Winter Arrangements 1197

All across the Empire, things were changing speed. Slowing down, becoming less busy. All across the land, daimyo of all types prepared to host their guests for winter court. At Shiro Ide, the preparations were at an almost fever pitch. The Spider Clan contingent had arrived over a month ago to begin preparations and the mood was tense.

Ide Eien sighed, not for the first time today “Forgive me Susumu Kuroko-sama, please could you explain this to me again? I am not quite following.”

Susumu Kuroko smiled sweetly and patiently “Forgive me Ide-sama, I am pushing both our teams hard. Naturally you can understand the tenuous position we are in. A new Great Clan, hosting Winter Court at an ally’s Shiro. It is not easy and we are so grateful to the Unicorn Clan.” she sipped her tea “I merely asked if it was possible to include an area for melee combat in the main dining hall?” Eien hid his distaste behind a sip of tea “But why? Do you intend for her Imperial Majesty to watch Samurai fighting while she and her guests are dining?”

Kuroko laughed “Dear me no! But at points throughout our stay, we will be forced inside and the Spider are a martial Clan, we will give demonstrations at various times. And it would be remiss of us to ask the Imperial family to sit in the rain and snow to watch it. No?”

Eien conceded the point “We shall see what we can do Kuroko-sama.”

“My thanks again Eien-sama. You humble me constantly.”