While the Dragon and the Crane prepare for yet another duel...

A simple peasant presses his way through the crowd. He has donned no armor nor sword and yet his voice and manners garner the attention of those around him.

"Are the lands enjoying great prosperity and a time of great peace? Do we, the peasants flourish during this age? Have all wars ended? What of the rumors of battles between the clans yet again? What of the Shadowlands?"

"Are the Dragon and Crane still so petty they waste precious hours of the sun to play the games of little children?"

"Are there no leaders, no heroes among the so called great clans? Bah!"

"O' great Crane, your pride does not feed the people. O' mighty Dragon, your arrogance does not heal the elderly. Therefore, we the people shall free ourselves of your petty dominion and we shall heal ourselves and feed ourselves."

"Ashiguru Unite! Our time has come! While the 'samurai' play, we plow the fields; while the champions pander to their childish games; we mend the wounds; and while the politicians beat their fans against the wind, we repair the walls."

"No longer will our children be called upon to spill their blood in the name of Mirumoto or Kakita. In deed, our forefathers served Mirumoto and Kakita with great thanksgiving and pride. But alas, Mirumoto and Kakita no longer exist and their children betray their heritage."

"Therefore, we must possess the lands for our children, plant the fields for our families and restore the walls for our protection. If Dragon and Crane desire a harvest, let them plow their own fields! And if they choose to destroy us for our obedience to the ways of our birthright, then they shall perish in hunger, as none will sow and none will reap."

"My brothers and sisters you raise a protest when I declare that it is your birthright to prepare a better way for your family? Listen and you shall hear the truth."

"Observe the sparrow in the air. She serves no master. And yet she takes from the field what her children need, she builds her nest where she chooses and the gods reward her with the freedom of flight. Are we not greater than the sparrow?"

"Observe the squirrel, who makes his home in the hollow places. Does he not take his fruit from the earth without remorse? And yet he has no lord. And because he has no lord, he has fill. Are we not greater than the squirrel?"

"Dragon and Crane, we challenge you to a real duel! A duel that places the people above the sword, not beneath it. Will you accept the challenge that nature demands of you, or will you continue your petty squabbles while the people perish?"

"If you refuse, then draw your sword now, and I will slay you where you stand! Not I alone, but the people with me and nature herself!"

The crowds erupts in great revelry and cheers for the unarmed peasant! A quiet breeze brings peace to the assembled ashigaru as they await the answer of the Dragon and the Crane.

A samurai-ko of the Crane responds but her words offer no hope of new tomorrow and in fact, she bids the people to depart her land.

"...I will not kill you...but leave my village in peace.", as the Kakita closes her eloquent address, the people bow in silence awaiting the word of the Mirumoto. Alas, as the sun sets and the Dragon never speaks.

Finally, the unknown peasant rises and turns towards the assembled ashigaru. "I do not lead this people... their own destiny has brought them here today. With these words he returned to the crowd, his voice replaced by another."

"The wise Crane speaks the truth, greatness does not feed us, greatness does not clothe us, nor does it protect us. But was it not the Crane war that stole our children for their glory? Was it not Doji and Daidoji that burned the fields and destroyed our homes in their own thirst for greatness? Is not their 'greatness' the altar of sacrifice for our people's lives? She speaks of other battles and other places, but once again these were not of our making."

And yet another voice arises on the wind, "Where are the monks and teachers that you given have to enlighten us? We know not these words of which you speak. But today, we shall follow our own seers and our own guides."

At this an aged women worn with the years and hardship, reached to the ground gathering a two handfuls of dirt, casting them into the air.

"Crane-sama, you proclaim this village as your own, is the earth here yours as well?"

The people laugh with great merriment. As the laughter fades, the crowd parts allowing for a procession youth to approach the samurai-ko. At her feet, they lay their gifts. A small handful of seed, the worn clogs of a field worker, the tattered garments and sacks of a reaper. With this, the people collapse around the children as they re-enter the crowd. Almost at once they turn their backs on this place. Their procession takes them away.

Those that remain, stand in silence for some time, as the multitude of the unwashed pass under the light of the stars seeking a new home and a new life for themselves. Incredibly their numbers match those of the stars. This great body of people, young and old, sick and healthy, flow away like the ocean to a new destiny.

Their final destination remmains yet unknown to the so-called 'enlightened' and 'honorable'. One must wander how important this duel between one clan and the other truly will be, when no one will bother to speak of it after this day has perished.

"Papa-san, Mama-san... the Crane warrior pursues us!"

Several families pause to look back upon the Crane's village. To their astonishment, the samurai-ko runs to and fro swinging her sword wildly in the air as if she is striking the wind.

"Papa-san, who is she fighting?"

"I know not for sure my child, but she appears to fighting her own illusions. Fear not, she shall do us no harm. And in a few weeks we shall be joined with the Holy Men that await us to south. Now go and find your friends, you need not concern yourself with the road ahead, nor the path that lies behind. Go on now..."

And so the journey begins...