Once again Hoshiko pauses before her champion's office, brushing her robes straight and settling the written bit of agreements in her hands.

Scratching at the door, she announces herself quietly. "Doji-sama? It's Yamada Hoshiko."

Shinnosuke is also there, neatly turned out as ever--perhaps a little finer than of a typical evening, since he plans to go and watch the sumai [offscreen] after this!

Lady Doji bade them enter and be seated. She appeared her usual, perfect self, with that hint of danger that comes from having one of the most dangerous swordsmen in the Empire sitting across from you.

Which is honestly a facet that's somewhat appreciated when one plans to request her sword.

But first! Administrative protocol.

Hoshiko bows deeply before entering to be seated. "The Lion approached us with additional requests, and while our material needs are met this season, we were able to agree on meeting some in the next season, along with cultural and spiritual exchanges, trade, and a promise of non-aggression so we may pursue all of those without interruption.

We hope to attach it to the existing agreement as, essentially, additional discussion that arose when settling the previously agreed upon match. It seems that clans are running low on their slates of samurai needing matches. Musubi should be pleased this spring.

Addendum to the agreement:
Crane provide Lion: 4 stone, 2 lumber, 2 sake, Art service.
Lion agree to provide Crane with 5 units of copper next year.

Peace
The two Clans agree to peace for one year.

Other
Crane performers/artists will put on a big artistic tour of Lion lands, then Lion will reciprocate in Crane lands. (finer points to be detailed later, equal economic input)

Kitsu and Asahina agree to cooperation for one season at the Kitsu Halls (a small number will be hosted by the Kitsu).

Crane will set up minor trading posts in collaboration with the Lion along the River of Gold/Three Stone River (the one running north/northwest from around Kosaten Shiro on up to Rich Frog and beyond.) with a Crane trading hub in / near the City of the Rich Frog. Remove customs on Crane trade with Lion along this route.

******************
Leaving the marriage details for Shinn, since I believe that was worked out between him and Sayomi.

"Those are extremely favorable terms. I assume the customs reduction is limited to this year?"

Doji Minehime wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:07 pm

"Those are extremely favorable terms. I assume the customs reduction is limited to this year?"

Hoshiko nods. "These winter agreements seem to assume a year...so they may be renegotiated the next. The peace is only stipulated as such because we tried asking for two."

"They are cagey, the Lion. Very well, the treaty is acceptable to me. You said there was another matter?"

"Ah... Yamada-san's other matter is more complicated than mine. Perhaps I might present this small arrangement with the Fox first?"

He withdraws a roll of thick paper from his sleeve and offers it with both hands.

Kitsune-ke no kashin Kondo Yoshimasa, a poet and diplomat [status 6] and Doji-ke no kashin Tanaka Kinuyo [status 5] will wed. The couple will remain with the Fox Clan.

An artist of the Crane will visit the Fox for the occasion and create an artwork honoring the Minor Clan [Art Service].

A Fox Clan herbalist will be assigned to the service of the Crane Clan for one year to share Fox botanical knowledge and expertise.

The clans will exchange gifts of fine stone from the Crane quarries [1 unit] and dye plants from the Fox woodlands [1 unit].

"The Fox herbalist can assist our gardeners to improve their ornamental plant varieties, of course--and if these rumors of plague come to fruition, their knowledge of botanical medicines may be helpful, too," he explains.

More deferentially, he adds, "Kinuyo is my close cousin. I think this will be a happy match for her."

"That would be acceptable to me."

Shinnosuke bows. "Thank you, Doji-sama. It will be done." He squashes an incipient grin down to a mere decorous smile, then nods to Hoshiko. "Yamada-san?"

Hoshiko nods and launches into a brief explanation.

"The spirit mentioned before is identified as well as we can, as indeed the hungry spirit of Hantei Ningi. Unthinkable as it sounds, it seems to be the most immediate cause of the spiritual upsets here, building upon some longer-developing imbalances. We're pretty sure this all ties into the portents of plague as well, so it's important to get a handle on things."

"The first is the roaming spirit. Several of the shugenja here at court will be meeting tomorrow to, hopefully, compile research in a reasonable solution to trapping it until someone is able to properly send it back to the proper realm. It is possible that such a ritual would benefit from those with blades such as yours, that are capable of affecting the spirit. We'll also need to seek Lady Seppun's permission and support, of course."

"I had hoped when Lady Akodo slapped the thing out of Lord Kitsu that that would be the end of it, but I suppose that I should know by now that our luck is seldom equal to our hopes. Very well, if Shukujo is needed, then I will be the hand that wields it."

"Lady Akodo is formidable, but I suppose even she can't slap things through the borders of Ningen-do," Hoshiko says with some humor to her tone. "The elements remain very upset, so we should remain vigilant. It may still bubble over into more troubles like the earthquake."

"When are we expecting that we will be ready to address this matter?"

(vague ooc noises...)

We expect to finalize the ritual we expect will work tomorrow, and hope to attempt it the day after.

"Alright. I shall be ready."