Arc 2, Session 14, L5R

October 16th, 1118

After quickly perusing the documents they had found, the group began their trek back towards Mori Springs. They had not been on the path long when they spotted distant torches speeding in their direction. Following Kiyuki’s instructions, the samurai hid to the side of the path to observe.

A sizeable group of the samurai from Closed Shell Castle were fleeing from the forest. Several were missing pieces of armor, while others had splashes of blood on their clothing. Their number seemed smaller than expected; it was a decent guess that the guards had run afoul of some of the gaki in the woods. The survivors had chosen the path of discretion.

Once the cowardly guards had passed, our heroes returned to the path. It did not take long for them to come upon the hot springs once more. Yudai counseled that it would be best to summon the Kunshu-uso immediately, to end its threat all the sooner. On this, the others agreed: a point of contention was what to do with Reju no Otomo Ran.

They had the summoning song, & Kiyuki reasoned that she could perform it sufficiently. Since she was not needed for that, should the traitorous Imperial be used as bait for the beast? Or would it be best to bring her to the Emerald Magistrates for judgement?

Seeing that no answer was likely to be agreed upon quickly, the Wasp took matters into her own hands. Shiko un-gagged Otomo Ran. In a cold voice, she instructed the noble that she would summon the Kunshu-uso for them. After blanching, Otomo Ran refused: why would she summon the beast when she knew the group would allow it to kill her?

“If you will not do this, I can put an end to you now,” the Wasp quietly intoned. For a moment, it looked like the tax collector might cave. Yet even in a samurai this corrupt, there was still a bit of steel.

“Then do it,” Otomo Ran whispered in response. She lowered her head, exposing her neck. Before anyone else could step in, Shiko’s blade sped through the air. A resolute expression remained on her face as her body slumped to the ground.

The others began arranging themselves around the pool. All of them prepared their weapons, while Kiyuki lit candles & incense. Though the scroll detailing the summoning song contained no other instructions, it was best to at least attempt to appease any kami they might accidentally offend.

The sound of the lilting speech drifted across the otherwise quiet clearing. A shadow began to form beneath the water’s surface. As it grew in size, a low, mournful howling started to weave itself within Kiyuki’s song. The Kunshu-uso leapt into the air, landing atop the springs in an aggressive stance.

 In answer to its howl, near a score of wolves came barreling into the clearing. Battle was quickly joined. Though the otter was the largest threat, the samurai tended to the wolves first- better to reduce the enemies’ numbers before engaging their commander. One wolf after another was brought low.

Everyone’s weapons rang out, save Kiyuki’s. There was a sudden rumble as the Kunshu-uso was suddenly thrust 30’ into the air atop a pillar of jagged earth. The group remembered the dirt wall from their previous encounter with the monster, & wondered at its strange capabilities.

As if taunting their apprehension, the beast coiled itself tightly. It sprung into the air like a sinuous ribbon…before somehow disappearing into the soil & loam. Undeterred, the samurai continued to whittle their foes down. Before the final wolf could hit the ground, the otter attacked.

There was no sign of warning before it erupted from the earth between our heroes. Luckily, the attack didn’t land true. Each of the warriors took aim at the Kunshu-uso. This time, they could not allow it to flee. Yudai intimidated the otter even as it lashed him with its tail, goading it into targeting him alone.

Megumi & Hayata took blades to its hide, doing their best to cut through its protective fur. Shiko drew back her bow to its fullest. She held a breath, watching for the best moment. And when the Kunshu-uso reared up to roar, she loosed her stinger.

The twang of her bowstring was immediately followed by a resounding thunk. Her arrow had pierced clean through the monster’s cheeks & tongue. It spit blood & fury as it raged, feeling its end was near. Megumi darted in to slash at the stomach it exposed while moaning in pain. Hayata took one glance at Yudai, & began to back away.

Many creatures of the Shadowlands bear armor- natural or fashioned. A good blade is helpful, but it is strength that is needed to batter down these defenses.

As the Wasp peppered the otter with arrows, Yudai had readied his tetsubo.

While Megumi raked at its weakness, Yudai begun to spin his bat.

And when the monstrous otter spun counter-clockwise to strike at him one final time, the Crab swung clockwise with all his power.

