Cephiro, Elven Province

[Carthrat]

Hikaru misses the monk she was aiming at, her arrow flying wide. Misjudging by even a small amount can ruin a shot at this range.

Meanwhile, Umi comes across a pair of Elves closing in on a lone monk..

[Halbarad]

Hikaru shakes her head in disgust at having missed the shot. She slings the bow on her back, then runs over to Fuu to see if she needs any assistance in taking care of Master Jyoshi.

[Corwin]

Remembering Jyoshi's words and the importance of her mission, Umi flanks the monk, tryng to remain out of his sight for as long as possible while he's focused on the two bushi, and strikes at his legs.

[Carthrat]

Before Umi can reach the monk, however, the Bushi slash down on him with their swords-

-and promptly crumple to the ground, victim to both fists of the monk. Umi can now recognize him as the monk from earlier; the ponytailed monk who vanished. Amazingly, he dosn't even look puffed, as one would think after travelling nonstop to the villiage and then getting straight into a fight.

"Well, well, well," he murmers, eyes turning to Umi. "Let's see how you fare without your allies backing you up.."

He relaxes into a martial stance..

[Corwin]

Umi abandons her earlier plan, and eases herself into a defensive stance, opting to fight that way. "Speaking of allies," she says in a casual tone of voice, "are you sure you're up for a fight without hiding behind a horde of Matsu samurai?"

[Carthrat]

The monk just smirks, and slings a trio of shuriken at Umi! They fly past her guard and smack into her chest through her armour, stinging like wasps and biting like ants.

[Corwin]

Angry, Umi springs into action, attacking the monk with her rapier.

[Carthrat]

The ponytailed monk rushes forward himself, and the two warriors clash.

He ducks under Umi's stab and tries to sweep her feet out from under her, but she nimbly jumps over it, finishing just in time to block his second blow on her dastana..

[Corwin]

Umi feints a strike at his head, redirecting her rapier at the last possible moment to try and run it through the monk's torso.

[Carthrat]

The monk dosn't see the feint, but Umi dosn't see his foot as it slams her in the midsection, ruining an otherwise perfect shot and turning it into a light graze.

[Corwin]

Umi makes a wild slash at the monk's face, backing away.

[Carthrat]

The tip of Umi's rapier slashes across the monks face, causing him to bring his arm up to stem the flow of blood.

"You.. elf bitch!" he yells, rushing forward..

[Corwin]

Umi retreats from her opponent, trying to keep him at bay with her sword, and calling her friends' names loudly.

[Carthrat]

"What's wrong?" the monk smirks. "Calling for your friends to help you?"

His arms start moving in delicate patterns, trails of light wisping from his fingertips..

[Corwin]

Gritting her teeth instead of replying, Umi slashes her rapier at the monk's arms.