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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 9, 2012 19:19:38 GMT -5
Quick steps echoed through the now nearly empty corridors of the imperial palace. Short samurai-ko was moving swiftly from one room to another. She did not run, as it is inappropriate for a samurai. Where has the lord gone off to this time? She still got lost in the long corridors and hundreds of rooms. Luckily not that often as she used to. But even knowing all the palace won’t help much, as Keisuke-dono liked to occasionally change the room he was working in. And it looked like today was one of those days.
Tsanuri suddenly changed direction. There was one more possible room she had not checked yet. She hesitated for a moment before going in. She didn’t hear any sound coming from ahead, maybe he was somewhere else. She didn’t like that room. At first glance it was very Lion-like, but looking further you could feel delicate tones spoiling that first impression.
Tsanuri sighted quietly. Whatever she thinks, she has to check the room. She moved the door and stepped into the room. He was there. Sitting at the table and looking at some documents. Probably from one of many piles lying there.
She moved closer and bowed. "Akodo-dono, a messenger brought letter from Castle of The Swift Sword. She said it was from Moto-shireikan. And… she also is Unicorn."
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 12, 2012 17:48:48 GMT -5
Keisuke stood quickly, but then regained control of himself. Reaching up to he took the letter and opened it with a steady hand. Mountains do not move, had anyone walked by at the moment they would have thought Tsanuri was conversing with a statue in the likeness of Keisuke.
The Dragon have stayed and begun laying siege Shiro sano Ken Hayai. This letter further reports that the Emperor Toturi's army is located just north of the river crossing. Unicorn scouts report explosions can be seen at night surrounding the castle. The Emperor expects to cross the river soon and do battle with the Dragon but there will be some delay crossing the river and the Dragon have begun surrounding the castle looking to cut off the defenders from any outside help.
He turned back to his desk eyeing the wrapped bundle on the desk.
Tell me Tsanuri-san what would you advise we do?
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 16, 2012 9:47:35 GMT -5
Tsanuri nearly unnoticeably flinched. She couldn’t get used to being asked about her opinion on various issues. She felt uncertain about sharing her thoughts, especially ones concerning tactical matters about which she didn’t know much. She took a moment to think about what she just heard.
‘I believe we should leave Toshi Ranbo, my lord. Most of Lion army stays here, near the city walls while two of our castles are under attack. Soldiers are not needed here anymore. At least not all of them. Citizens calmed down and went back to their own affairs.’
‘I… I would advise attacking Imperial Legions at Crossroads and then joining the Emperor near Castle of the Swift Sword.’ She looked at Keisuke uncertainly, waiting for his reaction.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 16, 2012 17:58:27 GMT -5
Keisuke walked to his writing desk and looked down at the sword stand that held Shinrai, touhcing it's tsuka he could feel sleeping power waiting to be awoken in the service of the Lion Clan.
You are correct Tsanuri-san we are no longer needed here but there few other factors we need to consider. He turned to face Tsanuri. I wish to not leave the Toshi Ranbo completely undefended. If the Hantei forces, decided to return we would be handing them victory and ignoring the sacrifice of those who fought to take the city. While the Cross Roads are an important battle the Castle of the Swift is more vital to the larger war effort. With Lord Kaneka's army readying to cross the river and enter battle with the Dragon, we need to lift the siege there freeing Lord Kaneka's Legions to meet in battle with the Emerald Champion, and bring about Hachi's swift defeat.
Looking to a large map of northern Rokugan that now hung the walls. Yet there is another force we have yet to tap, a few other pieces we have yet to put on the board. He pointed to Shiro no Matsu. Now that it is confirmed the the Scorpion are marching South. Those forces at Shiro no Matsu are free to join the conflict. The Matsu Deathseakers and light infantry forces there will be the precise weapon needed for what I am planning.
It is my intention to take a small band of Samurai with at all possible haste to Shiro no Matsu, gather the Deathseaker, and light infantry then march North to the Castle of the Swift Sword and begin to lift the siege there.
Keisuke paused for a moment, looking to Tsanuri, to see if she what her reaction would be. What he was about to do, while it did not break any of Lord Tomatsu's orders he was about to step far afield of them.
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 17, 2012 7:27:36 GMT -5
Tsanuri listened carefully to Keisuke’s words. She relaxed a bit after he agreed they will leave the city. When he pointed to the map she moved closer to see it better. Shiro Matsu, of course.
"The Matsu family shall gladly join the battle instead of sitting still in their castle. If they were messaged earlier on, they can prepare troops to be ready to leave the moment your group arrive."
"But what with the rest of the army, my lord? Are all of them going to stay here? Some soldiers are getting bored, while others are agitated, afraid about their homes and families. If they were all left here they may cause some ruckus."
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 17, 2012 11:30:19 GMT -5
They are Lion samurai, they know what their duty is, and how they must hold the Toshi Ranbo till the Lord Kaneka arrives.
