The Duty of War
Chapter 2
Spring, 1236 - Shiro san Kakita
The next few days, Harun devoted himself to training. Not just in the castle but also riding and, with his father’s permission, sparring with some of the students from the Ruby Dojo. It was quite a challenge, but he needed it and the challenge made sense since those who he sparred with would be going on to be Emerald Magistrates.
Being back though brought back a lot of memories of his childhood, it was like being back in a dream. Yet he had seen what was beyond this idealistic world and he was ready to face it.
Or thought he was.
One day, a lot of people began to arrive. Representatives from all the Great Clans and a few Minor Clans. This was normal, before leaving for the summer campaign against the Onyx, the Emerald Champion held court so that word of his decisions could be carried throughout Rokugan.
Harun and his siblings were generally removed from what happened in the audience chamber, but they had tried and listened from the spy holes accessed in the secret passages. But Harun had not been in there during a court.
Which why it felt a little odd when Saigou told Harun that he would be attending.
“Are you sure, Ooji-san?” Harun asked. “Why?”
“I am sure you will find out in due course,” said Saigou. “I am merely conveying a message, I trust you know what to do now.”
Fortunately, Harun did. He put on his best hakama and Jinbei, adding kataginu jacket with the pointy shoulders. They were in the pale blue of the Crane, on the lapels of the kataginu were the mons of the Kakita family with a silver slash on one of them to indicated he had been trained by the Kakita Duelling Academy.
His hair was another matter, it needed lacquer to smooth out the kinks and make it behave so it could be fashioned into a proper topknot. Then he went down to the chamber the silk of his clothes making a swishing sound as he walked.
The great audience chamber was the most ornately decorated room in the castle. The walls were gilded and painted with scenes of sakura and cyprus trees, the ceiling with floating water lilies.
“Stop gaping,” said Takeaki from behind him. “It’s not like we haven’t seen it before.”
“We haven’t really been in here before,” Harun pointed out. “At least, not allowed to be.”
Saigou had helpfully told them of their places. Ahead of the clan representatives who lined up in order of precedence in front of the dais, and opposite Saigou, Akodo Ryouichi and First Magistrate Kitsuki Shinpei. He and Takeaki side by side, sat in seiza, with their backs against the side wall, the shoulders of their kataginu lined up exactly.
They all bowed as the inner door behind the dais and the Emerald Champion appeared. He sat in seiza on the dais, the Emerald Daisho removed from his obi and placed on the stand near him, the armour on display behind him.
Harun kept his eyes lowered until the signal was given for everyone to rise. Then he cautiously looked at his father, Karasu’s face was a blank mask, here he served as representative of the Emperor’s Will. It wasn’t something Harun was used to seeing in his father, he lowered his eyes.
The First Magistrate, Kitsuki Shinpei, gave a report on the state of the empire. The late snows in Lion and Dragon lands had delayed preparations for their armies moving against the Onyx. There were reports from Phoenix lands, a council of sensei were acting in the absence of Champion Shiba Tsukimi were still attempting to establish order in the outlying provinces. There were a few reports about Unicorn lands, how most of the taint had been driven from the lands. Harun could even hear some of what he had related to his father, the gathering of the ancestors’ shryo, the words of the Kitsu spirit, and Akodo Zetsubou’s courage.
Harun felt pleased about this, even though the memory was quite painful. Zetsubou’s sacrifice needs to be known to everyone, he thought.
The report done, Kitsuki Shinpei now called for any petitions. The first one to come forward was the Lion Ambassador. He was tall, powerfully built and clearly was trained as a bushi, yet his limp right kimono sleeve and patch over his right eye indicated his early retirement from the battlefield. He was introduced as Akodo Sesuke.
“My lord,” said the Lion after he had prostrated himself. “The Lion Clan wish to have the City of the Rich Frog returned to our lands.”
