Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)

[gman391]

--"I am Megumi. Those cultists have kidnapped two of my comrades, and I aim to get them back. Who are you?"

You take a slow, deep breath, trying to make yourself seem as non-threatening as possible. You're not really fast enough to dodge this. Still, he's probably not a cultist, given he doesn't want to be heard by said cultists.

Which means honesty is the best policy.

'It is always the best policy, Sakura!'

'Yes, grandmother,' you think back, in as obedient a tone as possible..

"I am Megumi the ronin, Hohei of the Tenth Legion. Those cultists have kidnapped two of my comrades and I aim to get them back. Who are you?"

The blade moves from your throat.
"You are either very brave, very stupid, or very lucky - knowing what I do of your people, it's probably all three. I am Taj Bendi, Third Pramukh Sanik, Baaz division of 12th Army."

You turn around to see a relatively small man all things considered. He wears a turban, but his black eyes look far too much like a predator's to let you be at ease with him, even if he hadn't been holding that strange curved knife to your throat seconds before. While the eyes are the obvious sign of his martial disposition, the fact that his muscles are barely concealed by the normally loose clothing of the Invidi adds to the image of a man used to, and probably very good at, violence.

"Hi," you decide on saying finally.

"Hello," he answers after a moment.

"So um...why are you here?" You ask.

He shifts looking at you and at his knife.
"Orders."

"Are you going to tell me what kind of orders?" you ask.

"Not unless I have to."

"What would make you have to?"

"If I needed your help. Those your comrades in that train down there?"

"Hai."

He raises an eyebrow.

He might not need your help but you probably need his.
So it's with some reluctance that you answer his unspoken question.

"Iuchi Yukiko-sama and Bayush Sora-sama."

His eyes narrow in suspicion and anger.
"...is this Iuchi one of your magic users?"

You guess from the way he says 'magic' that he actually kind of hates the idea of them.

"She is a Priestess yes," you agree.

A low sound of restrained...exasperation is the best word, you think.
"Please, do not call her that...but damn...it's coincidence...but not one I can ignore."

"Eh?" Your confusion is evident in your tone.

"Why kidnap both a magic user and a guru...no...something is definitely up. How far away are you from a formal detachment of your Legion?" Taj asks.

You think, and you guess maybe 2 and half days from the city...which is really close if you think about it. Also, what the heck is a Guru?

"Two and half days maybe? I've left some comrades behind, but they're only half a day out."

"They fit to fight?" He presses on impatiently.

You think back to Izu and Toshiro.
"...probably not."

"When were you due back?" Taj continues to ask.

Whenever Akodo-sama decided you'd had enough, but you don't really want to say that.

"I don't know"

Smoothly twirling the hilt of his blade around in his hand, he abruptly sheaths it.
"Well, that's just a merry bunch of pickled beets now isn't it?"

A blink from you as you try to work out that phrase.
"...merry bunch of pickled beets?"

He gives you a look that apparently can't decide if it's sarcastic or sheepish.
"...it sounds better in Ivindi."

Taj seems really agitated but you aren't sure why. It's almost like how the Lion get around Scorpion.

"Okay...why are you so worked up?" You ask.

The Ivindi looks at you.
"Well, you know that the cult practices human sacrifice right?"

"I do…"

Taj looks back at the still travelling kidnappers.
"If they follow their usual pattern, they'll sacrifice both the guru and your magic user at the same time to consume their flesh."

"Yes, but we have time right?" You ask.
A part of you knows the answer is no, but that optimistic part of you always says to hope for the best anyways.

A deep sigh from Taj. .
"No, no we don't. I forgive you for being ignorant, it's not like the Cult has made much inroads into your city yet. But the process of this is always the same. Kidnap them in the night. Sedate them during the day, At night drain their blood into a goblet made of ivory...drink the blood. The second day, you slowly cook them, eating them the second night, and on the last day you work their bones into meal….it's disgusting a perversion of all that is right, for all that it gives you power…they have never deviated from this. It is why we are able to root them out more often than not."

"So you're saying…" You say not wanting to finish the thought.

"The Iuchi and Guru Sahal will likely be dead by the end of tonight."

You look at the temple.
"There's no way the two of us can take on that many is there," you ask softly.

Taj shakes his head.
"No...my plan was to sneak in, free Guru Sahal, and then sneak out with him, but I can't sneak out with three people...and you don't seem to be the type..."

"...I am not," you admit ruefully.

"...which means we need another plan…"

"Hai."

You sit down to think of a plan, even as Taj sits down besides you and offers something that you presume is Ivindi food.

[] Write in

 

[gman391]

--Plan Tiny Squid

Looking at the temple, you decide the first thing you need to do is rest. You're not at your best right now, and you'll need your full strength for your plan.
According to Izu, these are violent xenophobes. Therefore it should theoretically be possible to convince them to abandon their posts by saying 'Hi I'm a Rokugani - come get me bitches,' only, you know, more eloquent than that. You are a...well, still Crane trained after all. From there, speed will be your main defense - run into wherever the prisoners are, get them and then run out, fighting only when you have to.

Taj listens to that plan and then says, "Get some rest then."

You nod, feeling better after putting food and drink into your stomach.

The first thing you notice upon waking is that you aren't on the ground. The second thing you notice is that you are being carried by one of the cultists. You struggle to move, the feeling of ropes binding you. Damn, what happened to Taj?

"Be still woman… You are supposed to be unconscious. Your plan was terrible, so I modified my original one. We're going to the cells now, and from there, we will move to plan kill things, alright?"

That soft voice...Taj?

You feel yourself pouting as you go limp. It was not a terrible plan, it wasn't! It was just one that was reliant on the Heavens to work...but Fortunes, what else were you supposed to do? It's not like you were a Scorpion...

"What the..." you hear Taj say before being dropped to the ground.

You roll over and try to get out of these bindings, and notice that you can see Sora...who is a woman it appears. And she's mounting Taj while trying to punch his face in with what looks like...a metal bar.

"Stop, Bayushi-sama!" You manage to get out.

"Eh?" Sora actually stops short, staring at you.

"Why should we stop for him?" You hear Yukiko's voice.

The feeling of hands reaching for the ropes and untying you tells you where she is.

"Because I'm on your side!" Taj says, still holding his arms up to defend his face.

"...What?" The two women say as one.

You stand up, feeling the pain of returning circulation in your limbs.
"Er...Taj-san, is a Pramaka Sanka? With the Baaz Division of the Third army?"

"Pramukh Sanik," Taj clarifies a little testily.

"Then why was he dressed up?" Yukiko asks.

Taj growls.
"I was infiltrating to rescue you and someone else."

Sora looks down at the man.
"...Well, that wasn't necessary."

"Clearly. However, I still need to get my target."

"I'll be honest, we're not much help with that, we both need to get our weapons and Iuchi-san had her scrolls burned," Sora says, looking a little agitated.

Yukiko looks faintly murderous, not that I can really blame her. A shugenja's scrolls are almost like her children.

Taj shrugs.
"...A shame...I do know where the armory is, as well as the exit to get out of here...however, I can move quicker alone, so I don't think I'll be taking you."

You get the feeling that Taj actually doesn't mind that Yukiko lost her scrolls.

