Post by Ahava on Jul 21, 2010 22:16:19 GMT -5
Unread Today, 11:04 PM
Day 3 – Death of the Tainted Dragon
Accusations piled up against Tamori Iwane. Of course, no conviction could be made without a confession. Truth was contained within words, and even the words of the accused mattered. Iwane confessed to maho, and in the process of being tortured, eta found deep scars all over her body. She was executed like a common criminal, having been hung. The Dragon were resolute to forget her name as soon as they could.
***
Elsewhere Kakita Misae sat placidly by a small frozen pond. A pot of hot tea was letting off steam in front of him. He smiled, how he loved the snowy winter. The whole world blanketed in a pure whiteness. Some thought it harsh, as it reminded them of death. Misae always thought that the cold winter reminded him to be alive. It made the things that are lifelike stand out all that much more. Some forgot to live what they were alive. A samurai's life could be cut short at any moment, life was something to be treasured. So Misae drank the finest sake, listened to the most beautiful music, and tasted the most wonder little sweet cakes. My, how he loved those little sweet cakes.
Breaking through his reverie were the sounds of loud singing. Loud Crab singing. Two Crab were walking through the gardens of the palace. One, obviously drunk, even this early in the morning, and the other with piercing eyes that took in the scenery and didn't seem to miss a thing. The loud Crab was singing some bawdy song. Misae hoped that the Crab did not notice him. His hopes were far too high.
“Crane-kun! Sing with me!” The big Hida bellowed.
“Crab-san, I believe that you must be mistaken, for I am certainly not your child. You are to refer to me properly.”
The Crab looked confused for a second, and that gave way to anger. “I will refer to you however, I wish, Crane!” The smaller man next to him, dressed in drab colors, attempted to pull the Hida away from Misae. Misae's instincts kicked in, and his hand went directly to his blade, the barest inch of it pulled out softly. The Hida's eyes went wide.
“You would draw steel against me, tiny Crane?! I could crush you with my bare hands! Come then, weakling!”
“I do not want to kill you Crab, but I will if I must.”
The drab man tried in vain to hold the big warrior back, finally shouting out. “I challenge you to a duel, Crane!”
The big Crab stopped, stunned, and turned to the smaller Hiruma. “What? This is between us.”
The drab man turned to face the Crab. “This will spare you. Crane, I challenge you. We will duel, and this matter will be put to rest. I claim affront to the way that you have treated my friend here.”
Misae sighed just a little, it was such a wonderful day. “Very well. You are quite the honorable man. Shall it be to the blood?”
“That is fair.”
The two settled into their stances. The Crane's was wide, his feet placed far apart. His sword remained in its sheath, his head bowed. He seemed to be staring at the ground. The drab man took a stranger stance. Perched up on the balls of his feet, his sword already drawn and held in the manner of a striking tetsubo, back and to the right. After a second, the drab man relaxed, and bowed.
“You win, Crane-sama. I will take my drunken friend with me.”
The two left without another word. Kakita Misae sat down to drink more of his tea.
***
Doji Mitsu stood in front of the small assembly.
“Honored guests, we would like to present a gift to Daimyo Hokutohime-sama.”
The room hushed as the court split in half. A few peasants walked in carrying a dressing screen. They gently set the screen down. The screen was made of a thick paper. Only shadows could be seen through it. Painted on the screen was a remarkable scene. It was a landscape, covering a part of a river delta. Among the tall grass near the river were a small group of cranes. Every stroke of the painting was perfect. The scene appeared to take place in summer, and lent a warm air to the otherwise slightly chilled room. Staring at the painting it was as if the babbling of the water in the river could be hear, and the gentle breeze that blew through the work felt.
“May this humble screen serve to remind you of spring and summer, the times when the world is most alive. May it always provide a lightness to you.”
“Doji-san, I appreciate the sentiment, but such a thing is so lovely, I could not bear to take it from a clan that is the very home of beauty,” Hokutohime replied.
“Otomo-sama, we have so much already beautiful in the Crane, it would be selfish to keep something that could go to someone herself who is so lovely.”
“There are many others who need to surround themselves with beauty more than I do, Doji-san. Perhaps you could earnestly give it to them.” Hokutohime's eyes betrayed nothing, they were earnest and sincere.
“The Daimyo of the Otomo is the most deserving person in the whole Empire of beauty. I cannot think of another that deserves it more.”
