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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 16, 2009 16:04:12 GMT -5
Kofu, a beautiful castle situated in a majestic mountainous region. Trees dot the landscape surrounding the walls. This military compound looks so serene and calm nestled in this range. But it's not just a frilly happy place. It's one of the most defensible castles in Japan due to it's difficult terrain.
The pathways wind this way and that throughout the compound, and any who are able to breach the main gates will find themselves lost trying to navigate this maze.
There are wide places for entire armies to assemble, and the tall keep looks imposing up close and from a distance. It is here where the Sanada currently reside and take council, and it is here where anyone wishing to meet with Yukimura must come.
Garrisoned troops
5,000 Ashigaru Spearmen
5,000 Ashigaru Archers
2,000 Light Cavalry
1,000 Light Samurai Swordsmen
500 Samurai Swordsmen
500 Samurai Archers
500 Samurai Cavalry
500 Samurai Spearmen
Rules
- Please remove all weapons before entering the castle. They will be returned to you once you leave.
- Ronin are only admitted to the guest room. If you are not recognized and are in the upper levels of the castle, you will be attacked on sight.
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Post by goer on Apr 17, 2009 2:10:38 GMT -5
Sanada Nobuyuki travelled through the winding pathway to Kofu castle, home to his brother and clan. Nobuyuki had come to serve the younger Yukimura, without giving thought to their ages.
To show his respect, the calm man removed his weapons as any other would have to, then entered the castle. Inside Nobuyuki made his way towards Yukimura's hall.
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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 17, 2009 10:56:03 GMT -5
Guards quickly stood at attention as the elder Sanada had passed them, and after he was gone, they returned to their normal duties. Soon however, a courtier had noticed Nobuyuki, and calmly walking up towards him, he soon spoke, and said,
"Taisho, it's good to see you. Your brother is currently doing administration duties, but will be done shortly. Would you follow me to a room where you can wait for him?"
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Post by goer on Apr 17, 2009 20:15:29 GMT -5
Nobuyuki wanted to see his brother sooner, but he had forgotten to send notice of his arrival. He nodded at the courtier that approached him.
"Yes, please show me the room, i'll wait." He said, slightly ignoring the welcome.
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Post by kobayakawahideaki on Apr 18, 2009 6:48:31 GMT -5
"Akemi, I trust your instincts, but I still don't understand... why the Sanada? It makes the whole trip to Kyoto to help the coalition pointless. They weren't even there."
Kobayakawa Hideaki always did his best to understand the various plans his close friend Numai Akemi came up with, but could never quite see the full picture of his friend's desgins. Akemi didn't exactly think in the same way as most people, but then, Hideaki doubted anybody thought in identical fashions. All the same, not even he, her oldest friend, could come to the same conclusion as her without being shown the reasoning.
"Pointless? You gained experience of commanding a larger number of soldiers than usual, it allowed you to examine how particular people managed their armies. It let them see you, meaning your name will carry more weight, and you were also paid for your troubles. A task doesn't become worthless solely because it didn't fufil the objective it had in mind initially."
"Yes... but still, why the Sanada? What's the point of gathering information at Kyoto then deciding to join the man we know nothing about?"
"Join? I never said anything about joining the Sanada, just that we should visit their Daimyo and get the measure of him. Anyway, I already have some opinions."
"You've never met the man, and nor have I. You can't base your ideas off rumour and hearsay."
"I wouldn't agree with that Hideaki, but it's besides the point, so I'll leave it for now. What we know is that he did not join the coalition. Which could mean one of several things. Either Sanada is more concerned with self-preservation than anything else, or he is not interested in currying favour with Sozen, or he did not want to risk incurring the wrath of the Shoganate at the time. Those are the main reasons."
"Ugh, fine. Let's try to meet him then."
Hideaki and Akemi approached the entrance to Kofu castle, and as they grew nearer, he hailed the guards.
"My name is Kobayakawa Hideaki, of no current allegiance. This is my companion, Numai Akemi. May we enter Kofu?"
