Banners, gold and green, blazed in the bright sunlight, and a panoply of color swirled about as the armies of the Dragon gathered and the ise zumi went to war. Men from every part of the Dragon Provinces arrived each day, swarming to the war-banner of the Mirumoto, the war-cries of the Dragon. Proud Samurai of the Mirumoto clans arrived, leading their contingents of ashigaru yari-men, of untested samurai archers, of hardened House Guards. The monks of the ise zumi gathered apart, questioning in their quiet voices even in the war-gathering the Way of Shintao. None who saw them in their katas questioned their skill, their precision, or their fierce pride.
A thrill ran through the lands of the Dragon unlike any which had been known in the past centuries. Rumors of the Great Clans moving led to speculation as to whom the Dragon would fight, on what fields of battle they might prove their honor. The temples around Mirumoto castle were swarmed with offerings to the fortunes; each man seeking one more charm or token to protect his life long enough to prove himself to his Lord.
Kesuan wandered among this mighty host. He had ridden from Togashi Keep in the service of Daini, as he had been instructed. The Lord Togashi had spoken no words to him, but the certainty growing within Kesuan of the correctness of his deed proved to himself that he was acting in accordance to Yokuni's wishes. Now, lost in the clash of sound and sights so very different from those of the quiet, contemplative life at Togashi Keep, Kesuan wandered in a world like a birdsong brought to life.
Walking sedately behind the youth as always, Mikoto watched his young charge cautiously. His dreams and visions as of late had become more confused, less vivid, as if the deeds of the next two years, pregnant with portent and auspice, were too devastating, to critical even for prophesy. Riots raged through Mikoto's head, unlike any he had known since the time of his Raving, so long ago. Mikoto's mind, tempered by the flames of experience and training, did not succumb to the madness he beheld in every confused vision, but neither could he apprehend that which he saw. He sensed that his path lay with Kesuan, and the path was rocky, fissure-torn, and uncertain.
The older ise zumi saw the younger, the birds rising across the lad's back swirled with their astonishing color, their wings seeming to flow with every motion Kesuan made, their mysterious, bright eyes like sunlight gazing at everything around them, the rustle of their wings subdued in the rustle of Kesuan's garment. Mikoto was glad of the change in scenery, for there were few birds daring enough to brave the gathering of men and horses, In their passage from the Togashi Keep to the Mirumoto Castle, Kesuan slipped slowly from the world of men, and drifted into the world of birds. He would neglect to eat, to perform his katas, to tend to the needs of the flesh. Such aeseticism was not unknown in the Order, but usually it was accompanied by a withdrawal from the world altogether, not this purposeless listening.
In the company of men, Kesuan slowly roused, like a drowsy man waking. He was young, and his heart was fired with the excitement of seeing men massing for war, hearing their brave words and seeing the clash of boken on the training squares. His eyes, bright as those of the birds on his flesh, sought out new scenes, new visions, new spectacles, and Mikoto smiled indulgently at the enthusiasm for the world of men evidenced by his charge.
A contrast to Kesuan was Daini, who led their small group through the throng. When Yokuni left the room, Daini remained kneeling, the Fan of Command in his hand, gazing on it with unblinking eyes. The monks and samurai behind him kneeled also, silently, waiting for their senior lord to stand before making motions to go. The lord Sukune, knowing Daini's heart, remained silent as he regarded his nephew during that time, holding the words of compassion within him to save his nephew face. The youth Kesuan knelt silently beside Daini, feeling the anguish of the young Mirumoto as keenly as Daini himself. Mikoto alone seemed unmoved by the lord Daini's plight.
Finally, the samurai stood, his face restored to its half-smile of indulgence and fierce determination, and he began making his preparations to depart the Dragon lands, to find someone to surrender the Dragon Armies to. He rallied his men, and to his surprise the young ise zumi and his yojimbo stood before him, their packs ready, waiting for his command. Daini accepted their silent pledges and departed for the Mirumoto lands.
The way was difficult, for there is no road between the two castles. It was the will of Togashi that each man must find his own way to Togashi Keep, for in finding the way in one thing one finds the Way in all things. They descended from the heights, moving across the land like a line of ants through the hills, and entered the domains of the Mirumoto, just southeast of the castle. Runners were sent ahead from one of the outposts, to announce the return of Daini and Sukune, and the preparation for the mustering of the armies.
Daini returned to find his sister already departed with the standing Dragon force. Hitomi had acted with haste when presented with Yokuni's command, and Daini was surprised. It was so difficult to deal with Hitomi; she passed over things of importance to train in iaijutsu, she neglected the duties of a Mirumoto daimyo in pursuit of her own aims. Daini tried to speak with his sister about matters of court, matters of the provinces, matters of administration, but always she looked at him in a distant, removed way and said simply, "You will find some way, I am sure." And Daini would struggle to make her see that she must act, she must take command of the situation, only to have her say always, "You will find some way." Daini and Sukune would then take command, would issue orders, always in Hitomi's name, would right the problems as they might.
But when presented with Togashi's command, she had taken charge, had gathered the strength of the Dragon already assembled and taken it south; she did it with haste, and without notifying Daini or Sukune of her actions. Now it was Hitomi who was driving south to face the danger while Daini remained behind to bring more forces down from the mountains, only to give them over to another to command.
Daini drew forth the Fan once more. It was a simple war-fan, without embellishment. It was a rich red colour, which seemed to shimmer with an irridescent sheen. Daini saw that the fan material was scaled, which made the colours ripple as the fan caught the light. This sheen made it especially shiny, and the signals, he knew, could be seen from a great distance. It was an ancient artifact, rumoured to be the gift of a Lion daimyo who owed a debt of honor to a Dragon samurai. It had been carried by the Dragon generals since that time, and was known throughout Rokugan as a priceless heirloom.
He returned the fan to its place, carefully, but with anger in his heart, that Yokuni did not trust him to lead the armies of the Dragon, that he was right to do so, that his own heart was filled with ambition and desire which had nothing to do with obedience to his lord but to the satisfaction of his own desires.
He drew his thoughts away from these things when a runner trotted lightly to him, and bowed deeply. "Lord!"
"You have news." Daini said.
"Hai. The last of the northern levies have arrived. Sukune states that the majority of the remaining strength of the Dragon is ready, and awaiting your word to depart. The provisions have already begun moving southwards, under guards. We shall have supplies waiting when you arrive; we have but to know where the honorable Lord desires to go."
Daini's eyes flicked to the runner, but that worthy's eyes were averted. "We will travel south, until we leave the foothills below the Northern Wall. We will veer eastward then, and move in a general south-eastern fashion. I will make up my mind once I see the lands through which we will be travelling."
His voice sounded confident; he had no idea where he was going..