The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Miwa arrives in a large city still reeling from her last encounter. She knows that she must overcome the emotion of it: whatever it was. A sacrifice to a dark god, gang rape, a selling into slavery she did not know but feels unclean and dishonored in any event. She must do something to take back control of her feelings and get right within her own soul.

She checks in at an inn then asks where the best brothel in town is. In Kozakura a married woman cannot engage with a man other than her husband, however an unwed person or widow may do as she pleases in regard to comfort. A man has not such rule put upon his personage and whether married or not may engage in affairs even keep concubines if he so pleases. The Kozakura people believe that a woman once married goes into contract to have her husband's children therefore cannot commit adultery with a man. They may do as they please with other women as long as the husband approves. When Miwa has the information, she puts on one of her kimono's on, her two katanas and her kaiken and heads out to the place.

The innkeeper points her to a place called the Rose Lantern, not far from the city's goods district, "Best we have, I reckon, not often I get asked such things though."

She flips a silver to him and goes about her way to the Rose Lantern. She finds it more or less adjacent to the bustle of warehouses. A small, walled garden graces the front entrance to an otherwise ordinary town building that looks not much different from any other establishment in town, save for the symbol of two plump lips below the sign containing a lantern cutout of it and replaced by rose-colored stained glass.

She walks in to see the situation and how the operation runs. The place seems no different than the typical wayside tavern or inn, although fairly busy, with what looks to be an elderly human lass tending the bar at a brisk pace and a couple of men, one with an eyepatch, serving tables. There are stairs up to a set of rooms at the back, as well as three doors at the back of the ground floor: One behind the bar with a curtain in it. One in teh rear that seems simply to be an exit from the place, and one leading into what looks to be a hall of sorts under the stairs up.

Miwa goes to the bar and orders some Sake, then asks where she can find some pleasures of this place in low shou. The bartender just points to the door unders the stairs. " The folk downstairs should put a sign up. I'll have to look in the back for Sake, was it? Just a minute please." Her response being in an old schoolmarm voice.

She waits while watching for any mischief from the men, keeping her hand resting on her katana. The tavern patrons are paying no mind to her, engaged in their own discussions, drinks, meals, and the occasional drinking or table game. They look to be a motley crowd, with many a sailor or dockworker among the bunch, lads and lasses alike. A couple of more isolated booths in the back seem to be playing host to quieter conversations behind curtains, from what Miwa can tell its's a couple of adventuring sorts, along with a few more aristocratic-looking folk in the back there.

It's not long before the barkeep returns from behind the curtains, pouring her a goblet before setting the bottle on the table, "That will be two gold for that please."

Miwa puts the gold on the table for her and drinks a sip then downs it. She takes the bottle heading to the door the woman pointed to. It leads to a dimly lit staircase down that opens into a large gambling hall, with another door at the opposite back corner and a second bar. A male drider wearing a Tymoran charm on the bared obsidian chest is sitting on cushions in the middle of the back, dealing out cards to various players in what looks to be a gambling game, while an alabaster-skinned lass with strawberry-blonde hair, pointed ears, and a long velveteen gown in deep violet is counting some coins into a strongbox on the bar. Other patrons are at smaller tables, with one of them playing host to a dice game run by a dark-robed and veiled hinnish lass, the others simply playing host to drinking as the elven lass pipes up, her bangles jingling as she waves to Miwa, "Welcome to the Rose lantern! What may I get you this fair eve?"

Miwa looks to her a moment making sure she has the right person. She switches to High Shou. " I'm looking for some entertainment. My blood moon is ten days past so cannot have a man. I want to see your women. Prefer Shou from Wa or my own nation, Kozakura."

She pauses for a moment, first finishing her counting and making a few notes before closing up the strongbox and putting it away. She then motions to an ear after making a few hand gestures, asking her to repeat herself now. Once Miwa repeats the elven motions to her, "Right this way, follow me." before standing and leading the way, heals of her pointed-tow dress shoes clicking on the floorboards as the bangles on her wrist and ankles jingle brightly.

She leads Miwa out the door at the back corner, then through what looks to be a hidden door and down another flight of stairs. There is a small reception space with a couple of couches and a table, illuminated by a rose-colored chandelier, with a hallway leading off it. "Please do take a seat, let me know if I can get you something else to drink or such." before turning to a small desk, producing a few papers from it and leafing thru them then returning them to the desk, " Ten gold now, and we'll see what the final bill is later?"

Miwa pays her and pours some more sake into her glass.

The elven takes the coins and tucks them away, before ringing a small bell several times in a pattern. Shortly thereafter, a small, slender girl, clearly of shou blood and wearing a kimono, emerges. She bows to the Miwa and says, "Yes milady?" in high shou.

Miwa recognizes her then walks up to her. She takes the woman's chin in her hand gently and makes her look into her eyes. " Tell truth. I will know if lie. Are you a debt slave, slave, or indentured servant? and which if truth?"

"Debt slave... Father died to a knife, owing a significant tab... so the mistress offered me a job here... she did't want to hound mother and brother for coin to pay it off."

Miwa nods, "Which means you will win your freedom when the debt is paid. Do you enjoy what you do? Tell truth."

"Some days yes, some days not so much. Just like any other job... did messenger work... tended a bar... mistress is a good woman, takes good care of us at least."

She considers the whore a long time then speaks. "I need a bath, tea, and comfort. I assume you know the ritual?"

The woman's eyes settle on the two katanas sheathed and nestled in Miwa's odi harness. She nods slightly, "Been... some time though. Not often... I am asked for such... especially by your kind."

She again focuses on the girl's eyes, "Then I accept you. only if you accept me as your patron for the night?"

"Yes, milady." She bows to Miwa again. She then leads her to a back room, much more spacious than it looks, with din lighting, a large basin for bathing, a bed and stand, and a dresser and mirror, as well as a chamber-pot of some sort.

Miwa looks for a katana stand. The young girl rummages around in a wardrobe, "J... just a moment please, milady, before presenting her one with a bow, setting it on a table visible from both bed and bath.

