Jian Xi recoils in horror and disgust as the mans cheeks tear allowing the spider to climb free. It's not that Jian Xi is scared of spiders...he just doesn't like them, too many legs and eyes; perfectly normal reaction. Before he can react Narukami has already pinned the arachnid to the floor saving Jian Xi the unpleasant job of doing so himself.
He stands silently as the others talk, his eyes widen as a realization strikes him. He shares a quick look with Jade Moon before wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her close. "He said 'she of the jasmine mists' is that some kind of title or something? Maybe these men have some kind of curse that kills them if they reveal anything about their masters. Even if it's as simple as a name, but at least we know one of his masters is female and that's more than we knew before."
He pauses for a moment as he plucks a twig off his shoulder and begins to twirl it between his fingers.
"To many questions and not nearly enough answers. Do these spiders have control over them, was the spider the one talking just before his death, or was it just an elaborate way to kill a talkative subordinate?"
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"To many questions and not nearly enough answers. Do these spiders have control over them, was the spider the one talking just before his death, or was it just an elaborate way to kill a talkative subordinate?"
"If that is the case, we should not give them more ammunition against us," Hayashi said, standing up, keeping his ninja-to pinning the spider to the tatsumi mat. "If my lords desire, we may plug the leak."
[dice=K-Arcana]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+7
Baolin holds a hand out to slow Hayashi. "They may not be in control of their own actions. Would it be fair to hang a slave for the commands given to them by their master? Let us first attempt to cure them of their affliction. Even if we do not succeed, our consciences will be clear that we did all that we could. Hayashi-san, you know the workings of the human body, do you not? Can you attempt to ascertain if there is a way to free them?" He hangs his head as if unwilling to admit defeat. "We will do what must be done if they are unable to be saved."
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Baolin holds a hand out to slow Hayashi. "They may not be in control of their own actions. Would it be fair to hang a slave for the commands given to them by their master? Let us first attempt to cure them of their affliction. Even if we do not succeed, our consciences will be clear that we did all that we could. Hayashi-san, you know the workings of the human body, do you not? Can you attempt to ascertain if there is a way to free them?" He hangs his head as if unwilling to admit defeat. "We will do what must be done if they are unable to be saved."
The man halted, and sheathed back his blade, nodding.
"Very well," he said, heading to the living ninja. "Let us study him first."The shinobi will kneel before the ninja, looking straight to his eyes, before administering a direct jab with his forefinger to his neck, trying to sense any inner workings, remembering his ki training.
The man's key is tragically blocked. He isn't dead, but something holds his energy at bay, controlling it, and thus him. It can be removed, but it will be very difficult with Hayashi's current training.
"I am filled with my master's will."
Xiang joined Hayashi in studying the ninja, detect magic still going, as he tried to determine if there was anything they could truly do, or if it was best to either imprison them or end their suffering.
"How far away is the academy where you learned your magic? I learned once that some sorcerers can curse their victims in such a way that if they were to divulge any secrets they would come to an untimely end. I could keep him subdued through sleep so that he doesn't talk while we deliver him to the academy. Let the masters have a look at him. I know this may set back our journey a bit, but it could give us a chance to learn more about our enemy before we embark on this journey." She looks at her companions searching their faces for any sign of disapproval, afraid of her idea sounding a bit mad. Knowing that they probably lacked the knowledge and skills to free these ninjas, perhaps it would be better to take them to someone who may know how to free them of their curse.
"How far away is the academy where you learned your magic? I learned once that some sorcerers can curse their victims in such a way that if they were to divulge any secrets they would come to an untimely end. I could keep him subdued through sleep so that he doesn't talk while we deliver him to the academy. Let the masters have a look at him. I know this may set back our journey a bit, but it could give us a chance to learn more about our enemy before we embark on this journey." She looks at her companions searching their faces for any sign of disapproval, afraid of her idea sounding a bit mad. Knowing that they probably lacked the knowledge and skills to free these ninjas, perhaps it would be better to take them to someone who may know how to free them of their curse.
