Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Jan 31, 2011 18:12:38 GMT -5
Domotai looked at his leg and then looked at Hyuu. He didn't really like strangers messing with his body or wounds but considering the situation he nodded to the Crane courtier.
" Hyuu san, please approach. I'm sure your healing talents are much greater than mine. The only thing I know about wounds like this is that we need to disinfect it with Sake and apply a splint so that I can at least walk."
He then looked at Mo-Li. She was a beautiful battle maiden that still looked elegant and full of life considering the situation and the rough time she had been given.
" Well Utaku san, for my part I have been captured trying to chase down one of the Yobanjin generals. If I hadn't gone after him they would have never captured me so something tells me there is no logic behind our capture or at least mine. But for sure now they have us they are going to try and make the most of it. Either they are going to try and get information out of us or they are going to trade us against enemy prisoners. If it is the first solution lets hope they do it the smooth way but considering these ruffians I wouldn't think that will be the case. Anyway, whatever methods they use I won't talk. I prefer dying than being stripped of my honor as a traitor. I won't accept being exchanged either, that will be a dishonor that I will prefer repaying by comitting seppuku in front of my Lord Tomatsu sama."
Domotai looks up at the guards on the barricade. They were occupied talking and joking between them. He then whispered to his companions:
" Once I'm up and going again we have to find a way to get out of here."
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Post by utakumoli on Jan 31, 2011 20:06:59 GMT -5
"This is a difficult situation," Mo-Li grimaced, rubbing her forehead, obviously in pain. "I can't think. I was poisoned... But that seems rather out of character, since they didn't take nearly the same care with the rest of you."Dropping her decorum, she buried her face in her hands, but did not cry. She just rubbed her face with the heels of her hands over and over and over. "It doesn't make sense." Maybe it wasn't even these Broken Jaws or whatever they're called... It is certainly possible that... No. I refuse to believe that. Mo-Li shuddered at her own thought, then shook her head.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked up at her fellow captives. "So... How are we going to get out of here?"
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 31, 2011 20:20:32 GMT -5
Hyuu attended to Domotai's words as best he could. He was no shugenja and he knew the Lion would need more effective treatment, and soon, and even then he would probably be limping for a while. But the combination of the cold air and Hyuu's serviceable bindings meant that Domotai was out of immediate danger from his wounds.
"I'm glad you asked, Mo-Li-sama. I've no idea, but then daring escapes are not really my metier. Obviously we are obliged to our Lords to escape, so that we can return to their service and spare them the embarassment of our being captive, let alone the ignominity of having to ransom us to barbarians... about the only thing we have going for us is that, other than a single leader I met, the Yobanjin don't speak our language, so we at least have the luxury of plotting without fear of being overheard"Hyuu stepped back from Domotai and, trying not to let despair overcome him, surveyed the interior of the stockade. The massive, icy logs looked as unforgiving and unclimbable as the grey slate sky above them. From afar, the single Yobanjin sentry in the watch-tower overlooked Hyuu with dumb animal hatred. "Do these walls seem as unclimbable to you as they do to me? Because if that's true, then our only hope for escape, much as it pains me to contemplate such dishonour, is deceit"
As an afterthought, he turned his gaze towards the newcomer. "What's your name, Samurai? Are you a Ronin? Because if you have fought honourably for the Emperor against these barbarians you should know that I for one am proud to stand alongside you here." Of course if the Samurai was not a Ronin, Hyuu might well have made himself an enemy, but it seemed that he, Domotai, Mo-Li and the stranger were all that each other had right now, so it was worth taking risks to bring them together.
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Post by utakumoli on Jan 31, 2011 20:31:35 GMT -5
Mo-Li pursed her lips and knitted her brow. "I suppose the dishonor is not so great as when one is being dishonest with one's own people. I still do not like it, but I believe that you may be right. I could not climb these walls. They are too icy. They took everything from me but my clothes, and it is a wonder to me that they left me with them."
She thought for a time, drawing idle circles in the frozen dirt between her knees. "Though we may have an even more interesting problem: how does one lie to a person who does not even understand one's language?"
