Winter Court is a time of holidays, festivals, and gatherings, during which the finest courts of the land are held for three months within a host's home. In these palaces, the nobles of Rokugan use courtly graces and political manipulation to gather resources and information for their clans. The Asako court is no different, and this year it is the high court of the Phoenix, including the emperor's niece, Otomo Yoroshiku, her courtiers, and the daimyo of several of the noble houses of the surrounding area. It is said that Shiba Ujimitsu, the solemn Champion of the Phoenix Clan, will also be a visitor at the court.

It is considered a great honor to spend the winter in the lands of the Asako, primarily because of the spectacular scenery and fabulous celebrations for which the Asako palaces are known. It would be a terrible insult to refuse such an invitation.

Gisu Palace rests on a high mountainside just south of the Shrine of the Ki-Rin, overlooking a perfectly clear mountain lake. When the winter snows come, the branches of the brown trees rise like fingers, nearly touching the sky. There are many balconies of the palace, most facing the magnificent view. In the evenings of late fall, before the first snow, members of the court gather on these balconies to watch as the setting sun dies over the crystal lake.

A small waterfall to the north is the source of the lake, rising from a clear spring near the shrine. Known as Firebird Falls, it is said that Shiba himself once climbed the rough stone cliff side as part of a challenge when the world was young. It is a sacred place to the Phoenix, and many say it is a place of mystical powers and strange kami.

Inside, the palace is constructed with thick mahogany posts and richly-painted rice paper walls and sliding doors. Ornate carvings line the outer walls and gates. Inside many of the inner rooms, tremendous fireplaces have been carved into the walls in widely arching stone hearths. The castle is obviously built for defense against the elements, not sieges or battles.

Otomo Yoroshiku will be staying at Gisu castle this winter, sending time among the young men who seek to court her. Her uncle has requested that she choose a husband when the first flowers bloom, and there are many young suitors at the palace. Because the court is bustling with eligible young men, there are plenty of lovely young women as well, ready to comfort (and hopefully marry) those suitors who do not succeed in winning Yoroshiku's hand.

Day 1, Month of the Tiger

The samurai are escorted to their rooms once they arrive at Shiro Gisu, following Otomo Yoroshiku's grand procession from the Shrine of the Ki-Rin. The Asako daimyo of Shiro Gisu, Kagetsu, greets all of his guests individually, standing at the top of a long staircase before the palace walls. For nearly ten hours, he stands there with his guards as each of the noble and Imperial guests are brought in, and he offers each of them a small gift, asking them to please refrain from opening it until that evening's feast.

All of the samurai are given a small package wrapped in fine tissue paper in their own clan's colors. Affixed to the front of each gift is the samurai's clan and family mon, as well as the mon of the family at whose school the samurai trained. It is very obvious that Asako Kagetsu has gone to great lengths to know each of his guests.

The samurai have an adjoining set of rooms with a central balcony. Although it is on a lower level, it still has a fine view of the lake, down through the now-bare trees. The balconies of the daimyo are above them, and at the uppermost level they can see a terrace with the Imperial banner hanging on the wooden walkway. It seems that the uppermost level is built near enough to Firebird falls that a small cable bridge, woven of living vines, connects the center of the terrace to a small garden built at the top of the falls. The view from that height must be spectacular.

Day 1, Evening

The welcoming dinner is magnificent, filled with excellent sake and beautifully arranged food. Otomo Yoroshiku sits at the table on the dais, surrounded by Asako Kagetsu's retinue and many other fine courtiers and powerful daimyo. Included on the dais are also Shiba Ujimitsu and the entire Council of Five. Ujimitsu and four of the Masters will be leaving in a few days to journey to Shien Shite Reigisaho, to the Imperial Winter Court, but Isawa Tadaka, Master of Earth, will remain here to represent the Council at this Court. Ujimitsu will be leaving Shiba Himitsu in his stead, a young Shiba bushi, but one who, it is said, Ujimitsu is already grooming to take his place as Champion upon his retirement.

The courtiers are all deliberately seated together, rather than by virtue of household or family. This is a formal gathering, and the eyes of the court are sharp to see what this winter's entertainment will be. Who will court whom, what malicious mischief will brew in the hearts and minds of the representatives of the clans, and what political gains and losses will be made?

