Satoshi cocked his head to the side a bit.
"I had noticed that the invention seemed to be getting a lot of attention. Is it really that big of a deal? Should I... maybe dismantle it or something if it's going to be a cause of problems?"
Kichiro hesitates, then shakes his head. "I think it does at least as much to help us as make things harder for us, so I'd say keep it. Sometimes the attention gives us opportunities. So... anything you want to buy before we leave?"
Satoshi thinks for a short while.
"...Probably? I was considering that we have enough money now to get a few things. A more reliable light source, maybe a few tools... and, well, stock up on some more exotic alchemical supplies, but that's probably a given... with the vehicle, I can carry some of the heavier stuff, too, actually get a proper anvil..."
"Wow, that sounds like a lot," Kichiro says, surprised until he really thinks about his brother. "I guess it's time to shop around then?"
Satoshi wrung his hands nervously. "I...guess so...though maybe the anvil would be too much, I'd probably have to remove the passenger seat for it."
Kichiro grins. "Yeah, I wouldn't want that."
The town of Shuryo awakens gently, wrapped in a soft veil of mist that clings to the rolling hills and lingers around the rooftops of its wooden buildings. Steam rises from the many hot springs scattered throughout the town, mingling with the morning fog and filling the air with a warmth that defies the last chill of winter. The faint scent of minerals drifts through the streets, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil and the first blossoms of early spring. A chorus of songbirds greets the day from the trees lining the town’s winding paths, their cheerful melodies echoing over the quiet trickle of streams that weave through the settlement.
Shopkeepers and innkeepers prepare for the day, sliding open their doors to reveal goods and wares crafted by local artisans: hand-painted porcelain, herbal sachets, and intricately woven textiles. Smoke curls from the chimneys of tea houses and bakeries, carrying the enticing aroma of fresh rice porridge, grilled fish, and steaming buns filled with sweet bean paste. Travelers stir within the town’s cozy inns, their conversations blending with the soft bubbling of the onsen waters. Shuryo’s streets come alive as the first visitors head to the baths, their laughter mingling with the soothing murmur of flowing water, setting the rhythm for a day of quiet rejuvenation and subtle, understated charm.
For Kichiro and Satoshi, this morning was the day that they were to leave. Preparations and purchases had been made, farewells had been said, and just the final packing remained. The wheeled invention of Satoshi still garnered attention from the persistently curious, though the casual onlookers had gradually dispersed after the first couple of days. The same happened for the inquires, though those were fewer and more lacking in courtesy. A departure was certainly going to help escape the attention.
The sight of someone who looked official, sitting in the common room at this early hour casually sipping some tea along with his two escorts was not one of the sights that the two were becoming accustomed to seeing. More uncommon was the calm regard that he gave to the two of you, setting his cup down and resting his hand on the table. The higher quality soap and fabric was something that was carried on their scents, just as well as the weapon polish and sweat that spoke of regular weapon use, though if any scars were present on their bodies, they certainly were not visible. There was a thread of relief evident in their attitudes and postures upon seeing the brothers, that shifted to intent as they spoke.
"Good morning. I have gathered that conveyance outside is yours. The Hihibo Council of Tradesmen would request your expertise and presence." In saying, a small scroll was removed from a sleeve, and placed on the table towards you.
Satoshi jolted in surprise a bit when addressed. "Y-Yes, that is right...and, um, I might be able to help with some things..." He fidgeted a bit, not at all used to being addressed by someone so offical-looking.
He then distracted himself from the social task by investigating what the small scroll was about.
Kichiro stands beside Satoshi. He considers speaking up, knowing his brother is uncomfortable with speaking to strangers, but at the same time feeling like he's got it handled so far and that interjecting would just weaken his position and reinforce his discomfort. So he stays silent, trying to be supportive with just his presence.
"Excellent. As soon as you have your preparations in order, we could set out.", His tone makes it sound like a denial is not a possibility, and the two other men with him just seem relieved, one of them stifling a yawn. It seems like they got up early to try to catch your attention. That said, their preparation was meticulous, far more than any common messengers or escort.
As freshly cleaned as they are, the scent of their organs are exquisite. The lungs of the escort on the left are particularly delectable, while the kidneys of the other are just so tempting. The messenger has the strongest heart of the three.
On behalf of the Council of Tradesmen of Hihibo, we extend our greetings and well wishes. Our city, renowned for its vibrant markets and the innovative spirit of its artisans, faces a challenge that calls for exceptional skill and ingenuity. Having reviewed your esteemed reputation and accomplishments, we find ourselves compelled to seek your aid.
