A Champion and his Personal Guard [Open RP]

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma walked out of the council meeting wearing his traditional kimono. He knew that there was a lot to do in a very short period of time. He wanted to get things in motion so that he could leave Kyuden Isawa as soon as possible. Kazuma stopped just outside of the council chambers, he motioned over two of his messengers. He sent one of his messengers to the Asako family Daimyo.

Honored Asako-san I will be moving out of Kyuden Isawa soon and wish to ask if I can add two new members to my retinue. I require the services of Shiba Ame and of Agasha Agito. You can locate me in my private quarters should you have any further questions. Shiba Kazuma

He sent the other messenger to the leader of his personal guard.

Prepare the troops for immediate march. I want to leave the city within the next couple of days. Secure supplies for an extended stay in the country. Further orders will be given when we are on the road.

Kazuma then turned to Goro.

Isawa-sama, it will be an honor to have you accompany me on this journey. I ask that you gather what troops you may have and meet me outside the city. If you know anyone that can help us on our mission I ask that you bring them. Are there any questions you have of me?

[Isawa Goro]

Goro shook his head grimly. "I think I understand all too well what is needed here, Kazuma-sama. I have 3500 troops of the Heaven's Smile legion under my command in barracks in Shiro Shiba. The company has suffered some casualties under my command at Tsuma and Toshi Ranbo attempting to break the siege lines, but what they have lost in manpower they have gained in experience. I think, in addition to your personal guard, this will be sufficient without being so large as to seem threatening to the Ox or the Dragon. If we stop by my wife's estates, which are only a few hours off the road to the ruins of Shiro Chuda, we should be able to secure extra supplies there"

Goro bows deeply, his serious expression grave not just with the enormity of the task, but with the privilege of being entrusted to serve as second-in-command in the field to his Champion, he who only months ago had been a loyal member of the Lion Clan - now his enemy. "With your permission, sama, I will take my leave and meet you at the head of my men"

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded.

You may go Goro-sama, I will meet you in two days time outside of the city.

With that Kazuma walked off in the direction of his personal quarters. When he got there he noted that most of his gear was already packed in preparation for the move. Set out displayed and ready to accept him was his armor and weapons. He dressed in his battle armor, he knew what had to be done and he would not let the Phoenix clan down.

(OCC: I am going to skip ahead until the army meets up unless there is anyone else that pm's me within the next day wanting to join the RP.)

[Isawa Goro]

Two days later, Goro assembled his men outside the gates of Shiro Shiba. Two sentries watched with interest as the force lined up in the fields alongside the elaborate gate. It was not the Phoenix force that many were expecting to set out for the battlefields some time soon, although Goro hoped that, were such an order to be given, his men would be chosen to fight.

Although Goro's expression remained as dour as the summer clouds that skirted overhead in the otherwise bright blue sky, his appearance was the opposite. Flamboyant, even resplendent. He wore the heavy armour gifted to him by his Akodo grandfather - since he had joined the Phoenix, it had been repainted a brilliant crimson and the Isawa mon affixed to his chest, but the heavy shoulders and thick steel bands were classic Akodo make. Over his back sat the massive No-Dachi, shizutani, an ancient sword of his family that had been restamped with the Phoenix mon and woven with enchantments by his wife. At his side, a young Shiba gunso carried his sashimono, his daikyu and the other tools of a field commander.

The Heaven's Smile Company were formed up in a rough square. As he reviewed them, their banners fluttering, Goro could not help but notice the squads and battalions whose numbers were cut short. He remembered the men cut down outside the walls of Tsuma by Lion archers. If things had been a little different, Goro thought, he might well have been commanding those archers... but such was the way of bushido and duty. As it was, even with their numbers reduced, the Heaven's Smile were a complete fighting unit, with archers, heavy infantry, lighter skirmishers, specialised scout units, some light cavalry to protect their flanks and even a small train of siege engines. He had already spoken with his wife's steward and been assured that once the summer harvest was complete, the peasants of their estates would release their young men to serve as ashigaru in his forces. If all was going according to plan they would already be drilling after working in the fields. He only hoped that he would have time to bring them up to fighting fitness before the order for the Phoenix to march came.

Goro tugged in an efficient manner on the bridle of his steed, which obediently wheeled to face the assembled troops. Sensing they were about to receive a speech from their commander, the soldiers lifted their chins.

