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[Ivy]

---

*enclosed along with the letter is a copy of the letter sent to William*

To Tai Kwan Leap and the Council of the Sleeping Dragon,

As it is unlikely that William will abdicate his position willingly, we of the government and people of Umbra have taken it upon ourselves to deliver an ultimatum to him. Threatening to shun him will do little good; many of your people already do. However, threatening to remove him militarily is a threat he cannot ignore.

I send you this letter to dispel any misgivings you may have about our intentions. We do not intend to conquer Zento or proclaim anyone Shogun. If William does not abdicate and has to be forced from his position by our forces, it has been decided by us to establish a protectorate government over Zento. What would this mean for you? Not a whole lot. You would be free to rule as you wished in the city with only a nominal responsibility to Umbra. Thus, Zento and Umbra would be allies bound in trade and in military. We would protect the city from any others who would proclaim themselves ruler; we have the military power to refuse to accept their claims, and they would need to go through us first. You would continue to carry out the normal administrative duties of the city just as you always have. Surely in your wisdom, you can see the mutual benefits that such an arrangement would bring to us both.

However, let us hope that we don't need to resort to violence to make William see the error of his tongue. Only time will tell, though. Until next time business draws us together.

Sincerely,
Ivy Rellaquen
Governess
City of Umbra

[Jon Silverthorne]

---

Otto, up early as usual, always the early bird was tending to some chores. He enjoyed his early rides and tending to the Guards horses in the morning did relax him so. Upon entering this morning he found an envelope tacked to the door adressed to Tai and the council. He opened it and read. He muttered, "This can come to no good, what would the Ebon Skull want in Zento, and if conquest is not on thier agenda why would they set up an interim goverment." He folded the parchments over and put them in his vest. He would inform Tai when breakfast was served and the matter could be further pondered on a full stomach.

[Tai Kwan Leap]

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Tai woke on the tatami in the Musha-Shugyo Dojo. It had not been a restful sleep. He slowly dressed and frowned as he put on his armor as well.

As he stepped from behind the screen, he noticed Otto-san was waiting for him. He had brought a hot breakfast for them to share.

Tai saluted the Otori Yotogi Shogun.

"Konnichiwa. Did you stay here all night?"

"No, Daimyo. We took turns. I have ordered that you be followed at all times by both a visible guard as well as an hidden scout."

Tai closed his eyes and focused. Although his nose told him of the presence of Rocke Oakbender before his other senses did. With his eyes still closed he turned and leaned down.

"Rocke-san, perhaps less garlic in your diet will help."

The dwarf appeared shrugging, then stepped into the shadows of the sleeping area.

While focusing, Tai also smelled food. He looked behind Otto and saw a low table covered in food.

"I see the prisoner will eat well" and chuckled.

"Lord Tai, you are not a prisoner, but you know as well as I that a man in a position as yours must take death threats seriously."

"I do know. Come, let us break our fast."

Tai kneeled down at the low table on a cushion, and pulled his chopsticks from his obi.

As he looked at the food that Otto had brought, he could not believe how many bowls and platters of sausages were scattered about. Then there were those things that Otto called waffles. They were full of holes and when he covered them in butter and syrup it was a sticky mass that was much too large to be picked up with chopsticks.

"Otto-san, that cannot be healthy" Tai said as he picked up a bowl of steamed rice and kimchee.

"Tai, I think that you are a small man because you have only eaten kibble and rabbit food. Besides, Prussian food is like Asian food. With Asian food you eat and are hungry again a few hours later. With Prussian food, you eat and are hungry again a few days later." Otto then wiped at the grease around his lips with the hem of Rocke's kilt, then dodges the cuff sent to his backside.

Otto lays a set of letters on the table, then pushes them towards Tai.

"I think perhaps you should read these."

"Ah so?" Tai picks them up examining them, and then sighs.

"I do so struggle with the common tongue. Perhaps you could tell me what they say?"
_________________
"He's been fired from the Shrimp Boat?" -- Charlaine Harris "Living Dead In Dallas."

[Jon Silverthorne]

---

Otto finished up his wurst and waffles and rinsed off his hands in the wash bowl. He picked up the parchments from that morning and read them to Tai who was obviosly busy with a chopstick splinter in his index finger. "Seems this Order of the Ebon Skull from Umbra wish to set up a government and or remove the one called William for us. Although I cannot help but wonder what ulterior motives drive their .......Hospitality. I wonder what they would like in return?" Otto paced the floor then looked over at Takeda. "You ever been to Umbra? They have this open air tent eatery called the Ghast something or other, strange food, but quite tasty. I will take you for a late lunch, perhaps we will run into some of these people and can find out what it is they desire with Zento" He looks over to Tai and nods. "Have Rocke saddle up the horses, Takeda, we will leave after our morning training."

[Tai Kwan Leap]

---

Tai looked at the letters before picking up his calligraphy brush.

Lady Ivy,

I do thank you for the interest you have shown in the city of Zento.

Perhaps I should clarify a few things.

William has never been recognized by the citizens, much less the Council in Zento as being in power. We have tolerated him as one does an addleminded child.

As for the shunning. We are a society steeped in tradition. Shunning is our way. If someone has been marked for this punishment, it will be as if they do not exist.

We have offered William a seat on the Council of the Sleeping Dragon, if he will accept my challenge. Otherwise he is as the motes of dust in a sunbeam. While delightful to look at they do not amount to much.

I have weighed your offer seriously to aid Zento in this situation. As the duly elected Daimyo for the city of Zento, I cannot state my vote on this until I bring it before the Council.

I will say that my vote would be that Zento has suffered enough from the onslaught of gaijin. I do not think we need outside help. Much less the help of someone allied with those in the past have been known enemies.

I will keep you appraised of any vote the Council makes.

Yours in service,

Tai Kwan Leap
Zento Daimyo

Tai then folded the letter many different ways and sat down an origami walrus.

"Seek your master!"
_________________
"He's been fired from the Shrimp Boat?" -- Charlaine Harris "Living Dead In Dallas."

[Ivy]

---

Lord Tai,

I understand your concern, as few outsiders are truly benevolent. However, I do feel it is worth pointing out that shunning someone or not recognizing them as leader will not help you when someone with more outside support assumes the mantle. It is ridiculously easy to make people realize you do in fact exist, and that you cannot be ignored.

That said, I will not take any action until your Council would invite me to do so, or the situation becomes far too unstable to ignore.

Ivy Rellaquen
Governess
City of Umbra