Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XLVI: Scouts===
:>I oversaw Mantis-san and Monkey's packing myself.
:>Here, keep your Jade stored right next to your rations. Food doesn't resist the taint as well as living things.
:>Wouldn't want you die choking on a tainted riceball.
:>Monkey looked at his riceball.
:>Man, these things really are dangerous.
:>No wonder you're always looking for ninjas in them.
:>I nodded.
:>I glanced over at Mantis-san.
:>Your armor.
:>Yeah?
:>There's always the possibility we'll run into something we just can't fight. The Hiruma prefer lighter armor or none at all because of that. Easier to move, to hide.
:>You're going in the full getup.
:>If it comes to that, I'm the rear guard.
:>Well, it's really a matter of preference. At the very least you should wear your Suneate. Oh, and Geta.
:>Monkey looked up.
:>Why Geta?
:>Rule number one of going into the Shadowlands... unless you know different, assume it wants to kill you.
:>Yes, WANTS.
:>Even the plants are, more often than not, carnivorous. The ones that aren't are probably poisonous, and a scratch can be deadly.
:>They were both staring hard at me now.
:>I sighed and rubbed my head.
:>Look, what determines whether you come out of the Shadowlands alive isn't the strength of your technique, or superior skill, or the favor of your ancestors, or certainty in your victory.
:>It's knowledge.
:>You two, don't have that.
:>So I'm telling you, first and foremost, how to deal with shit that's unfamiliar to you.
:>The nodded somberly.
:>I gave them both claps on the shoulders.
:>Besides, while you don't have it, I DO. And so do the others in the patrol. It's no different for us then looking out for our Kohai. You'll be fine.
:>Alright. Let's get going. It's a quick march to the Wall form here, then up and over.

:>I chatted with the Gunso of the squad on the way to the Wall.
:>Hiruma Akiyama was not at all what I expected.
:>True to his name, he was massive, with the muscular build you usually see on a Hida.
:>Such a huge fellow being so good at hiding his presence was... unfair.
:>There were twelve of us in all, four groups of three.
:>Though Akiyama didn't say anything, he did glance towards Monkey and Mantis-san a few times.
:>Don't worry, Akiyama-san. I won't let them eat any of the berries.
:>Chuckles, dispelling the nervousness that everyone feels when they come to the bottom of the Wall.
:>Akiyama was the gunso here, so I waited for him.
:>As his sandal slapped firmly onto the first step everyone else fell in line and started up.
:>It was the duty of the commander of any force going into the Shadowlands to take the first step, and so do with unshakable resolve. This gave courage to his men who came after.
:>I, meanwhile, watched as the Hiruma passed by me.
:>Tight grips in hilts. Mouths set. A prayer being mouthed, not even breathed.
:>Good. These were all fine bushi. Sense enough to fear the Shadowlands, but brave enough to face that fear without flinching.
:>Once they had gone, I jerked my head to Monkey and Mantis-san and we fell in behind them.
:>As we crested the Wall, the wind screamed past, and I leaned into it.
:>Here, the faint whiff that you could smell from Shiro Kuni was a full assault on your nose.
:>Rot.
:>Death.
:>Corruption.
:>Filth.
:>We were going down in the lifts, because we had outsiders with us.
:>Akiyama mounted the lift first, as was proper. He turned and gave his men a wild grin.
:>He shouted over the wind.
:>READY TO SEE YOUR HOME AGAIN YOU BASTARDS?
:>I hefted up my tetsubo and shouted right along with them.
:>Mind games. Calling up every ounce of our warrior's souls.
:>Preparing ourselves for anything, for everything.
:>Akiyama threw back and his head and laughed like a madman as the lift started down.

