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Glory of the Empire, Part I
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By Shawn Carman
Edited by Fred Wan
Kyuden Bayushi, Month of the Boar, year 1170
The snowfalls of early winter coated everything in sight with a light dusting of white, hinting at cocoon of snow that would appear in a matter of weeks. Heedless of the cold, a full legion of Scorpion warriors, their black armor polished to the point that their formation resembled the bright, reflective surface of a black sea, stood completely motionless in the gray light of midmorning. Likewise, soldiers lined every available inch of space along the walls and towers of the majestic Scorpion palace, so still they might be statues.
Bayushi Paneki, the Scorpion Clan Champion and the man once known as the Defender of the Empire, stood in the bracing cold without seeming to notice. He looked about at his loyal subjects with satisfaction. It was, he felt, an appropriate display for his arriving guests. Ample, but not ostentatious. It was always difficult to marry displays of strength with politically appropriate gestures, but he thought this was most suitable.
To the north, the outriders for the procession he awaited were visible on the horizon. The arrival of the procession proper took a little more than an hour, as such forces could rarely move with any significant speed. Paneki was a patient man, however, and stood as still as his men while he waited. Finally, the head of the procession reached the gates of the palace. Paneki was pleased to note that the road by which they traveled through the city to the gates was lined with his subjects, all kneeling.
The honor guard at the procession’s head fanned out through the palace’s courtyard, taking up strategic positions and carefully assessing the location of all Scorpion troops. Under any other circumstances, it would be a horrific insult, but the situation was hardly normal. The lead rider dismounted and cast aside his traveling cloak with a flourish, revealing the brilliant green armor beneath it. He approached Paneki and bowed. “My lord.”
Paneki returned the bow. “Kyuden Bayushi is honored by the return of the Empire’s Emerald Champion,” he said with a slight smile. “It is good to see you, Jimen-sama.”
“It pleases me to be home as well,” Shosuro Jimen answered, his tone as warm and cheerful as always. It was perhaps his most spectacular weapon, his constant appearance of joviality, and that was no mean feat. “I have no doubt that all is in readiness?”
“Every specification was exceeded,” Paneki said. “There will be no lapses of security here during Winter Court.”
“Of course,” Jimen agreed. “I have no doubt.” He nodded to one of the mounted soldiers. “Inform the Voice of the Empress that all is ready.”
The soldier nodded and spurred his horse to a gallop. Paneki stood alongside the Emerald Champion, surprisingly anxious for all his outer calm. He only barely noticed that his wife emerged from the nearby entrance to stand next to him as they waited. After only a few moments, a wall of heavily armored Seppun appeared, marching in perfect unison with polearms at the ready. So flawless was their every motion that it was easy to imagine that there were not men encased within the armor, but instead that it was some grandiose enchantment that had bent the will of the armor itself to the Imperial procession. Then the Seppun parted, dividing into two equal halves and forming a corridor on the interior gate.
Immediately behind them was the Imperial Palanquin, accompanied by three men on horseback, each bundled to avoid the cold. The three men rode forth, and two dismounted to approach Paneki. The first bowed very deeply. “My lord,” he said breathlessly. “It is my great honor to stand in your presence once more.”
“Chancellor,” Paneki said, returning the bow. “I offered my congratulations in our correspondence, but now allow me to do so in person. You bring tremendous honor to our family.”
Bayushi Hisoka smiled. “Thank you, my lord.”
As the other man stepped forward, the Imperial Chancellor smiled slightly. “I do not believe you have had the pleasure of meeting the Imperial Advisor, lord Paneki. May I present Susumu, of the Spider Clan.”
Susumu bowed, but Paneki inclined his head only the barest fraction, risking insult even in such august company. “All who serve the Empress are welcome in Kyuden Bayushi at her discretion,” he said flatly.
Susumu smiled wickedly. “Were I not utterly convinced of your honorable nature, Paneki-sama, I would surely think that I was not welcome within your home.”
