Courtly Intrigues and Tensions

Timeline

Sensei Dismissal and Soshi Aisha Meeting - Bayushi Monban was dismissed by the War College Sensei as not under suspicion and left the office with his companions. He declared he would return paperwork and seek the Shinjo Family or Soshi Aisha he believed involved. He located Soshi Aisha in the Ikoma Hall Of Scribes, moved their discussion to the Path of Splinters, and Soshi Aisha publicly denied knowledge while keeping her fan raised. Soshi Aisha arranged to contact him later once items were ready, threatened him against arriving with guards, claimed to hold his chop on an incriminating docket, refused to produce the item when accused of forgery, and reaffirmed a bargain before both parted.

Dismissal and Declaration to Search - The War College Sensei told Bayushi Monban he was not under suspicion and dismissed him from the office. Bayushi Monban and his companions exited while students and soldiers continued their business, and Monban declared he would return paperwork and seek out the Shinjo Family or Soshi Aisha he believed involved in the matter.

• War College Dismissal - The sensei of the War College told Bayushi Monban, a Scorpion Clan yojimbo, that he was not under suspicion and dismissed him from the office.
• Group Departed Office - Bayushi Monban and his companions exited the sensei’s office at the War College while students and soldiers went about their business without noticing them.

Public Meeting with Soshi Aisha - Bayushi Monban located Soshi Aisha in the Ikoma Hall Of Scribes and moved their discussion to the Path of Splinters. Soshi Aisha kept her fan raised, denied knowledge publicly, said she might meet later to deliver items when ready, warned him against arriving at her quarters with guards and threatened hanging at Traitor’s Grove, asserted she held his chop on an incriminating docket, refused to produce the item when challenged as a forger while taunting past suspicions, and ended by reaffirming their bargain as Monban demanded the paperwork be returned.

• Soshi Aisha Search Announced - Bayushi Monban declared he would return paperwork and seek out the Shinjo Family or Soshi Aisha he believed were involved in the recent matter.
• Hall of Scribes Rendezvous - Bayushi Monban located Soshi Aisha in the Ikoma Hall Of Scribes, where scribes worked and a lecture was underway.
• Walk to Splinters - Bayushi Monban and Soshi Aisha, a Scorpion Clan woman veiled by a coquettish fan, moved their discussion to the Path of Splinters among strolling students.
• Public Denial Given - At the Path of Splinters, Soshi Aisha kept her fan raised, denied knowledge in public, and chided Bayushi Monban for being seen.
• Delivery Timing Stated - Soshi Aisha said she might meet later, at a time and place of her choosing, once the items in question were ready to deliver.
• Raid Warning Issued - Soshi Aisha warned Bayushi Monban against arriving at her quarters with a quartet of Akodo Guards and fellow magistrates, threatening that any double-cross would see him hanging at Traitor’s Grove before her.
• Incriminating Docket Claimed - Soshi Aisha asserted she held Bayushi Monban’s chop on an incriminating docket and his word as a Bayushi, advising him not to pick unnecessary fights.
• Provenance Burden Set - When Bayushi Monban called her a forger, Soshi Aisha said she would not produce the item, taunted that he was suspected as a petty burglar in the Library Of The Lion, and stated he would present it and justify its provenance.

Preparations for the Mediation - Doji Setsuna prepared for the imminent arrival of Kitsuki Kaage and two mediators, spending time anticipating the delegates and meeting with allies. She rode on the plains, read beside a tethered horse, and hosted Shiba Midori and Kakita Kazumi for tea and lunch to discuss recent developments. The group discussed leads tied to a “Shinjo Kamo” document, proposals to restore lost honor, the option of declaring the mines imperial possessions, and contingency plans including spirit testimony and living witness testimony. They reviewed documentary evidence, supply issues, and observer status requests, and noted a letter advocating Shinjo Family Harunobu’s transfer while reserving the option to call archive witnesses.

Setsuna's Riding and Tea Meeting - Doji Setsuna noted there was one day before the expected arrival of Kitsuki Kaage and two mediators. She spent part of the day riding on the plains and reading beside a tethered horse, then received Shiba Midori and Kakita Kazumi for tea and lunch to discuss recent developments.

• Bargain Reaffirmed - Soshi Aisha ended the meeting by affirming both would keep their bargain and that she would contact him; Bayushi Monban demanded the paperwork be returned quickly and walked away.
• Arrival Anticipation Noted - Doji Setsuna, a Crane Clan magistrate, had one day before the expected arrival of Kitsuki Kaage and two mediators/emissaries from the opposing parties.
• Setsuna’s Riding Interlude - Doji Setsuna spent the day riding on the plains with an attendant, reading under an umbrella beside a tethered horse.

Policy Options and Evidence Planning - Shiba Midori reported Bayushi Monban had been summoned on suspicion related to documents concerning a “Shinjo Kamo.” The group proposed restoring honor to Kitsu Yui and Ikoma Hideri, considered declaring the mines imperial possessions, discussed summoning Kitsu Yui’s spirit as a contingency, planned to rely on a living descendant if documents were questioned, reviewed Ichigo’s notes on supply problems and possible third‑party interference, addressed observer status requests, noted Lady Takeko’s letter advocating Shinjo Family Harunobu’s transfer, and agreed to call Ichigo and Kitsuko Ayoko to testify about archive facts only.

