Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

The first light of day finds Doji Hametsu, looking pristine as always, outside of the Aide-de-Camp's tent with a small bundle of letters in hand. He waits patiently until he hears the Miya stir, then announces his presence.

"Miya-sama, good morning! It is Doji Hametsu, 4th kaisha. I have come with missives for delivery."

"Doji-san, come in," Ugemi replies.

When Hametsu enters, he will find the Miya standing and adjusting his hat.

"What missives, and to whom?"

"Four formal letters and a memorandum. The memorandum is for the general, with copies for Daidoji Kumiko and Hiruma Akako. The letters are to several figures: the magistrate of Museru Mura, the magistrate of the nearest Crab village, Doji Hanako, chui of the 1st Crane Army, and lastly to Uji, Lord Daidoji."

He bowed formally.

"Thank you for your attention, Miya-sama."

"Of course," Ugemi says, returning the bow almost reflexively.

He adjusts his hat again.

"I am curious, though, why you did not deliver your chui's copy to her yourself. You are her adjutant, after all."

"The true recipient of the letter is the Rikugunshokan. Daidoji-sama is copied as my superior officer. According to regulation E-3518 regarding the proper dispersal of correspondence, it is best that all missives related to this matter are handled and documented by the central staff. It may be that I will end up delivering the letter anyway when it goes out for distribution, but it is well that you are able to see that I have conducted a formal communication, rather than discover this fact later."

"Very good!" Ugemi says, and his enthusiasm is clear. "Your attention to detail will serve you in good stead with your new family, as well. I just know it!"

He sighs.

"It's an exciting prospect, isn't it?"

Hametsu swallowed his knee-jerk response and instead replied more measuredly.

"A momentous occasion, certainly, but negotiations continue and I would find it...premature to allow my spirits to soar before it is finalized."

"Negotiations continue?" Ugemi asks. "Who quibbles in this? You are clearly set to be an excellent spouse--not so much, perhaps, as my own intended, but certainly very much so!"

"Miya-sama is very kind. But there is ever so much to consider. Indeed, my potential intended and I are very closely matched in rank...so questions persist as to who goes where and takes what with them, and of course who must give up a certain meticulously-crafted vision of their career, braving the stories his relatives have told him since he was a small boy about the at times strenuous cultural differences between the two clans."

"So your intended will not be joining your family?" Ugemi asks. "Must be highly-placed, indeed, that a Legionnaire--and an officer, no less--does not prompt the change."

He sighs, somewhat wistfully.

Hametsu sighed in reply.

"Katsushiro is highly valued by his lord. Tradition and our stations would have him join the Crane, but my mother is uncomfortable with what she feels has been my slow rise through the ranks." He tilted his head. "So, naturally, that has caused some difficulty."

"She thinks you'll rise faster among the Crab then?" Ugemi asks. "I know that, at least in this Legion, advancement is not based on Clan, imprecations of certain others notwithstanding."

A snort.

"But that assumes you would remain in this Legion--or, indeed, the Legions as a whole--after this tour. I know of no reason you would be discharged at this point, truly, but recall happens."

"It does." Hametsu nodded slowly. "But it is less a question of suspected nepotism in the legions and more a question of relative value. To my mother, a son who does not rise more quickly will not surpass her own rank in her lifetime, and thus has little value. I may as well be raising children and keeping the household accounts. It has been quite the motivating factor."

"I believe you'd acquit yourself well in such tasks," Ugemi says, "but I can understand, shall we say, hoping to serve otherwise."

There is something of a glance back towards Crane lands.

"Of course, valor in combat does tend to raise one's profile, especially in the Legions. And there are some as have noticed you favorably, as you might guess."

"That is gratifying to hear, Miya-sama." Hametsu bowed in gratitude. "I hope my efforts this tour will confirm their opinions."

"I will speed your missives along the way, then," Ugemi says, returning the bow. "And I shall pray to the Fortunes for a happy marriage for you, and soon achieved."

"Miya-sama is generous. Thank you." Hametsu bowed in gratitude and made his exit.