The Khan's Arrival

[Moto Yoee]

The sun was setting on the horizon as a group of riders approached the walls of Shiro Moto. Clad in fur-trimmed clothes to protect them from the cold, wearing heavy armors in case they come across Yobanjin raiders, they looked exhausted.

One of them was different. Taller, larger and bulkier than any other samurai of the band, he didn't seem affected by tiredness at all. What could possibly make him look so determined when all the others were about to fall of their sadle? Maybe it was the blessings of the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang. Or simply the natural abilities of the descendants of the Ujik-hai. Or was it something else?

The castle was quite busy, and many sentries stood guard on its walls and at its doors. The riders slew down, entering the castle at a slow pace. Many people gathered around them, looking for information, mostly about the Yobanjin and the Shogun. The group then entered the main building, the Khan's private estate.

All bowed down as the tall man walked in the corridors of Shiro Moto. He simply waved his hand, sometimes groaning something through his clenched teeth about some kind of "petty sycophancy". Once he arrived in the throne room, he walked straight to the huge wooden seat standing at one end of the room. There, he raised his hand, instantly stopping the conversations of the few bushi and courtiers in the room.

- My Khan? one of the courtiers asked with an obsequious tone.

- We have to review our strategy in this war, Yoee said flatly. Kaneka, this warmonger, marches on my lands. How could the Emperor let him do that? I... we could have dealt with those filthy gaijin without any exterior assistance, but now we look like fools. I'm sure that these petty sycophants are laughing at us in Toshi Ranbo.

- But we could not do anything, else it would have been taken as a challenge to the authority of the throne, another courtier said.

- I know that! Yoee almost shouted, rubbing his forehead with his hand. After a moment of heavy and dramatic silence, he raised his gaze. For an instant, there was a strange sparkle in his eyes, but it faded away so quickly that it might not have been here in the first place. What other news do we have, Ide-san?

- My liege, it appears that... that another army will be sent to... to help us deal with the Yobanjin raiders, the courtier replied hesitantly.

- Another army? I though the Shogun had sent all his men here...

- That is the case, my lord. This other army will be commanded by the Emerald Champion himself.

- What? First Kaneka, then Hachi?! By the Lords of Death, is there some kind of meeting of all the Imperial leaders taking place in my lands?! And then what? Will they find evidences of these gaijin dogs using magic and send me the Jade Champion? Or maybe will the other clan champions come too, along with their daimyos?

The Khan suddenly stopped, his gaze intently staring at the trophies on top of the rooms door.

- Something's happening in my home, and I don't even know what...

[Bayushi Haruka]

Another set of hoof beats echoed in from the road. The individual seemed hurried but the guard seemed to recognize the rider as they watched them pass inside with deliberate swiftness.

Also armored and streaked in the blood of a recent battle as the painted unicorn mon shown in bright silver, the rider came right up to the Khan's estate without hesitation, obviously carrying some news of importance. Removing her helm on entry and bowing as she saw the Khan with her back to her, she started to speak.

"My lord,"

"Utaku Haruka-san," a courtier clarified who spoke.

"I've come from the Mountain Watch Keep battlegrounds when I heard you'd returned. So far we've encountered nothing we couldn't handle but our forces are not enough as it stands to drive the savages back."

She paused, obviously trying to catch her breath a bit as her journey had been forcibly hastened due to the impending arrival of the Shogun and his armies, which would require her to be back at the battle just as swiftly at a moment's notice.

"The Lion, Crab, and Scorpion Champions have all made their presence known on the battlefield but as things still stand they don't seem to be turning the tide any more than causing some disarray in the forces. It is already bad enough we've had to work with the Lion armies that have already been sent ahead but they are not of a great consequence or assistance as of yet. It seems they too are waiting on the arrival of the Shogun."

A drop of sweat came from her brow as she swept it aside, the purple ribbon that tied her hair back limply hanging to one side as she gave the news.

[Moto Yoee]

The Khan nodded towards the battle maiden.

- Thank you for these recent news from the front, Haruka-san. I know how hard it is for you to leave your sisters and come back here, so I will not delay you for long.

He paused, seemingly thoughtful.

- Crab, Lion and Scorpion? He states almost absent-mindedly. Haruka-san, I now ask you, honestly, do we need so many soldiers to push back these Yobanjin? Does the Empire think that our clan is so weak that they have to... to rescue us from these animals? Or are these animals really too numerous for us to crush them?

[Bayushi Haruka]

Still bowed to her Khan, she took a few breaths to steady herself. The courtiers all turned and looked on them both. "My Lord, with all due respect and having seen these barbarians at the end of my lance and blade..."

She cringed having to admit it, the battle still heavy on her mind as the fighting had worsened. "This was no mere attack. They have sent all their forces, every clan against us. This is an all out war and we are losing ground. They will have us barred in without help. The defenders will be cut off. Fighting to the last if a decisive force does not reinforce them."

