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OSU! Dot, congrats all, and thank you for the opportunity!
The smoke hit your nostrils first, that's how you knew something was wrong, seeing the flames licking the structures of your home is your next clue, there are no alarms, merely the sound of distant battle, swords clanging as those who are aware fight desperately to save you all, the smoke pushes you from your rooms as the alarms finally begin sounding.
You're lucky you remembered to grab your packs in the confusion.
The acrid taste of the smoke fills your throats as you run for one of the many hidden emergency tunnels, through the smoke you're vaguely aware that there are three more children of the clan with you, You'd prefer to fight, but you know your duties in a time of attack. Coming out in the forest the four of you run, it seems like hours before you give up and drop into the brush camouflaging a hollow dug into the ground. One of a few hiding spots your clan has created and forgotten about over the years. Exhaustion takes hold and you drift to sleep only for the morning light to shine through the brush waking you.
I cover my eyes at the sun's glaring intrusion, turning away and looking around the hollow. My eyes quickly adjust as I take in the sight before me. All familiar faces, good. I quickly check myself and Deneb for signs of injury, hesitant to check more than if the females are breathing. Satisfied that no one is hurt more than could be expected I grab my tekko-kagi from my pack and strap it to my left arm, just in case, as I listen at the hollow's entrance.
Sleeping with her Katana tucked against her where the silk cutting blade with not cut her or her colleagues, the sun slowly wakes up Darkshade. When she becomes fully awake, she stands up quickly and alert with her Katana at the ready. First checking towards the village, then all around, until she is looking at Valdis, she Ninja signs to him to maintain noise discipline "Are ... are we safe?! Are ... are they gone?! Are ... are we all alive?!
Seeing one of the girls stir and stand I breath a sigh of relief. Disoriented, but she seems to be in no pain. Keeping my attention on listening for any strange noises in the forest I return her hand signs. "Alive, yes. Safe, yet to be seen."
Ai awakens from the self induced slumber. No weariness is apparent on her face as she rises, clutching the strange doll she has had since before she could remember. She is fairly certain that no one survived last nights attacks, they would be here by now if they had.
"We must keep moving. It was a bad idea sleeping so close to the village." she signs at the others in a calm fashion befitting a clan leaders daughter.
Deneb makes a slight noise of discomfort as he wakes and sits up, the exposed root under him looking to have made a rather uncomfortable night. The young man scanning the area quickly and seeming satisfied Good, no one injured. I suppose my ancestry is useful in some cases. Time to be useful Deneb, your village demands it even if its cinders
Deneb then stands and gestures in sign to the trio who had escaped with him.
" Are we going to stay here until the enemies search parties expand past us or are we going to attempt to outrun them?"
Valdis hear no truly strange sounds, but the forest is quieter than it normally is.
"They will find us if we stay, just like the village. running now is our only choice."
I nod in agreement and sling my pack over my right shoulder, "We should be careful, the forest is too quiet. Our enemies may be closer than we think." Leaving the hollow slowly, I scan the forest looking for anything else out of the ordinary.
Darkshade signs to everyone, "I am with you but we need to come back in a couple of days to ascertain clues about who our attacker was and anyone else who survived. However I doubt they are still here because just like us, the sun makes them more vulnerable to detection. In addition, if they operated like us, they want a fast strike and get out."
Darkshade moves into the forest canopy shadows.
Above the trees Valdis sees a cloud of smoke hovering over the part of the forest the the village was in.
Remembering what happened with my mother many years ago I shake my head and speak softly, "If anyone survived they would have found us by now." I turn away from the smoke rising from the forest and start walking. I stop to lean against a tree, awaiting a group decision.
There is a rustle of movement from one of the nearby bushes as a dark red chimp drags a sack behind it through the underbrush. The tiny simian chirping a noise of greeting to Deneb and eyeing the rest of the group warily. Looking at it the small scar and missing left eye on the beast is obvious.
"Ooh." the creature grunts, snatching a small collection of berries and roots from the bag to munch on before leaving the rest at Denebs feet.
