Prelude: Matsu Akinori

[TetNak]

Year 1168

The Second Imperial Legion

Toshi Ranbo

War is coming.

Even though the snow falls.

Kyuden Ikoma has been taken.

Only Toshi Ranbo remains.

Matsu Akinori looks out over the shugenja and monks, working diligently on building their new shrines to give worship to the kami and fortunes. Another ten of his fellow legionaries stand nearby, guarding this place from the enemy.

The legion has changed lately, Ikoma Hasaku is dead, and Doji Jotaro now leads them. All they can do is wait for the attack that will come, weeks, even days from now. Yesterday, Akinori and several others caught a scout, but unfortunately the Unicorn was killed before he it was possible to question him. If the Unicorn can gauge the strength of the city, and the position of the legions, they will hold an advantage in the upcoming fight ....

[Grimathor]

Like a caged lion, Akinori paces impatiently. Cursing himself for the hundredth time since yesterday afternoon. It was his blade that killed the unicorn but he had to admit that being in combat was where he wanted to be. He almost welcomed the uncoming battle, no he did welcome it... wanted it.

This waiting was maddening. He may have been an Akodo bushi, but his blood was Matsu and anyone who watched him pace back and forth had no doubt of that.

Yet here he remained to pace, waiting for the coming battle.

[TetNak]

The battle will likely not come today. The shugenja barely give notice to the legionnaires, only asking for their assistance to lift something, usually. This is the will of the Seppun daimyo, however, unfortunately for Akinori he has been stationed on this side of the city.

He waits.

Night is coming. From the road leading into the city a few men are on their way out, hopefully to relieve his shift, but instead he notices his gunso, a Scorpion ... So are the Imperial Legions.

The man is Bayushi Hideyoshi. "Akinori-san," he says, waving him forward. "I must speak with you."

[Grimathor]

Moving forward, Akinori stands before the man and bows. "Hai, Hideyoshi-san. What do you need of me?"

[TetNak]

Hideyoshi wears the typical red and black mempo covering his face. He is a Scorpion by birth, but has been apart of the Imperial Legion for many years now.

"The gaijin, we believe they are trying to set up a forward camp nearby, an easier place to scout from." He pauses, "The Seppun and Lion Daimyo are lending aid to find this camp and see it destroyed. I would like you to accompany them as the Imperial Legion's presence."

[Grimathor]

"Hai, Hideyoshi-san. As you wish. When do we leave?" Akinori saying, with an almost excited glint in his eyes.

[TetNak]

"When the others arrive," the gunso says, looking over his shoulder. "They should be here within the hour." It is night out, so obviously it is expected that traveling through the night will not be a problem. "Relax yourself until they do ..." The Scorpion hands over a rolled scroll to Akinori, "A small map of the region."

[Grimathor]

Taking the map from Hideyoshi, Akinori bows. Sitting down, he unfolds the map and begins to study it.

[TetNak]

The Scorpion looks up, spotting someone walking toward the scene. "Here is one of them, a Lion." Hideyoshi waves at the man in the distance as Akinori looks over the map.

It appears that the important section of the map is the nearby forest. Small trails and major roads are shown. This is where the scouts are thought to be hiding.

OOC

MadVlat. Welcome back. Please see your PMs

[Grimathor]

Taking a moment to look over the new arrival, Akinori turns to the map again looking for something they could use to their advantage.