L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

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L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Thu Feb 08, 2018 5:54 am

Here it is, the next story when Harun goes to war. We are all in for a ride, even me.

Rokugan Yogasha Shiro – Spring 1235

In the evening, on the roads of the Plains of the Emerald Champion, Kakita Harun rode his horse at a steady pace. He had travelled far and perhaps he should have stopped to pass the night in a village, but now he was almost home and couldn’t stop.
How long had it been since he had travelled this road? Well, there was the year he had just spent in Unicorn lands, and before that there were the sporadic visits home. Whose visits usually devoted to study with his books or practice in the dojo, telling his father and mother he needed to be at his best for when his year for the Topaz Championship came up.
Father and mother…now those words had a lot more meaning now, with a divide between those who had raised him and those who had given him life. The former, Kakita Karasu and Hitomi, he still in many ways saw as his true parents. They had brought him up, taught him the values and beliefs that had shaped him into what he was. But the latter, Utaku Yamada and Nakura, were still somewhat of a mystery to him, less though now by his meeting many of the people who had met them and meeting his father’s shryo.
Zetsubou said that they wanted me to look forward, Harun thought, but how can I when there is so much behind that I don’t know? And now, he returned home, to the place that had shaped him before he started at the Kakita Academy.
The light was fading, but Harun knew he was almost home. He rode up the rise of the hill to where he knew the castle of his father, the Palace of Emerald Champion lay ahead. And had it not been for the several lanterns that had been lit, he may not have seen it.
Harun spurred his horse faster, he had come home.

Rokugan Yogasha Shiro, the Palace of the Emerald Champion, was perhaps the most curious castle in Rokugan. In essence, it went back to Kakita Shimzu, son of Kakita himself and the second to hold the office, but the passage of years had seen the office go to champions from various clans and thus this was reflected in the palace itself.
A meditation garden inspired by the Dragon Clan, the impressive stables from the Unicorn adding to the traditional ornate interiors of the Crane. There were even secret passages that Harun and one of his brothers had discovered once, clearly done when a Scorpion had held the office.
But even with its confusion of décor and layout, it was home to Harun.
He rode up the path and the gates were opened, a guard look the reins of his horse and guided him while lighting the way with a lantern. Waiting at the front door were two people, pleased to see Harun arrive. One was Harun’s brother, Mirumoto Takeaki, about the same age as Harun was and just returned from his training in the Dragon mountains. The other was Saigou, the Steward of Rokugan Yogasha Shiro.
Saigou had been steward for as long as Harun could remember. He was a ronin, Karasu had told Harun background. He had wanted to devote himself to the cause of the Legion. He had been a cunning warrior in his time, but his skills in organisation and the efficient distribution of supplies had made him an invaluable asset. When a grievous wound had ended his days as bushi, Karasu had asked Saigou to join his household.
It was Saigou who was in charge during Karasu’s absences, presided over the table and made sure things functioned properly. He was seen almost more as family than servant. They had all called him Ooji-san, great-uncle.
Harun greeted them both gladly, following them both inside. Saigou’s greeting was quiet and restrained, the same could not be said for Takeaki’s.
“What’s all this?” Tareaki asked, laughing at Harun’s long, wild hair.
“I could say the same to you,” said Harun, nodding at the Mirumoto’s shaven chonmage.
They lowered their voices as they went further into the house, a servant lighting their way with a lamp. Many of the younger children were asleep, and Saigou’s wrath was fierce to any who unnecessarily disturbed the household.
Harun and Tareaki went to a small room where the doors opened onto the gardens, the night air coming in.
Food was brought for them and they sat talking, comparing stories of their respective adventures.
“I had a letter from father,” said Tareaki. “He said I might be able to get a court appointment. Perhaps you could as well?”
Harun shook his head.
“You still want to join the Legion with father, don’t you?” Tareaki asked.
“I’ve always wanted to,” said Harun. “And that hasn’t changed, after Shiro Moto I only want it more.”
“You sound as if you know what you are in for,” Tareaki said.
“I think I do,” said Harun.
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Fri Feb 09, 2018 6:27 am

