The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Drasta sips again on her bladder then continues her story. Her eyes grow distance as she remembers that crisp spring day.

“His opponent leaves the field. Tatsuo bows to the Shogun and the Announcer gets another slip. "DASHIO!"

A fresh samurai comes up and stands next to Tatsuo as his lawyer as the announcer leaves the field.
Tatsuo and his opponent bow to the shogun then to one another. The first bout begins. The samurai comes in and Tatsuo quicky sidesteps and swings a backhand to the samurai's back scoring a hit.

They face off again and Tatsuo surprises the samurai by coming into him at a run. At the last moment Tatsuo steps to the others inside strong arm. The samurai blocks Tatsuo’s katana with his wakizashi, but Tatsuo cuts him across the face with his. The samurai also scores a hit on Tatsuo’s armor. Tatsuo continues through and winds up stopping several feet behind his opponent.

Several people around us murmured about what happened. They had never seen that tactic before. I looked across to Miwa, and she looked like a cat that just ate a canary and still has a feather in its mouth. I think I may have smirked a bit too.

The next round again Tatsuo comes in at a run. This time the samurai tries to duck, block with his wakizashi and strike with his katana but Tatsuo seems to have anticipated the move and ends up slapping the samurai against his helmet with the flat of his sword. The samurai is fuming now.

The 4th round Tatsuo comes in at a run again. but this time. The samurai slides and catches Tatsuo's foot tripping him. Then the samurai slashes him in the face. with his katana.

My lady comments on it. “He got too cocky and needs more training but is still doing well.”

I nodded to her and said, “I would agree with you. He needs to calm his mind more.”

In the last round Tatsuo is more cautious. He settles himself. He uses the same style fighting at a run. They trade blows without one hitting the other for several passes when the round is stopped. The two come together and bow to each other, then to the shogun. The shogun looks at his general commander who stands and says, "EXCELLENT!"

There is a pause while a surgeon comes onto the field and stitches Tatsuo’s face up. Once he is done the announcer comes onto the field and the lawyer gives him a slip of paper. He reads it to the crowd, “TANTO!”

Again, Tatsuo had to remove his armor down to his Gi. A wiry samurai comes onto the field. He’s about the same size as Tatsuo. During the match the samurai devastates Tatsuo by giving him 5 deep lacerations. Several of the older imperial officials in attendance look directly at Miwa, questioningly. This time the shogun stands and doesn't even look at any of his own. He says, "FAIL!"

The lawyer then came out to the field. He and Tatsuo have a long discussion. Meanwhile the surgeon comes back out into the field and starts to stitch up the deep wounds on Tatsuo. The announcer gives them some time but also comes out to them and receives another slip of paper. The surgeon is still stitching our man up when the announcer calls out, “YARI!”

That’s when my lady commented, “At least his opponent had enough sense not to kill him outright."

I came back to her, “Indeed. That is thankful.”

Once Tatsuo is all sewed up, he got back into his armor and took up a spear from his rack. Another samurai comes down with his Yari. As they dueled Tatsuo fended him off without scoring a hit and the samurai only managed to get one hit on him. The shogun looks at his general-of-armies. The general must have seen some flaws in Tatsuo’s form. He stood up and called out, “ACCEPTATBLE!”

After a small pause the announcer came out again and the routine was repeated. He shouted, “ODACHI!”

Tatsuo then picks up his great sword. Again, he fought the other samurai to a standstill. Each getting one hit on the other. Tatsuo… He had a particularly hard time with the great sword given his small stature but still managed to fend off the bigger man. The grade this time was, “ACCEPTABLE.”

After the bout the field is cleaned up. There is only one test left and everyone knew what it was. The announcer comes out and takes the last slip of paper from the lawyer. He reads it and looks out to the central stand shouting, “DAIKYU!”

Several people came out onto the field and placed targets out in the distance. Lines were scratched further and further back from the targets. Tatsuo took out his great bow and went to the first line. There are targets the size of a horse down to the size of a mandarin orange set up. At the first line he shoots the biggest targets, scoring them off the field. As he steps back to the next line he shoots the next biggest targets.

Miwa and I start to hear murmurs of surprise all around us. My lady, she just shook her head and said, “He’s showing off.”

I think I nodded back to her and said, “He’s been watching me too much.”

Tatsuo hit every target to the back line which was 120 meters from the last targets. Those targets were the size of mandarin oranges as I said before.” Drasta pauses then continues for dramatic effect.

He let go of the first arrow. It misses the target by a half foot, low.

He let go of the second arrow. It sails over the target by 3 inches.

He let go of the third arrow and it strikes the target dead center.

The shogun raised an eyebrow and looked at his General of Archers. The man got up and considered the performance for several minutes. When he spoke, he did not hesitate. He said, “FLAWLESS.

Tatsuo and his lawyer came to the middle of the field. They bowed to their Shogun. The shogun stood and slowly walked down to the field himself with an attendant. The lord stands in front of Tatsuo. He took a katana and wakizashi out of the cases the attendant was holding.

He said, “Do you Uesuki Tatsuo pledge to follow the rules of Bushido, to protect and defend your clan until the day of your death?"

Our lord came to attention and bowed to the shogun keeping his eyes on him, and said, “I DO!”

The shogun took the katana with two hands and presented it to the young man. Tatsuo took it and sheathed it in his armor. The sacred right is repeated for the wakizashi. Then the shogun bowed to him. “Uesuki Tatsuo. You are inducted into the samurai of clan Uesuki!”

Tatsuo bowed. The shogun went back to the stands. Then his brother Mitsuru ran out into the field and hugged him.

Miwa then smirked, “Now the real battle begins.” I looked at her questioningly. She continued. We'll see how well he fends off the girls at his induction party. And of course, the commanders and administrators that want to have him in their teams ranks."

I then smirked at her and asked. “And your gift?”

She looked at me oddly and asked, “My gift?”

All I could say, “In Time, yes.”

Miwa nodded "After his party tomorrow want you and Tatsuo to head south and see what Lord Barasume wants. I'll deal with any perspective commanders or administrators at the party. Tatsuo is already in a more important imperial unit. I will make that quite clear."

With that Momo we went to the party. Miwa intimidated most of the women there including many of the Onna-musha that were hot on Tatsuo’s scent. She also made it quite clear that our young man was already being inducted into an imperial unit. Tatsuo slept alone that night.”

Momo smiles, “His grandmother was quite the woman.”

Drasta nods sadly, “An exceptional example of an Onna-bugeisha. Too unbending at times but you would have to know the whole of the story, and it would take longer than the surrounding darkness to lift.


Story by MaxPD and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

Tatsuo, Drasta, Momo and baby Siora all start again north. As they ride Tatsuo comments. “How long until she’s a toddler?”

Drasta says, “Not long after a few months she will start catching up to the human’s her age.”

Tatsuo nods. Momo smiles. “So, half human and half…elven?”

Drasta nods. “A slower start but she will catch up and come of age at about 18 or 20.”

Tatsuo says, “A few years slow but the elves live a very long time. it would be understandable if she developed even slower.”

Momo comments. “You said in your story Drasta that the two of you went south and not north? Why is that?”

Tatsuo speaks for her, “At the time we had heard about trouble in the south not in the north. Though we knew there was danger there near your home we were sent south. I am sorry Momo.”

Momo asked, “What did you do in the south?”

Tatsuo says, “The day after my samurai testing Drasta and I headed off to Renkyu. I was still trying to so my mons and badges on things while on horseback, but we no longer needed travel papers.”

Drasta smiles, “We entered the outer part of the city and into the palace yards. It was where I trained to become Besshikime. An attendant waited on us and told us that Lord Barasume would see us tomorrow. I told him, “Good.””

Tatsuo laughs. “As the attendant showed us to a room I chuckled because I was so used to Drasta walking beside me and now she was following me around like a little puppy dog. We went into our room and she said, “Don’t get any ideas. That was one time.” I told her, “I have other things on my mind this night.” I didn’t but knew the tice was over. She nodded to me and placed a hand on her own stomach. I should have known then but… I was 16.”

Drasta smirks. “In the morning, we were invited to eat breakfast with the Barasume samurai. As soon as we walked in, they started measuring up Tatsuo. They already knew me. Well, the older ones. I kept my eyes on all of them like I would destroy them in a split second if they hurt him.

The first to speak was someone that must have known Miwa well. He grunted out, “Grandson of the Little Wolverine. Wonder how much the blood has thinned.” I glared at him because that was an obvious challenge but then I had to calm myself. After all being a peasant affords some protection, but that protection is sometimes ignored.

Another asked if Tatsuo had a war name. He half smiled and said, “Dragonfly.” Several there were quite impressed. One called out, “A good war name. Dragonflies are ferocious predators.” Several more nodded in agreement with him. I nodded too and told them, “It fits him well.””