His speech was short and concise, saying the city had traditionally been part of the lands of the Lion Clan for many generations. He also went into how in the war with the Onyx, how the Lion had won the land back after the Spider had been unable to defend it. Having said his piece, Akodo Sesuke bowed and retreated.
Susumu Nishio, the representative for the Spider Clan, was then given the floor. His words we gushing and eloquent, citing the petitions at the Imperial Winter Court at Kyuden Doji the previous year that had led to these decisions.
Harun watched his father through this, Karasu’s face still remaining impassive. His on flawless as he heard both sides with equal attention. Harun kept waiting for someone to mention his name, mention the duel he had taken part in a year ago the shell of the city.
They don’t have to, Harun realised, just by my being here, they’re all thinking it.
“In times such as these, when we have begun to emerge from the shadows we have long fought against,” said Karasu. “We must begin to think of the Rokugan we will have once peace is established. All of the Great Clans will need to grow, and the situation assessed as a whole. Fighting over small pieces merely makes us look petty.” He gave a pause. “The Son of Heaven had already decided upon this matter and I will not revoke it. The City of the Rich Frog remains under the leadership of the Spider Clan.”
Akodo Sesuke’s face fell, but he had sense enough to keep quiet while his Ikoma companion gave an appropriate response before retreating.
There were a few more petitions after this. Harun did his best to looked focused and interested, even if most of what was going on was routine. He wondered how his father managed to do it.
Then Yasuki Koji, Damiyo of the Yasuki Family and representing the Crab Clan, came forward. He was a tall man with a long lean face and pointed beard which his tall tate-eboshi hat made look longer and leaner.
“Champion Karasu-ue,” he said. “I have come to relate to you a disturbing incident in the lands of the Crab. A clan magistrate, a member of my own family, sought to extort both samurai and peasant in his collecting of tithes. Usually, this would not be something I would bring before. But…for the nature of his death.” Ogawa paused for dramatic effect. “He was found severely burned, the outline of a black hand imprinted onto his face in ash. And all of his belongings still on him.”
A low murder of surprise was heard in the chamber, even Harun reacted with surprise. This was the Black Hand’s work, and the notoriety and fear that surrounded him and his followers meant that no one, not even bandits, criminal or eta would even pick up the bag of koku that lay next to him.
And my mother is with them, thought Harun.
At a nod from Karasu, Shinpei began to speak.
“The actions of the Black Hand and its leader Shiba Michio are well known to the Emerald Champion. Any information that will lead to his capture or that of his followers is most welcome,” he said.
“The return of the Black Hand to the lands of the Crab is most concerning, given the unrest that followed when they surfaced there years ago,” said Koji. “The Crab Clan requests assistance with the capture of the Black Hand and its leader.”
“This is granted,” said Karasu in a tone that could not be questioned.
Yasuki Koji made his bows and retreated.
“I also wish to announce that my sons Mirumoto Takeaki and Kakita Harun will be serving Rokugan now they have come of age. Takeaki-san will be serving as yojimbo at the court of Otosan Uchi, Harun-san in the first Imperial Legion.”
Harun and Takeaki bowed their heads as they were named, all eyes upon them.
“I am grateful to have this honour, father,” said Takeaki.
“As am I,” said Harun. “And to follow your example.”
That evening, Karasu sat in his study with Kitsuki Shinpei. They talked at length about the Black Hand, the group had been around as long as Karasu had been Champion. Information had been hard to get in the first few years as the Onyx still controlled a fair portion of Rokugan and much of what they didn’t had fallen into some degree of lawlessness.
The deaths, even the more graphic ones, but this only meant reports of the whereabouts of the group were harder to get. And then there was the leader, Shiba Michio, bearing the divine power of the Obsidian Dragon.
Karasu wasn’t even sure if Michio could be stopped, but he needed to be. And then, there was the history between them.
Shinpei listened intently, asking questions at intervals. Finally, Karasu asked for his assessment.
