Chapter 2b: Facing Yuudai

[mackaber]

While Yaso himself is covered in blood and gore, the least of it is his own and the small cut on his arm is nothing that a Crab Samurai should be unable to endure. As he rises from the deep bow with stoic mine he merely states "My wounds are of no concern at the moment Koshiro-sama. What is our next assignment?"

[akarmicanomaly]

'œThe Empress is safe and her would-be assassins now face an eternity in Gaki-do, may their dishonour and sin never be forgotten.' The Champion rises, his gaze seeking the nearest of the sentries on watch. His curses are filled with venom and perhaps it is only etiquette that stops Koshiro speaking his true, unforgiving opinions of such traitors.

'œThe Daughter of Heaven has made her wishes known. The Khan and his legions have arrived; his feral madness has finally reached the walls of Toshi Ranbo. The Dragon have also sent forces and they dare attempt to blackmail the Empress in exchange for their assistance. In the name of Empress Kurako we are to discover the locations of both their forces.'

'œTime is of the essence, see to your wounds Magistrates.' Koshiro heads for the nearest sentry, enquiring whether a shugenja is available for Hideki's injuries and if Nobatudo has been sighted nearby.

[TetNak]

It takes a few moments, but an available shugenja is found and delivered. The priest prays to the Kami and everyone's wounds are healed. The magistrates now may do their duty unaffected by the previous battle they had fought.

[Nate]

Hideki feels his neck running his hand over the spot where the most grievous of all the wounds were. feeling only a slight scar where once a deep gash entered the mans neck Hideki bows respectfully to the shugenja. "Thank you -sama."

Taking a moment to double check his armor and weapons are secured properly, he turns to the others, ready to follow the groups toward whichever encampment they are to scout out first.

[mackaber]

After having his wound patched up and cleansed by a priest Yaso feels more comfortable mainly because he knows the stinge of the bakemonos blade has been removed from his flesh. He know stands as ready as ever before to defend the empire from any harm that might befall it.

[ManWithDoor]

The Witch Hunter removes the bandages holding his flesh together, disposing of them as unnecessary as the purity of the kami knits his flesh whole. He looks forward to the aftermath of this day, where either he will join his blessed ancestors in Yomi, or he will finally be able to sit down and cleanse himself of the blood caking more or less every inch of him.

[akarmicanomaly]

'œThe forests to the south of the city are a great concern and there is little doubt regarding the presence of Unicorn within. To the north the shamed Dragon are rumoured to march, though when they will arrive and who they will support is unknown.' Koshiro begins to move, eager to fulfil yet another duty placed before him by the Daughter of Heaven.

'œI believe the forces of the Khan are the greatest threat.'

[Nate]

Hideki nods, signifying both his acceptance to the Champions orders, and his agreement with the Champions decision. The Unicorn clan are the more likely of the two to pose an immediate threat, at least given the small amount of information he has heard so far.

With the Yari in hand the Ashigaru falls in behind Koshiro as he moves.

[mackaber]

Yaso is right behind Hiseki in following Koshiro. Only at the wall had Yaso seen real combat, with his duties as Magistrate in a small Crab town mainly aimed at Pubbrawls or other way of penalizing filthy heimin.

[TetNak]

OOC

Speeding this along, please post to the other thread

The scouting takes little time, but is ultimately not that successful. The Unicorn are able to hide their numbers well. That night, at dusk, the Magistrates meet with the Empress again in the Imperial Donjon.