Post

Lucatiel wrote:

Toru’s neck feathers ruffled like he was about to start barking at Kaito for ignorance, but the man laughed a little. “Different tactics for different lands, I suppose. Well done, friend.” He pondered a long time, “It is interesting. Fighting a hidden war. Yes, we do that here too. But the Hidden Fortress is more meant to protect infant heirs or daughters. Who can use their wealth as influence with allied lords or perhaps buy safety. And plot revenge another day. The lord himself will die before surrendering. We in this land die in battle or commit honourable suicide rather than be made a prisoner. The bushi are expected to die for their lord. And the lord himself, if he does not die in battle, will plunge his sword into his abdomen and disembowel himself. An ally or his enemy will remove his head before it can show pain or fear. This is honourable. Traditional. And... maybe something you, yourself will be expected to perform.” As Toru kept talking, the pair suddenly found themselves in a small clearing of trees. It was circular and just a patch where no tree grew, but the two were surrounded after a moment. Not just by the trees, but by autumn monks. A collection of humans and badofoku with shaved heads and orange robes wrapped around their chests. The monks carried staves.
An eldery human man with a kindly face, sitting on a rock with his legs crossed bowed to the two. “Greetings, greetings, friends.” Toru drew his sword and stood ready. “Oh, please, please sir. Sheath your weapon. We mean no harm, but we know that you do not mean the same for us. Please, please sit. Let us be cordial. Come, come.” He ushered to the leaves in front of his rock, “Sit, sit.”

-

Kondoru spoke not, bur listened and bowed once more. “Farewell, Volod-san. Safe travels.” The young warrior rose and headed to Dulfian’s forge. Looking to find his retinue and greet the smith after completing his task. Though, Kondoru had much to ruminate on. What the knight, his uncle’s proposition. Life was interesting now, certainly. But how long would it stay that way?

Kaito gave a smile, pleasantly surprised that Toru was being friendly instead of barking at him. It was an interesting bit of cultural difference he had to suppose, although the ritualistic suicide was particularly notable to him. Eversteenians were not fond of suicide, as that was considered a different form of surrender to a different sort of enemy. Unfortunately he of course didn't get the chance to respond, as that was when the monks showed up. Kaito glared at the elder, and drew his sword as well. He didn't move to attack, simply staying where he was and speaking, "I would prefer not to. You may stay where you are. Are the monks of this place, the ones who spurn the Emperor?" He was quite suspicious, and in no mood to trust these monks.

-

His retinue arrived at the forge soon after Volod departed, and so they would go with him inside the forge. As he got inside, he found the large lizard slamming away at some metal, seeming to be shaping it into the shape of a chest plate, although it did seem to be early in the workings. He seemed to notice Kondoru enter, and turned to face him. He seemed surprised, but smiled, "Well the youngling is back already! That took you less time than I expected, Kondoru. Quite good however if you did get those horseshoes, means I'll be able to deliver them to a buyer nice and early. Anyways just place them over to the side, I got something to show you first. I did some quick work I think you'll like." He moved to the side, and moved some cloth to reveal a helmet waiting on a table. It was different to the designs of those Humans and Rigonians would wear, it had a more Avian shape. It was built for Kondoru's head frame, clearly, based on the measurements he had taken earlier. It was a proper bit of plate armor, with a visor that could be flipped up, "I started work on your armor. The body will take a lot more, as will the legs, but I decided to quickly craft a helmet as a sign of appreciation. Give it a try, let's see if I got it right."