Iron arrives in Court

Unicorn Clan Borders, 2nd day of Winter Court

Late in the evening, a swift messenger was dispatched to Shiro Ide with all haste. A late arrival to the Winter Court was coming.

“Arukeri-sama, can you check on the containers once more please?”

“Kitsuki Tembasho-sama, I am more than happy to do so, but may I please inquire what gives you such cause for concern?”

“Call it intuition if you must, but something is not right. I look at the evidence and nothing seems awry, but considering the secrecy of surrounding what we are brining and where we are bringing it to…” his voice trailed off for a moment “I worry.”

The young smith smiled and bowed low “I am your servant in all things Kitsuki-sama”. He checked over the crates and boxes, paying particular attention to a human sized wooden box bound with steel and sealed with pitch. The mon of the Iron Champion was branded into the wood,

“I wonder what they will make of this?” Tsi Arukeri mused to himself.

“Either it will be well received or we will all be forced to commit seppuku. I don’t see much chance of middle ground” responded the dour faced Hiruma riding beside the cart. Hiruma Shuki lit his pipe and shrugged deeper into his padded jacket.

Tsi Arukeri smiled with good humour “Where would we be without your timely wisdom Shuki-sama?”

“Dead” was the Crab’s grim response.

The three samurai sat in silence till a contingent of Unicorn bushi arrived in a plume of dust and steaming breath of both man and horse.

Kitsuki Tembasho stood up on the wagon “I am Kitsuki Tembasho, representative of the Iron Champion in the Colonies. I bring a gift for Her Celestial Majesty as well as an update from the Colonial Governor. I humbly request an escort to Shiro Ide at your earliest convenience.