Fleeing from ruin

[ziglerrobertson]

Sitting on the side of the bed and swinging his feet, Zigler listens to the stunned Healer. "Sir, I have never seen a stab wound victim recover this fast. It's almost as if you weren't human!" The Jovian Healer laughs at his own joke as Zigler wonders how best to disassemble his skull. "Well, some folks just heal faster then others," replies the bard,"and of course the wonderful care with which you and your staff have treated me was very helpful as well." The Healer nods his head as if being given his due.

Jumping off the bed with only a small wince of pain Zigler tells the Healer, "Since I'm all better I think I'll spend the rest of my recovery in more pleasant quarters." With that Zigler walks out of the Healing Center and into the brisk air outside. Though the sun was shining, it was still very cold. Wrapping his warm cloak around himself Zigler heads towards the small inn where he has a room.

Using his key to open the door to the back staircase of the slightly dilapidated building, Zigler goes up the stairs and across the ballasted walkway that looks down into the pub area of the inn. Thankfully neither the Innkeeper nor his wife were out and about, the reason for this was soon apparent as he walked past their room.

Quickly going up another flight of stairs, Zigler enters his room. Everything is as he left it, the bed unmade, the floorboard pried up, curtains closed and the table set crooked from the wall. Sighing, he resets he floor and gets the rest of the room squared away. "Well, it's good to home. Or at least that's what someone would say. " Placing the waterskin in a small cupboard Zigler then begins to construct himself a salted pork sandwich. That completed he removes a leather bound book, sits down at the table and starts reading.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

After a couple days of hiding in the alleys Cathán spots Zigler leaving the medic. Since it's daylight out, he follows as best he can behind buildings and alleys, having to stop more than a couple of times to hide from Jovian patrol.

He watches as Zigler goes into the Inn from the back and follows suit shortly after, catching the door just before it closes and locks. He makes sure no one has followed him or is around. He follows Zigler up the stairs and across the ballasted walkway, keeping far enough back that Zigler doesnt know of being followed. He quickly follows him up the stairs and watches as Zigler goes into a room.

Cathán waits a couple of min to see if anyone has followed. Being satisfied that no one has realized him yet, Cathán goes to the door that Zigler went through and listens to see if there is anyone else in there. Not hearing anything Cathán enters quickly, shutting the door right behind him. He surprises Zigler sitting at the table reading something.

Before getting a reaction "I need your help. It's been so long since I've been in the city and I don't know where the guild is. I need you to find it because I don't trust anyone else. Just let Oof know that I am in search of him and the guild."

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler gets over his surprise at seeing his friend inside the walls, and quickly finishes chewing. "Alright, what do you want me to tell him?"

Cathan replies,"Tell him about the Kyuden, about your plan, and that I need to talk with him, either through an intermediary or in person."

"I'll pass along the message, but in the meantime I think you should get your red ass outta here and back to the Kyuden without being seen."

Cathan nods as he says, "Thank you my friend, be safe." With that he silently goes back through the door.

Sitting down at the table, Zigler picks up the book and starts eating the sandwich again. "Damn interruptions. Now where was I.....Ah...." Zigler continues to eat the sandwich as he reads. Finishing the sandwich he gets up to make another. Opening the cupboard to find it bare he frowns and says, "Guess I should go shopping."

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Back into the hall and down the stairs, Cathán makes his way to the back entrance, making sure the inn keeper was still in his room so not to be spotted. Once back outside, Cathán heads for the nearest alley to a sewer. Waiting there until nightfall and the guard change, he makes his move and slips back through the sewers and back into the woods. He hopes the Guards on the outside didn't see him. He had a slight feeling he might've been seen but in to much of a hurry he didn't bother sticking around. He didn't hear any bells or horns going off so he must've been safe. Cathán hurries as fast as he can back to the Kyuden. Deciding not to rest till He makes it back there. He runs night and day, knowing he really needs to talk to masamune soon.

[Arashi Okami]

The kyuden seemed to be a constant buzz to Okami. Though she was helping train the refugees, one ear was always open to catch any news. This was a relatively easy task as the servants knew everything and gossiped so anyone could hear. Finishing that days training, Okami heads to her room.

