Autumn 1502. South of Sekitsu pass
"This is preposterous!"
Shinjo Idoru scrunched the letter in his fist.
"This is the forth letter in two days sending condolences for my departed
brother."
"It is obvious that these fawning syncophants have bought a portion of the
Uncle's exaggerated tales. Listen to their lies."
"'Paragon of Duty!' Bah! What did my brother know of duty? Whilst the rest of us
learnt the family trades he holidayed in Crane lands for ten years learning
what? To swing a sword, to dance, to write haiku! How many koku would the family
have earnt had he taken his place leading a caravan? How many children has he
denied the family dying unwed? What did Tashi-kun know of duty?"
"'Champion of Peace!' Even more ludicrous. Tashiaki was a warrior! A duelist! He
lived his life on the edge of a blade. The Crane trained him to kill in a single
motion. The uncles have gone too far."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Spring 1490 Kouryo Province
A father rode out on the plains, a seven year old boy sits in front of him in
the saddle.
"Do you know how your older brothers fight with the other children in the town?"
The father asked
"Yes father. I don't like to go with them when they play fighting games. I don't
like to hurt people." Replied the boy.
"Now have you noticed that when one of your brothers gets in a fight the other
brothers end up fighting too." The father continued
"Something has happened."
"There was a fight between adults. Angry words were spoken. Blades were drawn
and somebody died."
"Both the families are very upset. If something is not done, the families may go
to war."
"If we were to go to war, many of our family would be lost. Uncles, brothers,
Grandfather may all die. You would not want our family to go to war would you
little Tashi?"
"No Father." Tashi replied. "They wouldn't hurt Grandfather would they?
Everybody loves him."
"These things happen in a war little Tashi."
"I still have some friends in this other family. We may have come up with a way
to show that we can stay friends without shedding any blood."
"Please Father. What can we do. I don't want my family to get hurt."
"My friend and I have come up with a way that we can show that our families are
still friends. He has offered to send one of his boys to come and live with our
family. He will learn our ways and customs and study at the finest schools the
Shinjo have to offer. In this way, his family; the Kakita will show the empire
that our family and his are good friends."
"That is good Father. I would like to have a new friend come and live with us."
"I am sorry Tashi, but you will not be here to meet him."
"By sending their boy to live with us they show that they are our friends, but
what about us? Surely we should send a boy to go and live with them. This boy
would live with a Kakita family, study at the finest of Kakita schools, and by
living there would show all the empire that our families and the Kakita are true
friends."
"To prevent our families from going to war, I need to send one of my boys to
live with them. I have chosen to send you Tashi."
"But Father, I..."
"You will travel to Kakita lands and live amongst the Crane. By the time you
return you will no longer be a boy but a man. By doing this you will prevent a
war."
"But Father, I..."
"I will miss you greatly and write often my son, as will your uncles. Allowing
you to leave is causing me great pain. But to save our family every samurai must
do his duty.
This is your duty Tashi. This is what it means to be Samurai."
"I... I Understand Father."
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Idoru-sama" a servant stammered from the doorway. "A Caravan has arrived
bringing more news from the Empire."
"Not right now Tirasu" Idoru waved dismissively "If I read another missive today
about my idiot brother I am going to be physically ill." He rose from his desk
and made his way toward the tent flap. "Perhaps a brisk morning ride might clear
my head."
Upon returning to the camp he noticed a hive of activity. "Strange" Idoru mused
"We were only expecting two caravans to arrive today." Banners fluttered amongst
the wagons signalling that there was more than just the Merchant patrons he was
expecting to meet here. "Perhaps this may be a fruitful stopover afterall"
"Idoru-Sama" His hatamoto Norichi rode out to greet him on his return. "The
Sapphire Magistrate Hida Hei is here. He has requested an audience with a member
of the family of the Emerald Magistrate Shinjo Tashiaki"
They rode together as they approached the camp saying no more for a few minutes.
As they approached the stables another advisor approached. "Idoru-sama, a Kakita
Tang of the Crane wishes to meet with a member of the house of Jinichiro at your
earliest convenience, He has also bought with him a gift for you from the
households of the late Kakita Koishi and the Daimyo of Hanagensai family."
"Master" another servant raced towards Idoru's horse " A Mirumoto Mouchou of the
Dragon wishes to meet with you. He comes at the behest of the office of the
Emerald Champion"
"Master the Honourable Seppun Tao; Emerald Magistrate is here. He wishes an
audience"
"Idoru-sama. Your uncle Shinjo Robei-sama has sent a messenger. He says he will
arrive in two days with some guests from the Lion & Phoenix"
"Master Master! there is a Miya Herald here to see you"
"Idoru-sama. A Hida Mizuharu send his greetings and requests and audience upon
his..."
"Enough, enough. Direct all enquiries to Norichi here. He will schedule my
appointments for the day." Idoru handed his horse to his groom and made his way
around through the tents towards his quarters.
He rounded a storage tent and caughtt a glimpse of large party approaching from
the east. He shielded his eyes from the glare of the mid morning sun. Scorpion
banners fluttered amongst those of a unit of the imperial legion. He squinted to
make out the details and gasped. Amongst them was the banner of Toturi Chisa.
The daughter of the Emperor.
He strode puposefully towards his tent. Ignoring the cries of people trying to
get his attention. He burst into his tent. "LEAVE ME!" he roared as his aides
and servants quickly forgot their issues and fled at his tone.
He sat in his chair for a few minutes breathing deeply, struggling to gain his
composure. Tears began to well in his eyes. All these clans, all these people.
Their lives so touched by my brother that they would journey this far to pay
their respects. Do all these people know my brother better than me? Could the
uncles words all this time have all been true?
He sat alone in his office in the midst of the growing tent city and wept
bitterly for the brother he hardly even knew.