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By Rusty Priske
MOSHI AMIKA MILLED HER KIMONO TIGHTER AROUND HER. Winter had not descended on the islands, but it vas starting to make its presence felt. The wind of the seas was cold and no matter how many layers she put on, she still felt the chill.
Or maybe the cold came from something else. Naizen had not summoned her since she had returned from the Jade Championship. She knew that he had hoped this responsibility would fall to the Mantis, so they could consolidate their position as magistrates.
They had failed.
Amika had failed.
Still, months had passed and he had no6 said an ill word towards her or implied that she had failed in her duty. He had done worse, by not summoning her at all. There had been public meetings, like when the Fox had been brought into their fold, but no private meetings where they discussed the maneuverings of the clan.
Moshi Amika had been one of Naizen’s closest advisors. That time seemed to have passed. In addition, the Kitsune brought a new family of shugenja to the Mantis. Were the Moshi being pushed aside? If that happened, then Amika’s failure would be complete.
She passed the guards protecting Naizen’s personal suite of rooms with barely a nod. The Moshi daimyo was expected, and even without express invitation, her presence was never questioned. She had not fallen in favor that far.
She continued unimpeded until reaching her destination. An attendant announced her arrival as she saw that she was the last to appear. Already present were the daimyos of the other families of the Mantis: Tsuruchi Nobumoto, Kitsune Ryukan and the champion, Yoritomo Naizen.
Amika was still becoming accustomed to Ryukan’s presence. Having the former Fox among the Mantis was still new to all those assembled, including Ryukan, from the nervousness his body language expressed.
“Now that Amika is here, let us begin.” Naizen motioned towards cushions set out in a circle. Naizen did not enjoy the opulence that you would find in a Crane chamber, but neither did he prefer the austerity of the Dragon or the roughhewn comforts of the Crab. The cushions were soft and comfortable, a blessing to Amika. She was tense enough without discomfort added to it.
As they sat, Amika said, “Lord Naizen. I am sure you want a report of what happened at the Jade Championships. I have not had the opportunity to give you a full accounting.”
Naizen shook his head. “I do not need it. I know what I need to know. We did not win. That was not the most desirable outcome. ” However, the Crab winning was also not the least desirable.”
Nobumoto absent-mindedly rubbed his knuckles with his free hand. “Why the Crab? I have heard that Daigo is more interested in taking the Jade Magistrates into the Shadow/ands directly instead of staying here to protect the people of Rokugan, which should be the sworn duty of all magistrates in the land. He does not seem like a good choice.”
Naizen shrugged slightly. “That may be true. I have heard those rumors as well. It is still better to have the mantle in the hands of the Crab rather than one of the clans who could use it to consolidate their position. We would not want the Scorpion controlling both the Emerald and Jade champions, for example.. That would put them very close to the throne itself. Besides, I do not think Daigo looking outwards instead of inwards hurts our cause just now.”
Nobumoto replied, “Do the Crab not have ambitions to the throne?”
Amika answered first. “All clans have such ambitions, whether they admit it, even to themselves, or not.”
Naizen nodded. “Any samurai who felt that his clan was not best suited to lead the Empire would not be much of a samurai. That does not make it true.”
“It is a question of priorities.” Nobumoto said. “The Clans differ on what goals the Empire should pursue. This is why it needs to be a Mantis on the throne. The other clans worry too much about themselves, or politics, or the latest machinations of the courtiers they surround themselves with. With a Mantis on the throne the safety of the people would come first. Safe people are productive people, and prosperity would follow. The reign of the Yoritomo or Tsuruchi line would be heralded as an age of the greatest advancements in the history of Rokugan.”
Naizen’s eyebrow rose but it was Amika that spoke. “Tsuruchi? I am afraid you are speaking out of turn, Tsuruchi-san. If a Mantis were to sit on the Steel Throne, it should be Lord Naizen, not you.”
“I was not speaking of myself, but regardless, there was no disrespect to Lord Naizen. I just did not want to assume that he wished the throne.”
