Ryusei had been supporting Minor Clan deals as they had arisen, but ti dawned on him that the Phoenix hadn't actually made any.

Acting on a tip from his Yasuki friend, Ryoichi, the young Phoenix went looking for Suzume Hanae...

He finds Suzume Ryobu, who is the leading delegate.

She bows to him, saying "Shiba-san, I trust the day has fed you."

"Inari-no-Kami has been most kind, Suzumue-sama. I trust you have been similarly blessed?"

"Indeed so," Ryobu replies. "And congratulations are in order for you, I hear."

He bowed.

"Very much so. My marriage is.... a duty I look forward to."

He couldn't get much more effusive than that... no matter how much he wanted to. As it was, it was probably little much.

"It dawned on me, Suzume-sama, that I have neglected to speak with the Younger Clans thus far. I could make excuses..."

Such as having been busy practically single-handedly handling most of the Phoenix negotiations to this point.

"... but the fact of the matter is, I believe I owe you an apology. And I would ask if there is anything the Phoenix could do for the Sparrow."

"No apology is needed, Shiba-san," Ryobu replies. "But it is good to meet you face to face at last. Your work on the Court floor has been impressive this season.

"But to your question, there are ways in which the Sparrow would appreciate some assistance, indeed."

"The Phoenix, happily, don't stand in much actual need at this point, so an outright trade is unlikely, but I would still like to see how we might be of assistance..."

"Needs may be met," Ryobu says, "but things can be wanted that are not, perhaps, needed."

She smiles slightly.

"How do you feel about yams?"

Ryusei was a Great Clan samurai who'd grown up on the coast.

"I... confess to not having much an opinion on them, Suzume-sama."

"They are a hearty food, Shiba-san," Ryobu says. "Hardy and resilient, filling the belly against cold nights. And they travel well, on land or on ship."

Ryusei suddenly felt for this woman- deeply and intensely.

A crop most of the Empire hadn't heard of or didn't want, and he strongly suspected it was the primary- perhaps sole- commodity the Sparrow had to offer.

"I see, I see... something to be said for durable portability..."

It was... something?

"Shiba-ue might be persuaded to take an interest in a new foodstuff. And what needs do the Sparrow have?"

"Rice is always dear in the Suzume Hills," Ryobu replies. "There are other ways in which they are sparing."

"Well. Our rice surplus is traded away, but, we have something... comparable on offer. The Isawa can perform a blessing on farmlands- the yields will be increased for the subsequent year..."

Ryobu straightens.

"That would be a blessing, indeed," she says. "What would the Phoenix ask in return for such a blessing?"

"Well, let us see... with our needs for the coming year met, I come to more ephemeral requests. We would of course take possession of some yams..."

To let the Sparrow save face. And some backup rations in the event of catastrophe were never a bad thing. Especially with a bunch of Crab work crews headed his way...

"... but what else might the Sparrow have to offer? Simple goodwill, valuable as I might find it, might be hard to persuade Shiba-ue to accept as a basis for exchange."

"I can understand that," Ryobu replies. "But perhaps spirits might find some willing to partake in the cold north?"

"Spirits, hm? You have my attention, Suzume-sama..."