Despite her trepidation, Ritti doesn't feel the sudden lethargy and weakness that she associates with touching the sword - it appears to have forgiven her... or maybe it just doesn't mind her touch when she's not trying to carry it.
Yuto halts a bit, still not fully used to the sword's voice, but clearly comforted by its words "T-thanks! A-and they should" he looks at the flames and smiles.
As Ritti is likely to push for a stealthy approach, Yuto will try to follow up a few steps behind. Fortunately the girl's cloak helps to partially cover the noisy metal armor.
Ritti does her best to locate the big beastie without giving it a chance to gnaw on her femurs.
The wind picks up, fluttering through the hills and sending a light puff of the powdery snow into the air. Ritti expertly uses this to cover her movement, and leaves Yuto to try to imitate her as best he's able.
Nearby one of the nearby hills, the heroes spy an armored wagon that has been thoroughly damaged - one door hangs off its hinges, an axle is clearly broken, and the exterior is covered in scars.
Ritti makes a 'halt' motion to Yuto then points in the direction of the unseen wolf and raises a gloved finger to her eye then points to the samurai - an 'eyes on you' gesture. She continues to creep to the edge of the wagon. Her fledgling plan is to attack the wolf by surprise if it charges toward Yuto.
Knowing he was very bad at moving silently, Andochtuir waits for any sort of signal from the scouts to take off into the air. There, he stays high in above ground, the frigid winds not bothering him through the magic of his boots.
Hopefully, he was too high up to be seen or sniffed.
Of course, that wouldn't work if they looked straight up, but with one of them being injured and these being predators, he gambled on them not used to get attacked from the air.
Torra does her best to stay low and quiet, keeping behind Ritti and Yuto - fat ang angle, so that if the winter wolf charges at any of them she has a good angle to hit it.
Yuto halts immediately when Ritti looks at him "Wh-what's it Ritti San?" getting that the wolf is somewhere, he readies his katana, holding his shield up over the line of his eyes "W-where is it?!"
And readies to defend himself or charge. If the wolf does nothing, he will hurry Ritti to lead him towards the wolf.
The winter wolf rises to its feet, its gold eyes piercing as it emerges from the den in the side of the hill. It growls in Skald, taking a few steps towards Yuto, Torra, and Atsuko. It doesn't seem to have noticed either Ritti or Andochtuir.
The giant wolf eyes them warily, but makes no move to attack - perhaps unsurprising, given that its injuries are still oozing blood.
"You menaced us!" Yuto shouts back on his basic Skald "We cannot risk you coming back to accomplish t-that menace. W-we are bound to protect o-our ca-caravan and reach our destination!" his words carries determination, trying to perhaps convince the wolf of total surrender.
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The thief waits silently to see how this moment plays out. If they could be assured the wolf would leave them alone, she was happy to 'live and let live'. But it was hard to trust a giant, ice-breathing, presumably evil warg to stick to an agreement.
High above the field, Andochtuir holds his fauchard at the ready, primed to swoop down and spear the wolf at a moment's notice!
The wolf looks incredibly contemptuous of Yuto's excuses, opening its mouth to reply, then turns its head in Ritti's direction, eyes narrowed.
Yuto gives a few steps forward when it seems clear he has noticed Ritti's approach, but then halts hesitant when it does not openly attack. He looks at the ninja and waits to see how things develop.
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"Whoever you are, come out. I don't care for ambushers."
Well, sh!t… Ritti stays exactly where she is, back pressed to the armored wagon, and replies in Skald, ”Yeah? I don’t like ambushers either… and that cost your friend his life. And stepping out to give you an easy target for your anger is just plain stupid, so no I’m not doing that. Also, I’m going to move as soon as I finish talking to keep you on your toes.”
She lets that hang for a moment before continuing. ”I’m a ‘do-er’ not a ‘talker’, as you can probably tell. So, let’s keep this honest and simple as I like… I think maybe both sides bungled this meeting. But gnawing on that question don’t make anyone less dead. So – seems to me – the only important question is what happens to you now?”
”These folks want to get back on the trail and keep our caravan safe. But you seem like you might carry a grudge and that’s the problem. We’re safer if you’re dead and can’t come after us when and where you want. You're a predator, I'm not telling you anything you don't know. So, can you let this go? Can you convince these folks you’ll let this go… or should we get to killing?”
True to her word, Ritti slinks around the wagon.
