Post Gencon Fiction: Protest
“Our orders asked us to continue our alliances. I followed them and sought alliance with the Crab. I will not betray my Honour.” - The Final Words of Matsu Sadachi
“I have in my life been given the honor of shedding my own blood in defence of honor and duty. I cannot bring myself to stain my soul with the dishonor of betraying friends and allies, even if it is under the orders of my Champion. Today war was declared on the honorable men and women of the Crab clan, whose only crime was to trust us of the Lion to display the same degree of honor they had shown to us. A degree of trust that saw the formation of the friendship forged between the children of Akodo, the children of Hida, and the children of Shiba my Champion has decided to disregard in an unwise, hasty declaration of war. I only pray that my Lord will look upon my humble act in the manner in which it is given and consider his actions before more of our soldiers die while the true enemies of our Empire still threaten it.” - The Final Words of Akodo Kenichi
Shiro Sano Ken Hayai, Twenty-first Day of the Month of the Rooster, 1340
The doors to the main court chamber of Shiro Sano Ken Hayai were forced open so swiftly as to nearly come off the slides. The assembled Courtiers and generals looked in surprise as two figures stepped through its threshold: Matsu Mochiko, Daimyo of the Matsu and Rikugunshokan of the First Matsu Army, dressed in a crimson kimono and flanked by her daughter and Hatamoto; Matsu Yutsuko. Samurai slowly bowed to the Daimyo of the Matsu but found themselves ignored. Instead, her path took her straight to the central dais, and right in front of Akodo Shakato, Champion of the Lion.
The two exchanged bows, though a single raised eyebrow indicated his surprise at the Matsu Daimyo’s presence. “I did not call for you, Matsu-san. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“If but it was pleasure that demanded my visit,” Mochiko’s voice took a strained tone. “I am here because of the declaration of insult and war you have levied against the Samurai of the Crab Clan.”
“I see,” Shakato’s arms crossed, “I expect the Matsu will be looking forward to the opportunity to see the field in proper warfare after so long off the field.”
“To the contrary,” Mochiko’s fists clenched, “I wish understanding in why you undermined the work of your own representatives, and continue along this path even after the kanshi of two of them.”
“The Crab have broken their word to us,” Shakato spoke evenly, “they made peace with the Unicorn when they had declared that we would march upon the Clan of Shinjo together. Am I to act as if these actions are not to be retaliated against?”
“So we prove that the Lion do not deal in good faith, and do not trust our own to make the best of a nonideal situation? If we are just to declare insult and war every time a situation changes out of our favor, why should I be sending representatives at all?”
“You are tense,” Shakato spoke calmly, “I am certain you understand that matters are not that simple.”
“And what is intended to be complex?” Mochiko snapped back. A murmur started to rise from the gathering, which was silenced with a single glare from the angry daimyo. “What I understand is that one of my Beastmasters and one of your tacticians were so disgusted by your actions that they took their lives in protest. What I understand is that we have declared war against a clan we do not border over an insult that stands exclusively within your mind. And most of all, what I understand is that there is nothing that will sway you from your path.” Mochiko’s breath began to deepen, as if each breath was physically more difficult than the last.
“You tire yourself over nothing,” he stated, “If your complaint is done, there is much planning to do. I have two potential clans to march my army through, and it will likely take all winter to determine which one will cost our clan the least to secure that passage peaceably.”
At that statement, Mochiko’s breath slowed. Fire sparked in her eyes for but a moment. “I know I cannot dissuade you from this path,” she spoke, all hint of difficulty gone, “but you will walk it without me.” Mochiko’s hands moved to her obi, slowly unraveling it to the shocked murmurs of the assembled court. Slowly, she removed her overkimono, revealing a white underkimono stained with blood. Slowly she brought herself to her knees, ensuring her gaze never left the Lion Champion. “I will not lead the Matsu Family at the behest of a man who cares more for his Legacy than those who serve under him. And I know that I cannot change your mind.” Her eyes closed, for but a moment.
“But still, I protest.”
Red stained the ground in front of her, but as her eyes opened for what would be the last time, her gaze settled upon his face. Despite the great pain, the confusion and anger that colored his face in but the briefest of moments satisfied her beyond all else. The world began to feel heavy, and soon her eyes could no longer stay open to show her defiance.
Once her eyes closed and she slumped to the floor, Matsu Yutsuko stepped forward, drawing her katana and removing her mother’s head in a single motion. Shakato stepped forward to speak. “Her sacrifice has been noted. Matsu Yutsuko, I welcome you now as Daimyo of the Matsu. Bow, that we might formalize your new appointment.”
“No.”
Shakato’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”
Matsu Yutsuko’s sword raised, the length of the blade now parallel to her eyes. “I said no. My mother died in defiance of your bloodlust, of your foolishness. I take the title of Matsu Daimyo by her wishes, not by your whims. But my first words as the Matriarch of the Matsu are the words my Mother could not say herself: The Armies of the Matsu will never bow to your whims so long as true daughters of Matsu stand at the Seat of Shiro Matsu. Your foolish ambitions stole my Mother’s opportunity to die in true glory. I hope you choke on them.”
Silence reigned in the Court as Matsu Yutsuko walked out of the Courtroom. By the time any voices returned, every Samurai with the name Matsu had followed.
