Bayushi Mizhime<br/><br/><strong>"Me, a threat, to you my lord? I thank you for attempting to soothe a poor samurai-ko's feelings, my lord, but it is obvious that I could not be a threat to you.. It is obvious that you have the advantage in every way. Your skill with weaponry is unmatched, your sagacity and wisdom in settling disputes is beyond reproach, your approach to diplomacy unmatched. In reply, what can I, who has been called the "Littlest Scorpion" here in court offer in reply? True, it is said that I have some small skill in negotiations in serving my Clan, but perhaps that is due more to luck then skill....<br/><br/>What is that my lord, the delivery from the Phoenix has been lost? I am so very sorry to hear that! Let us hope that the magistrates will find the bandits and deal with them harshly... I know how important that shipment was to supply the garrisons in these lands.. The magistrates who were accompanying the shipment were slain too? This is horrible news.. may I add my condolences to those who perished serving the Empire...<br/><br/>Yes, Dragon-sama, the Scorpion may serve you in your time of need, I think my family would be honored to assist such valiant defenders who have been denied their due.. after all, that is what I was sent here for, to arrange for closer relations between our clans. Perhaps we should discuss it later this evening, once you have had a chance to mourn your vassals loss.. I will head to the temple and light incense in rememberance of your vassals valor.."<br/><br/>(Inside, she smirked. . For the price of a few koku to a bandit group, the Phoenix's scrolls that were to accompany the rice shipment are now in Scorpion hands, and in return, the Dragon owe us a significant favor if their samurai are not to starve... and when that same bandit group attacks OUR shipment, they will find the Scorpion much more ready for their attack, earning us the praise of all for defeating bandits and preserve the peace of the Empire. The Phoenix overreached and found out that even the "littlest Scorpion" has her sting, and the Scorpion will find a ready defender in the courts, hidden safely inside the Dragon's coils. A good day's work indeed.. and the night was yet to come...)<br/><br/>(character sheet in PDF Form, thanks to L5R Character Manager, trying to figure out how to print it in text format)<br/><br/>https://rapidshare.com/files/610086180/Bayushi_Mizhime.pdf</strong>