The sound of distant thunder shattered the silence that permeated the early morning. Uesugi Ashikaga Kenshin was riding at full gallop down the road; trees, villages, and signs all passed by in a blur in the early morning light. It had been a relatively uneventful ride from Aomori, only occasionally interrupted by the odd rain shower. Beginning to succumb to the desperate urge to sleep, Kenshin shook himself.

"Remember your training," he whispered to himself, "you WILL not fall asleep!"

The sun started to rise, and in the far distance Kenshin could now see the familiar temples rising out of the hills of Kamakura.
"Finally, I am here."
In the distance, Kenshin could see another rider coming down the road in his direction. Rising from his saddle, was the crest of the Shogun.

The rider stopped about fifty feet from the old Daimyo and waited.
What is he doing here in Kamakura? The young messenger shifted his weight in the saddle.
Surely he couldn’t have known the Shogun would request his presence so early in the year!
The famous warlord was drawing closer, now the messenger could see him clearly.
Uesugi Ashikaga Kenshin was tall, a head taller than most men, and despite his years was still in excellent physical shape. His eyes were a deep brown and as he drew nearer, the calm, and in-control aura that permeated the man enveloped the messenger.

“Lord Uesugi Ashikaga Kenshin, the Shogun requests your presence at his court at the palace of the Shogunate in Kamakura!” The messenger reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a scroll with the invitation on it, and handed it to Kenshin, who had by now made it the rest of the distance.

“I accept this invitation…”

*****

The audience room in the Shogun’s palace was huge indeed. Snow white tatami mats lined the entire room, and the walls were made of a rich reddish wood. The Shogun sat at the far end of the room on a raised platform, two bodyguards only a few feet away. As Kenshin drew nearer, he noticed more and more just how tense the Shogun seemed, and the tension in the room was nearly unbearable. Kenshin stopped five feet from the platform, got down on his hands and knees and bowed low.

“Ah, my old friend, welcome to Kamakura!” the Shogun beamed.

“I am honored to be welcomed into your presence, Lord.”

“How is Aomori, doing well I trust? How about the other provinces I granted you?”

“All of my domain is doing exceedingly well my Lord.”

“Good, good, now; what is my old friend doing in Kamakura so early in the year?”

“Please excuse me, but I am here on a pilgrimage lord.”

“Of course, however, I may have an assignment for you.”

“Whatever you request, it shall be done to your exact requirements, lord.”

“Very good, for now however, enjoy Kamakura! I will summon you when your assignment is to begin.” The Shogun made a slight bow in dismissal, Kenshin returned the bow, and backed out of the room. Oh yes, I have an assignment for you, one you may or may not return from my clever friend.