Mists of the Silver River

 

 

            The columns of Southern samurai riders advanced through the gray wilderness like an endless, red serpent. Daisuken had grown weary of the heavy clouds and ceaseless drizzle. This was summer, was it not? The season had forsaken these forests; it was nigh cold as autumn, and had rained more than once the past several days. It was late morning, but their procession had begun in the dark before dawn, and they had been at it days before that. Kayowa Road was long, and muddy to boot, slowing their progress. Ever the fog haunted. In this gloom the men were sober, each riding, or marching, submerged in his own thoughts. Perhaps the mists persisted on account of the river. Earlier the road had taken them so close they could hear the push of its waters, a cold whisper beyond the trees.

            Daisuken focused on the way ahead, and the ri between him and Shenobi. I will see you soon, Ayaka, my swan, my dear wife. We shall make it official by the gods and state.

            "Let us hope the sun still shines in Shenobi," said Akihiro, looking to the sky. The tall young prince rode to Daisuken's left, accompanying him at the head of the army. He was in sapphire blue armor and dark leather. Most of Akihiro's warriors had remained in Shinrin, but he had decided to return south with Daisuken, bringing several hundred blue-samurai with, which currently rode at the middle of the column, under the banner of the White Tiger. Masuro rode on Daisuken's other shoulder. He and the general were fitted in the red armor of the Hiryu regiment. Beside Masuro went Lord Jiroda, in dark blue and gray, and grave and expressionless as ever.

            "To Jigoku with the sun," said Okata. The grizzled warlord from Mitsubayashi rode next to Akihiro, suited in forest green armor and studded leather. Everyone else had loosened their vests, pauldrons, bracers, removed their gloves or gauntlets, and set their helms on their saddles - but not Okata. He was primed for combat at the slightest whip of the wind.

            "The skies can't make up their mind," he said. "Either it should rain, or the blasted sun should show. This drizzle only mocks us."

            Akihiro laughed; Masuro chuckled faintly. The bawdy talk that followed, instigated by Okata, and the laughter, contrasted sharply with the forest stillness. Jiroda did not laugh however. The man needed at least a flask of wine before he might give half a smile.

            Daisuken's view was obscured by the trees, but he looked south all the same. Shenobi was just two days away. Yesterday they left Hittadori Bridge behind, secured with two thousand additional troops. Now that they had moved beyond the shadow of Fumei-noyorou's borders, the lords and their warriors eased up with every ri. Daisuken supposed they could afford to let their guard down a bit. At present they traversed Eruku's southern reaches, a largely uninhabited region where the Silver River forked into various streams that fed into Kusa-no-tani's valley, and towards Shenobi's forests. The army had to cross many small bridges, which slowed their advance somewhat. It was a region without danger, deep in allied territory.

            "We're heading back too soon," said Okata, after a lull in the talk. "We should've smashed the Eastern host. They were all lined up, just asking for it."

            The other lords were mostly silent on the matter. After missing the clash at Hittadori Bridge, Okata had itched for a fight. Small chance he would have been satisfied with the fray at the bridge either. Recapturing the crossing had proved far easier than Daisuken anticipated. There had been no Akuma there, just Oku-no-kawa clansmen and a smattering of renegade ronin. Aside from a few skirmishes, the rebellious forces had fled at the approach of Daisuken's army. No matter. After the wedding, Daisuken intended to repay the clansmen doubly for their treachery.

            "Worry not, Okata-sama," said Masuro. "We will yet get a chance to crush our enemies."

            "That will prove as unavoidable as day falls to night," said Daisuken. "The new truce will not hold long."

            The Southern lords agreed, and were silent. Daisuken knew they were of split minds regarding the truce. He brooded as the slow clomp of the horses' hooves returned him in time a few days gone.

 

            Daisuken had been uncertain about meeting the eastern representatives. The opportunity came at a pivotal moment, however. Both armies were positioned on either side of the Silver River, on the edge of battle, over seventy thousand allies standing in defiance of an estimated hundred and thirty thousand. But then, even as orders were being issued for defensive formations, an Eastern messenger crossed the bridge, requesting audience. It was likely the arrival of Akihiro and his fifteen thousand blue samurai that had tipped the balance for Kage-waru.

