By the time we arrived at the Shrine of the 7 Thunders Horiyuki had recovered and we were all wondering what we would do next. For the time we would wait until Hiro returned, but after that? After that we still did not know.
We were not the only ones to come to the Shrine. There were others, a small by steady number coming each day. Samurai of each Clan, many on their way somewhere, though they would not say to where. Samurai from enemy clans came there, to pray for guidance I suppose. It was what I was doing at times.
I could understand why they had come. The Empire was at war with itself, two sides, each with a man who had a rightful claim to the throne. How to deal with that? And what about the true enemies of the Empire? The Shadowlands had not gone away, that threat was still present, still strong.
Many were asking themselves what was most important. The duty they owed their families, or Clans, or the Emperor, or the Empire, which were they to follow. It was no longer possible to follow them all, not with the way Rokugan had been fractured.
They came to the Shrine, which represented, among many things, a time when the Empire was united in a common cause, under one Emperor.
I doubt any of them found an easy answer. I know I did not.
When Hiro arrived he told us what they had seen, of the Scorpions in the Phoenix lands, and of what they had done. Was that possible? Could they have the power to take over the minds of others? And even if they did, how could they have claimed the Elemental Masters?
What was happening in the Empire? And what part did we have in these events?
Some of our questions were soon to be answered in the form of Bayushi Metsuko—she wore a mask that covered her eyes--a Samurai Ko who had also come to the Shrine. For what reason I was never sure. Perhaps one day I will find out.
Akayama invited her to sit by our fire the night she came and asked her if she would like to play a game of Go. She demurred, and said that she would not be up to playing with the great Crab General. Akayama insisted and she took a seat across from him. I had begun to realise that Akayama used the game to size people up. He learned much from the way they played, though I am not sure how.
As they played, they talked, Metsuko repeating things that we had already heard from others. The Crane forces had increased their numbers with most of the minor clans firmly in their camp. The battles between the Lions and the Unicorns had increased, though no one was quite sure when the Crane would enter the war.
Finally Akayama took control of most of the board. His stones were all over the board, in many of the two eye groupings that made them secure. Metsuko on the other hand had but a few stones left and no hope for victory.
"What of you Bayushi-san," he asked, still looking down at the board as if it could tell him everything.
Nearby Hashi lay wrapped in his blankets, looking as if he was asleep, but I think he was listening.
I sat a little distance away from the fire, having found it too warm. I suspected that with my grey kimono I was a little like a shadow.
Hiro had been watching the game intently, as if hoping to learn something from it. Perhaps he had. Akayama’s teaching methods were strange, but highly effective.
Murusashi was sprawled close to the fire, roasting a fish he had taken from a mountain stream close by. The scent of the cooking fish filled them area, smelling good, even though the Dragon was burning it a little.
Niya knelt close to Akayama, also observing the game, and perhaps staying close to him.
We all, even Hashi I suspect, waited for the Scorpion’s words.
"I simply travel here, I am confused, like the others. I hope to find guidance."
Akayama shook his head. "No, there is more to it than that."
For a moment it looked as if she smiled, but I was not sure. It may have just been the way the firelight played across her face.
"You carry the Tears of Morning," she said.
"Akodo Niya carries the sword," Akayama told her.
"Of course." She nodded. "Yet you travel together."
"What of it," Murusashi asked. He pulled his fish from the fire and took a bite of it.
"Do you know the true nature of that sword?" The question seemed to hang in the air about us. When no one answered she looked at the board for a moment, then back up. "A faction, one that has begun to gain more and more power has split the Scorpion Clan," she said. I think few of us could hide our interest at her words, it was not something we would have expected to hear, and we were not sure how it related to the sword. I was also a little wary of the Scorpion’s words, it was not as if she came from a Clan well known for honesty.
"This faction is known as the Black Circle and they have worked to seize control of the Clan. They have also broken the seals on the Black Scrolls and are using the knowledge they have found there."
