The Fate of the Singing Blade (See OOC if interested!)

[Pretzelparty]

 

Spoiler

Please see this OOC if you wish to be involved!

 

 

The debate chamber was already buzzing with intense conversation from the audience alone. This was an important day for two important countries in the world: the mystical land of Neightpon and the turbulent region of Whitescar. History between these two lands had always been tense... No, Tense was putting it mildly. In ancient times early clans of Whitescar had attempted a to take the land for their kin, only to be met by the early settlers of the land. A combined effort between ponies, kirin, and ryuma drove out the caribou invaders to their native lands. Since then Many clans of caribou continued to raid and attack the more obscure settlements and areas of Neighpon, never gaining ground, but always inflicting new wounds on an innocent land. Even to this day, raids continue, boats are stolen and plundered. 

 

... And today's topic was in regards to a vessel from long long ago who never arrived at it's destination. The cargo of the ship supposed to be a an ancient blade that sung in the language of it's holder. A blade whose properties matched an the clan's first artifact weapon.  "Skog Klyvnings Sang" was a weapon that had come into the hooves of Helgi, the first hero of the the clan. A bull whose story was sung by Skalds and told to young calves to this day. Sigrun herself had been raised on stories about the heroes of the past. She'd dreamed of one day wielding this blade for the good of her clan. Now she was bringing this relic of Askr to Canterlot (of all places), here to talk to none other than the Shogun of Neighpon... and she knew she could not hoof this treasure over to him. 

 

Sigrun had made sure to read up on the background of this Shogun. According to the  information given to her by her own trusted officials he sounded like he was reasonable Ruler. A wizened beyond his years type of stallion whose presence was calm and almost aloof. Perhaps they might find some common ground in their taking up of leadership at early ages, through admittedly very different means. Thank Qalipu the information painted him as sensible. With Ylva busy back home in Whitescar , Sigrun would have to handle a debate with a foreign ruler of a land whose population greatly despised her kind. Before she took to the platform opposite the shogun's side she muttered a quick prayer to Tuktu and Qalipu... and stepped forward with the long narrow case carrying the sword at her side.

 

In the light illuminating the debate stage one could see the cow still had almost feral and wild look that came with the curse left upon her by the actions of WRAITH. two eyeteeth were sharp and exposed, glinting in certain angles at the light hit her. The cow's coat was fuller and more robust looking and clean. Over her form she had on a cloak, a thinner one rather than the usual thicker types she kept on back in the freezing lands of her home, with a tunic over her chest. Her stature in the room being one of the most notable features: standing almost as tall as Celestia herself and dwarfing some of the members of the audience. The sound of her cloven hooves meeting the marbled stone on the floor filled the room until she set the case she had down in front of her, perfectly in the center of the stage. She lifted the top of the case to reveal the contents. 

 

The sword was of a neighponese design, a Nodachi: A very long sword meant to held with two hooves. It had the single edged style of blade with the metal folding characteristic of neighponese smiths. In the time that Sigrun left the blade out for the Shogun (when he came forth) to inspect visually,  there was a faint but pleasant hum that  could be heard through the auditorium. With nobody holding the magnificent blade it had no language with which to sing, instead it would hum and make pleasant tones until it was covered once more. 

 

The shogun was already seated at his podium, "It's nice to finally meet you, Rakuen Heika. I have faith we can resolve this peacefully. I am SIgrun, Chieftain of the Askr clan of eastern Whitescar." 

 

[Zeig]

 

He hadn't believed it, at first.

 

A rambling scholar with an eye for ancient artifacts, looking to make a name for himself by discovering a long lost sword of legend. Or a historian who saw ancient markings under every new boulder he overturned.

 

These had been the first thoughts Ryuichi had entertained when he had first heard about the claim, a claim that had Neighpon sitting up in interest. For the Ninhonto no Uta had been - and still was - an icon of the stability of a removed ponies from Long Guo, a beacon of hope against the seemingly unending tide of Viking raiders. Gifted from the ancient dragons and wielded by heroes of old, the Ninhonto no Uta had been more than a sword, more than just a gift from the race of dragons. It had been the very symbol of Ryushima's tradition and prowess, the power of the old ways holding sway over all the world.

 

And then it had been lost. 

 

Only to be found in Caribou lands - Whitescar, the very country that, to this very day, threatened upheaval in the lives of Neighponese citizens. To learn that the Ninhonto no Uta, the very instrument that had proclaimed victory over the Viking wish to subjugate and steal and plunder, had been in the hooves of those same ponies, had been used by those same ponies where they had not earned the sovereign right to wield the blade, passed down by the dragons that had gifted it to them in the first place - 

 

There had been an uproar in Neighpon, and rightly so. For Whitescar had wielded a blade it had no right to wield, stolen it from them, and now claimed rights to it. What had undoubtedly been nothing more than a trophy of war to their ancestors. 

 

...At least, that was what Neighpon was wont to believe. The logs of the vessel that had been carting the sword to a place of honor in Kyoma have long been lost, sunk to the depths of the ocean while the Caribou raiding vessel had plundered its ill-gotten prize. Given the atmosphere at the time, there was no telling which vessel might have fired first - the Neighponese one, perhaps, spying a raiding vessel entering national waters and fearing for the safety of the citizens who relied on the military to stop all manner of threats. Or the Caribou one, targeting a chance fortune in the form on a solitary ship. 

 

Honestly, the truth was lost, and even in the end, it didn't much matter in this case. In the eyes of all Neighpon and the Shogun, the rights to the Ninhonto no Uta were clearly spelled out in black and white. 

 

Said blade was carefully laid out in the center of the stage - with guards surrounding them on all sides, any spectator would be foolish to attempt a closer look. Even still, the craftsponyship of the blade was clear even at a distance. Dragon-forged, not a measure of imperfection, the Ninhonto no Uta carried a faint hum with it, as if its power begged an outlet for release. From pictures and paintings and the fervid imaginations of ponies who claimed their ancient ancestors used to wield the blade,  the Ninhonto no Uta failed to compare. 

 

It rose above comparison.

 

"Well met, Chieftain Sigrun of Askr," the Shogun greeted, from where he was seated at his own podium. Rich silks and armor had been replaced for this more modernized setting, a calling card to Neighpon's ability to adapt to whatever the world could offer. A rich, leather vest still gave evidence to a warrior, one who could turn at any moment to cut down fiend and foe, but with a softer flair that spoke more of elegance and posturing, a mixture of practicality and showponyship. "And your faith is well-founded. I've no doubt we may come to an agreement over this matter - a matter of grave importance, as my presence here attests." A subtle snark, the feelings inspired by the blade important enough for the Shogun to take personal part of the arguments, while Whitescar's High King was conspicuously absent.