Miwa walks over to the stand and kneels; she slides her husband's katana out of her odi first. As it rests in her palms she bows to the stand and places it on the top rung. Next, she takes her own katana out and repeats the ritual. Taking a leather string and making a loop she ties it to her kaiken and places it round her neck like a necklace with the blade ready to be drawn with a quick pull. Lastly, she stands in front of the tub and waits for the girl to undo her hair.

The girl walks over and begins to undo Miwa's hair for her. She waits until the girl is finished and lifts her arms straight out so the girl may undress her. She pays close attention to how long the girl lingers on the various scars on her body from both training and in battle.

Surprisingly the girl does not linger on the scars much as she gently and carefully undresses Miwa, folding her kimono and setting at the foot of the stand. Once undressed Miwa steps into the tub and down on the seat, sliding her arms out to hold the edge. She relaxes for the first time in a long time keeping her eyes on the katana stand.

The tub's water is worm and relaxing, with various washing supplies available at the basin's edge. The girl takes off her own kimono setting it aside, before joining Miwa in the bath, with washing-cloths, soap and such, washing Miwa thoroughly. Once she has washed her, the girl finds a comb at the side of the tub. Miwa tilts her head back on the edge enjoying the pampering. She combs out Miwa's hair gently.

When the girl is finished Miwa steps out of the tub and waits for the girl to dry her. The girl finishes with the comb. Stepping out she towels Miwa dray before drying herself off. Miwa goes over to the bed and lays down on her back, her head on a pillow. She slightly arches her back and draws her right foot up close to her so her knee is up. She stretches out her hand inviting the girl to join her.

When the pair are finished Miwa is lying on her back. The girl on top of her with her head resting between Miwa's breasts. Miwa holds her as she speaks. "Empathy. A thing not always given in these places. It is what I needed. What is your name?"

The girl rests her ear on Miwa's chest so she can hear her heart, "m... my name... is Shiya."

"When finished completely we will enjoy some tea. I will tell you the first part of my story."

"I am sure it will be wonderful... have not had... someone wanting to sit for tea with me in some time."

Miwa keeps Shiya tight within her arms and strokes her hair almost absently for more than an hour before getting up and dressing back into her Kimono. She goes to the table and awaits Shiya while reworking her hair up into its traditional bun.

Shiya begins to prepare tea for two as Miwa looks over to her. Miwa mouths the words, "Thank you." and dips her head in respect. She feels renewed and ready to put the past into the past.

The girl finishes preparing the tea setting for Miwa. Placing a saucer before her then sitting at the other end of the table after pouring her own. Miwa takes a sip of teat and gets a distant look in her eyes.

"My father was samurai of the Shinto clan. He was not a large lord. Daimyo parceled 40,000 acres and one village for him to oversee. The land had one village of 500. Father: He was not a bad man, nor was he a saint. Very practical. I was his third daughter with no son. When little sister Ren was born I almost five. That is when father decided if he have no son he would train a daughter to fight."

Shiya nods slowly, "My parents and brother came here from Thesk to seek work. My father went through a bunch of rough times though, falling in and out of jobs, sometimes being gone for days at a time... My mother and brother did the best they could, and we were able to keep a roof over our heads. but it got tight... and tighter still after he was gone. Said there was dispute over cards... someone slipped a thin push-dagger into his side during a brawl."

Miwa scoffs, "This is a bad father. I will say something before parting."

"He always said he'd be back... I never doubted he loved us, even when he was down on his luck and deep in his cups..."

"And left you like this. This is why bad father."

"He... he wasn't trying to leave me in this situation." She shakes her head, "Do go on with your story though..."

"I speak with you on what can do after. There three types of Onna-bugeshia. Many do not know this. The most common is wife or concubine. They learn to fight to protect house and property when lord or husband is gone. They train in naginata. Another type rarer and only found in high courts of shoguns and the emperor are trained not only to fight but to spy on others for their lord. Dangerous places and bad death if caught. Rares of Onna-bugeshia is those women trained in offensive war. These come from fathers with no son. This is me. Father picked me. I do not know why.

I train twice as hard as sisters. Sisters go to school to make good wife for samurai or lord. I do this too but also train fighting with weapon, hand and feet. Father no give me Naginata. Said the katana is my weapon. I did not understand at the time. I had to run barefoot behind him on horse everywhere. If I did not keep up, I would be lashed. I hauled water for the family, every bucket sometimes I was so tired I had to do it on my butt. Also had to do all the hard chores. At the time I was very sad and hated father for a long time.

When I turned 11 I started to understand all of this is to make me stronger and faster. Can endure much more than my soft sisters. They still bet the better of me, evil sisters!" Though Miwa says evil sisters she says it with a hint of a grin and a bit of affection in her eyes. "I tell story."

Miwa pauses a moment in memory then continues, " At 12 years old I get real armor and swords, wakizashi, Daikyu. There was a ceremony where I was presented with my Kaiken. I become an unproven Onna-bugeshia. The training gets tougher now with real swords. I was cut many times. Sometimes father make me fight in a kimono, and still had to run behind father's horse. I get cut and bruised so many times in a 10 day that father had to get a priest to see to me after each day.

A 10 day after I turn 14, father say that there will be a battle and I would be in it. The Barasume clan put a claim on our lands. He called other of the clan but could only get 500. Barasume had 2,000. We fight for the defense of the land. I am put along the center for better protection."

She nods slowly, "Quite a tough childhood, I see." and sips her tea.

Barasume clan press hard. People start to fall around me. I end up in fight and post 5 soldiers heads around me that I killed. Then a samurai challenges me. I think now I am dead but miraculously kill him instead. This is when our Daimyo throws the flag of surrender.

I was so tired. My face was cut in three places from the other samurai. I take my helm off. Many of the fighters on both sides are surprised a little 14-year-old girl is in the battle and the number of heads I take. Lord Barasume rides past. He is even surprised. He rides up to Daimyo Shinto and says the strangest thing.