" Ah. Thank you Hanu." Deneb smiles at the ape and reaches in the bag for something to eat.
" I.. I'd really want to know what happened. They attacked with no warning and I know my master had dozens of detection traps out in the hills. We should have had far more waring than we did. I'm worried that they know that though, it wouldn't take much effort to leave a vanguard at our home in case anyone comes back. Never mind that we have no idea if they are aiming to exterminate us or if they just wanted to destroy our home." With that Deneb looks at the forest around their hiding place and makes a noise of thought.
" I know next to nothing about tracking but we didn't make much effort to hide them when we escaped. If someone was seeking us and had any skill at tracking they could be arriving soon."
"Oh and would anyone else like something to eat? Hanu looks to have found a good amount of food."
I nod in agreement, lost in thought. At the mention of food my stomach rumbles slightly but I shake my head, pushing the thought of food to the back of my mind. "I'm fine, you girls should eat. Then we should get moving." Their lives are worth more than my own anyway.
I eye the monkey with a grimace. To think that thing would manage to make it out of the village like the rest of us. I don't know why Deneb insists on keeping it as a pet, it's all beat up and mangy looking. I close my eyes for a moment, thinking back to the little creatures that passed as pets when I was younger. Maybe it's not so strange after all, compared to giant bugs and lizards.
I chance a glance towards Ai. I'm not surprised she made it though, I'd expect nothing less from the daughter of the Matron. But that doll... Creepy. A slight shiver goes up my spine as I turn my attention upward towards Darkshade, having to cover my eyes as the wind blows the leaf cover away for a moment. And her... I've seen her around the forge from time to time, but who is she really? My eyes narrow as a dangerous thought crosses my mind, but I dismiss it quickly. We're all in the same boat here, but I'll be keeping my eyes on her.
Continuing to use Ninja sign language, "I will share the last fruit with you Valdis. No need for any of us to be weak and not focused from being hungry. Then we can move out but we should return in a month to see if there are any clues to be found or other clan survivors. Unless a typhoon comes through, evidence should remain."
Deneb nods at Darkshade's suggestion before glancing to Ai. "Unless we have a better plan finding a place to wait out any hunters our villages enemies still have and learn some of what caused all this will likely help us when planning some manner of revenge, that would be good. We could go to one of the bigger cities, I imagine we could find a place somewhere there. Uh, Hanu could you try and clean some over there?" Deneb suggests as Hanu walks into the hiding place they had used and after a moment comes out of the hole.
The hollow partially returns to it's previous state, though perhaps lessening the tracks to the hollow might have been a better use of such magic.
In sign language, "Let's go to the closest largest city? Everyone travels there to trade, spread truth, lies, and rumors. In addition, we can meld into the population and there are too many people to care who we are. Lastly, we need to earn money to rebuild. The next best thing, we build a tavern/inn on a well traveled trade route but we will be on our own."
I look off towards the village watching the smoke drift upwards. "Maybe... It is possible that there are others that survived, is it not? I can't imagine the Grand Matron would go down so easily, perhaps they have not yet noticed us missing among the dead..." I look at Ai, knowing how she must feel not knowing. It's risky, but I can't just let her walk away if her mother yet lives.
I walk over to Ai and kneel at her feet. Bringing my hands to my face, fingers outstretched, before pulling them down and apart head bowed. Speaking outloud, "If you would have me do so, I will return to search for others." I remain in this position awaiting orders.
Face still calm and collected Ai falters as a tear rolls down her face as she says out loud. "You all make a good points... but upon further though I have concluded that our clan is far to powerful and skilled to fall so easily. We will go and search the village, we HAVE to find out... we have to."
Ai wipes her eyes and stands. "Valdis you have the job of scouting out the area before we all head in too search for survivors."
I stand and nod. Leaving my pack in the hollow to collect later I start off towards the village, keeping low and attempting to use the forest itself as cover as much as I can.
