The Net

Shiro Ide, Final Day of Winter Court 1197,

“What? All of them?”

“Yes, all of them.”

Kazu was getting annoyed at Otomo Shiribashi. “I taught you better than that. You have been playing in the courts for years boy and you still think like some bumbling Great Clan courtier!”

Shiribashi was almost apoplectic with rage. “How dare you! I will not be spoken to like this!”

“Oh hush and quit being so pompous. Eat your cake and drink your tea.” she scolded “We have important things to discuss.”

Shribashi sighed, he had never been able to defeat the old woman “So you want to recruit the entire first class? Are you sure that’s wise?” he hastily took a bite of a sweet red bean mochi.

“Well yes. But not immediately. Let them go out into the Empire. Let the run loose for a while. There is no use taking the rice off the boil before it’s cooked” she sipped her tea before continuing “But do keep an eye on them. I don’t want them dying in some unsanctioned duel or at the hands of bandits.” she smiled sweetly “Oh you have some crumbs on your kimono.”

Shiribashi said nothing. He had known Kazu when she had been Otomo Kazuhiriko, the head of the Otomo Courtier school and Keeper of the Fireflies. Apparently retirement had not curbed her tongue nor her abilities as Otomo spymaster.

“All right Aunt Kazu, it shall be as you request.” Otomo Shiribashi conceded the issue. He did not have the strength to challenge her on this.

“Have some more mochi” Kazu said kindly “It will make you feel better."