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Post by Kakita Tomoko on Apr 24, 2012 5:50:35 GMT -5
Tomoko didn’t know how their presence would sound like amongst Lion refugees. She wasn’t sure how embarrassing it could be to both her Lady and Lord Keisuke. Now, it was about choosing life… and choosing honor. Anyway, it can't be helped. She deep breathed before saying, trying to control her panic. But… Don’t mind about us, Keisuke-sama. You must lead your clan. Any minute spent here can be charged on you.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on Apr 26, 2012 18:53:03 GMT -5
Outside the tent the sound of hurried foot falls and shouts of battle could be heard. Keisuke stood and straightened his shoulders, and loosed Shinrai from its saya.
Lady Kakita Tomoko the Lion are true soldiers in victory and defeat. They do not need a guiding hand to fulfill their duty.
He smiled down at Tomoko, Lady Kakita, I promised you I would keep you safe and safe is where I shall keep you. And the smile vanished as Keisuke's face lost all expression as wore the mask of a warrior once more. The human aspect of voiced changed the now the general issued commands.
Daidoji Kamo-san, help the lady to her feet we must get you two to the other side of the camp where the cavalry is massed. As he turned on his heel steeped out the tent and his loyal officers who where running to side.
There was a terrible hissing silence, The sky shown with fire and the terrible light of dawn. There was a terrible deathly silence.
Keisuke, knew the castle was lost now. He wanted to scream he wanted rage against creation, and weep tear for the fallen. But he could not, there would be time for that later, now he must lead his men save those he could.
He turned to his officers, and he looked to the Shugenja One Eye. The order is River Wolf, spread the word and make sure your men advance to the their objectives at the river in good order. The shugenja grunted as he extended his hand to the sky as a six pale blue phantasms of wolves raced in all directions of the compass away from the shugenja. Now go with the strength of our ancestors, you have your work to do the officers turned and began barking commands to their men executing there assigned tasks.
Keisuke looked back to see Tomoko and Kamo on standing outside of the. We must move now, he gestured for one of the younger officers to help Kamo and the four began to make their way to the Lion cavalry.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
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Post by Zeure on Apr 27, 2012 19:53:30 GMT -5
"Don't worry about me, I can move just fine, help Tomoko-san!"
It was almost an order to the lion samurai, but it was more a curt statement because time was a factor. Kamo began to move with the group, while the young lion moved to Tomoko's side and they began to follow Keisuke's forces out. He caught Tomoko's eye for a moment and he smiled reassuringly.
"We're going to be fine, Tomoko-san."
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Akodo Keisuke
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on May 22, 2012 18:21:43 GMT -5
Flame seared Keisuke back as the alchemical fire burned at the protective magics woven into the regents armor. Whilst the magics protected against the effects of physical damage and magics they could prevent heat transferring through. Focusing on Tomoko and Kamo, Keisuke resisted the pain dancing across his skin and the urge to remove himself from the flames path.
A war cry of victory in death sounded as the flames began to fade as the last Lion samurai who had escorted them across the camp charged the Dragon soldier who had thrown the Fire Blossom. The Lion had charged straight through the moment before the flames began to fade. Armor and flesh alight the Lion leaped on to the Dragon driving them both to the ground pining the both in a deadly embrace.
Not much further now Keisuke voice hissed out. The cavalry should be just on the other side of these tents.
Rounding the corner, the trio came upon a group of Dragon spear men who were moving to block the exit from the corral. Several horses, where still penned up along with their riders and with no room to move or gather speed the cavalry was trapped.
Kamo-san, take Tomoko-san through that small split in the fence I am going to open the way for you. Then ride like the wind with my cavalry their orders are to make haste for the Drowned Merchant River. their to join with Emperor Toturi's camp that will be the safest place for you.
He looked over to Tomoko, do not worry lady Crane there is only 10 or maybe 13 of them over there. I would not even call it a fair fight for them.
Keisuke, charged in to the side of the Dragon felling two of the spear men before the realized they were under attack some dropped their spears and drew short swords whilst other fell back bringing the spears to bear whilst covering the gate. Keisuke closed the distance with those that had swords drawn forcing them to bunch up and fall victim to their fellows spears as they tried engage him. Two more Dragons armed with swords fell in a fury of cuts and slashes. Charging the final standing swords men, Keisuke threw his sword in to the air spinning on its length catching the Dragon off guard. Cutting at the sword the Dragon missed Keisuke stepping along side him, taking hold of the Dragons arm and rotating his hips Keisuke threw the Dragon samurai on the the ready spear points, breaking some and knocking others to the ground. The spear men fell back again and this time the exit was clear for the cavalry to escape. But the distance was now to great for Keisuke to join them.