It is the collective judgment of this council that your expertise in Engineering is uniquely suited to address the pressing needs of our city. Recent developments have underscored the necessity of swift and decisive action in matters that we believe fall within your domain. As a respected figure in your field, your presence here is not only requested but greatly anticipated.
We must convey, with all due respect, that this summons carries with it the expectation of your utmost dedication. Hihibo thrives on the principle that each member of our community contributes fully to the welfare and prosperity of all. As such, we anticipate that your service will extend to any and all capacities wherein your talents may be required.
To facilitate your journey, arrangements for your travel and accommodations have been made, and a stipend will be provided for any incidental expenses. Upon your arrival, you will be briefed in detail by the council and granted the resources necessary to fulfill your duties.
We are confident that your contributions will not only resolve the challenges we face but will also leave an enduring mark on the history of our great city. Please inform us of your intended date of departure at your earliest convenience.
In the spirit of collaboration and progress, we await your reply.
With respect and anticipation,
Kazuo Nakamura
Council of Tradesmen
Hihibo, Minkai
Kichiro catches himself staring too hard at the three men and looks away, instead looking at the scroll over his brother's shoulder.
It doesn't make him feel any better.
He quickly looks back and forth between Satoshi and these... well, kidnappers pretty much. "Well, we'll definitely need time to pack things up..." he says warily.
Satoshi twiddled nervously.
"Well... I guess we weren't doing anything else? It still seems a little odd though, I didn't think that many people knew about me yet, especially not enough to think of me as an expert... And with the rush they're in... I think they might just be desperate?"
The spokesman for the trio shrugged, shaking his head with an expression that said that he did not ask about the details, and also does not know about any of the details. The scroll that was handed over was sealed and untouched. "I was dispatched with the message and given no details save for a vague description of your invention from what could be recalled. It is most impressive." It was a honest concession, one that he did not feel any shame about admitting.
The other two were leisurely picking at what remained of their order, one sipping from their tea, and the other spearing a couple of loose vegetables with his skewer. Their etiquette was not as polished as the spokesman, though their grooming was not amiss, which would have implied that they were not often in the company of each other.
"I understand that it may take some time to prepare for the road, however. How long might you need?"
_________________________________
"It will take a while," Kichiro replies quickly. "We'll need to load it up, check and make sure it hasn't sprung any leaks while it's been in storage, that sort of thing. Hours, probably."
Satoshi thought to himself that he could easily check up on it a bit faster than that... before realizing that Kichiro was buying time.
"We-well... we do still need to finish packing our things..."
Kichiro stands. "Right, so we'd better go get working on packing and checking over your vehicle."
Unless stopped, he leads the way back to their room.
The escort nods agreeably and makes no motion to stop you, pouring another cup of tea for himself as he settles in to wait. His companions seem like they would rather not be up so early, but they do have a minimum of decorum, at the least. Their attitudes suggest that it is too early for them or a different kind of inn that they might be used to. Tired and bored could sum up a majority of their expressions.
From the kitchen, the innkeeper watches the two of you head back to the room, uncertain at the exchange.
Once out of sight of the 'escorts' and in their room, Kichiro switches to Sylvan and whispers to his brother, "They're basically trying to kidnap us. I don't want to hurt them, but I definitely... well, I don't think it's a good idea for us... well, me to be stuck somewhere like that for a long time."
He pauses. "Would it be easier to get away from them on the road? Do you think you could get your thing to go faster for a little while? If we can get some distance from them we could probably keep away from them."
Satoshi nervously scratched his chin.
"Umm... I could probably intentionally go slower than it could go for a while? Other than that it would mostly be that the buggy handles rough terrain pretty well, so if there was a really rocky or bushy patch I could drive through it at full speed."
After a little bit of hand-wringing he continued. "It does kind of bother me how pushy they are, though at the same time I wonder what could make them so desperate?"
Kichiro sighs. "I think they just want to take advantage of us. They didn't seem to be in trouble when we passed through Hihibo not that long ago."
"But on the other hand... I guess maybe we should find out if they actually do need help? I mean, if they do, it'd be... kind of wrong of us to just run away, wouldn't it? So I guess go with them and see, and then if they're going to try to trap us and take advantage of us, I can probably use... er, my shapeshifting to get us out?"
Satoshi though for a moment, then nodded.
