Beiden Pass [rp]

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Now hold on just a minute. The feint is critical to your plan, and is potentially the most risky position in the field. I do not doubt your ability to perform the task, but I will need you at the war tent, overseeing the whole battle. Surely one of your generals is better suited to the task?"

Senshi accepts his serving of the seafood, and nods his thanks to the beautiful woman who delivered it.

[Matsu Domotai]

Domotai looks at Tomatsu-san.

" If this job bothers you my lord I can perform it, but you know as well as me that my army is specialized is first line attacks and I have been trained to be in the heart of battle like any Matsu. I also think that the whole success of our plan is based on the cavalry and for this we need a strong leader that has the favor of the ancestors, the kamis and the full respect of the troops. Therefore I think you are the best suited to do this task. I also think that this task will bring you much glory because you will be the one leading the final strike my Lord, the strike that will definitely destroy the Yobanjin and win this war. I know that my cavalry will follow you blindly since they have as much confidence in you than I have, 100% that is."

Looks at his champion to see the expression on his face.

" Once again Tomatsu san I am your humble general and I will do what you command if you want me to lead the cavalry, I will take up this task with joy."

Bows towards Tomatsu san.

" I know think we have to discuss the defense of the castle in the event the battle goes wrong. We also talked about cutting their supply lines right? How are we going to do that?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Hmm, Jin-san would you care to weigh in on this topic of the cavalry commander? As for defense, we will leave that to our Unicorn allies who are already there. Since they know the land the best and already have forces defending the castle. As for cutting off their supplies, let us see what we can do after our first battle, if we win this initial strike, we can settle in for the long haul. He says in between bites of fish and rice.

[Matsu Domotai]

" Bayushi Senshi as a good point. We need great tacticians as you my Lord to organize the whole battle. If Jin san doesn't wish to take the duty of taking care of the cavalry then I'll do it. But once again Tomatsu san you know this is not where I'll be the most useful."

With all this talk Domotai forgot to eat and looks at the delightful plate in front of him. He starts eating slowly and in a delicate manner even though he is so hungry he could eat an entire boar.

[Kakita Kyoshi]

Suddenly Kenshi's attention is back on the topic.

It is better I formulate this as a question to save his face.

But, if the Unicorn pretend to be fleeing from the battle after they have fought so hard in the last weeks, the Yobanjin could guess that something is amiss?

[Matsu Domotai]

Domotai looks at Kakita Kenshin and swallows is mouth full of food.

" Honorable Kenshin san, I think the cavalry involved in the plan was only the lion, crane and scorpion cavalry for the moment. Maybe the unicorn cavalry will want to join but I think this is a matter we will have to discuss with them once in Mountain Watch Keep. You seem skeptical about the tactics. What do you have in mind honourable Daimyo?"

Domotai looks at Kakita Kenshin, glances back at the board trying to see what other tactics could be used and then looks at Kenshin san again waiting for a response.

[Kakita Kyoshi]

(OOC: looks like I read something wrong in Tomatsu's last post, It late for me, somehow I mixed the Unicorn there and our Cavalry tactic).

"The fights are already to long that we can deceive them with showing retreats. Showing up for battle tells them that we want to defend our empire. To feint a retreat, will not work."

Kenshi thinks for a moment before he continues.

Understand that I am no tactician... I am sure one of you will come up with a perfect plan. But maybe that might happen only after we got scouting reports, and stories from the Unicorn how they fight. To make a plan without knowing the enemy seems to me like playing go and ignoring what your opponent is doing.

[Matsu Domotai]

(OOC: Don't worry about the mixing up, it happens )

" Yes, Kenshi san you have a very good point here. Still I think that planning a general strategy is important. Then as you said once at mountain watch keep we will adjust our plans according to the current events, the sayings of the Unicorn warlords and your scouting reports."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Kakita-san, thats not a bad point, however we remain flexible. Should our infantry need support, the cavalry can just hit the Yobanjin directly. However if anyone else has a strategy, I am willing to hear them out. He said, handing his now empty bowl off to a servant.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi clears his throat, to gain the attention of those around, "In fact, Kenshi-san, I have been getting nearly constant updates as to the movement and tactics of the Yobanjin since their increased war effort, this is information my men have shared with me and I have seen fit to share with Tomatsu-san. Even in the early stages of the attack, before Hida Setsuro reported to us at court, the Yobanjin seemed an entity devoid of valor or bravery on the battlefield, and other then being there together lacked any real organization. I have a lot of faith in Tomatsu-san's plan. Everything about being a Bayushi bushi tells me it should work, but I believe it was Toturi who said 'Plans of warfare are the first casualty in war.'"

