As night fell weightily on the Temple of Tengen, the great doors remained open. Even as monks hurried dawdling scholars on their way, the abbot paced nervously within the genkan. The nervous pinch of his lips created the shadow of a scowl that kept his brothers at bay.

"Everything in order?"

Lord Kitsu's clear voice echoed briskly as he strode across the threshold.

*ACK!* the Abbot startled, then quickly composed himself and bowed.

"Um, yes, greetings Kitsu-ue." He rose, a slightly pained expression on his face. "Will your guests be requiring refreshments? Only we have had no time to contact the kitchens..."

"Never mind all that! We shan't have time for drinks!"

The Lord of the Kitsu breezed past the old man, leaving him to trail along in his wake, picking up further monks as they passed.

They turned down the east stairwell, descending one, two, three floors deep into the Temple's basement, where, in a windowless room lit by a dozen candles arranged around a single cushion, Lord Kitsu came to a sudden stop.

"Oh, no, this will not do at all."

He looked over his shoulder at the abbot where he huffed and puffed from matching the daimyo's pace. "My dear sir," Shintaro began, "you cannot expect my guests to stand for the whole ritual, surely? Seats, man! Seats!"

The abbot held in the sigh, but grabbed the excuse to quit Lord Kitsu's company. Soon enough, monks came bearing twelve low seats which were arranged in serried rows just before the candles and the ritual pillow. For his part, Lord Kitsu stepped nimbly into the circle and settled onto that self-same pillow, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

It was ten minutes or more before the first guest strode down the stairs and into the chamber. He filled the doorway, taking the time to carefully examine the arrangements before speaking.

"Good evening, Kitsu-san," he rumbled. "What is all this? Your message was..."

"Vague! Yes, but then if you had seen whom it was circulated to, you would understand the need for circumspection. You aren't the only one to make use of a mystery now and then, you know!" Shintaro chuckled. "But please, come, have a seat! The others won't be long, and I shall explain everything then! That will save your poor ears, Togashi-ue, as we have quite the crowd with us tonight."

He waved Mizohachi over to the left side of the chamber.

Only for the Champion of the Dragon to be replaced by Lady Seppun. Resplendent in her formal evening kimono, Sadako flowed into the chamber. Taking a moment to acknowledge Mizohachi with a bow, she then brought her gaze to Shintaro's set up. Her left eyebrow rose slowly as she took in the candles, their arrangement, and the grinning man in their midst.

I am not going to like this, she decided, before bowing, and, wordlessly declining a seat, taking up a position opposite the door.

The Champion of the Lion arrived, her poise undiminished by the vagueness of Lord Kitsu's invitation. She offered a small smile to Sadako before bowing, and then another bow for the Dragon Champion, before striding toward Shintaro and engaging him in a quiet but firm conversation.

A short time later, Otomo Tooru strode in. He took in the room for a moment before swanning forward to take a seat for himself, sparing only a nod for Sadako as he went.

Close on Tooru's heels, Kaguya breezed past Sadako to take a seat next to Mizohachi. She leaned forward slightly to peer at Shintaro and Sanae, though she leaned back again as Sanae spun on her heel and moved to sit at Tooru's right.

A few minutes later, the Crane Champion descended the stairs and entered the room. She cast a weather eye over the other attendees before acknowledging each with precise bows and making her way to sit next to Akodo Sanae.

Lord Miya arrived, smiled warmly at Sadako, and went to join Tooru, his bones creaking as he settled into his seat.

At the same time, Kaiu Masahiko eased through a door not entirely designed with his frame in mind. He glanced about the room.

"Quite a group!" he rumbled, smiling broadly. Then, after taking a moment to acknowledge Sadako and Shintaro, he plopped down in a chair.

The final entrant was by now known and anticipated by all. Striding down the stairway, Shiba Higashime seemed to bring the chill of the night air with her. Certainly Mizohachi and Masahiko seemed to shiver a bit as she executed her firm bows and then stalked forward to take a chair, her gaze fixed on Shintaro.

Akodo Sanae cleared her throat. "Yes, well, Ikoma-san, if you could...explain our purpose here, I am sure we would all be very grateful."

"Hai, Akodo-sama." Shintaro smiled broadly as he directed his attention at the assembled Daimyo.

"Minna-samas, the last three days have been almost unbearable. The Empress' death has left an Empire bereft, rudderless. But we need not fumble for our way in the dark! With a little effort, the Empress can still speak to us! She can reveal to us her choice of Heir, and, with all of us as witnesses, we can resolve the Succession before it becomes an issue!!"

Shiba Higashime stood instantly.

"Nonsense. I know precisely what you are intending, Kitsu-san, and it is completely unacceptable. This method is unreliable, and has been known to be so since the reign of Hantei Genji. I won't..."

"A moment, Shiba-san," Mizohachi cut in, his rich voice seeming to engulf Higashime's objections and wash them away, "Kitsu-san has brought here the very people that knew our Empress best." He shifted in his seat to indicate Otomo Tooru. "It is true that the courts in 53 were deceived, but surely you would not reject out of hand the testimony of Lord Otomo, Lord Miya, and Lady Seppun. With them to steer us, I imagine that we will see immediately if Lord Kitsu proves unable to get in touch with the correct spirit."

Tooru found himself sitting up straighter as he was given his due.