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Sensei Takahashi thoughtfully picked his way across the dojo's grounds, the fresh snow crunching under his feet. With his students excused from their studies for week-long the winter solstice festival there was no reason for the elderly wolf to rush his morning exercise. Plenty of time to let his body warm while enjoying the crisp morning air.

And to investigate the footprints he discovered near the student dorms.

The trail skirted the main practice yard before turning sharply up the small hill behind the dojo where a modest shrine huddled among several trees near the top. Wary of the slick footing he gripped his staff tightly and muttered, briefly resenting that strength was wasted on those too young and foolish to appreciate it. Nor to apply it properly.

By the time he reached the shrine his lungs ached with the sting of cold. He paused to catch his breath, comforted by the mellow aroma of incense that greeted him. With two carefully measured taps of his staff the snow that clung to his wooden sandals fell away.

He slid the door open with barely a rustle and peered inside before entering. A lantern flickered in the far corner. The adolescent wolf hunched bellow was too focused on an unrolled parchment to notice the intrusion. He immediately recognized Ishada Shiro by the telltale brown streaks along the whelp's muzzle and throat.

"You are up early," Sensei Takahashi observed. "I expected all my students would take this opportunity to sleep in."

Ishada Shiro jerked upright, ears folded back. "Sensei! I did not hear you arrive. Forgive me."

"I did not wish to be heard," he said and moved closer to see what the pup was studying so intently. "Sudden interest in cartography?"

"No sensei," Ishada Shiro answered and glanced at the map. "There is just something that concerns me so I have been reflecting on it."

Sensei Takahashi examined the parchment, trying to spot what worried his pupil. It was familiar enough - a standard map of the empire, the territories of its various clans, and the lands beyond the border. The sort of thing taught early though many students could only be able to name most prominent features.

"I see no errors."

"It is not a problem with the map, sensei," Ishada Shiro explained as he pointed to the mountain range on the far western border. "My mind is on the Heaven's Gate Mountains."

The younger wolf's finger hovered over each of the three strongholds that stood vigil in the range's few passes. Sensei Takahashi felt a smile come to his lips. "You believe there is a flaw in the empire's defenses?"

The younger male hesitated. "I believe I am failing to understand their true intent."

"Explain," he commanded, resisting the urge to smile. Impressive.

"We are taught that these walls prevent foreigners from invading. Because they are vital to our defense they are manned by the Emperor's own clan. It is one reason why we owe fealty to the bears."

"And you do not think the walls capable of repelling an assault?" Sensei Takahashi asked.

"That would depend on the nature of the attack," Ishada Shiro said, tone guarded. "But you taught us the majority of the Imperial forces remain dispersed throughout the empire to maintain order and ensure edicts are properly enforced. And look - the strongholds are too far separated for mutual support. If one was attacked it would take weeks before reinforcements arrived. A determined assault could breach the defenses in that time."

"Those fortifications are built at natural choke points," Sensei Takahashi reminded his student. "Any attack would suffer heavy casualties."

"Without a doubt, sensei," Ishada Shiro agreed. "But a sufficiently large army could absorb the losses. You recently taught us that there are several kingdoms larger than our own. Surely one could muster the resources."

The young wolf looked up earnestly, eyes bright as his tail slowly stirred the air behind him. "If our relationship with a foreign nation became strained we would certainly increase the garrison at each wall," Sensei Takahashi said with certainty before looking down at his pupil again. "However there is not always warning, is there? You are correct, of course. There is a risk an invader would breach the empire's heartland. The Emperor and his generals are well aware of this, though."

"Of course, sensei," Ishada Shiro said quickly. "I did not mean to imply they were ignorant ... but if they know the risk why not increase the strength of the garrison?"

"What is to stop an aggressor from following the same logic?" Sensai Takahashi asked. "Do not forget that maintaining a garrison in such inhospitable outposts is costly. Too many men stationed at once would burden the empire."

"Then what is the point?"

He started to answer then paused to consider. Outside the sounds of other students beginning to rise drifted up the hill. With care he moved to the window and gazed outside. How long they would linger indoors?

"You are familiar with the badger clan on our southern border, correct?" he asked as he turned back.

"The Okura? They are a modest but respected clan."

"Then you are aware that in spite of recent internal disputes ours is much more formidable," he continued, only pausing long enough for Ishada Shiro nod. "What prevents us from taking their holdings for ourselves?"

The young wolf froze, mouth working wordlessly for several seconds. "The Emperor would not stand for such bullying, sensei! Imperial law forbids a clan of our standing from such action."

Sensei Takahashi chuckled, caught off guard. "Very good; you are correct. But suppose that was not the case. Would you recommend we absorb the Okura's holdings?"

This time Ishada Shiro pursed his lips, eyes returning to the map. He let the pup think and took the opportunity to light a fresh stick of incense. His eyes drifted closed, just long enough to say a quick prayer to the spirits, then started pacing to keep the cold from his body.

"I do not think it would be wise," Ishada Shiro answered at last.

"Why not? We have the forces to succeed."

"Yes, Sensei, but there are other threats to worry about. The Minamoto and Hashiji are not so far away. We would win, but the losses would leave us vulnerable to other rivals," he said and took a deep breath. "That is the reason for the walls?"

"One, yes," Sensai Takahashi said. "They also would serve to delay an invasion long enough for the Emperor to receive word and rally the clans. Even if our attackers have vast numbers it will take time to bring them through the pass. A swift enough counter-attack will force them back into the mountians where they can be held indefinitely."

"Attrition would eventually take its toll on our forces."

"Yes, but supplying a massive host is no trivial task," he said. "We would not need to defeat them in battle, eventually the strain of feeding so many soldiers would force them to retreat."

Ishada Shiro studied the map once more, this time looking at the lands beyond the mountain range. It was clear how desolate the area was; not as inhospitable as the Sea of Sands far to the south perhaps but unforgiving in its own right. Other than a few trade caravans willing to risk the journey few groups attempted to cross the Ash Plains.

"Sensei, there would be difficulty finding support for this sort of plan," he protested. "Those who follow the stricter interpretation of tradition would believe starving a foe appallingly dishonorable."

"It is easy to show such conviction when discussing the hypothetical, but when faced with a real threat of such scale few will hold to beliefs so clearly unwise," he said while shaking his head. "Not to dismiss tradition, but few are willing admit the line between honor and foolishness is often partly determined by circumstance."

"I believe I understand. Thank you, sensei."

"Do not thank me yet," he said and flashed just a hint of teeth at the younger wolf. "If you have time for these distractions then clearly your mind is not sufficiently occupied. Write an essay on how you would attempt to attack the empire from beyond the mountains, knowing what you do now."

"Sensei? What about the festival?" his student asked, confusion clear on his face.

"Yes, the solstice. Enjoy the celebrations," he said, keeping his sharp gaze on Ishada Shiro. "I expect to see your answer afterwards. That should give you ample time. Now off you go - your classmates will surely miss you before long."

The pup quickly re-rolled the map, hurrying away before another assignment could be given. Sensei Takahashi found himself smiling after the boy was gone, lightly shaking his head. With a quick puff he blew out the lantern and departed as well, humming a festive tune.

He could hardly wait to see the boy's answer. Testing the edge of a new blade always was satisfying.