"Y-yeah. We can go and see at least, but have an escape plan if we need it. At the least, I don't think anyone else could drive my buggy very well... I never did label which lever does what... And if we end up having extra time, I'm sure I could figure something else out to help too."
Kichiro nods. "So... we go with them, see what they really want, then decide if we're going to look for a way out of it?"
"So, if that's what we're doing... what *do* we need to get ready before going?"
The sounds of the town beginning to wake up are starting to become more prominent, especially with the calls from the several roosters that are somewhere in town. While it is still early, the sun may be fully up by the time you get set to pack and leave.
________________________________
Satoshi considered as he packed. He could go ahead and take care with the alchemical tools, fragile as they were.
"Umm.... Not too much, probably? Mostly we'll just want to be alert and keep our eyes out, I think. And I won't push the machine as hard as I could, just to be safe. But I'll keep the trap stuff on top of bag, just in case... Unless you have any... magic-type things you need to prepare, anyway..."
He pauses, lost in thought for a moment, before shaking himself.
"If I had a day's time, there are so many things I could build... but doing so would be pretty obvious..."
"All right, well, I guess let's go ahead and get everything packed up and go," Kichiro says.
Finishing up your packing and heading out of the inn sees the three "escorts" join you, their horses already prepared, and waiting. They just go retrieve them from the small stable that was adjacent, and they return before you are finished packing up. It is immediately obvious that Satoshi's creation would easily outpace the horses in the long term, as it does not suffer from exhaustion, so the implied courtesy of not leaving them behind would be observed and appreciated. Once the traveling speed is established, they fan out to the front and the sides, demonstrating that this is an escort, and a nominally protective one, at that.
Kichiro notices them just as the five of you are passing the shrine that you noticed on your way in, some movement in one of the trees ahead of you. Too large to be an animal, and too tangible to be a spirit.[i]Hunting Your escort seems not to notice them, and Satoshi is focused on navigating the cart and probably a few other ideas that may have been jogged by observations.[/i]
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"There's something out there," Kichiro says urgently, looking where he'd seen the movement. He reaches for his sling.
Your "escorts" look to Kichiro, then out at the area around you, searching for something that they may have missed, and their shouts call attention to a couple of individuals that rise from the taller grasses a short ways from your positions, while Kichiro can make out the other in the tree above their position and one more just past. From the way that the closest two are gripping forked picks reminiscent of a jaw with fangs, they do not mean well.
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Kichiro has to stop himself from baring his teeth and growling as he gets ready to fight back.
Satoshi stands up from the machine's controls, allowing it to coast to a stop while he readies his crossbow.
A quarter-day's walk beyond Shuryo Onsen, the road slopes gradually downward, winding between rocky outcrops and slender groves of awakening trees. The air carries a fresh, crisp bite, softened by the first true warmth of spring that gently melts the lingering snow, turning it to shallow streams trickling along the path’s edges. Here, patches of earth emerge, dark and rich beneath thinning blankets of ice and slush, revealing dormant grasses just starting to regain their color. Occasionally, melting snow reveals small trails branching off into the wilderness, half-hidden beneath clusters of budding shrubs and moss-covered stones.
Icy puddles give way to clearer pools that mirror the pale sunlight filtering through sparse branches above. The road is lined by scattered stone markers and lanterns, their surfaces damp and glistening as if freshly polished by winter’s thaw. Birdsong returns hesitantly, distant and intermittent, filling the quiet between drips of melting ice falling rhythmically from higher branches. The forest breathes steadily around the travelers, a sleepy landscape slowly waking beneath the warmth of the strengthening sun.
Kichiro notes the four that could be seen, the way that they were hiding meant that they were not too used to the terrain they were in, something that would probably register later. As for right now, the fact that the two closest were wearing wild looks and sprinting towards their position with an intent that meant nothing good. That the same snake was in a few trees a ways off was another point of interest that could not be focused on right now as the warriors were fast. Hissing loudly, they closed on your guards before they could properly orient, those fang bones they used as weapons unerring as they were used to strike at the riders to the screams of those attacked.
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,
,
?
??
???a
???b
E1
E2(8)
E3(8)
Kichiro leaps from his brother's contraption, running to try to get behind one of the attackers. He brings his short spear up and jabs as he maneuvers into position.
Satoshi narrowed his eyes, then loosed a crossbow bolt at one of the nearby opponents, aiming for something vital, or failing that something debilitating.
Afterward, he quickly loaded a fresh bolt into the crossbow... though he also kept a hand close to his flasks and kunai in case those would prove a better weapon.
