Outside, Mamoru breathes deeply of the evening, rain-laden air.
'Looks like I have a few minutes to examine my options before the rains start.'
Mamoru looks around the street. It seems as if he is merely enjoying the evening air. He bows politely to any passer-byes who happen to still be heading home to avoid the rains. He then walks over to the side of the house, puts down his pack, and after bowing to the four winds, begins a series of slow exercises while muttering what sounds like prayers.
Mamoru finishes his devotions with another bow to the four winds. He then wipes the sweat from his brow with a towel from his pack, and takes a sip from his water skin. Taking one last look around, he smiles and bows amiably to any who are lingering in the streets. And then hastens inside before the rains start.
Several of the villagers look oddly at the young bushi as he walks round the village, muttering to himself.
I listen, obviously more intent on the mining operation I am running in my nostril. When I find my personal gold, i turn to our host.
"Whatever this black blemish may be, I will see it rooted out. No force can stand before the natural order."
After my brief statement, I begun looking for a convenient place to stash my nasal treasure, settling on the bottom of my tea cup.
Yorinaga mentally sighes his exasperation as he watches ooChai perform his usual facial excavation. To distract Gobo-san, he asks, "As headman, you know the population of your mura, of course. How many able bodied men do you have here?"
Gobo thinks for a second and replies, "Well there's Toshiro and his brother and, oh yes those other two.. so that's... all together I think we have eight men who have experience as ashigaru."
He looks confused, "If I may be so bold, sir; why do you ask? Surely you do not think we could be in danger enough to warrant that? I do no even know how much use they would be."
"Gobo-san, you're village is an attractive price to any bandit who might have a mind to swagger in and take it. These men of the Black Temple will surely come for the harvest. And your women." Yorinaga declared ominously as he gives voice to his suspicions and stares into the eyes of Gobo.
"Gobo-san, word of this should not reach the others or it will cause panic and then there would be no hope."
Looking at his friends, both new and old, Jiro says," Perhaps you are right Shinko. While we may get more direct answers about the nature of these bandits demands from Gobo-san the villagers may know more than they realize." Jiro heads to a house of a family that has hosted him and Shinko in the past. He knocks politely at the entrance and waits for a response.
The short monk knocks on the door of Kichirou, who answers it and nods at each of the three travellers quickly, "Hello, brother," he says "May I help you at all today?"
Jiro bows respectfully several times," It is with great apology that I disturb you at home Kichirou-san. It seems the weather is turning and we would be most appreciative if we may join you for tea?"
Gobo thinks for a second and replies, "Well there's Toshiro and his brother and, oh yes those other two.. so that's... all together I think we have eight men who have experience as ashigaru."
He looks confused, "If I may be so bold, sir; why do you ask? Surely you do not think we could be in danger enough to warrant that? I do no even know how much use they would be."
"Gobo-San, It is probably not as bad as all that." Mamoru says softly into the conversation. With a bow of apology at the interruption, he turns and closes the door he just opened, making considerably more noise than he did when he opened it.
Bowing again, he continues. "OoChai's bodyguard is a student of warfare and tactics, a genuinely brilliant man. Tho he sometimes forgets his place in his enthusiasm to apply his knowledge." Mamoru finished with a single raised eyebrow at Yorinago.
"What I believe the honorable sir meant was, you have been threatened. It is merely the act of a prudent man to prepare for the possibility that the threat was not merely bluster." He smiled softly. "Surely the man who runs such a successful village could manage such a task without causing panic in those he has managed so well?"
Mamoru coughs lightly. "At least, That is what I believe the honorable sir is trying to say." He finishes with a bow to the warrior. He then dutifully begins picking up the tea dishes and cleaning up.
Yorinaga laughs, "Thank you, Mamoru-san for putting into plain speech what I wanted to say," nudging Gobo, "Anyways, Gobo-san, those of the Black Temple would think twice before doing anything foolish now that there are witnesses who can carry news of their perfidy to the authorities, neh."
