L5r - scroll 03 - The Crane (28 page)

"Not the most attractive group," the sensei said when the men were arrayed in their newly dyed garb, "but at least you give the illusion of a unit. It will have to do."

Wayu brushed his blackened haori, tucking the long sides into his hakima to keep warm. "Shiro Shinjo is only a few miles beyond that ridge," he pointed. "We should make it to their first outpost by midmorning tomorrow." They had nearly twenty men, the remnants of the Emerald Magistrate units from Otosan Uchi to the Dragon mountains. Once, there had been more than two hundred, but now only these few remained. Toshimoko glanced through the ranks as they began to march, straightening their lines with a shout and a mocking remark.

Over the long days of travel, Toshimoko had begun to teach some of the men, encouraging them to improve their skills and rediscover their strengths. Many of the men no longer referred to him as anything but sensei, and any resentment toward the gruff old man soon died on their lips.

xxxxxxxx

The next morning, they marched into the Shin jo lands. The Unicorn plain spread out beneath the mountains like a quilted canopy. Open roads stitched across wide fields of gold and the marshy squares of harvested rice paddies. The snow of the mountains had faded away against the foothills of the Shinjo territories. On the road below, horsemen approached.

The three horses were large, their flared nostrils breathing great gasps of air. Riders in the purple and gold of the Unicorn sat atop the massive steeds, holding high banners with (he Shinjo mon. Toshimoko watched as they approached, recognizing one of the men as Yasamura, son of the Shinjo Daimyo.

The old samurai straightened on his scruffy pony, wishing the chubby steed were more statuesque. The Unicorn stallions stood at least half a man taller than his own steed. Their arched necks were wide and muscular. No wonder their cavalry could ride across the empire in half the time of the other clans. Each of their horses' steps were three paces longer than those of his pony.

Yasamura lifted his fist to halt the scouts beside him. All three slowed from their racing gallop to a more sedate walk.

Toshimoko nodded to Wayu, who bellowed a command and halted the Emerald Magistrates. The sensei rode forward, his weary pony whuffling at the huge red beasts.

"Greetings, Champion of the Emperor," Yasamura called, bowing in his saddle. He was a cheerful lad. Youthful and handsome, Yasamura wore his two swords more like ornaments than the weapons of a samurai. He was still a lad, but atop his massive steed, he seemed more impressive than many daimyo in the empire.

"Greetings, Shinjo-san. My men and I," Toshimoko's sweeping gesture indicated the twenty samurai in black, "are weary, and we request the hospitality of your lands."

"It would be our honor, Kakita-sama."

Tradition served, Yasamura sent a Shinjo ahead to inform the palace that the Emerald Champion had reached Unicorn lands. Yasamura and his lieutenant meanwhile rode beside the magistrates, providing a very public escort down the wide, sloping roads. The Shinjo palace stood atop a high plain, its strange walls arching with barbarian architecture. Purple banners waved from high minarets. The road that led to the palace was lined with white stones, quartz shining brightly in the winter sunlight.

The courtyard of the structure was wider than in traditional palaces, covered in trailing ivy and fountains that trickled over carefully carved boulders. Unicorn palaces always had fountains; their fetish with water seemed to be a carryover from time spent on their journeys through the Burning Sands. The deserts lived in Unicorn history, carried over to their descendants in the Emerald Empire.

On the wide stairs that led into the inner hallways of the palace, the Unicorn Champion waited. Shinjo Yokatsu was an older man, his hair graying with the weight of many years. Though younger than Toshimoko, he had been Doji Satsume's peer for many years. Looking at his wide shoulders and bandy legs, the sensei was reminded of the past Crane Champion, remembering how the two men had struggled together against opposition from the other great houses of the empire. Yokatsu must be made to remember his alliances with the Crane, and if Toshimoko's journey was to be worthwhile, the champion of the Unicorn must renew his alliance with Satsume's son.

The Crab would not forget their war with the Crane simply because they had been beaten in the fields of Beiden.

