Concept date: 6th February, 2019
First published: 9th August, 2020.Status: IN PROGRESS.
Version: WORKING DRAFT COPY.
Age recommendation: 15+
Average reading Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
Angel-in-charge: Ruth Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1475AD-879AH Mission: 100200 - 4 - 6661
Age 15+
1. CASTLE TAKAASA; SANUKU PREFECTURE, winter 1475AD.
Average reading Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
Angel-in-charge: Ruth Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1475AD-879AH Mission: 100200 - 4 - 6661
MISSION SUMMARY: "In Medieval Japan, the Warlord Kashinto is sweeping across the land killing all in his path - but rumours are spreading that some of his army is not human, but minions of the 'Dark Prince'. It appears that no army raised by Humans can stand against the deadly hoards. Mr. Jericho Tibbs and his team are dispatched to investigate because souls are going missing."
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| "ALXANDRA" Available: 18+ Only |
NOTES: This episode contains mild bad language and sexual references.
"This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental." The Author.
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| 0 Min. |
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| Book series 0. |
"ARMY OF DARKNESS."
Madame Aiki sat by the window and stared across the snow covered grasslands towards the small mountains. All she could see were the tents and fortifications (temporary) of Lord Takaasa's army, encamped outside the castle. Lord Takaasa was her lord and master and he was entertaining Lord Sora, who was awaiting the arrival of his main forces. Madame Aiki sighed and watched the small fires scattered across the snow - hundred of little camp fires - as the soldiers of her master's army attempted to keep warm in the cold weather. She knew these were unprecedented times; Lord Sora and Lord Takaasa having to join forces after centuries of blood feuds and conflict.
She slowly closed the window pane and shuddered a little, but not from the chill of winter weather, but the thought of Lord Kashinto; the Dark Lord from the South. He had forced this co-operation between the pair of noble lords. His army was like a shadow spreading across the country. She had heard all the stories and rumours about the Dark Lord and his army. Some of them, it was said, were not even human; but demons called up from the underworld. Where the army of the Dark Lord passed all communications stopped; you heard nothing from those places. No survivors, no refugees; nothing. It was like they had been wiped from the very face, of the Earth itself.
Madame Aiki rose slowly and picked up her thin cane and walked slowly to the door, which was opened by a servant on his knee's, who bowed a little. But the most terrible thing she had heard about Lord Kashinto, was his utter disrespect for the authority of the divine Emperor; Go-Tsuchimikado and had even threatened to march on his palace at Kyoto. Surely, the God's would strike down such a man; if indeed, he was a man and not a demon. Her master had been forced to call upon desperate mercenaries; two bands of 'Ronin' had already joined the army. Their leader was a guest in the castle; a mysterious man with pale skin and black sword that looked ancient. Rumours abounded about the strange samurai; he was totally fearless in battle and it was said; could not be killed by any weapon of man.
She entered the antechamber and her three selected girls all bowed. She didn't smile and pointed her stick towards the tallest girl [and the most pretty] "Jisho, you will entertain Lord Sora, He has travelled without concubines or even bed wenches. I understand that he favours the mouth and the arse. The master has ordered that he will be pleased. Do you understand?" Jisho just nodded and bowed again. Aiki gestured with her stick, to the smallest of her best girls; Yozen. "You will go to the strange pale man. He is big and unknown in his pillow habits, so watch yourself." Yozen bowed and said quietly; "But Madame he is so ugly!" The other girls chuckled, but the look Aiki gave them soon stopped any mirth. "You've fucked ugly men before Yozen, just watch yourself." Madame Aiki actually allowed herself a little smile, adding; "According to our master, the white Samurai is hung like a stallion, he watched him bathing in the river and believes that his father must have been a horse!"
The girls laughed nervously and poor Yozen sighed and muttered to the others; "I always get the one's with drain pipes hidden in their loin cloths." The third girl; Chien grinned at her; "You always get them because your honeypot could hide a vase - a big vase - and Madame doesn't want her best girls ruined by such a large cock." Madame Aiki ended any further banter amongst her girls by tapping her stick upon the wooden floor, "Silence. Chien you will go with old general Tan. He has no comfort women with him." Chien actually groaned and grimaced; "But Madame, he is old and dirty. it is said, he does nasty things with women. He likes to piss in their mouth's and he..." She never finished moaning about her expected client, because Madame Aiki had simply raised her cane and gestured to the door, which was again slid open by the kneeling servant. "Go about your duties with a smile upon your face and ensure that the men are happy with you." She smiled, adding; "Or I will deal with it." She slapped the cane against her leg and watched the girls file out in subdued silence.
