With winter fast approaching, and the season for travel and war receding, the roads from Kyuden Asahina are unsurprisingly barren.  Few are the armies who would choose to strike at the heart of Crane lands--particularly at the home of the pacifistic Asahina family.  Even the peasants are prosperous in this land, limiting the number of would-be bandits to ronin outcastes and utter fools.

Musashi was silently pleased that he had been able to lend aid to his new comrades via the generosity of his good friend Lord Kakita Yoshihiro.  Musashi still marveled at the good fortune that had brought him to the notice of Yoshihiro, a lord who could admire martial skill whether the form utilized a blade or not.

Musashi knew that the Kami had been kind when he had succeeded in winning the informal Jiujutsu competition and thus caught the eye of an influential Kakita Lord.  Though Musashi knew that Yoshihiro appreciated the fact that Musashi never traded upon that friendship for personal gain.  Yoshihiro knew Musashi to be a simple, humble monk whose sole goal was the pursuit of enlightenment upon the path of the greater good.

Musashi checked a small sigh that had threatened to escape as he glanced around the peaceful countryside.  These roads and this land were not unknown to Musashi.  Indeed in "another lifetime" as Asahina Musashi, Kyuden Asahina had been called home though the monk Musashi would not presume to do so now.

Musashi walked purposefully beside the mount of his young charge Kakita Ukyo, Musashi's quick stride managing to keep pace fairly well despite being on foot.  Musashi had few personal belongings and traveling "light" was his personal preference in any case.  From time to time, Musashi would glance up at his charge Ukyo (usually after a brief coughing fit) to check that his "patient" was not in need of immediate medical care.

Yoshiko rode comfortably next to Daidoji Sakura. Not an accomplished rider by any means, she'd spent enough time on a horse not to expect any real discomfort after a day in the saddle. Keeping one eye on their surroundings and the other on her travelling companions she didn't mind getting drawn in the occasional conversation, as chances of being attacked seemed slim to none.

"So, who among us has some knowledge of Toshi Ranbo? I have visited there a few times, but I must confess not to be truly familiar with the city."

"Not I.  I have never been."

((OOC: Well, since I don't know much about the setting, it seemed appropriate.  :)  ))

Musashi gently shook his head as he replied in a polite tone, "I regret to say Daidoji-sama that while I have passed through Toshi Ranbo once or twice, I never remained long enough to truly become familiar with the city.

I remember a few of the streets in the city... as well as certain areas of the city that respectable persons usually avoid for good measure.  But I cannot claim to possess any extensive knowledge of the city, its inhabitants, its politics... or its intrigues."

Sachi looks to Yoshiko.  "Enough to have watched a person or two make a name for themselves, but unfortunately, not so much as to claim knowledge of the area, " he says as he looks about.

As you trot towards Toshi Ranbo at a leisurely pace, you notice that not everyone is taking their travels as slowly as yourselves.  In particular, approaching from the west, is what appears to be a samurai, in the colors of the Miya, galloping towards you as if the whole of the Shadowlands were in pursuit.

"Ah! Crane-san!" the Miya pants, "thank the Kami you are here!    Do you see them?  Are they still following me?"

Yoshiko first looks surprised and then frowns.

"Who are you talking about, Miya-san? I don't see anyone other than yourself."

Knowing not to rely on her eyes alone, the yojimbo moves her hand closer to her sword anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Thu 19 Apr 2007.

Musashi raised both eyebrows in surprise as the Miya appeared.  After a deep respectful bow towards the Miya, Musashi looked around the group and specifically back in the direction the Miya had just arrived from.

As he did this, Musashi said in a soft, polite tone, "Kakita Ukyo-sama, should I backtrack along the path of Miya-sama and see if there are pursuers?"

Sachi looks at the newcomer and then over his shoulder at the emptyness behind the Miya.  "Nobody...if there were, what would we be seeing?"

"Th-they were h-horrible," the Miya Shisa stammers, looking back towards where she had come in abject terror, "terrible, silent, faceless monsters," she shudders, "they killed those bandits without a sound!  It was all I could do to run for my life!"

.oO(Monsters? And bandits? These lands should be safe... What has happened to her?)

"Be at peace, Miya-san, you are safe now."

Yoshiko tries to sound reassuring, but her tense posture gives away a measure of concern.

"It would be best if we stayed together for now, Musashi-san. Even if there is no danger to be seen, going off alone would be an unnecessary risk."