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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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A few days' travel through the plains of Aitsuragi placed the party on the edge of a nameless village, one more day away from Kugane proper. Sundown was mere hours away, though, and it would have been folly to push on to simply camp out in the fields when an inn with hot food and a roof over their heads awaited them here. Or at least, that had been the assumption until they actually beheld the hamlet.

About the only thing that could be said to be flourishing within the village were the rice fields. Crops were growing, certainly. But even from a distance, anyone looking closely could see the malnourished frames of the farmers, their ragged clothing, and the various buildings in town being in a state of shabby disrepair. Evidently, [i]something[/i] had done a number on this place.

[color=#736AFF][b]"What you see before you is a result of the occupiers' ruinous taxation."[/b][/color] Izayoi supplied, her eyes blazing with anger as she beheld the absolute state of the people. [color=#736AFF][b]"The Valheimr bleed these villages dry of both grain and coin to enrich themselves, and withhold protection from the Blight for those who refuse to pay. That is, if they do not simply punish the peasantry by making examples of them."[/b][/color]

As they approached the village borders, the more perceptive members of the party could feel a pair of eyes on them. Their owner could be found sitting high on a tree branch leisurely swinging their feet back and forth. It was a female Viera with short, blonde hair and vibrant lavender-colored eyes. She wore a suit of high-quality leather armor that was reinforced with a breastplate, slim shoulder guards, and bracers. A red-colored wood short bow with an accompanying quiver was attached to her back and a pair of fierce-looking daggers hung around her hips. 

A half-smirk appeared on her pinkish lips as the first of the party approached, her eyes scanning through them all but predominantly lingering on Izayoi multiple times. [color=FEF698]"The report wasn't kidding."[/color] The viera leaned forward and flipped frontwards onto the ground effortlessly, her right hand resting on her hip while the other lay loosely against her side [color=FEF698]"We were hoping you'd come to Osprey but not make so much of...an entrance."[/color] Her merry demeanor cracked for a moment once her eyes set on first Galahad, then Rudolf and Robin, icy glares shooting towards the three of them before her attention returned to Izayoi.

For her part, Izayoi simply fixed the interloper with a flat stare. She knew her kind, of course. How could she not, having made extensive use of them throughout the war? The viera's words didn't help in that regard.

[color=#736AFF][b]"Shinobi."[/b][/color] The Mystrel rested her off-hand on the hilt of her sword, not quite hostile yet but not off her guard either. [color=#736AFF][b]"And who would 'we' be, exactly? Name whom you serve."[/b][/color] There was no point in asking for this woman's name. They wouldn't get a real answer, much less a clan to identify her as. And that was assuming this wasn't simply a freelancer, either.

[color=FEF698]"Someone who wishes to share a cup of bergamot tea with an old friend."[/color] Came an easy, practiced reply, and Izayoi couldn't help her eyes from widening slightly. Impossible. Ciradyl was a [i]performer[/i], not someone who hired ninjas to serve her.

[color=#736AFF][b]"Absurd. Your deception ought to do better than to rely upon public meetings over half a decade old."[/b][/color] Izayoi spat, now looking rather offended. [color=#736AFF][b]"Anyone who'd kept half an eye upon our public appearances could claim to serve Ciradyl with that."[/b][/color]

[color=FEF698]"And you've got little choice but to rely on me, no matter what."[/color] The viera replied, her easy smile staying on her face. [color=FEF698]"That is, unless you can somehow sneak past the city guards with nine people, four chocobos, a moogle, and a wagon. The city's changed since last you were there, you know."[/color] Her smile turned wan as she continued. [color=FEF698]"Valheim practically has it locked down. Nobody gets in or out without their express approval. But my mistress has made arrangements. All you need do is to follow along."[/color]

Izayoi glowered at the viera ninja for a moment before turning to Galahad. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"She claims to serve an old friend of mine. I do not believe her. However, if she speaks truly regarding Kugane, we may not have a choice regardless. I cannot say, as I've not approached within the time I've been active once more. Your decision?"[/b][/color]