But Aiki smiled to herself; those three where like sisters, despite the fighting, name calling and nasty comments. They would share their last piece of bread or sip of water amongst themselves. Jisho was tall and pretty; many clients wanted her, But she was cold as a snow filled river. Where her heart was, remained a mystery to her Mistress. Young Yozen was her favourite - tiny, even by Japanese standards - yet she received numerous little presents from her happy clients. She was always smiling and she often made the other girls - and her mistress - laugh. Chien had to be watched; if she could, she would always try and escape her duties with the clients. Madame Aiki knew that she preferred pleasing other women. Still, she did her duties, but with little happiness and she received few presents from clients. When first bought to the castle as a comfort girl; she needed regular beatings to keep her straight. But she had learnt well and now kept her bad attitude to herself.
Aiki's thoughts about her girls were disturbed by Guon, a servant from the kitchens, who was also her personal spy in the castle. He bowed low and smiled; "Madame Aiki, you need to go to the west gate and see the strangers that have arrived; seeking a place to stay for the night. Apparently, they travel to Kyoto on the Emperor's business. They are the strangest people you could ever imagine, but the woman is unbelievable, a real beauty that the God's themselves have dropped upon the earth. She is protected by a black samurai who could strike fear into a demon's heart. They are lead by a magician who has real powers and makes no circus tricks. The boy that accompanies them is said to have the mind of a young Kukai. Come quickly."
She nodded, a little intrigued, and followed Guon to the wall of the west gate, stopping only to throw a warm cloak about her thin shoulders. She joined an officer and two guards staring down into the courtyard. There was three horsemen and a rich, cloth covered litter carried between two horses. Behind came Osarin [an officer of the castle] and his mounted patrol. Then a column of several prisoners, roped together and lead by several infantrymen. The young officer on the wall turned and bowed; he gestured down to the strangers. "Apparently, they were set upon by those bandits and the great magician from the west, simply put the villains to sleep by raising his arms and showing them a mirror of black. Osarin says he found them [the bandits] sprawled in the snow; unconscious. They were gathered up like children."
Aiki stared at the 'Black Samurai' as he dismounted. She really did smile; now that was a real man, she thought to herself. Big, rugged and carried himself like a true warrior. But what about the woman; she leaned over the wall, brushing snow from her cloak, and watched the litter being placed down. The curtain was pulled back by the young stranger and the woman stepped out into the winter sunshine. Aiki nodded to herself; that was real beauty, She was tall, slender and wearing exquisite silks and fur. Men would fight and kill; just to kiss her feet.
"Apparently the Emperor has summoned them to help deal with Lord Kashinto. The woman - it is whispered - is a white witch of immense power and prediction. The magician is said to be her blood brother. The big black man was a King in his own land, but gave everything up to guard her. The boy makes Confucius look a child; his mind could cut stone." The young officer added. Aiki just nodded; apparently everyone was in utter awe of the strange little group from distant lands.
She watched the woman walk to the doors, then suddenly stop and stare up at Aiki, who jumped back and gripped her cloak about herself, she whispered to Guon;"It's like she read my mind." He smiled; "Don't be surprised Madame, she is a Majo after all." They left the wall and returned to Aiki's apartments, where she had some sake and sat thinking. Guon had returned to the kitchens, which would be busy tonight.
The team assembled in Jericho's rooms - after the servants had been dismissed - and Jericho briefed them with the mission details. They would soon be joined by James - a Knight of God - because there was a strong possibility that Lord Kashinto was or is, accompanied by a powerful minion of the Dark Prince. He also reported that over thirty souls had vanished from this time and place. All from area's where the 'Dark Army' had passed through. That certainly was no co-incidence and their brief was to put an end to the disappearances and send the dark minion back to his master, restoring the human time line.
