Returning to the quarters for the Lion delegation, Sayomi set about to seeking out Akodo Sanae to finalize some last things that she could hopefully present to the court tomorrow.

Sanae is within, along with a somewhat-chastened-seeming Kitsu Shintaro. She looks over at Sayomi and nods. "Treaty business? A break from all of this foolishness is certainly welcome. At last, something that we are meant to be doing."

Sayomi could not help but to cast curious glances between Sanae and Shintaro. What foolishness...?

"Uh, yes. I have two treaties to present for your approval, Akodo-sama. Kitsu-sama." She bowed, acknowledging both the superiors before her. "One with the Centipede, and one with the Fox."

"Akane and Aiko." She looks back at Shintaro. "I suppose that you want to read them in as well?"

Shintaro, almost oblivious to the tone, begins nodding his head rapidly. "Well, yes, Akodo-sama! They may know a great deal about the spirits! It would be useful to compare data, and more hands may mean a safer solution!"

"Ah... I admit some confusion what is going on, my lords. I have not spoken with either Moshi-sama or Kitsune-sama about any spirits." She didn't outright ask what they were talking about, but she did want to know what the situation was.

Especially since it seemed like Shintaro had been reprimanded just recently.

*Ugh* Sanae shakes her head in frustration. "Good. This has gotten far enough out of control already. Now, I am not sure how much I am actually at liberty to divulge, Kitsu-san, but if you notice anything strange happening, or hear anything about a spirit claiming to be Hantei Ningi, you should report it immediately to Seppun Sadako. I want the delegation on alert."

"Now, let's have the Moshi one first."

Blink.

Blink blink.

It took a few seconds for it to sink in. Did she say Hantei Ningi? "... Of course, Akodo-sama. Kitsu-sama. I will do so." At least she had a good rapport with Sadako, so the Seppun daimyo wouldn't think she was insane.

"The Centipede didn't have much to offer us, but what little they could offer was kind enough and will be helpful in the end."

Sayomi read the official draft she had prepared.

The Lion extends an invitation to the Centipede to send two students to the Ikoma Omoidasu, and two students to the Akodo Bushi. It is the hope that the Centipede and the Lion will both benefit from this, and if both clans are pleased with these students and their learning, there is opportunity to open up more room for the Centipede in Lion Dojo.

In return for this generous invitation to their Dojo, the Centipede will provide the Lion with stone [1 unit].

"It is generous for the Centipede, but we need the stone." And didn't really have much else to offer them.

"That we do, though I had hoped for more than a pittance. I wonder what Akane means by that." She frowned. "Perhaps I will have words with her."

Shintaro perked up. "OH! You should mention the..."

"Another time, Kitsu-san."

"..."

Sayomi suppressed a smile and a snicker that wanted to creep in.

"She did speak of a great gift the Moshi could offer, that would require intense prayer on their behalf for a select individual, who would also have to go through severe spiritual conditioning, to receive the touch of Tengoku upon their soul. A blessing that would last for a whole year," she mentioned, thinking that it was also of interest to Shintaro. "But I declined the offer, as the Moshi wanted our pottery development in return, and I did not feel it was a fair trade... even if it is a powerful blessing she spoke of. In my opinion, we need more tangible commodities, to be prepared for the next year."

"It would be a priceless gift, I agree. But the trouble there is that a priceless gift cannot be bought. I have always had trouble with Akane's mercenary attitude, but I suppose we will have to make do with her insult for the moment."

"What is the situation with the Fox?"

Perhaps she should have pressured for more...? Sayomi had taken it at face value that the Moshi only had so little to offer.

"Kitsune Aiko-sama have a personal clause attached to this deal, which is unusual but I think is worthwhile supporting."

The Lion in a show of good will to the Fox, will send an Ikoma Bard of talent to work with Kitsune Aiko. [1 Art Service]

In return, the Fox will provide the Lion with lumber from their forest [2 units].

To foster good relations moving forward, this deal is supported with a betrothal between Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Ikuko and Akodo-ke no kashin Kusama Kenji, with Reizei Ikuko joining the Lion.

"Kitsune-sama's clause is that the Lion will support her move to officially become the Champion of the Fox. As she has effectively been doing that duty for years, and has the support of the majority of her clan... well, I think it's good to have a possible future connection to the leadership of the Fox. I think her efforts might face some derision in the court, but will overall be supported."

"I must confess that I am surprised that Aiko has come to us for this support. It's a bad look, unseating your lord, though it has been done."

She bit her lip. "How truthful do you feel she was about her clan's support?"

Sayomi pondered it for a moment. "I think she was truthful, as she wasn't shy to say that there were some who would probably complain anyway. I believe the words she used was; can't say it's everybody, 'cause there's always gonna be somebody that don't like what's going on - could be giving out sake by the bottle, and someone would gripe it ain't shochu."

It was considerably less rural words and speech than Aiko had used, but the message was there.

"If I hesitate, it is only because these things should be taken quite seriously. I would hate to be the only clan sticking its neck out, and then find that certain vassals got it into their heads that we stand for this kind of thing in all circumstances. Do we know if she has had traction from other clans?"

"I understand, Akodo-sama," Sayomi bowed her head. "I haven't asked, but I can bring it up with some of the clans I have found people to get along with."

"That may be wise. I recognize that time is tight, and we may have to make the jump, but it would be good to know that we weren't putting our foot in it by ourselves."

"Yes, I agree," she nodded. "I will do my best to have it done before court tomorrow, Akodo-sama. I wish I had brought more lucrative deals before you, similarly to the Crab one I arranged earlier."