"Unfortunately, the academy is many miles from here. This would not be a short diversion, and this may have been a tactic to delay us as much as eliminate us. Every one of these men has had the same curse placed upon him. Perhaps there is a servant of one of the gods who could help them, but such magic is currently beyond all of our powers. Hayashi could attempt healing them, but failure will most definitely result in their deaths. As to that spider," he said, gesturing the pinned creature, "it is less a living creature and more a construct of the assassin's soul. Destroying it will destroy the assassin forever. The spiders can move, and are likely capable of injuring more than just flesh if they bite you. They may be too dangerous to keep around if unleashed, and definitely cannot be let free anywhere near where they might harm someone. Our best option is to surrender these men to the magistrate."
Baolin nods at his cousin's wisdom. "I concur. If freeing them of this taint is not a possibility, we must leave them to the judgment of the magistrate. We should recommend that healers be sought and utilized if possible, but defer to the magistrate's decision. Perhaps we can ask that the prisoners be transported under guard to the academy. As for the current question," he says while nodding in the direction of the spider, "This abomination must be destroyed with haste and finality."
Jade Moon bows low with deep respect. Very well. Something about the spider frightened her deeply, dismantling her nerves and reassembling them on point like needles. She deeply wished to watch the spiders die just so that she could rest easy knowing that there were less of them in the world.
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"Our best option is to surrender these men to the magistrate."
"If you feel it wise, Lord Hu," the man said, standing up. "I volunteer my services to take this empty husk of a man to justice. It will take less than a day on the back of one of their midnight steeds."
"This abomination must be destroyed with haste and finality."
"It is finished," the ninja said, observing the spider in its death throes.
** spoiler omitted **
Dawei watched the spider's death.
"If we pained his master, then all the better."
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Hayashi turned to the group, and fell to a single knee, and declared his mission's objectives.
"I will track the final ninja through the wilds, and report back to you on his location. Please grant me my leave," he said, looking at the two lords.
There he began changing from his kimono to his Shinobi shozoku--the same outfit the ninja that attacked him wore.
Once finished, he drew up a black and gray vest in the color of the mountains, and donned it [Studded armor]. He attached three kunai at each thigh, a ninja-to at each side, and his sheathed katana to his back. He rolled up a monk disguise as well as his other equipment in saddle-bag form, and hefted it over his shoulder.
Once finished, he left the room, and said, "Wait for my arrival, friends."
He then headed to the last horse, intending to saddle it.
Once more, Hayashi stalks through the night, his black clothing blends into the darkness. The only trace of his passing is a slight movement in the grass that could very well be the wind. He follows the trail as he did earlier the evening, and soon arrives at the campsite. The embers have long since grown cold, though, but the trail is still strong, as though the lone rider had not cared who would follow. It's almost as if the rider was daring someone to follow them.
Quick as death, the shinobi presses on, slipping through bracken and twisting over boulders as the ground elevates quickly towards the mountains. The trail darts and bounds, forwards and back, around rocks and over, always following the coarse of the river. Still, the loyal warrior follows! He will not fail his lord! He will not....
The trail stops cold. It's gone. Completely. As though the rider was never there, or he had vanished like a puff of smoke.
By the time Hayashi returns back tot he ryokan with his news, the sun is just rising in the East.
It is a new day.
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Hayashi returned with empty hands and a glum disposition. He dismounted, changing his clothes as the sun rose; nothing is more suspicious than a shinob's shozoku at daytime.
Clad in a traveling monk's robes, and with a quarterstaff leaning on his shoulder, he arrived at the inn, a piece of straw between his teeth, his shozoku and shinobi weapons carefully folded into his horses's saddlebags, all except the ninja-to, which he kept under his clothes.
"I regret to report my failure," he muttered in a tired voice to the party. "The tracks faded into nothing--it was as if he grew wings and flew."
Xiang sent a runner to summon the magistrate's guards. Upon their arrival, he explained what had happened and turned the shinobi over to them, along with a warning about the enchantment that had been placed upon them. He expressed caution in guarding them, as they would likely attempt escape or suicide. After the guards left, he returned to his chambers to rest for the remainder of the night.
"I wonder if it could have been this 'She of the Jasmine Mists' that was spoken of. I am most curious about those whom oppose us. They seem to have arcane powers, and are unafraid of challenging us. We must be wary of magical scrying, to ensure we are not spied upon."