He says, ' I will let you keep your land for I have found something more valuable. I claim the little wolverine as a prize for the battle and we can make truce.' Then he points his finger at me."

"Your father trained you quite well indeed."

"He was a good father, good warrior, not like poor Ryuu. I tell you about evil sisters and Ryuu next. So, I go with lord Barasume. He is in his 50s. I wonder what will happen to me. I think I know but did not. He gives me a room in his house.

The next morning, he tells me to put on my armor and weapons. He takes me to the courtyard and tell me to go to the center. Five of his men are there. After he do this, he walks away from me and says to them, "Kill her!" The Samurai charge me. I fight back. Most of the morning they play with me to show a girl cannot fight like a man. I use that and hurt them. They hurt me but I hurt them more. When I could not hold a sword anymore. Lord Barasume comes back and tells them to stop. He gives me a meal and sends me to my room.

The next day he does the same thing with different men. On the third day I fall to the ground in front of him and bow deeply. I cry. I say, "Lord. Why do you do this. You can have me seppuku, anything? Why torture me? He leans down and whispers to me, 'It is the only way the men will respect you.' He then turns and walks away saying the same thing. "Kill her."

This goes on for 5 days then stops. Women of the house clean me up and put me in a pretty dress. I am nervous. I think I know what happens now. But it doesn't. I am presented before Lord Barasume. He has a nephew with him. A tall man six-foot, one inch. I bow to them and wait. The lord say this is Ryuu his nephew. I am to be his wife. The two of us will rule 75,000 acres to the west of the city of Renkyu with three villages."

Miwa looks over to the katana stand and sight. Her eyes go soft a moment.

The next day the women put me in an even more elegant dress. Had to fight with them about the shoes. Even hit one. I'm only allowed shoes in battle armor. Everyone is there sisters, father, Lord Shinto. Sisters take me and tell me about wedding night. I know some things but not others...They didn't tell me everything. Evil sisters.

Now very worried. Ryuu large man. Me, little Miwa only 5-foot-7. I don't think sword will fit sheath. I get really worried about this. But sisters say is ok and fun will be the best time of my life. I know something they not saying but cannot figure it out.

So, Ryuu and I marry. He take me home. I tell him of fears. He say he will be gentle. He was and makes me very warm before he uses sword. When he start to use it, I feel something like break inside. I look down and there is blood but I know is not blood moon.

I punch him in the mouth screaming, "I TELL YOU, YOU BREAK ME! NOW AM BROKEN!" I punch him again this time in the nose. He gets off of me and I jump on his shoulders hitting him. Hes laughing? We struggle several minutes until he can pin me down. Not easy to do for well-trained Bu-geisha. His face is all messed up but is still laughing. Then he says there is a seal in women.

Sisters did not tell me this.... EVIL SISTERS! I calm down but he say we can finish tomorrow. The next day after much ice on his face we try again this time no blood and sword fit... nicely."

"That sounds like... quite the first time, aye. Mine was thankfully far less angry, my mother told me that it'd happen, so I didn't worry about it."

Was good first year. Ryuu, he was not a good warrior but very good with people. Soft heart. I am not so soft. I had to do justice in the villages. He kept the people happy in their work. Lord Barasume took me instead of him to fight wars. I do not know the way of spirit, but think I pick up too much yang from training.

By second year we still have no child. I try to be more feminine for him. I try to be a better wife and keep to wifely duties except in war. I had one rule for Ryuu. Men need relief more than women. This is accepted that they take others. Especially Samurai. So, I say to him, 'Go out and find what need but do not soil our bed. The bed is sacred. Go elsewhere if you have a need when I am at war. I come home after a campaign one night and find a peasant girl sleeping in bed with him. Our bed. I wait for her to go to the bathroom and decapitate her. Put her head on the mantle and put the body back in bed.

This really scared Ryuu. He went to Lord Barasume. I have to come in front of lord. I tell him I have one rule for husband. Do not soil our bed with another. Barasume had hard words for me but understood. He made peasant family buy a new bed for me. It took some months for Ryuu to come back but he did. We made up. I never had a problem after this.

Miwa looks at the katanas again and tears start streaming down her eyes.

"Was last year. There was a large battle of shoguns. Both Ryuu and I had to make war. I did my best to keep Ryuu covered. I knew ever weakness where he opens himself up and tried to close any gap in his defense.

It was 6 to 2. Ryuu never stood a chance. I tried. I tried hard to defend him while he fought but do not have 4 arms. When he went down, I lost control and killed every one of them in an almost blind rage. Then found more enemy until I was sane again. I put 10 heads on stakes that day. All samurai." She whimpers a moment and put her chin down in her cupped hands.

"You did the best you could, and that's all anyone can ask of you."

"Next husband will be able to do this. Daimyo Barasume sent me west to become one with my sword. I will do this. He will find a good husband for me, but it will not be Ryuu. This is why I disobeyed him. It is why my lord sent me on this quest." She takes a napkin and blows her nose, gathering herself up.

"Shiya, you have a special gift. I quest for the next 7 years and will return on the 7th. You pay the debt off you can come to me. If before to the west. If after to Lord Barasume in Renkyu. If I succeed, I will be a high lady in Barasume's court. When you gain your freedom, and if you want, I will make you part of my household. You must do this yourself. A reward is worth the work to gain."

Shiya sips her tea and replies, "Why thank you for the offer."

"Our word is a bond for.........my kind"

The young woman makes a firm nod in response.

Miwa gets up and takes off her necklace. She undoes the leather string and places the Kaiken in its proper place. She then reverently goes to the katana stand. She bows once and takes up each sword in turn placing them in her Odi harness. Shiya rises and bows to Miwa.

Miwa recognizes her, places a few silver coins on the table and leaves to settle with the madam. She finds her talking with an older, man. The elven's head turning to her, "Ah, finished I see." before the bell rings a few more times. "That will be ten more gold for services rendered."

Miwa pays and counts the rest of her coins frowning, knowing she can only make a few more cities before she has to set up shop. She goes to the inn and sleeps. When she awakens; she continues on her way in the general direction of Narfell.

