The Black Son

Chapter 26

Horikawa enjoyed watching the sunrise. It was a recent pleasure, brought about by necessity. The man needed to be alone to collect himself for the coming day's trials. He was up before dawn and there he'd witness the coming of a new day. The man began to appreciate the dazzling and changing colours of a rising sun. The brilliant, almost bloody red, as it broke free from the horizon. Then it brightened, and blazed, until finally becoming the yellow disc that filled the world with heat and light. The sight nourished him. It even filled him with hope that perhaps his life would get better. Though he knew by sunset that hope would be dashed. He thought it a minor miracle that he was allowed to wear armour and carry a sword. But as he wasn't permitted to wear the Mon of the Geishu, the miracle was more than slightly hollow.

He commanded no troops. He gave no orders. Nor was his counsel asked for by anyone. The man was permitted to sit in on meetings, however he was sequestered to a quiet corner and forbidden to speak unless spoken to. And Horikawa endured every humiliation without fail; he prostrated himself before all those that he once demanded total obedience and who were, in point of fact, beneath him socially. Such was his karma. He would endure it, knowing that one day he would be lifted up once more. Horikawa counted on such belief to keep himself going. Though there were many that thought him mad and that he should simply do the honourable thing and kill himself. But he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't give in to that temptation. Horikawa would ease his way back into his lord's heart. It was such a pliable organ. Given time, Noriyuki would relent. All of his suffering was simply a test of his resolve, to prove his worthiness. And he was worthy of his lord. He was certain of that as nothing else.

The Geishu entered the Hikiji lands without any hindrance. They approached the main castle unchallenged. Noriyuki thought it a stratagem by the Shadow Lord. However, once they began their siege it became obvious that they had Masamune completely surrounded and cut off from what Hikiji forces remained. His scouts had found that the Shadow Lord had two armies left. One was in the south, under the command of some lowly cousin, whose name eluded all of their best efforts to discover. The second was a larger force in the West, under the auspicious command of Lord Naishi. However, Noriyuki soon learned that he had been sent north with a small detachment to bottle up Yasuhira in his safe haven. That seemed strange to Noriyuki. Why dispatch your ablest General to simply harass and harry the enemy for a few weeks? That hardly mattered, as Naishi's army didn't seem all that interested in coming to engage the Geishu without their Lord. And the other army commanded by Cousin what's his name wasn't keen on being cut to ribbons by Noriyuki's muskets. So the Shadow Lord found himself abandoned and deprived of all hope of rescue.

Each morning since the siege began, Noriyuki took a moment to look over the walls of Masamune's imposing keep. It was an impressive piece of architecture, which would take weeks if not months to bring down. He wasn't sure if venturing so deep into enemy territory was the wisest move. But with his falling out with the Shogun he had to move quickly. Masamune's death would set things right for everyone. He was also concerned about the other Daimyo that bordered the Hikiji. They smelled blood. Little weasels. They would wait until Noriyuki exhausted himself with the Shadow Lord and set themselves upon both of them. Enough. There were too many variables to consider and it was too early in the morning to dwell on such things. He needed nourishment. Noriyuki was always at his worst before his first pot of hot tea and sweet porridge. As he re-entered his tent, Noriyuki caught a pleasant whiff of both foodstuffs. Mitsu was busy stirring the pot of porridge, while Tomoe poured the tea. She bowed when Noriyuki entered. He sat across from her and let out a deep breath. Tomoe handed him a cup.