            Lord Ryudono and many other lords had been reluctant, nevertheless they agreed to a meeting. No one wanted to admit it, but once the fighting started, even with the considerable allied numbers and the terrain in their favor, there was a high chance they would lose. The Eastern host had transported barges, and were constructing more. Daisuken and his comrades could hear the constant hammering racket from across the river. They could not repel invaders everywhere along the river shores; and if the Shogun captured the bridge, their forces would flood into the South.

            A large square, roofless tent was erected on the allied side of the river. There Daisuken and fellow leaders gathered. Okata was not allowed to attend. The warlord was to brash for such a delicate council. Three Eastern representatives, and Ishigoda - the Shoguns's general - crossed the river, with a company of retainers, all in black with red and white insignias. Daisuken had disliked Ishigoda instantly. There was an endless confidence about him, cold and unassailable. He did not fear the South whatsoever. Daisuken had to restrain the urge to show him otherwise. Thus the meeting was a precarious, the call of blood never far.

            "Where is Kage-waru?" Daisuken asked. He had been looking forward to facing the Shogun, and at the same time relieved his nemesis was nowhere to be seen.

            "The Shogun does not cross borders," replied general Ishigoda, "not unless the land belongs to him. That is precisely why you can rest assured he had nothing to do with the incident at Hittadori Bridge. He respects the treaty, unlike others." He eyed Lord Ryudono then, before placating the Southern lords with a smile. "Worry not of Kage-waru's absence. We are his voice at this council. It is the same as if  you were speaking with him now."

            Daisuken thought it more probable the Shogun had not attended because the sense to preserve his life was well intact. Nevertheless, Daisuken wondered then, as he had more than once on the way back, of what Fumio had said about the Shogun, and the dark motives for which he concealed himself in his misted realm.

            Various stipulations were put into effect by signing the new armistice. So long as the Southern Kingdoms abided by the emperor's mandate, renewing their yearly tribute to the imperial capital in Soraijeno - by way of Fumei-noyorou - then the Shogun would grant them all the rights of sovereign states. This provision had irked the allies most. What sounded a great a victory, threatened to be the first step to turn theirs into vassal kingdoms. Though various leaders had protested, Daisuken saw no other choice for the time being. It was hard work convincing the others, especially Ryudono. He had promised Shinrin's lord vengeance for his son, but not yet, only when they knew they could win. Better to hold back a short while longer, and then, when the deer was close enough, release the arrow to kill.

            Other terms had been agreed upon. Shinrin would pay reparations for the Eastern outpost Kage-waru claimed they had attacked. In return, he would grant Shinrin full rights to the domain along the western length of the Silver River. Another stipulation required Daisuken and his forces to withdraw immediately from Shinrin. Therefore, the next day, he and a large contingent of allies had started South, onto Kayowa Road. But first they watched the Eastern forces set fire to their barges - nearly a hundred - as was also required by the accord.

 

            "A pox on the treaty," Daisuken growled as he progressed up the grey road in the company of the other two lords and general Masuro. Despite all that it gained, he knew his counterparts felt the truce closer to a loss. "I swear by my father's fathers, we shall never render Kage-waru tribute."

            Akihiro nodded, and Okata said, "That's more like it. Not a coin or a bushel of rice should go east to that dog."

            "Well, then the truce will be even more short-lived than I expected," said Masuro.

            "In any case, Kage-waru has lost most," said Akihiro. "Once he realizes we control the entirety of the Silver River, he won't risk an invasion."