Story by Shalvenay and Winterhawk99

[Winterhawk99]

I do not write much these days. I should. I have now been here two months in this city called Peltarch in place called Narfell. This place is where I choose to complete my mission to become one with my sword. It is an evil place filled with people that will abandon you without a moment of hesitation. 3 times groups have left me in the wilderness to die. I use all my supplies and healing but I make it. It is ok. It will make me stronger as I work with my inner self to forge bonds and understand the code of bushido deeper than I have ever had. These people can leave me alone and strange forests, among fire giants or even in the middle of a goblin cave system I still prevail in my task.

There is only one trustworthy here. He is a monk by the name of Samwell. All others I find lacking in respect and honor. Even another Onna-bugeisha from the island of Wa by the name of Makoto. I watch her until I needed to say something. When the opportunity arrived I spoke to her by the fire in a place called Norwick. I was not usual self. I was very gentle with her. Like me she is not a good person. She is in fact I think an evil one however the code does not consider those that are good or evil. It only considers the discipline you have and the philosophy toward the society you live under.

I will continue to seek my goals even with the odds stacked against me. Daimyo Barasume will be proud when I return. It is all I have to say now. I will write more later while practicing my calligraphy.

[Winterhawk99]

These last months have mostly been training by myself. I fight bandits, little lizardmen, big lizard men, Orcs, goblins and recently dog headed men the westerners call Gnolls. Gnolls are particularly tough opponents. They have great perception, and their witches can call lightning down upon you. The last time I went I could take 7 heads. The next time I will try for 10.

In my last foray I went out to a place called Kront and traveled to great plains. Cormac, A knight whose name I could not pronounce, and the crazy woman Raazi went with me. I almost feel sorry for this Cormac even if he is a liar and a clown. The woman he is with Raazi has a baby. He thinks it is his. It is not. The father is the king's brother (I think king is something like shogun). She is the secret lover of this Karrasim. She should be boiled to death, but it would start a political thing. I keep my mouth shut. The subject has not come up nor should it. Cormac seems confident it is his child. I cannot bare false witness thus I will stay silent as long as the subject does not. We found a fort or stronghold that had some marvelous things in it. We also saw giant creatures. Some of them tunnel underground and attack you. The westerners call these bulettes. I killed two but could only take one head to the city to post it in the commons square.

There is a woman here called Meadow. I must say something about this one. She has something planned for me. She took me out to fight gnolls with her. She had me take all their treasure. Calls me an investment. Not sure how I feel about that. She said at one time her people were invaded by another people. Similar to the clan wars or the wars with Wa and Kozakura, I think. I know she works with the guard of the city and can arrest people. She almost arrested me when I punched a guard for lying. Which brings up the main incident in the city I am involved with.

Several weeks ago, a man showed up in a guard uniform of the docks. He twisted Raazi's thoughts to place bombs in a fish and throw it into a local fountain. The fountain was poisoned with demon blood. When the bombs exploded it caused great damage to the area around the front of the castle. It seems that it killed someone waiting at the entrance. They may have been a target and the man an assassin. He warned us not to rat him out. I immediately went to the authorities. In this it was this Meadow who took charge.

Raazi followed. I had taken note of the mans face in great detail and told this to Meadow. Raazi tried to confuse her by misrepresenting his description. We investigated together. but found nothing but the burnt remains of a person. The man had gotten away.

Last week the man came back in a different uniform. This uniform was from an organization called Cerluean. I was sewing on the benches of the circle in my kimono. He asked Raazi if she had ratted him out. she said no. I dropped my needle and thread, stood up and placed my hands on my weapons knowing what would be next.

He pointed to me and asked her if I had ratted him out. She tried to bluff and say no but he knew I did. He threw a bomb at me. I tried to dodge but took part of the blast and was wounded. Still I drew my katana and attacked him. We fought in the square. The guard joined me. Cormac and Raazi did nothing. They are cowards.

He was sorely pressed. and ran away. I followed him to the wall of the city. We fought up the stairs of the wall. Still in just a kimono I continued to fight. He was getting weaker. even after using a potion to heal. At the top of the stairs, I jumped on his shoulders and started stabbing him in the chest and face. It threw him off balance and we both tumbled down the stone stairs.

At the bottom he got to his feet first and had the advantage. Without armor I had little chance. The world went black. I woke up in a strange temple. Someone had taken me there. I lost much of what I had gained over the last week in training so sore and broken. I took word to both Meadow and Samwell. Samwell told me since the stranger things I'm dead I should stay dead to him. I disguised myself. and went into hiding for a 10 day. I now sit in a small camp at a glen waiting for others to find and kill this saboteur. Hopefully he will be dead.

If not I will be ready to challenge him again when I come back. This time I will not be in a dress. He ruined my best dress and I will have revenge if not through others then I will do it myself when I come back and find him.

I will write more later. The night is coming and doing calligraphy by candlelight ruins the eyes.

[Winterhawk99]

Miwa waits out the week in a small camp in a secret glen she found. She tends to 'pickles' her heavy war horse and meditates. The morning is brisk. She makes a breakfast of tea and rice mixed with vegetables. As the sun warms the glade, she takes a brush out of her saddle pack and brushes the horse down. She then shovels his dung and tosses it into the cave ravine the waterfall had made over millions of years.

When all done with that, she takes her katana stand out, places it on a boulder, and places her husband's and her katana in their proper places. She stands in front of the stand legs spread slightly more than shoulder width apart. Bringing her arms straight out from her body horizonal to the ground she begins to bend her hips and lifting her right arm while breathing in deeply. She begins a kata of Kiko as she meditates upon the 9 principles of Bushido. She tries to lose herself, her ego to feel the ki surrounding her in all things, every tree. rock, bird and lizard scurrying along the ground.

Her slow steady movements along with her controlled breathing slowly sedate her putting her mind beyond her own self-interests and goals. On the mainland this form of exercise is called Qigong (kikung), but the focus is on self, more than the islander way where the energy is channeled and felt outside of self.