Thinking Tatsumura-dono might like to know of the progress the refugees were making, she asks for an ink pot, a brush, and parchment. She quickly writes all the information she thinks is needed, like how many were in training, how far they had progressed and her estimate on when they should be battle ready. Once finished she looks over the letter, noting how bad her handwriting was. Laughing to herself, she seals it and hands it to one of the servants to be delivered.

Moving to the other side of her room, she slides open a door that leads to one of the many gardens within the kyuden and sits down to enjoy its beauty, though it was only filled with bare trees. It was a good thing she hadn’t changed out of her hakama and into a kimono because the wind still kept a nasty chill. When would the spring time come?

[ziglerrobertson]

Walking down the street where the food shoppes are located, Zigler spies the first thing on his list. Displayed in the window of the balloon framed building are some of the choicest cuts of meat Zigler has seen in a long while. While in the Shogunate he mostly ate chicken and fish, not bad, but not his preferred diet. Quickly picking the cuts he wants and settling up with the butcher, Zigler then heads to the baker's shop.

With the meat cuts wrapped in clean cloth and in his shoulder bag next to the water skin, Zigler enters the bakery across the street. Shelves filled with bread line the walls and the scent of baking fills the air. Walking up to the man dressed in an apron and standing behind a display, Zigler asks if there is any day old bread that he can buy. After being reassured that there is Zigler asks, "Can I use your washroom?" The other man raises his eyebrow, but directs Zigler to the back of the store, past the ovens and prep tables. As he closes the door, Zigler spies some of the men back there smirking and smiling. "I suppose it's understandable," Zigler says to himself once the door is closed.

Looking around the small room Zigler sees a basin, with water pitcher, some towels, and a toilet. Pouring some of the water into the basin Zigler washes his hands, then stepping next to the toilet he pulls down on the chain of the overhead water tank. The sound of quickly running water fills the room as the toilet flushes, both it's content, and Zigler. Falling through the trap door Zilger falls into a river of...well, what you would expect him to fall into.

Sputtering and sitting up Zigler looks around at the sewer. Off to his right is a little ledge, while to his left is the sewers curving wall. As the last of the water in the toilets tank runs out the door closes and Zigler can hear the sound of the load bearing bolts sliding into place. In the dark, Zigler toes his way to the ledge and starts walking. Feeling his way along the wall Zigler soon finds a wide hole, halfway up the wall with clean water spilling out. Guessing that it was a storm drain outlet Zigler crawls into the hole and goes along it on his belly for about ten feet before it opens up into a tunnel. Sitting on a ledge after his impromptu, yet not unwanted bath, Zigler waits for his clothes to dry. As his eyes and ears adjust to the surroundings Zigler can see a faint and flickering glow far up the tunnel.

[A hooded figure]

A hand grabs Zigler from behind, and throws him to the ground. "Is there a reason I shouldn't just slit your throat, and get this over with?" a voice asks, as Zigler feels the point of a dagger pressed under his chin.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Cathán makes it to the Kyuden in a couple of nights. As soon as he gets to the entrance, he goes in search of Masamune.

[ziglerrobertson]

Taking a deep breath (as deep as he can) first before he replies, "I carry messages for those of the Thieves Guild who would ally themselves with those who wish the restoration of Mittelmarch."

The pressure on his throat eases somewhat as if the man holding him down wished for him to speak further. "I cannot tell you the messages," the pressure returns and Zigler speaks quickly, "as both are intended for the leader of the Thieves Guild." When the pressure does not lessen Zigler decides to play his remaing card. "If you kill me here and now without letting me deliver my messages to him, Oof will be very displeased. And when Oof is displeased people tend to require the services of a very good Healer."

Upon hearing the name of the Hill Giant the man is surprised, a reaction which Zigler can feel as the dagger twitches.

"Look," says Zigler, "I do not ask anything of you save to be taken into the preseance of Oof. Whether that is here, at the Guild Hall, or someplace else is of no consequence to me."

The man takes the dagger off of Zigler's throat and stands up. Following suit Zigler turns around to get a look at his assaliant. Narrowing his eye's in the poor light, Zigler asks, "Nice hooded cloak, mind if I ask where you got it?"

[A hooded figure]

The man chuckles slightly, "restoration? and what about our city needs restored? the walls seem as thick as ever, the merchants still come and go, the food still enters, the water is still sweet, and the coin still there for the taking. As far as Oof goes, why would you think that great bumbling fool has anything to do with our organization? anyone who has seen him knows he couldn't sneak through anything to save his own life, and he is too stupid to be anything else but highered muscle." Looking slightly bored the man picks dirt from under his fingernails with the point of his dagger. "Now then the first bit of information i need is for you to tell me exactly why you used one of our bolt holes, and how you found it in the first place?... No no don't tell me now, I wouldn't believe you right now anyway" says the man as Zigler starts to answer. He nods to someone standing behind Zigler, and a hand shoots out to hold a cloth to Zigler's mouth and nose. A strong smell assails Zigler before his vision goes black

[Giggles "Adguin"]

As the days pass Giggles comes across what appears to be a fish on dry land so to speak. A sailor in blue with the mark of a tiger on his left arm. Giggles, instantly slows down not sure what to do next.

"Ho brother," the sailor said.

"Won't you ever leave me be older brother? I'm just fine out in this land on my own."

"You didn't tell father that, and I'm honor bound to keep an eye out for you. You are supposed to learn the ways of honor, loyalty, and respect. You showed none of this to the guard a few nights back."

Giggles looks away trying to control his rage, but what he didn't realize he would feel, as his brother's words had cut so deeply, was a great since of shame.

"He would have killed me....."

"You didn't know that for sure. You killed him because you thought it was fun."

"So?"

"I guess I must test you yet again, younger brother. Follow me."
They make their way to a small village where a child is being mugged by three Jovian soldiers.

"They remind me of you. You know why they are doing this to the child? He was caught begging for food. They think of themselves as being better then all others. These soldiers in particular will escalate their terror on this small village for fun and because no one knows of it. Now tell me you feel nothing for the child or the people!"

Looking inside of himself, Giggles feels something for the first time in his life, pity. Making his way to the soldiers he calls them out.
"Hey your emperor is a filthy whore!!"

They turn to him and laugh. "So? We care not of the emperor or the empire! We enlisted for the fun and the spoils of war, you masked freak!"

"Then lets have some fun!" Giggles drew his blade that was hidden behind his cloak and took a guard down leaving his back exposed. He took a slash across his back from the second guard, but manged to cut his head off.

Now hurt and unable to move the final soldier came in for the killing blow.

A dagger hit the man in the neck killing him on the spot.

"Now that I saved you my brother, are you ready to prove your worth not for father or me but for your self?"

In pain Giggles looks to brother and whispers "Yes......"

"Then we must move. I know of a group that can teach you the true ways honor. But we must tend to those wounds and pray that they accept you."

And so Giggle's path to his destiny was laid out before him, with a split that will be up to him.

[Kaida NyteClaw]

Denendir watched his kingdom closely for any news of Tatsumara's reply. As of yet there was nothing. He went about his business to setup defenses in hope that the Jovians would not pursue him as an enemy and fugitive. Kanthea would help those that needed it.

And then a couple days later, a messenger ran to Denendir's Chambers, "Lord Denendir, your letter has arrived, Milord."

Denendir read this letter and set fast to gather some supplies for Tatsumara. A fierce battle had raged, but his ally and friend would have need of some. Gathering food, medical herbs, and weapons, Denendir setup a small task force to get these safely to the Kyuden. They left at early dawn.

[A hooded figure]

After several days a group of men throw the limp body of zigler onto the cobblestones outside of an inn, and throw spirits all around and over him. One of them tucks a note into his pocket saying "Your messages have been delivered, we'll be in touch." with that one of the men says "we need to hurry he will be waking up soon." and they depart silently

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Kyosuke stepped out of the inn and looked around. He noticed the limp form of Zigler, but merely shrugged it off. "Hmph, what trash," he muttered as he stepped around the body and found himself an empty area to practice his morning Kata.

[ziglerrobertson]

Waking up on the cold cobblestones, Zigler smells something resembling a brewery. Upon opening his eyes he discovers that he's lying on he ground in front of 'his' Inn.

"Hrumpf," clears his throat, "I could use a drink."

