Chapter Seventeen
“Both the victor and the vanquished are but drops of dew.”
-Ouchi Yoshitaka
Nobunaga
“I want samurai armed with yari here, here and there. Their job will be to reinforce the main bulk of our force when we engage the Imagawa. I want them commanded by an Oda Samurai. The Ashigaru armed with yumi will be commanded by Hideyoshi. I want two units stationed along here, one here, four there and another between here and here. Their job will be to take out as many soldiers as possible, thin their ranks before we strike with katana and yari. The rest of the Ashigaru armed with yari will be assembled into several units, I want them here, there, two there, one there, and the rest placed along here. I stepped back, looking at my unit placement, looking at who would strike where and do what. Each unit had a purpose, a goal that they must achieve. It had been two days since my orders had been given, and Owari was bustling with soldiers hurrying to do my will.
“I will personally command the Ashigaru along here. This will be the fiercest fighting, and my men should see me brave the perils of war alongside them.” One of my advisors seemed shocked, Hideyoshi stepped forward.
“Nobunaga-sama. Are you certain that would be wise? Would you not rather command units of elite Samurai than…” He hesitated, hanging his head as he said the words. “Mere rabble who are untrained?” So, he knows the part he must play in this. Very good.
“Those men are Oda, it will be an honour to command any man whom descends from the ancestors of my clan, whether they were born into the Samurai class or not.” I must outline my beliefs and my philosophies swiftly, my advisors must know what I intend and how I will lead this clan.
One of my advisors, a Samurai by the name of Otashio, stepped forward. He bowed his head in acknowledgement before he spoke. “Forgive me Nobunaga-sama, it is my belief that we may be chasing dreams here. We are too heavily outnumbered. We cannot possibly win.” He shook his head, unable to meet my eyes as he said his next line. “We should surrender, surrender and hope that the Imagawa are merciful. In our current state victory is not possible.” The men within the room turned to stone. The outrage on their face was clear to see, however the truth of the man’s words struck home with every man within.
My hand curled into a fist. I wanted to make an example of this man, I wanted to show them that you either stand with me, or against me. But, now was not the time to feed my cruelty. I needed my men to be honest, to give their opinions. Because I would not always be right, I cannot always tell the right path.
“I will not surrender, not to them. It is time for the Oda to make a stand. We have nowhere left to run, no one to call upon for aid….”
“The Shogun!” Otashio spoke abruptly, interrupting me. To this Himichiro-sensei strode forward, mailed fist going for a blow.
“No!” I commanded, and immediately the fist went to his side. “Let him speak this idea.” This could be a way to save Nobuyuki, a way for the Oda to survive, should I fail.
Otashio looked fearfully at Himichiro-sensei, but then he turned his attention back to me. “Nobunaga-sama, if we could call upon the aid of the Shogun, if he could support us with military might, then the Imagawa would not strike at us. They would not dare incur the wrath of His Majesty and the Shogun. Perhaps, perhaps we may save the clan without battling Yoshimoto’s entire force.” He bent his knee before. “Tono, it is my truest belief that we should appeal to the Shogun for aid, for the good of our clan, I implore you!” Around the room, my advisors all looked at each other, a few nodded, others shook their heads, but many more simply looked to me. Even at this age, they believe that I have the makings of a man who will lead them to either victory or death.
“This idea, we would need to send someone of my direct bloodline, be accompanied by someone of trust within the clan and a strong guard.” I nodded, musing lightly. I turned to one of my retainers. “Nobuyuki-san, find him and bring him to me immediately.” As the man turned and left I turned to Otashio. “It has been your idea, and so I grant you the task of accompanying my brother, give him sage counsel, and see he comes to no harm. I will grant you a detachment of ten of my retainers and have another thirty drawn up as Nobuyuki’s personal guard. That should be sufficient.”
