Captured! Revelations of the Mysterious Tomb..

[Corwin]

Umi smiles to herself, and decides to visit Fuu back at the castle.

[Carthrat]

While Umi is walking back to the castle, she sees about four gaijin horsemen galloping out towards the gates.

They're dressed for battle; wearing breastplates and carrying swords, shields, and lances. The expression on their faces can only be described as 'grim'.

[Corwin]

Umi double-checks that she wears her new belt and that it sits right, before picking up her pace, heading to where she had left Okina and Fuu earlier.

[Carthrat]

Okina is still there, leafing through a small book.

[Corwin]

"Okina-san," Umi says, gaining the older elf's attention. "Sorry for disturbing you, but I've noticed four gaijin swordsmen leaving the castle in a hurry. Is it related to--" She doesn't finish the sentence, grimacing.

[Carthrat]

"They spoke to me," replies Okina. "Apparently, one of their own mysteriously vanished last night, along with his horse, and his mage companion. They were staying at the castle; some kind of gaijin samurai; called a 'knight' or something."

[Corwin]

"Do we know anything about that companion of theirs?" Umi asks, a worried frown on her face.

[Carthrat]

"He's driven by money," replies Okina, flatly. "He's here to secure further trade between our nations. His retainers- those who set off after him- dislike his attitude, but must serve him out of honor.

His mage companion is no better. Knowledge might be a better pursuit than money, but not when it's used solely to perfect the casting of explosive magic."

[Corwin]

"I see," Umi says, not really understanding. "Where do those four intend to travel, then? If he disappeared mysteriously, leaving no clues or ways to follow him, that is...."

[Carthrat]

"They'll follow his hoofprints," replies Okina, shrugging. "With most of the forest scorched, it won't be hard for them to pick up his trail. Or perhaps they have some other way of finding him.

Either way, I've sent a party of scouts after them. A shugenja is with them; she'll communicate back about what happens with a spell."

[Corwin]

"May I ask why you're going through all this trouble, Okina-san?" A small frown appears on Umi's face. "I just... can't see the importance of a gaijin knight's disappearance of his own volition, especially during this time of crisis. Unless you think he's betrayed us and went to either the Matsu or Fey'ri?"

[Carthrat]

"You said there were gaijin on board the ship," replies Okina. "What if the Fey'ri has bribed the Gaijin before the ship left the bought? It's an odd circumstance as it is for a Gaijin lord to take off on his own without an escort. You know how some people can see them.

Given the unusuallness of the event, I thought it prudent. I'm no general. Was I wrong?"

[Corwin]

"You hold more information than I do, Okina-san," Umi says simply. "And there's a saying... it's better to be safe than sorry. I find it true in such cases, even if I try to act the devil's advocate."

[Carthrat]

Okina nods. "True enough. Do you wish to rest now, or is there other business you wish to conduct?"

[Corwin]

"Just to ask about the shugenja, and their attempt to decypher the workings of the magical items we brought back," Umi says, shrugging. "They could aid us, if a couple of them do what I think they do. But I should really rest, first."