It is the middle of Yayoi, the month of renewed growth of plants, when this group of new companions set out to grow themselves as well, seeking fortune and opportunity for the new year at the feet of the Hida-Sanmyaki Mountains. There was a frost overnight, but it had thawed by the time they saddled their horses and followed Osama, their guide, out of Takayama to find the secret camp where it is rumored that warriors were marshalling and training further up the Sho Gawa river, hidden in the mountains. The horses' breath steams, everyone bundled in their winter garb against the morning chill.
About mid-morning, they encountered some affronted wild boar, Satake no Taka revealing herself to be a Shugenja as she brought forth water from the earth to confuse and mire the swine in mud, allowing the group to pass without incident. The rains started shortly after, however, and Osama regards the Samurai woman suspiciously as he adjusts his wide straw hat. By mid-day it is a steady downpour, temperatures dipping back towards freezing as a cold wind blows in from the south, cold air from the ice-capped peaks of Mount Hodaka-Dake above.
Trudging after
Osama in silence, the party thinks on their reason and experience thus far and what brings them to seek a hidden camp of war.
Toshi seeks a name and fortune, but remains wary based on his father's advice that a ronin gets the short end in a war camp of samurai. He is careful with his new horse, an inheritance he has travelled far to collect and worth more than he can really fathom.
Ha seeks his grandfather's no-dachi, hoping to reclaim the honor lost when it passed from the Michikawa line.
Taka rides Kenji, her own warhorse, staying above the mud, following the trail of her brother's murderer, hoping to catch up with him at this camp of warriors.
Eiji climbs the trail, smiling at the downpour and accepting the change of seasons in Buddhist style, Jīva the dog, however, has his ears down and tail tucked as he trots by his master-and-friend's side.
You have a cold, wet night of camp, but the downpour finally drips to a stop around dawn. You find the morning of the 12th a lot more amenable - the clouds clear to reveal clear blue skies, your garments begin to dry out a bit, it warms enough for you to even shed a layer or two. It is thus that you hear a patrol on the forest trail ahead of you just about midday, giving time to react before they come into sight of your small band.
Satake no Taka sits atop her black gelding at the rear of the group and reigns him to a stop. She checks her hair with a quick fastidious pass of her fingers, then folds her hands on her lap and waits, letting the armored Bushi make the greeting when the patrol appears, her imperious gaze waiting to support them.
Kamine no Toshizo rides his bay stallion to a position in the front, beside
Ha, but not in front of him. He believes he's higher rank within the ronin caste, but Ha is older than he is. He is in full armor, but his bow and dai-sho are sheathed. He waits for the bushi to approach.
Ha awaits the approaching group, hands away from his katana, but hovering near.
One samurai on horse wearing his dai-sho and dai-kyu, accompanied by three ashigaru on foot armed with naginata and han-kyu, all wearing light armor, round the corner appearing through the trees. Upon spotting you, they halt, about 55 yards away, the ashigaru taking a position in the front rank, drawing bows.
"Halt!" the mounted samurai calls in an imposing tone.
"What business do you have here? Speak directly!"
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