Senshi, after finishing his speech as well as his food, has his dish spirited away by one of the young women, she hesitates only momentarily to glance toward Kenshi, then seems to hurry away with a blush.

[Matsu Domotai]

Domotai hands his plate over to one of the lovely scorpion ladies. He is now full and so now thinks more clearly.

" I think Tomatsu san's plan would work. I also trust the Bayushi Senshi to obtain relevant and up to date information about the war effort. I say we should finish clearing the last details of these tactics, have a good night sleep and wait and see what the Kamis have prepared for us once we get to mountain watch keep."

He puts his hands on his belly, a smille of joy and rest can be recognized on his lips.

[Bayushi Senshi]

(OOC: Bayushi Moyotoshi[sp] has been asked to join in)

[Matsu Domotai]

( OOC: no problem, the more people we get, the more RP we get )

" Honorable Champions. Can we please go through the number of generals available here and where should each person be assigned. I recall in terms of generals: Akodo Jin and myself for the Lion Clan, Daidoji Fitsu for the crane and of course Bayushi Senshi san, Akodo Tomatsu san and Kakita Kenshi san to lead the main strategies of the battle. Am I missing someone."

Looks around the table to see if someone objects.

" So as I recall we assigned Bayushi Senshi san and Akodo Tomatsu san at general strategies in the war tent on the top of the hill. I will be on the first lines leading the infantry into battle, Akodo Jin san will be leading the cavalry (OOC: I'll see with him later because if he doesn't want to then I'll change with him), Kakita Kenshi san will be in charge of scouting and taking down any general, or apparent leaders of the battle and Daidoji Fitsu in my opinion should stay at the top of the hill to be the last defense against the Yobanjin. He will also be able to able to control the shugenjas and archers on the top of the hill. After all the Daidoji are one of the best bodyguards of the empire and we would like the war tent to be destroyed with our praised Champions in it. Am I missing something."

Looks around the table once more.

" In terms of tactics we have decided to deceive the ennemy by planning a unorganised retreat of our cavalry towards the back of the hill when in fact our cavalry will be reorganizing itself to flank the enemy and crush them like bugs. Our archers, shugenjas will be placed on the top to kill as much Yobanjin before they even reach us and when they get close enough the infantry will charge them as well as the cavalry will flank the enemy. Am I right?

Looks around the table and waits for a response. He drinks a glass of water, after all this talking is mouth is dry.

[Daidoji Fitsu]

Fitsu listens calmly to the discussion before weighing in.
I feel we may be missing the obvious. The plan is sound, and I agree with the proposed positioning of leadership aside from one. I am certain that Jin-san is up to the task of leading the cavalry, but surely a Unicorn commander more suited to the task will be there to share in our glory?

After all, it us at there behest that we join in this venture, I would hate to exclude them from the maneuvers that may well end this conflict.

I would also suggest that Kakita-sama's unit be equipped with Yumi. I have never met the duelist who's spirit couldn't guide an arrow.

[Matsu Domotai]

Domotai looks at Fitsu. He had forgotten him since he didn't take part of the discussion since the beginning. He thinks that Fitsu san must have been very hungry.

" Daidoji Fitsu san, I hear your concern and totally agree on the fact that the Unicorns will be the best suited for this task. I hope they will accept to lead their cavalry and ours according to our plan. But if ever they don't at least we know what each general has to do and not loose time in Mountain Watch Keep. Concerning the Kakitas and Yumis maybe you are right Daidoji san, I have little experience with these duelists and know next to nothing of their abilities outside duels. Thank you very much by the way Daidoji san for sharing your wisdom. I'm also honored that you are happy we the post I have thought for you on the battlefield but once again that was just a suggestion, the final decision comes to the honorable champions gathered in this tent."

Nods his head towards Fitsu san with a delighted smile.