Himichiro moved to my side. “Are you certain that is wise? Stripping our ranks of forty able Samurai? Send me and a small retinue to defend Nobuyuki, and I can swear he shall come to no harm.” Ignoring him I continued on. “It has been decided, Otashio-san will accompany my brother to ask the Shogun to aid us in our struggle against the tyrannical Yoshimoto. For the good of the clan, let us hope he succeeds.”
I turned my gaze to Otashio. Will you become a pillar of my clan? Or will you be one of its foundations that crumbles and collapses? He nodded towards me, but then returned to his place. He looked neither dignified, nor mighty, yet he looked resolute. Then I will trust in you, to defend and protect that which is most precious to me.
“To the rest of you, your orders have been given, see to the training of your men, see that their aim is true, that their strikes are swift and strong. See that victory for the Oda is assured!” The men straightened their backs at this, nodding their heads and striding out with pride on their faces. But as they funnelled out of the room, the mood turned to anger as Himichiro-sensei stalked before me. He knelt before me.
“Tono, all my life I have guarded you, trained you and fought for you. I have bled for you. Why? Why not heed my word, why is it that every piece of advice I give is thrown to the rocks? Otashio is not a fighter! He-“
“His inaptitude for battle is precisely why he is needed to accompany Nobuyuki. My retainers and Nobuyuki’s own will defend him from harm. But Otashio’s words, his levelled head and his trust in reason and logic and certainty is what will sway the Shogun. If I commanded you to hold a line, I would be safe in the knowledge that you would fight like a demon to see my orders through. However, your skill with a blade is not the same as your skill with words. Your blade is sharp, but your tongue is not. You lack the patience to flatter and beguile the Shogun.” Himichiro’s back hunched, and he looked defeated and sorrowful at my words.
“I could not defend you against Nobuyasu…” His voice was a husk of anger and sorrow. “I must regain my honour, prove myself once more.” I was taken aback. So, that is what it is? Your sorrow over me having lost.
“I entered into a sacred duel, it was not for you to defend me, if I could not defend myself. My friend, you and I are about to embark on a path of either conquest or destruction. Heed my command, in victory or defeat, in honour or dishonour, in life or death, you will follow me and mine until the end. Defend me, kill for me and protect those I hold dear. You will be my blade, my sword against all foes that stand before me. This is the command I give you, the order I do so decree. Accept, or foreswear your oaths and abandon the Oda.”
Himichiro’s head bowed, and his hands curled into fists. “As you command, tono. I swear to eternally obey this command. I will defend you, kill for your and protect your kin. I am your sword, for you to direct against those you wish to die.”
I nodded, and my gaze turned to the hills that fled away from Owari. I watched as the sun graced their tips. It all looked so peaceful and tranquil, as if the last six months had not put the inhabitants of this land into poverty and grief. Those hills were untouched by warfare, unmarred by the burden of loss or the blood of the fallen. “It is beautiful, to see the sun upon the hills.”
As soon as the thought had left my mouth the doors opened softly and my brother was escorted in. He looked apprehensive, uncertain, worried. He will need to learn how to rule. If I am the warrior of this family, then he must be the one who sees reason, the one who can bring balance to my wrath.
“Tono.” My brother’s voice cracked as he knelt, eyes on my feet. “What is it that you command of me?” My eyes searched my brother, his short black hair, pulled back to a small knot at the back of his head. His brown eyes that spoke of naivety and hope. He was just half the height of myself, he had no muscle, no mass, and little determination to fight. In truth, I believe most fathers would have loathed Nobuyuki for a son, but he was my brother. The one person who I would protect with the might of the Heavens themselves. Looking at him I knew he would never be a warrior, perhaps he would understand tactics and battle, but fighting on the frontline would not be a task that my brother did.
“I am sending you to the Shogun, escorted by ten of my retainers and thirty others. Your retinue will be picked by myself and Himichiro-sensei. You will be accompanied by Otashio-san, and you must under all circumstances heed his counsel and learn.” When I had finished Nobuyuki looked up at me, shock and fear rapidly appeared as the dominant emotions on his face.
