"…Whatever it is that you would have me do, I cannot break my vows." Matsudaira stated firmly, though it was clear that he was beginning to be swayed by Gengyo's proposal. The others had their ears perked up as well. This was the first they had heard of any alliance being formed, and there was some disapproval amongst them, despite them being able to acknowledge without a shadow of doubt the supreme competence of the enemy commander.
"I would not ask that of you. Your men are free now, to do as they will. All I need is something subtle from you that might sway them to join my cause, anything more than that I do not expect. If they do not wish to fight for me, then I will grant their freedom, and their lives."
Once more Matsudaira remained silent, in a deep state of thought, which Gengyo interpreted as a sign that he should continue.
"The same will be done for your clansmen – those waiting for you at home. I will send them a letter stating my intentions, so that they might be ready for when the day comes, and they will be there to welcome you once more. Until then, I'm afraid, you'll have to bear my company, what with you being my prisoner and all." He spoke of his imprisonment jokingly, for he would ensure to it that it by no means felt like that.
"I… will do my best to oblige." The man spoke at last.
"Very good. Now, shall we go and address your men? Their mood is no doubt sour, having lost so many of their people. But that is the nature of war, is it not? I hope you will not hold that against us."
"It would be hypocritical for me to do so, when my intentions were entirely the same."
"Excellent, I'm glad you understand." For the first time he turned to look at his own men. "What? Aren't you proud? I've just secured us a substantial ally." He stated, once again looking rather pleased with himself.
"Always so full of ideas… It would be great if he shared them with us once in a while." Rin complained.
"Indeed. He always swears that he will overcome that bad habit, and yet once again, it manifests itself. Honestly, what kind of man have I married?" Even Akiko shook her head with disapproval.
"And yet it somehow works out for the better, does it not?" Jikouji mentioned weakly, only to be immediately overruled by Isabella.
"You only say that out of weakness, old man."
"Eh… Something tells me things will be getting troublesome for you boss." Rokkaku pointed out astutely.
"Heh…" Gengyo scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed, as Matsudaira looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Well… These are my men, let's go and meet yours." He pushed open the cloth flap of his tent gratefully, feeling that foreboding air head out behind him.
His exit was immediately announced by a loud cheer, as the men noticed him, and raised high their bottles, each more than a little drunk. He held his hand for them to quiet down before he addressed them.
"I hope the saké is to your liking. We'll celebrate more once we return to the city, but for now, there is a little cleaning up that needs to be done."
Directly in front of them, bunched up and miserable, both sitting and standing, there were over a thousand men. None of them wore more than a kimono, having been stripped of their weapons and armour. Some not even that. They noticed their leader still alive, and their eyes sparked with a grim hope, though even they were not optimistic enough to believe themselves saved. They knew, that in all likelihood, he was to be taken as a hostage.
"Men of the Matsudaira army, defeated though you are, I do not intend to take yours nor your leader's lives. Instead – after discussion with Motoyasu here – I come with a proposal." Matsudaira flinched, disturbed to hear his first name used so casually. "An alternative path if you will. It has been a tiring few days of fighting, and there will be some among you who have lost your taste for war all together."
The Red Feather troops sat back curiously, bringing the sake to their lips with interest. Never before had they been involved in a battle where the vanquished had been addressed so politely. Though it was also true that they had never been in a battle quite like this at all. From start to finish, it was a novel experience.
"My goal, as many of you likely know, is to sever Imagawa's head from his shoulders, and ensure the end of his clan. For vengeance, but also for liberation. Theirs is not a clan that is fit to rule. You were sent here, because out of all of Imagawa's men, you are the most disposable. The men he sees with the least regard. He is content to use you as dogs, and treat you like that as well. Despite the loyalty the Matsudaira men have shown him, you do not receive any thanks – not the slightest bit of gratitude."
"With this battle over, I will release you. You're free to go wherever you want. Home, is where I recommend some of you go. In times as turbulent as these, if you have someone you care for, you might wish to take advantage of this opportunity, for you might never see them again. For the rest of you, however, I extend a proposal. Join me. Join the Red Feather. Together we will see the end of the Imagawa clan, and the Matsudaira clan will be free once again. Your leader – though he will remain my prisoner for now – will once more be free."
"Consider my offer carefully. For those of you that think my task impossible, recall the events of these previous days. Look upon the soldiers in front of you. Recall their ferocity. Recall their strength. You've fought again them. You understand. Their skill is far above an ordinary army. It is a standard you too can reach as well, if you manage to endure my training. That is all I have to say. Matsudaira, speak to your soldiers, if you have words for them."
Gengyo physically took a step back, taking a deep breath after the passion of his speech. He had certainly riled some of the enemy soldiers up. He had caused there to surface questions. Doubts. They were tilted towards a certain edge, and it would only cause a few words to make them budge. Even the Red Feather men were surprised. It was their leader, and he was a man they had come to respect, but such a strategy was surely bold. To ask the soldiers of the enemy to join him? Just what sort of confidence did he have?
And now all eyes were focused on Matsudaira. A man of aptitude and ability, brought low by birth, and even lower by circ.u.mstance. His meeting with Gengyo was at the same time one of the greatest misfortunes of his military career, and also one of the luckiest days of his life. For the first time in years, he had been given a direction. He had been given hope, and a way out. And so, for such a man, he could only say one thing.
"Miura Tadakata is a good man."
That simple statement was all that escaped his lips, as he stood there, accepting the full weight of his soldiers' stares. The full weight of their grief as they wept for their comrades that had been slain merely hours before. In the raw throws of such emotion, they were called upon to make a choice.
"I'll fight." A single man said. He stood n.a.k.e.d, proudly, his manhood swaying in the wind. His confidence must have been a thing of legend. "If you can raise me to even half the level of one you f.u.c.kers, then I'll fight."
"I can't tell whether it's you talking, or your tiny c.o.c.k!" Rokkaku roared with laughter, only to receive a sharp glance from Gengyo, to which he responded with an apologetic "sorry."
"Good man. As well as swordsmanship, I can also offer you clothes. It does seem like a fair deal."
"Aye, I'll fight as well. I've got no warm feelings for Imagawa." Another man spoke as well.
"Me too."
"Me as well."
Men only continued to stand and raise their hands, both clothed and unclothed, as Gengyo's smile widened with satisfaction. Soon, there was only one man that had not yet stood.
He looked around, seeing whether there really was any other option, before shrugging. "Hell, I guess I'll fight too."