The China Pearl Inn part 7

Uggg said:

Lol did I chase everyone away?

Hell. Maybe I am disturbed!

*Dribbles a little and smiles about*



Uggg

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cgraven said:

Robyn and Sal I must say I quite like your Super Girl and Strom posters Ladies ish

I fear you shall have to hold the fort here at the Inn as I will be away till Late Sunday or Monday.

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RobynTashaYa said:

You’ve still got Sally and me because we’re at Officer Academy. I never thought I’d miss the Lionesses so much but after the weekend’s party I wish I was going with them. Anyone who’s ever served will know the bond that’s formed is closer than family (right CG?) and cannot be put into words.

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Raven_Timothy said:

FHD no offense intended but I prefer shin rake into a foot stomp as apposed to a straight foot stomp. It takes just a little more aim but, it takes a lot more out of an attacker. This is best done in boots from my experience.

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cgraven said:

Robyn and Sal I must say I quite like your Super Girl and Strom posters Ladies ish

I fear you shall have to hold the fort here at the Inn as I will be away till Late Sunday or Monday.

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Firmhanded_Daddy said:

Nothing to be sorry for Supergirl. I don't think the topics always have to be light hearted. Your experiences spurred some passionate debate. Nothing wrong with that.

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light_shiva said:

*jumps on him, steals his t-shirt and runs it up the flagpole*

*smirks and blows a kiss*

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Firmhanded_Daddy said:

Deep breath

So this has been some time coming. I am going to take a step back from the inn. I am barely here as it is anyway.

Most of you have some way to get in contact with me, and if not there is always pm. If I made an offer of any sort to you that still holds, I just need to reduce some of the things I am handling.

When my stress level comes down I will likely be back.

Be well all!

Fd

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Raven_Timothy said:

So I finally got the nerve to post this in the open. And I can't think of a better place to share it.

The Kyoto Jornal

I have walked this road all my life.
I have been here for a while.
I know before me is a road full of
bandits, thieves, spies, and assassins.
One or two I have met before.
And they may remember me well.
Behind me, almost to the far reaches
of my memory stands Kyoto.
It is lovely.
And I hope to make it home someday.
I know before me,
at the edge of tomorrow,
my enemy waits for me.
maybe this time,
he is ready.
And maybe this time,
he has allies.

I pray for the souls of my men,
hoping mine is in order.
As I prepare my blade
and inspect my armor,
I know my place
and that I could have
one of my Yojimbo (guards) check it for me.
But these things are old friends.
They have been with me
for all my life.
They were with me
before I earned that mare out there.
She has never thrown me,
though I've given her cause once or twice.
They were there when Kami
first picked up his spear.
His helm sits in a place of honor
to the left of my Disho (sword set or stand).
I wish he had
had it on that day.
I had them when I first saw Yabi Sam.
Her light smile and soft song
always brought fire to the blood.
I watch the last of her arrows
slide into the case, ready.
I know that they are almost as
sharp as her wit.
It brings a comfort to me.
Both will be needed tomorrow.
Even the N agamaki (horseman's sword)
that arrived from the blademaster this morning
is old to me.
It is in the blood of my ancestors
and in my blood
that I should know
it this well.

It is time to walk the tent rows.
I no longer look at the new faces.
I cannot remember when I stopped.
Now I just see something
where people sit.
I see courage, fear, honor.
And that is bravado that waves a salute
from the far side of his camp fire.
Only the old ones
have faces and names.
As brothers of war,
I cannot forget their names
or their deeds.
There is that old ronin (fallen or masterles samurai)
They say has no name.
But his name comes to my lips
all the same.
Many a man has hugged
his skirting in combat
but not many that
could stay beside him.
His lord has been gone
three years now,
if my memory serves correctly.
But he stays.
I am not sure
He remembers
anything but this.

I hear it!
The arrows coming in,
The hoof beat of the charge.
I know these things
and what comes next.
My horse is ready before I get to her.
That archer is already dropping enemy cavalry.
It may be hard to match her score this time.
But my old horse knows this game well.
Before the guards can mount,
they learn that this
is not my first defense.
They can just make out the flanks
of my mare in the fading sun.
As I reach the edge of camp,
I am pleased that my men
respond so fast
and that there are only a handful
in front of me.
New men never react well
to their first ambush
so I know that I am
in good company.

The enemy was a fool
to leave his archers
so poorly defended.
For my spearmen are the best
in all Japan.
My camp of few but well-trained hands
charge the enemy archers,
my Yojimbo veering wide to the treeline,
fearing a counterattack.
It dose not come.

Morning finds us two
on either side of a great field,
not a better place to stand.
Fearing the worst,
my advisors demand
the wounded bear arms.
They may be right.
As the sides advance to range,
the first volleys are fired.
Those who have played before
know the safest place
is on the other side of the valley.
As we meet in the middle,
it is obvious
we have the right tools
for the day's work.
And soon the enemy's ranks
are broken.
That sound of the drums
of their second wave
is sickening in my ears.
I look up the hill,
Seeing all the line as it moves
and it moves hard.
The earth as far as the eye can see
is covered in a blanket
of armored men and horses.
Today, I am Kensi ( sword saint/ samurai shock troops)
and the Daimyo (dime-you? lord general)of my clan.
Belting out our battle cry,
we charge.
The first and second of their lines falter
but only the Kensi
may push forward.
The battle rages
even to my very soul.
We push on
to our defeat.
Such is the cost to our enemy
that their children will not rase
an army like this one.

