With a casualness that approached an old man's leisurely stroll, the army made their way through the open doors of Matsudaira's fortress.
The defenders cheered as they came inside. Gengyo noted that they looked tired. They must have been glad of their arrival for the temporary relief that they offered.
"Worry not," he told them, "we will soon be sending these dogs back to where they came from."
They cheered even louder at that, banging the butts of their spears against the floor in an urgent chant. "MIURA! MIURA! MIURA!"
As he waded through the sea of cheering men dipping his head to the soldiers that reached out to him, he spotted Matsudaira. His Grand General stood stoically a distance away from everyone else with his arms folded and a stone look on his face. When their eyes met, that stoney look crumbled and he broke out into a smile.
