Heavenfall

"It's really very pleasant. We'll. Apart from all the cheerful Ayakashi running about telling you to smile more..."

"The... Ayakashi? I've heard the name before. What are they?"

Ryoko furrowed her brow, trying to dispel mental images of scurrying goblins with wide, toothy grins.

"Why should one smile more or less? Is it not a matter of how I feel?"

"The Ayakashi are a tribe which many of those who follow the Emperor originally came. They're a... Cheerful bunch. Very close to the spirits of Chikushudo, and similarly inclined to what they regard as good-natured fun, and which many others regard as irritating jokes. Happy bunch, so they want others to be happy. It can be... trying."

"Oh."

Ryoko pondered that. "Perhaps it would be good that my tribe would be on the road much of the time - ogres are not known for their sunny dispositions."

"I like them already."

"Really? I'm glad they will have an advocate."

Picking up a stick, she poked at the mud, thoughtfully. "So how does it work... all these tribes? Do they all serve Shiba, or are they independent?"

"That's... complicated. Unlike some of his siblings, Shiba has no issue with tribes that don't cause trouble for others. At the same time... he is Emperor, and exercises a degree of control. His direct servants give up their tribal allegiance to become members of the Imperial Families, just as as the servants of the other Kami give up their tribal status to become members of the Clans."

Ryoko realized, out of habit, she had mis-spoken, and then added, "Ah, I see... I had meant to ask about the clans. My apologies, I am still not used to these new terms."

She rubbed at her temples, trying to keep it all straight.

"Oh, that's much easier! All the Clans owe fealty to the Emperor, and have to at least pay lip service to his commands, although he's smart enough not to make too many of those. They have a degree of independence, but ultimately answer to the throne."

"Hmmm. So if he told them to leave a land alone, or not take a tribe... they'd have to obey?"

She furrowed her brow. "I heard that samurai were warriors... so who do they fight?"

"They would have to make a display of obedience, and thus far, most have done so- case in point, your own tribe has not been assaulted."

He sighed.

"The exaltation of a warrior caste is more a thing for Nanzi to crow about than for me to justify or condone. I will simply note that most combat over the past five years has been initiated by others."