Guile
By Rich Wulf

It always came down to this. Alliances were forged in daylight by men and women of learning. Promises were woven in moonlight by men and women of subtlety. The wheels of politics turned around great individuals both obvious and subtle, but in the end the most important things always came down to this.

Shosuro Omezo crouched in the rafters and weighed the ninja-to at his hip. It was a good sword, not as fine as a katana, but he preferred it for its balance. Omezo's eyes were dead behind his cloth mask. A weaker man might have regretted doing what Omezo had done, but there was nothing for it.

A shadow passed beneath his position. He recognized the pace of the one who approached, the one he had been waiting for. The Unicorn girl, Moto Hanzhi.

Omezo waited three more seconds and dropped from the rafters with one hand upon his sword.

There was only one manner in which problems were truly solved.

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The Night Before…

Moto Hanzhi strode through the halls of Shiro Moto with a carefully practiced expression of boredom. It was difficult for her, as her family's home was one of the most striking palaces in all of Rokugan. It was the youngest of the Great Clan families' ancestral homes, an unparalleled monument to the Khan's infinite glory. It was a startling mixture of outlandish gaijin architecture and traditional Rokugani styles, impressive even by the standards of Unicorn who were used to such things. Onion bulb towers reached for the sky besides many-tiered pagodas. A many-tiered wall surrounded the palace on all sides, giving an impression of stability and power. Yet a Moto could not afford to look awestruck in what was, ostensibly, her own home.

The man she sought, Doji Takeji, was lingering by an exotic tapestry depicting a scene of maidens on horseback, riding in a circle around a tall tower as fire rained from the sky. Takeji was younger than Hanzhi expected him to be, a fair-haired man with the elegant features typical of his family. He wore fine silken robes of pale blue silk, complementing his lean frame.

“Konnichiwa, Takeji-san,” Hanzhi said, pausing to bow to the Crane. “In the name of the Khan, I welcome you to my family's home. I am Hanzhi, cousin to the Khan. I speak for him during his absence.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Hanzhi-san,” Takeji replied with a bow. “Your home is extraordinary. I have never seen any place quite like it.”

Hanzhi gave a polite smile. “Many thanks,” she answered, “but I confess this is not our true home.”

“Oh?” Takeji asked, surprised.

“A Moto's home is the rolling plains,” she answered. “We always seek the next horizon. This palace is nothing more than a convenience, so that our cousins in the other clans might reach the Khan more easily.”

“I see,” Takeji replied. “Then I am even more impressed that you would make such an effort to leave an impression upon your guests, especially given that this is the youngest of the Great Clan palaces.”

“Such is the legacy of Gaheris Khan,” Hanzhi replied. “It was he who decided that if the Moto were required to have a home it would be rivaled only by the Emperor's… and that qualification was added only as a courtesy to the Son of Heaven.” She smiled again. “Though of course that is merely a legend. Surely your own Kyuden Doji must be at least equally beautiful?”

“The Esteemed House is a jewel to be sure,” Takeji answered, “but as we look upon a jewel it ceases to shine in our eyes. I fear I am too accustomed to my own home's beauty.”

“Then I am fortunate,” Hanzhi answered. “I spend much of my time riding with the Khol armies, thus even I still find wonders here.”

“Then let me offer one to add to your cousin's collection,” Takeji said. He reached into his robes and drew out a small lacquered box. “A box of rare incense, cultivated in the fields of the Asahina. It is my master Munemori's hope that its aroma might bring Chagatai's tempestuous spirit the same peace that the Asahina treasure.”

“A peculiar gift,” Hanzhi replied, studying the pattern on the box but making no move to accept it. “My cousin is a warlord.”

“Then serenity is even more valuable to him,” Takeji replied. “What better reward for a battle well fought than the promise of peace?”

“The Khan would answer that victory in battle is its own reward,” Hanzhi replied.

“Then perhaps the simplicity of this gift might temper his burning soul,” Takeji said, “or at least bring him some amusement. In either case, let it renew the friendship between our clans.”

“Arigato, on my cousin's behalf,” Hanzhi replied, bowing as she accepted the box. “The Khan will appreciate this gesture. Sometimes I think the Unicorn have few friends since our attempt to reclaim Kaeru Toshi. But this is what you have come to discuss, is it not?”

