Free Rebels of Gor by John Norman

lord, and, as we do not recognize Lord Yamada as our lord, we do not see ourselves as in rebellion, and thus do not see ourselves as rebels.”
    “You are rebels,” said Tyrtaios, “for you have arrayed yourselves against Lord Yamada. It is a fact of history. He is here. The shadow of his sword is upon your lands. The fields are his. His troops are within your borders. Your holding is invested. The might of steel, victorious and decisive, proclaims him shogun. There is no answer to this. It is done. You have lost. And yet you dare to defy him.”
    “The holding stands,” said Lord Nishida.
    “Now!” said Tyrtaios.
    I saw Lord Okimoto lean toward Lord Temmu. I could not make out his words.
    Lord Temmu nodded.
    I did not know what had passed between them.
    “The straits in which you find yourselves,” said Tyrtaios, “are dire. You cannot hold out. It is known. In the last days, thanks to the compassion and generosity of my gracious lord, Lord Yamada, you have been permitted to trade some goods for food.”
    At the new encampment I had not known of this. I had only yesterday been summoned to this council.
    I did not understand this indulgence on the part of Lord Yamada. It seemed unlikely on the part of a siege master. I was curious as to what goods General Yamada was willing to accept, and why, in exchange, apparently, for supplies, presumably in limited quantities. When the holding fell, as seemed likely, perhaps within days, presumably its goods, gold, silver, jade, jewels, furniture, screens, scrolls, and such, would be his for the gathering. To be sure, some of it might be destroyed, but that was not likely, as Pani tend to be reluctant to damage or destroy objects and materials of value. What Pani, at least of noble birth and refinement, would burn a well-wrought fan, a samisen, a lovely painted screen, or a poem?
    “Is it true,” asked Lord Nishida, “that you ask Pani warriors, many of whom are men of two swords, to surrender?”
    “Surely not, Lord,” said Tyrtaios, hastily. “We request only that you desist in your honorable resistance.”
    “If our resistance is honorable,” said Lord Nishida, “why should we desist?”
    “It is misguided,” said Tyrtaios.
    “You spoke of conditions,” said Lord Nishida.
    “It is requested only that you live in peace and harmony with your lord, Lord Yamada, Shogun of the Islands.”
    “He is free to leave the lands of Temmu,” said Lord Nishida.
    “Why should he leave his own lands?” asked Tyrtaios. “These lands are his. The sword has spoken.”
    “The holding stands,” said Lord Nishida.
    “Welcome your rightful lord,” said Tyrtaios. “He is forgiving and kind, and holds in his heart only affection for his brothers.”
    “It is said,” said Lord Nishida, “that a thousand posts surmounted by a thousand heads line the march of Yamada to the lands of Temmu.”
    “Those of bandits and recreants,” said Tyrtaios.
    “What would you have us do?” asked Lord Nishida.
    “The conditions are simple,” said Tyrtaios. “Lay aside your arms. Abandon this fortress town, this citadel, this castle. Descend unarmed to the plain, rejoicing, in pure garments. Bring gifts to the pavilion of your lord, great Yamada, Shogun of the Islands.”
    “You would have us descend from the fortress, defenseless, unarmed, amongst hostile forces, as alleged rebels and traitors, humbly bringing supplicatory gifts, and place ourselves at the mercy of Lord Yamada?”
    “As friends, and allies,” said Tyrtaios.
    “We attend to your words with care,” said Lord Nishida.
    “Lord Yamada is kind, forgiving, and compassionate,” said Tyrtaios.
    “What man of prudence would say otherwise?” said Lord Nishida.
    I thought of the heads aligning a road to the lands of Temmu.
    “You may trust Lord Yamada,” said Tyrtaios.
    “The trustworthiness of Lord Yamada is legendary in the islands,” said Lord Nishida.
    “Behold,” said Tyrtaios, “I bear gifts from my lord, in