Putting action to words Zigler stumbles towards the door, walks in and then belly's up to the bar. "Cedric!" he yells at the Inn Keeper, "I need a drink!" The portly man walks over and stands across from Zigler. Sniffing the air, "I think you've had enough Zig, best you go on upstairs and to bed for awhile," says Cedric. Sighing and making his way to the stairs Zigler passes by a table being served by the Inn Keepers wife. As she straightens up from giving the Jovian soldiers a deep view of her cleavage she whispers in Zigler's direction. "Don't worry, you were gone for a few days so I restocked your shelves. All of them." Thanking the nice lady Zigler makes his way up the back stairs, past the two 'open' rooms and the noises coming from them, and finally to his room.

Closing the door and quickly tossing his gear, minus one water skin, and clothes into a corner, Zigler goes to the cabinet closest to him and removes a bottle of Gimil's 'Cure for Hangovers'. Upending the bottle for a quick swig as he walks towards his bed, Zigler steps on a piece of paper that fell from one of his pockets. Picking it up and reading the notes message "Your messages have been delivered, we'll be in touch," causes a rush of memories about his time in the storm drains. Vague images of hooded figures, an irate but well spoken Oof, and wererats in red Shogunatish clothes fill his head. Sitting heavily on the bed Zigler says, "Dammit. Not again." He takes another swig then places the bottle on the floor (the safest place he can think of) and goes into a dreamless sleep.

[ziglerrobertson]

A few days have passed as Zigler slowly regained his wits, and caught up on the cities gossip. Looking out the lone window of his room Zigler can see the still numerous Joivian patrols, the muddy streets, and the slowly greening hillsides surrounding the city. Thinking about how much he would like to stay in his room Zigler quickly brings himself to task.

"I've still got things to do dammit! So let's be about it!"

Without further word Zigler straps on his belt pouch, hides his knife between his shoulder blades, and steps out of his room. Going down the stairs and across the balcony Zigler exits the back of the Inn and quickly walks towards the city's gates. As he walks he sees few familiar faces, and gives greetings to the many new Jovian ones he's seen around the Inn. Passing through the gates is no trouble, as leaving the city is the easy part.

As Zigler passes into the forest he pauses and gives a quick thought to his Book. Still in Baethor's possession, his Book will remain safe no matter what happens in this world.

Zigler quickly travels towards an old and hollow tree, located in the center of a clearing. Zigler slows as he approaches the drop point, unsure about where Kotaro's shinobi is hidden, or if the man is even still there.

That fear is soon to be groundless as Zigler catches the young ninja's movement out of the corner of his eye.
"Who made your clothes? A blind leper?" the man said, not a little mockingly.
"Your Obaasan," Zigler replied with the planned phrase. The man nodded and beckoned Zigler closer.Turing to the youngster Zigler says;
"I have much for you to tell your master, now listen closely:
The Jovians ARE in fact taking food away from MM,
The Thieves Guild has been told of the Shogunate's desires for an alliance, of sorts
The Jovians are harassing/attacking nonhumans indiscriminately
They have burned down a church while looking for something, I don't know what
The Jovian General Shatar has been recalled by their Emperor due to the 'raids' run by yourselves and Cathan."

Zigler looks at the young shinobi," You got all that son or do you need me to repeat anything?"

The shinobi looks at Zigler and replies, " I've got it."

With that the shinobi heads off in the direction of the Kyuden as Zigler turns back towards the gates of Mittelmarch. Thankfully several of the Guards recognize him from various Inns and outs and it is easier to get back into the city than it was the first time.

The light is fading now as Zigler climbs the stairs to his room. The Inn is busy again and Zigler knows that he must 'put in an appearance' tonight as he hasn't for the last fortnight. Putting his gear away in his room and strapping a mandolin to his back he heads downstairs. Sitting at the bar he asks Cedric," So whats the mood for tonight Old Man?"

"You hold off on the 'Old' crap Zig, or you'll find yourself flat on your butt," replies Cedric. The two's conversation is so deeply ingrained that all menace has gone out of the words. They might as well be saying 'Hello' to each other, as in fact they were. Cedric's wife comes over to greet Zigler as well, she also calls for 4 more pitchers for the Jovians.

The individuals in question have pushed together three of the large round tables together in the center of the room. Taking two of the pitchers he walks over with the wife and places them ion the middle of one of the tables. Hands grab and fight for the pitchers as Zigler settles himself into a vacant chair and begins the night with conversation, which is soon to be replaced with voracious drinking songs and tales of high fantasy.

