The Crab by Stan Brown & Stan

Author:Stan Brown & Stan [Brown, Stan & Stan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General, Fantasy, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9780786918799
Google: CTCTPwAACAAJ
Amazon: 0786926201
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2001-05-15T06:00:00+00:00

Sukune played his gambit just right. He began by ordering the Shadowlands troops to make camp in a patch of woods about three miles from Beiden Pass—not wanting their presence to alert the Crane forces to his troops' real intentions. Sukune then led the Crab forces toward Beiden Pass at quick time, looking as though they had a long way to go.

"Ho!" the Crane commander called out to Sukune as the Crab forces approached. "You're a long way from your wall."

"Yes, we are!" Sukune answered, motioning his samurai to continue their march while he parleyed with the Crane.

"Off to the Lion lands?"

Sukune grunted—a fair imitation of his brother.

"Say, you're Kisada's youngest, aren't you?" the Crane said when Sukune approached.

If his size and build hadn't given him away, his armor had—it was unlike anyone else's. It

had the very look of a crab to it, as though Sukune had a shell strapped to his back and crushing weapons built onto his bracers.

"Hai!" he answered. "I am Hida Sukune, off to seek honor in battle." Certainly a true enough statement, but not one the Crane had any hope of interpreting correctly.

"I am Doji Kenji," the Crane commander said. "I wish you and your men good fortune in your upcoming battle!"

Sukune knew that before the sun set Kenji would regret those words, but the Crab bowed and thanked the Crane all the same. Without another word he spun on his heels and rejoined his marching troops.

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All through the pass Sukune looked up at the rocks above. There were plenty of nooks and ledges where archers could be posted, but the Crane assigned troops only to those near the beginning and end of the trail. They could easily defend themselves from assailants coming from either entrance, but were completely vulnerable to a two-pronged attack from an enemy already within Beiden Pass.

The pass was a thin stone path through the mountains, wide enough for four or five samurai to march abreast. Here and there, rough, thorny brush grew among the inhospitable gray rocks. Though the autumn remained warm throughout the empire, this road traveled so high across Rokugan's spine that Sukune could see his breath even at midday. It was a cold and lonely place made of unforgiving stone, and a day or more's ride from anyone who might offer support in a time of war.

A great shout went up ahead of Sukune. This was the signal that the front of the battle line had reached the far end of the pass—it was the signal to begin the attack.

"Attack!" Sukune cried. He turned and led his troops in a charge toward the backs of the Crane forces.

Sukune had ordered his troops to give the Crane every opportunity to withdraw or surrender, but he knew none would. Crane measured a warrior's worth by the purest interpretations of bushido—the warrior's code. It would come to a fight—and it would be a slaughter.

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"Traitor!"

Sukune turned at the sound. At first, Sukune did not recognize Doji Kenji. The Crane leader's armor was in tatters.

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