:>We reached the bottom of the Wall, piled into the boats, and rowed to the other side of the River of the Last Stand.
:>Not even Monkey was curious enough to look over the side of the boat.
:>As we got out on the other side, Mantis-san looked around.
:>This part of the Shadowlands was blasted, barren hellscape, trampled flat time and time again by mighty armies and endless Crab patrols.
:>So this is where you used to work, before we met, eh?
:>Monkey looked around, hand over his mouth.
:>It stinks pretty bad here.
:>I stopped and sniffed.
:>He was right.
:>The Shadowlands always stank, but... it smelled worse than I remembered.
:>I caught Akiyama watching me.
:>He didn't say anything. Just nodded.
:>At Akiyama's silent confirmation I tensed and looked about.
:>Mantis-san and Monkey were familiar enough with me to see that I was on edge and mirrored my wary posture.
:>Akiyama then divided up the squads. Enough space between the squads that if one died, the others would be sure to receive warning, with enough space between the bushi that all three could not be killed at once.
:>We set out into the Shadowlands, seeking evidence of the army that was gathering.
:>The first thing we found was not a battle, but the remains of one.
:>Several corpses, in Crab colors and armor lay amid some broken weapons.
:>There were several troll corpses as well.
:>Akiyama stared for a long time.
:>I knew why. The Crab that were here had had their heads removed, but their daishos were still present.
:>Looking at the dead Tolls, and the broken weapons, there were not enough Crab laying here.
:>As Akiyama knelt down and began to retrieve the blades I spoke to Monkey and Mantis-san.
:>Don't be so quick to assume something in Crab colors is your friend.
:>Huh?
:>I lowered my voice.
:>If the rest of the patrol had survived, they would have taken the Daisho back.
:>And there aren't enough bodies here.
:>Oh...
:>Monkey nodded.
:>Right. Assume it wants to kill you, huh.

:>At midday, Akiyama called for us to break and rest.
:>We spread out into a circle, everyone looking over the shoulders of everyone else.
:>Mantis-san cracked open his rations, then looked down at them, going about as green as his armor.
:>Monkey leaned over and looked at Mantis-sans food, chewing a mouthful of his own rice.
:>You know you should eat when you can, right?
:>Yeah, but the damn stink of this place!
:>The other Crabs chuckled.
:>I explained for him.
:>You're not the only one who loses their appetite the first time they're in the Shadowlands.
:>Another Crab pipped up.
:>Yeah, happened to me my first time in too, then my Gunso cured me.
:>Oh? How?
:>The Crab cleared his throat 'if you don't eat it yourself we're all coming over there to feed you!'
:>Mantis-san ate a mouthful of rice.
:>As we went deeper the land became soggy, spongy and muddy.
:>With every sucking, slurping step the earth itself seemed to cry out for us to stay still.
:>Soon enough twisted trees appeared on the horizon, and we entered into a full blown bog.
:>The limited vision forced us closer together. Lest we grow too far apart.
:>But, being closer was still dangerous. An ambush now could do more damage then if we were still comfortably spread out.
:>Mantis-san and Monkey didn't need to me to tell them that; they became more vigilant on their own.
:>Then I saw them. Dark shapes, furtive movement, just at the edge of my vision.
:>I called out a warning just before the first rocks began to fall among us.