            Daisuken nodded tepidly. In truth he trusted none of the promises Kage-waru's glib-tongued representatives had given. Let them think us fools. His offerings had been exceedingly generous, which caused Daisuken to suspect hidden motives, which was why he had secretly left ten thousand of his men with Lord Ryudono, and others to bolster outposts along the marchlands. Thousands of allies had diverged on the return as well, leaving Daisuken to ride back with less fourteen thousand of the men with whom he had left Shenobi. Together with the allies still following him south, they were seventeen thousand. Their diminished numbers did not matter anymore however, for the eastern border was now guarded by a tight fence of spears, leaving no rent for enemy forces to slip past.

            "To hell with Kage-waru and the lot of Fumei-noyorou," said Okata.

            "There will be time enough for war," Akihiro reminded them. "But at least now more guests will attend the wedding, neh?"

            "Let's just hope there's enough rice wine and sochu," said Okata.

            Although the situation with the East was far from resolved, the allied lords put it aside, instead expressing their anticipation for the wedding and celebration. They laughed, speaking of the revelries awaiting. All were smiling, all save Jiroda, impassive as an old tree bole in the wind.

            Less than two hours onwards, the allied host came to a fork. Kayowa Road wound southwards; and the branching course pushed southeast, around low hills, and on towards Kusa-no-tani. Here Daisuken and the other lords bid farewell to Jiroda.

            "As soon as I have led my men back to my castle, I will make haste to Shenobi," Jiroda promised. "I should arrive the day before your wedding, or the morning of."

            "We shall not open the new casks of sochu until you arrive, Jiroda-sama," answered Daisuken. Now that they were so close to Shenobi, it struck Daisuken as somewhat unnecessary for Jiroda to return to his kingdom. At the same time Daisuken understood Jiroda's concern to make certain of his defenses himself, since after Shinrin and Eruku, his realm was the nearest to Fumei-noyorou.

            Akihiro, Okata, and Masuro also bid farewell. Jiroda gave them a curt nod, and pulled the reins of his warhorse, turning down the branching road. His riders - three thousand strong - followed him like a charged river, all arrayed in dark blue and pale gray. Soon they went at a hard clip, spears held high, and the banners of the gray fox of Kusa-no-tani snapping in the damp air. By and by the line of riders disappeared among the pines and fingers of mist.

            While the rumble of Jiroda's rider dissipated, Okata spoke, "What a relief that one has left. I swear, the man is more boring than a stone slab. Probably sleeps standing up too."

            Daisuken had long noticed that Okata did not take to Jiroda. Fortunately, for the sake of the alliance, the warlord from Mitsubayashi acted cordially enough in Jiroda's presence.

            Daisuken's warriors and the remaining allies restarted down Kayowa Road. Scouts reported that the way was open, and by nightfall they should reach hard ground. At last, I am going home.

            Akihiro's mind was also on Shenobi, for the prince from Ao-kuraoudo declared, "Sunshine or no, Midori is all I need. When I return, I mean to ask Nagai-hije for her hand."

            "I will put in a good word for you," Daisuken warranted. "It will be arranged. Not solely because it will strengthen ties between our kingdoms, but because I know you and my cousin will be happy."

            "I'm glad you're taken by her," Okata joined, after a lapse. "All of us have something to look forward to, neh? As long the brothel is well-stocked, that's all I need."

            "Indeed, is that all?" Masuro asked.

            "Of course it isn't." Akihiro scoffed. "You saw how much he ate at the feast. Daisuken, we'll need to hunt another boar, elsewise Okata is liable to chomp into one of your tables."

            Masuro chuckled, and Okata retorted, "So you all think me shallow, is that? Well, of course there's more I'll take. There's always sake, ... and battle!"

            Masuro sighed, and said, "Just give me a warm bath with some sake, and I shall never complain again."

            Daisuken grinned mildly. The camaraderie between the lords was a good sight.

            "There will be days for celebration," said Daisuken. "After that, we must use our time wisely. The Shogun's influence is growing. He could eventually bring Soraijeno to his side. Most of the South is united, yes, but my father yet wishes to negotiate a coalition with the North Kingdom, and other houses. Once we have extended our alliances, we can throw that truce into the flames and cross the Silver River ourselves. I vow that we shall obliterate Fumei-noyorou, and finally rid the peninsula of the Shogun and his mockery of imperial authority."

