Harbinger

 

by Shawn Carman

Edited by Julie Zinser

 

 

The Imperial City, year 1169

 

For over a thousand years, the Imperial City of Otosan Uchi had served as a shining beacon, demonstrating the majesty that was possible when all worked together to serve the Emperor of Rokugan, the glorious Son of Heaven. The three Imperial families who were blessed to serve the Emperor directly worked tirelessly to see to it that Otosan Uchi had been a center of learning and diplomacy, and that nothing had disturbed the gentle atmosphere that had suffused the beautiful city.

Or at least that was what some would have you believe.

Miya Shoin knew that the stories of Otosan Uchi were grossly exaggerated. He was fortunate enough to have served in the city briefly during his youth, although he knew that the number of samurai currently serving the Imperial families who had shared a similar experience was waning. Were these stories simply nostalgia, as many believed? Shoin doubted that. He had an inkling that the stories served a very specific purpose, and perhaps this was the chance to discover if his instincts were correct.

Riding alongside his honor guard, Shoin took in the sights of Toshi Ranbo, the new Imperial City. Prior to Otosan Uchi’s destruction, there had indeed been much that was breathtaking about the city, but just as much that was not. The area where the old capital had been located was notorious for small but frequent earthquakes, and there was a constant turmoil of rebuilding throughout the city, with rubble everywhere.

Conversely, Toshi Ranbo had been the sight of a major battle six months before, and now there was no trace of its lingering effects. The buildings had been completely repaired, and there was no sign of the massive damage that the city had suffered only a few short months ago. If Shoin had not seen it himself, he would not have believed so much devastation could have taken place such a short time ago. That, he supposed, was the benefit of the Phoenix occupation.

The Phoenix Clan had arrived late in the battle, and taken control of the city quickly. Their reputation as the most powerful shugenja in the Empire was well-deserved, as their magic quickly separated the combatants and halted all fighting in a matter of minutes. With so many dead and the potential for the fighting to resume so great, the Phoenix had chosen to retain control of the city until such time as they were assured the threat of violence was over. Only a month ago, fighting between the Lion and Mantis clans had broken out in the streets, if only briefly. Shoin feared that would be all the justification the Phoenix required for an additional six months of occupation, at the very least.

Shoin dismounted as his entourage reached one of the large stables near the Imperial Palace. The groomsmen and other members of the lower classes in attendance knelt at his presence, and the Phoenix guard bowed deeply, as did the handful of Seppun guardsmen that he could see in the area. The Seppun were of Imperial blood, as he was, and had not reacted well to the Phoenix occupation. There were so few remaining within the city, however, that there was simply no way for them to assume custodianship of the city as yet, and they had little choice but to work alongside the Phoenix despite their smoldering resentment.

Shoin waved away his guards and attendants as he strode toward the palace. There would be no need for them as he attended to his business within, and he would prefer that they readied themselves for the return trip, which he hoped would be in the morning. As daimyo of the Miya family, he was responsible for overseeing every aspect of their duties in the name of the Emperor, even when there was no Emperor, and he did not wish to risk another winter storm trapping him in the Imperial City when there was so much to be done elsewhere.

Within the palace, the throne room was closed and sealed, with guards at all entrances. The Phoenix, it was said, had not set foot inside the room since their arrival. This was, Shoin supposed, to help reinforce the notion that they did not seize the capital for their own gain, but rather for the purpose of keeping the peace. The distinction was important, at least to them, but Shoin knew that it made little difference. Since the fighting last month, many believed that the Phoenix had no intention of relinquishing control, and that they would soon attempt to complete their consolidation of power. If that were in fact to come to pass, Shoin knew that the war that came of it would leave nothing where this city had once stood.

“Good day, honorable Shoin-sama,” a sentry said as Shoin approached the audience chamber he sought “Lady Hoketuhime awaits within. Please enter.”

“Thank you,” Shoin said with a smile. He entered the chamber without preamble. The interior was much as he would have imagined, decorated tastefully but with obvious wealth and style. The aging woman reading a scroll near the room’s center table looked up with a smile. “Shoin-san,” she said warmly. “How good to see you, my old friend. It has been too long.”

