Price To Pay

He pointed out that here on the edge of the known world the Kimasharu were of no threat to anyone except the savages who dwell here; that of course presumed that they never returned to Ritsuryo. Then, he claimed that they had brought their families here in order to colonise the region. That was biggest pile of guano of the lot. The Kimasharu knew as much about farming as a fish knows about flying.

Uncle sat there on his horse patiently listening to the lies spun before him. When another daimyo challenged one of Yamato’s fabrications, he calmly rebuked him, saying, "We have travelled this far to settle a score. Let us be noble enough hear the man out."

Finally, Yamato aimed a thunderbolt directly at Uncle. "To resolve this dispute, I challenge you, Takatoki, to single combat to the death in the custom of the heroes of old. If you agree then all of your daimyos must pledge that if I win that you will leave here and never again interfere in the affairs of the Kimasharu." In other words, give him carte blanche to raid else with impunity any land in Ritsuryo not of our holding. "If you win, then the Kimasharu will remain here for a generation. If I were to fall, then my lieutenants had agreed to respect my command. They are ready to swear by the Spirits not return to Ritsuryo before the years are up." And they would honour their oath because if they were ever forsworn, the rabble that they led would disintegrate and no man, daimyo or samurai would ever trust them again. "We have two great armies here willing to fight to the last drop of their blood. However, it is better for one man to die for the greater good than many to be slaughtered for little purpose. So will you face me or must hundreds perish?"

The parley over, we rode back to our camp where Uncle held a meeting of the leading diamyos. As is the custom, we waited for him to speak. There was no doubt in our minds that he would reject the terms. Our army was larger and better armed. In open battle or cowardly ambush we would slaughter them. Once the main body was destroyed, we would be free to hunt down any survivors as well as enslave their dependants

However, Uncle surprised us all.

"I am minded to accept Yamato’s proposal", he announced. "Low born though he is, he is right in that should we face his army in battle then many will die. Yes, we would win because the Spirits are with us, but no few of our samurai would live to return home. Also, should any of the Kimasharu scum escape then there is no guarantee that they would not creep south to begin their banditry all over again. This way the matter is finished for our lifetime. I have fought in two score battles and over a hundred duels and no man has ever vanquished me. I have no intention of allowing one of peasant stock to do so in my elder years."

The other daimyos immediately challenged his decision in an unseemly fashion. Some doubted whether the Kimasharu would keep their word. Others pointed out Yamato was twenty years younger than he was.

With the storm whipping around him, Uncle raised his hand and immediately, all fell silent.

He then rebuked them saying, "At the beginning of this expedition you are swore to obey me and my nephew in all matters concerning the Kimasharu. Are you less true to your word than the barbarians we face? Tomorrow at dawn, I will face Yamato in single combat.