Cephiro, Elven Province

[Corwin]

"Could you give these two a decent burial?" Umi asks Kikuchi and Hayate. "We'll take care of warning the master of Otsu, and resupplying, waiting for you at the Master's residence."

[Carthrat]

The samurai nod, disgust and anger plain across their faces.

"You'd best hurry. Whoever did this was likely travelling to Otsu. Doji scum," Kikuchi says. "We'll join you as soon as we are able."

[Corwin]

"Of course." Umi nods, glancing at her companions. "Hikaru, Fuu, let's go!"

[Ebiris]

Fuu nods grimly, readying her bow in case they run into trouble on the last stretch of road towards Otsu.

[Halbarad]

Hikaru shakes off her horror at the brutal scene, then turns to follow the other two elf maidens, a determined expression on her face.

[Carthrat]

At their quickened pace, the elves soon see a pillar of smoke rising from what should be Otsu..

[Corwin]

Umi rushes towards the smoke, summoning her rapier.

[Ebiris]

Fuu follows Umi, her bow ready to deal with whomever is responsible for this atrocity, even as she starts considering how to deal with the wounded in the town.

[Carthrat]

As the trio of elves near the town, they are witness to a battle scene.

Various buildings are burning here and there, but nobody is thinking of putting out the fires right now; all the attention is at the town gates, where the few bushi alive are fighting it out with Doji monks.

Right in the thick of it is Master Jyoshin, who fights with a quarterstaff. He's bruised and bleeding, and his thick white hair is matted with blood. In short, he looks like hell.

Nonetheless, he keeps on trying to the utmost..

[Ebiris]

Seeing the outnumbered Elves in a mass brawl with the Doji monks, where her arrows are as likely to hurt friend as foe, Fuu casts Summon Monster II, calling forth a Celestial Eagle above the battle to swoop down and harry the Doji monks.

[Corwin]

Umi charges one of Master Jyoshin's opponents with a loud battle cry.

[Halbarad]

Hikaru brings up the rear, following the other two as quickly as she can manage. She casts Shield as the group nears the melee in preparation for the fight ahead.

[Carthrat]

Umi skewers a Doji monk from the rear, almost grazing Master Jyoshin from the sheer power of the attack. She's instantly surrounded by elven bushi and Doji monks alike, and the fighting is extremely fierce.

Jyoshin himself dosn't note her presence; he's too busy spinning his staff back and forth to register her.

The celestial eagle swoops down and starts to harry the Doji monks, causing one already beaten and bruised monk to drop.

OOC: Umi's right in the thick of combat, you two are about 30 feet away.

[Ebiris]

Replacing her Daikyu on her back, Fuu casts Shield of Faith on herself as she nears the melee.

[Halbarad]

Hikaru draws a wand from her pack and gestures with it, summoning a Celestial Badger to assist Fuu's eagle in distracting the attacking monks.