Chihaya, already in a foul mood, came to court.
That Togashi Iko was now calling for support of the usurper shocked, and deeply angered her.
The world was gone mad.
From a place to the side, she watched the back and forth in silence, ruminating over her own thoughts, wondering if perhaps it was true - on a day like this, the idea that the empire deserved punishment was somewhat appealing.
Yet, she couldn't agree - that one should turn such dishonorable violence upon the innocent was not a valid choice - not now, not ever. These berserk were, perhaps, never so honorable as they pretended. Perhaps the Empire must learn that. If these armies were staffed so thoroughly by Matsu, perhaps the Matsu family had a flaw which required mending.
Now how to convince others of that fact?
As Horo gave her speech, Chihaya couldn't shake a sadness - the young miharu should know better.
Finally, Chihaya took a place on the open floor, stating calmly, "It seems there is some confusion as to the nature of those who approach this city. Let me tell you then, the story of the battle outside Toshi no Omoidasu."
Courtiers who hadn't managed to find excuses to leave gave one another panicked looks - the Sparrow was about to tell a story.
And so she did.
Suzume Chihaya wrote:
The battle began with a sound - a noise like thunder which rolled across the plains outside the city. In the midst of the storm, a new, unnatural thunder, rolled out. The sound of thousands of feet charging across the open ground, thousands of voices loud with gutteral and inhuman fury.
As they approached, the honorable samurai tasked with defense of the city began to fire upon them with arrows and the aid of the kami. There was no honor or courage among the attackers - they shoved their own soldiers in front of them to serve as living shields, making no effort to protect their comrades in the heat of battle. Dozens upon dozens fell, one after another, and the tide trampled them underfoot, uncaring.
At last, they crashed against the walls, and were repulsed. Then, as they attempted to regroup, a small team of samurai sallied forth to meet them on the field and rout them.
There, eight of these supposedly honorable ancestors did battle with the defenders of Toshi no Omoidosu, in full view of the gate, and the attacking army. Outnumbered two to one, Akodo Touki, Matsu Kogyoku, the abbess Kayou, and Suzume Chihaya took their places before the city gate. This fight I tell from the perspective of myself - Suzume Chihaya, as witness to events.
As her three companions charged into the enemy, Suzume Chihaya intercepted two of the attackers who tried to break past. In the initial moments of battle, mighty blows were exchanged, and Akodo Touki slew the first of the enemy with two masterful strokes of his no-dachi.
At that moment, the true nature of the enemy was revealed - one of these supposedly honorable Matsu ancestors declared himself the grandfather of Matsu Kogyoku, and then, with no hesitation, attempted to use her surprise as an opening to strike her down. An honorless ploy, from a man without any hint of sincerity or honor. That he would use the pretense of being an honored forebear is indication of the depths to which these enemies will sink.
The battle continued as the abbess Kayou weathered many blows, finally being driven to her knees by a multitude of strikes, but in her heroic endurance, she provided opportunity for Akodo Touki to strike down two more of the foe. Perhaps because of the underhanded nature of the foe, but Matsu Kogyoku was initially off balance, failing to overcome this pretender, claiming to be her kin - yet after an exchange of blows, she remained standing while he fell. Their strikes were not bloodless, and it is testament to her sense of duty that she remained standing amid such injury.
Suzume Chihaya, for her part, was spared any foolish trickery, and fought the clumsiest of the foe, for they failed to land any telling blows against her, and were steadily cut down, one after another, by her patient strikes. After one had fallen to her blade, the other turned his back on her, instead ambushing Akodo Touki from behind, and mortally wounding him. Such disgraceful conduct left the spirit open to attack, and Suzume Chihaya dealt a killing blow to end his honorless existence.
In mortal combat, Matsu Kogyoku, despite her wounds, was able to bring down another of the spirits which had suffered injury in battle against the Abbess Kayou, this spirit was now attempting to slay Matsu Kogyoku, in the same dishonorable manner as his compatriot - yet his aim was poor and she not only survived, but took his head as repayment.
The last of the foe, eager to draw blood from the heroic defenders who had already suffered much injury, charged toward the honorable Matsu Kogyoku, fully ignoring Suzume Chihaya, who removed his arms, and then his head, as punishment for his arrogance.
Seeing this, the enemy broke, fleeing the field in cowardly fashion, abandoning their wounded, their honor, and their duty to their lord all in one moment. At no time in this battle did these samurai display any tenant of bushido - not courage, not duty to their lord or clan, not sincerity, not courtesy, nor honesty, and certainly not compassion.
Her story finished, she added, perhaps too simply, "Those who would trust the future to these... they deserve the doom they invite upon themselves."
It was heartfelt, a sincere expression of the rage she felt at those who now betrayed the empire, from within and without, who seemed hell-bent on destroying the future of her children.
It was, unfortunately, not particularly persuasive, given how many courtiers had spaced out after her long tale, and were only now realizing she had finished, completely missing the punchline.
Moving back and yielding the floor, her thoughts chased one another, in turmoil.
(PM if approaching)
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https://orokos.com/roll/800238 0 points.
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