Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)

-The Tale of Naomh.

You sit, drinking a provided water skin as Jubei explains what happened. Of how after you passed Naomh Roberts ran through the city almost getting out before discovering Hida Tachimiko in the way...and more worryingly was that Tanako apparently covering for a powerful sorcerer that summoned those things. When Naomh moved to escape, the large Hida had been able to chase her down and then collapse Naomh's rib cage with a massive tetsubo blow before dragging the woman back to prison...and declaring that Naomh had committed the summonings. Things are hazy after that, but for whatever reason Naomh was not executed, and around the time of your ritual she escaped.

The rest as they say, is history.

You swallow down the last of the cool water, savouring the sensation in your throat.
"...I can't believe Hida-san would do that...."

Sora shrugs. "Its rare for a Crab to fall, but it does happen from time to time...and this one happens to hate you."

You shrug ignoring the tense knots in your shoulders.
"Legacy of another life."

The rest nod, no more need be said. A ronin is legally a new person...not everyone actually cares about the law. Particularly when there are many cowards who would rather go ronin than face an executioner's blade.

"Regardless. Naomh remains a question." Jubei says moving the conversation on.

"Do we need to do anything? Its not like we owe anything to the gaijin." Sora says.

"Do you want to let her get captured again and let slip what we have going on?" Jubei retorts.

"...Fine...but still, she's a bit of an eyesore."

Considering that Naomh was as you recalled a damn giant in many ways....you could understand Sora's words. Getting someone that big into or out of anywhere is a hassle. Still, Naomh did help with the Princess so it seems fair to help her out.

That said, you lack any particular solutions at present.

"What do we have so far?" You ask.

Sora gives a slight movement of her shoulders.
"Not much, we've bandied about paying a merchant to help, hiring a carriage, sneaking over the walls...they all run up against the fact that she's 6'2 and weighs 210 pounds. We don't have enough koku to cover a bribe, or a carriage and...so on."

"What's wrong with sneaking over the walls?"

"The walls are heavily reinforced because of the news from the East. Otomo-dono doesn't want a civil war, but he'll fight if he has to. Essentially we have to fly over the walls somehow." Sora says.

You all fall silent for a moment turning the question over in your mind. It did seem somewhat difficult, maybe if you had a tent and dressed her like those people from the Burning Sands?

"...I have an Idea" Kyoko says quietly. "Gamble, ever seen paper float on fire ?"

"Hai." You both say.

"Works with cloth catcher, big enough, lift people.."

"...That's insane" Sora says simply.

You frown....it does sound...unwieldy in the extreme.
"Wouldn't everyone see us?"

"Require moonless light, but should work!" Kyoko says slamming her hand in her palm for emphasis.

"Where are we going to get that much cloth?" Sora asks.

Kyoko holds a hand up and then frowns as she thinks about it.
"...market?"

"We'll put that in reserve." You say before Sora can say something mean.

"If she wasn't a wanted criminal, then we could just walk out with her. However, as it is, Hida-sama and Akodo-sama can't help us." Jubei muses.

You frown, she was accused by Hida Tachimiko...can you use that somehow? You didn't think you could get her into a duel easily, but...hmm...

"New idea" Kyoko says.

"What is it?" Sora asks.

"Make glider, use hanabi rocket mixture to launch over walls"

"...you know how to make hanabi?" You ask Kyoko.

"No, but never tried, doubt it hard."

Sora shares a look with you, as if silently saying. 'This is all your fault' which granted it is. That said, you do think it could potentially work. However, you're pretty sure that Sora thinks it madness. So you have to keep thinking.

Naomh, proof...Sora body suit...something is trying to take shape, but you just can't quite reach it.

"Bayushi-sama...your body suit, can it be made to cover someone of Naomh's size?" You ask.

Sora seems to wince a little. "Maybe...but she'll still stick out like a sore thumb."

You shrug. "Maybe that's the point, people will remember that and not Naomh."

"That doesn't help us get past the checkpoints though." Jubei says.

"Hmm right...."

"No wait Megumi-san is on to something. The thing is paperwork...and we can get paperwork. So long as it holds up...we can clothe Naomh as essentially a mute servant, and have her waved through on my authority....there's always the chance someone catches us...but I think that is our best option right now." Sora says, putting her own pieces together.

Jubei frowns. "Too much risk, we don't want anyone looking at you funny....however, I do have another idea, but you will not like it." He says.

"We're all ears Brother Jubei" Sora says.

"We need to accuse Hida Tachimiko of being the culprit...and have Megumi be the champion. Megumi can win...I think. With her loss Naomh simply becomes a gaijin, they won't care too much about her escaping. Although granted that means you have to fight Hida Tachimiko..." He says looking at you.

You don't really want to fight Hida Tachimiko, for all that she's made your life hell, she's still Katsuie's sister, and losing her, after losing his parents...would hurt him terribly. Unfortunately you know a duel with her is to the death....and that given your ability you will win.

It's less a duel and more cold blooded murder, perhaps necessary, but that doesn't make you feel right....still it would work.

[] Attempt to make Kyoko's Glider Plan work
[] Back up Sora's 'mute servant' plan
[] Straight up duel Hida Tachimiko and get the accusation lifted.