Although the war for Beiden Pass continued, the Unicorn did not keep their armies in the pass. The massive cavalry still remained on the fields of the Unicorn provinces, awaiting Yokatsu's orders for deployment.

Yokatsu stood at the top of the stairway, three courtiers to either side and a small troop of Shinjo guards behind. As Toshimoko dismounted, he could feel the Unicorn's eyes sweeping over his men, taking in every nuance of their stance and attire. Though their dyed clothing gave them a certain unity, the men could barely be granted the title legion or even unit. Still, it was the best that could be done. No doubt Yokatsu understood the necessity.

Then again, Toshimoko noted as Yokatsu smiled, the Unicorn were hardly more educated than gaijin, and might not have noticed at all.

"Toshimoko-sama," Yokatsu's aide began, speaking for his lord as was appropriate, "you are welcome here. Your men will be given a wing of their own for their stay, and whatever amenities they require. Tomorrow, you will meet with my master."

The Emerald Champion nodded seriously. "There is much to discuss. Much to be said." Changing the subject, he said, "Tell His Excellency that it was a pleasure to meet his son. The boy seems to be growing well, and strong."

The aide smiled, "I will tell him your words, Kakita-sama. We are honored."

"As I will be honored by your lord's words, tomorrow." Leaving the modest implication to hang between them, Toshimoko followed his men into the palace.

xxxxxxxx

Waiting was the worst part of such negotiations. Although it had been only a night and a day, already Toshimoko felt as though he had been kept waiting for years. He and his men had enjoyed the luxury of the Unicorn baths, and were clean at last of the filth of travel. Outside in the fields, huge horses pranced and played while a chilly wind whipped the violet banners above the sprawling wall. Toshimoko leaned on the windowsill of his high stone chamber, looking down at his magistrates as they practiced their technique alongside the Shinjo bushi. Dawn passed, and then morning, and each hour of the afternoon seemed to stretch on for days.

When the servant finally came to the guest chambers to escort him to Yokatsu, Toshimoko nearly let out a cry of relief. Wayu smiled at the old sensei and offered the Emerald Champion his cloak. "Take care, Sensei," the young lieutenant said with a smile, his broken teeth glinting. "You never know what to expect from the Shinjo."

"I know just what to expect," Toshimoko sighed, shrugging the cloak over his blackened haori and gi. "Expect difficulty." The words were from his ancestor's treatise on swordplay, but their meaning was true even on the field of diplomacy. Thank the Fortunes that it was the Unicorns he bartered with, thought Toshimoko as he followed the servant. Other clans would have made him follow their explicit directions for bathing and purification and pray for two more hours.

Thank the Fortunes for Unicorn sense.

A Phoenix Daimyo would have met with Toshimoko in a council chamber, its arched walls and elaborate screens giving the illusion of prosperous formality. A Crab would have walked with him atop the wall and watched the Shadowlands boil in constant reminder of eternal duty. Kakita Yoshi preferred discussions in the Doji gardens when the weather was fair. The Lion might have met only on the battlefield, in a tent erected for the purpose. It was appropriate, therefore, that the Unicorn Champion was in his stables, watching the treasured steeds of his clan race through the field, their tails held high and their necks arched. These steeds were creatures of the wind, as unpredictable and challenging as their masters.

The servants announced Toshimoko's approach. Yokatsu turned from the fence and bowed effortlessly from the waist. Toshimoko returned the greeting, masking a smile as he noted that the Unicorn's boots—another gaijin affectation— were covered in mud from the fields. These muddy paths were not the royal chambers of Otosan Uchi.

"Your men are not Crane," Yokatsu began curtly, his syllables clipped.

"No, Lord Yokatsu-sama. They are Emerald Magistrates, under the direct control of their champion."

"But you are a Crane."

"Hai."

Gruffly, Yokatsu snorted. "Satsume saw no difference. Do you?" With a riding crop, he flicked a spot of mud from his boot, discomfort apparent in his motion, if not his words.

Toshimoko turned to watch the horses as they played in the wide green fields. "Do you think, my lord, that the stallions in the field think of themselves as your servants, or your companions?"