Tatsuo takes up the tale, “An older samurai was studying Drasta the whole time. He finally said, “That’s not the real question. The real question is Why is Drasta here with this young buck and not with her lady. Is Miwa dead?”

Drasta basically told them to shove it nicely. Let me think on what she said. Ah, yes. She said, “I am doing what I was asked of. My lady is not dead. May your minds wander on why though I am here if you must.” The old samurai took a small coin bag out of his Gi and tossed it to another who said, “Told you, she’s too mean to let death grab her. Might had killed death in a dual already.” I remember Drasta staring daggers at the pair.”

Momo interrupts. “Why would they say something so mean themselves?”

Drasta sighs and looks exasperated. “Samurai will bet on anything at any time. Anyway, I smirked and said, “You may not be completely wrong. There was one time I watched her slay half a demon army.””

Tatsuo says, “Yes, I remember after that one of the younger ones grunting and saying, “Tall tales from a besshikime to promote her lady.” One of the older samurai just looked at him and he shut up. Another chastised him saying, “Remember whose clan you are in.” Meaning that Miwa was clan Barasume before the imperial family got involved in taking her away from the clan.

I think Drasta too snapped back at the young samurai saying, “I earned my title when others from my land would have failed.”

You see Miwa was not only a great fighter, but she became an ambassador to the west for several years when she was a Barasume. She made Renkyu so rich it would not be the city today except for her efforts… and an enterprising mayor and his friends opening a distillery and inventing Shasta.

That is a story in itself. It is whispered that the mayor had captured a bat hengeyokai and made it tell him the secrets of a perfect rum.” Tatsuo winks at Drasta. “After he had tortured its secret recipe from it, he released it with a reward.”

Drasta looks over at Tatsuo wondering where he got the Shasta story then says, “An attendant arrived to usher us to court. On leaving I looked at the young samurai saying, “Remember Karasu is always watching.”

Momo asks, “Is Karasu your patron, Kami?”

Tatsuo laughs, “No, It’s her Barasume clan name. Drasta is still Barasume.”

Momo nods, “Then what happened?”


Story by MaxPD and Winterhawk 99

[Winterhawk99]

Tatsuo stops the small train and dismounts. He takes his tanto out and checks his horse’s shoes. As he picks stones and debris out of them, he says, “Hideo was holding a more private court that day. He has a garden inside of glass walls… a greenhouse. He and his wives were there along with several advisors. I believe one of his generals was at the podium talking to him. As we showed up the general moved aside and to his place.

I went to the podium honorifics were performed. Drasta was right behind me. The shogun admonished me at first and with good cause. He said, “Your eyes on me. Remember that. You are samurai now. Look at me like the man you are now, Tatsuo."

I was quite embarrassed so to speak and said, “You requested investigators Lord Barasume. We have come."

He gave me a nod and said, “There has been an incident at a mill in my lands. There are strange circumstances around it. Possibly yokai involvement. I wish for this to go on the imperial record due to the strangeness of it all."

Drasta comments, “I kept quiet. Tatsuo being samurai now needed to show he could speak for himself. He had had some practice as a lawyer but dealing with nobles is a whole new story. He had to show himself to be worthy of his new position. It would not have been a good showing to have a besshikime, Barasume or not to speak out of turn when a samurai is speaking.”

Tatsuo grunts, “I would not have cared. We had worked together for several years already, and I was used to it because often times Drasta knew far more than I.

Anyway, I asked the lord for specifics. He told me one night there was an accident in a textile mill. However, there was not enough bleach in the mill to do the damage to do that. Moreover, the smell of bleach still permeated the mill. The very walls seem to be imbedded with the smell.

He also said his Hatamoto Sei Lui investigated himself. The lord told Hideo the bleach smell is strongest along a cone like formation straight into the center of the building as if someone had blown it through a funnel through the doors. He also found a large footprint that he said he could stand in. He did not recognize the track and his Hatamoto was a renowned tracker."

That’s when I asked for help. I said, “May my grandmother's besshikime speak lord Barasume. This is out of my realm of expertise."

Drasta smiles and takes over. “I gave another bow and asked if his Hatamoto would be able to make a sketch of this print?” Hideo said, “He should be able too, yes.” I told him I would like to see what he had seen. That’s when Hideo gave us permission to investigate the mill and the village he oversees. I knew Sei would have insights. I knew him well. We had traveled together for almost a year during my training years ago.”

Tatsuo nods, “The shogun then stood up and told us, “Come back once with any information you gather. This is my territory. I need to know."

Drasta told him yes and that she remembered this well from the past. I bowed and said, “We will certainly help you in any way possible to find out the circumstances behind this, Lord Barasume." The meeting ended and we mounted up to go to the border village where the mill was.”

Tatsuo finishes with his horse and checks the others. They move on until Momo’s curiosity gets the better of her and asks about the mill.


Story by MaxPD and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

Drasta speaks first, “The mill? Well Tatsuo was in for quite the surprise about this particular village. You see When I traveled with Sei we were at that village. The local kami was angry about something, and we quelled its anger. But found that a yakuza family had been running the town for some decades. We negotiated a treaty so to speak, and a new clan of samurai were born from it: Let us say. Barasume Kyo, Hideo’s father, was so angry but was cornered into giving the yakuza clan legitimacy.

We headed down to the village. It took several days. I remember even though it was spring it was very hot and humid. I had gotten used to the cooler north. We got there and found the elder’s home was rebuilt and Sei lived there now when in town. He was gone roaming. The samurai clan he oversees was all around walking the streets and keeping peace.” Drasta laughs, “They were somewhat undisciplined as they were slowly moving from a position of being former yakuza to a true samurai clan.

Tatsuo goes up to one of them and asks them, “Is the local lord in town? We are on an imperial mission."

The man came to attention but seemed a bit mystified on exactly what to say. He said something like, Um. Sei isn’t in town… Then he corrects himself Hatamoto Sei isn’t in town. He’s sort of a woodsy type. Comes in every so often to see what’s going on.”

Tatsuo laughs, “I wasn’t sure what to think. I never saw a samurai use that kind of language or have such mannerisms. The samurai said, “Oh yea! Uncle Arisu. He should be at home.” He didn’t tell me where that home was just that he should be at home. I just stared at him like I couldn’t believe how the conversation was going. I looked back at Drasta. She shook her head slightly and said she could track him quickly enough if given directions. I just turned back to the samurai and asked, “Where is your uncle’s home?”

This samurai then remembers he’s samurai sort of and says, “OH!... Right!... Go up the street here past 5 homes then turn to the lake. It’s the big home on the right." I just shook my head, and we headed that way. While we were trotting through town, I turned back to her and asked, “What was that!?”

She smirked at me and said, “Am not sure. That was strange though.”

Drasta takes over and says, “We found the large home and Tatsuo knocked on the door. An older woman answered it. Tatsuo bowed and asked if Arisu was home. That we were on imperial business. I kept alert, studying everyone carefully for body language. I had been here before and wasn’t too trusting of the situation yet.

The old woman welcomed us in. She led us through the house to the back where there was an old man in a chair. I recognized him as the old head of the yakuza. He stared at me for a moment then at young Tatsuo. He then looked at the old woman. She said, “Imperial business.”

He nods to her then motioned with his hand, “Please sit. Make yourselves comfortable.”

I nodded to him noting a remembrance. Tatsuo told him we were here to investigate the accident at the mill and if he could tell us anything about it. I went into besshikime mode studying his expressions and such for any misdirection.

Tatsuo laughs, “Drasta always looking to see mischief but then that is her job. The old man told us it was on a late shift. No one even knew until the morning shift came in the next day. He told us that they could not even get through the door. the smell of bleach was too strong. The did manage to open the doors eventually and saw bodies lying there on the factory floor. The outside guard had disappeared.

He then said Lord Sei Lui went up to have a look. He came across a huge track from a lizard or something. He said it was big enough for him to stand in. He tried tracking it, but the trail went dead in the swamps. He told us that tracks don’t last long in that place. He also warned us there were a lot of saltwater crocodiles there.”

Drasta takes up the tale then, “He seemed honest enough. He then said, “I lost my entire night shift and still many of the workers won't go back. I'll have to wait till next season at least. Maybe even replace some walls as the smell is lingering. Matter of fact we didn't store enough bleach to do all that. It's odd."

Tatsuo then asked if we could take a look. He told us to suit ourselves. That we were the imperials, and he wasn’t going to get in the way. Tatsuo looked at me so I turned back to the old man and said, “I am sure we will see you soon with information. If the truth is not being told I will find out again.”

The old man said that he led a samurai clan now and he had no need to lie to us. He said that as long as the local lord was happy, he was happy. We started toward the mill.