Paneki was sorely tempted to offer a retort, but was spared the potential ramifications of insulting one of the Empress’ attendants when Jimen interjected. “One day the Empress will no longer have need of you,” he cheerfully told the Imperial Advisor. “On that day you will not live to see the sun set.”
“We shall see,” was all Susumu said in response.
“Jimen-sama,” called the third rider, a broad-shouldered man whose bald, tattooed head showed no sign of adverse reaction to the cold, “have all preparations been made?”
Jimen stepped forward with a bow and made the formal reply. “All in Kyuden Bayushi is in readiness, Satsu-sama. The Scorpion Champion is prepared to accept the burden of the Empress’ safety at her convenience.”
Togashi Satsu glanced at the palanquin, and although there was no visible reaction, he nodded as if he had been instructed. “Then the Empress is pleased to place her safety into the hands of her trusted vassal. You stand relieved, Champion.”
Paneki glaned at Jimen slightly, and the Emerald Champion nodded. “I have business that requires my attention in the Imperial City,” he said quietly. “I will return before the snows close Shamate Pass.”
“All bow before the radiant majesty of the Divine Empress Iweko I, the Child of the Heavens,” Satsu said, dismounting and dropping to one knee as the curtains of the palanquin parted.
All those around him knelt, and Paneki began to do so, but he hesitated ever so slightly in order to witness the Empress emerge from her conveyance. Even as she stepped forward, she turned and met his eyes instantly, as if she knew that he looked upon her. She smiled slightly, and Paneki felt his breath come short in his chest. He dropped to the ground at once, kneeling in the presence of his Empress. He held that position for a handful of seconds, mindful of the squirming and cooing sounds next to him.
“The Empress bids you rise, Scorpion Champion.”
Paneki did as he was instructed, and struggled for words as he stood before his Empress. “We are honored to receive you, my lady,” he said softly. Very carefully, he withdrew his blade, still within its saya and held it forward. “I offer you my blade, Empress, to command as you see fit. My life is yours.”
Iweko lifted one hand slightly, declining the gift, the soft smile still on her features. Paneki nodded and replaced the blade within his obi. “I am honored to present to you my wife, Bayushi Miyako,” he said, gesturing to the small woman beside him, “and our son, Ichiro.”
“Empress,” Miyako said, inclining her head. The baby cooed and wriggled in her arms.
“The service of the former Toturi Miyako is well remembered in the Imperial City,” Satsu said. “Your presence is a source of comfort for the Empress.”
Iweko smiled at the baby and reached out to stroke the back of the little boy’s hand. He quieted instantly and stared up at the Empress as if entranced.
Miyako gasped slightly. “Empress,” she said, her voice shaky, “You bless our son with your favor.”
“If you please,” the Voice of the Empress said, “the journey has been long and arduous, and the Empress wishes to retire to her quarters before the evening meal.”
“Of course,” Paneki said. “If you will come this way, Divine One, I will show you to your suites personally.”
* * *
Two weeks later
“And thus it was,” the playwright said, reading from his manuscript with great emotion and flourish, “that the Scorpion emerged victorious, and earned the favor of the Dragon Clan for assisting in vanquishing the unseen menace within their ranks!” With that, he bowed before the assembled attendants and then before the Empress, holding his bow for a moment.
Those in attendance clapped politely, but there was a moment’s hesitation, as if they were somewhat cautious. Doji Ayano clapped a few times and then fanned herself lightly. She had found the story amusing, but she understood the trepidation of others; debuting a new story that included villainy among the ranks of the Dragon, and the dependence upon the Scorpion by the Dragon to deal with such a threat, was surely a risky venture considering that the Empress had been among the ranks of the Dragon only a short time ago. She wondered idly if this Bayushi Hiroshi had made a calculated gamble to attract the Empress’ attention, of if he was honestly ignorant of the possible ramifications of his actions. She hoped that the young man would not bring the wrath of his Champion, or worse, that of the Empress herself down upon him.