"Understandable, but you can tell us how to get there right?" Sora says thoughtfully, her tone and expression suggesting that she's contemplating bashing his face in again.

"Yes I can, but I won't if you continue to beat me, Bayushi," Taj says.

"..Oi, that's Bayushi-sama to you," Yukiko says a little disdainfully.

"She's not my lord. And I don't even like this position, so no inspiration there either," Taj retorts.

Wait, did he? You can't believe it. You know you should keep your mouth shut but, in spite of yourself you blurt out, "...Did you...just make...a sex joke?"

Luckily, Sora seems to be unoffended by this exchange. She blushes a little though as she gets off of Taj.
Taj stands up and brushes himself off.

"Alright, the armory from what I can recall is down the third hallway branching off of this one, on the left and up a set of stairs. There's only one way in or out, so you'll have to be fast. From there, you have to go down the stairs, and back to the first hallway. Then take the right and go up the stairs and follow it outside. Once outside, go behind the temple to the third mountain in the west. Half way up is a cave system. Wait for me there."

You look as Sora and Yukiko nod, preparing to go out. You can guess they'll be okay on their own, but you did come to rescue them so going with them makes sense.

Leaving Taj alone though…That doesn't fill you with great confidence. Neither does it seem particularly good of you, even if he did tie you up and carry you inside like a sack of rice.

[] Go with your fellows, and leave Taj to his fate.
[] Go with Taj and help him with his problem.
[] Write in?

(Megumi has regained all void points.)

 

[gman391]

---Go with your squad and let Taj-san handle it.

You give a politish...bow to Taj. "I'll stay with my squad then. Thank you for your help Taj-san."

"Don't mention it." He says leaving.

Sora looks at you and Yukiko.
"Let's move," she orders brusquely.

You follow after her, staying as close behind her as you can and being sure to follow her lead on matters of stealth. That's just basic sense - let the Scorpion be sneaky.

Sora doesn't use words to guide you, but hand movements, looks. Once or twice though, she does just grab you into an alcove and covers your mouth while guards walk by.

You don't feel all that happy about that, not the least because you think Sora has better features than you, as evidenced from the way her chest felt against your back.

Focus Megumi, you aren't just thinking about other things because you're nervous and a little scared. No sirree...

"Sakura, calm down, remember your training," your Grandmother barks in your ear sounding miffed as usual.

Somehow the familiarity of her disapproval and the automatic mixture of resignation, shame and irritation at her comforts you though. You know that she's berating you, but the fact that it's her voicing the reminder helps you to focus on the mission.

As Sora leans slightly against the door, she leans back and makes a series of hand signs to Yukiko who nods, and then whispers to you, "Two of them. One's a guard, the other is maintaining the weapons. They both seem to be on punishment duty. Draw your sword and take your stance. I need you to kill the guard when he comes out."

You nod, and carefully and ready Sakiyarumei for the one cut you need.
Sakiyarumei rolls 1d10=8 ??? Activated

The world flows away, as the moment comes into the focus, one action, one strike, one kill.

Distantly, you note Yukiko saying something in Ivindi.

The guard comes out, a tall lanky man, and instinctively, you move.

There's no thought as the blood paints the walls in an artistic half circle. No thought as Sakiyarumei literally splits a man in two.

You flick the blood off of your soul in a perfect chiburi, just as your sensei had taught you.

"That actually wasn't bad," Grandmother's voice floats in your mind. Approval? That's new.

As the world speeds back up, you observe the scene in front of you. Sora and Yukiko are moving in tandem with each other. You watch as the lithe Scorpion grabs the weapon polisher and holds him down as Yukiko grabs his head and twists it around. You hear the crack, as the man's head actually turns in a full circle, before collapsing.

Damn, she's strong...

They drop the man and quickly move to grab their weapons. The two move so much in sync that it's eerie, as they take jars of oil and pour it over everything. This must not just be the armory but their main store room, you realize somewhat belatedly as you stand there just watching, naked blade in hand.

With a nod, they walk out of the room. Sora takes one of the hall torches and tosses it behind her. The room erupts in flames.

"Move," she hisses at you as you have not yet moved even to sheathe your blade yet, entranced as you have been by the grace and symmetry of their movements and now the savage beauty of the fire.

Hurriedly, you make sure your blade is clean, sheathe it and follow after the two women as they move away from the fires. There are several times when again, you must duck into alcoves as people begin running to investigate said fire.

It's not too long before you find yourself at the exit that Taj had mentioned. Moving outside the temple, you can see one guard turning to shout a warning. The words are cut off abruptly before they begin as said guard finds an arrow in her throat, courtesy of Sora. By her grimly satisfied air, you get the feeling of her saying mentally, 'Well, now we're even, bitch.'

Taking one last glance behind you as you hear alarms and everything else go to shit behind you, a part of you thinks you should go look for Taj...but no, you made a commitment.

Yukiko takes the lead now. Apparently she is somehow just being better at finding things than Sora. The feeling of rocks poking into your feet isn't a pleasant one, but it is better than stumbling around blindly. Your hands scrape against stone once or twice but you'll be alright.

Just like Taj said, halfway up the mountain is a cave. You go inside, but you can't see anything at all without the moonlight to guide you.

Carefully moving farther inside you're stopped by Yukiko kneeling down, and beginning to chant something, it doesn't take long but long enough that you get worried. You faintly hear the sound of water for some reason. Eventually she holds aloft a ball of flame no bigger than her hand. Its light isn't much, but it's enough to see by.

Shugenja...no wonder the Fortune's love them.

Yukiko leads you and Sora to source of the water. A small dock with a boat waits for you.

Guess this is a good way to escape... it'd be hard to follow someone on a boat in the mountains, you reflect to yourself.

"Huh...more clever than I guessed," Sora says, sounding vaguely surprised.

"We should wait on the boat and be ready to cast off," Yukiko replies evenly.

Again, the two move without needing to talk or co-ordinate, and it's hard not to envy their closeness. You had that once...a shake of your head as you remind yourself, not without regret, that Desire is a sin...even if with him it had been more than just Desire...still a sin.

One you're usually happy to indulge in, but not this kind of desire. This kind hollows you out from the inside.

"So I suppose the next question is, how long do we wait for our erstwhile rescuer?" Sora remarks, leaning back.

"Well, I guess we wait until my friend here gets bored. I've convinced him to stay a while so that seems a good way to measure," Yukiko answers serenely.

And so you wait. It doesn't feel like long but just long enough for you to work up the nerve to ask one of them something, when you hear a noise from the cave.

Someone running frantically and a shout.

"CAST OFF NOW!" It's Taj, and he sounds...terrified...that bodes...well frankly, that bodes terribly.

You freeze, not sure if you should do it or not, but Sora has no hesitation as she slips the rope holding the boat to the dock.

Taj skids to a halt on the dock, an old man with gray hair on his back. He tosses the man at you, and you just barely catch him, the boat rocking as the force of his landing pushes the boat well away from the dock.

Looking past him you see…

Death...that's really the only way to describe it... your mind breaks and cracks at the sight. The primal part of you in tune with the Earth screams out a warning, you find yourself scrambling away or trying to, the old man holding you tight. So you're forced to watch, your eyes unwilling to blink as you can't run away. To blink is to let it come for you, to take you and destroy you.