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Jan 31, 2011 21:49:17 GMT -5
The man nodded an affirmative to the Doji's question. "Thrakath is my name, Doji-sama," he said, not disrespectfully. "It would not be proper to reveal my former family name in polite company. And yes, I have killed many of these Yobanjin scum." He craned his head to glare at the guard atop the tower, with the same suspicious look he had turned on Hyuu a moment ago, then he regarded the Utaku. "I would not make such assumptions about our captors, Utaku-sama," he said. "Though this one does look like a moron." He glanced at the guard to see if there was any reaction to his comment, but the man just continued to glare down at them.
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Jan 31, 2011 23:05:10 GMT -5
"The fact that they left us our clothes probably means they want us alive for some reason. Although what it might be I think it's useless to speculate about, just as it is to wonder whether our capture was opportunity or plan. It does sound as if Domotai-sama, at least, was captured only by the ill fortunes of war... but that is a discussion to have once we have escaped" Hyuu approached Thrakath and bowed, not overly formally. "Good to meet you, Thrakath-san" He has some difficulty with the Gaijin syllables, but glosses over it to continue. "Here is hoping you can kill a few more, hmm?"
"I'd assumed that very few of the Yobanjin speak our language, but I could be wrong. I've only met one, but my experience is limited. I suppose we could find out by calling out to them somehow? Make some sort of demand that only somebody deaf to our words would ignore?"
Hyuu turned to gaze up at the guard, who could be part of the scenery for all he refuses to acknowledge the Crane's look. Then he turned to the others, thoughtful. "I know of one Yobanjin who does speak Rokugani, if with a terrible accent. He was the chieftain I was interrogating before I was captured. It's likely he was rescued at the same time I was captured. We could call for him...? Although maybe we should decide on our story first"
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Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Feb 1, 2011 2:46:51 GMT -5
Domotai holds his leg and thanks Hyuu for taking care of it.
"Well Doiji san if ever you manage to find a Yobanjin who speaks our language please ask for some sake or whatever alcohol they have and some wood and bandages so I can make myself a splint."
He looks once more at the guards in suspicion and whispers:
"I have an idea to get out of here. We have to move the Crab body next to these wooden posts just under the guards. They don't seem to bother to move a lot so it will be fine. Once this is done we take it in turns to start digging under him while the others discreetly scatter around our prison the earth taken out and mix it with the snow. It will be even easier at night and we can also try and keep a spoon from the dinner to help us out digging. What do you think honorable companions? I think it's the best solution we have."
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Chuktur
Banned
Yobanjin * Broken Hammer Tribe * Duck Clan Champion
Posts: 15
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Post by Chuktur on Feb 1, 2011 8:28:28 GMT -5
OOC: Hey everybody, Doji Hyuu here, wearing my villain hat.
*Before anybody can respond to Domotai, a second yobanjin appears at the watchtower. He appears to be some sort of leader - he has a strong face with an acquiline nose, predatory eyes beneath heavy brows, a long, thin moustache and a contemptuous look. Despite his outlandish garb and garish gaijin trinkets, he wears a daisho, clearly stolen from the corpse of some unlucky Samurai*
"Greetings, captives" *He barks, his Rokugani fluent but heavily accented* "My name is Chuktur of the Broken Hammer tribe, and I am here to tell you that the sky and the wind have given you into my keeping. You are now captives of the Broken Hammer tribe. You are commanded to remain where you are and accept your fate. Behave well and keep quiet, and we will not harm you. But defy your place and I will punish you. As is my right! This war will be over soon when we have won our sacred victory. Until then, be grateful that you no longer have to face our mighty warriors in battle." Chuktur leans forward over the crude railing of the tower examining each captive in turn. He seems to be oblivious to the fact that the Crab is dead, and by the steely look of pride that he meets each Samurai's gaze with, he truly does regard himself as their master.
He lingers at the watchtower. Behind him a pair of guards carry shortbows, doubtless ready to pepper any defiant Samurai with arrows like fish in a barrel. But despite his imperious manner it seems that Chuktur is ready to hear from his captives, although what he expects them to say is unclear.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 1, 2011 11:11:31 GMT -5
Thrakhath merely glares quietly upward at the man, not moving from his sitting position. It's not the glare of an angry man, or even a glare of defiance. It's the sort of look a predator might give to a herd animal that's temporarily gained the upper hand.