Tatsuo takes over the story. “We mounted up and headed to the mill. We came within about 250 yards, and we could start to smell the distinct smell of bleach gas. It got stronger as we got closer. Drasta told me it might be wise if I held back a bit. I asked her why. She told me the gas is potent and could make me ill.

There were no guards at the main doors. Drasta dismounted and touched her necklace. I’m not sure if it was a spell she cast or a prayer to her kami.”

Drasta says, “It was a protection spell.”

Tatsuo continues, “She then looked around to see if there was anyone around and dismounted. There was no one. I was hesitant to follow her. She went to the doors and opened them slowly looking in.”

Drasta nods to Tatsuo and takes over, “The smell was pretty bad even though it had been some weeks. What I saw inside surprised me. It had been weeks since the accident. There was a cone-like area going through the whole of the factory that was discolored. The floor, walls, even the ceiling looked like someone had painted a giant white cone going straight down the middle of the first floor.

At first, I thought it was some form of a substance and reached down touching it. I found out it wasn’t. I did find the floor was mushy and the grain was warped in a ripple pattern. Also, it was somewhat flaky as if the grain had been raised.

I analyze the scene carefully. There were several large canisters of bleach spread around the room but scattered they could not have made the pale discolorations I saw. It was a perfect pattern. Whatever did this did it in one stroke or blast. If the cannisters had spilt or even exploded, it would not have made such a perfect pattern.

I put a wet cloth on my mouth and looked back at Tatsuo saying, “Survivable but uncomfortable.” I then walked back and handed him a wet cloth. I told him, whatever had done this it was not normal and possibly not from this place.

Tatsuo nods, “I dismounted myself and took the cloth putting it over my mouth going inside. The floor was soft when I stepped into the white area. I backed away not wanting to go through the floor. Looking around I think I said there were no breaks in the pattern and that I didn’t think a bunch of barrels even if exploded could have produced the pattern that I saw.

She told me she agreed and said it was like a cone of something made this place a death trap. I asked her where we should go from here. She told me she needed to see some tracks. We didn’t find tracks, but we found something else.”

Drasta shakes her head, “He told me he didn’t see any reason to stay and started coughing. I grew concerned for his safety. He suggested we look around the outside of the mill. So, we left.

Outside we started looking but could not find anything. There was a road on the back end where the carts bring in supplies. That path winds south between the tree line of the lake on the opposite side of the village and through the old opium fields. I looked to the north, and it was all swamp. I told him. “You know there are saltwater crocodiles around they are big enough to eat a horse if they can grab it. If memory serves the tracks went into the swamp they had said. We should keep an eye out for them if they exist anywhere. Do you feel safe enough to venture that way?”

Drasta then laughs, “Tatsuo he mounts up draws his katana looking very straight and said, “I feel perfectly safe with this.” I had to laugh because if he had actually seen a big salty, he would have turned right around and galloped back to the village as fast as he could. I told him to be careful of the water even if it looks shallow. We headed into the swamp about 10 feet apart.


Story by MaxPD and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

Tatsuo continues the tale as they leisurely ride north. “We went a good 700 meters into the swamp before something caught Drasta’s sharp eyes.”

Drasta says, “It was the glint of steel.”

Tatsuo nods, “We approached it and as we got closer, we found out what it was and inspected the area. Drasta kept telling me to be careful. We came upon a sword with some torn up armor and mostly clean bones scattered around, though some of the larger bones were crushed and hollow.”

Drasta interrupts, “Probably scavengers harvesting the marrow. I studied the area and carefully looked over the sword. The torn apart armor had the mon of the local samurai clan on it. Some of the bones had some meat on them but not very much. You could tell little at this stage of decomposition. I commented to Tatsuo, “Possibly crocodiles.” The armor looked completely shredded like a croc attack.”

Tatsuo winces remembering the scene. “I said it looks like we are headed in the right direction.” We continued north and west as the body was west of our position. We started getting near a forest and heading out of Barasume lands. The ground got harder as we did. As we did, we spotted something else off to the west again after traveling another 7 or 8 hundred meters or so.”

Drasta nods. “I was looking for tracks the whole time and looked up and pointed it out to him. As we moved up to it, we saw it was another samurai corpse. This one was in better shape though wolves, buzzards and insects had done their work. The armor was in nicer condition, sort of. It seems the man was almost cut in half. The bones along the rib cage were shattered. It was also completely missing a leg. There was a bit more meat on the bones but not much more. The armor itself was ripped apart at the mid-section. I asked Tatsuo what he thought about the scene.”

Tatsuo nods, “I think I said something ate him in the side and ripped off his leg. It was more a question than a statement. I then looked at the sun and asked her if we could continue because we seemed to be heading in the right direction. We both kept our eyes out, for unusual tracks.”

Drasta smiles, “I got a little mushy then. I told him I was sorry for what I did to him and wasn’t sure he enjoyed it. I think he said, “Don't be sorry for nature, Drasta. I was just tired. I fear I was not up to the standard." I got silent for a while as we prodded along.”

Tatsuo nods. “It happened. I was so tired from having to do what I had to do earlier: Carrying out sentence to all those criminals including my own sister.

Well, we went deep into the forest and as we did, we started to find bodies. There had been a recent battle. There was human, spirit folk, and dwarven corpses here and there. There were also many Oni corpses. The weapons the Oni employed were very standard to Oni, but the others are a combination of various weapons from all walks of life from farmers scythes to katanas to ninja weapons like chain spears.

We took a moment to study the battlefield. I led my horse around it trying to envision the battle. It was quite obvious everyone else was working together to battle the Oni. I started to get the feeling that we were being watched. Drasta felt it too. She even stated, “We are being watched.” That’s when I noticed these particular woods seemed awful familiar. I prodded my horse to move across the battlefield, eventually coming to a large cave opening a familiar one. Drasta stayed very close to me.

She took one look at it and said, “It is his cave… Orochi.” I nodded then dismounted and pulled my katana and shield out saying, “We must have entered Shinto lands.”

Drasta picks it up. “I dismounted and said, “It would seem that way.” That’s when things… got interesting. Tatsuo, he rushes in the entrance and goes about 50ft and starts shouting, “OROCHI! COME OUT! I AM CHALLENGING YOU!”

I rush in after him and get right behind him talking in a very soft voice, “Are you sure that’s wise?”

He looks back at me and says, “No.” What a way to make an entrance. I pulled my bow out and got ready in case anything happened.

Tatsuo nods, “I was scared but determined to get to the bottom of all this. We didn’t but we did get a reaction.

There was a rumbling and then a sliding sound above us. It stopped and we heard an echoing booming voice coming out of the darkness. “THEN I CHOOSE TO DUEL YOU IN TANTO, BOY! DO YOU THINK THAT PAWN THAT YOU ARE… CAN TAKE A KING!... WHERE IS YOUR QUEEN OF FIRE?”

Right then, I knew he had been there for my trials and somehow made it back to this cave before we got there. Drasta let out this guttural demonic snarl, that made me for a second more afraid of her than this Orochi.

The voice reacted to the snarl too. It said, “OH STOP YOUR SNARLING LITTLE FEY CREATURE. LEAVE MY HOME WHILE YOU STILL CAN... NO WAIT! YOU HAVE SOMETHING I NEED. TAKE THE WESTERN TUNNEL THROUGH TWO PASSAGES THEN GO LEFT. YOU WILL COME UPON A CHAMBER." Drasta signed and I looked at her mystified about what the voice said.”

Drasta picks the story up. “I told him, I was unsure about this, but it is how we will get information.” He asked if we should stay or go. I said, “You’re the one that challenged him. It’s your call, but if he wants our child, I will take us from here!”

Tatsuo takes on that samurai face and nods. We followed the directions and came into a large furnished chamber with a really big alchemical laboratory in it. We heard the voice again, “GOOD GO TO THE BENCH THERE ARE VIALS THERE. I REQUIRE 6 ONZES OF YOUR BLOOD FEY."

I looked at Tatsuo and said, “WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT.”

"THAT IS MY BUSINESS NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT IF YOU WANT YOUR QUEEN OF FIRE TO LIVE THROUGH THE NEXT YEAR YOU WILL DO AS I SAY."

“MY BLOOK IS OLDER THAN BOTH OF US” I shouted and looked at Tatsuo who is completely confused.

He said, “What is he talking about?”

The voice through the caverns booms again. “I REQUIRE IT THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW."

I looked back at Tatsuo again and say, “I must understand why.”

The voice heard me again and said, “EITHER DO IT OR DONT BUT KNOW SHE WILL NOT LIVE FOR ANOTHER YEAR IF YOU DO NOT GIVE ME WHAT I WANT. EITHER WAY LEAVE AFTER YOU DECIDE."

