James
Iemon led Taisei quickly to the same small dining room that he had received Kazuko in previously. Two other servants had already lit it and were finishing ensuring everything was in order before departing. One of them shot a look of annoyance at Taisei before disappearing into the hall. Seeing that things had been made ready, Iemon took a position to greet Kazuko, gesturing for Taisei to follow him. Upon entering, he would bow in a full dogeza. "Utaku-sama, let me begin by apologizing for the great trouble my clanmates have caused."

He kept his position fully facing the ground, hoping Taisei was adequately following his example. He wasn't sure how this meeting would go, but he did not have high hopes for a positive outcome.

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Paul
__Some Minutes Earlier__

The Phoenix Embassy doors were opened with no little amount of force as Kazuko stormed in. The ashigaru at the gate she had simply pushed past were flanking at a respectful distance, not wishing to cause a disturbance with the samurai but clearly maintaining readiness.

A humble steward would halt Kazuko's advance. She had no qualms of forcing her way through soldiers or samurai who stood in her way, but this poor soul deserved none of that. "Samurai-sama, may I ask why you are here?"

"Shiba-san. I will speak with him tonight." A demand.

The servant bowed deeply. "A hundred apologies, samurai-sama. The Ambassador is delayed in an important meeting tonight and asked not to be disturbed."

"You will tell him Utaku Kazuko is here and *Will* Speak with him. If he is indisposed, I will wait. All night if needed." She sat down in the waiting area at that. Her long hair lay tied back and unadorned, her kimono plain other than the fact it clearly identifies her clan, her face unmade. This was not a social call, nor was it planned. Fuyuko stood attentively next to her, glance flicking between the clearly unnerved steward and her exhausted lady.

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The entryway to a very familiar dining room graced Kazuko as she stepped in before the Ambassador. With him was a sniveling, long haired boy who she could only assume was the Isawa in question. The Ambassador dropped forward into a bow. Kazuko stared on impassively. Had it not been so long ago that she found herself on that very floor, begging for forgiveness?

"Trouble? You call everything that has transpired *Trouble*? No, Shiba-san, we are far past mere trouble." She glared at the Isawa in the room. It would be so easy to put this to an end right now. Iemon might even understand; he seemed a decent enough man. "Get this one out of my sight before I decide his grievances are no longer worth my patience and goodwill."

Once he departed, she would sit before Iemon, removing her daisho and placing it on her left side. There was no way to undo what had already been set in motion as she watched the bridge the two had begun to build together slowly begin to smolder. By the end of the evening it may well lay in tatters ablaze. "Speak, then. Explain to me why you allow such madness to take place among your subordinates."

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James
Iemon rose and gestured for Taisei to leave, mirroring then Kazuko's position, though he seemed visibly unused to setting his own daisho on the left when discussing Clan business.

"You are correct, *Trouble* Is too mild a term, of course. The fact that one who had come here with the intent of assisting with matters in this city could conduct himself so has left me... Well outside of any of my previous experiences." He looked it. The indignation from Masanori's visit. The shock of how Taisei had described the incident, and his decisions leading up to it. The frustrated sorrow of the lost opportunity that it had seemed was all but assured to provide a stable foundation to build true peace. All tried to war for position on his face.

"There is no apology or excuse for what has occurred in the Leatherworker's Quarter. This is the first that I have been made aware of our local Shugenja acting in such a way. Had I any indication earlier, I would have been able to be more proactive in preventing such scandal... Such *Harm.*" 

He pauses, collecting himself. "My ignorance, and my excuses, are unworthy of your time. I accept the failing as mine, and can only offer my deepest apologies, and put actions in motion to prevent such things in the future." He bows again, forehead to the floor, and rises back to his sitting position.

"I also must express my gratitude that Utaku Masanori-sama is not injured worse, that the girl will live, and that you have not sought to besiege the embassy." Though it would be easy to interpret sarcasm in his words, he stated these last three things with a steadfast sincerity. In the time since Masanori's visit, he had come to terms with the fact that alliance was all but off the table. He hoped, at barest minimum, that open conflict could at least be avoided.

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Paul
"I am not some barbarian to set your embassy ablaze and plunder it, though apparently that is what we are seen as by your ilk. Would I have marched against your Embassy it would have been to encircle and prevent escape until justice was had." The rising anger threatened its way up again, and she once more pushed it down. This was a meeting between diplomats, not a clash of soldiers. She had to stay controlled. Find the center of the sandstorm and ride into it. "But be thankful that he still lives. Had the son of the daimyo placed into my care died then rest assured nothing—not your soldiers nor my commitment to maintain peace—could have stopped my vengeance."