            The others concurred enthusiastically. Okata unsheathed his sword, raised it, and cursed the Shogun. Akihiro raised his sword with him, then Masuro and Daisuken likewise.

            "One South!" they chorused three times.

            United by renewed purpose, they rode on. Several ri further, Okata asked, "About those new casks of sochu you mentioned, Daisuken-sama - what if Jiroda doesn't show? Surely we won't wait for that dunce, neh?"

            If Daisuken was to fulfill his promise to return three days before the ceremony, they should increase their pace. At his order, the cavalcade of thousands of samurai riders entered a swift canter. Ri and after ri they past pillars of woods, gathered endlessly along the road. There were a flock of hills west, but few east, where the Silver River flowed. The mists and grey skies kept, and a steady drizzle fell. Very strange, thought Daisuken, in the midst of summer.

            For roughly half an hour their horses bore them through the wilderness, tens of thousands of hooves thumping the damp earthen road. The were navigating one in a series of wide, serpentine turns, when the quietude of the skies was broken by the distant cry of a horn. The first echoes Daisuken scarcely noticed, yet before long the horn sounded again, louder, its profound note rolling over forest and hill. Daisuken raised a fist, slowing the army's advance.

            "It came from the east," said Masuro, peering yonder.

            "Who do you think blew it?" Akihiro asked. All humor had drained from the prince.

            "I do not know," Daisuken said, staring east with the others. The allied forces had come to a stop.

            Okata scowled into the forests. "There are wolves out there. I can smell them."

            The horn brayed a third time, longer, louder, as if begging the heavens to hear.        

            "Send scouts," Daisuken told Masuro. "We must learn what is afoot."

            Three scouts promptly road into the forest and disappeared, leaving the lords of the South to wait under the oppressive skies. The horn did not blow again, and a tense silence held as the drizzle fell thicker. Daisuken had an ill foreboding, and by the look of his companions, so did they. Something was gravely wrong; he sensed it in his innards, in his very marrow. He sent a command down the ranks for the army to be readied. The samurai riders strung their bows.

            A quarter hour at most transpired before one of the scouts returned from the forests, side by side with another - one of Jiroda's men. The Kusa-no-tani warrior had ridden hard, for his horse breathed fierce, its muscles rippling from exertion. The man's eyes were wild, his mouth agape. He drew up beside the lords;

            "Jiroda is under attack!"

            "Where is he?" Daisuken demanded forcefully over the voices of his companions. "Who is attacking?"

            "Near the Silver River," the man replied, his words tumbling out, "They came out of the forests. An ambush! There are hundreds and hundreds of them!"

            "Who is attacking! Tell us man!" Masuro pressed.

            "Samurai. Maybe Oku-no-kawa clansmen. Maybe there were others too. Everything fell to chaos quickly. Jiroda had the horn blown, and ordered me to ride for help."

            "Those cursed mongrels," Okata brought his fist over his palm. "They think they can come this far south and leave alive? Never!"

            How in blazes did our scouts fail to detect them? Daisuken wondered. It seemed with everyone's attention further north, and the river this far south shallow in summer, the enemy force must have snuck south while Jiroda was absent.

            "How many?" Daisuken questioned, staying calm.

            The rider shook his head, "Several thousand, at least." The man was growing more worried. "Last I saw, Lord Jiroda and the core of his men were caught in the middle. There are too many for them to repel. Please! I beg you Lord Daisuken, we need your help."

            Daisuken nodded. Though he rather not believe it, this reeked of the Shogun. Maybe it is the force we repelled off of Hittadori Bridge? Maybe they had not yet received notification of the truce? It matters not. There was no time to wonder. Daisuken had no choice. One of his allies needed help.

            "Well, what are we waiting for?" Okata spoke gruffly.

            "You know this country better than us," Daisuken said to the rider. "What is the fastest way to Jiroda?"

            "The way I came. Through the forests. I can show it to you. No more than half an hour, riding swift."