:>Stones bounced off my armor as the others ducked down behind trees for cover.
:>I stayed where I was. Armored as I was, sticks and stones couldn't hurt me at all.
:>So I became Akiyama's eyes.
:>He yelled out to me, back up against a gnarled tree.
:>Goblins?
:>Yeah, they're darting all over the damn place though; I can't tell how many.
:>OH you little SHITS!
:>Behind me, Mantis-san struggled to move through the muck of the bog, kama in hand.
:>He had decided to wear his full armor, and so, was hampered.
:>On the other hand, the goblins, no bigger than a human child, bounced and hoped lightly across mud.
:>This was truly their territory.
:>I moved beside Mantis-san, placing my bulk between him and the little savages.
:>Time for that bow, I think.
:>Yeah. You're right.
:>He unslung and readied his bow.
:>Akiyama gave an order, and the Hiruma began readying their yumi.
:>As I watched the goblins, I began to wonder why they were moving about at all.
:>Then a blob of what I deeply, sincerely hoped was just mud slammed all over my mempo and covered my eyes.
:>FUCK!
:>Ishigaki-san?
:>My fingers worked at the cords of my helm. I had to pull off my mempo before I could scrape the glop from my eyes.
:>I'm fine! Little shits just blinded me for a bit...
:>Hup!
:>Hoh!
:>Toh!
:>And then I heard goblins scream.
:>Still blind, I asked Mantis-san flatly.
:>Monkey's not slowed down by this muck in the least, is he?
:>My answer came back just as flat.
:>Nope.
:>I got my eyes cleared just in time to hear the twang of bowstrings and satisfying shrieks from wounded and dying goblins.
:>I swung my head around, taking stock of things.
:>Monkey had bounded over to a clump of the filthy things, who were scattering in terror at his assault.
:>Mantis-san fired an arrow off the the side, and grinned. He must have killed it instantly with that Tsuruchi bow of his.
:>... to the side.
:>I whipped my head around.
:>While I had been blinded, the Goblins were moving around us.
:>Getting around the cover being used by Akiyama and the rest.

:>They've got a WARMONGER!
:>Akiyama looked up at me, as several of the Hiruma cursed.
:>Monkey! Get back here dammit!
:>He hopped lightly between the exposed roots of the trees, at one point snagging an overhanging branch and swinging himself.
:>I scanned the treeline, looking for the bastard.
:>Goblins were cunning, but their cunning was that of a beast. They could see that samurai floundering in would be much easier to kill with thrown rocks and the like, sure.
:>But to anticipate their targets taking cover, to then maneuver to outflank them? To blind the one out in the open who is watching them?
:>THIS is what made Warmongers dangerous.
:>I spotted him, wearing a blue do and Kabuto.
:>He had a Katana. A KATANA.
:>I ground my teeth in rage at the thought of a Samurai's weapon being fouled in the hands of such a creature as I yelled to Mantis.
:>KILL HIM!
:>He nodded and loosed an arrow.
:>It went straight into the goblins neck, and the warmonger fell with a gurgle.
:>But the goblin mob did not falter as I expected.
:>Akiyama noticed it immediately as well.
:>Ishigaki-san?
:>I don't see anything else yet!
:>Monkey tugged at my arm.
:>Do Goblins work magic?
:>... why?
:>He pointed.
:>I could just make out the staff of a priest, one of those things with the rings that jingle as the priest walks.
:>The wooden staff was broken off so it was the right size for the goblin holding it, and the bronze was quite corroded from being in the Shadowlands.
:>The monster holding it jumped about, chanting blasphemies.
:>Akiyama fired off an arrow.
:>So, they've got a Shaman too?
:>Yeah!
:>I felt a chill run down my spine.
:>What was it doing?
:>Dancing and hoping about...
:>... in front of some dirty naked goblins.
:>... some muddy goblins.
:>I turned and screamed.
:>MAGIC MUD!

:>I waved my tetsubo, pointing to them.
:>A flight of arrows from the Hiruma fell upon the lined up goblins.
:>What the fuck is magic mud?
:>No time, move your ass Monkey!
:>I shoved Monkey away from me.
:>Get clear, scatter!
:>Mantis-san, seeing my fear, didn't waste time.
:>He leapt up, took off running.
:>And sank up to his knee in the bog after three steps.
:>Fire blossomed over my shoulder, lighting up the formerly dim treeline and the air filled with hellish shrieks.
:>Mantis-san was looking at me.
:>His eyes widened as he saw what was over my shoulder.
:>A dozen goblins had survived the arrows of the Hiruma.
:>They were charging us.
:>And they were on fire.
:>The mud that they covered themselves with was very, very sticky.
:>It burned long, and hot; almost impossible to put out.
:>If it got on you, you had to scrape it off.
:>I whirled around, standing between Mantis-san and the burning goblins.
:>I swung my tetsubo full force, slamming it into the blazing chest of the first to reach me.
:>Blood and burning mud splattered from him, as he flew back.
:>You had to kill them as fast as possible.
:>They were already maddened with the pain of being on fire, after all.
:>I crushed the skull of another one, just before it reached Mantis-san.
:>The third one was leaping in the air, flying straight at me.
:>When Monkey dropped from the tree and sliced it in half.
:>The others got past us.
:>Mantis-san shot one and it fell.
:>Then, they were upon the Hiruma.
:>Monkey, get the damn Shaman!
:>I began to help Mantis-san free himself from the bog's grip.
:>His leg free, Mantis-san began to fire into the blazing goblins.
:>I kept the rocks and sticks that were still coming off of him.
:>A cry rose up from the Goblins then.
:>I dared a glance.
:>Monkey had slain the shaman before it could do any more harm.
:>And with that, the other goblins broke and scattered.
:>The burning ones were all dead by that point.
:>I ran over to check the damage.