As she feels the channels to her own ability of ki focus within her hands she meditates on Self-control of mind, spirit and body. She whispers to herself, " What is right is right. What is wrong is wrong. Be dignified and of always in self-control. Show not joy or sorrow. Always composed and calm whatever faces you. Walk with dignity so that peers honor where you step."

Miwa breaks into a second kata meant to straighten the pathways of her inner energy so that they may flow free throughout her body. "Use compassion over aggression when is deemed right. We are the soldiers of action thus we must learn and grow in both sword and wisdom. There is a right time to strike and a right time for mercy. Know in heart and soul what is correct action."

Miwa stops a moment and bows to the stand as the sun is almost draws to its zenith. "Have the right judgment when judgement is called for. Use any authority you have only to uphold what is right. Do what is best for the greater good not what is good for self for we are servants of the people, and it is the greater good of the people we must always take not the good for self.

She stops and takes a drink of water looking at the sun. It is high noon. She goes over to pickles and fetches a pail of water for him. She then takes up her position and begins yet another Kiko kata. "Courage only exists when you are right. You must be able to sacrifice yourself for others, admit your own mistakes and right those mistakes. In the face of hardship or danger you must keep your self-esteem. This is true courage."

She changes the tempo of her exercise to make it faster. She feels the energy building within her and touches the ki outside her body in everything around her. "Be sympathetic to others while still maintaining a strong mind. Show affection and be charitable to others. For it is the greater community you serve and thus your love and affection should flow outward, not inward."

Miwa slows it down as the sun starts to sink in early afternoon. "Show respect for others and treat them as equals until they show they are not. Have sympathy for those that fall. Be courteous and well mannered. Do not fear offending good taste when necessary for this motivation for being courteous is the wrong path."

By mid-afternoon she switches her kata again. Sweat now streams down her body as she becomes filled with ki directing it to different points in her body and giving back what she has taken around her in sweeping arm movements. "Never bear false witness. Lying is cowardly and dishonorable. An Onna-bugeisha's word must be taken for truth. Be accurate and precise with what you say. Be frugal and think simply for these things will bring the people you rule to see your sincerity and trust you."

She continues her slow dance balancing the ki within her looking to attain self-awareness with everything around her. " For one to be honorable, one must be humble. Without honor you have no respect. Have personal dignity and worth for yourself and know that others do too. Be ready to bear the unbearable for your honor. In this way you show those you lead the right path. The way of the sword."

As the sun nears the horizon Miwa stops and bows to the katana stand. She finishes her meditations. "Always be loyal to your family, your lord, and your peers. Personal fidelity should exist between all men and women.

Before she picks up the stand, she smiles her crooked smile. "Am still questing my husband. I know you are with me in spirit. You are my guide to becoming one with my sword. I thank you Ryuu for looking after me."

She makes a bowl of rice mixed with fish slices over the fire for her dinner. When finished Pickles comes over and nudges her. She feeds him slices of apple before putting a feed bag over his head full of oats. After he has had his fill, she takes it off and settles in her tent. The warhorse given a long lash to a tree so he may graze in the immediate area.

[Winterhawk99]

I have come out of hiding now that someone has told me the bomber is from another clan that wants to instigate a war. I believe it was the Lady knight Varya that told me of such. So, four days ago I started to patrol the areas around Norwick and Peltarch once again. Training on all manner of creatures. Before I go into that I would like to speak about two people I have met other than Samwell that I half trust.

The first I wrote about before. The woman that says she is investing in me, Meadow. I have not seen her since coming out of hiding but must write about what happened when she took me gnoll hunting. When we made war against the creatures the wounds, she made with her weapons were grievous the edges of the cuts turned black with decay as if her blades were poisoned by something dead with claws. I also noticed that she used techniques in her fighting similar to what I have seen before. Nin-jitsu is a dark art fighting used by assassins in my homeland. Meadow's way of fighting is very similar. When next I see her I will question her on all of this.

She is obviously employed by the shogun (king) with the guard however she does not guard. I believe she is an investigator but am unsure. Another question that must be answered. I must know her true intent and whether she does these things for the good of her kingdom rather than for selfish reasons. When I think about Meadow, I seem to get honesty but there are many warning flags telling me to stay far away from her.

I am not naive. I know that anyone running a very large territory would employ or work with thieves and assassins. The higher up you go in politics in my homeland the more you must deal and even employ people of these persuasions. Thankfully I will never have to worry about that even if I succeed in my quest and become the leader of Onna-bugeisha in the Barasume clan. I must put Meadow to the test to see if I can work with her.

The second is Lady Varya. She calls herself Paladin. From what I can discern this is a knight dedicated to a specific god. There are so many named gods in the west. I do not know nor care who most of these gods are. I have the 8 million and the path of enlightenment both to which I do my best to adhere to their ways.

Lady Varya is involved in some war with demon clans. She is protecting a demon who she says has lost her power. Another demon has taken over her domain or wants to take over her domain. It's all too confusing to me. Varya took me to a special place where blood cannot be shed. There we found the demon she protects. I watched silently while Varya spoke to her. The demon did its best to charm and corrupt the knight. I still wonder why a knight of a god would speak and have a relationship with a demon. But that is not up to me to tell the westerners what to do. I have a quest and must accomplish the quest of a lifetime in a mere 6 years.

When finished Varya and I rode back to the city. The next day a demon appeared in front of me alone along the road. She wanted to know where the other demon is. I cannot bear false witness and I did not want to reveal the location so I simply stated that the other demon was in a place of peace. That stumped her. I thought that would be the end of it because the demon waved me off like I was a piece of refuse. That I am actually glad for because I do not know how to fight a demon. I left to a safe place shaking and in a bit of fear of the creature.

A few days later I saw the lady knight and told her what had happened. She became frantic. Telling me I should not have said anything. I thought that I had made my answer obtuse enough but she did not thing so. We went to a place called the Witch and Seer. A tower with a bar and a rooftop garden where I often talk to my husband in the dark hours of the night.

