"No sign of anything but goblins," Hiruma Tanehide reported. "There's a larger band over the hill, and a small scouting party down by the river."

"All right, you, me, and Hirotaka will take the warband," Hida Ishiyo said. "The newlyweds can mop up the scouts--should be a nice milk run."

"If you think that would be best," Kasumi said.

"We can handle them," said Jiro, smiling at his new wife.  (He knew this had been hard on her.  She needed encouragement.)

"I'm sure your speed will end the fight quickly."

"Have fun," Ishiyo said, disappearing around the hill.

Jiro gave Kasumi a confident grin as he readied his tetsubo and headed down to the river.

Kasumi followed, sheathed sword in her off hand.