 

A stark constrat between the importance both cultures placed on the Ninhonto no Uta.

 

"As you are well aware," Ryuichi continued after a short pause, beginning his appeal in full, "the Ninhonto no Uta was created specifically for the Senshō clan, forged by the ancient dragons of Long Guo." A dragon-forged sword, created by some of the wisest and most powerful beings to roam the world...a powerful thing. "The Senshō clan brought the Ninhonto no Uta with them to Ryushima, and to Neighpon. It is clear, tracing the history of the sword all the way back to its forging, who has celestially-appointed claim to the Ninhnto no Uta." 

 

 

[Blueblood]

Halvard didn't like this.

 

He knew perfectly well, of course, that there was no avoiding the issue.  Those loyal to the High King had committed to a path of diplomacy and reconciliation to the rest of the world, which the bull well knew was the harder road.  It would have been easy to tell the Nieghponese, "You think this is yours?  Come and take it, then!"  But that would have undone all the good work that the King, Sigrun, and himself had done.

 

That didn't make the prospect of losing a potentially Civil War-winning weapon falling back into the hooves of a nation that might not take the time to distinguish between Rebel and Loyalist clans any easier to swallow though.  And it wasn't only the loss of potential offensive power that worried him.  Clan Askr was a lynchpin in the Loyalist faction; for them to lose one of their legendary artifacts would be a huge blow to morale and cohesion, possibly to the point of turning the tide of the war.  Certainly enough to make their Chieftain look either weak or incompetent.  Halvard knew perfectly well that his mate was neither, but also that she would need all the help she could get.

 

Thus, as Sigrun entered the debate chamber, Halvard was stationed behind her.  He had shared the research burden, as well as strategic planning for this debate.  In truth, theirs was likely the harder position.  Anyone with one eye and half a brain could see the blade came from Neighpon.   Skog Klyvnings Sang had the same legendary properties as the  Ninhonto no Uta.  The blue-dyed caribou knew that there was no way that they were going to be able to convince the Shogun that the two weapons were not one and the same, and that Rakuen's patience for legal quibblings over lost documents and the rights of war spoils would be limited.

 

But... perhaps there was another way.  The issue would be delicate to bring up, and complicated to hash out.  If the Neighponese would get the blade, on the condition that it be used against the rebel caribou clans... then the Loyalists would gain both a victory in the field, as well as a possible alliance.  Friendship would too strong a word, but it might work.  After all, the Rebel clans were still raiding Neighpon territory.  Surely it wouldn't be too hard to convince them to strike back...

 

~***~

 

Shiroi Boshi didn't like this either.

 

Truth be told, this debate wasn't technically in her wheelhouse.  The tech-mage had originally wished to visit Equestria to check up on their development process and progress.  Any new research that could be useful must be brought back, for the good of the Empire, of course; and it was always a good idea to take stock of the international competition.  Leading in magitech was a critical means of maintaining Neighpon's status as a great power, and it was Shiroi's job as Gijutsu-sha to help maintain and secure that lead, among other things.

 

Which is why it was slightly annoying that her planned visit corresponded with this debate over an ancient artifact.  Only slightly, though; even today, the Ninhonto no Uta was an impressive weapon, whose capabilities could hardly be equaled even by today's magitech.  Shiroi was enough of a patriot to know the historical importance of that weapon, and to desire its return.  Hence, why she uncomplainingly stood with Rakuen, putting off her own work for now to back her Shogun in this important task.

She viewed the caribou on the other side of the chamber with a cool hostility though her opaque spectacle lenses.  True, it didn't exactly jive with the popular image of the caribou that such a debate would occur at all, but that didn't stop her from suspecting that something was up.  Was the sword they brought actually the Ninhonto no Uta?  Was there some greater, long-term plan to weaken the Empire at play, here?  Some of her fellow advisers might call her paranoid; she didn't care.  She spent her whole life looking for vulnerabilities in the magitech systems that made her beloved homeland great, and they were depressingly easy to find if you knew where to look and how to exploit them.  Social systems were much the same, as far as she was concerned.  They must recover the blade here, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  And if there was anything she could do to help, Shiroi was ready to answer the call.

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā was not exactly sure what to think of the proceedings here. She knew of the blade this whole thing was about, of course, being the daughter of the last general essentially garunteed that. She had heard all the stories, but to actually see the weapon... It actually looked less impressive than it was if the stories were to be believed. 

 

The mare had a job to do though, and she was going to do it. She was the Shïrudo, she was tasked with protecting the Shogun. And the shogunate, to a lesser extent. That suited her just fine though, as she wanted to protect Ryuichi first both professionally and personally. 

 

She was wearing her full armor, minus the helmet, with her spear sticking straight up from where she was holding it. While the Shogun was showing the adaptability of their nation, she was showing the importance placed in tradition. Her eyes were constantly moving in order to find threats, taking in the crowd and the caribou, though they always ended up going back to the latter. Even though this was one of the clans that were trying diplomacy instead of raiding, she found it hard to think of them as any more than a threat to keep an eye on. 

 

The pegasus was more than willing to support Ryuichi's arguments as to why they should have the sword. It was theirs to begin with, for one thing. She was here to support him, both physically and emotionally. 

 

-----------

 

Well, this certainly was an interesting gathering of debators, the Shogun of Neighpon and the leader of one of the nice caribou clans. When she had seen that caribou during the gala, she hadn't thought she was in such an important position. Really the only reason the unicorn could recognize her was her rather unusual appearance, especially considering they had never actually met. Sunrise would have surely remembered that much. 

 

In any case, the fashionista was seated among the crowd, smiling as she watched the blade be displayed and the noise it gave off. It was a wordless song, but no less enjoyable for it. 

 

She had to wonder though, was that pegasus' spear another such ancient weapon? It certainly looked like it could play the part, but she had no real way of knowing. 

[IceStorm]

 

 

Debates... These types of things had never really been one of Ice Storms stronger points, but at the same time, she still had a tactical mind, so she could see why somepony would want her present at a time like this. Of course, she wasn't only here because she needed to be here for Equestria. She was also here because one of her closest allies was directly involved with the debate. The object that was in question was an ancient artifact that both parties involved believe to have been made within their homeland, and that they each own stake in what item that they are debating. With an item as ancient as this one though, it would be hard saying with any certainty who rightfully laid claim to the weapon based on crafts alone.

