Captured! Revelations of the Mysterious Tomb..

[Carthrat]

"I thought you might, so I wrote it down for you," says Gizen, handing Hikaru a piece of parchment.

Ukyo has taken it upon himself to wander around the room, looking at the odds and ends Gizen has found..

<->

The Message Reads;

Hikaru, we are located to the East of the Great River, which is near the Matsu lands. There are few landmarks, but the patrols are all about five kilometres away from the river, so if you stick to that approximate length, you should be able to find one of them, and they will direct you to us.

While scouting, Fuu encountered a party of Doji monks. They claim to have-"

*crash*

"Don't touch that!" yells Gizen.

"Gomen, gomen," replies Ukyo, moving on to another priceless paperweight..

"-been sent by their leader to clear up any misunderstanding we may have.

Be wary, Hikaru. There are spells that can be used to conceal magical auras. Fuu did not detect anything, but keep a close watch.

We await your arrival, but if we are forced to act, you will be informed."

Hikaru can hear Gizen casting a spell..

[Halbarad]

Hikaru massages her temples, hoping the two men don't come to blows. She considers what to reply for a few moments, then attempts to attract Gizen's attention. "Gizen-san! I'm ready to send my reply!"

[Carthrat]

Hikaru need not have worried; Ukyo had his own methods of dealing with Gizen.

*bonk* "Ow! That hurt!" complains Gizen, gazing at an apple that had just impacted his forehead. "What was that for?"

Ukyo snort, contemptuously, and leaves the room.


"Ah, yes, Hikaru-chan," says Gizen, distracted from her looks for the moment. "What do you want me to send?"

[Halbarad]

"Send this in reply: I have received your message, and I will confer with Okina concerning the Doji before I depart. Unfortunately, it will be late in the morning before I can even begin to leave, unless I forgo preparing any spells before I arrive - I have yet to receive my spellbook from the mage at all. I will come as soon as I can; if the situation changes, please try to send word so I can alter my plans accordingly. Otherwise, I will meet you near the river sometime late tomorrow evening."

[Carthrat]

Gizen nods, and lapses into casting, the magical light swirling from his hands..

After a short time, the message is sent.

<->

"Umi-san! We just recieved a message from Hikaru," says the Shugenja, relating it to her..

[Corwin]

Umi nods, listening to the message. "So, what do you want to do, Fuu?" she asks. "Do you want to investigate further, attack, or wait till Hikaru arrives?"

[Ebiris]

"An attack against a fortified camp with our current numbers would be suicidal," Fuu shakes her head. "I will go and investigate the bridge, and what I can of the camp. In the meantime, I suggest you send word to the other groups to rendevouz with us - unless they have encountered anything themselves. I think by the time Hikaru-chan arrives we will be in a better position to judge the situation, and mount an attack if necessary."

[Corwin]

"Alright. Would you mind if I came along as backup?" Umi frowns. "I'd really like to see the situation at that bridge for myself, and in case you're spotted, I could divert their attention."

[Ebiris]

"I'm not sure if that would be a good idea, Umi-chan," Fuu says hesitantly. "You don't have any real training in stealth, nor do you have the same magical assistance that I do," she fingers the edge of her cloak as she speaks. "While I don't doubt that you could provide a most effective diversion, I would much rather not see you throw your life away so pointlessly - besides, the chances of my being detected, much less caught, are significantly lessened if I go alone."

[Corwin]

Umi shrugs. "Your call, Fuu. Come back safe."

[Ebiris]

"I always do," Fuu smiles before heading off towards the river. Stealthy-like.

[Carthrat]

Fuu makes it a fair distance from the River Haruko, in time to see an odd sight.

Shigen is talking to the Matsu; not in his Doji monk guise, but in his true, Fey'Ri form. His reddish skin and long red hair cause him to stand out.

He's speaking with authority; it seems the Matsu know, and respect, or at least fear him.

He turns and marches across the bridge over the great river, Haruko. Directly guarding the bridge are about twelve soldiers, with others walking up and down the river to protect it, and Fuu can make out an indetermite number of Matsu guards on the bridge itself.

A number of Fey'Ri are standing around the area. Unlike the Matsu guards (who seem almost jumpy), they are standing at consumnate ease. There are about eight of them, but they have no uniform apperance. Some have long, pointed tails, others have scales, and some have horns.

All have a pair of batlike wings, however, but they do not even carry uniform weapons. Their faces show that they are rather alert, but nobody spots Fuu.

[Ebiris]

Having ascertained the situation at the bridge, Fuu returns to her group to make a report.

[Carthrat]

Fuu starts making her way back to the camp.. but halfway there, she sees a lone, mounted gaijin, who luckily doesn't spot her. However, he is coming towards her location..

[Ebiris]

Making use of any nearby cover, Fuu hunkers down and waits for the horse to draw closer before she makes her move.