Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XLVII: Report===
:>Mantis-san blew out a sigh.
:>Never thought I'd be so glad to see a barren wasteland.
:>I grinned at him.
:>I know the feeling.
:>Gunso!
:>I turned along with Akiyama.
:>Heihachi was kneeling down beside Kuromi's liter.
:>He looked up.
:>Kuromi is feverish, gunso.
:>Akiyama slammed his fist into his palm.
:>Right, we make haste then.
:>You two, take the litter up and move together.
:>We need to get him back to the Wall as fast as we can!
:>We all took off running, fanning out in a semicircle around the litter bearers.
:>Some small lizards and such scurried away as we ran, but we encountered no further resistance.
:>As we closed in on the Wall, I made the sign of a returning patrol, and added in very sick treatment needed urgently.
:>In moments a swarm of Hiruma burst forth from the hidden entrances to the tunnels, a Kuni in tow.
:>The Kuni was there by the time the litter bearers had set Kumori down.
:>Akiyama spoke quickly.
:>Heart Grub, got into his arm in a bog. We cut it out but it gooped in his arm...
:>Nodding the Kuni fished out a pair of scrolls and set to work.
:>Kumori's breath eased a bit.
:>The Kuni then looked over the rest of us.
:>You all need to be tested.
:>We were boated back across and taken up on lifts, save Kumori.
:>The Hiruma that came out carried him back through the tunnels.
:>On the long ride up I looked at Akiyama.
:>His mouth was set grimly.
:>He noticed me staring, and sighed.
:>I've had patrols go worse... but still.
:>We didn't even learn anything!
:>I tilted my head.
:>I wouldn't go that far. We learned that something doesn't want us snooping around in that area.
:>I looked back out over the Shadowlands.
:>Everyone I've spoken to thinks highly of Masagoro-sama. I'm sure that he and his advisors can learn something even all he knows is the rough shape of the missing pieces.
:>Akiyama smiled.
:>You're right of course. He is that kind of man. I just wish I could have brought something more solid...
:>Ah, I see. He's worried about the NEXT patrol. Those who will go after us.

:>After some poking and prodding from the Kuni we were purified and allowed to rest.
:>Then it was back to Shiro Kuni to give Masagoro the report.
:>Kumori was still too sick to make the journey, so we left him in the care of the Kuni at the Wall.
:>Hida Adachi greeted us on our return.
:>Masagoro-sama is waiting in the planning room, hurry and give your report.
:>I went with Akiyama, since Masagoro had asked me to go on the patrol.
:>We got to the room and saw him hunched over a table, covered in maps of the Shadowlands.
:>He looked up as we arrived.
:>Well?
:>Akiyama looked down for a moment.
:>Masagoro scowled, sensing the bad news.
:>I decided to speak up at that point.
:>You're right about there being a force somewhere out there. No doubt about that now.
:>Oh? Explain.
:>We took turns relaying what happened.
:>One man dead...
:>Masagoro hung his head a moment.
:>But, you say Kumori will live?
:>He is in the care of the Kuni now. I'd say his chances are good.
:>Masagoro nodded.
:>I agree with your assessment. Two well planned ambushes in such a short time...
:>Here, yes?
:>Akiyama leaned over the table to look where Masagoro pointed on the map.
:>Yes, there's a bog there now.
:>A bog? Hmmm. A bog, a bog...
:>Masagoro shuffled through some maps.
:>Ahaha!
:>He slapped one down over where the map he had pointed to was.
:>Does this look right?
:>Akiyama studied the map, then closed his eyes to think.
:>... YES! That's it!
:>Hah! Sometimes old terrain comes back around!
:>Akiyama grinned.
:>It's just as Ishigaki said. You really can grasp the picture by it's missing pieces! I'm amazed Masagoro-sama.
:>Hiruma Masagoro waved away the compliment. 
:>I've just seen things like this happen before, that's all. Familiarity makes it seem like I'm more capable then I really am.
:>He bellowed for an aide to come, then gave us nods of dismissal.
:>Akiyama turned to me as we left.
:>I have to go speak with the Kuni, maybe the Kaiu.
:>I must find the families of those samurai whose daisho we collected.
:>And write a letter...

