The War Room

Omura had his forehead pressed to the floor until given permission to rise. Quietly he did so, remaining statuesque in sieza unless his opinion is requested. He knows his purpose will be to focus intently on the contents of the meeting, recalling them in detail long enough to record it all on parchment afterwards.

    "It has recently come to my attention that the level of bandit activity has increased, and significantly," he began. "First and foremost on the security agenda is addressing the problem, perhaps first by investigating whether the attackers have any allegiances or where they might be coming from. I have my suspicions, of course, that this is no ordinary banditry. The timing is too impeccable to be coincidence, in my opinion..."
    Genji stopped to refer to a scroll for a brief few seconds.

    "...In light of this suspicion, among greater ambitions," he continued, 'ambitions' remaining unspecified, "I have been regrowing our clan to its former glory. Our forces are now formidable and continue to grow, and I have been hiring all manner of agents. As such, expect that your duties and expectations may change in the near future, to reflect changes to our expanding structure. Masahiro," he said, addressing the one man directly, "as I have promised, architects and masons are at work this very moment building your new family manor. This is, in part, due to a requirement for certain accommodations to our clan's growth, as well as a reward for your service and unyielding loyalty."

    "Very good. I knew I could count on you, as you are among my most loyal and trusted of retainers," he said with a genuinely appreciative smile, "and so I imagine it will be no problem at all that I request you spearhead this bandit problem and that the mission will be executed promptly and with all due diligence," he said. "I shall have the horses saddled and readied by tomorrow morning. There are two places I suggest you start in your investigation... first, one of the newcomers, a young Tika Seya , was attacked by bandits on her way to Kiyonai. I wish to know more detail about this story, in order to better interpret whether certain incidents are connected... because as you may be aware by now," Genji continued, knowing there was a good chance few would know yet given how new the info was, "the village of Heiwashima has been sacked by an unknown band of attackers. After acquiring information about Tika's story, I want a small detachment of one hundred men to make camp outside the village and aid in its reconstruction until further notice. You are to oversee this entire operation, and you may choose two from any of the new recruits to go on this expedition. Some are young, and may need vital experience in the field."

"If I am to understand the intent of my Liege, you will have me seek out one Tika Seya for questioning, then proceed to the village of Heiwashima with a detachment of 100 men and two proteges to aid in the reconstruction efforts? Nothing else? Or should I presume I have command to further investigate the bandits at my discretion throughout should opportunity present itself?"

Masahiro poised the question with careful articulation, prying his lord for answers to better understand his role. The veteran samurai sat in seiza with his hands on his thighs, attentive in his meeting while his mind began to plot multiple moved ahead like a master of go. The commander stroked his whiskers in contemplation, thinking about the bandit problems the village suffered.

"As you command, my Liege. Do you require else of me? Or am I dismissed to begin questioning the child and carry out your will?"

With the meeting resting on the razor sharp edge of a knife, it was time to make preparations. The commander mulled over Genji's wishes as he considered what was to come in the days ahead. He'd need to rally his men and make way for the village. If he was fortunate their enemy would show themselves rather hastily and he could move onto more pressing matters than chasing bandits in the woods.

Once all of Lord Genji's vassals had left the war room Masahiro remained to speak at length on his liege's designs. The dutiful hatamoto listened to all that needed to be said before he too was dismissed. His mission was before him, his instructions clear, and he was prepared for the joirney ahead of him.

Sayuri had taken her place next to Kojuro's side. She looked tired and small bags were starting to form under her eyes. Anyone who would come into the room would notice immediately that the air inside the room felt heavy with emotions. She was wearing a traditional style kimono in Burgandy, the rims shimmering with gold and the crest of the Hizashi clan embroidered on the back, also in gold. It had been a gift she had received from Genji on the day they had secretly become married. She now suspected that her Lord husband had already known an illness might befall him soon and wanted their marriage to become official. It only seemed appropriate to her to wear it during this official meeting.

She would greet everyone that came in with a bow of her head, trying to smile. By the time she had greeted everyone her hair was falling around her like a veil, as she had decided to wear it untied today. She would listen to Kojuro's words and remain quiet during them as was her place. No matter what Genji's desires were, Kojuro was still the acting Daimyo as long as he remained unconscious. Sayuri would gladly be by his side and give him counsel when he wished it from her, but would never speak up for him during official meetings. Her counsel would likely be given private, just as they had talked in private before calling an official war meeting.

Only when Kojuro was finished, she would speak up. "We will continue to investigate what illness has taken our Lord and can ensure you that the best doctors will be called upon to attend him during it." she said before taking a small pause. She knew she had to speak more and she had practiced it in her head, but now the time came she found it hard to find the words. "Many of you might not know me very well, but I have promised to serve the Hizashi Clan to the best of my ability when Lord Genji and I became married. I am invested in the well being of the clan and of the lands under our rule. And so I will remain by Kojuro-sama's side and lend him my wisdom when he might seek that of me. I wish all of you to do the same and trust in him as you trusted in Lord Genji." She would bow her head as deep as she could to the people in front of her, making it clear she was sincere in her words. 

Kojuro looked over to Kaen who had decided to take a spot by the door. A faint flicker of disapproval registered on his face as the man decided to lounge by the door rather than entering the room proper. "Kaen, I didn't ask you here because of your social status, but because you are my friend, and I know I can depend on you." They had known each other since they were children, and before Kaen had left in exile, they had been practically as close as brothers. "What your family of origin think of you is irrelevant - Lord Genji took you into his service, which means you are part of the Hizashi clan." Kaen wanted badly to prove himself to his father, and in time he would, but there was no use carrying the millstone of his father's contempt around his neck, especially at times such as these. "Your sister too," he added, with a softer tone. "Now come and sit down."

Kojuro Hizashi Anzen Hizashi Kaen Kogoeshinu Sayuri Hirayama


The Hizashi commander marched quietly into the doorway. Halting , the military man did not miss a beat , despite his surprise at not seeing Genji-dono in his normal seat. Takahashi bowed deeply from the waist , letting his eyes burn holes into the floor. The fact the Ronin Kogoeshinu was a different matter all together... This was going to be an interesting meeting.

The masked man still wore his armor still travel stained from his recent endeavor , his weapons however were absent. He had not yet finished his mission, there were still wounded to tend, and a few loose ends to wrap up. All that could wait however , as he and Anzen-dono had discovered sinister plots among our neighbors.

The fact Kojuro-kun Sat in place of Genji-dono troubled him, but it was not his place to question, only to obay.

He waited to be addressed before speaking, even though he did not view Kojuro-kun as his leader, he likely had a reason to be in Genji-dono seat, and to call a meeting with his wife by the boys side.When the boy explained , the man's face only grew grimmer.  The times were growing more trouble some by the moment...  

" Koujro-dono" There was no mockery in the military man's voice, quiet the opposite, there was no hesitation what so ever.