"Daidoji Yoshiko-san makes a good point.  Going off alone could be potentially dangerous.  I would only suggest such a thing if you are confident you can scout ahead without being noticed.  It wouldn't do to have you not come back in one piece."

Ukyo reached down and clapped Musashi on the shoulder.  Some may frown upon a samurai being so friendly with someone not of the samurai caste.  However, Musashi took care of him, and Ukyo felt a comraderie with him as well as a certain amount of obligation for the help he gave him.

"You have traveled much and know your skills for such things better than I.  While I wish no ill to befall you, I will trust in your judgement of your abilities."

[Private to Kaze no Kage: 00:55, Today: Kakita Ukyo rolled 27 using 4d10 with rolls of 9, 7, 6 & 5. Lore: Shadowlands.  Total of 22 with 4k3 doing Intelligence 3 + Lore:Shadowlands 1.  Looking to see if these sound like anything I may have heard of before.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:59, Sat 21 Apr 2007.

"Miya-san, what happened exactly? And where?"

Yoshiko looks at the herald.

.oO(We have to assess the situation, but I'm not sure this samurai is capable of rational thought right now.)

"I was delivering a message to Toshi Ranbo," the Miya Shisha reports, clearly letting the habits of training provide her with distance from her trauma, "when several bandits--clearly peasants, under fed and poorly armed--attacked from the tall grass.  Generally," she says, "Shisha are encouraged to flee from peasant attackers, only drawing our weapons when our lives are endangered, but there were ten of them, and even with my blade I would have been hard pressed to survive such a skirmish.  They told me to surrender quietly and I would be delivered to my ancestors without pain--that's when the monsters appeared.  They were dressed all in black, like someone pretending to be a Scorpion 'ninja' out of the Noh or Kabuki theatre.  It was only after one of the bandits ripped off one of the masks that I saw that the creatures had no face!" she shudders, "to my shame I panicked and fled, that was roughly an hour ago."

Musashi bowed his head in respect towards Ukyo and replied in a calm, resigned tone, "Well I do have some training in the art of being unobtrusive Ukyo-sama.  However, while I feel a lone monk on foot is less likely to garner notice if moving with "discretion"... it seems from Miya-sama's account that my original idea would not be practical.

If it has indeed been nearly an hour since the attack and Miya-sama has been wisely riding in great haste since that time, I doubt I could cover sufficient distance on foot even at an accelerated pace to be of much use as a scout."

Musashi bowed respectfully towards Shiko and said in a calm tone, "Honorable Miya-sama, are you certain that the lack of face was not merely a "second mask" worn under the outer mask... perhaps meant as a "scare tactic"?

Also these "ninja-like" creatures, did they focus solely upon the bandits or were you too a target?  Do you feel that perhaps they may have been coming to the rescue of a besieged Imperial Shisha and were not actually posing a threat to you personally Miya-sama?

What sorts of weapons did these creatures use in their attack upon the bandits?

Please pardon me honorable Miya-sama for making so many inquiries of you at this time, I merely wish to better understand these potential adversaries... if indeed they are hostile adversaries."

While not particularly skilled, Daidoji Sakura seemed quite comfortable on the back of a horse. Indeed, she had spent the greater part of her early years in the Crane Clan being shuffled from O-Miai to O-Miai. It was only during the assault on Otosan Uchi that the Crane started to consider her as something more than just a pretty face.

She watched the herald carefully and then looked around after the story. Sakura glanced at the monk and her own Yojimbo before replying. If there was something that she was thinking, then it was being carefully hidden.

"I am well acquainted with this phenomenon" Sakura finally replied to the herald. "I wouldn't want to burden* you with the details, but as we also travel to Toshi Ranbo you may find it ... convenient to travel with us."

Sakura thought for a moment. She hadn't thought to bring crystal, and doubted that any of the others had ... "impressive" weaponry.

"Miya-Sama" Sakura said formally, "if you request our aid in your Imperial Duties, guarding you to Toshi Ranbo as we can, we will gladly do so. I doubt we can travel as swiftly as you  though, though we shall most certainly do our best ..."

[This is a thinly disguised way of saying "This is a Dishonorable topic. We can talk about it a bit now, but be cautious not to ask of such things in public."]

