Meeting Osano-Wo
12 November 2005
by Jamison Leavitt

Sang knew that comming to the White Orchid road and seeing the small Crane army gathered in the clearing at the base of the mountain pass leading to the village above would be a test of his martial skills and courage. After seeing the Matsu army which was now a days march behind them on the very same road that Sang and his samurai companions have been travelling, there would be little time to prepare for the onslaught. In his heart he knew that the small gathering of Crane samurai and ashigaru were no match for even half the Lion army gathered below. This was a challenge that he could not pass up.

Sang was trained as a Sohei, a fighting monk. When he left the temple, his master told him that there would be tests of courage and strength around every corner. These tests would eventually take his life, but this was the path of a warrior monk of his tradition to give one's life in service through battle. He would find those who needed his service.

As the ranks of soldiers were being readied, Sang felt that it was his duty to stand with the least of them. He would go to the front lines and fight with the poor peasant ashigaru who gathered from the fields to defend this pass from the onslaught of Lions. There he could bolster their courage and at least give them a purpose in pinning down the frontal assaults of the Matsu so that more elite Crane troops could maneouvre and obtain an advantageous position. He knew the strengths of the Daidoji Harriers and their flanking techniques, that they could through tactics and stratagem route a much superior force and change the tide of many a battle. Sang warned and offered advice to the Doji general, but he had already made his battle plans and would instead attempt to make a bottle-kneck at the mouth of the small river valley they were in and stall the Matsu advance as long as he could. His tactic was to cause as much casulties against the Lion as he could and maybe they would give up their desire for the fight.

This was an unlikely strategem for success against any Liongeneral, for they lived for battle much like Sang and he understood this well. Still he would stand with those whoneededhim most, and that was the front line troops in this battle. He would be the first to lead the charge with the furyof Osano-Wo on his front and on his flanks.

The battle came on a clear morning. This would be a regular day for many and to some even pleasant, but to Sang it was disheartening. Where was the fury of Osano-Wo? Where was the fury of thethunder and the wind? If he were to fight with Osano-Wo's might he would need inspiration from the heavans. There wasnone this day, but Sang would never mind that and only focus on the task at hand, to lead the ranks of soldiers that stoodwith him.

The battle began and only the thunder of the marching drum could be heard as the Lions were making theiradvance. He stood on the mysteriously erected wall with his few troops at hand. When the first wave of Lions came atthem, Sang and his men stood there ground keeping the advancing ashigaru at bay. So far the bottle-kneck was working as a stalling tactic, but it would not last for long. The Lion came at them with more force, as the spearmen charged with aferocious roar. Sang stood up to them and even defeated a unit leader in a duel, though he was wounded. He saw hiscompanions from the other day, standing at the other end of the wall in the front lines too. They were bravely defendingtheir own as well. Maybe this battle will not be a complete slaughter. The Isawa shugenja stood at the front lineswith the rest of the samurai, she refused to stay in the reserves where any other shugenja might be. She spoke with thekami and invoked the power of Osano-Wo through them. Sang could feel the rush of adrenaline in his veins and took morecourage for the battle.

The others were rushing into the thick of the battle to save comrades and allies that wereencircled about by enemies on either flank. There was one Crane who was brash and charged after the Matsu without any cover. He was brave, but luckily for him he was rescued by those very samurai who he had travelled with the other day. Theywere brave fighters, even the Scorpion Ridachi-san. With this, Sang would do his part and bolster his ranks and make acharge into the frontal spearman. He sensed that they were about to break and a propperly timed surge could route this unitand cause them to disorganise the further ranks who had not yet entered the battle. Sang rallied the ashigaru who were still with him for a strong thrust and charged the Lion with the might of Osano-Wo behind him.

At least this is whatshould have happened, but for Sang the Fortunes turned at this moment. Was it something that he did? Was he not pious enough in giving up the world for a higher cause? Was he too weak in mind, spirit or body? Whatever it was there was notimeto think about it because this was the end. The frontal Lion ranks had just been reinforced with fresh troops morethaneager to enter the fight. This new surge of Lion was daunting enough to break the little will left of Sang'sashigaruthat they routed, they are only peasants after all. Sang's will was stronger though, but this is what endedhim. He was caught encircled about, five to one, the first was theirs, and Sang could only meet his Master Osano-Wothrough a red haze. Sang died heroically in battle, though was it the death that was intended for him only the KamiOsano-Wo knows this.

Bye-bye Sang! :(