faint scent of blossoms drifted on the wind, mixed with the bitter aroma of pine and smoke from fires within the keep.
Already, the Lion had assembled on the stone balcony. As one, they bowed when Hoturi walked through their entourage toward the high seat that had been placed for him. Kakita Yoshi stood behind the ornate stool. He smiled pleasantly as his champion nodded to the Lion kneeling below him.
Beside Jushin, four samurai retainers knelt in support of his petition. Although their names were unknown to Hoturi, they each bore the Ikoma mon and seemed equally reserved. These were unusual Lion, whose very natures precluded emotional outbursts.
Hoturi took his time settling on the stool. He removed his swords and handed them to Kakita Toshimoko, who placed them upon a nearby dai-sho holder of soft cherry wood. The Lion would wait while their host took his time enjoying the autumn evening and the beauty of their surroundings. The pause was carefully planned, of course, and Hoturi waited for Yoshi's cue to begin. The courtier would instinctively understand when the Lion had exhausted their patience.
After a few moments, Hoturi saw the fan flutter slightly, indistinguishable to any glance save his own.
"Welcome, noble Lion, to the court of the Crane," Yoshi said.
Hoturi drew his attention to the Lion as if noticing them for the first time.
Again, they bowed politely.
Jushin rose from his seat and came forward. "It is my honor, Doji-sama." The Ikoma bowed, and rested on his knees before Hoturi's low stool. "We have much to discuss. The Lion are most concerned about the Crane's statements about the Osari Plains. By all the records, the plains rightfully belonged to Matsu Gusori, in the days of the Third Hantei...." All the arguments were old, tired, and worthless, but the Lion insisted on repeating them each time the clans discussed the issue.
"Yes, for certain, Ikoma-san," Hoturi nodded, "but you forget that the emperor himself allotted those lands to the Crane more than six hundred years ago. Are you questioning his decree?"
"Not at all, Doji-sama. But the plains remain our property by claim of the kami and the rightful holder, Matsu Ko-jume, and by decree of the Celestial Heavens. We are certain the emperor would agree."
"Then we shall have to ask him." Hoturi snapped, his mock anger calculated to lead the Lion through emotional territory If the Ikoma slipped during this negotiation, the Crane could easily report that his bad manners had insulted them and be perfectly justified in turning away his claims. "If you are here to discuss the emperor's business, you are sadly far from where you should be. Otosan Uchi and the Shining Prince are quite a ways north of Kyuden Kakita."
"Akodo Jushin is most wise. I'm certain. . . ." Yoshi said quietly, as if distracted.
"Ikoma!" The Lion said more loudly than was necessary, appearing uncomfortable with his own reaction.
"My pardon, noble Jushin-san. So sorry to have disturbed you. Ikoma. Of course. Please, continue."
The Lion seemed even more uncomfortable. His head nodded like a tree frog.
Red-faced, the ambassador continued, "The plains of Osari were given to the third son of Matsu, and their bounty was to be split among the clans...."
"Matsu's third son was Kojume?"
"No, Gusori."
"But Ikoma-san, you said that the Third Hantei gave the plains to a man named Kojume?"
Flustered, the Ikoma rethought his words and tried to find his error. "No, Kojume is the current owner."
"No, Ikoma-san, Doji Reju is the current owner." Hoturi's fan snapped shut. He secretly enjoyed the Lion's discomfort. "By the decree of the kami of the Crane."
"The emperor ..."
"Has left the plains of Osari in Crane hands for more than a significant amount of time. There is no reason for the Lion to mistrust that decision." Hoturi smiled. "Tell me, Jushin, do you have the authority to withdraw the Lion troops from Sayo Castle?"
"Lord Doji-san, I cannot withdraw the troops."
Ignoring the man's
Already, the Lion had assembled on the stone balcony. As one, they bowed when Hoturi walked through their entourage toward the high seat that had been placed for him. Kakita Yoshi stood behind the ornate stool. He smiled pleasantly as his champion nodded to the Lion kneeling below him.
Beside Jushin, four samurai retainers knelt in support of his petition. Although their names were unknown to Hoturi, they each bore the Ikoma mon and seemed equally reserved. These were unusual Lion, whose very natures precluded emotional outbursts.
Hoturi took his time settling on the stool. He removed his swords and handed them to Kakita Toshimoko, who placed them upon a nearby dai-sho holder of soft cherry wood. The Lion would wait while their host took his time enjoying the autumn evening and the beauty of their surroundings. The pause was carefully planned, of course, and Hoturi waited for Yoshi's cue to begin. The courtier would instinctively understand when the Lion had exhausted their patience.
After a few moments, Hoturi saw the fan flutter slightly, indistinguishable to any glance save his own.
"Welcome, noble Lion, to the court of the Crane," Yoshi said.
Hoturi drew his attention to the Lion as if noticing them for the first time.
Again, they bowed politely.
Jushin rose from his seat and came forward. "It is my honor, Doji-sama." The Ikoma bowed, and rested on his knees before Hoturi's low stool. "We have much to discuss. The Lion are most concerned about the Crane's statements about the Osari Plains. By all the records, the plains rightfully belonged to Matsu Gusori, in the days of the Third Hantei...." All the arguments were old, tired, and worthless, but the Lion insisted on repeating them each time the clans discussed the issue.
"Yes, for certain, Ikoma-san," Hoturi nodded, "but you forget that the emperor himself allotted those lands to the Crane more than six hundred years ago. Are you questioning his decree?"
"Not at all, Doji-sama. But the plains remain our property by claim of the kami and the rightful holder, Matsu Ko-jume, and by decree of the Celestial Heavens. We are certain the emperor would agree."
"Then we shall have to ask him." Hoturi snapped, his mock anger calculated to lead the Lion through emotional territory If the Ikoma slipped during this negotiation, the Crane could easily report that his bad manners had insulted them and be perfectly justified in turning away his claims. "If you are here to discuss the emperor's business, you are sadly far from where you should be. Otosan Uchi and the Shining Prince are quite a ways north of Kyuden Kakita."
"Akodo Jushin is most wise. I'm certain. . . ." Yoshi said quietly, as if distracted.
"Ikoma!" The Lion said more loudly than was necessary, appearing uncomfortable with his own reaction.
"My pardon, noble Jushin-san. So sorry to have disturbed you. Ikoma. Of course. Please, continue."
The Lion seemed even more uncomfortable. His head nodded like a tree frog.
Red-faced, the ambassador continued, "The plains of Osari were given to the third son of Matsu, and their bounty was to be split among the clans...."
"Matsu's third son was Kojume?"
"No, Gusori."
"But Ikoma-san, you said that the Third Hantei gave the plains to a man named Kojume?"
Flustered, the Ikoma rethought his words and tried to find his error. "No, Kojume is the current owner."
"No, Ikoma-san, Doji Reju is the current owner." Hoturi's fan snapped shut. He secretly enjoyed the Lion's discomfort. "By the decree of the kami of the Crane."
"The emperor ..."
"Has left the plains of Osari in Crane hands for more than a significant amount of time. There is no reason for the Lion to mistrust that decision." Hoturi smiled. "Tell me, Jushin, do you have the authority to withdraw the Lion troops from Sayo Castle?"
"Lord Doji-san, I cannot withdraw the troops."
Ignoring the man's
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