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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 14, 2011 3:39:50 GMT -5
At Kyuden Otomo a tall, muscular warrior clad in the sky blue armour of the Crane approaches the Crane section of the castle.
Although the Otomo were jealous of their sovereignty, particularly to the Crane Clan, the fact that it was only Crane forces defending their lands against Kaneka's armies meant they had generously turned over almost all of their lavish guest courtiers to Crane courtiers and commanders. Ryumon was accepted by the Daidoji guards who saluted him as an officer in their Clan's armies. It still felt strange to him, as strange as this armour he wore. He had always worn heavy armour to take advantage of his powerful frame, but the armour of the Crane felt uncomfortable. It was better quality than the armour he had worn as a Mantis but that lone made it hard to feel - he was used to armour that was heavier, that snagged more frequently, whose cords and ties were rough on his skin. This Crane armour was light (for heavy armour anyway), fluid, and the ties were made of the finest silk. His new wife had gifted it to him as a wedding present - it had been worn by her uncle.
Having entered the Crane segment Ryumon tried to remember the etiquette he had been given a crash course in. Eventually he reached the Regent's quarters. A single kenshinzen stood on duty outside, his expression stern and less beautiful than the fine kimono he wore.
"Daidoji Ryumon, taisa of the First Army of the Crane, to see the Regent" The kenshinzen nodded. Ryumon felt that his Mantis accent was even more obvious here, almost like some sort of brand or stigmata, but while he was also working on that, right now there was nothing to be done about it.
He knelt and waited for the kenshinzen's message of his arrival to be relayed as a servant brought him tea.
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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 Dec 17, 2011 5:53:47 GMT -5
Fitsu looked over his latest batch of reports concerning food supplies and troop dispositions. Whoever thought that playing Go was the same as maintaining supply lines had never tried making the stones carry rice, nor made the others hold position without it. Still, he knew their stores would last through the winter. If things went into the next summer...
His attendant Kenshinzen, one Kakita Mizuro, interrupted the Tairo's musing with news of an arriving guest. In truth the Daidoji welcomed the distraction and signaled that new Crane be allowed in immediately. He finished his cup of tea and grimaced further as he noted it had likely gone cold an hour or more earlier.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 18, 2011 2:57:04 GMT -5
Ryumon entered, having to duck under the low eave, his kabuto under one arm exposing his close-cropped hair but otherwise still clad in his field armour, although an attendant had wiped some of the worst trail dust from it, it still showed signs of having been on the road. Ryumon's eyes roamed over the stones with clear interest before he remembered himself and bowed deeply, a little too fast, to Fitsu, before, with his Regent's permission, taking a seat.
"Fitsu-sama. I am sorry I am still armoured but I felt with Lion patrols about it was best to travel fully garbed and I did not want to delay your summons by stopping to change. Since this is a time of war, it is my hope you will understand. I understood that you wished to speak with me, but I also had hoped to have an opportunity to meet with you. Your sister, my wife, Daidoji Keiko, is all that I had ever hoped for in a bride and it is my great honour and privilege to be able to serve her, and through her you, the Daidoji family and the Crane Clan. I apologise that many of the ways of our Clan are still new to me but I am doing my best to study them"
It all came out a bit fast and schoolboyish and Ryumon seemed a little too anxious to please, as if worried that Fitsu would, at a wrong word, strip away his mon and make him a Ronin. Perhaps one day he would feel confident in his new Clan, but that day had not come yet, and seemingly would not be soon. Although perhaps that comfort would come more easily on the battlefield. Kneeling awkwardly he awaited his Regent and brother-in-law's words.
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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 Dec 20, 2011 0:06:05 GMT -5
Fitsu took in the speedy introduction patiently. He had grown accustomed to samurai not knowing quite how to approach him. On the one hand he had all the authority of the Crane Clan Champion, but on the other he did not have all of the refinement that often accompanied that position. It had led to many conversations that could be taken well in a comedy were the surrounding circumstances not so dire.
