The Honor of a Lifetime
GenCon LARP Fiction
by Seth Mason
Shoin-san,
The
Empire has had enough mourning. Perform the duties charged to your family
centuries ago and bring my word across Rokugan – the Emperor will take a wife
and there will be reason for celebration. Select your most trusted vassals and
speak with those that the Lion believe are worthy to become an Empress. Those
that are judged acceptable by your heralds may be brought to Toshi Ranbo to
speak with me directly. I trust you understand the delicate nature of this
affair.
The letter bore
no name, though the chop of the Emperor was certainly all the identification it
needed. Miya Shoin held the Imperial edict in one hand as he surveyed the three
men who knelt before him. Two were of the Miya house, Hatori and Gensaiken, and
both men possessed an uncanny ability to perceive the hearts and minds of
others. In the past years, the Miya daimyo had come to rely on their counsel
quite often. The third was a relatively young diplomat from the Otomo family
named Taneji. Though he was far younger than the others, he was the protégé of
Hatori and an obviously skilled courtier. Between natural Otomo cunning and
Miya training, Taneji had surprised more than one experienced diplomat with his
resourcefulness.
“Gensaiken,”
Shoin spoke, “you will attend to the Matsu lands and speak with Aoiko,
granddaughter of the legendary Matsu Gohei. Hatori, you will travel with him
and meet with Matsu Kenji, who has been summoned from her position on the Ikoma
vessel to await our visit. Taneji, I believe you have met with Kitsu Dejiko
before, so I will instead attend to her. You will go to Shiro Akodo and speak
to Akodo Kurako.” The Miya daimyo eyed the scroll in his hand once again and
added, “Do not hesitate in your judgement when the time comes. You are taking a
direct position in choosing who may one day be your Empress. Do not bring those
who are not fit before our Emperor.”
“Shoin-sama,”
Gensaiken said in his quiet voice, “what if none are worthy?”
Miya
Shoin did not falter, “Then there will be no bride for Toturi III. We would
insult the Emperor and shame the Miya house if we were to approve an
unacceptable choice simply for the purpose of appeasing the Son of Heaven.”
Shoin tucked the scroll on his obi and pointed to the southwest, away from
Imperial City and towards the Lion lands. “Now, go, and carry the future of the
Empire back to its heart.”
•
Kenson
Gakka, Humilty’s Lesson Castle…
“Show him in,”
Aoiko nearly growled as she fidgeted with the tight collar of the kimono that
was so tight it threatened to become her tomb. As a warrior, she was
unaccustomed to such ceremonial dress, but as a samurai she was expected to
cultivate a cultured nature that made her more than just a killer. Though Matsu
Aoiko was indeed more than a simple combatant, she hardly found occasion to
dress in such a manner except when she received a promotion in the ranks of the
Lion army. Fortunately, she was kneeling in the relatively small room in a
meditative posture, which allowed her to position herself in such a way that
the obi around her waist did not completely cut off feeling in her lower body.
“Matsu
Aoiko-sama,” Miya Gensaiken said smoothly as he stepped into the room and bowed
in one motion. “I am Gensaiken of the Miya house, and it is an honor to meet
with you in such a private manner.” Behind him, the shoji screen was shut with
a quiet hiss, and the two samurai, nearly complete opposites in every regard,
were left alone with nothing but a table and tea between them. “May I sit,
granddaughter of Gohei?”
Aoiko
nodded and spoke, “I am honored you have taken the time to learn so much of me,
Gensaiken-sama. Please sit.” It was the nicest way she could think to ask why
the Miya had gone out of his way to get information on her.
“My
apologies, lady of the Matsu,” the Miya replied as he sat in a comfortable
kneel, “but I have not troubled myself overmuch to become familiar with you.
Are you so surprised your reputation has reached the far ears of the Miya?” The
response was toneless, and Gensaiken took no time to begin testing the woman.
“I
am led to believe that the Miya are the Emperor’s voice throughout all the
lands. I would not be surprised to find that the Miya know of me,” she paused
for a moment and tried to effortlessly arrange their cups as she spoke, “but
rather that a particular Miya that spends most of his time in Toshi Ranbo has.”