Owen found a small chair and perched uncomfortably upon it and consulted his mirror; "You will never guess who else has turned up here?" He smiled and tried to sit properly on the damn chair. Jericho stared out the window and gave a wry smile; "McIves." He said softly. Owen groaned in disbelieve; "How do you know these bloody things?" He asked and stood up - the chair was too much, even for his small frame - and rubbed his arse. Wilson chuckled; "That's why he's an Inspector, baby brother." Alex shuffled to the window [her period costume simply would not allow her stride out] and joined Jericho staring out towards the encamped army; "Will they actually be able to stop him?" She asked and Jericho nodded; "Yes, with our help."
2. THE DARK ARMY.
Lord Kashinto had dismounted from his dark steed and sat upon a chair, sword held in one hand, the other hand placed upon his knee. He showed no emotion as the village burnt, sparks and vivid flames lighting up the growing night sky, amongst the flurries of snow. He watched as several of the village women were stripped naked and raped upon the bloodstained, snow covered ground. He ignored their screams and pleas and turned to Agasaki. his trusted deputy; "Make sure that you leave one family untouched, give then food and drink to survive their journey to Takaasa Castle and my dear lords Sora and Takaasa. They can inform the wretches that I am coming."
Agasaki nodded; he had already had one [very lucky] family placed to one side. The rest were already dead in the bitter snow. When some of his troops [as reward for loyal service] had finished with the women; they would join their children and menfolk in death - if not already raped to that point and the Dark Army would press on.
His three generals stood behind him and watched the terrible spectacle unfolding before them. Each commanded a section of the lord's great army. General Yin [Commander of the Cavalry] adjusted his chin strap and nodded; "Our lord and master knows how to instil fear into his enemies....and his own men." He actually chuckled and accepted some sake from his personal servant. General Taninki [Commander of the Infantry] agreed with his colleague on that point. "Simple act of war and very effective my old friend; the enemy knows that he means to win - by any means - and his own men know that they must win. They cannot return over destroyed and barren land. They know, they must win or die in battle or die trying to retreat."
General Gasato said nothing [He commanded the mercenaries and hated it; he didn't consider such dogs worthy of any respect from him] he watched in silence as the woman were raped, sometimes by two or three men at a time. Death will be a blessing for them, he thought and accepted sake from his man servant.
Only one woman survived the brutal and savage violations and was quickly killed with an axe. Lord Kashinto rose from his seat and remounted his horse; the show was over for now. He indicated for the army to move forward; to their encampment ahead, prepared by his advance troops and scouts. They had probably another hour or so of light and he wanted to keep moving, as long as he could. His deputy rode next to him, not saying a word.
Only one woman survived the brutal and savage violations and was quickly killed with an axe. Lord Kashinto rose from his seat and remounted his horse; the show was over for now. He indicated for the army to move forward; to their encampment ahead, prepared by his advance troops and scouts. They had probably another hour or so of light and he wanted to keep moving, as long as he could. His deputy rode next to him, not saying a word.
Lord Kashinto turned and stared at the column's of men and horses behind him. "What did our spies report about the lord's Takaasa and Sora?" He asked Agasaki quietly. "They are indeed at the castle my lord. But Sora's main part of his army, is still two days march away." He slapped snow from his armour and added; "That mercenary called the 'Black Sword' has joined them with some thirty good seasoned warriors." Lord Kashinto actually smiled beneath his face plate; at last, a warrior worth killing. "Try and save him for me." He muttered and spurred his horse on.
The army reached its temporary encampment, just as the darkness fell and Lord Kashinto smiled at the several spluttering fires, blazing on a small hill. Each little bonfire contained a deserter from his army. They had been captured trying to escape and after having their eyes gouged out and penis's cut off, were burnt alive. If they wouldn't fight for him, then they wouldn't live or fight for anyone else. The policy seemed to work; there were few desertions from his army now.
The figure standing outside his grand tent also make the War Lord smile; it was ancient Tong-Yin; his old friend and most trusted advisor. He had known the old man since he was just a boy and Tong-Yin had been his and he's brother's tutor. He always felt a little sorry about having his sweet younger brother poisoned, but the young man was starting to show great courage and skill in battle. That could mean some powerful men may have preferred him as Lord and master. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed; such was war and power. Their mother had refused to see him on her death bed and it was whispered; that she had cursed Kashinto to an early and terrible death.