“Your duty is to persuade the Shogun to aid us in our struggle. To convince the Shogun to demand the immediate surrender of the Imagawa and a ceasefire between our two clans. Nobuyuki-san, I will be blunt. The survival of our clan could very well depend on the actions you take and whether you are successful or not. I once more implore you, heed Otashio-san’s counsel, and learn all that you can from him.” My brother was shaking, looking at me and not understanding.
“Aniki… Why can’t I stay here with you? I want to help!” Nobuyuki pleaded, going back to kneeling before me as he begged. “We are brothers! We have to face the enemy together. Together.” I lowered my head against my chest at that. I swore that I would never leave his side, that I would protect him always. But I can’t defend him if I lose! At least this way he will be safe within the Imperial Court.
“This is my command, and it will be heeded. Himichiro-sensei, draw up the Samurai who had accompanied me from Owari, I will choose from them who will be the thirty to defend Nobuyuki and Otashio. Also, draw up their captains as well, I will need to appoint an overall commander for the retinue.” Nobuyuki pleaded with me once more, but was removed by Himichiro-sensei who gently picked him up and walked out. When I looked to see my brother being carried out he looked so hurt and frightened that I nearly told Himichiro-sensei to release him, and tell Nobuyuki that he didn’t have to go, that he could stay by my side forever. But I knew that if I did that then I would be putting him at risk. My victory was not assured, and if I failed then Owari could well be destroyed and Nobuyuki killed. “I will not let that happen.” I whispered fiercely to myself, hands curling into fists at the thought of my brother dead, stabbed and frightened, a look of pure terror upon his face…
“Do you think it will work?” The serpent from the shadows whispered at me, his yari was not on him and he wore none of his armour. This time Ieyasu simply wore a kimono wrapped around his body. His gaze met my own and he looked grim and fierce within the darkness.
“Ieyasu, you know the answer to that already.” I shook my head, not deigning to answer. He stepped beside me, a sigh escaped his lips.
“You wish to keep him safe, and so you send him away. But what of Otashio’s ambitions? What if he gives Nobuyuki, and yourself, over to the Shogun in exchange for power? Forty men cannot defend Nobuyuki against an army. What if – “
“Enough.” I cut him off, my remaining fist clenched, my teeth gritted. “Be silent.” I let out a shuddering breath, and Ieyasu sighed behind me.
“If you are too weak to hear the possible outcomes, how will you face the cruelty of reality?” I lurched to the side at his words, slicing through me like a blade. But I smiled then.
“Truly? After all I have done? After I have faced death, sentenced men to die, you think I cannot face the cruelty of the world? My life was torn from me in a night!” I turned towards him, fingers twitching, eager for a blade. “You and I have shared the same sorrow, the same battle and perhaps we will share the same death. But I will never allow harm to fall on Nobuyuki.” My voice was venom and Ieyasu flinched at my words.
Bowing his head, he nodded. “Very well, Nobunaga-san.” He shook his head, and it was as if our argument had never occurred. “What role do I play in this battle of yours?”
I turned back towards the map and walked before it, placing my finger upon the rear of the formations. “You will be stationed with the Samurai here; I will allow you freedom to send these units wherever you believe they are needed. That is to say, when they are needed. I will not have lives thrown away. We need every man we can get.” He tsked behind me, indicating his displeasure.
“This battle will decide whether or not I may return to my home, my people, my family. I will not sit and wait on your will. You are not my Daimyo.”
“No, I am not. But I am the only hope you have. So, put your faith in me and seethe, I do not care. I will have the Imagawa die before me, I will see their people bleed, their homes shatter, I will see them run before the trampling hooves of my horse. I will see them beg and then I will see them scream. I will rule, with or without your aid.” All pretence of uncertainty gone, I turned back. “I will be the victor of this war. Every card played, every move that I make, is with the idea of victory. You are as a brother to me, but I will not hesitate to end you if –“
The hands that gripped my neck and shoved me against the table were lightning fast and stronger than steel. I gurgled as he clamped around my throat.
