One Year

 

by Rusty Priske

Edited by Fred Wan

 

 

Ikoma Hanshiro stroked his chin thoughtfully as he perused the scrolls laid before him on the table. The room he spent much of his time in was filled with such scrolls, but these were different. Though quite aged for the most part, the scrolls in the racks covering the walls were dust free. In some places the paper gave itself away through discoloration. In other places the paper showed cracks, despite meticulous care by those allowed in this room. The scrolls on the table had none of these telltale signs of age. The ink was dry, but it had not been long since it was not.

Hanshiro nodded as he followed the narrative - his scribes had captured his words accurately. These scrolls documented the events surrounding the Unicorn’s attack on Toshi Ranbo in great detail. They also told of the Lion’s defense of the great city up until the interference by the Phoenix.

To Hanshiro, until something was written, it had not happened. Mere memory could be mistaken, but once documented it became history and thus was inviolate.

The shoji screen slid back quickly and Hanshiro turned, angry at the interruption. His annoyance drained quickly and he bowed deeply. “Lord Yoshino-sama.”

“Hanshiro-san. I have come to see one of your scrolls.”

Hanshiro nodded towards his youthful champion. “Yes, Yoshino-sama. What would you like to know?”

Yoshino’s mouth turned up at one side in a mirthless grin. “It is not what I want to know, since I was there. I want to see how it was recorded.”

The historian frowned but erased the expression quickly. His voice was somewhat wooden when he answered. “Of course, Lord Yoshino-sama. What would you like to see?”

“At Toshi Ranbo I made a statement about my intent for the next year. Do you know of what I am speaking?”

“Of course. In fact it is right here as I was just checking it for accuracy. I believe you will find everything in order.” Hanshiro pointed to one of the scrolls on the table and winced as Yoshino picked it up, a little rougher than Hanshiro would have preferred.

Yoshino read the scroll slowly, examining every word. He did not smile. “This will not do.”

Hanshiro’s face betrayed his surprise. “Will not do, Yanshiro-sama? I recorded the moment as it happened.”

“Were you there, Hanshiro-san?”

“No, but I was assured that…”

“You were assured wrongly. It is very important that this be recorded accurately as I have need of it. Do you understand?”

“I do not change these scrolls lightly, but to obtain a first-hand account of the incident is certainly worth the effort. And of course, your word is truth. If I might ask, Yoshino-sama, what is incorrect in the accounting of the incident that I received?”

Yoshino looked down at the scroll and read aloud, “And then, with the craven Moto Chagatai humbled before him, Matsu Yoshino did not slay him, though he easily could have. He instead told the traitor that his life was forfeit but he would be given the opportunity to regain his full strength so that when Matsu Yoshino made him pay the price for the crimes he had committed against Rokugan and the Lion, he would pose a challenge. Matsu Yoshino, in his magnanimity, offered Moto Chagatai the chance to die with honor, rather than as the failed, fallen samurai that now cowered on the streets of Toshi Ranbo.” Yoshino dropped the scroll back on the table.

“That is how it was reported to me, Lord Yoshino-sama.”

“I do not doubt that, Hanshiro-san, but I would prefer a less confrontational account. I have a use for the document and I need the records to withstand even the allegation that they color the facts. Do you understand?”

“I live to serve, Yoshino-sama. If you wish to tell me exactly what did happen, I will scribe it myself, to avoid any further misunderstandings.”

“Then fetch your quill and I will tell you what truly happened in Toshi Ranbo once the Khan was defeated.”

 

           

Matsu Yoshino strode the corridor approaching an internal courtyard. He could hear the sounds of physical strain in the form of grunts and the wooden clack of bokken striking one another. He emerged into the light of day to see two men absorbed in training, watched by a third. The two men would approach; make a few strikes and counter strikes and then part, before repeating the process. Yoshino watched this repeat a few times before he cleared his throat.

Both men immediately stopped and bowed deeply to their daimyo. The third struggled to his feet, his left hand straying quickly to his side in betrayal of his injuries. Ikoma Otemi said, “Lord Yoshino-sama. What do we owe this pleasure?”