The ten samurai, including Shinjo Iruko, are seated together at one of the tables on the floor, and they are quickly able to pick out many of the other guests by the buzz from the courtiers all around them. As a semi-finalist in the competition, Koan received an invitation and is here along with Uisako, his apprentice. Shinjo Gidayu is present, at the table on the dais. There is a pleasant-looking old man on the dais next to Kagetsu named Hiruma Usigo, who has spent the last twenty years here in Asako lands as an Emerald Magistrate; it is said that this is his final Winter Court before he goes into retirement. A few of the courtiers here to win Yoroshiku's hand that seem successful so far include Mirumoto Hanzu, Shiba Sanru, and Ikoma Mitore. And certainly worth note is Shosuro Tage; she is one of the foremost members of the Imperial Acting Troupe, who is here with five of her fellow actors and actresses to provide entertainments for the guests.

Yoroshiku's three maidservants are here as well; since Yoroshiku is of the Imperial line, her servants are all samurai-caste. Hida Yatua is a rather large Crab woman approaching middle age, and has been Yoroshiku's nanny since the girl was born. The other two, Kakita Nantoko and Kitsu Saia are about Yoroshiku's age, and often during the meal, they stop to giggle to each other.

Shortly after the feast begins, another visitor arrives, a man in a gray and blue kimono entering the hall from the rear and approaching the dais. "Honorable Asako Kagetsu-sama," he says, bowing before the daimyo, "I am Hiruma Ryuden, daimyo of Kamisori sano Yoake Shiro, representative of the Crab Clan to this Court. My apologies for my lateness, but it seems that Osano-Wo favored my trip as much as the Lady Amaterasu."

"Hiruma Ryuden-san, welcome to my home," Kagetsu replies. "Please, take your seat and enjoy the feast."

Ryuden joins the others on the dais and slowly scans the room until he sees Hiruma Toshidaka. He nods in recognition, then proceeds to eat his meal and converse with those sitting with him.

Near the end of the feast, Asako Kagetsu rises again to address the entire assembly. "Welcome, my friends." The courtiers begin to again turn their attention to their host. "Once again, I want o thank you all for your presence here. I consider it a great honor to have each of you in my home this winter, and am pleased to be able to provide you with a winter's festivities. To that end, I have provided each of you with one of these," he says, holding up a small package wrapped in the fiery colors of the Phoenix. It is the same as the ones given to the rest of the guests upon entering Shiro Gisu, except for the colors and mons.

"These gifts, my friends, have been prepared for your entertainment by my lovely sister, Asako Nuriko. When you open them, and I ask that you do not do so here, you will find inside a small object. This object is half of a pair. The other half, you see, is in the hands of another member of this court."

A faint murmur passes through the courtiers. Kagetsu smiles. "It is the setting for a small amusement we have planned. The object of the game is to find the member of the court whose bauble matches your own. Once you have, you may ask one question of them per day, which, by their honor, they must answer. Truthfully."

A stunned hush falls over the court, and then voiced begin to hiss urgently, as the surprise begins to pass through the audience. "Of course," continues Kagetsu, as if nothing has happened, "you are free to trade objects among yourselves, changing the game each time you do. A person with your object's match will, of course, also be seeking you, so I suggest you keep the object hidden. There are only two final rules, my guests. The object you possess can only be traded for another object in the game, and you must keep the item on your person at all times."

Kagetsu smiles, and his sister flutters her fan beside the Imperial Princess. After a moment, the Princess begins to clap in appreciation of the game, and soon all of the other courtiers follow suit.

Ryuden summons Toshidaka to his room shortly after the evening feast. He begins interrogating Toshidaka on how his courting of Yoroshiku is going. He is no little bit upset that Toshidaka has had no opportunities yet to even try to court her, but after Toshidaka tells him what happened, he does seem very interested in the ronin and the village of the Nightingale. He spends half an hour grilling the shugenja about the ronin, their defensive capabilities, and his impressions of the leaders of the village, Niban in particular.