Keisuke glanced once more at the map. The large er the force that we march with at the beginning of our journey the longer it will take to reach Shiro no Matsu. You should see to it that a swift messenger is sent to Shiro no Matsu so that the troops are ready upon our arrival.
He felt relaxed once more, soon he would be on the march once more and this time he would be defending the school he had attended as a youth. This was right just as things should be Keisuke felt as though he had a a purpose once again.
Tell, me is there anything else to report?
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 17, 2012 12:06:54 GMT -5
"No, that would be all, my lord." she bowed low.
She hesitated for a moment, thinking whether to ask one more question that was on her mind or not, but noting the air in the room changed, she decided to ask quickly, before he send her away. "May I ask whom you intend to take with you, and when the group will leave?"
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 17, 2012 13:15:49 GMT -5
Nodding, Keisuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. We should take as many Lion Samurai as those that would be willing to march with us.
Giving Tsanuri the briefest of smiles, Spread the word among those Samurai you know, but try to remain some what quite about this I do not want half the army volunteering to march with us.
He fell silent for a few heart beats, then he crossed the room back to the small shrine were Shinrai lay resting. My sensei once said "This is a truth: when you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon yet undrawn."
Bowing to the sword he lifted it celestial sword from its small shrine and holding it aloft in both hands Keisuke bowed his head once more, and with a swift motion he slid the sword in to his obi. Was his right to do this, no he thought, but let the other of his clan debate what to do with his scared sword. Now was not a time for talk but of action. All doubts of his coarse of began to be fade as darkness fades before the sunrise. Keisuke stood taller, and his voice now carried a colder tone.
We should leave at dawn on the morrow, gather what others you can and make preparations for a swift ride to Shiro no Matsu.
I shall not let the Castle of the Swift Sword fall.
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Akodo Sosa
Lion Clan
Lion Clan Samurai * Akodo Bushi * Tactician * Paragon * Chui
Posts: 56
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Post by Akodo Sosa on Jan 19, 2012 5:47:49 GMT -5
Outside of the walls of Toshi Ranbo, a lone messenger in Lion colours rode swiftly up to the gates. Showing his authorisation to the guards he passed quickly through and continued his way to the main keep, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the city, with its soldiers, busy civilians, shouting merchants, and quiet, bowed peasants. The messenger entered the main courtyard, reined in his horse, and swung from the saddle almost in one fluid movement, born of a lifetime of this particular valuable task. Were it not for hm, and others like him, wars would be unfightable, information would never move, and the Empire would stagnate and fall. Yet none of this, his own importance, never crossed his mind. His only focus was his task. Passing numerous guards and winding his way through corridors and halls like a swift, silent wind with but one ultimate destination, the messenger eventually found Akodo Keisuke. He knelt silently before the Akodo Daimyo, his outstretched hands offering his lord and master a scroll.
The message read thus:
"My Lord Akodo-sama. I have sent my fastest messenger to you, that you may know as swiftly as possible my news. I have succeeded in gathering a force of loyal troops, supplemented by ashigaru and some paid Ronin. I currently travel north from Three Sides River, and hope to reach the Castle of the Swift Sword in good time, where I shall be putting all of these assets to good use. I currently also travel in the company of friends from the Monkey Clan, and I have heard from them that forces from our allies are headed to the same location, though I suspect their numbers may be small. If there are further orders you wish me to carry out, please give them to this messenger, as that is as good a guarantee I will get them as being stood in your noble presence myself. With Honour, For Family, Clan and Empire, Akodo Sosa"
The messenger waited patiently, kneeling and head bowed.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 20, 2012 18:44:36 GMT -5
I love it when a plan comes together Keisuke thought to himself. He slid the scroll into his kimono.
"Rise you up good Matsu _____-san," after watching the the man rise. Keisuke stepped closer to the Matsu, giving a nod to one of the shugenja with his group.
"One eye if you would be so kind." The old shugenja pulled a small triangular folded piece of paper from his robe, "All this talent and you still insist on parlor tricks, I tell my natural talents are wasted." Handing the paper to the Keisuke, "You know the drill and no moving this time if you step out of the circle the spell is broken we will have to start all over again." Smiling at the old shugenja, "At least the spell end now, last time we did this no one could hear or speak to me for an hour." Grunting the One Eye said, "That was an odd side effect wasn't it."
Keisuke unfolded the piece of paper tile shape was that of a small cone with a draw string at the top. Pulling the string the cone disappeared in a shower of blue green sparks. Silence fell, well at least around Keisuke and the Matsu messenger. "Tell Akodo Sosa-san, he has done extremely well and that he and his forces should move with all haste to Shiro no Matsu, there he will be able to join those I am bringing from Toshi Ranbo and we will have safety in numbers when we march to the Castle of the Swift Sword." Looking the samurai over, "See to that you eat and take a fresh horse before you leave to convey the message."
