Unfamiliar site.

[Tatsumura Masamune]

To the west of Mittlemarch, just outside it's borders, a figure peers out of the building that has taken shape over the last several months. The building stands 5 stories, and it carries a foreign architecture, never before seen in Mittlemarch, even more foreign then the ramparts of the Jovian Empire on the other side of the mountains. It is made of stone and wood, and has a base of 100 feet on every wall, getting slightly smaller as it raises into the sky. The figure looks out of the small village that has taken up under the hill that the building stands on. Mostly humans, former displaced farmers from the wars in the Land. They work quietly in the field. They smile to one another, but keep a measure of quite distance. The figure looks out to the border of the glade. The forest line sits back some 1000 feet from the palisade wall that the villagers and roaming guards have constructed. With the pagoda on the hill, there is only one approach, through the village. The base of the hill holds a large iron gate, with the village just outside of it. From his vantage point, the figure can see the outline of Mittlemarch's wall. He smiles as if to say hello from Kyuden Tatsumura, and the Tou Fuu Shogunate.

[Isen Ehtar]

An elf walks slowly to the front gates of the palisade. His face is happy but concerned. The appearance of this new place obviously troubles him. The elf strolls gently through the town greeting all who see him in a kind manner. Finally he stops at what he believes is a store and asks the person there who is the leader of this kind place. After thanking the man for his answer and bidding farewell he moves quickly to the large building looking for the one that is called Tatsumura, as that is all he can remember of the name.

[Kotaro]

Kotaro stood atop the pagoda, watching the newcomer. He couldn't see much detail at this distance, but he could easily tell from his movements that the stranger was male, and judging by his body language and demeanor, quite new to the city. Kotaro dropped down the trap door beneath him. He wanted to be at his lord's side as the stranger arrived.

[Tatsumura Masamune]

Masamune contines to loo out over the village, and more specificlly at the tower being built. The tower would serve as a future warning beacon, at least, a warning if only there was someone to answer it.

He looks down, and notices the elf walking around the village quite confused. He watches as he makes his way to the gate at the base of the path leading to the pagoda. Several guards move to question the elf.

In the shadows of the room, a voice speaks out to Masamune.
"Tatsumura-dono, I have been watching our guest since he arrived. He bears the same emblem as the dwarf Baethor. I believe he may be a member of Mittelmarch."

"Yes, I remember the dwarf from when the city was attacked. Let our guest be allowed into the main hall. I shall speak with him."

"Yes my Lord."

Whoever stood there, vanished without a sound. Masamune watched as a guard may his way to the gate, speaking to the others, and asked the elf to follow him. The guard would make his way to the pagoda, the front area lined with pillers and a clean wooden deck patio that extended from the wall to the pillers. Inside, four great pillers stand, all seem to be made of crystal, though it is cold to the touch. At the other end of the square hall, a chair of sorts sits on a raised platfrom, with 4 other chairs, situated to the left and right.

[Tatsumura Masamune]

"For one that carries a look of many questions, you are awfully silent."

The words echo about the hall as Masamune makes his way out of the shadows towards a low table to the side of the room. He doesn't look up at the visitor until he stops at the table.

"Welcome to Kyuden Tatsumura honored member of the Crimson Fang. My name is Tatsumura Masamune, I am lord of this village and the surrounding lands."

A servant makes his way across the hall carrying a tray of sorts. He sets the several items down on the table, rice, fish, and a bottle of some unseen liquid.

"Hear is the food you requested Tatsumura-dono."

"Thank you Toku-san."

With that, the servant left that hall and Masamune proceeds to sit down on the floor in front of the small table. He looks up to the visitor and extends a hand to the seat across from himself.

"Would my honored guest care to a meal?"

With that, Masamune pours a bit of the liquid into a small dish, and sips it. Then uses a pair of tiny sticks to begin to eat some of the rice and fish.

[Isen Ehtar]

The elf stands, still a bit overwhelmed by the reception that he has been given in this new place. He sits gingerly across from this man that has offered him food and drink.

"Please forgive me if I do not take this kind offer, as the future King of Mittelmarch I am told that I am to take more precautions than I am accustomed to. My name is Isen. I must ask, how is it that you know of my allegiance to the Brotherhood? Few outside the city are aware of its existence, let alone who lays claim to it."

The elf reaches for what looks like a glass, looking for approval all the way, and pour himself a dark red liquid from his wineskin. He takes a large swig and then pours a bit more, looking curiously around at the architecture and artwork.

[Tatsumura Masamune]

Masamune nods to the elf as he reaches for a drinking dish, acknowledging him that it is fine.

"It is an honor Isen-dono."

Masamune bows his head low, then sets the sticks down, as he pours himself another drink.

"I am somewhat familier with the dwarf Baethor. We fought together during the siege of Mittlemarch last year. You bear the same emblem as he does. And I know of several other members of the Fang as well. You are right, very few know who the Fang are, but I have ways of gathering information."

The samurai takes a sip of his sake before continuing.

"I can tell that you have many questions of me. But if you would be willing to enlighten me. I am curious, why such an important figure such as yourself would be wandering the woods alone so far from Mittelmarch. Is it solitude, or information you seek?"

Masamune looks across at Isen, his violet eyes almost seeming to peer through him rather then at him.

[Isen Ehtar]

"I feel that I can trust you with this knowledge. I seek both information and solitude. Solitude mainly though. I have lived here in these woods for longer than most anyone that resides in or near Mittelmarch. I have seen all of the changes, I have witnessed the coming of Fangorn to the south, the steppes to the north, the scotts to the northwest, the Jovians, and now your town here. It is not often that I do not know what is happening in these lands. So I must ask, what is your purpose here? Perhaps it is not a question that you can answer, for the land works in mysterious ways. The more important question is this: Are you willing to fight for my land and my people?"

Isen rests comfortably back, seeming more and more at ease in this place.

[Tatsumura Masamune]

"You are correct, I do not know fully why I was brought here. Nor do the people of this village, or my soldiers here. I thought nothing of being in this land when I was alone. Then after the seige, I found that there were more Rokugani and Japanese arriving in the land. Though I do not know why we were brought here, I can tell you why this town is now here. Unlick the Jovians whose entire empire appeared in the mountains, we have built this mura and kyuden."

Masamune takes another sip of sake, setting the glass down after finishing it, and pours some more sake into his cup, and some into another cup, which he offers to Isen, noticing his becoming more relaxed.

"Having met the people of Mittelmarch, I know you all to be good and honorable people, and that you would have accepted us with open arms into your village. But your ways are not our ways. And so, we built our village here. It is my greatest hope that Mittelmarch and Kyuden Tatsumura could help eachother. Especially considering what will come over the mountains in the spring."

Masamune sets the cup down after finishing his drink, not pouring anymore.

"We currently have 93 well trained samurai here in the village, along with 300 villagers, about 60 of them capable of taking up arms if needed. I also have at my disposal several warriors that act as my eyes and ears in the mountains and forest currently. It is a small number for now yes, but my hope is that it will continue to grow. These are the military resources that I can provide to you."

Masamune looks at the elf with interested intent, awaiting his response.