"...but we don't want to be involved in the politics and battles of the Great Clans! Did we not leave the servitude of the Crane, for that very reason my brother?"

The council sat divided. Rumors of yet another war had led the unwashed to forge their own destiny. Perhaps the present course of events thrust upon this multitude beckoned them to do more than just run.

After all, they had learned many skills from the Holy Men. Skills that the priveleged seemed to horde to themselves. The collective wisdom of the Monks in this order reached far beyond what one might consider. Many a warrior found solitude in this place. Nonetheless, their past experiences did not vanish upon a deeper study of the seen and unseen world around them. And through this strange twist of fate, these great treasures fell into the hands of the peasantry.

"This is different, Toki-san. Instead of being forced from the fields of rice into the fields of battle, we can willingly align ourselves with one clan or another. We can test what we have learned. We can offer our services for a greater reward than just becoming a nameless sacrifice on some samurai's quest for glory. These forces shape Rokugan: money, politics, and war. For centuries we have been the builders of wealth but not the partakers; we have been the pawns of politicians while knowing nothing of their lies; and we have been the fodder for the great generals while sharing not in their honor. The time has come for us to recieve a just reward."

"The rumors continue to grow and I believe them to be true. The Crane shall strike the Crab in quest to take the lands of the Yasuki. I have no desire to serve the Crane, but perhaps we should aid the Crab. They are much like us my brothers and sisters. Their eternal burden offers little joy and yet they defend the wall day and night without relief. Perhaps they have stake in our fate and we in theirs..."

Toki interupted, "Tsuoki-san, we can stand against the armies of the Crane! Despite what we have learned, we are novices on the field of battle!"

"But Toki-san for once we come not to be defended, but to be allies. We can offer our strength to the Crab, despite our inexperience. Clearly a child can not overcome the strength of a man, but many children working together can subdue him. And perhaps we can occupy the Crane's left arm, while the Crab drives a wedge through his heart!"

Silence fell upon the circle. These were violent words... but truly no more vicious than horrors of losing one's son in the middle of the night to the 'recruiters'. A savage pain each of these families had felt many times.

The grey haired elder finally spoke. "Perhaps we can be of service to the Hida, the Hiruma, the Yasuki and the Kuni families though we have no great name of our own. Maybe the Crab will not desire our aid, maybe they can not or will not offer us anything in return. But we truly need no reward other than to be called friend. There is no shame in asking and we have nothing to lose, should they deny us a small place on the field of battle. Go and ask."