The Empress sat upon her dais, flanked on her right by the Voice of the Empress and on her left by the Imperial Advisor. Behind her, almost disappearing into the dim lightning at the hindmost section of the chamber, stood the unmoving Voices of the Sun and Moon, ever present if the Empress required their counsel. The Advisor, Susumu, was regarding the young Scorpion with evident amusement, while Satsu looked impassive as ever. From the chamber floor, on the other hand, Hisoka was displaying what Ayano believed might be the only genuine emotion she had ever seen from him: annoyance.
Satsu glanced at the Empress, whom was obscured by screens from the attendants at large, although her silhouette was visible. She turned and apparently spoke to him, though none could hear her. He nodded once. “The Empress finds your tale entertaining,” he answered, “as it reminds her of a matter she investigated once during her youth, alongside a Scorpion magistrate, as it so happens. She looks forward to the play from which your tale is taken being performed here during the Winter Court.”
There was an almost electric stir from the crowd as many delegates exchanged knowing glances with one another. Such an open display of favor was uncommon, and unheard of for someone so unknown as the young playwright. This would definitely indicate a shift of power within the artisans in attendance. Hiroshi, for his part, was exuberant at the praise. “Thank you, Divine One!” he beamed. “I will have the play prepared for you within a fortnight, if that is your wish!”
“That would please the Empress greatly,” Satsu answered.
Ayano could not help but smile at the young man’s obviously genuine enthusiasm, although she felt badly for the artisans in attendance from her own delegation, as they would likely be overlooked by potential patrons in favor of the Scorpion now.
It was going to be an interesting season, she acknowledged inwardly.
* * *
Month of the Rat, year 1170
It was expected for most clans to have some manner of grievance and to seek the judgment of the Empress when the Imperial personage scheduled time for such things to be heard. It was unexpected, Bayushi Kurumi reflected, for the Phoenix to be first among those to step forward, however.
“My lady Empress,” the elder statesman said. “I am Isawa Sawao, master sensei of the Blade of the Sacred Flame dojo and both former and present servant of the throne.”
“Your name is known to the Empress,” Satsu said. “It was you who ended the curse of the Amethyst Crown, a cursed artifact that ruined the lives of countless loyal servants over the centuries. You have the Divine One’s gratitude for lifting a burden from her before it fell upon her shoulders.”
The older shugenja bowed deeply. “That my name is known to the Child of the Heavens is the greatest honor of my life,” he said. “It is with deep regret that I must approach the Empress with a matter of complaint, but I am bound by my oaths as a Phoenix, and by the code of compassion by which all samurai are expected to be held accountable, to speak.”
The priest’s genuine tone and quiet anger at the matter pressing upon his mind was enough to intrigue even the most jaded among the observers. “Please speak,” Satsu said.
“We all know the tale of the great war between the Lion and the Unicorn,” Sawao began, “a war that is now thankfully at an end. The Lion campaign against the Unicorn lands was justified, and demanded by honor. As an advocate of peace and a representative of the Phoenix, I laud the Lion for their restraint during their march. It is a secret to none that with their full might they could have inflicted terrible suffering upon their enemies, even ones as hardy and resilient as the Unicorn.” The priest paused and glanced toward the Lion now after favoring the Unicorn with a respectful nod. “It is with outrage, then, that I must report that Phoenix envoys bound for the Unicorn lands were turned away by the Lion after being refused entrance to the roads leading to the Unicorn provinces.”
“If it pleases the Empress,” a Lion stepped forward. “I wish to address this allegation.”
“Do so,” Satsu said.
“The Phoenix envoys that Sawao-sama describes,” the Lion said, “included well over a hundred men, many of whom were bearing weapons, and who requested passage through the Lion lands.”
“The only roads large enough for our needs pass through the Lion lands,” Sawao answered irritably. “And I was unaware that Lion samurai always left their blades at home when traveling abroad. Clearly this custom has yet to catch on among my Shiba brethren.”
