Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 28, 2011 18:11:33 GMT -5
(ooc - if anyone has any comments or wants to get involved with anything, drop me a pm and I'll let you know what I'm doing and can see how you can fit in If no, no problems Kaymar got to here from: The sparrow lands) The rain thumped down as Kuni Kaymar and his servant dripped their way through the mountain paths. The Kuni looked stormy himself, his facepaint being streaked not helping his mood. Junti pointed towards a recess in the surrounding scree strewn surroundings, and after a quick glance the witch hunter nodded as he realised the spot would be sheltered from the worst of the weather due the overhang above. -- The small flame spluttered into life, and would eventually provide the travellers with warmth and a way to dry the clothing they had been wearing. Junti looked eagre to put the a pot of water onto boil, and Kaymar suspected that a cup of tea was in his near future. "When the storm clears we should only be a few miles away from where the cultist was cornered. I believe his master cannot be too far, not if she is searching for what I think she is.""Yes my Lord." was the only reply coming from Junti. "Speak your concerns." growled Kaymar. His bad mood threatening to return. "I would never seek to question your abilities My Lord." the servant started to stammer, until he was cut off. "But you fear what we may find. Yes, I expected such a comment, if nothing else you are consistant. I have not taken on more than I can accomplish thus far, and have no intention of doing so now." he retorted. The former farmer knew it would not be worth trying to press his point, and instead placed the pot above the fire as the rain continued unabaited.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 28, 2011 21:55:58 GMT -5
The mood was dour as the merchant caravan made it's way over the mountain pass into the Crab lands. The team of covered wagons had set out from Shiro Daidoji almost a week ago now, and normally the merchants would be happy to be getting close to their destination in Clear Water Village, but the rain and the news of the war to the north made the mood somber and silent. The only real sounds were the creak of the wagon wheels and the steady rush of rain.
On the front of the first wagon, next to it's driver, Isawa Takada sat half reclined, broad hat covering his face as he felt the rain soaking his simple clothing. It was warm and he didn't really mind it, but the somber mood of the merchants and their ronin guard had put him into an introspective mood.
As the team of wagons crested a hill, the view levelled off into a barren talus strewn plateau with a few peaks sticking out of it. Tadaka sighed as he looked out across it; nothing to shelter under, nothing to break up the grey... still, the rock formations had a beauty of their own; had he been in a better mood he would have appreciated them somewhat. As is, the combination of a grumbling driver and soaked clothes just made it uninteresting.
Still the caravan moved on, winding along the narrow path, thunder rumbling to the east. As they kept moving, rounding a bend in the path, Tadaka swore he could smell smoke; He had heard Hida Setsuro was having a celebration, perhaps it was a traveller sheltered nearby on their way there. Still, if it wasn't his imagination, there was always the possibility of bandits or mountain goblins. And if it was either of those the sounds of the caravan would surely easilly be heard....
Seeing as it was his job to help get the supply of bows and jade to it's destination, Tadaka made sure to sit up and pay attention, grabbing some throwing daggers from his bag that he had learned how to use during his long stay in Shiro no Shosuro. Waiting, the rain dripping from his hat, her scanned the rocks for any sign of a camp fire or movement...
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 29, 2011 5:30:22 GMT -5
The witch hunters head snapped up. He glanced over to his servant and his brow furrowed as he concentrated on his surroundings. Yes, there it was again. "Wagons" he whispered.
Grabbing the haft of his Naginata, he edged towards the road, trying to keep as much cover as possible and regretted the decision as his footing slipped on the rain soaked gravel. Convinced he had given himself away the Kuni sighed. He glanced backwards, but couldn't see Junti. Shrugging, he stepped out into the road. He would rather be recognised than be thought a bandit.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 29, 2011 10:29:26 GMT -5
Tadaka heard the sound of loose rocks, but still saw nothing until a man walked out from behind a pile of rocks into the road; with the way everything blended together, it almost appeared as if he had appeared out of thin air. "Halt the wagons!" The wagons quickly stopped as Tadaka called out. The driver next to him jumped in surprise but had little time to ask questions before Tadaka jumped from the seat onto the half rock half mud road. Looking up he saw the holy man walking toward... wait, was that a man? He hadn't even seen the person Tadaka-sama was walking towards so... The driver shook his head; things like this should not surprise him at this point.
