Enemy at the Gates
by Rich Wulf
Matsu Kenji brushed a sweaty lock of hair from her
eyes and tucked it behind her ear. The training session had been going on for
at least an hour, and she was nearing exhaustion. Her opponent, however, barely
looked winded. Kenji frowned slightly. She was not accustomed to being so
easily thwarted in combat. She shifted her position to a defensive stance.
And then charged.
Kenji hoped her attack would be unexpected, one that
would finally catch her opponent unprepared and vulnerable. Unfortunately, that
did not happen. Her attack ended swiftly with two lightning-quick strikes from
her opponent's boken. The first struck her across the shins. It was very
painful, even through the armor Kenji wore. She was certain that if she had
been unarmored, it would have shattered the bone.
The second strike slapped Kenshi's boken just above
the hilt. The force of the blow ripped the wooden blade from her hands and sent
it tumbling end over end across the dojo until it struck the delicate
rice-paper wall. The training blade disappeared, leaving a crude hole in the
wall, which both women regarded silently.
“Well,” said Kenji's opponent finally, removing her
helmet to let her graying hair fall free onto her shoulders, “I have never seen
that before.”
Try as she might, Kenji could not suppress a chuckle.
She immediately knelt and bowed her head. “Forgive me, Ketsui-sama. I meant no
disrespect.”
“Do not be ridiculous, Kenji,” the daimyo of the Matsu
family responded with a wave of her hand. “You are young, and the young should
enjoy life. When you reach my age, you will have seen things that drive joy
from you. As I have.” The aged daimyo placed her boken in the rack and picked
up her daisho. As she placed it in her obi, she glanced sidelong at Kenji with
an inquisitive look. “I understand you met with Sume recently.”
“Hai, Ketsui-sama. He has met with Otemi-san and me
several times regarding our excursion on the sea.”
“Yes,” Ketsui rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I had
meant to ask you about that... incident. Sume insists the island you found
could fund the entire army for several years. It seems far-fetched to me, but
Sume is not normally prone to exaggeration.” She adjusted her blades so that
they could be drawn at a moment's notice, the way true Matsu did. “And I
understand you defeated an orochi. An impressive feat.”
Kenji frowned. “I remember very little of that, my
daimyo. There were complications at the time.”
“I see. Would Otemi be one of those complications?”
The young warrior paled. “I... I do not know what you
mean, my lady.”
“Of course not. I will just ask you one question about
my great-nephew, and I expect your honest answer.” Ketsui fixed Kenji with a
very stern and serious look. “Will he make a good Matsu husband? Kenji smiled
broadly and looked down at the floor, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. Affer
a moment of careful thought, she replied, “I would say that he has potential,
Ketsui-sama.”
Ketsui returned Kenji's grin. It seemed strangely out
of place on her aged, care-worn face. “I am glad to hear it. It is Otemi
who...” her grin disappeared and her voice wavered slightly for just a moment.
Clenching her jaw, she began again. “It is Otemi who will protect the Hall of
Ancestors until Domotai returns or is...” she grimaced, “permanently replaced.”
Kenji squared her shoulders and straightened her form
proudly. “Domotai is one of the greatest heroes of our family. Nimuro will
rescue him, and they will return in triumph, the heads of the Tsuno on their
spears.”
“I pray that you are correct,” Ketsui said softly.
The sound of a throat clearing diverted the attention
of both women to the doorway, where a severe man in exquisite clothing stood
waiting. “Forgive my most inappropriate intrusion, Ketsui-sama, but I have a
message delivered from Otosan Uchi. It bears the seal of the honorable Hantei
Naseru, and deserves the utmost attention.”
“Of course, Fudai.” Ketsui's expression changed to one
of mild exasperation at Fudai's obvious loyalty to one of the Winds. She accepted
the scroll, bowed very slightly, and waited for the bard to leave before
opening it.
“Unbelievable,” she said when she was finished. Kenji
bit her lip anxiously, very curious to know what news the scroll contained, but
too well mannered to ask. Ketsui looked at her student, a thoughtful gleam in
her eye. “The Kaeru family, the ronin that rule the City of the Rich Frog, have
petitioned Otosan Uchi for protection. It seems that with oni cropping up
across the Empire, the Crab and Crane warring on each other, and the Tsuno
appearing and disappearing with the wind, they no longer feel safe.”
“I suppose Naseru-sama jumped at the chance,” Kenji
said. “That city holds great wealth.”
“That is the interesting part,” Ketsui said. “He
claims the Seppun and the Imperial Legions are stretched to their limit. He has
notified the clans that one of us must protect the city.” She strode across the
room, deep in thought. “Chagatai will try to take it. It would cement his
claims on the land north of Seikitsu Pass. Likewise Uso and his Dragon would
covet the wealth of the city.”
Kenji placed her hand upon her blade. “Neither can be
allowed to seize the city, Ketsui-sama! They would be on our very border!”
“Indeed.” Ketsui turned as a sudden thought occurred
to her. “Ikoma Sume has allies among the Kaeru. He can help secure an alliance
with them. Yes, that could be a definite advantage. It is possible we could
even convince Kaeru Tomaru to swear fealty to the Ikoma, and the Kaeru could
become a vassal family.”
“They are a small family,” said Kenji thoughtfully,
“but their joining us would recoup our losses from the battle with the Tsuno.”
“Yes,” nodded Ketsui. “It is an advantage we cannot
afford to pass up, and one we cannot allow our enemies to seize.” She straightened,
assuming the posture of a commanding officer. “Kenji, you are hereby promoted
to the rank of gunso. You will assume command of the 16th guntai immediately.
They are stationed in the northern barracks. Take them to the City of the Rich
Frog and assess the situation. Send a courier with a report within four hours
of your arrival.”
Kenji bowed deeply. “At once, my lady.” She quickly
exited the dojo and disappeared into the courtyard beyond.