5.40
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
I apologize for the lateness of this update. Last week was hectic, both on the national scene and in my own life, which sapped at my energy. But we're good to go now.
------
[x] What news of the castle we liberated? How many still live?
"It's just our way, Mataru-san," you reply. "After being at war for so many centuries we can't help being grim. To us, this is just one more battle in a long a history of struggle."
He grimaces. "It certainly puts a few things in perspective."
"It reminds me a bit of the Vindicators," Wanli says, pausing briefly to enjoy her rice. "Only not quite as angry."
"Oh, that reminds me," you say. "Mataru-san and I killed one of the Dark Moto over a week ago during a raid on the army. I meant to tell you earlier, but with everything…"
You trail away as Wanli stops just short of scooping more rice into her mouth, her eyes darting toward you. She sets her bowl aside and looks at you, and then at Mataru. All of her previous humor is gone, leaving nothing but steel behind her eyes as she considers your words.
She stands up, and then in one smooth motion bows with her forehead to the ground toward both you and Mataru. You glance at your friend, but he just shrugs. He seems as lost as you are, which is impressive considering you've no idea what sparked this reaction.
"It seems the Vindicators owe the Crab and the Scorpion a debt," she says, still bowing. "I will be sure to inform them."
"Wanli-san, there isn't-"
"We appreciate the recognition and esteem of the Unicorn," Mataru cuts in, raising a hand to forestall you. "It was all in the service to the Empire."
"Of course," Wanli says as she rises. On her face is a contented smile. "So many old shames are being wiped away this year. Truly my Clan has been blessed."
Your brow furrows in confusion as you try to work out just what brought all this on. You knew that the Vindicators were dedicated toward purging the Dark Moto and any other creatures of the Shadowlands, but you never realized just how deeply they felt about it. Why would Shinjo Wanli display so much gratitude over this?
It's then that realization strikes, and you curse your foolishness. This, as with so much else, is a matter of perspective. Your Clan has waged war against the Shadowlands ever since the Empire began, and it has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. But for your friend, this is less a matter of duty and more one of shame. The Dark Moto are a stain upon the honor of the Unicorn, and the Vindicators were created to hunt them down.
You look toward Mataru, nodding your appreciation for his quick thinking. He nods back before returning to his meal. While he may not have understood the full history of the Vindicators, it is obvious he realized how serious this was to Shinjo Wanli and kept you from embarrassing yourself.
"What of Shiro Tetsukani?" you ask, doing your best to move the conversation along. "Do we know how many inside the castle still live?"
"A full third of the defenders were slain during the siege," Himawari replies. "And all were wounded. The army will likely have to leave some of our number to reinforce them and ensure none of the enemy have a chance to strike at us from behind."
"How would they even manage that?" Tamiyo asks, finally having regained her composure. "The enemy is in front of us!"
Kojiro frowns. "Dark magic?"
"Perhaps," Himawari says. "But more likely just small bands giving the army a wide berth and circling around to raid us. The enemy will have more trouble managing that with the castle fully manned."
"I can see the logic of it, but I hate having to part with any of our forces." You sigh and take a few more bites of rice. "We're going to need as many bodies as possible."
"We should leave the other Clans here," Kojiro mutters. "All we need is ourselves, and these weaklings are just a distraction."
"How harsh," Mataru says, resting his chin on his fist with a smirk. "And here I thought you'd finally warmed up to me."
Kojiro's frown turns into a scowl as he glares at Mataru, and then turns back to his food. For several moments no one speaks, leaving the young man to his thoughts. When he speaks again, it's with a whisper.
"You're mocking me. You're mocking all of us. But that's fine. We can take it just like we have for centuries, all while we've kept you all safe." He spits to the side. "It's just some of you need to be reminded who has bled and died for your safety."
A twisting unease settles in your stomach, as if the food has gone rancid inside of you. With furrowed brow you lean forward, drawing your subordinate's eyes. "Kojiro-san, these people are our allies. They came to help us."