:>Akiyama was alright.
:>But he was kneeling in front of a Hiruma whose body was scorched nearly black.
:>His flesh was cracked and peeled away in places, I could see his muscle beneath.
:>One eye had boiled in the flame.
:>Despite all that, he was still alive.
:>He held out a hand to Akiyama, and croaked.
:>Akiyama nodded and pulled him to a sitting position.
:>The Hiruma looked at me, then leaned forward a bit, giving me cleaner strike.
:>I didn't hesitate.
:>Akiyama laid the man's body down.
:>Rest, Kenshin. We will take care of the rest.
:>He took Hiruma Kenshin's daisho, and his finger of Jade. Akiyama passed the finger to one of the samurai in Kenshin's group.
:>Monkey and Mantis-san were staring, jaws dangling open.
:>I knew what they were thinking.
:>Goblins. They were just goblins. But one man was dead, and several others had minor injuries from rocks and sticks.
:>Akiyama took stock of his troops.
:>Most were uninjured.
:>A few had bruises forming.
:>But one woman had blood running from her split scalp.
:>He frowned.
:>Heihachi-san!
:>Hai!
:>Gunso, it's just a scratch!
:>No it isn't, Sayako-san, and you know it.
:>Last thing we need is for you to get an infection in that cut.
:>She nodded and allowed Heihachi to bind her wound.
:>Once it was done, we headed deeper into the bog, leaving Kenshin behind.

:>The bog was growing more noxious the deeper we went in.
:>This was the kind of place most Crabs would rather skirt around than explore.
:>So it made it a likely place for an army to mass in secret.
:>Here and there pockets of rancid gas would bubble to the surface, popping and splattering mud about.
:>The sickly, twisted trees began to grow thick, their branches tangling together overhead.
:>It cast the place into a perpetual twilight, and the gloom limited our vision even further.
:>Mantis-san whispered to me.
:>Hey, that thing up there...?
:>I glanced over.
:>A small reptile, nothing but bone and scale was perched in a tree. Bat like wings folded around it's body. it's head was mostly mouth, though a pair of beady red eyes stared at us hungrily.
:>Kill it.
:>He did so.
:>I hissed over to the Hiruma nearest us, when he looked to see what the twang of Mantis-san's bowstring meant.
:>Hanemuri. Just one though.
:>The Hiruma nodded and passed the word on.
:>I whispered, explaining to Monkey and Mantis-san.
:>Cowardly things. But get enough together and they'll attack in a swarm.
:>Damn things can and will kill even ogres.
:>We got lucky, finding an area with several large rocks jutting up from the muck.
:>Akiyama called a halt so we could get another break, and we ate some more to keep our strength up.
:>As we ate Akiyama pulled out his finger of Jade and scraped it on the rock, getting the blackened bits off.
:>A single finger of Jade would protect the one who carried for about a week.
:>Knowing this, experienced scouts could use their Jade as a mark of time, guessing accurately how long they had been in the Shadowlands by how far the Jade had rotted.
:>It was easy to lose track of time in the Shadowlands, and that was something you did not want to do.
:>A day already, I'd say.
:>Monkey and Mantis-san looked up, surprised.
:>We've been here that long, already?
:>Akiyama nodded.
:>Mantis-san looked around.
:>Why is it still so bright then? When did night happen?