There was a slight murmur of amusement at this, although the Lion representative clearly did not find it entertaining in the slightest. “Should the Lion simply allow hundreds of armed men passage through their lands without question? Would you have other clans adopt the same naivety that has served the Phoenix so well over the centuries?”
“I would call it pragmatism,” Sawao countered. “Or did you imagine that the ruination visited by your clan could be undone by a handful of monks with training in the herbal arts alone?”
“All the Lion know is that the Phoenix have made the business of others their own many times in the past years,” the Lion said smartly. “Should any clan risk your intervention’ in their own lands if it could be avoided? Who can say that the Unicorn would not find your assistance less than welcome?”
Sawao’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The actions taken by the Phoenix were taken in an Empire without guidance or leadership. We sought only to save lives and resources for the day when a rightful ruler could assume such tasks. We only sought to serve the Empire.”
“You only sought to impose your view of what is right and honorable upon others,” the Lion countered. “I find the expulsion of Phoenix forces from the Yasuki lands the only honorable response to actions such as yours.”
Sawao seemed ready to retort, but there was a subtle movement from behind the screen; the Empress raised her hand, bringing the discussion to an immediate end. She turned and spoke to Satsu, although again her voice was hidden from the attendants. Kurumi supposed that the screen might have some sort of enchantment upon it to prevent such a thing, or perhaps it was some quality possessed by the Empress herself. Satsu attended to her for some time, before bowing his head.
“It is the wish of the Divine Empress to hear the thoughts of the Unicorn in this matter, relating as the issue does directly to them.”
A representative of the Unicorn stepped forward and bowed deeply. Like the Lion, Kurumi did not immediately recognize him, and felt a fresh wave of annoyance at all the new faces in attendance at the court. By the time she memorized them all, the season would be nearly over. “The Unicorn are greatly honored by the Divine Empress’ indulgence,” the woman said.
The Empress gestured from behind the screen. Proceed, her gestured indicated.
“It is true that the war with the Lion, as well as the campaign in which our previous Khan engaged prior to his death, have left our clan in dire circumstances.” The courtier deftly avoided mention of Moto Chagatai’s name, or details regarding his attack upon the capital, but Kurumi found it intriguing that the Unicorn would mention it at all. They were embracing their past, it seemed, despite their failings. “The Unicorn seek no further conflict with the Lion, but nor do we seek their representation in determining who should or should not enter the lands of the Unicorn. If the Phoenix genuinely wish to offer their aid, then on behalf of my clan I gratefully accept it.”
Satsu nodded, listened intently for a moment, and then continued. “It is the will of the Empress that the Phoenix delegation shall be escorted to the Unicorn provinces by whatever size honor guard the Lion feel necessary. When their activities in the Unicorn lands are completed, they will be allowed passage back to the edge of the Lion lands, again under whatever degree of guard the Lion deem appropriate.”
The Lion delegate bowed. “Your will be done, my Empress.”
Sawao bowed deeply. “All praise the wisdom of the Divine One.”
“This court session is at an end,” Satsu said unexpectedly. There were murmurs of surprise throughout the chamber, but he continued. “This discussion has only served to remind the Empress of the ongoing conflicts within the Empire. That these disturbances arose during a period of lawlessness, with an empty throne, is to be expected, for the Divine Empress knows all too well that even the most honorable soul can have difficulty resisting the nature of the mortal condition. That these conflicts remain even in the aftermath of the Heavens’ judgment, however, is troubling, and the Empress wishes to retire and reflect on this matter.” He stopped and gestured to the Chancellor and Advisor. “The Empress’ Chosen will remain in attendance to hear your grievances. The divine Empress will return to the court in three days’ time, at which point she will issue her first judgment related to the ongoing conflicts.”
The attendants knelt as the Empress withdrew from behind her screen, her Voice and the Voices of the Heavens retiring alongside her. The attendants began talking amongst themselves once they had departed the chamber, and it was obvious from their tone that many were attempting to anticipate what action, if any, the Empress might take.
The reign of the Divine Empress Iweko I was about to be tested, it seemed.
*