I only hope my sons are ready
To ride from their homes
To avenge these fallen.
before the towers of Kyoto see
the torchlights of our enemies.
As my eldest son finds this book,
the first lines he adds are
"I have been on this road all my life
and I know it well."


The End

My name
August 6, 2012

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RobynTashaYa said:

I just read that aloud to Sal. RT you’ve done something few people have ever done. YOU MADE ME CRY! Tears are streaming down my face and I’m blubbing as I struggled to get the words out. Storm is sitting opposite teared up as well.

That is beautiful, you’ve captured the very essence of battle. Thank you for sharing. It’s amazing!

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Firmhanded_Daddy said:

Deep breath

So this has been some time coming. I am going to take a step back from the inn. I am barely here as it is anyway.

Most of you have some way to get in contact with me, and if not there is always pm. If I made an offer of any sort to you that still holds, I just need to reduce some of the things I am handling.

When my stress level comes down I will likely be back.

Be well all!

Fd

Click to expand...

Raven_Timothy said:

So I finally got the nerve to post this in the open. And I can't think of a better place to share it.

The Kyoto Jornal

I have walked this road all my life.
I have been here for a while.
I know before me is a road full of
bandits, thieves, spies, and assassins.
One or two I have met before.
And they may remember me well.
Behind me, almost to the far reaches
of my memory stands Kyoto.
It is lovely.
And I hope to make it home someday.
I know before me,
at the edge of tomorrow,
my enemy waits for me.
maybe this time,
he is ready.
And maybe this time,
he has allies.

I pray for the souls of my men,
hoping mine is in order.
As I prepare my blade
and inspect my armor,
I know my place
and that I could have
one of my Yojimbo (guards) check it for me.
But these things are old friends.
They have been with me
for all my life.
They were with me
before I earned that mare out there.
She has never thrown me,
though I've given her cause once or twice.
They were there when Kami
first picked up his spear.
His helm sits in a place of honor
to the left of my Disho (sword set or stand).
I wish he had
had it on that day.
I had them when I first saw Yabi Sam.
Her light smile and soft song
always brought fire to the blood.
I watch the last of her arrows
slide into the case, ready.
I know that they are almost as
sharp as her wit.
It brings a comfort to me.
Both will be needed tomorrow.
Even the N agamaki (horseman's sword)
that arrived from the blademaster this morning
is old to me.
It is in the blood of my ancestors
and in my blood
that I should know
it this well.

It is time to walk the tent rows.
I no longer look at the new faces.
I cannot remember when I stopped.
Now I just see something
where people sit.
I see courage, fear, honor.
And that is bravado that waves a salute
from the far side of his camp fire.
Only the old ones
have faces and names.
As brothers of war,
I cannot forget their names
or their deeds.
There is that old ronin (fallen or masterles samurai)
They say has no name.
But his name comes to my lips
all the same.
Many a man has hugged
his skirting in combat
but not many that
could stay beside him.
His lord has been gone
three years now,
if my memory serves correctly.
But he stays.
I am not sure
He remembers
anything but this.

I hear it!
The arrows coming in,
The hoof beat of the charge.
I know these things
and what comes next.
My horse is ready before I get to her.
That archer is already dropping enemy cavalry.
It may be hard to match her score this time.
But my old horse knows this game well.
Before the guards can mount,
they learn that this
is not my first defense.
They can just make out the flanks
of my mare in the fading sun.
As I reach the edge of camp,
I am pleased that my men
respond so fast
and that there are only a handful
in front of me.
New men never react well
to their first ambush
so I know that I am
in good company.

The enemy was a fool
to leave his archers
so poorly defended.
For my spearmen are the best
in all Japan.
My camp of few but well-trained hands
charge the enemy archers,
my Yojimbo veering wide to the treeline,
fearing a counterattack.
It dose not come.

Morning finds us two
on either side of a great field,
not a better place to stand.
Fearing the worst,
my advisors demand
the wounded bear arms.
They may be right.
As the sides advance to range,
the first volleys are fired.
Those who have played before
know the safest place
is on the other side of the valley.
As we meet in the middle,
it is obvious
we have the right tools
for the day's work.
And soon the enemy's ranks
are broken.
That sound of the drums
of their second wave
is sickening in my ears.
I look up the hill,
Seeing all the line as it moves
and it moves hard.
The earth as far as the eye can see
is covered in a blanket
of armored men and horses.
Today, I am Kensi ( sword saint/ samurai shock troops)
and the Daimyo (dime-you? lord general)of my clan.
Belting out our battle cry,
we charge.
The first and second of their lines falter
but only the Kensi
may push forward.
The battle rages
even to my very soul.
We push on
to our defeat.
Such is the cost to our enemy
that their children will not rase
an army like this one.

I only hope my sons are ready
To ride from their homes
To avenge these fallen.
before the towers of Kyoto see
the torchlights of our enemies.
As my eldest son finds this book,
the first lines he adds are
"I have been on this road all my life
and I know it well."


The End

My name
August 6, 2012

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Raven_Timothy said:

Thank you ladies and gentlemen do me honor with your heartfelt compliments.
I have spent some time studying the history of Japan and it culture.
The very few thoughts I had while writing this were to pose it in their old style, to cover the flood of ideas and ideals around combat, and to tell a story that hinted of generations.
How the acts and deeds of a parent were a great influence to the next generation to come after them. What is and was like to be the old soldier in an army of professionals. And i choose the style because, I had never written in it and I had always felt what I read when I looked at some of the examples I had seen.
I did add a few explanations of words to help those who were not familiar with the Japanese way of life at that time.

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