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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 19:16:35 GMT -5
A messenger hurried his way towards the capital city, hoping to reach it in time. He bore the marking of the Hiruma and it seemed he was to be a scout of some sort. On horse back all the way there, he was ragged and tired when he finally arrived at the city. He rushed inward, presenting his papers as he did so, declaring that he came upon the orders of Hida Setsuro.
When he was finally allowed access to the court, the Hiruma dropped to his knees and bowed deeply to everyone before he was invited to speak, albeit that this instance was very uncommon, he had assured the guards that this was a life or death manner. Of course, there were no critical personalities present, but enough of the court to know something was going on.
"The Yobanjin make for war! The Empire must know!" The Hiruma rolled out his papers which included a map that pointed towards the Northern steps. "My lord Hida Setsuro-sama will be arriving shortly with more news from the front. He has already begun spreading the world himself." The Hiruma then bowed deeply and retired to a pair of Yasuki diplomats who seemed both confused by his presence and intrigued.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 17, 2011 19:54:04 GMT -5
A gentleman in his finest red kimono, and a mask of solid gold, designed too look like a lion with one eye closed, and the other eye covered with a scorpion mon. Rose and stepped forward. This man is well known, and was only recently seen on the battlefield discussing tactics with the Khan himself as an equal, he had left the field at the behest of the Imperial families to deliver word of their impending victory. He is Bayushi Senshi, the Scorpion clan's champion.
He reached out and grabbed the map, "Messenger. Please return, there are questions that those of us here at court would ask you. I had left mountain watch keep under the impression that all was well, and that the yobanjin were falling in droves and had not advanced any further. What has changed? And why has Setsuro left the field?"
While awaiting his answer, he passed the map and scroll off to a nearby Miya Courtier, who seemed to know what should be done with the "paperwork".
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 20:54:36 GMT -5
"Because all of my men are are dead." Came the voice of Hida Setsuro as a pair of courtiers flanked him on either side dressed in blue and black, Crab colors. He offered his best bow to everyone present, lower than some of them might have deserved, but there were a few among them he counted important and so he did his best to show them respect.
"The Yobanjin have more men than you could possibly believe. I have already delivered my reports to the Khan and now I bring news back to the capital." Setsuro let out a sigh and pulled from his side a strange looking battle plan, one that was scribbled in some foreign language to most present, before he handed it off to the Scorpion Clan Champion. "I never could have imagined the size of these armies. It has been a long time since I have seen numbers as such. My men have died honorable deaths against the Yobanjin scum and the Unicorn continue to defend their keep. Samurai from all over the Empire fight with them, but it is not enough." Close inspection of the large Crab revealed a wound upon the left side of his neck. It was not enough to stop Setsuro.
"They have a large force with a large camp. It is not a simple raiding party, but a war camp. I will take more men back to the front as soon as I am able to recruit them, but I was requested by the Khan to deliver this news." Setsuro bowed deeply to the Scorpion Champion and then to the rest of the room, "My stay will be very brief before I return to the front. If there are any volunteers to fight with me, you are welcome. I do not care of your clan or your creed, if you can wield a sword, draw a bow or commune with the Kami, you are of value to this army." While his courtiers looked on, they finally moved up and whispered something to the large Crab, who was then prompted to sit down at the side while the rest of the court began to debate about what was to be done.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jan 18, 2011 0:06:39 GMT -5
Senshi's voice was not among them. He found that the loud vocalization of everyone's shock served to make a strong punctuation to the battered crab's words. After a minute, and never having taken his eyes off of Setsuro, Senshi called out over the din to no one person in particular, "Doji-san, are the reports from my clan correct in that your clan is still mustering troops in Kosaten Shiro in response to the Three Sides River incident?"
The silence that followed his question was palpable, only the sound of one courtier's swallowing a little too loudly broke Senshi's gaze. The champion turned to glare at the small pale haired fellow sporting a clan mon, "Tell me."
"Y-yes, Senshi-sama. There are able men at Kosaten Shiro."
Senshi returned his gaze to the crab, "Setsuro-san, I suggest that you go and give these warriors a better purpose to die for. In the meantime however, I would like to see your wounds treated to before you leave." He snapped his fingers, and a scorpion of the Yogo family approached. "Yogo Okaco is one of my trusted companions, and helped me deal with many battle related injuries at the keep not too long ago. You have leave of my private chambers, at your leisure, of course, to get those wounds checked out. The Miya Heralds can take it from here."
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 18, 2011 4:57:33 GMT -5
A slightly taller but no more imposing man wearing a more elaborate wordlessly motioned for the junior Courtier who had spoken to Senshi, who bowed low and made himself scarce. Seamlessly occupying the place where the younger Doji had stood, Doji Hyuu spread his fan with a neat gesture and addressed the Scorpion Champion.
"A thousand pardons Senshi-sama, but may I ask why you are so interested in our Clan's bushi?"
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on Jan 18, 2011 5:37:51 GMT -5
A man in clothing designed for both fashion and utility peel away from the corner to address the esteemed Senshi. When he speaks the words flow smoothly but carry waves of weight.
"I believe what my fellow Crane means...is that there are areas closer to the front where one can muster troops. Such as Shiro Shinjo...and Shiro Akodo. Rest assured that my Champion is giving this matter all due consideration. He has drafted a letter to the Lion suggesting that the barbarian threat supersedes any conflict between our great clans. "
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 18, 2011 5:59:32 GMT -5
"Hai, Fitsu-sama puts it more eloquently than I ever could. It would be a shame if we were to allow this threat to the Empire to be an excuse for airing irrelevant grievances and prejudices, when it should instead be a cause for unity."