Wood met flesh in a blow that cast waves across the spring’s waters. The sound of the collision thankfully masked the sickening crunching of the beast’s lower skull. It reared up, eyes twitching & going dark. Though its head remained facing the Crab, the bottom half of its jaw had been forced almost completely to the back of its neck.

The Kunshu-uso let out one final whimper before collapsing onto the edge of the pool. All of the samurai caught their breath after the prolonged fight. Shiko strode to the corpse purposefully, before beheading this foe as well. Satisfied that she had fulfilled her word beyond reproach, she left without a word.

The Unicorn used her blade to begin shearing off trophies from their fallen foe. Surprisingly, Kiyuki asked for some pieces as well. Yudai & Hayata prepared pyres for both the Kunshu-uso & Otomo Ran. Both flames had been lit for only a few moments when the entire clearing began to increase in temperature.

From the South, a glowing ember floated into the clearing: the Fire Kami of the springs. The samurai wisely began to step back at its approach. Though the noble’s pyre was unaffected, the fires consuming the body of the otter surged forth in intensity. By the time the kami had submersed itself into its home once more, there was not even ashes left from the beast.

The weary group managed to return to Nestled Village before the Lady Amaterasu had risen. After waking Dajan to un-barricade the inn, the innkeeper helped them clean off the fruits of their endeavors. When they were presentable, our heroes entered the building proper. Narumi slept sitting at one of the tables, Seiki wrapped gently in a blanket beside her.

Taking care not to wake the foragers, the samurai ascended to Otomo Kuni’s room. Though it was late- or early- the group roused her to give their report. The recovering noble commended them for the service they had done for the Empire. She swore to pass along their tales, & would be reaching out to them via letter after she had her health back.

Sleep came easy that night to all. For perhaps the first time during their stay, Yudai did not appear fatigued at breakfast. The four spoke little as they made ready to leave. Comforts of home had been singing in each of their minds, & their wills were now bent in that direction.

Kiyuki approached the remaining villagers. Given how poorly the town had fared, she extended an offer to aid in relocating to Twin Blessings. Dajan eagerly accepted, but Aoshi & Narumi could not. The village chief would see her duty through until its end; the mother hoped to find some evidence of her missing husband.

Outside the inn, our heroes began their goodbyes. Yudai would make his way to turn in the bounty on the ronin before returning home. He appeared quite pleasantly surprised when Kiyuki insisted on accompanying him.

Hayata & Megumi both wished to stop at Twin Blessings Village one more time, & took Dajan along with them. The Tortoise paid another visit to Kiriko’s teahouse. He introduced her to Dajan, who carried a letter from Kiyuki, then spoke with the informant briefly. The two talked of the strange disappearance of Otomo Ran. It was such a sad thing, they agreed with smiles. The cartographer bid her both thanks & a farewell.

The Unicorn led the pair back to Closed Shell Castle- they did have those standing dinner invites, after all. Hayata enjoyed both the meal & the lodgings, while Megumi’s focus was elsewhere. She was able to have a servant escort her to Matsu Kaii’s room.

What the two spoke of is left to them to share. And if Hayata noticed the Unicorn smiling just a bit more when they departed the next morning, he did not mention it.

Thus was their second adventure finished. Each samurai was returning to their lands with new tales, & other spoils besides. None of them were certain how to feel about the way fate had bound them together as of yet. Until Otomo Kuni ironed things out, who could know what this might portend?

There was no recourse but to wait. At least they could all surely look forward to a peaceful winter without their newfound allies. Surely……

 

Elsewhere

The Veiled Eye finished giving their report regarding Mori Springs. Two others sat in the round, stone room with them.

“More gaki for her horde, eh?” whispered the Quiet One. “A paltry reward from the endeavor, I say.”

From her seat, the Thread scoffed. “No fault of my apprentice that your hound was dispatched so easily. At least she proved your summonings can be taught,” she replied.

This room had seen versions of this discussion take place before. Before it could devolve into its usual bickering the Veiled Eye cleared their throat. Though they tried not to, the other two could never seem to prevent the slight flinch this always brought to them.

“Both she & the beast performed admirably,” the Veiled Eye said in a shifting voice. “If not for the interloping samurai & that damnable tengu…no matter.” “Time now to look to our winter business.”

END ARC 2