Your armor...yes...that's a perfect example of why I wanted you here. Daidoji Ryumon, you are unlike any Crane I've known. My sister speaks well of you, and she would not so to me simply out of courtesy. I have a request of you, one I hope you will respect. I am in need of a Hatamoto in my family, and I believe you are uniquely qualified.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 20, 2011 0:54:23 GMT -5
Ryumon is perhaps the least courtly of any Crane but it is likely that even Doji courtiers trained in nuance and distraction would be unable to restrain their surprise at this. Only within the Clan for such a short time, and yet entrusted with such high rank! His mind whirled with reasons and speculation as to why this might be something Fitsu wanted, but he tamped them down. If the Regent was going to share his reasons, he would. If not, Ryumon could think about them when doing so would not be needlessly occupying his Lord's time.
"Thank you, sama" He bowed deeply, armour creaking discretely. "I am honoured and humbled to accept and will serve in this role as long as you continue to need my services. I pray to the kami I will not give you any cause to regret this choice.
I must ask you though, sama, if there are any tasks you wish to entrust to me in this role? I assume that the war against the False Emperor should be our chief task, but I am uncertain how it should proceed. Do you wish our family's forces and resources to prepare for a nullification of our treaty with the Lion, and an attack on Kyuden Otomo, or should we be guessing that the peace will hold, and that we should focus on trying to protect Seawatch Castle and the Asahina provinces?"
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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 Dec 21, 2011 2:06:37 GMT -5
I will not say that I expect the truce to fail, but any enemy of the true Son of Heaven will seek him here and so that is where our strongest defensive efforts must be.
Fitsu watched the newly appointed Hatamoto carefully for his response to the military assessment before adding, Much of the reason I selected you for this assignment is that you can offer a fresh perspective. There are many great minds in the Crane, but while I value their abilities and opinions, I already have insight to them. You offer a wealth of experience in matters they have not dealt with, you will see things in different ways. The more angles you can see a problem from, the more complete a picture you have. I expect you to be forthcoming with your opinions...at least with me.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 21, 2011 9:13:25 GMT -5
Ryumon drew in a breath and resisted the urge to fiddle with the hilt of his tanto. He tried to channel the nervous energy into something positive. For long moments he knelt there, silent, a slight frown on his face, the expression of a man not used to contemplation who nonetheless knew it was required.
"Sama" he finally spoke, "with your permission... I agree that it is necessary to prepare for all eventualities and that we can afford not to put all our pearls in one basket, as my father would have said. But my greatest worry is that, while we, the Dragon and the Phoenix may be capable of holding off Toturi's forces and keeping the true Emperor safe, that is no way to win this war defensively. Right now, Rokugan is divided. The division is not crucial - even those of us who support opposing Emperors agree on important things such as bushido, the laws and customs of the Empire, and its borders. These might seem like simple things but they are what ties the Empire together as much as any Emperor. In Mantis lands, we seldom saw the Emperor or felt his dictates, but these things tied us to the Emperor"
"But the longer the war goes on, the more both sides will come to think of the other as some separate nation - gaijin, almost. The word will never be used, but as long as the only way to travel between the two side's lands is to cross battle lines, that feeling will grow. If this war lasts years, whomever wins it, the Empire will be weakend, perhaps fatally. Wounds to a nation's sense of itself are worse than wounds to a human's body, they may take a long time to be inflicted but they take longer still to grow"
"I think however the war is won it will have to be won decisively and soon. This peace treaty..." He draws a breath. "Sama, of course if peace is decided, I will follow it. And I think the treaty may be the right thing to do for our lands and the lives of the peasants. But I cannot see a road to peace that leads through the peace with the Lion. I have no doubt the Lion are sincere but I don't think they see the treaty with the Crane as anything other than an agreement within the war. And I think the Phoenix and Dragon may see the treaty as a betrayal more than an example"
Ryumon's mouth thumps shut as if realising that what had been intended as a cautious hedging had become a ramble. But he couldn't help it, this had been whirling in his head ever since his wife's advisors had briefed him cautiously on the state of the Crane, the Daidoji, and necessarily the war and the Empire. And, well, it had made him think. A lot. And keeping his thoughts in was, to those same advisor's frustration, something Ryumon had yet to learn.
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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 Dec 22, 2011 1:31:46 GMT -5
You make good points, and many of them, but there are a variety of other factors to consider.
First, this war will not be decided before, or during the winter militarily. As much as I would love to end this conflict succinctly, there simply isn't the time to do it, and warfare on this scale just can't be waged in Northern Rokugan during the winter. When the snows set in we will fortify, use small unit tactics to agitate the enemy, and see their disposition come Spring.
