As Rixin feels the healing magic flow through him, he smiles. As best he can the monk bows to the woman-like kami. 'Thank you. We were wounded when fighting the oni."
After Aki is healed he grins at her, 'So, what do you think of this adventuring stuff?
"You're welcome," Suzu responds. "And thank you, for coming to us."
Suzu flies off elsewhere in the horde of kami and soon disappears in the mass. You estimate there are currently about five-hundred kami present, but you're nowhere near the Forest's border yet and there's a continual stream of kami joining you.
Aki's face is a mixture of awe and unbelief. "It's, uhm... a bit of an unexpected turn of events...?"
She burst out in spontaneous laughter and shakes her head. "I never expected this to happen in my life, that's for sure! Love it so far!"
If you'd look past Aki and the green kami's huge head, you'd see Yuka look at the kami around her with wide eyes, filled with amazement. Next to her Huan sits looking around with a grin from ear to ear.
Rixin finds himself grinning too, and speaks a bit louder to Yuka and Huan, "Well, I think we chose the right choice." Then eh sobers a bit, 'Remember, we should stick together, no matter what happens. And I think we are likely to see some fireworks..."
More and more kami join you on your way out of the Forest, but this growth eventually comes to a halt. By the time you reach the Forest's edge you estimate there are roughly 5,000 kami present around you. About 1,500 of them are of a small or tiny size, and one may wonder if at least half of those are even capable of fighting oni like the ones you faced before. About 2,500 are of the same size as humans, though the similarities most share with humans more often than not end there. Then there are the large kami, the even larger kami, and the huge kami. It looks like there are fewer kami of every size larger, and the largest of them look ancient. Some of the kami are armed, some unarmed, some bipedal, some possessing more limbs, and some flying in one manner or another. While looking around it becomes apparent kami exist in all shapes and sizes.
As you exit the Forest and enter the swamp lands of Muliwan you notice a single horseman atop a hill to the north, roughly five-hundred yards removed from the kami horde. You see his horse taking a couple of steps backward when more kami emerge from the Forest behind you.
"Zeng Rixin..." the kami Lord's voice says, this time within your head instead of booming through the air. "Tell your kin up north not to fear us. Tell him we have come to your aid."
The entire horde comes to a prompt halt, with some of the kami standing as motionless are trees and some of them moving impatiently like toddlers in a candy store. The huge kami whose shoulder you're sitting on moves to the edge of the horde and puts you on the ground. It lets the others sit atop its shoulders.
Aki casts you a confused look, then quickly looks at your other companions and back at you. "Shouldn't we...?"
"No..." His voice answers resolute, leaving no room for discussion. "Go alone... Show we mean well..."
Alone
After so many years like that, you would think the monk would be used to it. But already he was used to having a bright Aki, a grumpy Huan and a tentative Yuak at his side. Still, Rixin had a feeling you didn't argue with Him.
The monk takes off at a run toward the horseman shouting, "It is I, Zeng Rixin, who spoke to the city fathers. I bring news of the oni army and the Wang brothers."
He hoped one of the terms would make the horseman stand his ground to learn more.
As you approach him you notice the horseman's rather anxious, but he doesn't move away. When you reach the hilltop and the horseman, you get a view of Muliwan in the distance. The city's surrounded by a stunning amount of nomad tents, which cover more land than the city itself does. You estimate there are roughly a thousand tents, and each tent seems to have five or six horses grazing next to it. Warriors on horseback can be seen moving in between the tents, moving between the city and the tents, and scouting the nearby land.
"I think it's best if you come with me?" the horseman next to you half suggests, half asks. His eyes constantly dart to the massive amount of kami south of you.
"I think you should talk to the khan," he resumes, this time with less doubt in his voice.
Rixin's jaw drops at the scale. Sure, he could talk big about 'arts of war' to the local city fathers but the sheer scope of events was overtaking him. Finding a lost scouting party and killing a few oni was one thing, but actual armies, numbering in the thousands?
Swallowing hard the monk bows and says, as firmly as he can, "Of course." Without being obvious he tries to brush the worst of the dirt and mud off his clothes.
"It'll be faster if you hop on back." The horseman turns his horse ninety degrees and points behind him.
With ease Rixin leaps up onto the horse and swings his legs into position. The monk grins and says, "Let's ride!"
Got lucky that time....
The horseman rides toward the camp, where you get several curious looks from the other warriors. You're ridden to a tent in the center of the camp, larger than the other tents and with two red banners near its entrance. On each of the banners is an image of two black, rearing horses facing each other. In front of the tent's entrance stand two guards.
