Granite under Willow [D9, EN]

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Considering how we feel, or felt, when we visited them, it makes sense. Plus, they are from the hot south, and this cold was unnatural, additionally. Do they hibernate like bears, in the cold?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Not to my knowledge."

He smiled involuntarily at the memory of three year old Phi and Shirayuki playing with some young Nezumi during their visit nine years prior.

"But I'll admit, I'm not that well versed on their medical data."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"And I'm not versed in medical matters more than binding my arm at all." He settles back a bit. "Anything you want taken, either to Crane lands in the Spring, or elsewhere in the fall?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Just a pair of trustworthy eyes, and you carry those with you regardless."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"In other news, my sons. The eldest, he is fine with watching over a storehouse, in the worked out areas. But the younger, he is more active, wants to get out and do things. My daughter - does not have the temperment, nor does her husband."

[Jiyo Sora]

"That's fine. The work's not for everyone."

He paused.

"I think Phi... at least suspects, and wants a part of it. I think Shirayuki knows more than she lets herself know, and doesn't."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"I can confirm both of those, from my talks with Shirayuki. She knows a bit, but doesn't wish to know more. But, she indicated Phi would like to know more. The question is, how to best train her? I see her perhaps once in two years. You see her often. Do you think she would be happy sitting on a storehouse? Or working on her own, in a quiet village? I don't think so, but admit to lack of knowing her well."

[Jiyo Sora]

"I think Phi... wants to be right where she is, but keeping track of things. I think, though, that if she proves herself capable- or if she approaches me with information she would have had to find on her own, that there's a job for her here."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Heh. I didn't approach you with... wait. I did, didn't I? The two types of obsidian, and before that, the Jade, and how to summon some of it's effects. You are sneakier than I had thought."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Oh, one thing I have always been is sneaky."

Sora winked.

[Isawa Kyosei]

"hmmph. Fair enough. Fair enough. Was any decision ever made on how many different orders of us there were to be? Oh, and is there anyone that you know of that might be willing to join those that leave the Empire to the North?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"We haven't been that formal. I suspect we'll need to have some kind of... if not a meeting, at least a formal consultation between those of us in charge of various... sects. And as for heading out to join the North... that's been less my department than Koyama's. So. Try to contrive a visit to the Ki-Rin if you can, hm?"

[Isawa Kyosei]

Kyosei shook his head. "Not specifically. But, with even a whole tribe, however small heading up there, as well as individuals, well, a group deciding the proper solution to their problems is taking out, or more likely infiltrating and taking over this Empire? That is not beyond the realm of the believable."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Yes, but again, Koyama has more to do with tribal holdouts than I do, and he'd be the logical point of contact."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"Very well. I will write him a letter, then."

[Jiyo Sora]

"We should see about finding likely sorts among the Crab. The northern border is getting less permeable every year."

[Isawa Kyosei]

Kyosei nods. "I did note one of the few Crab here, Anjing Sahara, no, Sagara; she is also a sculpter. Gives me an in to start talking to her. I will try to strike up a conversation, or start Correspondence with her."

[Jiyo Sora]

"And as always, no need to recruit if you find that they're doing fine on their own."

[Isawa Kyosei]

"I will note - the border they are trying to cover is longer than most realize. Much longer. And there are only so many of them. I have done some trading with them, but not much. The first couple years after the change, to help them survive the winters. But, since then? They have tried to be self-sufficient. I'm... not sure how well that will work long term."

[Jiyo Sora]

"They have realized they need to reach out. I hear they're forming agreements with the other northern clans- the Dragon, the Spider, and the Bat. Hopefully it'll do some good- both materially, and for their worldview. I know the Crab wish to restore their standing in the eyes of the Emperor."