Later, after a bath, Harun went up to his room. It was as he had left it, but for the past few years it was just where he stayed while on visits from the Kakita Academy. His futon, unrolled and ready for him. The small cabinet next to the futon where some of his possessions were still kept. On top sat the wish doll that had been in his room since he was very small, its single eye watching over him silently. He did not know how he came to have it, it was a Crab tradition. Now he wondered even more. Was it a gift from his father Nakura’s family?
There was one new thing there now, a daisho stand beside his futon. It was there waiting for Harun to put his swords onto. Ooji-san’s work no doubt, since Harun was now needing it. He placed his daisho onto the stand, the sayas of his swords a deep blue and purple in the lamplight, then sat on the bed.
Then at a tap on the door he sprang back to his feet. It was Ooji-san, and with two servants behind him carrying something large and heavy.
“Harun-san, I know it is late, but I had strict instructions from the Champion that this was to be given to you when you returned,” he said. He directed the servants to carry it inside. It was a large wooden chest, lacquered and decorated in a style he had seen in Unicorn lands.
“What is it, Ooji-san?” Harun asked, examining it.
He ran his hands over a single purple circle painted on it.
The purple circle…Asuna…the purity of the Utaku…Harun shook his head. No, that can’t be right…
“Ooji-san, is this from my mother?” Harun asked.
Saigou shook his head. “I only know the instructions I was given, Harun-san,” he said. He handed Harun a key. “I know less than you do, other the instructions I was given. I’ll send some tea up, do try and sleep before dawn.”
Harun held the key in his hand. What secrets would it unlock? There was only one way to find out.
The key turned in the lock a little stiffly and the lid of the chest stuck a little when he opened it. But once it was open, he was immediately hit by the smells that had long been contained. Sandalwood, camphor and some other exotic smells like frankincense, cinnamon and vanilla.
On top there was a sheaf of documents, bound with white and purple ribbons. Next to it was purple silk with gold patterns on it, a kimono perhaps. On top of this were two scrolls. One sealed with the mon of the Yasuki family, the other with the purple circle of the Utaku.
Harun picked up the second, opening it. His guess had been right, it was a letter to his mother.

To my son Harun,

I write this to you, now that you have become a man, as if I were speaking these words to you myself and see you before me grown and granted your daisho.
My son, I wish you good fortune for your future, and which ever path is set before you. May you honour the wisdom of those who have guided you and the traditions of our ancestors who have come before us.
And now, I suppose, you have questions about yourself and your heritage. I trust that Karasu has told you about your father’s sacrifice and the great task that I must undertake, so instead I will tell you of our family.
I named you for my father, Moto Harun before he married my mother Utaku Fumiko. He was a man of great honour and courage, he was of the line of Moto Chiban and Moto Asma who rode out of the desert with the first Gaheris behind Shinjo-no-kami herself. Before he married my mother, my father was a Chui in the Khol Army of the Unicorn. He rode behind Moto Chagatai in the Khan’s March on Toshi Ranbo and beside Moto Chinua before he was Champion in the War of Dark Fire.
My mother Fumiko’s line goes back many generations of Utaku battle maidens, though there was an alliance of marriage with the Daidoji family, which could become useful if anyone ever accuses you of not having Crane blood. My mother was also in the Khol, Taisa of the Fourth Utaku Battlemaiden Legion, which is how she and my father met.
I was the youngest of four daughters, Akane, Masuyo and Thane. All of them brave and beautiful, and all of them perished saving me when the forces of Daigotsu Kanpeki overran Seikitsu Pass. Perished like almost everyone that day, including my parents.
You are the last of our line, my son, I trust you know what that means.
Meeting your father Nakura was the happiest time of my life, the time we had together was short but full of hopes for the future. He knew we were expecting a child, you, and he was overjoyed. You were to be the first child of the family we planned together, a bright light in the darkness that surrounded us.
Your father, Nakura, was gentle and kind, but with the courage and resolve of a bushi. Before the entire Imperial Court, he swore he would devote his retirement to atoning for the sins of the Crab in their destruction of Kitsune Mori. He was a merchant, had travelled widely in Rokugan, privy to the secrets of the Friendly Traveller Sake which he could not even impart to me.
Before he died, he told me a little about his family that he had been estranged from. His parents, Yasuki Nobunao and Hanami, both merchants until they retired. Nakura was the second son, his older brother Soyokaze a bushi on the Kaiu Wall, his younger sister Momoibura quite a seamstress. Apparently, his line has links to the Crane Clan as well as the Hiruma and Hida families.
We had made plans to meet with them before everything happened, perhaps this is something that you could do.
I do hope these words give some comfort to you, my son. While this is your family, your blood, this is not all of who you are. The path ahead of you is your own, built from the life and family we wished to give you.
Go forward, my son, and live your life with my blessings and love.

