Within moments a raccoon approached and bowed. Michael hopped up on his back and placed his helmet on his head.
He rode out in front of the line of his men and yelled, brothers of the lake. We are here to protect the land of our ancestors, our wives and our children. Our generation has not seen war, we do not yet know of its struggles. Michael drew his sword and said but our swords do know! They know of the struggles of war for they are the swords of our father’s fathers. They bear witness today that we can win! We will sacrifice what we must so that our children can one day wear them proudly, honoring our memory! For our history can be seen in them forever! The line of Samurai that extended far in each direction along the bank of the lake began to scream and cheer. Michael screamed, for Pinewood! For Pinewood screamed the warriors over and over again! With their hopes and spirits renewed, a loud deep blast from a horn was heard. Pinewood’s Samurai grew silent as the sinister sounding horn was heard again. All eyes were fixed to the tree line directly in front of them but some distance away. Clanking of armor could be heard from the trees and hisses were heard as the Akuhei began to emerge from the woods in formation, shaking the ground as they marched.