Captured! Revelations of the Mysterious Tomb..

[Halbarad]

Hikaru considers for a moment. "It might be possible for small groups, but they'd definitely need to be cautious. It's much harder to conceal yourself in the burned reaches of the forest, although there are quite a few areas that haven't been touched by the fires yet."

[Corwin]

"And those would be perfect for setting up ambushes," Umi says, nodding to herself. "It worked for a group of gaijin elves in the battle of Crescent City against an overwhelming enemy force, or so I've learned from the books I read."

[Corwin]

"In any case," she continues, at not hearing an objection yet, "I'm thinking of five teams of a dozen members each, four of which would try to take out the spellcasters or the leaders in the retreating Matsu force, while the fifth one would try to track them and perhaps find out their destination, or locate Master Toshi."

[Ebiris]

Fuu shrugs. "I am just a priestess, large scale unit tactics are not my forte. I will trust your superior judgement in this case, Umi-chan."

[Corwin]

Umi nods gratefully at Fuu, before turning towards Okina. "You have my opinion, then, Okina-san. It's not without risks, though I consider those to be minimal in comparison to the alternatives, sans just keeping the entire army in the capital. And, unlike the show of force with sending half of it to chase the Matsu for a few hours, this plan has a chance of damaging their chain of command and firepower, the latter being spellcasters. Also, valuable information might be gathered at the same time, should the teams sent uncover anything or locate Master Toshi." She sighs. "The only drawback to my proposal I can see is the risk it puts the soldiers in these teams in, but unless the Matsu have changed their minds about waging total war on us, casualties are unavoidable."

Umi frowns suddenly. "And should we send these teams, Okina-san, we might find an answer to that question as well. A force of a thousand soldiers is not quite what one would send to conquer Cephiro and expect to win against its garrison, wouldn't you say? Perhaps their plans have changed in the time since we've been to their camp on our border?"

[Carthrat]

"That's the problem, as I see it," replies Okina. "We still don't know what the goal of the Matsu army is. If it's wanton destruction, they've certainly done well.

Your plan does have merit. I can see that it will be done," he finishes.

Ukyo nods, too. "The question is, what do we do in the meantime? Go after this Tomb and see if there's something there the Fey'Ri want, join the raiding teams, or sit around here?"

[Corwin]

"With your permission, Okina-san, I would like to have another matter settled, first. One of a more personal manner, which could affect our choice on which path to take."

[Carthrat]

Okina raises an eyebrow. "Would you be willing to share this with me?"

[Corwin]

Umi shrugs. "I'm not a mage, so I wouldn't know much in that area, but I did find a person who was willing to accept the enchanted chain in exchange for providing Hikaru with a spellbook as early as tomorrow morning. However, I had the distinct feeling of being ripped off quite badly when I spoke to him. Thus, I think the decision of whether to try and go ahead with the deal or not should be up to Fuu and Hikaru, who would know more about this.... That decision, in turn, affects the task we'll be best suited for, since our capabilities are likely to change."

[Halbarad]

Hikaru shrugs. "I suppose I could speak to him, but if my memory of scroll prices is right I'd have a hard time replacing my spellbook as it stood. If you want to introduce me to this merchant, I can see what I can do. I'm definitely not much use without a spellbook of SOME kind, that much is certain."

[Ebiris]

"My magic comes from an entirely different source than Hikaru's," Fuu puts in. "But it's sad to say that if the retreating Matsu confiscated her spellbook, we will almost certainly never see it again. A replacement is likely the only option we have."

[Corwin]

"Alright." Umi hands Hikaru the magical chain. "I told him I prefer to give the chain to my friend instead of selling it for his price. Make no mistake, the chain is easily worth the spellbook and then some." She smirks. "I never said my friend wouldn't try to sell it on her own. If you want to go find him and offer to swap it for a spellbook with spells of your choosing, that's your business, isn't it?"

Umi quickly gives Hikaru the directions to the mage, as well as his general description.

[Halbarad]

Hikaru accepts the chain with a nod. "I hope I have better luck than you did, then. By your leave, Okina-san." Hikaru bows and departs to go look for the mage.

[Corwin]

"Now that this has been settled," Umi says, "to answer Ukyo's question, I think Fuu, myself and a shugenja should join one of the teams, the teams otherwise consisting of archers. We could try to set up an ambush or track the Matsu force to its destination, depending on the situation in the field. Then, the shugenja would communicate back with the capital, and tell Hikaru where she could meet up with us, after she gets her spellbook... assuming it all goes well in that area, of course. Hikaru isn't a fighter, so if Ukyo could accompany her to the meeting point we'll schedule through the shugenja's message, it would be appreciated."

[Carthrat]

Okina nods. "How far will this harrasment go? To the edge of Cephiro, I presume?"

<->

Hikaru finds the mage without too much trouble. He looks suitably pompous, wearing lots of red; red pants, red shirt, gaudy red jacket, and a red cape, along with a red mask.

"Welcome!" he says to her as she approaches.