Chapter Four - Mourning
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:Chapter Four
A sweet scent assailed my nostrils. Jasmine, the smell of Jasmine, a flower of Spring and a flower of Summer, and in Winter it dies, as do we all. My right eye opened, a darkness excluded my left, clenched tightly shut by some unseen force.
A man, clothed in white, he wore brown slippers, his robe adorned with purple spirals, a pattern that made me growl with distaste. Why do men wear such foolish things? “No, no, do not sit up, my lord. You will only injure yourself further, and at this point in time death may still embrace you.” He smiled, his lips small and narrow, he licked them soundly. Death may embrace me? You fool, I am the only hope this Clan has. My fear from the earlier events dashed away, fleeing in place of wroth. “Listen, you bald bloody bastard. This is my clan, you do not presume to tell me what I should and should not do! Now, for the love of Buddha, what happened? Did we win? Where is Himichiro?” Yet the man showed no fear, and continued to smile further; thus increasing my anger. I prepared to shout a volley of obscenities at the man, when the doors opened to reveal a man, yellow and black armour adorned with blood upon his right side.
“Nobunaga-sama!” Himichiro’s voice quivered as he lunged forward, kneeling before my bedside. “Forgive me, I have failed as your protector, I have failed.” He whimpered, head cast to the floor; the once proud man reduced himself to a weeping mess. Footsteps followed him, six of my retainers, all of whom looked ashamed and defeated. They have not failed me, I have failed them, to protect them and this clan. I am the one who has failed, not any other man, me alone. “Silence, Himichiro-sensei, such words are not worthy of you, my friend.”I smiled tentatively at my friend, my protector. So captivated was I by his loyalty and shame that I forgot about my anger, fear and the anguish.
“What happened? How . . .?” I stopped for a second, unable to fathom how they had achieved victory without me, without my aid. “How did you win?” Himichiro’s head rose once more, and with a newfound grace stood within the room, blood from his armour had soaked into the bedsheets, straight from the battlefield. I laughed aloud, gaining myself a glance of dismissal from the doctor and a piercing stare from Himichiro. “Nobunaga-sama.” Himichiro’s voice was now its stern self, a tremor of violence that is waiting to be unleashed. “The man that looks over you is a doctor. Even I heard your shouting from the other side of the castle. If you have any hope of living, and you may die Nobunaga-sama, no man is immortal, it will be from his hands. His knowledge is what may save you.” His deep eyes cast down, and a frown came across his aged face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there, to protect you.” His voice had turned soft, no longer holding its menacing stance, but no longer weak and feeble. “We won thanks to your uncle, it is told. He demanded to be set free, and in their wish to see the Oda clan survive the guards allowed his plea. He gathered the soldiers and defended the wall, while my rear strike sent the Saito army reeling. I personally cut down the Saito heir, what became of the Daimyo I do not know. His body lies with those of his men, mangled and disfigured beyond recognition.”
I nodded, yet as I did so my face tore with contempt. They freed my uncle, without my leave, without my say. “Bring the men that allowed my uncle freedom to me, immediately. I will personally see to their execution.” Himichiro’s face quirked awkwardly. “They saved the city, without your uncle we’d all be dead. Yourself included, Nobunaga-sama!” Himichiro’s voice was still soft, but a deep pierce was in it now, a taste of authority, a bitter lust.
I cut him off with a shake of my head. “They did it without my leave, without my permission. They released a prisoner under my charge. Such treason will not go unpunished, not for any man’s deeds. Bring me Ieyasu, I wish to speak to him as well.” The retainers bowed low, and two of the men hurriedly moved away, sprinting. “Himichiro, I will execute those men, or boys, or whoever they were. You will not interfere, else it will be you I execute.” The words that came from my mouth matched my anger, but not my soul, nor heart, nor mind. Never would I execute Himichiro.
His face darkened. I have hounded the man that wishes to protect me as if I was his son. “As you wish, Nobunaga-sama. I will see them both delivered to you within the hour.” He spat upon the ground and strode out, fists clenched, he was the very image of fury. The retainers made no move to stop him, simply stepping aside.
