Politics on Pentagrams (Part 4)

Gathering / Conference

It was just after midnight in the basements of Ōtsu Castle and many a scattered gathering was coming to an end. Knight Commander Maxim, who had just been blessed with a new sheele, thanked Abe no Seimei before returning to the main sanctum. There, he introduced Evaine to Aotsuki Tsukamoto and company as his squire. What followed was a minor spectacle as Kagami wondered secretly why she was so small in comparison to Evaine, Tama, and even Rasaimoku. Aotsuki tried to explain that the reason was in Maxim's own bigness. It was only reasonable that he'd have a big sheele to match. This, however, only led to the little mirror asking Maxim how he managed to grow so large.

As if to assuage her doubts, Maxim bestowed upon Kagami a black stone dagger he had looted from the corpse of Raym. Although not a particularly big weapon, Kagami nearly buckled under the weight, convincing her in the process that she was cut out to be no samurai. Aotsuki was quick to confiscate the dangerous item, but Tama objected. It was made of stone, after all; her forte. When Maxim failed to produce another dagger for her, Tama was only eventually calmed down by Aotsuki's assurances that they would all share and enjoy the coveted dagger together in good time.   Meanwhile, Shōemon was just finishing up negotiations with Hashinara Yoshitakatomo, Clan Daimyō. Maeno Nagayasu, as she was more properly known, had been chosen to resolve the sad current state of the Oda Clan and lead them into battle on the side of the Takeda; all, of course, for the Hashinara Clan's benefit. Shōemon was eager to get started, and sought Yoshitakatomo's leave to depart immediately for Owari Castle with Gorōzaemon in tow. This was granted, and she vanished with Shigeaki Fujino not long after, leaving Yoshitakatomo alone in the corner but for the company of Shax and Ryūzaki Sanosuke.   Sanosuke seemed to have something on his mind, and he soon fell into discussion with his Daimyō about it. The Silver General was interested in obtaining a sheele, as Lord Maxim had not minutes before. He did not, however, want to go about the business of making sure the spirit was maintained. Therefore, he sought an artifact similar to Yata no Kagami that might maintain a sheele indefinitely if used as a base. So far, the only object he'd managed to think of was the Seven-Branched Sword, rumored to be sealed away at Isonokami Shrine. Both he and Yoshitakatomo were vaguely aware of the shrine, but had not spent much time there. That was more the domain of the Matsumoto, whose ancient demesne it had been. Sanosuke requested an expedition, which Yoshitakatomo was glad to accompany him on. That far-gone shrine might contain some nasty powers, however, and so the Princess-Daimyō wisely suggested that they invest in some companions for the journey.   Sanosuke seemed loathe to involve any of the other Cardinal Generals, but his first choices were somehow all busy at the moment. As if suffering some unseen rebuke, the Silver General reluctantly agreed on Yoshitakatomo's suggestion to bring Aotsuki along on the venture. That very same Aotsuki was just then being asked by Takenaka Hanbei to join the two in her stead, as she had other matters to attend to. He wandered over to the corner where Sanosuke and Yoshitakatomo plotted, joining their group forthwith. The Princess-Daimyō mentioned, too, that Maxim could be of use against any horrible necromantic monsters that might lurk there, but Sanosuke stalled and she* did not push the matter. Therefore it was a party of only the Silver General, Hashinara Daimyō, and Ivory Shield who departed with Shigeaki Fujino to that abandoned shrine in Yamato Province.   Maxim, meanwhile, was making his own arrangements. With Shōemon's departure for Oda lands, that left the remainder of Maximum Force under his command. While the others discussed shrines and artifacts, he had enlisted Fujino in delivering each of his re-recruits to Ago Manor in Shima Province. Soon, he gathered Kashirin to his side and joined them, returning to his new seat of power.