“Well, I will say this Champion,” said Shinpei. “You have given me a difficult task, but not an impossible one. With the Onyx forces in withdrawal we should be able to devote more resources to this.”
“I agree,” said Karasu. Shinpei had only been First Magistrate for a few months, but he had more than proved his worth in that time. “I want weekly reports. And do not underestimate Shiba Michio, do nit try to take him alone.”
“If I may be bold, Champion, there is something I wish to ask,” said Shinpei. “Were you acquainted with Shiba Michio? I have been going through records, and his name appears at the Imperial Court the first year you were Champion.”
“Yes, that is true,” answered Karasu. “We knew each other, I would even say we were friends. Good friends even.”
If Shinpei was surprised by this, he did not show it in his face. “What sort of man would you say he was?”
“Well…” Karasu’s voice trailed off as he remembered. “He is perhaps the best man I have ever met…and the worst. He is more honourable than any samurai I have ever met, perhaps what a Shiba was supposed to be.” Karasu paused. “That was then, it probably has little to do with what has happened since he has become Lord Moon’s agent. Has it changed him? Or has it come from who he always was? I do not have the answer to that, perhaps one day I can ask him myself. I look at what he has done and I see a man who is lost, one whose path could have been very different.” He shook his head. “There is one who travels with him, the only check on his actions: Utaku Yamada.”
Shinpei raised a surprised eyebrow. “But that is…”
“Harun’s mother,” answered Karasu with a nod.
“Does he know?” Shinpei asked.
“Harun? Yes, he knows,” said Karasu. “I promised his mother I would tell him, and that he would make what he would of his own life.”
From the window next to them they could see Harun sparring with some of the Ruby Dojo Students in the courtyard below. A challenge for him, but Harun was holding his own.
“He will do well in the Legion,” Shinpei said.
“Oh, I know he will,” said Karasu with a little pride.
Over the next few days, the Emerald Champion and his retinue began to make preparations to leave. Harun began to as well, he was almost eager for it. To take the next step, to serve as his father did.
On the morning they were to leave, Saigou came to Harun’s room and helped the young man put on his armour. First there were the padded undergarments, then the blue enamelled steel plates that were strapped to his limbs and hung around his waist, then the breast plate and neckplates that went over his head. Harun then tied the obi firmly around his waist. He then took a sky blue hachimaki with the Crane clan mon in the middle and tied it around his head.
Saigou then held out Harun’s helmet. It was of blue enamelled steel, and on the front was a Crane in gold, its wings proudly outstretched. There was a solemnity about Saigou that surprised Harun.
“Ooji-san, this isn’t the first time,” said Harun. “I’ve worn armour before, I’ve even seen battle before.”
“This is different,” said Saigou. “Then you were trying to hide, this is who you are.”
Harun nodded, taking the helmet and placing it on his head, then tying the straps. There was one more thing to do, he sat in seiza before his daisho, bowed and then secured it beneath his obi. He was ready.
He went to leave the room, then went back, taking the letter from his mother that sat on the table beside his bed. He had read it every night since he came home. He folded it carefully and secured it beneath his clothing.
Now, he was ready.
Outside, the horses were being made ready. Harun got a few looks as he came out in his new armour as well as a few nods of respect. He began to say good bye to his siblings. Some of them were staying, some leaving for their own training.
It was then that Karasu arrived, his brilliant green and gold armour making everything look dull.
Harun looked at his father, he had seen him in the Emerald Armour many times, his father riding off to war.
But now I’m part of it, thought Harun, I am going with him.
Karasu looked at his son, his eyes going up and down as he took in the sight of Harun in armour. He gave a nod of approval.
“It suits you well,” Karasu said.
Harun flushed with pride. “Thank you, father.”
Harun mounted his horse. They rode away, the green and gold banners of the Emerald Champion flying in the wind. Harun was thrilled to be a part of it.
But Karasu’s thoughts were more sombre. I hope I’m doing the right thing.
