Rixin stares at the men. "I met some of these...nomads, on my way here. They really helped me when I needed it. Let us see what is going on. Perhaps they bring news?"
With grace and skill Rixin pushes to the front of the mass. Being strong and muscular helps, not to mention Aki in tow.
When you move up to them you hear the men are discussing if they should find an apothecary next, or go there later. Nothing remarkable.
"Have you not heard?" the first man asks you surprised. "The oni tribes from Chu Ye are on the rise. They're invading southern Hongal, forcing us nomads to travel north."
Rixin bows in reply and looks serious, "This is not good news. Does this happen often? Why do the oni want Hongal?" The monk is not sure why anyone would want the glacial tundra but doesn't say so.
The man makes a pained face. "I've heard the leader of the oni tribes is hungry for power, but some say he's forced out of Chu Ye by Zhanagorr, the elder kraken that rules the nation of Wanshou."
The other man nods affirmatively. "The onis rape and plunder every nomad tribe they come across, so we fled up north with dozens of other tribes. Some say they've already spotted oni near Muliwan... We won't be staying here for long, just in case those rumors are true."
The monk ponders this. One on hand he is going north, away from this town. The oni would not bother him but then he glances at Aki. This was her land, her city. She would treat it so lightly.
'Is the city planning on doing anything about it?" Rixin asks.
One of the men laughs. "It's clear you're not from around here, dear Rixin. This is Muliwan, not Goka. The city itself doesn't have a lot of defenses. The tribes are uniting to protect it, but so far only ours has arrived."
Aki then chimes in to tell you some details: "Hongal's governed by a Khanate of loosely affiliated tribes. My guess is the Khan will gather the tribes' leaders, a thing that's usually done right here in Muliwan due to the city's somewhat central position."
The man nods. "Yes, word has reached us that several other tribes are also on their way, including the Khan's tribe. We can only hope they arrive in time, so we can unite and drive the oni back before they arrive here."
His fellow tribesman sighs. "There have already been sightings, though..."
The monk notices Aki is very worried about the oni. He resolves to ask her about it, as soon as this conversation is over. He turns back to the tribesman.
"Will they attack the city? Will not the town gather whatever local fighters they can? Call a militia?"
"Some townsfolk have resolved to take matters into their own hands and have indeed begun preparations in case Muliwan's attacked," the man tells you, "though we hope it doesn't have to come to that."
The other man nods in agreement, then folds his hands in front of him. "We have to go now. Stay safe, Zeng Rixin."
Aki seems to have noticed that you picked up on her unease.
"Is there something we can do? This is where I was born and raised, I don't want to see this place overrun by oni..."
Rixin bows back to the herdmen, his own bow overly formal as usual. he turns to Aki, seeing the distress in hr face. 'Yes, we will help. At least, as best we can. I do not want to miss our caravan, unless it is strictly necessary." The monk smiles, 'I doubt we are that important."
Then he grows serious, "If the citizens are talking about organizing, where would they be? I don't want to go charging off without consulting them. But I will offer us to do some scouting, if they wish. We will probably be better then anyone else in the city."
Aki returns your smile with a smile of her own, albeit a slightly wry one. "We have a city hall where the meetings are held. If things are truly dire I suspect the elders are currently there, discussing how deal with the situation."
She leads you through the busy main street and another, smaller but equally busy, street. You stop in front of a wooden port that blocks access to a small courtyard. A grind path leads up from the port to the double doors of a stately building with red walls that lack windows.
Aki pushes the port open and proceeds toward the double doors, but paused in front of the doors. "If we're going to offer to do some scouting, maybe we can ask Huan for help?" she opts.
Rixin had already had the same thought, "I agree Aki, Huan is better in the wilds then either of us. I would be foolish to not take him into the rough country." then the monk smiles, 'I would be equally foolish to bring him to a formal militia meeting. Huan is not the most...outwardly trustworthy man. We'll make better progress indoors without him. if something comes of t, we will recruit him ourselves."
The Goka monk pushes out the double doors, wondering what a emergency meeting in this city looks like. He is sure it would be nothing like those at home (not that Goka would have been bothered by a mere invading army).