“Indeed,” Takeji answered, “but I admit I am surprised to hear that you are without allies. My master informed me that there would be several Scorpion ambassadors on these premises, and that the Crab Clan had been unfailing in supporting the Khan in the courts. I was told Hida Kuon offered a legion of his veteran samurai to support the Khol in Kaeru Toshi.”

Hanzhi smiled stiffly, hiding her surprise that the Crane knew about Chagatai's arrangements. “Who told you that?” she asked.

“My master, Munemori-sama,” Takeji replied. “He may not have either the rank or renown of Kaukatsu, but there is not much that occurs in the Empire that he does not see. If you were not aware, I apologize for surprising you. I understand that the Khan must guard his secrets closely.”

Hanzhi bowed in acceptance, escaping the escape from her minor deception that the apology offered. “In any case, even if it is as you say, a legion of Crab troops can only do so much. Surely Chagatai would not threaten the defenders of the Wall by risking them on the front lines?”

“Nor do I think he would insult them by keeping them from the battle,” Takeji said. “We both know the truth here – the Unicorn Clan is not as desperate for allies as you would have me believe. You are merely seeking an advantage.”

“As all men do,” Hanzhi offered with a frown. “As Doji Masaru did in Toshi Ranbo, offering Crane troops to relieve the Lion's efforts there so that they might better dedicate themselves to killing my kinsmen. Likewise, you seek advantage now by meeting with me. Do the Crane intend to ally with both sides in this war?”

Takeji unfolded his white silken fan and studied the tapestry again. He sighed deeply before replying. “There,” he said. “Now we are both aware of the extent of our clans' alliances. Is that not something of a relief? To expose our mutual deception so that we might strike at the truth behind our business here?”

“Answer my question, Doji,” she said. “Do the Crane seek to betray the Lion or to deceive the Unicorn?”

“Such generalizations,” Takeji replied. “Must it be one or the other?”

“There is only one other possibility,” Hanzhi said. “That you do not represent the interests of the Crane.”

Takeji inclined his head slightly, as if impressed by her conclusion. “It is true, I do represent the interests of a particular Crane, but that Crane is not Doji Kurohito. Kakita Munemori possesses a great deal of wealth and influence. The fact that you must recognize, Hanzhi-san, is that while we are Crane and Unicorn we are not the Crane and the Unicorn. In the end, all men must make their own decisions – but we can aid one another without betraying our clans.”

“Then tell me more,” Hanzhi answered, folding her arms across her chest and regarding the Crane cautiously. Her cousin had warned her that Munemori was an unpredictable, if potentially valuable, ally. Thus far his vassal had met the first half of those expectations.

“As you know, my clan has traditionally been quite reluctant to embrace the cultures of lands beyond Rokugan's borders,” Takeji said. “In recent years, that tradition has relaxed greatly. We are now on good terms with both the Yobanjin tribes and the Ivory Kingdoms. My master has made a number of trade agreements with individuals in both nations… all perfectly legal of course, nothing in violation of Imperial Edict.”

“Of course,” Hanzhi said.

“In any case, Munemori-sama is interested in broadening his horizons,” Takeji continued. “I understand that the Moto still interact with the lands beyond the Burning Sands, including the Senpet and the Mekhem. We have a great interest in sampling the culture and resources of these lands, and in return can trade some of what we have obtained from the Ivory Kingdoms and Yobanjin.”

“I think the Khan would be very interested in such an arrangement,” Hanzhi said in a thoughtful voice, “but I need to know more specifics. What do you offer?”

“Munemori has nothing to offer you,” said a harsh voice. “He is an old sycophant, bitter that his incompetence failed to earn him his predecessor Yoshi's place among the court. Now he seeks only to delude you to increase his own worth in the eyes of the Lion.” A thin man in a deep black kimono stepped from an alcove in the hallway. His face was covered in a silken mask.

Takeji looked up with an irritated scowl, but Hanzhi regarded the Scorpion without anger or surprise.

“I would have hoped we might discuss matters with some semblance of privacy, Hanzhi-san,” Takeji said, his calm voice now clipped and abrupt.