:>I nodded and clapped his shoulder.
:>That part was always a bit hard. Not like there's a lot of glory to be had south of the Wall.
:>No honorable foes whose heads are worth taking.
:>The vile nature of our foes made even acts of great bravery seem lessened in the eyes of the Empire as a whole.
:>Think about it. Had Kumori died, who would tell the story of the brave samurai that got eaten by a thumb sized bug?
:>I returned to our rooms in the seventeenth's barracks.
:>Mantis-san and Monkey had gone ahead of me when we returned, so I was expected.
:>Naomi's hands were on me before I'd even finished opening the door, and wounds I had received began to mend right away.
:>Nice to see you too, Hana-chan...
:>She looked up but said nothing.
:>Just healed me and hugged me.
:>I stroked her hair to sooth her. She always calmed down when I stroked her hair.
:>I looked over to Kitsuki-san.
:>He had dark circles under his eyes.
:>You look worse off than I do.
:>They must not have mirrors in the Shadowlands then, if you think that's true.
:>I sat down as Naomi poured me some tea.
:>Getting close then?
:>Kitsuki-san grinned.
:>Oh, very.
:>Just a few dozen more to go.
:>Toshiro grumbled form the corner.
:>There was an attempt on our lives while you were gone.
:>I looked sharply at Naomi.
:>I was not there when it happened, Ishigaki-kun.
:>I looked back to them.
:>So accomplice, puppet or...?
:>Kitsuki-san snorted.
:>No, just dark.
:>Do you remember, the winter court in the Phoenix lands, when the Bloodspeaker used the spell to blind everyone?
:>Ahh, that trick again.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>So, we kept him from killing us until he ran away.
:>I looked over at Toshiro.
:>Really?
:>He stared right back at me, then held up his club foot.
:>Really.
:>And you couldn't just blast him?
:>With what?! I couldn't see! Or do you think I should have thrown a giant ball of flame and burned Shiro Kuni down along with him?!
:>I glanced over to Kitsuki-san.
:>He shrugged.
:>I tripped.

:>Mantis-san looked back and forth between the two.
:>Alright, so you're telling me that the Bloodspeaker, sensing you getting closer to him, tried to kill you both.
:>And while WE were slogging through a tainted bog and fighting worms that could eat our hearts and flaming goblins,YOU were letting the guy that tried to kill you just waltz away?!
:>Monkey elbowed Mantis-san.
:>I'm sure it wasn't like that at all Daigo-san!
:>Toshiro tilted his head back and forth a few times, and spoke out of the corner of his mouth.
:>Actually it kind of wa... wait.
:>Nikumizu AND Magic Mud?
:>I nodded.
:>The goblins had a warmonger as well as a shaman, and the Nikumizu where the dessert to a zombie main course.
:>Monkey spoke up.
:>Yeah, and that tough zombie... what did you call it? Hyak... hyuk...
:>A Hyakuhei?!
:>Yeah, that was it!
:>Kitsuki-san and Naomi were both staring.
:>Um, would you mind...?
:>Toshiro looked over at Kitsuki-san. 
:>That is too many dangerous things in too short a timeframe. Hiruma Masagoro-sama is right. There is an army gathering out there somewhere.
:>He looked back over at us.
:>All that and those wounds were all?
:>Well, we lost one to the magic mud, and another got bit by the heart grubs. I cut it out in time, but he's fighting an infection now.
:>I see. 
:>Monkey piped up.
:>Yeah, Ishigaki didn't waste anytime getting that worm out. Not even when one got in his leg!
:>WHAT!?
:>Naomi and Toshiro both.
:>I rubbed at my eyes.
:>God dammit Monkey.
:>Naomi turned to Toshiro. What is a 'heart grub'?
:>He explained to her.
:>She grew paler with every word.
:>I waved my hands back and forth forestalling her.
:>Yes, but you saved my life back there Naomi!
:>She blinked.
:>I... what? how?
:>I've made a study of medicine, you know. For your sake! But because of that I also knew how to cut out the little bastards! So really, you saved my life and the life of Hiruma Kumori!
:>... oh.
:>She took a breath, calming herself.
:>Well, it does not matter how dangerous it WAS anyway. Because you are here NOW.

