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Post by vegandeathmachine on May 18, 2011 11:55:21 GMT -5
A herald, arrayed in the colors and mon of the Mantis, rides to Toku Torid-E, and delivers the following letter to the daimyo or their representative:
"Greetings, Monkey Cousin!
Congratulations on your many successes in the battle against the Yobanjin. The Empire is truly a safer place due to your mobilization of the Minor Clans into a powerful military force.
With the siege of Mountain Watch Keep lifted, it would be wise to discuss the military state of the Empire. To that end, the Mantis have invited the daimyo of all the Great Clans as well as the Minor Clan Alliance to meet at Kyuden Gotei to discuss the future safety of the Empire.
I understand that this provides little notice, but I feel the matter is urgent. If you or your representative could attend this meeting, I would be most honored.
Yoritomo Akihiko, Mantis Clan Champion"
[OOC: Thread will be in Kyuden Gotei, starting on Friday May 20th. Open to any daimyo or representative from the following clans: Great Clans or Minor Clan Alliance. Topics will be politics. Punch and pie will be served. PM me with any questions.]
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 19, 2011 1:28:29 GMT -5
Kenpachi took another look at the letter, and then sat it down. "My Lord, perhaps a personal apperance could support the Clan's position. There are few that know of your elevation and it might do good to show that Sanjuro-sama's absence is not a death blow for us." Fuzake Toshi said after the Mantis messenger departed. The Fuzake Daimyo had taken to assisting his childhood friend in these difficult times. Kenpachi still did not wear the Champion's badge, though it did adorn his chair. Dispite gentle prodding, Kenpachi refused to take up residence at Toku Torid-e. It was his Champion's home, and Kenpachi was more comfortable at his own estate.
"You're right." Kenpachi said, rubbing his temple. He was not fond of this. Stacks of papers lay across his desk, all telling him the same thing, Sanjuro-sama was nowhere to be found. His message to the Mantis, asking for Tsurichi bounty hunters to assist in the search, would get quicker results if he showed up in person at any rate.
The battle had gone well. Nakata had sent word himself, though less than 20 of the original 140 Monkey samurai had seen the end of the battle. They had done well, along with the rest of the Alliance.
Kenpachi rose. He had to go. Rumors of his inability to lead the clan were starting to leak out. "It's time I led." Kenpachi said quietly. He turned to regard the badge. He picked it up, and placed it around his neck. It felt heavier than he imagined. He turned to Toshi who was smiling faintly. "Summon the leaders of our clan, those that are here at any rate. I need to talk to them before I leave."
That evening around midnight, Kenpachi felt sick. He never wanted to see this moment. He looked at the assembled leaders. Some looked worried, some looked curious, and a few even had looks of ill disguised contempt. He walked to the Champion's Throne and stood in front of it. "My friends, you all know Toku Sanjuro-sama is missing, and dispite our best efforts he has yet to be located. We cannot weaken. We must perserve Toku-dono's dream. We must not appear weak because of the loss of one great man. I am Sanjuro-sama's closest blood. This falls upon me. I pray for the day I am able to surrender this duty back to our Lord, but for now, we need a leader. Duty commands me, and I will answer that call.
Kenpachi led the men to the Shrine of the Fortune of Virtue. Kenpachi bowed on his knee to the statue and in a clear voice he said, "In the name of our founder, The Fortune of Virtue, I swear to defend the Empire, to obey the Emperor in thought and deed, and to perserve and defend our clan with honor. I will lead with honor and never cease fighting for Toku-dono's dream of a Rokugan that knows only peace and Law."
Toku Kenpachi rose to the those assembled. He knelt at the regent, and rose as the Champion. [i[Sanjuro-sama, come back and take this damn badge off of me.[/i] he thought, feeling unsure for the 3rd time in his life. Fuzake Toshi was the first to declare his loyalty to the 5th Champion of the Monkey. The others followed suit. Kenpachi left them after they were finished. There would be no celebration, this was not a happy occasion. Kenpachi would go to the Mantis, riding hard. The Monkey would survive. Duty is all that mattered.
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