Politics on Pentagrams (Part 3)

Gathering / Conference

The summoning of Shax completed, Hashinara Yoshitakatomo and her* generals, Aotsuki Tsukamoto, Maxim, and Ryūzaki Sanosuke, were all left in the basement of Ōtsu Castle, Abe no Seimei’s sanctum. Their new, demonic guest was now under control, and so they were free to pursue other matters. A few things in particular seemed to be on Sanosuke’s mind, and he began by pursuing the idea of a sheele.

Aotsuki had mentioned to him some time ago that Seimei would be able to grant him a familiar spirit, the same type as Kagami and Tama. Before going ahead with such a supernatural matter, however, Sanosuke wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into. He first hailed Takenaka Hanbei, a trusted adviser, who informed him that having another “self” to help with tasks could be very valuable, especially for a man as busy as himself. Familiars always came with risks, of course. The most salient of these being that he would have to provide a certain amount of magical energy each day, or else the sheele would waste away and take a part of his soul irretrievably with it.   That brought to mind some questions about how, exactly, Aotsuki managed to keep his “daughters” around. The White Frog of Ōtsu was many things, but a magician he was not. Some brief investigation revealed that it was Kagami providing the energy that maintained herself and Kagami. Yata no Kagami was a very powerful artifact, and in addition to storing an enormous amount of magic, it also produced enough on its own to take care of the two.   Sanosuke had no intention of dealing with the maintenance himself, so this seemed like the solution to pursue. He spoke to Seimei, wondering if another artifact could be converted into a sheele in the same way Yata no Kagami had. This interested the ancient onmyōji. Such a thing wasn’t impossible, although she’d never heard of it happening before Kagami. Still, she understood the theory, at least, and would be willing to try again if Sanosuke provided an artifact. Searching about, the Silver General eventually produced Aretí, that “Blade of Virtue” that Phaenarete had mysteriously bestowed upon him. As curious as this weapon might be, it was also clearly an object of great power.   Abe no Seimei was able to confirm this deduction. Aretí absorbed a fair amount of magic when tested; enough to maintain a sheele for a day at least. She had to tell Sanosuke that this was not nearly on the level of Yaga no Kagami, however. The mythical mirror could hold nearly ten times what this sword would, and produced its own energy to whit. Since Sanosuke was looking for something which would remove the responsibility of maintenance entirely, this wouldn’t do. He considered other artifacts he might have heard of. Most of these, the Imperial Regalia, were already in the hands of his allies. There was at least one other, however; a Seven-Branched Sword which he recalled as having something to do with Isonokami Shrine. That was where Yoshitakatomo had been resurrected, and where the Matsumoto had based their power for a time. Why, then, hadn’t he heard more of the sword before now? Sanosuke made a mental note to revisit this before returning to more matters at hand with the Daimyō.   That matter turned out to be Kashirin. While Maxim was very protective and affectionate toward the binbōgami, to everyone else she represented a dangerous unknown variable. This especially seemed to bother Ryūzaki Sanosuke, who blamed her for more than one upset in his predictions of late. Unaddressed, that animosity had led to a scene at the tournament that morning, and almost a fight between the Silver General and Knight Commander. Matsumoto Ooawagaeri’s actions had further complicated the scene, and tempers ran high all around. It was mainly for the purpose of talking through these things that Shigeaki Fujino had made the effort to bring them all together. The Black Blade remained absent, but Kashirin, at least, could be handled.   Hashinara Yoshitakatomo seemed to have little intention of holding such a discussion. Once the matter was brought up, she* determined to act independently. Bidding Shax to get to know the other generals, the Princess-Daimyō vanished with Fujino and no explanation of her actions. To the others, it seemed like Yoshitakatomo was simply dodging the discussion entirely. Unbeknownst to them, her* destination was actually Ago, where Fujino had deduced that Kashirin must be. The two had a clandestine meeting there in Tanahase Muramatsu’s office while Yoshitakatomo’s generals were left wondering what had just happened.   