:>Hiruma Sayako answered their question.
:>The Shadowlands does it's best to confuse those who enter it. Someone who loses track of time, or their way, may not have enough time to get back to the Wall before they run out of Jade.
:>You speak of this place as though it were alive...
:>It is, Tsuruchi-san. It is.
:>Mantis-san ate another mouthful of rice.
:>Akiyama spoke up.
:>Alright, this place is at least a bit dry, and clear. let's get some sleep.
:>Ishigaki-san, you can handle first watch?
:>I nodded.
:>The other crabs quickly pulled blankets form their packs, curled into little balls and slept.
:>Monkey sat with his back against me, looking the opposite direction of me.
:>Mantis-san stood, leaning on his bow, and swung his gaze left and right.
:>Now that I'm here, I really can't believe you came in here alone...
:>I had to run and hide, Monkey. A lot.
:>Monkey laughed.
:>Good to know there are things even you won't charge straight at!
:>I'm never reckless Monkey... I just draw attention to keep the rest of you safe. Safer, anyway.
:>Yeah. Thanks for that.
:>I felt him shift behind me.
:>Still, I feel pretty good all things considered.
:>I know what you and Daigo-san over there can do when the two of you set about killing something together...
:>Hooo?
:>Yeah, you two are fucking terrifying when you get going.
:>Mantis-san chuckled.
:>Thanks for the compliment Monkey, but you're not exactly a slouch yourself, you know?
:>I could see Monkey's hand resting on the rock.
:>It was clenched into a fist.
:>It was settling in now, how dangerous this place could be. And he was placing his trust in us, to push aside his own fear. Mantis-san was probably doing the same.
:>Don't worry, I'll get you both home.
:>We know.
:>We passed the rest of our watch in silence.

:>I went over and poked Sayako with the end of my tetsubo.
:>She lashed out, drawing and striking at it with her wakizashi.
:>Then she woke up.
:>Blinked a few times.
:>Our turn, then?
:>Yeah.
:>Alright.
:>I prodded the other two in her group, with similar results.
:>When you wake a Crab, use a stick.
:>I sat down, and folded my legs up as Phoenix-san had taught me long ago.
:>Oi, Monkey, Mantis-san?
:>If either of you learned to meditate, you should do so.
:>Huh?
:>It's hard to rest in this place. Meditation is better than sleep.
:>Sayako snorted.
:>Right, folding up your legs in an awkward position and pretending to be asleep? I'm surprised you buy into that crap, Ishigaki-san. Planning on becoming a monk?
:>No I'm not. And you should really try it.
:>Heh, I'll pass.
:>I sighed inwardly. My clan's need to focus on the practical left it a bit ignorant of the benefits of the spiritual. Even our Kenjutsu was more like Kendo in it's first lessons.
:>Sayako's attitude was far from uncommon; many dismissed such things outright without a second thought.
:>I couldn't blame her though.
:>I had been the same until I left to mingle with the other Clans.
:>I meditated deeply, restoring my spirit.
:>Then I slept.
:>Meditation could only get you so far. Real sleep was needed sooner or latter.
:>A sharp hiss woke me from my sleep.
:>I had risen to one knee, tetsubo in hand, by the time my mind caught up.
:>A sickening slurching drew my gaze.
:>Shambling corpses in heavy armor were dragging themselves through the bog towards us.
:>I gave Monkey and Mantis-san a couple of shakes to rouse them, then hissed.
:>Undead!
:>Whu? Shit!
:>Akiyama gave his orders.
:>Bows! The bog is slowing them down even more than they usually are.
:>The Hiruma loosed their volley.
:>All of them aimed at one, and filled it head to toe. It fell.
:>Mantis-san however, placed a single arrow in the eyesocket of one, dropping it instantly.
:>Monkey, grinned, and matched his feat.
:>I did not carry a bow, so I dropped down from the rocks.

