[D11, EA, Court] The Floor

[Hida Kozume]

The buzz in the court comes to an abrupt stop as the rear doors open and the Imperial Officers stream onto the dais. The Emerald Champion is not among them. There is a brief pause as the Officers look at each other, then Hida Kozume comes striding up to the fore.

"Good afternoon, delegates. The Emerald Champion has got important matters to be attending to, so you all get the pleasure of answering to me for a day."

He cracks his knuckles absently.

"Now, let's see, announcements. Oh, for those as weren't there," he pauses to look around the room not a little menacingly, "somebody tried to hit the Temple of Tengen last night with what's called a kill team. Now, a kill team is pretty much what the title says, and their object seems clear. They were trying to kill somebody. And, unless the Emerald Champion is much mistaken, the somebody in question appears to be Tatsuya, the natural son of Hantei Muhaki, plus the grandson into the bargain.

Now, all of that is a violation of several laws, plus common decency and so forth. The Emerald Champion is addressing the matter personally, so I'd expect all this to be cleared up and the culprit separated from his head pretty soon.

On to finer things. Your first day of the Bowman's Wager is today. You can find the field down by the river in the late afternoon to take that in or to shoot, as you like. And in the Late Evening, the Champions of the Lion and Crane clans will be hosting an art show. Finally, tomorrow in the Early Evening, the Winter Sumai Tournament will take place."

He scratched his jaw. "So, that's it. Bring your business forward and I'll steer you right."

Business is open for the day, with Hida Kozume presiding. The TN for Court Actions is 16. Hida Kozume is a Rank 5 Hida Bushi/Rank 3 Defender of the Wall. He is extremely good at a couple things. Court ain't on the list.

[Cearnach]

Eiji can wait no longer. Yes he had treaties to introduce, but this was important!

"My lords and ladies...today's story is about me.

Now, some of you may not realize this, based on the clothes I wear, but I had the great privledge of being born into the Lion clan. As a samurai of the Lion, I was trained in the importance of Bushido. That we are all responsible just not for our own lives, but for those we serve and those we protect. A soldier who has fled the battlefield has failed their lord just as surely as the lord that orders them to a pointless suicide charge has failed them. We are responsible for each other.

Now, having married into the Scorpion clan, I have returned to Kyuden Ikoma, and I have noticed that the guards do not see me as I once was. And that is as it should be. I no longer serve the lord I once did. Vigilance is what a guard should strive for. And I have noticed that the Seppun guardsman, sworn to protect the Imperial familes and those of the Empress's household have given me those same hard stares when I visit one of those named as a possible successor to the throne. This is as it should be. Any one of the winds could indeed be the next ruler of the Empire, and their lives are sworn to protect them.

When there were intruders in the Crane clan embassy, the Lion took responsibility for their failure. But a kill team? This is not the failing of one guard or two guards. This speaks of failure and incompetence of a much higher level. One I can scarcily put to words, despite all my training.

Perpetrators must be punished, this is true. Those who failed to stop them must be punished, this is true. But this court must demand more, we must demand serious consequences for those reponsible for the security arrangements that are meant to safeguard the very life of our ruler.

The Lion are an honorable clan. The Seppun family is an honorable family. I have faith that they will atone if we call for it, and if we stay silent? Then the failure is ours. This much is true.


(Advance Position: Demand consquences for those responsible for keeping the winds safe, 1 raise called) 43

[Hida Kozume]

Kozume frowned. "I hear ya, Soshi-san. And we can talk about this if we've got to. Fact of the matter is that..."

[Shiba Rumiko]

Shiba Rumiko stood up on the dais and waved her fan.

[Hida Kozume]

Kozume nodded in response. "Alright, well, apparently there's stuff the presider can't just do. We're debating Soshi Eiji's motion on holding somebody accountable for failing to prevent the attack from happening. Fire away."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna stepped forward.

"Let me make a different suggestion. I have the utmost faith in our hosts and guards here. And others present, like the Magistrate. Let's let those who are accountable and are already investigating focus entirely on finding out how and why this happened, punishing those responsible, and planning all that needs to be done to prevent any further harm."

"Those investigations are surely not yet done."

"To ask for anything else at this time is a distraction." And unseemly, which did not even need to be said.

"Let them all do their jobs. We can trust that this will be handled swiftly, competently, and with all possible honor."

"I am no bushi or investigator. What I can offer in such times is my courtesy."


https://sakkaku.org/r/17051 48; 3 raises called; an alternate suggestion

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi took the floor, where she knelt down and bowed to the dais.

"Minna-sama."

She took a deep breath.

"We cannot control the actions of dishonorable people who come sneaking in the dark to commit atrocities. Such people do not understand the virtues of Bushido and have no honor themselves. But what we can control is our own actions."

"If someone must be held accountable for the failings of the Lion, let it be me. I have laxed in my duties as a guard of this castle since winter begun, and have expected too much of my fellow soldiers here to make up for my absences and new duties that keep me occupied. This blame should not be pointed at Lord Ikoma or Lady Akodo."


