Letter to the Tanto Bearers
Honored Brothers and Sister,
The Tao says, “Belief in Prophecy gives it life.” With the prince missing, Shoju-sama’s plan will fail. As long as the Hantei line survives, the Prophecy will still have an opportunity to be fulfilled. By its very nature, Prophecy is self-fulfilling.
Right now, the Empire is in disarray. Everyone is unsure of the future, which was once clear and bright. Without an Emperor, the clans will fracture. There will be war and famine as each clan attempts to claim the mantle of leadership. To keep a lasting peace, the Empire must have its Emperor.
As the Kami’s chosen Tanto Bearers, I believe our place is to support the Emperor, the Empire, and its people. We are, after all, tools of the Kami’s. As such, we must not play into the politics of the throne. We must support the Empire as a whole. Our duty is to all, not just to one. Harder still, we must be of one mind with this. For how can we help to unite the Empire, if we are not united with each other? Together, we must always side for each other, for the Empire, for peace and for the destruction of He-who-should-not-be-named. We are the Tanto Bearers and that is our task. The tools of the Kami’s cannot falter. We cannot, we will not, be broken. The Tanto Bearers must be united as one.
I believe that our role as Tanto Bearers, so ordered by Hantei the 38th, takes precedence over any other obligation or vow previously made. I believe the will of the Kami’s take precedence over all former ties and it binds us together, beyond blood and honor. Our highest order of fealty should be to each other and to the Emperor. By doing this, we will be doing the Kami’s will by insuring that Rokugan will have it’s protectors as it travels down this dark path.
This I promise you. For as long as I draw breath or for as long as I bear a Tanto of the Kami’s, I will always honor, support and be loyal to each of you and to the Tanto Bearers as a whole. I will not lie, deceive, or manipulate any of you. I will not intentionally harm any of you. What happens to one of us happens to all of us. If by blood or blade, I will give my life to save any or all of you. I will always strive to fulfill the tenets of the Tanto Bears: support the Tanto Bearers, support the Empire and its Emperor, strive for peace, and destroy He-who-should-not-be-named. I am Togashi Udon, Bearer of the Ki-Rin Tanto and Ise Zumi of the Dragon Clan, and I vow this to each of you. It is my hope that we will all take this vow together.
I wish for all of you to understand this. There is no doubt in my mind. I would wish to be no other place then by your side.
Your friend,
Togashi Udon
Darkness falls ready,
As one we will climb for light,
Destiny is ours.