"I have no wish to die." The wolf growls. "But you have slain my friend." It falls silent for several long moments. "I'll make you a deal. You take that thing," it gestures at the caravan, "and whatever items it has in it, and leave me in peace. In turn, I will not hunt you until three days after I am fully healed."
It snarls. "That will be some time."
"Sorry about that," mumbles Torra. She felt bad or her contribution to the situation, they had indeed killed someone who had warned them against trespassing. She catches Yuto's eye and nods to show her agreement to the deal the winter wolf was suggesting.
"I have no wish to have another death on my conscience," she whispers to him.
Ritti looks to the team and shrugs before replying to the wolf. ”I respect your loyalty… I gotta leave that decision to the others. I’m just the knife here.” She moves yet again, to hopefully prevent the wolf from locating her.
Yuto takes a step forward, addressing the wolf in Skald "Y-your friend’s death we-weighs on us all, but it was a consequence of choices made on bo-both sides. I cannot accept your truce offer in those terms though. Either you swear to not follow or attack us and our caravan, or we will have to fight you here and now to protect our liege"
Despite Ritti's movements, the wolf continues looking in her general direction, though it - no, surely he - doesn't appear to see her yet.
The wolf considers Yuto, his yellow eyes narrowing. "Do you have no notion of honor, then?" He asks coldly, then shakes himself. "Of vengeance? Kjaerulff was my only friend for decades."
Yuto nods after listening Suishen "I-I am sorry to inform you t-that I am bound by my honor t-to warrant the protection o-of my liege and her passage through these lands. W-when you insist to threat us b-by h-hunting her group, y-you leave me no other o-option b-but to stop you immediately, f-for much that I-I understand your duty w-with your friend's memory"
The Tian grabs the katana firmly, raising slowly its edge, the weight clearly heavier than usual for him "J-just say y-you promise not to hunt the caravan and our people, please"
The winter wolf glowers at Yuto, then nods sharply. "Very well. Leave now, then, and let me mourn in peace."
True or not, that’s as good as we’re gonna get.
Ritti walks around the other end of the wagon, no weapons in hand. She gives the wolf a respectful nod and then begins to pull the wagon, trying to get it moving down the hill.
It is quite difficult for the heroes to get the broken-down wagon away from the wolf's den, but working together, they are eventually able to. Within another hour or so, they arrive at the place where the caravan has camped.
They are welcomed back with open arms and delight, albeit with some concern. Koya and Spivey look them over for wounds (simultaneously, at that), and, finding none, allow them to take a brief rest to discuss their findings. Before they can begin, a shriek of alarm from the armored wagon cuts them off.
Inside, they find that Livia (their primary wainwright) has discovered a horrifically gnawed human corpse. She staggers out, her mouth covered, retreating from the terrible sight.
There is something uncannily disturbing about the corpse - more than any other they've encountered, the reality strikes the party that this could be them. The wilderness of the Crown of the World is ever-hungry, and there's only their own skill (as great as that may be) that keeps them safe... for now. How long can that last?
Ritti involuntarily shivers at the sight of the mutilated corpse. I don’t feel so bad about that giant now. From her backpack, the thief quickly pulls one of her large camouflage scarves and lays it across the body, trying to hide the most horrific bits.
To avoid thinking about the gore, she leans into practical matters. ”OK. We got to get the body out of here, search this wagon, and see how we can use it, right?”
After they remove the body, Ritti will search it and the wagon thoroughly.
Sanity Score: 39 / 40 | Threshold: 3 | Edge: 20
Stunning Fist (4):
Ki Pool (4): x
Shozoku (1): x
Inspired (1):
Shuriken (30):
Shuriken Earthfire (2):
Scabbard (1):
Pot Mage Armor (9):
Pot Blur (2):
Pot Cat’s Grace (2):
Pot Invisibility (1):
Serene Ring (1):
Thunderstone (1): x
Cat Boots (1): (if worn)
Effects:
Mage Armor – AC +4 – 1 HR
Yuto, visibly relieved that the winter wolf has agreed to the terms, and understanding it is not a danger to Ameiko or the caravan anymore, lowers his katana and gives a respectful bow to the wolf "W-we will leave, as agreed then"
With a swift, graceful movement, Yuto sheathes his katana and moves to assist with the wagon.
---
Yuto instinctively winces as he lays eyes on the gnawed corpse. His face pales for a moment, and he feels a cold shiver run down his spine. He closes his eyes briefly, trying to find strength on his tenets "A-ancestors, g-guide this soul to rest"
The young man moves to assist Ritti, nodding in agreement with her practical approach "[b]W-we should b-be careful and make sure i-it is safe" he then helps move the corpse outside before registering both the corpse and the place.
