HP: Spirit Talker

POV Clan Chief

It was deep night, the dawn was about to break, the mansion finally fell silent, the guests settled down in their assigned rooms, only the servants and a few elderly people were awake.

They were sitting in a small room, in front of each of them was a small table with a cup of tea and small cakes. Some helped themselves, others just waited for the conversation to begin without touching the food. A strong, wiry old man in a dark kimono and white haori enters the room, sits down on a special cushion on the floor, and takes a few sips of hot tea served by efficient servants.

Here in the palm of the old man's hand appears a red rosary with stones the size of a ripe cherry. A bunch of rosaries clutched in the palms, a few whispered words, a wave of the hand, and a clearly visible ripple of air distortion ran through the room.

That's it, no one can hear them now, no matter how hard they try. A dozen faint hissing sounds made the assembled elders smile. Of course, these are eavesdropping amulets that just burned out.

— Well, let's not waste time, it's already late. Did you find out why the Emperor's representative came and not someone from his family? — The old man looked around at the assembled people.

— The Americans came on a visit, with a large delegation, with the remnants of the old families of magicians and merchants. — replied a man of about fifty, dressed in a strict business suit and elegant spectacles. — We were informed that important negotiations were underway, the purpose of which was not specified. — With a familiar gesture, the man adjusted his glasses.

 — Shake the agents, work as you like, but we have to find out this subject. Is that clear? — The clan chief looked stern and serious, not a trace of the good-natured host he always appeared to his guests with.

The man bowed deeply in silence. Words are unnecessary, and it is clear that the head has given a clear order that must be carried out.

 — Why was no one from the council present? I personally sent an invitation to the animals.

— They sent a letter of congratulations. — replied an elderly, plump woman in an almost white kimono with a faint green tint. — There was no messenger — a bird brought it. — she continued, preempting the question.

There was silence in the room for a while as everyone considered the situation. The head of the clan turned to the man in the suit and glasses.

 — Last month, there was a holiday in honor of the birth of the heir Miura, and I didn't see any of the animals there either.

Despite their fatigue, they all listened intently and now looked at the younger man.

 — The last time a representative of the Ayakashi and Yokai Council attended the funeral of Urabe Tenzo was three years ago," the man replied calmly. — Since then, none of the council or their representatives have visited any of the higher clans. For their part, all agreements and conventions have been honored, but only in writing, and all trade continues. None of the signed treaties have been terminated or suspended in any way.

 — It's strange, they seemed to be hiding... — another old man, not much different from the others, said thoughtfully.

 — That's right, — the man in the suit nodded. — The agents report that no suspicious activity has been noticed, the communities are behaving as usual. However, masters of magic and witchcraft have been recalled from remote villages and hamlets, and the unsystematic movement of several families of non-humans into larger communities has been recorded. Analysts predicted an increase in the movement of non-human populations to the centers and a gradual decline in the production of some goods.

 — They suspected it. — An old man of very small stature spoke in an unexpectedly firm voice, as if he had withered over the years. — Just one question: how?

 — Most likely, they used surveillance, just like us, and it is almost impossible to hide the accumulation of resources. — A woman in her early fifties with short gray hair said, "That's not scary anymore, we have everything we need to continue, and the rest can be ordered from the Chinese, or in extreme cases, from the Americans.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement with one of the elders.

— Regarding the implementation of the plan. — said a short, overweight man with red cheeks. — Today, on the holiday, I held preliminary negotiations with the allies from the southern islands. They are interested in allied actions, but everything depends on the concrete benefit. Negotiations are necessary.

The head nodded at him, and the ruddy man broke into a satisfied smile.

 — We have plenty of time, but we shouldn't delay — if they agree, they will need time to prepare. Therefore, I suggest we send our people next month — the blood bean harvest will be just ripening, I think a small discount will be a good gesture to start negotiations...

 — I'll take care of it. — The red-cheeked man smiled contentedly.

 — Involve your grandchildren in this business, they have good potential, it's time to develop it.

The reply was an even more satisfied, almost happy smile.

— Now that we've got the basics out of the way, how did the boy get to know the bride? — asked the elder who taught the boy magic.

 — Fine. — the head rubbed his chin thoughtfully. — I was expecting the worst, but it seems that the magical correction and the drugs have undermined the natural defenses. — There was no hysteria, no screaming. He was surprised, stunned, but that's all, he didn't allow himself to be rude, which already confirms the correctness of the chosen course of correction. I don't think it's worth increasing the dosage," the clan chief said slowly and thoughtfully. — Unless we want to break it. We need to weaken him, yes, but not break him. Keep that in mind! — The old man looked sternly at the noxious old woman with the disgusting character, waiting for a grimace and a nod of agreement before he continued. — His magic is awakening and his body is coming into its own, it takes wise masters to properly train a warrior, not the usual exorcist. Our doctors have reported that this woman will not be able to give birth to another child, so it is better not to take any risks with what we already have. Increase the psychological pumping, apply moral pressure, but do not increase the magical processing of consciousness!

 — What's wrong with her?" asked the "dry" old man. — She's still young, she has to give birth and give birth.

 — Somehow she has managed to place a subtle curse on herself that will prevent her from having children after her second child. The magic is so subtle that it was discovered too late, and now nothing can be done. — The head shook his head sadly.

 — We must decide who will be the father of the second child! — said the "dried one" a little louder than necessary, his eyes burning.

 — Not now. — The clan chief's voice was firm and heavy. After the wedding, the boy will leave the compound. Only when his power can no longer influence his relative will a second child be conceived.

The elders were not very happy with the decision, but they understood its meaning, so they agreed to wait. Moreover, the delay increases the chances that your child will win the right to spill his or her blood into the new military wing of the clan. More time — more maneuver. — This was the thought of each of the participants, wondering what kind of adventure to embark on, what kind of intrigues to embroil their rivals in.

On this cheerful note, the meeting ended.