“Try to end me, see if you can. You claim to be my brother, yet you stand there and threaten me as if I am your foe.” He released me. “We are not enemies, Nobunaga.” His mouth curled into a snarl. “Not yet.”
Nobuyuki
He sat atop his mount, a white palfrey which neighed softly beneath him. He watched as the columns marched through the gates, as row upon row of yari went forward, held by shadows and stones. The men looked worn already, exhausted from the training, or frightened about the battle to come. They do not look much like an army.
He did as Nobunaga had instructed, to stand straight in his saddle and watch as the men marched out. When they passed by him they stood straighter, but only until they were out of his sight. Around him stood men who were alert and vigilant, hands never far from their blades, even just outside Owari, with thousands of loyal soldiers.
Looking up the line, he saw the fork in the road that would take him on a different path from his brother, a path of uncertainty.
He gripped his reigns at the thought, and the palfrey snorted at his fear. But he hissed and the beast quieted. It did not stop his shaking hands, his worry at the thought of being betrayed and killed. I wonder if the men can see my fear? He looked beside him, but his retainers just stared straight, taking in every man that walked by, as if they did not even acknowledge his presence.
To his right stood the venerable Otashio, the man that he was to put all faith in and obey without question. He disliked that immensely. I am of the Oda! Why must I bend to the will of this man? But he sighed, knowing his brother just wanted him to be safe.
But what if I fail?
By the sounds of it, the mission he had been assigned was important to aniki. Very important, by the way he spoke. But he failed to see how attempting to persuade the Shogun would do any good. It was known that throughout history the Shogun ruled with an iron fist, but he was now weak compared to the power they had centuries before. The man will be offended at the notion of helping a clan such as ours. Nobuyuki knew it was a poor idea, but he also knew he had no choice but to obey.
The sound of roaring hooves assaulted him, and he turned up the line to see his brother riding down towards him, dust picked up behind his men. He had increased his retainer to a hundred Samurai, stripping away the best men from each unit, he had made nearly twenty Ashigaru Samurai for their skill and loyalty. An absurd idea. Though by the way they held themselves, they were honoured to be in his presence. Looking over the men that rode beside Nobunaga, each one of them held themselves highly, each man rode skilfully and each man looked as if a demon could be awoken within.
“Nobuyuki!” Nobunaga called as he reigned up beside them. Otashio moved away, and the retainers of Nobuyuki fanned out, allowing them room to converse relatively privately.
“Aniki.” He whispered back, hoping his eyes pleaded what he could not say aloud. But Nobunaga seemed to take no notice of his wish. Smiling at him he grasped his shoulder.
“I know you will succeed with the Shogun and make me proud. We need this, Nobuyuki.” He finished the last as a whisper, not wanting anyone to be discouraged by his words.
Nobunaga turned towards the line, and released his shoulder, he pointed to the men. “When next we speak, these men and I will be conquerors and you will be a hero.”
The men around them cheered that idea, some smiling and laughing, others smashing their fists together. The idea of victory was one that they each longed for. The Oda have been beaten and buried, and now we wish to rise again. We must rise again, Aniki and I, we must succeed.
Or we will both be dead and the Oda will be nothing but ashes.
Shiraishi
He rode behind the first column, the soldiers adorned in gold and blue, a deeper shade than the sea. The armour of the soldiers screeched and clanked as they marched, proud and radiant within the light of dusk. He had decided to end this conflict with the Oda quickly. His scouts had reported a three-thousand-man army camped just outside the walls of Owari. He knew that if he marched his soldiers during the night, he could fall on them before dawn. He would end these upstarts before they could stain his liege’s honour anymore.
For twenty-three years I have served the Imagawa clan. First as an advisor and officer, now as a general and a governor. I have risen high. I will not let some braggart bring it all down.
