Legend of the 5 Rings fiction
Oct. 1st, 2007 03:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
akaihyoTotally unofficial, by me. What Seppun Kiharu, who I played in the Winter Court game, is up to at the current point in the storyline. I suspect it is entirely incomprehensible to those who are not following the L5R storyline fiction, so, thus it is
The Imperial City, year 1169, Month of the Rooster
Seppun Kiharu looked out and Toshi Ranbo, the imperial capital, lay spread out before him, the view from this balcony of the palace was impressive. The scars of the battles earlier in the year had not been entirely removed but the worst of the damage was gone. The roads had been the first things rebuilt, allowing materials and workers to flow where they were need. New buildings replaced the ruins of old. Scaffolding covered the walls of the city as teams of masons rebuilt them. Between the wonders of spring and the hard work of the people, the city was coming alive again.
Only his force of will kept the Master of Ten Thousand Temples from glancing up at the massive dragon coiling above the palace, a visible reminder of the Phoenix and their desire to maintain peace in the capital. He gingerly kneeled to add a stick of incense to the small shrine dedicated to Bayushi Kaukatsu, the last Imperial Chancellor, on the balcony. It was a small gesture to a man whom Kiharu had often been at odds with in life, but one he respected as a true servant of the Empire. He paused to check the ofuda strung around and above the shrine, the wards failed the palace once, but never again, he had sworn.
The Seppun nodded to his faithful servant, the monk Nara, who handed his master a cup of strong tea and set out the morning’s correspondence. After once last look over the city, Kiharu sat.
Opening the first scroll, one sealed with the Seppun mon. The news was as he expected, there had been trouble with the Lion seeking to deny the Unicorn craftsmen and supplies to right cross the lands of the Lion to the capital. Having sent an escort of Seppun guards and Ten Thousand Temples monks to first aid the Lion and then guide the Unicorn back had proved to a wise precaution. While the Khan may have proved himself a traitor to the Empire, the Unicorn Clan remained a vital part of Rokugan and the grand temple to the Lords of Death promised at Winter Court would be built among the Ten Thousand Temples. The need for it was greater now, the spirits of the slain Unicorn needed to be sent on their way. Toshi Ranbo had enough ghosts.
At least the Khan’s ambition gave the Ten Thousand Temples the leverage they needed to shape the new temple into a style more suiting to Rokugan. If the Lord of Death were to stand among the other kami, they would do so as Rokugani gods, not gaijin ones. All members of the Order were instructed to only call them the Lords of Death. As the Unicorn were part of the Empire, so too, are their gods. Kiharu wrote out a reply commending the commander of the Seppun escort on his efforts and another to one of his abbots to make certain that appropriate quarters were made available for the Unicorn workers on their arrival at the capital.
Kiharu considered writing a long letter justifying his actions in practical terms to Matsu Kenji, but stopped, she would realize that supplies sent to the capitol were not feeding the Unicorn she would be fighting and materials used to build the temple would not be fortifying Shiro Moto. Instead, he sent the Matsu daimyo a simple note inquiring after her health and a box of tea, both black and herbal mixtures, for she would be needing such he judged.
He was just about to open another scroll when the sounds of a disturbance reached his ears and two young women clad in green kimonos with brown and black obis, chased by a trio of Seppun miharu, burst out upon the balcony. Nara had, seemingly without moving, placed himself between the potential threat and his master. He relaxed and stepped aside with a bow as he saw the two young ladies.
“Seppun-sama! Seppun-sama!” they cried, smiling and weaving around Nara and the writing table.
“Ohayo, Kyoko-chan, Kiyoko-chan,” smiled the old Seppun as the eldest daughter and eldest niece of the Moshi daimyo bowed to him. He returned the bow. “What bring you here beside your need to disrupt the lives of my personal guard?”
The Moshi giggled and bowed to the guards. “Gomen, gomen.” Kiharu waved the put-upon Seppun back to their posts. Nara poured tea for the young women.
“Doji Nagori-sama has invited us to an impromptu play at the Crane estates, Seppun-sama,” said Kyoko.
“May we please go, Seppun-sama? It is this afternoon when we were going to visit the temples with you,” added Kiyoko.
Kiharu nodded. “Of course you may go, indeed, I insist. Such opportunities are rare and should not be missed. If I did not have my official duties, I would accompany you. As it is, I will have to send Kazushige-san and Takaaki-san to escort you in my stead.” He named two of the Seppun who had made favorable impression on the young Moshi. Kiyoko hid a blush.