Kichiro misses with his spear attack as the hissing attackers prove more deft with those fang-like weapons than their wild demeanors would seem, deflecting the spear with the weapon in their off-hand, even as they press their attack against the mounted men.
Satoshi's bolt strikes true, managing a shot under the horse of the rider to the right of the carriage when his horse rears, a hit to the outside leg of the attacker that deals some damage but not enough to deter them or put them down.
The alchemical effect included with the arrow briefly gives them pause before they strip their weapon down their leg, breaking the arrow and mitigating enough of the mixture to continue moving.
The horse to the left of the wagon, on the other side of the engagement topples over, the rider unable to get clear before the animal collapses onto them, their yell of pain indicating their trapped situation.
Kichiro takes a bolt fired from an upward angle that lands well enough to do much damage.
Able to ready and bring their spears to bear, the two escorts manage to return the favor, inflicting some damage upon their attackers.
The wagon coasts to a halt, its mass displacing the horse and rider.
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?
??
???1(7)
???2(6)
ES1()
Es2(17)
Es3(18)
,
,
,
Kichiro snarls and keeps trying to stab his opponent with his spear, maneuvering to flank him with one of the riders. He feels the urge rising to let himself loose, to bite and claw and rend his enemies, and his resistance to the thought is crumbling with the pain of his wound...
Satoshi nimbly hops off of the seat of his machine, and grumbles slightly about how close his opponent has gotten, not wanting to splash himself or their allies with his own concoctions.
Instead he simply resorts to hurling a kunai at the nearby enemy.
Kichiro continues to injure one of the savage, hissing assailants while Satoshi sends a thrown weapon in the direction of the other, the horse and rider fouling his aim.
A bolt strikes a vital area on the foremost escort, making his prospects of surviving this attack very slim as they seize momentarily, their movements suffering for it. Thankfully there is enough desperation to turn the next attack away, their skill letting them survive for another couple of seconds. Those shots are coming from up in the tree on the other side of the road
The escort closest to Kichiro is similarly injured as those fang picks land another hit, the situation turning grim as another hit like they have received would not be sustainable.
The sounds of struggle precede an arrow missing as the fall and being unhorsed affects the aim of their escort on the other side of the road. The spear attacks from the the engaged escorts miss and hit, providing some more damage onto one of the hissing attackers.
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,
,
,P
, P
Sh?
Tr??
Ca???a (14)
Ca???b (11)
Es1 ()
Es2 (24)
Es3 (25)
Something in Kichiro snaps. He snarls, a sound that drops an octave as he swells in size, dropping his spear as fur sprouts across his body and he shifts to a quadrupedal stance. In a brief moment, he's a horse-sized canine with a split fox tail and a similarly split jagged horn.
He maintains some measure of presence of mind, focusing on taking a bite out of the enemy he's flanking.
Satoshi's eyes drift over to the tree that conceals an enemy archer. He might not be able to hit particularly well at this range... Or perhaps he could? Hopefully Kichiro would hold out well enough to not go fully berserk... "Keep it together Kichiro! We can pull through this still!"
Thinking quickly, Satoshi very rapidly assembles a single-use launcher, and then uses it to propel a flask upward at the ranged assailant. Even if his aim were not true... well, the archer would probably not like staying in the tree after the flask shattered anyway, considering it would be on fire.
A larger Kichiro is more of a threat that gets all available eyes that could see him, the bite most certainly getting the attention of the snake berserker for the threat of size and damage that they just received. That sudden and unnatural transformation certainly was not expected by your escorts.
Satoshi launches the flask upwards and while it does not hit directly, it does indeed break and splatter lower on the tree, making a sizeable area of flaming concern for the archer, who immediately starts moving to vacate the tree, hastily beating the flames out from the splash of the flask.
Amidst the hissing, chanted words of another language drift from the side of the road, filling Kichiro with a feeling of dread that will definitely impair him during this fight.
There is a cry behind Satoshi as one of your escorts falls to the hissing Berserker, hit and pulled out of the saddle by the fang pick that they wield. The horse, now riderless, moves away from the violence.
A significant hit lands on Kichiro from the other Berserker, returning some of damage that was dealt.
With the ranged attacker displaced for now, the lead escort that had fallen from his horse moved to engage with their longspear, trying to get through to their fallen fellow.
Inches from death, and helped by the sudden presence from Kichiro, the change in attention proves fatal for the berserker sandwiched between Kichiro and the last guard still mounted.