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Post by Kakita Tomoko on May 22, 2012 18:49:25 GMT -5
The agony of the world turning into flame and horror was enough to bring up forces from the unknown resources of courage Tomoko had in her heart. She was guided by the Lion Regent and her valiant yojimbo, just wishing none of them were wrong in their assumptions.
Dancing demons, crying terrors, desperate howlings, panicked animals… Flashing images passing by as their group advanced into the night. It all made her remind the tales about the Night of Falling Stars, as it was a nightmare or just a vivid tale a great storyteller was making real in the listener’s minds. Just one thing made it too real.
The stench of smoke, melting metal and… burning human skin and hair.
Tomoko listened the Lion Regent words but, it was pushed back to the corner of her mind while the shock took her conscience. Just about half an hour after, riding to the promised safety of the river shores, the Kakita artisan realized its meaning, reminding exactly Akodo Keisuke’s tone. She laughed.
She was again, alive to do so.
But… Was her and Kamo heading to Toturi’s Camp?
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
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Post by Zeure on May 22, 2012 23:47:39 GMT -5
Slightly ahead of her, she realized, as she came to, was Daidoji Kamo, leading her horse by it's reigns, manuevering his own horse as well. They were not moving as fast as they would if she were in any condition for a full gallop, but it was a brisque trot. Suddenly, he turned his head to look backwards and saw that she had regained consciousness. He pulled the horses to a slow stop, so that she could regain some composure, and was already dismounting to help her up. She might just now realize that she was sideways in the saddle, having been thrown there for a quick departure. As he approached the horse, he bowed to her.
"My lady."
He helped her to move up into a sitting position, and to arrange her robes a little more delicately.
"We're along the merchant river now, but we have not made it to the crossing that is supposed to be the location of the Shogun's camp. I have not seen any of the Lion trailing after us, as they turned back to help Akodo Keisuke-sama, when I assured them that I would get you out of there safely."
He remounted his horse, but had not moved yet, waiting for her, it seemed.
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Post by Kakita Tomoko on May 23, 2012 4:58:01 GMT -5
A rush of blood made Tomoko alert again when she realized they weren’t totally safe by now. Ahhh.... Thank you Kamo-san. I just knew you would make it. But… she looked around; they’re of course in the road the Lion troops were using to get to the river. Is it safe to come there without them?
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on May 23, 2012 17:55:42 GMT -5
Ikoma Kyuso
.....Kyuso..
Follow the crow to find the them
What in the heavens name did that mean, it was bad enough that squawking crow had lead him back the way the army was advancing but his ancestor had become very silent. Which was odd because, once she asked him to do something she would pester him till the task was finished. He could not remember what was significant about crows, he thought it had been once said that Shinsei had a pet crow.
The crow had come to rest at a bend in the river, where it took up a position sitting on the rocks pecking and squawking as they tend to do.
I am here ancestor, only a silence answered. The crow few in to a low hanging tree and bent it's head back and forth and started to clean its feathers. With ou warning the crow took off in to the sky.
Suddenly Kyuso felt something was not sure he had ever expediences before. He felt nervous, he felt no need to look over his shoulder. There was an uneasy relaxation to his muscles that he could not explain even if tried. Without consciously thinking he began to look around trying to find a sign that anyone was there. Then he realized that what he was feeling was something he was not used to feeling. To Kyuso the world was some how darker and colder now, and for the first time in his life he felt alone.
Just when he acknowledged that feeling, and he was ready to head back he heard two horses approaching. And suddenly the world grew slightly brighter as he noticed two familiar Cranes on those horses.
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Post by Kakita Tomoko on May 23, 2012 18:44:19 GMT -5
Kamo... There! She hissed. That man... Is not him Akodo Kyuso, the very Lion who took us to Keisuke-sama? Well, it seems to be him... she narrowed her eyes and craned her neck trying to see farther, the warrior under the tree seeming very familiar to her as well. I guess so... His figure seemed sad and a bit dislocated but, after the recent events it wasn't a surprise at all. She glanced to Kamo*, and he assure her he was ready for any unpleasant surprise coming from finding a potential enemy in a night like that. After a nodding to herself, in a external signal of inner resolve, she called the Lion ahead them:
Akodo Kyuso-san?
