The Emerald Champion rises. "I have heard you. And, while I recognize the concerns that some may have about this maneuver, and reject certain insinuations that have been made about my impartiality in the exercise of my office, I acknowledge that the prospect of a general war is very real, and must b...

Kakita Hajime is on his feet immediately. "This maneuver is needlessly disruptive to what is already an efficient and important holding of the Emerald Office. To remove it to the Kyuden is to lengthen the time it takes visiting magistrates to reach the Office and to return whence they came when thei...

Seeing that his guests are assembled, Hajime rises to address the room. “Honorable delegates and friends, as lovely as it has been to see each of you in a less formal setting, I imagine all of the warm feelings and camaraderie in the world would not long forestall the nagging question of our purpose...

"Then we shall have to arrange that. We can most likely get those papers to you later today. There will need to be a pool of applicants, of course, but I am always happy to receive recommendations."

"Not at all. Perhaps your sister would be a fine choice. We shall have to have her for an interview. I trust the journey to Otosan Uchi will not be too great a hardship?"

"Or at least his lord. Not that I am necessarily opposed to the idea. Has been effective in this setting, and much of magisterial work is made of the same skills, though the ability to see clearly for one's self is not to be overlooked."

Hajime's smile widened. "Is Yasuki-san aware that he is being suggested for such a role?"

"We take recommendations from sensei, usually. But I would be interested to hear if you have a particular person in mind for a yoriki position."

"Reasonable, reasonable. And a different answer than I have come to expect from these Winter Courts. As an organization, the Emerald Office will need to expand to staff such a serious installation. That will be expensive, but, as you say, most likely the results are worth it."

"And thank you, Yasuki-san, for another excellent demonstration of the art of ikebana. We have had a wealth of these, and they never fail to delight." "And that brings court to an end today. Please find your nearest exit and pause, today, to remember the life of Master Bokushi, as well as that of th...

"Thank you, Jihen, for your words."

"And the town supplying the manor would be under Imperial management, or is this a joint Scorpion-Crab condominium, or are the Crab moving in?"

"Sounds good, sure."

"The court accepts this proposal."

"Ah, yes. Come in and let's hear all about it."

"The court is pleased to accept this proposal."

Daichi is shown up some stairs and into the topmost chamber of the Tenshu: the castle's war room. There is a large table that runs the length of the chamber, with a short dais at the far end from the entryway. The Emerald Champion sits on a camp stool set against the left wall of the room, his arms ...

"Very well, we accept this treaty and celebrate the spirit of reconciliation it represents." "Is there further business to bring before the court?"



[[Yes, yes, indeed there is!]]

"So, in keeping with delegate Doji Hikaru's advocacy of coordinate naval efforts, I accept this deal in the hope that the clans will act in concert to drive the scourge of piracy from our lands."

<t>Kakita Hajime grimaced. This was ugly, and had the potential to get uglier.<br/> <br/> "Though my instinct is to err on the side of caution in this matter, the stability of the Empire can only be enhanced by a reinforcement of the stability of its constituent clans. As no one has challenged Kitsu...