Kenshiru’s Journey – Story 6

The Princess is Missing

It was early in the morning only a few days after Daidoji Ryuden had committed seppuku when the sound of frantic knocking outside each of their rooms woke Kenshiru, Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima from their slumber. Servants informed them that they were urgently summoned into the presence of the daimyo Shiba Gidayu because the Princess Yoroshiko had gone missing. Hurriedly the four friends dressed and made their way to the wing of the castle where Shiba Gidayu’s rooms were.

Gidayu greeted them with a grave face and motioned that they sit. Solemnly he handed Jinsho a rolled up piece of rice paper.

Jinsho unfolded the note and read.

“I have the girl. She will be my bride. I will be the husband of a Hantei. I will be a samurai again.”

At the bottom it was signed with the mark of the Ronin Niban.

When all of the friends had seen the message Gidayu spoke to them.

“Kagetsu and the Elemental Masters bicker amongst themselves over how best to save the Emperor’s cousin. This is not a time for discussion it is a time for action. You know this Niban. You know where the Ronin village lies. The Emperor’s niece has been taken from this palace against her will. It is the duty of all samurai to protect the Hantei family, so I call upon you now to go and bring her back.”

“Yes My Lord, we will depart as soon as we have gathered our horses and equipment” Kenshiru bowed “We will not fail.”

“I find it hard to imagine that Niban would do this” Jinsho commented.

“The evidence is clear is it not?” Gidayu responded gruffly.

“But Niban has demonstrated that he is an honourable man” Jinsho persisted.

“I think that he chose when he wanted to be honourable and when he didn’t” Kenshiru remarked coldly.

“That may be so but…”

“I think that the evidence is clear Jinsho-san do you not agree” Gidayu reprimanded in a stern tone.

“Yes My Lord” Jinsho bowed deeply.

“Take the men that I gave you when you escorted the scrolls. I can spare no more than that”, Gidayu added.

Jinsho considered asking the daimyo how four samurai and four soldiers were expected to stand against some fifty Ronin but decided that he was in enough trouble already so he kept his mouth shut.

After the audience with Gidayu Kenshiru was keen to get going but Jinsho wished to do some investigation first. In the end Kenshiru and Shiniko went to ready the men and horses while Jinsho and Takashima went to find out more about the abduction. First Jinsho and Takashima went in search of Koan but he was nowhere to be found. The palace guards indicated that after Niban’s involvement in the abduction had been established there had been a full-scale search for the Ronin shugenga but he had already disappeared. They took Koan’s absence as an indication that he was in league with Niban and had been involved in the crime. Jinsho however was even less prepared to believe this than he was to believe that Niban had abducted Yoroshiko in the first place. Further investigation, including questioning the surviving maid provided very little useful information and in the end Jinsho and Takashima returned to their friends who were ready to depart.

Fearing for Yoroshiko’s safety Kenshiru led the small band from the gates of Gisu Palace towards the Ronin village at a fast pace. Pausing only often enough not to exhaust the soldiers that accompanied them on foot. At about the halfway mark Kenshiru and Keni found a set of horse tracks in a patch of mud. The beast was laden as though carrying two people and had passed only four hours previously. With renewed urgency Kenshiru pressed on.

Return to the Village of the Nightingale

The day was close to an end when they finally neared the village of the Nightingale. The scene there was not what they had expected. Two groups of Ronin faced each other at the centre of the town. One group was led by Niban and the other by his lieutenant, the samuraiko, Tobuko. As the young samurai approached they could hear Niban and Tobuko arguing loudly.

“Why would they?” yelled Niban.

“They need no reason. They are samurai, and we are Ronin! We’re nothing to them. What more reason do they need?” retorted Tobuko.

“I don’t believe it.”

“I don’t care what you believe.” And then, seeing the band of samurai arriving, Tobuko added pointing “Ah, there. Did I not tell you? They have come for you Niban. Their army is coming.”

The Ronin spread out defensively as the four samurai and their men rode into the village. Archers covered them from the trees and from the tops of the tallest buildings.

“We come in peace”, Jinsho said, dismounting.

“He’s lying” Tobuko accused.

