Post by Takezo on Oct 19, 2011 10:41:29 GMT -5
A small camp in the Shinomen Mori: a group of extremely hard-looking men crouch around a small campfire. Ronin, they appear at first glance to be down on their luck - weathered, scarred, wearing patched clothing - but a closer inspection reveals well-made armor, weapons tended and honed to a deadly sheen, bodies lean but corded with muscle. Among them is one who is unusually tall, almost lanky, and he nods to his men (for he is clearly their leader), sets his bowl aside and grabs up his daisho, and stands and strides with easy grace to the largest tent. This is the ronin Takezo, general to Toturi and self-exiled Champion of the Dragon.
Settling in to his writing table, Takezo pours his own tea (the luxury of servants a thing of past life), unrolls a scroll of thick paper, and begins to write.
"Shigekazu-kun,
I have reflected upon the matter we discussed last week, and while I can no longer call the Dragon my Clan, it remains the clan nearest my heart, and the Mirumoto remain within my soul. I will not sit idly and watch its fall. I will exert what personal influence I have to see to it that you are installed as the Daimyo of the Mirumoto; of all my students, you are the greatest and most natural leader, and in my estimation best to lead the family and carry it through these trials which only now are beginning. So, that is it (I do not waste words, as you know). I will send you a copy of the letter I will be sending to my sympathizers in the mountains. It is likely that Koichi's agents will become aware of my influence and seek to counter it, so you must put a force of your most loyal men together and make haste to Shiro Mirumoto to claim your title. Good luck.
Takezo"
Satisfied, Takezo rolls up the letter, seals it, and secures it in a scroll tube.
The rest of the night Takezo copies another letter as many times as possible, altering only the salutation:
""Someone"-san,
Time is short (as it always is in war) so I will be direct. For the best interests of the Mirumoto family (and ultimately for the Clan, for this will likely influence the identity of the next Champion) I ask you to support Mirumoto Shigekazu-sama. I offer you nothing for this favor, as I have nothing to give, but only ask humbly of my certainty that this is best for us all. If you agree to comply, take your most loyal men and make way to Shiro Mirumoto, where he will arrive shortly, and see to it that Koichi-sama's agents do not interfere with the selection process. See to it that Shigekazu-sama is made daimyo, and do not fail in this; I offer my thanks in advance. Someday this war will end (as they all do) and regardless of outcome our family and school must persist and thrive honorable.
Takezo"
After sealing them in tubes, Takezo sees the early morning light fitering through the treetops. He finally rests (perhaps his men will give him an hour) as the gallop of his messengers recede down the forest trail.
Settling in to his writing table, Takezo pours his own tea (the luxury of servants a thing of past life), unrolls a scroll of thick paper, and begins to write.
"Shigekazu-kun,
I have reflected upon the matter we discussed last week, and while I can no longer call the Dragon my Clan, it remains the clan nearest my heart, and the Mirumoto remain within my soul. I will not sit idly and watch its fall. I will exert what personal influence I have to see to it that you are installed as the Daimyo of the Mirumoto; of all my students, you are the greatest and most natural leader, and in my estimation best to lead the family and carry it through these trials which only now are beginning. So, that is it (I do not waste words, as you know). I will send you a copy of the letter I will be sending to my sympathizers in the mountains. It is likely that Koichi's agents will become aware of my influence and seek to counter it, so you must put a force of your most loyal men together and make haste to Shiro Mirumoto to claim your title. Good luck.
Takezo"
Satisfied, Takezo rolls up the letter, seals it, and secures it in a scroll tube.
The rest of the night Takezo copies another letter as many times as possible, altering only the salutation:
""Someone"-san,
Time is short (as it always is in war) so I will be direct. For the best interests of the Mirumoto family (and ultimately for the Clan, for this will likely influence the identity of the next Champion) I ask you to support Mirumoto Shigekazu-sama. I offer you nothing for this favor, as I have nothing to give, but only ask humbly of my certainty that this is best for us all. If you agree to comply, take your most loyal men and make way to Shiro Mirumoto, where he will arrive shortly, and see to it that Koichi-sama's agents do not interfere with the selection process. See to it that Shigekazu-sama is made daimyo, and do not fail in this; I offer my thanks in advance. Someday this war will end (as they all do) and regardless of outcome our family and school must persist and thrive honorable.
Takezo"
After sealing them in tubes, Takezo sees the early morning light fitering through the treetops. He finally rests (perhaps his men will give him an hour) as the gallop of his messengers recede down the forest trail.