@ooChai, Mamoru, Yorinaga
Gobo looks at each of you with a mixture or suspicion and confusion; he obviously doesn't know quite what to make of your odd interaction.
"We are farmers, sir, not warriors. We have grain to harvest and livestock to tend. We cannot afford the time to spend in preparations for a fight that we could not possibly win (were it to occur at all). But, I thank you for your concern and will think upon what you have said." He says, and then stands up and offers to take the task of collecting from Mamoru. The tidying up done, he looks to the doorway, where you can see a slight brightening outside. "Ah.. the Lady of the Sun has graced us once more" he says.
@Kani, Jiro, Shinko
Kichirou nods and motions for you to enter. An old lady, a young boy and a young woman share this hut with him. They all nod respectfully at each of you. With all of you in there is just about enough room to sit comfotably around the central hearth.
"Gobo-san, perhaps you can invite those holy men and the outlander you. His Excellency ooChai is keen on hearing interesting stories."
"Gobo-San. I am but a humble servant, but you have honored me by making us all your guests. It would be my honor to carry the message for you." Mamoru bows, then gives another half-grin. "Please, Forgive my enthusiasm. I confess I share my master's weakness for unusual tales."
Kani makes a small show to take his axe and his basket off just outside of the door, leaning the axe against the house with some bit of ceremony. He enters the house nodding to everyone, but thumps Kichirou on the arm with a familiarity that hasn't been earned.
"Your hospitality is excellent, Kichirou-san! Thus far I have been tasting the hospitality of Farmer Morinaga-san's barn. I chop wood for a space over his ox, I would have a nicer space over the mule, but he charges me to rent his rusty old axe since I won't use my fine blade for cutting anything but the wicked."
@Yorinaga, ooChai, Mamoru
Gobo nods with a slightly put-upon look, and says, "Very well, I shall bring them to you forthwith." He turns and with a sigh, leaves his house.
@Shinko, Kani, and Jiro
Kichirou looks bewildered by Kani's torrent of talk, but seems friendly enough. He sits and motions for you all to do so. He introduces his elderly mother (who ignores you all and carries on eating her rice), his wife, and his son. Some hesitant answers from them all, bar the old lady who persists in eating, indicate that they don't know very much about the supposed bandits. Gobo spoke to a couple of messengers who claimed to be from some temple or other that no-one had heard of. Gobo sent them packing, and they went away swearing vengeance. The headman thought they were probably just trouble-makers but sent a message to the estate manager anyway.
As you are talking, there is a knock at the door, and none other than Gobo enters once Kichirou has opened up. The headman wears a look of consternation and says in a rather impatient tone, "The noblemen who entered the village just now wish to speak to you, about what I cannot imagine. Please, will you follow?"
Shinko raises and eyebrow and glances at his companions. He then turns and bows to Kichirou, "If you would excuse us," he says, "It would be best if we did not keep these esteemed travellers waiting, although, much like Gobo-san, I do not know what they might want with us."
He bows again, surrepticiously slipping a tael under his tea cup. He stands and bows to Gobo.
"I am ready."
Kani grunts and rises to his feet. He gives their host a bow sending his sleeves tumpling down in a flood of fabric. "Thank you, Kichirou-san. Your hospitality is a credit to your village." As he leaves the house, he shoulders his basket and hooks his axe to his belt.
As he walks past Gobo (to reach the noblemen first) he mutters loudly, "Improbably, we find ourself looking at the same scenery, Gobo-san, for I cannot imagine why they would like to talk to you."
Gobo looks with annoyance at Kani but says nothing.
Kani, Shinko, Jiro
Spot Check
You can link to this roll at
http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1394140
Kani proceeds on obliviously.
Kani trots on, annoying Gobo.
