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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 20:11:50 GMT -5
“Very well,” Hiroshi nodded a little. “I will leave it Lei Shen to decide what is best. He has not failed us to this day.”
He glanced down at Thrade. “You have done very well to keep your presence here a secret. I’ve heard that Shiguen would love to get his hands on you. Use caution, my druid friend. Lei may not succeed if he must worry about your safety. And knowing his love for you, you remain his most valued priority.”
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 20:16:36 GMT -5
I think he's more interested in my magic than anything. Like I said, he's enamored with Shade, and if I know her, she's let him see enough of her own powers to drive his curiosity to the limit but not shown him anything he can really use. But don't worry, I've got several shapes I can use to remain hidden. And of course, we have Shade herself, who is a dagger at his back in case something fails on the front.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 20:37:40 GMT -5
He smirked a bit. “Shade and I are very much alike. That’s what I like about her.” But then he frowned sullenly. “Men do fall over themselves for a chance of her affection. It’s rather disgusting how men like them behave. No doubt he’s no exception.” And it wasn’t the first time Shade had allowed her seductive ways to allow men close enough to taste her blade when the time came. He shuddered a little with suppressed rage. “I’ll cut off his fingers one by one if I find out he’s touched her.”
It was clear now. He respected her enough not to allow himself fall in love with her, but he was insanely jealous. He couldn’t afford complicating things, what with the livelihood they had chosen for themselves. Still, it was a sorrowful thing, for he obviously cared deeply for her. Was he so oblivious as Shade had thought? Perhaps not.
At last Shimabara winked on the horizon. The pair traversed through the gates around mid-day, with plenty of time to spare until that very evening. Hiroshi was relieved, for he would have a chance to speak with Shen, before serious business was underway. Lei would undoubtedly clear his thoughts of the more violent methods that Hiroshi had proposed when traveling with Thrade. Lei had that way with people, that gentle way of persuasion.
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 21:12:03 GMT -5
Maybe she need someone who challenges her. Thrade said very pointedly, then fell silent. Though she was curious. Shade didn't tend to be subtle about what she wanted, so she was baffled as to how Shade could be so convinced Hiroshi had no interest in her when it obviously wasn't true. Maybe he hadn't been interested at the time.
The problem that loomed was, she was pretty certain Shade had let Shiguen do more than touch her. She pondered this once they reached the inn, lounging in a chair and listening to Hiroshi and Lei talk.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 22:07:52 GMT -5
“It would be a rare thing indeed, for anyone to match Shade. Since she hasn’t found someone to make a life with, perhaps she thinks very much like me.” He nodded a little to himself, as if to confirm something. “Women are silly, fragile things.” Hiroshi glanced at Thrade. “Present company excluded. But not Shade, she’s one of a kind.”
As the pair walked in to the room, Lei rose to his feet rather quickly. He sighed in relief to see that they were both in good health.
“Ishikawa, it is good to see you again.” Lei reached out a hand to indicate that he should take a seat so that they may talk.
“Shen,” Hiroshi nodded his head respectfully before sitting. “It has been too long. I rather miss the old days,” he smiled a little.
“Ah,” Lei grinned and nodded. “I must disagree, for I am not fond of violent times.”
“That is to be expected,” Hiroshi flashed him a grin. “We meet again under unfortunate circumstances. Nevertheless, I am glad that fate has brought us together once again.”
Lei nodded graciously, then turned serious. “Ishikawa, were you able to make contact with governor Shinji?”
Hiroshi frowned. “Yes. As a matter of fact, he sent me here to kill you, priest.”
Lei smiled a little. “How fortunate you were the one to do so.”
Hiroshi shook his head slowly. “Understandably so. But he may send others, which is why I would be more comfortable if you relied less on ceremony and more on action. We don’t have the time for diplomatic measures, my friend.”
Lei straightened in his seat. “One cannot rush diplomacy, my friend. I would seek a more peaceful solution in any situation. Shade and I have him near convinced that the course of action he has been following can only result in failure.”
Hiroshi tilted his head. “To prevent more deaths, you mean?”
“Precisely.” Lei nodded.
“But this fight is not one sided. Even if you manage to persuade the elder to withdraw his hand, there is the younger to worry about. Judging by what I have witnessed, Shinji is so desperate to take what he wants that he cares not for who gets in his way, even the people of Kyushu. I’ve seen his militia for myself. They are heartless, bloodthirsty wretches. He’s worked them into a frenzy, acting much like a pack of rabid wolves. It will not be long before they are unleashed. What of your diplomacy then, priest? You can’t reason with these kind of people.”
“You have an army at your fingertips, priest. They could ride out and destroy Shinji’s men before they even have a chance at crossing the border…” Hiroshi went on.
“No, no more violence.” Lei shook his head. “There have already been too many deaths. Even those with corrupted hearts deserve forgiveness. They are simply misled. They should be given the chance to think for themselves. If we use a forceful hand we will be no better than them.”
Hiroshi leapt to his feet. “Given a chance?! The scourge of Kyushu? You must be joking. They’ll kill you before you can even utter a single word.”
Lei lifted his hands up in an attempt to placate the ronin.
“We need to take one step at a time there is no need to rush ahead. Shiguen is the true threat here. He must be relieved of these objects of power. The younger will not be able to manage what you are suggesting in one single night.”