:>Kitsuki-san looked over us.
:>I'm going to be moving on to interviews soon, now that we've got a more manageable number.
:>But I don't expect anything to come of them. Not right away anyway.
:>So instead of helping with that, I'd like you three to watch the ones that are the most suspicious right now.
:>Discreetly.
:>I looked between Mantis-san and Monkey.
:>Then pointed to myself.
:>Um, you have met me, right Kitsuki-san?
:>Kitsuki-san rubbed the bridge of his nose.
:>Have you ever heard of hiding in plain sight?
:>Sounds like something a ninja would do.
:>Monkey agreed with me.
:>If they don't have any riceballs to hide in, yeah.
:>No, it's... look. Ishigaki-san, all you need to do is walk around and act normally. Just keep your target in your peripheral vision most of the time.
:>You won't really raise their suspicions all that much because that kind of behavior is expected of you.
:>You're a Crab... in a Crab stronghold. You don't stick out here as much as you do elsewhere.
:>Huh. Alright then, I'll give it a shot.
:>So, while Kitsuki-san conducted interviews, Mantis-san and Monkey shadowed their targets.
:>I walked about the castle, speaking with Crabs, throwing dice, sparring, and telling stories of my time outside the Clan.
:>It was during a bout of sparring that the next patrol Masagoro was sending out began to assemble in the courtyard.
:>I noticed Adachi standing off the side, staring at the patrol and scowling.
:>That distracted me just long enough for the Nikutai I was sparing with to knock me off balance and out of the circle.
:>I congratulated him on his sharp reactions, then looked at the patrol myself.
:>It took a moment for me to realize what I was seeing.
:>I walked up beside Adachi.
:>Is that it?
:>He nodded slowly.
:>Are they going to get more from the Wall? Or split up?
:>He looked aside at me. Then shook his head.
:>What... what the hell?
:>There was a full troop assembled in the courtyard.
:>That was all wrong.

:>I had told Monkey and Mantis-san that the amount of armor you wear is really a matter of preference. 
:>Heavy armor makes some small dangers inconsequential, but it makes it more likely you will have to fight instead of being able to run or hide should a large danger show itself.
:>The same principle applied to the size of a patrol sent into the Shadowlands.
:>A large patrol WILL draw attention and thus more fights, but will be able to handle those fights. A small patrol will be better able to avoid fights it cannot win.
:>Sending in a single troop, a wakizashi, was just consigning the bushi to death.
:>There were too many soldiers to be stealthy, and not enough to fight back against the worst that could find them.
:>One of the Hiruma assembling for the patrol came over to us, and handed me a folded up letter, along with his daisho.
:>Please, Hida-sama. See that my family gets these.
:>I knew it. Adachi knew it. And it was plain that all the Hiruma in that patrol knew it as well.
:>I took the daisho and letter, wondering what Masagoro knew that I did not, what reason he had for ordering this.
:>My name is Hiruma Manzo.
:>He bowed to thank me, then rejoined his unit.
:>Adachi, am I just stupid? 
:>Adachi shook his head. 
:>I don't know that Masagoro is thinking either.
:>Must be some insight he's gleaned from his years as a commander...
:>I nodded. The very best commanders knew that there were times to defy common sense, when doing the unexpected would yield impressive results.
:>I looked down at the letter in my hand and said a quick prayer that Masagoro's gamble would pay off.
:>Two days later, I was having a small lunch with Naomi when I saw Hiruma Kumori arrive.
:>I held up a hand and waved him over.
:>He came by, bowing to me.
:>Hey, no need for all that.
:>You saved my life, Ishigaki-sama. Of course there is a need to show my gratitude.
:>No there isn't. For one thing, I didn't do it alone, and for another, it's just expected that you save your brother Crab if you can.

:>He smiled.
:>Thank you for that, truly.
:>Then he looked down.
:>I must go and report to my new gunso. But, I am glad that I was able to see you again.
:>He turned away before I could ask what he meant by new gunso and began walking.
:>Not towards the barracks.
:>Towards the tower that lurked just beyond the castle proper.
:>Oh. 
:>Naomi followed my gaze.
:>She pointed to the banner hanging off the side of the tower.
:>I do not recognize that heraldry, Ishigaki-kun.
:>It was a Crab, similar to the Hida mon.
:>Save this Crab was all black. And rather then clutching a tetsubo, it held a piece of rotting jade.
:>I gently placed a hand on Naomi's arm and pulled it down.
:>That's the standard of the Damned.
:>Please, don't point.
:>She looked at me.
:>The... the Damned?
:>I have heard that name a few times.
:>They are warriors who have become tainted.
:>Naomi's eyes widened.
:>As a Lion who is dishonored will sometimes become a deathseeker, so will a Crab who becomes tainted become one of the Damned.
:>They seek to redeem and purify their souls by dying in battle with the Shadowlands.
:>So, I saved him from the heart grub, we got him back in time for the Kuni to save him from the infection, only for the taint to take root.
:>I shook my head.
:>Damn.
:>I had heard rumors, but I did not think...
:>The Damned would only be deployed against another Clan if the future of the Clan itself were at stake, Naomi. They're one of those things we only use against the Shadowlands. And we never speak of them to those outside the Clan.
:>She looked at the gloomy building, at Kumori's back, at the way the other Crab turned aside as he walked passed. 
:>I lowered my head.
:>See, they do not wish to shame him any further. We all know. Secrets are for Scorpion and Oni. But we will be polite for this.
:>She bowed her head.
:>Because it could be any one of you that has to make that walk?
:>Yes.
:>I see.
:>She shivered and clutched at my leg.

