Once again Akodo Kenji found himself awaiting his Daimyo's pleasure. He was getting to used to being in the presence of power and it no longer caused him any discomfort. There was some good news to be shared, and some questions.

He removed the scrolls and looked at the austere walls. Some calligraphy would not go amiss. The Dragon had that right.

Lady Akodo welcomed Kenji with a nod. "Akodo-san, how pleasant to see you again."

Kenji bowed deeply as his Champion arrived. "I am honoured to be in your presence again Akodo-dono. I have spoken to the Crane and come bearing some good news about our trade situation. I also have suggestions for a potential treaty with the Dragon, and a few notes about Seppun Tomaru that may be of interest."

He settled in to see what Sanae might want to address first.

"Shall we begin with the Crane?"

"As you wish Akodo-dono. I discussed our remaining trade needs with Asahina Hoshiko and we arrived at an amendment to our earlier treaty."

He opened one of the scrolls. "I thought this seemed reasonable but I await your judgement.

An addendum to previous Crane/Lion agreement:

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

I believe this satisfies everything we required for the year.

Peace
The Lion and Crane Clans agree to peace for one year.

Other agreements
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.

Formally noting the completion of arrangements for the marriage match as well:
Ikoma-ke no kashin Nakata Koh to marry into the Crane
(Asahina Etsuko).

Does this meet with your approval Akodo-dono?"

"I am very pleased that this will address a number of our needs. The complete removal of customs is very favorable to the Crane, though. Is it limited to this year? If not, can we have a similar reduction of customs on Lion goods heading down the river through to Kyuden Doji?"

Kenji checked his notes. "Ah, yes, it is limited to the coming year. My Lady makes an excellent point. I will put a note in our records to look into such an agreement at next year's Winter Court."

He whipped out a brush and made the required notes. "May I let the Crane know this deal is approved at our end?"

"Yes, you may."

Kenji bowed deeply. "Thank you Akodo-dono. I will do so after our meeting."

He gestured to the next two scrolls. "Would you like to hear about my investigation into Seppun Tomaru, or our potential deal with the Dragon Clan next my Lady?"

"I have been looking forward to this, Akodo-san. Please, illuminate matters."

Kenji pulled out the scroll about Seppun Tomaru. "Of one were to look at nothing else in play it seems Seppun Tomaru has had a most distinguished career and is a good pick for the throne. His service record is exceptional." Kenji cleared his throat and read off some the information he had gathered.

Tomaru is a member of House Kanehime, Family of Seppun, a recent offshoot of the main line of the Seppun Family. His familial history is therefore, until recently, one with the Family history, which is to say "quietly glorious and frighteningly competent." Remarks about individuals' on-the-job performance are scanty for others than Lion, with those records presumably being kept internally, but there are remarks that Tomaru has been cited on several occasions for excellence in work--and the Seppun do not issue commendations idly. There are reasons he is not simply a member of the Hidden Guard, but an officer in it.

The heraldic record confirms the historical record's comments about Tomaru's advancement in rank. There are certain embellishments that the Seppun use--subtle, unostentatious, but clear to discerning eyes--and his personal heraldry shows them in increasing order.

"So far so good." He retrieved another scroll.

"Seppun Tomaru is the father of three children:

Seppun Toru m. Agasha Takiyo, [4 children]
Seppun Jama m. Miya Katsu [2 children]
Seppun Anzai M. Isawa Masamura [2 children]."

A frowned crossed his face. "So my concern is this Akodo-dono. Why is there a flag for new documentation placed on this file about Seppun-sama's immediate family? Something unspecified is due to arrive from the capital in a few days, after the end of court." He looked at his Champion.

"Does this not strike you as odd my Lady? That some change in circumstance has been put in motion, but one that will not be resolved until after a decision has been made about which Wind is to be chosen? On face value Seppun Tomaru seens a good candidate, but his time draws short. I would rather support a candidate with no unusual question marks hanging over them, like Doji Noriko-sama, than support Seppun-sama and get a nasty surprise after court has ended."

"That is concerning. Maybe something is afoot that has yet to reveal itself. Perhaps I need to visit the libraries and ask what is going on."

She tilted her head and sighed. "It is difficult to distinguish between the virtues of Doji Noriko and Seppun Tomaru, but with all things being equal, even disregarding this odd question of the flag, I find myself more comfortable with primogeniture than reaching into previous generations for descent. I cannot fault those that look to Tomaru as an example of a good samurai, and it may be that he would make an effective Emperor, but I believe the same holds true of Doji Noriko. I believe she is the one whom I will support in three days' time. Thank you for your assistance to me, Akodo-san."

Kenji bowed deeply. "My research has led me to conclude Doji-sama is the correct choice. It has been a great honour to serve you in this difficult matter Akodo-dono."

His heart may have fluttered a little although he certainly would deny it if asked.

"May I conclude with the matter of a potential and encouraging diplomatic agreement with the Dragon Clan?"

"Yes, please do."

The final scroll was retrieved.

"I visited the Deagon to discuss the future between our Clans. A formal peace or alliance did not seem appropriate yet. I suggested an opportunity for rebuilding trust and I hope you will approve. The following comes from mysrlf and Agasha Yuna-san."

He began to read from his notes.

"The Dragon and Lion will come together to build a Shrine to Matsu Hitomi. This will help to heal wounds and rebuild understanding between our people. Once it is complete we can revisit the matter of alliance. We can show our peaceful intentions through marriage and this act of mutual cooperation.

The Shrine will be in Lion lands. The Dragon will contribute to building it with financial resources (1 unit of gold Dragon to Lion) and by providing an artisan. Agasha Masao, a young artisan prodigy very skilled with ceramics, with mosaic and kintsugi. She will play a key role in decorating the shrine, with kintsugi and mosaic a poignant medium to honor the restored relationship from a broken place, over Matsu Hitomi's mistreatment. She will marry into the Lion, to Kitsu-ke no kashin Ushio Mantaro. Perhaps Kitsu-sama will oversee the Shrine, or perhaps Akodo-dono has alternative ideas?

Furthermore, the Dragon will provide an apology for Mirumoto Turan's treatment of Matsu Hitomi, and of his Lion allies in general."

That last part was a particularly nice touch in Kenji's view.

"All of that is acceptable to me."

Kenji bowed deeply once more. "Thank you Akodo-dono. I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me once again. Is there anything else that you wish of me?"

"Not at this time, Akodo-san. Thank you."