He had contemplated that they could ambush him in the woods. It would be the sensible choice, if one’s army is outnumbered. But after he had heard that only a child lead the Oda army, he had decided against such an operation. The boy would want to earn the glory of defeating me and the Imagawa in an open battle, so that the world may know that the Oda have risen again.
But, even so, he had the woods swept a few hours after his scouts had reported the camp, making certain it was clear. They had returned with reports stating nothing was out of order and the forest was as it always was.
He turned to his friend, Tadayoshi. “What do you think about the coming battle?” To his surprise his friend laughed, a sound more like a choking cat than laughter.
“Battle? You realise that the enemy general we are facing is a child? More like a slaughter.” Shiraishi frowned at his friend’s arrogance. Does not every great general start out as nothing before he becomes something?
“True, a child. Although I remember when Yoshimoto was a child, it didn’t stop him from becoming the most powerful Daimyo in the East by the time he was thirty. Don’t underestimate this child.” He looked to the trees once more, an uneasy feeling washing over him. Perhaps I was arrogant too. He was about to turn and order the forest swept again, but thought against it. Caution could be perceived as fear, and fear is weakness. Even so, he could not escape the tight knot in his stomach, or that his hands gripped his reigns tightly.
“Do you fear death?” Tadayoshi whispered, looking at him blankly. Turning to his friend he smiled.
“No, death is peace. However, if I lose this battle I will be disgraced and my family name dishonoured forever. Likely Yoshimoto will have my daughters killed for my failure. I fear their death, but not my own.” He allowed serenity to come to him, to find peace in the rattling armour, the stomping of hooves and the breathing of men.
Tadayoshi was silent for a time, but soon he began whistling and disturbing Shiraishi’s peace. He sighed inwardly, not wanting his irritation at his friend to be known to him. Will you be silent and let me think? The breath he let out rattled his body
Tadayoshi’s yammering stilled, sensing his displeasure. Together the two rode forward, he watching the trees, and Tadayoshi watching the troops.
“Even if he did ambush us, they would be horrendously trained, Shiraishi, he cannot have had more than a few weeks to train them, they will be slaughtered by our troops, both superior in number and better trained, they are veterans.” Tadayoshi finished his speech by drinking heavily from his sake, gulping down the remainder of his canteen until he disregarded it to the side.
“You and I both know that a commander worth his position would be able to turn any army of rabble into an effective fighting force. If this child has some skill at command, or the captains whom the troops fight under and worthy themselves then this battle could go poorly for us. I will feel safer once I have the Oda army slaughtered beneath our banner.” He kicked his horse in the stirrups and went along the line of his troops, looking at the way they held themselves, the way their backs straightened as he passed, the way some called to him as a friend, the way all looked to him in respect. They are my soldiers, and would follow me anywhere, even to the grave. “I will not let the Oda pup get the better of me, it would be to their risk.” His thoughts allowed gained the attention of his retainers, who thumbed the hilts of their blades at the mention of battle.
“Have the outriders do another sweep of the forest. I want to be absolutely certain there is no fo-“
He did not hear the first hiss of arrows, but he saw his men's formation crumble, saw one man fall with an arrow lodged in his eye, another gurgling and gagging on his blood as he tried to breath while trying to stem the tide of blood that erupted from his throat. All around him his men fell, arrows struck through chests, arms, eyes, throats, even jaws. His men fell like cattle to the slaughter.
He could do nothing but stare at the scene of butchery. “Protect the General!” He heard Tadayoshi’s voice roar, felt the presence of his retainers as they tightened around him, katanas drawn and ready for murder. He looked at his friend, but the world seemed to silence then, there was no sound. He watched as Tadayoshi tried to fend of the attacks from a Samurai armed with a yari, watched as the two traded blows before the man speared Tadayoshi through the face, the end of the yari coming straight through the back of his head.
His body twitched, the hand holding his katana jerking before his body went utterly limp, held aloft by the blade through his skull.