This surprised us all. The Black Scrolls? Could that be where the Scorpions had found the power to subjugate the wills of the Elemental Masters?
"Of course there are those that resist them and try to stop them," Metsuko said, the implication being that she was part of such a group. "We have seen, well, not the scrolls, but copies of them. Copies, of copies of copies," she said, trailing off slightly as if she was somewhat embarrassed by admitting the source of her knowledge was so far from the original. "In one it tells of how Shinsei-sama, with the help of the Thunders set up a barrier that would keep the full power of the dark one and his minions from Rokugan. There were several aspects to that barrier, but the key piece was the Lion Thunder’s sword, the Tears of Morning. Once it was removed, the barrier fell."
I suppose all of us were a little shocked at such a statement. Hiro looked distressed, I suppose it only made sense. He had helped to bring that weapon from where it had been. Niya also seemed bothered by this news and stared at the blade she carried.
None of us were sure of what to make of all this information. Nor did we know what to do next.
"It would be the Scorpion who would break a trust given to them by the first Hantei for their own benefit," I said.
Metsuko looked at me. "Be careful what you say Crane," her voice was soft.
"One need not be careful when only speaking the truth."
Metsuko rose, as did I. We stood, the fire between us, hands on our swords. "Where is all your talk about the value of peace? Are you not a Crane? Are you not Doji Natsumi who often said that every clan with Rokugan served a purpose and was needed?"
That surprised me a little, that she might know so much about me. Still, I did not let it show, and I was not put off my own attack. "Yes, and the Scorpion’s have turned their back on their purpose and exist only for themselves."
I saw her stiffen slightly at that. "She was right, you could be one of us," Metsuko said softly.
I kept myself still at that, not sure whether it was an insult or a compliment, and not caring either way.
Akayama spoke up then. "Sit down Bayushi-san, I’ve seen where you made your mistake. Let me explain it to you." He indicated the board.
Neither of us were particularly sure of what we should do. Words had been spoken, but none of them quite enough to demand a duel. I was ready for one, as was Metsuko, though she would die. She sat down, as Akayama had told her. I do not think it was because she was afraid, it was just that she, like myself, at the time, saw no need for it.
I turned and walked towards the shrine. I still had much to think on, as did we all.
The next morning Metsuko was gone. She did not disappear in any wondrous or mysterious manner. She left shortly before sunrise while Hiro was on watch. I do not know where she went or what happened to her after that. I hope we will meet again, just so we might settle, one way or another, the words that still hang between us.
While she had not been with us long, Metsuko’s words were troublesome indeed. Now we had to ask ourselves if we should return the Tears of Morning to the Shadowlands to once again erect the barrier that had been set up there long ago. How would we even do such a thing? We might have to find this Black Circle and take the scrolls from them for the knowledge we sought.
We learned more that made our decision that much more difficult. Samurai who came to the shrine told us of battles being fought as the Empire moved closer and closet to a state of complete warfare. There were rumours that attacks against the Kaiu Wall had increased daily, that there was talk among the Crab that it might fall. The forces the Crab had sent to help the Lion were being recalled.
The forces under the Crane had increased, swelling the ranks of those armies. And then they had attacked the lands of the Dragonfly. A strange thing to do, since the Dragonfly, and the Dragon, had not declared for either side. Perhaps not so strange. Sometimes it is best to treat a neutral party as an enemy, just in case. Especially if you are positive you can beathim.
This news did not rest well with us. The situation in the Empire was deteriorating and we still had not decided how we might help.
Should we return the Tears of Morning to the Shadowlands? Should we join one faction or another and help them win so that attention could be turned to the real enemy? Should we seek out this Shadowbanner that was possibly the best hope for the Empire. If the stories we heard were to be believed the Shadowbanner had an army equal to any of the seven great clans.
