2.18
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Combo plan.
You go to the Ashigaru, who look up at you expectantly. You wave your hand and motion for them to rise.
"Come on," you say. "Wake your comrades and then come with me. I will explain everything after I have donned my armor."
The two Ashigaru get up and move toward their sleeping comrades. While they do that, you go back to your tent and quickly put on your armor. It takes you a few minutes to ensure everything is in order, and you move your limbs around to make sure everything is on properly. Everything stays where it is supposed to, and is not uncomfortable. It seems even when hurrying you can put your armor on correctly, a good skill to have.
You heft your tetsubo and walk back outside. The two Ashigaru are waiting for you at around the fire pit with the other three.
"A spirit ally of the Crab has had something precious to them stolen, and has requested our aid," you tell them. "I intend to go retrieve it from the pack of Ronin currently guarding it." The Ashigaru's eyes go wide when you talk of spirits, but despite their obvious trepidation they keep their silence. Inwardly, you approve. Discipline is important. "Yasuki-sama has given me leave to take two of you to assist me in this matter. Hopefully I can bluff the Ronin a bit, and get it without bloodshed. But if the swords come out, I will need you to watch my back."
"Which of us do you want to go with you, Hiruma-sama?" one of the Ashigaru ask.
"I will let you decide amongst yourselves," you say. "I want only volunteers for this."
You turn and head for the edge of camp, leaving the Ashigaru to determine who would go and who would stay. There, sitting just at the edge of the light, is the Kitsune. She looks up at you, her animal face all too human in its expression of hope.
"Yasuki-sama has agreed to let me help you," you say. "And he has even provided more assistance. Please lead us when we are ready."
"That appears to be now," she says.
You turn around, and two Ashigaru are approaching you. One is a man who had been on duty, while the other is someone who ha been sleeping. They bow to you.
"I am Hoshi, Hiruma-sama," one with long dark hair says.
"I am Jinbei, Hiruma-sama," the other, his hair cut very close, says right after his comrade.
You nod to the both of them. "Good. Then let us be off."
The Kitsune dart off, moving a fat as she can while still allowing you to keep track of her. Little flames alight around her tails, releasing a pale blue light. The Ashigaru gasp at the sight of the foxfire, but when you step forward to follow the Kitsune they walk in step behind you.
After half an hour you are beyond view of your camp, following after the Kitsune. She dashes ahead in short bursts, letting you follow the glow of her fire and waiting at intervals ahead for you to catch up. Then she dashes off again, and the process repeats itself.
You walk in silence and let this happen for about six times before you look over your shoulder at the Ashigaru. Hoshi looks nervous, and is glancing this way and that, while Jinbei is keeping his eyes rigidly forward on the fox as if afraid he will become lost if he doesn't.
"Tell me of our skills," you say suddenly, making both the Ashigaru start a little. "I would like to know what you're capable of before we get into a possible fight."
"Well," Jinbei say, hefting his spear. "We've both received training with our Yari, and how to keep distance while fighting."
"I'm also a fair hand with a sling, Hiruma-sama," Hoshi says. "But that's more a hunting tool than something for combat, especially if these Ronin are armored."
"I see," you say with a nod. "All right. Should it come to battle, I want you two to stand behind me and guard my sides. Your spears have reach, and that mean you can stay away and allow me full use of my weapon."
The Ashigaru nod, and you turn your full attention in front of you. You can see another light in the distance now, a small fire. No doubt that is the Ronin camp. The Kitsune is waiting for you about a hundred feet away from where the Ronin are resting, sitting on her haunches. She bows her head to you as you approach.
"I wish you luck," she says softly. You hear a rustling as Jinbei and Hoshi flinch at the sound of her voice, but your full attention is on the spirit before you. "I will wait here for you."
"We will return shortly," you say. "Don't worry."
You nod to the Kitsune, and then you head toward the camp. As you come close you see a man in battered Ashigaru armor with a hand on his sword. He looks half asleep, but jumps awake when you and your comrades come close. He draws his blade and points it at you.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
"You would order a Samurai of the Crab to name himself on his own lands?" you growl. "You insult me! Fetch your leader so that I may speak with him. Hopefully he has better manners."
The Ronin scowls at you, and does not sheathe his sword. He rushes back into the camp toward a prone figure. There are three others lying around the fire. You can hear some faint whispering, but nothing too clear. However, you can pretty clearly tell The Ronin who was on guard sounds frightened.
The prone figure gets up, revealing a scarred man of average height. He puts on his swords and walks over to you, and the guard from before starts moving to the other sleeping Ronin.
The Ronin leader is an older man of middling height, with a long scar going from his forehead down to his cheek. His clothing is simple, but not too dirty. Unlike his companion, it seems he keeps himself at least somewhat clean.