Shoin bowed very deeply to the Otomo family daimyo. “Since the last day of the Emerald Championship, my lady,” he replied. “I was pleased to receive your summons.”

Hoketuhime smiled, and if she knew that his statement was a half-truth at best, there was no way to tell given her expression. That was the strength of the Otomo family, after all; they were consummate courtiers, and for centuries had protected the Emperor by ensuring that the Great Clans focused their hostility toward one another rather than the Imperial line. Manipulation and assessment were their strong suits. “Too long,” she repeated. “Would that this were a more social visit. Perhaps, when we have finished our business, you would consider returning to the Winter Court at Kyuden Otomo? It is a short trip, and you would be most welcome.”

Shoin forced a smile. “That would be wonderful, my lady, but there is much I must accomplish before the spring thaws if we are to ensure the Empire’s stability.”

“Ah, Shoin,” she said with a shake of her head. “Such a devoted soul. Still, I respect the dedication of your family, and out of respect for your duties, we will make this as brief as possible. You have compiled the reports I requested?”

“Of course. They are being bundled and brought into the palace as we speak.” He paused for a moment “Your request was rather expansive. I fear there are many scrolls to read.”

“Reading has ever been a pleasure, never a chore,” Hoketuhime said. “Time is of the essence, I fear, so perhaps I could impose upon you to summarize the major findings for me, if you would be so kind.”

Shoin smiled. Hoketuhime had never ordered him to do anything in the many years they had known one another. She simply asked, and allowed the weight of her position as the most powerful living samurai of Imperial blood to do the rest. “Of course, my lady,” he answered at once. “Whom would you wish to hear of first?”

“Let us begin at the beginning,” Hoketuhime said. “Tell me of the Crab and their interest in the throne.”

As you wish,” Shoin said. When they had last met at the Emerald Championship months ago, Hoketuhime had instructed him to gather information on the Great Clans and their plans to take the empty throne. Shoin had been quite certain that the clans were not conspiring to seize the position of Emperor, but Hoketuhime had been quite sure. Now, after months of research, Shoin was somewhat concerned about whether or not she had been correct all along. “As one might expect, there is a strong movement among many in the Crab Clan to motivate Hida Kisada to take the throne.”

“Typical.” Hoketuhime shook her head.

“He is a Fortune, returned to the mortal realm at the cost of his divinity,” Shoin said. “He is a living legend. It is not unreasonable for those loyal to him to push for such a thing. The Crab Champion, Kisada’s grandson Kuon, has said nothing regarding the matter, and Kisada seems blatantly uninterested in the notion. The champion of this cause is one Hida Sozen, a man who once served the Dragon but now is considered the quintessential Crab. My herald reports there are actually those who are beginning to believe that if Kisada does not wish the throne, then Sozen might be a suitable man to take it.”

“Ridiculous,” Hoketuhime said with a scoff. “A man of such an undistinguished bloodline? Unthinkable.” She shook her head. “I know of the Crane Clan, of course. Many among them have begun to advocate that I take the throne, which is of course completely understandable.”

Shoin nodded. It was the most sensible thing, but he had not discovered a great deal of support for Hoketuhime outside the Crane. “There is a contingent among them who believe the Shogun’s widow should take the throne, my lady.”

“I have heard that. Has there been any luck in locating Doji Yasuyo?”

“No,” Shoin answered. “She remains in hiding, for whatever reason.”

“Peculiar, but ultimately beneficial. Continue, please.”

“The Dragon Clan naturally supports their Champion, Togashi Satsu, as a potential successor to the throne,” Shoin continued. “He is the grandson of a Kami, after all, and possessed of divine powers as a result There are others who have suggested that someone capable of discerning and defeating threats to the throne before they arise would be ideal. Those few who say so support Kitsuki Iweko for the throne.”

“Kitsuki Iweko?” Hoketuhime frowned. “How very improper.”