After a while, he seems satisfied with Toshidaka's answers. He lights a pipe and dismisses Toshidaka, staring into the night sky.

Day 2

Kadokawa stares at his gift for a moment then turns and walks out his doorway with the crimson fan firmly placed in his belt. He keeps it in plain view at all times, not caring if it is hidden. He strolls the halls for a while learning the layout of the castle and doing his best to place the other guests in with which room the belong. He hopes to gain two bits of knowledge: what gift the Shosuro actor has and what gift Yoroshiku has. He makes plans to attend her rehearsals and sit near her at all meals. But first, he decides to go to see the Falcon bushi that accompanied him on his way to the Ki-Rin Shrine prior to the winter court.

Looking for Pajaro, Kadokawa finds himself among the more burly samurai. Crab and Mantis monopolize the area, but each clan is represented. He searches for the Falcon clan mon. Pajaro always stands out, usually because of his falcon tethered to his arm, not to mention his unusual height. But also because he has the tendency to talk to himself. Kadokawa searches while at the same time noting any gifts that he may have seen matches to.

Meanwhile, Pajaro walks through the palace with Yorei tethered to his arm. Thinking to himself, More then likely grandfather will show up here. He always did like to party. Pajaro smiles and pets Yorei. Maybe if I am nicer to my elder he will appear to my daimyo and make things right again. As Pajaro is deep in thought, he sees Kadokawa walk up to him.

Finding Pajaro, Kadokawa approaches him quietly. "Pajaro-san," Kadokawa says bowing slightly. "Information is important these days. And I feel that we would be far more successful in our endeavors if we each had more information. If we were to help one another find our gifts' mates we could both quickly learn more. What do you say?"

Pajaro is deep in thought when he sees Kadokawa approaching. It takes a moment for him hear what the little man was saying, but he turns his eyes from Yorei to Kadokawa and keeps the smile on his face he bows slightly. "Kadokawa, I do agree. Information is most important these days and I have that which you seek." Pulling Kadokawa aside and turning his back so no one else will see, Pajaro quickly pulls his yellow sash out of his obi.

Kadokawa smiles at Pajaro. Then silently nods to his red fan tucked neatly in his sash. "The last place most people would look for something that should be hidden is in plain view." Kadokawa smiles again. "I shall be on the watch for your gift as well as mine Pajaro-san." He bows and turns to leave.

The second morning of Winter Court finds Aramoro in a spectacular mood. This is his first opportunity to spend any length of time in court, any court. The only other times were for bare minutes as he delivered a message or the time he posted as honor guard outside the actual court activities. Not only that, but he’s actually getting this time as his own. No obligations to fulfill. No mission to complete. No training session to attend or assist. The young soldier barely knows what to do with himself. He stands at the window in his room and takes in the view for twenty minutes. A rare treat it is to simply do nothing.

Aramoro dresses in one of his better kimonos and ties his hair with a yellow and gold ribbon as usual. He nearly has his daisho tied on before he remembers he won’t be needing it. He also remembers just then about Asako Kagetsu's gift; an ornate blue paper fan. Asako-sama suggested that everyone should keep their gift hidden so that they would not have to answer a question. The Lion chuckled to himself. He couldn’t think of any questions that he wouldn’t want to answer. In a sudden fit of bold disregard for the status quo, Aramoro ties the fan where he normally keeps his katana. "Let the courtiers think about this." He says to himself.

With the blue fan openly displayed, Aramoro leaves his room and goes looking for breakfast with a bold smile.

The dining hall is nearly filled with all manner of people. Most notable are the courtiers who have come to win the affection, or at least the respect, of Otomo Yoroshiku. Despite the number of people in the room, Aramoro has no trouble spotting a table with several members of the Lion clan seated around it, all in yellow and orange and gold. As he approaches, the soldier recognizes Matsu Ohigachu, a commander in the Lion's army. Ohigachu has commanded a battalion of Lion heavy infantry for several decades, and has time and again proven his tactical knowledge on battlefields across the empire. And during Aramoro's training at the Akodo War College, he was once honored to have the Commander give his group a lecture on battlefield tactics.