[ooc]Hayashi remembers that she's a bit of a boogeyman in this part of the world (on both sides of the border). She's said to be the wife of a samurai who died during the fall of Shenmen. Now, she walks the roads and trails that once belonged to her husband, bringing her vengeance to all who see her.
[ooc]
Xiang sent a runner to summon the magistrate's guards. Upon their arrival, he explained what had happened and turned the shinobi over to them, along with a warning about the enchantment that had been placed upon them. He expressed caution in guarding them, as they would likely attempt escape or suicide. After the guards left, he returned to his chambers to rest for the remainder of the night.
"I wonder if it could have been this 'She of the Jasmine Mists' that was spoken of. I am most curious about those whom oppose us. They seem to have arcane powers, and are unafraid of challenging us. We must be wary of magical scrying, to ensure we are not spied upon."
The runner disgraced himself several times before he could finally enter the inn. The sight of the slaughter and the bound assassins in the courtyard unnerves him so. But, after many reassurances, he enters and falls to his knees to hear Xiang's message. When he leaves, it's clear he's spurred by what he saw at the ryokan, and less his duty. An hour later, the magistrates' guards appear, driving three prison carts. A white and red robed shrine maiden sits in the first cart. Twenty guards in the colors of Clan Zhou march to either side of the carts. At their front is a man in the same armor but with a plume on his helm, their commander. The guards silently surround the courtyard, weapons at the ready to end the shinobis' lives should they attack. Their commander marches up to the first shinobi and stares at him with deadened eyes. He lifts a hand to strike but stops at a call of from the shrine maiden.
The miko steps on the earth and calmly approaches the bound shinobi, a small slip of paper held tightly betwixt two outstretched fingers. "No one touch or approach them! They are unclean!" Her eyes are filled with determination, and she reaches out with the ofuda. The edges of the prayer-slip begin to smolder, and the miko grits her teeth in determination. The ninja begins to thrash and shakes his head back and forth, as the other warriors attempt to free themselves from their bonds. Only the guards' weapons keep the cursed warriors in place. Finally, the ofuda flies from the miko's hand and adheres to the thrashing assassin. His flailing immediately stops and he slips into fitful sleep. With grim determination, the shrine maiden repeats the process with the other four shinobi.
"I have bound the curse within them. You must hurry and place them in the carts. We have just enough time to get them back to the Palace for cleansing. The Magistrate can interrogate them then." She pushes dusts herself off, and swoons. Only the commander's lightning reflexes keeps her from falling to the dirt. She smiles her thanks, and makes a mild protestation, but doesn't push herself from his support. "If you would like, I can cleanse you all, and this ryokan."
If everyone agrees, she leads a procession burning incense and mumbling a prayer, throughout the entire inn. As she walks, the incense smoke pulses and grows, ballooning outwards from the sticks she carries. It flows over the ceiling and walls, the floors and doors, forming ancient characters of peace, tranquility, and purity. The air grows thick with the scent, it seems that a white haze fills the ryokan, although everyone finds it perfectly easy to see. She pays particular attention to the food of the inn, as well, blessing each piece of meat separately, even placing ofuda on a few large cuts.
Finally, the procession ends at the courtyard beneath the tree. She orders everyone who entered the ryokan to assemble themselves about her in a circle as she places a small lump of jade on a folding table. The guards, including their commander, fall to their knees and bow their heads as she swings the incense high above everyone. As the smoke falls over everyone's heads, a sense of calm fills you all. The smoke turns black and rushes into the jade. It pulses darkly when all the smoke enters it, and the shrine maiden immediately snatches up the sacred stone and swallows it.
The shrine maiden departs, and soon the heroes leave as well. It is the Hour of the Ox, when all serious and dependable work is to begun. The road to Bai-Cheng's fort is long and winding, leading the heroes through hills and copses of bamboo forest. The ground and weather grows progressively wetter as they ride north. The further they travel, the more dreary the atmosphere becomes. Bird songs become mournful, and animals become more furtive. It takes several days, even with the horses, but, eventually, they crest a low rise, and the heroes see rough fort slumping forlornly on a sodden plain.
