Post by Mirumoto Shigekazu on Feb 23, 2011 2:39:11 GMT -5
Another day begins on lands of the Dragon. Large caravan was about to leave. On the side two samurai are speaking.
- So, Jotaro-san, are we well prepared? - said shorter, but much wealthier dressed one
- Indeed, Shigekazu-sama. - replied the other - Everything is prepared and checked. We have twelve scouts, twenty...
Jotaro for long time enumerated all people, half-people, equipment and non-people taken with the caravan. Heavy infantrymen, writers, artisans, servants, horses, carts, money, eta and so on. Shigekazu looked over shoulder of his subordinate. He marvel at sunrise over afforested mountains.
- It's worth of haiku - he thought - Hmm... Over dragon's peaks; Sun starts its road through the sky; All painted in gold. Hmm, not bad, but could be better.
- ...and ten eta especially trained to help investigators with corpses. - Jotaro was about to finish - We only lack cavalry.
- We won't need one. Our route goes through roads used by armies - and now many warriors proceed to the Unicorn lands so there's little chance anybody would attacks us. And I'm sure you've taken care about everything, so you shouldn't worry. Now, give signal to departure.
* * *
Caravan passed Shiro Kitsuki. Of course Shigekazu was forced by etiquette to take a dinner with Yuushahime's karo - time-consuming custom which delays every march. [OCC: I've assmued that Kitsuki Daymio is currently at her mission in the Scorpion lands. Sorry if I've mistaken.] When last building faded behind horison, Shigekazu spoke to Jotaro:
- Now you take command over a caravan. I take six heavy and ten light infantrymen and also twenty of the best archers. Oh, and two scouts will be sufficient. No servants will be needed but of course I take my yojimbo.
- But sire, how is that - Jotaro was shocked - Where are you heading to?
- West, as you - Shigekazu smiled - But I'll take shorter and more pleasant route. When I move I want to move, not stop at every castle, city, town and village and play courtesies. I can crawl faster than ride now.
- So what will you do, this is the only route from Dragon lands.
- You want to say: only mayor route. There are plenty of minor passes in the mountains west from Morning Frost Castle. They're used by shepherds, woodcutters and smugglers. I'll find some guide among locals, pass the mountains and then ride through plains straight to the Shiro Utaku Shojo, then Shiro Moto.
- Any special orders for me, sire?
- Yes. When you reach Drowned Merchant River you should meet trader from Mantis Clan. He should have some heavy package for you. It's very valuable and must reach Shiro Moto intact. You no need to pay him, everything is settled already. When you take the delivery, you'll sail to Dark Edge Village. I'll be waiting for you there. Everything clear?
- Yes, sire.
- So, fare you well, Jotaro-san.
Shigekazu raised his sashimono with golden dragon winding round green swastika. At this signal thirty nine warriors raised their sashimonos. Jotaro and Shigekazu exchanged bows and forty men disappeared into the forest.
* * *
Samurai! - Shigekazu shouted and stopped his horse - We will camp here tonight. Tommorow we're going to abandon these mountains and reach the plains. I want all of you to pray today to thank to kami for safe pass.
Half hour later [OCC: for not familiar: Rokugani hour takes two standard hours] scout arrived to the camp.
- Shigekazu-sama, I've spotted large group of enemies coming our way. - panted young boy - Maybe one hundred warriors, maybe little more. We must move quickly!
- Calm down... - Shikegazu tried to recall his name - ...Maso. How you can be so sure that they are enemies?
- They are armed with strange weapons and speak barbarian language.
- Hmm... how they are armed?
- Spears and javelins mostly. Some have blunt weapons, few swords. No armor, only leathers and furs. Many of them carried large leather plates.
- Large leather plates?
- Oval shaped, height to half human size and half of that width.
- They are no plates... nevermind. Any more useful information? When they will arrive?
- For about half an hour, sire. And they don't know that we are here.
- Ok, then we have time... Motoichi-san! - Shigekazu shouted.