Your attempt to stay in the forest is wise as you see bodies of your fallen comrades being tossed in a pile. Men, Women and Children are covered in wood, paper, the sacred writings and hidden knowledge of your clan before being set afire by the attackers. The men wear the armor of the Samurai,
My hands clench in anger, a tear rolling down my face as I notice the blacksmith being thrown onto the pile. His massive hand still clutching his hammer, I'm sure he managed to take a few of these dogs down with him. I can't really make out most of the people in the pile from my vantage point, but it doesn't matter. From the sheer size of it, there can't have been many, if any, that managed to get away but us.
At least I don't see the Grand Matron... I wipe the tears from my face and set a stony gaze at the banners of the samurai, Let's see who is responsible for this, and who shall pay the price.
My head too clouded from anger and grief I can't remember which lord uses that symbol. I try and make a mental note of what it looks like to show it to Ai and the others later.
Knowing there is nothing more I can do here, and knowing my orders permit me from doing so, I head back to the others.
You're able to sneak away, the noise of the working men, the fire, and the snap, crackle and pop of burning fat further masking your moves.
For just a brief second you're thankful your upwind of the burning bodies.
Once I rejoin the group I fall to my knees and finally let out what little I have in my stomach. Wiping away the mess from the corners of my mouth I look at Ai, "I'm sorry, but... they are burning them. All of them. I didn't see the Grand Matron but...", I shake my head, "There is nothing left for us here. There are too many to take on and, they are samurai."
I take an arrow from my quiver and start drawing the symbol, near as I can remember,in the dirt.
The symbol depicts a crane with it's wings above it's head.
Tears overflow from Ai's face as she takes a shakey breath. She maintains her composure in the loosest form possible as she says "T-the worst possible t-thing happened... W-we need to leave fast. Nedavian, your in charge of directing us to the nearest city, you and Valdis Keep ahead by roughly 80 feet... Me and Deneb will stay back and watch the flank."
Tears well up in Darkshade's eyes but she quickly sheds them, and in ninja sign, "We dishonor them by crying over them now. We must leave and I am not too sure those are Samurai of an enemy Daimyo. They could be a competing clan in disguise." Darkshade looks at Ai, "Please call me Darkshade, my true name holds power and I do not want that to get out to our enemies. But yes, I will direct us to the next city. However, I may suggest someone with more local knowledge direct us."
You all are knowledgeable enough to remember the port town.
I nod and collect my things from the hollow, taking a bit of hard tack out of my pack to munch on, hoping to calm my stomach. "I do believe it is only a few hours from here, due west if I recall." Having my orders I start moving, quickly putting the requested distance between us. I glance back to be sure things are going smoothly from time to time but always stay focused on the surrounding woods.
Darkshade nods and signs, "Ah yes, now I remember more clearly. Currently it is hard to stay focus and in the back of my mind, I can feel Shidoshi Jade hitting me with the shinai telling me to focus. Therefore I am now focus. We head West until Dragon Horn Rock, then we head North West from there which will lead us right into Minatochō's West Gate."
As we move I sign back towards Darkshade, "It is a stressful time for us all, I worry for Ai. To lose one's mother so young, it is a loss no one should have to bear." I try and hide the look of pain on my face as we continue on through the forest.
While moving as quietly as possible, Darkshade directs the remainder of the clan to the Port City of Minatochō with the use of Ninja Sign language. Like most everyone else, she is pretty quiet to put all concentration into remaining focus instead of drifting off into deep thought about those the clan has lost.
The travel takes longer than thought, the port town further than the inexperienced ninjas believed and night is setting in.
As we near Dragon Horn Rock I take what was left of the bundle of food I started on when we left the hollow and lean against the largest of the diorite protrusions. "I'm sure we could reach the West Gate if we continue on, but..." I pause to chew on a bit of jerky, "It would be wiser to conserve our strength. It would not seem too unusual for a campfire to be near this site, being so close to the main road."
I finish off the rest of my ration pack, a few dried fruits and some pine nuts, and put the empty cloth back into my pack. "The choice is, of course, up to you Ai. I am perfectly fine sleeping without the warmth of a fire."
