The Third Front

The Third Front
Battles rage unabated in the north and south, unimpeded by the weather. The recent proclamation by the Empress prompts a reassessment of troop allocation.

By Rusty Priske

Edited by Fred Wan

Normally Moto Jin-Sahn liked the feel of snow under his boots. Ever since he was a child he found the sound of it compacting beneath him comforting, leaving a solid reminder that he once stepped there. It was a permanent tribute at least in the mind of a child, whose idea of permanent had a much more limited scope.

Jin-Sahn knew better now. The marks of his passing were only as permanent as the next windstorm or snowfall, to say nothing of the spring thaw. This gave him pause, to think that all samurai were only a thaw away from being forgotten as a new generation left their own tracks in the snow.

The Shogun put such thoughts out of his mind as he trudged towards his command tent. He stopped twenty yards away and twisted his foot slightly, creating a distorted print in the snow. “We’ll see how long that one lasts,” he chuckled to himself.

Shiba Danjuro pulled the tent flap aside and stepped out into the cold night. He surveyed the surroundings and spotted his superior standing alone. He walked towards him while saying, “Shogun-sama, your meal is ready to be served.”

Jin-Sahn nodded to his second-in-command. “I will be there presently.”

“Matsu Fumiyo also waits inside. She wishes to report on the encampment of the Imperial Legions that you asked her to liaise with.”

Jin-Sahn merely grunted in response. He had great respect for the Lion waiting inside. It was the subject matter than held little interest for him.

Danjuro bowed. “With respect, Moto-sama, something seems to be bothering you. Do you wish to unburden yourself? It may be something I can help you with.”

Jin-Sahn had become accustomed to the different ways of the Phoenix compared to the Unicorn, but he still laughed at Danjuro’s desire to bond’ with him. Nevertheless, sometimes he was right. It would be good to unburden’ himself, if only so he could focus his mind on other issues. “It is the Spider, Danjuro-san. I was given an order by the Empress herself and I was unsuccessful in completing it. It was the first order given to me in my role as Shogun, yet here we sit.”

Danjuro’s brow furrowed under his head wrap. “You tracked down and killed many of these so-called Spider, Shogun-sama, before your orders were countermanded. Rokugan was being invaded. None can doubt that you were needed here in the north.”

“Yes, we were needed here, but still Daigotsu walks free, despite that an order for death was placed upon him. His very existence is an insult to the Empress and to Rokugan. It is an insult to me and a lasting reminder of my failure to execute him as ordered by Empress Iweko.”

“I am certain that once the immediate threat has passed, that you will be able to pursue your earlier orders, Shogun-sama. In the meantime, Fumiyo is awaiting your pleasure.”

Jin-Sahn nodded, somewhat begrudgingly, and the two men turned towards the command tent, only to be interrupted by one of the Shogun’s clansmen, rushing towards them. Danjuro reflexively put his hand to his katana but Jin-Sahn waved him off before addressing the Unicorn, still dressed for riding. “Shinjo-san, what is it?”

Shinjo Shinlao bowed to Jin-Sahn and handed him a scroll. “I have come directly from the lands of the Mantis, Shogun-sama.”

Jin-Sahn wondered aloud, “The Mantis? Why would.” until he remembered the significance of the Mantis lands at this time, this year. He glanced at the green seal before breaking it and unrolling the scroll.

Danjuro and Shinlao waited patiently while Jin-Sahn read the contents. When he finished, a hint of a smile could be seen on his rugged features. “Shinlao, go and refresh yourself from your journey. I believe I will need your services again soon.”

The scout bowed and left the Shogun who then turned to the Phoenix. “Danjuro, if you ever hear me make any sort of disparaging remark towards our Emerald Champion, remind me of this day. Come, we have much to discuss and we will be on the move in the morning.”

Jin-Sahn looked up at the sky where the snow was starting to fall once again.

* * * * *

The demon reared up on its spider-like legs and sprayed its webbing at the Crab. Where it struck, the acid laced within burned its victim. Hida Kagura could smell the flesh burning on the face of the unlucky warrior next to him.

Kagura knew that this oni was called Akaru, but he did not care about its name. He only knew it could be killed. He had heard that Bachiatari in a unit of the Damned had brought one down, though it had killed most of their unit in the process.

Akaru swung one of its massive forelegs at the Crab, but Kagura ducked under his certain death and swung behind it with a mighty arc of tetsubo. He could feel the chitinous plates crack under the blow and Akaru made a horrible noise, somewhere between a screech and a bellow. It pulled its wounded leg back and tucked it into its body. Kagura found a new defensive position on a slight outcropping that allowed him movement to each side.