- On your orders, Shigekazu-sama! - tall man raised and bowed
- This is my orders: everybody should make haste to put on arms and armor. Prepare as many torches as it's possible. Archers do not put on their sashimonos. When ready I want you, Yoshida, Hiroto and Tomeo here. Then I'll give more specific orders. Now, go!
Whole camp looked like a nest. When Shigekazu was about to finish to put on his heavy armor, commanders approached and bowed. Even when Shigekazu wears his kabuto with golden dragon on top, he was still smaller than any of them and Motoichi, the tallest of them, was over head taller.
- Everybody listen now. - Shigekazu don't want to waste his time - Motoichi-san and all heavy infantrymen stays by my side. We will block the enemy march here - Shigekazu pointed at the ground under him. - Yoshida-san and all our light infantry will hide in the bushes on the left side of the path, below its level. Be careful, slope is covered with wet leaves and you surely don't want to slip and slide into the river. Try to discretly clear your way to road before battle so you can easily join the fight when the time comes - you will see the flaming arrow then.
Hiroto-san, you'll lead archers to the slope above the road and hide between rocks in ambush. When you'll see approaching enemy, one third of archers under command of Tomeo-san will burn the torches and start shooting. I wish you, Tomeo-san, to choose the poorest of archers to this task. Yes, you understood correctly, I was disappointed lately with your disobedience and now you have special task. After being spotted by enemies you should run along the path behind line of heavy infantry and stop by the horses and mules. You'll wait till flaming arrow appear and then you'll burn all torches attached to animals, take as many burning torches as you can and drive whole herd to the right flank of the battlefield. Make terrible noise, yell, act like whole army.
Now I back to you, Hiroto-san. When Tomeo-san leave you, you'll wait in ambush until enemy aproach closely to the line of infantry. Then start shooting with flesh cutters. They shouldn't harm us, as we have our heavy armors, but for unarmored enemy they will be deadly and as they will be engaged in hand-to-hand combat with us they won't be able to use their shields properly - all samurai raised their eyebrows - nevermind what it is, you'll see soon. Your last arrow will be flaming arrow, remember that! After that arrow no more can be shooted, until enemy start to run. Every archer should then burn two torches and start approaching to the battlefield with yelling. If Fortune allows, we will claim victory this day. Now everybody repeat their orders and we can begin.
Barbarians was walking tiny path along the mountain river when first arrows killed some warriors in avant-garde. Everybody raised their shields. Then enemy archers - hah, there were not even ten - start to run away. So they followed, it was so easy prey! Some men tried to block their way! Ten against hundred! So foolish, they will surely die quick. Barbarians was so close when arrows started to bite again, much more painfully. And there was no time to cover with shields becasue those ten roared and charged! No place for javelins, no time for cover, but enemies are highly outnumbered. No matter that they reflect blows and attack at the same time, as they wield two sabres. No matter that arrows take their toll. Enemy is outnumbered and they cannot win.
Few saw flaming arrow which flew above their heads and drowned in the river with hiss. But everybody saw and heard pack of enemy warriors appearing from nowhere and charging at their flank. Everybody saw thirty torches burning and approaching down the slope. And everybody saw as blackness behind line of armored warriors ablazing with thundred of torches and night fills with new horrible scream. Surrounded, outnumbered, barbarians start to flee in terror. Some tried to run down the slope, to the river, but all of them eventually slipped and crushed their heads on the rocks below. Other start to back where they came from, but they become easy prey to pursing light infantry. Those who dropped their sheilds to run faster succumbed to arrows. No one returned home.
Four samurai and four ashigaru died in this melee. Three heavy infantrymen while they make their staind againts many. Five light infantrymen while they charged and crushed enemy flank. Everyone was properly burned. If you some day come to this desolated place where plains meet the mountains you may find remainders of eight pyres and eight little stones. You may listen to wind blowing over trees and whistling between rocks and you may pray for souls of those who bravely gives their lives. Their names was Mirumoto Yoshida, Tosa Fumiya, Ogawa Kei and Matsui Koken from noble cast of samurai and ashigaru Sigo, Masato, Matome and Joichi. May they rest in peace.
