[x] Complete the Timeskip to Kyuden Ikoma.
The days go by swiftly as you travel, and soon enough your caravan emerges upon the venerable open plains of the Ikoma family. The wide, open landscape is a stark contrast compared to the mountains you have been traveling through this last week. The earth is lush and full of vegetation, and when the sun sets it is almost as if the endless plains of wheat you see growing from numerous farms have been lit on fire.
It is not only wheat you see as you travel, however. As you make your way down the road there are many small fortifications interspersed at regular intervals amongst the vast tracks of farmland. These modest barracks would likely not hold more than a hundred soldiers at the very most, but you count more than five of them as you leave the mountains and venture into Lion territory proper.
The forts are squat and well built, each with a wall more than three times the height of a man. There are emplacements atop those barriers for archers, and you imagine anyone trying to assault these structures would have a tough time of it. Tall towers rise from each stronghold, no doubt to help with lookouts and for ease of communication between the barracks. With those a large force could be mobilized and respond quickly to any threat that might take the forts.
Rumors of the Lion military seem to hold truth, you think to yourself as you gaze upon one of those citadels. This thought pleases you, for it brings to mind memories of home. This land is well protected.
It is early into the second day of your travel into Lion territory that riders approach your caravan from one of those forts. Ten Samurai wielding spears follow the commander, a man in splendid armor coated in golden lacquer wearing a helmet with a great mane of hair. Their steeds are larger than your own, obviously bred for war rather than long distance travel, and atop those beasts the Samurai cut an imposing figure.
"Travelers," the commander calls, heeling his horse but a few feet from your group. "I am Ikoma Kantaro. You bear the marks of the Crab Clan. Show us your travel papers and state your business."
"I am Yasuki Goro," your superior says, handing over the proper identification. "And we are on a diplomatic mission to treat with the Dragon Clan."
One of Kantaro's men moves forward and retrieves the papers for his commander. Kantaro looks over the papers swiftly, nodding as he read, before handing them back to his subordinate to return to your superior. The man settles atop his mount and bows in his seat toward Yasuki Goro.
"Your papers are in order," he says as he straightens. "I wish you well on your journey. Cause no trouble within our borders, and your time here with the Lion should go pleasantly."
"My thanks for your words," Yasuki Goro responds, bowing back. "May the Fortunes favor you, Ikoma Kantaro-san."
"And you, Yasuki Goro-san," Kantaro says. He wheels his horse around and rides back toward the barracks where he is stationed, his subordinates close behind. Within ten minutes they pass the gates, which are promplty closed behind them.
That entire event was quick, clean and efficient. You find yourself impressed. No doubt Kantaro would have signals given from the tower to the other forts along your way, telling them to keep watch upon your caravan but also indicate that you had right to travel. That would mean far less interruption along your way, and you are happy for it.
It is three days later when you see Kyuden Ikoma in the distance. The great castle is like the myriad fortifications you have seen dotting the plains, but much larger. It looms over six stories tall, surrounded by a great wall and heavy gates. Beyond that wall is a bustling community, around which there is yet another towering wall. The entire city is a fortress, designed to break armies and send death back toward all who would attack.
Considering the number of wars the Lion have waged over the centuries, it no doubt has. Even here, at the seat of power for the courtiers of the Lion, there is strength and readiness for war. Diplomacy backed by raw, naked power.
Not a bad notion, in your opinion.
[] Interact with Shasa.
[] Interact with Shirou.
[] Interact with the Ashigaru.
[] Enter the city.