Keisuke stepped from the circle dispelling the magic. "May the ancestors guide your path Matsu _____-san."
You men are dismissed, except for you Tsanuri-san there is something we must fetch, and see done before we begin our march. He bowed to those who were there and began making his way to the imperial armory.
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 20, 2012 19:48:15 GMT -5
Tsanuri watched with interest the ritual prepared by shugenja. She didn’t have many occasions to see magic and for sure she’d never seen anything like this before. She moved back instinctively touching her sword when saw the sparks coming from shugenja’s simple origami form. Nobody reacted. Keisuke behaved as if nothing happened. The only difference was, she didn’t hear a word her master was saying, yet she knew he was speaking and that other man heard and understood it all. Or at least it seemed this way.
After Keisuke dismissed other men, she bowed to them too and then followed Akodo daimyo quietly. She wondered what important there is to do and why he need her.
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Post by Horiuchi Yuiren on Jan 22, 2012 20:53:20 GMT -5
There was yet another person who wanted to see Akodo Keisuke as soon as possible. “Oh, I have been so stupid! Saying that I have a verbal message should be the first thing to do! “ – she thought to herself. Shinjo Nanako was very young and lacked the experience of a true envoy. “If I ask to meet him, will they just let me? What if they turn me out? What if they get suspicious? I don’t think a mere messenger who already passed hers letters can really hope to receive an audience from Akodo Daimyo...” Thinking thus, she was just randomly wandering and sneaking around in corridors, hoping to, well, kind of, run across the one she was looking for.
How surprised she was, when this so-called “tactic” actually worked. She saw a man, wearing a best quality clothing. There was a short young samurai-ko assisting him, just as rumoured. There also was an unusual aura of authority surrounding him. She was almost sure that would be him. - "Akodo Keisuke-sama! Are you Daimyo Akodo Keisuke-sama?" – she shouted through the corridor, and when a man turned around, she’d bow submissively, touching floor with her forehead, and thinking that wasn’t the best way to get his attention. - "I’m sorry... er, excuse me my rudeness, Sama! I... I am a messenger from Moto-shireikan,I have brought the letters, but I have a very important verbal message for your ears only!" Her voice and hands trembled a little. Was she scared, or was it a thrill of excitement?
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Jan 23, 2012 0:41:34 GMT -5
Tsanuri was surprised to see the messenger here, though she didn't show it. She was sure she asked the Unicorn if the letter was all she had to deliver. It's true the girl was quite exchausted and it seemed as she was unsure of what to do, but she could have said something about the second message. It can change the whole situation. It probably will. Tsanuri felt she screwed it. Why does it always happen when things starts to move in the right direction? She looked at Keisuke not sure what to expect. Good thing his attention was focused on the Unicorn.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Jan 23, 2012 17:23:58 GMT -5
First of stand you up noble Unicorn, he smiled, no one ever delivered a message face down to the ground.
He gestured to one of the side corridors, step this way for but a moment. he lead the Unicorn in to a smaller corridor where there was no extra foot traffic. Keisuke did not even glance back he knew that Tsanuri would be but three steps behind him.
The new corridor was quieter than the one they had just left, obviously rather disused there was no one else present save for three who had entered it. Now, first this is Akodo Tsanuri-san my karo, anything you tell me I will eventually discuss with her, so pray continue with your message time is a precious thing.
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Post by Horiuchi Yuiren on Jan 23, 2012 19:22:57 GMT -5
Her heart was pounding, so she could barely hear anything being said. She followed Keisuke, glancing around for any guards. The three went into a narrow corridor. Young Shinjo felt Tsanuri’s gaze on her back, and felt a drop of sweat running down her neck. She, herself, was gazing onto Keisuke’s back. “Ever since the Unicorn pledged their loyalty to a self-claimed Emperor, the Clan faced only misery. Rokugan was facing misery! This is surely Kami’s punishment. How can one just claim to be an Emperor?! Hantei’s decisions are absolute. Kaneka has no right to take the throne. And you... Akodo Keisuke. You’re one of his followers. One of the most important pieces on this board. You must die. “ Those thoughts were running like crazy in her head, time stretched seconds into minutes. Her hands were sweaty and every step she took resonated in whole of her body. She remembered one last thing – and a weird pill (given to her by one of the older soldiers who also would not agree with Clan’s decision), till now clenched in her fist, went into her mouth.
Suddenly they stopped, and Keisuke turned around. Startled, Shinjo Nanami just stared at her victim, and tried to say anything. Something heroic. Something brave. But the voice just wouldn’t come out. This made Keisuke come a little closer. “This is the only chance you’ll ever get. Don’t waste it!” She knew she would die. With one quick move she took out aikuchi, till now hidden under her obi, and attacked Keisuke, aiming for heart.
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