Lady Carahan Mikayazi [hr] Mikayazi's eyes drilled against the wooden gates of the city ahead, her hand tightly wrapped against the pommel of her sword. She kept a cool demeanor on the outside, a leader must show courage around her soldiers, they must show that there is nothing to fear ahead, that victory is surely at their grasp. Moral is a key part in victory and the general is responsible for the bulk of it. For, if even the commander is nervous of the battle ahead, what does that say for the common soldier? A steely resolve was necessary, so she kept it for the sake of the people under her banner. That wasn't to say she wasn't scared shitless. Sure, she's fought in small skirmishes with the undead, her group normally had greater numbers or fought against mindless undead. But this... this was her first invasion. This would be the first time she and her men would be running against a horde of enemies that wouldn't immediately break. But... she knew she was ready for this. All the men and woman by her side were ready for this. She had trained since a young age to be a warrior, and her people? The moment she had became Diamyo of her land, she made it mandatory for all citizens to train in combat. She knew they'd be at war soon and every last soul should be prepared for it. And the results showed. Behind her, were willing volunteers trained to be militia, men and woman trained in all manner of weapons ready to fight by their Diamyo's side. Well, it was mostly the offer of land she'd get from moving her borders onward. Many of these farmers, fishermen or hunters were more then willing to fight a war so they may have a better life at the end of it. A commitment both she and her bushi warriors shared. Speaking of, her samurai were currently elsewhere, making preparations as a Calvary unit. If things went horrible here, she'd need a flanking unit to allow a strategic retreat. She doubted it would be necessary, but in war there's no such thing as being over cautious. Her eyes drifted to the large steel contraption that was rolled up onto the battlefield her eyes briefly examining it before flicking back to the wooden gate. She was assured by the fortress engineers that this contraption could blow the gate right off it's hinges. Which, while made her relieved now... but, if this weapon spread to other nations, it'd change the art of war forever. Which means she'd have to plan. Not know of course, but all in due time. The wick was lit and a murmur spread through her band, the realization that they'd all be in combat, [i]real[/i] combat was making it's rounds to every single one of them. Mikayazi turned to the woman next to her, putting a hand on her soldier, giving her a warm, reassuring smile. "Captain Natame and I have trained you all well. Remember, you are fighting for the future of this nation." She yells out to the crowd, turning toward them, her hand clasped on her captain's shoulder. "Remember, the undead have no honor, so do not make the mistake of having any of your own on this battlefield. They will use any dirty trick, so be sure to use any of your own. And remember... you have your brothers and sisters in arms beside. Put their lives in your hands and they will do the same to you. Depend on each other and we will make it out of this battle with our banner on top of this gate!" The cannon exploded, a the gate splintering with a loud boom, Mikayazi throwing her fist in the air. "The time for conquest is now! FOR JIKAI!" "[b]JIKAI BANZAI![/b]" Mikayazi charged forward, toward the zombies that were flooding out the gate, quickly noticing that these were just mindless shamblers with an armed ones mixed in. Most likely to soften the group or to try and overwhelm them so that the tougher foes inside would face the group while they were exhausted. Disgusting. The roaring group soon clashed with the undead, Mikayazi ripping her blade from it's sheath, her blade quickly severing a zombie's torso in two. The way she moved was sight to see, she was never in the same place for long and her blade slashed and cleaved anything in it's sight. Her militia began filling the spots next to her, eager to send their former country men back to the afterlife.