 

With that being said, from what she heard from the clan, this blade was a pivotal part in securing the clan's freedom, and she had learned to be the Skog Klyvnings Sang, a blade that sang to it's wielder. OF course, she wouldn't really know anything about that herself. Ice storm wielded her own blades when she needed to and they were often made on the spot out of the ice that she had manipulated around her. Even then, it was still usually more effective for her to just make the ice into shards and launch them at her enemies. Ultimately, she had no real use for the blade herself, but could easily understand why an intensely melee culture like the caribou would be interested in keeping such and artifact within their grasp.

 

At the same time though, if this Nodachi, was truly of Neighponese make, which was highly likely given the overall style of the weapon, then she could also understand why the Shogun would want the mystical weapon back in the hooves of the Neighponese. However, if Neighponese tradition where to be followed, the loss of the weapon should have been taken that the country at the time was not worthy of maintaining the weapon. Of course, the same argument could be made in standing, with regards to the fact that they had found the weapon once again. She could see this debate having lasting effects not only on Neighpon and Whitescare, but Equestria as well. In fact, this is of enough importance that she though that perhaps this should have been something that one of the princesses delegated over as a third party. For now though, the only thing that she could do was wait and see what unfolded.

 

 

~~~Medo~~~

 

 

Medo couldn't believe the news that she had heard when she had managed to get back to her homeland for the end of the semester so that she could be with her family for the Neighponese Holidays. The legendary weapon of the ages had been recovered! IT had been so long since anything about the Ninhnto no Uta had even been mentioned let alone spotted that Medo had since thought the sword to be a myth that had been passed down from treasure hunters in the past that were trying to seek fame in finding it. However, now that she was sitting in the audience of a massive intercontinental debate with the weapon in question sitting right there, she could no longer write the Sword off as a myth.

 

What she could do though, was do everything she could to help support getting the sword home. Granted, she wasn't really a mare that preferred violence at all. In fact, she was often the one treating others with some sort of pain salve or the likes thereof from the acts of violence that they had endured themselves. She didn't really cared for anything that made her job as a medicinal alchemist any harder than it already was. She was only just now starting to learn some of the other things that she could do with the natural herbs that could help make new, more powerful versions of what she could already make and heal. In fact, she was quite proud as to have already gotten through two semesters of medical training in the one that she had thanks to her intricate knowledge of herbal remedies that she already had a repertoire of.

 

When she heard that it was one of the Whitescar clans that had found the weapon, and that were willing to have the debate, she was hopeful that things would be looking better between the two races. She herself had met a few Caribou from the clan that was being represented and much to her surprise, they seemed like the type that were quite reasonable. They weren't a pillage first, ask questions later type of clan, which gave her hope that perhaps the weapon might be returned. However, there was a rumor going around that Whitescar was still at war with itself, and if this clan was using the weapon to help stave off the enemy force not only from taking over their lands but from invading the lands less than a days sail away from them, then it would be utmost precedence that the weapon at the very least remain with this clan that has proven themselves honorable until the war was over. As much as it would be a notion of power for Neighpon, the blade defending what it was meant to was more important than having it sit in a museum or a hall collecting dust, only for it to inevitably get stolen again.

[Ciraxis]

Squall was lucky that the news reached him while he was at home, ironically while doing research about ancient blades. Noblepony was focusing on this for quite a while now, since attack on Crystal Empire. Weapons of lore, swords shrouded in legend and other artifacts possessing vast magical might. Yes, even one of those would be a great boon in their struggles against the WRAITH and the Chrysalis Hive.

 

And out of nowhere, he heard that one of those was found. Well, can't really say found but more like 'exposed' to the public. That in itself was already an important lesson. Things can be hidden in plain sight, even by those you happen to know.

 

That said, he simply had to see the Sword of Songs for himself. What kind of sworstallion would he be if he didn't. Perhaps the experience will help him to construe for what he should look in his search.

"It does indeed sing." he muttered to himself as he entered the chamber fashionably late. Squall could hear the characteristic hum despite chatter of the audience, and the sound only got louder as he approached his seat in the first row. Before relaxing however he approached the stage itself desiring to take a closer look of the fabled blade. Swift smirked against himself before taking off his sunglasses. A Neighponese blade and the hilt looked completely mismatched but -as he figured out - the magical characteristics more then made out for it. His eyes then shifted onto Sigrun. Count's and Jarl gazes met for a second and Squall gave his rival a respectful nod like one professional to another. While he wasn't on anypony side for this debate he could only applaud her mature decision of not avoiding the issue, which in turn led to this very debate. Moments later Swift gave another ,similar nod to the Ice Storm. Unlike with Sigrun however, he couldn't however agree with his teammate decision to meddle with international politics, much less hot potato like this one.

As the members of EPIC they were supposed to distance themselves from such things, especially since they didn't really concerned their homeland directly. And Ice's siding with caribou in this debate brought the risk of peeving Shogun towards Equestria as well, something that he didn't hesitated to point out when they spoke this morning. A dangerous gamble to be sure, and all of this for the faction that yet again needed Equestria's assistance - even if only as a mediator. It's not that Squall wasn't sympathetic - especially after that WRAITH attack and seeing how much of a hellhole was their homeland - but it was about time for them to return the favor.

Unicorn then returned towards the seats, taking his place next to a tattooed unicorn mare. His own blade - much humbler then ' Skog Klyvnings Sang' - leaned on hoofrest. All that now remained was wait and see how the evens will unfold.

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

Sigrun let out a sigh of relief internally. So much had gone wrong lately she was worried this might turn into a shouting match right out the gate. Her ears twitched ever so slightly at that curious clarification: That his presence implies this matter important. She had a hunch as to what he might have been referencing in the subtle and vague wording but the defense of the High King was simply not her purpose right now. 

 

The tone of the shogun held weight. His words about the ancient dragons of long Guo had Sigrun resisting an urge to role her eyes, Magical dragons or regular dragons... dragons are just as mortal as any other being: No more divine than the nearest stone. Worthy of respect, but not divine. There were many dragons that flew in the skies of Whitescar, most of them greedy monsters that stole from and destroyed clans... if they weren't eaten by the lindwurms who bore an uneasy resemblance to the serpentine dragons at first glance. The Skogsang (the shortened version of its name) Had even been used to slay a dragon at one point in the distant past. 

 

