"Just a feeling" Sakura replied, still examining her surroundings "The Ikoma are not known for their Bushi."

Sakura looked around, the same subject on her mind that had been there for the last few days -- what to do about the messages that the Enemy wanted delivered "at all costs". Sakura was supposed to be good at subtlety, that's what she staked her reputation on. Surely there was a subtle solution to this quandry ...

"Yet their bravery remains unquestioned," the Imperial Herald grins, "nevertheless, we ought to press onward.  I will admit, the Ikoma's words piqued my curiosity, and taking a direct route to Toshi Ranbo would afford us an opportunity to potentially catch sight of things the Lion might wish to stay hidden.  However, remaining to the Emperor's roads will likely be an equally swift and safer path..." the Miya shrugs.  These were, after all, the Crane who had chosen expidency over safety, whether they would make the same choice when all that was at stake was curiosity remained to be seen.

"No one questions a Scorpion's bravery either" Sakura replied courteously. She looked around for another moment ... there were always possibilities.

"The direct route then?" she continued with a smirk. She drew out two spell scrolls and looked around at her clan mates. "Who will lead then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Wed 05 Sept 2007.

"The direct path seems to bring with it the most benefit, excepting that of our safety, of course," Kenji says.  "Besides, as your route, Miya-sama, seems to have been compromised, perhaps an unorthodox travel shall throw whoever off your trail."

Kenji looks in he direction of their destination, the obsidian scorpion beads of his mask dancing in a light wind.  His eyes sem distracted for a moment, troubled by some thought, but passes quickly.  He turns back around.

"I volunteer to lead, if that is suitable, Daidoji-sama," he says, bowing to Sakura.

"That seems to be sound advice, Bayushi-san," Miya Shiko shrugs, "lead on then, and may the Fortunes guide our path."

The path across the Lion plains begins uneventfully enough.  No mysterious peasants drawing weapons, no black clad creatures leaping out of the shadows, and, strangely enough, no random Lion patrols.  Almost as if the Lion have stripped this area of their forces.

OOC:  make a Perception/Investigation (notice) check TN 15 -- Bayushi Kenji may make two and keep the higher one

Kenji keeps a wary eye, casting about for any signs of danger, his hand resting upon the hilt of his katana.


[Private to Kaze no Kage: Today: Bayushi Kenji rolled 23 using 3d10.  :)  That's the one I'm keeping.]

Sakura walked along, humming to herself. If she was paying attention to anything, there was no sign of it ...

[No, she's not acting clueless, she is ...

15:11, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 9 using 3d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3,3. Perception/Investigation. ]

There appears to be little of note, endless fields of grass interspersed with harvested fields of grain, but no sign of the Emperor's Right Hand anywhere in sight.

"How bizzare," Miya Shiko comments, "not even the peasants appear to be present.  This is most definitely not normal."

OOC:  make an awareness/investigation check add 10 to your roll if you have the interrogation emphasis, no TN
[Private to Bayushi Kenji: there have definitely been several large troop movements here within the last week or so; any more information will require a Perception/Battle check TN 15]

"Less bizarre than ominous, I'm afraid, Miya-sama," Kenji says, "These tracks here and here indicate a movemnt of a large group of men, troops judging by their ordered formation."  Delivering this news, his face creases in thoughtful alarm.

OOC:
Awareness/Perception-18

[Private to Kaze no Kage: I rolled a 31 on my Perception/Battle.  I forgot to check to box to reroll 10's, so if the exploding 10 doesn't count, I got a 25.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:57, Sun 30 Sept 2007.

Sakura nodded to her companion, but said nothing aloud. There was trouble in the air, that was something that she knew. It was too bad that she had nothing to go on other than a feeling ...
[17:29, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 23 using 5d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max. Awareness + Investigation.]

"Perhaps we ought to swing west in order to avoid any trouble then?" Miya Shiko suggests, "though if we are stopped while continuing on, we can always claim ignorance of the territory and ask for a guide back to the main road."