“I told Tatsuo, “I am unsure on what he would do with this. Tatsuo he could try to create magic that could wipe clans from this land.” I was thinking about bolting right then and there.”

Tatsuo nods and continues the story, “I thought about it a long time. This Orochi had given us the choice. The humans outside seemed to be defending him. He only wanted 6 ounces of her blood, which is a small amount, and it all seemed to revolve around my grandmother in some way who we suspected was the Queen of fire.

Drasta had saying all kinds of things trying to figure out why he wanted it. Maybe he was creating something or would study it to make himself stop ageing. She finally asked me, “If you wish for me to do this, I will need your blade since mine will kill on touch.”

I said to her, “Whatever it is it has something to do with grandmother or am I mistaken?"

She nodded back and said, “It does. But you are my commander in this situation.” She looked at the ceiling and asks, “ARE YOU USING THIS BLOOD TO FIGHT THE ONE IN THE MOUNTAINS?”

I thought about that and said, “This wu-jen or whatever he is has been around a long-time manipulating the clans. I don't know why."

Suddenly we hear angry grumbles then the voice even louder this time says, “YES OR NO IT IS NOT UP TO PAWNS WHAT KINGS AND QUEENS DO."

That ticked Drasta off. Her eyes flared and she yelled at the voice, “THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER, SERPENT!”

I was intrigued and asked her, “Serpent?” Then remembered, “Oh yes, the ripples.” Then I made the decision and told her, “Let’s do this and get out of here. It’s getting spooky.”

She sighed saying, “You wish for me to give him my blood.”

I just nodded. I knew I was gambling at high stakes, but all the evidence pointed to us doing this would reap more than cost. So, I made the decision to do it. I drew my katana and held it for her. She cuts herself on it saying, “I hope this will not haunt us.” She then held her hand over the vials carefully filling them slowly. She wobbled a bit at the last one.

That’s when we heard the voice again this time quite pleased. It laughed and said, “THE BOARD IS NEARLY CLEARED, THE STAGE IS SET. I MAKE MY LAST MOVE. NOW OUT WITH YOU LITTLE PAWNS. I HAVE WORK TO DO."

Drasta asked, “Can you answer any questions before we leave. I think this is an equal exchange, One for each vial.”

The voice answered back, “NO, FATE WILL UNFOLD IN ITS DUE TIME LITTLE FEY. ALL THE CHIPS HAVE BEEN THROWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES. NOW IS THE TIME TO SETTLE THINGS ONCE AND FOR ALL. GO NOW LITTLE PAWNS KNOW THAT YOU MAY HAVE SAVED YOUR PRECIOUS QUEEN OF FIRE."

After that we made haste for the horses and discussed what we were going to say to everyone. We decided not to tell anyone anything about what happened in the cave.

We told everyone that there should be no more attacks whatever or why Orochi did that it was to lure Drasta to the cave, I believe. We told them it is safe to start rebuilding. Drasta and I now knew we would have to wait for whatever Orochi was planning.”

Momo looks between the two of them. “Did you find out?”

Drasta said, “Yes eventually and it did help with what eventually happened up north.” Both Tatsuo and Drasta look at each other with sorrow.” Momo knew at that moment not to press further.



Story by MaxPd and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

they ride for two more days and Drasta looks over at Momo. "Would you like to hear the tales of when Miwa learned about Siora's birth and when Tatsuo did?"

Momo laughs, "I'm always interested in births. Go on Drasta."

the Besshikime begins her tale:

Three months go by. Early summer this year still has a cool northern breeze coming down off the mountains to cool the grand city of Dojyu. In the hills above the capital at Miwa’s ranch, all are having breakfast. Tatsuo is gone learning how to rule the small fishing village his father oversees for his daimyo many days travel to the north-west.

Miwa’s husband sits at the head of the table. Miwa sits beside him. Both are in their 60s now and spend many hours watching, talking and counseling the girls within the unit that come in to eat at different times as per their training schedule. Drasta sits beside Miwa always watching for trouble, calmly waiting for the moment someone tries to assassinate her matron. She never lets her guard down. It is after all her station to protect Miwa even with her own life if necessary.

As hummingbirds make their way in and out Miwa is enjoying a bowl of miso soup. She notices something and stares at Drasta. The Onna-bugeshia watches everything the elf does with the oddest look on her face. Drasta notices but keeps eating like a ravenous wolf.

Miwa stops eating for a moment then stands and bows to all the company, “Excuse me but I must talk to Drasta for a few moments. Could the rest of you leave for about 10 minutes?” Most leave but her husband who has been ignoring her. She gives him a look. He vacates quickly with a jelly roll in his mouth and several in his hands. Once everyone leaves and closes the door Miwa sits back down.

She swirls the liquid in the soup for around a moment then stares at Drasta again. “Who did it?”

Drasta swallows a bite of her cinnamon roll and asks, “Did what, my lady?”

Miwa spoons a bite of soup. After she is done, she says, “Drasta you’re putting salt on a cinnamon pastry. Who did it?”

Drasta looks down then up at her matron. “You will not be mad, yes?”

“If it was my husband his head shall be sharing this table with us in 5 minutes. We can share his balls after they’ve been fried.”

Drasta almost laughs, “It was not him. I would do no such thing to you.”

Miwa nods, “If not my husband, then who?”

The elf sighs taking a moment watching Miwa spoon more of her soup, “Your grandson.”

Miwa chokes on her soup and blows a mouthful of it out through her nose all over the table, “Tatsuo!”

Drasta nods, “Yes, Miwa that would be him.”

Miwa wipes her dripping nose and starts to laugh, “Of all the men in the world it was Tatsuo that flipped you.” She shakes her head and stares at the ceiling.

Drasta shakes her head. “No not flipped, there is a reason to this and she will be wonderful”

“Well now. You are off duty for the next 7 or 8 months. I don’t want to see you in any fights. At all! Until your child is born. No fights, no practice, be a girl for a little bit of time.”

“I do not know how to do that.”

Miwa smiles evilly, “I'm still going to tell all my friends that Tatsuo flipped you. Just to see the looks on their faces."

Drasta chuckles, “The look on their faces.”

“Oh, you don’t? One moment.”

Drasta asks, “Would you like to…” and gestures over her stomach but Miwa is already up and walking to the door.

She comments as she leaves, “After I do something. I would love to." She walks out of the room and comes in 3 minutes later. With her is Tatsuo's older sister, Miyuke who is twenty-three. She’s not a hummingbird but is visiting. Drasta watches them both enter.

Miwa starts to smile then laughs again, not being able to get the words out. Then she calms herself down. “"Miyuke, Tatsuo Ummm… Drasta is pregnant and Tatsuo is the father. It's.......Miwa giggles... Its.... Theres a problem in that its Drasta's first child and being a fighter all her life she really doesn't know much so I want you to watch over her and teach her to........enjoy herself as a girl so to speak. And if she looks like she’s going to get into a fight have your husband restrain her.... somehow. Maybe a feather on the in-seam of her foot or something." Miwa bursts out with laughter again.

Miyuke goes wide eyed. "Tatsuo! That little whore! He probably already has a dozen kids he doesn’t even know about!"

Miwa laughs again Well my besshikime chose well: Someone with experience so young, and with so much vigor."

Drasta shakes her head looking for something else to eat. “You tease me.”

Miyake’s eyes squinch up, "Of course we are. It is wonderful Drasta, but no one would have ever figured, well you and if you not little Tatsuo." Miwa walks over and gives Drasta a tight hug.

Drasta smiles and nods, “Guess there is no longer a reason to keep hiding it now.”

"Now the most important thing in your life is that little baby inside you. You will stay with Miyuke and her husband until the little one is born. A few months after you should be ready to return to your duties partially when not caring for him or her." Miwa states.

Drasta frowns, “I do not like the idea of being so far from you.”

Miwa shakes her head and laughs, “Drasta I'm surrounded by hummingbirds."

The elf sighs, “I will do as asked but I do not like it.”

“One of them can assume your duties for the time you are with Miyuke. Like I said, the most important thing in your life at this moment is your baby."

Miwa's husband sticks his head in the door, "Can we come back in now?"

Miwa nods and says, "Everyone can come in now. Drasta is going to have a baby."

Her husband drops his cup of tea and says, "No! Drasta?" Then he asks, "Who did it?"

Miwa says, "Your grandson, Tatsuo. Now I'm going to feel for the little one."

Drasta salts another sweet roll and starts eating it watching the cup fall then Miwa’s husband says, “Damn it Miwa! I want my chance too! And I need to congratulate the only man that could talk Drasta into sleeping with him. Tatsuo! I want to know his secret." Miwa looks over at him. Whatever look she gave him made him stutter step. “I’m just saying Miwa… darling.”