“If we did not come peacefully would we ride in here like this, eight of us without armour against fifty of you?”

“It’s a trick” Tobuko continued, “they’re probably just a distraction while the rest of the army moves into position.”

“Enough” said Kenshiru forcefully “we did not come here to argue.”

“And why did you come?” asked Niban.

“We came for the Princess Yoroshiko” Kenshiru answered sternly.

“The Emperor’s niece?” Niban looked puzzled. “And why would you believe that she was here?”

Jinsho offered him the message that had been left at Gisu Palace. Niban took it and read it silently.

“Ha! And you would believe this?” he laughed “Who sent you here? Was it Gidayu? I thought as much.”

“There were tracks” Kenshiru challenged.

“You are mistaken. She is not here” Niban maintained “You are being used”.

“We apologise for misjudging you but you understand why we had to ask the question” Jinsho offered. “Why would you believe that Shiba Gidayu would seek to implicate you falsely?”

Niban eyed Jinsho warily.

“Because I know his secret. And because that secret is the reason that I am Ronin and no longer karo.”

It was Jinsho’s turn to look puzzled.

“Come” Niban continued “Let us take tea. I think it is time you heard this story.”

Niban’s Story

Niban led Jinsho, Kenshiru, Shiniko and Takashima into the main building where they had spoken the last time that they had been there. Niban motioned for them all to sit and tea was brought for them. Religiously he began the preparation of the tea. It was a slow process.

Eventually he began, “Some sixteen years ago there was a man named Shiba Toda. He was karo (military advisor) to the Phoenix daimyo Shiba Gidayu. During his duties it came to Toda’s attention that his lord was having a discrete affair with a married woman who was a member of the Imperial family. Her name was Otomo Jiko and she was the wife of the Emperors brother. Toda was distressed by his knowledge of the affair since it created a conflict of loyalty for him. He fervently believed in the code of bushido and followed it unquestioningly but suddenly he had to choose between loyalty to his daimyo and loyalty to the Emperor. Should he speak of what he knew or keep the affair secret. He agonized over the decision for many days but in the end he remained silent. A few months later Toda was relieved to learn that the affair had ended as a result of Otomo Jiko becoming pregnant with the Emperor’s brother’s child. Then shortly after the birth Otomo Jiko called for Gidayu and the Phoenix daimyo went to her accompanied by his faithful karo. It was on this day that Toda overheard a conversation that he should never have been party to, a conversation that destroyed his faith in bushido. Gidayu and Jiko were in the next room but the door was ajar.

“The girl” Jiko whispered “She is yours my love. She is your daughter.”

“No one must ever know” Gidayu replied.

Later when Gidayu realised Toda had overheard he ordered him to fall on his sword.

“I swear on my life that I will keep the secret” Toda responded.

“No. The only way this will remain a secret is if all who know of it are dead” Gidayu answered.

“Is my word not good enough?”

“I order you to fall on your sword” Gidayu repeated.

“There is no need” Toda replied, ashen faced. “For I am already dead. And your secret has died with me.”

Enraged at Toda’s refusal, Gidayu instructed his personal guard to kill the karo as a traitor, but Toda fought his way past them and escaped. After that he disappeared never to be seen again.

Jinsho looked at him in amazement. “It’s you isn’t it” he said, “You’re Shiba Toda?”

At that moment the conversation was interrupted by one of the other Ronin bursting into the room.

“My Lord Niban-sama” he stammered “I…I…think you should come outside”

“What is the meaning of this?” snarled Niban.

“It’s the Princess, My Lord they’ve found her.”

An Insult to the Emperor

As Niban, Kenshiru, Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima stormed outside, Tobuko and her men met them.

“I can’t believe it Niban” she said sadly “I knew you were desperate but I never thought…”

She turned and gestured to where two men were leading Yoroshiko toward them. The Princess was bound and gagged, but to Kenshiru’s relief, looked otherwise unharmed.

“What is this?” Niban demanded.

Ignoring the confrontation Kenshiru marched past the two Ronin to free Yoroshiko.

“I’m sorry Niban you’ve gone too far” Tobuko turned to Jinsho, “he is yours to deal with as you will. He is no longer one of us. We wash our hands of him.”