“Domo, domo arigato, Seppun-sama!” said Kyoko smiling broadly. “We will spend all day tomorrow helping at the temple to make it up, ne?”
“Hai, that would be delightful, Kyoko-chan, now go and get ready. You will want to look your best for the Cranes.” The two girls bowed low and withdrew, breaking into a scurry once they were out of sight if not out of hearing.
Nara frowned as he watched them go. “You think I spoil them, ne?” asked the old Seppun.
“Hai,” said the monk. “They will not learn discipline if they are indulged.”
“They will be burdened with responsibility soon enough, this will give them a chance to make contacts and perhaps even friends among the Crane. As the future daimyo of the Moshi, Kyoko-chan needs to have a wide net of contacts.”
Reluctantly, Nara nodded. “That is so, sensei. I forget the necessity of politics and a courtly gathering can be as challenging as a battlefield. But is she prepared?”
“Her mother has seen that the policial part of her upbringing has not been neglected. And Taakai-san has trained with the Otomo and Doji families, he will guide them through the dangerous shoals of the political sea as needed,” replied Kiharu turning back to the letters. Taking one bearing the Toritaka family mon her cracked the seal and read.
“It seems that Batou-san is fitting in well among the Crab and the Toritaka, I am glad,” he looked to the ofuda. “I fear that the next few years will spawn more than a few restless spirits.”
Nara glanced at Kaukatsu’s shrine. “I suspect you are correct, master.”
“I will ask for a pair of the Toritaka ghost hunters to be sent here,” replied Kiharu taking up a brush. “They can teach the exorcists of the Ten Thousand Temples and the Seppun Hidden Guard as well.”
Nara nodded and took the first group of outgoing letters to a waiting Miya who would see them on their way. Kiharu opened a scroll sealed with the Kitsuki mon, he read through and nodded. “It seems that Togashi Satsu-dono and Kitsuki Iweko-sama will assign a group of Kitsuki magistrate to assist the Imperial guard, such as remains, in keeping peace. They agree that Dragon magistrates may be less provocative than . . . some of the other magistrates.”
Nara nodded remembering the trouble caused when a Tsuruchi magistrate attempted to arrest a Lion ashigaru. “A wise course, master. The Phoenix cannot be everywhere.”
“Nor would we wish them to be, Nara-san,” said Kiharu, writing his thanks to the Dragons. “The Phoenix are already attracting their share of ire from the Lion and the Mantis, we must do what we can to keep tempers calm in the city.”
“Hai,” replied Nara. “The sohei are keeping order in the temple district perhaps we could convince the Phoenix to let them patrol the noble district as well? It has remained untroubled. I believe seeing less red and orange would calm the Lions.”
Kiharu nodded and picked up his writing brush, “A wise thought, I shall ask the Phoenix if we may ease their burden.” As is in response, the celestial dragon above shifted, causing the light to take on a golden-orange tone for a moment. “Though there is little we can do to stop that from reminding all in the capital of the Phoenix peace.”
A servant arrived carrying a wrapped box of polished cherry wood. Once Kiharu gave his permission, she bowed deeply set the box on the table and withdrew. “Ah, excellent, our gift for the new Emerald Champion is ready.” He opened the box, inside was a sheathed dagger, obviously of gaijin make, and a tightly wrapped scroll. Kiharu opened the scroll, read the first few lines before nodding and returning it. The old master than carefully picked up the dagger. Nara leaned closer and a brief flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Kiharu nodded, “Yes, one of Kage-sensei’s gifts to help us fight the Nothing.” He slid the blade out, the pure crystal flashed like a ray of the sun in the reflected light of the fire dragon. “Do you think Shosuro-san will appreciate the irony of the origin of this gift?”
“He is a fool if he does not and while Jimen-sama may be many things, a fool is not one of them. It is an excellent choice, master, a clear reminder that there are threats to the Empire in the shadows.”
The Seppun smiled as he slide the dagger back into its sheath and blinked away the afterimages of the blade. “Yes, beside those of his Clan. If there was ever a time when the Scorpion were suited for the Emerald Championship, this is the time.” He closed the lid and found the letter he had already written to congratulate the new Emerald Champion.
“And the scroll accompanying the knife, master?”
“A copy of the Tao, it is the tradition of the Ten Thousand Temples to send a copy to each Emerald Champion.” He set the box with its letter along with the letter to the Phoenix and Nara took them away.
Kiharu wrapped his hands around the warmth of the recently refilled teacup and turned to look out over the city. Peace in the capital, he thought, true peace not just the absence of war, would inspire the Empire, if we can only achieve it.
