The Mountain
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Bowing to Ikoma-sama, "If the Tonbo provides any further knowledge as to the location of the creature that escaped, than I hope you will inform us Crab so we can hunt it down." The big man nods slightly to Ryoko still tense and alert for any continuing signs of the Shadowlands.
The Hida's appreciation of the dance had grown steadily over the year since the tournament. More than once it seemed to be the only thing that would keep the world from slipping forever into the Shadowlands...."
The wintery look that sweeps off The Mountain slopes chills Daichi, "Ah yes, a play at mercy? Or is it protocol? That succeeds in only further endangering people. Either he will wake and beg for seppuku for his treachery which means there is still a shred of humanity left or he will try and squirm and lay the blame on others in which case putting him down like a rabid animal is the only blessing he can hope to receive."
He seethed on the inside just being near the man. The Mountain stands tall and silent watching the proceedings intensely, the only things keeping him from crushing the Tonbo's skull on the way here being that the man had no obvious Shadowlands taint and protocol. Even so, his deference to Heihachi-san, who was much closer to a magistrate than he, is the real reason the man still lived. Perhaps the man would give them some clue to his masters whereabouts. The Magistrates and Shugenja had ways of finding out what they needed too.
The Hida raises a questioning eyebrow slightly at Heihachi when he rejoins the group but does not press him further. To the rest he simply say, "Let us get to our destination quickly." He begins to set a forced march pace....
Megumi:
Spoiler: Meeting Megumi's gaze, "As much as we Crab are raised to face the Shadowlands from birth it is always, even for us, challenging to not be caught off-guard the first time....or any other time for that matter. The most valuable lesson you can take away from this is that, once light chases away the shadows of their deceptions strike true, strike hard, and strike fast. For within hesitation lies death or...worse." His stony feature soften slightly, "Now lets go find Ume-san and Heihachi-san so we can get to our destination quickly. Hrrmph....and wipe such thoughts of comfortable beds and relaxation from your mind. They will not serve you well until the enemy is defeated...." His eyes harden to flint again, "...and the enemy is never completely defeated."
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:
Spoiler: Nagatsuna looks down at the Kakita for a long moment before responding, "It is always better to allow your enemy to break themselves on your walls than to shoot into the darkness." He considers for another moment, "However, in this case time is of the essence and we are not surrounded by walls. Let's go get them and get to the fortress swiftly." She notices a glimpse of a faint smile as he turns to head back the way he came to find Ume and Heihachi.
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:
Spoiler: The Hida scowls, "They do not like what Ryoko knows and was carrying. More reason to get her there safely."
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:
Spoiler:
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:
Spoiler: A scowl crosses the Hida's face, "Hai, what you say is true. However, Heihachi-san and Ume-san should be here shortly. Ten minutes we can spare. If by then they have not arrived than we shall set out immediately. It is obviously Ryoko that they seek and we could well run into another ambush. It's better to know our pursuers so that the predator becomes the prey. Heihachi-san knows the Shadowlands well and his council will be invaluable."
Spoiler: Nagatsuna stops just short of Megumi, "The time for wishful thinking is over. Either this clansmen has taken the Shadowlands into his heart or more likely it was never a clansmen of yours to begin with. The creature most likely shed its disguise to enter the river in its true form. Here are the Crane clothes it was wearing and some other unusual cloth. Can you tell me anything more about them Megumi-san?" The Hida rolls out the bundle revealing the Crane clothes and the swatch of blach cloth.
Spoiler: "Go as quickly as you can. I will be right behind you."
Spoiler: 2d10=11 Nagatsuna takes out his workout gi, carefully lies it over the clothing and black cloth, and without touching the tainted textiles directly wraps them in a bundle. Having nothing immediately come to mind as to the clothings origin he thinks to himself, Perhaps Megumi will recognize where this comes from. He immediately stands his task done, "Quickly Yukari-san, we must warn the others." He sets a fast pace back to the bridge.
Spoiler: Nagatsuna gathers the discarded clothing and with a grim tone, "Perhaps the original owner of these was a Crane and they will give clues as to who he was." Looking back over the river with a deep frown, "Perhaps a water oni of some sort. Not sure why it would come all the way here before entering the river. It could have just jumped in while it had cover of the fog. Maybe there is something more about this location or it was trying to lead us away while it doubled back." As the last words leave his mouth a cloud of anger crosses his features, "Some of us must return at once to warn the others. We stopped them from achieving their goals and they will be sure to try again. Yukari-san and I will return while Ume-san and Heihachi-san stay here and see if the water kami can help further. Acceptable?" The fact that a Crab will be involved at both places puts him a bit at ease but only just barely.
Spoiler: Nagatsuna recalls his patrols along the banks of the River of Gold and how easy it was to find tracks through the mud and reeds. Putting into practice his past experiences he points out to the rest of the group, "See here where the reeds are bent in this direction? It should be easy to track our quarry through this."
Yukari, Ume, Edonichi, Heihachi:
Spoiler: 3d10.open(10).takeHighest(2)=14
The Hida does not speak as they track the missing Kakita, only nodding occasionally to Heihachi-san as he points something out.
Intent on Utaku Yukari and the trail of the fleeing Kakita, Nagatsuna notices little else.
Nagatsuna gives Ume a sharp look, "Perhaps I should be more clear. Since these are Lion lands don't you think it appropriate you see that the Tonbo be taken before the authorities? Leave those that follow the shadowlands to those equipped to deal with them. Brother, let's go before our quarry widens it's lead further." The big Crab turns and begins to follow the trail at a quick pace.
Upon hearing the Utaku's words the Hida gets up from where he is examining the Tonbo, "He does not have that much of a head start, Utaku-san should be able to catch him easily. We shall make the best time we can on foot." Looking down at the Tonbo, "His fate is all but sealed, he should be brought before a magistrate."
