Loyal Aromoro,

I am surprised at you lack of trust in my motives. Delivering Akodo Kuno's letter to the Lion could have only helped our clan. The letter, if accepted as true by the Lion could not only provide us a means of diplomacy to reason with them but, could also provide us a means to confuse them. They may see us as too weak to find a simple Lion amongst us, and overconfidence breeds error.
If they dismiss the letter as Scorpion trickery, there would be no loss either way. They would simply feel more confident, since we would be stooping to trickery. I have no doubt the Scorpion can hold the palace. The Lion must be kept overconfident.
My status with Kuno and the rest of the Tanto Bearers could only be improved by "going against my clan." I must thank you for that. We still can use letters to the Akodo. You have seen Kuno's letter, his writing style. Use this against them. Remind them of Toturi's shame to his family and his lack of honor. By failing to protect the emperor he should have fallen on his sword like the honorable Lion he is. Remind them of that at every opportunity.

We can swim.

Your comrade and brother,
Shosuro Keshijo.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1