Rokugan #2: Ryoko's Tale...
14th of Fu-Leng in the 1158th year of the Emerald Empire
Travel during the winter, is a fool’s errand in the lands of Rokugan. Shiba Ryoko detested the winter, she hated to travel, and worst of all she had a distinct distaste for the Crane. Her current mission at hand only incensed her further as she meditated on the tatami mat and focused her thoughts on the days ahead. Though they were troubled, she had received a grievous blow to her ego and confidence at the hands of Daidoji Yugiashi, a Crane bushi no less.
She opened her eyes and bowed her head continuing her meditation and prayer as her thoughts drifted to her home, in the north of the Phoenix lands. The New Year was quickly approaching and she had hoped to be home to celebrate with her father and family, but the vagaries of war could not be overlooked. And so she was here in the lands of the Crane, languishing away in the household of Kakita Hyuske, hatamoto to the Kakita daimyo. Not by her own volition but at the behest of her betters, Shiba Aikune in particular, her lord and mentor…
Shiba Aikune pored over a report recounting the sound defeat and loss of the Golden Sword legion at the battle of Toyitaka village as Ryoko sat patiently across from him her gaze focused squarely upon him. Finally he spoke, “The Dragon go too far…”
Ryoko nodded, “They are simply fools my lord, they cannot possibly stand against our might, nor that of the Lion. This war will be short and brutal and in the end we will lay claim to many of their holdings.”
“You speak as if the war is over, gunso, I assure you it is not,” he glanced at her, “and as far as the Lion are concerned, I do not doubt their strength at arms. But concerns in their lands may draw them from our front, before long,” he placed the report down on the low black marble table. The table was piled with various battle reports and strategies from countless conflicts.
Ryoko nodded sharply, “The might of Phoenix will push the Dragon back to their mountains. But why summon me here from the front to speak of things that I am already aware, sensei.”
Aikune-sama raised a brow; “I am pulling you from the front, for I have need of you in a delicate matter. To curry favor in case we have need of additional martial support. I am sending you to the lands of the Crane; I have made arrangements with Kakita Hyuske. He has assured me that his children will assist our cause. These are the first steps to an alliance with the Crane…”
“Sensei! My place is at the front, with my men, I am no courtier, I do not play the games of the court!” she calmed herself, “The Crane are opportunists, they dirty their hands with greed and scheme in the courts. They show honor, but I fear they may possess little of it,” she breathed lightly gazing into the eyes of Aikune-sama.
“I have heard your complaints before gunso, and I am aware of your grievances with the Crane. But they serve a particular end, and their role is integral to my plans. Their wealth will aid in the bolstering of our forces, I am sure you are aware that many of our borders in the north are lightly defended, I hope to change that,” he let the words linger in the air.
“Hai,” she replied sharply, “what will you have me do sensei?”
“You will be my eyes and ears in the North, after you meet with Lord Kakita Hyuske, you will return to Phoenix lands and take up residence in Shiro Moritami. It stands in a perfect position to defend much of our northern borders. I will have your men sent to the fortress after it is secured,” he paused, “I have been promised a unit of Crane troops by Kakita-sama. I can assure you if you perform your duties, a promotion may well be in order gunso. I expect absolute loyalty, and I will be kept abreast of all events in that region. Now you must go, I have prepared travel papers and passage by ship, you are dismissed Ryoko-san.”
Ryoko nodded, “Hai,” and then stood and left the room. Aikune-sama smiled, the first step of his plan was well under way…
Ryoko opened her eyes, her mood calm and relaxed. She reached out and ran her fingers over her ancestral blade, sheathed the crimson hilt glinting in the soft candlelight. The blade was thirsty; it had tasted the blood of the Dragon and hungered for more. She could hear their screams, the men dying around her in honorable combat. Aikune-sama leading them to a glorious charge, against the confused and broken Dragon bushi, the battle had been short, but decisive.
She stood and grabbed her grandfather’s sword and entered the courtyard. She unsheathed the blade and began to practice her steps and sword movements, focusing her will on the keen edge of her blade. She gritted her teeth in grim determination, the defeat at the hands of the Crane bushi, Daidoji Yugiashi, still stung…
The journey had been long and hard for Ryoko, but she had finally arrived at her destination. The chill air of the winter evening and the distasteful odor of the sea, only served to annoy Ryoko even more so as she approached the estate of the esteemed Crane hatamoto, Kakita Hyuske.