"It appears the Tonbo yet lives. Perhaps he has the answers to our questions." The big Crabs expression plainly says that whether he does or not his life is still measured in minutes.
The Hida carefully examines the area for traces of the missing Kakita. Upon hearing the Dragon's response to his question he takes a closer look at the Tonbo and bloodspeaker bodies, being careful not to actually touch either.
For a moment there is a flash of anger but his expression quickly turns deadpan, "We shall see." Striding over to the Dragon, "Hitomi-san, do you know where the Kakita has gone? He said he was going to help you last he was seen."
It takes several moments for Nagatsuna to realize Ryoko is at first asking and then struggling to be free. He suddenly releases her somewhat unceremoniously and turns slowly toward Megumi, "No....I'm fine. Resisting the.....dark powers has made me weary." Hearing his fellow Crab's words, "Be at ease I have not released the fury. We have taken this day but our foes are not all defeated. The one attacking me was neither the Tonbo nor this bloodspeaker that Heihachi-san faced." Upon hearing that the Kakita is missing a darker cloud than already exists on his face crosses his features, "The Kakita tried to take Ryoko from me just before the bloodspeaker fell but I told him to attend the Hitomi instead. Either he was in league with the servants of the shadowlands or was abducted himself." His barely checked fury and knotted muscles tell plainly which of the two choices he thinks is the case.
Nagatsuna staggers forward off the bridge with a glazed stare as he seems to be focused only on his mission. Only vaguely aware of his surroundings his deathlike grip on Ryoko continues even after he stops moving.
Edonichi:
Spoiler:
Edonichi:
Spoiler: 2d10=6
Not even looking toward the man speaking to him, "No.....the fog....still dangerous....get the dragon...out too." He staggers forward with his increasingly leaden burden, unwilling to relinquish it, the single-mindedness apparently the only thing keeping him standing.
Sorry, think my spell casting threw our NewGM for a loop...heh
Everyone except Heihachi:
Spoiler: Ryoko's words seem to fall on deaf ears as Nagatsuna shakes his head repeatedly and then falls to one knee as he repeats in almost a whispering chant to himself over and over, "The......mountain.....will......not.....fall...." Through some herculean effort he manages to stand again and gets out, "There are....more.....of them....must....get out..." His eyes harden in determination as he staggers through the mist.
Edonichi:
Spoiler:
GM-Edonichi:
Spoiler: I think he already took his action for this round with the continued Strength/Agility to hold on to Ryoko. Correct me if I am behind and need to take another action.
Everyone except Heihachi:
Spoiler: "The mountain.....is....not....so easily....moved." The strain however is obvious to those around him.
5d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=27
Shisumo:
Spoiler:
Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:
Spoiler: Tapping some inner reserve of energy the Crab's muscles bunch with the effort of holding onto the defenseless Ryoko and barks out in his deep voice, "Not today....or any other day......Tonbo. Megumi! Now is not the time for idle chatter.....STRIKE!"
Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari,
Spoiler: Not much caring about etiquette at this point Nagatsuna hefts Ryoko unceremoniously over his shoulder and looks toward Yukari, "You lead and I'll follow."
Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:
Spoiler: The giant Hida shakes his head several times as if to clear it or shake off some unseen annoying insect. He rumbles out in a slower and somewhat slurred voice, "Shu..genja. Trying to....knock...me out. We must....get out of this mist....so...we can see our enemies."
Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:
Spoiler:
Megumi, Yukari, and Shisumo:
Spoiler: Having Ryoko, Megumi, and Yukari next to him he turns his attention to the situation around them, "We should attempt to free ourselves from this fog. It serves the purposes of our enemies."
Megumi and Shisumo: Spoiler: Nagatsuna smiles in return, "I am sure Hitomi-san would but I am not sure I would understand any bet....." At the mist and Heihachi's words his smile disappears into a stony emotionless visage, "Kakita-san, follow me!" His katana is out in a flash as he moves quickly in the direction he last saw Ryoko (which I am assuming is almost right next to him as he is next to Megumi).
Nagatsuna stops suddenly and looks upon Megumi as if truly seeing her for the first time, "Surely, you saw the beauty of the Cranes lands and not just the inside of the court while you grew up there? My travels through your lands made me contemplate the deeper meanings on what and why we protect the empire. It strengthened my resolve. If you find little beauty or inspiration here than surely you would find the Crab lands an ugly scar. For they are craggy, mountainous, and harsh. They prepare us to face any foe, no matter the odds. We fight and die for much more than our homelands. It is that I sometimes miss while parading around these lands with their relative ease of life. I am afraid that I am built of coarser stuff and need the heavy hammer of the mountains to retain my shape." Looking out over the river, "These waters come from many distant regions and bring their stories with them if you know how to hear them." He shakes his head and rumbles a laugh at himself, "and I for one am still trying to figure out what they are saying to me as they sometimes remind me of Fuguki-san."
Looking back toward the flowing water as they walk, "Hai, Megumi-san. Sometimes......places speak to me of my homelands, such as this. Have you ever visited the River of Gold or Earthquake Fish Bay? I used to patrol some of the Yasuki villages and markets along it's shores. I crossed the Tidal Landbridge to your lands so I could attend the Topaz tournament last year. It is truly a stunning sight. Have you ever seen it?"
Shaking his head inwardly at the ever increasing size of their not-so-little band, Nagatsuna carries on with a steady pace and diligent watch for trouble. At the point where his gaze comes to rest upon the swirling and eddying water of the great river his countenance softens for a moment at the sight. With a slight shake he pulls himself from his reverie and continues down the path and across the river.
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