Sen contemplated on how the Empress herself had shown up unannounced on his land, which might prove to be his saving grace in the effort he was about to commit. He rode in his personal carriage under a strangely heavy midday sun, exactly a hundred wagons in tow. Two hundred men, that was the number of soldiers traveling alongside the wagons to West Forgery with him. An army so small, a dedicated town or a dozen well-armed villages might take him on. Luckily, he had his newfound legendary status.
Still, the move he was making was risky, a gamble that could upend all that Forgery and the Republic had worked for.
The carriage rolled to a stop, and Sen peeked out into the grass plains to view their first stop. Lord Masuo’s newly inherited city.
Forty foot walls rose next to Dekuu hill, shined on by the high sun. Dekuu hill was an infant compared to Hijimata, but the massive bulge of earth still provided ample protection from the threat of northern attacks. It was exactly why the city, Kaibon, was built behind it, long ago when their province faced invasion by the empire.
The carriage door opened. “Lord Sen, we’ve arrived,” said Gheki.
Sen quickly hopped out and got on the back of the steed provided to him. A hundred paces in front of them, Lord Masuo and his five guards waited for him outside the city gates. Sen could just as easily walk, but that would not do as well for appearances.
He reined his horse forward, leaving the wagons filled with bulking burlap sacks behind him. He brought it to a stop ten paces in front of Masuo, who, despite his cynical expression, regarded Sen curiously. His men edged back, glowering as Sen’s gaze passed over them.
“This is unexpected, Lord Sen,” Masuo said. His square face paired with a small nose made it hard to see him as anything but an overgrown child, but Sen understood the general’s formidability well. “When we saw you in the distance, we thought you’d come to destroy us, but you’ve only brought along a very scant army.”
“Did you not receive my message, Lord Masuo? I haven’t brought an army, but a gift. I mean not to attack you.”
Gheki pulled up to Sen’s side on his own horse. The generals eyed each other.
“I would hope not, my lord. You wouldn’t put a dent in my city with those numbers.” Masuo feigned amusement, but Sen could feel the intimidation coming from him and his men. They were speaking directly with a Ginju who had defied the Empress and defeated a dragon, according to hearsay.
Sen continued. “I’ve come to deliver food to the common populace of your city, to merchants and beggars alike. I must admit, I am indescribably proud of my efforts and accomplishments during our war. But I also am beginning to see Forgery in a new light. The land of Forgery is, indeed, a great nation state. We are a land of warriors. I aspire to unite Forgery with goodwill, and to teach our Erru people the power they hold within themselves.”
Masuo and his guard were speechless. They no doubt saw him as a young and hungry lordling. The last they’d expected from him was to show up outside their gates preaching unity.
“You want to distribute edible goods to the populace? What effect do you intend for this to have?”
“Do not dare judge me, Masuo,” said Sen, injecting anger into his voice. “Do not dare forget that I am High Lord. I will do this favor for you, out of the infinite goodness in my heart. I will also talk freely and openly to the populace, and give speeches across West Forgery as I have done in the East.”
“Are you suggesting that you will be openly encouraging blasphemy in my city?”
Sen was prepared for this too. He feigned confusion. “Only a fool would blaspheme the Empress herself. Whatever lies my mother told you, I had no part in it. I have no intention of going along with whatever nonsense Lord Tsugo is planning. Even I would not defy the Sovereign, despite being who I am.”
Masuo was taken aback. Then he made his best effort to keep the smugness from his grin, and his five men followed suit. They held back laughter, finding genuine humor in his words. “You’re a lot more than I thought, Lord Sen. With all due respect. I thank you for your grace, but a word of advice. Your young mind has gotten one taste of victory and now you wish to flaunt it wherever you go. Remember, High Lord, that we all still have much to learn. Nevertheless, this will to some extent repair our city’s economy.”
They turned and gestured for the men inside to open the city gates. The wall guards gawked, but moved to do as Masuo asked. Sen grew pleased with himself. He’d played the strong-headed and prideful leader well. His father had taught him that.
As Sen reined his horses again, the mass of wagons behind him began to roll forward.
“Well played, Lord Sen,” Gheki told him.
“That was the easy part,” Sen whispered. “Here is where things get difficult.”
The guards stopped them at the gates, thoroughly checking through the wagons, pulled by two horses each. The wagons were eighteen inches deep and piled high with bags of food. The guards patted the bags, feeling around them and inspecting the carts on all sides. Beads of sweat prickled Sen’s forehead. His heart grew slightly heavy, knocking progressively harder against his chest.