Silence fell across the room as everyone waited for a response from their champion. Finally Naizen broke the silence. “You know me too well, Nobumoto. I do not feel I have to remind you what Yoritomo’s response was when he was offered the throne. He showed the Empire that the mantle of a Great Clan can be earned, rather than merely inherited.” Naizen paused. “But times change. To assume that Yoritomo would reject the throne now, because he rejected the throne then, is folly.”
There was another long pause. “So you wish the throne, Naizen-sama?” Amika asked pensively.
“I do not; but my concerns are secondary. Amika-san, what did you say when I told you to enter the Jade Championship competition.” He did not wait for a response. “There are times when we need to put other concerns before our own needs. As hard as it is to recognize, that goes for clans as well. If I had to set aside the leadership of the Mantis in order to better the Empire, I would do so. I would need to do so, in fact. It would be my duty.”
Ryukan spoke for the first time since the assemblage gathered. “Sometimes decisions must be made for the greater good. You could save a clan by abandoning it.”
Naizen eyed Ryukan levelly. “Abandon is a strong word, Ryukan.”
The Kitsune bowed his head. “I meant no disrespect, Naizensama.”
Amika did not reveal the smile she felt. She had no ill feeling towards Ryukan or the Kitsune at all. She welcomed them into the Mantis. She just wanted to make sure that their arrival was not at the expense of the Moshi.
Nobumoto deflected attention away from Ryukan. “Giving up the Mantis to strengthen the throne only is an imperative if there is no way to accomplish both tasks. The throne could be given to a strong leader while Lord Naizen could continue as the champion of the Mantis.”
Amika cocked her head. “You said you were not speaking of yourself. Then what Tsuruchi do you consider Naizen’s equal for the throne?”
Nobumoto’s eyes narrowed at Amika’s comment. “I am not making any such accusation. I speak only in total strength. If the Empire would be stronger with a Mantis on the throne and Naizen leading the clan, then is the answer not obvious?”
Naizen said one word. “Who?”
“I do not speak of one of the current Tsuruchi. The person I mention has no family name, as he does not need one. I speak of the person whose name I bear Tsuruchi himself.”
Ryukan slowly nodded as Amika said, “Tsuruchi is retired. He leads the Brotherhood of Shinsei now.”
Nobumoto nodded. “He retired because that was his duty. Returning to the Mantis now would also be his duty. With the greatest of respect to Lord Naizen, Tsuruchi is one of the few in the empire whose name is considered legend, and most of the others are dead. It would not be wrong to list his name among Toturi, Kisada, or even Yoritomo himself. Nominating Tsuruchi as a candidate to the throne would bring instant credibility. Who could speak out against him? Who would dare?”
Naizen nodded. “Tsuruchi would be a good choice and a strong Emperor. That is why I already spoke to him on this matter.” The other three waited in rapt attention, surprise apparent on Nobumoto’s face. “He was not as receptive as you may think. Tanari, as he is now known, has changed in his time among the monks of the Brotherhood. He does not believe his duty lies with us. I do not agree, but I will not force him into conflicting duties. He had left the Mantis before I became champion. He swore no oath to me.” Nobumoto’s face was unreadable as he said, “He would follow your order.”
Naizen paused and then said, “You are probably right, but it would be against his wishes. I respect the founder of your family too much to put him in that position. He has served the Mantis well. I will allow him to follow his own path now. Tanari’s future remains among the Brotherhood of Shinsei.”
“In addition,” Amika said, “if Lord Naizen is not going to be on the throne, we should wish someone who will consider his… advice. If we do not have the ear of the emperor, we may not be any better off than we are now.” Seeing Nobumoto’s reaction in his face, Amika continued. “I mean no disrespect to Tsuruchi. In fact, I mean the opposite. Tsuruchi is a strong man. If he felt a different course of action was more prudent than one suggested by Lord Naizen, he would follow that course. I believe we need someone more… tractable.
Ryukan tugged at his sleeve. “If anyone. Why not just put Naizen-sama forward?”
Naizen nodded towards the former Fox. “I appreciate the sentiment, Ryukan-san, but we also have to realize that the Mantis are not the Empire. We need to do more than choose the best prospect. We also have to find someone who will be accepted by the other clans.”