Inwardly, she cursed herself as she shook one of the cups as she laid it down
and simultaneously realized that she had just revealed that she had taken the
time to learn what she could of Gensaiken.
The
Miya smoothed an unseen wrinkle on his kimono as he raised his eyebrows in
surprise, “Now I am the one who is honored, Aoiko-sama. I would like half a
cup, please,” Gensaiken indicated the tea set with his eyes as he spoke, taking
the Lion’s focus on one mistake to the next. As the host, Aoiko should have at
least offered her guest something to drink at this point. Inwardly, the
courtier was starting to wonder what the Matsu found so remarkable about this
woman. Certainly she was an honored warrior and inspiring leader on the
battlefield, but Aoiko’s family easily had a countless number of such samurai.
“I…”
Aoiko said, trying her best not to fumble with her hands as she fought to control
her anger at being so easily toyed with by the man across the table. “Of
course, Gensaiken-sama. I’m afraid the tea was so freshly made I was waiting
for it to cool.” After all, she thought inwardly, she had already chosen not to
dump the pot on his head. He was a Miya, a herald of the Imperial City, an
honored visitor to her family’s lands – and what was more, he was obviously
here to determine if she was a fitting choice to even be considered by Toturi
III. She would not shame the Matsu name by making a fool of herself here,
though Gensaiken was obviously going to make even that simple task a monumental
effort…
•
Shiro
Matsu, Ancestral home of the Matsu family…
Kenji stood on
the battlements of Shiro Matsu and felt the slight breeze blow against her
face. Aboard the Deathless, the wind was rarely this calm, and the Matsu woman
felt an emptiness that couldn’t be explained. The scentless air, the unmoving
stone beneath her feet, and the dryness of the world around her caused her to
realize that she had actually come to miss standing aboard the deck of Ikoma
Otemi’s boat.
The
Deathless, she corrected herself. She missed the Deathless.
“Second
thoughts, Kenji?” the deep voice of Matsu Ketsui came from her right. The Matsu
matriarch had joined her several minutes ago, but did not bother her reverie.
The elders of most other families would have taken the time to engage in some
meaningless conversation before getting to the point, but Ketsui’s forwardness
was one of her most infamous traits. “If you wait much longer, you’re going to
have to tell the Imperial ambassador yourself that you don’t feel like becoming
an Empress.”
Kenji
snorted derisively. “It is an honor to even be considered. The honor of a
lifetime, I’m sure.”
Ketsui’s
eyebrows arched slightly in surprise. “Careful, little fish. I can understand
your feelings, but your words come dangerously close to insulting the Emperor.”
The
younger Matsu lowered her eyes in shame. “I did not mean-”
“Of
course you did not,” Ketsui cut her off with a wave of her hand. “You’re
nervous. This is a battlefield all your years of training could not possibly
hope to train you for.”
“No,”
Ketsui said as she shook her head, “it’s not that. I can bow and smile and make
useless talk like a good wife if I must. It is a great honor, and one I have
prepared myself for accordingly.”
A
moment passed in silence, and Ketsui finally spoke aloud what she knew Kenji
did not want to hear. “Otemi,” she began slowly, “would certainly have
difficulty replacing such a capable assistant aboard his ship.”
Kenji
took a step back from the wall, folded her arms across her chest and narrowed
her eyes at her daimyo. “Ketsui-sama,” she said, allowing her anger show just
enough as not to be insolent to her superior, “I do not like what you are
implying. I do not like that you feel the need to imply it instead of actually
saying it.” She let out a breath. “Do you think me stupid enough to keep
thinking of Ikoma Otemi. With all respect, my Lady, I wish you would not speak
of such things again. If I am to become Empress, it will be without any
reservations. I will not harbor some sort of base desires when I can become
mother to the next Emperor and strengthen the Imperial line with Matsu blood.”
“I
said nothing of the sort,” Ketsui replied darkly, not truly able to muster any
anger at Kenji for defending her honor in a reasonable manner.