The doors give way to a room devoid of furnishings. Another door sits in the back of the room, and two city guards stand on either side. Aki walks up to the city guards with you.
"We request a meeting with the elders," Aki states.
One of the guards replies: "The elders are currently busy. They do not wish to be interrupted."
"We come to provide help."
"I have to ask you to return later."
Aki looks a bit annoyed when she turns to you and whispers, "They'll still be busy 'later.' What do we do?"
Rixin knows the technique, of course. His grandfather, one of the commercial princes of Goka had been fond of the trick himself, making people wait for days, weeks, even months.
He had no time for this.
The monk places his hands on his hips, throws out his (rather impressive chest) and bellows, "My name is Zeng Rixin, of the House of Zeng in Goka. I have come to aid your city in its time of need. I will not be kept out, like a servant or slave. I, scion of the mightiest commercial house in the Free City of Goka. Am I to be left as a beggar?"
Your words cause the guards, and Aki, to jump up.
"Uhm, no, sir! Of course not, sir!" one of the guards stammers, and the door is quickly opened for you.
You and Aki enter the space beyond, a rectangular room with posh tapestries on the walls depicting various mythical creatures from stories well-known throughout the entire continent of Tian Xia. On both sides of the room, along the long walls, five elderly humans are seated on pillows. Most of them are male, but of them are women. All of them wear formal kimonos. Opposite from the entrance, at the far end of the room, sits another old man who wears a stately hat in addition to the same formal kimono.
"And who are you?" the latter man asks as you enter, annoyance all over his face.
Rixin enters the room, with more politeness then he showed at the door. He goes to the center of the room, with Aki behind him, and bows low three times, descending as he goes. It was the current height of fashion in Goka, although it might be a high brow for this crowd.
"My name is Zeng Rixin. I am journeying in these lands on business of my own. Your city has been good to me, and I thank you. I have heard there is trouble with oni on the southern marches. I inquire if my services may be needed?"
A softer tongue is needed here...
The old man doesn't immediately reply. He looks you and Aki over and seems to ponder your question.
"Which services do you provide?" he eventually asks, once most of the eyes in the room have cast an expectant look in his direction.
"The skills of one who has traveled long in the wilds, trained in the arts of war, and educated by some of the finest minds in Goka. Not to mention pure and noble blood of the highest degree." Rixin says, putting a bold face on it.
"As well as Aki, a native of your city and a fine shot with a bow." He adds, bowing slightly.
Aki also bows. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aki Zhao. I..."
"I know who you are," one of the old men at your left side responds loudly, cutting Aki off. "You're not worthy of the Zhao name! Your mother defiled it when she and that foreigner...!"
"Shut it, Yaru!" one of the present women shouts. "Do not blame a child for the parents' sins, if such a thing as falling in love can even be called a sin!"
"Bah, love! That piece of s&$@ walked out on her and she hanged herself for it!"
"Quiet!" the man at the other end of the room yells, and everyone falls quiet. He slowly turns back to you and Aki, and pauses a moment before he speaks again. "Aki here reminded me of an act of politeness I personally had forgotten due to the sudden nature of your visit. Allow me to introduce myself, Aki and Rixin. My name is Hanzo Shamuda, and I'm the head of the elder council that guides Muliwan."
Hanzo then turns to Yaru, who spoke ill of Aki before. "Your behavior's unfitting of someone in your position, Yaru. I will not tolerate another outburst like that. Do you understand?"
Yaru grunts something that's supposed to be affirmative, and Hanzo continues to speak to you: "I'm sorry for this... Anyway, yes, I'd like to make use of your services..."
"We've informed the Khan of the impeding danger coming from the oni, and his tribe and others' are on their way to Muliwan. The plan's to gather here, organize themselves, and head south to deal with the oni threat. One of the tribe's already arrived, and we have news most of the other tribes will arrive in a matter of days. The thing we're worried about is that the oni could reach Muliwan before the Khan's gathered all the tribes, which would be a disaster."
"Parties of scouts have been sent south to inform us about the oni's approach. They give us a daily report and it looks like the oni are still a good distance away. However, one party of scouts hasn't sent us any reports since yesterday morning. This is where you can come in, if you are willing to accept the job. I'd like the two of you to investigate what happened to the scouts and, let's hope it's not too late, safely return them to Muliwan if they're not able to continue their mission."