Hiroshi sat back down and crossed his arms. “I don’t like this, Lei. I don’t like it at all.”
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 22:32:06 GMT -5
"I've marked where he is from the direction you came from. There's no move he can make I won't know about because there's nowhere nature can't find him." Thrade's voice came from the chair. She was still lounging, her voice soft, but her green eyes had narrowed into slits. "If Shinji makes a move against Lei, there is nowhere he can run that he'll be safe. I'll turn every animal in the region against he and his men and leave him with water in his lungs miles from any source of water."
She was not exaggerating. Being Lei's wife, Thrade kept her wild side in check. As a result, people rarely gave thought to the power that ran in her veins. Like Shade, Thrade wasn't completely human...human only made up a small portion of her blood as a matter of fact....it was very very easy to underestimate her. She could drown a man in the middle of a desert, she could call maggots crawling through living flesh, she could call fire to the palm of her hand and make the earth quake until it cracked open. She could shapeshift into creatures people had only heard tales about.
She was, ultimately, also far more ruthless than Lei was, which she also kept in check for his sake. That ended the second someone threatened him. Anyone that made a move against the beloved of Thrade Amana would die, and that was that.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 22:45:02 GMT -5
Hiroshi turned his head to regard Thrade and smiled at her. She was such a spitfire, Thrade. He had not a doubt that the druid would do it too. The love they had for one another, such faithfulness and strength between them, was a rarity.
“I would never have you as my enemy, Thrade.” Hiroshi chuckled a little. “You are truly a force to be reckoned with.” He turned his eyes on Lei and nodded to him. He was a lucky man.
The he sighed and leaned back in his chair, his hands on the armrests. He resigned himself to follow Lei’s plan, no matter how it ran against his own instincts. Still, sneaking his way into the governor’s home in Shimabara sounded entertaining.
“All right, Shen. You will have my complete cooperation. But if things get ugly, I may not be able to stay my blades.”
“Understood, Ishikawa.” Lei nodded a little. “I will not hold you responsible if you must protect my life. I suppose I cannot have it any other way.”
Hiroshi’s headstrong spirit appeared to be placated for now. It would be best not to bring up Shade’s name lest he become upset again.
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 22:50:09 GMT -5
Thrade, however, felt that had to come out in the open. "The man has a tendency to parade Shade around like she's a trophy, just to warn you. If you're going to cut his fingers off one by one, please make sure you do it after we have all the information we need from him, or she'll be very annoyed her effort was for naught."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 23:11:55 GMT -5
Lei winced a little as Hiroshi bristled.
"I... will do my best." Hiroshi managed through clenched teeth.
Lei narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, picking up on what Thrade had earlier. There was something between Hiroshi and Shade that went unspoken. From what he remembered, it was Shade that had attempted to initiate a more intimate relationship between the two of them and Hiroshi had brushed it aside.
If Hiroshi didn’t open himself up to Shade, he may choke on his feelings. But then again, they needed the ronin clear minded for this mission. Let the pieces fall where they may at a later time.
“You must avoid Shade as much as you can. If Shiguen feels any jealousy against you, or if he picks up on your familiarity with her, then Shade will be exposed and every sacrifice she has made for us will have been for nothing.” Lei cautioned, agreeing with his wife.
Hiroshi nodded, looking sullen. “Take your words to heart, priest. Thrade is in the same danger of being exposed,” he pointed out. He watched the look that passed between husband and wife and lowered his eyes.
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 23:17:25 GMT -5
"If I'm caught as a human, the game will be up, which means if he tries anything with me, he'll have Lei, you, and Shade going for him. And Shade is most likely to reach him first, as she's the one with a dagger at his back," Thrade pointed out dryly. "I'll be moving in the back rooms of the manor where only the servants are anyway."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 23:29:57 GMT -5
Lei still looked worried, but nodded. “I am going to pray that the gods will favor us on this evening.” He was sure that the emperor had done the same the moment they had started on this journey. He smiled a little at that.
Hiroshi got to his feet. “I will see the two of you tonight. I’m going out for a drink.”
“Thrade, Shen. It’s been a pleasure.”
“Yes, tonight then.” Lei got to his feet to see him out.
Hiroshi smirked and cast Lei a glance at the doorway. “Don’t worry, I won’t stir up trouble.”
Lei chuckled and closed the door behind him.
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 23:31:43 GMT -5
Thrade moved up to Lei and wrapped her arms around him, knowing him far too well. "And you, Master Shen, need to stop worrying. I can take care of myself. No one is going to discover me."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 23:34:37 GMT -5
Lei smiled softly and kissed his wife on the forehead. “I can’t help it. You are my life.”
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Post by KD on Jul 10, 2012 23:37:12 GMT -5
"You can't be distracted dealing with Shiguen," she reminded him. "Though you and Shade appear to work quite well at playing his ego, so she'll be a help." She closed her eyes, squeezing him gently. "I'll be a mouse the whole time. Literally."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 10, 2012 23:43:14 GMT -5
“Yes, you are right. I must keep a clear head.” Then he sighed and raised his eyes upward. “Though I am not looking forward to telling more empty lies about how glorious Shiguen is and how I admire his character. Gods help me, I don’t want to have to keep this up much longer. It goes against my nature, this behavior.”
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