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.