true seat of power."
Chants of "Emperor Hida!" began to drift across the plateau and into the misty land beyond.
Though he was as critical of the imperial family as anyone, Kisada did not like the wind of sedition that this creature of darkness was blowing through his troops.
"You would do well," the Great Bear said, "to remember that these 'powerless' Hantei have held the Dark God and all his forces at bay since the dawn of time."
"The reigning Hantei is old, and his heir is weak," the oni grunted, much to the delight of the crowd. "Their hold on power is tenuous. Fu Leng will have his revenge on the hated Hantei, and he is not particular about how he gets it. If someone else sat the throne—someone of true character, whom the Shadowlands knew as a brave and honored opponent—then I could turn his anger. With you on the throne, Hida Kisada, I could promise the continuance of your line, security for your empire, and peace for a thousand years."
AXXXXXXX
"Perhaps it would have been wiser not to laugh quite so uproariously at the oni's proposal," said Kuni Yori as they rode back toward the Crab lands.
"Shut up, magician!" Kisada was not disposed to listen to any further advice Yori had on the matter. "What else would you have me do in the face of so ridiculous a suggestion?"
"If the beast's waggling tongue offended you so, why did you not kill it?" Yori peered at Kisada from within the folds of his shugenja's robe.
The Great Bear said nothing. He could think of several reasons to leave the oni imprisoned in Yori's magical cage rather than killing it outright. None of them had the ring of truth. The truth, as much as he hated to admit it, was that Kisada was tempted by the oni's suggestion.
"The oni was right about one thing," Yakamo said hesitantly. "The empire would be better with a warrior like you on the throne."
The Great Bear spun in his saddle and slammed the back of his hand across his son's face. The full battle helmet Yakamo wore softened the blow, but the impact still resonated. Kisada was a
demanding leader and a stern father, but he almost never struck his samurai, much less his children.
"The Crab are not politicians, and we are not kingmakers. We do not throw our support behind one emperor and withhold it from the next. Our job is to defend the empire no matter who sits on the Emerald Throne." Kisada regretted the act immediately. His son had merely voiced the same thoughts he himself was struggling with. But violent discipline was the only way to deal with such awful temptation. Kisada had to be absolutely resolute in his rejection of this idea. Otherwise it would never go away.
Yakamo said quietly, "If karma ever put one of us on the throne—"
The Great Bear flashed him a cold glare.
Behind them, Kuni Yori smiled with undisguised delight.
"If that ever happens, dark times will have fallen upon the empire, indeed," said Kisada. "The balance between the Hantei and the clans has held for a thousand years. It is the cornerstone of the empire. Anything that undoes that balance can only mean the end of everything that has kept us standing on the Wall for generations."
As if to bolster Kisada's determination, the group crested a small rise, and the Wall came into view. There was a great deal of commotion on the towers, though no battle was underway.
A mile closer, Kisada saw a rider heading toward them from the base of the Wall, pushing his horse as fast as it would go. Soon it became clear the rider was none other than Sukune. He came upon them at a gallop and reined his steed in abruptly.
"What is it, boy?" asked Kisada.
Sukune was nearly as breathless as his mount, but between wracking coughs he said, "A message from the capital. The Scorpion Clan has assassinated the emperor and taken the throne. They hold the Forbidden City and all of Otosan Uchi and demand that all other clans swear allegiance to Bayushi Shoju as the new emperor of Rokugan! The Hantei have been overthrown! The empire is in
Chants of "Emperor Hida!" began to drift across the plateau and into the misty land beyond.
Though he was as critical of the imperial family as anyone, Kisada did not like the wind of sedition that this creature of darkness was blowing through his troops.
"You would do well," the Great Bear said, "to remember that these 'powerless' Hantei have held the Dark God and all his forces at bay since the dawn of time."
"The reigning Hantei is old, and his heir is weak," the oni grunted, much to the delight of the crowd. "Their hold on power is tenuous. Fu Leng will have his revenge on the hated Hantei, and he is not particular about how he gets it. If someone else sat the throne—someone of true character, whom the Shadowlands knew as a brave and honored opponent—then I could turn his anger. With you on the throne, Hida Kisada, I could promise the continuance of your line, security for your empire, and peace for a thousand years."
AXXXXXXX
"Perhaps it would have been wiser not to laugh quite so uproariously at the oni's proposal," said Kuni Yori as they rode back toward the Crab lands.
"Shut up, magician!" Kisada was not disposed to listen to any further advice Yori had on the matter. "What else would you have me do in the face of so ridiculous a suggestion?"
"If the beast's waggling tongue offended you so, why did you not kill it?" Yori peered at Kisada from within the folds of his shugenja's robe.
The Great Bear said nothing. He could think of several reasons to leave the oni imprisoned in Yori's magical cage rather than killing it outright. None of them had the ring of truth. The truth, as much as he hated to admit it, was that Kisada was tempted by the oni's suggestion.
"The oni was right about one thing," Yakamo said hesitantly. "The empire would be better with a warrior like you on the throne."
The Great Bear spun in his saddle and slammed the back of his hand across his son's face. The full battle helmet Yakamo wore softened the blow, but the impact still resonated. Kisada was a
demanding leader and a stern father, but he almost never struck his samurai, much less his children.
"The Crab are not politicians, and we are not kingmakers. We do not throw our support behind one emperor and withhold it from the next. Our job is to defend the empire no matter who sits on the Emerald Throne." Kisada regretted the act immediately. His son had merely voiced the same thoughts he himself was struggling with. But violent discipline was the only way to deal with such awful temptation. Kisada had to be absolutely resolute in his rejection of this idea. Otherwise it would never go away.
Yakamo said quietly, "If karma ever put one of us on the throne—"
The Great Bear flashed him a cold glare.
Behind them, Kuni Yori smiled with undisguised delight.
"If that ever happens, dark times will have fallen upon the empire, indeed," said Kisada. "The balance between the Hantei and the clans has held for a thousand years. It is the cornerstone of the empire. Anything that undoes that balance can only mean the end of everything that has kept us standing on the Wall for generations."
As if to bolster Kisada's determination, the group crested a small rise, and the Wall came into view. There was a great deal of commotion on the towers, though no battle was underway.
A mile closer, Kisada saw a rider heading toward them from the base of the Wall, pushing his horse as fast as it would go. Soon it became clear the rider was none other than Sukune. He came upon them at a gallop and reined his steed in abruptly.
"What is it, boy?" asked Kisada.
Sukune was nearly as breathless as his mount, but between wracking coughs he said, "A message from the capital. The Scorpion Clan has assassinated the emperor and taken the throne. They hold the Forbidden City and all of Otosan Uchi and demand that all other clans swear allegiance to Bayushi Shoju as the new emperor of Rokugan! The Hantei have been overthrown! The empire is in
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