Master of War (D8, Late Afternoon)

Matsu Kassenko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:31 am **Posts:** 12

A dozen mounted riders approach the castle from the east. Despite the heavy rains, they travel at a slow pace, and all have Sashimono on their back depicting the Lion mon. They stop a few hundred feet away, with their leader riding a bit further forward. Rain has plastered her dark hair to her head, but it only seems to make her more fearsome. The rain splatters onto the ground around her like the tears of the dead.

"I am Matsu Kassenko!" she calls out, her voice booming over the sound of falling rain. "Commander of the Steel Chrysanthemum's war host. Send forth your chosen representative to discuss the terms of your surrender."

The fearsome samurai waits patiently for a reply.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

From atop the castle walls, Moto Baatar watched Matsu Kassenko's party approach and call for the city's surrender. The young Unicorn looked left, then right, to see if any of the Important People were going to answer the Lion general.

Meanwhile, he quietly strung his bow.

Kanade · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:32 pm **Posts:** 129

Kanade softly approached the Unicorn, as she popped open her scroll satchel. She was currently by herself in her favorite yukata. She gave a nod to Moto, and waited alongside him.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

After a few tense minutes, it didn't look like anyone else was prepared to negotiate with Matsu Kassenko.

Finally, after Baatar's patience was exhausted, he gave Kanade a small smile before rising to his feet and shouting over the wall: "WE DON'T SURRENDER, YOU HORRIBLE PERSON!"

To emphasize his point, the young Unicorn aimed and loosed an arrow at the Lion general.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

(Go ahead and make an attack if you're trying to hit her, or let me know if it's more of a 'shoot near her as a warning shot' situation.)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

The arrow sprang from the Unicorn's powerful dai-kyu and flew true.

--
Day 8 late afternoon, negotiate with Matsu Kassenko, REF/Kyujutsu +Void Point, unknown TN: 7d10o10k5 48
This would be a willow leaf arrow if it hits.

Kanade · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:32 pm **Posts:** 129

Kanade's eye briefly closed in prayer and she too let loose on the general. A deafening boom erupted as a lightning bolt squarely aimed for the general

Ooc:22 fury of osano-wo success
Damage=23 if successful?

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Raindrops were split by the razor edge of the steel arrowhead as the Unicorn's arrow flew unerringly to strike the Matsu general.

--
Day 8 late afternoon, willow leaf damage vs Matsu Kassenko: 5d10o10k2 18

Matsu Kassenko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:31 am **Posts:** 12

The arrow strikes Kassenko in the shoulder, and a moment later, lightning flashes down and hits her, blowing her off her horse. "Honorless dogs!" she shouts as she staggers to her feet and points up at the wall.

The mounted samurai at her side draw their bows, take aim, and return fire at the Mantis and Unicorn.

A salvo of arrows strike Kanade in the chest,turning her into a pincushion.

(Kanade suffers 6 damage, 12 damage, 18 damage, and 15 damage, for 51 damage total.)

Baatar fares a little better, but a number of arrows still catch him in the chest and arms, one of them piercing a lung.

(Baatar suffers 16 damage, 16 damage, and 26 damage, for 60 damage total.)

The final Lion spins her horse around and pulls Kassenko into the saddle as the group wages a fighting retreat, firing wild arrows behind them as they disappear into the storm.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Three arrows struck the Moto archer like punches in the gut. Baatar ducked beneath the parapet to get under cover, and though badly hurt, the Unicorn was laughing.

"You should have seen the look on her face," he gasped.

--
16/16/26, with reduction 4, 46 wounds taken (Crippled)

Kanade · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:32 pm **Posts:** 129

Kanade dropped dead, without time for even a thought to what she wanted.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

She hadn't been near the walls when the message came, but when she heard just who was calling, she had come running.

Too late.

As she mounted the stairs, it was already over, wounded defenders groaning, blood marking the stones of the wall.

Soon it wouldn't be these small splashes... no, it would be a great deal more.

Standing over the Moto, she gazed down at him as if contemplating putting an end to him right there, expression darker than the stormclouds overhead, knuckles squeezed white in fury.

With a slow breath, she knelt, and then motioned for someone to come help this Moto.

"You damned fool. We were meant to uphold honor - and any chance of stalling the enemy through negotiation... all gone. When the streets of this city run with blood, remember what you did today."