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Andochtuir sees the corpse and freezes, the reminder of his mortality only all too real. Though he helps the group search the wagon and bury the unfortunate individual later, he finds his hands shaking, the soup spilling from his cup and the sparse ingredients for his brewing slip from his grasp.
He withdraws that evening, wandering into the forest as he absently plucks what herbs and roots he could find in the snowy land. Away from the fire, he could at least pretend that was the cause rather than mortal fear. Visions of his brother's death as well as his own flash through his mind until he can't take it anymore and slams rather than sets the lantern down on a nearby stone, breathing heavily. He slowly turns to regards his bat-like, some would say demonic wing. That was what it had been based off, after all, his Vivisection of the flying horror fought beneath the castle.
"Are you watching, Ancuradh?" He says, trying to calm himself, staring into the dark of night. "I've tried to do the right thing for these people. My friends. But I'm not the fighter you were. And it feels like I'm not closer to the cure for the corruption. Perhaps I'm even starting to become like the beasts we once fought to destroy. Should I follow this path, disregarding my corruption if it keeps Ameiko safe? What would you do, if your strength was not enough?"
The sight of the corpse is a stark reminder that a monster lurks in all of us, sometimes just under the surface. The winter wolf had spoken of his grief, the pain caused by the death- no, the killing of his friend, and Torra had felt remorse and pity. What of this dead man, then? What of his family's grief, the pain he endured before he died?
From there, it is all too easy to imagine Torra's own parents, getting a letter, or word from someone - that their only child had lost their life in some frozen waste and was eaten by beasts. The thought puts the dwarf in a dark mood for the next few days, and they stay close to the caravan, not foraging or even scouting with Shalelu or Lone-Pillar.
Within moments of the heroes' arrival in the cart, Sandru, Koya, Ameiko, Shalelu, and Ulf are at their sides. Ulf winces. "That's... damn. That's Kargun Yaremchuk. He's an old rival, another guide. Poor bastard."
The party's careful examination of the corpse reveals that it, at least, isn't animate. It seems to be, for all intents and purposes, a thoroughly chewed corpse. However, they do find a scroll case tucked away in Kargun's clothing. Atsuko quickly identifies the map as magical, but for all intents and purposes, the magic isn't entirely clear how.
Ulf glances it over, then nods. "This is the High Ice... and a route that I've only used a few times myself. Hm. We can use this - it'll keep us out of harm's way."
Sandru grimaces. "Let's get the body properly buried so that Pharasma can judge his soul." There's a murmur of agreement, and the caravan quickly sets to work cleaning and burying the body with as much haste as respect allows.
As they do so, Sandru looks to the heroes. "So, what happened out there? Shalelu and Ameiko told us some of it, but I'd like to hear more from you."
Yuto gathers his thoughts and looks towards Sandru. His voice is calm but retains a slight tremor "W-we encountered the winter wolf... a-a fierce creature... It was mourning the loss of its giant companion. After some... tense negotiations... it agreed to let the caravan be and we let him mourn in peace without further conflict"
He pauses for a moment, briefly glancing at the frozen body before continuing "I-it was... strange. We expected to find such monsters here, b-but I did not expect one like that to be capable of such grief..."
Yuto's hand instinctively brushes the hilt of his sheathed katana, as if finding solace in its presence. He meets Sandru's gaze, hoping his words capture the gravity of their encounter "As for Kargun... he wasn't just a victim of the wilds. Something, someone, did this. We might find more danger as we press on"
With that, he sets himself to the task of helping bury the body.
"You let it live?" Sandru's brows shoot upwards as he examines each of the heroes. "Well, I'll trust your judgment, but I expect you all to take more watches for it so long as we're in the Giant-Downs."
"Every mortal can change, I think." Koya says. "As we've seen with our own Zaiobe."
The mention of Kargun's fate causes Ulf to shift. "You think that someone other than the giant killed him?"
"For what it's worth, I agree with you, Sandru. While it might be dishonorable to strike down a wounded foe, it's even more dishonorable to willingly endanger the ones you're sworn to protect. At least, that is how I see it. Its vow to come after us once healed does not sit well with me," Andochtuir states, a bit solemnly, perhaps still shaken from his near-death experience.
He doesn't partake in further speculation on what happened to the body, decicing he needed from fresh air and heading into the forest to forage and scout the immediate surroundings.
