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The Lion army halted a hundred yards from the unexpected wall blocking the road. The men quickly formed ranks with all the discipline expected of troops of the Empire's most warlike clan, be they ashigaru or bushi. The command banners moved forward, and Matsu Goto and his advisors surveyed the road.
"They work swiftly. That stonework was not there yesterday." Ikoma Madoko could hear no puzzlement show in Tsuruchi Iesada's voice – merely a certain annoyance.
"It's very strange stonework. I don't see any blocks. Is it covered with mud or something?" Madoko didn't care who knew she was puzzled. "I see the Seppun is on the wall." And Ridachi. What is he doing up there?
"I told you about him. His family would probably be thankful if we kill him in battle today. No further embarrassment." Iesada fingered the string of his bow. "The Shinjo is there too."
Matsu Goto held up his hand. "They are more ready than I thought they would be, but they are no Lion. Madoko-san, please present our challenge."
"Hai, Goto-sama."
Madoko took a deep breath and lifted her banner high as she approached the wall. She could see Ridachi and the others looking down on her with interest. She could see the edges of the stain Ridachi had used to make the borrowed armor Scorpion colors, the blue of the Crane peaking through. Brave fool. Ah, there was the Crane general. Not Shiju though, Kerai – his karo. Just like a Crane to hide at home while others do his fighting for him. She stopped a mere dozen yards from the wall. She could almost smell the fear of the ashigaru defenders from here.
"Defenders of the White Orchid Road! Matsu Goto-sama demands that you cease to aid the traitor Doji Shiju, who has had dealings with the gaijin, in opposition to the Emperor's edict. If any of you were unaware of his treachery you may leave in peace. If you surrender to us the head of Shiju we shall leave your lands satisfied. If not, my lord Matsu Goto-sama is ready to bring the traitor to justice by force!" The words were mostly formality. Ridachi had made it clear that there would be a battle today.
"Ikoma Madoko!" Kerai's reply had less volume behind it but came clearly to her ears. "My Lord Doji Shiju-sama has not broken the Emperor's edict. Matsu Goto looks with envy upon the lands of my master, and uses this as an excuse to take them. His reach exceeds his grasp, and his greed shall have its reward this day."
Madoko bowed respectfully, glancing once more towards Ridachi and his friends, before turning to rejoin the Lion ranks.
The battle was not going well. Rows and rows of dead Lion ashigaru choked the approach to the wall. The wall itself held firm, though it's stone surface was now red with the blood of the defenders.
Madoko watched as Matsu Goto paced back and forth. His frustration had grown hour by hour.
"A Crane," she heard him mutter. "I'm being beaten by a Crane." He glared at the wall, watching the third major assault of the day already breaking against the wall's battered but determined defenders. He suddenly stopped his pacing. "It's those people! The Unicorn! The Phoenix! That blasted Seppun. They find every weak point in the lines. They are the rock the others are bracing themselves against." Madoko could hear a hint of hysteria in Goto's voice beginning to break through. The man was on the verge.
"Perhaps you are right, my lord. What can be done?"
"Get me Iesada. This was all his doing in the first place. He will resolve the situation."
Madoko bowed swiftly and ran at full speed into the massed Lion archers. She spied Iesada pulling a quiver from a fallen Lion bushi to refill his own. He showed the man no respect, and Madoko could see him knocking the quiver out of the dying man's grasp without ceremony.
"Iesada! Goto-sama wants you." Iesada looked up before Madoko could hide the disgust on her face. His mouth twisted into a smile as he slung the half-empty quiver over his back and moved to follow her.
They returned to find three bushi and one of the few remaining Lion shugenja standing before Goto.
"Iesada-san. You will take these men. You will find the Seppun and the others helping the Crane. You will challenge them and defeat them in an honorable duel. You may challenge the Shinjo yourself if you wish."
Iesada bowed low. "A duel, lord? I can remove the threat more easily with a few archers at my side."
"It will be a duel, Iesada! We are the Lion! We do not ambush our foes from a safe distance. You shall defeat them in an honorable duel."
Madoko could hear the strain in Goto's voice clearly now. The man was not thinking rationally anymore. But what could she do? To suggest that they depart with what forces they could still save would mean Goto's disgrace, and he would probably take her head for it. She could see that Iesada didn't like this idea at all, but he wasn't about to defy the Lion commander in front of some of his most loyal men.
"Iesada-san. You have already defeated Shinjo Yul many times. What have you to fear?" Madoko put just the right tone in her voice to let the man know what she really thought of him. The look he turned on her was cold hatred.
"Very well. I shall do as you ask, Goto-sama. Victory will be ours."