“Omezo-san,” Hanzhi said to the Scorpion ambassador. “What drives you to wander this part of the castle?”

“Curiosity,” he replied. “I wished to see all that I could within this wondrous place. I see now that my curiosity is rewarded. I must warn you against trusting what this Crane says. I know his master. He is a meddler, a gossip, and a lecher, the laughing stock of the Imperial Court. He can offer you nothing that would justify the risk you take in trusting a clan allied with the Lion.”

Takeji smiled tightly. “You say you know my master,” he replied, “but your words prove your ignorance. Who is this man?”

“Shosuro Omezo, ambassador of the Scorpion Clan,” Hanzhi said. “He too, recently arrived in this household as a guest of the Khan.”

“And I am pleased that I might repay the Moto family's hospitality by preventing such an ill-conceived alliance,” Omezo said. “As Takeji himself has demonstrated, the Unicorn truly need no allies. Why would you take a risk with such one as questionable as Munemori?”

Hanzhi looked at Takeji, waiting for an answer.

“Ridiculous,” Takeji said with a sigh. “Have I wasted my time in coming here? The Unicorn and Crane have been allies before. I thought perhaps I might gain some benefit of the doubt by offering you this prize first. Instead, I am only questioned. Perhaps I would be better served making this offer to the Mantis. Is that what you wish, Scorpion? More power in the hands of the Mantis?”

“I do not believe what you offer is worth having, Crane,” Omezo said with a shrug. “Why do I care whom you ally with?”

“Hanzhi-san, will you allow me to be insulted like this in your house?” Takeji said with a sneer, cold blue eyes fixed upon the Scorpion.

“Of course not,” Hanzhi hissed. “Omezo-san, leave us in peace. Know that by insulting Takeji in such a manner that you do nothing to threaten his place here – only your own.”

Omezo looked at Hanzhi blankly, then bowed deeply. “Then my apologies, Hanzhi-san,” he said. “I was too brash. I will trust that your own insight will lead you to the same conclusion that I offer. If you need me, I am at your disposal.” The Scorpion directed a final withering gaze at the Crane, then departed.

“A strange man,” Takeji said. “I think he must have something against my master.”

“It is not unusual that powerful men make many enemies,” Hanzhi replied, “and allies as well. Tell me more about this offer of an alliance.”

The Crane smiled.

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It always came down to this. Alliances were forged in daylight by men and women of learning. Promises were woven in moonlight by men and women of subtlety. The wheels of politics turned around great individuals both obvious and subtle, but in the end the most important things always came down to this.

Shosuro Omezo crouched in the rafters and weighed the ninja-to at his hip. It was a good sword, not as fine as a katana, but he preferred it for its balance. Omezo's eyes were dead behind his cloth mask. A weaker man might have regretted doing what Omezo had done, but there was nothing for it.

A shadow passed beneath his position. He recognized the pace of the one who approached, the one he had been waiting for. The Unicorn girl, Moto Hanzhi.

Omezo waited three more seconds and dropped from the rafters with one hand upon his sword.

There was only one manner in which problems were truly solved.

Deception.

Omezo steadied his katana at his hip as he landed neatly before the Unicorn and bowed.

“Omezo-san,” she whispered, glancing about to make certain they were not disturbed.

“Success?” he asked simply.

“The Crane made us a most intriguing offer,” Hanzhi replied. “It is much as we suspected.”

“The surest way to make a Doji go in the direction you require is to push him in the other,” Omezo answered. “I must return to Kyuden Bayushi and report.”

“Will your master be upset when he learns that you have failed?” Hanzhi asked.

“I have not truly failed,” Omezo said. “Tsimaru instructs always to be open to new opportunities. He had hoped to end your alliance with the Crane before it began. To have that alliance continue, but be monitored by an ally… even better. Even yet, I must return so that he will know what has transpired here. I only hope he agrees with my judgment.”

“What comes next?” Hanzhi asked.

“Caution,” Omezo answered. “Kakita Munemori is not a man to trifle with, despite his reputation. He may see through this gambit.”

“Then we will be careful.”

“Always,” the Scorpion said. “

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