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Ritti steadfastly avoids philosophizing. ”The giant is dead. The wolf is badly wounded… and may or may not come at us again. It said it would leave us alone until it was fully healed up. That might take a week. Yuto pressed it to agree to leave us be or die right then. Maybe it lied. Maybe it told the truth. Its pal was just killed so emotions were runnin’ high. In the cold light of a new day, it’ll know it’s alone and we put down its pal – hard. It can seek vengeance and most likely die for it or it can go on living. I’d opt for living, but I ain’t a wolf. My advice is we get this caravan rolling and get as much distance as we can, maybe even get out of its territory, before it is healed enough to take a good go at us.”
”As for the fella in the wagon… without looking closely to figure out what et him, my bet is on the giant and wolf. The wagon seems like the larder the giant used to store his… food.”
Torra nods wordlessly at the mention of extra watches; they felt that sleep would elude them for a time, anyway. The dwarf stays out of the debate on whether they should have killed the winter wolf or not, their gaze instead drawn to Kargun's corpse.
"Maybe so," Ulf nods at Ritti's words, "maybe so. But even worgs like winter wolves aren't lone animals - there're probably some others around here. And who's to say whether the wikkiwakks will leave us be? Best to be safe." Sandru nods his agreement with the other man.
"We did what we thought was best..." Yuto finally says, addressing Sandru and the others "The winter wolf's final word felt... genuine to me. I strongly believe he is not a danger to us anymore. But I accept the responsibility for leaving him be. I-I will take those extra shifts" he nods resolved.
Yuto then resumes assisting with Kargun's burial, reflecting on the fragility of life in such unforgiving lands "W-we need to make t-the passing rituals, w-what a terrible fate i-if he was to turn into a-an animated skeleton..." he reflects, still impacted by the fate of his own father's "I-if this ever h-happens to me... p-please, make sure I do not raise as a not dead... please..."
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Atsuko is quiet through most of the events involving the winter wolf. Actually, she's been unusually quiet for a while now. It's a sort of numbness that has been coming on for some time. Aside from Ulf and some of the experienced caravaners, she's probably heard more about traveling the Path of Aganhei than anyone else present. But, the stories and tales that she's ingested for so many years don't map onto the experience as lived as well as she had imagined they would. Yes, the tales prepared her for danger, risk, and possibly horrors not encountered elsewhere, but they didn't relay the mundane, daily bleakness of it all.
She helps with the burial, or probably cairn of rocks over the body if the ground is too frozen for digging. While she does, she thinks mostly about the wolf. She cannot figure out where she stands on the question of what the better choice to make was. It is true that the wolf's actions are understandable, and he had dealt with them honorably and forthrightly. It is also true that it's better not to potentially be stalked and hunted.
Atsuko can see the advantage, almost common sense, of killing the wolf. But, she also thinks doing so would have crossed a line that is better not crossed.
After the wagon has been brought back to the caravan, she immediately goes to work inspecting the damage to determine whether it can be made functional or should be broken apart for spare parts. When Atsuko has that done, she works on the wagon according to her determination until she loses the light. Work is good because being at loose ends where they are now feels intolerable.
Atsuko isn't sure why, but the encounter with the wolf keeps bring to mind an odd piece of history from before she was born. Once, an ox was driven to panic for some reason; different reasons were given by different storytellers. He broke from his harness and ran, trampling and killing a woman in the process. The local thane had the ox detained and tried for murder of the woman. Of course, the ox was found guilty, there were many witnesses. The thane sentenced the ox to death for the crime, and had him hanged. While it is no easy task to hang an ox, it can be done and it was. Sometimes the story is told by those who want to point out the thane's commitment to justice in an approving manner. Sometimes the story is told by those who want to point out the foolishness of the thane in trying to apply justice in a situation where none can be found.
It seems to Atsuko the crux of the winter wolf dilemma is the wolf's intelligence. Atsuko herself was not terribly disturbed by the condition of Kargun's corpse. After all, wolves eat, including people. Wolves kill with the weapons they have, which kill in terrible ways. So, the question underneath was on of whether the winter wolf was more like them than a regular wolf, or more like a wolf despite his intelligence.
Atsuko wonders though if they were flattering themselves. Maybe they are more like the winter wolf than the winter wolf is like them. Or, perhaps the place they are now is making them more like the wolf. Atsuko an't work it out, it's all muddled in her head. There was a time, not so long ago really, when they left supplies in a cabin because it wasn't their property. It feels like it happened a very long time ago now though. Would they do the same thing now if they found another cabin?
After the light is gone, Atsuko goes to her wagon and writes down all the events of the day in detail as usual.