There was the first demon. I believe her name is Nanfer or something. There were also others there. The demon and others were discussion going to the abyss to rectify the demon's territory and put her back on her throne. One of them a guard I believe by the name of George attacked the demon. The demon gave flight and the rest went inside the tower except Vayra and myself. We searched but cold not find the succubus. Afterward we went inside to. The group discussed going to the abyss and making armor that they need to survive there. I listened silently to them drinking tea. Even sharing my tea with Vayra when she sat down. After a time some of their friends came in. Many of them in the group that left me in the forest to die. That is when I quietly took my leave of the place. I will not tolerate the presence of dishonorable people. If I did I would fall like Makoto did.

After a few more days Samwell and Varya invited me in search of crystals she needs to make the armor. We met in Norwick and went down into a cave system. We fought demon bats, giant frogs called skindancers, Giant bird like creatures that had sword like arms, creatures that turn metal to rust and something called magic eaters. The hearts of the magic eaters were the crystals that Varya needed.

I did my best to help the two combat the creatures even killing a few of them. These were very powerful monsters and I feel glad I could make my small contribution to the effort. Still, I think this knight. This Varya walks a very thin line with her vows by taking counsel with a demon who constantly works on corrupting the lady knight. She should be more careful on what she gets involved in.

The rest of my week as been spent in training meditating and collecting coin. I now have near 50,000 in coin and a good amount of potions. I traded my armor for another set. This set affords the same protection however it is slightly lighter and is somewhat fire resistant. It has protected me rather well against the bomb throwing goblins south of Norwich. The tradition training grounds of the city are still off limits because of a plague infesting the residential district. Thus I must train on the monsters in the general area.

I have not grown in precision or power but have learned and increased the ability to put my soul energy (ki) into my weapon. I am not growing in leaps and bounds but in a slow gradual progression. I just hope that I may get to my goals before I go home.

Lastly, Before I packed up to go into the woods for a week of concentrated physical and mental training, I was sitting in the commons sewing when a group of friends of those that left me in the forest showed up. They berated me and my ways in every way the could. I purposely displayed a neutral face, unemotional and answered their questions in a methodic fashion. Inside I was almost at the boiling point. I followed the way of the sword. I stayed polite as I could. They are always saying how I should adopt the ways of the west without even wanting to understand the ways of the east. They are barbaric and not worth my time.

Samwell was proven right, again and again. There are too few here that would put society before themselves and their own self-interest. I look for those that would now. I believe Samwell and Varya are two that would. I am unsure about Meadow but will question her on things to decide if she is worthy to walk beside me. The exception to this is the local dwarves. They seem to be a worthy people that consider everyone not just themselves.

That is all the time I have to write for now. I will write later on the dwarves of the west. I find them refreshing in this mire of a city where so many humans are so evil and individualistic.

[Winterhawk99]

The soft wind in the glad makes Miwa feel happier than she has been in a while. Now that it is deep in spring wildflowers of various kinds have spung up in the little glade she camps in. 'Pickles', Her warhorse grazes on some of them. He leaves others alone. It's warm. She can now sleep with just a light blanket. The sky has small puffy clouds hanging low in the air. She looks up commenting that it should soon rain by what the clouds say. Rice is cooking over the fire. There are several bottles of wine by the log she is sitting on. Miwa takes her diary out along with a small paint bush and inkwell. She writes backwards from the westerners. Right to left, bottom to top of the page.

After much training in katas and meditations I went to town for three days to test my meddle on the evil creatures surrounding the regions cities and towns. I died on the cold road. I had two companions with me. The priestess by the name of Thau'lira also died. Unlike many here our other companion sought out help.

I woke up still fighting the bandits that accosted us on the road. They were very strong and had much magic. There were at least two highly trained Wu-jen and a priest within their number. Samwell and Mycella were both there and calmed me down. I don't know everything that happened in the encounter. I know I tried to attack the priest before he could get a spell off. He countered me with a strong defense hitting me with some light that almost knocked me out. I saw Thau'lira freeze in panic. My other companion, I forgot her name was trying to engage the mages who were hitting us with multiple lights. She called them missile storms. I took an invisibility potion to escape but the priest could still see me. I was near to getting way when one of the mages paralyzed me. With the inability to move the priest drove his broadsword through my lung. All went black for a second.

Next thing I know I am free to move my limbs again and went for a counterstrike, but I was no longer on the road. I found myself in a temple with Mycella and Samwell trying to calm me down but staying back from my swings. I was weakened greatly by this and now need to relearn much. Still my quest continues. It seems the gods have more in store for me in this life.

I see afterward that Thau'lira is having a hard time with dying. I do not know how the sharp eared elves think but death may have more meaning to them than we humans because they live so long. Turtle blood. Has to be turtle blood. Being that she is a worthy companion I have tried to help her. I talked to her and gave her some tea. I hope she slays whatever demon possesses her. Even proposed to help her with small unit tactics on something far less imposing than high hold bandits.

The next few days I traveled with others. One time going deep underground and fighting magic eaters and other nefarious underground denizens. We found a man meditating at the edge of a ravine. A small camp behind him. He teleported me to near the surface. The group did not split the treasure very well. Some slunk off with their booty not reporting it. I have quietly started to take notes on who is honorable and who is not.

For the next two days I worked hard cleaning out many layers to get back the knowledge I have lost. I have become wealthy. Much wealthier than some of my current talent and skills. I will need this coin. My sword cannot penetrate many monsters here. Their skin is too thick or have to many magic shields for me to make a dent in it.

I have heard of a master sword maker called Z. I hope to work with him on a new sword. My current sword carries my essences as all Onna-bugeisha. I will have him melt the blade down and use it in a new sword mixed with adamantine. I have some magical additives to also add. and when tempered I will add a pint of my own blood to the process so that the sword will hold even more of my essence within. It is risky and may not work. I am not a sword maker and do not know the full of the process. I will ask from both Samwell and this Z for guidance before the process begins. Until then I will collect coin and any other useful ingredients to increase the potency of my blade.