"While I can respect the lore around the blade's creation... I do not think that that should be the deciding factor to this debate. As I am sure you have researched, Rakuen-heika. The Askr clan held on to the blade for a long time and it did not sit idle. You history speaks of those who whetted it with the blood of caribou through a single war that drove those invading clans off. My clan has done the same using this blade many times when it came into our hooves at a time when it was likely would have been wiped out entirely at the urging of a mad chieftain... If Helgi had not come across this weapon, neither I, Nor my clan would exist... While I admire the creatures of Neighpon: We cannot simply hoof over this blade."

 

Debates... such complicated things. All the studying and memorizing of techniques within this school of discussion could likely not erase her discomfort in this situation. She momentarily glanced back to the bull behind her, hoping for some sort of sign that she was doing better than she thought she was. Her gaze quickly returned to Shogun Rakuen.

 

[Zeig]

 

Practice kept his face neutral, though Ryuichi still couldn't help the spike of irritation that shot through him. It seemed they have already reached the first stages of "he said she said," a natural conclusion to the history of a blade that had been lost for generations. Still, it wasn't exactly a good sign that the debates were already reaching that diverging point, where one side claimed one thing while the other claimed the opposite. Though they did have the history books from that era on their side, in this instance. Chieftain Sigrun was either simply misinformed...

 

Or she was already beginning to bend the truth.

 

"Does a farmer who cares for a sheep and keeps her solely as a friend of the family," the Shogun queried in return, gaze stoic and focused on the Caribou in front of him, "somehow have less reason to care for her than a farmer who sheers and uses her wool? How a pony, or a nation, chooses to use something has no bearing on their right to ownership." Ryuichi paused for a moment, before continuing. "And with all due respect, Chieftain Sigrun, our history speaks of more than a single war. The Ninhonto no Uta became the turning tide of several wars, not just against the Caribou raiders of old...though the most notable were, as mentioned, against the raiding parties of your far ancestors." 

 

Like the one that had ambushed the vessel and stolen the Ninhonto no Uta in the first place.

 

That was the conclusion scholars and historians alike had all come to, after the discovery of the Ninhonto no Uta in Whitescar. It was the only logical explanation - that vessel had been well documented to have been on route to Kyoma, in Neighponese waters...and suddenly the Ninhonto no Uta is discovered in Whitescar. It was clear there had been some kind of ambush, more than likely an act of aggression on the part of the Caribou raiders...though even if the Neighponese vessel had opened fire first, it mattered little.

 

The climate during that time - raiders razing entire villages to the ground - had meant no Caribou vessel had any business being in Neighponese waters, and their simple act of entering said waters had been a hostile act in and of itself. 

 

 

[Blueblood]

The opening moves of the debate... did not exactly put the caribou side on the right hoof.  Halvard perceived that trying to prove an ancestral right to the blade was just not a winning strategy; Neighpon had prior claim, and with a less-tarnished reputation, could round up enough allies to put overwhelming diplomatic pressure upon Clan Askr.

 

Fortunately for Sigrun, Askr was not standing alone in this debate.  Halvard Breen was an experienced negotiator, having had to bargain for garrison rights for the Vakstyra on Clan territories in Whitescar, and subsequently having to balance the political and economic ramifications that brought about.  To craft a deal for the good of all, and then convincing all that said deal actually was for their good... this was politics in a nutshell.  He had on top of that a quick mind, a rapid writing hoof, and a clean script that could be used to pass notes to his mate.

 

The debating points were a mere outline, but the bull made sure not to let some of the remarks of the shogun go unaddressed:

-An axe may be used to cut wood or threaten neighbor; right to ownership affected by choice.

-Clans do not have common ancestors any more than your Daimyos.

-Important issue is not past, but future of the blade.  We both wish to use it to decrease the power of raiding clans.  Upon this basis, a deal can be reached, not historical quibbling.

 

That was the key.  If you could frame the question, that went a long way towards framing the answer.  If they could put the ball in Neighpon's court, make the Shogun answer for how the blade would be used in the future, rather than what had happened to it in the past, that would put them on a stronger argumenative position.  Not stuck on the low ground, at least.

 

~***~

 

Shiroi, rather than paying attention to the debate, was watching the crowd.  While the debate participants were trying to convince each other, rather than the observers, the unicorn well knew that the opinion of the rest of the world was by no means irrelevant.  Even if it didn't affect who ultimately got the blade, the scene of international diplomacy would be complicated if, say, Equestria as a whole felt that the "wrong" side got the blade.

 

Scanning the crowd, she saw... displeasing signs.  Equestrian attitudes towards the Caribou leader seemed to range from the neutral to the sympathetic.  Even the one other Neighponese pony she could see in the crowd was hardly reacting with horror to the idea that the caribou had been using the Ninhoto no Uta!  The very concept ran counter to the original intentions of the blade's makers, she was sure... but not quite so sure enough to, say, call in a Long as an expert witness.

 

That was the trouble.  While the story, in so far as their historians put it together, clearly put property rights on their own side, legendary weapons had a way of snarling up clear arguments.  A sword like this, for instance, might be said to have decided it's current wielder was 'unworthy.'  Imagine if your everyday tools had that kind of autonomy!  As ridiculous as it was on the face of it, the argument could be made.  After all, Neighpon was not without its own history of conquest, a legacy not without controversy.  It was imperative that the debate not go in that direction, and Shiroi watched with suspicion the notes being passed from Halvard to Sigrun.

 

"Watch him."  She whispered to both Sanda and Ryuchi.  "He has a look about him I do not like.  Keep focusing on our historical right as much as possible, do not let them shift the subject."

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā kept her eyes on the caribou, listening as the debate went on. She believed that the blade should be returned to Neighpon, but perhaps they could help deal with the violent clans. It would be good for both of them if those were gone. 

 

"<My Shogun, perhaps you should not anger them. I am certain we could take them between the three of us, but at what cost? Also, perhaps we can help them with their battle if they return the blade. It would be good for both of our nations to have them gone.>" Sandā whispered to him, giving her suggestions for the current state of the debate. She also nodded at Shiroi's words, agreeing that history was likely their best position for now. 

 

-------

 

Sunrise hummed as she listened to the opening arguments of the debate, mulling them over in her head as a unicorn stallion took his seat next to her. She smiled over at him for a moment before she spoke. 

 

"Hello there, sir. My name is Sunrise Skies. How do you feel about the proceedings so far?" She whispered to him, trying to not disturb the proceedings. "Personally, I believe they both have good points so far."

[Pretzelparty]

 

