Sanjuro arranges tea and salmon for his guests using the Dragonware tea set. Early before leaving court he extended an invitation to Shiba Higashime to visit , as well as Togashi-ue and the other participating Dragon delegates to discuss the binding ritual.

The area is arranged for seating including the two small trees in pots at the end of each low table and the kanji for "peace" painted on a tapestry on the wall behind."

All is ready.

Lord Togashi arrives and plops down next to Sanjuro. He doesn't say much. Just waiting.

But Lady Shiba's arrival was precisely on time. She stares down at the two Dragon intensely, her eyes finding first Mizohachi, then Sanjuro, then Mizohachi again.

"You have requested me?" she asks, full of steel.

"Yes, Lady Shiba." Sanjuro answered with a bow. "Please be seated." Sanjuro pours the full-bodied black tea and serves it to his guests. "All should be so prompt as you."

"What brings us together this evening is to discuss the ritual regarding the sixth wind and to request your attendance and participation.
Asahina Hoshiko is joined by the shugenja of several clans to prepare a binding ritual to solve the unwelcome chaos we have been experiencing.
Having your presence with the Phoenix ancestral sword will help to empower the ritual and offer a better chance of success.

The ritual is expected to take place tomorrow, the time and place to be made known to us yet this evening."

"What are your thoughts, and what questions do you have?"

"What's a sixth wind and what does it have to do with Shiba's sword?"

"Good questions. Put succinctly, the spirit of a former emperor has made itself known and may be vying to resume his former role, against the natural order. We are looking to hold a binding ritual tomorrow night in response to this threat. This is a complex ritual where all shugenja participation would be welcome and where the presence of the ancestral swords standing in defense give aid to the ritual."

Higashime looks at Mizohachi for confirmation, then back at Sanjuro. "If the other Champions are helping to address this issue, then the Phoenix will assist."

"Yes, we are asking all, and Doji Minehime-sama has already confirmed she will participate. Once we know the location for tomorrow night, we'll send a message to notify you."

Sanjuro bows slightly to all before rising. He then serves the salmon slices and cherries procured from the market earlier. He refills tea cups for those that do not decline.

Being seated again, he addresses Shiba-sama. "I also wanted to thank you for your discourse on the law, which I found illuminating."

Higashime nods firmly. "It was for me as well. But what did you discover from it?"

I learned two things. First, there are many opinions, and second, I made my decision. While I know my leanings, my opinion matters not because I have no right to make a decision for the heavens.

"From your lips to the ears of the multitude. The will of Heaven must be paramount."