“Okay, all good,” said a guard.
Sen felt a palpable sense of relief, as if a giant weight had been eased off his shoulders. They moved on through the city. It was three times the size of Tsuisaka.
This was the capital city of Forgery.
It was no longer Ueko’s city, and he’d heard her greatest generals had drawn lots for ownership. Masuo had gotten lucky, if only for a time.
This was where he grew up. His mother and father had raised him within these very walls. He and his siblings had spent their childhoods telling each other stories of times past, of great battles said to have raged on that neighboring hill. They’d wonder and daydream about the legends of Dekuu hill when the burdens of life weren’t eating them away. What fabled, heroic battles had been rooted on that great hump of earth in the days of old? The Hijimata hills appeared even more mystical. Which of the Shinti had chosen to forge such wonders? It was all they could do to dwell on the thought, to escape their everyday pressures. Sen ran his finger along his burn marks.
Off to the northeastern side of the city, the buildings were bulkier and more sparse. Kaibon had to be captured three times before Forgery was absorbed into the empire. The sparser, thicker layout of the region closest to Dekuu hill made it so invaders could not so easily wreak catastrophic damage.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
A man tended a white stallion outside a small stable as the beast kicked up a bit of dust. Six more horses stood inside the stable, waiting to be lended out. A woman walked with her two children who watched the cluster of wagons in awe. They were likely on their way to a merchant’s shop. A nobleman eyed Sen suspiciously.
In his own city, he was unwelcome.
There was a wide opening around the gates, enough space for wagons to enter and slowly line up around the buildings. Sen had caught the attention of many now, all who were watching him closely. He came to a point that looked like the center of everything going around him. He watched the citizenry, watched the noble lords and ladies who looked as if they stood before a large, stray dog that had materialized in front of them, not knowing if it meant harm or good. He watched Masuo, who had not stopped tracking Sen from the second he’d stepped foot in the city.
Sen’s city.
Sen spoke at the top of his lungs.
“Erru of Forgery! People of Kaibon, man and woman, both common and noble, heed my voice! You wonder why I have come. You wonder what I have to say. You wonder why I even speak to you . This is the city of my father, Yomenuura Jiraiyen, and my mother, Yomenuura Ueko. This is indeed my birthplace.
“The last six months were strewn in chaos. You have suffered. I deeply regret all the harm I have caused you and your families. However, it was for a nobler cause. Those of common blood, listen to my words. You are as great as any. You keep this city standing. You hold up this province. I’ve come to inform you that we are not simply a province of the Egaishan empire. We are not a smaller part of a whole. We are an honored people, most honorable in all the continent! We are a nation state, above all peoples under the empire. To me, a common soul is worth more than gold. Therefore, I have brought compensation for the hardship I have caused. Behold, the east is abundant in overflowing storehouses. I have brought with me grains, produce of the earth, and salted meats. None in this city shall suffer any longer. None in the west shall bow to anyone but me. There is no more west and east Forgery, but only Forgery. For we are one. I am your protector.”
The silent crowd listened as the air grew with intensity. Sen made eye contact with every face that he could. He spoke to each personally, and as the words coursed through him, he felt conviction in his chest, and a pressure behind his eyes. There was not a single uttered word that he did not believe.
Sen allowed his speech to sit for a few seconds, knowing none would likely know how to respond.
Then, to the side, “Glory to Lord Yomenuura! Hail our High Lord!”
It was a man in brown robes, not so raggedy as to be a beggar, but not fine enough as to be mistaken for a lowborn noble. He was an older man, the skin having long begun to sag around his cheeks, but his eyes carried a static intensity, invigorating. Hidesada Najuro. “Praise be to him! We thank you, High Lord!”
“Thank you, lord!” another cried. Sen scanned the congregation, following the turning heads to a short hunched woman lethargically raising a fist. She locked eyes with him, then bowed in gratitude.
Others began following suit. They shouted their praises of approval, taken by storm.
“Your kind words will stay with us!”
“Your lordship is merciful!”
“Glory to our High Lord! Hail Lord Yomenuura!”
Sen met Najuro’s eyes again. The man grinned a toothy grin, knowingly.
It was all going according to plan. Thank you, Sen told him.
Sen held up a fist to silence the crowd. They became bottled with anticipation.