• Tea Meeting Arranged - Shiba Midori, a Phoenix Clan samurai, and Kakita Kazumi, a Crane Clan duelist, joined Doji Setsuna with tea and lunch to discuss recent developments.
• Monban Summons Reported - Shiba Midori informed Doji Setsuna that her yojimbo, Bayushi Monban, had been summoned by the academy sensei on suspicion of improper use of facilities at an improper time.
• Document Lead Mentioned - Shiba Midori said the matter related to documents concerning a “Shinjo Kamo,” tied to their current case.
• Honor Restorations Proposed - Shiba Midori outlined with Kakita Kazumi and Kitsuko Ayoko, a young Lion Clan shugenja, a plan to restore the honor of Kitsu Yui (from the past) and Ikoma Hideri, whose history had been destroyed, which Ikoma Ichigo, a present-day historian, would welcome.
• Imperial Custody Option - Shiba Midori suggested declaring the mines imperial possessions to neutralize the conflict rather than naming a clan victor; Doji Setsuna expressed intrigue and support.
• Spirit Testimony Contemplated - They discussed summoning Kitsu Yui’s spirit, if needed, to confirm or repudiate a post-battle account made at the request of an unnamed Soshi Aisha who had been present.
• Contingency Witnesses Set - They agreed to reserve the spirit summoning as a plan B and to rely on testimony from the living descendant—a peasant whom Doji Setsuna had previously insulted—if documents were questioned.
• Ichigo’s Perspective Sought - Ikoma Ichigo said acknowledging imperial intervention rather than declaring a victor would be meaningful; he noted the Snow Plain treaty awarded the Snow Plain to the Unicorn Clan and the income to the Lion Clan while remaining silent on the victor.
• Supply Issues Documented - Ikoma Ichigo reported receiving a set of documents from a young Kitsu indicating severe Lion Clan supply problems and possible third-party interference, with accounts of early-season snow and Unicorn Clan-laid traps but no proof of who or how.
• Observer Status Requested - Ikoma Ichigo stated he had asked the Lady Kitsu to be allowed in as an observer for the forthcoming proceedings, noting some matters might be closed-door for Kitsuki Kaage.
• Shinjo Family Harunobu Transfer Advocated - It was noted that Lady Takeko, a Clan Daimyo, had sent a letter the prior day advocating that Shinjo Family Harunobu be moved to the location, with success likely pending time.

Debrief and Mysterious Delivery - Doji Setsuna called Bayushi Monban to her rooms for an evening procedural debrief ahead of the incoming delegates. They discussed whether Setsuna should intervene on Monban’s behalf, Monban’s account that the earlier matter was a misunderstanding, and debated judgment over the mines — Bayushi argued for imperial control while Doji insisted on hearing evidence first and warned of Scorpion Clan backlash. Bayushi cited testimony and paperwork omissions before being dismissed, and Monban subsequently received an unexpected delivery of the requested documents with ancillary papers and a threatening note attached.

Evening Debrief and Debate - Doji Setsuna summoned Bayushi Monban for a procedural debrief and asked if she needed to intervene on his behalf; Monban said the earlier matter was a misunderstanding and under control. They debated judgment: Bayushi favored imperial control of the mines to prevent Scorpion Clan intervention, while Doji opposed preempting rightful ownership without evidence; Doji warned awarding claims to the Imperial Houses would invite Scorpion Clan retaliation and insisted on hearing Scorpion Clan and Unicorn Clan evidence before judging.

• Archive Testimony Planned - Doji Setsuna kept open the option to call Ikoma Ichigo and Kitsuko Ayoko to testify about what they had and had not seen in the archives; Ikoma Ichigo agreed to attest only to documented facts and not speculate.
• Evening Debrief Convened - Later, Doji Setsuna called Bayushi Monban to her rooms for a procedural debrief ahead of welcoming Kitsuki Kaage and the other delegates.
• Conduct Assurance Sought - Doji Setsuna asked whether intervention on Bayushi Monban’s behalf was needed; he said the earlier matter was a misunderstanding and under control.
• Judgment Debate Began - When pressed on judgment, Bayushi Monban favored imperial control of the mines to secure Scorpion Clan non-intervention and serve imperial balance, while Doji Setsuna opposed preempting rightful ownership without seeing evidence.
• Scorpion Clan Backlash Warned - Doji Setsuna warned that awarding potentially rightful Scorpion Clan claims to the Imperial Houses would make the Scorpion Clan enemies and invite retaliation; Bayushi Monban acknowledged expected backlash but argued for the Imperial Houses’s best interests.

Dismissal and Sudden Delivery - Bayushi Monban cited Ikoma Akuyaku’s testimony and noted an omission in the paperwork; Doji Setsuna reaffirmed their mutual duties and dismissed him. Subsequently Monban received an unexpected delivery of the requested documents with ancillary papers and an attached note reading, “What is earned is owed, what is owed is paid. Your words, remember them well. Earn that piece of paper.”

• Evidence Hearing Insisted - Doji Setsuna insisted on hearing Scorpion Clan and Unicorn Clan evidence before judgment; Bayushi Monban maintained they already knew the Scorpion Clan enabled the Unicorn Clan victory at the Battle of Snow Plain.
• Akayaku’s Role Cited - Bayushi Monban cited Ikoma Akuyaku’s testimony as proof of aiding the Scorpion Clan and noted a significant omission in the paperwork; Doji Setsuna reaffirmed their roles—his life was hers to protect, her honor his to safeguard—and dismissed him.
• Document Delivery Received - Subsequently, Bayushi Monban received an unexpected delivery of the requested documents with ancillary papers and an attached note: “What is earned is owed, what is owed is paid. Your words, remember them well. Earn that piece of paper.”