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Daigotsu Daisuke
Spider Clan
Former Lion Bushi - Newly Initiated Maho Tsukai
Posts: 330
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Post by Daigotsu Daisuke on Jan 18, 2011 6:01:27 GMT -5
(a rather large man comes enters the court with a large scar running from his ear underneath his kimono which holds a large lion mon. Stashed in his obi is a rather beautiful katana and his hands thumbing said obi. His hair in a neat top knot, starts to part and become course towards the bottom. He turns to greet the court with a humble and low bow towards the imperial family and servents more or less towards everyone else, giving the crane a rather minimized bow as well.)
Honorable Doji, (his left eye begins to twitch at having to say such a contemptable greeting, only to slowly stop a few words later) Bayushi-sama as far as im concerned meant no offense. A concern you will honor i trust? (Dark eyes loom at you both with the end of that question making it rather pointed) It seems that all clans are giving their due, Im sure Bayushi-sama was merely speaking with a trusted confident whom he knew would be able to make things move in the favor of the Mountain Keep. I myself am making my return to Shiro Akodo to levy troops. The Unicorn seem to be strained at the moment, something im sure they are able to handle. Rather than continue to let them be stressed under such a great burdened, one im sure they could most honorably shoulder themselves, i prefer that brothers and sisters come to each others aid. Im also quite sure that me and my brothers and sisters in the Lion would prefer to see such fine swordsmanship of which we all hear so much about on the battlefield. (his eyes glancing at both obis to take stock of the katanas stashed there, then back at the faces of both samurai with a lone upturned eyebrow surely suggesting something lacking in both men's sense of honor.) With such a lovely piece of land to retake in the name of the empire, surely you would join us on the battlefield, hmmmm? I have seen quite a few of your brothers and sisters on the field you should come join us. Those dirty Yobanjin aren't going to clean up after themselves im afraid.
(With that he turns to Hida-sama) Good Hida-sama, i look forward to returning to the front and finding your good company. I must say that we amongst the lion appreciate your continued efforts and desire to join in brotherhood with you on the field of battle, against those honorless filthy gaijin. I look forward to that day.
(He bows to all and begins making his way towards the exit)
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 18, 2011 6:16:40 GMT -5
[OOC: Doji Hyuu wears a wakizashi, but no katana]
"If I may, Jin-san, I am a courtier and would be of little use on the battlefield. As for the implication that we are derelict in our duty, I think nobody here has any right to question the devotion of anybody else to the defense of Mountain Watch Keep or the Empire as a whole simply for their presence in this room. You, Senshi-sama and Setsuro-san are all here as a brief interlude to your commendable service on the front. It seems unnecessarily uncharitable to presume that others are not here in a similar situation."
"But I say again, it would be unseemly if this attack on the Empire's frontiers was turned into a cause for dissent and accusations. I am sure the Yobanjin, had they the capacity to comprehend the politics of the court, would be gleeful to think that their attacks have not just tested the Empire's steel but also its unity. I will say here and I now that I have no doubt that all Clans have contributed greatly and honourably to the defense of the Empire. If any wish to argue with me, I would be very interested to hear their claims."
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Daigotsu Daisuke
Spider Clan
Former Lion Bushi - Newly Initiated Maho Tsukai
Posts: 330
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Post by Daigotsu Daisuke on Jan 18, 2011 6:45:51 GMT -5
Doji-san,
I fear you have mistaken my meaning that the Doji themselves have not contributed for i have made mention that some amongst you have. Rather i desire to convey that your soldiers Kosaten Shiro are just as able at killing the gaijin as my men at Akodo Shiro. Something the honorable Bayushi-sama suggested in his desire to bring your men to the field. Rest assured we among the lion will continue our duty to destroy the enemies of the empire wherever they may lay. While we have had our differences in the past, please understand that i desire unity amongst our empire as well. (he looks at Hyuu's lone wakizashi and then back to the courtier) Im quite sure you and your brother are fulfilling some grander purpose (yet again that same eye brow cocks as he bows to the court and finally leaves)
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 18, 2011 6:54:50 GMT -5
Hyuu chuckles softly - perhaps this is an argument he's heard before. "Much the same purpose as your Ikoma brothers who also serve in the Court, at the Emperor's command, Jin-san"
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on Jan 18, 2011 6:57:39 GMT -5
"Ha! Clearly the Lion has not looked outside at the hundreds of military units I have led to victory camped just outside. I have done my share and more in this battle, but the Daidoji fight with more than just swords.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 18, 2011 8:16:30 GMT -5
Appearing from a side room, flanked on either side by men and women clad in the robes of the Ikoma clan, the Akodo Tomatsu entered the room. Immaculately well kept, from this well trimmed facial hair to his perfectly tasteful robes, he seemed more fitting, to the untrained eye, to belong to the Crane clan than that of the usually militaristic Lion clan. Gentlemen and Ladies, what is this commotion about? I was in the other room attempting to relate another story to my younger Ikoma historians when we were all disturbed by what events are going on out here. Surely this is a matter a simple Lion like my self could help resolve?
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Daigotsu Daisuke
Spider Clan
Former Lion Bushi - Newly Initiated Maho Tsukai
Posts: 330
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Post by Daigotsu Daisuke on Jan 18, 2011 9:02:35 GMT -5
(ooc i must admit i do enjoy making you clean my messes up tom . Sorry jin is the occasional douchebag)
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Jan 18, 2011 9:05:56 GMT -5
(Hey its ok, I consider Jin my right hand man, so I'm willing to cut him some slack, perhaps more so than others)
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