Already this was not going well. Sigrun coudln't help but feel she could have worded that last statement to better get her point across... but there was no point spending her current time on the floor to dissecting her previous statement. She glanced to her side of the room as the slip of paper arrived at her podium. "In most nations, Rakuen-Heika, even ours. Whether a member of a clan chooses to use an axe to chop down a tree or  uses it to split the skull of his neighbor will have bearing on whether he will keep that axe... among other things." Having gotten a good read of her lover's helpful points she moved on and folded up the paper. 

 

"As for the number of wars that the blade while in your land's possession that is took part in is a mistake on my part... I will be sure talk to the historians of the clan once this is through, but I feel this is a symptom of a problem both us seem to share. Evidently we both know very little of eachother's history... otherwise your own staff would have informed you that my clans 'far ancestors' would not have raided you clan for a simple reason: At that time the Askr clan numbered few and was located in the center of a sea of the magic absorbing trees, away from the edge of the sea and near an area where the beasts of the spine would routinely wander over to. My clan did manage to perfect the flying longboat rituals but our clan had to worry about attack from great beasts and raiding parties from neighboring clans. Including the ones who in recorded history were known for their regular raiding of neighponese ships and towns. Using our clan's greatest advantage in such risky attempts such as raids against a magic bearing species was not an option for those ancestors." After speaking her peace on that subject she continued on, "But I feel we should move on from the past and focus on the present..."

 

She looked back to the blade at the center of the room, "Where it is right now, The Skogsang. Is a tool that assists in the constant battle against the Rebels." The rebels... that constant dangerous faction in modern Whitescar. Any pony knowledgeable in the current climate of the region would know: The Rebels against the rule of the current High king were the caribou responsible for the sacking of the crystal empire on it's holiday... and also the most frequent raiders on vessels from any shore, Neighpon included. "While my clan does have many tools and talented Jarls and warriors supporting it... Morale is a very important factor in what wins battles. There are no artifacts in my clan's hooves that hold the significance of this one and the loss of it would  be a great blow to the Askr clan. We have already been victim of a magically engineered plague created by this organization called W.R.A.I.T.H. and that alone caused us to lose several battles and land that can now be used by them to have easier access to your shores, boats, and citizens."

 

 

 

[Zeig]

 

Ah...so Whitescar believed purpose was the highest authority in ownership? A pony could take a blade from the shelf of another's home, so long as he used it to fight battles, and thusly claim ownership over it. Whoever used the tool correctly had ownership over it, rather than simply dealing with the pony who misused said tool.

 

Such was the philosophy of Whitescar, one of aggressive conquering and brute force, and one that had Ryuichi's eyebrows furrowed low over his forehead. 

 

"Removing the tool only removes the symptoms," Ryuichi was quick to point out. "The pony who uses the axe to attack his neighbor is dealt with severely, but the axe still belongs with him - and more to the point, with his family, passed down as part of his lineage once he is dealt with as the law demands. It is not simply allowed to be taken by another, no matter how mildly he uses the axe." 

 

Against the battle to his front, Both Sandā and Shiroi brought up valid points on his sides, even if Ryuichi had mixed feelings on them. He highly doubted the Caribou would outright attack them if it came down to it - the action itself would undue everything clan Askr had ever hoped to achieve in one single moment, for one, and the public backlash against Whitescar would be turn the entire globe against the nation. It would a foolish move, one that Ryuich was confident Chieftain Sigrun had the upmost control not to make.

 

The idea of allowing the blade to remain with the clan until the threat had been driven off, however, was sound reasoning. Everything in Chieftain Sigrun's argument hinged on the idea of Clan Askr losing ground to the Rebels that plagued their lands and, in turn, Neighpon. She had mentioned that it was a great artifact to her citizens, but her argument continually circled back to the Rebels and the effect the blade had against them. It was clear that she was not willing to give up the blade as things stood right now, but she had no cause to argue against returning it after the Rebels had been dealt with. If the Ninhonto no Uta could not be returned to its homeland right away, to its rightful place, then Sandā's suggestion was a good alternative. 

 

Shiroi was also correct, though her worries were not currently shared by the Shogun. This debate was between Neighpon and Whitescar - Whitescar and Neighpon. If Chieftain Sigrun attempted to drag other nations into this argument by dredging up Neighpon's past in relation to anywhere except Whitescar, she would appear to be grasping at straws, belittling Neighpon as a whole rather than simply Neighpon's affect on Whitescar. The debate would quickly turn into a courtroom, with the Chieftain attempting to downgrade the character of Neighpon in an attempt to undermine their case - judgmental, assuming, and circumstantial. All of which would reflect poorly on the clan's leader. It was exactly why he was avoiding any overlying statements about Whitescar in general, or her clan's affect on other nations. 

 

At least the negative effects. The positive effects, however...

 

"But do the actions of your direct ancestors factor into your responsibility to Whitescar as a whole?" the Shogun questioned mildly, eyes briefly glancing down to his notes before returning to rest on the Caribou. "Clan Askr, and yourself, lead the restoration and rebuilding of the Crystal Empire after the Rebels' raid on the nation," Ryuichi stated, a simple fact that was recent enough to rest on the minds of all present. "A raid that your clan had absolutely no involvement in. Yet you still lead these restoration projects - restorations that could have been given to near any nation after a number of world-altering events, but were given to the Crystal Empire after a Caribou invasion. It is clear that Clan Askr holds honor, kinship, and integrity highly in culture, for the responsibility you felt led to these restorations for a raid your clan had no part in." 

 

The compliments paid to the Caribou clan were exactly that - compliments, and hopefully truths that Ryuichi could play off of. Clan Askr had not helped in restorations and reparations for Ponyville during Tirek's devastating attack, nor the Changeling invasions of Canterlot. That rebuilding project had not been a random goodwill mission to a nation in distress. Clan Askr had, in some way, shape, or form, held responsibility for the Caribou invasion of the Crystal Empire, an invasion they had been completely detached from. And why? To make atonements for their species, their country - their citizens. 

 

It didn't matter that the ancestors of Clan Askr had never specifically raided Neighponese shores. They clearly held themselves accountable for the actions of their kin and nation, and one of them had stolen the Ninhonto no Uta from Neighpon. 

 

"You speak of morale," the Shogun continued after a moment, "yet consider how the ponies of Neighpon feel to see our celestial-given right wielded by those whose kin burn down their homes and raze their fields to the ground." Ryuichi was careful not to lay blame to Clan Askr specifically, but the point still stood - Caribous remained monsters in the eyes of some of Neighpon's citizens, and it would stay that way for a long while to come. "What is the morale of a nation when she hears your claims of right to ownership - that she does not deserve her own history, because your usage gives you the greater right to it? A right that was stolen from Neighpon, by one Caribou clan or another, and carried far across the seas." That was the point Ryuichi wanted to stress the most, a point that Chieftain Sigrun had already validated for all to hear. Askr gave priority to usage rather than heritage - an item or possession was given to the Caribou seen fit to use it, not to the one who had shed blood and tears to retrieve it, or to the family of that Caribou who owned it just as much - and the thought that the clan stripped items away from one Caribou to give to another was almost outrageous in theory, more so in practice. 

 