Ieyasu was brought to me swiftly, guards trailed behind him, an escort. He looked at me steadily, gaze washing over the scene, bandaged as I was, blood soaked as the bedsheets were, weak as I looked and strong as I felt. “Lord Tokugawa, now. A strange turn of events, I will admit. Here you live, a Daimyo in your own right, my captive. Here I lie, unable to fend for myself, unable to fight off any attacker.” I looked to the ground, my armour and clothes laid there, covered in blood. I saw my Tanto, and my Katana. Looking at Ieyasu once more. “Do it, the pain my family has caused you, you will wish for nothing more than my death. That is understandable. Know this, however. It was not my father that mercilessly burned Mikawa to the ground, it was not my father that turned your once proud city and clan to a smouldering ruin of sorrow and agony. It was the Imagawa, they were once your masters, once your liege lords . . .” Ieyasu’s eyes blinked, still he spoke no word. The simple movement of his eyes was all I needed to tell me that I crossed a line, speaking of how they had once been enslaved by those monsters. “Now, now they are my foes as well. Will you help me? Will you fight with me? To defend my city, my clan? So that I may avenge your clan, your city, your family? If the answer to my plea is no, then plunge that tanto into my chest and do so swiftly. I have no wish to watch my clan burn, and I cannot save them without you.”
Ieyasu bent, gripping the Tanto in hand, I closed my eyes. I rolled the die, and I have lost. I felt pressure near my arm, I looked, he had placed the Tanto near my hand. Leaning close, I smelt his breath, it smelled not of sake, nor of women, it smelt of death. “Defend your clan, when I could not defend mine.”
Ieyasu stepped back, he nodded to me again. “Find wisdom, Nobunaga-san. Without wisdom you will fall. You will fail, you will burn. Without wisdom, you will die.”
It was near an hour later that two men were brought before me, both looking thoroughly outraged and frightened, a queer look at best. The doctor looked at me. “Not here, my lord. The blood may have bad diseases, and could harm your recovery.” I looked at the man, I could feel the coldness within my eyes, this darkness that illuminated from my aura.
“You have committed treason, no matter the reasons why it was committed, you freed a prisoner, a prisoner I had explicitly ordered be locked away. The punishment for treason is death.” A shadow moved across the door and Himichiro entered, a forlorn look upon his face. I put him through agony, all so that I can prove a point. “We have done nothing wrong, my lord! We have served you and your father faithfully! The soldiers on the walls would have routed without him, my lord, please!” My gaze drank in the man, he was slim built, but looked strong enough. A good soldier. Yet, I gave a command, and it was not followed. “Himichiro, your blade will strike in my place.” the second man looked at me, he begged not for mercy, he swore not his loyalty. He simply stared at me, his eyes taking value of my soul, my values, my very existence. I sentence innocent men to death and name it justice. What facade and game do I play at? All for the want of power, all for the betterment of my clan . . .
Himichiro nodded at my order, he drew his blade. The torch light shone off the katana, omitting a rather zealous light. The first man quivered, whimpering. Himichior’s blade touched the back of his neck and the man cried out in fear, spittle flying from his mouth as a torrent of begging and pleas for mercy sprouted from the simpering mess of a man.
Himichiro’s strike was quick, the doctor gasped and looked away, muttering profusely of the inhygienic nature of such a thing. The second man looked at the headless corpse of his ex-comrade, a hint of revulsion within his eye, quickly masked by one of sorrow. “He was a good man, and did not need to die. All we did, Nobunaga-sama we did out of duty to the Oda.” With that the man bowed his head, preparing himself for the inevitable.
Himichiro’s blade struck once more, and with the thud of the man’s head upon the wooden floor I knew that I had made an error. Will I truly be so foolish against the Imagawa? To neglect the advice of my most trusted friend?
The doctor was the first to speak, ignoring the events that had happened, I could see the pained look on his face. The man swore to do whatever it takes to save lives, and now I have made him witness me taking one. “The Tanto that entered your belly, Nobunaga-san, it pierced deeply and your body will never fully recover, even if you don’t die. You may not feel weak now, as your body is still high on the adrenalin from the fight and . . .” He hesitated for a moment, but then looked me in the eye. ‘The fear that is only natural when one is in a situation such as you were, my lord.” He smiled again, ever so slightly, his lips squirmed as he smiled like a worm wriggling through the ground. “I can assure you that you will need years to fully recover, but it will only be a few weeks until you regain some of your lost vigor and can return to practicing the blade, until then your normal academic lessons will follow as usual, with the alteration of three hours of research, under the careful eye of Himichiro-sensei. Until such a time as you are hale and healthy again, my lord, you can count me as your most trusted friend and companion.” This time when he smiled he bore teeth, like a dog snarling at an intruder.
The doctor clapped and the six retainers took up position at the door. “Leave our young Daimyo to rest, he will be exhausted, though he may not realise it yet.” a soft laugh ascended the man’s throat. Will he laugh when I tear out his throat? I think not.