            Could the army take that path? It seemed there was just enough space between the trees. Daisuken weighed the possibility a few seconds longer, then nodded. "Very well. We ride together. All of us."

            Akihiro and Masuro nodded, their expressions grim, determined.

            "Thank Hachiman-Okami!" Okata cried. "My sword shall drink its fill after all."

            "I need someone to lead seven thousand of our riders back there by the road," Daisuken continued. "The rest will come with me. We shall hit them with both horns of the bull, and make them choke on their own bitter draught."           

            The lords wanted to ride with Daisuken, and so he had to appoint Takaneda - the captain of the Hiryu - to lead the secondary force. Then Daisuken gave a series of commands that were passed from him to his secondary captains, unto the end of the columns. No horns of conches were blown; stealth was imperative. The ranks of allied riders formed into the two forces.

            Already fitted in his armor and kabuto, Okata was the first ready. Daisuken put his lighting bolt helmet on, then his gauntlets. The other men secured their armor; Masuro adjusting his pauldrons, and Akihiro tightening bracers. Masuro donned his helm. Akihiro went without, for he claimed he fought better thus.

            "They may only be clansmen, but we must still be careful," Daisuken said as he fitted his right gauntlet. "They waited to attack Jiroda until he was alone. This was planned."

            "I think it's more than clansmen," Akihiro said. "Kage-waru stabs us in the back."

            Okata cursed the Shogun, but the others spoke no more of the possible connection. They do not want to consider what it could mean, thought Daisuken. Neither do I. If the Shogun were somehow behind it, this was only the muzzle of the giant wolf poking out of the brush.

            "If we find out Kage-waru had anything to do with this, he will have hell to pay." Daisuken locked the scowling kabuto mask under his eyes and over his mouth.    

            The lords called for their halberds, and the nearest retainers quickly supplied them with the specialized lightweight, long-bladed staffs. The columns were primed. Daisuken nodded to the captain of the Hiryu. Without horns or battle cries, the two columns - one led by Takaneda, and the other by Daisuken - separated.

            As Takaneda's seven thousand thudded north, Daisuken wheeled into the forests behind the rider, ten thousand following him. They moved swift past the tall grey boles; their passage, muffled by the deep layers of damp leaves and needles, was as distant thunder. Now and then the horses snorted, their breaths white smoke amid the drizzle. Several ri further the army crested a gathering of lesser hills, and descended into the wide dell beyond like an avalanche. They were close now, Jirod's rider warned. Daisuken ordered the army to slow to a canter. They must not rush. They needed to take the enemy at unawares, spear them through the back. Save for the clomping of hooves churning through leaves, and the light clinking and jostling of armor and weapons, an eerie silence pervaded through the forests.

            The mists were deeper in the lowland, shrouding their vision at no more than a stone's throw and a half ahead. Thus they heard the enemy before seeing them. The echoes of isolated shouts in the forest depths grew to a din.

            At Daisuken's order, the riders spread out. Akihiro took the left with Okata. Daisuken, with Masuro at his side, led the vanguard of the Hiryu regiment which formed the center. The southern army sped up, crashing through one of the streams that bifurcated from the Silver River. The horses leapt and surged, sensing the fight. In the fog Daisuken descried warriors in dark armor, rushing with spears aloft.

            He shouted at the top of his lungs, and the Southern riders leveled their spears, hurtling forth. The trees shuddered and the wilderness erupted with their howling battle cries.

            They hit the enemy in a wave of horses, wood, and steel. Spears shattered, men were trampled, and weapons shrieked. The enemy was afoot, and so the allies slew them with terrible efficacy. Wails inundated the dell. Amidst the haze of killing, Daisuken saw that the foes were Oku-no-kawa clansmen, and others too - samurai in black, without standards or insignias. His halberd slashed a man down the back, then he pulled the reins with one hand to face a jet-armored samurai attacking him with a yari spear. Daisuken deflected the thrust, before he used both arms to bring the halberd down, taking the man's arm off. Nearby, Masuro slew two clansmen.

