"A pretty offer," Koizumi barks, "but beware entanglements with the Mantis.  The Wasp gained little and surrendered their independence."

"But it is an offer worth considering," Tadashi replies, "making an alliance with the Mantis is no small thing--even if the Crane do not relinquish their place as the voice of the Minor Clans.

The Fox will need time to discuss this," Tadashi bows, "we will tender our answer no later than tomorrow.  But trust that we will give full consideration to all sides of the matter."

"That is all that can be asked for, Kitsune-sama. Then, if you will permit it, I will take my leave. I will return then tomorrow afternoon."

If the matter is concluded Hidemoto will then bow deeply to the Fox and to his Wasp cousin and leave.

OOC:  so are you going to head off to visit a different minor clan, speak privately with Koizumi, or something entirely different?

OOC: I was going to head back to the embassy for further instruction, but now that you mention it I'll go for another Minor Clan Embassy if there is still time during the day. Anyone of them, whichever has land geographically the closest to here and is actually capable of mustering a force. As for Koizumi...

Hidemoto asks Koizumi privately, although it's more a statement in truth, "Koizumi-san, are you planning anything for tonight? There is a great Sake House I know, the House of the Joyous Caterpillar. I'll meet you there at the hour of the dog. For the drinks I'll pay."

"Will this be like the time you offered to pay for the drinks if I caught that bandit Busuro?" he laughs and it is almost like old times, "I spent three days slogging through swampland before I lost track of him, you caught him two days later celebrating his escape in some backwater village, and I had to pay for the drinks!  Of course I'll be there, just don't bring any of those Mantis pirates with you."

Grinning, "A bet's a bet, but hey, if it will make you feel better I'll pay for twice the amount of drinks we had then."

"I'll leave the pirates at home. Besides, after a few cups of sake I might finally yield to the temptation to turn them in for bounty. I think I might get in trouble if I did that. Just a little."

"HA!" Koizumi laughs, "but only a little.  And certainly not with me.  I'll see you there then you old Wasp!"  And with that Tsuruchi Koizumi takes his leave.

Considering your choices, the Sparrow seem like the next logical direction.  A member of the Three Man Alliance, but still with close ties to the Crane.  The Sparrow Embassy is sparse, much like the Sparrow themselves, but still marginally finer than the Embassies of the other Minor Clans--a gift of their Crane legacy.

"How may the Sparrow help the Tsuruchi, Tsuruchi Hidemoto-san?" Suzume Akira bows, once the typical plesantries are out of the way.

"We would greatly appreciate the Sparrow's help, Suzume-sama, in resolving a pressing issue affecting all of us. I do not know if you have heard yet so I will explain: according to the Crane, the Lion are marching on this city. They have enlisted the aid of the Mantis in thwarting the designs of the Lion. And so, we turn to the Sparrow to aid us.

"I ask this in the spirit of the Three Man Alliance where the Sparrow, the Wasp and the Fox repelled ignoble Scorpion's attack on your lands. Through our unity we repelled one Great Clan; this can be repeated.

"I ask you then, on behalf of the Mantis Clan, to aid us alongside the Crane to repel the Lion attack.

"Should you send your army do this we will of course see to it that the Sparrow are well supplied for this endeavor. And now as the Voice of the Minor Clans we are more than capable of seeing to any of the interests of the Sparrow; it is a role we will take most seriously.

"So, Suzume-sama, can we count on the aid of the Sparrow to repel this unjust attack?"

"Though your proposal is a sound one, Tsuruchi-san," Suzume Akira replies, "I am not certain of how much aide we can provide.  The Sparrow is not a particularly martially inclined Clan, compared to the Mantis or the Hare.  Nor are we particularly aligned with the kami, as are the Fox and the Dragonfly.  Particularly as our lands are so far distant from Toshi Ranbo.  It is not cowardice or selfishness that makes me say this, you understand," he shrugs apologetically, "merely matters of practicality.  If these difficulties could be overcome, then of course the Sparrow would support the Mantis in defending our Crane cousins."

"No single raindrop blames itself for the flood. I disagree with you, Suzume-sama. Your aid, however small it may be, may prove to be pivotal. An announcement by the Sparrow that it would aid us would do far more for our cause than you may think, Suzume-sama, and that alone is priceless. And even if your army did not make it in time we would be grateful for the mere fact that you did send it; that too carries worth. "

"Then I will write to our Champion," Suzume Akira bows, "as his will be the ultimate decision, but it will be to support the Mantis that I will support with my name."

"You have our gratitude," he says while bowing low.

