“We’re going to take back Hirozaka Castle.”

Several of the older men in the room smiled and nodded, like they knew that was the only course of action all along and Sou had picked wisely. After deliberating for weeks, it was the only conclusion that Sou could live with. He couldn’t let the Kuroda take their castle, take their lands, kill their retainers and let them sit there and gloat about it. Sure, they had the larger forces and more powerful allies, but give a man an inch and he’ll take a mile. Not only the Kuroda, but the other clans needed to know that the Yashiro wouldn’t take things sitting down.

“A wise choice, young lord,” said Baba Junpei, Ane’s father. He couldn’t hide the grin on his face. “Let’s show those uncultured barbarians exactly what it means to take on Miharu Province!”

There were cheers of agreement. Only Tanabe Hiroki, one of his father’s weaker men, sat silently. “You have something you want to say, Nabe?” Junpei turned to him, leaning in close as though awaiting a delightful and thrilling answer. Hiroki frowned but said nothing. “Cat got your tongue, again?”

“You’re not the one who’s going to lose all his land and people next.” Hiroki’s nose twitched. He turned and looked at Sou at the head of the small council of men. “I would advise you to think this through once more, my lord. Their armies are much larger than ours, and their allies much stronger. Lord Kuroda has made no attempt to continue his excursions into our land. In fact, they have stopped entirely. I think he’s made his point. We should cut our losses, allow him the castle and continue to strengthen the lands we do have.”

Junpei burst out laughing and slapped him on the back. “Oh, oh you sure are rich, Nabe. Which gutter did Ryobe pick you up from, anyway? How do you even live with yourself being so chicken shit? Have you ever even worked a day in your life, or do you let all the women do that for you? Not that I could blame you, they’re certainly more competent than you’ve ever been.”

“Now hold it right there!”

“Enough!”

Sou held up a hand. He looked at Hiroki directly. “My decision is final. We’re taking Hirozaka back. Your assistance in this matter won’t be required. You’re free to return to your lands and secure them for potential future invasion. That is your task, do you understand?”

His face was sullen, like a child being told off by his father for not doing his chores. He nodded, excused himself from the table and left the room.

“You’re just going to let him go like that?” Junpei asked, his voice full of disbelief. “With such disrespect?”

“I’ll deal with him later. Right now we need to focus everything we have on Hirozaka.” He stopped and looked at each man sitting around the table before he spoke once more. “I know you all consider me too young to lead. Too unprepared. Too naive and not worldly enough. Nor do you agree with the choices I make or the people I surround myself with.” Thoughts of Izue flashed through his mind, as a few of the men shifted uncomfortably in their seats. They always did whenever Izue’s presence was brought up. “Well, that’s going to end today. If any man or woman here has a problem with my rule they can feel free to step forward right now and challenge me. Let’s end this right here, right now. Anyone?”

Sou looked around the room. The men were looking at anything but him, perhaps wondering if someone else would be the stupid one to stand up and accept his challenge.

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“No?”

Behind him Sou felt Ane stand up. A few of the men began murmuring to each other. Her father sat silently, his face unreadable. She put a hand on Sou’s shoulder. He turned to face her.

“You have my full support, Lord Sou. Should any man or woman challenge you, let them first challenge me.”

Sou let out a breath, not realising his heart was racing in his chest. He smiled, and put a hand on top of hers. “Thank you, Ane. I appreciate the gesture. But I will handle this alone.” She nodded and returned to her position behind him.

“No-one? Then good. From now on I won’t be questioned. If you’re not brave enough to step up and challenge me now in front of everyone, then don’t go doing it behind my back. I’ve given you all the chance to face me honourably and air any grievances you may have in an open and free manner, no recourse. If there are no more objections, I’d like to put all this behind us and get on with matters. Lord Kuroda needs to be stopped. We’re going to stop him. Baba-dono,” Sou turned to Junpei, sitting like stone before him, “I’m putting you in charge of Oohara Castle while we’re gone.”

“Wait, what?!” The shock was evident on his face. He wanted to be in the fight, not sitting around with the other old folk talking about the glories of days gone by. “I mean, I’m honoured, Lord Sou, but I’ll be of more use to you on the field than I will be here.”

Sou shook his head. “I need you here. You’re the only one I trust to be strong enough to defend our capital should the need arise. Our lands are in your hands. Look after them.”

Junpei could say nothing at that. He nodded his head and sat back in his chair, biting his words. Sou turned to the rest of the men.

“You’re also to return to your lands. Many of you have made it very clear that you’re my father’s men, and that’s okay. But my father is dead, and I’m the daimyo now. I respect your wisdom and experience greatly, and will rely on your further in the future, but for this excursion I will be taking my own retainers with me.”

There were again murmurs, but no argument. Sou didn’t expect there would be.

“I’m also issuing a double guard on our prisoner, Bitou Ayane. I want to make this very, very clear, just in case anyone is having any ideas to the contrary. She is not to be harmed. If there is so much a single split end in her hair that wasn’t there when I left, I will personally kill every single man responsible. There will be no honour in taking your own life. I will drag you out to a ditch and I will cut your head off and leave you to rot in the summer heat. Are we all,” Sou looked around the room again, one by one, making every single man meet his eyes, “in agreement?”

There was no answer.

“Are we in agreement?!” His voice boomed across the room, causing several of the men to jump in their seats and spill their tea.

“Ye- yes, Lord Sou.”

“Dismissed.”

The men filed out and Sou stood up. He turned to Ane, Toshio and Riko standing in silence behind him. “Get your men ready. We’ll be moving out shortly. I’ll handle Ayane’s arrangements myself.”

Two guards stood before the door to Ayane’s room. A rather recent arrangement, and not one he enjoyed, but it was better than some bitter samurai deciding to take out his anger on her, or worse, one of Kuroda’s many ninja.

He knocked. “It’s Sou. Can I come in?”

The door opened. Ayane looked at the guards and pulled Sou in, closing the door behind him. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

“Okay.”

“I need to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have any books on old swords or perhaps tales of ancient heroes and gods?”

“Uh…” Sou wasn’t sure how to answer the look of excitement in her eyes. “I’m not sure, why?”

“Oh, no reason. Just wanted something new to read. If you do remember any, can you have them sent to my room?”

“Okay, but I’m not going to be here for much longer.”

Her shoulders slumped. She could probably guess what was coming.

“We’re going to take back Hirozaka.”

“I assumed you would.”

An awkward silence filled the air.

“Please don’t kill my brother. He’s not a bad kid, he’s just been drawn into all of this unwillingly because I’m… here. Just get him away from Kuroda. We can get him to see sense, we can end this war before it even begins. Please. Just, don’t kill him.”

Sou didn’t want to make any promises he couldn’t keep. The idea of killing a 12 year boy was far from his idea of fun, even considering what the young boy had done to his people, but he would do what needed to be done if that’s what it came down to.

“I’ll do my best.” He smiled, knowing it didn’t reach his eyes.