- So, Jotaro-san, are we well prepared? - said shorter, but much wealthier dressed one
- Indeed, Shigekazu-sama. - replied the other - Everything is prepared and checked. We have twelve scouts, twenty...
Jotaro for long time enumerated all people, half-people, equipment and non-people taken with the caravan. Heavy infantrymen, writers, artisans, servants, horses, carts, money, eta and so on. Shigekazu looked over shoulder of his subordinate. He marvel at sunrise over afforested mountains.
- It's worth of haiku - he thought - Hmm... Over dragon's peaks; Sun starts its road through the sky; All painted in gold. Hmm, not bad, but could be better.
- ...and ten eta especially trained to help investigators with corpses. - Jotaro was about to finish - We only lack cavalry.
- We won't need one. Our route goes through roads used by armies - and now many warriors proceed to the Unicorn lands so there's little chance anybody would attacks us. And I'm sure you've taken care about everything, so you shouldn't worry. Now, give signal to departure.
* * *
Caravan passed Shiro Kitsuki. Of course Shigekazu was forced by etiquette to take a dinner with Yuushahime's karo - time-consuming custom which delays every march. [OCC: I've assmued that Kitsuki Daymio is currently at her mission in the Scorpion lands. Sorry if I've mistaken.] When last building faded behind horison, Shigekazu spoke to Jotaro:
- Now you take command over a caravan. I take six heavy and ten light infantrymen and also twenty of the best archers. Oh, and two scouts will be sufficient. No servants will be needed but of course I take my yojimbo.
- But sire, how is that - Jotaro was shocked - Where are you heading to?
- West, as you - Shigekazu smiled - But I'll take shorter and more pleasant route. When I move I want to move, not stop at every castle, city, town and village and play courtesies. I can crawl faster than ride now.
- So what will you do, this is the only route from Dragon lands.
- You want to say: only mayor route. There are plenty of minor passes in the mountains west from Morning Frost Castle. They're used by shepherds, woodcutters and smugglers. I'll find some guide among locals, pass the mountains and then ride through plains straight to the Shiro Utaku Shojo, then Shiro Moto.
- Any special orders for me, sire?
- Yes. When you reach Drowned Merchant River you should meet trader from Mantis Clan. He should have some heavy package for you. It's very valuable and must reach Shiro Moto intact. You no need to pay him, everything is settled already. When you take the delivery, you'll sail to Dark Edge Village. I'll be waiting for you there. Everything clear?
- Yes, sire.
- So, fare you well, Jotaro-san.
Shigekazu raised his sashimono with golden dragon winding round green swastika. At this signal thirty nine warriors raised their sashimonos. Jotaro and Shigekazu exchanged bows and forty men disappeared into the forest.
* * *
Samurai! - Shigekazu shouted and stopped his horse - We will camp here tonight. Tommorow we're going to abandon these mountains and reach the plains. I want all of you to pray today to thank to kami for safe pass.
Half hour later [OCC: for not familiar: Rokugani hour takes two standard hours] scout arrived to the camp.
- Shigekazu-sama, I've spotted large group of enemies coming our way. - panted young boy - Maybe one hundred warriors, maybe little more. We must move quickly!
- Calm down... - Shikegazu tried to recall his name - ...Maso. How you can be so sure that they are enemies?
- They are armed with strange weapons and speak barbarian language.
- Hmm... how they are armed?
- Spears and javelins mostly. Some have blunt weapons, few swords. No armor, only leathers and furs. Many of them carried large leather plates.
- Large leather plates?
- Oval shaped, height to half human size and half of that width.
- They are no plates... nevermind. Any more useful information? When they will arrive?
- For about half an hour, sire. And they don't know that we are here.
- Ok, then we have time... Motoichi-san! - Shigekazu shouted.
