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The Waves Upon the Rocks
By Rusty Priske
Moshi Klyomori looked down the sloping cliffside at the rocks below. He watched as the waves struck and flowed away, leaving the stone seemingly untouched.
The wave hit again… and again.
He focused on one specific boulder that appeared to laugh at the waves, or maybe it just ignore them.
Kiyomori raised his arms and felt the wind rise with them. It swirled around him like a small cyclone, with the Moshi as the eye. He reached out, past the tumultuous air to the sea. The wind and water Joined together, and the waves grew. Then a single wave pulled energy from those surrounding it, doubling and redoubling in size while the rest of the sea became more placid.
This could never be a natural occurrence.
Kiyomori waved once more with his arms and hands. The wave hung, poised, before slamming down with incredible fury and force onto the boulder below. The rock shattered, nearly exploding. The shards fell harmlessly into the sea, leaving only a broken fraction of the great boulder behind.
“Did you feel the waters would not have dealt with the rock in time?”
Klyomori stopped asking the air kami to move so swiftly. Even without his prompting, the wind remained strong here, but Moshi Sayoko appeared to take no heed. Her kimono did not ruffle from the force of air at all.
Kiyomori bowed deeply. “Sense’,” he said simply.
Sayoko returned the bow. “Your skills are Impressive, Kiyomori-san, but I am afraid if you keep practicing, before long there will be nothing left of our Islands.” She smiled beneath her heavily painted face.
Kiyomori returned the smile. “I will endeavor to be less destructive in the future, Sensei.”
“You have not relaxed your training since your time as Topaz Champion ended. Impressive.”
“If one is to serve, one must always be ready for whatever form that service takes.”
Sayoko nodded. “I imagine this is why Moshi Amika has summoned you.”
Kiyomori’s eyebrows shot up. “The Moshi daimyo has summoned me?”
“She has, so if you can pry yourself away from your shoreline destruction, I think it best we answer that summons, don’t your
Moshi Amika stood at the open window, enjoying the cool breeze on her face. She felt the air kami dance across her cheeks, caressing like the lovers from those Rezan poems she loved so much. This was an Amika few knew, by her own choice.
“Amika-sama? Sayoko and Kiyomori are here for you.”
“Send them in, and then give us some privacy.” Amika knew Taya would listen, more out of curiosity or capriciousness than deception. It did not bother her. Maybe she would learn something.
Moments after Taya absented herself, Sayoko and Kiyomori replaced her. They both bowed deeply. “I have brought Kiyomori, as requested, Amika-sama.”
“Thank you, Sayoko.”
“Do you wish me to go, Amika-sama?”
“No, Sayoko-san. I wish you to hear this as well.” Amika turned her attention to the junior shugenja. “Kiyomori-san, do you know why I have brought you here?”
“I do not, Lady Amika.”
“I asked Sayoko to tell me who the most promising shugenja was among the Mantis. I’ll admit some surprise when she gave the name of a man, as the most powerful Moshi are traditionally female, but it Is certainly not without precedent.”
Klyomori’s eyes darted towards Sayoko before returning to Amika. “I am greatly honored that the High Senses would say such things about me, Amika-sama.”
“Tell me, Kiyomori, what do you think is the greatest threat that Rokugan faces today?”
“The empty throne, milady. The lack of leadership means power falls down to the individual clans, and while the Mantis are blessed to have such a strong leader as Yoritomo Naizen, not all clans are so fortunate. Also, the various clans have differing ideas of what best suits the empire. The throne needs to be filled.”
Amika nodded. “True, but what of the other Important positions in the empire? Can they not be of some use in this regard?”
“Certainly, but the new Emerald Champion does not inspire loyalty so far, though I’m sure we all hope this will change. There is still no Jade Champion, since Sekawa left Rokugan. and no chancellor since Kaukatsu’s death.”
And who suffers most from this upheaval?”
“I believe it is the people of Rokugan, not just the samurai, who feel such things the hardest.” Kiyomori shrugged slightly. “But this Is also the way of Rokugan.”
“Would it surprise you to know Lord Naizen agrees with your views?”
“Lord Naizen is a wise man. It is I who agrees with him, not the other way around.”
“As you say. Lord Naizen has made a great pronouncement, declaring the Mantis are to become the Defenders of the People. In this time of unrest, defenders are needed more than ever, wouldn’t you say?”
“Absolutely, Amika-lama. I bow to Lord Naizen’s superior wisdom. In what way can I serve? Do you wish me to Join the magistrates?”
Amika turned her head and nodded towards Sayoko. The sense’ answered, “There will be a competition shortly, to name the new Jade Champion. As you said, that position has remained vacant since Asahina Sekawa’s departure. It Is Lord Naizen’s wish that the Moshi send a competitor who understands the importance of protecting the people of Rokugan, and not Just its ruling class.”
Kiyomori’s eyes widened, but he answered smoothly. “The empire Is only safe when the safety extends to all its citizens. Corruption can strike anywhere, from the high courts of Toshi Ranbo to the darkest districts of the heimin.”
Amika nodded. “Yes. Quite true. I have decided to send you to the competition, Moshi Kiyomori.”
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He bowed deeply, “I will represent the Mantis and the Moshi with honor, to the extent of my abilities, Amika-sama.”
“I have no doubt you will, but you will not do so alone.” Amika turned to Sayoko. “Moshi Sayoko, you will accompany Kiyomori.”
“I will ensure our competitor is well attended, Amika-sama.” Amika smiled slightly. “I think you misunderstand, Sayokosan. You will also compete in the Jade Championship.”
Sayoko looked shocked. “I will do whatever you ask, Amikasama, but what of Tempest Island? Don’t my duties there preclude taking on further responsibilities?”
Amika shook her head. “I understand your hesitance, Sayokosan. Your duties as High Sensei are very important and very valued, but the position of Jade Champion is yet more important. Any opportunity to protect the people of Rokugan cannot he gainsaid. We will replace you if need be, and Tempest Island will be lesser for it, but Rokugan will be greater.”
Sayoko bowed again. “Understood, Amika-sama. I will, of course, do my best.”
“I know you will, Sayoko-san. Know this, that I am not immune to such things. Just as I say that Tempest Island cannot take precedence over the needs of Rokugan, neither can I claim the Moshi themselves do otherwise. I will also be accompanying the two of you to the competition. The Crane often boast that they can hold positions such as the Jade Championship while still leading their clans; I expect no less from one of us. If I cannot, I will give the position of Moshi daimyo to another, much as I ask you to do as High Sense’ of Tempest Island.”
Kiyomori responded, “With you attending the competition, milady, why do you wish us to attend? It is clear none will be able to stand against the might of your abilities. If you are not qualified to be Jade Champion, then none are up to that task.”
Amika smiled patiently. “While I respect your deference, Kiyomori-san, it is not required here. I am daimyo of the Moshi for a number of reasons, including, yes, my ability to persuade the kami to follow my will. There is more to the championship than that. If it were not, then none save the Phoenix would bother to attend. Furthermore, while Lord Naizen believes the Mantis are best suited for the position of Jade Champion, he also has further wishes. He wants us to ensure the Scorpion do not claim the position.”
“The Scorpion?”
“Allowing the Scorpion to claim both the Emerald and Jade Championships would give them much power over the rest of the land. Lord Naizen believes it would not be long before they claimed the throne as well.” Amika paused before adding: “And the Scorpion are not known for concerning themselves with the welfare of the people.”