Your mother,

Utaku Yamada


Harun put the letter down, going over it in his mind. He had heard about his mother Yamada from so many people. His adopted father Karasu, Akodo Kibo and his brother Zetsubou, Moto Chinua and even the shryo of his father Nakura and the Minor Fortune Hikahime. But this was the first time he had heard from his mother directly, seen her words.
And he could see what he had been told about her shining out from the page. Her compassion, her devotion to duty and the love she wished to convey to him through the page. He folded the letter carefully and put it on the cabinet next to the wish doll then turned his attention to the other items in the chest.
He took out the scroll with the Yasuki seal and opened it. It was not a letter, but a cypher. He looked over it and put it to one side, perhaps he could have some fun with it later.
He took out the purple kimono, shaking out its folds. It was a furisode, with the mons of the Unicorn in gold on its long trailing sleeves.
Her wedding kimono? Harun wondered. I thought they were white…or red?
He examined it closely, it had the light scent of vanilla and lavender, and he could see some black horsehairs. He smiled at it, those were no doubt from the Unicorn wedding. He carefully folded it and placed it on his futon.
Underneath was another garment, a man’s juban. It was black, but patterned with tiny purple and blue circles, giving it an iridescent appearancre.
Purple and black, the Unicorn and Crab? He thought. Wait, I have seen this before…
His father’s shryo was wearing it at Zetsubou’s ritual.
Perhaps, he guessed, my mother gave it to him.
He folded it carefully, putting it with the other kimono.
If the juban had been given by his mother to his father, then the next item his father clearly had given to his mother. It was a sandalwood fan, with purple silk, painted on it a horse leaping over a carp. He smiled down at it.
It’s like a story about my parents, he thought, and I even know enough to follow it.
Harun stayed up into the early hours of the morning, going over each item Yamada had left for him in that chest. A shamisen, carefully packed away in a silk bag. A comb and mirror set, inlaid with ivory with a matching trinket box with several hair combs inside. A jade figurine, carved into the form of a man brewing beer. A copy of Akodo’s Leadership, the pages battered from much reading.
He then went over the sheaf of papers, most of them were correspondence from the court at Shiro Mirumoto seventeen years earlier, requests for meetings and so forth difficult to know what was happening without context. He did see a few letters his father and mother had written to each other, which he read with a smile. There was a series of letters from a Spider named Susumu Ketsueki…of the Onyx Empire by his praise of Kanpeki.
Why did my mother write to him? Harun wondered.
There were a few drafts of what looked like the Last Legion that Kibo and Uncle Kousuda had told him about. And to his delight, there were some wedding invitations. Not just for his mother and father, but Uncle Kousuda and Aunt Kyoumi as well.
The last document in the bundle was the most recent, dated more than a year after the others. It was an official commission, giving his mother command of the Fourth Utaku Battlemaiden Legion of the Khol, signed by Moto Chinua himself.
Quickly, he checked her letter again, it was the same there. Yamada had given up her mother’s command to go with Shiba Michio.
She didn’t just give me up, he thought, remembering what Chinua had told him last year, she gave up her entire life, all her hopes and dreams.
There was one more thing, right at the bottom of the chest and bound in cloth. He took it out and unwrapped it. It was a bokken, bound in yellow and white ribbons where it was broken.
Harun held it in his hands, remembering Kibo’s story about it: two determined samurai, both unwilling to give way, then something else had. He turned the bokken in his hands, someone, perhaps his mother, had written on it.
Bend, don’t break.

The next morning, Harun woke early and went out to the terrace. The mist coming in from the plains felt refreshing. He would not be home long, once his father Karasu returned he would ride out with him. And then after the war, then what?
Arahime, he thought at once.
He dismissed it from his mind. Arahime was sailing south by now, perhaps she even had reached the warm land of Zogeku. If his fate and hers were to be intertwined, that would have to wait until after the war.
Out in the distance, he saw a riding party near the palace. Flying the green and gold of the Emerald Champion.
His father was home.
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby KakitaKaori » Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:03 pm

<3
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 pm

It was one of Harun’s earliest memories. He must have been about three of four at the time, just coming on to winter and his father Karasu was due back any day in the lead up to New Year. He would sit on the terrace every moment he could, watching the road for his father’s horse. Even having to be dragged back by Saigou for his lessons.
Then, after the evening meal, and after Harun was supposed to be in bed, he had stolen out onto the terrace wrapped in his blanket. And then he had seen his father ride home, in full regalia on a white horse and the green and golden banner flying, flanked by magistrates and legionnaires.
He had jumped up and down with joy, his heart burst with pride at the splendid sight before him. He felt like that now, but now he didn’t have to run back to bed to avoid being caught by Ooji-san.
Harun came down the steps with Saigou, some of his younger siblings as well as the various magistrates and administrative staff of the Emerald Office that lived and worked on the estate. The servants were there too, throwing themselves onto the ground before rising and helping the Emerald Champion and his retinue dismount.
“Harun?” Karasu sounded a little uncertain when he saw him. A year ago, they had parted at Tsuma, and while it was not on bad terms it could have been better. That year Karasu had worried what Harun would find out in Unicorn lands, find out what had been told to him.
But all it took was seeing Harun’s smile to see he had nothing to worry about.
“Father,” said Harun. “It is good to see you.”
“And you,” said Karasu, grinning. “But what’s all this?” He gestured to Harun’s longer hair and beard. “You brought back some Moto with you?”
Harun laughed. “Something like that.”
“When did you get back?” Karasu asked.
“Just last night,” said Harun. “I would have been back sooner, but the late snows in Lion lands delayed everything.”
“Lion lands?” Karasu raised a quizzical eyebrow. “You have been around.”
Harun nodded.
“We’ll talk later,” promised Karasu, going on to greet the other children.