Aramoro is interested to hear what news there is from Shiro sano Ken Hayai and the other Lion lands. And given that he is in attendance at Winter Court, there may be some way to position himself for a promotion or a position of importance. The Commander should be helpful with both goals.

The Akodo walks to the table, trying to keep his composure. The conversation sounds light and friendly but drops off as the younger man approaches those sitting. Aramoro bows deeply, "Good morning, Commander Matsu-sama. It is an honor to see you again. You lectured during my training. I'm pleased to learn that you are here at court. Perhaps I will have the privilege of learning additional lessons from you."

"Akodo Aramoro-san, a pleasure to see you," the elder Matsu says. "I am glad that you stopped to see me. Please, come and join us. We were just speaking of the ronin shugenja that was entered in the competition. It has been said that you and your companions visited their village. Please, come tell us of your experience."

Akodo Aramoro joins the small group as they begin to ask him about the Village of the Nightingale. He speaks with Ohigachu for several hours about the village, carefully avoiding any topics that would bring shame to him or to his host. After a while, Aramoro even manages to steer the conversation to the news of home that he was hoping to find. At the end of the afternoon, Matsu Ohigachu finally excuses himself from the hall. "I have some business I must take care of," he says. "Please, look for me later in the week. We will speak more of the glories of the Lion armies."

Again sitting by himself, Aramoro decides to look for his friend, Otomo Jin. He has seen that the Emperor's cousin is one of those bold young men trying to win the Princess' favor, and the gruff soldier is curious about Jin's progress. Aramoro is certain that Jin's cocky and outrageous personality will gain Yoroshiku's attention if nothing else.

Roshii awakes early the next morning and makes his way to the castle's courtyard. He finds nice place to sit and meditate that overlooks the whole courtyard. While he is there, he searches avidly for his matching scroll and ribbon. He sips on some warm sake as he asks the kami to guide his search. Despite his pleas to the kami, Roshii spends the morning without any success.

Hida Katsu meanders through the halls of the castle and streets within the walls. Being a Crab, he mainly keeps to himself. Wearing his precious gift so that is barely visible underneath his robes, Katsu searches for someone to talk to... hopefully a pretty young lady. He does not have to search far, of course. Knowing that there will be many disappointed eligible bachelors at the end of the winter, Shiro Gisu has become a popular destination for Rokugan's eligible bachelorettes.

Strolling into the main hall, Katsu finds many young women, some bushi, some courtier, but most searching for a husband. Unfortunately for Katsu, the few Crab at Shiro Gisu are high-ranking samurai here only to represent the clan, and the notion of "culture" that is common in Crab lands differs greatly from that of the rest of the empire. By the end of the afternoon, Katsu has managed to alienate four Crane samurai-ko, two Phoenix, a Dragon and a Lion, caused a second Dragon to faint dead away, and drew several exceptionally vile curses from a Scorpion. All in all, Katsu was very glad to have learned the curses. At the end of the afternoon, he began thinking that he may have to find a Unicorn samurai-ko that would catch his eye.

After his conversation with Pajaro, Kadokawa stole away to the improvised theater room to watch the Imperial troupe practice for this week's play. Kadokawa spent the afternoon studying the actors, especially Shosuro Tage. He was amazed at how much the Scorpion actors actually placed themselves into their roles. Even though this was not a dress rehearsal, he realized after watching them for several hours that the actors actually made themselves look like the characters they were playing. Somehow, their faces actually change to resemble the role they play.

But despite his efforts in observing Shosuro Tage, he could not manage to determine the object that she was carrying.

Day 3

Kadokawa rose early and again began to head to the theater to observe the actors. On the way, however, he overheard several of the other courtiers discussing Otomo Yoroshiku. Remembering the mission given to him for the winter, Kadokawa decides to approach the Princess and attempt to find some subject to converse with her on.

Inquiring of the Princess, Kadokawa quickly learned the she was spending the morning in the gardens atop Firebird Falls, despite the fresh snowfall. Kadokawa climbed the path to the top of the falls, admiring the stark beauty of the white winter landscape. He also noticed several other sets of footprints along the path. Reaching the top, he found Yoroshiku and her maids, as well as a throng of a half-dozen of Yoroshiku's other suitors. Among the crowd, Kadokawa recognized the faces of Otomo Jin and Hiruma Toshidaka, who also decided to spend this morning attempting their similar quests.

