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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Vanifae" data-source="post: 5324468" data-attributes="member: 58765">Session 4: Seven Devils – Part 214th of the Serpent, 1172 IC, Southern Sweet Plum ProvinceHana sighed as Nobutada hovered about her, his arm was in a sling from his injuries from the battle.  The young Seppun samurai followed her about acting as her impromptu yojimbo and protecting his own self interest in the young Crane shugenja’s favor.  She spent her time in the village in the shadow of South Border Fortress, it was a calm and soothing place, overly quaint by her standards but  place of good people.  Lot in her thoughts she barely registered that Nobutada was speaking with someone and for once it was not her.She glanced and saw an armed man of the road, a samisen on his back and a daisho at his hip.  He wore no mon or heraldry, in her summation he was probably a ronin.  Not totally uncommon given the current political climate of the region.  She brushed the thoughts aside as the words exchanged between Nobutada and the stranger soon turned heated.Nobutada sneered, “Ronin scum, give me the message for my cousin and I will see to it that she gets it.”The ronin, Kohaku, grinned, “I don’t think so.  I promised her little sister I would deliver it into her hands.”Hana interposed herself between the two bushi, “I am sure we can come to some kind of agreement, why don’t we discuss this over some warm food and sake?”The ronin nodded, “I can agree to that, I could use some good drink.”Nobutada shrugged as the group entered the simple sake house, the staff were quick to seat the samurai and see to their needs.  Kohaku was impressed with the treatment, he was used to being recognized as a samurai but the respect was not that much greater than an armed peasant.  Obviously he was in good company, well despite being in the presence of a Crane samurai.  Kohaku was a bastard child of a whore and a Crane duelist, Kakita Benimaru.  The very thought of his father, the One Eyed Duelist, made his blood boil thankfully he had warm sake in him to ease his mood.[Kakita Benimaru is an enemy of Kohaku and is actually named after a rogue we had in a D&D 4E game I ran with this player.  I am actually excited to bring this character into the campaign at my earliest convenience. – GM’s note]Hana decided to break the silence, “So Kohaku-san, what is the message you have for Agasha Mayako-san?”“It’s a letter from her younger sister,” Kohaku replied through mouthfuls of rice.“So you met little Keiko-chan?  How is she, how is my little cousin?” Nobutada asked.“Nope, that wasn’t her name,” Kohaku replied after a draught of sake, “Sukime-san sent me on this mission and I will not betray hr trust.  She is my wife to be after all.”Nobutada blinked, “What?  She is still a child!”“Relax friend, she swore to wait till she was a true samurai after her training, and I am bound my word to not betray her trust.  You can trust me,” Kohaku laughed.“We shall see,” Nobutada brooded, “well is Sukime-chan alright?  How did you meet her?”Kohaku grinned and related his tale of the bandits and his timely intervention on the matter.  Hana listened intently trying to keep the two bushi from overly indulging but her actions were far too little too late and soon the once enemies were becoming fast an drunken friends, exchanging pleasantries with threats with equal abandon.  Hana had to survive the clumsy advances of Nobutada and the crude jokes of Kohaku.  She was thankful when the two men decided to retire late in the evening, the ronin was surprised when the Seppun scion offered him accommodations in the fortress.Hana approached her chamber slowly noticing someone behind her.  She turned to find Nobutada, “Good night Nobutada-san.”“You sure you don’t need me to… uh keep you company… [hic] this evening?” Nobutada slurred.“I am fine, just go back to bed and I will see you in the morning,” Hana replied.“You sure?” Nobutada smirked leaning lazily against the wall.“Positive, Go. To. Bed,” Hana rolled her eyes, her patience growing short.Nobutada retreated as Hana sighed and took some solace in a good night’s sleep.  Morning came all too soon for the three young samurai, especially Nobutada and Kohaku.  The ronin was not used to having such fine accommodations, it was a far cry from traveling on the road and playing music or utilizing his sword arm to earn his next meal.  With Nobutada’s help Kohaku was able to deliver his letter…But to his surprise he had two letters on his person both for Mayako.  He delivered them if only to fulfill his oath.  Mayako read through both letters quickly, though one brought great concern to her and her father, the daimyo of the province.  Whatever was written in the letter was of grave importance to the Great Strategist.  He ordered his retainers, Hana and Nobutada to hunt down the source of the second letter, Junko and bring her to the castle to face his judgment.The Great Strategist sat alone in his chamber, a grim look across his face, “Mayako will remain here, as a provincial magistrate she has many duties to learn.  As her yoriki you will head to Far Rice Village and find this Junko; bring her to me and quickly.  The mayor is a loyal servant of the Empress, she may be able to help.”Hana nodded and accepted her duty, she turned to Nobutada, “We should leave as soon as we are able and quickly.”Nobutada nodded, “Revered uncle we will find her.”The Great Strategist nodded, “Divine Empress’ will be done.”Hana gathered her things and headed for the courtyard, there Kohaku was waiting entertaining the bored bushi with his music and stories.  Hana turned to Nobutada, “What do we do about him?”“He is a ronin, why not just pay him to go with us, ronin are loyal to coin at least,” Nobutada replies preparing his horse.Hana nodded, “Kohaku-san we have a proposition for you, we have to leave the castle for a few days, we can pay you to join us and we could probably use an extra hand.”Kohaku smirked, “I suppose I could be persuaded.”Nobutada nodded, “It should be a simple matter and since you are partly responsible for this matter.”“Me?” Kohaku replied.“You did deliver the letter,” Nobutada chided getting astride his steed.The trio continued their discussion as they prepared for their journey.  Shiba Gouda approached them, the commander of the fortress and a loyal servant of the Great Strategist.  His face was a wretched mess that made him unforgettable, it was as if the left side was stretched taut over his skull giving him a wretched and twisted countenance.  Gouda grinned looking at the gathered samurai speaking in his unctuous tone, “You should take care on your journey to Seven Devils, milady.”“Seven Devils?” Hana replied with a quizzical brow.“Far Rice Village is now known as Seven Devils, last I heard, a beauty like you should take care in such a hive of villainy.  There is no authority there, so you should be doubly wary,” Gouda grinned.Hana did her best not to stare, “Thank you for the warning.”“If you need help,” Gouda smiled as best as his wretched face could manage, “seek the aid of Kasuga Ryoko-san; she is a Tortoise clan smuggler with strong ties in Seven Devils.  Though I hear her methods are a little questionable.  Please take care Asahina-san, Seven Devils is a dangerous place.”Hana smiled weakly, “Thank you.”  She then urged her horse forward with Kohaku and Nobutada following.  The trio entered the unaligned territories and made way for the lawless town of Seven Devils.Gouda watched them go with a leering hideous smile.[Shiba Gouda is an interesting character I hope to flesh out more next session he is based at least physically on the character of Gouda from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and has a similar personality.  Overall this session was purely role play and I enjoyed it.  – GM’s note]</blockquote>

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