-----

D11 Court. Introduce own position. (Court action 1 out of 2). Courtier/Etiquette. 3 Raises. | 7k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 31)

Sayomi will do the honorable thing and accept responsibility for her superiors and clan! (20 points)

[Hida Kozume]

"Hold your horses, there, Kitsu-san. We haven't even decided Soshi-san's motion yet. And we don't have the full scope of what happened. So...you know, I guess if it comes to that the court might entertain holding you responsible, but it seems a little bit like trying to tie your sandals before you put 'em on your feet. Right now, the question is "ought somebody to be held responsible for failing to prevent a team of hired killers breaking into the compound and attacking a Wind? And I've got a yes from Soshi Eiji and a wait until the investigation's over from Agasha Yuna."

[Akodo Kenji]

Akodo Kenji approached the dais.

"If it please the court, Hida-sama. I was part of the defense that took place last night. The Emerald Champion and his Magistrates are currently investigating exactly what transpired. I concur with Agasha-san, judgement on this matter should await the results of that investigation."

He bowed deeply and looked to see if the Emerald Champion or his representatives wished to add anything.

D11. Court. Matter of the attack. Concur With Agasha Yuna. Awareness / Etiquette. | 6k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 16)

+10 to Agasha Yuna's position

[Yasuki Masaki]

After Kozume's timely clarification, Masaki takes a step forward. She bows deeply to the Ruby Champion, then respectfully to Eiji, Sayomi, and Yuna, in this order. She has her kimono with carps against a white background today, and instead of her usual blue-on-blue fan she's brought a grey one, adorned by a red carp holding a peach blossom.

"Hida-sama, if I may."

"Soshi-san's concerns cannot be seen but as understandable and valid - and Kitsu-san's readiness to protect our host's honour but as exemplary, although of course Hida-sama's clarifications are essential here. " Her gaze goes from one of them to the other as she speaks, then settles again on the dais. "I believe, however, that some further clarification on what transpired last night is needed before this court could come to a rightful and informed conclusion, as neither Kitsu-san nor Soshi-san were present in person at the site where this most heinous attempt the life of one of the winds occurred."

The fan opens as she turns to face those gathered, revealing the red carp and the blossom in their full glory - and covering part of her face.

"As the sounds of fighting reached the Courtyard last night, Hiruma Daichi-gunso, Yasuki Ryoichi-san and I were among the many who woke up and rushed to the temple to find it under attack, along with Akodo-san who just addressed the court. While Soshi-san is fully right that something like this should never happen in a site holding this highest of courts, after the attack was thwarted, the swift actions of Emerald Magistrate Daidoji Sae-sama, who had equally stood up and rushed to the temple, and those of the Emerald Champion himself, quickly established that Ikoma and Seppun guardsmen were on site, and gave their lives fighting to prevent the invasion. Other of our hosts likewise rushed to thwart the attempt, and were essential in allowing the threat to be eliminated before any further damage could be done."

She turns to Kozume again. "Now, that this 'kill team', as it has been called, could get into the castle, is of course worrying. But I would sustain that our hosts' and the honourable Seppun's efforts indicate not so much a failure in arrangements, but the presence of threats beyond those reasonably expected." The fan lowers slightly, revealing a worried, but determined face. "If punishment was all that awaited any survivors every time a guard tower in the south was overwhelmed by a larger threat than it could deal with, the Empire would be less safe for it, not more."

She nods solemnly, and her fan gestures to Yuna. "As Agasha-san said, the matter is undergoing investigation as we speak. In fact, from what Kakita-sama said on site, a first assessment should be expected later tonight. If there were in fact clear failures in the safety arrangements, the investigation will surely reveal that better than we could assess here. If that is indeed the case, then those responsible for such failure may well deserve punishment, as Soshi-san says. Doubly so, of course, if it is not simple failure we are talking about, but treachery."

Looking at Kozume again.

"Until the actual facts that led to this terrible attack can be properly determined, however, while an increase in security may be warranted, as circumstances seem to require them, I would sustain that punishment would be too hasty."

Another deep bow, and she steps back.

-----------------------------
D11 EA - Court. Concurring with Yuna. 1 Raise called. No Seppun-sanctioned blessing today due to sleep disturbances! | 7k4 ⇒ 23 (TN: 21)
Success with 1 Raise to support Yuna; 15 Court Points to her. Total of 55, I think?

[Hida Kozume]

"Thanks, Yasuki-san. So, given the testimony of the two dead Ikoma what did for the 1st of the miscreants and the dead Seppun, whose honor I am sure Soshi-san does not mean to spit on, speaking out of not-knowing-about-that as he was and probably not earnin' a duel out of it on account of that reason, I guess the right thing to do, here, would be to put a cork in this one and see what comes at us when the Emerald Champion makes his report. Which, like I say, probably isn't too far off. Lots of folks could end up for the chop yet over incompetence or the other thing Yasuki-san mentioned but I ain't gonna repeat for obvious reasons, but we'll take us a look-see at that point."

He smiled to himself. Problem resolved, temporary-like, which is exactly what the stand-in court presider likes to hear.

"Next item of business?"