"We don't need the help of traitors!" Kojiro snaps. His eyes go wide at the vehemence escaping in his voice, and he bows in his seat. "I'm sorry, Hiruma-sama. I shouldn't have… It's just I can't stand the lie our superiors put out about that Crane assassin!"
You grimace. In truth, you aren't comfortable with that either. But you can see why any who asked were told Kakita Ryoichi had been pulled in by the chaos of Arugai no Oni. In some ways it wasn't strictly a lie, considering the havoc that great beast unleashed upon the army in its charge. Even still, bending the truth in such a way leaves a poor taste in your mouth.
"And I'm not the only one," Kojiro goes on as he rises, his lips drawn back into a smile. "Some of the Gunso suspected something was going on, and asked me the truth. They're going to teach those damned Crane a lesson about…"
He trails off as he notices the naked horror painting your face. Mouth agape, a cold sweat breaks out over your body as the implications of Kojiro's words hit you. And it isn't just you. Every one of your friends looks at Kojiro aghast, for they have also realized the danger that has come about without any of you noticing.
You are already on your feet and dashing through the camp before Kojiro can open his mouth to speak again. Your heart pounds as your feet slap the earth, threatening to burst from your chest. Lingering aches flare up, threatening to steal your breath, but you cannot stop. People yell at you as you rush by, barely able to get out of the way. Those less fortunate are simply bowled over by your speed and bulk, sent toppling to the ground.
Loud curses trail after you in the wake of your passing. At any other time you would have been scandalized by how rude you're being, but now you hardly spare it a moment's thought. Fear, one of the most terrible sins that plague mankind, eats away at your insides. Like a coiling serpent it constricts around your chest, and on the rushing wind you can hear its hissing laughter at your struggles.
The laughter of Kakita Ryoichi; blood leaking from his smile even as he plunged his sword into his own flesh.
[] Go to the Crane section of camp.
[] Go to Hida Tanaka.
[] Write in.
------
[x] What news of the castle we liberated? How many still live?
"It's just our way, Mataru-san," you reply. "After being at war for so many centuries we can't help being grim. To us, this is just one more battle in a long a history of struggle."
He grimaces. "It certainly puts a few things in perspective."
"It reminds me a bit of the Vindicators," Wanli says, pausing briefly to enjoy her rice. "Only not quite as angry."
"Oh, that reminds me," you say. "Mataru-san and I killed one of the Dark Moto over a week ago during a raid on the army. I meant to tell you earlier, but with everything…"
You trail away as Wanli stops just short of scooping more rice into her mouth, her eyes darting toward you. She sets her bowl aside and looks at you, and then at Mataru. All of her previous humor is gone, leaving nothing but steel behind her eyes as she considers your words.
She stands up, and then in one smooth motion bows with her forehead to the ground toward both you and Mataru. You glance at your friend, but he just shrugs. He seems as lost as you are, which is impressive considering you've no idea what sparked this reaction.
"It seems the Vindicators owe the Crab and the Scorpion a debt," she says, still bowing. "I will be sure to inform them."
"Wanli-san, there isn't-"
"We appreciate the recognition and esteem of the Unicorn," Mataru cuts in, raising a hand to forestall you. "It was all in the service to the Empire."
"Of course," Wanli says as she rises. On her face is a contented smile. "So many old shames are being wiped away this year. Truly my Clan has been blessed."
Your brow furrows in confusion as you try to work out just what brought all this on. You knew that the Vindicators were dedicated toward purging the Dark Moto and any other creatures of the Shadowlands, but you never realized just how deeply they felt about it. Why would Shinjo Wanli display so much gratitude over this?
It's then that realization strikes, and you curse your foolishness. This, as with so much else, is a matter of perspective. Your Clan has waged war against the Shadowlands ever since the Empire began, and it has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. But for your friend, this is less a matter of duty and more one of shame. The Dark Moto are a stain upon the honor of the Unicorn, and the Vindicators were created to hunt them down.
