Offer of Assistance 1197

Kyuden Tonbo

1st of Doji

“My lady, what are your orders?” The young Tonbo bushi cleared his throat nervously.

Tonbo Asami looked up from the kawaru sticks “We wait.” she straightened “There is something coming. The stars say it, the sticks say it.”

“What do we do in the meantime? Please Tonbo-sama, your samurai are scared.”

Asami sighed. Her fears threatened to well up inside and engulf her. Despite the omens, Tonbo Asami was worried she would be the last Tonbo Champion. “Have the house guard fully prepared to move the rest of the family up into Dragon lands, send word to the Dragon Champion to appeal for assistance. We will need to move the heimin to safety as well. Have the ashigaru do this. Carry this information to my generals.” The young bushi bowed and ran from the room.

It was probably the longest speach she had given since word had arrived of the Lion moving against her clan. The Dragon had been silent so far in the face of multiple requests for assistance.

Perhaps the Phoenix would help. Too many variables. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. The Minor Clan Alliance was unwilling to intervene against the Lion…Perhaps.

“Perhaps we could be of assistance.”

The voice came from behind her. Whirling, Asami’s sword was in her hand before she had even finished turning. “Who are you?” she challenged.

“I am Daishi of the Order of the Spider. I have an offer from my Champion. Will you hear it?”

The man before her was huge, standing nearly double her height. And he was nearly solid muscle from head to foot. The lower half of his face was swathed in a white scarf but his eyes burned with savage intensity.

Asami’s eyes narrowed “The last time the Spider came with an offer, we nearly became a front for your clan. Why would I hear you out now?”

The large man did not bat an eyelid “Our goals at this time no longer require your resources. You require ours. Daigotsu Kanpeki offers to help protect your clan in return for a favour at a later date. We will ensure the ongoing survival of the Dragonfly Clan if you agree.”

“And we retain our autonomy, we are not beholden to your master and his Clan?”

“No, you would remain as the Dragonfly Clan. We have no challenge or quarrel with your clan.”

Asami took a breath and began to speak...