Chapter 8: Winter Court
All the power players arrive at Winter Court.
Izamiya courts the Crane, but they think that he tricked them and are retiscent to back him when he didn't tell them at their Summer Court. He insists he was not sure until he was on the way home and they received a letter as soon as he was sure he would go for it--but, more importantly, he insists that the tides are in his favor, and that they would be foolish to wait.
Izamiya courts the phoenix, but half-heartedly. At least one phoenix argues on his behalf vehemently.
The Crane stop the Lion, including the clan champion, from assassinating Izamiya, showing evidence that they are Kolat. They cover it up, trying to wait until Izamiya is empress and has the ability to back their actions
Deijiko calls a group meeting to inform them that she has found out that "Gaisotsu" is actually Daigotsu. The conversation is uncomfortable, but Izamiya says he thinks that what the man has said about wanting to help the empire is true--after all, he insists, no version of Tsudao would hurt the empire. Tsudao interrupts from a secret passage, having been listening in on the conversation. She suggests a foolish plan to get the spider the rank of clan and says she believes it is necessary for the survival of the empire. She suggests standing between the lion and crane and allowing her men to be slaughtered, betting on the lion's honor to stop the massacre before it gets too large. All the members in the room except Nagisa and Izamiya are obviously uncomfortable with this plan. Izamiya brings up that Tsudao will be in very little danger, and scolds each of them, before letting himself out. After all is agreed on, Nagisa offers to assure Tsudao's safety using Tomi. Paneki accepts the offer.
The Lion catch the Crane holding their clan champion unlawfully and declare war.
The Scorpion declare war on the Lion for attempting to murder Izamiya in defense of the Crane. (A plan discussed in the meeting above)
The Phoenix reveal a defense pact with the Lion and declare war on the Scorpion
The Mantis honor their defense pact with the Scorpion and declare war on the Phoenix.
Izamiya courts the Imperial families, getting the Seppun and discussing with the Otoumo their allegiences. The Otoumo reveal that the Phoenix back the Hanti and the Crane as well, and in quiet, so, too, do the Miya, along with a smattering of minor clans. The Sparrow, the (minor clans listed here; need caoimhe). Izamiya points out his lead and the cracks in the backing of the Hanti. The Otoumo agree that backing him is the smart play, especially when halfway through the Crane switch their backing to Izamiya. The Hare declare their allegience as well, and ask for a meeting with Izamiya as well, because they have information, but Izamiya puts it off for a meeting with the Hantei.
Izamiya tells Daigotsu where he stands, and that he stands precariously on the brink of ruin. Whatever the Hare will tell him--if it is about him, it will be devastation. Daigotsu suspects it is about him. Izamiya tells Daigotsu that the best situation right now is that it look like they have exchanged seirous promises--so he should go get the Miya to switch sides to Totori publicly in exchange for Izamiya's promise to make the Spider a great clan, so their honor is on the line and it looks legitimate. He spends time talking to Kanpeki and the Sparrow clan, who switch sides to him not publicly because of the Crane's switch, in order to give the issue time to resolve. The Miya back him publicly after Daigotsu's conversation with them.
The meeting with the Hare is about Sahai. They know who she is and want her dead. They think she is manipulating the Hanti, so they don't know about the Hanti's identity yet. Izamiya asks them to wait as he susses out the Hanti's involvement. They agree. He goes to speak to Daigotsu and Daigotsu asks for a day to prepare his wife and then he will publicly commit seppuku to save his family's honor, ending the probability that his own identity would be found. Izamiya expresses concern over Kanpeki's mental state should he lose his parents. He speaks to Paneki about it for advice and gets the suggestion to put a council around Kanpeki and foster the youngest as a backup if Kanpeki goes astray. He discusses this with Daigotsu and he agrees.
Sahai is attacked, and she and her mahou contingent are killed.
Daigotsu calls a public meeting, and commits seppuku in front of a masked bushi, with whom he exchanges a few short private words beforehand. Kanpeki announces that he, as the Hanti, and as his father's last wish, supports Totori for Emperor. The coronation is announced and begins at dawn. Upon that, he sends out messages to stop the war with immediacy before many are lost, announces the spider as a clan for their bravery, and gives them much of Matsu land. He sends a missive to the Matsu that their guilty will admit guilt or they will all lose their name, and threatens the Lion--the clan champion admits guilt, and the Ikoma take up the Clan champion slot.
A tower in Scorpion lands is assaulted, and the Daughter of Fu Leng is taken by the dark oracle of fire. Paneki informs Izamiya and points out that they are likely going to take hold of the Lost at the border. Izamiya immediately requests the Lost at the border be crushed with an overwhelming force, sending out missives for the fastest armies to ride there.