“Then
please continue to not say it,” Kenji returned. “If it is my destiny to become
Empress, then I will be the finest woman to sit beside the Son of Heaven. None
will question my worth, and I would not have others encouraging them to do so.”
The
sound of a third person clearing their throat brought both women’s attention to
the guard tower that led back down to the ground level. There, an Imperial
noble stood with Seppun guards on either side of him. “While the two of you are
so obviously not speaking, allow me to introduce myself,” the aged man said. “I
am Miya Hatori, sent from Toshi Ranbo to speak with Matsu Kenji.”
“Hatori-san,”
Ketsui said, taking a step towards the courtier. “I do not believe I appreciate
visitors sneaking up on me in my own home, Imperial or not.”
“A
feeling I can understand,” Hatori replied, not bothering to appear offended by
the insult. “It is fortunate then that I would never sneak anywhere. On the
other hand, while others are busy spending a moment in… silent reflection, not
speaking, then I would be remiss to disrupt them with a noisy entrance.”
Matsu
Kenji stepped beside her daimyo and bowed low to the Miya. “You have come to
speak with me then, Hatori-sama?”
Hatori
nodded, “Indeed I had,” he said. “However, I should say that in the space of
what was not said, I have heard more than enough. Tell me, Kenji, have you even
been to the Imperial City before?”
•
Shiro
Akodo, Ancestral home of the Akodo family…
“I hope I am not
intruding,” Otomo Taneji spoke as he entered the library that rested near the
heart of Akodo Castle. The room’s total silence made even the courtier’s
practiced tone seem somewhat intrusive.
The
only other occupant of the library knelt at one of the many tables, scrolls of
all lengths and contents strewn before her. To the uninitiated, it would appear
as if Akodo Kurako had produced an unorganized mess during her studies, but
Taneji knew enough of the Lion to know that the maps and other documents were
arranged well enough so that they could all be perused simultaneously. The
Akodo maiden swiftly rose and bowed low to the visitor, her face betraying none
of the surprise she certainly felt on the inside.
“Otomo
Taneji-sama,” Kurako spoke quietly, her voice unusually rich and silken for a
warrior, “I am honored you have come to Shiro Akodo to speak with me.”
Taneji
returned the bow, then motioned to the table, “May I sit for a moment with you,
Kurako-san?”
“Of
course,” the Lion replied, kneeling once again at the table and rolling up
scrolls with a practiced hand. “Please excuse these distractions, I had not-”
The
young Imperial raised a hand to silence her, “Do not offer apologies, Kurako. I
have interrupted your studies. It is certainly understandable.” Taneji reached
down to the table and plucked up an open scroll as he sat. His eyes widened a
little in surprise as he read the document. “The koans of Shiba?”
“Hai,”
Kurako said, nodding. “Matsu Nimuro-sama’s father was a Phoenix, and I believe
that this side of his heritage has helped him become such a legendary leader.”
“I
see,” Taneji said absently as he scanned the other scrolls. “Kakita’s The
Sword?”
“Lord
Nimuro’s friendship with lord Doji Kurohito has benefited the Lion, and so I
see how such wisdom may benefit a servant of the Lion Champion.”
“A
treatise on the strategies of the Moto army?”
“Nimuro-sama
has more than once remarked that the cavalry tactics of the Unicorn are a
terrifying sight. It would only strengthen the Lion’s army to have a fraction
of such power at their disposal.”
“Mirumoto’s
Niten?”
“It
is true that the Dragon’s sword style is unorthodox, but Akodo understood the
worth of an unpredictable foe. I only wish to learn how to take advantage of
such a philosophy.”
A
faint smile crossed Taneji’s face as he leaned back on his feet. “The fact that
the Lion have had several skirmishes with the Clans in question within recent
memory is a pure coincidence, I’m sure.”
“Taneji-sama,”
Kurako replied, lowering her head demurely, “if you want to take such an
attitude, you should realize that the Lion Clan has clashed with every other
Great Clan at one point or another within the past two generations.”