:>I could tell by their armor these zombies were once Hida.
:>There were far too many for the Hiruma to kill before they reached us, especially with the heavy armor they were wearing.
:>Two more volleys, six more zombies fell.
:>Then they were upon us.
:>I swung my tetsubo, crushing skulls as quickly as I could.
:>I was joined by the others.
:>Mantis-san tripped and toppled zombies all around, so Monkey and the Hiruma could dispatch them quickly.
:>Then a pain burned into my side.
:>I glanced down at the rusted katana sticking out of my side.
:>I followed the blade to the rotting hand holding it, and up into the eyes of the zombie.
:>The empty eye sockets that burned with green light.
:>"HYAKUHEI!"
:>I struck back, hitting it as hard as I could.
:>Armor cracked under my blow, but it didn't fall.
:>Akiyama yelled to Mantis-san.
:>Help him!
:>Mantis-san didn't need to be told twice.
:>He ran up and struck at the creature, attempting to topple it.
:>It held it's ground, and lashed out at him, cutting deep.
:>What the...?!
:>Be careful! It's not mindless!
:>You can't kill it like a normal zombie, either!
:>Great...
:>Monkey stepped in, guarding Mantis-san, and watching the undead carefully.
:>Sometimes, a corpse animated by the taint within the Shadowlands would become one of these things.
:>They could think, and plan. They would often move about with normal packs of zombies, pretending to be one.
:>Fighting a Hyakuhei was like fighting a samurai. Just one that could feel neither pain nor fear.
:>Only destroying it's body would have any effect.
:>So I attacked it's knee, shattering the joint.
:>Mantis-san followed my lead, and as Monkey turned aside the creature's attack, Mantis-san brought both kama together on it's wirst, severing it's hand.
:>Monkey spun, stabbing his blade into it's side and pulling up, spilling bloated, rotting organs out.
:>I struck it's head, tearing off it's jaw, then smashing it's skull.
:>Still it clawed out at me, as I leaned back Mantis-san struck it from behind, finally ending it.

:>Then the zombie twitched.
:>Oh no.
:>You've got to be kidding me.
:>Holes began to open in it's body.
:>And grubs began to come out.
:>A cry alerted me to the fact that this wasn't the only carrier.
:>Grabbing Monkey and Mantis-san with either arm, I threw them back away as the grubs advanced upon us.
:>DON'T LET THEM BITE YOU!
:>I fell back, squishing the thumb sized worms under the end of my tetsubo.
:>Part of the problem of dealing with Heart Grubs is that they're so small most weapons don't really work well.
:>If you have a katana you're better off smashing them with the saya.
:>They're easily crushed, of course. They're just bugs.
:>But if they DO manage to bite you, they burrow into your skin.
:>And eat you from the inside out.
:>Eventually, they make their way to your heart, where they lay their eggs.
:>Hence the name: Heart Grubs.
:>I smashed, squashed, stomped and stamped. Backpedaling the whole while.
:>But in the ooze of the bog I couldn't get far enough away, and heart grubs were very, very persistent.
:>I tore one off my leg and crushed it in my palm.
:>Milky pus and ichor squelched out between my fingers.
:>I could hear the others dealing with similar issues around me, as well as the zombies still moving.
:>But I had no time to look.
:>I'm sure there were many Scorpion and Crane who would find the sight of a massive Crab desperately squashing bugs in a swamp hilarious.
:>I looked around frantically, trying to see if there were anymore, trying to remember if I'd killed all of them.
:>Then I felt a stinging in my ankle, from under the mud.
:>Shortly after the sting came pain, so sharp my vision tunneled.
:>Being eaten alive is not very pleasant.
:>Even if it's just a thumb sized worm burrowing through your insides.
:>I dragged myself back up onto the rock, pulling my tanto.
:>Slicing away my hakama I looked around for the telltale bulge of the creature under my skin.
:>As another lance of pain shot up my leg I saw it.
:>Without hesitation I plunged my tanto into my own leg, slicing my body open.

