Letter to Tsuruchi Ichiro

Tsuruchi Munenori

My Lord,

By now, I am sure you have been informed of the events surrounding the battle for the capitol. As you may be aware, the Tsuruchi family acquitted itself well - I had the honor of leading the archery unit, alongside Tsuruchi Kin and Tsuruchi Kendai. Despite having only a handful of troops, we were able to accomplish all of our objectives without significant casualties. However, the purpose of this letter is to inform you of a statement made by Kitsu Motso, Champion of the Lion.

As you may know, my grandmother was Matsu Asora, one of the personal guards in service of Akodo Tameko. She was one of the handful that escaped Shiro Ashinagabachi with your father, and fought with him to reclaim it in order to avenge Akodo Tameko’s death. She was among the first to break her sword in solidarity with him, and served him until her death at Oblivion’s Gate. I am told that I resemble her, both in appearance and in nature.

In my time at court, I have made allies among the Lion - those who think that the Akodo were wrong to turn their backs on us in our hour of need. And so, when those allies asked me to support Ikoma Kenno as general, a man who competently led my unit in the battle at the Ikoma Bon Festival, I was not entirely opposed. But, I told them what my price would be - I wanted a public statement from the Lion Champion, declaring that the Lion held no further ill will toward the Tsuruchi. To my surprise, the Lion contingent lobbied their champion to comply, and he did just that. In the presence of the Imperial Herald, he stated that in honor of your father’s retirement, it should be known that the Lion held no further grudge toward the Tsuruchi, or any who served in the brave defense of the Empire.

I do not know your father well - I have only spoken to him on two occasions - and I could not say whether he would welcome this news. If he has directed you to pursue further vengeance against the Lion, then I have overstepped my place and offended my lord. I would offer my immediate seppuku were that the case. But I suspect that the time for vengeance has passed, and the time for reconciliation is upon us instead. In the moment, I saw an opportunity and I took it - the philosophy that has guided my bow my entire life impelled me to act.

Therefore, I offer you either this gift to your father and our clan, or my life.

I will be returning immediately to Shaiga province to await your reply.

-Tsuruchi Munenori