Family Troubles

 

by Rusty Priske

Edited by Fred Wan

 

 

The Crane retainer hurried down the passageway, trying to gain a significant lead on her charge. Hida Kuon did not appear to hurry, but his long strides covered ground quickly and if the retainer wished to give advance notice to her Lady, she would have to break into a run. That would not do.

Kuon noticed the distress of his chaperone, but he did not alter his pace. He did not look forward to this meeting, but he also could not express any weakness, especially not to a servant of Doji Domotai.

The Crab Champion would not allow his actions or manner to betray any indecisiveness, no matter the true state of his mind.

 

           

Naoharu stood, head bowed, in Doji Domotai’s chamber. His face was a mask, with no trace of emotion slipping through.

Domotai’s eyebrow moved slightly. “Kuon? What would the Hida want with the Crane today?” As she spoke, Domotai made quick motions with her hands and her servants responded at once, moving quickly to remove cushions and silk coverings from many places around the room.

“My sources tell me that the Crab has been investigating the situation surrounding the Yasuki family.”

“Ah.” Domotai nodded. “Hachi had no heir, so we will need to decide who will be the new family daimyo. Kuon will undoubtedly wish a Crab to take that position. I assume we can find someone to swear allegiance to both clans, as Hachi did. There are suitable candidates amongst both clans, but in the interest of good relations, I would be able to accede to someone such as Miliko. What do you think, Naoharu?”

The advisor did not move. “Miliko would be as tractable as we could hope for, considering she is a Crab, but I fear that the situation might not be as simple as it appears.”

“How so?” Domotai surveyed her servant’s attempt to remove much of the luxury from her chamber. She assessed the result and waved for them to remove a few more items. She then ordered them to replace the tea set with one that was less ornate.

Naoharu said, “Kuon had spent no time looking at the Yasuki problem. There were other, more pressing issues. Then his grandfather returned from the Scorpion lands.”

“I take it that you believe the end of the Scorpion conflict precipitated the concern about the Yasuki, rather than just allowing time for it.”

“I am not sure, milady. My network of… informants is quite expansive, but I do not have the reach of the Scorpion. I think it unwise to assume that there was no connection between the end of the conflict and the next choice of action for Hida Kuon, however.”

“Thank you Naoharu. Your guidance is ever valued. I would ask that you try to get such information to me with a little more advance notice, however. Knowledge is of course greatly appreciated, but even now Hida Kuon approaches the entrance to this chamber. You can understand that the forewarning avails me little.”

“My apologies, Lady Domotai. I will endeavor to serve you better in the future.”

“See that you do.”

They were interrupted by a soft noise from the entranceway. Domotai allowed entrance and Kuon’s chaperone entered. “Lady Domotai, Hida Kuon desires an audience with you. Do you wish to speak with him?”

“I would never deny an audience with such an important and valued ally. Please, allow him to enter.”

Kuon entered the chamber, taking it all in with a quick glance. He suppressed a sneer at the ostentatious frippery. He respected the Crane for many things, but their need to surround themselves in impractical finery was something he could not understand.

“Lady Domotai, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“The pleasure is mine, Lord Kuon. I see that you have not brought anyone with you. I will have some servants assigned to you so that your stay in our embassy will be more pleasant.”

“I need no servants. I brought no one because there are certain things that should be spoken in private.”

Domotai paused before nodding slightly. She turned to Naoharu and said nothing, but of course the advisor needed no orders. He bowed deeply to both Domotai and Kuon before exiting the chamber. The Crane champion had her attendants do the same but not before one poured two cups of tea for Domotai and her guest.

Domotai offered a seat and tea to Kuon and he accepted both. Before drinking, Kuon motioned to the tea set and said, “I am not accustomed to using such a piece of art to serve such a mundane purpose.”

Domotai looked at the pot, simple in her eyes, decorated only with a powder blue crane, inlaid up the handle of the pot. A similar, simple pattern adorned each cup. “I find that the beauty one can find in art needs to be integrated into mundane tasks, so that those tasks become less mundane. If art is merely a frivolity then it loses much of its strength and inspiration. I am sure the Crab feel the same way.”

Kuon shrugged with only his face. “The Crab do not concern themselves with art, generally.”

“Oh, but you do. Look at the ornamentation many Crab use on their armor. Even the crab motifs that many use to declare their allegiance are art. They are much more than simple mons. They inspire as well as decorate.”

Kuon’s shrug this time was more pronounced. “As you say. You are the expert at such things. I have other duties that keep my attention.”

Domotai bowed her head. “Duties that the rest of Rokugan are very grateful for, Lord Kuon; especially in these hard times.”

“Yes. However it is not my duty to Rokugan that brings me here today. It is my duty to the Crab and the Yasuki.”

Domotai smiled. “Of course. We need to discuss the matter of succession for the Yasuki. Who should take the place of the late Emerald Champion as daimyo? I am sure we can agree on someone who will serve both of our clans well.”