Kashinto sat in his tent and read the letters placed before with little interest. More threats from the impotent Emperor and even a letter cursing him to the underworld. He chuckled and sipped sake, he was disturbed by General Gasato who bowed and sat cross legged before him; when gestured to do so. The young man pulled off his helmet and placed it between his legs. He bowed and again and Kashinto told him to speak; freely. the general rubbed his face and small dark beard. "Spies have reported that Lords Sora and Takaasa have been joined by a group of strangers - strangers to Japan itself - the Emperor has sent for them himself. They are lead by a young magician of proven powers. They were attacked on the old South road by bandits and he simply put them to sleep in the snow. I have that on the word of my best spy at the castle. He [the magician] is accompanied by a dark samurai who resembles a bear and a young boy who could outthink Confucius. But they have a woman with them who must have fell from heaven. Men would kill just to kiss her feet. A rare beauty who - it is whispered - is a Majo of immense power.." He finished speaking and bowed again.
Kashinto nodded and gestured that the audience was over; he would send for Tong-Yin. The old man would know who the strangers were and how much truth was in the stories about them. He looked up to see the old man standing by the tent flap. Kashinto smiled; he hadn't yet ordered his servant to fetch the ancient man of wisdom. "They are dangerous my Lord - very dangerous - they work for the King of Heaven, but whilst in the realm of living humans; they are vulnerable. Their leader is known to me and he is clever and cunning. Do not underestimate them my lord." He bowed and stood silently as Kashinto rose from his seat and stretched his legs; "Is it true that the woman is stunningly beautiful?" The old man nodded; "She was given the beauty of a Goddess in human form. Men will fall at her feet. She also possess intelligence and cunning. She has the powers of a healer and again my lord; do not underestimate her or the others of the young magicians team."
Lord Kashinto sighed and walked to his armour; hanging on its stand and patted it. "How do we kill them?" He asked, then smiled, correcting himself; "I mean the men." Tong-Yin sighed; "Be careful with the woman my lord. She is is like a sea storm; utterly beautiful and divine, but deadly to men." Kahinto nodded and thanked the old man who disappeared in an instant. He slept badly that night - unusual for him - his dreams clouded with vision of a beautiful woman; sitting at his feet. He woke sweating a little and realised that she had been sitting at the feet of the Imperial throne. Sitting at the feet of her Divine Emperor; him. He drank some sake and knew where his fate was headed. Kashinto walked to the tent flap and watched more snow falling; he shivered and pulled his cloak about his shoulders. Progress would be slow in this damn weather; but the destination was worth the journey. On that thought he went to breakfast.
Alex stared out the small window towards the snow covered hills and folded her arms; her sleep had been shallow and troublesome; dreaming she was sitting at the feet of the Emperor who's face was blank. She turned to Owen who was reading his mirror; "Do you think its true that sometimes the BOSS [God] allows humans to glimpse certain events in their sleep?" Owen looked up and chuckled; "Only for thousands of years; Why? Having nightmares are we?" Alex smiled and told him about her strange dream. Owen rubbed his chin; "Sure you weren't just painting his toenails?" He chuckled and returned to his mirror. Alex sighed and returned to the window. She stared hard; on a distant hill was a single horseman. She pulled her mirror out and focused it on the figure. It was joined by three others. She walked to the balcony door and shuffled out into the morning sunshine and snow flurries and watched the little group.
Kashinto lowered the telescope [that Tong-Yin had presented him with] and wiped snow from his face. He handed it to Agassaki who studied the woman on the balcony and sighed; "An unbelievable beauty my Lord." He spoke softly and turned the telescope in his hands; a truly remarkable instrument. Agassaki didn't know that it would be over sixty years before telescopes were first used in Japan and that he held the future in his hands. He passed it across to the other horsemen who also commented on the woman's beauty. Kashinto grunted and turned his horse; "An Empress fit for an Emperor." He muttered and the little group disappeared down the gentle slope.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Names and places in this story have been changed to protect the innocent!
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