Post by Akodo Kenzo on May 17, 2011 3:53:07 GMT -5
As the post-battle celebrations continued well into the night, one samurai withdrew to his command tent. There had been sake and revelry, of course. A Lion knows the importance of celebration following a victory in war, whatever else may come tomorrow. But now that tradition and morale had been satisfied, Akodo Kenzo knew that he had one more duty to perform before retiring. Dipping his brush, he began to write his report back to Shiro Akodo.
"My lord, it is my great honor to report to you that the battle at Mountain Watch Keep has been won. The Yobanjin have been routed and the field is ours. Casualties have been heavy, but morale is high and we already begin to regroup. We retain sufficient force to push these invaders out of the Emperor's lands and we shall see this task through.
"If this humble samurai may be so bold, however, I believe that we must act now to begin the battles that will come after the Yobanjin have been neutralized. They are not the only threat currently facing the Empire, nor do I believe them to be the largest. During the course of the siege, it has been brought to my attention that the Dragon and Scorpion have been conducting investigations regarding the potential infiltration of maho-tsukai into their lands. I have taken the liberty of dispatching a small investigative force to the lands of each, and they have confirmed these reports to my satisfaction. Active bloodspeaker cabals were discovered in and purged from the mountains of the Dragon as well as the courts of the Scorpion.
"I do not, however, believe this to be the extent of their infiltration. The wasting disease currently spreading through the lands of our allies the Crab bears the hallmarks of foul magics. In addition, there have even been rumors of unnatural happenings within the mountains and mines of our own lands. While I would not normally place stock in such hearsay without independent substantiation, in light of current circumstance I do not believe infiltration is a possibility that can be safely ignored.
"My lord, it is my most fervent belief that our highest priority following the expulsion of the Yobanjin must be the rooting out and purging of this foul infection. Scouts and soldiers must be assigned to scour our mountains as soon as the Yobanjin are gone, sooner if they can be spared. This is a threat which I believe has been quietly insinuating itself for considerable time, working delicately to undermine the workings of the Empire from within.
"There is also the separate matter that I believe must be brought to your attention, one regarding the Shogun. During the course of celebrations this evening, I was granted a private audience with him regarding an attempt on his life during the battle. He told me that his agents had discovered that the assassins were sent by someone within the Imperial Court, and that a similar attack had been made upon Isawa Sezaru in the courts of the Phoenix. The Shogun appears to believe that the Emperor himself wishes him dead, but I remain unconvinced on this point. Some here have whispered that he should submit and surrender his life, but I believe that would be a mistake.
"My lord, it is my belief that the Empire needs this man and that he deserves the full support of the Lion Clan. I have witnessed his bravery, skill, and honor with my own eyes and do not hesitate to say that this battle would have been lost without him. At a time when we were under threat, when the Emperor was in seclusion and could not give us his guidance, the Shogun Kaneka took initiative at great personal risk to his reputation and his life. He raised an army and led it with skill worthy of our greatest ancestors. He has earned my support and respect, and it is my hope that you, in your wisdom, will grant him yours as well.
"As always, this humble samurai remains at your disposal."
Sealing the missive, Akodo Kenzo summoned his most trusted courier and pressed it into his outstretched hand. "This must reach Shiro Akodo with all possible speed," he said. One brief bow and the messenger was gone, leaving Kenzo with his thoughts. The sounds of revelry outside did little to ease his concerns for the future.
"My lord, it is my great honor to report to you that the battle at Mountain Watch Keep has been won. The Yobanjin have been routed and the field is ours. Casualties have been heavy, but morale is high and we already begin to regroup. We retain sufficient force to push these invaders out of the Emperor's lands and we shall see this task through.
"If this humble samurai may be so bold, however, I believe that we must act now to begin the battles that will come after the Yobanjin have been neutralized. They are not the only threat currently facing the Empire, nor do I believe them to be the largest. During the course of the siege, it has been brought to my attention that the Dragon and Scorpion have been conducting investigations regarding the potential infiltration of maho-tsukai into their lands. I have taken the liberty of dispatching a small investigative force to the lands of each, and they have confirmed these reports to my satisfaction. Active bloodspeaker cabals were discovered in and purged from the mountains of the Dragon as well as the courts of the Scorpion.
"I do not, however, believe this to be the extent of their infiltration. The wasting disease currently spreading through the lands of our allies the Crab bears the hallmarks of foul magics. In addition, there have even been rumors of unnatural happenings within the mountains and mines of our own lands. While I would not normally place stock in such hearsay without independent substantiation, in light of current circumstance I do not believe infiltration is a possibility that can be safely ignored.
"My lord, it is my most fervent belief that our highest priority following the expulsion of the Yobanjin must be the rooting out and purging of this foul infection. Scouts and soldiers must be assigned to scour our mountains as soon as the Yobanjin are gone, sooner if they can be spared. This is a threat which I believe has been quietly insinuating itself for considerable time, working delicately to undermine the workings of the Empire from within.
"There is also the separate matter that I believe must be brought to your attention, one regarding the Shogun. During the course of celebrations this evening, I was granted a private audience with him regarding an attempt on his life during the battle. He told me that his agents had discovered that the assassins were sent by someone within the Imperial Court, and that a similar attack had been made upon Isawa Sezaru in the courts of the Phoenix. The Shogun appears to believe that the Emperor himself wishes him dead, but I remain unconvinced on this point. Some here have whispered that he should submit and surrender his life, but I believe that would be a mistake.
"My lord, it is my belief that the Empire needs this man and that he deserves the full support of the Lion Clan. I have witnessed his bravery, skill, and honor with my own eyes and do not hesitate to say that this battle would have been lost without him. At a time when we were under threat, when the Emperor was in seclusion and could not give us his guidance, the Shogun Kaneka took initiative at great personal risk to his reputation and his life. He raised an army and led it with skill worthy of our greatest ancestors. He has earned my support and respect, and it is my hope that you, in your wisdom, will grant him yours as well.
"As always, this humble samurai remains at your disposal."
Sealing the missive, Akodo Kenzo summoned his most trusted courier and pressed it into his outstretched hand. "This must reach Shiro Akodo with all possible speed," he said. One brief bow and the messenger was gone, leaving Kenzo with his thoughts. The sounds of revelry outside did little to ease his concerns for the future.