Kenshiru removed the gag from Yoroshiko’s mouth and began to free her from her bonds as Niban looked around at his Ronin in astonishment. Then without warning he began to laugh.

“Ha… ha… ha… I see it… I see it all so clearly now” It seemed that something in his mind had cracked as the laughter turned maniacal. “You’re all fools” he ranted. “I believed in your code. I believed in bushido… ha… and look where it’s brought me! Look at me! I’m nothing! Nothing! And it’s all because of… of… her”

He jabbed a finger at Yoroshiko. There was madness in his eyes.

“You know the truth now” he snarled. “She is the daughter of a whore. Her very existence is an insult to the Emperor.”

“My Uncle will have your head” fumed Yoroshiko.

Kenshiru took a pace forward, trembling with rage. He never doubted Niban’s superiority with the blade, but he could not tolerate the affront to the Princess’s reputation. Though death beckoned he knew that someone had to intervene. It is the duty of every samurai to defend the honour of the Hantei family.

“As Topaz Champion I claim the right to defend the Princess’s honour and I challenge you Niban. Your disrespect can not go unpunished”, Kenshiru said coldly.

“So the boy wishes to defend her honour? Ha…Does he not realise that she has none?” mocked Niban.

“You are in no position to speak of honour Niban” replied Kenshiru.

“Do not lecture me boy. You do not even know what honour is?”

“If you remember, on our last meeting it was I who reminded you of the meaning of honour.”

“You think that honour is throwing your life away for this whore’s daughter?”

“How dare he!” protested Yoroshiko.

“I will listen to your lies no longer Niban” Kenshiru declared. “If you are not a coward you will face me in combat now.”

“Please it does not have to come to this” reasoned Jinsho “There is another way. I can determine whether Niban speaks the truth.”

“Yes” Niban agreed. “Ask the spirits. They will tell you how it happened. Then you will know that I do not lie”

“No” Kenshiru barked.

The young samurai knew that he could not allow Jinsho to seek the answer to that question. Yoroshiko’s heritage was not to be questioned. Such an act was in itself a dishonour.

“The truth of Niban’s words will be determined in combat. He will face me now or admit to all that he speaks falsely.”

“You are a fool. Can’t you see what you’re doing? She is not worthy of your protection. She does not deserve to live.”
Kenshiru drew his blade.

“Kill him” whispered Yoroshiko.

“Defend yourself Niban or so help me I will strike you down where you stand.”

Kenshiru raised the katana above his head.

Niban’s eyes glowed dangerously.

“Then it is over” the Ronin said “So be it” and he charged recklessly toward Kenshiru as though he was trying to run through the young samurai to reach the Princess.

As Niban came close Kenshiru drew back his blade and then brought it down with all his might. It bit deep into Niban’s shoulder, cleaving through flesh and bone before lodging deep in his chest. A trickle of blood oozed between the Ronin’s lips and the blade toppled from his hand. Then he fell to the ground dead.

As Niban’s blood spilled onto the soil Kenshiru jerked his katana free.

Everyone was silent until Yoroshiko moved to stand over Niban’s corpse.

“Curse you Ronin filth” she hissed “Your lies got you what you deserved”

Tobuko stood nearby looking impassively at Niban’s body. “He spoke the truth about her” she said nodding toward Yoroshiko “But it is over now. Take her and go in peace.”

“No” ordered Yoroshiko angrily “she can not be allowed to leave. She was the one that kidnapped me.”

“What?” exclaimed Jinsho.

Kenshiru looked down sadly at Niban’s body. He felt no remorse for killing the Ronin because he knew that he had done what had to be done. But he knew now that Tobuko had manipulated Niban. It was she who had engineered his death.

“Kill her, I command it” Yoroshiko demanded.

“There has been enough killing” stated Jinsho.

“Obey me. I am the Emperor’s niece.”

Kenshiru turned to Tobuko.

“Why?” he said.

Tobuko’s eyes were cold.

“Because he had taken our strength and turned us into farmers” she spat.

Kenshiru had no answer.

Tobuko and the Ronin from the village turned and began to move away.