"If all are tired then we will rest at the city, strange things lurk in dark woods." Ai says remembering her mothers word to keep her inside at night.
Darkshade nods and continues to use sign language, "Yet, it wouldn't hurt to take a 10 minute water break so we can continue on through the night more safely."
I glance around at our group, all stressed and tired from the recent events and the troubled sleep of the night before. I attempt to approach the subject gently, not wanting to offend Ai's pride. "If that is your decision, then we shall press on through the night. Though... four children entering the town unaccompanied by an adult in the middle of the night may arise suspicions." I shrug as I take a drink from my waterskin, finishing off the last of the liquid inside before refilling it at the spring at the base of one of the smaller rock formations.
I sling my pack back onto my back and re-adjust my tekko-kagi, still not feeling safe enough to yet remove it. "Same as before, or shall be travel the rest of the way together?" I slowly start walking towards the road.
"We should be fine for now, near a main road and far away from our assailants for now... We walk together."
The area around the road has been well patrolled and coming out of a hard winter the local wildlife's numbers haven't rebounded enough for them to go far afield so you see little that could threaten the four children. Near the wee hours of the morning, with the sky beginning to lighten the four exhausted (status effect) children make it to the port town. No wall protects this town so you can just walk right in.
Deneb had followed with little to say, knowing that he hadn't seen it himself for Valdis to have warned them away the damage was severe.
I always knew master didn't consider me a worthy successor, too slow, too weak. Perhaps though finding his killers will be enough to silence that. Enemies are all around, it would be wonderful if I could calm enough to actually string together a coherent thought.
As he moves the ape on his shoulder slides into view, giving the young one a steady stare as he rubs a line down his forehead and then does the same to Deneb's. The boy smiling at the motion.
Yes, we are one. Whatever may yet come at the very least I have one among us who I can know is not a going to betray us.
Looking to the city on the horizon Deneb gives another noise of thought.
" We could just sneak into the town and break into an empty building. It migh- *Oooh*-pop- sorry. It might be possible for Hanu to search the area for attics and less used spaces for us to occupy as well." The young man suggests as he nods to the monkey.
" Thinking of some story to tell if we are caught in town would be wise though. Perhaps we could masquerade as halflings?"
As we walk, haggard, through the West Gate I feel like collapsing. Damn it Ai, we should have rested. Though, I feel like Ai only forced us on so she could keep pretending she's okay. Still, at least we're all here in one piece. I took a look around at our group, Deneb has been strangely quiet, well, more so than usual at least. And Darkshade...
As Deneb speaks up I nod, "I agree, though perhaps finding an adult to take us in, with gold to keep their mouth shut, could be an option as well. Or... perhaps staying at an inn?" I think for a moment before responding to his second comment, "I'm not sure it would be so easy for me to pull that off as the rest of you. Though... if you manage to pull such an act off, I suppose I could be a servant or something. Hopefully no one here will know who we are, or if they do..." I shake my head, "I hope they are more inclined to help than not."
I take off my tekko-kagi and place it in my pack, hoping that we are actually in the clear as we continue our slow walk into the town.
Darkshade tired as well and little irritated that they did not take more water breaks along the path. There are good reasons to take breaks in hot weather and long hikes. The town and sudden talking takes Darkshade's mind off her sore feet and near dehydrated state "I agree with The Word, we should find an empty building. If we find the wrong person to shut up, that may be our first and last mistake. Remember what the masters said, keep a low profile and recon the area first."
"Tch. Very well, if that's how you want to do things, but do keep in mind that eventually people will start asking questions." I shake my head and start walking towards one of the large pillars that makes up the West Gate, hearing the tell-tale sound of a blacksmith already hard at work in the early hours of the morning. We won't have much time to search. It won't be long until people start filling the streets with that noise filling the air.
I lean heavily on the pillar as I look back to the rest, "Well, even if we do stay some place secret and hidden. We will need a way to raise gold, and I do believe I hear my meal ticket ringing out loud and clear." I small smile plays over my face, "But, for now, let's find somewhere to sleep. I'm beat."