“Fair
enough,” he agreed.
“Would
you permit me one question, Taneji-sama?” the Lion woman asked.
The
young man nodded silently.
“Why
have you chosen to speak with me now? I understood that I would have time to
prepare for our meeting.”
The
Otomo smiled, “I find that preparation ruins many things, including the truth.
Should I have given you time to present a façade to me that I would report to
my Emperor?” Kurako opened her mouth to speak, but the Imperial continued,
“Also, it has been my personal experience that the Akodo show their best nature
when they have to improvise.”
“An
understandable philosophy, Taneji-sama,” the Lion replied. “But if I may say
so, I believe you are making something of a tactical error.”
“Oh?”
Taneji asked, intrigued.
“After
all, you should be treating someone who might one day be your Empress with a
little more respect.”
The
old Imperial started at the woman’s sudden change of attitude, and then smiled
broadly. “Thank you, Kurako-san, for proving my point.”
•
Shiro
sano Ken Hayai, the Castle of the Swift Sword…
Shoin stepped
into the dark chamber and glanced about quickly, wondering if he had made some
sort of error. A Lion samurai had led the Miya damiyo here, saying that it was
the appointed location for his meeting with Kitsu Dejiko. Where he had expected
a small gathering of Kitsu around a formal table, he instead found a room
barely lit by the glow of several candles and burning incense. In the center of
the chamber knelt what was obviously the samurai-ko that he sought, but she was
deep in meditation before an ancestral altar.
Though
he was the lord of an Imperial family, Shoin felt that he had no right to
intrude on what was very obviously a private ritual. Without a word, he turned
to exit.
“Please,
Lord Miya,” Dejiko spoke quietly, her back still turned to Shoin, “I mean no
offense, but please wait.”
Shoin
had enough dealings with the Lion, the Kitsu in particular, to know that there
was no reason to suspect any sort of trickery afoot. He stopped himself and
turned back to regard the Lion samurai-ko, who was now bowing her head to the
floor before her ancestral shrine, indicating her meditations were complete.
“I
do not mean to interrupt, Dejiko-san. I was informed you were ready to speak
with me now,” Shoin said, bowing his head to her.
Dejiko
stood, and in response to Shoin’s gesture she knelt once again, facing him and
bowing her head to the floor in respect to his much higher station. “There is
no interruption, Shoin-sama. I was merely calling the attention of my ancestors
so that they may witness and judge me as you do today.”
Though
Shoin had never met Kitsu Dejiko, the woman kneeling before him was not quite
what he had expected. He had heard that she was something of a rarity among her
family – a bushi that had managed a great deal of respect from her kin. While
Kitsu warriors were not completely rare, they were usually doomed to lives of
obscurity. Further, the Miya daimyo had been led to believe Dejiko was
something of a brash woman, more suited for life among the Matsu than with the
contemplative Kitsu.
After
taking a moment to think, Shoin saw no harm in addressing the matter of his
confusion. “Dejiko-san,” he said, kneeling on the floor opposite her, “I must
confess your demeanor is not quite what I had expected. I was led to believe
that you would be a bit less inclined to this sort of meeting.”
Dejiko
smiled slightly, taking a wryly amused look as she spoke, “If I have any sort
of reputation, it is likely a result of my early years in the Lion armies.” She
paused for a moment, attempting to explain the matter without embarrassing
herself too much before the Imperial daimyo. “There was a time when I was
convinced that the only way that I would step out of the shadow of my family’s
name was by overshadowing it with my own.” The Kitsu woman looked at the floor
for a moment, clearly uncomfortable mentioning it, “By any means possible. I
thought by becoming a renowned warrior, I would earn acceptance and respect
among my kin. I abandoned all thoughts beyond the death of all enemies,
throwing myself blinding into any conflict that presented itself. I very nearly
shamed myself and my ancestors before I learned the error of my judgment.”
“What
caused you to change your perspective, if I may ask?” Shoin said, clearly
intrigued.
“I
was given an example,” Dejiko replied, her voice becoming somewhat quieter.