Aki stands quietly, her eyes darting between Hanzo, you, and the floor. It's quite obvious she's feeling uncomfortable due to Yaru's outburst.
Rixin reminds himself these are backwoods bumpkins . In Goka such an open display of distaste and baldly bringing old wounds would have lost much face. It would have been the social talk of the year (and in the most elite circles, the talk of the decade).
Still, the monk kept his face careful stone.
Instead he merely replies to the last section, that pertained to the mission.
"Such a mission is dangerous. The people willing to do it would need to be brave and love your city." His eyes track to Aki, plainly showing he means her, not him. If he can regain Aki some honor....all the better.
'We will do this. Where is the last spot you would place the scouts?" Rixin says, knowing even if the directions are bad Huan and Aki can tell him where to go.
While your eyes track to Aki so do the eyes of most of the elders. You can see Aki's discomfort disappear as her own eyes quickly dart to you and she shows you a brief, reassuring smile.
"The disturbing thing is they were on their way back to Muliwan when they disappeared," Hanzo says with great concern. "Their last report states they were but half a day removed from here when night fell, and they decided to set up their camp where the plains, the Forest of Spirits, and the lake meet."
Hanzo takes a map, rolls it out in front of him, and beckons you to come closer. He points at a spot that matches his description.
Aki takes a look at the map and nods. "I know that spot, I've been there before. It takes half a day if you decide to traverse the swamps west of the forest, but if you cut through the forest and follow the lake's eastern edge it'll take less. The undergrowth is easy to traverse there."
She points at a spot halfway between Muliwan and where the scouts' set up their camp. "Yuka lives there. I reckon we can find Huan there if he's not at his own home. Unless... he's out hunting somewhere..."
Rixin notes the passing of glances. Knowing Huan himself, he is not surprised. The rough woodsman is not the type to be forgotten. Still, at least they didn't all frown. Honestly better then he expected.
The monk looks up from the map. 'How many men and what were their names? Aki and I offer our services to find your scouts and bring them home safely. If we do some scouting on our own, all the better."
Secretly the monk also hopes to give Aki (and himself) some 'combat' experience. Working under pressure would be good for them. Also, any fame they gather would clear the way for Aki to join the caravan. Who could turn down a war hero?
Hanzo also looks up from the map as he replies. "The scouting parties are comprised of three members each. This party's members are Wang Chao, Wang Chen, and Lee Jing. Wang Chao's the party's leader, and eldest of the Wang brothers."
"I assume you're okay with it if we discuss payment for your services after you've proven your worth?" Hanzo asks, not waiting for an answer before he continues, "Time is of the essence. I reckon you want to leave as soon as possible."
With that said Hanzo dismissively rolls the map back up and puts it away.
Rixin blinks. He wasn't expecting to get paid, but maybe....The monk stands and bows formally.
Rixin turns to Aki, 'Do you know the Wang brothers? Also, shall we go talk to Huan? I think we can rope him into this little job. Sounds like something he might even enjoy."
"I don't know them personally, but I've seen them around," Aki tells you. "I've heard Wang Chao has great ambitions and often volunteers for dangerous jobs to prove his worth, hoping to one day claim a high position in Muliwan or even Ordu-Aganhei. His brother, Chen, I don't really know much about. Except that he's usually found wherever Chao goes. Lee Jing used to work in the grocery store. A friendly guy, but not the type I'd imagine in a scouting party. I guess his family needed the money."
Aki nods as you suggest to go talk to Huan. "We could use his skills and knowledge of the area."
You head to Huan's house, only to find it just as abandoned as the previous time you went there. Figuring you may find him at Yuka's place, which is halfway the scouts' camp anyway, you head there. Sure enough, as you approach the witch's hut and the warning signs that surround it, you're greeted by Huan's familiar voice.
"Wow, you really did miss me," Huan says as he opens a window and leans out, laughing.
"Weren't you going to the Crown? That's in the opposite direction, Rix. Your girl's been leading you astray."
A devastating glare from Aki causes Huan to raise his arms apologetically. "Don't shoot me, lass!"