[Akodo Kenji]

The rather rambling conclusion to the issue left Kenji a little off stride. So his attempt to get the trade deal up and running did not go smoothly.

"Um, if it please the court. I have a trade deal. With the Mantis. It's a good deal. You'll, we'll all like it."

He blanked for a moment and looked to his clanmates for help.


D11. EA. Court. Advance/Introduce Own Position: Lion-Mantis trade deal. Awareness/Etiquette. 1CR. Void for +1k1. | 7k4 ⇒ 17 (TN: 21)
Fail!

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Well... that was awkward and she had almost excused herself entirely from the floor, but as Kenji tried to bring everything back to normal, she noticed that he was looking for help.

She couldn't leave her kin struggling!

"I believe what the honourable Akodo Kenji-sama is saying is that we are pleased to present a deal between the Mantis and the Lion, in the earnest effort that it will continue to provide good relation between our two clans, given our connected history."

"The Lion will be providing the Mantis with a new method for creating pottery, as well [2 units] of old technology weapons. In return, the Mantis present the Lion with [2 units] gold, [2 units] of naval equipment, and the gift of a map from Gusai-sama."

-----

D11 EA Court. Supporting Akodo Kenji's position. 2 Raises. | 7k4 ⇒ 41 (TN: 26)

+20 to Kenji.

[Gusai Rioshida]

Gusai Rioshida walked out onto the floor just after.

"The Mantis are excited by this cultural exchange with the Lion clan. The Right Hand of the Empress is an exciting and dynamic business partner, and we feel a deep and lasting kinship, not unlike shipmates of long years, with them. So, the court should let this proposal through for that reason. And any as disagree should reconsider carefully."

[+10 points to Akodo Kenji]

[Akodo Kenji]

The support from Sayomi snapped him out of the "Lion in the torchlights" he had been stuck in.

"Ah, yes, thank you Kitsu-san, Gusai-sama. My apologies for being vague. This trade deal also includes an exchange programme between the Lion and Mantis. Five Lion samurai will train with the Mantis and five Mantis with the Lion. The Mantis will also provide shipping deals for Lion goods on Mantis vessels. We look forward to a prosperous future of mutual understanding."

He bowed deeply having regained his composure.

D11. Court. Support own position. | 6k3 ⇒ 18 (TN: 16)

+10 to own position

[Hida Kozume]

"Well, alright then. Are there folks that disagree with this deal?" Kozume asked, jerking his thumb at Kenji.

[Hida Kozume]

"Guess not. What's next?"

[Cearnach]

Ryusei took the floor in his own right. Perhaps hoping his presentation would go better than his offer of the Phoenix/Crane treaty, where the support of the Crane had been all that salvaged his misstep.

Not that you'd know it to watch his polished delivery this time.

"Minna-sama, it is always a pleasure to have constructive conversations with a worthy fellow samurai. While the Scorpion and the Phoenix have already had satisfactory dealings this season, I am pleased to announce another agreement has been reached. A twin to the first agreement, in some ways, which is, of course, fitting. The Phoenix will provide the Scorpion with a small surplus from our harvest, and a measure of iron..."

Which they had due to an earlier snafu, so it was kind of a shuffle.

"... and the Children of Baysuhi will provide the Phoenix with dye adequate to our needs for the year ahead. To seal this agreement, we submit to the Imperial Nakodo a marriage between Eiko of the Yogo to Takuya of the Isawa, with Yogo-san joining the Isawa family. In this way, we balance the earlier marriage, which saw my brother promised to the Shosuro."


--
Treaty Nuts and Bolts-
The Scorpion Provide:
4 dyes

The Phoenix Provide
2 Iron
2 Rice


Agreement to be sealed by the marriage of Yogo Eiko to Isawa-ke no kashin Kimura Takuya, with Eiko joining the Phoenix.

Courtier/Awareness to Advance Own Position- Please Approve this Scorpion/Phoenix Treaty. TN 16. Benten's Blessing Applies. 2 Called Raises for final TN of 26, Shiba Void-Bomb for +2k2 | 8k6 ⇒ 38 (TN: 26)

+20 points for Ryusei

Action 1 of 3 for the day used.

[Hida Kozume]

"Well, looks like that's a fine deal between the two of you." Kozume said, his eyes unglazing after a moment.

"What's next?"

[Cearnach]

Trade Deal with the Centipede

Sayomi returned to the floor once more, bowing again to those gathered. "Please allow me this moment to present a trade deal between the Lion and the noble Centipede."

The details were read. "The compassionate Centipede and the honourable Lion have come together in the winter of 486 in Kyuden Ikoma, and agreed on an exchange of goods for services. May this trade bring honour to both clans and continue to benefit the Empire."

"The Centipede graciously share their resources of 1 Stone."
"The Lion invite two members of the Moshi to attend the Ikoma Omoidasu dojo, and two members of the Moshi to attend the Akodo Bushi dojo. May this open up future possibilities for the Minor Clan."

She bowed.

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D11 EA Court. Introduce Trade Deal. Courtier/Awareness. 2 raises. | 7k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 26)

+20 Court Points. All Court Actions spent (2 base + 1 extra for being a Bushi just like Kozume!)