:D
;P
;P
;P
Jiro, Shinko, Kani
A look of distress passes over Gobo's face. He leaves hastily, runs to the centre of the village and begins pounding the alarm block (a piece of wood that he hammers with a large mallet). Heads pop out of windows and doors slide open wide. Screaming and crying the villagers run out into the street, swirling in panic. Finally clustering at the base of the alarm mound. Many of their faces tear-streaked they shout and scream at the myoshu. Over their voices, Gob bellows "Family! Riders are coming! They are bandits!"
Yorinaga, ooChai, Mamoru
Yorinaga could only shake his head as he heard the word "Bandits." He unlimbers his daikyu and says, "They are bandits after all and do not deserve the honor of steel. Mamoru, Oochai, prepare yourselves."
"Gobo-san," Shinko begins, "please be so kind as to get your villagers to a safe place. We," he gestures to his companions, "will try to deal with these bandits. Perhaps if they see something more than just frightened peasants, they will reconsider this karma-damaging course of action. Would you also ask your eminent visitor to send his retainers to stand with us?"
Shinko turns away, as if certain that his requests will be dealt with in a timely fashion. He says a brief prayer to the spirit of this village, and loosens up a bit.
Mamoru spins from where he stands at the door with his master and the mysterious mage. In the two steps towards his gear pack he has shed his travel robe. He quickly snags a few small items from his pack and secrets them in his shirt, belt and various other places in his clothing. He then grabs his shortbow and quiver, and shoulders his much lightened pack.
"I will be nearby", He says, bowing quickly but respectively.
"If possible, you might try to set up a "defense" in front of the nearest grain storage. I will be waiting for them" He barely smiles, a smirk that only his childhood friend would know indicated the humor of a keen mind.
"This should be easy. They ARE supposedly here for the grain after all."
With another nod Mamoru deftly slips between them and out the door, without ruffling their clothing in the process.
Once in the square, he quickly looks around to verify the direction of the approaching riders, and the nearest grain storage building to where they will enter the town. He quickly ducks around the side of that building, and climbs to the roof.
Once on the roof, Mamoru carefully places himself out of easy sight of anyone looking at the building, and makes himself comfortable with his arrows in easy reach. He knocks an arrow to his bow, and readies himself. He calms his beating heart with a traditional exercise, hearing his old teachers shrill voice the entire time.
'Excitement, Adventure. BAH. A true Ghost Warrior craves not these things. When you are calm, at peace, then you know you are acting with honor, and in tune with the spirits. In time, you will learn to join them for a short while.'
Mamoru's trademark smirk reappeared. He strove to live up to his mentor's teachings, but his honor demanded that he confess that he DID crave adventure & excitement. And if he tried not to go looking for it, he certainly was not rude enough to refuse it if it rode up to him on horseback!
Mamoru manages to make out from the wailing and gnashing of teeth that the riders will be coming in from the north, a large number of them.
Shinko rather coolly tries to talk to Gobo but has trouble making himself heard over the shouts and cries of the villagers.
From his vantage point Yorinaga notices one or two men return to their homes and come out again bearing spears.
These villagers might have some spine after all.
"Oochai-san, if you can, move to a vantage point where you can cover most of the area."
Yorinaga then smoothly moves out of Gobo's house. He calmly strides to square and in a loud booming voice he shouts, "Silence!"
Kani catches up his axe and readies it, limbering his arms as he dances a couple of odd footwork patterns toward Gobo. As he sees the preparations being made he gives a throaty ullulation holding his axe aloft. "Now we will see these brigands paying for the distresses they place on the children."
After Gobo has made his announcement the panic of the villagers increases; a chorus of screams erupts from the older women, and several of the weaker-willed men fall to their knees sobbing. The outer fringes of the ground begin to run away. SOme take shelter in their homes, other prepare to leave the mura.
Only a few men run for their spears, determined to fight. The women claw at and cling to them, pleading with them not to die foolishly.
Kani dances about in the confusion, twirling his axe, as Shinko calmly addresses Gobo.
