Kumi worked to keep her face passive so as to give nothing away. It was a talent she had spent a great deal of time cultivating, to the point that it was almost second nature to her. Still, in a gathering such as this, with multiple suspicious Scorpion eyes on and around her, a little extra effort would scarcely go amiss.

"The specific tactics we should adopt would depend to some extent on precisely how many men you have brought with you, General, and your own personal preferences. Our forces are currently occupied with fortifying the city itself, such that the Lion army will bleed itself dry in breaching the walls. Your forces might best be employed harrying the Lion's rear and reserves. I am not the master tactician of Toshi Ranbo, however. That honour falls to another, and he might wish to be consulted on any alterations to his plans."

Sayuri waited for a moment, then drew a scroll from her satchel and began to chant a prayer to the kami of Air. The religious ritual was brief and successful, and the wisdom of a battle-master flowed into the shugenja, who then returned the scroll to its place. She waited to be allowed to speak, as wisdom and knowledge in matters of warfare filled her mind.

"I am merely in command of this advance kaisha, Daidoji-san," Gong-Xue replies, "consisting mostly of fast moving scouts and...irregulars.  There are another four kaisha, roughly a thousand samurai and ashigaru, on their way from the Scorpion.  You, of course, are the samurai on the spot, I will defer to your superior knowledge of the situation."

[In the absence of Miya-Sama ...]

"Our Mission was a success" Kenshin responded, "those particular Lion will not be joining the battle. However, the Lion General in charge of the other army believes that he acts under Imperial Approval."

Kenshin paused only a moment so he could let that sink in.

"We must, of course, report to the Imperial Families -- I must also report to our Ambassador -- before we can attempt to discuss the matter with the other General. Assuming, of course, that the Imperial Families wish us to act on their behalf again."

Sakura listened to Kenshin speak. That was better, anyway, however she still did not trust things as they were.

"Even with proximity to their advantage, their Supply Lines will be exposed will they not?" Sakura mused aloud. Inwardly she was thinking of something completely different -- something that even her Yojimbo would not approve of.

[It's tough playing a character with no tactical sense ... ;p ]

As the discussion continues, a man dressed as a merchant (not an uncommon outfit among this morass of Scorpion) limps towards the pavilion and delivers a note to Bayushi Gong-Xue.  It is evident from his approach that he is missing one of his legs.

"This is Shosuro Kagehisa-san," Gong-Xue says, introducing the limping samurai, "he is not, as you see, fit for combat duty.  However, he serves admirably in the post of supply coordinator and, if I should be unavailable, will be the liaison between your forces and my own."

[Private to Shosuro Kagehisa: the note you delivered was a report on the current readiness status of the unit (currently they're prepped for scouting or laying ambushes; an immediate direct skirmish will require at least 3 hours notice)

Gong-Xue also deliberately misinformed the Crane regarding your full range of skills.]

The merchant respectfully bows before the group, the top half of his face hidden by his straw hat and the lower open with a smile. "As Xue-san already introduced me, i can only say i look forward to work with you. It's a shame this old injury from a cart accident prevents me to go to frontlines."

Sayuri finally spoke up.

"I believe that if your forces are trained skirmishers, Gong-Xue-dono, they should perform as they do best, under the overall command of the Crane but operating independently. We of the Crane are nothing if not adaptable to the needs and talents of our allies."

"A pleasure, Kagehisa-San" Sakura replied courteously, "I will make sure that you get the proper introductions. That will make things much easier for both of us, ne?"

Sakura turned back to the captain of the newly arrived Kaisa.

"For now, I think we must be flexible. We still do not know exactly when the Lion will attack, so your role must change depending on when the other Kaisa get here."

Kenshin looked momentarily at Kumi before focusing his attentions on the Scorpion commander.

"They will be particularly wary when they get here" he interjected, "While we were visiting the General, Bushi wearing Phoenix colors attacked. They destroyed the granaries using some sort of odd magics that made their arrows explode."

It went without saying that the Scorpion were under suspicion, but so long as no one voiced accusations around him Kenshin's Honor could remain satisfied.

"Their assault might be weaker, assuming that there are similar assaults at the other army and the remaining army still chooses to come; however it is a Matsu leading the charge, and this will simply make them all the more determined as well as vigilant."

Kagehisa listens to the newcomers report with attention. He meditates for a few seconds on the situation before speaking. "This doesn't look good. From what you say they might have powerful shugenja, and the ones from the Lion clan always attack with overwhelming power. This means that it'll be difficult to outfight them on a direct fight and difficult to outmaneuver as we have no informations on how they'll act."

OOC:  NPCing Miya Momoko until her return ^_^;;;

"I believe you misunderstood my yojimbo's statement, Shosuro-san," Miya Momoko replies, "the Phoenix attacked the Lion and, by destroying their granaries, made it less likely that they could sustain a long siege."