The horseman stops in front of the tent and jumps off the horse. When you also get off the horse, he gives you a respectful nod and smiles. "You're no stranger to riding horses, are you?"
Another man takes the reigns of his horse, and the horseman walks up to the guards. "I bring important news about... about an army of kami. I have a man with me who represents them."
The guards give the horseman a confused look, then exchange said look with each other. They step aside though, and let the horseman enter the tent. as you also enter the tent, you notice it's now you who is the target of the look.
The interior of the large tent is decorated with many rugs and some sofas. In the middle stands a large, low table with maps on it, and around the table sit twelve warriors of varying ages. Most of them are men, but one of them is a woman near thirty years of age. The people around the table stop talking and look up at you and the horseman, and the latter starts talking. "Honorable Khan and tribe leaders, allow me to introduce you to Zeng Rixin. He brings news of an army of kami emerging from the Forest of Spirits, roughly five-thousand kami strong. He was with them."
The horseman hurriedly steps aside to allow you to step forward. All eyes move either to you or fellow tribe leaders, and some of the tribe leaders start shifting nervously. Amid the twelve warriors surrounding the table sits one who doesn't seem the least bit fazed; a man of middle-age, with a full goatee and a face covered in scars. He looks straight into your eyes with a penetrating gaze, his face unmoving.
"I am Khan Kiriltai. What news do you bring, Zeng Rixin?" the man asks with a low, strong voice.
"Greetings, Khan Kiriltai. My name is Zeng Rixin, of the city of Goka. I am a humble traveler in these lands." Rixin bows.
A pause and then, "I was sent by the city to find some lost scouts. Along the way we found oni instead. He told me an army of....ten thousand oni were attacking the city."
"I turned to the legendary kami for aid." he bows again, adding, 'I did not know your Khan was so close or I would have come to you directly."
"The kami have agreed to help our cause for their hatred of the oni runs deep. I say our cause because the oni will kill and destroy all, but I am no general, I have no lands or titles. You counsel is your own, mighty Khan."
The khan's eyes narrow a tiny fraction as you speak, almost unnoticeably so.
"You turned to the kami, and they responded by mobilizing an army... I have not heard of a human doing this before. What convinced them to trust you?"
"And who was it that gave you this mission to find lost scouts?"
Rixin bows, "I brought as live oni back with me. The foul creature was the best proof I could have. I did little convincing on my own part, this is more of an act of self-defense on the part of the spirits."
"As for who sent me, it was Hanzo Shamuda, head of the council of Muliwan." A pause, then "I hope I have no acted in error, my lord."
"You have not," the khan replies immediately following your words. "On the contrary, your swift thinking has done us a tremendous favor. If the army the oni bring to these lands is anywhere near the size you mentioned, we surely would've been crushed without the kami on our side."
He looks at the other warriors at the table. "Now, I feel encouraged. The presence of the kami will turn the tide of battle in our favor, and we won't lose nearly as many good people as we would've otherwise."
The others at the table nod and make sounds of agreement.
Rixin bows formally again, "Greta Khan, how can I assist in this battle? I have not fought oni before, but wish to do my part, however small."
"We of the tribes fight on horseback," the khan starts his answers, "and normally that would mean a lone foot soldier like yourself would likely be trampled in a battle of this scale."
"However, maybe you could fight amid your kami friends, if you want to do your part? Though I've heard some kami are so large they may also trample you..."
The khan thinks for a moment. "Perhaps you can be of use in the organization of the kami forces? We have a good organization, but I don't know if the kami have? If we can organize our joined forces in such a way that can make our side more effective versus the oni, that would be very valuable..."
Khan Kiriltai stands up. "I shall inspect this army of kami with my own eyes. Zeng Rixin, I will send a messenger to inform Hanzo Shimuda of the results of your mission. I want you to join me as I ride to meet the kami."
Rixin bows, "Of course, Khan. I wonder what the kami will make of a lord of men? I imagine many have never met a person such as yourself. Much to learn on both sides."
The monk follows the Khan wherever he goes.
The Khan nods and moves toward the tent's exit. The other tribe leaders also rise, and follow.
You exit the tent with the Khan and other tribe leaders, who are all quickly approached by soldiers holding the reins of their horses. They get on their fetched mounts, and the Khan requests another horse to be brought over.
"You can ride?" the Khan asks you, more or less assuming you indeed can. You're handed the horse's reins.
The monk swallows and looks at the horse, the large beast placidly nibbling some grass.
Here we go...
Rixin carefully climbs up the horse, using the offered reins. Once seated he doesn't move the horse but sweeps a low bow to the Khan, "Lead me, my lord." and proceeds to very carefully follow the other man.