So you watch as Taj turns and faces a creature that you can only name...no, you can't even name it. You are no wilting flower unsure of what death is - you've faced it, you've given it, you understand death and you certainly don't fear it.
But you fear this creature, in the pit of your soul you fear it, and you feel the terror it inspires gnawing inside your mind.


You watch as Taj's twin short curved blades swing at the beast, swing and seemingly bounce off its skin, watch as it's head twists and turns into that of a tiger, an enormous tiger as four arms erupt out of its side and restrain Taj .

You watch, horrified. as it eats Taj bit by bit. The man is brave, he doesn't scream at the first bite or the second, only when his liver is torn out of his side by monstrous fangs, does he begin to scream in agony, a wail that you swear will haunt you into the next life.

"C...cut the light Yukiko."

You hear Sora say, sounding nearly as frightened as you.

Yukiko doesn't, apparently feeling like she owes Taj that much.

As the river current takes you away from the scene, you can only whimper in relief as you no longer see it, no longer hear Taj's screams.

You did rescue your comrades after a fashion...but whether you'll forgive yourself for feeding someone to that...thing, you don't know.

The old man on top of you shifts a little, a soft snore escaping to let you know that somehow he's asleep. How can he sleep after watching his comrade get eaten alive? You focus on him, trying to put that out of your mind.

[] Check on the old man, see if you can't wake him and find out what his name is at least.
[] Try to talk to Yukiko, maybe you do need prayer now of all times.
[] Try to talk to Sora, she's...she's your commander, she can help right?
[] Just stay there, shut your eyes and think of your father hugging you to make it all better.
[] Write in

(Megumi has 3 void points left)

 

[gman391]

-- Check on the old man, see if you can't wake him and find out what his name is at least.

You have to do something to push that out of your mind. As the flickering light of the kami paints the wall in shadow, you gingerly move the old man to the deck and check him over.

Well, you're no healer or anything like that, you weren't born an Asahina after all...but you don't see anything wrong with him. Just someone who has seen a lot resting. Doing what you can to make him comfortable, you look at the others.

"He doesn't want to wake up," you inform them.

Sora shrugs.
"Probably won't for a while."

You look over him again.
"I don't think anything is wrong with him though."

Sora looks at Yukiko
"Iuchi-san?"

Yukiko shrugs.
"Search me, my brother is the one who devours lore on the Ivindi like a sponge."

The three of you have a long moment of mutual 'well what now?' looks.

A male voice, old and rich like some sort of well preserved tree or shochu rings out.

"I was in meditation."

"Gah!" You say nearly jumping in surprise.

"Sorry...I Guru Sahal….and you?" He asks. His words are heavily accented but you can understand him with only a little difficulty.

Etiquette takes over for you then.
"I am Megumi the Ronin, hohei of the Tenth Legion. My companions are Iuchi Yukiko-sama, dai-hohei, and Bayushi Sora-sama nikutai, both of the same legion"

Guru Sahal looks over all of you for a long moment.
"...Taj?"

You look at each other, and with a barely discernible nod, turn back to him.

"Taj-shiryo gave his life so we could escape from a monster," You say softly.

Sahal looks like he's been struck...no, it's deeper than that. Like he's been killed...
"...No!"

"Guru-sama?" You almost reach out and touch him...almost.

The old man curls in on himself, apparently letting tears flow down his chest.
"No…" he whimpers.

How long he stays like that you couldn't say but it was long enough that the flames summoned by Yukiko had long begun to dim.

Sahal begins chanting something in Ivindi. Surprisingly Yukiko kneels down and chants with him.
You aren't sure how long they speak, their low voices mixing and soothing your spirit even though you have no idea what they're saying. These are words of power, of faith.

Faith that Taj-shiryo is in a better place. That his sacrifice won't be forgotten.

It's not really, anything you understand, you've never been that pious until recently. Still, if the Lords of Death do judge him, you pray that they judge Taj kindly, he earned that much at least.

Finally, a long keening wail is given, and Sahal looks up at you.

"I...you take care for me now?" he addresses the group of you.

"Hai...Megumi-san." Sora replies as she looks at you.

"Yes Bayushi-sama?" You reply.

"You're to protect the Guru with your life." She orders.

You look at Sahal, you aren't really, sure if you're okay with this, but orders are orders.

"It will be done, Bayushi-sama," you reply.

You sit down and look at him, as Yukiko gets to work summoning another flame to guide everyone in the dark.

"Megumi-san… you take care for me?" He asks softly

"Hai...I'll do my best by you Guru-sama."

"Is all one can ask…" he says with a sad smile.

"Forgive me, but were you close to Taj-san?"

Even through his thick accent the pain you feel radiating off of him is real.
"Yes, I am his Guru. Many years ago we fight, don't talk anymore, but he still as a son to me."

"Sumimasen... that was insensitive," you realize belatedly.

"It is... the nature of dharma, but I give thanks. Of your people, not many would care."

"The Emperor decreed that you are people too, and that's good enough for me."

Sahal gives you a look as if trying to decide if you were intentionally offensive.
"....We always are people," he says a little suspiciously, his eyebrow raised.

"...er...right."

"That said, it seems we have a little time before we reach whatever exit my student had planned...with your comrades focused as they are, it would be good not to disturb them."

You nod.

"I am Guru, teacher, I teach now," he declares a little too confidently to be sincere.

You think he's trying to keep his mind off of the death of his student.

[] Ask about that thing you faced
[] Ask about Ivindi guru
[] Ask about himself
[] Ask about the Ivory Empire
[] Write in

 

[gman391]

---Ask about the Ivory Empire.

Although a part of you wonders what Guru means, or who this Sahal is, eventually you settle on the safe topic of asking about the Ivory Empire.

"Ah, Guru-sama, can you teach me about the Ivory Empire?"

Sahal gives surprised, questioning look before nodding.

"That story begins nearly five generations ago…

"In reign of Ghosha during your Toturi I, Ivory Empire was not yet born. We were Ivory Kingdoms, a hundred hundred rulers all who bow to Ghosha the Maharaja. It was time of peace like for eight hundred years before. The Raja maybe fight but all wanted peaceful path….all but one.

"They who are known as the Rhumali worshipped the dark goddess and led a great revolt against Ghosha and the Raja. Maybe you hear of it? Revolt that required aid of they who are known as Yoritomo to end. Ghosha's youngest son, Vasudeva, looked upon this and was ashamed.

"Had his family become so weak? They could not longer perform their duties? This troubled Vasudeva, and he spent much time talking to the Guru, before leaving the Ivory Kingdoms for the north at the age of 15 summers.

"Five years later he returned, taking for himself name of Vasuloha or Living Iron. Vasuloha demanded from Ghosha kingdom, as was custom for sons who were not heir. And so Gosha granted Vasuloha Tapaki, cold land in North.

"Vasuloha took Makana princess Harshina to wife, prepared and went north. There he worked to gain loyalty of Mountain people. With them as his army, he began to conquer the Ivory Kingdoms one by one, creating his Iron Empire.

"Yet his brothers opposed him, and they too were great men. They united their kingdoms and those around them into five great kingdoms forever at war with each other, In the north, Empires of Iron and Stone. In the south, Empires of Silk and Saffron. And in the middle, fighting off all these empires, Kingdom of Jade.

"For a hundred years this lasted, none gaining more power than another until Vasuloha's great granddaughter married the King of Jade, uniting the Empire and Kingdom into one. King of Jade, who was known by name Sri Gutapa, turn his forces on Empire of Stone and conquered them. Empire of Saffron was wise and instead submitted to him. But the Empire of Silk fought to the bitter end and even today, capital remains barren wasteland.

"Having now power of Four Empires as well as own Kingdom, Sri Gutapa took as title Badishah. And then was born what now is Ivory Empire."

"From there began---"

"Sorry to interrupt the history lesson, but we're about to make landfall, given how we don't actually have a way to stop...you okay to jump Guru-san?" Sora's voice cuts in.

"These bones are old and not gone," he replies as he stands up creakily.

Well that was a yes, you think.
Looking forward, you see in the moonlight splayed against a cave wall, that the river is going underground. Well, that answers the questions as to why you have to make landfall. There's a small ledge to grab onto, it's not much but all you have.

The sound of rushing water and controlled breathing is the only thing that punctuates the silence. You take a moment to prepare yourself and then leap with the others. As you push, you somehow overshoot the ledge and land neatly from a backflip at the entrance of the cave.

Behind you, the rest clamber onto the edge looking kind of annoyed at your theatrics. Well Sora does, Yukiko just looks tired.

With a crash of snapping wood, your boat disappears under the river, leaving you glad that you disembarked. You do wonder what Taj-shiryo's plan for this was though.

Stepping forward, you see that the moon is still well overhead. It's only about midnight you think. The light is dim and hard to see by although it's not impossible or anything.

Yukiko stumbles and Guru Sahal catches her.

"How you say she is...not well…' he whispers.

"Let's make camp then, such as it is," Sora says quietly.

No blankets, no pillows, not even sake, but you manage to find some nooks to sleep in.
You find your journey to Yume-do pretty easily, the day having taken a lot out of you.
When the sun begins to wake you up, you overhear Sora and Guru talking.

"She need medicine." You hear Sahal's thickly accented voice.

"We're not going to find any here," Sora retorts.

"We can if go up," Sahal says.

"You can't be sure there's a monastery anywhere near here," Sora retorts, clearly upset.

"Better chance than if we go to city - too far," Sahal insists.

"And if we don't find one the delay will kill her," Sora says stubbornly.

While you are loathe to intervene in a fight, you do want to know what's going on so…

"What's going on?" you ask.

Sora gives you a look.
"Yukiko-san was cut picking up weapons in the armory before we left and hid it from us. It had a delayed poison.I think it was meant to be used for street assassinations - walk up to someone, poke them and then walk away. A day later, they're dead and you're out of the city…"

Sahal seems saddened at the idea of losing Yukiko.
"Is tactic Sagon has used more than once...need antidote quick. There should be...monastery near with healing plant, make antidote"

"Should be, but we're not sure where we are," Sora says, looking irritated.

"Best chance," Sahal repeats.

"No, our best chance is to run to a city before we pass out from lack of food and water."

[] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice
[] Convince Sahal to follow Sora's advice
[] Write in?

 

[gman391]

--Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice

Courtier Roll: 4k4= 17, 8, 5, 2=32
Success

In the end, Guru Sahal probably has a better idea of what's what than either of you do, so you're inclined to trust him. Yet, you understand Sora's objection too. It's hard to be sure where you are in the mountains at all, particularly when you're looking out from a cave.

"Guru-sama, why do you think there is a monastery here?" you ask.

Sahal gives a sweeping gesture before pointing at one particular mountain in the distances. Even from here you can tell it's different from others - instead of being mostly grey, it seems to be...well a kind of dark blue.

"Guru is Guru. Mystics build temples and monasteries here to learn, leaving dot mountains all over, but that mountain is holy mountain..." Sahal explains.

Sora interrupts.
"Yes, a Holy Mountain but we're on the North Side the forbidden side, there isn't going to be a monastery."

You tilt your head in thought. "Is it still closer than a city?"

Sora shrugs. "I don't know maybe?"

The frustration you feel from her tells you how much she hates not being able to know what's going on.

Straightening your neck you turn to them both. "Even if there isn't a monastery there, Holy Mountains usually have cities at their foot or not too far away for pilgrims right? They'll have someone who can do something there."

Sora looks uncertain for a moment before being convinced of your logic.

"Alright, we go for the mountain. Even if we don't find a monastery, Megumi-san is right that there should be a hostel or something leading up to it," she says.

Guru Sahal shifts, as if trying to follow a trail of thought but not quite managing. Regardless, you go in the cave and prepare as best you can to carry Yukiko out.

"If only we had a travois...Megumi-san, you and Guru Sahal work together," Sora orders.

Between the two of you, carrying the surprisingly heavy Iuchi isn't that hard. Your stomach rumbles you march.

The sun rises high in the sky, beating you down with its heat, as the rocks reflect the warmth into your feet. You've not see a single scrap of life for a while. Still, as the mid-day passes and your stomach continues to rumble, you see something in the mountain. It is too distant to make out details, but it looks like an enormous carving of a person - granted, a person with way too many arms but a person nonetheless.

It's night when you have to make camp. Still no monastery, but Yukiko hasn't take a turn for the worst at least. Sora seems annoyed that all she can come up with is a set of what looks like Marmots to eat.

Your own stomach faintly recoils from the thought of eating meat, although you committed that particular bit of taboo long ago. The fact is that you were raised to see this sort of thing as dirty, but not dirty in a good or fun way.

Sahal waves off the food, saying he doesn't partake, that his connection to the cosmos will keep him going.

The flames from the small fire you manage to make, are just enough to cook the things, but not enough to make it taste good, as you and Sora finish eating. You both find yourself feeling kind of sleepy---

So your journey continues for two more days like this. As you get closer to the mountain you can see that the enormous statue carved seems to be a part of the mountain itself. It's a man, you think, and the extra arms are arranged in a halo around the main body.

Interesting as the frankly enormous statue is, you can hardly bring yourself to care when the sight of four walls surrounding a shaped dome is so much more interesting.
The look of relief on Sora's face when it finally comes into view seems more than...what you would expect of someone who was simply friends with Yukiko. Even with the mask disguising most of it, it feels...significant...

Shoving away the question of what exactly Sora feels for Yukiko, you hurry your way to the monastery. Up close, you can see a set of spinning columns with inscriptions on them. Admittedly you can't read them at all but they're nice to look at, and they mark out a barred gate that you have to get past.

Guru Sahal, takes the lead now, calling out a series of words in Ivindi that you feel like you should learn at some point. If nothing else being able to talk to Guru Sahal in his own language would probably make you better able to understand him and other Ivindi.

The gates open, and you walk in.

In the back of your mind something shifts, as if you had been carrying a burden for so long that you stopped noticing it, yet as soon as you put it down, relief surges through your body. Only instead of a burden it feels like you were…

"Megumi-san..." Sora whispers.
"Yes Bayushi-sama?" you answer, equally quietly.

"Do you feel it too? Like a predator has stopped following you?"

"Hai…" you manage.

"I don't like this. Be careful and don't seduce any monks," she orders.

"I would never….wait what?" you say frowning.

Did she….know who you were? Or something? Why would she think that, you've never seduced any monks. Admittedly Izu was your type, but you hadn't done anything at all on that front. So why?

"Later," Sora hisses.

You manage to keep your frown from your face, but you decide that at some point you really should talk this out with your fearless leader.

Guru Sahal turns to you.
"Abbot wants to see one of you. Say at least one stays with Iuchi-san, but other will go...which of you go with me?"

[] Volunteer and let Sora stay with Yukiko.
[] Stay with Yukiko.
[] Suggest the Abbot wait until Yukiko is well as she knows the language. (Requires courtier roll)
[] Write in?


AN: I will be out of town for the next few days so update will be delayed as a consequence I will also give a lore blurb on the following on the same day I update again, pick one.

[] State of the Scorpion Clan
[] State of the Unicorn Clan
[] Governor of Shiro Enishi (The City)
[] Succession Crisis

 

[gman391]

---Volunteer and let Sora stay with Yukiko.

You glance at Sora for a moment before turning back to Sahal.
"Unless Bayushi-sama has objections, I'll go talk to the Abbot."

Sora nods and walks over to you to whisper, "Thank you…remember our duty."

"Hai Bayushi-sama," you whisper back.

Sahal nods and leads you away from your comrades.
You know that Sora didn't like you before….but she cares enough about Yukiko to give you a chance now, if one tinged with an unneeded reminder to do your duty. You weren't some Mantis to go haring off on a lark. Still it's a start to building trust between you two, best not to mess it up.

As Sahal leads you through the monastery, you glance at the walls to see long flowing script in a language you don't know. Why can't everyone write in Rokugani? It's so pretty!

That it would let you read everything is only side benefit...you aren't nearly that petty to want the entire world to change just to make your life easier. Nope, nu uh...what were you thinking about again?

"Please be polite - for all the Abbot is heretic, he is good man," Sahal says.

Wait, heretic?
Heretic to what?

While you try to figure out why the Abbot is a heretic, you find yourself escorted into a small room that seems to serve as private meditation chamber. Before you is an old man, who looks like he might well have been alive when Iweko III married that Sparrow. For all his age, you sense that he's still spry and his features say he's probably from Medinat Al-Salaam.

Sahal sits down into a lotus position while you bow before going into a seiza position.

The Abbot looks to you and then to Sahal before talking quickly.

Sahal nods then begins speaking.

"Abbot Rafiq Saleem welcome you to Monastery of Shinsei's Face."

"I thank him for his hospitality and generosity," you reply.

Another exchange.
"Abbot Saleem says that it is no trouble, and that you may stay as long as you need."

"Will his people be able to help Iuchi-sama?" you ask.

It's different talking through a translator but you think you can trust Sahal on this. At least you hope you can, you really don't have any other choice.

"Abbot Saleem say that while they must wait for medicine, they know chakra arts to keep her healthy and whole until they come."

"Chakra arts?" you ask.

What the fuck is Chakra?

"I think you call Chi? No...Chino…something like that." Sahal answers.

Well that was helpful.
"Alright...I can only extend my thanks again, but how much time will this take?"

They again talk, for much longer this time. You hear not a word, but almost the absence of a word, as if they're going out of their way not to mention it. Finally the barely heard, almost terrified whisper of the word 'Rakasha' reaches your ears, followed quickly by the Abbot angrily telling Sahal something.

"Two weeks, they have to make proper movements to travel," he says.

That was a long time to be sick. But if they say they can keep her alive, well, it's worth a shot.
"Two weeks, and then how long for Iuchi-sama to get better?"

Sahal shrugs. "Depends on her, maybe week?"

"Is Abbot Saleem really okay with us staying that long?" you ask.

Sahal and Saleem talk for a moment.

"They can not send anyone out into wilderness without priest. Iuchi-sama is only one who qualifies," is the serious answer.

A Priest? Why is that so important.
"I...see…can we send a messenger to Akodo-chui, at least?" you ask.

Another burst of words too quick for you to follow. You really wish you knew Ivindi.

"Did you feel...presence hunting you?" He asks.

You find yourself nodding slowly.
"Me and Bayushi-sama both felt it, but we weren't sure why."

It's almost song like, this language...if only you could figure out the beat.

Sahal's voice is very quiet almost inaudible.
"Then no - hunter kill anyone swift enough to move."

"Who is this hunter?"

"We do not call them by name, if we can. Even in sunlight they listen," Sahal says.

You can feel the suppressed grief rolling off of him. While you wish you could leave him to his grief, you know that Sora will want to know what these beings, these Rakasha are.

"What are they?" you ask softly.

Sahal doesn't say anything at first. Presumably he is distracted by thoughts of Taj and the thing that they don't want to name. When he does translate your question for the Abbot, the Abbot gets a solemn look, and takes a deep breath.

Surprisingly, Abbot Saleem doesn't say a word but instead reaches up and pokes you in the forehead. Your mind reels as images flash through your head. The most prominent are ones of Nine Great Demons who served their King and ruled over mankind as gods. Of Vishnu stepping on to the world and driving them back, killing their soldiers and king in a bloody war. Of the Nine Great Demons being hunted down until one by one they were killed, until only three remained. These are called Rakasha and they are triplets, malevolent and prideful demons who change shape as easily as you change clothes. Yet in their base form, one is a tiger with the body of a man, the other a leopard with the body of a woman, and the last a great lion with the body of both. They feast on human flesh and drink the pain of the world like it is the sweetest wine. They are evil, you know that to your core.

You fall to your side, your hand going to your head.

The abbot says something as he sits down.

"Abbot Saleem offer his apologies. Yet these beasts worked a magic long ago to hear their name. Was easier to use your third eye to show you, safer too."

You sit up shaking your head.
"...Please never do that again," you murmur.

You feel unclean, like the knowledge of these things has indelibly changed you in a way you don't like.

"He agree, but it is because of that that we must wait. To bring that to your city without you know how to stop it would be grave sin. Leaving aside that I the only speaker of your language."

You consider letting that thing among your people, of Sister Chou, Aya or even Brother Jubei having to deal with that. You agree with this statement.

"I see."

"Once your friend is awake, I too will depart. I ask you consider request with your comrades"

"Oh?"

"I go down to Pavartindi, city on the other end of trade route between our lands. There is embassy there. If you can escort me, I would have much gratitude," he says.

[] Go with Guru Sahal to Pavartindi.
[] Refuse, you will go right back to Shiro Enishi as soon as you can.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(And that ends Arc II.)

You have 3 weeks of training to spend. Due to being a guest in a foreign monastery you gain the full number of actions for use.

Megumi has 4 actions to spend training.

However, you might notice that despite being rank 2, Megumi hasn't gained a second technique.
There is a reason for this.

In order to combat the drive for just traits, traits traits and insight boost. Gaining techniques requires skills.
Each Insight Rank requires the following number of skills:

Level I: 2 rank 3 skills or one rank 5 skills
Level II: 4 rank 3 skills or two rank 5 skills
Level III: 6 rank 3 skills or three rank 5 skills
Level IV: 8 rank 3 skills, or four rank 5 skills or 1 rank 7 skill
Level V: 6 rank 5 skills, 2 rank 7 skills or 1 rank 10 skill


Currently Megumi has 2 rank 3 skills. Thus to unlock her Rank 2 tech she needs to get 2 more rank 3 skills, or 2 rank five skills.

If you manage to get to insight rank 3 without learning a technique, that chance is lost forever.

New Techniques require a number of actions equal to their rank to learn.
(So rank 2 would need two actions while rank 5 would need five actions)

All that said, when you learn a new technique, I'll give you a choice based off of what you ranked up in order to unlock said technique.


Megumi can train with

[]Sora: Learn Kenjutsu 3, and Investigation 3 (costs 2 actions) or train reflex 4 (takes 2 actions)
[]Sahal: Learn Meditation 3 (takes 3 actions) or Jiujutsu 3 (takes 3 actions) or stamina 3 (takes 2 actions)
[] Ask Abbot Saleem to do that head poke thing (Random gain of skills or stats. May learn a great deal but may also end poorly. Takes 2 actions)
[] Self train (Write in) (Takes 2-4 actions depending on skill or trait boost)
[] Allow Grandmother to possess you - this will give her more power in your life but you may learn the skills she had ( gain Iaijutsu 5 or Etiquette 5, but Haunted can now be activated three times an arc instead of just once. Takes 2 actions. If you pick this twice, Haunted can activate 5 times.)
WHEN VOTING ONLY PICK ONE TRAINING ACTION PER OPTION.
THIS:
() Sora: Learn Kenjutsu 3 and Investigation 3
() Ask Abbot Saleem to do the Head poke thing (Random gain of skills or stats. May Learn a Great Deal but may also end poorly. Takes 2 Actions)

NOT THIS:
() Sora: Learn Kenjutsu 3 and Investigation 3 (costs 2 actions) or Reflexes 4 (Costs 2 actions)
() Allow Grandmother to possess you -this will give her more power in your life but you may learn the skills she had (gain Iaijutsu 5 or Etiquette 5, but Haunted can now be activated three times an arc instead of just once. Takes 2 actions)

IF YOU DO NOT SPECIFY YOUR VOTE WILL NOT COUNT AS YOU ARE TECHNICALLY VOTING FOR 6-12 ACTIONS WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE 4!.



Megumi has gained
Lore: Rakasha 1

 

[gman391]

---Ask your companions
---Train Kenjutsu 3 and Investigation 3
---Learn 'Unity of the World' technique

"Guru-sama, I would be glad to accompany you, but I can't commit to such a thing without asking my companions. While I have no kin in Shiro Enishi, I know Bayushi-sama does and so does Iuchi-sama, and they would be worried."

Sahal considers this and nods. "As I said, I would be grateful."

The Abbot speaks softly.
"For now return to your companions and wait," Sahal translates.

You rise and bow and leave the room back to where Sora and Yukiko are waiting. As you quietly open the door, you see Sora just barely touching Yukiko's cheek, a gentle caress she dare not do while awake? Or something even more intimate...you decide you don't want to know, instead making a cough and pointedly turning around to shut the door.

When you look back, Sora's cloth mask is back on, and her hands rest at her sides.

"So what happened?" she asks.

"It's hard to explain," you answer.

"How so?"

"Because their abbot poked me in the forehead and I saw what that thing was...but they also said that it...knows when people are talking about it."

"Hmm... write it out when you get the chance then. How long are we here?"

"Probably three weeks, they can keep Iuchi-sama alive but it'll take two weeks to get the antidote. Guru Sahal also asked me to go with him to a the city of Pavartindi with him. I said that I couldn't commit us to that. "

Sora frowns looking down at Yukiko.
"She was always more familiar with the south than I was. The Scorpion know much of the Burning Sands but the Ivory Kingdoms…I relied on her to give guidance on that. I will wait until she wakes and then discuss it with her."

"Understood, Bayushi-sama."

"Which brings us to a different problem," Sora said looking up

You don't like that look on her face. "Hai?'

"My….best friend is beyond my help, I have no patrols, paperwork or anything else to distract me. Two weeks will drive me mad with restlessness and worry. You are going to help me with this."

Even behind the mask, you can see a predatory look on her face.

"We are going to train Megumi-san." Sora declares.

The faint cackling of your grandmother is the only thing that stops you from running.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

You see stars as Sora attacks you by surprise.
"Listen, Smell, Touch, Look...don't just pay attention with your head!"

*

Dodge, ----

The feeling of wood slamming into your side as you go flying.

"Faster Megumi-san," Sora barks.

*

Dodge, strike, ----

"What kind of limp wristed strike is that?! Put your shoulders into it!"

You can feel your training weapon fly out of your hands as Sora slams her bokken into your hands after easily dodging your strike.

*

Dodge, strike, defend ---

"Distractions are fatal!"
It's a light poke into your spine with a short piece of wood, but it would have killed you had it been a real blade.

*
Strike, move, dodge, strike again.

The sound of your bokken slapping across Sora's back is the sweetest music you've known in weeks. The monks here aren't happy you've elected to train away the hours. You aren't either really, the numerous pains from the bruises where Sora has hit you are an all too potent reminder of how she'd run you ragged. A merciless teacher in all respects.

But as you neatly sidestep the young monk that was supposed to ambush you, you can't deny the results. Your bokken moves across his neck, lightly giving a kill by the rules of the game.
Your goal had been to walk from one end of the monastery to another without being hit once. Sora had set numerous ambushes to stop that from happening. Yet no matter where you were, you found you were noticing dozens of small details that on their own meant nothing, but somehow let you feel the breath of the others around you. No monk had surprised you, but you had surprised them.

You push off your feet leaping backwards as Sora slams down from above. She looks up and charges, her wooden bokken slamming into yours. The dance of wood moves between you until finally, your blade touches her neck, her blade in your stomach.

While you consider her a sadist to some extent, you admit she taught you well. You never would have seen her coming before these two hellish weeks.

"Hmmph, I must be getting slack…"

"Slack or no, Bayushi-san, she see dance of elements now. You will not surprise her so."

You knew Sahal was there, somehow, a taste of the air or maybe the way the dirt under your feet shifted? It didn't matter.

"Guru Sahal, what brings you here."

"Your companion awake," he answers.

Bayushi could move as fast a Kakita when the mood took them, but you don't think you'll ever replicate the way that Sora moved when she heard that news.

You bend over and pick up the dropped weapon, and bow to Sahal.
"Thank you."

"Go talk to your friend," he says giving a smile.

He hasn't asked further if you were going with him, but you know he wants an answer. You find yourself inclined towards helping him but it's not your place to decide that, not your place at all.

Holding the twin bokken across your shoulder easily, you walk towards the room where Yukiko had been staying.

"You've grown, but that no reason to rest on your accomplishments."

'Yes, Grandmother.'

"Don't you yes grandmother me. If you really want to gain your name back, you must be more than just a duellist"

'Grandmother?'

"You've chosen a path of knives in the dark. Even with your new ability, being able to see a trap coming is meaningless if you can't avoid it."

'Are you saying something is going to happen?'

"Remember, girl, how I died."

Your mind flashes back to your childhood, of your father telling you the story of how your grandmother died, the woman who made your house into something was never going to have a peaceful death...but still the story stayed with you for how forthright it was. No embellishments or anything, just a death of a Samurai.

"And then Misaki-Shiryo, knowing that they could not outrun the Lion, took her blade and ordered everyone else to run. Her daimyo protested, but in the end, Misaki-shiryo sent him away and stood alone against the Lion willingly."

'You're saying I might have to make the same choice...but I thought you wanted me back in a clan?'

"Honour is the highest ideal Sakura. I would not have any of my descendants forsake it, not ever."

'Of course, Grandmother.'

"Remember to clap. Now I am tired."

A dismissal if ever you heard one. You look at the door and wonder why she felt the need to remind you. You know how to announce yourself to a room, even if you don't think they're up to anything. You give a mental shrug and then clap.

The sound of movement, and cloth as you hear from Sora.

"Come in!"

Entering in, you don't see anything untoward...just that Yukiko is slightly flushed, even as she holds her hand in front of her for a moment before putting it down.

You wonder what that's about...

It's probably nothing. You bow again and take in Yukiko fully. She seems pale but her eyes are filled with life and a bit of...something. There's no way she isn't on the mend.

"Iuchi-sama, it's good to see you awake again," you say closing the door.

"Hai, it is good to be awake. Now come sit. Sora-san tells me we have a lot to discuss?"

"Yukiko-san, we have a little time," Sora interjects quietly.

"Better to get it out now. I've been sleeping for weeks...I'm a little bored," Yukiko says smiling slightly at Sora.

You come across the room and kneel down into a seiza across from Sora.
"Well, I suppose the largest thing is the...creature that we saw...and the next is that Guru Sahal has asked us to escort him down to Pavartindi."

Yukiko focuses in on you. "You know what it is?"

"Hai…" you answer.

"Then tell us."

"This is going to be hard to explain. The creature is only one of his kind. There are three in all. Long ago, they served a powerful oni lord, but one of the Ivindi gods, Vishnu, stepped into the world and killed the lord and his follower until only three remained. They are powerful, evil shapeshifters. You can get away from them by crossing over running water or onto holy ground…but they also have a magic that let's you hear their name...er...the Abbot poked me and these images came out," you finish.

Yukiko frowns but turns back to Sora. "Whichever way you decide, I'll be able to get you home, but there's risks to both ways Sora-san. Pavartindi is far from where you said we were. It is easy to find, but the Cult no doubt has people looking for us. While a path through the mountains is probably quicker, it's easy to get lost."

Sora looks between the two of you, the iron control over her facial expressions allowing her to betray nothing.
"In the end, speed is more important than safety. Togashi-san and Kakita-san have already reported us missing and probably dead. My father...will not take it well, not when the Cult has been a sore point between the Ivory and Emerald for years...we take the mountain path straight home."

You bow.
"As you command Bayushi-sama, I will inform Guru Sahal."

There's a...sorrow there...for all of his strangeness, Guru Sahal hadn't been a bad sort.
"Go do that...I'll meet you for the evening meal," Sora says.

Rising up you turn and leave the room. No doubt to let them go back to holding hands...you envied them in a way...no one had wanted to just hold your hand for a very long time, not since, well Katsuie-kun

Shaking off the feeling, you go to have a difficult conversation….


--------------------------------------------------

The cold air burns in your lungs as you look back at the monastery and the giant statue one last time. Beside you, Iuchi Yukiko and Bayushi Sora stand perhaps a little closer than necessary, even as they look over a map one last time. Guru Sahal had understood, but a part of you wonders what would have happened if you committed fully...ah well, such was not your karma in this life. Still, you'll make sure to pray to Koshin-no-kami, Fortune of Roads, and Natsutogumara-no-kami, Fortune of Travels, for his safety. You aren't entirely sure if the Fortunes care for those who aren't Rokugani, but it's not like it would hurt, right?

Right...

With one last look over at the monastery that had been your home for nearly a month, you turn away, adjusting your travelling pack so that it sits just right, and wait for your two companions to lead the way.

Yukiko walks over to you and places one hand on your shoulder before speaking. You can feel the kami moving through your body and you feel...not faster but...lighter somehow?

That done, Yukiko chants twice more, granting herself and Sora the gift of the kami. Sora gives a nod, her mask back in all its face concealing glory. The Bayushi takes point with Yukiko close behind her, and you find yourself taking up the rear.

Whatever Yukiko convinced the kami to do, it's made your strides eat miles upon miles of travel far quickly than you'd thought possible.

Still, as the hours wear on you, you reflect that it's probably going to be a long journey. Maybe you should talk to one of them?

[] Talk to Sora about? (Write in)
[] Talk to Yukiko about? (Write in)
[] Try waking up Grandmother.
[] Just keep to yourself and enjoy the scenery.

 

[gman391]

---Stay quiet and take in the scenery.

In the end, you decide yet again to let the two lovers spend time with each other, though they seem to stay relatively quiet. They do still talk, but not as much as you would expect...and you get the feeling neither is that extroverted.

Ignoring that, you look around, seeing the world for what feels like the first time. The gray stone paints pictures of a thousand faces with snow above you. Bird calls ring in your ears in a new melody you never really noticed before. It's strange this awareness of yours, not quite what you expect, but you can't complain about it either, not when it's showing you a wild and savage land that's still beautiful in its own ugly way. Hmm, maybe this is why Dragon stay up in their mountains and slowly go crazy...wait, no that was the Isawa...was it both?

While you consider the arguments for which mountain-born clan produces crazier people, Dragon or Phoenix, the ground steadily rises beneath you, and you find yourself standing on top of a small, for the Spine mountain at least, overlooking a fairly verdant valley. The land below is covered in hardy pine trees and the promise of fresh water, game (eeew) and probably fruit? Well, at least you hope there's fruit... Beside you, a lonely stone cairn rises up, an ancient road marker it looks like...or possibly a tomb...you prefer the first option.

"Alright, this is where we're stopping for today," Sora calls out.

You stop, and look up. At what point did the sun start setting? Had you really been that distracted?

No, couldn't be, Lord Sun is messing with people….yeah, that's it.
The faint snickering from grandmother is ignored because well, that's what you're supposed to do.

Yukiko walks over to the cairn and touches it with her hand. Quietly, she begins to pray.
Sora stands beside you and subtly gestures for you to make camp while Yukiko does her thing.

Setting up the tents isn't too hard. You wonder why there are only two, but only for only a moment. You shake your head. Ah, young love. They must be trying to get as much time together before reaching the city. While you aren't too sure of their marital status, they're probably married, Scorpion marry young, and well shugenja babies are way too important to delay on.

Not for the first or last time, you wonder why Benten doesn't make most marriages like Toshiro's and Reika's, filled with love and affection.

You shake your head and place the last stone around the fire pit. The whims of the Fortunes are as far beyond your ken as a sword is above an eta's. Best to just keep going and do your best, even if you can feel a growing pain in your heart as you remember your own lover.
"I love you..." he had only said those words once to you, but you had never doubted that Katsuie-kun meant them with every fiber of his being. It had been but one night, one night when you had felt whole, loved, and loving. One precious---

"Megumi-san?" Yukiko calls out.

You start for a moment. You had known on some level she was there, but you had dismissed her as not a threat...which she wasn't, but still it was embarrassing.

"Iuchi-sama," you reply with more calm than you feel.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

What had she...? Never mind...you are Crane at heart, whatever your problems you will not be a burden to others nor let your on fall.

"...I'm fine," you answer.

Yukiko gives a questioning look before nodding. "Well the ritual is done. If that...creature is still hunting us, this is holy ground and it cannot enter. That doesn't mean we won't take watches or anything though."

"Is that why we stopped here?" you ask.

She ignores the fact that you blatantly had changed the subject and answers. "Among other things, according to their stories, an enlightened monk by the name of Xuaninji walked this path and erected these stone monuments at every spot he meditated and learned a new truth. It's also the only waymarkers we have outside of the main roads."

Well that explains that at least. You consider asking some other things from her, but as the fire starts and Sora returns with...food...no, you are not getting over that, it's still...meat.

Ugh.

Sora explains that you and her will be eating meat so that Yukiko can remain ritually pure and thus able to invoke the protection of the monuments. You decide not to make a fuss and keep quiet.

The keeping the shugenja pure makes sense to you, even if you don't like it what it means for you. The three of you have a quiet dinner. Yukiko and Sora again talk about something you studiously ignore. (Seriously though, 'Your hair is like silk'? Step up your game Bayushi-san...)

Eventually after cleaning yourself and your utensils as best you can, Sora speaks up again.

"Alright, so we're going to do two watches for tonight. Our priestess needs a full night to replenish her spiritual energy, so…Megumi-san, first or second watch?"

[] First Watch
[] Second Watch

 

[gman391]

--Second Watch

After mulling it over for all of five seconds, you decide to take the second watch.
"I volunteer for the second watch, Bayushi-sama."

Sora nods, her mask hiding what you think is a small relieved smile. You can't be sure though... stupid Scorpions cheating with their masks.

"Well if that's the case, then you should try to get some sleep then Megumi-san, the Hour of the Rat isn't that far away," Sora says.

Let's see if it's the hour of Rooster now...then yes it's only 2, 2 and a half hours of sleep. With that in mind, you go into your tent and settle into your bedroll, wishing once again that you could find a bath.

As the light fades fully, and you let your inner center take over, the sensation of going to Yume-do flows through you.

The castle gates open as you walk inside, into the courtyard. You glance around seeing that the emblems of your clan, of your family are all covered. The grave-like air hangs on you like a thick cloak. Yet, still you walk through the empty castle, footsteps echoing as they break the silence.
Finally the throne room is open for you, and you see your daimyo and her husband...your lover. They look and see nothing. You don't exist to them, you can't. You aren't...you aren't that woman anymore. Not Kakita Sakura, just...Megumi the ronin...for all grandmother insists on calling you by the name you chose at your gempukku. The fact is that you are a ronin, dead in the eyes of the world, reborn as someone lesser, weaker.

You bow, hiding the lump in your throat, as you try to speak. Nothing happens, they don't speak or acknowledge you...wait, that is what you have to do, but what's that sound?

Fabric shifting and moving in your ears, the sound of skin on skin. A scent you know floats in the air, and still you don't rise.

A moan echoes through the air, a deep throaty moan, the moan of a woman being touched just right to send all her senses alight...only then do you dare look up and see your nightmare.

Katsuie, your lover, your man, is in passionate embrace with his wife, his mouth gently moving along her skin as strong hands stroke her thighs...touches you know from experience bring sheer ecstasy.

No words come; you can't speak, can't move, can't even breathe as you watch, watch as she gives everything...and takes everything. His eyes, the ones that burned with love and ardor for you, look at her look at...Kakita Ayame-dono, his wife, with the same passion, the same need, but greater somehow.

You want that, you need that, you need to be loved by him, you need him to stop doing that with her, why won't he….why won't he stop making love to her?

The answer flits through your mind, a poisoned dart that can't miss.

You are Megumi the Ronin, and you aren't worth his time.

You aren't worth anyone's time

Just a ronin. No name, no master, your closest friend is…
Well, you don't have any do you?
Grandmother maybe?
No, even she just sees you as a disappointment.

You desired, desire so much, but are you anywhere close to achieving it?

No you are more than that, you might be a ronin, but that doesn't mean nothing, you are a Samurai, an honorable Samurai!

A voice asks, "Are you?"

And just like that, the castle falls away, the couple fades into a mist. You see a man of vaguely Rokugani features walk through the mist. Closer he seems to be a monk, his staff jangling in the night. With a look, he points the staff at you, and then abruptly swings it downward.

Behind you, a great tiger head erupts out of the ground, it's roar shaking the world, even as it's mouth envelopes you entirely, cactus flowers, clothes and all.


You wake up with a start, your hand going to your neck as you recall the fangs...what in the name of Fukurokujin-no-kami was that?

Laying back down, you turn to the side and look at your hands...maybe it was because earlier?
Truth was that you didn't...like to dwell over much on what you lost, or on the idea that Katsuie-kun was with another woman. It wasn't really...reasonable of you, but you still loved him, even if you had no problems with looking at other men too. But what was that monk about and the tiger?

A deep sigh as you turn and try to go back to sleep, only for the flap to your tent to open and Sora to poke her head in.

"Your turn for the watch, Megumi-san...fair warning, we have a prisoner now"

"Wait what?" you ask sitting up.

"You were completely lost in Yume-do when he showed up, stumbled over our camp. I captured him, but haven't had the chance to interrogate him yet. Maybe you can do that while I'm sleeping."

"Is he Rokugani?"

You climb out of the tent and look around your eyes adjusting to the bright moon.

"No, but he speaks some of our language, at least I think he does," Sora answers.

Finally, by the remains of the fire pit, you see him. A somewhat short, but muscled man wrapped in rope. The dim light makes it hard to make out a lot, but you see his curly black hair, and generally angular features and realize that this man is a Yodotai. A filthy, barely covered Yodotai with massive whip scars on his arms and legs who desperately doesn't want to be here. Although you can't blame him on that...

"A Yodotai…and we haven't killed him?"

"There's not supposed to be any Yodotai in this part of the world, not the least because they're all killing each other out east."

"Ah…"

"Don't lose him, and if you can get information out of him be my guest. I'm going to bed," Sora orders.

You nod, and sit down by the Yodotai, but not too close. They are after all the monsters that nearly killed everything worth having in the world. Even if they have souls.

Sora goes to bed leaving you alone, with your thoughts on that dream and a Yodotai prisoner.
The order to get information out of him if you can, is a welcome distraction from said dream, but how are you going to do that?

You look at his eyes to get some clue as to what he's thinking. In the small light of night, they seem dark, furtive and...terrified....a deer running away from a wolf. That's what his eyes remind you of. He's scared, but not of you, and given how he's not shy about looking at the tent Sora went into, probably not her...something else...but what?


[] Write in: (Get the Yodotai to talk)

AN: Rokugani hours are actually twice as long as ours, so Megumi got about four hours of sleep.