Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 22:52:42 GMT -5
Hiroshi crossed the uneasy border between east and west Kyushu, which restlessly changed day by day as the brother’s land forces were struggling to push the line one way or another and claim the territories of their own. The village that Lei and Thrade witnessed on their way to Shimabara was not the only one that had been ravaged, pillaged and burned, the villagers either forced into their ranks or slain when considered weak and useless. The destruction varied from village to village, but thankfully, the very village witnessed was a rare exception.
The mare was abandoned in a favorable spot, where it could graze on the fertile land and keep itself healthy enough to live out its days in happiness. He continued on foot, for he was close to his destination, the country manor of the younger, Shinji. But it was not long before he stumbled across a mean looking group of militia, unkempt and rough and heartless as murderers could be. Hiroshi gave up easily without struggle, saying that he wished nothing more than support the rightful governor of Kyushu.
He made one request, to meet Shinji himself to pronounce his loyalty in person. In Nihon culture, tribute to authority was the right of every individual, to base oneself in the presence of superiority. Their leader frowned but resigned himself to allow it, jerking his thumb towards the west where the Shinji may be found.
“Show disrespect, and you’ll get a knife in your belly. You’re not worth the trouble if you’re against us. We can find a replacement just as easily as taking you in. Now get going.” The leader nodded to a large mercenary with a mean looking scar across his left eye, which had made him blind in that eye and quick to anger. “You, accompany our new friend and make sure he doesn’t make trouble.”
The gigantic man, dirt streaked and smelling like an ox’s behind walked up to Hiroshi and grabbed his shoulder, shoving him roughly in the right direction, then pushed him again with a heavy hand to get him going. “Move.”
Hiroshi ground his teeth but behaved, though he’d love to kill this giant and flay him to tiny pieces for shoving him around like this. The pair of them, the mercenary always behind him, brandishing a wicked looking mace on his shoulder, marched across the landscape even through the night. Hiroshi could see, despite the giant’s bravado, that he was getting fatigued by the pace he was setting.
It was only a matter of time. Hiroshi smiled to himself.
At last, set upon the top of a hill to a strategic advantage lie the distant country manor of the younger. It wasn’t hard to miss, trenches dug into the land and spikes set above them to impale horseman and slow down enemies. There was movement among them, soldiers forced into loyalty buzzed like a hive of angry bees, brandishing mean looking weapons of wood and dull metal, not the shining swords and spears of a city blacksmith.
But the pair of them dipped out of sight, and Hiroshi saw his opportunity to punish this individual who fancied himself his keeper. Without warning, Hiroshi unleashed his swords as quickly as a viper could strike, and cut the giant down where he stood, before he could even move his own heavy weapon. The ground shook as he fell, mortally wounded and helpless as a turtle on his back, where Hiroshi quickly finished the job by plunging a blade into the despicable man’s throat. The giant gurgled and went limp, his one good eye glazing over in his death rattle.
Hiroshi turned and mounted the hills and again he could see the manor. A warning shot was shot, landing a foot from where Hiroshi was standing. Someone called out to him demanding that Hiroshi reveal why he approached, and Hiroshi replied that he was one of them, loyal only to Shinji. He also stated that he had important news of Shimabara and he was let through the ramparts, warned that if he caused trouble he would be killed.
Hiroshi’s eyes were wary as he passed the militia, wisely keeping his hands away from his weapons so he would not be forced to remove his precious blades, and approached the home of the governor, gaining entry by means of quick-tongued persuasion.
Hired muscle practically pressed against his sides as he was chaperoned into the presence of Shinji himself. He was weak chinned, his eyes mean and distrusting. He was flanked by more hired hands, so paranoid was he. But Hiroshi did not intend on an assassination, he only wanted to mislead him.
Hiroshi was graciously allowed to sit, for the governor of western Kyushu did hold to some semblance of polite tradition, but did not waste good tea on this suspect stranger. After asked about his presence here, Hiroshi fluffed up Shinji’s prideful nature with honeyed words of how Shinji was the rightful ruler of Kyushu and how despicable his brother was who should be usurped from Shimabara all together. He pledged his undying faithfulness to him and offered news of an advisor of the emperor coming to that very city, not mentioning exactly who that advisor was, however.