For much of the day, Harun didn’t see his father. This was, unfortunately, normal. There were always a number of pressing matters awaiting the attention of the Emerald Champion when he returned to the estate.
Harun made good use of that time in the castle dojo, stopping only when Tareaki came and suggested they played in the gardens.
They went to the old spot, at the stepping stones on the eastern side of the koi pond and right next to the moss-covered statue of Bishamon. They stood each on one leg, each with a practice sword, each of them trying to knock the other down.
“You’re out of practice,” Tareaki said, trying to hit him.
“Of course I am,” said Harun, managing to keep his balance but only just managing not to get hit. “How much time do you spend duelling one-legged in ponds?”
“More than you,” said Tareaki, knocking him into the water.
Harun sat up in the knee-deep water, knocking a water lotus off his head. “You know, I think Arahime was always better at this game than me.”
“What happened with her?” Tareaki asked.
“Nothing,” said Harun. He got to his feet and shook the water off his clothes. “She left Kyuden Kakita before I arrived. I didn’t see her or speak to her.”
“No, not that,” said Tareaki. ”I thought you and her were…well, you mentioned her a lot in your letters.”
“Well, we practiced together a lot,” said Harun.
“Harun, remember I’m investigator now,” said Tareaki, getting off his rock and sitting down beside the pond. “Even though I know you’re not lying, I know you’re hiding something.”
Harun sat down next to him. “Well, I sort of came back for her,” he said with a sigh. “That’s not the only reason, but it is one.”
“And you came all that way and didn’t see her,” said Tareaki. “That’s rough.”
Harun nodded.
“’Don’t worry, you’ll see her again,” said Tareaki. “They say the war could be over soon, after that you could even go to her.”
“That’s very unlikely,” said Harun.
“But not impossible,” said Tareaki.

Harun went up to his room to change into dry clothes. There was still a little while before the evening meal, but it was always tradition that they ate as a family the same night father came home.
When he came down, he walked past the open door of Karasu’s study. From the outside he could see the table was full of maps and documents, there had clearly been more people in there. Karasu was sitting across the table from his second in command, Akodo Ryoichi.
They both looked up when Harun walked past.
“Harun, come in,” said Karasu.
Harun entered, he sat an empty end of the table. He couldn’t help but recognising one of them.
“Toshi Ranbo?” He looked up at his father. “Is that where we are going? To take it from the Onyx?”
“We? You’re not in the Legion, Harun,” said Karasu.
“Not yet,” Harun countered.
Karasu met his son’s eyes. Still very much a boy, he thought, his eagerness for adventure, to prove himself, And yet…
“Is this what you truly wish, Harun?” Karasu asked seriously. “You were Topaz Champion, there are many paths that are open to you.”
“Father, you know this is what I have always wanted to do,” said Harun. “To serve the Empire as you do, to ride out beside you.”
Unseen to Harun, Karasu gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. Harun had come back from Shiro Moto, even fighting with the Unicorn to take it, in one piece. How long would his luck hold out? Karasu had seen many killed, including ones just as young and eager as Harun.
I promised Yamada I’d keep him safe…
“Joining the legion will be hard, Harun,” said Ryoichi. “All new recruits to the Emerald Legions, samurai and peasant, are submitted to the same training and living conditions. Promotion is on merit, and no exceptions can be made. Not even for you.”
“I understand,” said Harun.
Oh kami, there’s no dissuading him, thought Karasu with a sinking heart, I’m sorry Yamada, but you wanted to fight too. And how can I deprive the Legion of his blade?
The gong sounded for the evening meal, Ryoichi excused himself and left. Karasu and Harun began to make their way to the dining room.
“Father, tell me,” pleaded Harun. “I am coming with you, right?”
“We will talk about it later,” said Karasu.
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby KakitaKaori » Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:09 am

I really liked this chapter. Playing in the lily pond. :)
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:43 pm

Arahime must have knocked quite a few into the pond.
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:05 am

A family dinner at the Castle of the Emerald Champion was surprisingly informal, particularly given the ornateness of the dining room with the frieze of musicians in a garden on the walls and the delicately painted paper lanterns that hung in the open window frames.
Everyone was talking at once, telling stories, laughing and passing food between them. Harun found himself sharing stories about Moto Majid, especially to his younger brother Taguichi who particularly liked Harun imitating the Moto’s flamboyant way of speaking.
Several times, Harun caught his father just sitting there quietly, watching and listening that was going on. Merely content to be there. And once, Karasu was looking at one end of the table.
That’s where mother normally sits, Harun remembered, I wonder where she is, and what is keeping her?
Kakita Hitomi, the wife of the Emerald Champion had mysterious duties that took her all over Rokugan. More than once, Harun had asked his father just what it was that Hitomi did while she was away.
“Your mother protects Rokugan in her own way, Harun, just as I do.” And that was all he would ever say.