“Very well, I must accept then. Praise be to your artisan who crafted such a work.”
Mitsu smiled and began to turn, gesturing toward another of the Crane, “I am glad you mention that, Otomo-sama, as he is right...”
A man stepped out from the ranks of the Scorpion. His mask covered most of his face, showing only his mouth and his forehead. His voice was clear, and yet subtly seductive.
“When dawn breaks, cock crows
But the night comes on too soon
Foxes come in the night”
Mitsu froze for a second, and regained his composure. “Thank you for the most unexpected, but well executed, haiku Bayushi-san. Were I to know that you would grace us with such a poem, I would not have been speaking.”
Bayushi Okkiku smiled, “of course, Doji-san. If I had told you, then it would not have been a surprise. Presentation is the most important thing, it is in the presentation that the true work is done, do you not agree?”
“Ah yes, Bayushi-san, presentation is important, however, would the presenter have anything to do if the artist himself is not recognized?”
“But Doji-san, would not the artist himself never be known if not for the one skillful at presenting his work to the world?”
The court erupted into small discussions, and Mitsu silently cursed himself for the lost moment.
***
Kitsuki Masuhiro sat quietly. This was not going well. With the deaths of his compatriots, one which appeared to be unjust, things were getting very dangerous for the Dragon in Toshi Ranbo. Mirumoto Isei, Masuhiro's yojimbo, sat quietly across from him. Some Lion had been offended by Masuhiro's probing questions, claiming that he had impugned the whole of the Lion clan, and demanded the right to defend her honor. By the fortunes these Lion were difficult to deal with. Isei had to champion Masuhiro, as there was to be a duel. Blood would not even satiate this Lion, and war was threatened. If war could be headed off with one man's death, then the Dragon would willingly make the sacrifice for peace. Isei was supposed to be somewhat skilled as a duelist.
The actual duel was over in a second. Isei stood with his sword drawn, and the tip resting on the ground. The Lion stood with her sword held high over her head in an aggressive stance. With a shout, the Lion brought the blade down before Isei could get his up. Isei was killed instantly. Masuhiro followed soon after, spilling his own blood in honorable seppuku.
***
A Shiba suffered a serious wound in place of one of his comrades. A man ambushed the Phoenix outside of their holding in Toshi Ranbo. Both samurai have survived, though the attacker was not identified.
***
Rumors have been going around that an Utaku battle maiden has actually broken her vows of chastity and has been seen with a Scorpion courtier.
***
A mysterious illness has begun sweeping through the city. Only one samurai has perished to date, but numerous peasants have contracted the illness and been killed. Quarantine efforts are being made by the Seppun guardsmen.
***
The newly married Hoshiko looked at the wall. Her bright red kimono trimmed with white symbolized her rebirth into a new house. As she walked through the temple, up to the place where her new husband stood, she felt the first flutter of fear in a long time. It would be expected soon for her to have a child, but how soon? Could she leave the life that she had lived for so long behind? Perhaps her husband wouldn't ask her, though he seemed very prim and proper, there was a small amount of affection in his eyes she thought. Of course marriage for love was simply something that did not happen, but perhaps she had been lucky. Her family was in attendance as she and her husband took ritualized drinks from three small sake cups as the officiating shugenja intoned ancient prayers to the fortunes Benten and Daikkoku.
The reception later was open to all samurai in the city. Something to lighten the mood in these tense times. However, even while simple gifts were given, there were poisonous looks exchanged. The Lion made no secret of their disapproval with the whole affair, though they behaved honorably enough. At least this would pave the way for friendship between Hoshiko's old family and her new one.
The dead
Savant - Tamori Iwane, Dragon Clan Shugenja
Lucedes - Kitsuki Masuhiro, Dragon Clan Courtier
The Cow King - Hida Yukiko, Crab Clan Bushi
Today there will be a haiku contest! Each person will be allowed one submission (which must be made publicly, and be able to vote for which haiku they believe is the best (defined any way you choose). You will be allowed a MAXIMUM of two votes for best Haiku. You may change your mind once, but only once. Thus, it would certainly be appreciated by your fellows if Haiku were completed earlier in the day. The winner of the Haiku contest will be allowed to raise their own honor by 2, or to lower someone else's honor by 2 as a result of winning. Along with regular orders, submit which you would like in case you win the Haiku contest.
Pms are going out.
Day 3 has begun!
Best wishes to Daniant and Jdarksun, the new married couple!