Chapter 2
Spring, 1236 - Shiro san Kakita
The next few days, Harun devoted himself to training. Not just in the castle but also riding and, with his father’s permission, sparring with some of the students from the Ruby Dojo. It was quite a challenge, but he needed it and the challenge made sense since those who he sparred with would be going on to be Emerald Magistrates.
Being back though brought back a lot of memories of his childhood, it was like being back in a dream. Yet he had seen what was beyond this idealistic world and he was ready to face it.
Or thought he was.
One day, a lot of people began to arrive. Representatives from all the Great Clans and a few Minor Clans. This was normal, before leaving for the summer campaign against the Onyx, the Emerald Champion held court so that word of his decisions could be carried throughout Rokugan.
Harun and his siblings were generally removed from what happened in the audience chamber, but they had tried and listened from the spy holes accessed in the secret passages. But Harun had not been in there during a court.
Which why it felt a little odd when Saigou told Harun that he would be attending.
“Are you sure, Ooji-san?” Harun asked. “Why?”
“I am sure you will find out in due course,” said Saigou. “I am merely conveying a message, I trust you know what to do now.”
Fortunately, Harun did. He put on his best hakama and Jinbei, adding kataginu jacket with the pointy shoulders. They were in the pale blue of the Crane, on the lapels of the kataginu were the mons of the Kakita family with a silver slash on one of them to indicated he had been trained by the Kakita Duelling Academy.
His hair was another matter, it needed lacquer to smooth out the kinks and make it behave so it could be fashioned into a proper topknot. Then he went down to the chamber the silk of his clothes making a swishing sound as he walked.
The great audience chamber was the most ornately decorated room in the castle. The walls were gilded and painted with scenes of sakura and cyprus trees, the ceiling with floating water lilies.
“Stop gaping,” said Takeaki from behind him. “It’s not like we haven’t seen it before.”
“We haven’t really been in here before,” Harun pointed out. “At least, not allowed to be.”
Saigou had helpfully told them of their places. Ahead of the clan representatives who lined up in order of precedence in front of the dais, and opposite Saigou, Akodo Ryouichi and First Magistrate Kitsuki Shinpei. He and Takeaki side by side, sat in seiza, with their backs against the side wall, the shoulders of their kataginu lined up exactly.
They all bowed as the inner door behind the dais and the Emerald Champion appeared. He sat in seiza on the dais, the Emerald Daisho removed from his obi and placed on the stand near him, the armour on display behind him.
Harun kept his eyes lowered until the signal was given for everyone to rise. Then he cautiously looked at his father, Karasu’s face was a blank mask, here he served as representative of the Emperor’s Will. It wasn’t something Harun was used to seeing in his father, he lowered his eyes.
The First Magistrate, Kitsuki Shinpei, gave a report on the state of the empire. The late snows in Lion and Dragon lands had delayed preparations for their armies moving against the Onyx. There were reports from Phoenix lands, a council of sensei were acting in the absence of Champion Shiba Tsukimi were still attempting to establish order in the outlying provinces. There were a few reports about Unicorn lands, how most of the taint had been driven from the lands. Harun could even hear some of what he had related to his father, the gathering of the ancestors’ shryo, the words of the Kitsu spirit, and Akodo Zetsubou’s courage.
Harun felt pleased about this, even though the memory was quite painful. Zetsubou’s sacrifice needs to be known to everyone, he thought.
The report done, Kitsuki Shinpei now called for any petitions. The first one to come forward was the Lion Ambassador. He was tall, powerfully built and clearly was trained as a bushi, yet his limp right kimono sleeve and patch over his right eye indicated his early retirement from the battlefield. He was introduced as Akodo Sesuke.
“My lord,” said the Lion after he had prostrated himself. “The Lion Clan wish to have the City of the Rich Frog returned to our lands.”