Kuon shook his head. “There will be a new daimyo, but he will not serve both of our clans. The Yasuki are a Crab family, not a Crane one.”

Domotai frowned. “Why would you make such a statement, Lord Kuon? The war over the Yasuki is far in the past, and it ended with a mutually beneficial agreement between our two clans. Why would we not continue the arrangement? Do you feel that the Crab have not been well served under the leadership of Yasuki Hachi?”

“The issue is not Daidoji Hachi’s abilities or intentions. Like most Daidoji, he was true to his word and followed his orders. He treated the Crab with respect.”

Domotai stiffened. “Yet you insult his memory by denying him his rightful name.”

“There is no insult intended, Lady Domotai. I do not consider being called Daidoji to be an insult, especially when that is your true lineage. Hachi was born a Daidoji, was he not?”

“He was, but when the Yasuki lineage was traced, it was found that he was, in fact, the true heir to the Yasuki.”

Kuon stared for a moment. “When Yasuki Kamoru died, he did so without an heir. No Crab discovered the link between Kamoru’s line and Daidoji Hachi.”

“The Imperial Historians determined that Hachi was next in line. This finding was endorsed by the Crane Champion, Doji Kurohito.”

Kuon nodded. “Your father was tenacious in furthering the cause of the Crane.”

A moment of silence passed between them. Domotai broke the silence. “Rather than discuss the source of the information proving Hachi to be the rightful heir to the Yasuki, perhaps you could tell me what has led you to doubt its veracity.”

“As you wish.” Kuon eyes did not leave Domotai’s. “The Crab recently acquired detailed information about Hachi’s family and bloodline. Although he had some relatives in the Yasuki, his claim was not as strong as the Historians claimed—and certainly not strong enough for Doji Kurohito to use as a basis to invade the Estates.”

“Does this… evidence show you the correct heir to the Yasuki?”

Kuon shook his head. “It does not.”

“So then it just attempts to discount the claim of Yasuki Hachi.”

“Daidoji Hachi.” Kuon corrected Domotai. “As I said, these claims do not come from him. No blame can be cast at Daidoji Hachi.”

Domotai eyed Kuon. “What is your source?”

“The Scorpion gave this to us.”

“And you took them at their word?”

“Certainly not. They have much to gain by ending the understanding between the Crab and the Crane. We have searched at length, and questioned many record-keepers. This is no Scorpion trick. Hachi’s claim was not a true one.”

Domotai frowned. “How can someone claim that Hachi is not part of the Yasuki line without naming an alternate heir?”

Kuon’s gaze remained steady, while answering Domotai’s queries. “The Scorpion did not give us information about the Yasuki. What they gave us was Hachi’s lineage, his full ancestry and his bloodline. With full knowledge of his family, there is nothing to show that Hachi was the Yasuki daimyo.”

Domotai’s gaze grew cold. “So this anonymous Scorpion source means more to you than the word of Doji Kurohito.”

Kuon’s eyes softened. “I do not believe your father intentionally misled anyone, Lady Domotai. I believe it was he who was misled, though I am not sure who would have done such a thing. Do you?”

“That is not my concern. What it is that you are asking from me?”

“The next daimyo of the Yasuki will be a Crab. The family will swear fealty solely to the Crab. All claims on lands, revenue, and family name will belong to the Crab. Those Yasuki who do not wish to abide by this may change their names—most of the Crane Yasuki were Daidoji before this began, there is no dishonor in returning to that. This will preserve the relations between our Clans, despite the situation before us.”

Domotai looked on sadly. “I am afraid that will change before you leave this chamber.”

Kuon nodded gravely. “My advisors warned me you might react in this way.”

“I will not allow the name Doji Kurohito to suffer any further insults. He was the Crane Champion. His word was ours.”

“His testimony once had great value. Things have changed, Lady Domotai. There is no Emperor to rule on this matter, and if there were, he would side with me. The testimony of a living Clan Champion over one of a deceased one, especially one who had to seppuku to spare his Clan a disgrace.” Kuon paused briefly as he saw the fire alight in Domotai’s eyes. “My apologies, Lady Domotai. My intent was not to cause you any further pain. You must understand my position. I cannot discard this information without acting.”

Domotai shook her head. “Of course you could not. But neither will I allow anyone, Crab Champion or not, to question the word of Doji Kurohito without avenging the insult.”

“Then we are at an impasse.”

“Yes, we are.”

Kuon took one last drink and set the teacup down beside the pot. He then stood and said, “I have great respect for you, Doji Domotai. I can only hope that our disagreement can be settled quickly since it cannot be settled amicably.”

Domotai stood as well, and bowed deeply. “The Crane will find a way to end this, Hida Kuon. It is unfortunate that we have been left with no choice.”

Kuon nodded. “Do so. This is a duty I do not care to bear for long.”

Hida Kuon left the chamber, only to be quickly replaced by Naoharu. “Lady Domotai? Can I be of service?”

Domotai nodded. “Yes Naoharu, you can. Notify my generals. It seems we are at war.”