Also posted on AEG's L5R FanFic board
The Imperial City, year 1169, Month of the Rooster
Seppun Kiharu looked out and Toshi Ranbo, the imperial capital, lay spread out before him, the view from this balcony of the palace was impressive. The scars of the battles earlier in the year had not been entirely removed but the worst of the damage was gone. The roads had been the first things rebuilt, allowing materials and workers to flow where they were need. New buildings replaced the ruins of old. Scaffolding covered the walls of the city as teams of masons rebuilt them. Between the wonders of spring and the hard work of the people, the city was coming alive again.
Only his force of will kept the Master of Ten Thousand Temples from glancing up at the massive dragon coiling above the palace, a visible reminder of the Phoenix and their desire to maintain peace in the capital. He gingerly kneeled to add a stick of incense to the small shrine dedicated to Bayushi Kaukatsu, the last Imperial Chancellor, on the balcony. It was a small gesture to a man whom Kiharu had often been at odds with in life, but one he respected as a true servant of the Empire. He paused to check the ofuda strung around and above the shrine, the wards failed the palace once, but never again, he had sworn.
The Seppun nodded to his faithful servant, the monk Nara, who handed his master a cup of strong tea and set out the morning’s correspondence. After once last look over the city, Kiharu sat.
Opening the first scroll, one sealed with the Seppun mon. The news was as he expected, there had been trouble with the Lion seeking to deny the Unicorn craftsmen and supplies to right cross the lands of the Lion to the capital. Having sent an escort of Seppun guards and Ten Thousand Temples monks to first aid the Lion and then guide the Unicorn back had proved to a wise precaution. While the Khan may have proved himself a traitor to the Empire, the Unicorn Clan remained a vital part of Rokugan and the grand temple to the Lords of Death promised at Winter Court would be built among the Ten Thousand Temples. The need for it was greater now, the spirits of the slain Unicorn needed to be sent on their way. Toshi Ranbo had enough ghosts.
At least the Khan’s ambition gave the Ten Thousand Temples the leverage they needed to shape the new temple into a style more suiting to Rokugan. If the Lord of Death were to stand among the other kami, they would do so as Rokugani gods, not gaijin ones. All members of the Order were instructed to only call them the Lords of Death. As the Unicorn were part of the Empire, so too, are their gods. Kiharu wrote out a reply commending the commander of the Seppun escort on his efforts and another to one of his abbots to make certain that appropriate quarters were made available for the Unicorn workers on their arrival at the capital.
Kiharu considered writing a long letter justifying his actions in practical terms to Matsu Kenji, but stopped, she would realize that supplies sent to the capitol were not feeding the Unicorn she would be fighting and materials used to build the temple would not be fortifying Shiro Moto. Instead, he sent the Matsu daimyo a simple note inquiring after her health and a box of tea, both black and herbal mixtures, for she would be needing such he judged.
He was just about to open another scroll when the sounds of a disturbance reached his ears and two young women clad in green kimonos with brown and black obis, chased by a trio of Seppun miharu, burst out upon the balcony. Nara had, seemingly without moving, placed himself between the potential threat and his master. He relaxed and stepped aside with a bow as he saw the two young ladies.
“Seppun-sama! Seppun-sama!” they cried, smiling and weaving around Nara and the writing table.
“Ohayo, Kyoko-chan, Kiyoko-chan,” smiled the old Seppun as the eldest daughter and eldest niece of the Moshi daimyo bowed to him. He returned the bow. “What bring you here beside your need to disrupt the lives of my personal guard?”
The Moshi giggled and bowed to the guards. “Gomen, gomen.” Kiharu waved the put-upon Seppun back to their posts. Nara poured tea for the young women.
“Doji Nagori-sama has invited us to an impromptu play at the Crane estates, Seppun-sama,” said Kyoko.
“May we please go, Seppun-sama? It is this afternoon when we were going to visit the temples with you,” added Kiyoko.
Kiharu nodded. “Of course you may go, indeed, I insist. Such opportunities are rare and should not be missed. If I did not have my official duties, I would accompany you. As it is, I will have to send Kazushige-san and Takaaki-san to escort you in my stead.” He named two of the Seppun who had made favorable impression on the young Moshi. Kiyoko hid a blush.
“Domo, domo arigato, Seppun-sama!” said Kyoko smiling broadly. “We will spend all day tomorrow helping at the temple to make it up, ne?”
