Lore: Gesture of Good Will

[Soran Nightblade]

Thread Started by Zenmusha on July 25th, 2004

Zenmusha:

The Shogun sat on his comfortable throne, inside a cubicle covered in curtains, his two swords kept at his side. He wondered who was the stupid idiot that remembered that a Shogun needed countless time to think... When there was nothing to think about. He had trained with his men the daily 4 hours already, got done with Haiku and floral arrangment, not to mention his tea ceremony lesson, so... all he had now to do was bore...

Inside the squalid room, his personal guard, the Nibu Wolves, where kneeling, facing the entrance to his room all the time, their senses focused on trying to find an assailant... But Kitanai knew they were wasting effort. He trained them, and he bested everyone of them when it came to sensing danger. In fact, he heard the almost unaudible steps of one of his Ninja heading for his room far before them, that only noticed him when he opened the door. Drawing their blades at his sight, they stood ready for a fight.

"He's one of ours, let him through." He said with his usual calm voice. The men sheathed back their blades, and sat back, but always kept facing the man's direction. One of them placed himself between the Ninja and the Shogun, to prevent him from possibly throwing a blade at him. "What news do you bring, my loyal servant?" His voice had no sarcasm nor eagerness, one of the qualities that the forces under his control admired. The Ninja bowed, keeping both closed fists on the ground. Only then did the Nibu Wolf march back to his place. "Kitanai-sama, tensions rise between Ighten and Arken. Queen Shea sends spies to Ighten, corrupting the government. The forces of Arken are rising very fast in numbers. They plan to pass through the borders, and attack the weakened kingdom of Ighten. This last information was given to us by Lord Vladimir Dracul, Queen Sinead's No Life King, that decided to pass some time in our City." The Shogun pictured a vampire basking in the beaches of Ongoreth, and repressed a giggle. "You are dismissed." Once again, his tone was even.

The Ninja walked away, allways crouched and always turned to him. Kitanai rose from his seat when he left, smiling serenely. Placing his swords on his belt, he walked out from his cubicle, and the Nibu Wolves bowed as he passed. "Rise up, friends. We have many things to do. Kenta..." The Samurai Kenta looked eagerly at him. "... tell the men to get ready." Kenta bowed, acknowledged his orders, and went out, walking fast when he left the room.

He too smiled, but his was a childish smile, like the 15 year-old recently promoted Samurai he was. He had shown great dedication and skill during training, and was much like the Shogun himself when he was his age. "Finally the Shogun lets us fight alongside him! I can't believe... my childhood dream come true!! I've always admired the Shogun, all my training was so that I could become like him, and now... I get to see him fighting with no restraints!!! " He started running to the commander's quarters, apologizing to the maids e happened to pass through, that giggled at the delighted face of the young man.

Soon, all of Port Karelii was preparing for the battle. The Samurai were training intensively and assigning their heirs in case they fall in battle, the blacksmiths were offering the finest swords and spears they had made during the times of peace to their favoured lords, fletchers were crafting arrows with increased industry, the pirate commanders were being watched very carefuly by Ninja to make sure there were no betrayals, Monks and Rangers came out from Iwama to tend for the horses and/or offer their help in combat, and the people, inspired by the display of power, worked with even more industry than usual... and that was quite something, since they were likely the most industrious people on Heirot.

Two days later, preparations had been finished. Kitanai and the Nibu Wolves embarked on the armoured galley, Ongoreth's largest and most powerful ship, while the other samurai and warriors entered the many transport ships docked. Inside his cabin, the Shogun thought about what to say to Queen Sinead... He had seen her only twice, the first time was when he went to her aid during the wars, and that time she was very angry at him for declaring independence. The second was when she had come herself to his palace proposing a trade agreement, which he immediately accepted. And she was still a bit sore at him... Perhaps this time things would turn out better. As the day drew on, all the ships were ready with supplies and men, and the voyage to Lowight began.