Otomo Jin had realized that he finally felt in his element here in the Winter Court. While his skills with the sword are respectable, what he had trained for was to be in court, politicking with the nobles of the clans and strengthening the reign of the Most Glorious Son of Heaven, Hantei XXXVIII. He was almost constantly in conversation with Yoroshiku and the other courtiers.

Hiruma Toshidaka, on the other hand, had been trained to battle the demons of Jigoku and prevent them from wreaking havoc on the Empire. Public speaking, much less the courting of Imperial heirs, was not a subject that was covered by his sensei during his training. Toshidaka had been spending little time talking.

As the seven samurai stood with Yoroshiku in the bare, snow-filled garden, a break came in the conversation as the Princess studied her surroundings, then closed her eyes and began a spontaneous haiku:

Winter's friend? Not I.
I would trade my fan for this:
A simple blossom.

The princess opens her eyes to a round of polite applause, as she looks at Kadokawa and asks, "Do you not think so?" She looks away as one of the other suitors catches her eye, but she continues, "If only a blossom could be found..."

At the glorious sound of the haiku, Jin bows low and says, "There is a blossom that can melt away this snow. It is in the perpetual spring of a smile that even the bleakest blizzards must give way." With this Jin opens a book that is froth with numerous varied flowers which he picked up on the journey. One after another, Jin gives these simple gifts. "These blossoms may I give as an offering for a celestial one. If I may be so bold as to seek to obtain the spring early this year and have it from your own lips, grant the smile that will banish the winter."

With this, Jin bows lower than he has ever done before. He keeps a slight smile on his face, waiting and hoping that his words have fallen on understanding ears.

And it seems that they have. A polite smile does cross the Princess' lips. "Otomo Jin," she says, "This is a grand gesture. You honor me with your gift. Domo arigato."

At noontime, Aramoro is sitting in the dining hall having his lunch as Shinjo Iruko walks up and sits down across the small table from him. "Aramoro-san, you make this far too easy," she says as she fans herself with a blue-colored paper fan.

A very familiar-looking blue-colored paper fan.

Aramoro chuckles to himself.

"Now then," Iruko continues while smiling broadly, "I believe that this allows me to ask you one question. So tell me, during your trip here, what was the most beautiful sight that you saw?"

The Akodo's smile drops away, replaced by a bewildered frown. "I am a soldier, Iruko-san, not an artist. I'm not the man you want to judge beauty in the world." He smiles again as the answer to her question forms in Aramoro’s mind. "However, by the rules of the game I must answer you truthfully, and by my honor I will do so. You remember our meeting with Niban in the Village of the Nightingale. It was after dark. We had traveled over rough terrain for several hours to get there. But before we began that trek our caravan had traveled from an ambush at Sleeping Thunder. Of course, let me not leave out the ambush itself. All combat is tiring. It wears on the mind and spirit as well as the body. Before that we had traveled for over a week from Kyuden Tonbo; guard duty, trail rations, sleeping on rocks." The soldier makes sure to exaggerate the severity of each detail.

Iruko narrows her gaze on Aramoro in mock disapproval and grins. "You are a servant to the Empire. This is your duty, is it not?"

He chuckles again with a nod. "Sure it is. And I'm used to it but it's still rough. So we arrived at the Village of the Nightingale and Niban offered us a place to sleep before we turned back toward the festival. When I walked into the little room and saw the soft mat waiting there for me: Iruko-san, that was the most beautiful sight I saw on the trip here."

Iruko blinks twice, staring at Aramoro. The Unicorn bushi are trained to be warriors, not courtiers, so she is not exactly used to hiding her emotions. She stares blankly at Aramoro for a moment, then she pouts a little. "Aramoro-san, you are hopeless."

"But now it is my opportunity to ask you a question." The Lion gets a mischievous glint in his eyes. As brash as always, Aramoro barely thinks about the question before it's out of his mouth. "What answer did you want to hear me give you to your question?" He pauses a moment, "I wonder if you still think this game is too easy."