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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 18, 2009 17:29:20 GMT -5
Nobuyuki wanted to see his brother sooner, but he had forgotten to send notice of his arrival. He nodded at the courtier that approached him. "Yes, please show me the room, i'll wait." He said, slightly ignoring the welcome. "Yes, just follow me then." After quickly leading Nobuyuki to a quiet room, he closed the door behind him and left. Possibly to get Yukimura, or even possibly to do some other task. However whatever he did, word soon got around that Nobuyuki was in the castle. Eventually it reached the ears of Yukimura, who was just finishing with his administration duties. Upon hearing this, he said to the courtiers, "Okay, that is enough. I have some more important business to attend to. We'll continue with this sometime tomorrow." He rose before they had a chance to say anything, and it wasn't like they were going to anyways. His commanding presence left them in awe, and doing something that would make him angry, wasn't particularly wise. Especially when they knew where he wanted to go; to see his brother. Yukimura hurried along the hallways of Kofu Castle, stopping only in his private room to get into a more casual kimono, before heading to the room his brother was in. He walked swiftly, and once getting to the door, he stopped and brushed himself off. He slid the door open, and calmly walked in and said, "Brother, it's good to see you. It's been quite a while, I'm sorry the courtier sent you here, I should have him commit seppuku for being so impolite to have you wait here. Why don't we go to the garden instead?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (To Kobayakawa) "Leave your weapons and horses at the gate, and you can come in. You'll be lead to a guest room and Lord Yukimura will come to meet with you." Upon saying this, one of the guards on the gate climbs down the ladder and opens the gate to lead the two warriors in. Making sure they remove their weapons. |
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Post by kobayakawahideaki on Apr 18, 2009 17:37:08 GMT -5
Hideaki patiently surrendered his kamayari and wheellock, whilst Akemi simply shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't in the habit of carrying weapons around, and wasn't in truth much of a fighter. Whilst capable, Akemi was hardly going to be running around winning duelling tournaments. Since she clearly wasn't wearing any weapons, she assumed the guards would come to their own conclusion.
The ronin dismounted, before walking alongside Akemi to assist her to do the same, more out of politeness than any thought that she might need his help. Hideaki gave his friend a slight smile, then walked off after the guard to head for the guest room, where hopefully they would be able to meet Sanada Yukimura.
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Post by goer on Apr 18, 2009 22:51:23 GMT -5
Nobuyuki sat silently in the guest room, waiting for his brother to finish his duties. He had thought about assisting Yukimura but for now he simply wanted to talk with him. A few minutes later, Nobuyuki stood when the door slid open.
"It's no trouble, I wanted to rest a while anyway. It is good to see you too brother, it seems this place is running smoothly without my help."
He moved towards the door and smiled. "Alright, let's go to the garden."
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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 18, 2009 23:19:47 GMT -5
Stepping out of the guest room, and making his way down the hallway, Yuki looked over at his brother and said, "It's just this way. As for running smoothly, father trained the both of us well, and the men that are put in place to watch over certain areas makes Shinano practically run itself."
Going down some stairs, he then said, "Though I do have to step in sometimes and make some adjustments, I believe the men I've appointed do good work."
Walking along the hallway for a moment, he turned the corner and soon they reached the main entrance of the castle. Some of the guards hastened to open the door, while others stood at attention, and Yukimura stepped out, motioning for Nobuyuki to follow. He slipped on some sandals and then said,
"So how about you? I hope you've been doing well since the last time I've seen you?"
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The guard at the gate took Kobayakawa's weapons, and said "These will be kept in good care until you return for them."
Another guard, a young boy, rather cheerful was to lead the two towards a guest room. He spoke in a dialect of a country bumpkin, but was friendly enough, and he said to them, "Follow me."
He led them along the pathway, and soon got to the main entrance of the castle, where he noticed Yukimura and his brother making their way outside. He whispered to the two ronin and said, "There's Lord Yukimura and his brother. Perhaps you won't have to wait long if you're noticed. The lord is a friendly man, and he wouldn't have these kinds of rules, but for the sake of the courtiers who are fearful of their own safety, he allows it."
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Post by goer on Apr 18, 2009 23:59:32 GMT -5
Following his brother through the hallway and down the stairs, Nobuyuki kept quiet as Yukimura talked about the castle. The mentioning of their father reminded him of his absence.
"I will want to meet them of course, after we've talked." Nobuyuki's thoughts of serving another clan had now disappeared, as the Sanada were in good hands with the two brothers.
