Nori Hukama did not have a command tent, or a building from which he would be directing this attack. He sat outdoors, under a cherry tree next to the river upon a small wooden cask as his captains surrounded him, a map of the Western Temple splayed out across a small trestle table that had been brought outside for the occasion.

The summer wind was wonderful, and the day was hot.

“They cannot escape by heading west into the mountains,” Nori said to his captains. “The terrain is too rough—too perilous for them to make a retreat, and the precipice on both sides of the temple equally impossible to traverse.” He pointed at the map, to the stone steps leading to the top of the summit.

Originally the temple had been an old Xai Qi structure from ancient times, but these lands had long been lost to that ancient empire.

“They can assault us from the steps, or we can assault them,” Nori continued. “The only other option for Emperor Kurosawa is to sally off the summit across the narrow rope bridges until he reaches the plateau where the harbor is.”

Hukama would have liked it if his captains had something to add, but as it were, being a renowned general didn’t often leave room for one’s subordinates to make suggestions on strategy. Not because those suggestions would seem an affront—no, Nori Hukama would have welcomed them, and he often made such sentiment known—but rather there simply were no alternatives to add.

His captains, garbed in their various armors nodded in agreement. This was less about strategy and more about Hukama informing his captains of what was to happen, since his strategy had already been chosen.

One of the residents came outside. Hukama smiled cheerfully. He was in a good mood today, despite the fact that Daimyō Sakuraichi was out there, looking for ways to hamper his well-laid strategy. “Ah,” he said, “so wonderful to see you up and about this morning, Mioko. Would you kindly fetch me and my associates some tea?”

“My lord daimyō,” one of his captains exclaimed, trying to keep his voice low, “is that wise?”

“Of course!” Hukama said. “It is always wise to maintain one’s composure during a battle. It gives the mind room to think and strategize.”

These men had been with him for years, so they were readily accustomed to Hukama’s playful deflections concerning their suggestions. “Come, you may drink with us!”

The young woman, fear stricken—though she had no reason to be—nodded and rushed inside, probably to go about her task Hukama had suggested she get to.

He smiled, taking in the scents of the wonderful sakura blossoms as the pedals spun about in the river.

“Should we not assault their position, my lord?” Huki asked.

Currently, the vast majority of his forces were otherwise occupied fighting in small engagements within and without Yukai City. It was imperative that the defenders not be allowed to regroup for a proper defensive strategy, and so most of Hukama’s forces were entangled throughout the city.

He was also not allowing the Yukai City residents leave to exit the walls, which was causing a general panic among the people, but most were staying within their homes. Those who did not obey the strict curfew were punished. Not too strictly, just enough to keep the residents in check.

They were allowed to go about their daily tasks, but they could not leave the city, and they could not leave their houses past sundown. He didn’t want to start an uprising due to unreasonable cruelness.

“We will,” he said, answering his general. “But I do not want to be too assertive at this time. I would like Emperor Kurosawa to find his back door. Once he does, this very short war will be over.”

Huki nodded in agreement.

I have nearly five thousand men at the base of the temple, he thought, to their two thousand men on the summit. The advantage in numbers is heavily in my favor, and yet the advantage of the battlefield is heavily in their favor.

Today he actually felt a small thrill rush through him. With such an experience, one needed not adorn themselves in luxurious garments or sleep in soft beds. Those things could be had after their goals were met, which they always were.

This strategy of his was on the knife’s edge, the precipice of failure. Even the smallest error could result in his defeat. But was that not the way of war? To achieve great successes, one must take great risks, but understanding how to minimize that risk and to avoid recklessness was also paramount.

Would that his other six thousand troops spread through-out the city could join in the fight. But surely the Emperor was thinking similar such thoughts about his armies outside of the country.

And besides, the thrill of battle and conquest can’t be felt if the victory is attained too easily. There’s little honor in the ease of one’s achievements.

As it was, the defenders were completely trapped. Though not without hope. Hukama was careful to afford his enemies hope. When hope failed, one’s enemies fought with abandon, and Hukama did not want to encourage his own defeat.

No, he would leave a way out for Emperor Kurosawa to escape. Or at least, it would look as though he had an escape.

Again, Hukama smiled to himself, waiting for the inevitable conclusion to this confrontation, though certain elements still remained a mystery, and he was excited to see what would happen next.