The New Winds

Kokyou had sent the invitation over and waited for the arrival at his newly preferred sake house in town. It also served tea, and other brews, so, all good.

Soon, soon he will enjoy such things but under orders he had abstained. Tomorrow, after the ceremonies, he would drink and be merry. But today, today he would stick with tea. Having received an invitation from Kokyou, Eichiro arrives to check out the brewery.

"Ah," he continued to struggle with addressing the Mantis by their given names, "Kokyou-san, thank you for the invitation."

"Ye're welcome, Ikoma-san. Do sit 'n let us enjoy one o' th' brewin' specialties o' this galleon: which happens t' be in th' tea version." He provides a bow and waves for him to sit down, "I hope ye're havin' a great day 'n that th' Fortunes 'ave blessed ye wit' sustenance."

"Rice and spice" Eichiro says, "and I hope the same for you." He takes a seat at the table

"Aye. I 'ave been blessed. Many times, in fact, I be mighty well blessed. In several ways, as ye know." He smiles and asks the servant to bring them some spicy tea.

When served, Kokyou makes sure to allow the Lion begin drinking and then mentions, "I be aware that th' Lion are expert storytellers 'n orators, 'n that th' Ikoma family, even more so. Be by any chance this one o' Ikoma-san's specialties?"

"That ah," Eichiro starts, "That's part of my training yes. To glorify those worth glorifying and remind us of the deeds of our ancestors so that we may learn from them."

He clears his throat and adjusts himself on his seat, trying to, well, not be so overly blunt. He mentions, "Are ye aware that Kaimetsu-uo-shyrio, the Mantis Clan founder, had a Lion mother?"

He sips, nodding to confirm the tale and raising an eyebrow, "We be nigh-on cousins, if ye reckon about that."

"Of a sort, I suppose we all are." Eichiro grins, "A Matsu I believe she was. Quite a wife for a Hida."

"Aye. Indeed. A beautiful, strong, proud 'n fierce Matsu. She didn' take thin's lightly when she wasn't given th' respect a Matsu Family Daimyo deserved. Her spirit was too great, 'n she made sure her intentions would be th' best fer her sprog. So much, she moved t' th' Islands o' Spice 'n Silk t' make sure her son would become th' wise 'n strong ruler she ever believed 'im t' be."

He takes another sip. "She didn' focus th' glory t' herself, but t' someone that would then create th' Mantis Clan. I believe her t' 'ave been th' adamant example o' Bushido: t' serve in her best capacity, despite th' situation."

Eichiro wasn't sure what a sprog was, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. "The Mantis are one of our oldest minor clans, serving the Son of Heaven for many generations. They're also unique in that a direct link can be traced from their founding not only to a Kami but also to a Fortune."

"Quite a stories history to be sure."

Kokyou nods again, pleased with the company. "Ye're a true gentleman, Ikoma-san. 'tis an honor t' 'ave met ye. I wanted ye t' know."

"Thanks," Eichiro replies, not sure where this is going. "You've done well here yourself."

"Ye're welcome. O' course, I always do well. But thanks, anyhow." He says, smirking.

After a pause, he begins, "Now, Ikoma-san, correct me if ye reckon I be wrong: don't ye feel like ye're in th' verge o' bein' able t' brin' glory t' th' most prominent generation o' samurai Rokugan has ever seen?"

"My duty is to declare the glory of the Lion and others that deserve that attention, yes." Eichiro sips his tea, "a thing that my brother and I have done this week for the especially glorious and honorable bout between Matsu Qiang and Kakita Kenji."

"Hmmm... I be sorry but I was nah aware o' this bout. Kakita-san be an ole mate o' mine. " He sips his tea, interested in the news.

"Well then," Eichiro clears his throat.

"Matsu Qiang, master of the ring, won his first official match today against Kakita Kenji. In a hard fought battle, both sides pushed themselves to the limit and only when his body gave out, his honor untarnished and his courage unbroken, did Kakita Kenji fall. Matsu Qiang, showing sincerity and compassion for his opponent, sought a priest's assistance in healing his former foe.

They remain rivals even now with a newfound respect between Matsu and Kakita."

He repeats the story that had been told in city streets for Kokyou.

Kokyou lifts his finger up in recognition and nods a couple of times, adding, "Aye. Now I remember. 'twas th' jiujutsu match, I believe. Sorry, but I was too focused on beatin' th' toughest o' all th' Hirosaka dojo students, Moto Ichiro."

He smiles a bit, looking up, "So Matsu Qiang be a good wrestler, be it. I wonder if a match between th' both os o' would brin' us even more glory."

"Thats what history will remember, though he may also retire undefeated." Eichiro grins, then sips his tea. "So it was with Ikoma."

Kokyou laughs a bit, "Indeed. History will remember a great many thin's about us. I should get t' know Matsu-san better. We might be even more cousins than I originally though. I wonder if he's a good iai duelist."

"I do not know, I will be in debate at the same time so I will miss the iai matches." Eichiro seems somewhat disappointed. "But, I gotta wow the judges with my superior arguments instead."