"Men of the Phoenix! You have already served your Clan and your Emperor with honour this year, in battle at Tsuma and Toshi Ranbo. Know that the Council of Elemental Masters favours you with their praise. Know further that they have selected you for a very special task"

"As you know there are unaligned lands to the west of Nikesake that were once the holding of a Minor Clan. Since this is now a time of war, and our Clan faces the possibility of an attack, the Council has determined that the safety of our lands requires us to send a force into these lands to prevent any enemies from using them to strike at our Clan. We will occupy these lands and repel any hostile forces until such a time as the Council gives us further orders"

"I will not be commanding you" There were a few looks of surprise, but Goro was pleased to see his men did not murmur. "Instead, our Champion, Shiba Kazuma, along with his personal guard, will be in command of our Company. I will be his second-in-command" The surprised looks turned to smiles - to be commanded by the Champion was surely an honour. "I do not need to tell you to obey him as you obeyed me! Men of the Phoenix, you have brought glory to your families, but there is more glory yet to be had" Goro raised his armoured fist to the sky, and before him, more than three thousand men did the same, a cry of "UTZ" echoing across the lush green grass as the crimson pennants of the Phoenix clan snapped and fluttered in the fresh breeze.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma heard the "UTZ" that echoed from the army he saw assembled. He smiled as he rode towards the assembled mass. Behind him were less then five hundred men at arms. He had lost much of his men in fighting many different threats around Rokugan and with his recent dealings with the council he never had a chance to replenish his ranks. Though he did note the two new additions to his army that were riding at the front. Shiba Ame and Agasha Agito were flanked by Kazuma's personal yojimbo. He had assigned the yojimbo to them for protection and new that they would give their lives before any harm came to the people under their care.

Kazuma wore light armor emblazoned with the Phoenix clan symbol. The gauntlets were the ones given to him by Shodai. Ofushikai was sheathed by his side, the hilt looked to be almost glowing in the light. Behind him walked a servant carrying a Naginata and the rest of his supplies.

Kazuma approached Goro and brought his horse up beside his. He looked out over the assembled units as his men filed into rank. He nodded his head as he examined the army before him and then turned towards Goro. He smiled as he noted the weight of his armor.

A Phoenix with the knowledge of how a Lion should fight. Perhaps there is another reason the council has sent you with me.

Kazuma once again looked over the assembled mass of troops. He knew this would not look like an army and that is exactly what he wanted. He looked towards the direction of Shiro Shiba and then at the gates of Kyuden Isawa. He returned his gaze towards Goro.

Goro-sama, I judge from the noise that I heard as I was moving here that your troops are ready to move out?

[Isawa Goro]

As their Champion came into view, the soldiers, as one, bowed low, each man forming close to a perfect L shape. Goro did the same, remaining mounted as he did so, not before turning his horse to face his Champion. In response to the question, he nodded gravely.

"At your command, Kazuma-sama"

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded. He rode his horse to the front of the column and motioned for Goro to follow. When Goro was next to him he raised his arm into the air and motioned to start the march. His horse started to walk as he did so, preceding the army at his back.

Goro-sama you look as if something may be on your mind. Please speak freely.

[Isawa Goro]

Goro was unable to hide his look of surprise. He had not expected his Champion to be able to gain insight into his mind so well. But then, this was not any man he was dealing with.

"I apologise for allowing my feelings to burden others, Kazuma-sama. This war troubles me greatly, as I am sure it does all members of our Clan. Until a few weeks ago I had hoped that a peaceful resolution might still be achieved, but it seems that that is becoming less and less likely - I fear that many of the Clans are involved, not because they have a view on who is or is not the righteous Emperor, but because they wish to use it as an excuse to attack and weaken their enemies among the Clans. The Lion and Crab show a fervour for attacking the Crane that seems to have little to do with their desire to see a Toturi on the throne and more to do with a desire to plunder. If the Mantis descend on our coastline I am sure it will be for the same reason. I worry that whatever the outcome, the unity of our Empire will be shattered"

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded.

It is good to hear that someone shares the same viewpoint that I do. This war will only cause grief and strife throughout all of Rokugan, there will be no victors in this war. The price of victory will be so high that even the victor will feel as if they lost. I do hope and pray to the Kami that this war will have a quick ending... Kazuma looked a little sad and his head hung low for a second. ...Though I fear they will not hear my prayers and we will be at each others throats until all of Rokugan is too weak to deal with any outside threat that may come.

