Jack of Harts

I learned many strange and amazing things from Ken Banno over the years we fought together. The strangest was that he did not want to fight at all. He considered fighting to defend his home to be a loss of honor that he would have to redeem when his part of The War came to an end. He grew up in a culture that had foresworn war altogether, that taught that fighting was beyond the last choice of a rational and honorable man. But when the Empress called the survivors of her murdered city to set aside their honor and fight for the future, he was one who answered her call. He was one of their most famous citizens, and he became an example to all of them. Tens of thousands of New Japanese followed his example and volunteered to fight. It took him decades to overcome the shame he felt at having brought dishonor on so many of his people.