We had to make a decision though. That point was hammered home to us on the day we heard that the Unicorn had broken. We had heard that the Phoenix and the Unicorn were taking terrible casualties, assailed by powerful and strange sorceries from the Scorpion, but that the Unicorn would break? We had never expected that. The Scorpion with their terrible magics were continuing the assault, driving the Unicorn farther and farther back.
There were terrible stories of what the Lion armies had done, terrible indeed. None of us were sure if we should believe them. It seemed so unlikely.
The rumours of what were happening in his lands were enough to make Hiro act. He told us he would ride to his home to find out what had happened. If possible he would return to us when he could. He would leave the next day. That left us to decide what we would do.
The same ideas as before were discussed, what to do, where all of our loyalties lay. We were no closer to a decision than we had been before.
I spent most of my time in the shrine, sitting seiza in front of the statue of the Crane Thunder. My mind was full of many things as I tried to reach a decision. We had to end the fighting between the clans, to make sure everyone turned their attention to the real threat. If we did not, then the Clans would spend their strength fighting each other and no mater which side won, we would all lose.
I thought about the stories we had heard about the fighting in the Unicorn lands. Stories of Matsu Samurai cutting down peasants, children, people who could not fight. Slaughtering them. Stories of horses being butchers, tails and manes hung on Matsu battle standards as grisly trophies. How could they have done such a thing?
Of course, that was what the creatures of the Shadowlands would do if they broke past the wall. Those who could fight would at least have a chance to die with some honour. Those who could not would be ripped apart by beasts.
When I had met Akira in Shirokozozoku he had said something strange. He had said the Empire was in danger and I had looked up at the ruined castle and said it would be terrible if all of Rokugan ended up like the village. He had told me if that was the worse that would happen he would not be so worried.
It had struck me odd at the time and I had not pursued it. It was not until I was kneeling in front of the statue of the Crane thunder, deep in thought, that I realised what he had meant.
The peasants of the village were still alive, still living their lives as always. The Samurai were gone, but they had died protecting the village, in a way. As warriors we were supposed to die to protect those who could not protect themselves. For this we took what we wanted, food, clothing, armour, weapons, all of it. They provided us with what we needed.
Now we were killing those who could not protect themselves in the drive for power.
What could I do to stop such a thing?
I was still deep in thought when I heard the floor boards creak slightly beside me. I looked up to see an old monk kneeling down. He prayed for a time, then looked up at me. "You have many questions don’t you Doji Natsumi?"
I was a little surprised to be addressed do. "Who are you?" I asked, a little rudely.
"My name is Soronshu," he said.
"You were the one who sent them into the Shadowlands to get the Tears of Morning."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"That is not important to you."
I thought about that for a moment then nodded. "I suppose."
"Doji-san, you know your family had given its daughters to other clans since the beginning of the Empire."
"Yes."
"For reasons of peace, and for small gains of their own the Crane have done this. Never once have they asked for the true value of such priceless gifts. Now, that price will be paid."
"What do you mean?"
"The Gifts of the Crane are yours. And for the daughters given, you may call upon a favour from each Clan, once, and it will be given."
"I don’t understand," I said to him, even though something inside me said he spoke the truth.
"You will in time," he told me. Then he got to his feet, bowed once to the statue, and walked away, exiting the Shrine.
Soronshu joined the others outside, and I could hear their conversation. Hiro of course recognised the old monk and told the others who he was.
Niya asked him about the sword she carried, and if it had really been part of a barrier that had kept the fallen brother at bay.
Soronshu told her that it was true, and that the removal of the sword had indeed caused the barrier to fall, allowing the dark one to work his will, such as it was, on the Empire again.
Akayama said that they would have to return the blade then, to put the barrier up once more. Soronshu asked him if that was indeed what he wanted to do. He told them that in a decade, perhaps two the dark one would have gathered enough strength to break the barrier, and at that time his armies would have been prepared. His forces were moving now, but they were not as ready as they might have been. It gave us a chance.
