[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] ~[/center] (Currently in collab) [hr] [center][h3]Homestead[/h3][/center] [center][b]HONEY TRAP[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] The taskforce duo followed the footprints, all the way to a fairly large, wooden-walled village. The town flew clan banners, but there was no sign of any samurai or onmyoji caster present. Even the watchtowers were empty. Most likely, there was a garrison of Shizuyaman troops here who likely all perished in Sanjo Beach and left the village free to be squatted in by bandits. And there were a lot of bandits. There were about a dozen of them, most of them were Swordsmen thugs but a couple wielded obviously-foreign crossbows. They were alert and on patrol, warned of the incoming taskforce duo by those who fled earlier. However, they were untrained bandits and even in their vigilance, they were oblivious to the nearing presences of [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u]. None of the bandits present seemed to be the leader. He will have to be coaxed out, or spotted discreetly somewhere inside of one of the buildings. While snooping around, [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u] overheard a couple of bandits conversing while the latter were on patrol. "[color=00a99d]What did she do when he threw her out?[/color]" "[color=7bcdc8]Imagine killing your whole family to be with the man you love. A few days later, he gets rid of you. What would YOU do?[/color]" "[color=00a99d]Probably kill myself... or kill him.[/color]" [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@Rezod92], [@Nakushita], [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center] [quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"Where's Shizuka or underboss Takeshi?"[/color][/quote] "[color=red]You tell me. Didn't Lord Takeshi go after you and that Alice girl? What happened? And how come you came here all by yourself looking like a Wurm rammed into you?[/color]" Ayu then gasped as she jumped to a conclusion. "[color=red]Don't tell me they're both in some sort of trouble! Tell me where they are and I'll assemble a search and rescue team right away![/color]" - [u]Lunatea[/u] and the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters managed to return to Terauchi Temple with their hostage quite safely with nothing obstructing their trip. Kana remained pretty silent all the way, refusing to answer questions and ocassionally sobbing due to her situation being captured by foreign yokai associated with a vengeful and relentless warrior renowned in the island. Upon arrival, the party was quickly greeted by Ayu. "[color=red]Ah, it's the sisters! And Miss Lunatea! Welcome back![/color]" Immediately noticing Kana, the head spy continued. "[color=red]And who is this? Another refugee? Well, let me arrange some quarters for her to stay in. People have been coming nonstop, you know? It's a good thing this temple was built to accomodate.[/color]" [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade] "Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father. Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [hider=Yurine, Death Keeper] "Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries. She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center] [hider=Teacher And Student] "Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center] [center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center] [hider=Empty Baskets] A villager woman sitting near a bonfire was muttering to herself when the taskforce member approached. "Poor Honoka, she'll likely starve soon. Oh, I didn't see you there. Err, Honoka's a widow, living alone in the outskirts of Yabo. Please, if it's not too much of a bother, do you mind checking in on her?" [/hider] [hider=Whispers In The Woods] A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by. "You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood." "People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..." [/hider] [hider=Lost At Sea] A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached. "There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying." "Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it." [/hider] [center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]