Author's Games: Samurai

Sponsorship Battle Task: Uesugi verses Matsunaga

Clan 12: Kagekatsu Uesugi 

No entry

Clan 10: Setsuka Matsunaga

The sun had only been in the sky for a few minutes before the dark clouds began to shroud around it, covering the shining light in a moments notice. Setsuka had never been one for superstition but if her been, she would have guessed that was an omen.

The woman almost reconsidered her beliefs shortly after one of her generals stormed into her room without so much as a knock, warning about an impending doom. Doom was not a word she took lightly so she ushered the general out of her isolated room, following him out.

In a stuttering manner, the wide man informed his leader that the doom was to be brought upon them by Uesugi-something or the other. Frankly, she didn't care about his name. She was more concerned about the behavior of her general as an enemy army moved closer to their territory. He was acting weak and fearful. Almost as if he didn't believe in her ability to fight off an enemy attack.

Of course she wasn't exactly prepared for a head-on battle like this. She still had to build her army and she was hoping that her people would not have to see battle for some time. But this was Japan and if you were an existing clan, you were bound to find yourself locked in battle with a rivaling clan. Though she wasn't sure who this clan was, she nonetheless went back to her room, grabbed her katana and began walking towards the gate.

"They cannot win if they cannot break through." She said simply, her hair veiling around her face as she made her way to the village entrance. She was glad to see that she had a few competent generals in her ranks as a large group of soldiers was gathered at the entrance. They were ready to fight and defend their land. She looked at at the group in front of her after having been informed that another group of soldiers had already left to intercept the rival army and were waiting for back-up.

Setsuka was sure the fighting would begin soon and had to make sure that her army would be strong enough. Though they consisted of mainly women-in part to a lack of male births in their village as well as Setsuka's new regime- they were still fierce fighters, most of them well-versed in fighting with naginata spears. If not that, then they could at least compensate in the form of archery.

After a quick consultation with her leading generals, it was decided that two of them would stay in the village with a small faction to protect the people should anything happen. Setsuka would go out in the field with the remaining two generals with the remaining army to join those already in the battlefield. The raven-haired woman made no plans to engage in actual battle but she would if she had. Her blade was thirsty for a little more blood shed and her post was becoming drab with the decaying skulls of her traitorous kinfolk.

It didn't take long to reach the rest of her forces. They had set up in a field, jade grass as far as the eye can see, small patches of yellow flowers bloomed in various places in the grass. There was several blockades in front of the army and a few paces back, several makeshift archer towers. It was peaceful despite the heavy atmosphere paired with the darkening clouds. For a moment, Setsuka actually felt some form of remorse for what she was about to do. Not because it would lead to the loss of life but rather it would be as if she was desecrating the land with insufferable curs who had no real stake at life. It was a shame; but it was a thought that was soon pushed away.

Enemies were approaching and this was the time were someone in a leadership position would give a very meaningful and hopeful speech. Something along the lines of "fight to protect this," "for the future of that," and a whole mass of things. The new lady of the Matsunaga was nothing like the dainty lady who had known surname just a few months prior. And so she said "Do not disappoint." This seemed to weigh on her people heavily. Without instruction, they all seemed to position themselves where they should be, as if they had practiced this defensive maneuver millions of times before.

Destruction was in the air today. It was almost tangible. Doom was impending and she refused to let it fall solely on her people. So when the enemies were in sight, her hand rose in the air. "Do not fire until you see the white of their eyes." She said, her voice low and harsh. It was more to herself and when she could barely make out the body of the person leading the charge, her hand went down like a blade slicing through air.

In an instant, arrows were sent soaring through the air. Many hit their marks perfectly, bodies toppling into the ground. Some bodies took many arrows before being subdued. Others bounced off. Very little missed. The first line of swordsman falling had signaled the next, which in turn resulted in the army of men charging forward at a quicker pace. A pace that the racers would struggle to keep up with. They were soon approaching the barricades and the few who did arrive were met with sharp points jabbing into their skin and through their armor.

"This is no time to fight with honor!" Setsuka bellowed, the fighting taking a turn as swordsman began to reach the barricades by the hundreds. An archer informed her that there were also mounted soldiers. She swiped her thumb across her throat, a clear message to take them out. Anguished screaming filled the air as more and more bodies collapsed. Crimson was mixing with jade and Setsuka knew that this would need to be met with a quicker end. She had no remorse and did not care to know the names of the fallen, what mattered was those that would live to see another day. Those were the people she needed on her side.

As if the day hadn't tested her beliefs enough, water began to stream front the sky, as if trying to get her to focus again. She could see a man in light armor charging towards her, sword high in the air. Poor stance is what he had and he would be an easy opponent. She pulled her katana out of the sheath, moving toward and pushing the stall through his abdomen. She didn't have to look back to know he was dead. Once the blade had been drawn, it was almost like she couldn't stop. Moving speedily through the grass, she cut down anyone who had been able to break the defenses.

Rain slammed down heavily, her hair and clothing sticking to her like a second layer of skin. She flicked her wrist, getting rid of the blood on her katana. The fighting was dying down, that much she could tell. The oncoming storm was a sign for both parties to retreat but that was not something she was going to do. She wanted them to drawback, to realize the error of their ways. And soon enough, they did. They began moving back, anyone foolish enough to turn their back to the onna-bugeisha were met with swift execution.

The rain was getting heavier, bright flashes of light were followed by booming cracks. The rival army had finally receded back to the depths of their hole. She hadn't even met with the leader of the pitiful clan but she knew that if she ever did, she would cut him down in an instant. She didn't know the political nature of the attack but she didn't care. They had messed with her and her people, they thought they could win, take her land from her, her power. The power that was rightfully hers and they were sorely mistaken.

"Let the maggots have their flesh." She spit, flicking her hair out of her face and sheathing her sword. She began making her way back to her palace, bare feet on the wet grass, kimono dripping in blood. The battle had ended, not in the decisive blow she had hoped for but she had sent her message loud and clear. The small nation was not one to be trifled with. More importantly, Lady Matsunaga was not to be trifled with.