Lion Clan Letter - #19
Otemi-san,
I offer greetings from the provinces of the Ikoma to the valorous captain of the Deathless, protector of Otosan Uchi and the Imperial Court! I trust that you have received your new crew courtesy of Nimuro-sama and Ketsui-sama and are ready to take to the seas once more. Although few among the Imperial Court would speak of it openly, I suspect they are strangely comforted by the notion of your steel and jade warship patrolling the seas in their defense, even if it is crewed by the unlikely combination of Nezumi sailors and Lion's Pride bushi. It may seem strange, but personally I would give much to see such a thing firsthand! Such an amusing idea. Of course, I do not envy those who laugh at the idea in the presence of Kenji's Battle Maidens.
It seems that in a time of strife such as now, the Lion are always prepared to go where they are needed. Our kinsmen are scattered across the face of the Empire. You are fulfilling your duty, of course, training your troops in Golden Sun Bay. Your comrade Ikoma Fujimaro has taken a handful of Nimuro's men and departed for the Phoenix lands to discover the fate of his nephew's unit. If the tales we have heard of Aikune's power are true, I fear not only for Fujimaro's nephew, but for Fujimaro as well. Kitsu Dejiko serves Toturi Tsudao in the First Legion Akodo Ijiasu attached his forces to those of Akodo Kaneka. And of course, Nimuro dispatched several legions to find and recover his lost brother Domotai. In truth, I fear that we are spread too thin, even for the mighty Lion Clan.
Plans for your wedding to Shosuro Yasuko are proceeding well. I know that you regard this as your duty, and that you will perform it with the honor and nobility that you have performed every duty given you since your gempukku. This wedding brings much to the Lion and to the Ikoma, and your strength and growing prestige serve us well. I am certain that your first mate Kenji would agree that duty is essential to the soul of any Lion.
Ikoma Sume