Amika shook her head. “That does not seem practical. Chagatai reminded us what happens when one clan stands without the full support of the others. No clan is going to rally behind the banner of another clan when the ultimate goal is the Steel Throne.”
Naizen nodded. “Exactly. The clans are divided in a way we have not seen in decades. No, seizing the throne is not the way to procede. We must convince the empire of our worthiness to the throne instead.” He nodded towards Nobumoto. “That is why I spoke to Tsuruchi, and that is why I think we should also present a Tsuruchi as a possible candidate.” Naizen saw Amika’s eyes narrow and shoot over to the Tsuruchi daimyo. “No, not Nobumoto. The person I am suggesting is Tsuruchi Etsui.”
“Etsui? What claim could he have?”
“What claim did Toturi have? Circumstances create claims that might not otherwise be there.” Naizen looked towards Amika. “Etsui stood at the side of Toturi III as his final defender before he breathed his last. He bore his final words back to the empire, so that we would know that he fell a hero. He also could have used those words to aggrandize himself, but he did not. He thought only of the Empire. There is much for the other samurai of Rokugan to rally around.”
Nobumoto smiled slightly. “And he is a loyal Mantis; he would be amenable to suggestions from his former champion.”
Naizen nodded.
Amika appeared to mull this over before saying, “The prophecy tells us a great change is coming. That could easily be interpreted to say that one with no clear line to the kami is to take the throne. Etsui would be far from any of the more standard choices.”
“Yes, but we do not want to campaign against the idea of a clan champion taking the throne, as that will work against myself as well. We want to widen our possibilities, not narrow them.”
“So how will we react to those that would scoff at Etsui as a choice? This will happen.” Amika spoke despite Nobumoto’s expression.
“Of course it will. We will need to make those that speak that way seem to be the unreasonable ones. Our first step will be the magistrates. Nobumoto, ” Naizen motioned towards the Tsuruchi daimyo, “you will be our first line of attack. We need to spread the magistrates out even further. Wherever there is injustice in the empire, I want a Mantis magistrate there to expose it. If representatives from other clans object, we will show that by doing so they are allowing criminals to go unpunished. We want the Empire to see the Mantis as their protectors. We will police the Empire, on land as well as on sea.”
Amika nodded. “We can show the other clans are selfish and want only what is best for themselves, while we want what is best for the empire. What about Jimen and Daigo?
They have their own magistrates and we may run into questions about jurisdiction.”
Naizen’s face hardened. “I do no believe that Daigo will be an issue. As mentioned earlier, his concerns seem to be external to the Empire. Jimen, though, is another matter. If he gets in our way, we will have to deal with him, no matter what it takes. If the Scorpion force us to spill their blood, so be it.”
TSURUCHI ETSUI STOOD BLINDFOLDED. Someone bearing a certain seal had led him to his present location. Etsui appeared to stand patiently, though this was a front. He longed to tear the blindfold from his eyes. He had come willingly, but he knew that trust was something that could be used as a weapon. He had given his, but it could be turned on him easily.
“You may remove that.” Etsui recognized the voice, and as he removed the silk his eyes confirmed what his ears had told him. Etsui bowed, though not deeply. “Jinn-Kuen-san.”
Yasuki Jinn-Kuen stood in front of him in a large warehouse. The labels on the crates surrounding him marked the setting as Toshi Ranbo and the goods as belonging to the Otomo. “Etsui. I did not summon you on my own.” He motioned and a second figure stepped out from behind a row of crates.
Etsui recognized her, and was somewhat dismayed at her presence. “Kakita Kyruko.”
The Crane nodded quickly. “We have received some information, Etsui, and it concerns you, quite implicitly.”
“I serve the cause. Any aid I can give is freely given.”
“You know our cause and you know of the lengths we will go to save the people of Rokugan from the tyranny of kami rule.”
“Of course.” Etsui did not know what role Kyruko played in the Colat, exactly, but he knew she was of significant rank. Whatever t was, Jinn-Kuen was allowing her to take the lead, so she must lave some importance. Another Master, perhaps?