After dinner, Harun went back to the castle dojo. This, he knew, was one of Karasu’s improvements. The simple décor was reminiscent of the Kakita Academy, right down to the smell of fresh tatami.
Suits of armour sat on guard around the walls with their backs to the walls. And on the walls themselves were the names of every Emerald Champion, going right back to Kakita himself.
On the opposite wall was a painting that had always intrigued Harun. It was by his Uncle Kousuda, of his father Karasu when he had won the Test of the Emerald Champion seventeen years before. Karasu had his head bowed, accepting the brow of the opponent Yasuki Yamase.
Yamase, she was the old Yasuki Damiyo’s oldest daughter, Harun remembered, wait, that was her name on the cypher in the box…wasn’t it?
There were others in the painting he recognised, the Emperor and Empress in the centre, with members of the Imperial Court around them. And towards the back, his Aunt Kyoumi and Kousuda himself and Hitomi.
Harun had looked at this painting many times, him and Arahime had used to make stories about some of the people, but now he looked at it even more closely, but not sure what he was looking at. Until, that is, he saw it.
At the back, next to Hitomi, was a woman in purple. She wore a jacket lined with white fur. And beneath it was a baby, with dark skin and curly black hair.
Harun stared at it, his mouth hanging open in shock. Is that…my mother? Is that…ME?
He looked at it more closely. Yamada sat a little detached form the scene, her eyes half closed as she looked down at her baby. Down at him.
This has been here all along, thought Harun in shock, and I did not know…
He was still looking at it when Karasu came in. “Harun, I thought I would find you here.”
“Father,” said Harun slowly, “is that…me?” He pointed to the painting.
Karasu nodded. “It was gift from Yamada, your mother,” he said, giving a small smile. “I have seen you look at it many times and I wanted to tell you. Did Saigou give you the chest?”
“Yes, last night,” said Harun. “My mother…she wrote me a letter.” He looked at her figure in the painting. “I…I wish I knew her. I spoke to a few people in Unicorn lands who did.”
“Do you feel as if you know her more now?” Karasu asked.
“A little,” Harun admitted.
“You remind me of her, sometimes,” said Karasu.
Harun gave a sad smile. “That’s what Zetsubou said.”
“You were with him when he died, weren’t you?” Karasu asked.
“I was,” Harun answered. “He sacrificed himself to cleanse the land of taint.” Harun looked down. “The night before, he told me that if anything went wrong I…I had to kill him. But I didn’t need to, one of the Kitsu that came out of Yomi, he took Zetsubou’s spirit.” He was silent for a moment. “There were others who came out, many others. I…saw my father Nakura.”
Karasu was quiet for a long time when he heard this. “What…was he like?”
Harun smiled at this. “He was…very happy to see me,” he said. “He ran out of the gate once Zetsubou cast the spell.” He smiled again, then looked at Karasu. “It was he who told me to return home, that there were things I needed to do.”
“He did?” Karasu asked with a little surprise.
“Yes,” said Harun. “I knew returning was the right thing, but I was fighting against it. But seeing him, it made it all clear.”
Karasu nodded in agreement. “The reminding of duty,” he said. “You are like Yamada, and speaking of duties…”
“Yes,” said Harun, snapping out of his reverie. “I did come here to practice.”
“Then show me,” said Karasu. He went to the weapons rack, got a bokken and passed it to Harun. “Show me what you have learned.”
It was in this very room that Karasu had been Harun’s first teacher. Moving Harun’s small hands with his strong, capable ones to show him the correct grip. Watching the young Harun imitate the stances of the elements as Karasu did them, Harun himself not quite enough to walk. And of course, sitting on the tatami mat enraptured while he watched Karasu train, his sword as swift and agile as a bird in flight. Sometimes even falling asleep, curled up on the mat so Karasu would have to carry him back to bed.
But now, things were different, Harun was in his seventeenth year. He had been granted his daisho and had already won his first duel. Harun’s actions would reflect back on his Clan, his family his school. Karasu felt he could be certain about the first two, but as to the third…
Well, we will just see what effect a year in Unicorn lands can have on your form, my son, thought Karasu.
Harun first went through the basic stances, combining a few of these with basic katas. Then he went into strikes, overhead first and then from each side. Karasu watched with what seemed like even more scrutiny than the Kakita Academy Master Sensei Kakita Kenshin had showed when he had tested Harun but a few days earlier.
After a while, Karasu told Harun to stop. “Your grip, it’s very firm,” he said. “It needs to be looser, more fluid.”
Harun adjusted it. “I hadn’t noticed it had changed,” he admitted. “Majid did show me a thing or two going against Dark Moto.”
Karasu frowned. “Strength over speed may work for some, Harun, but you can’t change just like that.”
Harun made another few strikes, Karasu nodded with approval. “Finesse, not power,” he said. “Let’s see your draw now.”
Harun demonstrated, first with the bokken and then with his katana. His movement was sure and swift, like an arrow leaving a bowstring. Karasu watched without comment.
“I am guessing there are not many iaijutsu duels with the Legion,” said Harun lightly.
“That’s no reason not to practice,” said Karasu. He then picked up another bokken from the rack and they began to spar.
Watching Harun was one thing, sparring with him was quite another. It didn’t take long for Karasu to realise something: Harun was as good as he had been at the same age.
Perhaps, even a little better, Karasu thought.
And as their spar continued, Karasu noticed that Harun possessed a quality that Karasu had not had at the same age: restraint. Sure had confidence, but it was a thing that he was rather than displayed.
And going by Kenshin’s letter, Karasu reflected, and Kami willing, Harun will see the end of the war…
Karasu lowered his bokken, Harun did the same.
“Father? Did I do something wrong?” Harun asked.
“No Harun,” said Karasu. “But…I can see there no convincing you away from the Legion, is there?”
Harun shook his head.
“Then you will be welcome, with my blessing,” said Karasu.
Harun smiled, he felt so light as if he could float off the dojo floor. “Thank you, father,” he said. “I won’t disappoint you.”
Karasu then went over to one of the suits of armour. Blue, with black shakkudo and iron plating with blue silk padding and gold accents. And on the helmet, a Crane with its wings outstretched in gold.
“This is Strong Wing,” Karasu said. “I am its custodian, and I am now passing it on to you.”
“I will endeavour to be worthy of this honour, father,” said Karasu, giving a bow.
“I know you will,” said Karasu with pride.
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Mon Mar 05, 2018 8:10 pm