*Zeure, I took the liberty of 'godmodding' Kamo a little bit, let me know if I need to edit it.
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on May 23, 2012 19:30:48 GMT -5
Ikoma Kyuso
Kyuso, let out a sigh Yes and no my lady he paused, I am Kyuso, .....errr but not Akodo however I am Ikoma Kyuso. Looking left and right once at Kamo and then to Tomoko. Lady Kakita Tomoko-san I am glad to see that you made it safely from the Dragon attack. Again he looked around as though he expected to hear something. Kyuso's voice cracked ever so slightly, Are you to enter Lord Toturi's camp, I mean was that Akodo Keisuke-sama's wish? He looked a question at Tomoko If so; I can show you to the camp.
The silence from beyond was deafening to Kyuso.
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Post by Kakita Tomoko on May 23, 2012 20:43:06 GMT -5
Oh I’m sorry! Ashamed for her mistake, Tomoko strongly blushed; a thing that most probably went unnoticed due the Lion’s disposition. Forgive my lapse, please. This night has been so... confusing to me... Ikoma Kyuso-san, thank you very much. I think we must accept your help once more. Yes, he had this intention, and expressed it clearly. I think he thought it wouldn’t be a problem… she of course was unsure of it. Also, the Ikoma samurai was acting a bit weird. Tomoko even thought to have seen a Black Bird in the tree, to where the man was staring at, minutes ago, but it maybe was just a shadow.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Post by Zeure on May 24, 2012 5:57:39 GMT -5
Kamo was careful to put himself between his lady and the man who was acting very peculiar. Though it was a nonchalant motion, he rested his hand on the handle of his sword.
"Yes. Akodo Keisuke-sama said that he would meet us there after he finished off the remaining dragon that had overtaken us. It was a small band of a dozen or so men. I think he intends to meet us there, at the camp, he may already be there, I could not move as swiftly as I would like."
He didn't say why... to say why would have been to admit a weakness, and it was not his weakness to admit.
"If you could lead us in, I will follow directly behind you and help my lady by guiding her horse."
He looked back at Tomoko, but she knew what he meant. She knew he meant, 'I will be between you and this man.'
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Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
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Post by Akodo Keisuke on May 24, 2012 20:25:47 GMT -5
Ikoma Kyuso
Then this way, if you would. Kyuso wheeled his horse and started off back towards the Toturi's camp. As night fell and the song of nature arose around him Kyuso became lost in his own thoughts. Never in all his life had he gone this long without hearing his ancestors voice's. In fact there was no time in his life in which he could not here them. Even as a small child Kyuso had someone watching over him and speaking to him. What could silence so many voices all at once. Lost in thought he looked around hoping that the two Crane where not eyeing him with to much concern.
As they entered Toturi's camp the sounds of soldiering filled the night. Samurai ran this way and that, working on palisades moving wounded to the hospitals, and making ready for battle should the Dragon press the advantage and drive north.
Leading Tomoko and Kamo through the camp was certainly turning heads but two Cranes were the least of the concerns of any of the assembled samurai.
Here we are Lady Kakita Tomoko-san, stopping in front of a tent that was set apart from the others and nearly double the size of the other that filled the rows. This is Lord Keisuke personal tent, ...mmm I do not know where else to put you this should do you well enough till Lord Keisuke returns.
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Post by Kakita Tomoko on May 25, 2012 19:30:57 GMT -5
Though her body was aching like hell, Tomoko forced a bow to the Ikoma: Thank you very much, Ikoma-san. I will not forget your kind help. May the Fortunes guide your path… From now on, my yojimbo Kamo-san can take care of us. You can rest assured we’ll behave as perfect guests until your Regent’s arrival.
Knowing Kamo would be right behind her, with a sigh the Kakita Artisan stepped in the tent, wondering how the Fortunes led her own path into such adventure.
OOC(should we finish it or Keisuke has something in mind?)
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on May 25, 2012 21:55:30 GMT -5
Kamo also bowed to the Ikoma as he left, and he stepped into the tent, turned immediately around and stood in the doorway, blocking entry and watching for attacks.
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