“A Lion can never resist the sounds of combat, Otemi-san. I was only happy to discover that I had been given the opportunity to witness one of the greatest heroes amongst the Lion clan, taking part in a training session.” Otemi grinned at Yoshino’s formality. “Now, if your students would be so kind as to give us a few moments.”

The two training partners bowed deeply. “Hai, Yoshino-sama.” They saw Yoshino’s final words to them, however. They were spoken with his eyes rather than his mouth, but they were unmistakable. The two warriors vanished into the building from whence Yoshino had originated.

“How may I serve you, Yoshino-sama?”

“To begin, how do you feel, Otemi-san?”

“My strength is returning. It seems that I have a limp that I am unable to overcome, but I am learning to use it.”

Yoshino looked puzzled. “Use it? How?”

“To make strikes from a place of weakness. Remember your teachings: ‘simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.’”

“So your weakness is simulated?”

“You see? It is already working. Allow your enemy to underestimate you and victory is surely in your grasp.”

“I understand the theory – you taught it to me well enough. What I need to know however, is whether you are truly fit for combat.” Yoshino could see Otemi’s face harden. “I am not diminishing your usefulness to the clan or to myself, Otemi-san. In fact, that is my concern. You have such great importance as an advisor to me that I do not want to risk your life in battle if sending you into one would be tantamount to a death sentence.”

“Death is a risk we all face. If one enters battle concerned about his own mortality he has already lost. If I fall, it will not be until many Unicorn have fallen before me.”

“Yes, but how many? Do you think I consider your life worth five of theirs? Ten?”

“If my life is what allows you to stare Moto Chagatai in the eye once again so you can avenge your father and Rokugan, I consider that a price well paid. I will join my ancestors and look back and watch you kill the traitor and I will know my life was well spent.”

Yoshino looked at Otemi and mulled his words. Finally he nodded. “We have a year. Time can erase much. We will finish this together.”

Otemi smiled and the two samurai exchanged bows.

When Yoshino reentered the building, Matsu Bunka, one of the two men that had been sparring under Otemi’s guidance, was waiting for him inside. He bowed deeply. “I believe you wanted to speak with me, Lord Yoshino-sama.”

“I did, and I imagine you know what it is I want. Report.”

“I have been working with Otemi-sama, as you requested. His recovery has been remarkable. The Ikoma are not the Matsu or Akodo, but they are still Lion. The fire is still there.”

“You do not need to tell me what I already know, Bunka-san. What I need to know is if he is fit for battle.”

“No, Yoshino-sama. He is not.”

“I see.”

“You misunderstand, he is not fit for combat, now. But now is not what he is training for.”

“Explain.”

Bunka nodded. “I have seen many men try to recover from grievous injuries, both more and less serious than those suffered by Otemi-sama. Usually they are trying to recover as quickly as possible, so that they can return to full duty.”

“Understandable. It is a samurai’s need to serve.”

“Exactly, Lord Yoshino-sama. This need for a quick recovery can often be the problem rather than the solution, however. They will over-exert themselves and hurt rather than heal.”

“And Otemi?”

“Otemi-sama is not behaving in this way. He is allowing his body to repair itself as he tries to bring himself back to full effectiveness. His goal is not to get back to duty as soon as possible. His goal is to be ready for your march on the Unicorn in a year. He observes as much as anything else, as if he is plotting how to adapt his fighting style to his new limitations.”

“And you believe this is possible? That Otemi will fight the Unicorn again?”

“I believe it is, Yoshino-sama. I have never seen a samurai work with such determination and focus.”

 

           

Matsu Ouka and Matsu Fumiyo walked into the great hall to await their Champion’s presence. The hall was quite full, with Lions from all families well represented. Ouka said, “What do you believe the announcement will entail?”

Fumiyo shrugged. “I can only assume it deals with the Unicorn. The Phoenix spared them the correct fate of all traitors. I cannot believe that we will let that lie.”

Ouka nodded. “Yes, but what about Toshi Ranbo? Do we let the Phoenix hold it? Allowing the Unicorn to escape back to their plains did not seem wise. That is hardly the sort that you would want protecting the Imperial city.”

“The answer to that is an Emperor. The last with a legitimate claim to that throne was a Lion. It makes sense that a Lion sits on it now.”