"Eh?" Surprised by the question, the retiring Unicorn Champion stared out at his steeds. "They are our companions, yes, but they obey our commands."

"So too am 1 the cousin of the emperor, yet also his servant. I am the Emerald Champion, and I am also a Crane."

Yokatsu considered for only a moment, a belligerent crease upon his brow. "Serving the emperor is not the same as serving the empire."

The Daidoji's words rang again in Toshimoko's ears. "No," said Toshimoko thoughtfully. "They are not the same. But so long as the Hantei remains on the throne, I serve his needs above all others."

"Above even the Crane?"

The trees shivered in a brisk wind, raining the last of their autumn leaves on the sloping roof of the Unicorn barn. A mare whickered to her foal. The golden colt replied as it chased its mother through the fields.

"Champion, my men are not Crane. They are magistrates, of all clans and all backgrounds. They are men from all the seven great houses, and many of the minor ones. They do not serve the Crane. How can I lead them, if I do not serve them as they serve me? It is bushido that a samurai does not expect reward for his labor. It is also bushido that a lord should keep his faith to his men, as they give their lives for his service."

"Words of Kakita?"

"Simple truth, Yokatsu-sama, and even Shinsei would agree."

"Then, if the emperor commands it, will you lead them against the Crane?"

His face hardened, and the sensei sensed a trap. "If the Crane attack the empire, I will defend the empire. Unto death." He did not know the words were coming, but as he said them, Toshimoko realized that he spoke the truth. Satsume's burden, he thought. Although the lord of the Crane had also been the Emerald Champion, he had never distinguished the two. Perhaps that was why the Scorpion had been successful—the champion of the emperor had been attending his own duties, stolen from the side of the Hantei in his hour of greatest need. If that should occur again, and Toshimoko was with the Crane . . . the empire could fall.

The burden had fallen on his shoulders, and it was greater than he had realized. Kakita Toshimoko looked back at the Unicorn palace, where his men marched. They practiced the lessons he had given them—swordsmanship and stature. Their dedication to the Emerald Empire had survived the fall of an emperor and the failure of their lord, his champion. Wayu shouted from the practice ground, encouraging his men to serve well, to be worthy of their sensei's respect.

It was time he stopped thinking of himself as a Crane and thought of himself instead as champion of the emperor, defender of the empire. With their rough manners and unswerving dedication, the Unicorn had taught him a lesson. Bushido.

May the First Doji, Lady of the Crane, grant that I bear it well.

Yokatsu smiled as he saw realization dawn in his companion's eyes. The Unicorn had been deliberately leading him toward this, as one would break a foal to the saddle. With a simple gesture, the champion of the Unicorn withdrew a letter from his sleeve, offering it to Toshimoko. "This came for me today, Lord Toshimoko-sama. I thought it only fitting that the Emerald Champion should read it—but I would not dare show it to a Crane."

Concerned, Toshimoko accepted the letter—and the implication. Again, the Unicorn surprised him. Despite their crude exteriors and strange customs, the hearts of samurai still beat in their chests.

The Unicorn's letter had no mon on the cover, no distinguishing features. Opening it gently, Toshimoko read the simple words it contained.

My Lord,

The Crane have left the city of Otosan Uchi, taking with them all their legions here. Although they say that they will be marching toward Kyuden Kakita, I fear their objective is more sinister. Among them rides Doji Hoturi, Crane Champion and son of Satsume. From the south came reports, shortly after their journey began.

The men of the Crane that follow the Doji Champion have razed two of their own villages, bringing plague and death as well as Taint. It is believed that the Crane have made some alliance with the Shadowlands, possibly to defend themselves against the Crab and Lion forces. In their desperation, they have fallen to the Dark One. I can only pray to the Fortunes that their souls will be spared.

I await your command in ihe emperor's city.

Ide Tadaji

Toshimoko's face turned white with grief and anger. "No," he whispered. "It cannot be."

Yokatsu turned back to the graying fields, watching as the sun's glow turned orange against the horizon. "If you are the hand of the emperor, you know where your duty must lie."