"I'm going to enter the Test of the Emerald Champion," Akira says to Mishica with a sly smile.
Mishica rolls over to face him, a confused look on her face.
"But you're a gaijin! And who will direct the Crane?" Mishica says.
"Nobody knows that I'm a gaijin," Akira says reassuringly, "And I know you'd be worthy to take my place."
"But..."
"Mishica, they expect a competitor from the Crane, so who could better represent us than I? I cannot think of anyone else I could send," Akira notes, "My life is devoted to Iaijutsu and honour. How I train myself suits me perfectly for this role. To become the Emerald Champion would prove to me that I am no non-person, that I would be of gaijin blood but as much a part of the Empire as any Emerald Champion before me."
"In any case Akira, you will always have the loyalty of the Crane clan, whether you win of lose," Mishica says before embracing him.
* * * * *
Against a backdrop of night Mishica and her sister meet secretly in one of the property's many gardens.
"Geitana, thank you for making time in your schedule to see me," Mishica says gratefully before bowing.
"Anything for my own kin," Geitana says, and bows.
"Akira wants to enter the Test of the Emerald Champion, it means a lot to him, I don't know what to do, we cannot lose his leadership," Mishica says.
"So you wish for him to have an accident of some sort, that would prevent him competing," Geitana returns.
Mishica frowns and looks at the ground, "Sister, it feels selfish for me to ask this of you. Let him compete awhile, only if he reaches the final fight should you have to do this."
"What should I do if an action on my part is required?" Geitana asks.
"Well, give him some kind poison, I'm not knowledged in this but I want it to replacate the effects of illness, and I want it to be undetectable. Make sure it will leave no lasting effects, and should anything go wrong, place blame on the Mantis. If they think they can preach about accepting no gaijin then turn around and welcome some into their own territory they've got another thing coming," Mishica says, anger flaring in her eyes, "Akira says they'll explain their actions somehow, but he has too much faith in people, ever since he came into the Empire he thought it was the promised land, where everything could be settled with words, tradition and honur......... I'm sorry I must be carrying on."
"It's alright, its nice to know you trust me enough to speak openly to me, regardless of my profession," Geitana says, smiling warmly, "Mother would be proud of you, you're fulfilling your dreams. I'll look into the poison you want, it shouldn't be too hard to get someone to brew it up."
Mishica bows to her sister, "Thank........."
Mishica becomes upright again and finds her sister gone.
* * * * *
Akira stands before his commitee of experts.
"I am entering the Test of the Emerald Champion," he says, "Should I be victorious in this, which I will, Mishica will become the new daimyo of the Crane Clan."
The group are silent as Akira continues.
"I believe that we need people at the Test of the Jade Champion, just to represent us there, we will not actually enter any competitors. Getsu and Mahatra will attend along with a cohort of appropriate people. I will go to the Test of the Emerald Champion with my dog, and a small cohort of attendees. Inikata, Khet'get'niss and Mishica, I apologise for having you stay here but there will be planty of time for you to represent us in the other clans' territories later.
"This is not a strict exercise, now is a time of diplomacy and when I become Emerald Champion there will be immediate action to restore a deserving Emporer to the thone. Then, and only then, when order is solid as stone, would I allow.......outsiders.......to enter the Empire, but that would come down to the Emporer's choice. Now then, if there are any specific details you wish to know feel free to ask," Akira says.
Mishica watches him, answering questions, he gets satisfaction from leading and organising things logically.
He really is a born leader, she thinks, but I am certain that we need him more than the Empire.
She cannot help but feel somewhat guilty for taking away a large piece of his dreams.
* * * * *
Naigotsu Akira will enter the Test of the Emerald Champion, but will be mysteriously struck down with illness should he make it to the final test. Any exstensive investigations reveal some vague leads towards the Mantis Clan.
Two NPC's are being sent as non-competitor representatives to the Test of the Jade Champion.
