[D12, MM] A Triumverate of Power!

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi listened to both men, both more experienced with this it seemed, and of higher rank than she was.

"Hiruma-sama's sincerity and candidness is appreciated," she replied honestly. That the one of highest status set the tone did help the conversation. "You have the right of it that there are reasons I am not privvy to, due to my rank. I am merely a samurai who has set out to help achieve the mission given to us by our superiors."

She nodded. "A favor for a favor, yes. We of course wish for your move to secure the rivers of the Empire to succeed, and what role we can play in its success - we're all united in doing what is best for the Empire, even if our duties vary."

[Soshi Eiji]

Sometimes what a conversation needed was a Crab. Perhaps the Empire would be better served by a Crab Imperial Chancellor who knew when to end the discussion efficiently.

"Then we are in accord truly." he agreed, pleased with the arrangement. After all, he'd been an Ikoma not too long ago, getting to pull this thorn from the Lion's paw was pleasing, even if it did require two sets of pinchers.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"It does indeed seem mutually beneficial." Daichi agreed with a nod. "It does also strike me that it puts the Emerald Magistrates in a place to quickly inform the Lion of any increase in piracy along the River as well as problem areas. Would it be too much to ask that if any of this is heard that the news be passed to the Crab and Scorpion as efficiently as possible so we can better protect our own interests?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I see no issue with such an arrangement. It would be of benefit to us all," Sayomi agreed, glad that the matter seemed mostly settled. It was a huge relief that she had done what was in her power to do for her superiors.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Excellent, Kitsu-san. With our clans working together on this, we can ensure greater stability for the Empire in these troubling times." he said.

Surely, somewhere there was an Otomo bursting into flames.

'Shall we draw up something official to present to the court....hmmm, perhaps two days for now? Official agreements of this sort should likely be run past our respective superiors and given everyone's schedules, that seems the most likely time to have all finalized." he offered.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"That seems most sensible, Soshi-sama," she agreed, reaching for some papers and ink to write it down. Not that it was going to be the final draft, but she prefered to write things down to keep it simple and clear.

"A river alliance of sorts...? Perhaps that is something that should be sealed with some marriages, as a show of good faith between our clans?" With that, Sayomi mostly looked to Eiji as she wasn't aware of any marriage deals between the Lion and Scorpion yet.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji frowned a bit considering.

"Hmmm, the list of marriage candidates sent from the matchmaker has been picked pretty clean by the Crane. But perhaps we could get dispensation to approve the marriage of someone from the delegation? I'll need to ask who is spoken for." he admitted.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm not sure favors on their own really need all of the various parts of a written alliance and marriages." He mused.

"Though if we are after that as well I'm fairly certain that we can hash out something for it."

"In the case that we are, how many marriages are we considering? Three? Six?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I was thinking only three..." she admitted, "but if it's any trouble, it is not necessary."

"Forgive me, I was thinking of this more as an alliance."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiles.

"Well, I find myself agreeing with Kitsu-san as it being present as something more formal like an alliance." he offered. "And finding myself agreeing with Hiruma-san as to the number. Unless the Lion's stance on marriage has radically shifted since I married out where we could marry three together. Scorpion into Lion, Scorpion into Crab, Lion into Scorpion, Crab into Scorpion, Lion into Crab and Crab into Lion. So six marriages in total, but each clan would need to provide 4 partners. Though we could halve those numbers in a pinch, but six would certainly be...grand."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi hadn't really been suggesting six just voicing it as an option. "Three would certainly be easier, and if that's the best option this late in court I'm fine with it."

"Six would be more of a push."

"I know three Crab available off the top of my head, though much like Soshi-san I can inquire into other of my Clans delegates."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi thought about it for a moment, running through the names on her list. When had she become the matchmaker for the Lion, she wondered, as most of the marital arrangements had been her doing?

"The Lion have enough to meet such a number, even when given consideration to other matches that are still being discussed."

A small sip of tea. "We are looking for a worthy husband for Matsu Tsuruyo-sama's daughter, though... well, it *is* the daughter of Lady Matsu, and the standards are high. And she would of course not be able to marry out."

She had written up the other options at least, for the other two to see and consider. "I could also inquire with my lords if there are any other candidates, if none of these are suitable."

Can marry out:
Matsu-ke no kashin Unami Kotoha
(Female, Status 2, Bushi, Age 17)
Very recently widowed. She will make a fine wife once her mourning period is concluded which would need a wedding to take place late in the season.