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Hayashi blanched at the preparations from the magistrate, surprised at the quickness of their response.
'We have grand allies if we so need them', he thought, observing the shrine maiden as she descended from the cart.
Hayashi joined her in the circle with the rest, keeping his head down.
The shrine maiden departs, and soon the heroes leave as well. It is the Hour of the Ox, when all serious and dependable work is to begun. The road to Bai-Cheng's fort is long and winding, leading the heroes through hills and copses of bamboo forest. The ground and weather grows progressively wetter as they ride north. The further they travel, the more dreary the atmosphere becomes. Bird songs become mournful, and animals become more furtive. It takes several days, even with the horses, but, eventually, they crest a low rise, and the heroes see rough fort slumping forlornly on a sodden plain.
Hayashi remained silent during the journey, unless approached. Keeping sharp eyes on the horizon, he watched out for possible danger, especially in the bamboo forest.
Dawei did not approve of the cleansing. The miko made no mention of the Eternal Emperor, who ruled all things. But he felt sullied all the same and silently added his best effort at the proper prayers when the time came.
Hayashi blanched at the preparations from the magistrate, surprised at the quickness of their response.
'We have grand allies if we so need them', he thought, observing the shrine maiden as she descended from the cart.
Hayashi joined her in the circle with the rest, keeping his head down.
The shrine maiden departs, and soon the heroes leave as well. It is the Hour of the Ox, when all serious and dependable work is to begun. The road to Bai-Cheng's fort is long and winding, leading the heroes through hills and copses of bamboo forest. The ground and weather grows progressively wetter as they ride north. The further they travel, the more dreary the atmosphere becomes. Bird songs become mournful, and animals become more furtive. It takes several days, even with the horses, but, eventually, they crest a low rise, and the heroes see rough fort slumping forlornly on a sodden plain.Hayashi remained silent during the journey, unless approached. Keeping sharp eyes on the horizon, he watched out for possible danger, especially in the bamboo forest.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
Hayashi sees nothing during their travels, save the swirling of leaves in the breeze.
Xiang made sure the messenger understood the full extent of the danger of the curse before sending him off.
Xiang joined in the ceremony, wishing to ensure he was not tainted by his short time with the assassins.
Xiang looks uncomfortable on his newly cleansed horse, clearly unused to riding. As the weather grew damper, he began showing a great deal of concern for his spell book and scrolls, to ensure they are not ruined. He kept an eye out for danger as well, for surely there would be others who would seek to stop them.
It's the hour of the Forest Dragon, and the hour of the Blossom is about to bloom. Despite the beautiful name, it's an inauspicious time: A time for dishonesty, vengeance, and isolation. Fortunately, the Blossom heralds insight art. A much more appropriate time to arrive at the trading post.
It sits like a squat rupture from the ground: lichen-covered ten foot tall wooden poles form a palisade linking four square towers. A large wooden gate sits closed to the outside world. The faint smell of woodsmoke hangs in the air.
Jade Moon watches the ritual carefully. She feels a sense of renewal afterwards as if she had rested for a full night. She bows humbly to the priestess and thanks her. Jade Moon gathers her things in preparation for their journey. She herself also does a small ritual by lighting three sticks of incense and sticking them into a mound of sand outside. Beside the incense she prepared a small plate of sweet rice cakes, rice wine and fish to leave as an offering. She offers up a prayer of protection to Diakitsu that their journey goes smoothly. "Great mother fox, Diakitsu, protect us on this journey. Let us be old and grey before you receive us in your eternal den." She places her palms together while mumbling the words to her prayer. Yuki sits beside her stiffly as a sign of respect. She lifts one paw in the air then drops into a bow followed by a small bark.
------
Jade Moon stays close to Jian Xi while they journey. She loved the scenery and and was fascinated by her surroundings. When they approached their destination both Jade Mon and Yuki could feel the dreary atmosphere.
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Clothed with a dusky-colored hanfu on the second day of travel, Hayashi preferred walking on foot rather than sitting on the cart as he crossed the hills and forests.
