The State of the Empire, Week 6

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities during this Time of War

 

by the Story Team

 

The Second Week of the Month of the Hare, year 1172

Divine Empress,

I have little to report this week save dire tidings, my lady, and for that I can but apologize. I struggle to maintain a proper disposition in these reports and give you information that is both beneficial and that maintains morale, for I would not wish my words to give fear to your subjects who might receive it by mistake. This week, however, there are few reasons for celebration. It seems that the most generous report I can make is of crises averted rather than of true victories.

In the case of the Dragon and Lion, there is at least one tale I can relay that speaks of a samurai’s devotion to duty above all else. As you know all too well, there were reports filed by the Emerald magistrates of Shosuro Jimen relating to the movement of infected individuals, both those fleeing the plague and the zombies that arose in its wake. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming nature of the other threats being posed, these reports were unable to be acted upon with sufficient speed to be dealt with in a proper manner. The all-too-predictable outcome has been, of course, the spread of the disease. Although the responsibility for this outcome can hardly be laid at the feet of any one clan, two have taken responsibility for it regardless. The Dragon and Lion, both clans sorely pressed by war on two fronts, each dispatched a unit to pursue the infectious parties. The Ikoma Wardens, swiftest of the Lion cavalry, ran down the undead blasphemies that escaped notice earlier, while the justly feared Justicars of the Dragon Clan exacted judgment on those who disobeyed Imperial edict and fled the quarantined regions. Both threats were eliminated, although initial reports indicate that contamination among the two units responsible was greater than anticipated. Many among the Dragon and Lion will lose their livelihood and perhaps their lives as a result of their valor.

Regrettably, the actions of samurai against the peasantry, even exclusively those infected by this damnable plague, stokes fear in the heart of your people, and fear is a motivator whose effects cannot be predicted or limited. Fear has given rise to betrayal. In that the revolution of the lesser castes was caused not by ambition or treason, but fear, we can take some meager degree of comfort, although I still weep for the souls of those led astray by weakness. The Empire is less for it, however, as both the Iron Warriors of the Crane and the Shinjo Scouts of the Unicorn have been forced to withdraw from the fighting in order to ensure that uprisings in their home provinces were quelled. The Iron Warriors, ever the most resilient and ruthless of the Crane forces, are said to have put villages to torch and instantly made preparation to return to the front. The disposition of the Shinjo, I am told, is less stable, and the forced execution of the peasantry has exacted a great price from them. Their spirits, my herald reports, have been gravely wounded by the experience, and what effect this may have on their prowess remains to be seen. I do not find them less for the notion, as compassion is one of the tenets of bushido that too many overlook far too often.

Similarly, forces among the Crab were forced to withdraw from the front in order to deal with peasant related issues. The Hiruma Stalkers, a small and extremely fast unit noted for their pragmatism in combat, was dispatched from the front lines to the peninsula near Earthquake Fish Bay in order to deal with what my herald referred to as “a well-stoked forge in which revolution might well be crafted.” (Forgive him, my lady, he is quite young.) It seems that the geographical boundaries of the peninsula have ensured that the Destroyers have a very limited, almost entirely nonexistent, presence in that region. Thus, many Crab peasants have fled their homes and set up temporary shelters in the region. Unfortunately, so many have seen their homes overrun by the inexorable advancement of the Destroyers that the region is now clogged with refugees, and famine is rapidly becoming a possibility, not to mention the risk of plague in such a crowded region. The Stalkers have had no choice but to move in and assume control of food distribution, and the unit’s reputation is such that no one will misbehave. I feel certain that the Crab leadership understands the value of the Stalkers on the front line as well, however, and I do not believe they intend to leave them there long-term. What measures they will take instead I do not know.

Another group that has been withdrawn from the front, to our great detriment, is the Storm Riders of the Mantis Clan. You may recall that they were instrumental in stopping a force of naval Destroyers from moving along the coast, and have continued to stop such groups over the course of the war. Perhaps sensing the nature of the enemy completely stalling their progress, the Destroyers have apparently dispatched advance forces near the Mantis Islands, requiring the Storm Riders to return to eradicate those threatening their homes. I am no tactician, but even I recognize the dangerous threat this poses to the Empire, as the coast now stands completely undefended save for the Lion’s flagship, the Deathless. Formidable the Deathless may be, but they cannot stand against the Destroyers alone on the seas if the enemy attacks in numbers while the Storm Riders are otherwise engaged. Despite it all, I find it difficult to fault the Storm Riders for their actions. Who can say how any of us could react if our homes and loved ones were threatened?

I fear the stress of the war is beginning to manifest in the worst possible ways, Empress, and I do not know what it means for the ongoing unity of the clans. Thus far, your loyal subjects have banded together against our enemies with little or no objection. Allegations are being made against the clans by one another and it has begun to create difficulties with certain forces. From the Phoenix provinces, there have been reports of collaboration between some of the northernmost holdings and the Army of Fire. Given the horrible toll the Army of Fire has taken on the Phoenix lands, the very notion of collaboration is preposterous, but some believe that there are those among the pacifistic Phoenix who would do anything to avoid further punishment by the gaijin. The Legion of Flame, a unit well known for their training with the Firestorm Legion, moved into the area to investigate, but of course the allegations were false. To say that the Phoenix bear some ill will against those who have made such unfounded accusations would be an understatement of the most significant sort.

Similar to the allegations in the Phoenix lands, one of my heralds heard many whispers of monasteries near the ruins of Otosan Uchi that were in league with the Destroyers, or more specifically with the a person bearing great similarities to the one known as the Ebon Daughter. (Her existence remains unknown to the general public, but the descriptions were similar enough that Anzai chose to investigate rather than risk another failed attempt to capture the heretic.) She discovered the monasteries in question, which she described as fighting schools for sohei monks. While she was there only a short time, she reported the movement of significant forces of the sohei in and out of the area, apparently moving to deal with various threats throughout the Empire. Shortly before her departure, Anzai reports that a force of cavalry appeared, one that bears many similarities to the force responsible for assisting in the defense of a Unicorn stable some time ago. The commander of the cavalry force, a man she identified as Yuudai, spoke at length with the abbot of the monastery, and eventually departed, apparently satisfied that the rumors were false. The collaboration between the cavalry forces and the sohei is curious and raises many questions, but Anzai did not indicate that there was any sign of treacherous activity despite the oddities of it all.

I hope to find more news of victory and valor for you in my next report, Child of Heaven.

Your servant,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald