Tahei merely listens to Masamune and hitches his naginata belt up a bit.
Another walk. Another dusty road to grim tidings and cold porridge. Maybe they could have a fire. Warm rice sounded good right about now…
Shogure walks up to the cart with the others, ready to begin the journey. He follows close to the other tengu, his curiosity plain.
"Hisui, could you teach me a bit about Tsukiyo as we walk? I'm curious about the gods, but I know very little. Maybe a story would lighten our steps."
Liu lets out a string of curses as he enters the small hut to find it empty. Seeing the flier last night had certainly sparked his interest. He had been hearing soldiers tell stories of the great Masamune as long as he could remember, so meeting the man would have been a very good omen for the beginning of Liu's post-army life. The chance to perhaps serve with him, fight alongside him.....an honor greater than he could imagine.
But he had missed it. Used to the precision timing of a company of soldiers Liu found being tardy inexcusable. How is it that in a town this small it takes so long to get outside the walls? Liu lowers his head at the stray thought: he could blame the strange kobold and his cart for blocking the road and delaying his arrival at the hut, but that was an excuse, a shameful excuse for not planning far enough ahead. Is being away from the company already starting to soften his edge?
As he looks at his feet he realizes that there are many clues around him. The dirt outside the hut shows the sign of quite a few people coming and going, including at least 2 carts. Shaking away the memory of his own cart-related trouble at the gate he looks inside again and sees three things of immediate interest. Near the center of the room is a damp warm circle, based on the aroma in the air most likely from a pot of tea. Nearby there is a single petal from a cherry blossom. And in the corner just behind the doorway he finds a few drops of blood.
Spot's still warm, if it was tea he can't have been gone long. And I think I saw cherry blossoms as I was crossing the bridge into town the other day. But the blood.....is it all just an elaborate trap for unwary travelers?
A few more inquiries back in town confirm the activities of several warriors preparing for a journey and leaving the town quickly. He heads back out to the hut, quickly this time as the gods-forsaken kobold is no where to be seen, and after a few minutes examining the area the scout is confident that whoever was here is heading toward the bridge among the cherry trees. Without much more to be learned from the tracks he too goes off in that direction.
He approaches the bridge slowly, expecting an ambush at any moment. No one shows themselves, but while several sets of tracks arrived here separately it appears that they all left together. Still suspecting an ambush, Liu steps into the brush just off the road and begins shadowing their trail.
|
When Shogure asked his question, Hisui looked up at the sky as it was growing darker. He then looked back at Shogure glad to see such curiousity in his fellow Tengu.
"I can tell you of Tsukiyo, if you wish. But I am not one for lengthy tales." He paused for a moment before he continued pointing at the evening sky. "As we walk into the evening and the night, it will not be the light of Shizuru's sun that will light our way, but that of Tsukiyo's moon."
At this point in the conversation Hisui picked up a pebble and closed his hand around it into a fist. He uttered a few divine words and as he did this a few cracks of light seemed to peek through his fist. "He teaches us that even if darkness is all around you, you can always find light. If you know where to look for it."
He opened his hand revealing the pebble, which emanated a radiant light and offered it to Shogure.
In the light of the pebble Hisui's black feathers seemed to have a jade sheen flowing across them.
"Nice trick! Tahei observes. He also picks up a pebble and tries the same thing.
"Bah!" he exclaims, but secretes the pebble within the folds of his clothing regardless.
"Obviously it requires a certain amount of observance of the divine, and a little study. I've found plenty of inspiration at the chess house, and light too!" he smiles.
Warming to the theme, Tahei pulls his naginata, and catches the reflected moon on the blade.
"Hah! That's where I look!!!"
to hear Liu.
You walk for roughly half an hour before the sound of snoring can be heard from the back of the wagon. This would not be quite so jarring among the crickets and tree frogs beginning their nightly orchestra save for the fact that the sound visibly shakes the wagon and seems to cut into the evening.
Orochi groans and sighs. "You will have to forgive the master. I think he is much older then he claims to be and tries to reserve what energy he has left for fighting." HE smiles meekly. "Ah, I don't beleive I've had a chance ot introduce myself I am Arasuma Orochi."
Tahei does not betray the knowledge he has. He merely smiles, and nods a quick acceptance of Orochi's introduction.
Well, if theyre bandits they aren't doing much to hide themselves...
Liu had pressed himself hard to follow the wagon's tracks and catch up to the ragtag group. Observing from a distance he could not hear the conversations but it was obvious they were casually talking amongst themselves as they traveled.
No sign of prisoners unless you counted whatever was making that sound in the wagon itself. Also no sign of a distinguished figure that could be Masamune.
The sun is well past setting by now, and soon he will appear to be the brigand skulking about in the dark. The time has come to make a choice, and Liu makes it quickly. Adjusting the heavy longbow to sit more comfortably on his shoulder he steps back onto the road, making no further attempts to hide his approach. When the wagon and its strange collection of escorts are just within bowshot ahead of him he firms up his resolve and calls out.
"Hail! I seek Master Masamune, to pledge my bow to hi cause."
And now to wait for the reply...either an invitation to join them or a hail of arrows...
As sharp as any arrow, a snide reply shoots back, "There is no man here by that name, though I know where he 'claims' to be." The voice of the unseen responder hints of cynical derision. "And who just might you be to think himself worthy of being man to the legendary Masamune?"
Daren Mott walks around the corner of the wagon, revealing himself to Masamune's would-be follower.
"Assassin? Or true believer in our cause?"
"To presume such an honor you must think yourself a grand bowman. Come then! Show me your skill. If you can graze me with but one arrow then I shall tell you what direction his band went. You might yet catch them."
Shogure accepts Orochi's introduction at face value, not knowing anything of nobility.
"Yes, we met. I do apologize again for before. How did come to find such a master, Orochi?"
Before Orochi can answer, a new face appears. As the bowman approaches, Shogure looks over to find Daren handling the situation in an interesting way, so he decides to watch and see what happens.
What have I gotten myself into now?
Liu takes a long look at the speaker, taking the man's measure in the quickly fading light. "Master Masamune's message spoke of a worthy cause and men willing to fight for it. I presume nothing, just the chance to speak to the Master and offer myself to that cause."
He stops walking and flexes his fingers a few times. Sorry, Master, if I have read this situation wrong.... "If I could speak with him, perhaps -"
With a blur of motion the bow is off Liu's shoulder, an arrow is on the string, and with barely a split second to aim the twang of a bowshot fills the air. In his rush Liu knows it is not his best shot, but he is confident that is good enough to call the older man's bluff.
Daren deflects the arrow away from what would have been a sure shot to the heart.
"Aha, so you aren't just some farmboy looking for glory. There's some real talent to be had. As promised, I shall tell you where Masamune's band is headed. That way."
Daren points ahead of the caravan, in the direction they are already headed.
"Now we all know something of the potential danger he poses and can be ready for him if need be."
Daren walks up to the bowman, and kindly returns his arrow.
"We appear to be of similar direction," says Daren, patting the bowman heartily on the shoulder. [b]"Why don't you join us? We are about to eat. You're welcome to share in some of our provisions while we try and catch up to Masamune's band ahead of us."
Liu curses under his breath as the man knocks the arrow off course. He has heard of this trick but never seen it in practice: it is not the kind of thing you train for as you prepare to stand shoulder with your patrol on the battlefield. A warrior then, but probably not a soldier.
He is about to test just how many times Daren can repeat that trick when the man mentions Masamune again. Liu lowers his bow as Daren approaches and accepts the arrow, returning it to a seemingly empty quiver. He holds out his own hand in greeting.
"Many thanks for the offer. I am Liu Quon, recently of the Golden Dragon Company. I am very curious about this notice Masamune posted, and the village he mentions."
As they walk back toward the cart and the others Liu decides to push Daren's bluff further. "I'm even more curious about you and your companions. If you are truly not traveling with Masamune, why is it that yours are the only tracks that lead from his hut to here?"
"Many thanks for the offer. I am Liu Quon, recently of the Golden Dragon Company. I am very curious about this notice Masamune posted, and the village he mentions."
While walking back to the wagon: "As are we, Liu. I am known as Daren Mott, but please refer to me as either Daren, or Mr. Mott, if you prefer to be formal. I am but a humble journeyman, looking to find his place in the world."
As they walk back toward the cart and the others Liu decides to push Daren's bluff further. "I'm even more curious about you and your companions. If you are truly not traveling with Masamune, why is it that yours are the only tracks that lead from his hut to here?"
Daren looks at Liu quizzically, before responding in increasing tones of humorous sarcasm, "For someone who wishes to follow the man, you sure don't know seem to know much about him. It is said that Masamune flies about on a great fire-breathing dragon, a beast of fell temperament that he subdued and tamed with his own bare hands. The only thing sharper than the monster's great fangs, are Masamune's wit and sword. The only thing stronger than the slap of that leviathan's tail, is Masamune's strength of will. The only thing more unbreakable than the beast's scales, his honor. Any one of these things he has used to bring low great armies of men. Why would such a great man with a dragon have any need of traveling the road? It is our hope that we will arrive at the village and join up with the band by following the monsters' 'leavings.' Heh." Daren pats Liu heartily on the back as he breaks out into loud guffaws.
In a much more serious tone, Daren continues, "But those are all stories and legends, none of which can be counted on to be true. After all, if he was truly even a tenth of all that, why would he need a band of men to save one small village from bandits?" He then leans into Liu's ear and quiets to a whisper, "But this I do know to be absolutely true..."
Suddenly spinning towards and kicking the back of the wagon, he bellows as loudly as can muster at the snoring old man hidden in the back:
""
Shogure enjoys the quick presentation and laughs at Daren's dragon roar comment and kick. The group is certainly shaping up to be interesting. Sure that they could take down this warrior should he choose to attack, he decides to be upfront.
"In other words, he's in the back. I'm Shogure. It is nice to meet another willing to take on this cause. What is it that brings you to us?"
"If you wish to speak to Masamune directly...well, I'm not sure what it would take to wake up the sleeping dragon now."
The snoring is interrupted by a grunt and then a thunderous shout as the old man rolls and flips out of the back of the wagon. LAnding on his feet with sword in both hands the wide eyed old man in the weathered armor looks around bleary eyed and obviously a touch frantic.
"DRAGON! WHERE!?!"
Daren collapses in momentary guffaws at Masamune's outburst.
"It's time for dinner old man," he says upon recovering, grabbing a bottle of saki from the wagon as he does so.
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"If you wish to eat, you shall have to wait a few more minutes. The supplies on the wagon are for the village."
Hisui turned to the newcomer and bowed. "Hisui no Hane, faithful servant of Tsukiyo. If you will excuse me now."
Hisui looked for a nice place to sit down and started chanting. Over the course of 10 minutes food and water appeared around him, enough to feed them for a few days if need be.
"Take what you need. That which is left, we can still eat tomorrow. After that I would have to call upon further blessings to preserve the food." He took some of the food and water and gave it to the mule. Finally, he took a few pieces for himself.
Tahei also watches Mr Mott's performance with interest, and chuckles at the old man's reaction.
Well, he definitely still has it, if "it" is somewhat senile. At the very least, this will be interesting!
He approaches Liu Quon.
"Asawa Tahei. Welcome to our band of heroes and jackanapes. The Golden Company? I feel as though I have heard tell of this organisation, but it escapes me? Tahei leaves his sentence hanging as a question for Liu to illuminate him...
Liu listens with a skeptical ear as the older man introduce himself then rambles on about dragons and armies, only to be surprised by his grand flourish ending in a yell at the cart. His surprise is even greater at the reaction of the cart's passenger. He gives a slight bow to Daren. "Thank you for the invitation....Daren."
Respect toward elders was not something the army taught. There were dozens of times when greybeards served under men half their age, and following your commanding officer's orders was a necessity to keep the chain of command intact and the mission on task. That is what the army taught: respect for your superiors.
Liu took a step over to the now-awake swordsman and clicked his heels together to stand at attention, his fist reflexively moving toward his chest in a salute. The action falters, as if the young man is embarrassed by the reflex and perhaps thinking better of it, then he grits his teeth and completes the motion. He then give a much deeper bow.
"Master Masamune, it is truly an honor, sir. I apologize for my tardiness but I wish to offer my services to you and your quest."
As the others introduce themselves Liu uses the opportunity to speak of his experience as he waits for Masamune to answer.
"I should think the name familiar. The Golden Dragon Company is the biggest army-for-hire in The Empire. We.......They have served lords and nobles from Chu Ye to Goka on the slopes of the Wall of Heaven itself. Currently they are contracted in Minkai." It is hard to miss the pride in his voice as he speaks of the Company.
"I served as scout and archer in the Forward Eyes Brigade for over 15 years before leaving to find my own way in the world." The man's sincerity is hard to question but to look at him one would be hard-pressed to believe he had yet seen 30 winters.
Orochi looks more than a little annoyed at the harsh treatment of his master.
Masamune for his part looks confused, then angry, but before he can turn his sword on Daren Liu's rapid introduction distracts him and he takes a second to sheathe his naked blade again.
"Hm, oh, mercenary? I'm afraid there's not much in the way of money in this. What did you say your name was again?"
"Er, he didn't master Masamune." Tahei adds rather unhelpfully…
He continues to amble along, merely nodding in thanks for Liu's earnest report of the Golden Dragon Company.
Well at least he's bound to be a little less excitable than Daren…
Again embarrassed Liu realizes that he gave his name down the road, well out of earshot. Way to make a first impression...
"Liu Quon, sir. Former mercenary. Sir." He bows his head again. "I left the Company in search of something ........ more. I was traveling through town when I saw your notice. Seemed like a good omen to me."
"Hrm, very well."
Turning he calls out at Hisui. "No no, not yet. I recognize where we are the shrine isn't that far and it's better to take our meals there in any case."
Traveling about a quarter mile further up the road you come upon a shrine roughly the size of a bus stop. Dedicated to Desna this shrine looks like a welcoming and well used campsite with small offerings of food and drink placed before the statue of a dainty woman in a kimono with the wings of a butterfly growing out of her back.
Masamune seeming to move automatically simply digs around in his pack and places a couple of fist sized packets wrapped in large leaves before the sign and gives a small salute of respect to the statue before moving on.
"This will be a suitably safe place for the night." Smiling the old warrior begins the taks of helping to get camp set up, the fire started and other such minute tasks. It's roughly 10 oclock at night and dark before everyone settles in but the warm fire and warm beds set in a friendly place does much to soothe tired feet and sore backs.
BEfore long Masamune asks for Orochi to bring out a bottle of wine, something that leaves a lasting impression.
The plum wine provided has a sweet, yet strong, flavor that sits deep in the nostrils and plays on old memories like a flute being played over the rustling of autumn leaves.
As thigns quiet down Masamune speaks.
"I will now tell you for what purpose you have all been chosen. We are few, yes, but I have no time to call in favors, and no resources to call upon to make what we face any less daunting. The village we go to has no name, at least none that show on any maps. Nor have I visited it or even heard of this large group of bandits harassing it. Yet, I came upon it in a most curious way..."
*********
The weather was cold and damp. And the terrain hilly. An awful walk for an old man too accustomed to witnessing awful acts. Wrapped in his cloak attempting to hide the shiver from his much younger disciple the old warrior did not even even flinch at the atrocity being committed just as they were coming up on the road.
The boy couldn't be older than 13. Old enough to know better but too young to fully comprehend the consequences. Hanging in the tree by his wrists the tears mixed with the rain and blood coming off of him in a shower of misery. The two older men, their beards gruff and their short knives already bloody with their grisly work, were yelling at the boy over some sort of misdeed he had done.
Orochi's hand was shaking so hard Msamune could hear the young mans sword rattle as he gripped the hilt. Holding up a hand to signal for a stay in violence Masamune approached the grisly scene and cleared his throat.
"Good afternoon gentleman. IS there a particular crime the boy committed or are we simply in the business of needless bloodletting?"
The men suddenly stopped yelling at the boy, and momentarily panicked they turned and immediately resumed their aggressive stances at the sight of the old shaking man and the other man not much older than the boy they were slicing up.
"GO AWAY OLD MAN!" Said one.
"TAKE YOUR GRANDPA AND LEAVE BOY! THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Accompanied the other.
MAsamune looked at the men gravely and replied calmly. "I am not this boys grandfather,and I am afraid to inform the both of you that this is very much my business."
Stepping forward and to the side he dropped his raised hand as the men produced clubs and ran forward to be met by Orochi's naked and angry blade.
Placing a hand on the boy Masamune called on the will of the Empress and slowly the boys wounds began to mend. As the boys eyes opened and he looked bleary eyed into MAsamune's their were brief cries and the sickening crunch of steel on bone followed by another one.
Later, when the boy was cut down and greedily chewing into a large bowl of rice he recalled his tale.
"They come after every harvest, longer then I've been alive they say, and take half the harvest. Sometimes they take only a bit of the harvest and take away girls, or boys, anything that strikes their fancy. Anyone who speaks up is killed. Father was killed like this. Mother died of starvation over the winter."
Orochi looked appalled. Masamune nodded gravely. It was not an uncommon
sight. A ragged child whose parents were taken by war or the violent excesses of nobility. Of course they would send him. No parents to worry over him should he get attacked on the road. And if he never returned either out of a desire to flee or an inability to avoid death there would be none who would be otherwise hurt.
"These men." Masamune started. "That you were supposed to find to defend them. What were you to offer?
The boy looks sheepish and produced two small bags putting them on the ground and sliding them towards Orochi. Picking them up the young man looks confused. "Soy beans and rice?"
The boy turned red and looked away. "I'm sorry I ate some of it. I was told to say that there would be more of it when they arrive. And to look for very hungry warriors. The other men, the ones that beat me, thought I had gold. When I told them I didn't they.." The boy put down the rice and hugged his knees close to his chest the memories of the torture from hours before already sinking its teeth into his soul.
Masamune sighed and shook his head. "A village hardly worth robbing deep within the countryside sends an orphan with a bag of rice to raise an army. A desperate action, by desperate people."
Orochi frowned. "The harvest is mere weeks away. We could not hope to raise the men they would need."
MAsamune smiled and turned to his disciple. "Then young Orochi a true paladin must do as always and meet evil with a superior quality."
***********
"...and so we find ourselves here. Marching towards desperation on the back of hope. A week to get there. Two weeks to turn terrified villagers into fierce defenders. Then who knows? Perhaps victory. OR, perhaps we are merely marching to our doom."
A half drunk Daren, not readily keeping up with the various faiths, merely mimes the actions of those before him, leaving a half bottle of saki that was never his own to begin with at the shrine for whosoever might seek its comforts.
During Masmune's story, he merely sits quietly, grimly, keenly focused on every word despite his current state of mind.
Though recognizing the shrine, Shogure has nothing of his own to leave, so simply bows his head in thanks for the shelter and wine.
Masamune's story leaves him visibly upset as he stands and paces in thought. After a few moments, he sits down again, having come to some conclusion.
"I think we have a greater chance now that I have heard your story. The boy Orochi and you saved, should he still be there, will recognize you. We can use him to get the other villagers to more easily trust us so that we can begin their training."
The old man laughs and slaps his knees. "And send the boy to his death in a village where they threw him out to save themselves? No, I gave him some gold and a letter to a friend of mine that runs a soup stand in Nyosai. He'll have to work hard but he'll have food and a place to stay so he can find his own place in the world."
Liu is not exactly a religious man but he mimics the others as they make their small tributes at the shrine. Soldiers are notorious for their belief in any god or goddess that would listen and an offering like this is a small price to pay to keep on any deity's good side.
He eats little as he sits engrossed in the old paladin's tale.
"So you....we....know nothing of the force facing this village? This band could be a score of bandits or a small company of trained soldiers?"
No idea what he's up against, but he knows in his heart that its the right thing to do so he takes action. Amazing.......
Tahei cares naught for the divine or the spiritual, but he is cognizant enough of the forms - and does care for the needy.
He makes a small nod out of respect for Masamune's deference, and leaves a few rice balls wrapped in leaves for fellow travelers.
After partaking of a little wine, and hearing the tale, Tahei sits staring at the fire - the story could easily be that of his muckpit of a village. No name, no militia, no hope. Just bare-arsed peasants caught in the crosswinds of other, more well-armed people's destinies.
Too tired to think much or contribute, Tahei lazily stares at the flames, the "poor man's gold" as his father used to say.
And warmer too…
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"Albeit it not much, the supplies in my cart might show we come with good intentions, rather than to come and rob them of what little they have." Hisui said when they spoke of how to gain the villager's trust.
When Liu Quon voiced his concerns, Hisui replied.
"We may not know what force we face, but these bandits believe that they will face only villagers unwilling to oppose them, broken by years of oppression. We might be able to use this to our advantage."
"Albeit it not much, the supplies in my cart might show we come with good intentions, rather than to come and rob them of what little they have." Hisui said when they spoke of how to gain the villager's trust.
Upon hearing Hisui's words, Daren is quick to caution his companions against reckless altruism: "It is entirely possible that once you show yourself to be non-threatening, and should they be truly desperate enough, they may well be the ones attempting to rob you. Trust will have to swing both ways."
Hisui's words and Daren's clear appraisal of peasantry, though troubling to Tahei's sensibilities prove his companions are experienced and of sound character.
Not looking forward to rattling my weapon to cow peasants, but it has worked in the past…
Masamune ruffles his beard but he only nods. IT's obvious the idea does not sit well with him. But, at least for now, he has nothing to say about it.
The time passes relatively peacefully, as tends to happen for groups of heavily armed men.
What boring time walking is made more entertaining by the exchanging of stories, anecdotes, jokes, and other banter. The plum wine helps as well as its odor and taste lasts all day and is refreshed at night. A subtle thing that Masamune likens to the passage of day into evening,or mourning for a dead friend.
Surprisingly the old paladin is a master of the dirty tale making some of you laugh alloud or blush uncontrollably with tales of sexual misadventures. When pressed he simply laughs that no part of any paladin's code that he knows of requires them to be chaste. And if the empress disapproves she has yet to do it with his pants off.
But, all good things come to an end, and as the village comes over the horizon the seriousness of the business is at hand.
Your first sign of life is a boy spotted just out of shoting range who drops his tool and runs at the sight of you.
After that, nothing. The fields are clear of the bustle of human activity that's normally associated with this time of year. This pattern is repeated once you enter the village proper. Goats and chickens meander out of your way as you are greeted by closed doors, empty windows and utter, deafening silence.
"We have heard of your bandit trouble and have come bringing food and aid!"
Liu truly enjoys the trip as the legendary warrior lives up to expectations. The scout finds comfort in the stories, reminders of the soldiers he grew up with and the old tales they would tell. Even for all that, he does learn a few new jokes that he promises himself to remember and share if he ever sees the Company again.
All joking stops as their destination comes into view. Liu barely looks forward as they follow the road to the village, instead constantly looking left and right as he assesses the approach and begins thinking about potential defenses. His gaze moves upward as they enter the village itself, checking for vantage points that can serve both lookouts and archers.
His mind racing with possibilities, it is not until Daren speaks that he realizes just how alone they are. He takes a few running steps ahead of the group and drops to check the road. Are the people hiding from us? Or are we too late.....?
Tahei enjoys the company if not the walk. Having been raised in the countryside he sees liitle to interest him in the movements of migratory birds or the scurryings of four-footed denizens.
Upon entering the seemingly deserted village Tahei mutters under his breath.
"Poor fools..."
He looks askance at his fellows, and immediately goes for the inn, bashing on the door unceremoniously.
"Innkeeper! Sake for weary travellers! Steamed buns, rice and whatever passes for meat - we're hungry, and important!!! Important personages with MONEY!!! Innkeeper!!!"
And if the empress disapproves she has yet to do it with his pants off.
Too funny.
Shogure had never heard such jokes, his master and fellows before never speaking such. He had quite a laugh.
As the group approached the town, however, he takes on a different face. He looks seriously at the town before him, trying to find reason for their running. Are they just afraid of outsiders, or is this something more?
He also checks to see if there is some holy relic nearby that might help the group relate to the townsfolk.