Himichiro looked to me once more, a small smile crossed his face, it held sorrow and disappointment within it. But he held his back strong, even as his head bobbed forward in his dismay.
With the realisation that I needed sleep, even if my body didn’t truly admit it yet, I willed myself to sleep. I blinked once, twice and then did not blink again for some time . . .
A loud scream interrupted me, it was quick, piercing within my slumber. I awoke, shaking myself from the drouse. I looked out of the window, night had fallen across Japan, and Owari was beautiful in the night, the sharp buildings, made from plaster and wood, the Oda patterns that accompanied the walls of every household, the bright street lamps which brought a shine to the cobbled roads.
An orange glow assaulted my window, brushing the walls, licking at the wallpaper Fire? I smell no smoke, hear no cries. The doors burst open and Himichiro leaped in.
“We’re leaving, now!” The doctor leapt to his feet, shaking himself from his sleep. Himichiro and one of my retainers bent to lift me off the bed. “No, no, no! You can’t move him! There is still a danger he will die!”
Himichiro turned. “If he stays here than all hope of him, or any of us, living is slim. You can be certain Yoshimoto-teme will not be so merciful as to allow us all to walk away.” His voice was louder than normal, and had the sound of wroth and fear to it.
Yoshimoto is here? I was dazed, not processing the information. Himichiro grabbed for me, roughly dragging me from the bed. “WE MUST GO, NOBUNAGA!” He slung my arm around my shoulder and the second retainer gripped my other arm, together the two men helped me limp from the room.
I jerked violently as the pain hit me, coursing through my stomach, it was fire within my veins, death within my heart. My howl of agony made me sink to my knees, clutching at my stomach.
My retainers rushed forward, all unceremoniously hauling me up through my agony. Through the wretched pain I saw watched as my thirty retainers formed around me, four men ran down the hall, the vanguard. The rest marched behind me, feet a soft and constant pitter patter upon the wooden floor.
Himichiro’s hands gripped me tightly, leading me through hall, we turned left, then right and continued. Every step I took, every second they dragged me along, pain made me whimper. How weak I am, and how weak men are, to think we are immortal when we bleed like sheep. We howl like wolves when injured and whimper like babes when pierced with pain.
When we reached the entrance to the castle the four men stopped, one of the men shook his head before they kicked the doors open Himichiro rushed me outside, the sight I saw tore out my throat, it savagely devoured all of my hope, all of my love and happiness. All that was left was sorrow and pain.
Owari burned; the entire southern half of the city was torn by flames, entire sections ripped apart by the lustful heat. I saw buildings crumble in the streets,, rubble and debris falling upon fleeing citizens, babies cried and mothers desperately tried to save their children. Fathers cursed and battled, but who can battle fire?
I heard the marching, heard the cheerful chanting. I watched as the main street erupted into a mass of men. The apparel they wore was the colours of blue and gold. The standard they bore upon their chest was the Imagawa’s.
As the men went they grabbed women, shoving them amongst themselves, they ran after children and sliced their throat when they could run no more. They threw father’s to the ground, and stabbed them through the stomach with spear and blade. The Oda banner was torn from the grasp of men, set alight and plunged into the faces of the pleading.
Arrows flew, a fierce hiss as they fell upon the fleeing people, my people, and so they die.. My thoughts were lost, I was lost, my very being was forfeit. The cry that erupted from my lips was not of physical pain, but on the sense of failure, anguish and sorrow. In agony I watched as my city burned, I watched as all I had loved, known and sworn to defend was dead.
I looked, the Oda banner above the gates flew strong. Hope? Is there any hope that this proud banner be raised again? Flaming arrows coursed through it, holes plunging through my banner. It caught alight, as did the wooden stand it was placed upon, it crumbled swiftly, falling on the opposite side of the gate.
The gate, it is closed. IT IS CLOSED? My people are burning and dying and their salvation is locked to them. “Open the gates.” my voice was a whimper, a tremor that passed through my body. “OPEN THE GATES! OPEN THEM! OPEN THEM NOW!” My mind burned, my heart thundered and my soul shook with anguish. “OPEN THE GATES! I WILL NOT SEE MY PEOPLE BURN!” A retainer turned swiftly, but Himichiro grabbed the man. “We’ll all die before we can get you away, Nobunaga-sama. I’m sorry. But we cannot save them, we have failed. There is no hope anymore, only you.” I’ll kill them all, every last one of them. I will see their blood wash through the rivers, see their people run in fear, I will see the Imagawa banner dashed to the ground, spit upon and burned, never to be raised again.