Meanwhile Tadaka had walked over towards Kaymar, stopping a good 30 feet away, about halfway between the wagons and the Kuni. "Good evening friend. Tadaka bowed slightly, out of simple curiousity even if he could tell little about the man nat this distance apart from bright face paint. I see you have gotten caught out in this storm as well. Would you care to dry off in our caravan and have some rice rather than camp among the rocks?"
He wasn't too worried even if he could tell nothing about the person he spoke to; it appeared to be one man and there couldn't be many more hiding in the scree. If they were bandits, it would be more than easy for him and the few ronin guards to handle, reliable as they were or not. And if not, then the offer probably was better than camping in the rocks; afterall, they were moving shelter.
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 29, 2011 11:32:40 GMT -5
Kaymar smiled wryly to himself as the loan man walked towards him and offered shelter. With the pounding rain, he could not make out much, but noted with interest the broad hat. After all these years he really should have picked one up for himself by now.
Snapping out of the brief introspective, the Kuni thought it may be rude not to answer this stranger. "Welcome to Crab lands friend. In normal circumstances I believe it would be my duty to offer you hospitality, however in the current situation I believe I would offer poor fare." Kaymar pushed the wet hair out of his eyes and started to walk towards the figure in the road slowly, using his weapon almost as a walkingstick. "Junti!", he yelled "Time to break camp."
As he walked the witch hunters left hand, almost casualy, rose, touching the jade pendant at his neck. It always paid to be prepared.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 29, 2011 20:05:06 GMT -5
Tadaka watched as a man seemingly emmerged from the landscape; he had heard the loose rock, but it was impossible to see anything amongst the dark damp sea of reocks and boulders. The person wore dark colors, but Tadaka could makeout face paint on the man. He had offered welcome to Crab lands... Tadaka smiled. "There does seem to be little in the way of ammenities in these parts of the mountains Kuni-san. Though I imagine that's a good thing to keep bandits from bothering your noble Clan."
Tadaka bowed, taking off his hat, "My name is Isawa Tadaka Kuni-san. It is a pleasure to meet a friendly face rather then bandits in the wilderness here."
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 29, 2011 20:41:03 GMT -5
His years of training was the only thing which stopped Kaymar from blinking in surprise. A Phoenix, this far south - he surely must be attending the new Champion's event. Stopping and offering a bow, Kaymar continued his welcome. "Well met Isawa Tadaka. I am Kuni Kaymar, and yes I was indeed caught out by the rather unfortunate weather. If I may say, it is not often you see, what I assume to be, a merchant caravan with such a distinguished protector. Unless you have another reason for coming into Yasuki lands of course." Curiosity was said to kill domestic animals, but it kept witch hunters alive, and the Kuni couldn't stop himself.
About to phrase another question, his contemplation was broken by the sound of Junti leading the pony into view. The servant looked even more miserable - probably the thought of his tea being ruined.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 29, 2011 21:04:48 GMT -5
Smiles and unbows, putting his hat back on. "You are right that a sight such as myself leading a merchant caravan would normally be unusual. But these are unusual times; Due to the the war in the north, the Emperor has ordered all Clans to mobilize troops." He motioned back to the wagons, "This caravan is full of bows, arrows, jade, and rice fromShiro Daidoji to help the Crab mobilization. It was the Daidoji Daimyo's personal wish that these arrive safely, since it is not just a matter of trade but one of greater importance. So since their troops were already busy heading to the front and I have been doing supply logistics along the coast for the past couple weeks... with me being in Shiro Daidoji, I was called upon to see if I could assist."
