The Islands of Silk and Spice, Month of the Ox, year 1168

Yoritomo Naizen threw open the doors of his private chambers at Kyuden Gotei and stormed inside. He crossed quickly to a small table and took up a bottle of water, emptying it with one long drink. Setting the bottle aside, he removed his blades and placed them on a black lacquered rack sitting next to an elaborate stand holding a unique helm. The Mantis Champion paused for a moment to bow slightly before the helm, then began unlacing his domaru. Only when his armor was removed and he had covered his bare chest with a simple green kimono did he return to the doorway through which he had entered. He swung it open and fixed one of the servants with a commanding gaze. “Sake,” he ordered. “And see to it a bath is prepared.” The servant hurried away, and the Champion turned his attention to the two samurai that waited. “Enter,” he ordered. “There is no sense in waiting.”

The two samurai bowed and stepped into Naizen’s chambers. One, like the Champion, bore all the signs of just having come from the docks. “The men have been dismissed, my lord, with orders to return for departure in one week’s time.”

“That will have to suffice,” Naizen grunted. “It seems unlikely that all the things requiring my attention will be dealt with in so short a time, but then that is why I have such talented advisors to tend to such things in my absence. Is that not correct, Eihime?”

“Of course,” the woman replied smoothly. “Failure to delegate is the sign of an unworthy leader, after all. Only the strong have the courage to do so, Naizen-sama.”

Naizen smirked and glanced at the young woman. “I never cease to be surprised at your choice of attire, Eihime.”

The shugenja smiled. Her trappings were hardly normal for a priest, revealing her shoulders, arms, and much of her legs as well. “We each walk our own path, my lord.”

“And apparently your path is quite warm,” he retorted. “What news from court?”

“All goes well,” Eihime replied. “A messenger arrived two days ago with a full report from Yoyonagi. She feels confident that the season will end well for our clan. The Phoenix seem to have lost interest in their petition to remove our status as a Great Clan.”

“Doubtful,” Naizen said darkly. “At best they may be distracted, but they will remember in time.” He turned to the young man standing quietly near the door. “Kalani, see to it that our navigator is informed that we will be departing for Broken Wave City upon our departure.”

“Hai, Naizen-sama,” the man said with a bow. “Shall I alter the departure date?”

“No,” he answered. “There is too much to do already in too little time.”

“As you command,” Kalani said. The sailor turned and quickly disappeared into the corridor beyond to enact his orders.

Eihime watched the man leave curiously. “You did not wish to discuss further news with him present?”

“That is not your concern,” Naizen said sharply. “Kalani is an excellent second-in-command, but he has little concern for matters of commerce. Now, what other news?”

“The last of the supplies traded to the Unicorn were delivered some time ago. We received confirmation shortly after your last departure. The report from court seems to indicate that the Khan has supplanted his supplies with it, and traded the surplus of rice to the Dragon and Scorpion.”

“Who need it badly,” Naizen nodded. “Purchasing compliance. Interesting.”

“We have reason to believe that the Crane are manipulating trade with the Crab in their favor, which the Crab have recently discovered.”

“I am certain that will end will for the Crane,” Naizen mused.

“More relevant to our circumstances, there appear to be some among the Phoenix that are blaming us for certain inconsistencies in their own trading agreements. They believe we are manipulating prices to their disadvantage.”

Naizen frowned. “I recall giving no instructions to do so.”

“We are not,” Eihime explained. “It was determined that doing so would yield too little result to be worthwhile.”

“Then who is responsible?”

Eihime frowned and looked down.

“We do not know, Naizen-sama.”

“Unacceptable,” Naizen said. “The Mantis have survived for centuries by manipulating trade to our benefit. If we have a new opponent, then we must identify them at once.”

“Of course, my lord. I will see to it at once.”