Honor Bound

It had been nearly three weeks since the whole thing began. Seiji found it surprising that so little time had passed when it was planned to be three months. All of the acceleration to the plan really changed things. It seemed like they would be finished in a month.

Seiji stared out at the cold mountain view as his mind wondered. ‘Aya going to hold Yumi to this standard for the future? This was a bunch of lucky breaks for her, though from my view they were complications. Yet, she just turned them around to being benefits to her. Not sure she’s ready for Aya, but it’s definitely promising. This was the whole point, so I guess I shouldn’t act surprised.’

Up alongside him came his current Lord. “This is really going to happen…” There was a bit of disbelief in his voice along with anger. Even he didn’t seem to think that they would have come to blows. Seiji found it a little surprising given how much they fought, but perhaps it was saving face in front of everyone.

“Don’t worry, we’ll come out ahead. His men are too tired to fight well.”

“Seems his anger with me being given prominence in this has overwhelmed his senses.”

Staring at the smoke peeking around the trees, he could tell where they were camped. The battle would begin soon with the distance apart. All of his men were ready for a fight even though they didn’t look forward to fighting allies. “Nearly a month on this mountain without your prey is bound to break someone.”

“Yes, I didn’t think my cousin would cause us so much trouble.”

“He was more clever than he seemed. Though your brother’s been obstructing us as well.

“Yes, he’s been a thorn in our sides. Hopefully, this will clear things up finally for him.”

Horns sounded from the scouts. Their enemy approached. War came for Seiji once more.

Chapter 547 – Honor Bound

Seiji barely needed much in the way of tactics with how things had been set up for him by Nerine and Yumi. His men were well rested and organized while Kichiro’s were so tired they could barely hold their swords and spears it seemed. He honestly felt bad for what was happening. While he couldn’t tell his men to go easy on them, he didn’t want them to die needlessly.

Had this been a different sort of battle, Seiji would have joined them on the field as well, but it was unnecessary. They had a number advantage currently as well as a moral. ‘Just retreat already…’

A messenger came up next to his horse with the Lord to his right. “Lord Nagahama, there are no other troops spotted.”

“Understood, keep your eyes out for flanking units and report immediately if you see any change.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

After the messenger left, Masahiro looked over at him. “This is strange, he’s only deployed half of his men. I would have figured that he had them either in reserve or to flank us. What do you think he’s thinking?”

“He might be trying to get his men some rest and exhaust our own with a second wave. But we’ve still got our reserve units as well. The mountains are rough land to navigate, his men might have run into trouble.”

“Please give up brother.”

Across the field, Kichiro sat on his horse in the rear, frustrated with the way the battle was going. His hands tightened and twisted on the reins watching the battle. He snapped again over to his general. “Where are our men? They were supposed to arrive by now to attack them from the rear!”

“I don’t know, my Lord. I’ve not heard anything since we left camp.”

“At this rate, you’re going to lose the battle.”

The general looked away from the complaining Lord already aware of what was happening. He knew the rumors and how his men felt about this mission. Everything about the hunt for Komagata blinded the Lord to what was happening around him. He worried for the future.

It was another ten minutes and they didn’t see any signs of their men showing. At this point, he ordered the retreat to the men, but Kichiro grabbed his forearm trying to stop him. “What do you think you’re doing? I didn’t give you the order! My brother is over there standing in my way!”

“The men are no longer able to put up a fight. We’re just losing men. I’m bringing them back and we’re going to rest.”

“Send them back!” The general did nothing to answer his Lord. “I gave you an order!”

Turning his horse around and pulling out of the Lord’s grip, he started back to camp. “Unless you want to lose your head I’d suggest you return.”

“Bastards!”

The battle ended and Masahiro gave a sign of relief. “Finally. Hopefully, he’ll let us continue in peace.” The young Lord turned around and started to march back with the men to their camp.

Seiji stared out at the former battle line. There were more dead than he wanted to see, but it wasn’t as bad. The exhaustion and general wish not to fight made them more likely to retreat or hold back rather than fight all out. Unfortunately, this was only the first battle that they had to fight. ‘Sorry, your brother’s not going to stop…’

He turned his horse back as well and took up the rear with the remainder of the men marching. A quick end to the fight was all that he could have hoped for. But that wouldn’t be the case for him. Several more days passed with the two locked in an intended stalemate that Kichiro couldn’t break. The fighting became more one sided until it became clear that the men had abandoned him.

The final day came down to the few remaining loyal to Kichiro surrounded by the mass of soldiers at Seiji’s command. This time he stood out in front of the men planning to see things finally conclude. He had Masahiro stay in the back. Mirroring him was Kichiro alongside his right hand man, who led his army. “I’ve come to discuss your terms of surrender.”