If not for his station, then for her brother. Iemon needed not know that however. Personal relations would simply cloud everyone's judgment on the matter. Best to keep it out of the picture. And the girl? It was not enough that she still lived. Iemon needed to understand.

"Do you know what keeps the heimin and hinin from turning? Not fear of reprisal. This can only work for so long. No, it is the hope that what the stewards of the Tao, of the Fortunes, is true. They trust the words of the shugenja that by living good, productive lives they will have an opportunity for a better reincarnation. Then one of those very same leaders they look to does *This*." The repercussions of this act went far and widely beyond simple acts of violence. Kazuko struggled to keep her hands moving as fast as her thoughts progressed; there was so much to say. "The people of the city are already scared. I have been working, alone among the clans with barely any support from the rest, to ease their concerns. To prove the samurai of the city are worthy of their trust. I cannot do that and at the same time let this offense against the people's very foundation of belief simply be ignored."

There was anger etched into every fiber of her, and yet also regret. It was never supposed to come to this. She took a deep breath. "I hoped you and I shared a vision of something greater. Yet it is clear the samurai you represent, and thus the clan you serve, does not wish for the same goals as mine. I will not—*I cannot*—in good faith work closely alongside those who spit in the face of bringing peace and order to this city."
James
Iemon fought to master an impassioned retort, and mostly succeeded. "I do not see your Clan in such a manner. I offered thanks because Utaku Masanori-sama was quite... Strenuous in assuring me that would have been the course of action you would have taken. When I protested and asked if I had misunderstood, he proceeded to assure me my understanding was correct. If I have caused further offense in believing his words, then I apologize again." He left aside much, retreading old ground would not yield better results. Especially since her arriving here with only her interpreter firmly dispelled Masanori's assertion to the contrary. Her words were sound. Frankly, had he been seriously injured, let alone killed, Iemon would have prepared his death poem immediately upon hearing so.

He nodded, listening to her explanation, which in turn aligned with his admittedly limited theology. "We are agreed, this offense must absolutely be addressed. Publicly, and definitively. Until speaking with Utaku Masanori-sama, I had not even considered a divergence of our goals, even if that meant that we, and our Clans, would not proceed as friends in light of this. The maintenance of peace and order in Ryoko Owari Toshi remains my calling. No matter how foolish, the actions of one Shugenja does not change that."

He paused, considering his words. "My clan, and my samurai, believe in the cause of peace. What must I do to prove this?" Iemon swallows, bowing again. "When last we met here, your words were more than enough to convince me that we both sought peace and prosperity for the city as a whole, not just for our Clans. In this case, I know that words will not accomplish anything, and action is needed. What do you propose?" 

He rises again from the bow, his face resolute. "Even if we cannot work closely with each other, if there are actions I can undertake to prove we do still share that vision, I will undertake anything within my power to do."

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Paul
"After these events it does not surprise me that the first thought to run through the mind of a Phoenix when the word siege is used would be that of wanton destruction. Rest assured the Children of Shinjo are far more civilized in their actions than your assumption. We will address this later." In part because of the more personal nature, and in part because it was the offense she least looked forward to discussing. The Ambassador asked how to show remorse through action, and action is what Kazuko sought.

"The Isawa's career is over. He should never again defile a shrine with his presence. He will issue a public apology on the streets under guard. What happens to him after, I leave to you. Know this, though: if I or any of my samurai see him representing your clan again, his life is forfeit. If you try to silently shuffle him back into you clan's lands, his life is forfeit." By all rights, Kazuko could ask for the man's life. However, for this one to bear the weight of destroying an alliance, to know he would suffer under that? It was far more fitting. "Any future work done by one of your shugenja will require direct oversight by another clan.

"Second, the Unicorn will not proceed with any plans for a multi-clan government of this city so long as the Scorpion remain a part of it. There is no future of this city that includes both them and us." She did not want to end these plans; in her eyes they had merit. Yet she had warned the Phoenix that someone would seek to cut out the Scorpion from the triumvirate. That someone was her.

Kazuko touched the dark wooden pendant carried on her neck, the same exotic wood she gave in gift to the Ambassador not long ago. The work of her betrothed. She had the opportunity to push for a better future for him and his family. "Third, you will push for a recanting of the Elemental Council's spurious claims of meishodo as heresy."

