Feeling like she had accomplished much the past days, Sayomi sought out Akodo Sanae once more, to bring her up to speed on matters.

Lady Akodo greeted Sayomi with a "Good morning, Kitsu-san."

Sayomi bowed deeply to her Champion. "Good morning, Akodo-sama. I pray the Fortunes have been kind to you this day?"

"If you have the time, I have some matters that require your attention and approval."

"The Fortunes have been kind, I think. And I hope that they will continue to be. What do you have for me, Kitsu-san?"

"First is the matter of Kitsune Aiko-sama which we spoke of before. The second is a potential alliance with the Crab and Scorpion. Which do you want to hear first?"

"Might these two things be related, Kitsu-san? Let us begin with the alliance."

"Almost," she nodded slightly.

"The Crab and the Scorpion are working to establish greater security for the rivers that connect them; river piracy is a problem. In an offer to support their initiative, speaking with Hiruma Daichi-sama and Soshi Eiji-sama, we reached an agreement that the Lion will join the two clans in creating safer travels for the riverways. Since this will require much cooperation between the three clans, we agreed on a number of marriages to nurture those bonds. Unofficially, since the Crab and Scorpion were eager to see this motion passed in court, they have agreed to support our bid to move the Emerald Office in Ikoma's Eye to the Kyuden Ikoma compound."

Sayomi showed Sanae the current draft of the official wordings and potential marriages.

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:
- Shosuro Kikue to Yasuki Kamatari
- Kitsu Sayomi to Hiruma Daichi

To marry into the Lion:
- Kaiu Hideo to Matsu Natsuko
- Shosuro Ryosuke to Matsu Kotoha


To marry into the Scorpion:
- Akodo Shigehiko to Soshi Chieko
- Hida Tadao to Bayushi Yoko

"I seem to remember the Mantis figuring into a Scorpion arrangement for a similar matter passed some days ago. I presume our arrangements with the Mantis are considered to be coordinated with these matters as well? As long as nothing is disrupted by this arrangement, I think it can only help ensure the stability of the three clans, if their leadership can at least rely on each other."

"From my understanding of their deal, the Mantis will be acting as mercenaries for the Scorpion in fighting pirates, but if Akodo-sama wishes I can speak with Soshi Eiji-sama to gain clarity on how it will factor in. Anyway we have support about the Emerald Office, so it is something we should push for in court tomorrow I think."

At worst, the motion would be denied though and that goal would fall through, right?

"With this arrangement of marriages too, we have secured betrothals for almost everyone on our list, as well as some of our delegates."

"Alright, push it through."

"As you command," she bowed, ready to fine-polish this agreement to be presentable next day in court.

"Shall we move on to the matter of the Fox then?"

"Why not?"

"We have previously covered the matter of Kitsune Aiko-sama asking for support in her effort to officially be recognized as Champion of the Fox. You, understandably, did not wish to be the only one to voice support to her, so I made it my task to garner support for her among the other clans."

She continued, "the Crab took some convincing, and while I don't know if they would be able to persuade the Lord Kaiu, some members of their delegation expressed support for her situation and would be willing to back her in court with us. The Crane too seemed partial to this when I spoke with one of their delegates. I'm sorry to say that I have nothing more than their support expressed in private though. Personally I still wish to support Kitsune-sama, as I feel I can attest to the nobility of her character and her love for her clan. She expressed that she would stand alone if she had to, for the sake of her clan." Sayomi did her best to emphasize the honorable nature of Kitsune Aiko.

"When she brings the subject up for the court, I wish to stand there on her side and support her. And I hope too with that, we can move forward with the treaty signed up between our clans; where we offer one of our Ikoma artisans [1 art service] to work with Kitsune Aiko-sama in return for the last lumber we need [2 units of lumber] to meet our quota, sealed with the marriage of one of the Fox marrying into the Lion to Akodo Kenji."

Sayomi bowed deeply, having spoken her piece and her support for Kitsune Aiko.

"I think you have placed a lot of trust in one woman who held up a treaty in pursuit of her elevation to Daimyo over her brother. But that being said, since you are convinced that there is wider support for this, you may support Aiko in court. The fact is that we need the lumber, so you may advance the treaty as well."

She bowed to her Champion, grateful. And for a moment unable to express in words how she felt. "I'm honored to be allowed this, Akodo-sama. And I will advance the treaty with the Fox. Thank you."

"That is all I have to report today."

"Very well. Carry on, Kitsu-san."

Sayomi bowed deeply, with great respect for her Champion.


/scene and thank you.