He gives you a short bow, just enough to be considered respectful.
"I am Tarumo," he says. "I welcome you to our camp, Samurai. Would you like refreshment?"
"I am Hiruma Sosuke," you say. "I thank you, but I must decline. I am here because a Nemuranai has been stolen in the last week, and I have been assigned to retrieve it. From speaking with spirits, it has been determined that this Nemuranai rests within the bounds of this camp."
Tarumo's eyes widen. "Truly? I've no knowledge of this, Hiruma-san."
"It is a small pendent of jade and gold," you say. "I have it on good authority that the Nemuranai rests here. Please present it, for I do not wish to have to charge you and your men with possession of stolen goods."
"That sounds like a threat, Hiruma-san," Tarumo says softly, his eyes narrowing.
"I am merely stating facts," you say. "Will you present the pendant?"
Tarumo breathes deeply and gathers himself before responding.
"We found something like you describe over a week ago in the Shinomen Mori," he says. "We thought we could get to Crab Lands quicker that way, but instead became lost. I discovered the pendant inside the hollow of a tree."
"Then you do have it, then," you say.
"I do," Tarumo says. "I was hoping to sell it to pay for the rest of our journey into Crab territory. We wish to take the Twenty Goblin Winter."
That makes you frown. "There is no call for the Twenty Goblin Winter at this time."
"Not yet," Tarumo says. "But I know which way the wind is blowing. War is coming, and the Crab will need fresh bodies for it." The rest of the Ronin have gotten up by this point, and stand behind their leader with their hands on the hilts of their weapons. "We wish to make a name for ourselves, and earn glory."
"That is all well and good," you say. "But I still require the Nemuranai."
"Then we have some trouble, then," Tarumo says, crossing his arms. "Because we still require funds to pay for our travels. We used up a good deal of our food wandering around the Shinomen Mori." He smiles. "Perhaps if we came across some other form of funds this matter could be resolved?"
You scowl. You see what this man is getting at. He's trying to extort you, wheedle coin from you in exchange for the Kitsune's pendant. No doubt it will be something outrageous, but you care less about that than you do for the disrespect this man shows you by even alluding to such an idea.
You are a named Samurai, and he is but a Ronin. What he is doing dances across the line of propriety, and the only reason you have not smashed this fool's head in yet is because he is at least taking care to not directly ask you for payment. Even still, you can feel your temper rising.
[] Write in.
You go to the Ashigaru, who look up at you expectantly. You wave your hand and motion for them to rise.
"Come on," you say. "Wake your comrades and then come with me. I will explain everything after I have donned my armor."
The two Ashigaru get up and move toward their sleeping comrades. While they do that, you go back to your tent and quickly put on your armor. It takes you a few minutes to ensure everything is in order, and you move your limbs around to make sure everything is on properly. Everything stays where it is supposed to, and is not uncomfortable. It seems even when hurrying you can put your armor on correctly, a good skill to have.
You heft your tetsubo and walk back outside. The two Ashigaru are waiting for you at around the fire pit with the other three.
"A spirit ally of the Crab has had something precious to them stolen, and has requested our aid," you tell them. "I intend to go retrieve it from the pack of Ronin currently guarding it." The Ashigaru's eyes go wide when you talk of spirits, but despite their obvious trepidation they keep their silence. Inwardly, you approve. Discipline is important. "Yasuki-sama has given me leave to take two of you to assist me in this matter. Hopefully I can bluff the Ronin a bit, and get it without bloodshed. But if the swords come out, I will need you to watch my back."
"Which of us do you want to go with you, Hiruma-sama?" one of the Ashigaru ask.
"I will let you decide amongst yourselves," you say. "I want only volunteers for this."
You turn and head for the edge of camp, leaving the Ashigaru to determine who would go and who would stay. There, sitting just at the edge of the light, is the Kitsune. She looks up at you, her animal face all too human in its expression of hope.
"Yasuki-sama has agreed to let me help you," you say. "And he has even provided more assistance. Please lead us when we are ready."
"That appears to be now," she says.
You turn around, and two Ashigaru are approaching you. One is a man who had been on duty, while the other is someone who ha been sleeping. They bow to you.
"I am Hoshi, Hiruma-sama," one with long dark hair says.
"I am Jinbei, Hiruma-sama," the other, his hair cut very close, says right after his comrade.
You nod to the both of them. "Good. Then let us be off."
The Kitsune dart off, moving a fat as she can while still allowing you to keep track of her. Little flames alight around her tails, releasing a pale blue light. The Ashigaru gasp at the sight of the foxfire, but when you step forward to follow the Kitsune they walk in step behind you.
After half an hour you are beyond view of your camp, following after the Kitsune. She dashes ahead in short bursts, letting you follow the glow of her fire and waiting at intervals ahead for you to catch up. Then she dashes off again, and the process repeats itself.