Twenty three years I have served the Imagawa, thirty eight I have known Tadayoshi. Yet even so the death of his friend did not register in his mind, it did not seem to matter.
The Imagawa banner was burning ahead of him, being trampled on and trodden on by a flood of black and gold, men who fought beneath a banner that had, six months ago, been all but a memory.
“Rally to me.” He finally found his voice, and he turned his horse around, drawing his blade. “RALLY TO ME!” But he watched as his forces were cut in half, behind him Oda men had segregated his forces into two sides, the vanguard was being slaughtered while the rear-guard was held at bay and desperately trying to reach them. Their efforts were valiant, but they were met with men who had everything to lose, who’s very existence would be remembered only if they won this battle.
He watched a figure rise from the battlefield, the man only had one hand, and in it he held a wakashi. The man was followed by a century of retainers. Shirasihi watched this man moved through the battlefield. While his own movements were clumsy and he struck with what seemed like stupidity and anger, the soldiers that followed him moved as a single unit, elegance within a slaughterhouse. Not one foe was allowed to harm him. He watched as the man’s Samurai threw themselves forward into the fray before him, determined to see he came to not harm. He watched as the man gave a command and suddenly the battle shifted, the noose tightened and Shiraishi could do nought but watch as what remained of his vanguard was butchered to a man.
He kicked in his stirrups and his horse leapt forward, roaring like a lion. His blade was unmolested by the impurity of blood, and he intended to change it. Whoever this man was, he would die.
The child, could it be, could it be that this is him? ‘
His horse trod on the corpses of his soldiers, breaking bones and killing those who were not already dead. It was an animal bred for this, bred to continue on despite the stench of blood that assailed its nostrils, despite the screams of agony and the pleas.
He did not make it half way before a yari struck his shoulder and he was smashed from his horse. He fell on the ground with a deep thud, and a spasm of pain leapt through his back. His cry died in his throat as a man in a Tokugawa uniform stood over him. He looked no more than a child. But those eyes. There was a fire there that screamed for vengeance. His death a hundred thousand times over would not quench those flames.
There was a roar as his retainers charged the man, they roared and bellowed, and their blades danced around him. It is one man against twenty, he will die! But as he thought a unit of Oda soldiers swarmed his retainers, the man above him simply watched as they butchered them, each man cornered and butchered, some men being stabbed by three yari at the same time. Heavens! Why have you forsaken me? One of his retainers looked at him as he died, the blades had sliced through his right shoulder, cutting down and coming out, along his belly his intestines began to fall out through the gasping hole made by the head of a yari. He reached out to Shiraishi, as if he was apologising for failing his general. My dear friend, I am sorry. My arrogance was what failed you.
“Yoshimoto.” He croaked out, he could hear the exhaustion in his voice, he could hear the lack of energy and emotion. He was about to close his eyes when he heard the hiss of a snake.
“You stole my home, you enslaved my people, and now you lead an army against people whom I care about.” The man moved swiftly and the yari plunged in his chest. Shiraishi gasped as the blade punctured his skin and the action thrust it deeper, imbedding it in him. He could not think, could barely move. What is happening to me? His hands went to the hilt of the yari and he struggled to remove it, his hands clasping around it feebly, his strength deserting him. He looked at his hands, covered in his blood, his hands were warm and sticky, yet his entire body felt so cold. And so death’s hand grasps out to me…
“You are a worm not fit to be devoured by maggots.” The boy snarled at him. “Die!”
As Shiraishi had done all life, without fail, without question and with never a hint of doubt to his loyalty, Shiraishi did as he was commanded. |
Re: In the Light of Dusk - Chapter Fifteen Updated 12/9/2015
I am cruel.
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Originally Posted by Merchant of Venice
It is always appreciated. 
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(Please don't tell me - it might turn out to be a spoiler for Tigellinus's plot. And I'm sure I can find it on the internet if I need/want to know.)
