The bushi rise to a cold and hungry dawn. The horsemen saddle their horses and mount up. The Minamoto Ryusuke is still weak, so the Matsumoto takes the lead position. Ryusuke's horse can follow his across the bunds. Kentaro, the more experienced ronin is next, followed by Hiroshi.
They continue northward as fast as they can, weaving along the tops of the raised earthen ridges. It is overcast, and the fields are white with yesterday's light snow. The hooves and feet leave impressions in it that could be easily followed. By noon, they have made good progress and seen no enemy bushi or patrols. In the late afternoon, they reach a village which they will pass have to pass around 200 yards to the right, or take to the mountains. There's a wider bund ahead, with granite rocks protruding along its way. Apparently there was a line of rock here, and the ancestors of the village's peasants had to give up precious paddy yardage and build around it.
A dog begins barking, then another. They stand at the southeast edge of the houses, alerting their owners about the intruding men and horses.
![](https://i.imgur.com/EHMGbWx.jpg)
Map image courtesy of Crayola Corp and Mrs. Burris's kindergarten class. 1 hex = 10 yds.
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