Session 25. (16/01/02)

We rejoin The Stone to find three of the troubleshooters (Sugiyama the "expert" tracker, Emiko with knowledge of magic and legends, and Komako who carries the equipment Sugiyama has no room for) standing outside a disused copper mine wondering what to do about the tracks of the green horse, which go straight past the mine. Sugiyama has a look around and concludes that no-one has been into the mine for years, so he slopes off to see what else he can find. He returns to the other two to say that the tracks lead up to the top of the valley and into a gorge that runs off on one side. The three set off and follow the tracks down the bottom of the gorge, which quickly becomes very deep and narrow. Suddenly there is a rock fall, but fortunately everyone spots it and dodges out of the way. A little further on there is another rock fall. Sugiyama was busy studying the tracks and is struck for minor damage, as is Emiko who wasn't paying attention. They reach the end of the gorge to find a wide, low cave mouth. Another sudden rock fall catches Sugiyama and Komako for minor damage. Sugiyama thinks he sees movement high on the side of the gorge and keeps a careful watch for enemies. As the three enter the cave and their eyes adapt to the dark, they find themselves in the middle of a semicircle of beautifully carved humanoid figures apparently cut from solid jade. Komako falls to his knees in awe; Emiko prays to the kami, while Sugiyama looks on the ground for tracks. What could this mean?

In Nobeoka meanwhile, Kimori has met Mizuno the marriage broker. He introduces himself, taking care not to mention that he is from the enemy province of Iyo. Mizuno appears already to know. He says, "Yes, I have been expecting you. Benten appeared to me and said that a warrior from Iyo would come with a proposition. If you were able to meet certain conditions, I would help you find a wife. The woman she identified lives in Mimitsu, where her father is a powerful landowner. However, there are some difficulties and there may be danger for you for which I cannot be held responsible. My fee is 43 gold pieces. Are you willing to accept these terms?" Kimori is shocked at the price, this being virtually his entire net worth, but reluctantly agrees. Mizuno offers him tea while he explains the terms.

In a flashback to earlier action, we see Mariko leading a force of 1500 troops to take Hinokage while Koreyasu holds the fort with the remaining 1200 troops. Mariko sets up a siege around Hinokage and immediately mounts an attack. There are only 300 troops in the town, sheltering in a level 2 citadel. After the first day there are only 100 defenders left, while Mariko has 1400; after the second day it is all over. Mariko marches victoriously into Hinokage and seals the road from the coast. Mariko's only regret is that she had no encounters or battle honours - but then it was a very easy victory.

In a cavern in a canyon, investigating for a mine, knelt a ninja, holy priestess, and his porter, Komako^*. The three troubleshooters are looking at the jade statues wondering what they are for. Emiko has a close look and discovers that they are not jade statues but the petrified bodies of small humanoids, which she identifies as bakemono. They have been bound to posts and left to be coated with the bright green minerals that constantly drip from the cave roof. Sugiyama looks for inscriptions, but instead finds two empty posts, broken rope and hoof prints, evidently the place where the horse was bound before it escaped. Emiko decides to use a Hatha yoga trance to see if there is any magic involved, and after a brief aborted attempt, curtailed by an ill-placed and very cold drip of green water, she enters a trance. As she chants, Sugiyama gets bored and goes off to make sure nothing is creeping up on them. Just as Emiko announces there is no magic in the statues, Sugiyama sees shadows moving along the far cave wall, near the entrance, then some more on the nearer cave wall and suddenly there are bakemono all over him. He shouts a warning and starts swinging his sword. He quickly fells one of the eight small creatures attacking him, but four more go to attack Emiko and Komako. Swinging large clubs, they quickly knock Emiko out and start dragging her away. Komako punches one out, and Sugiyama kills one of the leaders, identifiable by having armour. Sugiyama and Komako invoke their blessings and whirl away like demons. Komako dispatches his second attacker and goes to help Emiko. Sugiyama runs his sword through three in as many seconds and suddenly they are alone with twelve dead or unconscious bakemono and a handful of bruises. What should they do with them?

In Nobeoka, Kimori is getting more details from Mizuno. "The first problem for you is to gain the respect of your bride. Benten says she is a lover of music, and her ideal husband will be skilled in playing the biwa. She has given her just such an instrument for her to test her suitors. You must have this skill if you are to have any chance with her.

"The second challenge is to get the permission of her father. He is a difficult man to get on with, and the war between our provinces will not make this task any easier. Your best chance is to debate the issue with him. If you are thinking of killing him, this will probably make it impossible for you to win over his daughter." Kimori, accustomed to facing any amount of danger if it has a sword in its hand, is terrified at the prospect of public speaking and playing music. He returns to Hinokage, head in a spin.

Back at the cave, Sugiyama and Komako wait while Emiko and the surviving bakemono come round. They try to reason with the bakemono, but they don't seem to understand human language. They suddenly make a break for it and Sugiyama decides to let them go, hoping some goodwill will give them an easier passage along the gorge. They leave the cave and find the bakemono have already disappeared. As they walk quickly up the gorge they are once again pelted by rocks, but they are prepared and suffer little harm. Sugiyama is keen to take the fight to the bakemono, but sees that the gorge walls a covered with ledges and tiny tunnel entrances, too small for his broad shoulders, and he realises that this would be an impossible task. The three head back to Hinokage to swap stories.

It is week 8 of the Year of the Hare. In Hinokage, Koreyasu briefs the troubleshooters. "We have had terrible news. One of our spies has been captured and taken to Ishiyama castle (also called The Stone), a prison reputed to be escape-proof. Not only does he have vital information on the enemy, he also knows too much of our own plans. He must be rescued."

The troubleshooters set off immediately on the four day walk to Ishiyama. On the afternoon of the first day, before leaving the Gokase valley, the party meets a man on the road. He carries the dai-sho and challenges Sugiyama to a duel. The two exchange blows, then the stranger uses a Precision Strike manoeuvre (fortunately failing, resulting in an ordinary hit). Realisation dawns on Sugiyama that he is fighting a professional duellist and the shock makes him miss. He pulls himself together and the two trade blows again, then Sugiyama's armour deflects one hit. The duellist draws a small dagger and attempts to break Sugiyama's prized sword with Fire and Stones, but again fails. Sugiyama, bleeding heavily, goes for his own Precision Strike, succeeds, and cuts down his foe. Spoils of 14 SP, a Shinto text of penitence, and a precious stone reveal that this was how the dead man made his living. Emiko gives healing and receives the scroll in return.

There is no more excitement until the evening of the third day when Sugiyama (again!) is attacked by a snake. Sugiyama is bitten, but fortunately resists the poison. He and Mariko chop up the snake. A peasant who saw the action comes up and praises the warriors. He turns out to be a half-European from Nagasaki called Purotto Debayasu and warns them about a dragon that lives in a cave next to the track through the pass to Ishiyama. Indeed the steam and smoke can be seen from the party's campsite. The troubleshooters are not sure if there is a dragon or a volcano, but agree that a cave so close to the prison would make a useful hideout after helping the spy to escape.

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