"If it is your wish, a ship will be made available for your messenger to take him to Kyuden Suzume. It is quite far from here and a Mantis vessel would be safer and faster. It would not be pleasant but it would be expedient."

"Alternatively, should he travel on foot, on his journey to Kyuden Suzume he may stay for a day or two at the Wasp Palace or the Valley of the Centipede. Apart from giving a short period in which to rest and obtain a fresh horse a Shugenja may also send word ahead to your lord of your messenger's coming."

"No need to stretch the generosity of the Mantis, Tsuruchi-san," Suzume Akira smiles, "the Sparrow have their own means and methods which will suffice.  But thank you for your generous offer."

"Of course. I apologise then if I have caused offense in my eagerness to assist," he says sincerely while bowing low.

OOC: I assume then that the necessary bit's been covered. If so, Hidemoto will go through the formalities of excusing himself and move on to the next Clan. The Dragon seem like a good pick since they're not too far from here.

OOC:  on the assumption that you actually meant the Dragonfly Minor Clan, rather than the Dragon Great Clan ^_^

"Tsuruchi Hidemoto," Tonbo Kobe bows, "to what do the Dragonfly owe this honor?"

"To aid this city in a time of great need, Tonbo-sama."

"If you will not mind my directness, I will go to the heart of the matter. The Crane have received reports of an imminent Lion attack on this city. The Crane, in order to defend it, have come to the Mantis seeking our aid. We could not allow the Lion to take this city, especially not from the Crane now weakened from the Clan Wars. Because of that we assented to their request. Now we turn to the Dragonfly, seeking your aid to bolster our own in the defence of this city.

"The magic of your clan's founder protected your clan from the Lion before and saved it from extinction. We ask only that you do the same for this city, to use your magic to protect it and its inhabitants from the Lion. We do not ask this lightly either, we know how vindictive the Lion are and of the hatred they bear towards your clan. As we are now the Voice of the Minor Clans we will do what we can to aid you against the Lion in the courts against their slander and other places.

"We ask this of you because we know what lives can be saved with the Tonbo's aid. Can we count on it?"

OOC: Yup, that's what I meant. Sorry, got Dragons on my brain :)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Fri 20 June 2008.

"Your request places us in a difficult position, Tsuruchi-san," Tonbo Kobe replies, "the Dragonfly are protected from the Lion by Imperial Edict.  Should we aid the Mantis in this matter, it could be construed by the Lion as an act of aggression.  One which I doubt they will hesitate to repay in kind--particularly as their armies are already just outside our door step.  Can the Mantis protect the Dragonfly against the Lion's swords as well as their words?"

"That is so, I can understand why you would be hesitant. I could tell you that we do not expect you to involve yourselves to an extent that would incur the wrath of the Lion, that in the chaos of the attack your Shugenja might go unnoticed or any number of excuses. But that would not free you of the risk you face."

"So yes, we will protect you. Besides, as the Voice, it would in any case be a natural extension of our duties."

"Then we will consider it," Tonbo Kobe replies, "though I am uncertain how much our Dragon hosts will appreciate a Mantis army on their soil.  If you can find a way to walk the narrow line between Great and Minor Clan which defines the Dragonfly's existence, then we will show you the worth of the Tonbo."

"We will do all we can. I thank you then for the time you have given me and the matter."

Hidemoto will then go through the formalities of leaving, unless the Dragonfly adds anything else, and go towards the next Minor Clan.

OOC:  who are you going to next?

OOC: How about the Hare?

"Well, Tsuruchi Hidemoto-san," Usagi Tsurutomo grins, after the required respects are observed, "you have certainly been causing quite a stir today.  Secret talks with the Crane and back to back interviews with the Minor Clans.  So tell me," he says, suddenly serious, "what are the Mantis planning?"

"Not so much a stir as a small soup, Usagi-sama."

In the weary tones of someone who has had to explain this far too many times one day and is probably likely to have to it again, "I'll put it briefly; the Lion are soon about to attack Toshi Ranbo. The Crane approached the Mantis for help, which we will give them, and we in turn are approaching the Minor Clans. I've approached the Sparrow, the Fox, the Dragonfly and now you.

"All we ask of you is to assist us the defense of this city. I know some of the finest scouts in the Empire are in the Hare and your own standing forces are not to be too lightly dismissed. The strength of the Hare could tip the balance quite firmly in our favour."

"Ah, no, Tsuruchi-san," Tsurutomo replies, handing Hidemoto a cup of tea, "this stituation between the Crane and Lion, I knew about.  The Crane are not nearly as good at controlling information as they think they are and you have been creating quite a stir.  No, I meant, what are the Mantis planning on doing with the favor of the Crane?"