Iruko blinks again. "I'm not sure that's how the game is played, Aramoro-san; you are supposed to find your match, after all. But, regardless. I don't know. A picturesque view of our Empire's landscape. The kind action of a passing monk." Her eyes narrow slightly. "A spectacular victory in some test of skill. Something a little more... poetic."

The uncultured young soldier frowns. After a moment he recites:

White clouds appear and
Bring men a chance to rest from
Looking at the moon.

Iruko's sarcastic expression brightens a bit at the poetry. "I don't know many haiku, but that one will always stick with me. A very wise sensei taught that to me when he snuck up on me in the dark. I was on guard duty and was supposed to watch the road, not the moon." Aramoro narrates his memory fondly and with a softer voice. "But the moon was... magnificent that night, and has been many nights since then. It's very hard not to gaze at it."

Aramoro waits for a response from the Shinjo, but she seems content to stare at him with a slight smile. His voice quickly returns to normal. "Still, the soft mat that night was a beautiful thing to see." Aramoro grins a broad grin. He appears to enjoy being unsophisticated and superficial. Iruko, her clan certainly not known for their sophistication, smiles right back.

"Aramoro-san," she says, still smiling, "you are hopeless."

I am hopeless? Shinjo-san, that depends very much on what it is you hope for.

Abruptly the Akodo stands up from the table. "I have two objectives today. First I will find Otomo Jin-sama. Did you know he is courting the Princess Yoroshiku? I imagine wherever she is, he will be nearby." Aramoro explains, "During our caravan journey I split my attention between the scroll cache and the Emperor's cousin. It would be unacceptable if a member of the Imperial family came to harm in the company of an Akodo. I believe that I have grown used acting as his unofficial bodyguard, though I don't think he knows it. If you would like, you are welcome accompany me Iruko-san."

Aramoro begins to speak in a very friendly tone as he is about to ask a favor. "Second, I am going to learn what gift Matsu Ohigachu-sama carries and then I will try to find his match to make a swap. That may be more complicated. But two heads are better than one. I would certainly welcome your assistance if you were to offer it."

"Why, Aramoro," Iruko exclaims with a smile and a great deal of mock sincerity, "are you enlisting the aid of an outsider to spy on your own clansman? I would certainly be forced to accept your offer."

Jin, being the lover that he is, is always with the object of his thoughts. He tries his best to win her favor and her heart, and it is easy enough for Aramoro to find Yoroshiku, and to find Jin as well.

"Aramoro, friend, what is it that you need? You know I always have an ear for you," Jin says as he bows low to everyone around and tries to find a more secluded location at which Aramoro can speak with him.

"Jin-sama, I need not your ears but your mouth. You command attention when you speak and gain the respect of those within the sound of your voice. I do no understand it, but I would like to. Perhaps when Winter Court is over you would allow me to offer you some service. In exchange I would be able observe you and learn the skills of your grace."

That evening, Hiruma Toshidaka was again summoned to his daimyo's chambers. Entering the room, Toshidaka finds Ryuden very upset with what he had heard about Toshidaka's time in the garden with Yoroshiku that morning. "And she wants a flower!" the daimyo raves. "In the dead of winter, in the Asako woodlands, she wants a flower! I realize that you are a gifted shugenja, Toshidaka-san, but does she mistake you for some sort of forest spirit? It seems that wooing this woman will be more difficult than I thought. Hiruma Toshidaka," he says, looking directly at Toshidaka, "you are released from your assignment. You are no longer required to court the Princess."

Momentarily, Toshidaka is relieved. But then Ryuden continues.

"I will do so."

Day 4

Akodo Aramoro makes a point of tracking down Otomo Jin early in the morning, before the courtier has a chance to leave his rooms. "A very good morning to you Jin-sama." The Lion bows in a friendly manner. "You have become extraordinarily popular here at court. It seems every woman in Gisu Palace, including the samurai-ko, was most impressed with your gift to the Princess Otomo. I believe that I owe you an apology. Whenever you stopped to pick a flower during the caravan journey, I wondered to myself why you wasted your time with such a trivial activity. I see now precisely why." Aramoro bows again.

