The Duel

By Rusty Priske

Edited by Fred Wan

Seppun Goro looked down the wide hallway at the clusters of courtiers and functionaries and sniffed. He was not loud, bit his message was clear to those nearby. Goro had been in the imperial court since shortly after his gempukku and the following twenty-four years had taught him the effect of the most innocuous of gestures.

A pretty Seppun, many years his junior, stepped forward. “Good morning, Goro-sama.”

Goro looked over and acted like he did not know she was in earshot. “Ah, Hana-san. While I thank you for the thought, this morning is not good at all, I think.”

“I assume you are speaking of the duel.” Hana looked down he hall for a moment and then back to Goro. “These things happen, though. Whenever samurai gather for reasons other than war, they often have a difficult time restraining their martial spirits.”

Goro’s frown deepened. “But these are times of war, Hana-san, and it would do for all servants of the Empress to remember that.”

“War, Goro-sama? We are not at war. The Army of Fire did much damage, that is true, but they were soundly defeated. It was a great victory for the Empire. The samurai of Rokugan have earned their peace. Should they not enjoy it?”

Goro looked at Hana like a child, delinquent in her studies. He shook his head. “Peace? Does this look like peace to you, Hana-san? Have you not heard of the sickness that is spreading across the land? Have you not heard of the assaults on the Wall?

Hana shrugged. “I have heard these things, but we always hear such things. If we take them as they are, then the Empire will always be considered at war.”

Goro said nothing.

“Then what does this have to do with the duel this morning?”

The older Seppun sighed. “It is the duty of a samurai to serve the Empress, above all else. Do you think that the Empress is best served, in this time of war, having one of her swords removed, simply to settle a matter of honor?”

Hana’s eyebrow arched. “I can think of no better reason.”

Goro sighed again, this time somewhat wistfully. “I thought that once.”

Hana glanced back down the hallway. “So you will not be coming to witness the duel?”

Goro smiled, slowly. “Of course I am. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

* * *

Seppun Goro and Seppun Hana moved into a courtyard that was already crowded. The center of the yard was virtually empty, but courtiers, bushi and shugenja from every clan and family represented in Toshi Ranbo ringed the edge. They were packed so tightly that it was hard to find space, but Goro commanded enough respect at court for a spot to open for him and Hana was more than willing to stay at his side in order to get a better view.

“Ah,” said Goro, “it seems that Tashime will be presiding over this.”

Hana said nothing but watched the tall Seppun magistrate give his instructions to the two duelists. The ronin called Minoko stood impassively while Tashime spoke, her eyes never leaving her opponent. Moshi Mineko’s posture was different. It was almost as if her nerves were laying exposed.

Hana turned to Goro. “Mineko seems afraid. Why would she dishonor herself in such a way?”

“She is not afraid, Hana-san. She simply has doubts. I can see that from here. She wonders if a different set of actions could have prevented this conflict altogether. I do not blame her at all.”

Hana looked at Goro and them back to Mineko. “But she is the one who requested the duel. If she truly did not want to duel, could she have not asked for a different form of compensation for Minoko’s words? She did not have to ask for this.”

Goro shook his head. “You have too much faith in a samurai’s ability to avoid fate. In life, certain things are laid out for us, and it is up to us to follow that path, step after step.”

Hana shook her head. “I do not understand.”

Goro smiled. “You are young, yet. You will learn. Let me ask you, if you heard a nearby samurai say something slanderous about our Empress, what would you do?”

“I would not let that stand, of course.” Hana’s eyes flashed. “He would have to be brought to justice.”

Goro cocked his head. “And what if you did not want that samurai to forfeit his life?”

“Why would I not want that?”

Goro did not respond as Seppun Tashime announced the start of the duel.

It was quick, as such things always are. Minoko moved first, but her feet were faster than her hands, and when her sword cleared the saya, Mineko had already begun the cut that would finish the duel.

Minoko fell, dead before she reached the ground. There was no look of victory on the face of Mineko. She simply bowed to her fallen opponent and then to Seppun Tashime before turning and walking from the circle.

Seppun Hana watched him leave before turning back to Goro, who had also started to walk away. She looked back towards Mineko and then Goro. “But, I do not understand.” She mumbled.

She received no explanation.