Post by Princess Yoshi Shimakaze on Apr 1, 2012 13:37:16 GMT -5
Lady Yoshi Shimakaze, only daughter to Lord Ikrua Shimakaze, now named Emperor of Tokuno, stood on the deck of the Flagship Kojima and watched as the crew rushed to furl the massive sails. In the distance, the brilliant cliffs of Zento, capital city and center of commerce of the Empire, sharpened in detail as the great ship lumbered towards the docks.
Two years in exile now ended. A light breeze jostled Yoshi’s long black hair as she turned her head to smile at her father.
Two years gone…
The name Shimakaze had been written in the annals of Tokuno for fifty generations. A family of noble birth, rich with honor and duty. Serving the long line of Emperors and Empresses without fail, without regret. Her father’s father, strong in battle and wise in counsel served loyally in the name of his Emperor, in his time. Traditions upheld. Enemy’s slain. Betrayals thwarted; all to protect the throne and the Empire. Her father, Ikrua, served as Ambassador to the Region of the Great Lakes until his only daughter, having caught the eye of the Empress, was recalled to serve as “Tenji”; an honor given to few yet coveted by many ladies of standing. For a time all went well and Yoshi served with loyalty, honor and pride. Her father rose to the post of Shogun and worked diligently to rebuild and reorganize the armies of Tokuno for the glory of the Empire.
Then a strange madness crept into the Court of Tokuno. The same madness that plagued and eventually destroyed the House of the old Emperor now showed itself again. Having born no heir of her own, the Empress went outside the Empire and chose a half-breed girl from the Great Stone Mountains to be groomed for life at Court. Yoshi did not quail nor question this choice but strove to teach the young girl the rich traditions of her homeland and manners of Court. But the girl was wild and unruly and carried in her the tainted blood of evil that once ruled Tokuno two generations before. She was uncouth and undisciplined and fell in with the dark agents who stood behind the throne and whispered in the ear of the Empress. House Shimakaze served honorably despite these events. Many times Yoshi pleaded with the Empress to reconsider her choice. Many times her father attempted to work with the council to bring about the necessary changes to strengthen the weakened Empire. The people were taxed beyond reason. Emissaries of foreign kingdoms were insulted and humiliated for the entertainment of the Court. The loyalty of House Shimakaze was brought into question.
When the madness finally took the Empress completely and she announced her plan to name the young half-breed as Heir to the Throne of Tokuno, the crack in the foundation of the Alliance grew. House Shimakaze could no longer stand by in silence as these events unfolded to threaten the Empire and the people of Tokuno. The evil that once subdued and enslaved the people of Tokuno could not be permitted to return. House Shimakaze stood firm in its opposition to this plan and spoke out against it. The Empress, now mad beyond reason, cast House Shimakaze into exile.
Two years gone…
During this time the Empress’s madness grew. Old alliances were broken. Plots were uncovered. Assassinations carried out. The Empire fell into unrest while foreign kingdoms vied for control of Tokuno and its riches. It fell to the Holly Monks of the empire to restore sanity. The histories were studied, bloodlines questioned until, at last, with the council of Elders disbanded, the Holy Monks removed the Empress from the throne, taking her to a secluded, unnamed monastery and locked her away in exile for hers and the peoples safety. With no Heir officially named and the Empress’s bloodline spent, the half-breed was sent home and all claims to the throne dismissed. The Holy Monks then called upon one man to sit upon the throne and restore the honor and tradition of Tokuno.
Two years gone…
Yoshi smiled at her father and turned her head once more towards the shining cliffs of Zento. As the great ship approached the docks she looked to the bluffs above and saw, gleaming in the morning sun, a thousand banners waving in the breeze. The banners bore the crest of House Shimakaze and under them; the people cheered.
Yoshi Shimakaze was home once more…
Two years in exile now ended. A light breeze jostled Yoshi’s long black hair as she turned her head to smile at her father.
Two years gone…
The name Shimakaze had been written in the annals of Tokuno for fifty generations. A family of noble birth, rich with honor and duty. Serving the long line of Emperors and Empresses without fail, without regret. Her father’s father, strong in battle and wise in counsel served loyally in the name of his Emperor, in his time. Traditions upheld. Enemy’s slain. Betrayals thwarted; all to protect the throne and the Empire. Her father, Ikrua, served as Ambassador to the Region of the Great Lakes until his only daughter, having caught the eye of the Empress, was recalled to serve as “Tenji”; an honor given to few yet coveted by many ladies of standing. For a time all went well and Yoshi served with loyalty, honor and pride. Her father rose to the post of Shogun and worked diligently to rebuild and reorganize the armies of Tokuno for the glory of the Empire.
Then a strange madness crept into the Court of Tokuno. The same madness that plagued and eventually destroyed the House of the old Emperor now showed itself again. Having born no heir of her own, the Empress went outside the Empire and chose a half-breed girl from the Great Stone Mountains to be groomed for life at Court. Yoshi did not quail nor question this choice but strove to teach the young girl the rich traditions of her homeland and manners of Court. But the girl was wild and unruly and carried in her the tainted blood of evil that once ruled Tokuno two generations before. She was uncouth and undisciplined and fell in with the dark agents who stood behind the throne and whispered in the ear of the Empress. House Shimakaze served honorably despite these events. Many times Yoshi pleaded with the Empress to reconsider her choice. Many times her father attempted to work with the council to bring about the necessary changes to strengthen the weakened Empire. The people were taxed beyond reason. Emissaries of foreign kingdoms were insulted and humiliated for the entertainment of the Court. The loyalty of House Shimakaze was brought into question.
When the madness finally took the Empress completely and she announced her plan to name the young half-breed as Heir to the Throne of Tokuno, the crack in the foundation of the Alliance grew. House Shimakaze could no longer stand by in silence as these events unfolded to threaten the Empire and the people of Tokuno. The evil that once subdued and enslaved the people of Tokuno could not be permitted to return. House Shimakaze stood firm in its opposition to this plan and spoke out against it. The Empress, now mad beyond reason, cast House Shimakaze into exile.
Two years gone…
During this time the Empress’s madness grew. Old alliances were broken. Plots were uncovered. Assassinations carried out. The Empire fell into unrest while foreign kingdoms vied for control of Tokuno and its riches. It fell to the Holly Monks of the empire to restore sanity. The histories were studied, bloodlines questioned until, at last, with the council of Elders disbanded, the Holy Monks removed the Empress from the throne, taking her to a secluded, unnamed monastery and locked her away in exile for hers and the peoples safety. With no Heir officially named and the Empress’s bloodline spent, the half-breed was sent home and all claims to the throne dismissed. The Holy Monks then called upon one man to sit upon the throne and restore the honor and tradition of Tokuno.
Two years gone…
Yoshi smiled at her father and turned her head once more towards the shining cliffs of Zento. As the great ship approached the docks she looked to the bluffs above and saw, gleaming in the morning sun, a thousand banners waving in the breeze. The banners bore the crest of House Shimakaze and under them; the people cheered.
Yoshi Shimakaze was home once more…