I also collect coin for better armor. My armor is good enough for now. I am training in mobility so that I may wear lighter armor. When I can wear chainmail and use it to its maximum potential, I will have the armor made.

The last thing I have to write surprises me. I usually do not turn my thoughts to things not of war. I am bred a warrior for the protection of my lord's lands. At home I had balance. I could be the hardened warrior for lord Barasume when he called. I could be the stern judge of the lands My husband and I protected, but I could always come home to be the soft woman that loved her husband. I could become a girl again. I bask in Ryuu's embrace as he wrapped me up in his arms as we fell to sleep together.

Here I always have to be on my guard. Always the warrior. I never know when traveling if my companions will screw me over in treasure or for their own nefarious ends. It is wearing me down. I am out of balance in my soul now. The only one that holds me together, makes me pause is Samwell. I do what I can to remember that I am in fact a woman and need to do womanly things. When I return, I will marry a new husband. He most likely will expect much from me in the running of the household and if be it serve as his judge and executioner on our lands. I have to remember to stay soft and feminine for those things. I still sew new dresses. practice my calligraphy as I am doing now, and a myriad of other tasks for this.

I know what my face and body look like. I am not naive. There is often a reason why Lords pick the husbands of my profession. I have not been able to look into a mirror for a long time. and now there are scars all over my chest. I will make more room to practice being a good wife for my next husband. In this way I hope to keep my feminine side as strong as my warrior side. I do not want to fall in my duties for lord, husband or people.

That is all I have to write today. One day, if I get old. I may re-read this and laugh, or maybe cry.

[Winterhawk99]

Spring rain fills the air slowly drizzling down into the campsite. Miwa sits in her tent and writes in her logs. She occasionally sticks her head out to see what Pickles is doing. With his war barding off he seems to be prancing about the canyon campsite enjoying the rain. She goes back to her writing.

I went out for 4 days to see how well my meditations and training have taken. On the first day I mostly looked to the goblin caves south of Norwick or the swamps east of Peltarch for combat training. I kept looking to both the Orc caves west of the big city and finally went there. The upper layer of course I have been through many a times. The orcs there give me no problem. There is a door at the back end of the caves. I wanted so badly to explore them, but others have warned me never to go there alone. After a foray into the swamps I found Lucian at the commons and told him I seek a key to the Orc woods.

The caves have another door that shows a secret mountain pass to the orc woods. I knew I would find it in the lower level of the caves. Surprisingly Lucian told me he would help. Thus, we went down to the lower levels. Even with Lucian the area was very tough for me but we succeeded and I procured a key to the pass.

I held off awhile and went down to the lizard people in the western part of the swamps. These creatures are much, much tougher than the little lizards they call kobolds. These creatures are much taller than I and like to try to disarm you while fighting. I was able to clear only 4 rooms and take a dozen heads. Still I got out alive and made great progress doing it alone.

I then went back to the orcs alone and tried my hand at the lower level. It was tough. I used most of my supply of potions but succeeded in taking down the leader and taking a staff from his treasure. I was elated.

The next time I went back I could not complete the task and had to retreat. 4 heavy crossbowmen were waiting for me and almost killed me. I got to just before the throne room when I had to retreat.

Later I took a more inexperienced adventurer with me and we easily knocked out all the lizard men in the first parts of their cave system.

During this 4 day period I also slew giants, went to underdark facing multiple threats and a mystery to which I will get back too later and traveled deep into bugbear territory. Bugbears are fierce opponents. The strongest I have ever fought in groups. Again I almost died several times. Caution led the way and I made it with Samwell, Crazy Raazi, and a Bushi by the name of Demin. Demin is a very nice man. As tall as Ryuu and as wide as a dwarf would be at his size.

About my trip to underdark. I was again with Demin, Crazy Raazi, Samwell and this time Sebrienne. We encountered a giant wrapped in cloth. The westerners call these dead things mummies. It was wielding a katana. The great mummy attacked us. We could do little damage at first and it had blades in the ground it could command and hit us with underneath. We fought and fought it for over an hour chipping away at its defenses. As soon as it died metal eaters came down on the katana. I fought for it hard so they would not destroy the blade. I needed to know if it was an ancestral blade and if I should send it to the family whether they be of Wa or Kozakura. It also took us awhile to defeat the metal eaters but we did.

After all was done and it was safe, I picked up the blade and carefully examined it. The blade had lost much of its enchantment. I found no makers mark nor did I find a clan insignia on the blade. I aske the group if I could claim it. Thankfully they concurred.

During my 4 day outing I met a strange woman by the name of Tia Wyvern. She looks to have grown up in a clan and has had a few years of Onna-bugeisha training. She had died. As my paper locating contraption started to vibrate in my pack I looked to see she had died on the westerns side of Peltarch. I saddled up and made hast there to find someone had picked the body up and carried it to temple. She was raised. Seeing she used a katana I pressed her on it with many questions and got her story.

Her clan had aligned with dragons, but she was kidnapped by others because they deemed her clan evil for doing so. She was taken in by westerners and trained as a wu-jen. I talked to her about many things and still only have a partial story but saw that she needed to complete her training as a Onna-bugeisha. I tried in every way to dissuade her including flatly telling her that if she continues on this path her face will look like mine. She still persisted.

Against my better judgement I have taken her in as an apprentice and into my family. She is now Tio of the Barasume clan. We will see if she can stand the training. If not I will let her bow out at anytime. Westerners would not understand the commitment to you need to become like me. I doubt she will make it to the end but I should do my best to try to properly train and turn her into an Onna-bugeisha if that is her wish.

My Ki has gotten stronger, and I am practicing the dashio style of fighting. I am not ready to lose my shield but I am closing in with practice.

Makoto and I have had several words, several times on this outing. I am showing great patience with her, but my patience is near ending. She is inconsiderate, self-centered, and bitchy. Your basic palace brat. She whines about being a princess when it is obvious she either never was or was kicked out because of her behavior. She throws money around like it is water and does other things that gives me great pause. And yet, she is my only connection to my home.