The soldier escorts the courtier to breakfast hoping to learn other lessons in courtly style.

Walking through the dining hall early this morning, Hiruma Toshidaka is greeted by Shiba Himitsu, the Phoenix bushi in the Champion's entourage. "Excuse me," he says, "but I was hoping I could ask you a few questions, if you have a little time to spare. I couldn't help but notice that you have been spending some time with the Princess, but today your attentions have seemed to shift to other ends. It seems that the courting of the Princess is a very popular pastime among many here, Yoroshiku-sama certainly not the least among them. I was hoping to... learn some of her myself, and if your attentions truly have shifted to other matters, perhaps you could be of assistance to me?"

On his third day of looking, Isawa Roshii finally found a match for his gift. Sitting again in Shiro Gisu's courtyard, Roshii watches the crowds pass by. Eventually, Shiba Ujimitsu and the Masters passed through the courtyard as Roshii was having a cup of tea. He couldn't help but notice as Isawa Tsuke, the Master of Fire himself, paused momentarily to push a gold ribboned scroll back into his obi. Roshii also noticed him grimace as he did so. Even if Tsuke was not directly his sensei, Roshii knew full well that the Master was a very straightforward individual who cared little for games or politics.

Roshii approaches The Master of Fire and bows as low as he can. "Your presence honors me Tsuke-sama. Personally I hate this game as much as you, but I would not want to disappoint our host," he says, pulling a gold-ribboned scroll out of his own obi. "I was wondering, could you teach me the most destructive fire spell you know instead of answering a question?"

Tsuke glowers at Roshii. "That is a question, Isawa Roshii. And the answer is no, I will not. As a Tensai, you should know as well as any that great power takes great time and patient practice to master." With that, Tsuke turns and walks away, but after a few steps, he stops and turns around. "However, perhaps you could learn more from me than from your regular instructor. When your next training session arrives, tell your instructor that you are under strict orders to see me and only me. Understood?"

"Thank you, Tsuke-sama, I will do as you ask."

---

On the first full day of searching for the object carried by Matsu Ohigachu, Aramoro has a breakthrough. While speaking briefly with the general when passing the man in a hallway, Aramoro notices a small, gold-handled tanto barely visible under the man's obi. That is not the proper way to carry a knife, Aramoro thinks to himself, unless it is not a normal knife. Now if only I can find Iruko to help me find its mate.

Iruko is easy enough to find. She is practicing a kata in one of the castle's two dojo, one of the few places where she normally goes. "Iruko-san," Aramoro says, "have you seen anyone carrying a gold-handled tanto?"

"Gold tanto?" Iruko says as she thinks a moment. "No, Aramoro-san, not that I have noticed. Is this the item Matsu Ohigachu is carrying? Does this mean that one of us will have to finally trade away our lovely blue fans? And since this is a new day, does this mean that I get another question?" she asks, as she hides her smile behind her blue paper fan.

Aramoro changes his stance subtly, changes his voice to imitate Iruko, and repeats the three questions she just asked him. "Well Iruko-san, you have asked me three questions. Which would you have me answer?" As a look of surprise begins to cross Iruko's face, Aramoro laughs loudly. "I am joking with you of course." Aramoro's gaze narrows onto Iruko's fan and inspiration strikes. The samurai-ko can see it in his eyes.

The Akodo pulls his matching fan from the sash at his waist and opens it with a flick of his wrist. Aramoro flips the fan in the air and catches it as if he has just discovered a wondrous object. "You may ask me a question. But I found you today; I will ask my question first. What would I need to do to persuade you to lunch with myself and Commander Ohigachu?"

Iruko smiles the mischievous smile that Aramoro has come to recognize. "Aramoro-san, I do not think I would be that difficult to convince."

---

Aramoro and Iruko enter the dining hall at midday. Aramoro had the foresight to ask Matsu Ohigachu to meet him for lunch, and it was not very long after before he arrived looking for Aramoro. After introducing Iruko and having a pleasant lunch, speaking of the news from Lion lands and of recent developments among the Unicorn, Aramoro begins his plan for Matsu Ohigachu.