The Khan nods at you and takes off, followed by his fellow tribe leaders. You manage to stay seated and carefully follow after them, thus avoiding any shame.
You reach the same hilltop as before, where the Khan still sits atop his horse as he looks out over the massive army of the kami.
"This is unheard of," the Khan says, his unmoving face finally showing some kind of other expression as he watches the kami with amazement. "Never before have I seen this many of them in one place. Not even half."
There movement within the kami their ranks as the Lord of the kami moves over to the edge, and closes the distance to the hill with a few massive steps. The other kami stay behind, but all turn to look at the hill. You spot your comrades at the edge of the horse, still on the green kami's shoulders.
The kami Lord doesn't climb the hill when he reaches it, but His face still towers out above yours.
"Ruler of humans... I see my friend has found you..."
There's a quick look at you from several of the gathered humans when you're mentioned, and it's quite obvious that the mention of you as a friend of the kami Lord ups the respect for you.
"How do you suggest we proceed?" the Khan asks the Lord.
"We go... We destroy..."
there's a pause before the Khan replies. "Surely we need some kind of plan before we attack?"
The Khan casts a look at you, hoping for some assistance.
Rixin bows and says, raising his voice for the giant Kami. 'My Lord of the Forest, the great khan merely speaks of tactics. It is customary for humans, when fighting, to plan ahead, to use cunning as well as might to destroy our foes. For example, we have found that attacking from all sides increases a chance of victory."
He pauses then ventures, 'The oni are foul and deserving of a great defeat. This Khan has fought many battles and is wise in the arts of war. We can help you best if know what you intend. Do you simply wish to charge headlong, where the oni are strongest and expect you?"
The monk holds his breath wondering if he has gone too far.
A long silence follows your words, and during this silence the kami Lord's gaze is fixed on you.
"I see the wisdom... of such a plan..." the Lord breaks his silence after some time, speaking aloud and startling every non-spirit creature in a radius of at least half a mile with His booming voice.
"My plan... was to attack... head on... Do you suggest... we go from all sides...?"
The Khan speaks up: "Our army has divisions. Basically smaller groups, each commanded by a single person. Each division's leader follows the orders of a tribe leader, and all tribe leaders follow my orders. We use flags and sometimes other signals to indicate where everyone has to move. When everyone follows the orders of those who lead, which is something everyone's trained to do, this allows us to move parts of the army around more efficiently."
With a quick look at the disorganized horde of kami the Kahn adds, "Do you have such a structure, Lord?"
"No... we speak in the mind..."
"Maybe some of you can accompany our leaders, to allow this communication of the mind to spread instructions even faster?"
Another long pause follows.
"Yes... good... And these divisions... we can use those too... but how...?"
"Based on the variety of kami in your army, it may be wise to make divisions based on what each kami can do. We have divisions of lancers, bowmen, and warriors with both sword and shield. I have noticed there's more variety among your ranks."
The Khan looks at you. "Maybe you can help with these divisions, Zeng Rixin?"
Rixin's mind reels but he tries to hide it. Now he was expected to lead armies?
Breathing deep in a quick monk's meditation, he pauses. Then says, "My Lord of the Forest and Khan of the Plains, I will help in any way I can. Lord Khan, perhaps we can assemble some of the bowman behind those largest kami. Master Kami, perhaps we can lace these largest kami in the center to hold our foe, as we thrash them from both sides with nimble horseman and smaller kami."
Rixin prays this is a wise move as he adds, "Khan perhaps we save your lancers for the rear, as a final blow to break the oni army after they are engage don all sides? Lord of the Forest, perhaps we can use your fastest kami to aid this final charge, to fully defeat this evil horde."
The Khan and kami Lord seem to overthink your plan. To what might be your surprise, the Khan then nods. This is followed by the kami Lord saying, this time telepathically again, "You humans know... these tactics... I will therefor... trust you in this..."
They have a back-and-forth about who the leaders of the various divisions will be, and which tiny kami will sit on the shoulder of which human leader in order to efficiently relay messages telepathically. Some of the human divisions are split up and both halves are filled up with kami. Due to the familiarity the human half of the army has with tactics like these, most of the leadership positions are assigned to humans. Though for some divisions, like those with the 'easy' task of marching straight toward the enemy, are often giving kami leaders.
"...alright, and then mister Zeng can lead the 12th division, which will enter combat in the second wave if everything goes according to plan," the Khan says in midst of the discussion.
"That is the one... that signals the start... of this second wave... am I correct... Khan of the humans?"
"That is correct, Lord of the Forest."
Lead a division of horsemen? Rixin suddenly realizes they make expect him to do a task above his abilities....but he could not show weakness.
"You honor me, Lord Khan." He says, nodding to the steppe leader. "What of my friends? I did not come alone, there are three others with the kami. I would wish to fight alongside them, and I am not sure they are well-versed in the ways fighting from the back of a horse."
The Khan looks you over. "Ah... yes... For a moment, I had forgotten you are a monk. It's most extraordinary you know to ride a horse so well, I've never heard of monks actually mastering the art." You get the feeling he's maybe overestimating you even more now.
"Your friends, are they also monks? I don't see weapons on you. Do you all prefer to fight unarmed, or do they use weapons?"
"They are not, great Khan. I am a traveler in these lands, from the great city of Goka. My friends are natives to this place, of both city and wood. They are a varied group of some skill but all unused to pitched battles. I believe we can do most good among the kami, fighting from foot."
Rixin hopes the Khan buys this slightly bent version of the truth.
The Khan seems to take you very seriously and answers, "I see. I would then ask you lead the 24th division, which will enter combat in the third wave. In that wave we send the slower kami in, as sending them in any earlier would make them susceptible to a rain of arrows. The oni forces will hopefully be too occupied with the warriors and kami of the other two waves by the time you make your entrance."
"As leader of the 24th division you will be in charge of the advancement of the entire third wave. Is that an agreeable position for you and your comrades?"
"Our scouts have informed us the oni march in line, and are all on foot," the Khan explains when he sees you thinking. "They march with their melee troops in front, and their archers in the back. A very basic strategy and easy to take advantage of."
The Khan motions for someone to hand him something to draw on. One of the other tribe leaders pulls some paper and ink from a tube attached to his saddle, and hands them to the Khan.
"Thanks," the Khan says and starts drawing, meanwhile continuing his explanation.
"A lot of the land south of Muliwan consists of swamps, and we don't want the horses to enter those. They'll break their legs. The first three miles south of Muliwan do however not contain swamps."
The Khan motions at the surrounding area, a steppe with the occasional hill. "we will position our troops behind these hills, and some of them within the Forest. When the oni draw close enough we will initiate the fight."
He shows you what he's drawn: a crude Forest border and the positions of the various troops, with some arrows showing how the troops will move. As he points each of the waves out, the Khan tells you about their roles.
Rixin nods at the drawing, amazed at how quick the Khan took his vague ideas and turned it into a formidable layout of a battle. It was a skill he must learn, if he hoped to rebuild the Empire. The size of that concept made him reel until he refocused.
"The third wave will suit me and my friends, Lord Khan. I believe we can be of most sue there." he bows to both the man and the kami.
"Good," the Khan says. "then you will lead the third wave, and your friends will serve beneath you."
"As I said before, it's rare for humans to travel with the kami. I would like to meet these friends of yours. I'm sure they also possess great skill."
Rixin thinks of dirty and disheveled Huan, nervous Yuka and grinning Aki. Not the best group to bring before the Khan.
The monk bows, "I hope you meet them as well, while shouting the cries of victory."
The Khan's quiet for a moment, then nods slowly.
"We will have to let the men know their new divisions," the Khan says then. "Informing them that future orders may come as voices inside their heads would also be useful."
The Khan bows toward the Lord of the Forest. "I will return once my tribes have been informed. Will you... stay here?"
"I will... wait..."
After bowing again the Khan turns his horse around. He looks at you before leaving. "Zeng Rixin. We will go over the strategy again this evening. I'd like for you to join us again when that time comes. Where can my men find you when I wish to summon you?"
"I will rejoin my friends near the edge of the forest, among the kami." The monk smiles, "We will try to be near the edge so your rider doesn't have to thread his way through an army of imposing spirits."
The monk bows and adds, 'To victory over the oni!"
You leave the horse behind, handing its reins to a tribal leader who holds out a hand when he sees you dismount, and head back to your friends.
When you return to your friends you find a slightly nervous Aki, a very nervous Yuka, and a completely stoic Huan waiting for you. They've all gotten off the huge kami's shoulders and either sit or stand in front of it.
"And?" Huan asks as he slowly gets up from his seated position, then lets out a yawn.
Yuka casts a slightly anxious look from Huan to you and quietly awaits your answer, not moving. Aki meanwhile moves up to you and speaks before you get a chance. "What happened? We saw you on that hill over there, and were told you were devising some kind of strategy?"
