[Six Months Ago] [h3][right]Sadatake Castle - Sadatake Ayeka [/right][/h3][hr]
[hider=A Gathering Threat]
Shogun Sadatake Ayeka slowly rolled upright on his futon, his left leg aching fiercely and he bent down, massaging the damaged limb to restore blood flow, trying not to cry out in pain as the sensation of  a thousand tiny cuts began to race through his skin. He hissed through his teeth and waited for the sensation to pass before turning onto his hands and knees, and then standing with the aid of a finely carved wooden cane that lay next to the futon. 

The Castle was silent at this hour; the sun hadn't even risen yet, though the first greying of the night sky told him dawn wasn't far off. He stood straighter and stretched his back and gave a sigh as it cracked in several places. The door slid open at once and a maid, bowing low, greeted him on her knees, offering a freshly cleaned kimono. 

"Thank you Harue-san." He took the garment and slipped into the soft silk, securing it with the cord about his waist. He no longer carried his swords; age and injury made a mockery of any fighting skill he had left.

"Good Morning Ayeka-sama." A tall Samurai stood next to the door, one hand on his killing sword, and he bowed to the Shogun.

"Good morning Daiki-san." Ayeka nodded his head as he hobbled past the man who fell into step behind him. No alarm or warning had been given but already the castle knew he was awake. Before he had even turned the corner he knew the bedding would be changed and room swept to ensure it was perfect should he chose to return. 

A floor of polished bamboo was cool beneath his bare feet; walls of white paper and black bamboo on either side of him. He could smell the fragrant scent of flowers and felt a small breeze caress his cheek. He had always loved the morning, everything smelt new and wonderful in the small hours of the dawn before the sun drove it all away with the intense heat of the afternoon. As he did every morning, he turned at the top of the stairs to step out onto a small balcony that overlooked the castle and city beyond. 
 
The grey sky was quickly turning to blue as the first rays of the sun shot across the landscape; a carpet of green trees dotted with rice paddies surrounding the sprawl of the capital. Ayekas' eyes noted the smart squads of soldiers who patrolled the walls of the castle and colourfully dressed maids who hurried along the small paths between buildings. Seven different fortress gates, all visible from where he stood, began to open at the same time as a deep resounding horn blew throughout the castle signalling dawn. 

The city beyond, some of it hidden by the walls and the heights on which the castle stood, was already bustling with life. He could see streets choked with people and animals. The towers and spires of small temples rose up here and there among the wooden roofs. The port, sitting directly adjacent to the castles high plateau, was mostly invisible to him but he could already see the white sails of Formarothian ships coming from the West. A lighthouse, built into the outer wall of the castle, extinguished its light as the sun illuminated the dancing blue of the sea.  

"Breakfast, Ayeka-sama." Another maid, holding a small tray of perfectly sliced fish and a tea pot that curled steam lazily from its side.

"Thank you, I will have it here." Ayeka did the same thing every morning but no one dared presume. A third maid appeared at once with a small folding chair and table that were quickly placed on the bamboo. He noted with satisfaction that she had placed them in the perfect location to view the sunrise.

He grunted his thanks again and then sat, allowing them maids to fuss over him as they poured his tea and placed a pair of ivory chop sticks in front of him. Then they retreated, everyone save for Daiki who remained, eyes constantly scanning the castle walls and grounds in front of them for any danger to the Shogun.

Ayeka ignored his bodyguard as he sipped at his tea and took a small slice of fish, savouring the taste as he chewed slowly. The first morning rays still washed the city with soft orange light. He watched as the light chased away the darkness and the warmth of the morning sun finally embraced the whole city. He smiled as he watched several children of the garrison playing with kites on the lower battlements. Some Shoguns might have frowned at the frivolous use of a defensive structure but Ayeka knew what life had in store for children. Let them be children while they could.

Only when the sun had fully cleared the distant horizon did he stand and turn away. He slowly began to make his way down the stairs. Oh how he hated the stairs. Every step on left leg sent a jolt of pain through his lower back and he grimaced inwardly. He could sense Daiki following close behind. Not close enough to be rude, but close enough he could prevent the Shogun from falling down the stairs if needed. Behind them the small breakfast was quickly cleared and the balcony swept.

He was thankful that he only needed to limp down one level at this time. The Throne Room was directly below his own sleeping quarters, which took up the entire top floor of the fortress. Two Samurai stood outside the door and they bowed as he approached before pushing open the small door that allowed him access to the space behind his throne. The colour tone changed here from simple blacks, whites, and brown, to a stunning array of gold and red. Round columns flanked the throne and ran the length of the room. Bamboo tatami matts covered the floor immediately in front of the throne and as he limped up the small steps onto the dais the four men standing before him bowed low. He nodded in return and sat with groan on a small pillow placed for his comfort. 

"Emon-san, Hideki-san, Katsuzō-san, and Nagatoki-san. Thank you for coming so swiftly." Ayeka met each mans gaze and they bowed again. They were his chief advisors and had been roused from their own sleep as soon as he left his rooms. 

"We live to serve, Ayeka-sama." Emon replied. He was the youngest man in the room and served as commander of the Shoguns bodyguard. Ayeka did not bother to respond; such a statement was expected and polite, as was proper. 

"What news of the Imperium?" Ayekas' eyes went to Katsuzō who bowed; he had once been a tall man but age had bent his spine and the right side of his face drooped slightly. He did not hold his position for his look but rather for his knowledge of all things that occurred outside The Three Sisters. 

"By last reports they are ready to sail, if they have not already." Katsuzō replied, his voice a gravelly rasp. "Our spies estimated some one million soldiers troops or more."

Silence fell on the throne room as Ayeka considered the number. The number was staggering. Seikatsu as a whole might be able to field comparable numbers but that would mean cooperation between all involved and the likelyhood of that happening was, well, completely unlikely. He grudgingly had to admit the Imperium had picked an ideal time to move against Seikatsu. 

"News from Okin?" 

"Yes, Ayeka-sama. All good news it seems." It was Hidekis' turn to report. As a Hatamoto he effectively served as the overall commander for all of Akiabas' armed forces. "The last of the mountain strongholds has fallen and that leaves the remnants of Okins armies pinned along the Naga border. I believe General Ryūsuke is moving to crush them in the next few weeks."

"Good. Katsuzō-san?"

"Trade is as good as it has ever been with the Western barbarians. The demand for silk remains undiminished by their civil war. I would humbly suggest we consider requesting aid from them should the Imperium land in Seikatsu." Katsuzō bowed slightly as he spoke. 

"A good suggestion. See to it." Ayeka responded, his mind racing as he tried to decide on what would come next. He did not believe that Formaroth would send any soldiers or ships, but it was better to ask now than when the Imperium was smashing down the walls of his castle. 

"Leave me." He ordered abruptly and all four men bowed before retreating, the double leaf doors with their red paint and golden dragons closing quietly behind them. For a long while he sat, alone with with his thoughts, as the room grew brighter with the new days sun. The Imperiums movement would force his hand, but he could still use it to his advantage. 
[/hider]