A stroll through the harbour [Day 6, Early Afternoon, Open]

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku had missed weapons training on the ship these last two days and was not about to do so again. Setting out from the Embassy he made his way down to the docks, and decided to take a walk around the whole area so as to have an excuse to walk in the vicinity of the ship of their potential enemy. Dressed in his naval gear he padded along through the crowds, daisho comfortably at his hip, keeping his eyes peeled for unusual activity or markings he could look up in the palace library.

[Rixy]

The dock was a hubub of activity. There seemed to be even more ships now, though of small design, the sort that fisherman would use to work along the coasts back home. The number of people made walking a challenge and many times, Jishaku was jostled form one side or another.

Ship's flags were everywhere he looked. The Lion's new lore let him see, now, just how many ships were those meant for bearing swift word up or down the coast...and how pitifully few were those meant for battle. Or, for that matter, transport.

[Jayant Utpal]

The Akodo was not alone in examining the ships. The familiar face of Jayant could be seen standing on the hard stone dockyard, staring out at the sea, and the boats in the harbor, and occasionally one boat in particular with a flag made of blue with four hands. The Rhuumali seems to be doing his best to ignore the obvious guard who has been stationed near his person as well.

It doesn't take long for the ever wary man to spot the Rokugani man walking on the dock and he turns, offering Jishaku a smile and a bow, though he is cautious about approaching unless the Akodo seems to want his company.

[Akodo Jishaku]

That was not particularly good news in the Lion's opinion. More warships might have meant a harder time if for some reason they were attacked by the locals, but a lack of warships might be indicative of the state of the conflict. Surely they would have kept some back to protect Lanka?

The lack of transport ships was potentially worse. If the rumours of refugees heading to the city were true then every space on a ship in harbour would be eyed warily by those wishing to escape the city. Jishaku's expression darkened, and those who looked like they might jostle him received angry glares.

Finally he noticed the presence of the familiar gaijin, Jayant Utpal, and his guard. Letting the darkness slide from his face somewhat he moved towards the man, finally offering him a bow. "Good afternoon to you Jayant Utpal. I hope the day finds you well?"

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant smiles, tugging on the bronze amulet around his neck some, before replying in good, though slightly accented, Rokugani. "Better than yesterday, better than five days ago when I was pulled from the sea." For a man who had not been able to speak a bit of the language just a few days ago, it seemed he had picked up the knowledge at an impossible pace.

"Still. Things have been worse, and things have been better. What brings you to the harbor, Jishaku of House Akodo?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku gives the man an appraising look when he replies in Rokugani, before allowing him a respectful nod. "I want to feel the deck beneath my feet and train with my shipmates." He looks around at the hubbub but is careful not to look at the ship with the four handed flag. "Inspecting the state of the harbour was also something I needed to do. Tell me, Jayant of House Utpal, why is that ship still here in the harbour without any guards?"

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant sighed, wistfully. "Mmm, it is a good feeling. One I miss." Unlike the Lion, Jayant has no problem staring at the offending ship every once in awhile. He looks back at Jishaku. "My apologies. I am Jayant Utpal, I am the War of House Pandavah. I hope that clears matters some. I understand the houses may be difficult to an outsider. I am not certain I understand your... errr... clans and families, much better."

Jayant looks back at the harbor. "Devadas, he is one of the Maharaja's advisors. He says that the enemy we can see is the enemy we are meant to see. If we strike it too soon, the enemy will know our strength and our weakness. We must wait for the right moment." Jayant doesn't sound particularly like he wants to wait for that moment.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Ah, no apology is necessary. Jayant Utpal, of House Pandavah? Yes, your naming traditions are quite different from those of my people. Thank you for correcting my mistake." He follows Jayant's gaze toward the offending ship and back again.

"I was given to understand that the members of...the House that ship represents, were mortal enemies of your people and destroyed on sight. Was this wrong? If the equivalent faction were seen abroad in my homeland then no force could keep us from putting them to death." The young Lion frowns. "I do not like the implications of such advice. What do you know of this 'Devadas'? "

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko walked the docks, working up to the knowledge that he'd have to be on the boat again, as well as attempting to answer the question he'd asked the Captain a few days before.

What do these different ship designs hide?

