The Drums of War
"Attention! Lord Yoshitsune brings word from the capital!"
You quickly cast aside your half empty rice bowl and rush to your feet, catching a glimpse of Yamada as you rise. His face was equal parts excited and destitute, weary from years of combat. You rush out of your tent to the center of camp alongside the rest of Yoshitsune's forces. You stop at the middle of the encampment, taking your place next to Yamada, facing forward in the proper military fashion. Others continue to pile in around you, the faces around the crowd varying from anxious to bloodthirsty. Yoshitsune sits atop his obsidian horse at the front, looking down upon his soldiers with a gravely stalwart expression. As the last few stragglers make their way to the group, Yoshitsune begins to speak.
"As the Kamakura Lord's deputy," his voice booming with authority " I have received the Retired Emperor's command to hunt down the Heike. I intend to attack by land as far as a horse can set foot, and by sea as far as an oar can reach. Those who have any misgivings whatsoever will kindly return to Kamakura at once." Yoshitsune turns away from the crowd and makes way for his tent, Benkei by his side.
Yoshitsune's retainer then steps forward "Dismissed!", met with an explosive affirmation from the mass of soldiers. You turn back towards your tent, Yamada following behind you.
"So we're going after them then" Yamada says sheepishly.
You nod in affirmation, "So it would seem".
"I have heard rumors. They say the Taira have received tens of thousands of reinforcements. We are a formidable force no doubt, but we can't ignore those numbers. And to fight them at sea? What do we know of naval combat? The Taira-"
You quickly cast aside your half empty rice bowl and rush to your feet, catching a glimpse of Yamada as you rise. His face was equal parts excited and destitute, weary from years of combat. You rush out of your tent to the center of camp alongside the rest of Yoshitsune's forces. You stop at the middle of the encampment, taking your place next to Yamada, facing forward in the proper military fashion. Others continue to pile in around you, the faces around the crowd varying from anxious to bloodthirsty. Yoshitsune sits atop his obsidian horse at the front, looking down upon his soldiers with a gravely stalwart expression. As the last few stragglers make their way to the group, Yoshitsune begins to speak.
"As the Kamakura Lord's deputy," his voice booming with authority " I have received the Retired Emperor's command to hunt down the Heike. I intend to attack by land as far as a horse can set foot, and by sea as far as an oar can reach. Those who have any misgivings whatsoever will kindly return to Kamakura at once." Yoshitsune turns away from the crowd and makes way for his tent, Benkei by his side.
Yoshitsune's retainer then steps forward "Dismissed!", met with an explosive affirmation from the mass of soldiers. You turn back towards your tent, Yamada following behind you.
"So we're going after them then" Yamada says sheepishly.
You nod in affirmation, "So it would seem".
"I have heard rumors. They say the Taira have received tens of thousands of reinforcements. We are a formidable force no doubt, but we can't ignore those numbers. And to fight them at sea? What do we know of naval combat? The Taira-"