"We shall hunt whatever the fortunes send us. But I have heard tell there is a mighty black-hided boar in the forest from a heimin farmer. Perhaps we will have a target worthy of our spears? And now, to the hunt!"

Ryohei orders his retainers to bring his lance and saddle, and strides out to the hunt.

[Daidoji Hikori]

(ooc: may I post here as well?)

[Morito Ryohei]

OOC: Please do Hikori-sama

[Daidoji Hikori]

In the back of the chamber trying to attract little attention to himself, wearing a simple light blue kimono a member of the crane clan takes part in the kampai. A crane tattoo is visible on his left wrist as he raises his cup. Some in the room can recognize him as Daidoji Hikori, the crane ambassador to the minor clans this last year. He has recently taken the place of the venerable Doji Hyushei after the last one retired.