“You will pay in blood for this” Yoroshiko called after them. “My uncle will have a hundred Imperial soldiers hunt you down.”

On the edge of the trees Tobuko turned and shouted back, “I think there are perhaps those in the Scorpion clan who would pay handsomely for the information I know.” Her laughter echoed around the forest long after she was gone.

For a few minutes more Kenshiru gazed thoughtfully into the distance after Tobuko. He wondered if it was wise to let her go. If they set off in pursuit before she got too far they could still catch her. But he decided that Jinsho had been right, there had been enough killing for one day.

Kenshiru turned back towards the others. Yoroshiko was speaking in a commanding but somewhat flustered tone.
“I forbid any of you from repeating the lies that have been spoken here today regarding my lineage. I shall tell them that it was Niban that kidnapped me and that shall be the end of it.”

She glared around defiantly. Daring anyone to challenge her.

Kenshiru chose to ignore her. He felt he had already made it clear where his loyalties lay. As for Niban, perhaps it was some recompense that in death the Ronin’s dishonour would serve to protect the Princess’s reputation. Kenshiru was certain that there had once been a time when Niban would have accepted such a duty willingly. As it was the Fortunes had chosen for him.

“It is time we left this place, Princess” Kenshiru declared.

Yoroshiko turned haughtily toward him but when she looked at him her demeanour mellowed. “Yes” she accepted, “of course you are right.”

She allowed him to lead her to one of the horses, and the small group set off on the return journey to Gisu Castle.

Return to Gisu Castle

It was late afternoon the following day when they arrived. They entered through the palace gates and were met by a group of Phoenix nobles who had gathered to wait for them in the courtyard. There was not a large crowd because the Phoenix had tried not to publicise the fact that the Emperor’s niece had been abducted from under their noses. However those that were there greeted the group warmly. The Phoenix nobles were mightily relieved to see the Princess returned unharmed because they knew that the Emperor would not have been best pleased with them if something had happened to his niece while she was under their protection.

Princess Yoroshiko alighted softly from her mount and was immediately surrounded by a small group of maids who fussed busily over her. The Phoenix lord, Asako Kagetsu stepped forward.

“Lady Yoroshiko” he said apologetically “We are overjoyed to see you return unharmed but also saddened that your stay here has been tarnished by the events of the past few days. I hope that I will have an opportunity to entertain you again some day so that I can give you better memories to remember us by.”

Yoroshiko nodded her acknowledgement. Already much of her composure had returned. That is what it is to be a princess.
“Thankyou for your kind words Asako Kagetsu, I am certain that I will indeed enjoy your hospitality again some day.”
Kagetsu bowed very low.

“Now if you will excuse me” the Princess continued “it has been quite an ordeal.”

As she turned to leave the voice of the Phoenix daimyo Shiba Gidayu reverberated around the courtyard.

“Forgive my boldness my Princess, for you must be weary, but as you can see…” he gestured towards the buds that had begun to flower on a nearby tree, “winter is at an end. It was said that you would declare your betrothed by the first bloomings of spring and I am sure everyone is eager to hear who you have chosen.”

Yoroshiko hesitated, turning back and gazing around at the expectant faces.

“Very well” she said, raising her voice so that it carried over the entire gathering “There have been many worthy suitors from the most noble families in Rokugan seeking my hand in marriage over the past few months. Each of these samurai has had many admirable qualities. Amongst all those samurai however there is one who has been foremost in defending my person and my honour. The samurai of whom I speak has demonstrated with his actions that he possesses virtues that any lady would prize in a husband. And so I am happy to make it known that I choose Hiruma Kenshiru of the Crab clan to be my betrothed.”

There were murmurs of surprise from the congregation of Phoenix nobles. The choice was somewhat unexpected. Though Kenshiru’s adventures had raised him to a position of some prominence he was not born of the major houses. He was virtually unknown in the circles of Rokugan nobility. In addition as creatures of darkness had overrun the Hiruma family homeland which now lay deep within the Shadowlands he had no lands or title to offer his bride.