"Ohigachu-sama, I admit that I had an ulterior motive asking to meet with you. It involves the game in which we are all participating. This is my piece in the game," he says, taking the blue fan from his belt and placing it on the table. "The person with the matching piece has found me, and I would like to get it out of my hands before this person has a chance to question me again. I was hoping that you could assist me in this matter."

"I see," says Ohigachu, "and I can help you get this fan outside your circle of companions. Very well. I do think the blue of this fan would compliment my eyes," he says, pulling a tanto from his obi and sliding it across the table. But not to Aramoro. "Don't you think, Iruko-chan?" he says with a smile.

Iruko looks back at him with a surprised, confused look, and Aramoro's is a very close match.

"Don't look so surprised," Ohigachu says with a smile. "I was winning battles for the glory of the Lion Clan before either of you were born. In the last thirty years on the battlefield, I have also learned a thing or two about politics. As you apparently are as well, Aramoro-san.

"Now then, if you wish to remove a blue fan from your circle of friends, I believe that if I take the fan from Iruko-chan, this goal will be met, wouldn't it?"

Iruko, still a bit stunned, leans over and pulls a familiar-looking blue fan from her boot, under her kimono. When Asako Kagetsu was planning this game, he was obviously not counting on the Unicorn appreciation of gaijin footwear.

"Now then, Aramoro-san, in return for not using this situation to my advantage, you are going to find a way to get that fan," he says, pointing at Aramoro's blue fan with the fan he just acquired, "into the hands of Doji Mitsugotsu. He is an old rival of mine, and I would relish the advantage over him.

"Now, I admire your cunning, Aramoro, so go ahead and ask the question that you obviously had planned for me."

Aramoro, mostly recovered from his plan falling apart before his eyes, regains his composure enough to speak to Matsu Ohigochu again. "I wished to ask, Ohigachu-sama, what is the best way for a young Akodo to find honor and glory in the Emerald Empire?

Ohigachu laughs briefly. "Aramoro-san, I am sure that you already know the answer to that question. Follow the guidance of your ancestors, fight bravely, and always strive for the glory of the Lion Clan. But a little extra advice from an old bushi: make the best of any command you are given, no matter how small, and in battle," Ohigachu leans in close to Aramoro and Iruko, "always win." The old Matsu sits back and smiles.

Aramoro sits back with a look of hesitant satisfaction. He has accomplished his objective, though not in the manner which he planned. To be certain the young soldier has gained the attention and approval of an accomplished commander. Aramoro takes his fan and stands up to bow. "Ohigachu-sama, I doubt I will find better advice from anyone else in Gisu Palace. If you will please excuse me, I must go hunt for a Crane."

Aramoro says to Iruko as they walk away, "Commander Matsu said that I should find a way to give my fan to Doji Mitsugotsu and in return he would not use the situation to his advantage. But it seems to me that is exactly what he did. He used my fan to his advantage." He smiles slightly. "No wonder he has been so successful as a strategist. Ohigachu-sama is clearly more cunning than he thinks I am."

---

This time, Aramoro's plan is more tidy, though not quite as classy. After hiding his fan in his kimono, Aramoro seeks out Doji Mitsugotsu and asks to speak to the Crane regarding Asako Kagetsu’s game of gifts. After being shown to the Crane, he pulls his fan out and shows it to Mitsugotsu explaining sincerely that he would very much like to trade it for the item Mitsugotsu is carrying.

"Akodo... Aramoro, was it? Among all of the people in this court, you seek me out by name. Why?" Mitsugotsu asks.

"Mitsugotsu-sama," Aramoro replies, noticing in perfect time the porcelain doll slightly jutting from its hiding place in the Crane's obi, "a porcelain doll of Hida-kami will give me an excellent advantage over one of my friends. Its acquisition will place me in good standing."

Mitsugotsu glances down at his obi and sighs. "Fine. This cursed thing won't stay hidden, anyway. If nothing else," he says, glancing up and down Aramoro, "whatever item you have for me is apparently more concealable. Take it," he says, pulling the doll from his belt and offering it to Aramoro.

"Arigato domo, Mitsugotsu-sama," Aramoro says, pulling his fan from his kimono and trading with the Crane.

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