Yuto observes Atsuko's quiet reflection as they finish placing the rocks over Kargun's body, his own mind still weighed down by the choice they made with the winter wolf. He stands silently for a while, looking at the frozen landscape stretching endlessly around them, his breath fogging in the cold air "I-It's hard, isn't it?" Yuto finally says, his voice soft, more for himself than anyone else "W-we carry our sense of honor, b-but out here..."
He trails off, shaking his head as if trying to brush away the heavy thoughts "It fe-feels like the world is t-trying to strip that away from us. The more we fight, the ha-harder it is to remember who we are, what we stand for"
The young man gazes at the horizon, where the sun is beginning to sink. "I-I wonder... if we did the r-right thing sparing the wolf. He had honor, yes. B-but honor doesn't always keep us safe" his hand rests on Suishen's hilt, the gesture more a comfort than a threat "Still, I accept the consequences of our actions. If there is a price to be paid, I will bear it"
His thoughts flicker back to his father, and a frown crosses his face as memories tug at him "I-I suppose... honor comes with a cost" Yuto murmurs before turning back to the group "L-let's p-prepare for the night. The cold is coming again"
Ritti says nothing, unwilling to punch a hole in Yuto's conviction. Problem is... you might not be the one the wolf picks to pay the price.
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The caravan's leadership agrees to move onwards, after performing a small funeral (with Ulf's guidance) for the hapless guide that lay dead in the armored cart. A brief debate ensues on what to do with the cart, but ultimately the decision falls to Sandru, who points out that the caravan doesn't exactly have animals to spare. Ulf mentions that there might be others who do along the way - mostly Erutaki tribes, but coming across one will be a gamble. Unfortunately, they are left to move on without the cart.
The next week goes surprisingly quietly, albeit with only a handful of days' worth of forage discovered. There's no sign of the winter wolf or the wikkiwaks and the chill is biting, but manageable. Indeed, the tension of finding anything is far worse than anything they actually find.
Around noon on the seventh day since they set out away from the frost giant, Ulf calls a halt, inviting the caravan's leadership and the party to join him. "We're out of Urjuk, now." He says. "And we've got a choice to make. The usual Path of Aganhei runs northwest," he points in that direction, "through the Erutaki lands of Hasanaliat. That route's easier and more likely than not to be faster. It's also going to take us to Unaimo, the last of the trading settlements before we enter the High Ice."
"Which means more eyes on us." Shalelu reasons, and Ulf nods.
"Well, more likely eyes, anyways. Other than that, we could head due north. That's much less 'civilized' lands. The Gaarjuk Hills are forested and rugged, and it'll be tough going, but much fewer eyes. We'd have to fjord the Taraska River in a much less hospitable place than the Path of Aganhei usually does." He looks to the others, eyebrows raised inquisitively.
"T-the easier path may not always be the safest..." Yuto murmurs "Eyes on us... more eyes means more attention, but also more opportunity to gather information. Allies, even"
He frowns, his breath visible in the frigid air as he considers the northern route "I-I would argue we should take the route Ulf knows the best. The northwestern route through Hasanaliat for the sake of safety and trade" his gaze lingers on the distant horizon, where snow and ice stretch into the unknown "B-but I know our path is not always the e-easiest. If we must take the harder road, w-we will do so. Together"
He waits for the others to speak, but his mind is already weighing the risks of the different routes "I-is t-the people of Unaimo w-welcoming strangers? P-perhaps w-we can o-obtain food and supplies w-with whatever we can trade..."
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Ritti looks at Ameiko briefly before turning her attention to the group in general, weighing the choices. ”I came late to this party, so I don’t know the skullduggery that happened before me or all the ‘eyes’ that are worrying you folks. So, to me, deciding the best path hinges on one question: What d’you see as the biggest danger? If enemies finding you is more of a threat than rough terrain and running low on food… then we should take the north path. If a blade is coming for you, best not to let it find you. But, if you think being spotted is less a problem than a hungry belly and a chance to get supplies before the crossing, then we should take the familiar path.” She shrugs, ”Sorry, if that was no help.”
"There is also a point where we could diverge from the Path of Aganhei or rejoin it, if we head north now." Ulf adds, pointing at the map. "If you want to reconsider one way or the other, that'd be the place." He looks to Yuto. "
[b]"In Kalsgard there were the Frozen Shadows and the oni you met." Ameiko says to the heroes. "In Briarwall, it was Kikonu. If Five Storms had agents as close to Sandpoint as Briarwall, then it's definitely possible they have a few among the Erutaki, especially in Unaimo." Amaya looks silently at the group as her sister speaks, measuring each person's reaction.
