(D14, LM) Thank you, Scorpion

[Soshi Eiji]

After his visit to the Lion House, Eiji made his way to the Scorpion house He didn't have an appointment. No, this visit was for a last minute offers for the Scorpion clan champion's consideration. He presented himself at her quarters and awaited permission.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

Eiji is shown into the Champion's study. No corpses today(!), but a pensive Kaguya sitting at her desk.

"Soshi Eiji," she says quietly.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji bows low.

"Bayushi-ue, my apologies for disrupting your meditations. I had thought with Yogo-san's treaty passing the court that we had no further matters to bring to the court until tomorrow. However, the Crab and Lion have put forth a suggested treaty that would either need to be brought to the floor today, or likely put off until...well perhaps next year, perhaps never, depending on what the Empire looks like going forward. The finalized version just came through, but I apologize for the relatively short time you have to consider it:

To improve order along the River of Gold, the Scorpion, Lion, and Crab will be entering an agreement to aid the Emerald Magistrates in their duties in what ways they can. Sharing information, helping construct a manor to help patrol the river, and providing other services within reason.

Furthermore, they promise to share information on pirate activity with each other and aid any of the other clans' ships in their waters if they are threatened by pirates, bandits, or forces of nature.

Lastly, they will provide aid politically in matters they agree will help the Emerald Magistrates address pirate threats.

To seal this agreement a number of marriages have been arranged between the two clans as follows.


To marry into the Crab:
- Shosuro Masahiko to Kaiu Ko
- Kitsu Sayomi to Hiruma Daichi

To marry into the Lion:
- Kaiu Hideo to Matsu Natsuko
- Shosuro Ryosuke to Matsu-ke no kashin Unami

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

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"It is always interesting to see what clans share with one freely, to compare it to what we learn by other means. That has my approval. My only concern is whether these clauses bind us to any military commitments to either of these clans."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"The terms of the treaty do narrowly define the terms of our cooperation. Though I do expect resistance in court with other clans assuming this could be merely a pretext. A military alliance in all but name, where the pursuit of pirates leads a mixture of forces crossing into the lands of the Crane or to the north." he offered.

Eiji shrugged.

"While I think that...highly unlikely, it's good to be on even better terms with some of our neighbors. It gives those who are not pause to consider their actions. "

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"I don't want the Lion make calculations based on our marching anywhere. They will be sorely disappointed. But to the extent that this treaty means precisely what it says and no more, it has my approval."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"As you will, Bayushi-ue." he said.

He paused for a moment.

"I intend to spend the day gathering information from the various delegations about the debate tomorrow. It's hard to say what success I'll have, if any with it, but I feel it's better to supliment Bayushi-ue's knowledge of it however I can rather than my own knowledge of the best drinking spots in Kyuden Ikoma." he revealed.

"I feel I should ask if Bayushi-ue has any insights into what she expects to happen tomorrow that she is willing to share." he asked.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"I think that it is anyone's game who is not named Gorobei."

Bayushi Kaguya was not the most savvy political operative in the history of the Scorpion clan, but even she could see that it would be hard for Gorobei to become Emperor all by himself.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"I certainly agree with that, Bayushi-ue. He was first to openly put forth his claim, but he's had incredibly little impact upon the court. He is a finaist in the Bowman's Wager this afternoon, but I think that may well be the extent of his ambitions achieve this season." he agreed.

When he came to court, Eiji had thought it likely that he'd find a great deal of similarity between the two. Surely they had both simply been waiting for their time to shine, to show what they could do. And when Eiji had seen what some of the other members of court could do, he had felt despair.

And yet, it wasn't being showy that had earned Eiji fame, but through his diligent efforts he had achieved great things, while Gorobei was gaining perhaps some fame, but having little impact.