Winters End 1197

Shiro Ide, Final Day of Winter Court 1197,

Togashi Satsu surveyed the procession of caravans and people leaving Shiro Ice. Another Winter Court had come and gone, another year passed. Peace had been maintained but it was tenuous at best. The Lion and the Dragon would be at each others throats in the courts, their war imminent. The Crane and Mantis would continue their spat. "Shinsei preserve us all” he thought “What else will the following year bring?”.

“You seem troubled Satsu-sama.” Iweko Setai had come to stand beside him on the balcony. “What causes you to furrow your brow so?”

“Merely an old fool’s worries my lord Consort.”

Setai laughed “There is little foolish about you my friend. Tell me, what has you worried?”

“I worry that the peace that She has worked so hard for will be broken. This year, or maybe the next? Either way I fear that we will live long enough to see war wash over the empire again. I worry that we cannot see the cause of it. Our former clans will go to war, it seems inevitable now.” he sighed and continued “For all our efforts, we have not managed to achieve what we set out to do.”

“Whatever the new year will bring, I am sure that the Empire will survive as it has countless times before.” Setai leaned on the balcony and looked down “Look down there.” He pointed at a large series of caravans leaving the castle “The Imperial College is a great symbol of hope. Surely if we can encourage further cooperation amongst the Great Clans the future is assured?”

Satsu’s look of worry did not improve “Perhaps.” He shook himself and straightened up “Still, at least next years Winter Court should not be too strenuous. Kyuden Otomo is lovely during the winter.”

The two samurai watched in silence as the exodus continued.