Asahina Plots

Kyuden Doji, 5th Day of Bayushi

Asahina Kinshiro was unhappy. He paced back and forth in his chambers. Things were not going to plan. The Mantis had blockaded a number of key Crane ports in the aftermath of his feint at the Kitsune lad and through him at the Imperial College. The Lion were held up by the Dragon in the courts and the Spider in the field.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance “Maybe I should just shave my head and retire!”

The elderly shugenja picked up another report from his network. They were being blocked at every turn. If it wasn’t the Otomo, it was Doji Ryuunosuke’s so called Emerald Agents. And if it wasn’t either of those it was the Scorpion and the Spider.

“Curse them all to Jigoku!” he swore. He was not as young as he once was, but he was still able to do his duty to his clan and Champion. Once againm he would put off retirement until next year. There was still so much to be done and so little time. His Champion still wanted a war and a war he would have.

It annoyed him that the Lion were further ahead with their plots than he was. Ikoma Kenta was a worthy adversary but as a colleague he left a lot to be desired.

He needed to make sure that the Mantis would strike first. So far they had merely made things inconvenient for the Crane, but they had not breached the Empress’ Peace. For this he would need help. For this he would need the Laughing Man.

Asahina Kinshiro sat down at his writing desk and wrote.

An hour later he straightened his back with a small groan before calling for his secretary.

“My lord?”

“Ah, Jinoshi, please deliver this letter to the recipient at Seven Fold Palace. And Jinoshi?”

“Yes my lord?”

“Please be swift in your delivery.”

“I am your humblest of servants my lord, it will be done.”