She froze a bit as her grey steed seemed to paw restlessly, having to be grabbed and settled by the attendants outside. "We need everything we can. This is not a fight we can win as is. And it is the tacticians that say this, not I. I am merely the messenger for now, but the only one who made it to deliver this message to you, my lord."

The gravity of the situation at Mountain Watch Keep becoming a rather clear picture with her words. She would not rise as she felt somewhat uncertain of how he might react. She did not mince words at least.

[Moto Yoee]

The Khan pondered for a moment. The news brought before him were quite grim, and he didn't expect the Yobanjin army to be such a threat to the welfare of his clan, of his people. After a moment, his gaze rose to look at the young battle maiden.

- Haruka-san, I have to thank you, for even if the news you bring from the front are ominous, you have the courage to come here and speak sincerely, he said calmly. However...

He suddenly stood up from his seat and started to walk swiftly across the room.

- However, we have to react. Even if it means that we'll die, we must stop this invasion of the Empire. The flow of his words went faster and faster. Because if we fall without utterly destroying these dogs, the Empire will be threatened, and I cannot permit that.

Suddenly stopping, he raised an eyebrow.

- This is weird... why are the Yobanjin attacking us? I mean... both the Dragon and Phoenix share a border with them, they should have been attacked too. But no reports from them has shown any kind of Yobanjin activity recently...

Yoee rubbed his beard, thoughtful.

- Or maybe... his eyes grew wider with revelation. Maybe they are deliberately attacking us only, sending all their troops in the Northern Steppes, as a hammer that delivers a powerful blow in one tiny spot only. Which means... that if we defeat these filthy gaijin, the war will be over. We need to send messages to all the clans, asking for help. I'll deal with this warmongering Shogun later.

A fierce grin started to appear on the Khan's face. He was clearly glad to see that slaughtering only one army was enough to save his clan and the empire from this threat. Or maybe was he wrong?

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka rose, her message delivered for the moment as she took the time to tend to her horse as one of its feet was slightly injured. But the Utaku did not immediately depart to return to the Mountain Watch Keep battle as one might've assumed.

One of the Khan's attendants brought him a message from the shiotome, a small and otherwise strange message considering the weight of what she'd delivered before.

At his convenience he would read the note simply asking,

If I might speak with you in brief on a small private request,
as is one of the few traditions we hold,
I wished to request a man to marry and I seek your approval.
At your earliest convenience.

Utaku Haruka

[Moto Yoee]

The reply to Haruka's letter would arrive soon, written in a calligraphy as crude as a military report. Apparently nobody has ever informed the Khan that calligraphy was such an important asset for an honorable Rokugani leader.

"Haruka-san,
Marriage is an important step in the life of a samurai.
As your clan daimyo, I would be more than happy to discuss with you about that matter.
However, in order to make this marriage proposal a true betrothal, the agreement of your family daimyo will be necessary.
I will be in my private audience room this afternoon, you can join me to share tea there."

Personal chop of:
Moto Yoee
Unicorn Clan Khan

OOC/No need to create a new thread, we can continue here, methinks.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka waited until the appointed time, anxiously as it were. She already had a letter in hand but there was still something unraveling her nerves it seems. To have faced the Yobanjin in direct combat, to have slain horrors from the Shadowlands.

But now to ask something of her Khan, she knew what she wanted, she knew it would be highly unlikely to refuse. She calmed herself as the servant came and told her that it was time.

She entered into the private audience room where the tea was already there waiting as she looked around a bit curiously to see the Khan already and waiting.

She smiled gently and took a seat across from him with a deep bow, placing the small sealed letter on the table.
"My Lord Moto Yoee-sama. I hope it is not too much trouble to ask this of you. I am not sure if you had heard or not as I've tried to keep the rumors to a minimum.

But I have already chosen a man, and in truth he has sought me out first. He is" she paused slightly, being so blunt, but at the same time seeing no necessity to mince words. "Bayushi Senshi, the Scorpion Champion."

She only now rose from her bow but kept her gaze somewhat lowered in humility.

[Moto Yoee]

At the mention of the name of the Scorpion clan champion, Yoee's eyes narrowed. On one hand, it was a champion, and marrying a Unicorn maiden to such an important asset of the Empire could be very beneficial for his clan. On the other hand, he was a Scorpion, a clan that Yoee had always despised, the so-called "underhand" of the Emperor. Haruka was one of his most trusted and most devoted servants, and letting her go to serve another clan, especially the clan of secrets, would be quite difficult for the Khan.

He took a deep breath, his hands resting on the small table between them.

- Haruka-san... as usual, you speak with your heart and your soul, he said calmly. However, in order to approve of this union, I need to know a few things. What will this marriage bring to the Unicorn clan? Losing you will harm us greatly, and I need to make sure that it will not be too harmful for us. I hope you understand.

Taking his cup of tea, he quietly sipped it. He looked very calm, but his eyes could tell no lies. The Khan wasn't as glad with this information as his words might suggest.

[Bayushi Haruka]

She nodded as well. But before she spoke she seemed to reach for a cup of tea instinctively. Her habit of not being able to speak without it seemed to be true enough. She took a long drink as she considered her words.