You look toward Mataru, nodding your appreciation for his quick thinking. He nods back before returning to his meal. While he may not have understood the full history of the Vindicators, it is obvious he realized how serious this was to Shinjo Wanli and kept you from embarrassing yourself.
"What of Shiro Tetsukani?" you ask, doing your best to move the conversation along. "Do we know how many inside the castle still live?"
"A full third of the defenders were slain during the siege," Himawari replies. "And all were wounded. The army will likely have to leave some of our number to reinforce them and ensure none of the enemy have a chance to strike at us from behind."
"How would they even manage that?" Tamiyo asks, finally having regained her composure. "The enemy is in front of us!"
Kojiro frowns. "Dark magic?"
"Perhaps," Himawari says. "But more likely just small bands giving the army a wide berth and circling around to raid us. The enemy will have more trouble managing that with the castle fully manned."
"I can see the logic of it, but I hate having to part with any of our forces." You sigh and take a few more bites of rice. "We're going to need as many bodies as possible."
"We should leave the other Clans here," Kojiro mutters. "All we need is ourselves, and these weaklings are just a distraction."
"How harsh," Mataru says, resting his chin on his fist with a smirk. "And here I thought you'd finally warmed up to me."
Kojiro's frown turns into a scowl as he glares at Mataru, and then turns back to his food. For several moments no one speaks, leaving the young man to his thoughts. When he speaks again, it's with a whisper.
"You're mocking me. You're mocking all of us. But that's fine. We can take it just like we have for centuries, all while we've kept you all safe." He spits to the side. "It's just some of you need to be reminded who has bled and died for your safety."
A twisting unease settles in your stomach, as if the food has gone rancid inside of you. With furrowed brow you lean forward, drawing your subordinate's eyes. "Kojiro-san, these people are our allies. They came to help us."
"We don't need the help of traitors!" Kojiro snaps. His eyes go wide at the vehemence escaping in his voice, and he bows in his seat. "I'm sorry, Hiruma-sama. I shouldn't have… It's just I can't stand the lie our superiors put out about that Crane assassin!"
You grimace. In truth, you aren't comfortable with that either. But you can see why any who asked were told Kakita Ryoichi had been pulled in by the chaos of Arugai no Oni. In some ways it wasn't strictly a lie, considering the havoc that great beast unleashed upon the army in its charge. Even still, bending the truth in such a way leaves a poor taste in your mouth.
"And I'm not the only one," Kojiro goes on as he rises, his lips drawn back into a smile. "Some of the Gunso suspected something was going on, and asked me the truth. They're going to teach those damned Crane a lesson about…"
He trails off as he notices the naked horror painting your face. Mouth agape, a cold sweat breaks out over your body as the implications of Kojiro's words hit you. And it isn't just you. Every one of your friends looks at Kojiro aghast, for they have also realized the danger that has come about without any of you noticing.
You are already on your feet and dashing through the camp before Kojiro can open his mouth to speak again. Your heart pounds as your feet slap the earth, threatening to burst from your chest. Lingering aches flare up, threatening to steal your breath, but you cannot stop. People yell at you as you rush by, barely able to get out of the way. Those less fortunate are simply bowled over by your speed and bulk, sent toppling to the ground.
Loud curses trail after you in the wake of your passing. At any other time you would have been scandalized by how rude you're being, but now you hardly spare it a moment's thought. Fear, one of the most terrible sins that plague mankind, eats away at your insides. Like a coiling serpent it constricts around your chest, and on the rushing wind you can hear its hissing laughter at your struggles.
The laughter of Kakita Ryoichi; blood leaking from his smile even as he plunged his sword into his own flesh.
[] Go to the Crane section of camp.
[] Go to Hida Tanaka.
[] Write in.
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