“I assure you that we have even impressed the Empress herself. She has given reign over to me, after she came through our lands to aid my mother. She has returned to her grand palace, allowing me to rule. The rumors you hear are true. My people and I overcame Lady Ueko and Yomenuura Hasa. I have drawn the respect of foreign lords, and I have slain a living dragon. All who stand before me, before us, shall fall!”
Sen’s audience erupted in agreement. Those of noble blood peered around, unsure how to react. Jodai soldiers reined the wagons forward. They would go handing out provisions. Into houses, behind shops, under signs. One city down, Sen thought.
*****
Similar results played out in the next cities. Kaibon, Saoka, Dekihume, Komohine, and Ogaya. The five greatest cities of the west, and in all of Forgery. They sent out messages by dove to each. Over the next nine days, each one was paid a visit.
Saoka, located furthest west and bordering on Path, was perhaps the worst off after the civil war. Commoners trudged around, clogging the streets and looking for work. Damage to local infrastructure was non-existent, as that had almost entirely been inflicted when fighting had passed through inconsequential villages near the Hijimata hills. Nevertheless, much resources had gone to a battle the west had lost, and as such, the economy was in shambles. Sen managed to rally support in half the time as Kaibon.
Dekihume was cooperative, though those in Komohine attempted to turn him back at the gates. A few pointed insults from Sen and Gheki directed at the proud lord of the city was enough for them to comply. In Ogaya, Fun’s city in the south, they were trapped for a night at Fun’s private estate due to an encroaching Wailstorm. The estate overlooked the densely packed northern district. Through frosty mists agitated by the winds, the buildings were only faintly visible. Fun invited Sen and Gheki into his home without much discussion or pretense of rage. Sen imagined Fun must have done so with some sort of reluctance, but the general did not show it. He and his wife and his seven sons at least showed the proper deference, if they were lacking in warmth.
While their men found housing in various common homes of the city, Sen and Gheki retired into Fun’s only spare room, mats laid out for them on the floor with a single flickering candle to light their faces. It provided little warmth against the cold. The squalls of wind outside seemed to wax and wane as the storm went on.
“This has gone pretty well so far, Lord Sen. You always were one to take the right risks.” Gheki always carried with him a somehow stoic yet optimistic face. Right now he practically beamed in his reserved elation. The Cardinal of the East, the youngest lieutenant to be made general in the last five generations. He was twenty-five years of age, someone Sen looked up to almost as an older brother.
Sen pulled his blanket over an exposed shoulder. “Lord Tsugo has saved us more times than we can repay. We should focus on the integration of our economies as soon as we get back.”
“That might be tricky, but we’ll figure it out, one way or another. It’s nothing compared to when we had to garner support from East Forgery, back when we had hardly any supporters. Though, I suspect this entire rebellion will be that all over again.”
“We’ll be prepared for it, if it comes to that.” Sen turned over and shut his eyes. “Eventually, it likely will.”
That night, he dreamt of his brother, Gara, and his sister, Pana, of smoky evenings slurping pork noodles, and clear days next to Yahida, tossing horseshoes onto rusted iron-forged rods with cheering noble children in the safety of Kaibon.
They left Ogaya early in the morning, eliciting cheers on the way out. Wide open streets left plenty of room for their leave while the commoners began to disperse. The Jodai soldiers pulled the last of the wagons out of the city, emptied with flaccid sacks strewn atop each other.
Fun bowed ceremoniously as Sen climbed his horse to take off back to Tsuisaka, or so he had the general believe. The man was playing all the parts right, catering to the new heir, one he believed to be cocky and full of himself. He’d pay the proper respects. After all, Sen had full control of the east, had fairly taken rule of his province, and could burn him to cinders any time he pleased. His only option was to be content and hope for a just and sensible High Lord out of Sen.
They traversed the flat plains, sun creeping towards its pinnacle. Sen stopped a mere couple hundred paces from Ogaya. The wagons stopped with him. It was Fifth Day in the third week of Fenn.
“Have they finally decided to show their faces?” Sen asked Gheki.
Gheki halted beside him. “It appears so, my lord. It looks like we’ll get to see the fruits of our labor on schedule.”
Sen let slip a thin smile. The wagons ahead came to a rolling stop as the two of them turned back towards the city. Outside each of the city walls, a mass of forest-jade armor tramped across the landscape, raising high the solid jade-colored banners of Agriculture.