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Chuktur
Banned
Yobanjin * Broken Hammer Tribe * Duck Clan Champion
Posts: 15
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Post by Chuktur on Feb 1, 2011 23:25:12 GMT -5
*Chuktur chews slowly on some form of herb, watching his captives almost as if daring them to make a move with his brazen immobility. After what seems like a long, awkward time but is probably only a minute, he turns with ill grace, mutters something to the warrior at the watch tower, turns and ambles out of view, talking in the Yobanjin language to his guards*
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 1, 2011 23:47:26 GMT -5
Mo-Li watched the enemy commander walk away, then she turned to her comrades. "What do you suppose it would take to get him to come down here?" She asked in a whisper, taking care not to look terribly suspicious. "If we get him here, we could hold him in ransom for our own freedom. It's not a good plan, I'll admit, but it can't be worse than no plan at all."
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 1, 2011 23:57:39 GMT -5
*Hyuu watches Chuktur go* "That's the Yobanjin I was interrogating. He was arrogant enough when he was captive. I'm not surprised he's any different now that the tables are turned. He says he learned Rokugani from spying on Mountain Watch Keep, but I wonder. He would have to be quite the prodigy to learn a language from such casual contact. Admittedly he does seem to be..." *Hyuu pauses, it obviously paining him to say something complimentary about a barbarian* "...capable, moreso than these other savages. But that capable? I can't help but think there is something more going on here" *Fiddling with the hem of his robe, Hyuu stares at the space along the watchtower rail Chuktur vacated, then sighs, shakes his head, and sits, no longer caring that he is dirtying his robe* "But that doesn't do us any good. Whatever is going on here, we need to escape"
*He looks to Mo-Li* "I agree, not a perfect plan. But nor is Domotai's. And we cannot afford to be picky. In fact we do not have to pick one - we can try both. The question is, who is most suited to taunting Chuktur, and who is best suited to digging? I have some experience in goading people, but I would need quick assistance were he to attack me. When it comes to digging, perhaps Mo-Li and Thrakath would be best? I'm presuming, Thrakath-san, that you are as strong as you look"
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Post by utakumoli on Feb 2, 2011 0:15:49 GMT -5
She nodded. It would have to do. When she was able to find a moment alone with Hyuu, while the other captives were otherwise busy, she leaned in close and whispered, "You seem to think he lies about his ability to speak our language, and how he learned it. I agree with you. I do not want the others to know just yet, but I believe that he may have had help from..." She could not bring herself finish the sentence. "But I think that I was given erroneous information which led directly to my capture. Seeing a barbarian speak our tongue - however clumsily - has reawakened my suspicion." She looked up at Hyuu, her face wrought with concern.
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Matsu Domotai
Lion Clan
Samurai- Lion Clan general-magistrate-courtier- Tensai-Unique
Posts: 123
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Post by Matsu Domotai on Feb 2, 2011 2:29:12 GMT -5
Domotai nods his head at the sound of Doji Hyuu announcing the different posts assigned.
" I think this is the best solutions indeed. I will protect Doji san if ever Chuktur tries to impale him on a Lance. But for that I would need to disinfect my wound and make myself a splint."
Domotai cries out.
" Chuktur san! I need bandages, two pieces of wood and a bit of alcohol to help me heal my flesh wound. I promise I won't bother you after this. In addition, if you don't give me what I want I'll probably won't make the day."
Domotai looks at the top of the barricades to see if Chuktur reappears.
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Doji Hyuu
Banned
Crane Clan Master Artisan * Magistrate * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 122
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Post by Doji Hyuu on Feb 2, 2011 3:02:55 GMT -5
Hyuu nods thoughtfully to Mo-Li. "It troubled me to when I first met him. I suppose I had spent so long trying to wring some information out of him I ceased to notice it... but yes, it is worrisome. Very worrisome. It only makes me suspect that there is more to this attack than the simple aggression of barbarians who know nothing but war. Perhaps we will be in a position to find something out as we escape... but escaping has to be our priority. Now I suggest you pretend to be asleep or otherwise indisposed, so Chuktur will feel more confident when Domotai-sama calls on him" And Hyuu himself retreats into one corner of the stockade, crouching in a pose that might represent sleep or just extreme fatigue, the only movement stray gusts of wind playing with his long, increasingly matted and unkempt hair*
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