Himichiro gripped me again, heaving me up from the ground. “No, no. Let me die, let me die. I have failed, and death will be a peace, let this end. I have failed, I have failed, I failed.” I will tear them asunder, I will watch their bodies melt to ashes in the flames of my hatred. They will burn, and die and scream and beg for mercy. “I shall give them death” I spoke aloud, thrown along by Himichiro and my retainers. A single Samurai unit of Yari Samurai guarded the gate, keeping it firmly locked, I could hear people screaming, hear them plead to be let in. I heard their cries as the Imagawa surrounded them and cut them down.
Two samurai units stood to attention, trained in the art of the yari, they were deadly and precise with their chosen weapon. “Follow.” Himichiro called to them. “You will be the only men the Daimyo has, apart from his personal guard.” The men nodded, and followed in suit, marching along behind us. “Nobunaga-sama, your brother is being escorted to the stables by his own men, your mother.” He trailed off. “Where your mother was being held was overrun with Imagawa, swiftly. We had to seal that part of the castle so that they couldn’t reach anyone else. I’m sorry. There is something else you will want to know. Your uncle’s men, they killed the men set to guard him, he was seen by the gates, just before Owari was attacked by Imagawa, I sent a squad of guardsmen to bring him back, but then . . . “ He looked at teh burning buildings, and I could see he was taking in the screams, the death, the savageness of the Imagawa. “But then death happened.”
“Ieyasu, he is coming? Bring him, Himichiro, if you have not already.” my voice was weak, but I would get every man I could out. My uncle has betrayed the Oda. There was nothing more to think on the matter, the visions of my father and his brother, the two of them had been brilliant allies, each outweighing the other. My father had the drive, the decisiveness and swiftness of any general. He had the boldness and reckless accustomed to any foolish man. His brother was the polar opposite, calm and patient. Willing to wait for the right moment to strike.
“I gave the order already, he should be saddled and ready to leave when we reach the stables.” I nodded, my eyes were dulling now, my vision blurred from the tears I had spent mourning my home.
I could hear the neighing of horses, and thudding of their hooves as they trotted forward. A servant rushed forward, bringing a grey horse. It has no name, much like my clan now. Even now I can remember my father telling me how the greatest horses have names, and my Uncle retorted that horses die in battles. To name one would be pure idiocy. As such as my grey steed was nameless. My brother was already there, mounted and followed by his own guard of twelve retainers. Ieyasu was also mounted, accompanied by two guards.
I tried to mount, and failed as the pain hit me, have I not been tortured enough? Am I so cursed? Shamelessly Himichiro lifted me, steadily helping me gain my footing on my horse. How they shall all laugh at me, the clanless Daimyo, to be helped upon his horse. Ha! Such a mockery I am already.
My men mounted around me, and the northern castle gate opened, as of yet untouched by the Imagawa. Had my people only walked around I could have saved many of them. The two Yari Samurai ran behind me, keeping pace. Ieyasu rode forward, following, he caught up to me upon the cobbled streets, deserted now. His face was grim. He is as sorrowful as the city’s loss as I am. We made it out of the city, my brother and his guards keeping pace. I looked back, my brother was a few meters behind the Yari Samurai. He was black of hair, much like myself, at the young age of eight he was already fit and trained. He would have made a better Daimyo than me, perhaps he will be the one to save them. Should there be anyone left to save.
The northern gates opened. A few men stood upon the walls of the city. “Oda! Oda! Oda!” They chanted down to me as I rode under the gates. My mind drew a blank, my emotions faltered, I could not process what I had just witnessed. I watched as the Northern Gate closed, locking the soldiers in the city.
I stopped, turning back, I bellowed my anguish, my rage and sorrow and hatred towards the Imagawa. Not a single word came from my lips, just a long and piercing wordless cry. I am the last hope of the Oda, The Oda are dead, I am clanless. Dead, ashes and snow, melting in winter and coiling into the flames. Hope is gone, forlorn revenge is all that remains.
I watched as the city continued to burn, I savoured the screams, swearing to remember the pain the Imagawa had caused me and my family, my clan. I will avenge you, mother, father, everyone. I will not rest until they are dead, I will not rest until the world know the name of Oda, and knows us to be the greatest of the clans.
I felt a wetness soaking my side, I placed there, when it came away, I saw in the light of the burning Owari my blood. The wounds had reopened.
Himichiro looked at me, he cursed when he noticed. “RIDE! RIDE TO FREEDOM? WE WILL ALL DIE!” His laugh was cruel and hoarse. “The Oda will live, teme, teme, teme! Yoshimoto-teme!”
The Oda may live, my dear friend. But I will not.
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