His speech was short and concise, saying the city had traditionally been part of the lands of the Lion Clan for many generations. He also went into how in the war with the Onyx, how the Lion had won the land back after the Spider had been unable to defend it. Having said his piece, Akodo Sesuke bowed and retreated.
Susumu Nishio, the representative for the Spider Clan, was then given the floor. His words we gushing and eloquent, citing the petitions at the Imperial Winter Court at Kyuden Doji the previous year that had led to these decisions.
Harun watched his father through this, Karasu’s face still remaining impassive. His on flawless as he heard both sides with equal attention. Harun kept waiting for someone to mention his name, mention the duel he had taken part in a year ago the shell of the city.
They don’t have to, Harun realised, just by my being here, they’re all thinking it.
“In times such as these, when we have begun to emerge from the shadows we have long fought against,” said Karasu. “We must begin to think of the Rokugan we will have once peace is established. All of the Great Clans will need to grow, and the situation assessed as a whole. Fighting over small pieces merely makes us look petty.” He gave a pause. “The Son of Heaven had already decided upon this matter and I will not revoke it. The City of the Rich Frog remains under the leadership of the Spider Clan.”
Akodo Sesuke’s face fell, but he had sense enough to keep quiet while his Ikoma companion gave an appropriate response before retreating.
There were a few more petitions after this. Harun did his best to looked focused and interested, even if most of what was going on was routine. He wondered how his father managed to do it.
Then Yasuki Koji, Damiyo of the Yasuki Family and representing the Crab Clan, came forward. He was a tall man with a long lean face and pointed beard which his tall tate-eboshi hat made look longer and leaner.
“Champion Karasu-ue,” he said. “I have come to relate to you a disturbing incident in the lands of the Crab. A clan magistrate, a member of my own family, sought to extort both samurai and peasant in his collecting of tithes. Usually, this would not be something I would bring before. But…for the nature of his death.” Ogawa paused for dramatic effect. “He was found severely burned, the outline of a black hand imprinted onto his face in ash. And all of his belongings still on him.”
A low murder of surprise was heard in the chamber, even Harun reacted with surprise. This was the Black Hand’s work, and the notoriety and fear that surrounded him and his followers meant that no one, not even bandits, criminal or eta would even pick up the bag of koku that lay next to him.
And my mother is with them, thought Harun.
At a nod from Karasu, Shinpei began to speak.
“The actions of the Black Hand and its leader Shiba Michio are well known to the Emerald Champion. Any information that will lead to his capture or that of his followers is most welcome,” he said.
“The return of the Black Hand to the lands of the Crab is most concerning, given the unrest that followed when they surfaced there years ago,” said Koji. “The Crab Clan requests assistance with the capture of the Black Hand and its leader.”
“This is granted,” said Karasu in a tone that could not be questioned.
Yasuki Koji made his bows and retreated.
“I also wish to announce that my sons Mirumoto Takeaki and Kakita Harun will be serving Rokugan now they have come of age. Takeaki-san will be serving as yojimbo at the court of Otosan Uchi, Harun-san in the first Imperial Legion.”
Harun and Takeaki bowed their heads as they were named, all eyes upon them.
“I am grateful to have this honour, father,” said Takeaki.
“As am I,” said Harun. “And to follow your example.”
That evening, Karasu sat in his study with Kitsuki Shinpei. They talked at length about the Black Hand, the group had been around as long as Karasu had been Champion. Information had been hard to get in the first few years as the Onyx still controlled a fair portion of Rokugan and much of what they didn’t had fallen into some degree of lawlessness.
The deaths, even the more graphic ones, but this only meant reports of the whereabouts of the group were harder to get. And then there was the leader, Shiba Michio, bearing the divine power of the Obsidian Dragon.
Karasu wasn’t even sure if Michio could be stopped, but he needed to be. And then, there was the history between them.
Shinpei listened intently, asking questions at intervals. Finally, Karasu asked for his assessment.