- On your orders, Shigekazu-sama! - tall man raised and bowed
- This is my orders: everybody should make haste to put on arms and armor. Prepare as many torches as it's possible. Archers do not put on their sashimonos. When ready I want you, Yoshida, Hiroto and Tomeo here. Then I'll give more specific orders. Now, go!
Whole camp looked like a nest. When Shigekazu was about to finish to put on his heavy armor, commanders approached and bowed. Even when Shigekazu wears his kabuto with golden dragon on top, he was still smaller than any of them and Motoichi, the tallest of them, was over head taller.
- Everybody listen now. - Shigekazu don't want to waste his time - Motoichi-san and all heavy infantrymen stays by my side. We will block the enemy march here - Shigekazu pointed at the ground under him. - Yoshida-san and all our light infantry will hide in the bushes on the left side of the path, below its level. Be careful, slope is covered with wet leaves and you surely don't want to slip and slide into the river. Try to discretly clear your way to road before battle so you can easily join the fight when the time comes - you will see the flaming arrow then.
Hiroto-san, you'll lead archers to the slope above the road and hide between rocks in ambush. When you'll see approaching enemy, one third of archers under command of Tomeo-san will burn the torches and start shooting. I wish you, Tomeo-san, to choose the poorest of archers to this task. Yes, you understood correctly, I was disappointed lately with your disobedience and now you have special task. After being spotted by enemies you should run along the path behind line of heavy infantry and stop by the horses and mules. You'll wait till flaming arrow appear and then you'll burn all torches attached to animals, take as many burning torches as you can and drive whole herd to the right flank of the battlefield. Make terrible noise, yell, act like whole army.
Now I back to you, Hiroto-san. When Tomeo-san leave you, you'll wait in ambush until enemy aproach closely to the line of infantry. Then start shooting with flesh cutters. They shouldn't harm us, as we have our heavy armors, but for unarmored enemy they will be deadly and as they will be engaged in hand-to-hand combat with us they won't be able to use their shields properly - all samurai raised their eyebrows - nevermind what it is, you'll see soon. Your last arrow will be flaming arrow, remember that! After that arrow no more can be shooted, until enemy start to run. Every archer should then burn two torches and start approaching to the battlefield with yelling. If Fortune allows, we will claim victory this day. Now everybody repeat their orders and we can begin.
Barbarians was walking tiny path along the mountain river when first arrows killed some warriors in avant-garde. Everybody raised their shields. Then enemy archers - hah, there were not even ten - start to run away. So they followed, it was so easy prey! Some men tried to block their way! Ten against hundred! So foolish, they will surely die quick. Barbarians was so close when arrows started to bite again, much more painfully. And there was no time to cover with shields becasue those ten roared and charged! No place for javelins, no time for cover, but enemies are highly outnumbered. No matter that they reflect blows and attack at the same time, as they wield two sabres. No matter that arrows take their toll. Enemy is outnumbered and they cannot win.
Few saw flaming arrow which flew above their heads and drowned in the river with hiss. But everybody saw and heard pack of enemy warriors appearing from nowhere and charging at their flank. Everybody saw thirty torches burning and approaching down the slope. And everybody saw as blackness behind line of armored warriors ablazing with thundred of torches and night fills with new horrible scream. Surrounded, outnumbered, barbarians start to flee in terror. Some tried to run down the slope, to the river, but all of them eventually slipped and crushed their heads on the rocks below. Other start to back where they came from, but they become easy prey to pursing light infantry. Those who dropped their sheilds to run faster succumbed to arrows. No one returned home.
Four samurai and four ashigaru died in this melee. Three heavy infantrymen while they make their staind againts many. Five light infantrymen while they charged and crushed enemy flank. Everyone was properly burned. If you some day come to this desolated place where plains meet the mountains you may find remainders of eight pyres and eight little stones. You may listen to wind blowing over trees and whistling between rocks and you may pray for souls of those who bravely gives their lives. Their names was Mirumoto Yoshida, Tosa Fumiya, Ogawa Kei and Matsui Koken from noble cast of samurai and ashigaru Sigo, Masato, Matome and Joichi. May they rest in peace.