How To Summon A Lion
 |
 |
Step One – Find a shugenja. To be fair most people trying to summon things often overlook the need to find those that can actually do such things. As I, Matsu Shànzi, was leaving Donoha sama’s pair of imperially gifted wagons. I ran into Otaku Gunba sama, whom was returning from his work upon the stage set for tonight. After exchanging pleasantries with him and mentioning that Agasha Re san was off attending to her duties. As were the members of the Iron Fans ronin otokodate that had pledge to follow Akodo Asahi sama.
The Unicorn and the Lion talked about Kitsuki Donoha sama and the battle with the six yeti he faced. Gunba sama explained the spell of fiery lightning you’re not allowed to cast in towns being used on the ones surrounding Donoha sama! The Dragon courtier was in the dead center of the blast! In fact, when the Unicorn tried to warn him he told him to use it because as long as the yeti were focused on him the townsfolk had time to run! I thanked Gunba sama for shedding light on his understated bravery.
The Unicorn shugenja asked if the caravan had any lions among the 93 main wagons that comprised it. It was mentioned it did as the Lion visibly winced, thinking of the two wretched samurai in charge of the imperial menagerie. Before someone thinks ill of me the scribe, they have met valiant samurai of the Crab Clan. There was Hida Eiji san and Hiruma Gombei san, both samurai that lived up to and surpassed all expectations of the Crab Clan. As powerful and mighty as the tales make the Crab out to be both men showed remarkable care and manners.
 |
 |
In stark contrast were the two Crab samurai that had been assigned to the imperial menagerie. They were the shadow versions of Eiji san and Gombei san. Rude, crass, would rather treat the animals in their care as monsters or worse, cheap thrills because there was nothing else to fight! Seeing the day was about to take a potentially ugly turn, that is what caused the Lion to wince. However when Gunba sama asked if Shànzi san could escort him there she could not refuse. His face was so kind and the darker complexion to his skin looked beautiful to behold. Ladies, find yourselves a Gunba sama, you will not go wrong. You better hurry because one hears Isawa Tamaki san is off the market if the most recent spilt tea is accurate.
As they moved past the small town of wagons and temporary tents or “gers” as the Unicorn clan calls them. Eventually arriving at the imperial menagerie of the Emperor’s Gift, and the smell of blood in the air. Moving up to the gate allowed them to see the two insolent, spoiled, children wearing the flesh of adults. Likely drunk, and walking back from a pile of dead animals. It was learned later that a pair of adult lions had been slain by the thugs wearing the mon of the Crab. Author’s Note: I won’t name them other than use them as a cautionary tale of power run amok.
Able to draw the attention of one half of the slovenly pair. Through some not so veiled threats about Gunba sama’s stature in a real fight we gained entry and they let the Unicorn try and talk with one pair of the younger lions. Seeing their warnings as being un-heeded they posted up in the center of the walled off area we were in. Fully expecting to see Gunba sama eaten and or ripped apart. The Lion started to feel their lecherous gazes turned toward her they way they might toward food. Making their stomach turn and keeping their distance.
Things began to get ugly when Gunba sama was able to tame the pair of adolescent lions. No longer cubs but not quite adults. Taking a defensive stance in front of the lions to protect them since signs of abuse and malnourishment were present. He challenged the care provided by the Crab samurai and when they tried to approach with their tetsubos. He gave them every warning that he wished for this to be resolved amicably. His final warning was to drop the Fist of Osana-wo down next to the two samurai without hitting them! This was the same spell that he used on Donoha sama’s yeti opponents! That did give them pause when they realized he was a shugenja. Their pride quickly regrouped and as they started to make their way forward once more. A new voice rang out, “What seems to be the problem here?” 
The Lion bard could scarcely believe her eyes. Donoha sama had mentioned his cousin had been called away by the kami for a mission during his time in the Dragon lands. However, there he was walking over the ground that had been scorched by kami of lightning and fire! Akodo Asahi sama had returned, summoned it would seem by the will of Osano-wo himself.
The first mistake the two Crab made is addressing him as though he was their equal. The second mistake they made was trying to tell him to mind his own business. That caused an eyebrow to raise and I knew they were screwed as he began to grin. Their third mistake was one of them threatening to hurt him while the other made a show of strength with their tetsubo. His eyes narrowed as a predator and spoke, “Is that a challenge then?”
Once they confirmed it he drew his sword and then tessen fan as he spoke, “The first thing you’ll both lose will be your eyes. Then, your nose from your face. Next, your jaws, but I’ll leave you yours ears. So that every shriek of every person at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every person that weeps at your approach, and cries out ‘Dear Kami, what is that thing?’ will echo in your perfect ears.”
What happened next was two slashes with amazing precision. Each Crab samurai lost their eyes, and coincidentally the bridge of their nose between them! One of them landed a strike by sheer luck now that neither of them could see. The only thing pulling me from my awe of this displaay was the smell of the dead and rotting carcasses of the warthog, meerkats, two adult lions, and many of the other ferocious or exotic beasts of the imperial menagerie.
Shrugging off the blow Asahi sama and Gunba sama exchanged welcome greetings at seeing each other once more. Two more slashes and both Crab samurai had become bereft of their noses! The crimson lifeblood spilled from their faces at they fell back crawling and crying out in pain. The adolescent lion cubs behind Gunba sama were eyeing the vengeance being carried out on their behalf and looked as though they wanted in. After removing their jaws the animals were allowed to have it as the northern gate was opened. Before they could even noticed the lions were allowed to vent their frustrations upon the dead Crab The three samurai shared a glance that seemed to say, ‘Wow, what a shame the lions got out and got their abusers. What a shame!”
 |
|
 |
Next the other pair cubs were freed and they ran over to sit by the dead adult lions and wail. The adolescent lion cubs escaped out the north entrance and into the woods around Kyuden Tonbo. With their remarkable gifts of getting animals to trust them. The Unicorn shugenja bonded with the remaining cubs and picked them up. They would be coming to live Gunba sama going forward. Asahi sama tried to pet them but they’ve had a trying day and did not seem to want to be around to many others. The group spared a sidelong glance at the dead Crab samurai, knowing an injustice had been corrected.
To say the caravan was a buzz of excitement as they made their way back to the wagons. Even the Dragon had thought it was an actor portraying his cousin. It also would seem that neither of them could discuss parts of their mission. In order to get him up to speed he made sure he had his talk with Kitsu Tsuguri sama. But alas the the caravan’s five rings are back together.