Sachi listens to the others and nods.  "An hour of hard riding here and the same back.  You would likely not find them again, unless they wanted you to.  I think that might prove worse than foolhardy if that were to happen."

It's so difficult to know what to think in a situation of this sort.  Sometimes one might almost wish he'd spent more time in court, if not for anything else but to watch and learn.  Read a fight easy...but this?  Were they intent on hindering or helping the Miya along?  And, why?

Sachi looked and studied the Miya for a few moments, taking mental notes of her general appearance and belongings.  Her clothing and diasho gave away her background and the condition of her gear, her masters afffluence, but little else was easily discernable.  Hmmm.

"What of your message?  Were you able to retain it?"

"Do not worry, Brother," Miya Shiko nods to the monk, "I understand the value of complete information.  While we Shisha are not trained in the art of observation to the same extent as the Kitsuki our powers of perception are a necessary part of our duty.  A mask is a dead thing, it does not have the same appearance as living flesh.  It is possible that my perceptions were colored by my fear," she shrugs, "but I do not believe that they were.  I must admit, that those creatures did not seem to be threatening me--though they had ample opportunity to do so--it is possible that they were coming to my aid, but I would not risk my life on that assessment.  As for their weapons, they seemed to be armed with nothing more exotic than long knives."


"Of course, Crane-san," Miya Sachi says, sounding almost offended, "only death can part a Miya from their message."


"Very well then," Miya Shiko says, taking a deep breath, "in the name of the Jade Emperor, Toturi I, I, Miya Shiko, Shisha of the Emerald Empire, do formally request your aid in the completion of my duty until such time as I arrive safely in Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Wed 25 Apr 2007.

Ukyo bowed as well as he could while in the saddle.  "You will have the protection of my blade until we reach your destination."

"Long knives?" Sakura asked quizically, "Not 'Ninja-to' or old Katana?" Sakura knew that the Scorpion rarely used "long knives" in their assignments -- anything "unusual" for a "ninja" was prohibited up front. The magistrates that listened to such tales must be convinced that the visage was more Sake than Shinobi if the ruse was to work properly. If these were not Scorpion the who were they? Were they Ronin? Peasants? Or ... 'something else'.

"Ninja-to?" Miya Shiko scoffs, "ninja are a peasant superstition or an excuse for lazy guards.  I apologize for my inadequate description, Crane-san, the weapons they wielded were straight blades, slightly shorter than a wakazashi and singled edged."

[Private to Daidoji Sakura: Shiko's description does indeed fit the description of a ninja-to, Shiko's description of the 'peasants' also fits the style of Daidoji 'irregulars' who are 'undercover']

"Of course, Miya-san.  I apologize for any offense, but it seemed prudent to ask."

Sachi bows to the Miya.  "I would be honored to serve and accompany you in the completion of your task."

"It is not a duty that falls to us, as we have more pressing business to attend to, but this incident should be investigated. The Crane will not stand for banditry on their lands, and certainly not for mysterious vigilantes. We will see to it that you can report what happened to a Crane magistrate at the earliest opportunity, Miya-san."

Yoshiko nods, more to herself than anyone else, and prepares to continue their voyage.

A flash of recognition flew across Sakura's face, though she concealed it quickly. The intensity in her voice, however, was not concealed.

"I'm afraid that this would be the providence of the Emerald Magistrates, Yoshiko-San. Miya-Sama*, who is this message from? And to whom is it addressed?"

This was Bad -- with a capital "b".

[* - Sakura didn't get permission to address her by her first name yet.]

Musashi bowed respectfully towards Shiko as he said in a polite tone, "Wise Miya-sama, it is an honor to aid in the fulfillment of Imperial Duty in any way available to my humble self."

Musashi nodded his head in agreement with Sakura's first remarks as he said in a grave tone, "Indeed Daidoji-sama, this matter involves the security of the Glorious Emperor's roadways as well as the potential interference of a member of the Imperial Family conducting her honorable Imperial Duty.  This is indeed a matter for the Emerald Magistrates, though no doubt the magistrates of the Crane Clan will wish to lend whatever assistance they can to facilitate the investigation carried out by the Emerald Magistrates."