Unfortunately with the Empire at war with itself, it was a chance that we might never be able to use.
They asked more questions of the old monk, though he never really answered them, instead he asked questions in return. Sometimes this helped the others realise what the answer was. Other times it was of no help.
I was listening, and at the same time thinking about all the helpless people who would be harmed. Did we ever think of them? Should we?
I slowly began to remove my armour, placing each piece carefully at the foot of the statue. I felt like a reverse Hitomi. She took up armour. I gave mine up. I wanted to be able to speak for those who could not defend themselves, whether they by courtiers of the clans, or artisans, or peasants in the field. To do that I had to stop being a bushi.
Of course I could never stop being what I am, and it may have been nothing but an empty gesture, but the poet in me so loves these things.
While the others talked I finished undressing, then reached for my pack. I took out a kimono, unfolding it carefully. I dressed quickly, then packed my wakizashi away in my pack, wrapping it up carefully. From the pack I removed my sword carrier. A square of cloth, with the Crane mon, sewn at the top so I could fit my katana’s saya into it. A strap was sewn to it so I could carry it over my shoulder. There are times when it is impossible to slide a sword under your obi, especially with a woman’s kimono.
Soronshu had left, disappearing as mysteriously as he had arrived, by the time I walked out of the shrine.
"I am leaving for Crane lands," I told them.
"Why?" Akayama asked me.
"Do you think that wise?" Niya looked up at me.
"We have to end this fighting between clans," I told them.
They nodded and indicated their agreement.
"I will go to the Crane first and tell them what we have discovered, what it means. I will convince them of it. Once they have agreed to it, we will be able to convince the Lion and their allies of where the real danger lies."
"That makes a rather large assumption that you can convince your Clan," Murusashi said to me.
I nodded. "I believe that it is possible."
Akayama nodded after a time. "It is a start."
The others agreed that we would try my plan, all except Hiro, who was returning home, and Horiyuki. Horiyuki told us that he would go and find out what the Shadow Banner represented. The Shadow Banner had been on our minds of late, and we were glad Horiyuki would go and find out about it for us.
The next morning Hiro rode away, riding down the mountain at great speed. I thought he and his horse would surely go crashing down the rocky sides, but it did not happen.
The rest of us went down at a more leisurely pace. At the lower part of the mountain Horiyuki left us, heading towards Beiden pass.
After leaving us Hiro rode fast, hardly resting along the long journey. He did not run into many Lion during this time, not that he was trying to avoid them. The few times he did encounter a patrol he dealt with them quickly, and brutally.
When he reached his lands he found out that the rumours we had been hearing were true. The bodies of the defenceless lay scattered about, left where they had been cut down in most cases. He discovered the carcasses of horses, cut up, lying on roads, and found bones in stables that had been burnt down.
He also learned that the Lions had taken many of the horses, as well as kidnapping Unicorn stable masters. Hiro’s anger grew over this, every mile he travelled he saw and learned more of the terrible things that had been done in the lands of the Unicorn. He may not have been able to express it, so I will. There is no glory in the killing of the helpless. There is no honour in theft. The Matsu, and the Lion, have done things that can never be undone. They have poisoned their souls with this.
Hiro soon learned that his people had left their lands, travelling out to the Burning Sands where they could be safe from what was going on in Rokugan. Mostly those there were those who were not trained in combat. Those who could fight were either dead in the battle, or had gone in number to the Crane lands to aid their allies. And then some had just gone.
Hiro told his people that he would return to them, if he could, before the spring foaling. Then he left them, returning to the Empire.
The rest of us made our way to the Crane lands, avoiding Lion patrols and places of habitation. We travelled quickly as possible, ready for a fight if it came to that, but hoping to avoid it if possible. We were not particularly stealthy, it was not in any of our natures really. We were lucky. To a point.