Meanwhile, back in the basement at Ōtsu, Shax was diligently following orders. Nobody else really seemed interested in talking to her, so she picked out Maxim as the most exotic-looking of the group. The two fell into an unpleasant conversation about what really made up a demon, and Shax revealed that she, at the surface, held no great love for her kin. Since her bottom-right arm had apparently been liberated from a fortune teller with an exceptional resistance to magic, Shax offered to read Maxim’s fortune. To his suspicious eye, she simply seemed to be trying to make the conversation a bit more interesting, so Maxim cautiously agreed.   Taking his hand in hers, Shax at first told Maxim that his near future included no more painful conversations like the one they had just struggled through. That might have come as a relief, but as Shax investigated his broken lifeline, Maxim found that he couldn’t speak at all. Try as he might, his mouth and throat just couldn’t seem to form any words. Shax was obviously enjoying the moment, and she released his hand only to point out Maxim’s mute state to the rest of the room. Shocked into silence by her performance, she called it, but it was obvious to all present that something more sinister was at work. Maxim was still able to communicate mentally, and his temper was obviously rising. Before he could act on it, however, Yoshitakatomo returned.   The Princess-Daimyō had met with great success in a diplomatic approach with Kashirin, but before she* could share this news, she* had to tell Shax to return Maxim’s voice. Eventually Yoshitakatomo’s orders did what no amount of thinly-veiled threats from Maxim could, and Shax canceled the spell that had rendered him mute. The demon freely shared that it was Inability to Speak, a simple incantation that most generals of Maxim’s power should have been able to resist. Something about Shax, however, made that impossible while she was touching her target. That was an important, and possibly dangerous piece of information that many in the room filed away for later.   Finally, Yoshitakatomo was able to deliver news of her* success to the others. Kashirin’s nature had been changed so that she would no longer exert such a miserable effect on her surroundings, except that she wished it. This was no doubt welcome news to the others, but Maxim was far from pleased. He proved quite attached to the binbōgami, and voiced his frustration that he had once again not been consulted or included in matters concerning her. Yoshitakatomo’s actions had been beyond his power, and there was no telling what else the Princess-Daimyō had done to his close ally. The others were unbothered, but Aotsuki, at least, possessed enough insight and compassion to request that Yoshitkatomo give him a direct explanation.   They still had the matter of the coming Takeda-Uesugi war to discuss, and so Yoshitakatomo bid Fujino to go pick up Maximum Force before returning to a quick apology to the resident onmyōji for all the action in her sanctum. Seimei was obviously not entirely pleased with matters, but gracious enough not to raise any complaint. Maxim made to leave, but he found his exit suddenly blocked by the entirety of Shōemon’s company.   In addition to the farm-girl-turned-strategist, Gorōzaemon, Ishinomori Naho, Shishikura Makiko, the foreigners Elyan and Elaine, Urashima Tarō, Kitsuno, and the inestimable Tarō rounded out the rest of the group. It was suddenly very crowded in the sanctum, and the situation wasn’t helped when Isaki Annette finally answered Aotsuki’s summons and appeared with refreshments for everyone. The food she’d prepared was some sort of large, bulbous vegetable, roasted and spiced. She called it “man-eating plant bulbs,” but even the occultists in the room couldn’t identify exactly what creature they’d come from. Still, the food was utterly delicious, and Annette promised to return with yōkai-honey mead before leaving Maximum Force to chat and celebrate.   Maxim’s return, in particular, was of great importance to Tarō and Kitsuno. The former was so excited as to be nearly insensible, claiming that he’d told the others over and over again that Maxim would be back. Kitsuno was less enthusiastic, and a little chagrined to have not been informed that the Knight Commander had returned. Still, Kitsuno was pleased to have access to him once again, having not particularly flourished under Shōemon, and gained permission to rejoin his forces.   Urashima Tarō, meanwhile, approached the lord of the castle and set a meaty, weathered hand upon Aotsuki’s shoulder. With a serious expression, looking directly in his eyes, the old fisherman told him that this was no way for a man to live. Aotsuki felt bewildered and somehow a little ashamed as Tarō offered to build him a real man’s abode. To him, this meant a shanty on the coast with open windows and a good view of the sea. Managing a noncommittal but acceptable answer, Aotsuki wondered if his wife wouldn’t actually enjoy a home just like that.   