Kitsu-ke no kashin Tatsukawa Sayomi
(Female, Status 1[2], Bushi, Age 21)
(that's me!)


Can not marry out:
Matsu-ke no kashin Matsu Natsuko
(Female, Status 6, Bushi, Age 16)
Daughter of Matsu Tsuruyo and heir to the daimyoship, Shireikan of the 1s Matsu Army. Cannot marry out.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"I think it's possible although...." he said, pausing a moment.

"As I consider the names you've listed off, Kitsu-san. If you cannot get approval for other matches....you'd be marrying yourself out of clan. " he pointed out.

He spread his hands out.

"Not that I don't think you'd make a fine Scorpion or Crab. I for one, would love to have another former Lion living next door. I just wanted to highlight that, well, you have the ability to significantly change the path of your life. Even a topaz champion only gets a year of choosing their own duties." he said.

He shrugged a bit.

"Marry into the Scorpion, or the Crab, or find more candidates and you could even marry a Scorpion or a Crab in to yourself. It's quite the power you hold until either we seal the agreement or court ends. Perhaps you should think about it awhile."

"And, of course, I'm sure Hiruma-san and I would be happy to tell you whatever you'd like to know within reason to help you make your choice."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I'll have to dig deeper to find anyone who might be the match for Lady Matsu's daughter. There are a few names I have not inquired about but at the moment the only Crab I know of that holds any Status other than myself is Yasuki Ryoichi, and the Miya seem rather keen to make a match there."

Reaching forward he picked up one of the riceballs apparently in the mood for a snack. "As to any questions about those we have to offer otherwise I can share what I know with both of you, but it will be more about some than others."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Thank you, Soshi-sama, but I am aware of my position. Ultimately, my wish is to do what is best for the Lion, and in turn, the Empire." And then there was the fact that her house would prefer she marry out. It wasn't as if she thought her marriage alone would change the Empire for the better either, but if it helped establish stronger alliances, meaning a stronger Empire... then she believed it was right.

"And we are trying to arrange suitable matches, in the end, yes?"

With that, she began to outline the idea of an official sounding treaty.

Three clans consisting of the Crab, the Scorpion, and the Lion, have agreed to come together on a mutual arrangement to ensure the safety of the rivers running through their lands and connecting them.

The overall goal is to make it safer for merchants and travelers to traverse the rivers between their lands, while also deterring and reducing the number of criminals that seek to disrupt the Emperor's Law.

Cementing this commitment and cooperation, a series of marriages between the three clans will bring them closer together.

To marry into the Crab:
-
-

To marry into the Lion:
-
-

To marry into the Scorpion:
-
-

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji raised his hand at that.

"My apologies, Kitsu-san, I was not trying to say that you weren't aware of your position. I have no doubt that as a Lion you are ready to give your life whether it's in battle or in be...throthal. Truthfully, I'm just impressed, it's a rare opportunity in the Empire, and I'm happy to help you with it, whatever you made need." he offered.

He looked over the beginnings of the treaty.

"We'll want to make sure the details are very clear as to what we intend to do. We might find ourselves in a very tough fight in court indeed if the other clans believe this is a prelude to an official military alliance between our three clans. I realize that's not our intent, but the image of the armies of the Lion being guided by Scorpion intellience and backed with Crab siege engines....while one wants to be proud of their clan, I don't think any are so proud to belief they could withstand that." he suggested.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Mm, I see your point," she nodded, more than happy to let the matter of her marriage to be a topic to move past right now.

"I welcome the input of you both in how we word this to avoid facing backlash from those worrying about ideas of a military alliance."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I think mentioning that we will be working together to support the Emerald Magistrates might help somewhat." Daichi offered thoughtfully. "Maybe detailing that we will help each other with information and politically to pursue these goals as well?"

"That's more of what we intend to do, isn't it?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"That was my understanding as well." he said. "One step closer to Hiruma-sama's vision at the very least."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi nodded, and added in notes for the following changes. "Yes. Thank you. To be honest, it usually takes me a couple of tries to properly draft up these agreements, so I am glad to have the insight of both Soshi-sama and Hiruma-sama."

She began forming the new sentences to make it more aligned with what they had discussed and agreed upon. "May I ask how the Scorpion and Crab are faring at this point in the season? If your needs are met yet?"