No update, but I’ll show you some Chibis of Harun in his new armour.

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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Mon Apr 02, 2018 6:24 am

Sorry about the delay, there should be more very soon.




The next few days, Harun devoted himself to training. Not just in the castle but also riding and, with his father’s permission, sparring with some of the students from the Ruby Dojo. It was quite a challenge, but he needed it and the challenge made sense since those who he sparred with would be going on to be Emerald Magistrates.
Being back though brought back a lot of memories of his childhood, it was like being back in a dream. Yet he had seen what was beyond this idealistic world and he was ready to face it.
Or thought he was.
One day, a lot of people began to arrive. Representatives from all the Great Clans and a few Minor Clans. This was normal, before leaving for the summer campaign against the Onyx, the Emerald Champion held court so that word of his decisions could be carried throughout Rokugan.
Harun and his siblings were generally removed from what happened in the audience chamber, but they had tried and listened from the spy holes accessed in the secret passages. But Harun had not been in there during a court.
Which why it felt a little odd when Saigou told Harun that he would be attending.
“Are you sure, Ooji-san?” Harun asked. “Why?”
“I am sure you will find out in due course,” said Saigou. “I am merely conveying a message, I trust you know what to do now.”
Fortunately, Harun did. He put on his best hakama and Jinbei, adding kataginu jacket with the pointy shoulders. They were in the pale blue of the Crane, on the lapels of the kataginu were the mons of the Kakita family with a silver slash on one of them to indicated he had been trained by the Kakita Duelling Academy.
His hair was another matter, it needed lacquer to smooth out the kinks and make it behave so it could be fashioned into a proper topknot. Then he went down to the chamber the silk of his clothes making a swishing sound as he walked.