"Chieftain Sigrun, you say you cannot afford to give up the blade," the darkly colored Ryuma pointed out, golden eyes resting fully on the Caribou in front of him, "and yet, you are here. You did not simply deny my wish to treat with you - you allowed this meeting. You agreed to this debate. You know Neighpon has claim to the Ninhonto no Uta." The Shogun paused, eyes closing briefly, before they opened again, gaze bright and burning under the light of the hall. "Clan Askr has made more claims towards peace than any other in Whitescar. But words are hollow in the face of action. I ask of you - prove your intentions for all present to see. Return the Ninhonto no Uta to its home." 

 

 

[Blueblood]

It took a character capable of sympathy and understanding to prefer debate and negotiation to fighting, and Halvard possessed it.  Of course, that also meant that he was sympathetic and understanding towards those who did prefer violence to words.  Not enough to agree with them or follow their course, but he could see where they were coming from.  The way Rakuen paid compliments to his mate's clan made his hackles raise, exactly as if he were approaching an ambush on road patrol.  What sort of person did that, using praise as a weapon?  He had heard that the fighting techniques of the Neighpon would often use surrender or giving way as a maneuver; he could only imagine how frustrating that would be to face, and did not look forward to dealing with that frustration here.

 

But, at the end of the day, like a good negotiator, he had to focus on his priorities.  Clan Askr, and the Loyalists in general, needed three things: morale and good war conduct against the rebels, foreign legitimacy, and a sustainable peacetime economy post-war.  Easier said than done; Halvard couldn't even tell if it was a waste of effort or not to address each of the Shogun's remarks in detail, as any might be used as a weapon against them.

*Calm down, Halvard, he's not your enemy... yet.  Hopefully not ever, but...*  Thing to do right now was keep Sigrun supplied with debating points.  Starting with Ryuichi's first point:

 

-A difference in legal theory and economics: we are not a rich people, and never were.  Most of us cannot afford a fine, so property seizure is in our law, and that of other countries, for that matter.  One cannot hold a weapon in some places without permission from the ruler; said permission may be granted or revoked.

[Scrawled in hastily]Do not the dragons do the same for this blade?

 

-Not being rich, there is only so much we can do abroad.  

 

-Clans are one bad harvest away from destruction.  What you call devastation comes to us every winter.  To live under such circumstances, one must trade, raid, or conquer-

 

There was a slight scuffle and commotion behind the caribou debate party.  Halvard looked back, and sighed with relief to see a lavender-colored unicorn bearing file folders.  Good, that message to the IMAGINE ponies had gotten through.  Halvard now had economic data and collated history.  

Neighpon's actions during it's period of colonization would put the lie to it's claims of moral superiority, as one could simply see it as a raid which never left.  The shogun would, of course, dismiss the subject as irrelevant, as it related to actions not specifically between Whitescar and Neighpon.  However, this was not quite as irrelevant as one might suppose.  If the caribou were to survive without violently attacking their neighbors, they had to rely on trade and commerce, which in turn relied on open markets.  However, thanks to the Neighponese Empire, there were no open markets to the East of Whitescar.  Many clans had made their living as entrepot traders in those waters, but once the islands were cut off, they either had to turn raider, be conquered by those who did, or starve.  Histories of those clans were included in the files, along with the economic data that charted the long-term effects of the Shogunate's mercanitilism.

He finished jotting down his notes for his mate, attaching the paper to the files:

-If we cannot end the war with a good economy and accepted leadership, battlefield victories mean naught.  To lose the blade to a shutter of markets means we could not get either.  By what right do you hold the lands which choke alternatives to violence?  It is no coincidence that the Rebel strongholds are in the east; the Western markets did not close, even after the raids.  And now, we have been able to pacify that region because clans have other ways to live.

 

-Proverb: "If you always bargain for the most of what you can get, soon no one does business with you."  We place ourselves in this position to see just what kind of merchant you are.  What we lose, we trade for our honor, and to keep what friends we have.  What you gain, may yet cost you both in the end.

 

It was odd, perhaps, to put an admission of weakness in their own arguments.  But, if the Neighponese could use apparent vulnerability as a tactic, so could they...

~***~

 

Shiroi did not fear attack by Sigrun, even if this debate went south for the other side.  She did not fear caribou raids, not even what would follow a Rebel victory.  She feared for her own lands, of what would happen if morale or trade links failed.  And the trouble was that those things were tied to unintended consequences.  Would they sacrifice domestic integrity for mere foreign opinion?  She could only pray that the Shogun be not so foolish, and take what encouragement she could from the masterful way in which he held to the claim Neighpon held on the Ninhoto no Uta.

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

SIgrun had to try not to let her annoyance show on her face at Ryuichi's rebuttle to her words on the axe example, perhaps this was going to be one of those cultural philosophies that neither side could truly understand the others position. There were always the odd exceptions (such as this very blade) But the shogun seemed to have it in his mind that the caribou thought of the blade as only a tool to be used but that they could not hold it close to their hearts like the neighponese did. "Rakuen-heika. There are many answers to your words that I will make but I must preface them with this statement first." Sigrun took a deep breath, "I will admit to you that your land does have legitimate claim to this sword by the virtue of the ones you revere: That a group of caribou from the land I share with them took this blade likely under means that are objectionable to your own nation's laws.I did not say your land and citizen's had less of a right to this blade, I do not think I implied it but if my words were misconstrued I apologize."

 

There were many things Sigrun was willing to do for the sake of peace but referring to any dragon as 'heavenly' or 'divine' would leave a bad taste in her mouth, "A group of caribou in Whitescar did by all rights in your culture steal this blade and it wound up in my own clan's hooves by perhaps by fate or luck or whatever one my call the forces that govern our world. We are sorry that this happened but we cannot hoof it over due to the place it holds in my clansbou's hearts. Ill-gotten though the blade maybe." Sigrun as she told herself was by no means a cow who did not see the use of diplomacy, but at heart she was still a cow raised to fight for the cause she believed in.

 

