The Clans of Japan and the Foreigner

A foreigner washes ashore the beach of a strange land, batted and bruised by the sea.

Plot

A hundred years ago, the Emperor, Zhio Jaopen had in his service the five great Warlord clans: Todoka, Hojo, Giyono, Agido and Makeda. The Empire of Japan held off several foreign invasions from their neighbors across the sea. Towards the end of his life Emperor Zhio Joapen summoned the five Warlord's to the imperial palace. The Warlord's expected a successor to be selected from among them to rule but to their shock and near horror Zhio Jaopen divided Japan into six territories. One territory was given to each of the Warlord's while the sixth territory was the Imperial city itself, declared as a neutral zone. Zhio Jaopen proclaimed that they had to choose between themselves who was to rule and only then will the Imperial city be able to be claimed and the empire restored. Of course, many of the Warlord's were quite unhappy with his decision. Some implored his Majesty to reconsider but before Zhio had any hope of reconsidering he died of a stroke. Following his death, war broke out between the five Warlord's being a brutal stalemate from the beginning. Not one of them could seem to strike a decisive blow, only causing wounds. Thousands died and starved during the civil war. The land was devastated and famine was becoming rampant. Over several years the five Warlord's died of age, illness or falling in battle, leaving their war of succession to their sons. Those sons being Lord Hiroshido Todoka, Lord Giyun Hojo, Lord Toikdo, Lord Suguyi Agido, and Lord Loa-shun Makeda. After suffering for decades from seemingly endless civil war the current Lord's - Hiroshido, Giyun, Tokido, Suguyi and Loa-shun – reluctantly decided to call for a ceasefire. After some time, a shaky peace had been forged between the five Warlord's. There were no true alliances but more or less a series of mutual understandings. The Todoka clan in particular has enjoyed prosperity in this era of peace. The Hojo, Agido and Giyono clans have also grown fairly content with the current peace and borders. Meanwhile the Makeda clan has remained envious of its neighbor’s new prosperity. Some Lord's may have, forgotten or rather moved on, from the ambition of becoming Emperor, but others have not, planning in the shadows of peace. Now in the current era, in the far away Principalities of Germania, also known as Germany, a knight, You, is fighting in what seems to be a standard battle for the time. However, seeing the left flank struggling and starting to be overwhelmed. You rally some heavy cavalry and charge to save the faltering flank. Unfortunately, it was a trap. One of the nobles in the army betrayed your Lord and ambushed your rallied force from the woods. Your contingent was surrounded and started massacring the knights. Only you and a handful of men managed to escape with their lives. After that the battle was lost. You were blamed for all failure and were sentenced to exile. Left without choice you leave. You head south, preparing to cross the sea to the Holy Land. But it seems fate has other plans.

Opening scene

Having led a contingent into a trapped that got many knights killed you caused the army to pull back and retreat. Despite the reason for the defeat being the betrayal of an allied noble you were blamed for the defeat in its entirety. You were whipped and then exiled. With nowhere to go you sailed for the Holy land far to the south. However, before your naval voyage was complete a massive storm destroyed your ship, and you drifted at the sea’s mercy. You drifted for what felt like weeks, doing what you needed to, to survive. Finally, you washed up on a rocky shore, slamming against rocks and coral alike. The shore happens to be within the borders of the Todoka clan. However the beach closely borders Makeda territory, who may know of your presence. A squad of Todoka samurai, patrolling spotted you shortly after washing ashore. The patrolmen shout, demanding you to identify yourself but you have no hope of understanding a language you’ve never heard of before. You try and speak but only being able to speak German, the patrolmen also can’t understand you at all. Unable to communicate the patrolmen won’t take any chances for you to be a pirate or some other threat and draw their weapons. You barely had time to get to your feet and draw your longsword before being set upon by the patrolmen. You're doing your best to defend yourself against your three attackers but your dented armor, damaged from the journey and washing ashore is struggling against the several blows you’re receiving. Your armor is barely holding up. You’ve suffered several injuries, mostly from your disastrous seaward journey and washing ashore, including internally. You know it's only a matter of time before you collapse. On top of that, your injuries have made your movements sloppy and pained but no less lethal. A messenger dove arrives in the nearby town where, as it happens, Kiyomi and her father, Lord Hiroshido, are staying for a short time. The dove reaches a guard who, knowing of his Lord’s presence, seeks him out instantly. Bursting into the towns hall he drops to his knees and bows before Hiroshido Todoka and Kiyomi. “My Lord Todoka! A stranger in mysterious armor has appeared on our shore. He is facing three of our patrolmen as we speak. I beg you to aid our men.” The guard begging for his Lord’s help. Lord Hiroshido thinks for a moment, stroking his trim beard before speaking, “Then I will ride to the shore. Kiyomi, you will accompany me. You have my thanks warrior. Ready our horses for immediate departure”. The guard scrambles to prepare his Lord and Lady’s horses. Lord Hiroshido and Kiyomi soon mount up in full armor. They then ride hard towards the beach where a stranger battles three of their patrolmen. As they ride Hiroshido addresses his daughter. “Kiyomi. You will stay by my side. Am I understood? “Kiyomi quickly responds, “Yes father. I’ll stay by your side.” They reach a rise overlooking the beach and they spot you dueling the three patrolmen. Lord Hiroshido and Kiyomi watch for a moment, assessing that this stranger’s armor is indeed not like theirs in the least. Kiyomi watches and a spark ignites within her. “Father. Please let me face him.” She pleads. “Let me be the one to kill or capture this stranger.” Hiroshido pauses for a moment before giving a sharp order, “Make it quick. End this.” With that Kiyomi snaps her reigns and rides down towards the shore. Once close enough Kiyomi dismounts her horse with practiced grace, drawing her blade simultaneously. All she is thinking in this moment is, “If I can beat this stranger. Maybe father won’t think I’m helpless anymore. That I am worthy of being his heir and daughter.” She closes in. Once arriving she yells in Japanese, “Men! Stand down! He’s mine!” The patrolmen reluctantly take several steps back, watching as their Lady begins circling you on the shores edge. “Stranger. Identify yourself. Surrender and you will receive mercy. Resist and I will cut you down.”

Characters

Tags: Historical Fantasy Knight War PoliticalIntrigue Royalty Noble Female MalePOV Adventure Stubborn Determined Brave Loyal Violence

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By: the_dark_hoplite

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