We would be passing close to the Shiro Matsu. Over the days leading up to us getting to the castle we noted that there was an increase in Lion patrols and troop movements. Curious as to what was going on, Niya decided that she would go to the castle and learn what she could. Hashi decided to go with her, to protect her, and Akayama, Murusashi and I would go up into the hills above the city and wait for them to come out.
Unfortunately Akodo Niya, a woman who had learned the skills of a Shugenja and Bushi in such a short time, was not someone who could go unnoticed in the Lion lands, or a lion city. Niya was brought before Matsu-sama, the Daimyo of the Lion Clan. Niya’s absence had been noted, and Matsu Tsuko wanted to know why. Whatever answers Niya gave did not please the Lioness for she ordered Niya to join the army that was to march on Kosaten Shiro.
Niya would later tell us that Matsu-sama recognised that the sword that Niya carried was very old. She asked about it but Niya did not tell her the weapon’s true history or name. Matsu-sama promised that the Katana would be sent to Niya’s family if she were to die on the battlefield.
Akayama, Murusashi and I had gone into the hills above the city. I remember stopping at a small shrine dedicated to the Matsu family. I stopped at it to offer a prayer that the Lions might realise the danger that the Empire was in and remember their duty. I placed an origami crane on the shrine as an offering, then left.
We avoided several patrols and found a place to watch the castle below us. The sun was beginning to set when we saw a body of about fifty men come into the castle. From the distance it was hard to be sure of anything, but we did see the colours on their battle standard. They were Scorpion, coming to join the battle.
While Niya and Hashi stayed in the castle, preparing to march out the next day, we remained in the hills, watching.
When day came we saw a small group of Lions, scouts, enter the castle. Not long afterwards we saw the army begin to march out. It was composed mostly of Akodo, Ikomas and Kitsu Shugenja. Niya befriended its commander, Ikoma Ichiru and they would spend much time talking. From him she, and then we, learned that Tsuko was getting rid of certain people she did not trust, or felt were loyal to the Lion, but not to her.
We moved out after the army, certain that we could easily outpace the huge body of men, and get ahead of it. We were right of course, and caught up with it soon. We waited until night fell, then moved off the road into the woods to pass the body of men.
Of course the Lions had scouts out to stop just that sort of thing. We ran into a small patrol, seeing their lanterns ahead. We were spread out in a line, so if one was discovered, the others might come in and help, or get free. Murusashi was closest to this group and was discovered when his packhorse whinnied. His katana was out if its sheath in a moment, slashing through one of the men, and cutting the pole he carried a lantern on.
Akayama moved into aid Murusashi, as did I. I had my bow out and an arrow ready. It was a tough shot. The woods, the darkness, but on the other hand, most of the Lions were carrying lanterns. They gave me a target.
As Murusashi cut down another, my arrow felled a third. Another two fell to Murusashi and myself, then Akayama reached the battle and between he and Akayama they killed the rest, quickly, but not terribly quietly.
We heard shouts of alarm from the main camp, and we could see lanterns moving through the woods. None of us wanted to face the entire army right then so we continued moving through the woods, leaving the Lions behind.
We now had a clear ride to Cross Roads Castle and we began to move even faster. We did encounter a few outriders and scouts and avoided them where possible, and killed them where it was not.
We were just reaching the border to Crane lands when Akayama suddenly stopped. He looked at us and then told us that he would go back. Someone had to protect Niya, take her out of the army if possible. I did not care for the idea, but Akayama would not be stopped. He left Murusashi and I, and went back the way we had come.
Murusashi and myself went on, arriving at Kosaten Shiro two days ahead of the Lion army. We were soon brought to Daidoji Churi, the young, and handsome, Daimyo of Kosaten, and Doji Rizoa, the commander of the troops there. Rizoa-sama was an old, battle hardened man, among the best generals in the Cranes army. They say he trained at the Akodo war collage for several years before returning home to train at the Daidoji school. A dangerous man.