[ziglerrobertson]

It has been several weeks, the snow is now gone and the lands are turning green again. Zigler awakens at the crack of noon and goes about getting prepared for another night of entertaining the Jovian soldiers who now take over the Inn every night.

Walking down the stairs and to the Bar area Zigler can already see some of the regulars who leave their posts early in order to get a quick drink. Sitting down next to a particularly grizzly Corporal he asks Cedric for a beer.

"First beer of the day my friend," Zigler says to the man upon recieving the indicated beverage. The man mumbles something and goes back to drinking his whiskey. Taking a swig of his own drink Zigler takes a closer look at this 'Corporal' of the Jovian Guard.

The man's hair is cropped close for combat, but his beard is scraggly and unkempt. His tunic seems to have just come from the wash whereas he has not. The man's armor is also rittled with broken links and stray bits of wire are used to hold up the shoulder pieces.

"I'm sorry, what was that you said?" asks Zigler, trying to draw the man out.

"I said, shuddup am let me drink!"

"How 'bout I buy you the next one instead," replies the Bard, "and then you tell me why we're getting smashed." Zigler nods to Cedric and empties his beer mug as the Inn Keeper brings over two more glasses of whiskey.

"Your a gooOd friend lad," the man says as he takes Zigler's drink, not noticing his own right in front of him. "We drink now, because in two days we march!" The man downs Zigler's whiskey and then picks up his own glass, downing that to.

As Cedric refills the cups Zigler asks, "And how many of 'us' are going?" Cedric, always one for gossip, slows his pouring in order to hear the answer.

"A 'hole platuun's worth. We march towards the edge of the woods in da east" replies the man as he reaches for his cup and misses. Trying it again he says "We march wit'out booze," he looks at Cedric, "so you'll get alot of us in here."

Cedric smiles at the news while Zigler's heart drops into his feet. If the patrols are being increased then the chances of the drop points being found increases as well. Not to mention what it could mean about possible attacks on other lands.

Zigler looks to the Corporal who, while Zigler was thinking, dropped into a drunken slumber. Finishing the man's drink Zigler reaches for the mans coin purse and then leave the money for the drinks on the bar, plus a large tip. Cedric smiles as he sees this and just shakes his head back and forth as Zigler heads back up to his room in order to ponder his next move.

[Suihaden]

(OOC) I was thinking of writing in a serious character twist for Suihaden, but I decided against it.

(IC)
Deep beneath the old MM keep are the dungeons. They are the the epitome of the the D's of a dungeon. Dark, damp and dreary. If one was to go to the second floor, first corridor, walk five cells down and turn right they would see a pale, mud spattered human emerging from a hole underneath what could be interpreted as a bed. He brushes the mud carefully back into the hole and gathers up a few belongings and packs them in a sack. Then, kneeling on the floor he pens the following message.

"My Jovian Captors,

When you read this letter I will be long gone. I will seek your destruction and and the freedom of MittleMarch. You will either kill me, or I will kill you.

Death before dishonor!

Suihaden de Percy"

Quickly, Sui dropped the note on the floor of his cell and crawled into the hole. After crawling on his face about half an hour he reached the end of his tunnel. Pushing aside the dirt and stones with his primitive tool made from an old iron saucepan handle, he emerged into the sewers of MittleMarch. Sui stood up, stretched and wrinkled his nose at the horrid smell.

"I wonder how to get out of the this sewer and the city walls without being seen, I guess I'll just have to find out."

Sui set off into the dark sewer.

[Suihaden]

Pushing up the manhole cover, Sui peered into the street. The fresh air smelled wonderful after the sewer, he could even smell the food cooking in Cedric's Inn. The rumbling in his stomach told him it had been almost a day since he had last eaten.

When it seemed that all was clear, he stepped out into the street and headed straight for the water trough. Dipping a bucket into the water, he dumped it over is sludge smeared clothing, much to the annoyance of the horse who was drinking from said water trough.

"Ahh, that's much better."

[ziglerrobertson]

While debating about what to have for breakfast, having already had his beer, Stares out the window and looks at the city of Mittelmarch. While watching a particularly attractive inhabitant Zigler is greeted with a strange site. A man, dressed in black and cover in filth emerges from the sewer's and ticks off a Jovian's horse. As the water rinses him clean Zigler recognizes Sui's clothes, and after a little scrubbing by the man, Sui himself.