Shoin only nodded. ‘There are no major movements toward the throne among the Lion,” he said, “which is to be expected given their rigid adherence to tradition as well as their continuing push into the Unicorn lands and apparent obsession over forcing the Phoenix out of the Imperial City. However, there are some who have called for lkoma Otemi, their former Champion, to sit upon the throne, and still others rallying to the banner of Toturi Shigekawa.” “Shigekawa,” Hoketuhime mused. “That is... unexpected. Refresh my memory, if you please.”

“Shigekawa was the vassal of Empress Toturi II and Emperor Toturi III,” Shoin said. “He is a former Lion granted permission to bear the Toturi name after swearing fealty to Toturi II. He is currently the commander of the Seventh Legion.”

“Interesting,” she said. “He shall bear watching, I think.”

“The Mantis were involved in the skirmishing in the city last month,” Shoin said. “During that time, they advocated that their Champion, Yoritomo Naizen, be granted stewardship of the city in recognition of his work protecting the people of Rokugan. It is not difficult to imagine that he will attempt to elevate his agenda if he manages to gain control of the stewardship.”

“A ruffian and a buffoon,” Hoketuhime sniffed.

“The Phoenix are of course in position to take the throne easily if they wished, although holding it would be an altogether different matter. Some in the city have begun to say that the Elemental Council is indeed the most suited group to oversee the Empire.”

“That is blasphemous!” the Lady of the Otomo said. `To advocate the rule of a council over an Emperor. Preposterous!”

Shoin was made uncomfortable by her indignation, so he simply continued. “The Scorpion have made no attempts to secure a candidate for the throne whatsoever,” he said, “and my heralds have been unable to discover anything unusual in their home provinces. As usual.” He shook his head. “Still, the Emerald Champion is a man I can easily see attempting to make the transition from one position to the next”

“Shosuro Jimen is dangerous, make no mistake,” Hoketuhime cautioned. “He is not a man who can take the throne, however. I have assurances of that Continue.”

Her vague comments concerned Shoin, but he did as bidden. “As expected, the Unicorn believe that their Khan should sit atop the throne.”

“That will never happen. His failed attempt to seize the city six months ago ensures that no clan will allow him to take it again. He sealed his own fate with that gambit”

“Perhaps so,” Shoin agreed. “Regardless, the Lion push closer to Shiro Moto each week, and it will be a matter of days before Moto Chagatai has far more pressing concerns than his goal of founding a new dynasty.”

“Excellent,” Hoketuhime said. “A few surprises, perhaps, but all in all what I was expecting. All is proceeding as it should. Thank you for your assistance, Shoin-san.”

“My lady,” he said, “if I may?” “Of course.”

‘There are rumors of another clan, a group of samurai called the Spider Clan. You have heard these rumors, I presume?”

She raised an eyebrow. “There can be no clan created without an Imperial edict, Shoin. These fools are arrogant and presumptuous, and when a new Emperor takes the throne, they will suffer for their temerity.”

Shoin noticed that she had said Emperor and not Empress. A deliberate choice, no doubt. “Of course, my lady. Still, these Spider have been taking a heavy toll on bandits, ronin, pirates, and all other manner of criminals for nearly six months. They have gained considerable momentum among the lower classes, and it is rumored that there are those among the Great Clans who have made pacts with them. My heralds were unable to discover names, but I believe that these rumors are true.”

“The ascension of a ronin to the throne happened once, and was an anomaly,” Hoketuhime assured him. “It has led to the ruinous state in which the Empire currently finds itself, and I think perhaps it would not be tolerated a second time. Still, your attention to detail is greatly appreciated Shoin-san. You have never failed me, and I suspect you never shall.” Her warm smile had appeared once again. -Thank you, my friend. You may go.”

As you wish,” Shoin said with a bow. He left the room quickly and hoped beyond hope that she had not seen his troubled expression. Hoketuhime’s casual dismissal of the various clans’ ideas of whom to put on the throne was premature, and while she might be confident that the Empire was full of traditionalists who would share her opinion, he was not. Indeed, he knew what he suspected she could not even fathom.

The throne was empty. War was coming.