(Koutetsu) A Meeting with Kakita Foruku

Ashidaka Koutetsu wrote a letter to the Crane council member Kakita Foruku. It was sealed in wax with his personal mon.

To the Esteemed Kakita Foruku,

Greetings and salutations honored cousin. I hope this letter finds you in good health. I write to you to request your attendance to discuss a matter you may find agreeable. We have never met before and I am sure you may be reluctant to meet with me regarding the position of my master, Doji Kurotema. However, I mean no ill will and offer opportunity between us; friendship and mutual benefit that can aide both of our pursuits. If you would entertain my company, I can address the proposal personal. I leave you the honor to establish our meeting location but if you allow it, I would be pleased to host you in the Murabai district at my estate.

I look forward to your reply.

With Humility,

Ashidaka Koutetsu
Regent of House Ashidaka
[CHOP]

"Kakita-sama, I believe Doji-sama is prospering as the Governor of Chisei - in no small part due to your administration before hand. Your great work made the transition easy," he spoke honestly, trying to appeal to the man's sense of self importance. However, just as he expected, the wounds were still fresh for the Kakita. Ashidaka Koutetsu bowed low to Foruku when he approached the dais. His goal was to seperate himself from his lord, might the Crane see him in a different light.

"However, my Lordship, I am not here today as a vassal to Doji Kurotema, but as a Kakita. You and I inherently have an appreciation of the arts that those outside of our family do not fully appreciate and with the approach of the Turquoise Championship, I bring a proposal of a demonstration of one of the most venerated arts in the Empire: the art of iaijutsu."

He paused to gauge the man's reaction and that of the assembly. Koutetsu wanted to carefully navigate his way into appealing to Foruku. There was no denying the prestige that came with hosting an iaijutsu competition.

"As the highest ranking Kakita authority in the Ekohikei, if not the entire Imperial City when Kakita Yoshi is not present, I would propose a partnership in hosting a tournament right here in the Chisei District, the heart of the Crane in the Imperial City."

"Yes, the Blade of Execution," Koutetsu spoke with a warm, kind smile. There was a sincerity to it... But there was a brooding darkness beneath it. Once upon a time Koutetsu had no love for the position nor the name. However, he finally accepted it was a part of him. The dark, cursed sword had touched his psyche in such a way that he simply... Did not care. The Regent of the Ashidaka bowed to Foruku and endured the man's demeaning words.

"I served as the executioner of the Juramashi district, a post I was given. I did not enjoy the post as some might lead you to believe, Kakita-sama, but I performed my duty with distinct excellence. After all, the Kakita strive for perfection in all that they do."

There was a pause. There was a smile.

"Even if it meant executing a corrupt lord."

Koutetsu allowed his words to be considered. There were many things a man could draw from his words. Namely, a threat. Secondly, a promise of steel. Third, an example of his resolve.

"To what ends might we host this competition? It is winter in the Imperial City, with or without a flake of snow. We need not forget traditional winter court affairs within the Father's Home, my Lord Kakita. I wish to see our honored heritage celebrated with a competition to stir the entire city. I have come to know there are many masters of the iaijutsu art here. The patronage of a lord such as yourself gives the competition pedigree. However, I bring something much more to the table to bring in even more."

He smiled and nodded before he gestured. A servant entered the room carrying a silk wrapped gift, bound in gold rope. Koutetsu took the item, several feet long in length. He carefully drew back the silk and unbound the gold rope to reveal his latest masterpiece: an excellent sword he had forged. It was a beautifully crafted blade that shimmered in the light of the court. The furnishings were worthy of a great lord, making the piece remarkable.

"I am Ashidaka no Kakita Koutetsu, Regent of the Ashidaka, and a swordsmith as my father before me and his father before him. My art is steel and Ashidaka steel is coveted. I will forge a sword for the victor, to whom might have the skill to master a competition.

"With your patronage and my craftsmanship, I believe we have the workings to have one of the largest events this winter which will reflect well on yourself, my Lord."

He did not feed into the man's belittlement of his Lord Kurotema or self confessed expertise in iaijutsu. Koutetsu laid it out as it was: Koutetsu could produce swords any samurai would covet and Foruku had the authority to open the competition to a wider audience.