The great audience chamber was the most ornately decorated room in the castle. The walls were gilded and painted with scenes of sakura and cyprus trees, the ceiling with floating water lilies.
“Stop gaping,” said Takeaki from behind him. “It’s not like we haven’t seen it before.”
“We haven’t really been in here before,” Harun pointed out. “At least, not allowed to be.”
Saigou had helpfully told them of their places. Ahead of the clan representatives who lined up in order of precedence in front of the dais, and opposite Saigou, Akodo Ryouichi and First Magistrate Kitsuki Shinpei. He and Takeaki side by side, sat in seiza, with their backs against the side wall, the shoulders of their kataginu lined up exactly.
They all bowed as the inner door behind the dais and the Emerald Champion appeared. He sat in seiza on the dais, the Emerald Daisho removed from his obi and placed on the stand near him, the armour on display behind him.
Harun kept his eyes lowered until the signal was given for everyone to rise. Then he cautiously looked at his father, Karasu’s face was a blank mask, here he served as representative of the Emperor’s Will. It wasn’t something Harun was used to seeing in his father, he lowered his eyes.
The First Magistrate, Kitsuki Shinpei, gave a report on the state of the empire. The late snows in Lion and Dragon lands had delayed preparations for their armies moving against the Onyx. There were reports from Phoenix lands, a council of sensei were acting in the absence of Champion Shiba Tsukimi were still attempting to establish order in the outlying provinces. There were a few reports about Unicorn lands, how most of the taint had been driven from the lands. Harun could even hear some of what he had related to his father, the gathering of the ancestors’ shryo, the words of the Kitsu spirit, and Akodo Zetsubou’s courage.
Harun felt pleased about this, even though the memory was quite painful. Zetsubou’s sacrifice needs to be known to everyone, he thought.
The report done, Kitsuki Shinpei now called for any petitions. The first one to come forward was the Lion Ambassador. He was tall, powerfully built and clearly was trained as a bushi, yet his limp right kimono sleeve and patch over his right eye indicated his early retirement from the battlefield. He was introduced as Akodo Sesuke.
“My lord,” said the Lion after he had prostrated himself. “The Lion Clan wish to have the City of the Rich Frog returned to our lands.”
His speech was short and concise, saying the city had traditionally been part of the lands of the Lion Clan for many generations. He also went into how in the war with the Onyx, how the Lion had won the land back after the Spider had been unable to defend it. Having said his piece, Akodo Sesuke bowed and retreated.
Susumu Nishio, the representative for the Spider Clan, was then given the floor. His words we gushing and eloquent, citing the petitions at the Imperial Winter Court at Kyuden Doji the previous year that had led to these decisions.
Harun watched his father through this, Karasu’s face still remaining impassive. His on flawless as he heard both sides with equal attention. Harun kept waiting for someone to mention his name, mention the duel he had taken part in a year ago the shell of the city.
They don’t have to, Harun realised, just by my being here, they’re all thinking it.
“In times such as these, when we have begun to emerge from the shadows we have long fought against,” said Karasu. “We must begin to think of the Rokugan we will have once peace is established. All of the Great Clans will need to grow, and the situation assessed as a whole. Fighting over small pieces merely makes us look petty.” He gave a pause. “The Son of Heaven had already decided upon this matter and I will not revoke it. The City of the Rich Frog remains under the leadership of the Spider Clan.”
Akodo Sesuke’s face fell, but he had sense enough to keep quiet while his Ikoma companion gave an appropriate response before retreating.
There were a few more petitions after this. Harun did his best to looked focused and interested, even if most of what was going on was routine. He wondered how his father managed to do it.
Then Yasuki Ogawa, Damiyo of the Yasuki Family and representing the Crab Clan, came forward. He was a tall man with a long lean face and pointed beard which his tall tate-eboshi hat made look longer and leaner.
“Champion Karasu-ue,” he said. “I have come to relate to you a disturbing incident in the lands of the Crab. A clan magistrate, a member of my own family, sought to extort both samurai and peasant in his collecting of tithes. Usually, this would not be something I would bring before. But…for the nature of his death.” Ogawa paused for dramatic effect. “He was found severely burned, the outline of a black hand imprinted onto his face in ash. And all of his belongings still on him.”
A low murder of surprise was heard in the chamber, even Harun reacted with surprise. This was the Black Hand’s work, and the notoriety and fear that surrounded him and his followers meant that no one, not even bandits, criminal or eta would even pick up the bag of koku that lay next to him.
And my mother is with them, thought Harun.
At a nod from Karasu, Shinpei began to speak.
“The actions of the Black Hand and its leader Shiba Michio are well known to the Emerald Champion. Any information that will lead to his capture or that of his followers is most welcome,” he said.
“The return of the Black Hand to the lands of the Crab is most concerning, given the unrest that followed when they surfaced there years ago,” said Ogawa. “The Crab Clan requests assistance with the capture of the Black Hand and its leader.”
“This is granted,” said Karasu in a tone that could not be questioned.
Yasuki Ogawa made his bows and retreated.
“I also wish to announce that my sons Mirumoto Takeaki and Kakita Harun will be serving Rokugan now they have come of age. Takeaki-san will be serving as yojimbo at the court of Otosan Uchi, Harun-san in the first Imperial Legion.”
Harun and Takeaki bowed their heads as they were named, all eyes upon them.
“I am grateful to have this honour, father,” said Takeaki.
“As am I,” said Harun. “And to follow your example.”
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Re: L5R - The Duty of War - A Post Winter Court 5 story