She spoke up, hoping she could truly elucidate, "As for the events of the Sacking of the Crystal Empire: It is true, My clan got involved because it was caribou who made the attack... Rebel Caribou. You have pointed out that that aid could have gone to anyone of the past victims of Caribou raids in the past but that is simply not possible for us to do. The Red Jarl's efforts combined with W.R.A.I.T.H. resulted in the destruction of landmarks that had recently been restored after the occupants of a nation had disappeared for one thousand years... The Crystal Empire had no bad blood towards caribou before the attack and to my knowledge had no memory of attacks in the millennia ago that they were even around. It does pain me to not be able to assist those my kind has wounded in some way, but my clan and caribou as a whole have to be far more careful about how and who we help than many other species on this globe. If I understand correctly, Neighpon has access to many magical and technological innovations, most of your land is vibrant with a much safer methods for growing crops and plenty of resources. My clan, lives in a hold surrounded on all sides with wood and small deposits of ore that can be safely dug through.. None of us have any overt magic that can be used to mend, ourselves, our homes, our livelihoods and we on constant alert seeing as with no warning a monster taller and tougher than any kaiju that menaces your shores could come down from the spine of the serpent and demolish a town, and with few methods of communication there is the possibility any help we send their could be too late due to the blizzards and fierce storms."

 

The cow took a deep breath and turned her gaze back to the shogun, "But the status of my own species and more notably my own clan is a topic we could cover more in depth later. For now... I believe I have a possible solution to our problem." Her hoof pointed to the blade between them on the debate stage, "This blade has been a blessing to both of our cultures. By yours: through right of it's makers. By mine: Circumstances beyond my clan's control. This artifact is possibly the only strong common ground for both Neighpon and a clan in Whitescar: I don't believe severing connection would benefit either of us... so perhaps a modification could be done.  Perhaps, we could reforge it. Not into one blade but two. It is a nodachi and has more than enough steel between it to be turned into sister swords, perhaps wakizashi. These two swords could serve not only as both our lands to keep and value the history that each of us has with it, but also symbolize a new era for Caribou and Neighpon. Would you do me the honor of helping my clan reach this new age?"

 

[Ciraxis]

"Swift Squall Squallcoast." noblepony gave his name, in exchange for Sunrise own introduction, somewhat indifferent if she recognized his parentage or family name. His for the moment was attention transfixed on the Shogun.

So this was ruler of the Neighpon? Somehow Squall expected someone....more rugged looking, older. However, judging from the words he spun, it was clear that behind young face was a sharp mind.

"......Bladehymn focuses on defense too much." he muttered, as much to himself as to Sunrise. "The mistakes of her people loom back in her mind. And because of that she apologizes again, again. Rightly so, cause it knocks out the possible arguments. Yet due to this, she forgets that nation this one represents...." unicorn squinted his eyes, still locked on the Ryuichi. "...has it's own share of sins as well. Or maybe...she's unwilling to use them against him, not wanting to come as a hypocrite. Yet, if Askr are to win this debate she will have to make such low blow. Even the mightiest defense will do you no good if you wont counterattack. Sigurn has to drag out the crimes of Neighpon into the light and shatter their pride if she wants to walk away with blade still in her possession." Swift explained before falling silent, listening to debater once again. He however cringed when Sigrun gave her preposition.

"Too soon. She opted for the compromise too soon." he mumbled. Noblepony was now pretty sure that Skies was listening to him, so he opted to vocalize his thoughts.

"By opting to find middle ground first, without taking any shots at him she presented herself as a weaker side. She should use Neighpon history of conquest against them!"

His eyes shifted onto Ninhoto no Uta.

"That and.....Miss Sunrise, are familiar with concept 'Death of the Author'?"

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā had been stretching when she had spoken of possible attack, she knew that now, but she was the Shïrudo, it was her job to look for potential threats to Ryu and act accordingly. She supposed what she knew of caribou, coupled with Sigrun's current appearance, drove her to make assumptions on how they would respond to Ryu's words...

 

The pegasus had zoned out a bit as she rethought her threat assessment of the area, though she tuned back in just in time to hear Sigrun's proposal of splitting the blade into two sister swords. Sandā frowned at that beneath her helmet, raising into the air slightly to get a better look at the blade in the center of the room. After a few seconds, she touched down and hummed slightly. 

 

"<My Shogun, I believe Sigrun is right when she says there is enough metal to forge two blades. However, I have no idea how reforging the blade would effect the magic, and there is the slight problem of who would get the blade with the original hilt.>" She whispered to him, pausing slightly and glancing towards the caribou. "<I feel I must also remind you of my earlier idea. I will support you in whichever you choose.>" She added, leaving the decision to him. 

 

-------

 

Sunrise hummed slightly as she listened to Swift speak, watching the proceedings and taking in his opinion of the debate. 

 

"I am not familiar with that term, no. However, I do believe Sigrun has a fine position even without attacking. Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense, and vice versa. Besides, she appears to be trying to open relations between the two more than she is trying to keep the blade." Sunrise said, smiling slightly as she looked over at Swift. 

[Zeig]

 

Was...was she really insinuating what he thought she was?

 

Thank the ancestors for his training. 

 

It was all he could do to stop the sneer from spreading across his face as he thought of countless citizens back home, who would most adamantly have something to say against the Caribou's subtle insult against the horrors of the Kaiju. 

 

Monsters far taller and tougher than a Kaiju, indeed...as if the worries of a Neighponese citizen were mere trifles in comparison to the problems that her clans faced...

 

...as if the horror his own mother had faced down to her dying breath had been nothing in comparison, by.

 

The. 

 

Ancestors.

 

The silence in the debate hall rang long - long enough for all present to realize that the Shogun was not at a loss for words, or anything of the sort. No, the silence spoke, to the keenest of minds, of long held emotion kept carefully in check, words repeating themselves over in his mind, carefully evaluated so as not to accidentally insult the other party in attendance. 

 

A process that the opposing side, clearly...clearly, had no skill in.

 

"...I would never presume to belittle the horrors your clan faces under the Spine of the Serpent," the Shogun of Neighpon stated - quietly, solemnly, tightly reigned emotion permitting nothing but a sense of steadying peace. "Nor would I presume to claim threats against Neighpon any greater." And let that sit at the heart of it, and Ryuichi's face remained passive as he let the silence spiral for a second time, evening out his breathing pattern into serenity.

 

The colt, the young colt shell-shocked and despairing over news from Dosanko, wished to rail and cry out and let the cow know a fury that was taller and tougher than any she had ever seen...but the Shogun of Neighpon, did not. Chieftain Sigrun had acknowledged the most important fact, at least as far as he was concerned. The blade had been stolen from Neighpon, and not only did Clan Askr not claim it as a heritage or birthright, it acknowledged its unlawful possession in their hooves. The necessity of keeping the blade is what weighed on its mind, rather than a right to it. Tradition, history, legacy, were important facets of Neighponese culture, and no matter how dearly the hurt, young colt wished to lash out, the Shogun simply could not afford to let simple words - foul and ill as they were - break down this negotiation. 

 