We told them of the army that was approaching quickly. We were told that they already knew, but they thanked us for bringing them the information. I told them of some of the things we had learned, of the threat from the Shadowlands and such. I did not tell them everything, it was not really the place. While they were interested, they had a Lion army marching on them and that was of greater concern.
I asked if I could be present when they went out to parley with the Lions. I still hoped that it might be possible to forge peace between the two sides. This was a good place to start.
Murusashi and I were given rooms, offered food, fresh clothing, baths, everything we need.
Far away, but travelling faster than any of us might have imagined, Hiro was coming towards us. That night we heard the rumble of thunder, though the sky was clear. Sometime later Hiro rode into the castle. As it turned out he was not looking for us, Hiro and Daidoji Churi were friends. We were glad to have Hiro with us.
Akayama had arrived at the Crab army and was soon taken to its commander. He met Niya there and told Ichiru-san that he was there to protect her. By this time Niya had already revealed the Tears of Morning to Ichiru so he understood why Akayama was there.
Knowledge of what they had been sent for had a negative effect on the Lion’s morale, but as word of the swords presence began to get out, the Lion’s morale began to lift.
The Lions arrived near the castle late in the evening the day after Murusashi and I had arrived. They set up camp in the darkness and prepared for the next morning.
When the sun began to raise it glinted off the points of thousands of spears, and sword blades. Both armies were arrayed across from each other. The Lion forces were arranged in two groups, with the small Scorpion contingent behind them.
The Crane army was set to meet them, a strong centre, with flanking groups on either side. The flanking groups looked small. The one to the right was small, but had advantageous ground. The group to the left looked to be a severe disadvantage, which was what Rizoa-san wanted the Lions to think. Hidden in pits, covered with bamboo and grass frames, were a large number of soldiers, waiting for the right moment to spring forth.
It was a very good plan.
I rode out with Rizoa, Churi and Hiro, as well as bodyguards and a few others, to meet with the commander of the Lions army. With Ichiru was Niya, Akayama and Hashi.
We talked for a time, the sort of things that are always discussed at times like that. Rizoa told Ichiru he should withdraw his forces and leave, to not waste the lives of their men. Ichiru of course refused. I could tell Rizoa was trying to get the Lion Commander to make a mistake, but he never did.
I asked Niya what she was doing there and how she dared to use the weapon she carried in such a battle. She simply said she was a Lion. It was not the answer I wanted, but the only one she could give. She drew the sword then, though not in a threatening manner. I noticed that Hiro looked uncomfortable as the Lion around us raised their voices, calling out Niya’s name. What was she doing?
I then spoke to them all, I had picked my words carefully, with thought, I wanted it to be something they would remember, and perhaps repeat to others. I told them that the Empire was in danger, and the fighting between clans might doom the Empire. I said that the Clans were like two men, fighting for the best seat in the house, while the house burnt down around them. Then, I said that we had put two suns in heaven, and the true sun would show itself by dealing with the approaching Shadow.
It was a nice body of words, I was rather pleased with it at the time. Now it’s been quoted back to me so often I wish I had done something simpler. Murusashi on the other hand did something both simple, and rather bizarre. Even for a Dragon.
He had not come with us. Instead he had ridden his horse to a raise on the side of the battle, the standard of the Dragon raised above him. While we were talking he rode out towards us, stopping his horse some distance away. We had finished talking at that point and all looked at the Dragon with curiosity.
Ichiru was the first to ask Murusashi what he wanted, if the Dragon planned to get involved in the battle. Murusashi called them all fools for fighting. To this day I’ll never quite understand why.
His pronouncement caused some upset among both sides, and I saw people stiffening, as if they were getting ready to act. To the man beside me I said, "To get angry is to give his words weight they do not deserve." He thought about it, then nodded, taking control of himself again.
There was no one to offer such advice to the Lion who challenged Murusashi to a duel.
Both men dropped into their stances, and a moment later the Lion was dead.
