Chapter 1: Into the Shadowlands

[TetNak]

Yakamo-dono rubs his chin, the Jade Hand running over it. "I have sent messengers many times for many days. Waiting one more night will not hurt anything." He grunts and sits himself, "We shall wait then," he nods to the nezumi, who scrambles back up the side of the tunnel and pulls the cloth over the hole when everyone has returned. "We should get some sleep, then, and be refreshed as best we can for the day's journey tomorrow."

[Vardaen]

Nakastume nods sagely at the wisdom of the Crab Champion. Travel in the Shadowlands at night, is foolish, even with such heroic samurai (and a monk) to do the task. He will take a watch, allowing Lord Yakamo to get a full nights rest of he will take it.

[Toptomcat]

Jubei takes the watch after Nakastume, standing silent as the grave with bow at hand. Even at night, he is alert and ready, perpetually scanning the darkness for threats; however, when the time comes for him to be relieved, he falls asleep instantly- no doubt a trait born of long acquantancce with irregular hours.

[MadVlat]

Suru sits up for a short while as the others in his group sleep. Contemplating the events that have brought him to this point. Before the Kuni begins to slumber he suggests that the group leave just before sun up so as not expose the entrance of the tunnel to the enemy. He keeps himself close to the shugenja without being to obtrusive to the mans personal space. Later in the night the monk can be heard quietly mumbling to himself about the evils of this world.

[TetNak]

OOC

Orvost: 3 Day Rule

The gathered samurai, monk, and shugenja, wait out the night. Everyone, including the Crab-dono, takes a turn on watch. Hida Yakamo will not allow anyone to keep him from his duty.

Just before dawn, Jubei is sent to the top of the exit again, peeking out of the hole in the ground. The sun is in the distance, rising slowly, but giving the scout just the light he needs to see enough. He looks around the area and sees no signs of any living Shadowlands creatures. There are dead bakemono about fifty feet west, where Nakastume, Hero, Ryuiji, and Suru fought not a day ago ...

[Toptomcat]

Jubei walks over to the bakemono and makes absolutely sure that they are dead and nothing is hiding among them before calling the rest of the group up from the tunnel.
"Come. It is time to depart- the surface seems as safe as the Shadowlands can be."

[Orvost]

Hero leaves the tunnel and follows a Hiruma scout for the second time in as many days. With the presence of Yakamo-dono, Hero is confident this errand will end better than the last.

[MadVlat]

Suru is happy to finally recieve the all clear to remove himself from these dank surroundings and quickly takes to his feet. Offering a hand to the Kuni. "Perhaps today we shall have another chance to leave our mark upon these wicked lands". He flashes a smile which is partially hidden by the shadows of the tunnel. "Or if the fortunes allow such a thing, perhaps a mark will be left upon us. Either way we shall experience what the kharmic wheel has in store for us together Kuni sama".

[Vardaen]

Nakastume nods to Suru, "Today we shall make our own destiny, and not allow destiny to unmake us. An honest man can not fail in his duty." He stays near to Yakamo-dono at all time, for two reasons, the first is to make sure he's there if the Crab Champion needs him, the second is to intercept any incoming arrow or blow that might be aimed at Yakamo. "We should hurry Lord Yakamo-dono." He motions at the Hiruma once he checks the dead, "Those are the dead from our fight the other day." His voice is whispered, so as not to carry on the wind here, and in one hand is his Jade Strike scroll. Around his neck, under his kimono and armor, a finger of jade burns against his skin keeping the Taint of Fu Leng at bay.

[Orvost]

Hero looks toward the battlefield and thinks of the ronin to whom Nakastume administered a deathblow. It had happened so fast and the moment was so desperate. Had they known that safety lay a few yards away, the man could have been spared. With this thought, Hero whispers to no one in particular:

'œNobody will take my head unless I am already dead, or I ask them to.'