[Isawa Goro]

"Even if there are no outside threats - and from what I understand the Shadowlands have been quiet of late - an Empire broken is a tragedy even without a foe to exploit that. I admit I have spent some idle hours trying to think of ways that a compromise might be reached, perhaps for the Emperor to abdicate in favour of a successor of his same House, but I doubt that those who supported Toturi would accept that, as they see their ruler's claim to the Throne as a basic right." Goro shakes his head. "I suppose all that remains is for us to do our duty as best we can and be content that we comported ourself with honour"

[Agasha Shodai]

Shiba Ame, an Earth specialist shugenja who had joined the Inquistors after her future husband had been abducted and sacrificed in a vile maho ceremony, rode in the same style of light armor that her Family's Daimyo - Shiba Kazuma - wore, though her sode - the armor plates on her shoulder - bore the mon of the Inquisitors. Beside her rode Agasha Agito, her brother in the Inquisition and a master of Fire magic, though he preferred the armor and weapons of fire he could wrap around himself over metal ones that tended to melt when Agito went all out.

Ame occasionally glanced over to Kazuma-dono and the Ikoma-turned-Isawa Goro-san. "So, what do you think the odds are that we'll see some action on this mission, Agito?"[/b]

The Fire specialist shrugged. "Depends on whether Kazuma-dono is satisfied with just setting up a perimeter on the Dragon Heart Plain or if he'll order a reconnoiter into the ruins of Shiro Chuda. Let's face it, there are times when you can't throw a rock in the ruins without hitting a new maho-tsukei seeking to draw power from the smashed and damned relics of the Chuda family."[/b]

The samurai-ko nodded grimly; Agasha Agito had hit the nail on the head - as usual. "I wish Inugami were still with us... His skill with the Air is just the sort of thing that would come in handy on this mission."[/b] Ame looked at Agito. "Do you think he made it to Yomi this time?"[/b]

"I leave the philosophizing to Shodai-dono."[/b] Agito replied flatly. "I have enough work to do dealing with just Ningen-do and Jigoku."[/b]

"True enough."[/b] Ame agreed as they continued the ride in silence.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded a reply of agreement to Goro. The rest of the ride to the house of Goro's wife was uneventful. Kazuma motioned for Goro to take lead of the army as they approached his wife's lands.

I will allow you to take the lead from here. These are your lands afterall and you are being gracious enough to give us supplies for the long trip that we have in front of us.

[Isawa Goro]

"My wife's lands, Kazuma-sama" Goro corrected gently, with a mocking smile. "She is of higher station than me... were it not so, she would be Ikoma Kanreiko. But you are correct, this is familiar territory"

They passed uneventfully through Kanreiko's lands - Goro seemed disappointed to find his wife was not in residence, but they take on a substantial wagon of supplies. "This should be enough to keep us deployed for three weeks, sama" Goro tells his CHampion. "More if the supply wagons I have arranged for can be delivered uninterrupted" As they travel, Goro stations two-man scout patrols along the road at four hour ride intervals. "These men won't be able to resist any concerted attempt to cut off our supplies, Kazuma-sama" Goro explains, "but they will at least be able to warn us in advance if it happens".

After several days journey, they pass through Kanreiko's lands and into the former Snake Clan lands. "I will return command to you now, sama. But may I suggest that we make our camp on the Inariao hill? It lies about one league south of Shiro Chuda and is the highest point in the surrounding area - not very high, sadly, but it will help our scouts a little. And there is a spring nearby"

[Shiba Kazuma]

That is a very sound tactic. We shall do just that. Once camp is set up I would like to have a meeting with you and our two resident experts on this matter. I am a man of great patience, but I am also a man who prefers to know more about the ground he fights on then his enemy.

Kazuma lead the army to the hill pointed out by Goro. There they set up camp and at the precipice of the hill they build a small lookout station. Just below that the command tent was erected into place. There Kazuma called Goro, Ame, and Agito.

These are lands that are not known to us. This is also land that was used for the most vial of all magic. I want to be perfectly clear, we are behind enemy lines. That being said I have called everyone here to discuss our next move. In matters of tactics and military manuvers Goro-sama and I are the experts, but in matters of Maho. Kazuma gestured towards Ame and Agito. You are my experts. What do you think we should do, where should we go, and where should we avoid? I want to know what our enemy is capable of so that Goro-sama and I can create battle plans that anticipate these actions.

Kazuma took a deep breath and looked around the tent. He slowly released his breath as he looked deep in thought.

We are to hold this ground until re-leaved by the Council. I intend to do just that. I want to know the best way to hold this ground, give me all the options.

[Shiba Kazuma]

(OCC: Since we lost Goro I am going to open this RP to all those who wish to join, just please post on how you got there and how you heard about the march. I would like to keep this going.)

(OCC note: I am going to think of a way to kill off Goro and what would have been his personal retinue since they really would not exist.)