"Holy s***," says Zigler as he grabs two items off his self, runs out of his room and down the stairs. Quickly running out the back door and around to the front Zigler approaches Suihaden, "Keep your head down, follow me, and put these into your shirt." Zigler hands Sui a couple of melons. As Sui does as he is told Zigler leads the man back to his room, receiving only a knowing smile from Cedric.

Once the door is closed Sui removes the melons. "What was that all about?"

Taking the melons from Sui and placing one back on the shelf while cracking open and eating the other Zigler replies, "Would you have preferred being put back in that cell?"

"Good point....So how do I get out of the city?" asks Suihaden.

Putting aside the melon rinds Zigler answers, "We go back in the sewers. And we do it now before this place fills up with anymore Jovians. But first, we'll have to get you a change of clothes."

Walking over to a box Zigler extracts a tunic and belt, plus a small knife. "Here, put these on and hide the knife. Your going back into the sewers and then out into the River. Hope you can swim."

Cracking the door, Zigler looks down into the Bar area and see's Cedric busy breaking up a fight between two Jovian soldiers. "Quickly, down the steps and out the back."

Once the two exit the Inn, Suihaden lifts up the manhole cover and they slip into the sewers

[Baethor]

The dwarf stands for a long moment that in the silence feels to them both like an eternity. The dwarf, stone faced, stared tatsumura in the eyes as he spoke.

"Do not judge me tatsumura...you were not their on those walls...Myself and a handful of militia, few of my dunland companions and their soldiers.
But only i stood on those wals from mittelmarch, myself and citizen soldiers. Standing we watched a see of red march forth from the great wood, the ground trembled and the walls shook, red armour glinting in the setting sun, spears and torches ready to kill and burn if necessary. I was prepared for my glorious death, defending my home, as i had been against every sort of creature who has sought to burn my home...
The jovians requested to speak with me...Kain Elveres stepped forward and offered me something that no other army had offered...A way for my city to stand strong, and my men and their families to live...
Anvil and the others spoke out of turn, calling out to the jovians calling them murderers and thieves...But i knew what they were...
they were not like the orcs, or vikings, or drow who had come before...they wanted land, and people. not death and fire....Kain promised me that if my men laid down their arms and stood aside, they would take mittelmarch peacefully, bring us knowledge of new methods of farming, teaching for the young, healers for the sick, and a leader with a strong army at his commend...all things Mittelmarch had lacked.
With Isen gone, nichtmar missing, oof gone into hiding, you at the kyuden, and every other true soldier missing lost or scared, the decision was left to me...What would have been said of me if i had let my own pride kill and burn the very city and people who i swore to protect...My choices were, stand and fight, die in dishoner knowing i could have stopped the bloodshed and burning of my home by simply sacrificing my own fools pride...Or keep my oath...let the Jovians rule...lay down the axe and sword and shield knowing that my friends i had made would see me as a traitor...But none of you were their...none of you saw the mass of soldiers, trained soldiers....ready to kill...I was alone, and i knew what i must do...I ordered my men to lay down their arms...Most listened...Others fought, and died...The forces not of mittelmarch spat names at me, fought back and forced the hands of the jovians to kill more...Then they stole away citizens of mittelmarch and brought them to you.
I still feel that i made the right choice tatsumura...i look upon Mittelmarch now, and though red and black now fly from our towers i see soldiers on my walls, soldiers willing to fight and die to protect the citizens within. I feel still that i made the right choice...

The dwarf stared at the samurai in front of him, his eyes wavering to the trees surrounding them. he did not trust the darkest shadows here...

[Tatsumura Masamune]

Masamune looks on at Baethor as he tells his tale. He notices the anguish in his onee-san's face, noteing the graveness of his words, and the seemingly accusitory tone in them. After he finishes, Masamune sighs for a long moment, before stepping down, and placing his swords back in his obi. He doesn't look at Baethor as he starts to speak.

"You misjudge my question onee-san. I am not trying to judge you, only seeking enlightenment as to your choice. For what it's worth, I understand your reasoning. But do not think that you are the only one that fought for their home that day. I saw the same type of army standing outside of my home, and let me inform you, no such offers of peace were givin. We were told to surrender or die. No such promises of better lives, only the sword was offered us."

Masamune turns to look at Baethor.