Sandru speaks up. "How easy is foraging in the Gaaruk Hills, Ulf?"
"Well, there're more beasts out that way." Ulf says. "We could stop by Lake Nallishoot and Rimakkak. Small settlement, but nice enough folk. It's no Bearleg Lakes, though - nowhere near as much game or forage."
Fitting Ameiko's additions to the puzzle, the thief amends her opinion. "OK, so real dangerous enemies with long arms... I'd go north and gamble we can pick up what we need at smaller villages."
Yuto listens intently as Ritti and the others weigh in on the decision. He nods thoughtfully as Ameiko reminds them of their previous encounters with the Frozen Shadows and the oni, and Ritti's pragmatic concerns about the dangers ahead make him pause for a moment "I-it's true. The F-Five Storms have many eyes, and it would be difficult for such a large group to pass unnoticed at Unaimo..."
"I-it seems the northern route then... I-it might be harder, b-but it could be our only chance to go unnoticed by our enemies..." he glances at Ulf, considering the option of foraging along the way "W-we'll have to be more ca-careful about supplies... b-but I th-think we can do it..."
Yuto looks at Koya and Spivey at this point "M-mother, does Desna offer any augury on this that m-might guide our feet?"
"I will inquire with her." Koya replies to Yuto, then glances at Spivey, who smiles slightly.
"I can do the same, though I'll need six yes or no questions you want answers to. That might help illuminate what might yet come, as well."
"I think... north as well. We can protect ourselves well enough, but we cannot protect everyone else in the caravan. And the Frozen Shadows were not the kind to attack us openly in a fair fight. It will be harder with the supplies, so we should make a plan for rations and forage or hunt as much as we can, to build up reserves before the crossing."
While Torra might be excited to meet the Erutaki and see Unaimo, the thought of the Frozen Shadows striking at them unexpectedly is worrying.
Yuto listens carefully as Koya and Spivey offer their assistance with divination "For our augury... perhaps these questions might help..."
After some thought the young man offers a few "Will we find safe passage through the northern route without encountering agents of the Five Storms?"
"Will we be able to secure enough food and supplies for the journey if we take the northern path?"
"Will taking the northern route improve our chances of reaching our destination without significant loss?"
"Does Desna foresee allies or aid along the northern route that might help us?"
Ritti adds, "Does the northern route hold worse threats than the other route?"
"I-It's hard, isn't it?" Yuto finally says, his voice soft, more for himself than anyone else "W-we carry our sense of honor, b-but out here..."
He trails off, shaking his head as if trying to brush away the heavy thoughts "It fe-feels like the world is t-trying to strip that away from us. The more we fight, the ha-harder it is to remember who we are, what we stand for"
The young man gazes at the horizon, where the sun is beginning to sink. "I-I wonder... if we did the r-right thing sparing the wolf. He had honor, yes. B-but honor doesn't always keep us safe" his hand rests on Suishen's hilt, the gesture more a comfort than a threat "Still, I accept the consequences of our actions. If there is a price to be paid, I will bear it"
"I-I suppose... honor comes with a cost" Yuto murmurs before turning back to the group "L-let's p-prepare for the night. The cold is coming again"
It seems to Atsuko that Yuto's words mirror her own confused feelings in some respects. She supposes he is trying to be nice, or comforting. But, Atsuko doesn't really feel like talking. She shrugs in a downtrodden way and merely says "I don't know what to think anymore".
Since the armored wagon is to be left behind, Atsuko uses the light that left to strip parts from it. She prioritizes the things she suspects are most likely to be break or wear out, along with anything that might be considered valuable or rare. Aside from having the security of spare parts, it's possible some of the Erutaki they meet along might be enterprising sorts, willing to buy or barter for the materials since they have the market on, well, everything for a very long way in every direction. There could be good profit in the stuff for them.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Like Ritti, Atsuko doesn't feel like she has a good enough understanding of who or what exactly they must avoid being found by to offer any informed opinion anout the better route for them to take.
Based on what they others say, the ones who been with Ameiko from the beginning, it sounds like her enemies are both very resourceful and persistent. But, adding to the risks they are already taking by choosing a harder route is no joke.
She listens but doesn't speak, trusting, or hoping, the more informed members of the caravan will make the right choice. She does offer up a silent prayer to Desna, asking her to answer Koya's coming augury generously.