Miwa just sighs, "Get over here old man and feel for the baby. Your great grand something."

He walks over. "It's not going to have horns, is it?" Miwa punches him in the shoulder.

Drasta chuckles, “No, I do not think so.”

Everyone starts to file in and the only talk now is about how Tatsuo nailed Drasta and how wonderful it will be to have a new member of the family. Drasta lets them have the time not correcting any with their thoughts and looking to Miwa. She pats Drasta on the shoulder and beams. Drasta looks up at her and says, “Will speak with you after the birth on what this child can be.” While smiling.


Story by MaxPd and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

The trail becomes quiet; no one speaks for several days as the humdrum of travel takes over until the 4 of them hit a sizable northern town. It looks like a fire had ripped through half of it several years ago and the homes are slowly being rebuilt. Momo leads them to a large manor in the center of town and they walk in.

There is a 12-year-old young man surrounded by advisors looking at drawings. He looks up from his studies. Tatsuo, Drasta and Momo bow to him. Tatsuo is the one who speaks. “Lord Tohiki. We have come to pay our respects.”

The young Daimyo recognizes the group, “Lord Uesuki, A pleasure. How has the road treated you, Momo?”

“No troubles, Brother. Where is Hisoka?”

“She is where she usually is these days, Momo.” The young Daimyo studies Drasta and Tatsuo. “Lord Tatsuo. As you can see, we are rebuilding from that fateful day of the attack. My sister Hisoka was gravely wounded. I have petitioned your own Daimyo to have you take her as your consort, that is if this can be arranged properly. Due to your actions at the battle and the severity of her wounds a dowry is unnecessary though it would be appreciated. If given it will help to rebuild this very town.

The young man hesitates. A moment then continues, “During the attack she was lanced by a piece of bamboo from the side of one of the buildings. My sister is lucky to be alive but cannot have children. She is well trained in the dealings of small courts and will serve you well as an advisor if all accept the proposition.”

Tatsuo bows, “I will consider the proposition though if my Daimyo demands I will of course accept such a proposal, Lord Tohiki.”

The young lord nods, “I have had to grow up fast and have blueprints and city structuring to consider as you can see. You are welcome to stay in the manor for the number of days you wish to stay as my personal guests.”

Tatsuo nods, “Thank you, Lord.” He bows and the lord recognizes him. Momo leads them outside and slowly walks to the graveyard.

They go to the local inn and rent rooms. They eat together then Tatsuo goes and sits by the large fireplace contemplating the last time he was in the city. Drasta and Momo eventually join him. He looks at them. “We didn’t know until we came back here the second time. If we any of us had known, it would have been sooner. Drasta warned us of course. No one paid attention until it was too late.”

Drasta nods. “I was away two months in southern Kozakura. Miyuki held me hostage for 9 months until I had the baby and she could travel.”

Tatsuo smiles, “In Drasta’s case quite necessary but easier from what I heard than when my grandmother was pregnant.”

Drasta chuckles, “I came back the spring of next year with baby Siora in my arms. Miwa fawned over her for days when she saw her. In fact, every time Miwa held our baby girl in her arms she looked like she had dropped a few years of worry off her face. I would tell her she was her gift and I see great things in her future. Miwa would always comment something like, “She is beautiful, Beautiful Siora, maybe one day you will join our troop.”

At one of those points when I knew Siora was happiest I asked something of her. I told her, “I have thought on this deeply....I know it is against the ways but I wish for her to choose when she is older who her mate is.”

She furrowed her brows and said, “You are right that is not our way. If she was a peasant yes of course things could be ironed out. But Drasta she is Tatsuo's daughter. She will be a noble in a minor house. That is Tatsuo's right to choose her husband if Tatsuo dies before he chooses, then her Daimyo. Lord Uesuki's."

This comes from the west.” Drasta pauses and looks at Tatsuo.

Tatsuo frowns, “As much as I love Siora and am fawned of Drasta, I cannot give up my parental rights as a father. Nobles have a duty. Siora being noble has a duty to the country when she grows up too.”

Momo sees a small amount of tension has filled the room, but Drasta continues the story, “ I told her, “This I understand...But she is half fey; I am not sure if that would make her appealing for any bloodline. Many may see me in her and be afraid of mixing whether or not she was given to them. She will be a dangerous warrior like you but in that danger, there will be something that many fear. I have already given her a second name as I feel in her it will be true...Hakai.”

Miwa obviously did not like the name she told me, “An odd name especially for a girl. ominous. I will do what I can. I will speak to Daimyo Uesuki and his sons and separately Tatsuo. If they relinquish their rights, then perhaps a contract can be made. Of course, an appropriate dowry should be offered. Basically, a bribe."

I gave her a bow firmly to the floor and said, “Thank you my lady.” I felt appreciative that she would go beyond tradition for me, and I felt some relief that she was willing to try dealing with it.”

Drasta looks away a moment then speaks again, “I offered 5 million ryo to both Daimyo Uesuki and Tatsuo. Miwa came back to me a month later and said, “The daimyo is willing to relinquish his rights and has been paid. The contract is being prepared. Tatsuo refuses though."

I asked if it would help if I were to speak to him. She told me, “Miwa thinks a long moment and shakes her head. "He's a lawyer, Drasta and understands the full implications and fine print and I believe he was a bit infuriated at the very thought of relinquishing his gods' given rights. You have to remember just how much honor the family has gained over the years. Even if Tatsuo is a minor noble, he has considerable honor and respect across the northern clans. Not giving away his first-born daughter is unthinkable to him. Still, you will have a contract with the clan after the money is transferred and the contract is signed.”

I was surprised, perhaps I should not have been and answered, “Maybe in time he will see....I hope... Thank you for what you have done for me.... Not me...It is for her.” I still have hope”

Tatsuo says, “It’s not that simple Drasta. You should have known better than to try.” Momo seems to agree with him.

Drasta shakes her head at that as if she quite doesn’t get it. “Anyway, I told her that I should take her to him even if he’s angry at me. She is his daughter.

Miwa told me he would be back to train in two months. I nodded to her and with a straight face holding Siora and feeding her. “It will give him time to think.” Siora was feeding like she never will again at the time for some reason.

Two months went by. I did get the contract from the Uesuki clan. Tatsuo came back and immediately wanted to see Siora. I was feeding her again at the time and looked up. I swear he turned to blubber as soon as he saw her. He was 17 and more a man than when I last saw him. Much more serious. Even his yes had changed from both the rigors of court and his father’s training on running a village.

I said in a soft voice. “You’ve returned once more.”

He said, “Aye always training these days." He smiled and took her up when offered cooing and playing with her fingers. "Hello Siora, it’s your father at long last to come see you. Don’t worry, little one. I'll always be watching over you."

I smiled softly pulling my black and gold kimono back on my shoulders with a nod saying, “I hope you have been learning much.”

He nodded to me, “I had to behead two of my clients for lying to me. There are some days I hate my job as a lawyer. but it is what it is."

“We all make difficult choices in what we do. I am happy to see you holding her.” I said.”

Tatsuo smiles, “And I have kept that commitment when I could.”

Drasta nods, “He smiled at me. I saw Miwa in the background watching, while speaking to her husband. That is when we were interrupted by a Hummingbird that was guarding the gate. She passed us and went straight to Miwa and her husband saying, “The emperor is here unannounced and with a very small retinue of wu-jen and priests."

I looked to Miwa directly then to Tatsuo. He looked mystified as well. Miwa and her husband took it in stride, but you could see it was obviously a surprise to them as well.

I asked if I should get my armor and other blades. Miwa shook her head and said, “Your first priority is to baby, Siora until she's at least a toddler. But you are welcome to stand beside me Drasta." Miwa, her husband and Tatsuo start to make for the front door. I took the baby from Tatsuo’s arms and went to stand beside Miwa.

The emperor was waiting out in the yard by the front door with his retinue behind him. There are also a dozen samurai there for his protection. The family comes and and the rules are reversed for him. After all he is a living breathing god. They bow to him and he recognizes them. I bowed holding the baby in my arms. He said, “There is little time for honorifics. Please may we convene inside?"

Miwa’s husband spoke, “Of course Emperor. This way."

We go back to the main room. It becomes somewhat close. A Wu-jen places a box about 2 ft long and 18 inches wide and 8 inches high on the table. The emperor says, "I have some dire news. Several companies of samurai have been slaughtered in a Northern Provence, and a town has been destroyed." He looks around. "The rest I would like to speak about in private with Lord Hojo and his wife." Miwa's husband and Miwa nodded and turned to their bedroom. The emperor followed along with two samurai.