Not far away, Ishinomori Naho and Shishikura Makiko had taken up a spot next to one of Seimei’s research tables and were examining the scrolls and baubles atop it. Judging by their familiar manner, the two had apparently become friends at some point. Yoshitakatomo noted this as she* approached, but it was Makiko with whom the Princess had business. The Tea Bucket Men were something special to her*, and Yoshitakatomo felt it only right that Makiko, a former member, was informed of Kumazaki Terutsugu’s death and rebirth. The small Guardian Lion didn’t speak a word, but went through a variety of emotions as Yoshitakatomo relayed the tale. She was left pleased, with good news of her old ally, but the other was drawn away before their conversation could continue. Shax had been moving around in the background, and the demon’s actions had rightfully aroused Yoshitakatomo’s suspicions.   Meanwhile, with the familiar feeling of Kashirin at his back, Maxim realized that he now had enough magical allies in the room to supply a sheele ritual. He asked if now would be an appropriate time, but Abe no Seimei seemed just as eager to get out of the festive reunion that had somehow taken over her sanctum. The two retired to a nearby empty chamber with Elyan, Elaine, Kashirin, and Tarō along to provide their magical support.   Back in the sanctum, Shōemon and Sanosuke had been involved in a brief discussion of her life after their last meeting in the Palace of the Firebird. It turned out that Shōemon wasn’t too pleased with her recent assignments. Maximum force had been stationed and shuffled around a few different places, but hadn’t been given any direct orders or seen any action other than administration. Thought it had only been a few days, Shōemon was afraid she’d been left to stagnate, and so was pleased that the Daimyō had summoned her and her troops, despite the late hour. Sanosuke expressed his hopes for the same, but also commented that it hadn’t been easy to talk to Yoshitakatomo tonight. That almost seemed like a challenge to Shōemon, so she made a beeline to the Princess-Daimyō and caught her* in conversation just as she* was approaching Shax.   Put on the spot, Yoshitakatomo admitted that she* did in fact have some plans for Maximum force. She* told Shōmeon about the looming conflict between eastern clans, and the Hashinara’s desire to enter on the side of the Takeda without making it obvious. Shōemon had some ideas about that herself, and suggested that someone be made to look like Toyotomi Hideyoshi to lead their forces. The man himself had been missing since the Palace of the Firebird, and had never been publicly close to the Hashinara. If he resurfaced in Kai with his old friend Shōemon by his side, that wouldn’t seem too odd.   Yoshitakatomo seemed intrigued by this idea, but eventually dismissed it. Her* main concern was that the Takeda would be facing a god, and it was unknown how far Bishamonten’s divine vision reached. It wouldn’t be surprising if such a disguise proved completely useless against such a power. Instead, Yoshitakatomo suggested that the Oda Clan would represent their own goals in joining with the Takeda, and she* wanted Shōemon at the head. This would allow a significant and powerful force to operate in the Hashinara’s interests without implicating them in anything that might follow.   The position Yoshitakatomo’s suggestion implied spoke directly to Shōemon’s ambition, and she was not difficult to persuade aboard. That meant that she had to be told the current state of the Oda and the death of Akechi Mitsuhide, as well as the Ashikaga Shogunate’s attempts to destroy the clan. None of this seemed to be public knowledge as of yet, and Shōemon expressed some surprise, but took it largely in stride. She offered to move to Owari Castle in the morning and get started right away, which Yoshitakatomo approved.   Meanwhile, in the empty room on the other side of the basement, Elyan and Elaine had just finished crafting a magic circle to Seimei’s specifications. The others were gathered around her and Maxim ushered into the circle’s center. With all that finished, Seimei had only to warn Maxim of the extreme pain he was about to endure before they could begin. The experience turned out to be as agonizing as promised, but Maxim managed to keep his composure and didn’t even flinch as a piece of his very soul was ripped from his body and given form. At the same moment the moon outside crested its zenith, Maxim’s spirit gained flesh as a sheele. Her name was Evaine, and she was tall (for her kind), knightly, and proper. She was bound to Maxim, and could not move far away from him as Yoshitakatomo’s sheele could, but had other abilities that would no doubt prove useful. For most practical purposes, it was as though Sir Maxim had just taken on a squire.   < Politics on Pentagrams (Part 2)