Kasuga Yaniko was an old woman of the Tortoise Clan who had lived through three Imperial dynasties and served seven Emperors. She was approached by a couple of lovers, formed by Doji Toru and Matsu Shiko. Both were betrothed to other samurai they did not love, and requested Yaniko to use her abilities to over-rule the nakodo their fathers commissioned. Yaniko eagerly accepted a Lion map with the location of Shima no Quehao, the Lion's island library, an information her clan had sought for years. When marriage was between two clans, it required a higher authority to grant it, so Yaniko forged an Imperial endorsement.