[Private to Bayushi Kenji: from the tracks, the troop movements are more coordinated than typical battlefield maneuvers and seem to indicate several formations moving to join a larger force
Miya Shiko is definitely hiding something]
[Private to Daidoji Sakura: Miya Shiko knows far more than she's letting on and seems to be less nervous than seems warranted for the situation]

"We may as well continue on," Kenji says, "I doubt we'll meet anyone out here; maybe some peasants, but I would doubt an armed force, considering these tracks."  He looks at Shiko for a moment, then turns abruptly and begins walking in the direction of their destination.

Sakura looked around her once again before looking forward towards her destination.

The first step to surviving a trap is being aware that it is a trap.

There was a slight delay before she followed her companions.

Your trek deep into Lion territory, up until this point, has been relatively uneventful.  The random patrols which one might expect from the most militarily inclined Clan in the Empire seem to be non-existent--a fact that has made everyone rather nervous.  Perhaps it is this heightened sense of awareness that allowed you to spot the five Lion ashigaru well before they caught sight of you.

Immediately crouching into whatever cover there is, Kenji motions for the others to do the same.  He draws his katana, and begins creeping forward, trying to discern the intentions of the ashigaru.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: Agility/Sneaking(Ambush)-29]

"Bayushi-san... do you truly believe that such steps are necessary?  Skulking around like a shinobi?  Besides," Ukyo coughed hard into his hand, "My health won't let me hide very well."

Ukyo gave a quick glance to the others to see how they were reacting.  Fully expecting the messenger would not be running off to hide.

"Shinobi?" Kenji scoffs, "Don't tell me you believe rumors of such men, Kakita-san?  They exist only in children's tales.  I do, though, believe in being prepared for possibilities."  He remains stationary, awaiting the reactions of the others, but keeps his weapon drawn.

"I do believe Ukyo-San has a point" Sakura replied, obviously focused on the Ashigaru.

"Besides which I am interested in questioning these peasants. The Lion armies are missing, undoubtedly because they are getting ready to attack somewhere. The only question is where."

"Of course" Sakura continued, now directing her attention to the Imperial, "I am not telling you anything you don't already know ..."

"The Lion are always massing to attack someone," Miya Shiko shrugs, dismounting her horse--though whether to meet the ashigaru from an unthreatening position or to hide is unclear, "it's in their nature.  That doesn't mean that we shouldn't proceed with caution, however."

Irregardless of your conversation, the Lion soldiers continue to be oblivious to your presence, though their patrol sweep is approaching closer.

OOC:  stupid ashigaru and their low perception :-P

"Well, I would prefer to not kill the Lion in their own lands.  If there is something you can do to defuse the approaching situation, Miya-sama, I, as well as the approaching ashigaru, would appreciate it," Kenji says, keeping one eye on the patrol.

"Very well," Shiko shrugs, and then calls out to the Lion on horseback, LION-SAN!  I AM MIYA SHIKO OF THE IMPERIAL SHISA!  COULD YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE NEAREST ROAD TO TOSHI RANBO?!"

Faced with such an obvious invasion of their territory, the Lion Ashigaru turn and begin to ride hard in your direction.

"Was that deffusing enough, Bayushi-san?" Miya Shiko asks archly.

OOC:  you really could have hid and waited for them to ride past ^_^;;;

"Not quite what I had in mind," Kenji mutters, maintaining his position until the ashigaru get closer.

Sakura looked at the Shisha, but said nothing. In spite of her reputation, Sakura was no War Shugenja. Instead of speaking she quietly pulled a scroll out of her pouch and softly began to sing. A moment later she replaced the scroll and retrieved a nice, metal edged, court fan from her belt.

Still singing softly, she awaited the arrival of the Lion. The fan would have two uses -- first diplomacy, but if that failed ...

[Wisdom of the Kami; "War Fan" skill.]

"Bayushi-san, it may be prudent to sheathe your katana.  That could be seen as an open threat."

Ukyo stifled another harsh cough.  He sat tall in his saddle though, making himself look as confident as possible.  While he didn't believe these peasants would blatantly attack poeple above their station, there was no need to tempt the rabble.