He walked outside and looked over the garden. "Yes I have been fine, there isn't much to tell you Nobushige. I can say that i've returned now to join you, if there's a place for me of course."
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Post by kobayakawahideaki on Apr 19, 2009 9:57:04 GMT -5
Hideaki gave the guard a slight nod. Were his weapons not in good condition on his return... well, he would be more worried than annoyed. What could there possibly be to do with the weapons you are minding for somebody? It wasn't like the guards were going to take them away somewhere.
He was a little surprised at the youth of the guard who was to lead them to the guest room, but he supposed that if one was to take up a profession, then starting from a young age was the best way to go about it.
After they reached their destination, Hideaki smiled a little at the whispered remark from the child. If Sanada was so free with talk for it to filter down to even the guards, he had to be either friendly or careless. Hideaki looked over to Akemi with an inquiring look on his face. His friend inclined her head very slightly, and that was enough for Hideaki to know Akemi had put that little bit of information away for later. No doubt she would make far more of it than he could.
"We will be patient," Hideaki told the boy quietly, watching the brothers walk together. Waiting was not a hard thing to do, and if a person could not master it, they would struggle in many areas.
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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 19, 2009 13:41:57 GMT -5
"Of course, and I'm sure they would like to hear your input on things as well." Now, stepping out onto the gravel, and after hearing Nobuyuki mention that he would like to join, he quickly turned and said,
"Brother, do not think there would not be a place for you. Your blood is my blood, you are always welcome here. I would be honoured if you would help me restore order to the country."
Looking out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two people being led by one of his younger guards, looking them over, he thought
They aren't very scruffy, nor are they in overly formal attire with their lords mon on their kimonos... They're either spies or ronin. I'm more inclined to think they're ronin since Jiro is the one leading them.
He turned his hand towards Jiro, and motioned for him to bring them towards him.
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The young guard whispered to them again, "See, I told you he's kind. Let's go see him." Walking a little bit faster, if only to make the guests move quicker. Soon they got closer and Jiro got over excited and blurted out,
"Lord Yukimura, I present to you... um... um... Oh, I don't remember their names..."
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Post by kobayakawahideaki on Apr 19, 2009 14:12:46 GMT -5
Kobayakwa preferred to make his own introductions, but all the same, it was slightly embarrassing for their names to be forgotten so quickly. He supposed they weren't particularly memorable, but still...
"My name is Kobayakawa Hideaki, and my companion is Numai Akemi."
That was all that needed to be said, in all fairness. It was an introduction, and Hideaki didn't plan on revealing any more than he was asked to by Sanada. Besides, he didn't want to seem overfamiliar.
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Post by Sanada Yukimura on Apr 19, 2009 15:14:55 GMT -5
Giving a hearty laugh, Yukimura placed his hand on the boy's head and gave him a light pat. He then knelt down and looked at him and smiled he then said, "Jiro, I know your father wants you to be here, but you should go home and play with the other kids today."
He then reached inside his sleeve and pulled out some coins and said, "Here, go buy a ball or something you and your friends can play with."
Jiro, with a big grin on his face turned and started to run away, but then he stopped and turned back around and gave a bow and said, "Thank you for the money Lord Yukimura. Sorry for forgetting your name Mister Kobayakawa." Then he ran off towards the town just outside the castle.
Yukimura stood back up, and then smiled and said, "Sorry about that, he's still too young. I don't know why his father insists he comes to do guard duty with him. I'll have to talk to him about that."
He then placed his hand on Nobuyuki's shoulder and said, "This is my brother Nobuyuki, and I am Nobushige. Now that we're all introduced, would the both of you like to join us in the garden? I assume you have some business to speak to me about, and it's much more comfortable there, than in the stuffy castle."
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Post by goer on Apr 20, 2009 0:39:19 GMT -5
Standing outside the castle, Nobuyuki smiled at his brother's reply. "Of course, I wasn't expecting any other answer. With the two of us together, the Sanada will thrive." He said before noticing the two in front of them.
Although slightly annoyed at Yukimura's carefree attitude towards the young guard, Nobuyuki stood waiting until their introductions were finished. When the man revealed his name, the elder brother simply looked over the two and nodded after Yukimura's hand was on his shoulder.
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