Snippet #1685797

Shingen Kamakura’s day had been tranquil up until several of his brothers began straggling into the monastery after suffering horrendous beatings at the hands of The Foreigner’s rabble. The time of conflict had come much sooner than anticipated, and already things were looking rather grim. What had started as a torch and make-shift weapon wielding congregation outside soon assembled into a partially organized siege meant to barricade the Reykyon monastics inside of their temple, and all the meanwhile he could hear the misguided priests yelling about one of their own brethren who had supposedly been murdered by one of Shingen’s monks.

The idea itself that one of their faith would commit such an atrocity was laughable, and as the abbot he knew each and every monk under his care very well. Not a single one would attack another being lest forced to in the defense of another or their well-being, but even then murder was an unquestionable religious-taboo that defied all of their teachings. This riot lacked any integrity or even substantive evidence, which seemed to indicate foul play, and the only idea Shingen could fathom would be The Foreigner’s hand had come into play. He could not understand why the two religions could not live harmoniously with one another, did they not both believe in benevolence and tolerance, yet why would the very followers and priests who mindlessly regurgitate these ideals spurn them so easily?

The three monks directly under him in their hierarchy returned inside after their failed attempt to speak with Siro, and the shadow of shame marked their down-turned faces as they approached the abbot, who was, for the moment, sitting on the steps at the front door of their temple at the end of the short path from the monastery’s gates. His hands were busy examining both arrow and yumi in case they needed to be used for the defense of their lives. Unfortunately the monastery’s roster only number 50 ordained monks with another 25 apprentices under them, and the apprentices had been sent out through a hidden side-entrance while the mob outside was still unorganized so they could escape to the safety of their homes.

Toshiie trod within three paces of the abbot and knelt down and sat on his sandals while continuing to look at the ground. Shingen placed the yumi down at his side carefully and replaced the arrow into the quiver sitting next to him. He had a suspicion they would come back empty handed, and as such knew that their shame was unnecessary, and with a wave of his right hand the three monks, Toshiie in the middle with Takashi on his right and Ieyasu on his left, looked upwards complacently at their abbot.

“Venerable Shingen the priests refuse to call forth The Foreigner, and as we speak they are setting up both automatic weaponry and artillery. I am sorry to have failed you so in this task, and hope that this shame will not scar our honor for too long.”

“Nonsense Toshiie there is no shame in what just happened, and all the more so it is better for the moment. We have a better understanding of their position and intents. They believe us to be heathens and blood-thirsty, yet are blinded to the fact that their own leader has committed crimes in the name of their God. The people are misled by this man and refuse to see they are merely pawns in his schemes. I wish that I could bring enlightenment into their world, but cede the notion as they do not want to believe a holy man is capable of evil.”

Takashi, one of the most recently ordained, had a frightened look on his face. His voice quavered slightly as he spoke to the always calm-minded Shingen. “Shingen what are we to do? We cannot sit here while they wait to slaughter us. What they are doing is wrong and should be punished, why are they so ignorant and blood thirsty?”

Ieyasu frowned at Takashi’s remarks. Ieyasu was one of the senior brothers who had taught Shingen and Hidetada as they were growing up in the monastic lifestyle, and he had always been a patient and caring individual who never spoke a harsh word, yet the Takashi’s comments had sparked a fire in his soul.

“You should watch those remarks more carefully Takashi. It is not our place to judge another human being, and they are merely misguided as the Venerable Shingen has already stated. It is not their fault that they have been led down the wrong path for the moment, yet this is not to say their faith or beliefs are any less valid than ours, but the leader of the pack has corrupted them. The youth is correct though Shingen. Something must be done.”

Shingen’s pause lasted for several minutes as the sound of prayers outside the gate gave way to hoots and hollers for vengeance whilst he pondered the comments made by his charges. This was a very fragile situation he was confronted with, and no matter the ideas he struggled with there seemed only one way in which he could protect the monastics under his care. Hopefully he could take time and attention enough so that they could all escape if the need arose. Finally the abbot stood up to address his three brothers seated in front of him.

“Toshiie, Ieyasu, Takashi please gather all of the remaining brothers and head towards the cellar. Our senior brothers know why I want you to go there. It was a precaution taken after our exodus from Japan many years ago in case of an emergency such as this. I will not allow you to die, and neither will I allow our followers to go unguarded if we were to be murdered here. I must go forth and speak with The Foreigner personally, but if I go out whilst armed they will cut me down before I get within ten paces. Do not worry about me brothers. Please hurry!”
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A full thirty minutes had elapsed since Toshiie, Ieyasu, and Takashi and reentered the monastery, and in the meantime the inhabitants of the Reykyon neighborhood hid within their domiciles while the mob outside grew larger. Whether they would be spared the slaughter was uncertain, but they had faith in their monastics and knew that something would be done. Just as the tension grew too great for the inhabitants to bear any longer the large gates to the Reykyon monastery burst open to unveil the form of Shingen Kamakura, the monastery’s abbot.

The solitary figure was unarmed as he ventured forth into the throng of the venomous crowd, and it seemed the only reason he was not assaulted was due to the fact that the priests had done a remarkable job restraining the masses so far, yet as he continued even deeper the mass began crowding in ever closer. It seemed that several of the priests recognized him as the abbot, which further inspired them to restrain the crowds, but none the less they continued to berate Shingen with harsh comments concerning his faith. After what seemed an eternity Shingen Kamakura finally came within speaking distance of The Foreigner, yet far enough to give the man a sense of security lest he become suspicious and believe the monk wish to attack him.

“Father Siro I am most appreciative of your coming to our monastery. May we speak alone of why you are here? If you worry about my intentions of coming here there is no need for I am unarmed and have come alone. A look at the walls would tell you my brothers will be of no bother either.”

The warrior monk stood calmly with a rather complacent look upon his face, and in fact there was the hint of a smile spread across his lips in a genuine fashion. With his hands clasped before his heart the young abbot bent over into a half-bow as a sign of respect to a fellow religious leader. As he bent back up the smile stayed and he waited patiently for the man’s answer.