A Lion's Honor

A Lion's Honor is a fiction written by Shawn Carman and Rich Wulf.

Annotated Story


Somewhere in the Shadowlands, 1156, two Tsuno are killed as a small figure in a blue cloak walks through the doorway they had been guarding. Inside are more Tsuno, and the larger of them motions for two others to intercept the intruder. As the two charge towards the stranger he halts their approach with the single word "fall" and then kills them with the word "drown" as they fill with a black liquid. The man stops and greets Tsuno Kurushimi. Kurushimi recognizes the Dark Oracle of Water and tells him to leave. The Oracle says he will leave but not before the Tsuno have hear his proposal. Kurushimi is not willing to hear his offer after he has killed two of his men, but the Oracle thinks that the Tsuno Soultwisters will repair that damage. Kurushimi is surprised that the Oracle knows of their magic, but Matsu Turi reveals there is little he does not know that concerns him. Kurushimi tells him to make his offer and leave. Turi tells him he wishes an alliance with the Tsuno, but Kurushimi is already allied with Daigotsu and does not intent to make bargains with a lackey. Turi suggests their hatred for the Lion Clan should make them work together in bringing about the fall of the Lion. Kurushimi only has one demand, that the Kitsu family will be theirs. Turi agrees.



The Kitsu Tombs, two years later, men around Matsu Domotai are calling for his aid as they are being slaughtered by Tsuno. Domotai had been at the Hall of Ancestors when the first attack came but realized that the attack was only a diversion from a larger attack on the Tombs. Only a dozen of Domotai's men were left alive now, but still fighting. A blade digs into Domotai's shoulder, but he manages to turn and take the head of the Tsuno. Another Tsuno crashed into him, and Domotai wrestles with it snapping its neck. Domotai gets back to his feet but is knocked to the ground by another Tsuno. He is knocked unconcious, and the last thing he remembers is one of the Tsuno saying he will serve them well.

Somewhere in Shinomen Mori, a year later, Domotai wakes to the unusal sound of battle and a surge of energy runs through his tortured body. The sound of his captors approaching can be heard, and one man draws his blade ready to kill Domotai. Two months after his capture at the Tomb Domotai had been passed on to Shahai and her minions. Domotai has spent a long time getting to know his cell and as soon as the first killer steps close enough he kicks the man in the knee, snapping it. As the man falls to the ground in pain Domotai is upon him, strangling him with his chains. The second figure appears in the doorway, cloacked in blue. Domotai asks who it is, but the voice replies it is merely an observer. The man fades as Domotai's head begins swimming with pain and confusion. A voice calls out that they have found Domotai, but he is severely injured. Domotai falls unconcious once more.



Shiro Matsu, some time later, Kitsu Daimyo Kitsu Juri demands to know why he has been summoned to this council by Lion Clan Champion Matsu Nimuro. Akodo Daimyo Akodo Ginawa ask how Nimuro's brother is doing, and Nimuro replies that Domotai is recovering. Nimuro reveals that he has gathered the daimyo of the Lion here to discuss a very important matter. Ikoma Daimyo Ikoma Sume thinks it is the Crane in Toshi Ranbo, but Ginawa discounts that possibility. Nimuro reveals it is the discovered body of Matsu Giriko outside the walls of Shiro Matsu. Matsu Daimyo Matsu Ketsui points out that Giriko had been believed lost in rockslides during a scouting mission weeks ago, but Nimuro is not so certain. The body was saturated with sea water and a message was attached to her do-maru bearing the chop of Matsu Turi. Sume is surprised, as Turi was lost shortly after the Battle of Oblivion's Gate in 1133. Nimuro says the letter claims that Turi is the Dark Oracle of Water, and Ketsui is outraged that one of the most venerated heroes of the Matsu can be spoken of in that way. Sume points out that the west wall of Otosan Uchi on the Second Day of Thunder was won thanks to Turi alone. Ginawa tells how Turi was lost during the retreat from Oblivion's Gate, defending a canyone to let the Lion army reach the wall in time. Nimuro reveals that the letter claims that Turi has come into possession of the remains of Akodo One-Eye, and he will return it to the Lion in exchange for a vassal and student. Ginawa is outraged at the claim, but Turi will allow the Kitsu to verify the claim. Juri is sent to make arrangements for the verification. Nimuro believes the claim to be true, but will not tolerate any more of this nonsense from Turi.

Somewhere in Matsu provinces, present day, Domotai is contemplating what it means to be a Lion and his time during the torture. Domotai is fleeing, fighting, being ripped apart, before waking from the nightmare.



Not long after, in the Hall of Ancestors, Domotai has finished the night in meditation. The statue he has been praying at is of the first Matsu Domotai, who had fought against Iuchiban during the Battle of Stolen Graves. He had been a legionnaire and had defeated a dozen bloodspeakers single-handedly, but now remained mostly forgotten among the Lion. Footsteps behind him announces the arrival of his brother, who tells him it is time. Domotai says he knows, but a second voice tells him not to make this about duty. It is a family matter. Domotai greets his sister, Matsu Satomi, and asks her where their mother is. Satomi replies that she needed a moment to compose herself. Domotai thinks she is entitled to that moment, but Satomi is dismayed about what he is about to do. Nimuro tells her that Domotai has made his descision, but Domotai's confirmation does still not change her mind. Nimuro tells Satomi to tell their mother they will be out shortly. After she has left Domotai asks Nimuro never to tell her what happens, which Nimuro promises. Nimuro asks if Domotai is still suffering the nightmares, and Domotai confirms they are getting worse. Nimuro suggests Kitsu Juri could help, but Domotai does not think that is wise. Nimuro suggests there are thousands who would take his place, but Domotai points out it must be a Matsu of the true line and Nimuro is too valuable. Nimuro suggests he could order Domotai to remain, but Domotai knows he would not do it. Nimuro admits it, but Domotai makes his brother promise to kill him should he remain a vassal of Turi. Domotai is unsure he can resist the Dark Oracle, but Nimuro will help him if not. The two leave to find their mother and sister.

