It was only a few days since the letters were sent out. Only four birds were sent out to their targets. Whether they would be received, was up to fate. Yoshiro had watched as they flew off into the horizon. These people were some of many who would be his only hope to win this war. Foreigners but loyal to his cause none the less. They were strong and showed promise. Two were Fanalis from Reim, one a Magician and the other a mysterious swordsman. One of the Fanalis even commanded a small army from what he heard. He regretted not being able to summon more of his allies to the castle but it was too risky. All he had to do now was wait.
The beautiful lands he fought to protect now lay in ruin. Yoshiro leaned on the balcony, watching. His rough hands gripped the railing tightly. The wood creaked and cracked in protest under his weight. His mind was clouded by questions he often asked himself. Was he being judged for what he did? Will there ever be peace? No one had these answers, not even himself. Day after day of plotting against his father yet again was exhausting. A heavy burden weighed down on his shoulders. Whatever was left of his countrymen looked up to him to end this. Morale was low yet higher than it had been. Their comeback was sudden and unexpected. He had high hopes for the brave warriors that assisted him in his efforts. For today was the day to finally meet them. If they would show or not; he wasn't certain. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the door sliding open. In anticipation, he turned his head slightly. It was one of his many advisors but he couldn't remember his name.
"Your majesty," the man started as he began to bow down on his knees, "Your presence is requested by General Dong Zhu."
Yoshiro quietly motioned his hand and the man exited the room. A long breath escaped his lips as he turned to exit the room. The only thing he expected was more bad news as usual. This situation reminded him of the time he held such a meeting with his cousin and a few others some time ago. The thought of it made him frown. It had been a long time since he heard from his cousin. He made his way down to the war room where Dong Zhu was waiting for him. The general was a tall man; well built for his age. Yoshiro had been friends with him for some time now. A member of his household and a good tactician he respected. Dong gazed over to Yoshiro as he walked into the room, bowing. "You did not delay, your majesty," he said, smirking.
Yoshiro chuckled lightly, approaching the table. "You called?" He leaned over the table, gazing at the map of his country. Dong raised up, positioning himself next to Yoshiro. Clearing his throat, he began to speak, "We received a carrier pidgeon with an... interesting letter from one of our spies." Yoshiro perked up his head, raising his eyebrows. "Oh? Show me," he replied. He held his hand out. Dong placed a small crinkled scroll in his hand. Yoshiro carefully unraveled it. His eyes scanning the calligraphy on the parchment. His heart stopped for a moment as he took the time to process it. "Is it true?" He looked at the general for an answer-- anything at all. His face was now almost pale in disbelief. If what was on the letter was true, it would be trouble. "I don't doubt my sources but it doesn't hurt to investigate," said Dong, letting out a short sigh. Yoshiro placed his head in his hands, closing his eyes for a moment.
"This is an urgent matter. The attack will have to wait," he sighed, lifting himself up and regaining his stature. Dong tilted his head in confusion. "Then what shall we tell our guests, your majesty?" he asked. "I will simply tell them there is a change in plans," answered Yoshiro, folding the paper neatly and wedging it in his breastplate. "As you wish, your majesty. They should be arriving soon. My scouts had spotted them within the city not too long ago," assured Dong. The emperor nodded and pulled out a chair to sit on. He rested his arms and leaned back into it, gazing up at the ceiling. He was beginning to feel impatient. His thoughts raced through his head. Dong picked up his cup of tea, now cold. He brought the cup to his lips as he took a dissatisfying sip from it. "You do not need to worry, Yoshiro. These soldiers are stronger than his." Yoshiro shook his head. "Do not underestimate my fa--... Gao Yuan Zu."
The beautiful lands he fought to protect now lay in ruin. Yoshiro leaned on the balcony, watching. His rough hands gripped the railing tightly. The wood creaked and cracked in protest under his weight. His mind was clouded by questions he often asked himself. Was he being judged for what he did? Will there ever be peace? No one had these answers, not even himself. Day after day of plotting against his father yet again was exhausting. A heavy burden weighed down on his shoulders. Whatever was left of his countrymen looked up to him to end this. Morale was low yet higher than it had been. Their comeback was sudden and unexpected. He had high hopes for the brave warriors that assisted him in his efforts. For today was the day to finally meet them. If they would show or not; he wasn't certain. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the door sliding open. In anticipation, he turned his head slightly. It was one of his many advisors but he couldn't remember his name.
"Your majesty," the man started as he began to bow down on his knees, "Your presence is requested by General Dong Zhu."
Yoshiro quietly motioned his hand and the man exited the room. A long breath escaped his lips as he turned to exit the room. The only thing he expected was more bad news as usual. This situation reminded him of the time he held such a meeting with his cousin and a few others some time ago. The thought of it made him frown. It had been a long time since he heard from his cousin. He made his way down to the war room where Dong Zhu was waiting for him. The general was a tall man; well built for his age. Yoshiro had been friends with him for some time now. A member of his household and a good tactician he respected. Dong gazed over to Yoshiro as he walked into the room, bowing. "You did not delay, your majesty," he said, smirking.
- Spoiler:
Yoshiro chuckled lightly, approaching the table. "You called?" He leaned over the table, gazing at the map of his country. Dong raised up, positioning himself next to Yoshiro. Clearing his throat, he began to speak, "We received a carrier pidgeon with an... interesting letter from one of our spies." Yoshiro perked up his head, raising his eyebrows. "Oh? Show me," he replied. He held his hand out. Dong placed a small crinkled scroll in his hand. Yoshiro carefully unraveled it. His eyes scanning the calligraphy on the parchment. His heart stopped for a moment as he took the time to process it. "Is it true?" He looked at the general for an answer-- anything at all. His face was now almost pale in disbelief. If what was on the letter was true, it would be trouble. "I don't doubt my sources but it doesn't hurt to investigate," said Dong, letting out a short sigh. Yoshiro placed his head in his hands, closing his eyes for a moment.
"This is an urgent matter. The attack will have to wait," he sighed, lifting himself up and regaining his stature. Dong tilted his head in confusion. "Then what shall we tell our guests, your majesty?" he asked. "I will simply tell them there is a change in plans," answered Yoshiro, folding the paper neatly and wedging it in his breastplate. "As you wish, your majesty. They should be arriving soon. My scouts had spotted them within the city not too long ago," assured Dong. The emperor nodded and pulled out a chair to sit on. He rested his arms and leaned back into it, gazing up at the ceiling. He was beginning to feel impatient. His thoughts raced through his head. Dong picked up his cup of tea, now cold. He brought the cup to his lips as he took a dissatisfying sip from it. "You do not need to worry, Yoshiro. These soldiers are stronger than his." Yoshiro shook his head. "Do not underestimate my fa--... Gao Yuan Zu."
Everyone may make their entrance posts now. If you need assistance on how to start, you would most likely be received outside the castle walls and brought directly to Yoshiro by a few guards.
Please make sure you post within 48 hours after each post from Yoshiro Zu.
Please make sure you post within 48 hours after each post from Yoshiro Zu.