“A pet of the emperor,” Shinji spat with a sneer. “That poor excuse for a ruler can’t even make peace between us, he’s weak and vulnerable. After I sieze Shimabara for myself, I will force my hand against the capital, and remove the young whelp from his seat of power.”
Hiroshi blinked a bit, for a moment amazed by the younger’s stupidity. Was he really that disillusioned that he thought he had a chance? He must be insane. Shinji mistook the glance of awe as flattery to his character, and he smiled, pleased.
“I like you, stranger. I think you’ll be of use to me. I need someone working on the inside, and you seem fitting for the job. Though you’re obviously uncultured and most likely uneducated, you look like you can handle yourself well enough. You’ve been to Shimabara and you know what this advisor looks like. I want you to get close to this man, buddy up with him. Spout whatever nonsense you need to gain his favor.”
This is a desperate measure from a weakling emperor. If he loses his best man, we may hold him in check. One by one we’ll get under his skin until he is exposed for the coward he is when he has no one left to coddle him.”
“And what of your brother?” Hiroshi replied with no emotion.
“Ah, my brother. With the emperor’s pawn out of the way, he will have the illusion that he has the advantage. With no means of diplomacy, he will think he has won that battle. He fancies himself the ruler of Nihon, but it is just a matter of time. Already my men have seized trading routes, weakening his hold on Kyushu. With his subjects starving, they will turn against him and then we will strike.”
Hiroshi nodded in agreement. “A good plan. I will do my part in this, you have my word.”
“Good,” the younger practically purred in pleasure. “You will work alone, I do not want to attract too much attention. Put those blades to good use, assuming you can wield them well enough. Report back to me when the emperor’s pawn is dead.”
“Yes, my lord.” Hiroshi stood and bowed low to please him and turned to leave.
“Oh, one more thing.” The younger raised a finger. Hiroshi turned with eyebrows raised.
“If you fail me, I will make sure that you suffer the most horrendous death I can imagine. Assuming you survive your little mission. There is no room for weaklings in this battle, do you understand?”
“Yes… my lord.” Hiroshi growled internally with hatred for this man and took his leave.
The mare was abandoned in a favorable spot, where it could graze on the fertile land and keep itself healthy enough to live out its days in happiness. He continued on foot, for he was close to his destination, the country manor of the younger, Shinji. But it was not long before he stumbled across a mean looking group of militia, unkempt and rough and heartless as murderers could be. Hiroshi gave up easily without struggle, saying that he wished nothing more than support the rightful governor of Kyushu.
He made one request, to meet Shinji himself to pronounce his loyalty in person. In Nihon culture, tribute to authority was the right of every individual, to base oneself in the presence of superiority. Their leader frowned but resigned himself to allow it, jerking his thumb towards the west where the Shinji may be found.
“Show disrespect, and you’ll get a knife in your belly. You’re not worth the trouble if you’re against us. We can find a replacement just as easily as taking you in. Now get going.” The leader nodded to a large mercenary with a mean looking scar across his left eye, which had made him blind in that eye and quick to anger. “You, accompany our new friend and make sure he doesn’t make trouble.”
The gigantic man, dirt streaked and smelling like an ox’s behind walked up to Hiroshi and grabbed his shoulder, shoving him roughly in the right direction, then pushed him again with a heavy hand to get him going. “Move.”
Hiroshi ground his teeth but behaved, though he’d love to kill this giant and flay him to tiny pieces for shoving him around like this. The pair of them, the mercenary always behind him, brandishing a wicked looking mace on his shoulder, marched across the landscape even through the night. Hiroshi could see, despite the giant’s bravado, that he was getting fatigued by the pace he was setting.
It was only a matter of time. Hiroshi smiled to himself.
At last, set upon the top of a hill to a strategic advantage lie the distant country manor of the younger. It wasn’t hard to miss, trenches dug into the land and spikes set above them to impale horseman and slow down enemies. There was movement among them, soldiers forced into loyalty buzzed like a hive of angry bees, brandishing mean looking weapons of wood and dull metal, not the shining swords and spears of a city blacksmith.