“Hai, that would be delightful, Kyoko-chan, now go and get ready. You will want to look your best for the Cranes.” The two girls bowed low and withdrew, breaking into a scurry once they were out of sight if not out of hearing.
Nara frowned as he watched them go. “You think I spoil them, ne?” asked the old Seppun.
“Hai,” said the monk. “They will not learn discipline if they are indulged.”
“They will be burdened with responsibility soon enough, this will give them a chance to make contacts and perhaps even friends among the Crane. As the future daimyo of the Moshi, Kyoko-chan needs to have a wide net of contacts.”
Reluctantly, Nara nodded. “That is so, sensei. I forget the necessity of politics and a courtly gathering can be as challenging as a battlefield. But is she prepared?”
“Her mother has seen that the policial part of her upbringing has not been neglected. And Taakai-san has trained with the Otomo and Doji families, he will guide them through the dangerous shoals of the political sea as needed,” replied Kiharu turning back to the letters. Taking one bearing the Toritaka family mon her cracked the seal and read.
“It seems that Batou-san is fitting in well among the Crab and the Toritaka, I am glad,” he looked to the ofuda. “I fear that the next few years will spawn more than a few restless spirits.”
Nara glanced at Kaukatsu’s shrine. “I suspect you are correct, master.”
“I will ask for a pair of the Toritaka ghost hunters to be sent here,” replied Kiharu taking up a brush. “They can teach the exorcists of the Ten Thousand Temples and the Seppun Hidden Guard as well.”
Nara nodded and took the first group of outgoing letters to a waiting Miya who would see them on their way. Kiharu opened a scroll sealed with the Kitsuki mon, he read through and nodded. “It seems that Togashi Satsu-dono and Kitsuki Iweko-sama will assign a group of Kitsuki magistrate to assist the Imperial guard, such as remains, in keeping peace. They agree that Dragon magistrates may be less provocative than . . . some of the other magistrates.”
Nara nodded remembering the trouble caused when a Tsuruchi magistrate attempted to arrest a Lion ashigaru. “A wise course, master. The Phoenix cannot be everywhere.”
“Nor would we wish them to be, Nara-san,” said Kiharu, writing his thanks to the Dragons. “The Phoenix are already attracting their share of ire from the Lion and the Mantis, we must do what we can to keep tempers calm in the city.”
“Hai,” replied Nara. “The sohei are keeping order in the temple district perhaps we could convince the Phoenix to let them patrol the noble district as well? It has remained untroubled. I believe seeing less red and orange would calm the Lions.”
Kiharu nodded and picked up his writing brush, “A wise thought, I shall ask the Phoenix if we may ease their burden.” As is in response, the celestial dragon above shifted, causing the light to take on a golden-orange tone for a moment. “Though there is little we can do to stop that from reminding all in the capital of the Phoenix peace.”
A servant arrived carrying a wrapped box of polished cherry wood. Once Kiharu gave his permission, she bowed deeply set the box on the table and withdrew. “Ah, excellent, our gift for the new Emerald Champion is ready.” He opened the box, inside was a sheathed dagger, obviously of gaijin make, and a tightly wrapped scroll. Kiharu opened the scroll, read the first few lines before nodding and returning it. The old master than carefully picked up the dagger. Nara leaned closer and a brief flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Kiharu nodded, “Yes, one of Kage-sensei’s gifts to help us fight the Nothing.” He slid the blade out, the pure crystal flashed like a ray of the sun in the reflected light of the fire dragon. “Do you think Shosuro-san will appreciate the irony of the origin of this gift?”
“He is a fool if he does not and while Jimen-sama may be many things, a fool is not one of them. It is an excellent choice, master, a clear reminder that there are threats to the Empire in the shadows.”
The Seppun smiled as he slide the dagger back into its sheath and blinked away the afterimages of the blade. “Yes, beside those of his Clan. If there was ever a time when the Scorpion were suited for the Emerald Championship, this is the time.” He closed the lid and found the letter he had already written to congratulate the new Emerald Champion.
“And the scroll accompanying the knife, master?”
“A copy of the Tao, it is the tradition of the Ten Thousand Temples to send a copy to each Emerald Champion.” He set the box with its letter along with the letter to the Phoenix and Nara took them away.
Kiharu wrapped his hands around the warmth of the recently refilled teacup and turned to look out over the city. Peace in the capital, he thought, true peace not just the absence of war, would inspire the Empire, if we can only achieve it.
Also posted on AEG's L5R FanFic board
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Nicely done!
Date: 2007-10-04 07:38 pm (UTC)