You see the curious face of Yuka pop up behind Huan. The girl stays quiet as Huan continues. "So what brings you here, want more tea?"
Rixin smiles at the man's jokes. After the pompousness of the council (and the barely veiled hostility) it is a welcome change. The monk quickly tells Huan everything, allowing Aki to fill in details he missed or did not know.
"I think we can be of use, Huan. Do you wish to make an adventure of it?" Rixin asks, adding, "Your city is in danger, although that may mean less to you then others."
Wild men who live in the woods often lack patriotism.
Huan shrugs nonchalantly. "Actually don't care at all about the city, but neither do I like having oni so close to the Forest. Guess I'll help you, bud. For you and Aki, if nothing else."
"Can I come?" Yuka asks spontaneously, her cheeks immediately flushing after her question and her eyes turning to the floor.
Rixin smiles to himself. He was glad she had said something. The monk had planned to ask her, but didn't want to embarrass her.
He bows to her and says, "I had hoped to ask you, Yuka." he says, pitching his voice a bit lower and more formal. 'I am honored that you would come with us." She he grins, 'Having someone who can do magic is always useful!"
He turns to Huan, 'How well do you know the lay of the land?"
"Did you just ask if I know my own backyard?" Huan asks, faking shock.
"Come on, Yuka. Let's go."
Huan closes the window and within a minute you're joined by the hunter and witch. Huan's wearing the exact same clothes as before; a simple, brown traveler's outfit. Yuka's wearing a dark purple dress and a pink coat.
The hunter frowns at his niece. "You know you stand out like a sore thumb, don't you?"
Yuka's face flushes again.
"Meh, just stay in the back if I tell you. 'Kay?"
The girl nods, and Huan starts leading you toward the small lake.
While walking Huan turns to look at you. "You ever encountered oni before, Rix?"
The monk shook his head, keeping up with Huan easily. He gives Yuka a wink at her clothes and says, quietly, 'When this is over, remind me. We'll get you some gear to make you a proper outdoor adventurer." Inwardly he kicks himself for not thinking of it.
To Huan, 'No, but I think I have read about them..."
You recall oni are a race of evil spirits, native to the Material Plane, that manifest physical bodies based upon the shapes and desires of humanoid mortals. In pure spirit form, an oni is nothing but a disembodied evil longing for the sins of the flesh. In this form, oni are harmless and invisible. The majority of these bodiless oni were once kami who failed their wards, or more often, who deliberately abandoned them. As punishment, they were stripped of their ability to form a physical body and then cast into the void. Rarely, a mortal creature's soul can become a disembodied oni upon death, or in even rarer cases, after a truly evil individual has undergone a particularly vile ritual that ends in suicide. These oni are more often destined for positions of great power and strength than most. Eventually, an oni's spirit manifests a physical body on the Material Plane. The methods by which this may occur vary, but the process generally takes place in areas already despoiled by sin, tragedy, or cruelty. The type of oni a spirit transforms into is influenced by a wide variety of variables, ranging from the nature of what the oni spirit was before to the location where it is reborn into the realm of flesh and blood. Once an oni manifests its physical body, that body becomes its true form for the rest of its life—all oni are shapechangers, but this original form is the form in which they are born and the form they revert to upon death.
The nation of Chu Ye, which is south of Hongal, is ruled by the oni. You recall the oni have often invaded adjacent countries over the years, but have always been pushed back. In more recent years they've steered clear of Wanshou, because it's ruled by an elder kraken of immense power named Zhanagorr.
Roughly an hour later Huan stops and motions for you to do the same. He points off in the distance, where the Forest's tree line thins and makes place for more undergrowth. "It's just past those bushes. How do you want to approach this?"
"It is hard to plan without knowing just what lies ahead. it could be a whole army of oni, for all we know. Do you sense anything like that Huan? This is your backyard."
Then the monk turns to Yuka, 'Would you happen to have any spell that could aid our scouting? Minimize our movements?"
Finally he looks at Aki, 'How are you feeling? Scared? Excited?"
For himself Rixin feels the turmoil of worry, mixed with love of adventure. Still, there are very many unknowns here....
"I don't sense anything, Rix, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I use when hunting game."