The servants were pleasant enough and had allowed her admittance into his home; she smiled to them and presented an image of courtly sophistication. She was a radiant beauty in her red kimono the mon of the Phoenix emblazoned upon her chest. Under her kimono she wore the light armor of the ashigaru, ever mindful of the dangers of the land.
She bowed to Kakita-sama and smiled pleasantly, “Good eve, Kakita-sama, I apologize for the lateness of my arrival, winter is not kind to travelers.”
Kakita-sama bowed, “There is no need for apologies, I am honored to have you as a guest in my home Shiba Ryoko. Shiba Aikune spoke highly of you, and I can see that his words of your grace and beauty were quite true.”
Ryoko smiled and produced a red fan and gracefully placed in front of her face to hide her blush, she so despised playing this role but it served its purpose. Ryoko drew the fan from her face, “I thank you for the kind words,” her green eyes sparkling in the candle light, “oh before I forget, I have brought you a gift, on behalf of your hospitality, it was once carried into battle by my grandfather, in the Clan Wars…” She produced a fierce red mempo depicting a fanged maw with black highlights and a hooked nose; it was both fearsome and yet refined.
Kakita-sama smiled, “I am honored, but I must refuse for such a gift to be given to one such as myself…”
Ryoko smiled knowing this game well, “I insist for your skill on the battlefield is well known throughout the Empire, your exploits at the Battle of Oblivion’s Gate are legend, Kakita-sama.”
“My exploits are known but they are not great, I did only what had to be done, for the Empire, my honor demanded no less…” he refused once more.
“My family is honored by your sacrifice, Kakita-sama, we seek to give you a token of our gratitude, for your unswerving service to the empire. My grandfather spoke highly of you before he passed on; it is in his memory that I pass this on to you…” she held out the crimson mempo to Kakita-sama.
Kakita-sama gently took the mempo into his hands, “I thank you then, and I shall keep it in honor of your grandfather, Shiba O-Yuritaka. He was a great man, who fought only for peace. I am honored to receive such a gift.”
Ryoko smiled, “Thank you Kakita-sama, if I may, I hope to meet with your daughter and son. To make a proper introduction of course.”
Kakita-sama replied, “This way,” he turned and led Ryoko to the inner courtyard of the home; both Yugiashi and Ameiko were present. Yugiashi was practicing his sword arts while Ameiko watched appreciatively. Ameiko glanced across the courtyard and noticed her father and the Ryoko and silently approached them brushing past Yugiashi. Yugiashi gave Ameiko a puzzled look and moved to speak but kept his words to himself.
Ameiko stopped and bowed, “Father.”
"I did not wish to intrude, but we have a late guest, Shiba Ryoko,” he said with a slight nod to his daughter.
Ameiko nodded to her. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady."
Ryoko smiled taken aback by Ameiko’s height, standing at nearly 5’6”, matching her own height. Ryoko spoke softly, "I am the daughter of Shiba Yotunaga, and I will be your guide and assisting you in your tasks in the lands of my clan," she turned to Kakita-sama, “I thank you once more for your hospitality, it has been most welcome.”
Kakita-sama glanced to Ameiko then to Ryoko, “Thank you, I shall rest now, please excuse me.” He returned to his quarters closing the screen door behind him.
"You speak of tasks. Have you any idea what these tasks might entail?" Ameiko asked smiling, yet a serious undertone in her manner.
“We will work to bolster the strength of my clan holdings in the north. I am sure you are aware of the minor conflict we are engaged in against the Dragon,” the words flowed like silk, despite her growing anger, she kept her façade calm. She glanced to Yugiashi, “And if I may ask, who might he be?”
“He is my yojimbo, Daidoji Yugiashi,” Ameiko replied calmly, “But forgive me, you have had a long journey. I am sure you would prefer to rest."
Ryoko smiled watching Yugiashi’s movements with his blades, “this is pleasant, I have often heard of the swordplay of the Crane bushi..."
