The State of the Empire, Week 8

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

 

by Shawn Carman

 

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

My Empress,

Having informed you only last week of a great calamity being averted, it is my tremendous pleasure and relief to again bring you news of good fortune this week. Last week I spoke of a confrontation between the forces of the Crab and a powerful band of trained sohei, the alliance thereof being responsible for confronting the fearsome creature from the north that the northern clans are referring to as the Great Wyrm. This beast, apparently enslaved by the Yobanjin and used by the Son of Fire as a combination of a mount and siege engine, is among the most impressive physical threats that the Empire has ever faced. If the terrain on which the northern war was taking place was different, then the creature’s defeat would be imminent. Its dexterity in the peaks, however, makes it difficult to engage with the limited forces that are used to engage the Army of Fire. That, I am told, is where its danger emanates.

Last week I also mentioned that my herald indicated that a Crab warrior, one Hida Kaoru, discovered that the sohei fighting alongside the Crab were in fact affiliated with the Spider Clan. A lunatic by the name of Udo apparently attempted to conceal their discovery by, if the report can be believed (and I do not make it a habit of disbelieving my heralds, but this account is beyond preposterous), attempted to cook them alive in some sort of massive pot apparently used for stew preparation. Yes, I know. Still, the attempt proved unsuccessful, and Kaoru informed her commanding officer. My herald describes his wrath as “thunderous,” but unfortunately, being in the midst of a battle against the Great Wyrm, there was little that the Crab could do to move against the Spider. Indeed, the battle was apparently going poorly, the distraction among the Crab just enough to give the beast the edge. The forces were falling backwards, steadily losing ground to the thing, when they were unexpectedly reinforced from the rear by an entire regiment of Iron Warriors led by the Daidoji daimyo, Kikaze. The Crab and Crane may dislike one another utterly, but when they stand together, there is little that can oppose them. The sohei did not withdraw, but continued to fight valiantly, and once the Wyrm was wounded enough to flee back across the northern border, Hida Sozen apparently granted them five minutes’ head start as a matter of honor. That, apparently, is all the sohei needed to simply disappear into the mountains themselves. Kikaze theorizes that they may have a stronghold in the area, but unfortunately resources do not allow for an extended search at this time. It seems that Sozen has petitioned the Dragon to permit a small unit from his forces, a group under the command of a samurai called Hida Ikarukani, to remain in the area in hopes of finding the Spider. The Dragon have apparently answered by dispatching a magistrate named Kitsuki Suiha to assist him.

Unfortunate news from the Lion lands. I have received a report that the Lioness Legion has been forced to put to ground and deal with a potential insurrection within the clan’s easternmost provinces, a location that could threaten the Crane lands as well. The Lion’s pace was given speed by a report that the threat originated from within the ranks of the Legion of Two Thousand, a ronin organization that the Lion have close ties to. The attack coincided with a periodic meeting between Matsu Kenji and her personal adjunct to the Shogun, a warrior named Matsu Fumiyo. The two led the vanguard into the village where the problem had been reported. The village allegedly had turned away tax collectors for fear of contracting the plague from strangers. There were more ronin present than normal, and they identified themselves as members of the Legion. These wave men stoked the fires of isolation and xenophobia, and turned the peasants against their lords. This was more than simply acting out of fear, but active malice manipulated by another. There was no forgiveness. No one escaped the village.

More tragically, a roughly similar incident took place in the southern Unicorn lands. Well intentioned peasant villages, seeking to serve their lords among the Moto, raised a small army to take up the fight. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, power corrupts among those who are not prepared to handle its burdens. The “army” was forced to confiscate numerous materials from outlying villages, and such a thing could not stand. The Unicorn arrived and ordered them to disperse, but the officers, perhaps already accustomed to authority, refused, and demanded to speak with the Khan. It is likely that the situation would have become volatile regardless, but the Spider assaulted their flank. The commander of the Spider was heard to repeatedly condemn the peasants for their acts of treason against the Moto, and in their confusion, the peasants attacked the Unicorn as well as the Spider. My herald repeats a belief among the Unicorn officers that this may have been the Spider’s goal all along, but there is as of now nothing to support such an idea.

Infection continues to be an issue, and while its presence north of the Seikitsu Mountains has been largely in the east, a major outbreak was reported near the Seikitsu Pass in the Unicorn lands. With the Khol engaged in the south, it was only through the divination of the Phoenix ishiken that this outbreak was anticipated and that a quick response was possible. The Legion of Flame was on hand, sent as a personal favor to the Khan by Shiba Yoma, the Voice of the Elemental Masters. I am quite certain that the price for that favor, while delayed until war is no longer an issue, will be significant indeed. Yoma is an honorable man, but in my experience, somewhat ruthless with his manipulation of the court. Regardless, the Legion was able to quarantine the outbreak quickly and effectively. Rather unexpectedly, a Scorpion detachment known as the Shadow Blades appeared on the scene. They moved into the quarantine zone and, apparently, eliminated every infected target within the area. Upon completion of the task, the Blades were carefully inspected by the Phoenix and determined to be free of infection, at which point they departed as quickly and quietly as they arrived.

Ever your servant,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald