Kiyomi bows deeply to Jiro. "I would be honored to help. It is only just that friends help one another."
"Be nice to fight something that is normal," Parity remarks before his face pales slightly.
"There won't be ninjas will there? I hate ninjas ..."
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"Don't worry Parity, there are always more ninjas!"
Harlan eyes the camp critically.
"I don't suppose we're going to be able to resupply here, it's been a long trip and our gear is a little worse for wear. The caravan will stay here, of course, and we can help reinforce the town and keep you safe while we deal with the bandits."
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I follow you Ameiko, we shall remove this threat."
"Excellent," Jiro nods, his face remaining solemn while Hatsue smiles proudly.
"Seinaru Heikiko lies about fifty miles northeast from here, set into a large break in the wall of a ravine along the foothills of the Kyojin Mountains. It is an ancient fort, cleverly built to maximize the defensive nature of the surrounding terrain. I have never seen it up close, and have no real knowledge of any improvements the bandits have made."
"They are led by a chieftain of the Yumogu barbarians, a vile man named Gangasum. His henchmen include a good number of his tribesman, as well as a powerful barbarian shaman. The rest are a hodgepodge of brigands, criminals and wayward ronin."
"I have been pondering this problem for some time, and have a strategy, if you will hear it..."
Assuming no objections, Jiro continues. "The bandits are usually split into two groups. The first group is always on the move, traveling the plains on fast horses to forage, rob travelers, and occasionally pillage the local peasants. The second group remains with Gangasum in the fortress. If we attack and destroy one group, I fear the other will retaliate against defenseless peasants. Thus, I propose a two-pronged attack..."
"I will take my ronin lure the riders into an ambush the next time they leave the fortress. They often visit a small town to the south to trade goods and purchase slaves. We will anchor them there, killing as many as possible."
"At the same time, your group will assault Seinaru Heikiko, now bereft of half its garrison, and slay Gangasum. Once the fortress is yours, the bandits' backbone will be broken, and the remainder forced to flee or submit." Finished, Jiro looks around for inputs.
"We must be cautious and subtle," Hatsue adds. "It is said their shaman speaks to the winds and learns about everything that happens in the Osogen Grasslands."
"It sounds fair to me. We risk more by splitting our forces, but as you say, we cannot leave the, umm... peasants," Ameiko seems to find the last word awkward. "Err... open to retaliation."
She looks to the rest of you, "I leave the rest to your tactical prowess. What do you think?"
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She looks to the rest of you, "I leave the rest to your tactical prowess. What do you think?"
Heng passes his hand over his tattooed scalp in his typical thinking gesture. "I am not a master strategist, but I think Hirabashi-san's plan has merit. We are too few I think to take the fully manned fortress, but if it were left poorly defended we have a chance of slipping in and removing the leadership. The walls will not be a barrier if we fly and wind walk. Do we have the means to become invisible as well?"
"I can give a couple of us very short term invisibility, but that's it." Parity shrugs apologetically.
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"I have it in my power to allow all of us to become invisible, yes. Or to disguise us, or even to teleport over small distances. My abilities are at your command, Ameiko." Kiyomi smiles and bows slightly.
"I can lend my spells also. This plan is the most viable, we are very powerful as a small group but we can be done in by shear numbers."
"I have it in my power to allow all of us to become invisible, yes. Or to disguise us, or even to teleport over small distances. My abilities are at your command, Ameiko." Kiyomi smiles and bows slightly.
Ameiko gives a small frown. "No. Your abilities are yours to use as you think best. I will not pretend to order or interfere."
She looks down a moment before adding, "I will, however, request to come along..."
"Not sure that's a great idea Ameiko, Heng and Parity here aren't going to be able to think straight with you in danger, and I don't think the rest of us could either. You could always spend time here. I bet Jiro could spend time telling you about the country and what's been going on, and how to make an impression when we get you your throne back."
Harlan nods along, sure his words are making perfect sense.
"You guys know I can help us walk on air, and shape stone. Most of my powers are healing though, sorry. Skygni maybe you could stay here and watch out for Ameiko? I think she could use a bodyguard."
Ameiko raises an eyebrow, but does not appear amused by Harlan's brush off. "I've been a bystander for much of this journey. Now that we are finally in Minkai, I need to take a more active role. Should I expect anyone to respect my claim if I just sit in the back and look pretty?"
"Right, um ... let's just not run off by ourselves in a grand act of heroism at least, if you insist on going into the heart of danger."
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Ameiko rolls her eyes and sighs.
"It is settled then. Hatsue and I will leave in the morning, before dawn. Although there is little here, you have free reign of our small camp. Make yourself at home."
***
As the meeting breaks up, Hatsue bumps into Heng on the way out. With a respectful bow and eyes downward, she says, "If it pleases you, we can speak more when this task is finished."
As you walk back at the caravan, a passing shower cuts the warm spring air with a cool, steady rain. Your friends ask about the mission and who will be going along. Shalelu frowns at Ameiko's insistence to go, but keeps silent. Sandru is more vocal with his complaints, saying that if she goes, then so should they all... safety in numbers, etc.
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Heng smiles, "It would please me indeed." Heng returns the bow with hands steepled before his chest. "My friends are all truly dedicated and loyal, but sometimes the caravan is somewhat unruly." He grimaces as the passionate Varisian begins demanding that the whole caravan accompanying the assault. He excuses himself from Hatsue to try to put out fires.
Raising his hands and beckoning the caravan to calm itself, Heng addresses them in Taldane, "Please all, I do not doubt your loyalty and bravery, but this must be a stealthy assault. Hirabashi-san has told us that the bandits have a shaman that could warn of our approach. I do not think this simple task will even require your assistance if they are not forewarned."
"So close to our goal, we should not change what has worked for us in the past. Parity, Harlan, Malnival, Kiyomi, myself and Kelda if she is inclined should work to clear the way."
"Sandru, you are the most skilled of us all in organization and trade. Please, stay here in the village and help these people. I would advise Ameiko to do so as well if it please her. A wise ruler knows her people and how best to serve them. Minkai is currently under the reign of warlords that ignore the needs of the poor and hungry. This land does not need another warrior, it needs a proper empress."
As a more intimate aside, he whispers to Koya, "Tata, I will soon return to you as always. Perhaps you can make some use of your crystal ball though. I do not think it would hurt to divine what lies ahead perhaps starting with the nature of the bandit lord."
Malnival smiles as Heng addresses the caravan and its leaders, obviously impressed at the half orc's leadership and diplomacy. "Master Heng is correct. We all have skills and the drive to see this mission through, but tactically it is not good for us all to go. We are now in the lands that Ameiko must one day rule, and are surrounded on all sides by those that would see that this does not happen. We must stay focused on the endgame, not the moves that bring us there."
"Fair enough," Sandru nods, partially molified. "Since we'll be here a couple days, I'll see if we can barter for some fresh produce. Gives me a chance to brush up on my Tien pointy-talky."
Koya nods to Heng's request, flashing him a pleased smile. After a few minutes preparation, she sets up the newly acquired crystal ball in her wagon. With a prayer to Desna, she casts her scrying spell and activates the ball. Using a description of Gangasum, she finds the barbarian chieftain after sifting through a minute of cloudy images.
Gangasum is a tall man, with long black hair and a beard divided into beaded tails. His visage is lined with the creases of hard living, and scars of battle. The area around him appears to be a wide courtyard, surrounded by steep canyon walls with garrison buildings built into them. A tall wooden wall blocks the entrance to the crevasse, and rough-looking bandit guardsmen patrol atop.
Gangasum is busy shouting at a group of bandits. He suddenly stops and looks around, face wrinkled as if he just discovered a violent odor. Then he glances up and looks directly at Koya. He points and says something, then the crystal ball goes blank.
Koya sits back in her chain, face pale. "That was scary. I do not know how he detected my presence."
Date: 23-24 Pharast 4712
With detailed directions from Hirabashi Jiro, you set out at the first light of dawn the next day. Submitting to the significant discouragement against her participation, Ameiko stays behind and sees you off with a demure well-wishing. Farm roads wend a winding route through the hinterlands, and the distant mountains maintain an ever-present guide for your general track. Through the first day, you pass by a number of small farm villages similar to the ronins' camp. The locals warily watch you pass by, but make no direct overtures, friendly or hostile.
The weather remains humid but fair, occasionally interrupted by passing rain showers.
At the end of the first day, you reach the forested foothills. Scattered copses of black pine trees cover the hills, obscuring sight beyond more than a quarter mile at best, a score of yards at worst. A shadowy grove makes a good sheltered camp for the night.
Your directions lead true, and on the afternoon of the second day, you cross a battered path leading through the hills. The signs of recent horses passing both ways are evident. Based on Jiro's information, you estimate you are no more than a mile from the fortress.
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"Perhaps a night raid would be the best plan. We can all see better than the men of the fortress in dim light. Parity and myself are not affected by darkness at all. We can fly over the wall and be upon the guards before they are aware of us. Or perhaps sneak past to get at the bandit lord." Heng frowns and rubs his scalp trying to think of a clever plan.
"Nighttime plus invisibility would be a great way to enter. Airwalk or fly to get over the walls, but I don't want to land in that courtyard ... it's a killing field. Maybe on the ramparts or a roof somewhere. Perhaps a distraction as well at the main gate to draw them towards it?"
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"I do not know if we need a distraction. I would rather move as quickly and quietly as possible. We do not really know the layout of the place very well or the wisdom of those inside. They might just as soon lock the doors and prepare and ambush as send troops to the gates if they are forewarned. I do agree that we should clear the walls first though. What do the others say?"
Kiyomi nods. "I defer to your expertise, friend Heng. I am not a warrior."
Harlan nods along.
"You guys are the fighters, I'll help where I can. If we airwalk to the walls Heng and Parity should have the advantage and could take out the guards while we wait. Kiyomi and I can shoot them from the walls too."
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"Alright guys, let's do this."
Deciding to wait until dark, you locate a sheltered spot in the forest to hold up out of sight. The hours pass slowly but without event. When the sun finally sets and dusk deepens into night, you cast your spells and set out for the fortress.
Flying silently and invisibly, you approach the ridge line like a breeze through the tree boughs. When the cliff face comes into view, a clearing in the pines opens up before the tall, wooden wall blocking the entrance to the canyon beyond. Lanterns illuminate the clearing and courtyard. After observing the area for a moment, you spy only two guards posted on the walkway above the main gate.
Lights can be seen through the windows (little more than arrow slits) of the large building constructed into the eastern canyon wall.
Parity adjusts his grip on Suishen, casts and holds a quick corrosive touch and says, "Lead on."