The last to sleep and the first to waken, Hayashi was quiet throughout the journey, keeping a watchful eye on his companions if they slept, sheathed katana against the ground.
He has been to dark countries before, he observed, looking into the sky. This was something else: there seemed to be a dark presence choking the land, leaving it to breathe only haggardly.
"There is an evil in these lands," he whispered--mostly to himself.
After the days of travel, they reached the trading post.
"Converted fort," Hayashi murmured softly, stretching. The fatigue that began building on him for the last few days was most unwelcome in this critical time.
Every night, Baolin watches the stars. They seem to show good omens as they ride over the trail into their new charged territory. For most of the trip, qinglong remains by his side, ever-loyal (or is it he who is the loyal one?), yet the dragon departs at times into the spirit world. It does not bother Baolin, who spends the time speaking with his new friends and learning more about them. Baolin asks many questions of them, genuinely curious to learn more about them, and tells them in detail of his own story. After keeping his connection to the Eternal Dragon secret for so long, it is very liberating to be able to discuss it openly. He tells tales of the war with the Ma and stories of legend. By the time they arrive, he considers them close friends. Even as the terrain grows foreboding and damp, his unflagging optimism and indefatigable determination help spur them onwards.
As they come within sight of the inn, Baolin smiles broadly. "Good tidings, friends. Gaze upon this, the gate to so much opportunity. Think of the brave people who must live here - brave people who we will lift up out of fear and out of the miasma that covers this land. Let us ride forward with strong spirits!" He prods his horse - a chestnut stallion with a strong gait and an easy spirit - onward towards the fort. Qinglong follows, floating briefly every third or fourth stride.
Jian Xi watches over the assassins his sword sheathed at his waist within easy reach if one tried to escape. His stance finally relaxes as the magistrate arrives along with a shrine maiden to remove the assassins. He watches in silence as she casts some sort of spell on the cursed assassins temporarily containing whatever spells had been placed on them.
He gladly takes part in the cleansing ritual giving thanks to both Tsukiyo and Shizuru for no harm befalling his Jade Moon or his allies. His mind and body feel refreshed as the ritual comes to a close though he does have a moment of shock as the priestess eats the Jade stone.
"By all the gods dead and alive! Do we really need to ride these smelly things?" Jian Xi swears upon finding out that Hayashi had "acquired" enough horses for everyone to ride. "When this gods damned thing takes it into its tiny rice sized brain to throw me I'm blaming all of you." He says when he notices Jade Moon hiding a smile at his antics.
When ever they would stop for the night and in the morning before they'd start, Jian Xi would spend half a double hour practicing his katas or sparring with anyone who'd accept. At night he'd lay next to Jade Moon as she'd sing lightening the mood and brightening their campsite far more than the fires they lit.
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Baolin asks many questions of them, genuinely curious to learn more about them, and tells them in detail of his own story. After keeping his connection to the Eternal Dragon secret for so long, it is very liberating to be able to discuss it openly. He tells tales of the war with the Ma and stories of legend. By the time they arrive, he considers them close friends.
Baolin often saw Hayashi watching over the rest, observing his honest stories and qinglong with a strange expression.
When ever they would stop for the night and in the morning before they'd start, Jian Xi would spend half a double hour practicing his katas or sparring with anyone who'd accept.
Hayashi sometimes served as a sparring partner with Jian Xi after his short advanced forays. They seemed to fight as equals--with Hayashi's blows slightly more accurate, and Jian Xi's blows slightly more damaging.
"You honor your late master with your skill," Hayashi said, during one of their sessions as he dodged a blow from Jian Xi, before raising a strike with the butt of a hidden kunai.
Jian Xi accepts the hilt of the kunai letting it connect with an upraised arm and responding in kind with a quick snap of his foot. He then disengages as Hayashi does and slides his sword back into its sheath. "Since I was but a child I first learned combat within a monastery dedicated to both Shizuru and Tsukiyo, the Temple of the Eclipse. Their ways were to withdrawn to fit a rambunctious child I'm afraid, so I set out on my own."