He knew what was coming next.

The monstrous beast sprayed that acidic webbing where the Crab had just been. It struck the rocks and sizzled angrily until the spray abruptly cut off. Kagura had used the time to slip past the creature’s defenses and struck it with a blow from his tetsubo in the throat, or where its throat would be if it had any sort of normal physiology.

Kagura noted with some interest that his strike seemed to have caused the creature some problems with its web spray. Apparently he had damaged something important. Akaru threw its head back and shook itself from side to side, as if trying to loosen the grasp of something upon it.

As Kagura tried to scramble out of range the beast gave one last shudder before its head seemed to come apart, like a noiseless explosion from within. He had no time to celebrate his handiwork, though, as the beast still swung its neck as it fell, as if still struggling to live. From the now open neck came the substance that turned into its webbing, still in its liquid form. As Kagura tried to escape the scene, a stream of the viscous liquid splashed on his arm and side, eating away his armor in seconds.

He screamed involuntarily as he smelled a familiar scent.

As the brave Crab warrior fell to the ground he looked up to see something riding towards him on a great horse. He thought of Meido and hoped he had done enough to be judged worthy.

“Assist me!” Kagura heard a voice near him. “He still lives! We need to get him back for treatment!” A face started taking shape in the air above the Crab. The man wore a strange helmet that Kagura barely recognized as belonging to the Unicorn who were fighting at their side.

“You aren’t dead yet, Crab. This war still needs you.”

Kagura slipped into unconsciousness, knowing that Meido had no hold on him just yet.

* * * * *

Hida Eijiko slammed her bare fist onto the makeshift table in front of her.

“There is no point in getting angry, Eijiko-san.” Hida Hikita stroked his long beard and waved away the ashigaru who offered him a cup of water.

Eijiko glared at him. “You have heard the same report that I have, Hikita-san. We must fall back again. Every foot we give way is one more foot into Rokugan that these Destroyers stride. We have nearly reached our own borders. The Crab lands are all but lost.”

Hikita snarled, “Yet we still live. We have not lost yet and we will not, while any Crab still stands.”

“I am afraid I have more ill news.” Both of the Crab Commanders looked up as Moto Qu Yuan, clearly fresh from battle, stepped into their tent.

“Well? Out with it!” Hikita snapped at the Unicorn.

“Maemikake has fallen. Your forces there put up a valiant effort but it could not be held. I saw Hida Kagura slay a great Akaru no Oni single-handedly, but even he was grievously injured. It was only by the grace of the Lords of Death that I was able to save him before he succumbed.”

Eijiko bowed her head towards him. “Thank you, Moto-san. Every living Crab is one more to fight against the Destroyers. The Unicorn have been strong allies in our defense.”

Qu Yuan looked at Eijiko. He had often marveled at her beauty, and valued the chance he had to work by her side. He knew that one day this war would be over& but that time was not now and his time near her was also drawing to a close. “I have further news, Eijiko-san, Hitiki-san. I have received new orders.”

Hitika’s face grew even more sour, if that were possible. “Then spit it out! We have other concerns on our minds, you know!”

Qu Yuan’s eyes never left Eijiko’s. “The Unicorn forces assigned to the war against the Destroyers here in Crab lands have been ordered to pull out and concentrate our efforts on finding Daigotsu for the Empress.”

If he had seen a sparkle in the eyes of the Crab samurai-ko, it had now vanished. “What? Who would give an order like that? Do they not realize what is at stake?”

Hikita practically spat when he spoke. “Of course they do not, Eijiko. They sit in their courts and compliment each other on how witty they are while real samurai fight and die so they can enjoy their plays and poetry!”

Qu Yuan put his hands up to try and quell their anger. “No, please. It is not quite as bad as it sounds. We are not leaving you without support. Shosuro Jimen has ordered forces from the Imperial Legions to break away from their positions in the north and buttress your forces here. The Unicorn are to join the Shogun in tracking down Daigotsu. We will not leave until the Legions arrive.” He returned his focus to Eijiko. “Some of us know how important you are here.”

Hitika appeared to mull over this information. He rolled it over in his mouth before saying a single word. “Jimen.”

Eijiko paused to see if the elder commander wanted to continue. When it was clear that he had said all he wished to on the subject she said, “Apologies, Moto-san. Let it be clear that the reason we are upset is because we know how valuable the Unicorn have been to us.”

Hitika, while his gruff exterior hid an equally callous interior, was still young once. He slipped out of the tent without saying another word to either of the other two occupants.