Her terms were laid out for the political side of the controversy. Now to hear the response of the Phoenix, and then to the unpleasant business.

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James
"I beg your pardon, Utaku-sama, but I must address this now, before discussing the terms you have presented." Iemon bowed slightly as apology for his dissent. "This is now the second time that you have inferred a lack of civilized nature on the Children of Shinjo. I have not spoken those words, nor would I, when I do not believe them.

"As I said, I asked Utaku Masanori-sama to clarify his statement. Leading up to that he had arrived here, justifiably angry at these events. Accompanying him was a company of guards, which is his by right of his station.I had immediately apologized, offered reparations, and accepted what he had told me, as I would for *Any* Honorable samurai of the Empire. I dared to dissent when he stated that, had it not been him arriving at the embassy gates to demand justice, it would have been you *Laying siege* To us. I dissented, because I had thought, even if you had come with a greater force, you would have come seeking justice and... Allowed me the ability to make the right choice, as you are now. Had I refused justice, especially when Isawa Taisei admitted without question to his terrible decision, you *Would* Have been justified in seeking to right that wrong however you saw fit. But *That* Is not what he had said to me."

He shuts his eyes, fighting to keep his tone measured. "He came here and instead of returning the same courtesy I offered, assumed that I would resist justice, and made clear threat to my charges, and my Clan. I would respond the same way of any who came and made such demands of me."

Iemon bows, once more. "So before we discuss these terms, I ask that you not put words of condescension or accusations of barbarity into my mouth, because I assure you they are not there. Utaku Masanori-sama was well within his rights to end Taisei in the street. That he did not speaks to his restraint. I only regret that our talk had grown heated before I had the chance to express that."

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Paul
Kazuko remained silent, long and poignant, after Iemon said his piece. Slowly things were coming into focus for her about this incident between Masanori and Iemon. The anger within began to boil up once again, only this time not due to the shock and violence of the situation leading up to this meeting. Instead, it was due to the tragedy of it all.

The Phoenix clearly did not understand what Masanori had meant, and Masanori was in no state to split hairs with the man. Had the Ambassador been a fellow soldier he would likely have understood the Utaku's words as they were meant. Every siege had a purpose, and in the mind of a battlefield commander the duration of such was unimportant, only the methods and goal: encircling and cutting off supplies until terms were met.

But these were the situations they found themselves in, places neither wished to be and yet had to carry on undeterred. After what may have seemed like an eternity, the taisa nodded, then moved to speak. Her features remained as cold and implacable as ever. "Utaku-san has served with distinction under my command, and he knows well how I act on threats against those under my command. He does not speak idly or rashly on the nature of my response.

"However, whether a siege of moments or months would have depended entirely on the nature of the Ambassador's reaction to my efforts to parlay." Her tone softened slightly as she met Iemon's gaze with perhaps a small measure of understanding. Given what she knew of the Ambassador, it was unlikely it would have lasted long enough for any effects to be noticed other than intimidation, let alone longer than the initial meeting. "It is often said that commanders on the battlefield speak a different language even than those soldiers under their command, let alone scholars and diplomats. Failure to understand each other in times of duress is . . . Understandable, but regrettable."

*Extremely regrettable, in this case.* "Proceed."

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James
The silence had been nearly unbearable as he awaited Kazuko's response. With her words came a small measure of relief, but the tension was quickly filled with a flush of shame. He bowed his head for a moment, regaining his composure as best he could. "I again have only my own ignorance as reason for my actions, then. No matter the outcome of the rest of this discussion, I... I will ask to apologize to Utaku Masanori-sama for my misunderstanding." 

His education had been in individual combat and in courtly approaches. He knew the basics of grander scales of war, but actual practical knowledge had never been offered to him. *Once again, a shortcoming of my own that I must address.*

He gave a quick exhale, and returned to the current matter at hand. "To your terms, then. Isawa Taisei will make a public apology. I will advise him that he relinquish his name, and either retire to a monastery or take up the Path of Waves. What he does after that will be up to him." This was easy enough. If anything, he was fortunate to be able to keep his life. "Direct oversight of any future work of Phoenix Shugenja I cannot agree to. Indefinite policing due to the actions of one man I cannot accept. The discipline Taisei receives will show the seriousness we treat this with, and that Shugenja are not above the Duty of all samurai.