"And those people of Mittelmarch that were "stole" way? They stay with me of their own will. They are free to leave if they so choose. They do not return to Mittelmarch because of the Jovians. The same Jovians that have taken what does not belong to them, not through peace, or the hand of friendship, but at the edge of their weapons, weapons that they more or less pointed at you. They took by force, the homes of others, of free people."

Tatsumura walks towards the treeline, away from Baethor. He looks back at his onee-san over his shoulder.

"You do now what you feel is right, though I feel you are being mislead, and used. You have not seen what these Jovians are capable of. Ask them about their history with "non-humans" in their own world. Ask them what they did to them. You weren't their when they attacked those of us that rode to Aethenu to defend the villagers from the Warbands pillaging. They captured Nichtmar, Taos, Suihaden, and a few others. They slaughtered those that tried to run away. Their emperor is consorting with Telemachus, I'm sure you remember him. And I have reason to believe that they are somehow responsibe for Isen's disappearance, though I have no proof...yet."

Masamune turns around to look at the dwarf across the small clearing.

"You did what you felt was right. I will not fault you in your choice. But know that what I now choose to do is what I feel is right. I will fight the Jovians, and I will do what I must to see Mittelmarch free from them....and if that means we will be forced to cross blades against eachother....then so be it...onee-san....Brother."

At that, the clouds opened up, letting the bright moon shine into the glade. The glade lit up with the light. Bouncing off the snow of the ground and the trees. The whole area became so bright, it quickly became clear that the two of them were the only ones there. As Masamune looks over to Baethor, the light reveals a few tears, running down his stern face. He is set in the path that he has chosen, and the thought of fighting one so close to him, causes anguish on his face clearly.

"Since you have made it clear that this will not be a relaxing conversation, I shall go, unless you have something to add before we return to our homes?"

[ziglerrobertson]

Once in the sewers the Bard pulls out a small crystal and mutters 'illuminieren'. The crystal lights with a bright, green light and the two are greeted by a group of darkly clothed men. "Zigler, we have a mutual acquaintance," one of them says."This acquaintance wishes for you to take care of this man, and to send him to the Shogunate."

With this the group drag forth a large figure. Zigler recognizes him as the half-orc Berrok whom Zigler had sometimes seen out on the practice fields. "I can't carry him alone, we'll have to wake him up."

With that the men holding the large individual immediately drop him face first into the sludge and walk off. "We will keep in touch," says the first man as Berrok coughs and snorts his way back to conciseness, "as an added benefit he is now sober." The men's laughs echo evilly off of the sewer walls while mixed with Berrok's noises."

[Suihaden]

Sui looked distastefully at the half orc laying before him, then joined Zigler in pounding his chest to revive him.

*Cough* "Uurrgh, uh, where am I?"

[ziglerrobertson]

"In the sewers of Mittelmarch and we are going to get you out," Zigler tells the half ork.

"Why" asks Berrok.

"Because the Jovians don't like nonhumans."

"Why" asks Berrok.

"Because they're jerks." replies Zigler.

"Why" asks Berrok.

Before Zigler can reply Suihaden yells, "Shutup! We have to get going."
Berrok sees a flask hanging from Zigler belt and grabs for it. Knocking the flask back and emptying it he says, "Ok, we go now." Grabbing Zigler by the shoulder the half ork pushes him to the front, "You lead, go now."

"Right," says Zigler while rolling his eyes. Reaching to his belt he grabs another flask, takes a sip then hands the rest to Berrok. "Comeon, we have a little ways to go before we reach the river."

*******
The three men stand in the rushing waters of the storm drain as it pours out into the River of Flame.

"From here you'll swim out at dark. Berrok, follow Suihaden, he will guide you to the Shogunate where you can aid us in our fight against the Jovians. They also have some interesting 'drink' you might like."

Zigler turns to Suihaden, "Take him to the Shogunate, tell Tat that the Jovians have increased their patrols around the city."

Stepping back further into the storm drains Zigler tells the other two. "Stay here until it gets dark, then make for the clearing a half days walk to the east in it will be an old, dead tree with a hole in it. Wait there until someone comes for you, you'll recognize where they're from. Don't kill eachother. Good luck." With that the Bard heads back into the sewers and to the Inn, the strange green light following him.

Berrok turns to Suihaden, "You got booze?"

Suihaden gives an exasperated sigh as his response.