" 'For one to reach enlightenment one must cut free of all worldly wants and possessions be as distant as the new moon as insubstantial as the setting sun.' They'd be fine with giving a begging man food but here about a neighboring village under siege and they wouldn't lift a finger. As far as they cared the only place that mattered was the few miles around the monastery. Don't get me wrong they were kind and caring they just view the world differently than most."
Jian Xi says with a shrug it was never the easiest thing for him to explain by all rights he should have stayed but the wider world kept calling him something over the horizon always just out of reach. Talking was never one of Jian Xi's strong suits.
The six heroes from Lingshen ride slowly towards the fort. The earthy scent of mold and rot fill the air; a light drizzle has painted the world in muted grays. As they pull to a stop, a small eye hole opens in the iron-banded logs of the gates. A man in a thick helm stares out through the opening and glares at the assembled heroes. The sound of a woman singing a simple country song rises behind the gates.
"Who comes to Bai-Cheng's Trading Post so late! You're not traders, judging from those fine horses and weapons. Are you soldiers? Prospectors?" His accent is thick and rough, marking him as a man from western Qin province. "No. You have the look of those who are no stranger to combat. Plan to be another bandit king? We have all we need of them from the Stag Lord!" He scrutinizes each hero, especially Jian Xi and Dawei, who are obviously warriors. Hayashi, he clearly dismisses as a merchant's laborer. Next, he turns his gaze to Hu Baolin and the others. His eyes widen in shock when he sees Qinglong, and he seems to be deciding something in his mind. He stares for a long time at Hu Baolin and Hu Xiang Lun, his eyes running over their robes and and the fine horses they ride.
The singing abruptly stops and the Bai-Cheng is pushed away, replaced by the eyes of a woman accustomed to hard labor, but whose spirit is unbroken by her efforts. "Bai-Cheng, look at their clothes! They're not bandits. Remember the rider? He said that seven worthy and noble warriors were coming from Linghsen to help us! Open the gates you fool man!"
The gates are unbarred and pushed open to reveal a truly powerful-looking man in rough-spun clothes. He's in his mid thirties and wears the simple pants and vest of the peasants of Qin. He wears a battered iron helm and heavily scarred chain shirt. He carries a naginata in one hand. Beside him is a woman in a simple kimono. Her hair is wrapped in a bun and held in place by a few pins. She smiles at the heroes as the man falls to his knees, fist pressed to open hand. "Please, honorable sirs, I meant no disrespect. These are harsh times and we have been mistrustful of travelers who come to us in numbers, and so heavily armed. I am Bai-Cheng, this is An-Bao, my wife." She bows as well, although not as deep as her husband. "Please, great ones, did my wife speak true? Are you sent here by King Huang? Have you come to save us from the monsters?"
The center of the trading post is dominated by a large courtyard, at the end of which is a small platform. Several crates and barrels rest atop, or to the side--this is the sort of place that traders and trappers would use to conduct sales, possibly even auctions if this were a trading post in a more hospitable area. Pressed near the western walls are stables, to the rear, a small house with a warm fire burning on the hearth. By the front gates is two-story building--guest rooms, perhaps? Everything is old and covered in mold, lichen, and moss. The weather clearly does not permit much to last long, here. But, they are well-repaired and serviceable. Bai-Cheng and An-Bao appear to be diligent and proper folk who understand the value of good work done well.
Hu Baolin bows slightly, greeting them with his fist covered by his hand. Up close, they can see the stars in his eyes and the gleaming, glittering scales of qinglong . He offers a hand to help Bai-Cheng to his feet. "We feel no disrespect, friends. Please, stand. We have indeed been sent to liberate these lands in the name of the great and wise King Huang. My name is Hu Baolin. May I introduce my brave comrades?" He gestures to each in turn. "This is Hu Xiang Lun, my cousin. This is Jian Xi and his wife, Jade Moon. And these are Narukami Hayashi and Tsui Dawei. Finally, my companion, an aspect of the Eternal Dragon. We have sworn ourselves to the duty of freeing these lands from the monsters that hold them, and began this undertaking with the goal of establishing a foothold of civilization here. We are pleased to meet two brave souls who have already begun this great work. You spoke of a traveler who gave you word of our arrival, and of a Stag Lord? Please, tell us more of these two."