"Yes, that it correct" Kenshin added with some embarrassment, "The Phoenix attacked the Lion granaries. That means that the Lion will ... be in a hurry when and if they get here."

"It is possible that they will just make a show of force and go home, but if they believe that they act with the Emperor's approval it will take more than this to make them abandon their task."

It was possible to make them turn back with diplomacy, but not very likely. Kenshin hoped that he had a chance to do so, but time was not on his side.

Oh yes, the Lions are our allies this time. Fighting on different sides everytime was a burden his Clan would carry everytime, thinks Kagehisa while smiling wryly. "I see then. Still, there's a way me and my subordinates can be of any use?"

"I am impressed Miya-san, Bayushi-san," Bayushi Gong-Xue replies, "finessing a Lion General out of attacking is no mean feat of diplomacy.  However, we should not neglect the Lion army currently stationed at Oiku.  I will take the bulk of my forces to harry the western force while detaching a couple of squads to confirm that the southern force in Ninkatoshi remains stationary, leaving Shosuro Kagehisa here with fifty of my irregulars to...advise on possible strategies, if that is acceptable to you, of course."

"The General's exact words were 'No Lion samurai, ashigaru, or eta will leave Ninkatoshi for Toshi Ranbo with hostile intent for a year and a day'" Kenshin replied modestly. Perhaps it was no small feat, but it was nothing more than his Duty.

"The price paid was that I am to ensure that Our Lady or one of her Karo receives a message from him. I am certain that he knows the price of treachery, but there are others that may not be so wise."

It was a long winded way of saying that he agreed with the plan.

Sakura listened carefully to what was being said, finally interjecting.

"Yes" She concurred, "that would be a good idea. Keep Ninka-Toshi honest and ensure that the others think twice."

She would also wish to ensure that there was no subterfuge on the part of the Lion. It was unlikely, but still possible.

"Shosuro Kagehisa-San" she addressed the other, "we will make more detailed arrangements once the others have moved on."

"Is there anything you require?"

Kagehisa nods his head upon hearing the question. "What intel did you managed to scrounge until now? The most i have about the situation here is the best."

"Not much, I'm afraid" Sakura replied calmly, "the city has been under lockdown until quite recently. I'm afraid that the only Intel I have heard comes from Bayushi Kenshin-San. And as that concerns the part of the army that is not supposed to be coming here, that information is of limited value."

"I do, of course, expect that problem to be solved shortly."

"A shame then. Still, if you want we can do additional recon or other related tasks."

"I will send some...scouts to Oiku to determine what strength they have there, Shosuro Kagehisa-san," Bayushi Gong-Xue rumbles, "concentrate on finding ways that our forces may support the Crane.  Whether the Lion general is a student of Akodo-kami, a student of Sun Tao-sama, or even a student of Matsu-kami, he or she will know that a disorganized defense is worse than an inadequate one.

"It may be best if I sent some...guides to the Scorpion forces who are approaching," he adds, "after all, was it not Sun Tao who said:  'A competent general attacks an enemy's army. A superior general attacks an enemy's alliances.'  Let us not forget that the Ikoma general, may still attack Toshi Ranbo by preventing passage to your allies.  Are there other allies of whom we should be aware?"

Kagehisa nods after hearing his orders. "Well, personally i do not think my clanmates are unaware enough to need guidance into the city, Gong-Xue-sama, however i will personally see that both tasks are done. With your excuse then, i shall leave. It was a pleasure to meet you all, gentlemen but war leaves us with no time for anything." He then gives a respectful bow to Gong-Xue and the others and leaves in the direction of where his "forces" waited.

Gong-Xue watches Kagehisa head off for a moment, then turns to Daidoji Sayuri, "While I am less than fully versed in the ways of Court Daidoji Sayuri-san," Gong-Xue rumbles, "I recognize the look of a negotiator when I see one.  My superiors were a little short on the details when we were dispatched, so I did not get the full briefing.  What, generally, are the Crane offering for Scorpion support in this matter?"

OOC:  Gong-Xue definitely knows, as do you, that there was no formal agreement for Scorpion support.  He's offering, in an oblique sort of way, to open negotiations with you.  At this point the Scorpion are committed to your support, so unless you deliberately attempt to sabotage the negotiations, you'll still get Scorpion troops on your side, fighting the Lion.  You still, however, must strike a careful balance--you don't want to offer them too much, since a) Winter Court is approaching and being tangled up with the Scorpion too deeply before the politicking starts is never a good idea and b) you don't know who the Scorpion plan to pick a fight with in the coming year; on the other hand, you don't want to offer too little, because:  a) even if they're here to help you this time, next time they might be looking to make you pay for it and b) such dishonorable negotiations might come up again in Winter Court.

Kenshin excused himself and then headed to the Imperial conclave, followed by the Scorpion conclave. He had two reports to make.

Sakura stood by silently, being content to observe at the moment. It would be better if someone else did the formal negotiations anyway.

[Not really sure what to do, actually ...]