I waited for Miwa’s sign. She did not give it to me to follow her. In fact, she made no sign to anyone in the room. I closed my eyes and tried to listen to what they were saying. The Emperor, Miwa and her husband are gone a full 45 minutes. At one point Miwa's husband becomes irate and starts yelling at the emperor but I could not quite make out what he was saying. It dies down, quickly. Meanwhile a priest opened the box and draws out a large potion. The bottle that contains it seems like a clear bottle. The potion inside looked amber and in the center of the bottle was a beating heart.

My ears perked up of course. I looked at the bottle in curiosity. I knew it had to be very rare. I asked the priest, “what is this heart?”

One of the Wu-jen answered me. He said, “We do not know. A trusted advisor of the emperor himself gave it to him. a shaman by the name of Rochio."

I almost shouted, “Fuck!” I studied the heart for a moment looking over it carefully. It looked like a small heart from something the size of a hare or raccoon dog and it was still beating. It took me a while to figure it out because I had never seen this potion before, but I had heard about it in the distant past. It is called an Elixir of Youth.

I looked at the wu-jen. “This! Orochi gave this?”

He looked at me queerly, “Orochi?”

I huffed holding Siora closer, “That one that gave is not to be trusted.” The wu-jen said nothing after that.

The emperor, Miwa and the rest came back in. You could tell by the way Miwa's husband is side eyeing the emperor that if he had a sword, he would use it on him. Miwa goes straight to the box. "Is this it?"

The emperor nodded, "You have to drink the whole of it as one for it to be completely effective."

I watched every move that everyone was making in the room. I was in fear for Miwa’s life. She nodded and took the bottle up. As she tipped it to her mouth the heart disappeared. She drank it down completely and fell to the ground in pain. She started to tremor and spasm but as she did the years melted off her. She lost 15 years in but a minute. Her body stopped shaking and she slowly got up.

I immediately moved to her side watching but did not touch her. He husband helped her up as the emperor exclaimed, “You will have unlimited resources, Miwa. Once last battle for your country. As I said you are the only one, I know, that can do this."

Miwa nods to him but her husband wasn’t done by a long shot. “This is insane! Let the hummingbirds...."

The emperor cut him off, "NO! I will not lose one more samurai or Onna-bugeisha. The shaman said she can do this. She will!"

I placed Siora in her husband’s arms and stepped forward next to my lady, “Where she fights, I will be by her side.”

Miwa looked at me with saddened eyes. I knew she was given some impossible task, “Take care of Baby Siora when you are ready watch over Takara. I have much to do over the next few months."

Her husband said, “Apologies Emperor but if you are done here, please leave. I would like to spend some time with my wife." It was definitely more an order than a request. The emperor nodded slowly. His retinue and himself left after proper honorifics.

I almost screamed it, “Orochi set this up!”

Miwa sighed, “Most likely but the emperor has spoken."

I pledged, “I will not let you go alone into this… Even if I must leave the baby with someone to care for her.”

Miwa said, “I have given you my orders, Drasta.” And with that She and her husband left the room.

I stood there huffing holding Siora closer looking at Tatsuo. He whispered to me, “She hasn’t given me any orders and if you are my bodyguard well… Then you have to do your job, don’t you, Drasta. But first we must find out what my dear grandmother is up to.

[Winterhawk99]

Drasta takes a drink and looks at Tatsuo before finishing the next part of her story. Momo looks between them, “Will having a consort cause trouble?”

Drasta smiles, “I am so used to the nobility of these lands now… I know Tatsuo will be assigned a consort soon. I have prepared myself for that day.”

She takes another drink then speaks, “Miwa now looking in her late 40s pawns me off on Takara. I was almost devastated. We had already gone through so much together. For some reason she didn’t want me around. At night she stayed with her husband behind closed doors. For the next two weeks she took her two biggest Percheron studs and literally raced them, until they would no longer move. She did that every day.

After two weeks of almost constant riding, she gets ready to go to the city. She doesn’t tell anyone what she was doing. She just starts to head off, journal in hand. I confronted her. She told me to stay with Takara.

I asked her, “Will you tell me when you are ready why you are doing this?”

She gave me this odd smile I know when there is something wrong, “I can't Drasta. Stay with Takara. She will assign you a duty. I have to go to the city for several days."

I said, “Of course, my lady… I just want to know you are protected.” She told me she would be fine. Then I said, “I will wait and be given whatever task is given. I will also wait for your return.” She nodded and left on her percheron. I watched her go thinking to myself, ‘She will get noticed on that beast especially fully armed.’

I sought out Tatsuo so he could spend time with Siora and myself. I knew he was practicing some maneuvers with the older women. Takara stopped me and said, “Where is Miwa?”

I told her that Miwa left on one of the percherons. That she was armed but not in armor. She said that she will be there for several days. Takara furrowed her brows and said, “The percherons are pretty big for a woman her age, Drasta... Why are you not there? She might fall."

She did not want me to come and directed me to have you give me a task. I am worried there is a task the emperor gave her, but she will not tell me what it is. Orochi sent with them a potion that reduced her age this I know. There is a game being played, more than I can explain. I could do my tricks and try to pry the information if it placed somewhere but she knows I can do this and will not have left traces.” I told her.

Takara was not pleased. She huffed while watching the engagement until it was over. Then she called out, “DRAGONFLY GET OVER HERE!”

He came over on his own horse, “Yes, commander?”

She told him straight up, “I want you to accompany Drasta and spy on your grandmother. She's gone to Dojyu."

He asked her, “Won’t the imperial spies notice we are spying on her? Wait a minute you know about this too?”

"Of course, I do. Well at least that the emperor was here and obviously gave Grandmother some dangerous imperial tasks. Which begs the question, why am I the last one to know? Well can you do this or not?”

I told her, “I have been unseen in the palace before. I know I can do it again but, I am unsure of Tatsuo.”

The commander thought a bit then told the two of us, “Disguise yourselves as Eta butchers or leatherworkers. wear hats and keep your face down. No one will know who you are unless you're trailing her. No one wants to associate with an eta."

Tatsuo nodded, "We can watch her from a distance and go the next day to where she's gone to find out as much as we can without raising suspicion. But how do we find her?" He muses.

Takara sighed and looked at me like there is no help for man, “Are you kidding me? she's riding the biggest fucking horse in Kozakura, and you don't think you can find her?"

I chuckled, “I can find her anywhere she goes. You forget I am a fey and have magic.”

Tatsuo laughed half at himself, "Ok all we need are some eta rags and big hats........... and a rubber ducky for when we rest at a teahouse."

I asked Takara if Someone will take care of Siora while we were gone. But she was stupefied for a minute she asked Tatsuo, “Er, What!”

Tatsuo just shrugged and said, “I don’t know the girls are infatuated with it.”

I smacked him on the shoulder with a serious look. “This is not a play date.”

Takara looked around and called for another hummingbird saying, “She can’t feed herself. I’ll find a wet nurse among the hummingbirds. That sound good, Drasta?”

I said there was some of my milk preserved in the home if she does not take to them. Takara nodded and said, “Then you have your mission. Your off duty here for as long as is takes.”

I look at Tatsuo and say, “We can take my way, or we can use the horses.”

Takara looks at me and says, “No horses. You are eta.”

I sucked in my breath and said, “Then we will appear from the forest outside of the city.”

Takara then smiled at me, “Now you are thinking.”

I then asked for proper clothing and hats. Tatsuo retrieved some simple blood-soaked tunics from the training barn. It wasn’t like we didn’t have lots of them. He also managed to find some dirty aprons from the help. Takara mentioned, “Both of you make sure you are completely subservient otherwise it will break your cover even to a peasant...” She looks at him with narrowed eyes and said, “Tatsuo!"

I said, “Of course we will.” We went and changed then met back up with Takara.

The first thing Tatsuo says was, “I’m ready… Have to remember all the stops…”

Takara got agitated with that, "NO TEAHOUSES! YOU ARE E... T… A.! Do you need something heavy and blunt, Drasta?"

I told her, “I think my hands will do enough. If not, I have my hidden blades.

I had to laugh when she said, “He needs to have more children. Heavy and blunt is much better and you can beat the living stupid out of him."

I think Tatsuo rolled his eyes and asked, “Who is the lord here anyway?” I balled my fist looking at him with daggers, “No teahouses or you will not hold your daughter for months!”

Takara affirmed and said, “In fact make sure you sleep on the streets.” I nodded to her”

Tatsuo laughs. I think I said something like, “Alright, alright but I’m going to need a vacation after this. Besides I love little Siora. She adds so much sunshine in my life after being around........... ah forget it I'm ready. That’s when Drasta put her hand on my shoulder and we were whisked away on a teleportation spell to the edge of town in the woods.