You walk in silence and let this happen for about six times before you look over your shoulder at the Ashigaru. Hoshi looks nervous, and is glancing this way and that, while Jinbei is keeping his eyes rigidly forward on the fox as if afraid he will become lost if he doesn't.
"Tell me of our skills," you say suddenly, making both the Ashigaru start a little. "I would like to know what you're capable of before we get into a possible fight."
"Well," Jinbei say, hefting his spear. "We've both received training with our Yari, and how to keep distance while fighting."
"I'm also a fair hand with a sling, Hiruma-sama," Hoshi says. "But that's more a hunting tool than something for combat, especially if these Ronin are armored."
"I see," you say with a nod. "All right. Should it come to battle, I want you two to stand behind me and guard my sides. Your spears have reach, and that mean you can stay away and allow me full use of my weapon."
The Ashigaru nod, and you turn your full attention in front of you. You can see another light in the distance now, a small fire. No doubt that is the Ronin camp. The Kitsune is waiting for you about a hundred feet away from where the Ronin are resting, sitting on her haunches. She bows her head to you as you approach.
"I wish you luck," she says softly. You hear a rustling as Jinbei and Hoshi flinch at the sound of her voice, but your full attention is on the spirit before you. "I will wait here for you."
"We will return shortly," you say. "Don't worry."
You nod to the Kitsune, and then you head toward the camp. As you come close you see a man in battered Ashigaru armor with a hand on his sword. He looks half asleep, but jumps awake when you and your comrades come close. He draws his blade and points it at you.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
"You would order a Samurai of the Crab to name himself on his own lands?" you growl. "You insult me! Fetch your leader so that I may speak with him. Hopefully he has better manners."
The Ronin scowls at you, and does not sheathe his sword. He rushes back into the camp toward a prone figure. There are three others lying around the fire. You can hear some faint whispering, but nothing too clear. However, you can pretty clearly tell The Ronin who was on guard sounds frightened.
The prone figure gets up, revealing a scarred man of average height. He puts on his swords and walks over to you, and the guard from before starts moving to the other sleeping Ronin.
The Ronin leader is an older man of middling height, with a long scar going from his forehead down to his cheek. His clothing is simple, but not too dirty. Unlike his companion, it seems he keeps himself at least somewhat clean.
He gives you a short bow, just enough to be considered respectful.
"I am Tarumo," he says. "I welcome you to our camp, Samurai. Would you like refreshment?"
"I am Hiruma Sosuke," you say. "I thank you, but I must decline. I am here because a Nemuranai has been stolen in the last week, and I have been assigned to retrieve it. From speaking with spirits, it has been determined that this Nemuranai rests within the bounds of this camp."
Tarumo's eyes widen. "Truly? I've no knowledge of this, Hiruma-san."
"It is a small pendent of jade and gold," you say. "I have it on good authority that the Nemuranai rests here. Please present it, for I do not wish to have to charge you and your men with possession of stolen goods."
"That sounds like a threat, Hiruma-san," Tarumo says softly, his eyes narrowing.
"I am merely stating facts," you say. "Will you present the pendant?"
Tarumo breathes deeply and gathers himself before responding.
"We found something like you describe over a week ago in the Shinomen Mori," he says. "We thought we could get to Crab Lands quicker that way, but instead became lost. I discovered the pendant inside the hollow of a tree."
"Then you do have it, then," you say.
"I do," Tarumo says. "I was hoping to sell it to pay for the rest of our journey into Crab territory. We wish to take the Twenty Goblin Winter."
That makes you frown. "There is no call for the Twenty Goblin Winter at this time."
"Not yet," Tarumo says. "But I know which way the wind is blowing. War is coming, and the Crab will need fresh bodies for it." The rest of the Ronin have gotten up by this point, and stand behind their leader with their hands on the hilts of their weapons. "We wish to make a name for ourselves, and earn glory."
"That is all well and good," you say. "But I still require the Nemuranai."
"Then we have some trouble, then," Tarumo says, crossing his arms. "Because we still require funds to pay for our travels. We used up a good deal of our food wandering around the Shinomen Mori." He smiles. "Perhaps if we came across some other form of funds this matter could be resolved?"
You scowl. You see what this man is getting at. He's trying to extort you, wheedle coin from you in exchange for the Kitsune's pendant. No doubt it will be something outrageous, but you care less about that than you do for the disrespect this man shows you by even alluding to such an idea.
You are a named Samurai, and he is but a Ronin. What he is doing dances across the line of propriety, and the only reason you have not smashed this fool's head in yet is because he is at least taking care to not directly ask you for payment. Even still, you can feel your temper rising.
[] Write in.
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