But the pair of them dipped out of sight, and Hiroshi saw his opportunity to punish this individual who fancied himself his keeper. Without warning, Hiroshi unleashed his swords as quickly as a viper could strike, and cut the giant down where he stood, before he could even move his own heavy weapon. The ground shook as he fell, mortally wounded and helpless as a turtle on his back, where Hiroshi quickly finished the job by plunging a blade into the despicable man’s throat. The giant gurgled and went limp, his one good eye glazing over in his death rattle.
Hiroshi turned and mounted the hills and again he could see the manor. A warning shot was shot, landing a foot from where Hiroshi was standing. Someone called out to him demanding that Hiroshi reveal why he approached, and Hiroshi replied that he was one of them, loyal only to Shinji. He also stated that he had important news of Shimabara and he was let through the ramparts, warned that if he caused trouble he would be killed.
Hiroshi’s eyes were wary as he passed the militia, wisely keeping his hands away from his weapons so he would not be forced to remove his precious blades, and approached the home of the governor, gaining entry by means of quick-tongued persuasion.
Hired muscle practically pressed against his sides as he was chaperoned into the presence of Shinji himself. He was weak chinned, his eyes mean and distrusting. He was flanked by more hired hands, so paranoid was he. But Hiroshi did not intend on an assassination, he only wanted to mislead him.
Hiroshi was graciously allowed to sit, for the governor of western Kyushu did hold to some semblance of polite tradition, but did not waste good tea on this suspect stranger. After asked about his presence here, Hiroshi fluffed up Shinji’s prideful nature with honeyed words of how Shinji was the rightful ruler of Kyushu and how despicable his brother was who should be usurped from Shimabara all together. He pledged his undying faithfulness to him and offered news of an advisor of the emperor coming to that very city, not mentioning exactly who that advisor was, however.
“A pet of the emperor,” Shinji spat with a sneer. “That poor excuse for a ruler can’t even make peace between us, he’s weak and vulnerable. After I sieze Shimabara for myself, I will force my hand against the capital, and remove the young whelp from his seat of power.”
Hiroshi blinked a bit, for a moment amazed by the younger’s stupidity. Was he really that disillusioned that he thought he had a chance? He must be insane. Shinji mistook the glance of awe as flattery to his character, and he smiled, pleased.
“I like you, stranger. I think you’ll be of use to me. I need someone working on the inside, and you seem fitting for the job. Though you’re obviously uncultured and most likely uneducated, you look like you can handle yourself well enough. You’ve been to Shimabara and you know what this advisor looks like. I want you to get close to this man, buddy up with him. Spout whatever nonsense you need to gain his favor.”
This is a desperate measure from a weakling emperor. If he loses his best man, we may hold him in check. One by one we’ll get under his skin until he is exposed for the coward he is when he has no one left to coddle him.”
“And what of your brother?” Hiroshi replied with no emotion.
“Ah, my brother. With the emperor’s pawn out of the way, he will have the illusion that he has the advantage. With no means of diplomacy, he will think he has won that battle. He fancies himself the ruler of Nihon, but it is just a matter of time. Already my men have seized trading routes, weakening his hold on Kyushu. With his subjects starving, they will turn against him and then we will strike.”
Hiroshi nodded in agreement. “A good plan. I will do my part in this, you have my word.”
“Good,” the younger practically purred in pleasure. “You will work alone, I do not want to attract too much attention. Put those blades to good use, assuming you can wield them well enough. Report back to me when the emperor’s pawn is dead.”
“Yes, my lord.” Hiroshi stood and bowed low to please him and turned to leave.
“Oh, one more thing.” The younger raised a finger. Hiroshi turned with eyebrows raised.
“If you fail me, I will make sure that you suffer the most horrendous death I can imagine. Assuming you survive your little mission. There is no room for weaklings in this battle, do you understand?”
“Yes… my lord.” Hiroshi growled internally with hatred for this man and took his leave.