Tadaka lowered his arm, "But come, I have been talking all this while while the two of us and your servant are in the storm. I would once again offer the relative dryness of our wagons. We can talk more there perhaps?"
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 29, 2011 21:23:09 GMT -5
"Thank you again for your kind offer, I would be more than delighted to talk further in drier surroundings." replied the Crab as he resumed his path to the wagons, following the directions to the appropriate wagon indicated by the Isawa.
Almost as a last thought, he hands his naginata over to Junti, and whispers "Tie the pony on and stow the equipment. Make yourself available should I call, but otherwise buisness as usual." before climbing into the wagon.
A smile crossed the Kuni's face as he turned to Tadaka. "You really must forgive my appearance. Facepaint and storms do not mix, it appears. Something else that frequently don't mix are the Crab and the Crane, so I can understand why they asked for your help delivering these goods Isawa-san." Kaymar bows again - or as well as he can in the space permitting.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 30, 2011 0:27:10 GMT -5
He chuckles lightly as the wagons start moving forward, sharing some crates with the Kuni in the back of the lead wagon. Listening to Kaymar, he nods, "While it is true that the Crab and Crane have rarely been allies, I do not think the relations between your Clan and those of these merchants was much of an issue for them. Afterall, why try to stop or harm supplies meant for your Clan?" He shakes his head, "No, this has more to do with other worries; for one there have been more and more reports of bandits in these troubled times. It's only natural for that to happen when many bushi are away from their lands and supplies flow all over the Empire; ruthless men will take advantage of a situation like this. Not to mention, in this case, any supplies that might be going towards Setsuro-sama's celebration."
He pauses a moment looking out at the rain soaked grey landscape; the rain has picked up and the clouds sweeping in from the east are looking darker, threating a real storm. Tadaka ponders how much time it will take to catch up before shaking his head clear. He looks back at Kaymar, "Another thing I have been told is to watch out for bloodspeakers; There have been reports of large cells everywhere from Phoenix lands to Mantis lands to Crane lands. I have... looked into this myself Kuni-san, and yet I still unsure of what is happening, even with the help of the Scorpion and Hare..."
He trails off, looking back at the storm thoughtfully, taking a hot dumpling from the plate the merchants have put out for the two holy men and taking a bite.
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 30, 2011 8:49:39 GMT -5
Kaymar reached for a dumpling and took a bite, using the time to gather his thoughts. After a contemplative chew, the Kuni turned back to the Isawa. "A very recent visit to the Sparrow reminded me that most stories have a nugget of truth within them. Sometimes finding that truth can be difficult, but often it is still there. Nor is a rise in bloodspeaker cells to be unexpected when the attention of the Empire is elsewhere - that there are organisations that hunt these individuals down speaks to such. And then you encounter a Kuni and his servant alone in the roads, a rare event unless they are investigating something." Kaymar raises an eyebrow before continuing. "I would not take insult if you had also claimed rumours of cells within Crab lands, although I know of others who would. I was planning to visit a set of caverns a few miles down the road and into the mountains. Wonderful rock structures within. It has been a few months since I was last there, and I have had the most interesting of conversations with an individual I found within." Kaymar looked at the dumpling in his hand, taking another bite before glancing out of the wagon.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 30, 2011 13:00:52 GMT -5
Listens then nods a little. "You are right that I did mean no offense, but then I did not actually have any evidence as such. Like I said, I really don't have any idea of the extent of the problem; the Inquisition has it's hands full up north, the Black Watch are as close lipped as always despite my connections, and the only witch hunter I have run into in the past couple of weeks was too occupied with other matters so I did not hear of any information from him."
