"Kakita-dono" Kitao looks at the him "Would you mind helping me improve my dueling stance, any help you can provide, I would be in debt to you"
Heizo comfortably holds his own during the conversation. When the talk turns to the business of the Mantis and Phoenix, he expresses his regret, but ends on a confident note that he is certain relations between the two Clans can be improved. Whether or not his companions are aware that he's more motivated by the prospect of lost profits rather than mending fences with the damned Phoenix is left to their respective judgements.
Beyond that, he notices nothing particularly out of the ordinary.
Miyuki continues to make small talk with the samurai, content to enjoy the tea and company and does not notice anything amiss.
The meeting continues amicably, with Mitsuhide continuing to share news from around the Empire. After a while, he excuses himself on business and takes his leave. You feel as if you made a decent impression. After the Imperial courtier has left, Gokinju secures rooms and you are left to a final night of rest in comfort before entering the wilderness.
The next morning, you depart Ryokou ni Joukai Mura just as early as you left Pale Oak City the previous day. This time, however, your route is a harrowing descent down the bluffs toward Dragon Heart Plain.
The majestic view of the evening before takes on a new and more dangerous aspect as you confront the idea of climbing down those daunting bluffs. Shadowed by the rising sun behind them, the path looks to be narrow, crumbling, and wrapped in darkness, a thousand-foot descent of winding switchbacks and treacherous footing.
The road was once a well-used path, but it’s clear that several years’ worth of neglect have taken their toll. Fallen trees and small rockslides block the route, and the path had crumbled away entirely in places, forcing you to scramble across the steeply sloped face of the bluff itself.
=> 16
= 17
During the scramble down the hillside, Miyuki and Heizo both lose their footing. Suana attempts to grab Miyuki, but the act throws him off balance and he slides down as well. Although you sustain little actual damage, a sharp frown from Gojinku indicates that if he already suspected you incapable of handling yourselves in the wilds, your tumble did not improve his opinion.
When the rest of the group reaches the fallen partly down the hillside, Gokinju calls a stop. "This terrain presents a challenge to our mules. Do any of you have experience in guiding animals?"
Heizo frowns, already embarrassed that he has lost face due to his misstep. He did not relish this next confession.
"While I have dabbled in horsemanship before, I regret to say it is not an area in which I have received extensive training, Miya-sama."
Kitao walks with the grace of the fox through the forest, as if it were a road and while he does not look down on the great clan bushi tempting as it is, he can barely hide a smirk.
Bowing deeply to Miya-sama with shame in his face, after all admitting ones short comings is a virtue "I regret that my duties have prevented me from learning how to guide the animals, and just as Yoritomo-san I have training in horsemanship, but that is all"