Your friends have apparently already received some information from the kami, but you tell them about all the things that have been discussed. The anxious looks on the girls' faces doesn't change much during or after your story, but Huan's stoic face has lifted and made room for one filled with amusement.
"Now we just have to prove ourselves," the hunter comments with a snicker, briefly looking at the massive horde of kami behind him.
------
That afternoon the kami suddenly start moving about. The unannounced movement confuses your friends for a moment, until they realize what's going on: the kami are moving into formation, forming the waves and divisions they've been assigned to. While the divisions that are supposed to come from the Forest head beyond the treeline, the other kami who will make up the second wave also split from you and head into the opposite direction. The to-be-first wave and to-be-third wave move beyond the hill you stood on before, where the to-be-first wave stays. The to-be-third wave moves further up north, closer to the massive human camp, and you follow along as it moves into position and further separates into divisions.
Near the end of the afternoon a messenger on horseback emerges from the human camp and rides up to you. He informs you about a tent that's been made available for you and your friends, in case you'd prefer some warmth over sleeping outdoors with the kami. Huan shrugs and lets you know he doesn't mind either way, but the girls seem eager to get inside the tent; it's gotten a bit chilly outside.
Rixin is used to cold places, but the wind is cutting tonight. He gives the women time to settle in, and passes the time by talking with Huan.
"So, quite the sight, eh?" The monk says waving his hand at the vast array of kami around him. 'We live in interesting times."
A pause then, "I hope to have an army of my own someday, perhaps a bit more mundane then this, but still...." He leaves it hanging wondering what Huan will say.
Even though the wind's cutting tonight you're sure tomorrow will be a most wonderful day, filled with sunshine and absolutely zero chance of rain.
Huan doesn't respond immediately, but a gradual frown forms on his brow.
"What would you use it for?" he asks slowly.
"To reclaim my family's honor." It occurs to Rixin that a wild woodsman may not approve of re-forming an Empire and decides to come clean now.
"My family was, in the old days, high in the Lung Wa Empire, that ruled all of Tian Xia. I seek to re-build the empire, by going to Avistan, gathering an army and returning here, to rally the forces of peace and order. Restoring the empire and my family name."
Saying it out loud the monk realizes just how...big the task is. The words hang in the chilly air.
Huan's eyes narrow thoughtfully. "Many lives will be lost in a continent wide war, yet you claim your forces will establish peace and order. How will you justify the losses?"
He points around him. "Do you mean to fight the Khan and kami as well? Every nation on the continent?"
Rixin ponders this but it is something he has thought long and hard about. "Many lives are lost now." he says bluntly, "In petty wars between lost splinters of empire, between ruling families, between cities. We have lands ruled by spiders, by kraken, by bandit princes. The simple people suffering endlessly at the hands of a parade of unholy and unwholesome masters. Would not the Empire, a strong Empire put an end to that?"
The monk stands up, pacing and speaking strongly, "Would not ending the hobgoblin empire of Kaoling be worth one army campaign? Ending the communism of Bachuan be worth a life? As for the kami, would they not rejoice that an Empire came into being that would defeat the oni, that lvie openly and keep human as chattel?"
The hunter thinks deep and hard, pondering your words.
"But what if the kami don't want to join your Empire? What if the Khan doesn't want to? These are good factions, not evil like the oni or kraken you speak of. Would you allow them to keep their own lands, as long as their own nations are peaceful? Or would you force them to join your Empire anyway?"
Rixin nods, "The old Empire would simply invade and take what they had. I do not seek to simply re-make the Empire but improve it. I think nations would join us when they see what I am building, the good I am doing. It may require battle to subdue local warlords or evil rulers, but the people...the people would rise in my favor. Good, peaceful lands would know this and joins us willingly, on some level. I do not ask the kami to bow to me or Minkai, but I would ask them to work the Empire to usher in a new age of peace and prosperity."
"You speak too easily about this," Huan comments while shaking his head, but not in a disapproving way. There's actually a hint a sympathy in the hunter's eyes, but also a hint of sadness.
"I'd like to see peace brought to all of Tian Xia and I'd love for you to succeed, but where there's peace there will also be conflict."
Huan motions at the Forest. "To eat I must hunt. This means I have to kill. Nature... no, life itself... is cruel. If you have not learned this yet, you will."
Rixin frowns, unsure of what to say. Would not a powerful and just Empire be better then all of these petty kings and bandit lords? Why would the kami, or the Khan not wish to join, if they were just?
A bit stiffly Rixin says, 'I have seen the world, Huan, I know it is not always peace and sunshine. We ourselves face a great battle tomorrow against evil. But I will not let that swerve me from my mission. The people of Tian Xia deserve better."