Tadaka drank some sake as he paused, looking out where Kaymar was looking, feeling the alchohol burn lightly down his throat. Luxuries to be sure, for he could see the ronin mercenaries still walking outside like they were supposed to. Listening to Kaymar's words about investigating something he spoke quietly to Kaymar to make sure no one else could hear. "So this investigation and these caverns you are... checking out; Are they something that should worry me in regards to the caravan? If there are bloodspeakers in these mountains or something else dangerous, perhaps it would be better if I joined you in your investigation while the caravan makes camp for the night; somewhere protected from the oncoming storm I would think.'
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 30, 2011 13:31:46 GMT -5
Finishing his dumpling, the Crab nodded. "To have concerns would be prudent." whispered the witch hunter. The Phoenix had offered to help. Unexpected help was not always to be trusted, but Tadaka had offered no reason for Kaymar to be suspicious.
The Kuni leaded closer to Tadaka. "Imagine, if you will, what would happen if an ancient item were presented as a gift to a high ranking individual of a Clan. Imagine if that item had been subjected to bloodspeaker rituals. I apologise if this is too disturbing, but matters such as these are at the forefront of my mind and I am not one to pander to pretentious sensibilities." Kaymar's stare bore into the Isawa as he spoke. He had been told before that the worth of a man could be judged by how he acted when confronted by such statements - and Kaymar wanted to weigh that worth before trusting him further.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 30, 2011 14:41:35 GMT -5
He ponders the words quietly, mulling them over; Tadaka was a scholar of history, so the notion of cursed items from bloodspeakers fallinginto important hands had great weight with him. Hespoke up after a moment, "I can do more than imagine; surely you have heard the history of the Bloodswords? They were neither the first nor last bloodspeaker created items to fall into important hands. Regardless it is not so much... disturbing as worrying. Normally the bloodspeakers don't have the power or brazeness to do such things, so if that is the case here, it means that it would be either a powerful cell, a cell with a powerful leader, or a cell that has found a source of power. None of those three options bode well."
Tadaka grabbed his bag of scrolls and made sure his weapons were ready to be used. Sighing softly he looked back up at Kaymar. "Do we have time to wait for nightfall and the passing of the storm or is this something much more near at hand than I am aware of? If so, I will order the heimin to simply go on without me as fast as they can. Maybe they can reach Clear Water without being laywayed and before the storm... I fear what would happen at this point if I asked them to find a camping spot for the night in these mountains..."
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Jan 30, 2011 18:28:31 GMT -5
Kaymar let out a grunt of approval. Tadaka's words had enough weight behind them and Kaymar suspected the Phoenix could back up those words should he need to. "Tell them to keep moving. My servant shall go with them, he knows who to speak to, and as the caravan has come from Crane lands, I assume the ronin are paid well enough to follow through on their contract." The last thing the Kuni wanted was a collection of potential sacrifical victims for the cell, although he suspected the bloodspeakers would be too busy with their search he would not take the chance.
"I believe I can trust you Isawa-san. As such, I also believe I should tell you what I know." The witch hunter closed his eyes as he relayed his information. "The cultist I questioned revealed that the skeletal remains of an honour guard, of an old Kaiu Daimyo by the mons on the few remaining scraps of armour, had been found within the caverns. He confessed his mistress wished to find the remains of the Daimyo himself. From checking Crab histories, Kaiu Rytoshi was lost in this area in the 4th century during a diplomatic mission to the Crane."
Kaymar opened his eyes, ignoring the attempts of the rain to ruin his train of thought. "The story 'The swan lord's goblet' is an old tale that has been passed down for generations by the peasantry. The Sparrow collected this tale within the last few decades, and it came to my attention." The visit to Sparrow lands had been required, Kaymar was sure of it. He paused for a sip of water before continuing. "The story tells of an artisan lord who crafted a cup whilst in Crane lands. This goblet had the personal mons of the Crab lords of the time, but was never delivered. I think that artisan lord was Rytoshi during his visit. I think the bloodspeakers want that cup, and that they are trying to find it now, so close to the new Champion's event is no accident."
The Crab fell silent, his hand resting on his jade pendant. Junti agreeing with his reasoning was one thing, an Isawa was quite another.
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