"Your second term is heard, and understood." What little he had learned thus far of the Scorpion having multiple cartels within the underworld had already given him some inclination on that regard. He did not relish bringing this news to Sanumo, nor did the prospect of attempting to outright deny political say to the Scorpion in the middle of their lands as easily sustainable. 

"To the final term, I will offer to sway the decision, but I feel that such efforts will be in vain... Without an official investigation." He paused, his eyes slightly unfocusing as an idea occurred and he considered how to approach it.

"The events regarding Taisei will be something the Council will wish to send an investigator for themselves, someone hand-picked by them. Through this investigator, we may be able to accelerate a case to cause them to recant these claims." It would be the fastest way to ensure the Elemental Council heard the case as fairly as possible. Especially considering the service the Unicorn had done in preventing an Isawa Shugenja from tarnishing their name further, as well as having one of the wronged parties be the son of a daimyo? *It may even be enough to sway them based off of that alone.* 

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Paul
The reaction to the terms was . . . Surprisingly straightforward. Easy acceptance save for the one she had the least hope of establishing. The matter was progressing as smoothly as possible given the circumstances. Still, allowing the Phoenix to police their own members without any guarantee other than word? "I will not accept that the investigation be handled entirely internally. Too often clan errors are silently shuffled off into obscurity and nothing is learned from them. An Iuchi shugenja will be arriving in the city soon. I expect all information regarding the investigation be shared with him."

Everything of clan import was settled. Now there remained the most unpleasant business. She glanced down at her hands as she figured out how this should be addressed. Not a single tremor to be found in them today. "There is also the matter of personal honor. Utaku Masanori-san was personally assaulted by this attack, then his honor called into question in regards the truthfulness of his words. In turn, the will to act decisively of his commanding officer was questioned.

"Many things are expected of the heir to the daimyo. Chief among them a preparedness to defend oneself from any claim of weakness, or claims of dishonorable conduct by those under their command." It would be clear where this was leading to a Shiba. Whether intentional or due to misunderstanding there was an order to things here, actions that now must be taken to preserve reputation. "However, your efforts to clear the miscommunication between us are heard and noted. I am not in the business of seeking satisfaction for sleights wantonly. We both know where the root cause of these issues lies."

Sitting as straight as possible, gathering full command of the room as best she could, Kazuko laid out the challenge. "I demand a duel for attacks against the honor of both myself and those under my command. Seeing as the actions of Isawa Taisei are the root of these events, the blame lies on him. It will be his last act as samurai of the Phoenix to provide me with personal recompense. Give me the name of his yojimbo so that I may know the champion I shall send mine against."

It was only natural that he had a yojimbo, of course. Every shugenja should have one assigned to them. In fact, the failure was as much on whoever was meant to serve as guardian to the fool as it was the fool himself. If a lesson could be made of them at the same time, so much the better.

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James
Iemon considered. "I think that would likely be agreeable, as long as the Iuchi Shugenja would be willing to assist and explain matters as well. If an agreement for information to be exchanged can be reached, I would assume it would only smooth the investigation further."

He settles his position slightly."Indeed, personal recompense is owed in this regard. The blame does lie with Isawa Taisei as the root cause. I thank you for acknowledging my attempt to shed light on my own addition to the charge here."

His mouth tightens. "However... As I had said when first we met here, the resources of the Phoenix are drawn tightly in this city. He does not have a Yojimbo at present. Not... A personal one at least."

Iemon's face shifts to a look of surprising calm, a small, strange note of pride singing in his heart as his duty was left clear to him. "I am sworn, as the Kami Shiba had sworn, to defend the Isawa. If this is to be Isawa Taisei's last act as a samurai, then I will serve as his champion."

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Paul
There was a part of Kazuko who knew this would be the case. The vindictive, darker aspects of her being may even have hoped it. The Kazuko of five years ago would have jumped at this opportunity. Tonight, though, all she had was weary acceptance. If this is how things had to turn out, then so be it. The challenge had already been placed, she was unable to turn back even if she wished.

"You will not reconsider?" It was asked knowing the response and flatly, but she wished he would. She produced documents, and placed them before the Ambassador. All the legal groundwork required for this to take place properly. "Since we are the leaders within the city, the terms and agreements can be agreed on directly between us. I have laid the charge, you may set the method."

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James
Iemon looks at the papers for a moment before responding. "I will not, but I thank you for the courtesy you offer me." 

