The Hand of Peace

The Hand of Peace is a fiction written by Seth Mason. It is the fifth of ten parts from the Dawn of the Empire promotional ccg set. 

Annotated Story
Previously: The Perfect Gift.

Even though Fu Leng was wicked, there were those who still loved him,” Unmei continued. “Shinjo, most of all, prayed that her brother could be saved. The Clan of the Ki-Rin valued loyalty and unity, virtues that sometimes left them unprepared for the treachery of others…”

Unmei continues his story, revealing there were some who still loved their brother Fu Leng despite his wickedness. Shinjo hoped most of all he could be saved, and the loyalty and unity of the Ki-Rin Clan left them sometimes unprepared for treachery.



Somewhere on a hilltop in the northern lands of Rokugan, Shinjo stands and contemplates the wind. In the Celestial Heavens the wind had always been gentle and just warm enough. The wind in Rokugan was varied and random, and she could not decide which she preferred. Two men have stood there with her since dawn, but she has not spoken. Ide and his student Shinjo Bairezu wait patiently. After a time a speck of ash lands in Shinjo's hand, and when no-one else would have noticed she closes her eyes as if in pain. She tells the two men there is a fire to the south and west, and the smells of war and the dying. Shinjo turns to Ide and asks him if he knows why he is here, but Ide does not know. Shinjo is impressed with Ide, despite his youth. The other Kami had gathered warriors, but Shinjo liked Ide for his honesty and cleverness. Shinjo relied upon him in affairs of mortals, and she found his words were more easily soothing than those of a god. Ide's student Bairezu, an apt warrior waited as his superiors spoke. Shinjo reveals it is her brother Fu Leng making war in the south, commanding an army of oni in an attempt to claim Rokugan as his own. Ide reveals he had heard about the army from the south, but he was unaware of another Kami who had come to this land. Shinjo reveals they had not wished to speak of Fu Leng. Ide asks if Otaku should be summoned, and planning to halt Fu Leng's advance could begin. Shinjo does not wish to war against her brother, but neither for the slaughter to continue. Shinjo harshly tells Ide it will be her desicion when that time comes, but for now Ide has another task. Ide is willing, but Shinjo asks if he is sure he wants to risk his life and that of Bairezu in a gamble to save thousands. Ide looks at Bairezu, and Bairezu says he would be fortunate if his death could be that meaningful. Ide agrees, but points out he will try his best to avoid such good fortune.



Sometime later, Ide is getting very tired from their travels in the mountains. Bairezu however is coping much better. Ide asks Bairezu to take the lead, as he seems better suited for this type of travel. Bairezu agrees but is not sure he could find a better route as he has never been in the lands of Shiba before. Ide reveals he had not been following a particular route before, as he does not know where the yobanjin live. All he knows is that they live in the mountains somewhere. Bairezu pauses for a moment before asking if he may ask a question. Ide allows him, and Bairezu asks if Ide thinks the Yobanjin will return with them. Ide does not know, but as it is Shinjo's wish that they be offered her protection he must do as she commands. Bairezu thinks they are too proud to accept. Ide thinks they will be punished by the Fortunes, but an instant later both their horses have been shot dead by archers. Ide reaches for his short blade while Bairezu draws his katana. A voice calls to them to drop their weapons. Several archers appear from their hiding places, and they are again ordered to put down their weapons. Ide asks if they are Yobanjin as he places his weapon on the ground, and Bairezu does the same grudgingly. The Yobanjin reveals they have been tracking the two for a day. Ide says he has a message, but is cut off as an arrow strikes the ground infront of him. The Yobanjin tells him to be quit and wait for a message from their chieftain about their fate. Ide is not optimistic about their chances, but the Yobanjin motions for him to ask their chieftain himself. Ide and Bairezu turn to see a massive serpentine figure moving through the air, lanfing nearby with a large human on it's back. Bairezu asks Ide if it is the chieftain, which Ide thinks it is. The lead archer commands them to kneel and when Ide looks back in confusion he is knocked to the ground. Bairezu spins to attack the archer but is shot in the leg by one of the archers, and Bairezu falls to the ground. The Chieftain dimounts and walks over to the two Rokugani and his men, pleased at Harito's treatment of the two. The Chieftain names himself Battul and asks what the message is. Bairezu tells him he does not have a message, but the unconcious Ide beside him does. They will have to wait for Ide to regain conciousness after his "treatment" by Harito. Battul smiles thinly and kick Bairezu in the chin, telling him to try and recall the message. Harito reveals they are messengers from the Kami Shinjo, offering slavery under the Kami again. Bairezu protests, saying thet offer protection and a flourishing society. There is a new threat, one of their siblings has gone mad and will murder them all if he discovers them. Battul is intrigued, but has no intention serving under someone who is capable of going mad. The Yobanjin were strong enough before the Kami, and will remain strong without them. Bairezu counters that the Yobanjin had to flee Hantei, and Battul threatens to kill him for his insolence. Battul points out he had promised his people to not make war with the Kami, which would now include this mad one too. Battul also believes that the mad Kami will only make war on Rokugan, and that the Yobanjin are safe in the north. Bairezu says that if the Kami defeat him the broken remnants of the army may still wander into Yobanjin territory. Battul is not convinced and tells Bairezu to go back where he came from and tell his master to never seek them out again or the next messengers will not be as fortunate. Battul adds that he respects Bairezu's bravery, and offers him luck. When the Kami loose to their sibling he would have a place among the Yobanjin should he wish it.

To Be Continued in: Way of the Dragon.

Characters

 * Unmei
 * Shinjo
 * Ide
 * Shinjo Bairezu
 * Harito
 * Battul

Not Present, But Mentioned

 * Fu Leng
 * Otaku
 * The Emperor
 * Shiba