Ouka sighed. “Well of course. That seems clear enough. If only the other clans were not so blind.”

As Fumiyo was nodding and preparing to add to the conversation, they were interrupted by sounds near the front of the hall. They joined the others in deep bows as it became clear what the interruption was.

Matsu Yoshino entered the hall with the confidence born of a leader. Ikoma Hanshiro followed behind and was then followed by three scribes, each carrying an armful of scrolls. The Lion champion took his place on a raised dais and faced the assembled throng.

“Samurai of the Lion! We have much to be proud of. That Moto Chagatai does not sit on the Steel Throne, pretending to have authority over Rokugan, is a testament to the strength of our arms and the edge of our swords! The Lion defended Toshi Ranbo and the Lion…WOULD…NOT…YIELD!”

Yoshino was answered with a cheer from the room.

“However, while the city is safe, there is one who has still not paid for his actions. Moto Chagatai returns to his lands to plot and plan. He looks for his next opportunity to seize what is not his and infest the Empire with his barbarian ways. This is the same man who killed our Champion, my father, Matsu Nimuro. Should the Lion let this stand?”

The cries of “NO!” shook the building.

“Some of you may have heard of the vow I made when the fighting stopped. For those of you the have not, hear it now.”

Yoshino motioned to Hanshiro, who took a scroll from one of the scribes. He opened it and read from it. “On behalf of Matsu Yoshino, daimyo and champion of the Lion Clan. When Moto Chagatai marched on Toshi Ranbo, he engaged in an act of war against the Empire. That act led to the death of the rightful Empress. Thus, Moto Chagatai should be branded a traitor. When the Phoenix petitioned the Lion to end the fighting in the capital, in order to spare the seat of the Empire from destruction, we complied. That action does not absolve Moto Chagatai, or the Unicorn under his command, of the crimes they committed against the empire, the throne, or the Empress herself. Thus do I make this pledge before all of Rokugan…

“I, Matsu Yoshino, on behalf of the entire Lion Clan, swear that within one year from the day Moto Chagatai fled Toshi Ranbo, I will face him, in his own lands, and he will pay for his crimes with his life. His crimes will not go unpunished.”

The cheers from the room forced Hanshiro to stop. Yoshino’s voice boomed over top and forced the other voices to quiet. “Copies of this scroll will be sent to every clan daimyo, every imperial family, and every minor clan. They will be sent to every official position still held within the Empire. The Empire will be on notice that Moto Chagatai’s life is forfeit.” He walked over to the scribes and took another of the scrolls. “This copy is addressed to Moto Chagatai, himself. Who volunteers to deliver it directly to his hand, knowing that his reaction may not be pleasant?”

Every hand in the room rose but one voice also broke out. “Please, Lord Yoshino-sama!”

Yoshino’s eyes shot over to the samurai who had the temerity to call out his name. “You? What is your name?”

“Matsu Yoshike, Yoshino-sama.”

“Why would you wish this duty?”

“This was the duty I was born to, Lord. I was trained as a courier and I believe that, among any of us here, have the possibility of surviving this duty.”

Yoshino looked at him grimly. “Are you so afraid of death, Yoshike-san?”

“Only in that death will stop my service to the Lion, Yoshino-sama. Even the slight chance of survival would mean someone who remains in your service. Any other samurai sent would be one less samurai fighting at your side one year from now.”

“You have made your case, Yoshike-san. Go with Ikoma Hanshiro and he will make the assignments.” He returned his focus to the room. I have one more need. Akodo Shigetoshi?”

The Akodo daimyo stepped forward. “Yes, Yoshino-sama.”

“To face Chagatai, I will need to fight my way through the Unicorn forces. Though the Akodo will defend our lands while the Matsu and Ikoma armies march upon the Khan’s home, I will need a skilled commander to ensure I reach Shiro Moto. Are you equal to the task, Shigetoshi?”

Shigetoshi bowed deeply. “With respect, Yoshino-sama, I wish to ask the question of others.” Shigetoshi turned to face the room. “Lord Yoshino has sworn to face Moto Chagatai in a year. Will you follow me into battle, to pave the way for our Champion to avenge his father’s death?”

There was no doubt as to the answer.