Having spoken his words, he turned and walked back to his horse. He mounted, then rode off, back to the raise where he would watch the battle from. I think everyone was too stunned to do anything. The two commanders looked at each other, as if agreeing no matter what the differences between them, they would always have the common ground of not understanding the Dragon.
Both groups turned and went back to their armies. The battle was to begin soon.
I rode through the lines, not intending to fight in the battle, though I wanted to. I was angry at Niya for using the Tears of Morning in such a manner. The thought of meeting her on the battlefield was a pleasing one. Instead I rode back to the reserves and dismounted. I had planned on moving farther back, to be close to the retreating non combatants in case they needed protection. I knew what the Lions had done in the Unicorn lands.
I gathered up my bow, put an arrow to the string and then moved up onto a small raise so I could see the battlefield. It would be an impossible shot perhaps, but I thought I might be able to do it. I wanted to kill Akodo Niya for what she was doing. I had let emotions get the better of me.
My arrow struck close to Niya, who was at the very fore of the charging Lion army, her presence there to boost the Lion’s morale. That was my only contribution to the battle.
The Lions behaved much as Rizoa had predicted, ignoring the left flank as they charged towards the central body of the crane. Once they were committed the soldiers toss back the blinds, swarmed from the pits and charged the Lions.
Then the Scorpions entered the battle. A huge, greenish purple cloud was called up, directly in front of the charging Crane. Where the cloud went the grass and plants withered and died, and those men who charged into it met similar fates.
The Crane Shugenja tried to turn this cloud away, to call up winds to drive it back towards those that had called it up. They told me that the cloud was nothing like he had ever seen before, the force behind it completely alien to them.
It had trapped a large potion of the Crane army from the battle, allowing the Lions to slam into the main body of our army with their entire force.
At the very front of the battle Niya charged with her comrades, the presence of the Tears of Morning having the effect they had desired. They tore into the front ranks of the Cranes, and the army almost broke under that initial charge.
Then Hiro entered the battle in earnest. Lighting ripped from the sky, crashing into the Lion ranks, breaking their momentum. Rizoa used this to rally his troops and get them back into position.
As the battle continued, something interesting happened. Where Niya was the advance was actually faltering slightly. Many Lions would halt their advance to throw themselves between Niya and danger, saving her. Some even struck down those who challenged her to a duel. It was as if saving her became more important than their honour.
Hiro, so obvious on his huge war horse had pushed into the battle, calling down lightning, cutting through men, looking for the Matsu banner he had seen earlier. On that banner were white manes and tails, the trophies the Matsu had claimed in the Unicorn lands.
Hiro found them, and the sky seemed to crack as he called down a huge bolt of lightning. The resulting clap of thunder was the only noise heard, it had completely drowned out the sounds of the battle. We were deafened momentarily by the noise and blinded momentarily by the flash. When it was over, where the Matsu banner had been, and those around it, was nothing but a crater.
While such a display of power heartened the Crane, it was Hiro’s next action that truly made the difference. He pushed farther into the battle until he could see the Scorpion contingent. Then he called a lance of lighting from the sky, putting it directly into the place where the man the Scorpion Samurai were guarding was.
After that, the cloud began to dissipate, and the Shugenja’s breezes began to push it away. The soldiers now charged across the dead grass, slamming into the Lion’s exposed flank.
That was the beginning of the end. The Lion were pushed back, and began to take monstrous casualties. Ichiru ordered Niya to escape, to save the sword, then he, and every Lion with him, gave their lives to provide Niya with that escape.
So the battle ended. The Crane had won, and the losses were less than anyone had expected. Of the Lions, most were dead. The few that remained retreated, or committed Sepuku.
Afterwards, in Rizoa’s tent, he and Churi thanked Hiro for his help. I sat there as well, my brush poised over a piece of paper, thinking about what had happened.
Autumns scent in air,
The ground stained by blood and death,
Soon cloaked by white snow.