As he heard Sakura's question, Musashi lightly cleared his throat and leaned over towards Sakura as he said in a soft, calm tone, <sub>"While I share your sense of curiosity wise Daidoji-sama, is it not possible that your last query may put honorable Miya-sama in a difficult position... especially now that she has graciously accepted the offer to escort & defend her?

Is it not possible that the details of the message she carries, undoubtedly in the name of the Glorious Emperor if not directly by the order of Toturi-sama, may not be for the ears of humble subjects of the Empire?"</sub>

.oO(I do feel both the local daimyo and our own Crane Magistrates would likely prefer resolving this matter without outside interference, if possible, not to mention they might feel they are being snubbed and their authority and ability put in question. Still, the decision lies with the Miya. If she chooses to take this directly to the Emerald Magistrates, that is her right.)

Yoshiko keeps her expression neutral. Although Sakura and Musashi are technically correct she would have put the Clan's interests above the letter of the law, but it wouldn't do to explain her thoughts in the presence of the herald.

"I am sorry if the questions seem inappropriate" Sakura continued to the herald after Musashi's promptings, "but the answers to these questions may be critical to the mission."

"I carry a number of messages, Daidoji-san," Miya Shiko says, "and please, as we are to be traveling companions, call me by my name.  While I may not divulge the contents of the messages," the Shisha shrugs, "their intended recipients include Doji Kasurugi, Bayushi Tenma, Yoritomo Akuto, and Akodo Dorugi."

OOC:  Doji Kasurugi is the Governor of Toshi Ranbo, the others are representatives of their respective Clans in Toshi Ranbo.

"I see ...." Indeed Sakura did see something, though what it might have been was hard to gather. Sakura turned her steed toward Toshi Ranbo before she continued.

"Officially, Shiko-Sama, the investigation will undoubtedly be very short. Those that attacked you are already dead and aiding the Son of Heaven's cause cannot be a crime, no matter how strange the methods used."

"So long as the methods used are not illegal, that is."

Sakura took in a long, slow breath and looked at Musashi for a moment. The fact that the Clan had not contacted her as "sea breeze" meant that she had to act as if she were Daidoji; which, for the moment, she was. Sakura then looked at Yoshiko, and then back to the Imperial.

Then she waited.

"This is true, Sakura-san, but nonetheless I believe the Magistrates would prefer to begin the investigation sooner rather than later. May I humbly suggest we continue our voyage with due haste?"

Yoshiko doesn't mention anything of it, but of course the inclusion of the word 'officially' hadn't escaped her notice.

"I will defer to your decision," Miya Shiko says, "however, the safe and timely delivery of these messages are of paramount importance."

"The we should go.  Standing aorund could likely invite an attack if there are still those around who wish you harm."

Almost as if in response, Ukyo's horse chomped at it's bit and danced around impatiantly as if it didn't want to be standing around here either.

"May I offer you my horse?  If we are attacked, it would allow you to escape and get to Toshi Ranbo with greater speed while we dealt with the attackers."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Sun 29 Apr 2007.

[OOC: I believe that the Miya horses are supposed to be superior to all but the Unicorn steeds, but I could be wrong on that ... too blasted many campaigns.]

"Yoshiko-San" Sakura whispered to her Yojimbo, "if combat starts, you will find yourself ... 'usually endowed'."

Sakura then turned her steed in the right direction and moved up close to the Miya, knowing that her faithful Yojimbo would be right beside her.

"Thank you for the thought, but no," Miya Shiko grins ruefully, "Aogeta may not look like much, but she's gotten me out of more scrapes than I can count."

((OOC: Ah... I didn't catch that she had a horse already ^_^; ))

"My apologies.  I did not see your horse beneath you."

He leaned down to Musashi.  "I think I may be going blind..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Tue 01 May 2007.

Musashi smiled lightly at Ukyo as he said in a friendly tone, "Vision is but one of the senses we are blessed with by the kami Ukyo-sama.

However in your honorable case, I believe it is more an issue of intense focus.  When one focuses one's entire attention upon a narrow focal point, one must accept the risks of "tunnel vision"... namely that one's peripheral vision is potentially sacrificed.

Perhaps you focused so intently upon Miya-sama's dangerous plight that you missed peripheral details outside the immediate threat to Miya-sama?  But such focus is often required in certain tense situations such as duels.  Thankfully our group is blessed with both those who possess intense focus and those who are more adept at observing the wider overall picture."