Accreditation of Dragon ambassador

[Mirumoto Shigekazu]

First major battle was over, troops were taking their deserved little rest and commanders went home for a short time to take care of every issue that demands their personal attention. Although Shiro Moto weren't home for Shigekazu, he have been appointed as Dragon ambassador to the Unicorn and gifted with some chambers in the Khan's castle so he have to be there and perform his duties. After messing with tons of official papers, he was able to perform the most official part of becoming an ambassador - audience with the Khan and accreditation of ambassadorship. Unfortunately that was not possible in the camp near Mountain Watch Keep, so it was delayed, but some unofficial correspondence were conducted and not everything was frozen. For example the day after the audience and following feast Shigekazu planned to go to the Shiro Utaku Shojo to visit his cousin Kasumi. But now his mind was focused on duties and oncoming audience.

Shigekazu accompanied with two servants approached to the guards, bowed and gave them his daisho. They bowed also and opened door to audience hall. Moto Yoee was awaiting, so Shigekazu went inside, slowly knelt before the Khan, and bowed deeply; all layers of kamishimo made nearly perfect pattern of green-gold dragonscale. He waited for proper amount of time, raised his head and spoke:
- Mighty Moto Yoee-sama, Khan of the Unicorn Clan, Daymio of the Moto, Lord on the Shiro Moto, surrouning lands and whole Unicorn Clan territory, descendant of the fearsome Moto warriors and fearsome warrior himself. My name is Mirumoto Shigekazu and my daymio, Mirumoto Takezo who sends you wishes of glorious and auspicious life, has sent me to your vast lands to perform duties of an ambassador. It will be a great honor for our Clans if you, mighty Khan, accredit me and confirm Mirumoto Takezo's nomination.
Shigekazu bowed again, so as servants with sealed leather tubes. Everybody was waiting for words of the Khan.

[Moto Yoee]

As the Dragon ambassador told what he had to tell, the Khan looked more and more bored. Clearly, he didn't like all these political things, he was a war veteran, a battle-forged leader and a cunning tactician. But being there, sitting in front of a cup of coffee and a zealed samurai who obviously wanted to respect proper etiquette, that wasn't as entertaining as slaughtering the Yobanjin.

He tried to keep his bored attitude for himself, but hints of his state of mind were clearly visible on his facial features. When the Dragon finished his statement, the Khan simply nodded.

- Excellent, Shigekazu-san, he said in a monotonous tone. I hope that you will enjoy your stay in my home, and that your presence here will help strengthening the relationships between our two clans.

He downed his cup of tea, whihc wasn't as hot as he expected, and he stared at the ambassador.

- Speaking of which... is there anything else you need to perform your duty?

[Mirumoto Shigekazu]

Shigekazu saw no emotions on Khan's face. It could be either sign of boredom or great courtier skills of the Khan. It was a bit harsh to decide which is closer to the truth - although Unicorns had gone back to the Empire hundreds years ago and their culture merged with the Empire culture there were some differences still. Shigekazu, after a few seconds of silence, decided to short whole ceremony - Khan looks much more as a warrior than a courtier and boring your diplomacy partner on a first meeting wasn't the best idea.
- Mighty Yoee-sama, the only thing I need to perform my duty effectively is our mutual understanding. Understanding that comes to two warriors who fought many battles side by side, understanding without words or redundant gestures. As we cannot fight many battles side by side - although it would be great honor for me to fight on side of the Khan I do not think that my lord would allow that - I can offer you something that allowed our ancestors to speak directly to the soul.
Both servants who stayed previously at the end of the hall stepped forward with leather tubes. Shigekazu continued.
- These tubes contains my paintings of the mayor towns and castles from all the Empire, from Kyuden Isawa to Shiro Hiruma and from Shiro Ichiro to Kyuden Komori. I have made them when I travelled through the Empire for years in my Musha shugyo and wanted to catch their essence that touched my soul. Now I hope that with raw style of ancient artistry I can reach your soul as it once reached mine.
Shigekazu bowed deeply and servants passed tubes to the Khan's servants. Now Shigekazu was wondering if Khan would stick to the etiquette and refuse twice or would like act more like Shigekazu's lord Takezo and immediately accept the gift. Unicorns were so hard to predict...