He falls silent, considering the suitability of the method. "This concerns the son of a daimyo, so First Blood is an appropriate minimum for such stakes. I will use Kenjutsu and will fight unarmored. I will offer to my opponent their preference on both, as long as their preferred weapon is melee." By rights, he could have demanded to be met in like kind, but partly out of consideration of the offense he had caused, an additional concession, he hoped, would display his sincere desire to make things right.

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Paul
"Very well. I find the terms satisfactory. I will send word once preparations are complete. As this is a matter of personal honor and not clan, I do not require it to take place in front of all to see. I am agreeable to hold this within the grounds of either embassy if you are." It was a final act of goodwill that she make their grievances a public spectacle. She owed the man that much. "A private delegation from our clans as witnesses and an arbiter must be agreed upon."

The Battle Maiden had never been one for the formalities of a court duel. The sleights received on the battlefield were answered immediately and without the unbearable amount of bureaucratic minutiae she had to go through here. That did not mean she was unaware of the necessity. It would take place decently, appropriately, and orderly; none would call into question its validity or result.
James
"If you are agreeable to it, we can host it here on the Phoenix embassy grounds. For private delegations, I am amenable to suggestions, but likely no more than five to a side seems a reasonable limit?" Most duels Iemon had seen had typically been the full court, multiple Clan affairs that encouraged much gossip and fluttering of fans as all speculated to the true nature of the duel. This had no need of such theatrics, and he was grateful. 

"For a neutral arbiter, perhaps we could ask Hida Koyama-sama? I have known him to be an honorable man in my time here thus far, and feel he would be a good choice. Do you have an alternative suggestion?"

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Paul
Kazuko had not yet met the Crab Ambassador, but she heard he was a decent sort. There was also the benefit of the Crab not being the sort to take sides on this matter, whether intentionally or not. There was no qualms in her mind to this. "I do not object. If Hida-san is amenable to it, I will accept his adjudication."

All matters addressed, she bowed curtly before preparing to rise. The disaster could have proven much worse. Still it was as if the taisa had made such grand strides forward only to be thrown back and a door slammed in her face. Was this how her career would be known? The unskilled diplomat who was unable maintain a foothold in the political arena she never asked to enter in the first place. No, even if she was beaten back here she would not allow it to define her legacy. She could not. There was no option.

"Ambassador Shiba Iemon-san, the Unicorn are thankful that you address such failings among your clan with expedience. Though the grievances are severe, it prevented far greater catastrophe." She moved to fasten her daisho back into her obi, then paused, looking down for a moment. Fuyuko offered an arm to help her back up to her feet. As she accepted, the steel in her conviction would drive home her final remarks. "However, know we will be watching. The Kami Shinjo believed all deserve a second chance, and I remain devoted in her footsteps. Neither she nor I suffer a third."

There was no biting, hot threat to her words; only grim, cold truth. It was fortunate Kazuko met with the Ambassador before these events, that the goodwill formed between the two could be spent here to temper the blow. If there was a next time, there would be none left to serve as a barrier.

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James
Iemon would bow and rise as well. "The Kami Shinjo was wise, as are you." He pauses for a moment, almost unsure of himself. "I... Beyond matters of Clan, I am sorry that these things have come to pass."

He bows, this time only from the waist, and holds the position. "I never had the chance to express my gratitude for your generous gift. The shogi set is of masterful quality. I am saddened that I may not be able to think of it as a gift from someone who considered me friend after all this. But I..." His voice hitches, and he pauses to steel his words and compose himself. "...I only wished you to know I was grateful for your thoughtfulness." He finally rises, and he blinks slowly, the edges of sorrow seeking to escape the cage he has placed it behind. 

This was a major blow. For his 'career,' of course. But to the cause of peace, even more so. Iemon only hoped that he could serve to heal what damage was in his power to reach.

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Paul
She rose. Iemon's words were painful in more ways than one. The gift itself was carefully selected with the Ambassador's personal interests and tastes in mind. It was meant to show thoughtful consideration and effort toward an understanding of the two clans. That it had been understood as such and yet nothing more would come of it now because of how the pieces played out?

"Cedar."

At the threshold of the room she paused. One arm was on Fuyuko, the other hand rested on the wooden frame. The quiet word leaving Kazuko's lips would have been heard through the silence that pervaded the room.

"The floor. It smells of cedar. We both know now."

Without waiting for a response, she walked determinedly and steadily toward the exit of the Phoenix Embassy. When next she arrived it would be with champion astride to clear the affront to her and her brother's honor. The peace of this place would be marred with steel and blood. This is what she was used to: war and violence to uphold what was right.

Why did it feel so hollow?

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