Read L5r - scroll 05 - The Crab for Free Online Page A

the world think what it will!" The Great Bear pushed his way through the silk barrier—he was still covered in blood and ichor from today's batde. Something about his posture didn't look right.
    "Kisada-sama," Kuni Yori began, bowing deeply, "of what use is might or skill if no one respects them? Yes, the other clans are peacocks strutting gaudy feathers of'culture,' but we can use their fawning traditions against them."
    Kisada's confidence in his own abilities allowed him to keep an advisor who saw things completely differently. Today, as always,
    Kuni Yori showed Kisada opinions he would never come to on his own. But the Great Bear was barely listening.
    "When did you arrive?" he asked his son.
    "Just past midday," Yakamo replied.
    "And Sukune?"
    "My brother is in his tent recovering from his hard ride," Yakamo sneered.
    Kisada sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly—a posture he often adopted when talking about his youngest son.
    "Wake him," the Great Bear ordered. He shouldered his way into his command tent.
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    "We need to reinforce the position," Sukune's sharp voice rang clearly, though he had not yet reached the command tent. "Transfer a second regiment to that tower, perhaps more. The enemy has sensed a weakness and will continue to strike there until we show them it is useless."
    "As usual you miss the point," barked Yakamo. He burst through the tent flap, not bothering to hold it open for his brother. "A single regiment of Crab warriors can defeat anything the Shadowlands throws at us. If we move forces to bolster certain areas, the enemy will attack places where our troops are thinnest."
    "But we will suffer needless losses with your plan," Sukune muscled into the tent, though with considerably less ease and bluster than Yakamo. "Good soldiers will die because you wanted to prove a point."
    Behind them both came the even smaller form of Kuni Yori. The hood of his shugenja robes was pulled tight around his head. He said nothing. It was quite possible neither Hida brother realized he was there.
    "Every man or woman on the Wall is prepared to die for the sake of that point!" said the larger samurai. "If we stand firm and defeat them with an ordinary unit, they will fear every regiment! Every samurai who dies will do so that all other Crab strike fear into the heart of the Shadowlands. That is a death replete with honor."
    Kisada glowered from a corner of the tent. He stood with his hands clasped behind his armored back and considered them ruefully. His attendants had cleaned the gore from his armor and skin. There was still something odd about his appearance. "Is this the same argument you were having when you rode out of camp nearly a month ago?"
    "It is the same argument we've been having since the day Sukune joined our forces," said Yakamo.
    "And it's the same one we'll have for as long as I serve here," replied Sukune.
    Kisada laughed, though his heart did not seem in it. "Just the way I want it!" He laughed louder but no more convincingly. "So tell me, what news have you brought from Otosan Uchi?"
    "The other clans continue to whine like spoiled children," said Yakamo. "They say you are too bold. That your efforts to defend the empire are not enough; you must also pay personal respect to the emperor every two months. They expect the Great Bear to act like a whipped cur!"
    "Is that all?" asked Kisada. "With the urgency they attached to that summons I'd have thought they'd come up with some new complaints! I've been brushing those same ones off for over two decades! I daresay you, my son, will have to do the same when you lead the clan."
    "We could make it easier on both ourselves and the other clans," Sukune pointed out. As usual his father and brother were in complete harmony, and his was the dissenting voice.
    "How?" demanded Kisada. "By following their pointless dictates? You're beginning to sound just like Kuni Yori!"
    Sukune took a sharp breath. He distrusted Yori and his hidden games. The