Huan's irises turn yellow and his facial features become sharper, slightly like an owl's. He briefly grins at you and explains "I enhanced my eye-sight."
Yuka shakes her head and stares at the ground. "I don't have any of that prepared, I'm sorry."
"That's okay, Yuka," her uncle says. "Just wait here, okay?"
The hunter moves toward the bushes without making a single sound and disappears amidst the plants.
"I have mixed feelings," Aki tells you, casting a quick glance at Yuka before returning her eyes to you.
"It may sound a bit weird, but... Even though I feel the pressure to help my city, I also feel some excitement for being tasked with this mission. Like, I'm both worried and happy... You get what I mean?"
Rixin smiles but answers Yuka first, 'What do you have prepared, if you don't mind me asking? We might need something in a hurry."
To Aki his smile broadens, 'I was just thinking the same thing, Aki. It is pride, at being asked to do a task and knowing you are equal to it. But not being worried at all might indicate you have a screw loose!"
'Just remember, when it doubt, run. It is easy to do the 'brave' thing and stand and fight tot he death." His smile slips as he recalls the glowing skull that attacked him on his way to Muliwan. 'But often the smart thing is to turn tail and run."
Aki grins and shakes her head. "Not so sure if this 'brave' thing is as easy as you make it sound, not for most people. But I'll remember your advice, thanks."
"Uhm, a sleep spell and fumbletongue," Yuka replies hesitantly, her words becoming softer and softer as she continues to speak. "Fumbletongue makes you unable to speak. I figured it'd be a good spell for someone who came up to my house, just like sleep... You know... To scare them away..."
Huan exits the bushes and heads back to you. "I saw two men in the camp, which looked like it had been attacked some time ago. One of them has a wounded leg, and the other sits besides him. No third scout visible."
The monk ponders. On a scouting raid both spells could very useful.....
"No sign of any oni about?" The monk begins moving, carefully, through the last of the trees. 'How badly was he wounded? Could he walk, you think?"
"None," Huan answers, his eyes and facial features returning to normal. "They were just sitting there. Not sure if he could walk, but I see no reason why they'd just be sitting there if he could. Their camp was obviously attacked, and aren't they supposed to be on their way?"
You move through the last of the trees and enter the small clearing at the lake where the scouts set up their camp. The scout's tent has definitely seen better days, one side being torn open and blood splatters covering the front. The fire the scouts made is still burning. Next to it sits the wounded man with his leg straight in front of him. The leg's wrapped in red, wet bandages. Another man sits next to him and stands up when he spots you. "Thank the heavens! Have you been sent to help us?"
"Uhm, yes we have," Aki replies.
"My name's Zhao Aki. These people are Zeng Rixin, Huan, and Yuka." Aki turns to you, Huan, and Yuka respectively as she tells the men your names.
"What happened here...?"
The standing man bows, his half long hair temporarily obscuring his eyes. "Pleased to meet you. I am Wang Chao, and this here is my brother Wang Chen."
Chao looks like the type of man you'd expect to be competent in the kind of dangerous missions Aki described he often volunteers for. He's broad shouldered and muscular, and has an air of superiority. Chen's a shorter and less muscular, but still looks like the kind of guy capable to handle rough jobs.
"We were attacked by oni scouts, who were tracking us on our way back to Muliwan. They killed our comrade, and demolished our camp before we forced them to flee. We couldn't leave with Chen's wounded leg so we had to wait for help to arrive."
Rixin bows back.
"Your comrade is dead then, no doubt about it?"
The monk inspects the leg, asking as he does so, "Can you walk on it at all?"
Then he looks up, "How far are the oni from here? What are their numbers?"
Chao nods as he answers, "Yes, he's dead."
"No, I can't," his brother tells you. "The muscle's torn..."
Chao shrugs when you ask about the oni. "We haven't seen any oni, save for those that attacked us. That was some hours ago, this morning, and I don't know where they went."
Rixin notes the deadpan reply and looks up sharply, "You don't seem very concerned. A member of your group is savaged and killed and you don't even show basic respect. What are you not telling me?"
Chao's clearly a bit flustered by your question.
"Nothing," he claims, and it's obvious to you he's lying. "I'm just... exhausted... Due to what happened."
His brother also looks a bit uncomfortable.