“Something more worthy to become.”
Shoin
was perfectly aware of what the woman was saying, but he felt the need to press
the matter further. “And what was that, Dejiko-san?”
Dejiko
looked up at the Miya daimyo and her eyes were perfectly calm, which surprised
Shoin. “A leader,” she replied. “An inspiration. A symbol that others could
look to and draw strength from. I wanted to become something she…” Dejiko
stopped herself for a moment and collected her thoughts. “Something that the
Empire could turn to and see as an example in turn. Killing means nothing if it
serves no higher purpose, Lord Miya. That is what Tsudao-sama taught me. Leading
means nothing if you wander blindly. Prestige and glory means nothing if you
are empty without it. I learned that the Empire needs heroes not for the sake
of legends, but to remind others that any of us can strive to become more.”
Shoin
nodded quietly, considering Dejiko’s words in the silence of the chamber. Soon,
he thought to himself, he would find out if Toturi III would agree that they
were truly words befitting an Empress.
•
Toshi
Ranbo, several days later…
“Gensaiken-san,”
Shoin said, approaching the other man in one of the longer corridors of the
Imperial Palace. Behind him, Otomo Taneji and Miya Hatori followed. “I did not
know you had returned to the Imperial City,” he continued, raising an eyebrow
suspiciously. “I hope that is because you have just arrived and have not had
time to report to me.”
“It
is so,” Gensaiken replied, bowing to his daimyo. “We have only just returned
from Kenson Gakka.”
“We?”
Hatori asked curiously. “Then you have brought back Matsu Aoiko?”
Gensaiken
nodded. “Hai,” he said. “I find her to be arrogant, tempestuous, and ill-suited
for life in the Imperial Court. Her quarters are currently close to the Kitsuki
ambassador’s if you wish to speak with her.”
“Why
have you brought her to be judged by the Emperor, then?” Taneji asked
suspiciously. He knew the other man well enough to realize there was something
he was not saying.
“She
is determined,” Gensaiken said, glancing vaguely in the direction of Aoiko’s
guest chambers. “I did what I could to provoke and taunt her, but I fear she
did not rise to occasion. Instead, she danced on my strings as best as she
could, refusing to lash out… and even nearly catching me off my guard once or
twice. With such an iron will and dedication, I can only assume she is the raw
material from which a great Empress can be made.”
“Perhaps,”
Shoin countered, “though I would not put so much stock in the possibility for
someone to adapt quickly. While I can admire such qualities, Kitsu Dejiko has
already been forged in such a crucible and emerged a stronger person. I doubt
that there is little that her balanced spirit cannot overcome at this point.”
“That
is well and good, Lord Shoin,” Taneji said, stepping toward his daimyo. “But
the life of an Empress is not one of constant adventure. Though she will have
to contend with the Imperial Court, I believe Akodo Kurako would also be well
suited to deal with life as Toturi III’s wife. She is educated, clever, and
unafraid to speak her mind. I fear that many other women would fail to hold his
interest, and those that do would be unable to bear life under constant
political pressure.”
Hatori
bowed his head to his former student and raised his hand slightly to interrupt.
“If I may say so, Taneji-san, that is very true but meaningless if one lacks
spirit. Kurako may be clever, Dejiko may be serene, and Aoiko may be
determined, but Matsu Kenji has lived a full life for her years. Life in court
may not be an adventure, but those who cannot plot their own course through its
waters may well find themselves helpless amongst its waves. Matsu Kenji has
done a great deal to impress me not only with her honor, but with an unerring
sense of what is right and must be done. If the Emperor is to have a bride, she
must be one that can be his equal, not just his wife.”
Miya
Shoin looked to his three vassals and smiled broadly. “I see,” he said. “Well,
attend to your duties, then. I will inform the Son of Heaven that we have been
very poor servants indeed. Instead of weeding out the unworthy candidates for
his name, we were merely able to find four more than acceptable choices.” Shoin
bowed slightly to the other men then turned towards the Imperial Court
chambers. This would prove to be interesting, at the very least.