Postby Kakita_Harun » Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:16 am

That evening, Karasu sat in his study with Kitsuki Shinpei. They talked at length about the Black Hand, the group had been around as long as Karasu had been Champion. Information had been hard to get in the first few years as the Onyx still controlled a fair portion of Rokugan and much of what they didn’t had fallen into some degree of lawlessness.
The deaths, even the more graphic ones, but this only meant reports of the whereabouts of the group were harder to get. And then there was the leader, Shiba Michio, bearing the divine power of the Obsidian Dragon.
Karasu wasn’t even sure if Michio could be stopped, but he needed to be. And then, there was the history between them.
Shinpei listened intently, asking questions at intervals. Finally, Karasu asked for his assessment.
“Well, I will say this Champion,” said Shinpei. “You have given me a difficult task, but not an impossible one. With the Onyx forces in withdrawal we should be able to devote more resources to this.”
“I agree,” said Karasu. Shinpei had only been First Magistrate for a few months, but he had more than proved his worth in that time. “I want weekly reports. And do not underestimate Shiba Michio, do nit try to take him alone.”
“If I may be bold, Champion, there is something I wish to ask,” said Shinpei. “Were you acquainted with Shiba Michio? I have been going through records, and his name appears at the Imperial Court the first year you were Champion.”
“Yes, that is true,” answered Karasu. “We knew each other, I would even say we were friends. Good friends even.”
If Shinpei was surprised by this, he did not show it in his face. “What sort of man would you say he was?”
“Well…” Karasu’s voice trailed off as he remembered. “He is perhaps the best man I have ever met…and the worst. He is more honourable than any samurai I have ever met, perhaps what a Shiba was supposed to be.” Karasu paused. “That was then, it probably has little to do with what has happened since he has become Lord Moon’s agent. Has it changed him? Or has it come from who he always was? I do not have the answer to that, perhaps one day I can ask him myself. I look at what he has done and I see a man who is lost, one whose path could have been very different.” He shook his head. “There is one who travels with him, the only check on his actions: Utaku Yamada.”
Shinpei raised a surprised eyebrow. “But that is…”
“Harun’s mother,” answered Karasu with a nod.
“Does he know?” Shinpei asked.
“Harun? Yes, he knows,” said Karasu. “I promised his mother I would tell him, and that he would make what he would of his own life.”
From the window next to them they could see Harun sparring with some of the Ruby Dojo Students in the courtyard below. A challenge for him, but Harun was holding his own.
“He will do well in the Legion,” Shinpei said.
“Oh, I know he will,” said Karasu with a little pride.

Over the next few days, the Emerald Champion and his retinue began to make preparations to leave. Harun began to as well, he was almost eager for it. To take the next step, to serve as his father did.
On the morning they were to leave, Saigou came to Harun’s room and helped the young man put on his armour. First there were the padded undergarments, then the blue enamelled steel plates that were strapped to his limbs and hung around his waist, then the breast plate and neckplates that went over his head. Harun then tied the obi firmly around his waist. He then took a sky blue hachimaki with the Crane clan mon in the middle and tied it around his head.
Saigou then held out Harun’s helmet. It was of blue enamelled steel, and on the front was a Crane in gold, its wings proudly outstretched. There was a solemnity about Saigou that surprised Harun.
“Ooji-san, this isn’t the first time,” said Harun. “I’ve worn armour before, I’ve even seen battle before.”
“This is different,” said Saigou. “Then you were trying to hide, this is who you are.”
Harun nodded, taking the helmet and placing it on his head, then tying the straps. There was one more thing to do, he sat in seiza before his daisho, bowed and then secured it beneath his obi. He was ready.
He went to leave the room, then went back, taking the letter from his mother that sat on the table beside his bed. He had read it every night since he came home. He folded it carefully and secured it beneath his clothing.
Now, he was ready.
Outside, the horses were being made ready. Harun got a few looks as he came out in his new armour as well as a few nods of respect. He began to say good bye to his siblings. Some of them were staying, some leaving for their own training.
It was then that Karasu arrived, his brilliant green and gold armour making everything look dull.
Harun looked at his father, he had seen him in the Emerald Armour many times, his father riding off to war.
But now I’m part of it, thought Harun, I am going with him.
Karasu looked at his son, his eyes going up and down as he took in the sight of Harun in armour. He gave a nod of approval.
“It suits you well,” Karasu said.
Harun flushed with pride. “Thank you, father.”
Harun mounted his horse. They rode away, the green and gold banners of the Emerald Champion flying in the wind. Harun was thrilled to be a part of it.
But Karasu’s thoughts were more sombre. I hope I’m doing the right thing.
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