He would present the sword to ensure its beauty would not go unseen.

The hall remained silent as the Sentaku Lord considered Koutetsu’s words. Foruku scanned the room, eyeing the individuals courtiers to guage their reactions, as if waiting for a cue.

Finally, he smiled and spread out his hands.

“A vassal of the Kakita, a regent of the Ashidaka, a duelist, a swordsmith, and a man with tremendous reputation,” Foruku’s voice rose and fell with practiced rhetoric. “How could I refuse?”

From his unique position near the front, Koutetsu thought he saw a flicker of movement on Foruku’s face. A single, twitchy glance to the right. Careful not to be noticed, Koutetsu dared scan that direction and saw…

Nothing. Nothing important. Courtiers, a geisha girl standing in the back, guards, and half a dozen other non-descript persons in the audience.

“Of course, if the Sentaku Tribunal is going to sponsor the event, each guest must be given specific dispensation to enter the Ekohikei by me, personally. I reserve the right to refuse them all and it will be by my name, no other, that they will enter.” Foruku leaned back with a broad smile. “I reserve the right to refuse your guests on the normal grounds. How many were you thinking? Let us say…8 duelists in total?”

"If I may humbly object, my Lord, you having the authority to refuse a contestant can be seen as questionable in the eyes of the competition. If this is to be an honest and true tournament, no swordsman should be refused if he has earned his right to fight in the Ekohikei," Koutetsu eloquently retorted. There was more to his words there if Foruku could read into his intent. "If we the Crane deny the finest Lion swordsman the opportunity to show his skill before the Imperial City, what courtesy do we show to the Empire in doing so?"

Koutetsu would play to Foruku's - and the court's - sense of hospitality and courtesy. He couldn't allow the man to retain complete control over the competition bracket. His own sense of honor didn't want to be associated with a tournament mired in politics. It would reflect better on himself, the Kakita and the Crane in doing so. He bowed low to the Kakita Lord as he tried to soften his rhetoric with maintenance of his own display of respect and courtesy for his host.

"My duty now requires me to attend the defenses of the district. I will take responsibility for all matters that are within the realm of my work," he spoke smoothly. "However, we have magistrates responsible for the safety of our guests and populace during such an event. I would advise the district magistrate's office the need to be more aware... As you are inclined to believe a criminal may partake of this opportunity to visit harm upon the Chisei district. I will otherwise ensure no army marches through unmolested."

With a broad smile the Ashidaka lowered his head.

"Eight will suffice, my Lord."

The Sentaku Lord's eyes narrowed as Koutetsu spoke. More than one of the courtiers ceased their conversation, their attention caught by the seeming confrontation within the Kakita family.

Foruku looked about and seemed to remember himself. Again, Koutetsu saw his eyes flicker over the assembled crowd. Again, Foruku paused, ever-so-briefly, upon the visage of the geisha woman in the back.

She nodded. All eyes were on Koutetsu and Foruku. No one else had seen, but Koutetsu had. She had nodded.

"Very well, Koutetsu-san. You will have your tournament. Let us see what glory you can bring to the Chisei District with your selections." Foruku's voice was slow and cultured. Careful. "Your tournament will be a nice distraction from the unseasonable heat."

"Your patronage, my Lord, is greatly appreciated," Koutetsu spoke in a smooth as silk tone. "When the tournament day comes, I suspect many will praise you for such a hospitable event."

He attempted to smooth the man's ruffled feathers. Koutetsu knew full well he was not making any friends. He was doomed from the onset in that endeavor. However, he couldn't allow himself to be walked all over by a man with an ego. He was the Ashidaka Regent, not some random samurai in court, and he would force the man to respect his wishes push come to shove. The Ashidaka swordsmith believed himself to be a simple man. Respect was earned and Foruku had taken no strides to earn his respect.

Koutetsu afforded a man a bow deserving of his station. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Kakita-sama," he courtesies the lord. "Unless you have any further need of me my Lord, I will return to my duties and newfound preparations." He allowed the Kakita lord an appropriate amount of time before he took his leave.

END SCENE

Scene ended.

Duly noted

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