Secondly, I agree with your assessment. During the winter it will be more important than ever to reinforce the great traditions we all share. I'm not sure what manner of Wintercourt this year will bring, but I hope that each clan will come together on a plan to send delegations without fear of them being taken hostage. This is something we need to get organized quickly, but will fall ultimately on the talented shoulders if our courtiers.
And lastly, I hope you are wrong. The Phoenix are the most peace respecting of the clans, it is my belief that they will see any agreement as something to be built upon. As far as the Dragon are concerned, I don't think they are going to be upset from a tactical standpoint what are truce creates. We hold off the Crab and Mantis, essentially making the northern contentious forces the Dragon, Phoenix, and emerald legions vs the remnants of the Unicorn under Toturi, and what Lion can be spared from holding Toshi Ranbo. This puts them in a very winnable scenario, although I find their strategies perplexing. We shall see what comes of it, but I don't see where they should find fault with our efforts. If they don't see things this way then we can only try to show them our intentions when we meet, we can't censure ourselves at every turn because of how an action might be misconceived.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 23, 2011 0:17:35 GMT -5
Ryumon listens, nodding slightly. He can't find anything in Fitsu's points to argue with. "Sama, you have given me much to think on, and I suspect that you are correct. I see that I have much to learn, both from my family and from you as Regent"
He crosses his hands and straightens his back. "With your permission then, sama, I will return to Shiro Daidoji to assist my wife in arranging the continued supply and deployment of our armies."
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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 Dec 23, 2011 0:56:51 GMT -5
Fitsu bowed, Go with my blessing and look well after my sister. If I have given you something to think about then all is fair, for you have done the same for me. One more thing, if you see Sakihiro let him know that his behavior has been noticed and will not be tolerated. Travel safely.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Dec 23, 2011 7:23:06 GMT -5
"Ah yes, Fitsu-sama... it is good to know Sakahiro-san's behaviour has come to your attention I had the privilege of being subject to some of it myself. I depart with your permission then. Lady Doji guard you" And with that, Ryumon was on his way, his mind already a buzz with the tasks at hand once he returned to the Daidoji lands.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 10, 2012 17:40:11 GMT -5
Daidoji Fitsu received days later an official message from the Kakita daimyo. The brief missive was written in her most usual and direct speech learnt in her days serving in a Daidoji military unit.
Fitsu-dono, I am on my way to meet you soon in Kyuden Otomo, and put my services again at your disposal. I ask you in advance a private audience when I can report the facts about the siege of Seawatch Castle.
A loyal servant of Crane clan Kakita Mitsouko
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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 11, 2012 1:50:43 GMT -5
Fitsu read the letter again for what was the tenth time, or perhaps the hundredth. After making sure once more there was nothing more to learn from it he read again the letter next to it, this for likely the thousandth time. So many things to be determined, and none that could be before her arrival. At least he had time to prepare....
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 11, 2012 4:32:47 GMT -5
While her arrival was announced, the Kakita daimyo waited respectfully outside with her two new yojimbo, keeping the usual blank face she reserved for dire moments. She enjoyed the cold air of the afternoon and gazed at the sky wondering about the weather, tonight. Mitsouko was clad in her white and blue armor, not the usual black and blue which was burnt back in Seawatch castle along all other objects suspect of being contamined with taint.
When finally she was granted the previously appointed audience with the Crane Champion, her men stood outside, she finally delivered her katana to the traditional Daidoji Guard assigned to protect the Crane champion, and entered.
After crossing the shogi doors, Kakita Mitsouko bowed deep. Fitsu-dono... It was not the usual 'Fitsu-sama' she used many times. For a good observer, many things had changed in her features. She didn't appear sick or abated, but a lush and proud aspect of unexpected health and vitality was very noticeable.
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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 11, 2012 5:32:41 GMT -5
Fitsu had not known what to expect when she entered, but her vibrant flush of health was low on the list of possibilities. He had been certain that this would be the most difficult conversation he had faced as Tairo, but when Mitsouko entered, healthy to all appearances, he was nothing but thankful for it. He returned her bow, if it was any more shallow than hers the difference was imperceptible.
Mitsouko-kun, you must tell me everything... A skilled courtier might have managed to keep all trace of emotion to himself, but the Iron Crane had not completely mastered that art. While his face was maintained, his voice was tinged with concern borne on a raw heart. Fitsu was worried.
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