Sometime later, Domotai and Satomi are riding alongside a hundred other Lion. It has been a while since they have spoken, but Domotai finally asks why Satomi brought an entire platoon. Satomi is still angry and snaps back at him. They are travelling to Black Tear Mountain in the northern Twilight Mountains. Domotai tells her she will understand one day, but Satomi is sure she will not. Domotai points out they must do as Turi says or they will never recover the remains of Akodo. Satomi suggests they could force it out of the Dark Oracle, but Domotai tells her not to be a fool. Domotai understands her anger and grief, but is sad the last words spoken between them are in anger.

Later on, Domotai is now alone in the mountains. In the distance he can see the retreating Lion soldiers in the valley below, a sarcophagus containing the remains of Akodo among them. Hi sister had insisted Domotai leave with them but Domotai had to honor his bargain, even if it was with a Dark Oracle. Domotai pulls himself up to the final ledge where Turi is waiting for him. Turi reveals that the Tsuno knew Domotai would be the one to come, but Domotai merely wishes to get to the point. Turi says he still follows bushido as strongly as when he had fallen in the shadowlands. Turi asks Domotai why he thinks the Shadowlands have been successful recently, and Domotai merely assumes it is because the Dark Lord is powerful. Turi points out that Daigotsu thinks like a samurai and as such Turi and his soldiers must adhere to bushido also. Domotai mocks their attempts, claiming Jigoku has tainted their souls. Turi reveals that it was he who had the Tsuno torture him and Domotai was fortunate Tsudao came to his rescue, but now there is no place is Rokugan for him and he knows it. Turi needs a vassal to act in his name, to get around some of the limitations on the Dark Oracles. Turi wishes to rule at the Right Hand of Daigotsu, and Domotai accepts Turi's proposal to become his vassal. Turi is surprised how easy it was, but Domotai is merely honoring his end of the bargain. Turi wishes to take Domotai to the City of the Lost but Domotai has one more thing to do. As he rests his hand on his weapon Turi thinks he will attack him. Domotai reveals he has no intention to and that as the servant of such a twisted abomination he cannot serve and will commit seppuku. Turi stops Domotai with mere words, but Domotai points out it is a vassal's prerogative to request seppuku. Turi wants to know why he is wasting his life, but Domotai says he is buying back his honor as Matsu Tsuko once did. Doubt flickers in Turi's eyes and Domotai seizes the moment to fall upon his sword. Turi is not impressed and reveals hidden Tsuno ready to attack the retreating Lion force. Domotai laughs and reveals that the Kitsu are well aware of the limitation of travelling through Spirit Realms. Turi looks into the distance and sees a legion of Lion appear, waiting for the betrayal they knew would come. Domotai finishes his death poem, and falls to the ground dead. Turi reanimates Domotai's body, but it no longer has the fire or intelligence of a Lion. Domotai's soul has ascended to Yomi and Turi stops the reanimation with a wave of his hand. Turi thinks again how Tsuko's name had affected him, but pushes the thought aside as he disintegrates Domotai's body. Turi transports himself to a cliff overlooking the battle nearby, where the Lion are routing the Lion. Turi considers traveling to Shinomen Mori to tell the other Tsuno but decides to intervene in the battle himself. As he is about to summon a tidal wave to crush the Lion he stops, and wonders how his plan failed. How was he foiled by bushido when it was bushido that had driven him. For a moment he wants to charge out alongside his Lion brethren, but he is an Oracle now. For the first time he feels uncertainty since becoming the Dark Oracle of Water, and disappears in a swirling vortex. Down on the battlefield a Lion is screaming her throat raw in rage and loss.



Somewhere in Yomi, Domotai wakes in an endless green field. A voice greets him and he turns to face whoever it is with his blade in his hand. A beautiful Lion samurai-ko stands before him and he asks her who she is and where they are. She says he knows the answers and he concedes he probably does. He asks her about his family and the stranger tells him they are strong, but will end up here eventually. Domotai asks if he can help them still, because the Dark Oracle is a threat. She says he has fulfilled his part, and earned the peace he will receive now. Domotai is not sure where to begin, but Matsu Tsuko says she will show him.

Characters

 * Tsuno Kurushimi
 * Matsu Turi
 * Matsu Domotai
 * Kitsu Juri
 * Akodo Ginawa
 * Matsu Nimuro
 * Ikoma Sume
 * Matsu Ketsui
 * Matsu Satomi
 * Matsu Tsuko

Not Present, But Mentioned

 * Daigotsu
 * Shahai
 * Matsu Giriko
 * Akodo One-Eye
 * Lady Moon
 * Fu Leng
 * Daigotsu
 * Tsudao