Ameiko turned from Ryoko, “If you will excuse me for a moment,” she sauntered towards Yugiashi, "You wished to speak with me?"
Yugiashi nodded, sheathing his katana, "I thought perhaps I could teach you a few simple moves."
Ryoko furrowed her brow ever so slightly, it was quite obvious that Ameiko was not a bushi; her place was not on the battlefield. But she watched the exchange with some disdain, but attempted to hold her words to herself.
Ameiko smiled, "I had the same thought."
"I am to keep watch over you, but sometimes the best way to do that is for you to be able to help yourself as well,” Yugiashi smiled, pleased that Ameiko was eager to learn.
Ameiko drew her wakizashi and held it steadily as Ryoko spoke, "I am not sure how things are done in Crane lands, but it is not the shugenja's place to practice the arts of the sword..."
The two ignored her words, which only incensed Ryoko more so. The she did not like the Crane, or their methods. But they served a viable purpose for her sensei, and for that she would serve. She laid her hand gently on the pommel of her grandfather’s katana, the crimson hilt felt cool in her palm. She watched as Yugiashi and Ameiko practiced, a bushi training a shugenja in the arts of the blade. She seethed, but did not show her distaste, maintaining her mask of calm observation.
The two finished their practice and Ryoko smiled, “Such skill against a shugenja… though if our enemy is honorable they will only hold her for ransom... only a barbarian would kill a shugenja."
Yugiashi glanced to her, “Perhaps, but war makes for desperate times.”
Ryoko glanced to Ameiko, and then focused her attention to Yugiashi, “Desperation must not come before honor."
Yugiashi replied, "I choose not to rely on hope to keep me alive."
"There is a proper decorum to all things even war, we of the Phoenix shall respect those strictures," she replied, some of her patience wearing thin.
“I do not put it above my enemy to act in a dishonorable manner,” Yugiashi replied with a coy smile.
Ryoko looked to Ameiko, then Yushiagi; "We must conduct ourselves in the proper ways." Ryoko was not pleased by their manner but continued to restrain herself, “but I admire your skill, Daidoji Yushiagi, that will be helpful in the coming months, but if you will excuse me, Kakita Ameiko, I shall retire, good eve to you Daidoji Yushiagi," Ryoko turned and retired to her quarters, she was not pleased with what she had witnessed.
She attempted to put the night’s events from her mind, but she could not shake them. Ryoko sighed, she had allowed the Crane to unnerve her, but she could play their game. She had a healthy skill in playing roles; it would be a simple manner. For the time being it would suffice to gain their trust, and complete the task Aikune-sama had placed before her. She stood finally and went to make amends, and crept back to the courtyard but stayed her hand as she heard the Yugiashi and Ameiko speaking.
Ameiko’s voice filtered out from the courtyard, “And you will also find that my brother will concur with Ryoko in her criticisms. Renshi and I have never agreed."
Yugiashi replied, “A pity, that you and your brother could not get along better. Perhaps we should discuss something more... pleasant?"
Ameiko replied her voice smooth in the night air, "I find it hard to believe that you forgo talk of things important for pleasantries. Perhaps I have misjudged you."
"I am undoubtedly all about business. But nothing much can be gained from speaking of the hard-headed members of our party,” Yugiashi replied his mood relaxing.
Ameiko replied, "You must know your friends as intimately as your enemies."
Yugiashi replied with a smile, “The only purpose of that is to guard against them becoming your enemies, however."
Ryoko seethed as she listened, and then took a moment to compose herself, donning a new role. She entered the room amidst her own laughter as both Yugiashi and Ameiko glanced at her in surprise, "Yes I seek to avoid that as well, I had wanted to apologize, for my words earlier Kakita Ameiko."
Ryoko bowed, a shallow bow, “Please take no offense Kakita-san.” Ameiko simply nodded in reply, her face displaying only minor annoyance.
"I can see your wisdom, for I may not have spoken at length of your purpose." she smiled at them both and took a seat. Ameiko simply raised a brow, watching Ryoko curiously. Ryoko continued, “the North... is... well we shall head first to my father's castle... then we head into the North towards Shiro Moritami, an abandoned castle..."