Bai-Cheng stumbles when he hears of Quinglong's auspicious nature. "Amazing, my lord! King Huang was so wise to send such honorable personages as yourselves to our aid!" An-Bao bows again and then scurries into the kitchen to collect some tea. "Please, great lords, please, come in. Please, rest yourselves, An-Bao will bring tea and food, you must be weary from your travels on the road. Xiwu is far from this place!"
An-Bao returns shortly after with a setting for tea and small bowls of rice. [/b]"I apologize for the disgrace, we do not have much to offer. Please, I beg you, find these bandits and kill them! Save us! Please! They come in the..."[/b] Bai-Cheng shoots her a grim look and she grows silent, bows again and leaves.
"Forgive An-Bao, my lords, the bandits have taken much from us. Trappers and merchants are growing rarer, and we struggle to survive." He sighs and steadies himself, obviously deeply ashamed at his failures to provide for his wife and perform his duties as a trader. "A rider came a week past, and said that King Huang was sending six noble warriors, loyal and diligent in their duty, to bring enlightenment to these lands. He came at the Hour of the Sovereign Dragon, and left by the hour of the Ogre, traveling south, down the same path you came. He wore the colors of King Huang, so we knew we could trust him."
His hands engulf An-Boa's and she leans in to his warmth. "The Stag Lord," He breathes deep, closing his eyes, to hide his shame. Now, it is An-Bao who embraces her husband, and he steels himself with her touch, as he draws strength from her love. "The Stag Lord, is a terrible samurai. He rides a great stag covered in armor made of ice black as night. Shadows leap from its nostrils, and its footsteps freeze the ground beneath it, so that nothing grows for days after. They say he is a cruel and wicked man, those who escape his clutches are never the same. He tortures them, feeds them to his stag, or throws them to his Beast to torment." Bai-cheng takes a few sips of his tea, sweat freely dots his brow and stains his shirt. "I saw him, once." An-Bao whimpers, and Bai-Cheng wraps his arms tight about her shoulders. "He was on a hill, east of the Old Shrine. He looked down at me, and I felt... cold. He could have killed me, run me down and cut me with his naginata. But, he wheeled around and ran off."
He shakes, mouth tightly closed. He's clearly trying to remain strong for his wife and his honored guests. His tale is taking its toll on him. An-Bao senses this and continues his story. "The bandits who come here never speak of him. We believe they work for him because they wear these pins--an eight-antlered stag made from silver. No one knows where the Stag Lord's fortress lies. Those who escape say he covers their heads so they never see the trail, and none can agree on the path anyway. Some say they came from the north, others the south. Still others swear they traveled through mountains and streams. All agree that his fortress is small but strong." As she finishes, An-Bao gives up all semblance of propriety and honor and openly weeps at their misfortune. "Please, help us!"
Jian Xi nods his head in acknowledgement as Baolin introduces him and Jade Moon.
"Wait, you say these bandits actually come to your trading post? How often and what do they want?" Jian Xi asks after listening to their story. His hand tightens on his sword's hilt in anger. Are these the kind of people I'd have ignored if I'd remained at the temple? He thinks silently to himself.
Bai-Cheng sighs and wrings his hands at another whimper from his wife. "I don't know. They take everything, but they search our goods, like they're looking for something they want. They take the medicines and teas we get from Laozu, as well. They always come at the end of the Hour of the Dog, and always on the last day of the month."
"What direction do the bandits come from?"
"North," Bai-Cheng says after a few seconds of thought. "They usually come from the north."
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Hayashi moved his cart into the courtyard once they were invited for tea, and led the steeds to shelter from the soft drizzle. He lowered his sugegasa hat, looking briefly to the rocky north under the gray sky, before entering with the rest for tea.
Bowing slightly to the hardworking couple upon being introduced by Baolin, he remained silent, sipping his tea.
Bai-Cheng sighs and wrings his hands at another whimper from his wife. "I don't know. They take everything, but they search our goods, like they're looking for something they want. They take the medicines and teas we get from Laozu, as well. They always come at the end of the Hour of the Dog, and always on the last day of the month."
The man speaks to the couple for the first time.
"How many?"