Then she rose and walked to the edge of the parapet, gazing down into the abyss of rain and mud, mind awash in a darkness all its own.

Kassenko.

Of course she would side with this monster. And the Lion turning on the Crane amid a crisis... the right hand was eager to see the Empire fall - traitors to their own empress.

For all that she had one eye, she felt some days that she could see more clearly than most of these supposedly 'great' clan samurai.

It was time to see if there was anything that could be done for the defense - she suspected they'd need whatever preparation they could manage.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"It seemed to me the Lion lady expected an answer to her demands," the wounded Moto rasped in reply. "I sent her one." He started an aborted shrug, but it hurt too much.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

With a dark smile, she glanced at the Moto, "Oh, she would bring slaughter - she's done it before. I once fought alongside that woman."

A dry laugh. "If you had held off, perhaps one of our negotiators could have purchased us time - every day we buy is another day for the Empire to prepare. Now we do not even have the advantage of the honorable high ground - we kill one another in the streets and now Kassenko is coming."

Her visage was dark indeed as she leaned on the battlements, expression full of a dark mirth.

"I pray next time you plan to shoot at that woman, you at least land a killing blow."

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Suzume Chihaya wrote:

"If you had held off, perhaps one of our negotiators could have purchased us time - every day we buy is another day for the Empire to prepare."

"Seeing the enemy general wounded and dragged off the field will boost men's fighting spirit a lot more than seeing some perfumed courtier discuss how we should surrender," the Moto said with a bloody grin. "Perhaps you haven't been in court lately, but a lot of people are talking about supporting Steel Flower. You don't want those people 'negotiating' for us."

Quote:

"I pray next time you plan to shoot at that woman, you at least land a killing blow."

"Shoot to kill? Sounds like good advice," the wounded Unicorn said sardonically. "With any luck we'll get another chance at it tomorrow."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"You have already dishonored your family by attacking an opponent attempting to enter into parlay."

Her voice was cold.

"Do not compound the issue by presuming to tell those with experience extended beyond the years of your life how a war should be conducted. There is a way of things - it sets us apart from barbarians."

Turning to gaze down at the bleeding Moto, she added, calmly, "I told you that if you intend to shoot to kill, you had best have the skill to achieve it - the enemy general was taken away mildly wounded, and now the men will have to drag you and that poor Mantis from this wall. I do not believe the morale will be particularly improved by this. I do know that Matsu Kassenko will not forget this, and that she will now take a personal interest in seeing this city sacked, and all within it slain."

Kneeling down, she fixed Baatar with an appraising stare.

"I expect you to be on this wall when the enemy come - there you will have the chance to make good on what you started today - we were going to be forced into battle, and we will not have the advantage of delaying via negotiation in order to reinforce our defenses - and thus we shall all be asked to fight all the harder."

A dark smile spread across her features, and she gently tapped one of the arrows as she locked her gaze on his eyes. "I hope you are ready to do your part, Moto-san. The people who live inside these walls will demand no less. You acted rashly, but you meant well. Consider these arrows a lesson you have the opportunity to learn, and your poor compatriot does not."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Kitamaru stood behind Chihaya.

"A moment", said the Scorpion to call her attention, medicine bag shouldered.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Suzume Chihaya wrote:

"I hope you are ready to do your part, Moto-san. The people who live inside these walls will demand no less. You acted rashly, but you meant well. Consider these arrows a lesson you have the opportunity to learn, and your poor compatriot does not."

"I'll do my part, don't worry," Baatar rasped through gritted teeth. "Now, if you'll pardon me...I should get these pinpricks looked at...." The Unicorn gestured at the arrow wounds, trying to make the gesture casual, as though they were brambles caught on his armor on a ride through the woods.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Aye. You have talent, and courage in spades. Just work on the wisdom to back it up, ne?"

Chihaya stood, glancing at the Scorpion.

"How can I help you, Shosuro-san?"

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

A shake of the head.

"The wounds."

Kitamaru walked around Chihaya, now certain of the Sparrow's awarness and with a hand, cautioned the Moto to stay still.

"A priest might be more helpful, but the undertaker takes the day off, perhaps."

The Scorpion waited for the Moto to give permission, after all aid was not requested.

Master of War (D8, Late Afternoon)

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