Yorinagi's voice bellows over the voices of what remains of the crowd. There is a moment of silence as the villagers are stunned by his volume. The men with spears look to one another, and back at Yorinaga, impressed by his martial mien.
Mamoru:
@The Celestial One-
Now that I have their attention, I must take the initiative.
"People, calm yourselves. Now, women and children go to Gobo's, that the largest building in the village. Stay there. The rest of the men get whatever weapon that you have, quickly. What you do today, now, will echo in eternity."
Yorinaga's impassive face betray nary a hint of the turmoil he is feeling inside.
"Know that as I speak to you that these bandits ride here to their doom... for you shall be the instument of their chastisement. They shall feel the rapture of your justice. And they shall know that they are less than men."
Most of the villagers look at Yorinaga as if he is mad, and Gobo's mouth opens and closes when he tells all the women and children to go to his house!
After the briefest of pauses, things dissolve into chaos again. Except for some of the men, who jog up to Yorinaga bearing their spears. "We are with you, lord. But we do not know how many we face!" says one.
Mamoru dashes off to the east, ready to position himself.
Yorinaga confidently says, "It does not matter how many these bandits are for we shall crush them. They are bullies and cannot stand against determined resistance."
Yorinaga then takes a moment to inspect the villagers and their armaments.
Seeing some of the rag-tag attempt at a militia and overhearing the calm man, Kani leaps in the air extatically. "Yes! And you show your great honor fighting to protect your homes and children while others of able bodies hide like the quaking hare under the ferns! You provide the picture of stregth to your village! I am honored to fight with those uphold this noble cause!"
Yorinaga is presented with the sight of 8 unarmoured men carrying spears and 1 excitable korobokuru with an axe.
Eyeing the warriors before, Yorinaga could only think that it could be worse.
"As we shall be comrade in arms, it is but proper that you know my name and for me to know yours. My name is Yorinaga."
Yorinaga waits for the others to give their names.
"Where is the main road of the mura? That is where we can expect the bandits to pass through."
I stride calmly over to the center of the square, leaning heavily on my spear, then in anticipation of the attack I cast mage armor.
The little barbarian lopes over and performs a sweeping bow before Yorinaga.
"Greetings, Honorable Yorinaga-san, I am Ran-Tan Kani." He pauses, opens his mouth wide, and sticks out his tounge as far as he can... it is obvious how his clan name Ran-Tan, or 'Orchid-Tongued' came by the name. Kani's tongue is slightly pointed and ridged along the sides, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the petal of the high mountain orchids. Pulling his tongue back in, he raises his axe high overhead and grins wildly.
"It is my great pleasure to stand with you and these men against the foul brigands who terrorize the townfolk. We will lay them low for their predications!"
His impassive face betraying nothing, "Domo. I do not wish to hog all the glory. There is more than enough for everyone."
"Let's organize ourselves into two squads. Ran-Tan-Kani, you take command of the other squad. Our tactics will be simple. One squad engages. The other supports. The first squad disengages and moves past the second squad. The second squad holds off the bandits, as the first squad reforms further down the road. And so on. Is that clear to everyone?"
Kani nods. "Although my axe cries out to cleave the defilers, we shall hold and come as the second wave. Come with me, you four."
Upon Yorinaga issuing them their orders the spearmen look confused, not certain who should be going where. When Kani barks his command, the indicated four gladly follow him.
Yorinaga gestures to the remaining four, "You are in luck... you get the first opportunity to spill the blood of the lawless. Form-up! Spears, forward!" Yorinaga arms his daikyu.
He gestures to Ran-Tan-Kani, "Bring up your squad when I call for you."
Mamoru, having managed to attain his lofty goal of the roof, settles himself in (as posted above), after first making sure that his silk rope is attached to a post of the building in case he should need to descend in a hurry.
From his position, laying on the side of the roof away from the riders' approach, he looks to see how many are coming, and how far away they are,...