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by Shawn Carman
The first day of the Month of the Rat, year 1170, the winter months had a noticeable effect on most parts of the Empire. There were a handful of temperate regions in which the effect was limited, mostly in the humid climate of the Islands of Silk & Spice, but the majority of Rokugan enjoyed very cold weather and a reasonable amount of snow each year. Of course, ‘enjoyed’ was not the word that many would use to describe it. Courtiers and the like took tremendous enjoyment from the opportunities of Winter Court, but virtually no one experienced the true joy and thrill afforded by the low temperatures.
Of course, Kazumasa was not like other people. The young man thrilled at the burning of the cold mountain wind on his face. His fingers stung badly from clinging to the icy stones. The sensations told him that he was alive. The crag that he had been scaling had ended, but another led farther toward the top of the peak he required. There was a divide between the two, nearly eight feet in width. Kazumasa brace himself, tensing with all his might, and then flung himself to the side. For a brief moment, he was suspended between the two, flying free through the air so high in the mountains that a single mistake might mean his death. Then he reached the other peak and grabbed hold, the stone biting deeply into his fingertips. He laughed at the joy of it all.
From somewhere below him, there was an explosive bout of swearing, making him laugh all the harder. “Are you mad, Explorer?” That was the name by which many of the Badger Clan samurai he now worked alongside called him. He recognized the name belonging to the gunso of the scout patrol he was traveling with. “The path will take you all the way to the peak! What is the point of such foolish risk?”
“The path takes too long!” was his only answer, and he continued the climb. The swearing beneath him continued.
True to his word, Kazumasa reached the summit nearly half an hour before his colleagues. Upon reaching the top, he took only a moment to enjoy his victory, then quickly withdrew his heavier cloak from the pack he carried and wrapped himself within it. Without the constant movement to keep him warm, the wind would make short work of him at this height. He bandaged his bloodied fingers and wrapped them as well, then had a quick bite and a drink from his rations and began to look around the plateau more closely. It was unusual to find such a large, flat region so high in the mountains, and Kazumasa took the opportunity to bask in the beauty of the winter mountain scene. He considered starting a fire, but reflected that it was warmer than he would have expected, and decided that there was no need for it.
THE MORE HE THOUGHT OF IT, THE MORE CONCERNED HE WAS.
Something made him frown. Why was it so warm? And while the mountains to the north were basked in a warm, golden glow like that of the setting sun, it was the wrong time of day and the wrong direction for such a thing. He had been so exhilarated to reach the peak that he had not considered the oddity of the situation at first, but now storms gathered in his expression. The more he thought of it, the more concerned he was.
Kazumasa began running toward the northern edge of the plateau. It was some distance, and the altitude caused his breath to come quickly with very little exertion. He did not stop, however, leaping deftly over obstacles and avoiding the rocky outcroppings that were too large. He made a mental note to recommend to his lord that this plateau was more than large enough to support an additional outpost, if the Badger were so inclined to expand their line of defense. Those thoughts, however, vanished as soon as he reached the edge and looked into the valley beyond.
It was several moments later when the other Badger reached the peak and came in his direction. “I do not know what manner of madness afflicts you,” the gunso said irritably, but Kazumasa held up a hand and silenced him. He did not have to turn and see the warrior to know how flush his features had become at such impertinence on the part of a man many still regarded as an outsider.
“You may have won the favor of Lord Kihongo,” the gunso began, but then he too reached the edge and saw what lay beyond. “Fortunes,” he whispered.
“Can we trigger an avalanche?” Kazumasa asked.
The bushi shook his head. “This region is stable. I would not have shouted at you otherwise.”
“Then we must leave immediately.” He looked at the men gravely. “How long will the return trip take if we travel directly to Shiro Ichiro.”
The man thought for moment. “Six hours. More than likely eight, given the conditions.”
“Try to keep pace with me,” Kazumasa said.
“Do not bother to look back. We will be there.”
The Badger Clan Champion had not been a young man in a great number of years. Men had been born and become old in the time that had elapsed since Ichiro Kihongo was young, and yet for all that his mind was as sharp as any that Kazumasa had worked alongside in his many years of wandering the Empire. Kihongo commanded a clan tasked with an impossible duty, and given inadequate resources to ensure its completion. Yet he persevered without faltering. “Are you absolutely certain of what you have seen?” he asked carefully, his gaze boring into the Explorer and the gunso who stood beside him.
Kazumasa nodded. “There can be no question, my lord.”
“None,” the gunso agreed.
Kihongo tapped his ever-present pipe absently against the fingers of his left hand. “And how many?”
“Tens of thousands,” the Explorer said. “More, perhaps.”
“They are beyond number,” the gunso said. “Never in my life have I seen such a thing, and I stood at the Battle of Toshi Ranbo, my lord.”
“Then we have little choice,” Kihongo said. He turned to the motionless warrior on his right, a man larger than any Crab Kazumasa had ever seen. “Marshall our forces. Every man, woman, or child old enough to wield a blade is to be readied. Secure the fortresses. This is the moment for which we have been born.” He turned back to the others. “We must send word to the Empress’ Winter Court.”
“Let me go, my lord,” Kazumasa said. “None can make the journey faster.”
“In that I agree, but I require your aid here,” Kihongo answered. “Take your pick of men. As many as you desire. I will depend upon you to harry our enemies, Explorer.”
“Of course, my lord,” he said with a bow.
Kihongo hesitated. “I know your heart, Kazumasa. I know that you are not a man of war, nor even one of duty. I know that you swore your allegiance to us on a whim, and now I command you to fulfill a task that will leave many dead, including perhaps yourself. Can I depend upon you for this? Is the steel that I saw in your eyes on the day we met true?”
Kazumasa looked at his lord curiously. No one had ever spoken to him in such a manner, save for one, and it was in that same man’s eyes that Kazumasa had seen the same resolve, the same will of iron that he now saw in the Badger Champion’s eyes. “It would betray the memory of my lord and friend Kaneka for me to fail you now, Kihongosama,” he said. “My life is yours until its end.”
Kihongo nodded and turned to another in attendance, a man younger than himself, but not by a wide margin. “Hikenru, my old friend. It is to you I will entrust the task of taking this news to the Empress. If any can convince the Scorpion to allow you admittance, it is you.”
The old man bowed. “It is my great honor, my lord.”
“And if the Scorpion refuse,” Kihongo continued, “it is you that I trust to do what must be done, no matter the cost.” He paused and looked at the old man with remorse. “I know what I ask of you, my friend. The trip will be difficult, and your health is not good. Forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Hikenru insisted. “My great-nephew and I shall not fail you, my lord.”
Kihongo nodded. “Tell the Empress that her loyal servants among the Badger are overrun, but that we shall hold the line as long as we live.” He turned back to the court. “Go now, loyal vassals. Go now, and fill an old man’s heart with pride.”