:>The patrol returned the next day.
:>One man limped back into the courtyard of Shiro Kuni.
:>Masagoro ran out to meet him, catching him as he stumbled from fatigue.
:>At Masagoro's command water was brought and then they helped the soldier back into the barracks to give his report.
:>I made preparations to return Manzo's daisho to his family.
:>As I crumpled my letter and started over for a third time I glanced over at Kitsuki-san.
:>How are things on your end?
:>His eyes flicked up from his own notes.
:>Better than on yours, it seems.
:>Five left.
:>He arched his eyebrow.
:>What is that about?
:>A boy from that last patrol asked me to get his daisho back to his family.
:>He knew he would not return?
:>Too many to avoid battle, too few to win every battle. Just the wrong number of men for a patrol.
:>Kitsuki-san cocked his head.
:>Masagoro did not strike me as the kind to gamble like that.
:>I nodded.
:>Well, we'll find out soon enough if his gamble paid off.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded and went back to his notes.
:>With a swoop the door to the barracks opened up.
:>Hida Ishigaki-san?
:>Hai.
:>Masagoro-sama wishes to speak with you.
:>I stood up.
:>Well, let's not keep him waiting.
:>I felt Kitsuki-san staring at my back as I left.
:>I entered Masagoro's room to find him donning his armor.
:>We must move out, and move out quickly.
:>I would ask you to accompany me.
:>Taking a breath to wipe the surprise from my face, I spoke.
:>What is it? what did you learn?
:>The patterns of their scouts movements, the places they launch their ambushes... I'm certain I know where they are forming up.
:>But I need to see it with my own eyes to confirm.
:>He stroked his beard, and muttered almost to himself.
:>And if possible, find out what power guides this horde.
:>I nodded as I handed him his Sode.
:>Sun-Tao, right? Know your enemy and know yourself?
:>Precisely. 
:>What rank did you hold when you served in the army?
:>I never rose higher than a gunso, Masagoro-sama.
:>For now, I would like you take the rank of Taisa.

:>As I came out into the courtyard everyone was there.
:>No surprise, they came out. A full company was assembling.
:>I looked out over one hundred twenty Crabs in formation before the gates of Shiro Kuni, and understood my temporary promotion.
:>Adachi was there as well. He nodded to me.
:>Mantis-san and Monkey were in their armor.
:>What?
:>Can't let you go in on your own.
:>Yeah. Naomi-sama would never let us hear the end of it!
:>Monkey grinned at me.
:>Toshiro stepped up.
:>I'm going as well, this time.
:>A patrol this size, my leg won't matter. And you're bound to need me.
:>I looked at Kitsuki-san and Naomi.
:>You two, stick together while we're away.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>Naomi came up to me, stood on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek.
:>For luck.
:>Thanks Hana-chan.
:>The gates opened, and we set forth from Shiro Kuni at Masagoro's order.
:>Hiruma Masagoro took the first step up onto the wall, flanked by myself and Adachi.
:>It took time to get so many soldiers formed back up on the other side of the River of the Last Stand, even using both the tunnels and the lifts.
:>Once the troops were assembled, Masagoro addressed them.
:>I know where our enemy gathers their strength!
:>Today we set out to confirm their numbers, their commander! 
:>Make no mistake! We will fight for every step we take! The enemy will stop at nothing to keep us blind!
:>Do not fear! Do not let their determination slow you advance!
:>Know that they disgrace us, insult us, with every day! With every oni, every goblin that joins this horde!
:>But when we return with the knowledge we have gathered, we will be able to prepare fully for the assault to come!
:>KNOWLEDGE.
:>PREPARATION.
:>ACTION.
:>We follow the ancient way! The order handed down from Hiruma, Kaiu and Kuni when they faced Oni no Hatsu Suru!
:>We cannot lose here, we cannot fail!
:>We must know our enemy to defeat them!
:>He turned and pointed south.
:>NOW! We march...
:>TO SHIRO HIRUMA!