The vast fields in the Utaku lands stretched on for miles, uninterrupted by landmarks or hills. The long grass continued on every direction like a sea of green and gold. Shinjo Shria galloped through the grass at full speed, her long hair flowing wildly in the wind. Shria loved her gallops. Whenever she rode her steed in the Utaku Plains, she could forget all of her worries. With the wind on her face and the grass passing by in a blur, she felt as free as the wind itself.

After an hour, she looked up, and the smile faded from her face. She touched her horse on her neck and whispered a gentle word in his ear. The horse raised his head and neighed softly at his rider. He slowed down to a trot as the pair approached a wooden outpost at the edge of the plain. Though it was a small, simple building, the lack of other large landmarks in the horizon marked it clearly across long distances. As she drew closer, Shria could see a horse drinking from a trough placed next to the outpost. She called out, searching for friend or foe.

A samurai stepped out of the outpost and waved at the incoming rider. His purple robes and the mon embroidered on his shoulder clearly marked him as an officer of the Baraunghar. Shria stopped the horse in front of the man and smiled.

“Greetings, Bitomu-kun,” Shria said. She dismounted quickly and offered her hand to the other samurai. He took it without hesitation and shook hands in the Unicorn fashion.

The officer looked around, smiling. “I see why you requested this station, Shria-chan. It is so peaceful. Even the kami feel more relaxed here, so far from war.”

Shria nodded. “I cannot sense the kami, but their effects reach those who are blind to their ways. The plains soothe me. Still, this must be no courtesy visit. What news from the generals, Bitomu?”

Bitomu’s grin disappeared. “Lixue-sama has asked for all the reserves to return to Shiro Moto. The Baraunghar will move out when we have enough forces for our mission.”

Shria’s eyes widened. “Autumn has ended. Does the Khan expect us to attack now?”

“Your mother was a shugenja, Shria-san. You are no stranger to the power of the kami when they are invoked to our aid.”

Shria shook her head. “The kami can perform actions that resemble miracles, but they cannot replace logistics, food, preparation. No army moves during the winter for good reason. Even the Baraunghar will have troubles maintaining anything more than simple maneuvering.”

“And yet General Lixue plans to execute several raids along enemy lands, to draw focus away from the movements of the Khan’s army. Do you question your superior’s judgment, Shria-san? Do you presume to know more than your superiors?”

Shria knew Bitomu as a gentle man, yet she could see cold anger burning in his eyes. She shook her long hair away from her and stared defiantly into his eyes.

“I simply ask what any intelligent warrior would ask,” Shria answered. “I do not doubt my orders. I realize that other plans and contingencies must be in place. I also know that those plans will not be revealed to me until the time is right. I simply wished to state my concerns aloud to an old, childhood friend. Have I overstepped my bounds?”

The anger faded from Bitomu’s eyes. He smiled at Shria. “I am your friend, Shria-chan, but I am also your commanding officer. Sometimes it is difficult to notice the separate parts of my life. I apologize if I misread the intention behind your words.”

“No apologies are necessary. The mistake is mine,” Shria replied, then bowed. Bitomu bowed back. “When must I arrive at Shiro Moto?” Shria continued.

“The campaign will begin in three weeks when the army assembles.

“Three weeks?” Shria said and raised an eyebrow. “That is more preparation than I had expected. Have the Baraunghar lost our reputation for rapidity?”

Bitomu stared at the fields of grass, away from Shria. “I came to notify you first, before I moved on to other reservists. I cannot say why, but I felt some desire to see this field. It does me well to be here.”

Shria smiled at Bitomu. War had finally come to her remote corner of the Utaku plains. Despite the impending war, when Shria looked at Bitomu she felt a warmth that soothed her soul like a brisk ride in her beloved plains.