Yugiashi glanced at Ryoko, “And what shall we find there?”
Ryoko spoke calmly, "my father hopes to rebuild the castle, though it has been abandoned for centuries. As to what we shall find, I must admit, we do not know...” Yugiashi nodded to her as she continued, “there is a village some miles away but the populace do not venture close to it. For fear of wrathful spirits, it is said."
Ameiko gave Ryoko a scornful look, “Why the interest in rebuilding it now?”
Ryoko smiled, "It may see some use in the coming months of the conflict. From there it may be possible to stage raids into the mountains, if it comes to that, from what I see of the land, our involvement in the conflict should be minor, but our role vital nonetheless."
Ameiko gently sipped her sake, Yugiashi following suit, only to find his cup empty of the warm liquor. Ameiko gracefully poured Yugiashi more sake and smiled at him.
Ryoko simply smiled, “So do you think of me still, as hard-headed as your brother Renshi-san? A thousand pardons but these walls must be thinner then most believe."
Ameiko narrowed her eyes, “Perhaps, and what do you know of my brother?"
Ryoko replied admiring the scorn on Ameiko’s face, "Only that he is a man that abides the strict codes of Bushido..."
Ameiko frowned visibly, "I am unused to having someone listen to my conversations with another.”
Ameiko and Ryoko stared at each other briefly, their eyes meeting, fire glimmering in their eyes. In that frail moment a thousand daggers were tossed, both had met their match, and neither was pleased.
Yugiashi sighed, and stood, “Kakita-san, shall we continue your training?”
Ameiko stood loosening her gaze from Ryoko and focusing on Yugiashi with a smile, and then stood in front of him. She gripped her wakizashi in her hands and charged Yugiashi, rather clumsily but with a fury to more then make up for it. Yugiashi dipped to one side and then move quickly batting her blade away with his own, drawing it effortlessly. The two practiced for quite some time as Ryoko watched, Ameiko was out matched but held her own. Ryoko clapped as the two ended their practice, they were odd but amusing.
Ameiko turned to Ryoko, “I trust you can satisfy his hunger for a worthy training partner?”
Ryoko smiled, “"I have been trained in the Shiba school for warfare, I am a bushi, a gunso in the legions of the Phoenix... I believe I may be able to assist him” Ryoko fetched two bokken and handed one to Yugiashi, she was ready to test his mettle.
Ryoko and Yugiashi stood ten feet from each other, their bokken held firmly in their hands. Yugiashi took a moment to admire her stance before moving quickly to attack. He dipped the bokken low and brought it upwards in one hand glancing off her shoulder, clumsily. Ryoko retaliated by gripping her blade and taking advantage of the clumsy strike; she deftly disarmed Yugiashi, admiring the shock on his face. He moved to gather his weapon and pressed her attack bringing her bokken down hard across his shoulder, the blow would have fallen a lesser man. Yugiashi gritted his teeth and gather his weapon and spun striking Ryoko across her stomach, she gritted her teeth; more so at leaving herself wide open for such a simple attack. Yugiashi regained his footing seeing Ryoko slightly stunned and brought the bokken down in a sideward slash across her ribs, the bokken gripped two handed, as Ryoko fell, sprawling across the floor. Yugiashi breathed hard, but smiled at his victory.
Ryoko slowly roused herself, seething, even as she smiled at Yugiashi, “That was, rather impressive Daidoji-san. Few have bested me in single combat so easily. Let us hope that your edge stays sharp.”
“I assure you it will,” Yugiashi spoke helping Ryoko up.
Ryoko nodded, “Now I think it is time to retire,” she smiled, “I thank you for your hospitality,” Ryoko returned to her room, seething.
Ryoko snapped her eyes open, she glanced at her grandfather’s sword held tightly in her hands. She had lost herself to her thoughts, but had continued her techniques nonetheless. She would face that Crane once more, and this time her grandfather’s blade would taste his blood. Though that day would have to wait, she must complete her mission at hand and continue the role at hand. Aikune-sama had entrusted her with this task, and she would not fail him. Gunso Shiba Ryoko, would have her vengeance, when the time was right…
The short stories for L5R they put out weekly are a good read though. The 'A Hero's Death' series could almost be PC group.
