Kcymaerxthaere

Gwome: Galvesston

In District: pTejas
In Rezhn: Kymaerica [N] area d

The arrival of the Samurai in Galvesston (on the shore of Galveston Bay [yes, the spelling is a bit different]) was one of the most dramatic events in local history. For a long time before and after this point, Galvesston was merely a disorganized territory filled with drifters. Some would argue it was barely even a gwome—given that hurricanes reshaped its borders effortlessly. Imagine the sight—an expedition of 500 frustrated and skeptical Samurai appearing suddenly on the beaches of the Gulf Coast. Here’s how the story unfolded:

It started 196 long and arduous days earlier in Hizurokoro, on the coast of pCalifornia, they had camped at the point marked by the plaque: a slightly elevated area of the great swamp called the Neverglades by the locals, many of whom had once lived in what we call southern Florida. By this point, the samurai traveling with young Nobunaga had suffered much: death, desertion, hunger, thirst on their long journey and yet, in all that time, they had never seen much more than a few lakes and rivers and no sign of Korea (where they hoped to find, from there to return to Japan).

As they camped on this site, the air was quite fetid, the rations particularly thin, the water especially murky. To raise morale, Nobunaga issued rations of nokoko, a kind of clear vodka like alcohol, which the purer it gets the more it tastes like water. His real hope was that they would fall asleep before getting ornery. But, sensing the tension was different this time, he simultaneously instructed Madagada, a trusted servant, to begin purifying as much of the swamp water as possible. Then he personally unearthed the most valuable ceramics, those made by his mother, Lady Otako, for the expected celebration on the shore of the Inland Sea.

At first the troops were appeased and toasted his health as night fell. The leader of the malcontents was a young swordsman nicknamed Enfune, or hothead, but even he settled in for his dinner. Unfortunately, when he ate his first helping of rice, he soon felt the soft explosion of maggots in his mouth. And he was not alone. He and the others jumped up and soon surrounded Nobungas tent, demanding his appearance. As soon as he came out of the tent, one of Enfunes henchmen slipped behind him, barring access to the tent, and more importantly Nobunagas weapons. But Nobunaga appeared unconcerned. Slowly a whispering was heard, ‘Mitsuhide, Mitsuhide.’—the name of the would-be assassin. But Nobunaga the Younger stayed cool.

‘We must return home,’ said Enfune.

‘That is what we are doing,’ replied Nobunaga.

‘To Hizorukoro, or die, Nobunaga’ demanded Enfune as the mob muttered agreement.

The situation seemed hopeless, but Nobunaga turned away as if nothing had been said, and nodded to someone in the tent.

‘I am sorry, I missed that,’ he said with extreme courtesy. And at that Madagada came out of the tent carefully holding a tray with Lady Otakos vases, filled with a clear liquid. The retainers hands were shaking.

‘We are among friends, there is no need to be nervous.’

The mob was perplexed by Nobunagas calm. The young general continued, ‘I had not planned to disturb your slumber, but seeing that you are awake and calling the name of Mitsuhidewho must die, I have asked my servant to serve the purest nokoko of all, that made my mother, the Lady Otako, and served in ware made by her hand.’

Enfune stammered, ‘But . . ’

With that Nobunaga announced that a scout had returned, revealing that the ocean was not far away, 2-3 days march at most, but they would begin to march south east, instead of due east. He encouraged the troops to drink, warning them that the drink they were having was so potent, a single sip would knock out a normal man, but he was sure they could handle more.

Confused, but relieved, Enfune drank to the health of Nobunaga and soon the whole company was fast asleep, drunk on pure water.

Two days later, after a difficult march through the swamps, Nobunagas army reached Galveston bay and then a couple of days later, what we call the Gulf of Mexico. Though later chroniclers report that after the army fell asleep, the young General allowed a smile to pass between himself and the nervous but loyal Madagada, no one has explained how it was that Nobunaga knew that they were so close. Later in life, Nobunaga was asked who told him and he answered with a Cognate word sense (pronounce sens-eye) which can mean both, ‘my teacher’ and ‘the senses.’ Numberous theories have been proposed: did he hear the cry of a Willacy?; taste salt water in the swamp?; smell an ocean breeze?; Did he really send a messenger? (most say no to that one).

So when you visit the plaque in the Neverglades, as you stand on West Clay, between Stanford and Taft, ask yourself: How would you know the way to Galveston Bay? And after you went there, would you be able to stay the course that Nobunaga traveled, or fight the fights he fought?

And then, stroll the beaches of Galvesston, imagining the sight of the army’s arrival over the dunes, their shock at seeing the ocean after so long (remember all had been raise by the sea; many of their fathers were fishermen).

Though the sea comforted them, their journey was far from over.