"Neighpon is a country of tradition, but also of progress," the young Ryuma finally voiced, the words less for the Caribou in front of him and more for those in attendance - a reminder, in a way. "She has grown into the nation she is today, through innovation, open-mindedness...and a willingness to move forward." There would undoubtedly be discontent within Neighpon - there always was - but in the end, Clan Askr held the blade. They held all the power. If they refused, once and for all, to hoof over the blade, Neighpon would have no ground to stand upon, and the blow to morale would be great.

 

As far as compromises went...

 

"...The new blade of Neighpon will include the original tuska - the hilt - of the Ninhonto no Uta," Ryuichi countered, golden eyes watching the Caribou carefully, "to honor its origin as Neighponese in legacy." Sandā's suggestion was a good one - as Chieftain Sigrun had claimed their sole purpose for keeping the sword was for battles, than refining a grip better suited for Caribou was an even better proposition than clinging to the original tuska of Neighponese design. "And the blade must be reforged by the dragons of Long Guo." That might actually be a problem...the craftsponyship of the Ninhonto no Uta was unparalleled, forged by Elder Dragons of ancient days. That skill still existed in the world, but far in seclusion. Attempting to reforge the blade with anything other than that expertise would be folly...but Ryuichi did not believe Sigrun would object to that stipulation. The problem lay in simply getting access to that skill, which would, in turn, probably mean the involvement of a third party. 

 

Namely, Long Guo.

 

...Though, the ancient dragons were wise beyond years, and did not answer to the Imperial Dynasty. Who knew? Perhaps simply setting hoof onto Long Guo soil would be enough to prompt such a serpent dragon into appearing at that very hour. 

 

Well.

 

That would be for then. For now, "Such are the wishes of Neighpon," the Shogun intoned, head tilting forward just slightly. "If Clan Askr agrees...then we would be honored to achieve a new era of peace and prosperity with our Caribou brethren of Whitescar." 

 

[Blueblood]

That... was... dicey.  Halvard could tell that at some point in his mate's speech, she'd come across some hidden nerve; an open or recently bandaged emotional wound in Ryuchi.  The audible silence that emanated from him was enough to indicate that.  But, the Shogun seemed to keep his head, and for that the Clan Breen caribou respected, even admired him.  To tamp down one's natural reactions in favor of the greater good was the mark of a good leader.  To tamp down one's stated national ideals and legends in favor of a practical compromise?  It was perhaps a trait that few would outright admire, but Halvard did.  He himself had much the same attitude towards his own, Whitescar traditions, and with a like-minded party on the other side, he could foresee fruitful negotiations.

 

He passed up the note to Sigrun:

-Excellent, he sees sense; we can do business with him.

 

-Perhaps I might have to do the talking in the future, at least until we can figure out what hole we stepped into back there.

 

He hesitated over the last sentence, not wanting to destroy the confidence of Clan Askr's chieftain.  To do Sigrun credit, her position was a difficult one in the best of times, but they were walking away from the table with what they ultimately wanted.  A useable weapon, potential ally, and open door to trade negotiations.  He'd call that a victory, and no one had to even draw a weapon.

 

~***~

 

Meanwhile, Shiroi was... less enthused.  The bit about the kaiju didn't hit her as hard as it hit the shogun; neither she nor her family dealt with them outside the pages of a newspaper or manga edition.  It was not monsters she feared, but the consequences, sometimes completely unintended consequences, of actions done by other ponies.  "<What does he think he's doing?>"  She whispered to Sanda in Neighponese.  "<Half the naval bases we maintain in Polyneighsia are tolerated because of protection against Caribou.  We lose the justification, we lose the bases.  We lose the bases, and we lose the Empire.>"  

 

It was a perverse incentive, she had to admit, which would say that peace with the caribou was more dangerous to the Empire than war.  But what else could she say?  She was tasked, in her mind, to preserve the system that maintained Neighponese magitek dominance.  That required complete control of Polyneighsian resources.  Open the market to foreign trade, and the whole house of cards collapses.

[Pretzelparty]

 

 

 

That silence did not bode well. Perhaps her previous statement had hit a nerve in the shogun... scratch that it clearly did: She recognized that sort of restrained look on his face before many times. Sigrun had to admire the shogun's ability to keep a level head in this situation. It took all her willpower not to just let out a sigh of relief as Shogun Rakuen agreed to her compromise. Hiding the smile on her face was a very different story...

 

"My clan and I wish to thank you for your open mindedness, Rakuen-Heika. On my honor , I vow to not make you regret this choice." A slight bow of her neck followed shortly after, "I agree to these terms... We may need to talk further on this once we agree on the day to take the blade to your dragons." 

 

As she reviewed the note sent by her mate, her smile fell slightly. If she did in fact 'step into a hole' from her own missteps it could reflect badly not only on Sigrun and her clan, but all of the Whitescar Caribou. The debate had ended at least with the goal Halvard and herself had desired actually obtained, even if the trials that had to be undertook to get it had been mentally exhausting for a cow out of her element. A caribou who spent her relatively short life leading a clan, fighting the elements and battling adjacent clans could never say that she ever fit very well on a podium: Especially how she looked now. 

"Until the blade's future smith is found, My clan will keep hold of it ... Upon the date of the details of the reforging are set we will send out ships off with the blade so long as Neighponese ships accompany us on the voyage." The caribou moved to the center of the stage and closed the case upon the blade, it's distinctive humming becoming silent as it was put away. Putting the container at her side, Sigrun moved off the stage to Bull behind the curtain and brought him into an embrace that was followed by a sigh of relief.

 

-Exit Sigrun-

 

Spoiler

TO those involved! Feel free to continue to talk amongst yourselves but Sigrun and Ryuichi will be finished if I understand correctly.

 

[PyroBlaze]

Sandā paused, Ryu's silence taking over the room. What had caused that? He was obviously upset, but why? It took a moment, but thinking over Sigrun's last words revealed all too much. Her eyes narrowed dangerously under her helmet, lifting a foot off the ground unconsciously before getting a hold of herself and settling back to the ground. 

 

"<No, not here. I can't ruin this for him.>" She mumbled to herself, just barely catching Shiroi's words. "<Were you not listening? They are not the only caribou in Whitescar, and they are likely not the ones raiding us anyways. The threat may be lessened, but it is not gone.>" She whispered back, keeping her gaze on Ryu. 

 

She fell silent after that, watching the debate come to an end and the caribou left. As Ryuichi turned to leave, she gave him a nod to tell him she had heard it too and that she was here for him. She said nothing though, simply falling into step as her shogun passed. 

 

------

 

Sunrise smiled to herself as the debate came to a peaceful end. That had been interesting to watch, but now it was time to leave. 

 

"Thank you for the company and conversation, sir Squall, but I most take my leave now. Farewell." She said, giving the stallion a small wave before heading out of the building. 

 

[Exit Sunrise and Sandā]