“Well, I will say this Champion,” said Shinpei. “You have given me a difficult task, but not an impossible one. With the Onyx forces in withdrawal we should be able to devote more resources to this.”
“I agree,” said Karasu. Shinpei had only been First Magistrate for a few months, but he had more than proved his worth in that time. “I want weekly reports. And do not underestimate Shiba Michio, do nit try to take him alone.”
“If I may be bold, Champion, there is something I wish to ask,” said Shinpei. “Were you acquainted with Shiba Michio? I have been going through records, and his name appears at the Imperial Court the first year you were Champion.”
“Yes, that is true,” answered Karasu. “We knew each other, I would even say we were friends. Good friends even.”
If Shinpei was surprised by this, he did not show it in his face. “What sort of man would you say he was?”
“Well…” Karasu’s voice trailed off as he remembered. “He is perhaps the best man I have ever met…and the worst. He is more honourable than any samurai I have ever met, perhaps what a Shiba was supposed to be.” Karasu paused. “That was then, it probably has little to do with what has happened since he has become Lord Moon’s agent. Has it changed him? Or has it come from who he always was? I do not have the answer to that, perhaps one day I can ask him myself. I look at what he has done and I see a man who is lost, one whose path could have been very different.” He shook his head. “There is one who travels with him, the only check on his actions: Utaku Yamada.”
Shinpei raised a surprised eyebrow. “But that is…”
“Harun’s mother,” answered Karasu with a nod.
“Does he know?” Shinpei asked.
“Harun? Yes, he knows,” said Karasu. “I promised his mother I would tell him, and that he would make what he would of his own life.”
From the window next to them they could see Harun sparring with some of the Ruby Dojo Students in the courtyard below. A challenge for him, but Harun was holding his own.
“He will do well in the Legion,” Shinpei said.
“Oh, I know he will,” said Karasu with a little pride.
Over the next few days, the Emerald Champion and his retinue began to make preparations to leave. Harun began to as well, he was almost eager for it. To take the next step, to serve as his father did.
On the morning they were to leave, Saigou came to Harun’s room and helped the young man put on his armour. First there were the padded undergarments, then the blue enamelled steel plates that were strapped to his limbs and hung around his waist, then the breast plate and neckplates that went over his head. Harun then tied the obi firmly around his waist. He then took a sky blue hachimaki with the Crane clan mon in the middle and tied it around his head.
Saigou then held out Harun’s helmet. It was of blue enamelled steel, and on the front was a Crane in gold, its wings proudly outstretched. There was a solemnity about Saigou that surprised Harun.
“Ooji-san, this isn’t the first time,” said Harun. “I’ve worn armour before, I’ve even seen battle before.”
“This is different,” said Saigou. “Then you were trying to hide, this is who you are.”
Harun nodded, taking the helmet and placing it on his head, then tying the straps. There was one more thing to do, he sat in seiza before his daisho, bowed and then secured it beneath his obi. He was ready.
He went to leave the room, then went back, taking the letter from his mother that sat on the table beside his bed. He had read it every night since he came home. He folded it carefully and secured it beneath his clothing.
Now, he was ready.
Outside, the horses were being made ready. Harun got a few looks as he came out in his new armour as well as a few nods of respect. He began to say good bye to his siblings. Some of them were staying, some leaving for their own training.
It was then that Karasu arrived, his brilliant green and gold armour making everything look dull.
Harun looked at his father, he had seen him in the Emerald Armour many times, his father riding off to war.
But now I’m part of it, thought Harun, I am going with him.
Karasu looked at his son, his eyes going up and down as he took in the sight of Harun in armour. He gave a nod of approval.
“It suits you well,” Karasu said.
Harun flushed with pride. “Thank you, father.”
Harun mounted his horse. They rode away, the green and gold banners of the Emerald Champion flying in the wind. Harun was thrilled to be a part of it.
But Karasu’s thoughts were more sombre. I hope I’m doing the right thing.