[Jayant Utpal]

Jayant chuckled. "I wish I were so lucky as to be of House Pandavah, but I am just a ward. I have no House now." Such a statement would usually elicit great sadness, much to the contrary this only brought anger to the Rhuumali's voice.

Much of his humor was lost when Jishaku questioned the man though "Devadas Indrani, of House Pandavah, is a great leader of men and the man who spoke for me when no other would. He has served as the military adviser to the Maharaja for years, and before that was a general. Those on that ship will die. But they will not yet. Their time has not yet come."

As the Usagi approaches, Jayant's ears perk up and he glances behind him to look at the man. He said nothing however.

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion simply nods at this information with an equal lack of humour. "Very well. I can see we will both be greatly cheered when that day arrives." He gives him a bow to indicate his sincerity.

Following the gaijin's gaze he notices Twitchy walking through the crowds and gestures for the man to join them if he wishes. "Have you met Usagi Zenko? A fellow hohei of the Half Moon."

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko did manage to to catch the sound of his name, looking about at first and then catching Cub waving him forward.

The Hare smiles broadly, bowing to the pair. "Greetings. Have you enjoyed Inari's Blessings today Akodo-sama?" He pauses..."Oh..uhm, Jayant?" He motions with his hands, miming eating, "Have - you - eaten - today- ?"

[Jayant Utpal]

"I pray to Indra that it will be soon." Jayant muttered as he glanced at the boat again, then turned to the Usagi.

The pantomiming of the Hare seemed to put him at least in somewhat of a better mood. With a smile, the Rhuumali responded in perfect Rokugani. "Yes, I have Zenko of House Usagi. Thank you for asking." He paused. "I have not heard of House Usagi among the other guests. Is yours also a Great... errr. Family? Clan?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Hare certainly seemed to lighten the mood and Jishaku managed a smile as Zenko approached. "Yes thank you Usagi-san. I trust you are well?" He looks at Jayant as he asks his question and decides to let Twitchy answer for himself.

[Usagi Zenko]

The Hare nods to Jishaku to indicate that he is well, and if there is any embarrassment upon his face it fades quickly. "No, the Hare clan are a Minor Clan, blessed with the protection of the Emperor, or in the present case Empress, because of the great deed of our ancestors and founder of the clan."

He offers a smile. "The Mantis are a Great Clan now, but were first a number of different Minor Clans. They are the only ones to have ever made such a journey from Minor, to Great."

[Akodo Jishaku]

In case Jayant is still confused Jishaku adds: "The Usagi are a family of the Hare Clan, if that helps." As he speaks, the Lion looks over the harbour to the Rafiq ship, watching for any signs of movement on deck.

[Usagi Zenko]

Zenko nods. "Ah, Hai. It is as Akodo-sama says."

[Jayant Utpal]

"So they are a Minor House that does not serve a Great House? Or would those be more like your Families in your clans?" Jayant frowns as he tries to puzzle out this new way of organization. "We have had some Minor Houses become Great here. Though it is rare. Always though, it falls to the great deeds of one man or woman. Many of the houses are known to have a single founder, some even claim an Avatar as their founder."

Aboard the Rafiq ship, there is some movement to be seen, but it just looks like the normal duties one goes about while a ship is in port. No blood sacrifices and screaming cultists.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku ponders how best to describe this, which was hard because it was so obvious that he had to strain to put it into simpler words. "All Clans serve the Empress. The Great Clans were founded by the Kami, and have at least four families within them. The minor clans were founded when the service of exceptional individuals were recognised by the Emperor with the gift of a family name. They tend to have one or two family names and significantly fewer members. The exception amongst the Great Clans are the Mantis, who began as the minor clans of Mantis, Wasp, Centipede and Fox, but were united in the recent past by Yoritomo with the blessing of the heavens. Our names are given as Family name, Chosen name, of whichever Clan."

He gives Jayant a glance. "Clearer?

[Jayant Utpal]

"The kami? These are your gods, yes? Avatars?" Jayant considers the rest of the information. "Yoritomo, sounds like a strong man. To bind so many together and do what none other has done. In the Ivory Kingdoms, we have Six Great Houses. Some were not founded as Great Houses though. Great men led them to greatness."