Shogun 1197

Shogun’s Residence, Imperial City

1st Day of Doji

Utaku Sora stood looking over the Imperial City. She despised cities in general prefering to be outside with the wind at her back. She was a woman of action, not an administrator. A slight twinge in her spine reminded her that she was also no longer young. She winced slightly. “Ah well, there will be plenty of time to rest my back when I retire” she mused to herself.

“Shogun-sama?” Sora’s yojimbo stepped into the room “Are you alright?”

She smiled ruefully “I am fine Akumori, just old and my back pains me from too long in the saddle.” Sora gave a slight chuckle “My Utaku sisters and ancestors would be shocked to hear that no?”

Akumori shrugged his massive shoulders, the Spider bushi was not one for talking much when it was not necessary.

Sora grinned genuinely “Such eloquence from my yojimbo. I should start telling you to be quiet.”

“You did not choose me as your yojimbo for my verbosity my Shogun.”

Sora laughed “No I did not, nor was my choice a popular one.”

“Utaku-Shogun-sama, would you permit your humble yojimbo a small favour?” His tone was deferential, it showed the correct level of respect. For a Spider, Akumori was one of the most honourable samurai Sora knew. She replied “Assuredly Akumori-san, you have but to name your request.”

He bowed low “I have had a question burning in me since you chose me as your yojimbo. Why me?”

Sora’s answer was delivered quickly “You are one of the greatest bodyguards in the empire, your skill in battle is almost unsurpassed and your adherence to bushido is exemplary. Why would I not choose you?”

“I am Spider.”

“And the Spider are a Great Clan of the empire. Any good shogun worth the title would not hesitate to use all resources at their disposal. Sun Tao would not have hesitated to use the Spider.”

“But forgive my impertinence, why not someone more politically acceptable?”

Sora pursed her lips “That is impertinent. And you over step your boundaries. But I will answer you. You remind me of someone I once knew.”

“The Fortune of Persistence in the Face of Overwhelming Odds?”

Sora’s voice was sad and soft “Perhaps.”

“I am not Yama my lady. I cannot be and protect you.”

Daigotsu Akumori bowed low and returned to his post outside the door.