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, P
, P
, P
, P
Sh?
Tr?? (4)
Ca???a (22), {AC13}
Ca???b (21),
Es1 ()
Es2 (30)
Es3 (25)
Kichiro snarls in pain and rage. He spends a moment of focus to shape away his wounds.
His power feels... so good, flowing through his flesh, wiping away the pain. He tries to shake off the temptation to just change more, which suddenly surges stronger than the hunger brought on by the scent of blood, but it lingers in his mind even as he charges forward to attack the next berserker.
Satoshi... decides to trust that Kichiro has the melee fighters occupied, partly because he's certainly starting to run low on his better stuff.
Instead, he takes a moment to concentrate as he reloads his crossbow.
Kichiro viciously tears into the berserker, felling them as the taste fills his mouth. They lived well and healthy, the strength of the taste of their vital organs even more desirable, even through the faint taste of reptile. A feast lay at his feet, so close... so warm.
Satoshi takes a breath and reloads, grounding himself as the liquid fire starts to spread in the tree, causing embers and burning branches to start to fall to the ground.
The two individuals flee the cover of the burning tree to the next, but are not out of the fight yet.
Your escorts are certainly surprised by Kichiro changing his size and shape, and are wary of approaching, despite their fallen companion.
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??
Sh?
Tr?? (4)
Es1 ()
Es3 (25)
Kichiro struggles against the temptation of the meat in front of him. After a moment he finds success in focusing on the pain, on how they dared hurt him! With a low growl he races past his brother and after the fleeing attackers.
Satoshi hurrys after Kichiro at a slight distance, and looses one more well-aimed bolt tipped with tanglefoot goo at... whichever of the two fleeing enemies looks more important. Maybe they'll have some incriminating information on them if he can stop them long enough for Kichiro to catch up... and he'll probably want to be close by with a dose of Satiety Tincture.
"Ummm... who are these guys anyway?..."
Perhaps not having expected as ferocious a response, the two remaining of the aggressors start to retreat further back into the trees alongside the road, giving the pursuing siblings a wider berth. The entanglement bolt misses the closest, their familiarity with bolts letting them duck out of the way just enough to avoid getting hit and stuck. The now dead berserkers did not speak at all, and so far, no words have been exchanged between the remaining two.
In the pursuit, thanks to their familiarity with Satoshi and his constructions, the two of you are able to spot the pair of traps concealed around the base of the tree.
A bolt sent from the one that had fled the tree, hits Kichiro , their expression grim as the other reaches into a pouch, his eyes narrowed as what you thought were scars on his face seem to be tattoos. Fangs descend from this cheekbones, a split tongue on his chin.
At the cart behind the pursuing brothers, the head escort is helping the other remaining off of his horse, to try to render treatment of some sort.
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,
Sh?
Tr?? (4)
Ca???a (22)
Ca???b (21)
Es1 ()
Es2 (30)
Es3 (25)
Kichiro snarls in rage as the bolt strikes him and charges forward, leaping at the nearer of the two remaining enemies with his fangs bared, aiming for his throat.
Satoshi continues hurrying after Kichiro. With no time to reload at the moment, he instead repeats his trick with the launcher, save this time he lobs his acid flask at the tattooed opponent, quietly apologizing that a few drops are still likely to fall on Kichiro. And this was also his last weapon flask.
Kichiro elicits a scream from the hunter that accompanied the party as his jaws miss his throat thanks to a turn and a warding arm brought up to protect their vital areas. They taste good, like they have been living off of the land more than they have been indulging in drink, though the subtle taste of alcohol is like a marinade. A few drops of acid splash nearby from the impact of a vial, and the pain is negligible, even as the others react in pain as well.
Desperate, the lighter armored of the remaining pair fishes out a thin bone delicately etched with symbols that perhaps resembled vines, snapping it with a barked word as the bone crumbled, and the grass and few flowers in the area surged in growth, winding around the feet of both Kichiro and Satoshi!
Snarling in defiance, the hunter attempted to strike Kichiro with a handaxe, but their aim was off terribly from the bite, off-balanced from the damage they took.
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Sh? (4) (acid)
Tr?? (14) (acid)
Ca???a (22)
Ca???b (21)
Es1 ()
Es2 (30)
Es3 (25)
Kichiro roars in rage as the plants wrap around his paws. He tenses and then jerks forward, trying to rip his way free.
They hold fast, but his enemy is still in range of his jaws.