“What?! Surrender to my brother?” Kichiro remained driven by his emotions, likely the only thing that kept him warm up on the mountain. He only took a pause for a moment before continuing. “If you want to talk surrender I won’t do it to a puppet of my brother.”

‘The man’s crazed, probably plans to attack him once he’s in reach…’ Seiji worried about dealing with him, just with how unstable he seemed. Nerine really did a number on him. He knew only the briefest of details, but he started to think there was more than just misinformation happening. “You’re not in a position to be making demands. I could just leave you out here while we finally get back to looking for your cousin, but I’m here out of respect for you and your clan. Just end this.”

“This only ends when I say it does!” Suddenly from behind there was a shout from the men as chaos erupted. Seiji looked back calming the horse as it sensed the atmosphere suddenly change. He stared deeply towards the back, but had a feeling what had happened. Looking at where Masahiro should have been visible on horseback, he was missing.

Cries came up in waves as the men shouted and the message passed through the ranks. “Lord Masahiro has died!” Shocks and worry ran through everyone behind Seiji. It had finally happened.

He looked back at Kichiro and around the surrounding area. ‘I can’t tell if it was him or Nerine that did it… I guess it doesn’t matter in the end, the result is the same…’

Laughter came up suddenly as Kichiro lost the last bit of sanity that he might have been hanging on to at this point. A wide dark grin split his face as he fixed his eyes on Seiji. “I’m the one in command!” He laughed louder.

Seiji played his part and pulled out his katana furling his brow. “You bastard! You killed your own brother, have you no honor?!”

“I’m the only one that has the right to rule! He was weak and had to be pushed aside for someone that can rule! Now I order you to find my cousin!”

Turning his horse back on course, Seiji fixed it to put it into a charge. “My Lord is Lord Masahiro and your father! I’ll—“ Suddenly the laughing came to a stop as the elder brother coughed up blood. Seiji lowered his sword to his side to find that the one leading Kichiro’s army had actually done the deed.

Shock and horror spread over the brother’s face as he learned of the betrayal. Darkness fell over his eyes and parts of his face as he attempted to reach out for the man, but failed. The sword’s blade pulled out and he gasped coughing up blood before he lost control of his body. He slid off his horse slowly dying.

Seiji returned his sword to its sheath and hopped off the horse to rush over. He checked on Kichiro, able to confirm the lethal blow. ‘Both dead as Yumi wanted…’ Looking up at the man that did it, there was sadness in his eyes. “He’s dead.”

The general came down from his horse and stood before Seiji with nothing but a wish for things to end and for peace. He pulled out his sheathed katana and bowed to Seiji, presenting his weapon to him. “Please, I’ve killed my Lord and broken my honor.”

A heavy breath came from Seiji, understanding the intent. He respectfully accepted the man’s wishes despite the pain that it brought him. “I will be your witness.”

“Thank you. Please see to my men.”

“I will.”

The solemn moment hung for Seiji. Death had been a common thing in this world, especially for what he did. The act of taking your own life still felt unsettling. ‘Honor and duty…these are a different breed…’ It was several minutes even after it was over before Seiji moved from the spot.

He didn’t even make it back to his horse before a messenger came to him. “My Lord, we’re surrounded!”

Seiji placed the katana on the side of the saddle of his horse and hopped back up. He looked around at the confusion and panic spreading through the ranks. “No, they’re joining us. Send out word, I, Hajime Nagahama have witnessed the death of the brothers Kichiro and Masahiro. As temporary measure, I’m taking command of both troops. Everyone is welcome in our camp. We rest after this terrible day and march for the northern outpost!”

“Yes, my Lord!”

While the messenger ran off to carry out his orders, Seiji began to put the horse into a trot. Carrying from deep within him, he let his voice boom through the field. “Everyone! Hear me! Our Lords may be dead, but you are still alive and I am here! Calm your spirits and minds! I’ve been with you these last couple of weeks and seen your strength and bravery. You are men of Nakanoi, you will prevail in this challenge!”

Along the fringes of the tree line men started to slowly pour in. Seiji steered his horse over to the few remaining on horseback. “They are no longer your enemy. Your Lords had the fight, not you. You all serve Nakanoi, remember that!”

Coming out from the ranks was the Captain from earlier that he spoke to during the call to return. “Lord Nagahama, I’m glad to see you. I’m sorry that we waited so long.”

“I’m just pleased to see you. This was a terrible thing to happen. I did what I could to keep the casualties to a minimum.”

“I’m grateful, my Lord. I feared to have faced you in your full fury.”

Seiji patted him on the back as he came alongside him. “You can live to see that, but as my ally, not enemy.”

“Everyone’s so tired.”

“I’ve ordered rest for everyone. We’ll head out tomorrow. Once we’re properly supplied again, we have one final duty to carry out. Stay safe!”