[Winterhawk99]

The next morning Tatsuo and Drasta come downstairs from their room Momo is there to greet them. The morning air is pleasant and dry up in the mountains this summer. The sun is shining through the windows of the Ryokan (inn) making the common room bright and pleasant. Momo bows, “I have something to show the two of you after you have broken your fast.”

All three sit down for a breakfast of grilled chicken, steamed rice, pickles and miso soup. Tatsuo obviously loves the miso soup as he is slurping it loudly as he eats. They spend an hour eating a full breakfast.

Afterward Momo takes them to the graveyard. Both Drasta and Tatsuo are appalled at the number of newer graves there. It did not surprise them but still seeing it for themselves is very different from knowing. Momo leads them to a bigger grave where there is a 16-year-old girl praying over it. There is incense burning and food offered. Momo softly calls out “Sister.”

Her sister looks up stands and bows deeply to Tatsuo. He recognizes her. “Greetings. Hisoka, I take it?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Tatsuo says, “Please continue we did not mean to disturb you from your meditations.”

Hisoka nods, “My Father and mother. They… They fought bravely if very briefly so that many in the town could escape the rampage.”

Momo says, “Tatsuo and Drasta were telling me the story of their… his grandmother. The heroine that saved us. Would you like to hear?”

Hisoka looks back to the grave and then to Tatsuo and Drasta, “I think we would all like to hear.”

Tatsuo looks around, “I am sorry for your loss, Hisoka. Can you see them?”

Hisoka looks down to the ground then back up to him. “I am also sorry for yours. I cannot see them no. I can feel their presence.”

Momo adds, “We believe Hisoka has the talent for shamanistic practice but was never trained nor chosen.”

Hisoka steps away a bit, “I have never heard the whole of the tale and where are my manners. Please sit with us, lord Uesuki and…”

Drasta smiles, “Drasta. I was Lady Miwa’s besshikime and I owe loyalty to her bloodline.”

Tatsuo smiles, “Let us pay our own respects and we will join the two of you.”

Hisoka nods and sits down. Momo sits beside her and holds her hand. Tatsuo takes from his pack 4 sticks of incense and a peach He gives two sticks to drasta. They light the sticks together then blow them out, placing them in the holder then Tatsuo places the peach in the offering bowl. The two pray for some minutes before they both bow and walk over to the sisters sitting down opposite of them.

Tatsuo looks over at drasta then says, “I guess it’s my turn. I will tell you the tale as if I was back there doing it all over again. When we left off, we were going to spy on my grandmother as she was getting ready for her journey. She went to Dojyu to get what she needed.


We arrived outside the gates of the city in some woods nearby…

Drasta nods to Tatsuo making sure they are both properly covered, “Remember what we are asked to do and if you think you cannot I will do what I can.”

Tatsuo affirms, “I can do this.”

“Alright. Let’s get this done.”

They walk up to the gate, and the samurai guards become acutely aware of the two of them. A samurai stops the pair. Tatsuo immediately goes to his knees and puts his head to the ground. Drasta follows his lead. The Samurai shouts. "What do we have here? Do you even have travel papers?"

Tatsuo says, "Masamune my lord and my wife Yukari from that village of Narai-Juku looking for work as Butchers my lord." He slowly takes some papers from the inside of his belt and holds them up with his head still on the ground.

The samurai doesn't even look at the papers, "You stink. Don't cause any trouble, you two low lives.” They move quickly through the gate. Drasta gives him a gentle nod as they pass.

Tatsuo scans the entrance quickly. “Where too next? the city has almost a million people in its walls."

“I believe she will be moments behind us. We traveled faster than her horse could.” Drasta answers.

“So, we wait?”

“Yes, but out of site. We will need to look like something more like what we are not.” Drasta explains. Tatsuo goes along the gate area shops and buys three braces of dead chickens. and then walks in back of the stands. He kneels by a building and looks like he is inspecting them. Drasta follows along with him directly. After about 30 minutes Miwa rides by on her horse she's headed to the tradesman part of city. They watch but keep their heads down listening.

Miwa goes down the road headed for the opposite end of the city. Drasta helps Tatsuo stay quiet as the weave in and out being unseen but not suspicious. They stay a couple of blocks behind so that no one will suspect they are following the magistrate. Drasta keeps an eye on the alleyways in case they have to retreat quickly.

They watch Miwa wander to the outskirts of the city where the horses and horse paraphilia are bought and sold. She stops at a place that sells wagons. She comes out a half hour later pulling a large wagon that’s about 12 ft. long and 6 foot wide. She heads to the docks.

There she stops at several western ship stalls. They see her putting some form of hide, metal and long logs in the cart from several different western stalls; Along with lots of leather. Drasta whispers to Tatsuo. “She is preparing for a journey where it may be cold.” Tatsuo nods back to her.

Miwa goes back to the upper city and through the gates; now that it’s getting evening time, but the two of them are stopped at the gate. The samurai that stops them says, “Get back vermin this place is not for your kind.”

Drasta steps back and steps away with apologies bowing to the floor. Tatsuo follows her lead. The go down to the docks. There is an area of homeless people there. Tatsuo starts a fire and butchers the chicken he bought. Another eta comes up to the two of them. “Careful they patrol this place. make sure everything is cooked and eaten before they start to roam."

Drasta says, “Of course.” She nods, not revealing her face.

Tatsuo asks, “Family territory?”

The Eta confirms, “Yea they try to loan to the more desperate or try to buy daughters for the dock brothels occasionally. Sometimes offering jobs to those healthy enough. You two look pretty healthy butchers is it. Yea go to them if you need work. They all have dark red colored scarves."

Drasta says, “Thank you.”

Tatsuo asks, “Inagawa clan?”

The eta nods, “How did you know that?”

Tatsuo looks around, “Just a guess.” The Eta quickly shuffles off somewhat suspicious of the two.

Drasta gives Tatsuo an eye, “You need to be more careful.”

He nods, “I’ve represented some eta from this area last year.”

They keep their heads down as night envelops them and more patrols come along, both Samurai and Yakuza. They sleep near the beach.

In the morning Drasta asks, “If you want, we can be birds and get where we want?”

Tatsuo looks around. “In a city this size? We need to do this the old-fashioned way."

“We will not be able to enter palace grounds as we are.”

Tatsuo nods. Let's save that. Where do you think she will go next? Wait she has to come out of the upper gate."

“We need to keep an eye on the grounds...” Nodding, “Eyes on that.”

The two of them rush up to the upper gate. After an hour Miwa comes out with her wagon and goes to the leather district. There she wanders just outside the city to a sizable tanning operation. Drasta and Tatsuo linger along the entrance of the closest ally trying to look like beggars.

A man comes out to meet her. A man they recognize from a court case years ago. Miwa and the owner of the leather factory go to the back of the cart and she pulls out several hides. One of these hides looks absolutely huge and have dull brownish red scales. it's definitely reptilian. The other is really thick and grey. She opens a large book that she has and is discussing with the man what's in the book. The man takes a quill and writes and draws in it. They go over it for 15 minutes the quill changing hands several times. Finally, she gives him the book and hides. He bows to her. She recognizes him and hands him a large pouch of coin.

Tatsuo and Drasta are too far away to hear but they watch carefully. Miwa and the man seem to be talking in a soft and friendly manner. After Miwa leaves with her cart the pair stay in the ally for several minutes before trailing her path again. Miwa heads to the upper city again.

Near the upper gate the pair stop Drasta keeps her voice low and says, “It is a problem if she keeps going to the upper districts, but we can try to follow.”

Tatsuo looking at the gate says, “Alright, let’s find a secluded spot and change.”

They find an old alleyway down the road where there seems to be no one around so Drasta can change them into birds using her sword. Tatsuo chuckles softly, “We could turn into bats. There is an old, old, very old legend of a bat hengeyokai that terrorized Renkyu. I think it was some generations before I was born." Tatsuo snickers.

Drasta sneers, “I can only do the raven form. Otherwise, that would be intriguing.”

They turn into ravens and eventually find not Miwa but the horse and cart along the side of Shin’s artificer shop. Drasta finds a window where they can see into the place. They pick at the wood on the window seal as if pecking for grubs. Meanwhile they watch the interior of the shop.

They see Miwa and Shin going over several diagrams. Drasta can see the diagrams as they are going back and forth. The designs seem to be for some really unknown stuff in the area. One diagram shows a Heavy western sectional war lance. Another a lance rest. The tip of the lance looks different, but Drasta can't quite make it out. Miwa also buys several bundles of arrows from him. She has stacks of wood and metal that she brought in the metal is definitely adamantine, they can’t tell what the wood is. Drasta brushes her beak on Tatsuo’s making him look at the transaction. He can see the exchange but cannot see what it’s about.