:>Once I had the little fucker exposed I seized it in my hand and ripped it out.
:>There was still some of my muscle in it's mouth.
:>I threw it down on the rock hard enough it splattered, my own blood bursting from it's body.
:>Screams told me I had no time to worry about my injuries; there was more work to be done.
:>Monkey was stomping and hopping about wildly, dealing with a small swarm of grubs.
:>Mantis-san was doing likewise.
:>The screams were coming from a Hiruma who had been borne down into the muck by the last two zombies.
:>I reached him, and kicked the head off one of the zombies.
:>He managed to drive his own tanto into the eyesocket of the other.
:>But he kept screaming, and clutched at his left arm.
:>I could see a bulge.
:>Akiyama got to us, and quickly tied the man's arm off.
:>Sayako came and grabbed his legs.
:>Mantis-san could read what was going on, and seized the man's other arm.
:>I plunged my tanto in, trying to get to the grub.
:>But it seemed to sense my intent, and burrowed deeper.
:>He thrashed and screamed, the pain of my cutting and the creature eating away driving him to near madness.
:>Of course, the howls of a wounded person would attract all sorts of things in the Shadowlands.
:>But if we didn't get that thing out he'd die, and spawn dozens more.
:>Of course, I might end up killing him if I cut too much.
:>Akiyama yelled.
:>ENDURE IT, KUMORI! You HAVE to hold still!
:>Hiruma Heihachi shoved a stick into Kumori's mouth, and he bit down hard before nodding at me to continue.
:>I dug in, pinching with my hands to try and find the movement.
:>Kumori screamed into the stick, eyes bulging and face red.
:>At last I found it, and stabbed it on the end of the tanto.
:>Pus burst forth, into Kumori's wound.
:>I pulled the grub out, set it on the rock still pinned on my tanto, and crushed it underfoot.
:>Kumori would have to fight taint and infection, but his life was out of danger for now.
:>Panting heavily he spat the stick out.
:>Thank... you...
:>Then his eyes rolled up and he fainted.

:>Akiyama stood, arms folded across his broad chest, and surveyed his troops.
:>No one else had died in this fight, but everyone, even Monkey and Mantis-san, bore wounds now.
:>Kumori was gravely wounded, unconscious.
:>Heihachi looked into his kit and shook his head. He was rapidly running out of medical supplies.
:>And there was no doubt at all that things were already converging on this place, seeking the source of the wounded cries, seeking easy prey.
:>He nodded.
:>Alright, that's enough. We're heading back.
:>We fashioned up a quick litter for Kumori and began to head out.
:>Akiyama spoke with me on the way.
:>Two in a row...
:>Hrm?
:>Those were good ambushes.
:>Yeah, they were.
:>The Warmonger had used his chuckers to distract us, had them outflank us so our attention was on them, and then sent in the reserves, charging and 'blessed' with magic mud.
:>Then a cunning undead had hidden itself in a pack of zombies, and many of them carried a surprise infestation of very deadly grubs.
:>Akiyama shook his head.
:>I'm convinced, now more than ever, that Masagoro-sama is right.
:>Two of those, back to back like that? There must be something else leading them, placing them to intercept our patrols.
:>If you say so. I know about how to kill them, and which ones to hit first. What they do outside of fights, and what that means... that's the job of the Kuni and Hiruma. And softening them up. And harrying them when they run...
:>Monkey pipped up.
:>So then, what do you Hida even do?
:>A few chuckles at that.
:>We're the rocks that the things the Hiruma are too smart to fight break on, Monkey.
:>That got some honest laughter.
:>I fell toward the back of the group, and kept my ears open for signs of anything stalking us.
:>A few Hanemuri were flitting from tree to tree, keeping pace.
:>I called out and a swift volley of arrows made sure they wouldn't gather enough numbers to try anything.
:>We managed to get clear of the bog without incident.