It had taken Masahiko all of twenty minutes to extricate himself from the huddle of distraught samurai in the common area that afternoon. His delegation was upset; they had had an awful shock.

But it had not been a shock to the Crab Champion. Hida Gendo's contingency instructions had been clear and precise. And now, after an hour of staring at the ceiling hatching a plan, he was ready to put them in motion.

His guest would be arriving any...minute...now.

The door slid open a crack to reveal the broad face of Hida Tadao.

"Kaiu-sama, I've got Seppun Sadahako here to see you...?"

Masahiko smiled and rose to his feet.

"Yes, it's alright. Show her in."

Tadao frowned, leaned in across the lintel and stage whispered: "Kaiu-sama, are you not in need of a second in this matter? Who knows what..."

Masahiko smiled a little sadly. "Tadao-san, I hardly think I shall be in any danger with our dear friend Lady Seppun. Now, why don't you show her in and then go and get me a progress report on our negotiations for Jade?"

Tadao drew in a breath to continue his argument, but thought better of it and exhaled. "Hai, Kaiu-ue. As you say."

A moment later, Tadao returned with Lady Seppun. She was dressed formally, with the white kimono sleeves of her second layer giving a clear indication of the ideas she meant to project. After Tadao had announced her and bowed out, she drifted forward to offer a bow to Masahiko.

"Good evening, Kaiu-san. I was not anticipating the pleasure of your invitation, but I confess that I am glad for your company."

The huge man bowed in return.

"In times like these, one must look to one's friends and know that one is not alone." He gestured to a chair. "Please, sit with me a while. We can put the world aright."

Sadako inclined her head and took the seat offered.

"An interesting turn of phrase, Kaiu-ue. The world is much in need, but what can we do? We are trying to hold it together with both hands, but one need only look around to feel the strain--and in any case, some hands are actively pulling against us."

Lord Kaiu grunted as he sat down across from her.

"You know, we have some practice where I come from in keeping things stable." He folded his hands precisely in his lap. "Let us help you out."

Sadako frowned. "That could be difficult, Lord Kaiu. Not that I do not want your help, but there are certain pressures and questions to consider."

Masahiko raised an eyebrow in question. "Oh? Already fielding oversight requests from the usual suspects, hm? Well, that's to be expected. But it's also going to make it that much harder to go it alone. Keeping all these would-be Children of Heaven from touching off a war is not a one-lady job. No one expects you to take all the weight yourself."

Sadako's expression softened slightly.

"I understand my position, of course. And I understand all too well what is developing. But what are you proposing, Lord Kaiu?"

Masahiko leaned back slightly in his chair.

"I am proposing that we separate the combustible elements. Right now, you've got 3 potential heirs to the throne sleeping within 100 feet of each other. And they're all heading back to Otosan Uchi in 10 days. What happens then?"

The safest thing to do is to get them as far apart as we can, ideally all of them away from the capital until the correct one is chosen. I assume Noriko's in Kyuden Doji. Give me Gorobei--no assassin is going to get to him in Kyuden Hida, and the other two could go any number of places. You could keep Keihime in Kyuden Seppun and Tomaru could go up to the mountains or take refuge at Morning Glory castle. Then cooler heads can right the ship."

Sadako took a long, slow breath.

"Lord Kaiu is most kind to offer the services of his clan in protecting Otomo Gorobei. However, in my judgment, it is not in my power to give a member of the Imperial Families to you. As troublesome as it is, the Seppun must shoulder that burden in order to hold true to the oaths of Lady Seppun to Hantei."

Masahiko nodded gravely.

"Lady Seppun, I would never suggest removing your charge from your care, but there is no shame in using willing tools for your work. You could send Lord Gorobei to us with a Seppun retinue. That would satisfy your duty, would it not?"

"We could hardly impose on your hospitality in such a way. It is improper to burden Lord Hida with the cost of such a retinue when we do not know for how long it would need to remain in Kyuden Hida."

Masahiko shrugged. "My clan will be adequately provisioned in the coming year. Do you envision that the Emerald Champion and the Chancellor will permit this crisis to last past next winter?"

"Lord Kaiu," Sadako said quietly, "I think you know that if I send Lord Gorobei to Kyuden Hida and Lord Tomaru to Morning Glory Castle, this crisis will consume several winters and many lives besides. The factions that are developing will grow more committed, not less."

She rose. "If you wish to be of help, lobby Lady Doji to send Noriko to stay with the Imagawa in Otosan Uchi. If I have them all in one place, without an army, we can get a settlement within a season. I know not what orders Lord Hida may have given you, but if you truly mean to help me, that is what you will do. Do not ask me to give you Lord Gorobei again."

Lord Kaiu nodded slowly. "I'll not ask again, Lady Seppun." He rapped his knuckles once on the table. "And if you are sincere in your request to have me broach this with Lady Doji, then I will be happy to lend my assistance."

Then he rose, knees creaking, to his feet.

"She may just be fool enough to think that the Empire will knit itself back together with good will and reasoned argument."