Shin’s family gets to work on the designs Miwa has immediately. She takes out over a dozen small bars of platinum and counts them sliding them Shin’s way. Miwa leaves the establishment to go to a villa near the palace set up for visiting dignitaries. Drasta knows the place very well.

Drasta nuzzles Tatsuo meaning for him to follow Miwa. He flies off to the villa. Miwa goes inside and doesn’t leave it. Drasta flies down to Shin’s door and peeks at it as hard as she can. One of Shin’s daughters opens it. Drasta flies on the room landing on Shin’s shoulder brushing his ear.

He freaks out a little bit waving his hands. “What the!” Her eyes flash at him and she lands again gesturing to the schematic with her foot and nudging the side of his had quietly cawing.

“OH! Drasta! Your magistrate was just here.” She gestures at the designs again.

“It’s the craziest thing. She wants me to hollow out these ash logs and design a three-section pole then fill it with molten adamantine then put a spear head made of ice that's glass-steeled and make them explode after she skewers whatever with it. I'll have to use those shrimps again on the inside of the ice. She wouldn't say what. it is a challenging design. And this hook design she wants to add to her armor it is strange."

Drasta climbs on to his head staring into his eyes and nods. He goes over to the door and opens it. “Ok, well, out the door we go.” She fluffs her feathers and flies out with a look do not speak of this.

He waves, “OK?”

[Winterhawk99]

Tatsuo stops and looks around in a meditative daze. His sorrow is apparent from being in this place again and surrounded by the victims. That’s the only sign he shows of his depression, his face a mask of neutrality that samurai learn at a young age. Drasta takes his hand and says, “I will continue for a while. I think the last of it should be said at the shrine that is in the quarry.”

“I soared into the sky a moment pinpointing Tatsuo. He was on a tree branch watching the villa. I landed next to him and pushed my body against him. I knew the spell was waning and saw that nothing was happening inside. I let him rest a while until we needed to go. We flew back to the alley and transformed again. I said, “I will not be able to do that until I rest for some time.

We went back to the homeless encampment to suffer the Samurai patrols and Yakuza. Several times Tatsuo had to offer a few silver pieces to a samurai or yakuza so the two of us were not harassed.
For the next two days Miwa didn’t come out of the upper district. On the third day she did in full armor. She seemed to be making rounds to several Samurai schools.

Late on the third day she went to a shine dedicated to the Earth Dragon. She talked to the shaman and monks there for several hours. Afterward, she unsheathed the Edge of Thunder and laid it on the altar. The shamans performed a ceremony on it.

Neither I nor Tatsuo knew what was being performed on the wakizashi, but we new that a high priestess was heading the event. Miwa goes back to the villa that night and we went back to the homeless encampment. That’s when we had the encounter.”

Drasta sighs for a moment. “As long as I live here, I just cannot get completely used to authority and especially the abuse of authority though this wasn’t so bad.” She pauses then continues with her story.

I was coming out of revelry when there came a tap on my shoulder. It was the local magistrate taping his Sai on me. I look to him immediately and ask, “Yes?”

"Now what do we have here? Drasta the besshikime and Uesuki Tatsuo? What are you two doing here?" he then smirks at me. “Hojo Miwa has been lingering in town apparently shopping, praying and challenging every head of every dojo and certainly not working. Somethings up and you two are involved? And she seems so much younger. Now there’s also a mystery how did her hair start to suddenly color?"

Tatsuo still laying on the ground, opened one eye and said, “We are simply working on a case.”

The magistrate laughed, then his face turned serious, "I'm not that stupid Tatsuo."

I reached under my clothes and tossed him a pouch of gold, “You did not see us, but you will tell what you know.”

He squatted down until he was on our level. “That’s what I’m trying to find out. What’s going on?”

I told him it wasn’t his business and asked him what his cost was to look away. He frowned at me and slid the pouch back. “Do not take me for a fool and do not include me in your besshikime intrigue. I simply asked what was going on. If you do not tell me I will find out on my own."

I said, “That is what I am trying to learn myself… She has not told me.”

Tatsuo then lent me his aid, “Whatever it is its high imperial business and that’s what we are also trying to figure out."

I added, “The emperor has told her something that is far beyond even you it may be best to keep out of it....Give me authorization to go where we need.”

That’s when magistrate grumbled, "Then the two of you know nothing either. That's bad. Alright then. I am sure I will see you in court again Tatsuo. Remember that."

And Tatsuo’s balls come out. He said more than asked, “Is that a threat?”

The man retorted, “Oh no but you better be on your best toes when you defend your next client Tatsuo."

I look at the magistrate and tell him, “You threaten him and you will not have a head if you are not careful.

The magistrate didn’t take it well. He told me, “Careful Drasta, you are still a peasant, and your lady isn’t here to defend you... legally that is." I growled at him then looked at Tatsuo.

Tatsuo was getting quite irritated too. He said, “Damn it! Sukari! We don't know anything."

The magistrate then looked out to the ocean and said, “Alright then you two be on your best behavior looking like that. I don't want a string of killings down here I can't figure out."

That’s when I smirked and said, “Keep your men away and don’t interfere.” He threw his hands up and walked off.

Miwa stayed in the villa for several more days then went back to the leather worker. She talked to him for about 20 minutes. Then she gave him a large bag of coins. He and his men bought out two grey saddles and something Tatsuo didn’t recognize but I did. It was two sets of full-scale horse barding.

After that she again stopped at shins loading up the sections of heavy lances and had the lance rest sewn into her armor just below her right shoulder. She started for the gate and out of the city, but before she did, she went to the farm market and bought 5, 50 lb. bags of raw cloves.

We trailed and watched her do all of this. As Miwa goes out of the city gate we go back to the woods and teleport back home, so we are there when she arrives. She comes home and ignores almost everyone but Siora and her husband. They sit in the garden together in the afternoon and after dinner they often go to the shrine together holding hands a lot. At night they keep everyone away from their room.

After a week she gets ready to go again, saddling up both percherons and connecting the wagon. She comes inside to pick up her bags. I had to confront her.

I come up to her and ask, “You are not going to tell me?”

"There is something I must do, Drasta and that only I can do. I won't have dead hummingbirds spread across a field. It's doubtful I will be coming back. I'm the only one that can fight this and even have a small chance for survival. Stay with Takara."

“Then we are going with you. I do not leave you unprotected.”

"NO! I won’t have your blood on my hands. Do your duty. Protect Takara. She is your lady now."

I shook my head, “No!”

“That’s an order!”

“I have seen what you are doing. You are going north to the white dragon.”

Miwa shook her head and looked at me with such a sad face which was something she rarely did. “It’s not a white dragon, Drasta. It’s a red and by the description an Old Wyrm. Stay here. That is a direct order.”

I was stunned. In all my reading of the western legends no one had ever challenged an old wyrm red and survived. It was something that took dozens of adventurers working in careful concert to kill. It was a death sentence. I stuttered, “You cannot discard my oath so easily. You know I cannot do this.”

“You keep your oath Drasta by protecting Takara and there is Siora to worry for. You are a mother now. Do your duty for this family and do your duty for your daughter. Now, stand down.”

I huffed hard and deeply, remarking, “You are not the only one who wants to protect loved ones. I want to help you in any measure.” Still, I could see she was not going to budge. I said, “It does not matter I will follow you regardless because Takara will order it and you know this. Shin made you weapons to fight the red.”

“Takara doesn’t know what I am doing. As far as Shin yes, he did make these special weapons. Do you not remember I won the jousting competition on the Island of Thain after picking up a lance for the first time."

I shouted at her, “This is something more than that!” I got angry filling the room in shadows. “What are you doing! I want to know! You are her grandmother! She needs you when I cannot five her the emotions she needs…”

“This is imperial business directly from the emperor, Dasta. We are done here.”

I huffed with a growl and nodded to her. It was no use. I knew from a friendship forged in battle that she was set on doing this.

The next day she left. Tatsuo, her husband and I were on the porch. He folded his arms in front of his chest watching her leave. Takara finding out. Probably from Tatsuo refused to join us. He husband looks at Tatsuo then to me and said, “I don't want my wife to die alone. As lord of this family, I order you two to follow her. Do not let her see you. I mean it. Only act after she is finished killing this monster. I mean that too. Wait an hour and follow her. I believe you know where she is headed already."

Tatsuo bowed to him. I place Siora in the large man’s arms. “Be a good grandfather to her in case I do not return, yes?” I then look into his eyes with a half-smile speaking in western common.

He nodded to me and looked out towards the gate. “If you can bring her home…”

“I will carry her long past death… She was the one woman who believed in me. Take good care of her. She is Miwa’s legacy.”

Tatsuo said, “Grab your equipment and mount up.”

I did so. We left a few hours after Miwa slowly following her trail”