"I know though that the Scorpion are not in need of the military might, as of course this is not their way. Nor could one Shiotome change any fight the Scorpion would likely battle in all fairness.

In part this could benefit us in improving our relations with the Scorpion greatly. My presence there of course being a great improvement on their view of our clan. Naturally since we returned and since then the Scorpion has held us in nothing short of suspicion as a clan unworthy. Not that you would ever catch a Scorpion saying this of course.

This truly would heighten the level of the Unicorn in their eyes when their very champion selects one to be his bride."

She took another long drink of the tea, both keeping her voice calm, herself warm, and her nerves under control.

"This of course also means our bloodlines would be brought into their heritage as well, leaving the opportunity for greater ties with the Unicorn as a whole."
Quietly hoping those two reasons explained it well enough.

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee rubbed his beard, thoughtful. His gaze was lots in the contemplation of the various paintings ornating the walls of the private chamber, mostly depictions of battles. He was the champion of the Unicorn clan, one of the most powerful military force of the Empire after all.

- Strengthening our relationship with the Scorpion is a very strong argument, of course.

He raised his cup of tea, smelled it, visibly appreciating the flavour, and took another sip from it.

- As you might know, marriages in our Empire are more about politics than love. Whether you agree with this or not doesn't matter, it is the tradition of Rokugan, and we must all respect it, he said, carefully choosing his words. I see what advantage the Scorpion can gain in having you becoming a member of their clan... but I have to know what Bayushi Senshi-san has to offer in exchange of such a valuable asset, Haruka-san.

At first sight, the Khan didn't look like a very skilled politician, but most of his talents were hidden.

[Bayushi Haruka]

"He is offering many gifts to both the Utaku and the Unicorn clan as a whole. But if you saw that more was needed, I'm certain he would be willing to oblige."

Her fingers seemed to caress against the cup she held as she continued to drink. Her thoughts were much more active as her eyes regarded some of the items in his room behind him. Figures of the rearing horses and scrolls as old as the days of the Ki-Rin.

"Perhaps if it were to be in the interest of securing the Scorpion Clan's favors, a Scorpion marrying into the Unicorn might be a suitable and secure way of ensuring the clan's relationship with one another. Certainly a suitable trade as it were."

She seemed to take a breath of relief as she set her cup down gently. "Though it may not seem like it, I believe that the Scorpion Champion is quite willing to answer any request should you wish it, my lord Yoee-sama."

((OOC: The champion in question would like to actually make an appearance in this thread, appropriately enough. If that's something you'd like to do.

Although also while she'd be humbled, really Haruka is neither general nor daimyo, she doesn't have that much weight in the clan other than being well known and a good battle maiden, the clan was given gifts when Senshi had an envoy sent for her a little while ago, the boxes would've been delivered to the Khan (though I know you weren't at the time but maybe assume he hadn't had time to open them after 'just returning back') and then he can see what the champion has presented him.

Blarg but in case he has seen them, to be sure it's in 3 boxes, one being an old fan with ki-rin on it, a broken bow from the day of thunder, and for the entire clan a leather bound book from long ago for horse breeding))

[Moto Yoee]

Still rubbing his beard, Yoee looked thoughtful. Then a smile appeared on his face. Not the usual fierce grin he had when fighting or intimidating those around him, but a true smile of happiness.

- I agree with you, Haruka-san. It's about time that I meet my peers. I've been quite busy these days, but if you would organise a meeting with Bayushi Senshi-san, that would help us hit two eagles with one stone.

His tone was quite cheerful, and that was a change. Even if his land was invaded, even if the Shogun challenged his authority, and even if he despised the Scorpion clan, for the first time in a long time, the Khan looked happy.

Or maybe was he just becoming mad?

OOC/ Unless the Scorpion have an instant-teleporting device, I think it'd be easier for everyone if a new thread was created for the meeting between Haruka, Senshi and me, right?
Or if Senshi manages to make a dramatic entrance in this thread and already has an idea about how he'll do that, we can carry on here.

[Bayushi Senshi]

(ooc: is a ninja poof out of the question?

naw, I'll make a new thread.

[Bayushi Haruka]

((Story wise I guess I'll wrap this up, because Senshi needs moar fanfair!))

The sound of more riders arriving nearby certainly got the servants attention, the flash of crimson on their armor being a clear indication of which clan they rode on behalf of. All while guarding a carriage as it pulled up and settled before the Khan's personal estate. A few of the servants frolicked a bit as they recognized and confirmed who it was.

Both the Khan and Haruka would hear the slight commotion as one servant running past said, "Bayushi, wants to see him here, now?" All in a bit of surprise.

All truth be told there were many on their way to the Mountain Watch Keep now, it was far from a secret that the need for more and more fighters regardless of discipline was present. Haruka seemed to straighten as she placed her cup of tea down.

"It seems he wishes to see you then. Her voice lowering for a moment, "I didn't actually think he'd come though."

There was a mix of a startled reaction and some relief came over the Shiotome as she knew who had arrived.

"Shall we, my lord?"