A Political water conflict
by Asako Tallen
A story from the beginning of the New L5R timeline
Within the guest house of the Manicured Gardens, Isawa Kaede grunted slightly as she produced a second ornate fan from within her robes, struggling a little to hold them both with either hand. Her first opponent, the Steward of Law remained politely quiet at that, however the Political Rival frowned. Wasn’t she married to Akodo Toturi? Why was she even here as a Phoenix representative again?
“Kaede-sama, while we must concede to the points you make, we simply cannot agree to the trade sanctions imposed by the Phoenix. I hope you understand.”
Kaede suppressed a frown. “I understand. Just one moment, however, I have a friend who should be arriving very shortly.”
Heavy, sloppy steps could be heard coming from within the Manicured Garden. The Political Rival’s look of bored contempt turned to horror when the sliding door opened to reveal a monstrously large fish creature emerge, algae hanging from its fins and dripping wet on the perfect Crane clan tatami.
“Flaishu.” It guttered apologetically.
“Ningyo-san, it is good to see you again.” Said Kaede, smiling brightly and offering the sea creature a bow. To the Political Rival’s dismay, it bowed back to her before turning to the Crane courtiers.
“Fl’aughnen shklaeses o-katachô.”
The Rival slowly inched towards the Steward of Law. “Are you seeing this?” He whispered, incredulous.
“I know. He makes a compelling point.” Said the Steward casually. The Rival’s jaw was agape as his companion addressed the duo. “I understand where the two of you are going, but it will still take more for the Crane clan to agree to the trade sanctions.”
Kaede blinked. “Oh, forgive me.” She struggled to hold both her fans in one hand as she checked around her robes. “I was forgetting something.” She offered a third fan to the Ningyo. “Ujina-dono asked me to give this to you when you arrived.”
“Glakta.”
“You are very welcome, Ningyo-san.”
The two turned to the Crane clan courtiers and opened all three fans simultaneously. The Ningyo’s claw accidentally punctured the bottom of his fan.
The Political Rival forced himself to close his mouth. The Steward of Law raised both hands in surrender. “The Crane clan surrenders to the wisdom of the Phoenix Clan! The Manicured Gardens belong to you.”
“Are you serious?” The Rival said, turning to his companion. “That is a Ningyo!”
Kaede gasped. The Ningyo raised the fan up to its mouth, eyes wide in shock. “Shame on you, for treating our esteemed guests so!” Said the Steward.
“That’s… that’s…” Kaede’s eyes shone pure white for a moment. “Actually, whatever. I’m done here.” He picked up his folded crane origami and tossed it over his shoulder as he left the room.
“Kol-konoe.” Said the Ningyo dejectedly, shoulders slumped.
“Don’t worry, Ningyo-san. We accomplished what we came here to do.” Said Kaede warmly, patting the creature on the shoulder, utterly oblivious to the fact that her otherwise perfect sleeve was now dripping wet and ruined.
“Glakta.”
A story from the beginning of the New L5R timeline
Within the guest house of the Manicured Gardens, Isawa Kaede grunted slightly as she produced a second ornate fan from within her robes, struggling a little to hold them both with either hand. Her first opponent, the Steward of Law remained politely quiet at that, however the Political Rival frowned. Wasn’t she married to Akodo Toturi? Why was she even here as a Phoenix representative again?
“Kaede-sama, while we must concede to the points you make, we simply cannot agree to the trade sanctions imposed by the Phoenix. I hope you understand.”
Kaede suppressed a frown. “I understand. Just one moment, however, I have a friend who should be arriving very shortly.”
Heavy, sloppy steps could be heard coming from within the Manicured Garden. The Political Rival’s look of bored contempt turned to horror when the sliding door opened to reveal a monstrously large fish creature emerge, algae hanging from its fins and dripping wet on the perfect Crane clan tatami.
“Flaishu.” It guttered apologetically.
“Ningyo-san, it is good to see you again.” Said Kaede, smiling brightly and offering the sea creature a bow. To the Political Rival’s dismay, it bowed back to her before turning to the Crane courtiers.
“Fl’aughnen shklaeses o-katachô.”
The Rival slowly inched towards the Steward of Law. “Are you seeing this?” He whispered, incredulous.
“I know. He makes a compelling point.” Said the Steward casually. The Rival’s jaw was agape as his companion addressed the duo. “I understand where the two of you are going, but it will still take more for the Crane clan to agree to the trade sanctions.”
Kaede blinked. “Oh, forgive me.” She struggled to hold both her fans in one hand as she checked around her robes. “I was forgetting something.” She offered a third fan to the Ningyo. “Ujina-dono asked me to give this to you when you arrived.”
“Glakta.”
“You are very welcome, Ningyo-san.”
The two turned to the Crane clan courtiers and opened all three fans simultaneously. The Ningyo’s claw accidentally punctured the bottom of his fan.
The Political Rival forced himself to close his mouth. The Steward of Law raised both hands in surrender. “The Crane clan surrenders to the wisdom of the Phoenix Clan! The Manicured Gardens belong to you.”
“Are you serious?” The Rival said, turning to his companion. “That is a Ningyo!”
Kaede gasped. The Ningyo raised the fan up to its mouth, eyes wide in shock. “Shame on you, for treating our esteemed guests so!” Said the Steward.
“That’s… that’s…” Kaede’s eyes shone pure white for a moment. “Actually, whatever. I’m done here.” He picked up his folded crane origami and tossed it over his shoulder as he left the room.
“Kol-konoe.” Said the Ningyo dejectedly, shoulders slumped.
“Don’t worry, Ningyo-san. We accomplished what we came here to do.” Said Kaede warmly, patting the creature on the shoulder, utterly oblivious to the fact that her otherwise perfect sleeve was now dripping wet and ruined.
“Glakta.”