“Then you also know what a victory it was when the line of the Hantei were defeated and the line of Toturi replaced them.”
“Once again, of course. As you recall from our conversation in Ryoko Owari, I was one of the ones that went with Toturi III to try to preserve his life and line.”
“I am aware. I am also aware that you brought back information about his heir. You have served well.”
Jinn-Kuen interjected. “It was unfortunate that the information could not be used before the Shogun fell as well.”
Kyruko nodded. “Not for a lack of effort. The scroll was simply outdated, and then discovered before we could correct it. Nevertheless, we are at an important turning point in the history of the Empire, Etsui-san. The throne stands empty but we know it will lot stay so indefinitely. We have made great progress with Toturi and cannot stand idly by while that progress is undone. The Clans jockey for position and put forward, various candidates for the throne. Most possible contenders would be unacceptable.”
Jinn-Kuen shook his head. “The Dragon are even implying that Satsu would be a good choice. Putting him on the throne would be even worse than the Hantei.”
Etsui nodded and then turned back to Kyruko. “So the bestchoice would seem to be a Mantis.”
“That is not the only option we are entertaining, but it is the ne that concerns you.”
“Naizen would not be easy to control, but he would not be a descendent of the kami,”
Etsui stated, “So it would not be a step back from the Toturi line.”
Kyruko nodded. “This is true. Or we could use this opportunity do more than maintain the status quo. We could install an Emperor who would help us sever the ties to a celestial rule forever.”
Etsui frowned. “That would be ideal, but who would be able to do that?”
Kyruko looked at Jinn-Kuen, who stared into Etsui’s face and said, “You.”
Etsui laughed. “A candidate for the throne? Me? Ridiculous!” Jinn-Kuen shook his head. “Do not be so sure, Etsui-san. The Empire thinks of you as a hero, in a way. They know that you stood beside their Emperor in his time of need.”
“Even more importantly,” Kyruko said, “your clan is already planning to present you as a candidate.”
Etsui’s eyes widened. “What? Why would they do that?”
“Our information on this is not that detailed, and frankly we are disappointed that you are unaware of what is taking place within your own clan. Nevertheless, I would assume it was because they think they could control you. Once they approach you, make sure that they continue to think that.”
Jinn-Kuen smiled. “This will be the ultimate victory for the Kolat. We will finish what the Splendid Emperor began. The Empire will be ruled by man, not the caprice of kami.”
Etsui shook his head, still stunned by their pronouncement. “I will do whatever it takes, of course. I am honored to be chosen.”
Kyruko leveled her uncomfortable gaze at the Mantis. “Let us be clear, Etsui. We did not choose you for this role. You are a valuable member of the Kolat, but you are not a master. We are not elevating you by choice. This is simply an opportunity we cannot pass up. You will continue to serve the orders of the masters, no matter what your title. Is this understood?”
The wonder in Etsui’s eyes vanished. “I will serve, as always. The Kolat know what is in the best interest of the people of Rokugan. If that is to be me, then so be it.”
Jinn-Kuen nodded. “Good. Now we have to discuss how we are to accomplish this. We have to be very careful so as not to expose our involvement. We will whisper in certain ears to ensure that you have support from more than just the Mantis. They will lobby the strongest for you, so we don’t need to worry about that.”
“What of Naizen?” Etsui asked. “Why are they not presenting him as a possible candidate for the throne?”
“They are. Discrediting him will be part of a campaign we are already undertaking.” Jinn-Kuen answered. “We are trying to convince the people of Rokugan that any daimyo would not be able to sever ties with their original clan and that the conflict of interest would be too deep. We do not need to target Naizen specifically.”
Kyruko interjected. “In fact, we would not wish to, since he is a better choice than what most other clans can offer. Still, our help to you can go far beyond whispers of support.”
“What will you do?”
“You do not have to concern yourself with that, Etsui-san. Just know that obstacles have a way of disappearing when we want them to. If a Crane speaks against you publicly, for example, they may turn up dead, with a Lion implicated. Our resources are vast and none can stand against them for long. We are patient, and that patience has led us to you. Now it is your job to ensure that our patience is rewarded.”