            With a roar, Daisuken called the army onward. Their momentum carried them to smash through ranks. The enemy broke. Those that were not trod aground fled where the woods were thicker. Daisuken gave pursuit, brandishing the halberd left, then right, killing another. His men shouted to drive terror into their adversaries.

            Daisuken came to the banks overlooking the wide shores of the Silver River. The tangle of trees overhead had broken, revealing the grey, sunken sky. There he halted, uncertain. The enemy had been routed. Those still alive were running into the river, wading up to their necks to get across, some floundering in the current. All around, Daisuken's men were slaughtering those trying to reach the river. Many of the Hiryu samurai had dismounted and drawn their swords to butcher foes as they stumbled over the rocks on the shores.

            Daisuken removed his helmet. He was breathing heavy. Upon removing his right gauntlet and touching his face, he noticed the drops of blood bespattering him. Not his blood. Masuro caught up. His halberd was crimson. Daisuken was heartened to see that the general was not wounded either.

            "I received word," said Masuro, between breaths. "Akihiro and Okata were separated in the mist. They led several hundred about a ri north, and met with Takaneda and the rest. It looks like the enemy's other flank has been crushed and sent yelping as well."

            "And where is Jiroda and his men?"

            "They found many dead Kusa-no-tani samurai, but it appears Jiroda and his host rode east. We cannot be certain though. With all this mist, ..." Masuro faltered. "Perhaps he went north, to pursue the remnants of clansmen."           

            Daisuken remained silent. He did not think it so. That stone-faced b*****d.

            "The clansmen are defeated, my lord," said one of Daisuken's captains, just arriving. "Hundreds, perhaps more escaped. Should we give pursuit?       

            Daisuken wiped the blood from his face. He saw that his armor was also speckled with blood, and his halberd dripped onto the stones. For a spell he was quiet, looking east. There the mists eddied, deeper.

            "I should have ridden the Oku-no-kawa Clan down the first time. I swore that if the chance ever came again, I would," Daisuken said. "Many of them are still escaping. I will not make the same mistake twice. And the samurai in black armor? They are the Shogun's men. I know it. We finish them, Masuro-san. Now. All of them."

            Masuro regarded him uncertainly, then nodded.

            To the captain beside them, Daisuken ordered, "Call Akihiro, Okata, and Takaneda. Have them redirect our forces here." Then he spoke to Masuro. "The river is shallow enough. We will cross with our horses."

            While they waited for the others to come, Daisuken thought of Ayaka. Forgive me, my dove. But I do this to protect you. I will be back, sooner than you know.

            Takaneda arrived, flanked by Akihiro and Okata. None of them was wounded, but by the look of their weapons, they had dispatched their share of enemy. Overall, the army had suffered few losses; thus nigh seventeen thousand riders soon amassed by the Silver River. Daisuken asked only those not afraid to follow him.

            "We are riding east. I am through with the Shogun's games. We take the fight into his belly. First we slay these treacherous Oku-no-kawa curs, then we strike Fumei-noyorou."

            Okata voiced his praise for the plan. He also suspected Jiroda, and swore that if the lord of Kusa-no-tani proved false, he would slay the man himself. The other lords also agreed, though not as eagerly as on the road. They are wise to be worried. Akihiro especially looked apprehensive, so much that Daisuken recommended he return to Shenobi, that as prince of Ao-kuraoudo, he was too important to risk his life on such a venture. Nevertheless Akihiro was determined to ride with them.

            Daisuken put a hand on Masuro's shoulder. "You are like my brother."

            "I would follow you to the end of my earth, as my lord, and as my brother," Masuro answered.       

            Daisuken donned his helmet. The grim day was turning to late noon. Eastward the mists thickened, swirling, ghostlike. Now we will cut through those veils, and destroy this dark mystery.

            Daisuken raised his halberd. "One South!" he shouted, and shook his reins, plunging down the shores and into the Silver River, leading thousands of warriors into the misted forests of the east.