Yoroshiko knew that the selection would cause much consternation but she sensed that difficult times lay ahead and she needed someone who would stand by her. She hoped that Kenshiru would continue to do so. The Emperor would not be happy with the choice but he would accept her decision. She turned toward the young samurai, wondering how he received the news. Briefly their eyes met and she offered him a slight smile but his reaction was hard to guage. He dropped to one knee and bowed his head to her. Seeking to hide her uncertainty Yoroshiko turned to Asako Kagetsu.

“I really am quite tired” she said.

“Of course my lady, let me escort you to your rooms”

A short time later, after Kenshiru’s friends had congratulated him on his betrothal, the four young samurai were brought before Shiba Gidayu. The Phoenix daimyo was in good humour and praised them on their success. He listened intently to the tale of what had occurred. The story that was recounted to Gidayu was composed entirely of the truth but due to the omission of certain key details the picture it painted was false. There was no mention of the fact that in the end it had appeared that Tobuko was the one behind Yoroshiko’s kidnapping and not Niban. Nor did any of the four repeat the accusations that Niban had made regarding the princess’s birthright. Gidayu appeared satisfied however and the matter seemed to have been ended.

After the Winter Court Kenshiru, Jinsho, Shiniko and Takashima returned to Jinsho’s home at the Isawa family castle to continue their duties as Phoenix magistrates. Yoroshiko and Kenshiru had parted with little further contact since the Princess had announced her decision. Their marriage had been arranged for the following winter. Soon after a second betrothal had occurred. The relationship between Takashima and Jinsho’s sister, Shiba Iruko, had flourished during their time together and the two of them had been able to gain their daimyo’s permission to marry.

Facing the Dragon

Early that spring an army of the Dragon clan crossed the border into Phoenix territory, intending to recover lands that had been taken from them during the previous year. To counter the threat the Phoenix clan raised their own army and marched to face them. As subjects of the Phoenix daimyo the four friends were part of this host.

After some maneuvering the two forces met in a wide valley that lay within the disputed territory and battle ensued. As for the friends; Kenshiru had used his reputation to join a front-line unit and would be amidst the thickest of the fighting throughout the battle, Takashima being less experienced was slightly further back, Shiniko had elected to take advantage of her skill as a Shiotome Battle Maiden and fight on horseback with the Phoenix cavalry and Jinsho was forced to join the other shugenga.

Kenshiru was amongst the first units to engage the enemy and was soon at the centre of the melee. Time and again he cut down his enemies. Where he fought there was no strategy or tactics, no following of orders. The battle raged about him, each man fighting to stay alive against one adversary after another. From here it was impossible to determine how the battle was going.

Takashima joined the battle not long after Kenshiru, though where he was the fighting was less fierce.

Shiniko sat astride Tsuzano and waited for the moment when the cavalry would advance. She watched Kenshiru and Takashima’s units being committed to the fray and silently offered a prayer for them. She was too far away to see how they faired.

Jinsho also saw the battle ranks of the bushi close with the enemy and knew that Kenshiru and Takashima would be there, but he was already fighting his own battle. He and his fellow shugenga summoned elemental forces to counter the magic of the Dragon and aid the Phoenix.

And so the battle continued.

Eventually the shugenga from both sides began to exhaust their reserves of magical energy and the quantity of spell casting receded while they rested to restore their power. At this time Jinsho decided that he had been a shugenga for long enough. He drew his katana and used the last vestiges of his magic to call forth the element of fire and clothe the blade in flame. Then he recklessly charged through a gap in the enemy lines and launched a direct attack against the unexpecting Dragon shugenga. Shugenga are not used to fighting with swords and compared to his opponents Jinsho’s skill was exceptional. He fell upon them in a blazing fury and slew many before they could regroup. Taking advantage of the confusion the Phoenix commander chose this moment to commit the cavalry to the engagement. Shiniko and Tsuzano lead a charge that swept down through the Dragon forces sending them into disarray. It was a turning point in the battle and soon after that victory was assured, although the fighting continued until the remaining elements of the Dragon army had been driven from the field.

All four friends had survived the battle though Takashima had been badly wounded and would take some time to heal. Kenshiru had incurred a number of minor cuts and bruises, while Jinsho and Shiniko remained largely untouched.