Even if a princess she was kicked out of the Wa palace which means she did something. The Wa imperial palace would most likely be very much like the imperial palace of Kozakura. No princess would even be let off the grounds except under strict supervision until they were married off to a noble house (whichever house would bring more central power to the Emperor, imperial family and central government.

It makes me wonder what she could do to have them throw her out if she is indeed a princess? Did she kill a guard? Get screwed? Something worse? I don't know but she has me on edge though I do not display it, or at least try not too. This is what pampering does to a woman. They become all but useless in the basic things with no proper edict because they think they are so much higher than everyone around themselves. They can even ignore the very codes that make their countries work.

I had to run a household, three villages and many acres of land. I had to be my husband's hand of justice when needed and fight my lords wars when away from home since I was better at war than Ryuu. I have had to learn how to fish, plant, and reap a harvest so that I could take the peoples perspectives on things. It was always work until those rare moments when Ryuu and I were left alone and free to have an outing............or stay in bed a few nights in a month.

Thats enough of writing for now. I am upset. I do not want to lose my connection but am angry at the self-righteousness, whininess and general brattish behavior of Makoto. And to think her name means honesty.

[Winterhawk99]

Image of Miwa in her homeland.

[Winterhawk99]

Miwa comes back to camp to meditate on what she has learned. She releases Pickles to graze and tidies the place up a bit. She takes two days to rest and meditate before writing of her experiences. When ready she takes brush to her journal writing in high shou. The day is clear and breezy. It's about 80 degrees. She can tell by the sun that summer is coming shortly. She in gladdened by that thought for the area where she lives in her homeland is very hot and mostly beaches and rocky jungle forest. She writes.

I went back to the city for two days to test what I have gleamed from my previous meditations. Many things happened to me while adventuring these four days. The first I recollect is that the Cleric by the Name of Thau was in the commons. I met her and suggested that we practice her combat with the orcs of the pass.

Surprisingly she agreed. She is a shy creature not quite ready for combat with others. Mostly a quiet calm sort that avoids practicing her marshal skills. I took her to the orc caves and before going through the door to the pass I tell her that I will be her shield. She needs to stand behind me and make ready while I keep their attentions. In that way we can go very far together.

We managed to go several miles into the forest defeating many opponents together. Every time she wanted to get ahead, I told her to get behind so that I might take the attentions and the brunt of the attacks while she flanks them. I also told her that I would try to draw them back by ones and twos, so we don't have many upon us at once.

Again, she did very well with this. After going a few miles and defeating many orcs we encountered a champion orc. This orc along with an orc called a runemaster was extremely tough. We did defeat it along with several others with it. We discussed about turning around at this point because we used many healing potions in this fight. We decided to move on. This turned out to be a mistake. We came upon a grand barricade across the cliffsides with only narrow avenues to get through. I started to take down one of the middle barriers. Thau told me to just go around. I came to her and saw about 5 orcs including a runemasters and champion coming to us. I quickly jumped in front of her drawing the attentions of the champion. The runemaster hit me with a great golden light from the heavens paralyzing me. I knew I would fall and saw Thau running away. I thought to myself good she will get help. I don't remember anything else before waking up at the temple. It seems Marty the nature priestess had saved us.

After going through all the battles in my head I find that Thau'lira did very well. Much better than when we fought the bandits. She has much to learn too. I am however very proud of her improvement, and I do not think my sacrifice was in vain. It seems the gods have more for me in this life. I will continue on my path. I fault myself for falling in those woods. I should have had us turn back when I felt we had reached our limit. I too learned from this outing.

I believe I have a ring barrowed from Demin when we went out together once. I told him I would return it to him as soon as we were done but forgot. It was a minor dishonor to myself for not immediately giving it back. I will make a point to give him back his ring and give one of mine to redeem myself. I need to be more careful with things of others. I am somewhat ashamed that I have forgotten this.

There was a trial being called as I came into town on the second day. I went to the courthouse but found many who left me in the forest there. I turned around and left. Being a judge for my husband I would have enjoyed the trial however I will not stand the presence of those that would abandon one in their group. I do not remember the men in the group that day but I do remember the women. Ros the small one, Asha, Athos the nature priestess, and Isolde a human wu-jen. These 4 are evil and self-centered and never should be trusted. I have considered taking revenge upon them when strong enough but here in the west I dare not. I will say their heads should be posted in the city sqaure as criminals of society for they have no worth for society. They only live for themselves.

In the second day I met with Makoto once again. She wanted to lead a party into the depths of the earth. I said I would come. There was a male sharp eared there that was completely obnoxious and self-absorbed. I did not get his name nor did I care even when I found him quite competent with a bow. Another self-centered, self-absorbed asshole that doesn't deserve to breath air. Makoto was on good behavior for the most part.

I almost mistook some of her joking to be in seriousness and got upset at the beginning of the venture but as I thought about it and remembered the jokes of others before battle, I remembered they are spoken through nervousness in anticipation for battle. All is well. We went deep: Very deep. We defeated hundreds of creatures that haunt the tunnels and grand caverns underground. We were on a ledge when giant Umberhulks attacks us on the flank. No one was ready and I was on the flank. I attacked them. I thought I could take them because I have defeated them before, so I did not go into my defensive fighting tactics. This was a grand mistake. I fell in battle again. I woke up in ghauntown with the others staring over me. I found out that my death though temporary was honorable because I gave the rest time to prepare for the battle. Again, I was raised. I lost 10,000 gold but Makoto presented me with a hood that protects against magic. I did honor to my lord, husband and ancestors that day. I am encouraged but have to remember to be more cautious with foes. Fight defensively until you know you can take them.

The last thing that happened is I had the great honor of meeting Master Z at the crafter's guild. He is by name the greatest sword maker in these lands. I humbly asked him of my ideas for making a new sword and putting my essence within. He would melt my own sword down and add metal and other materials to it like the jasmal I found. Then when it is being tempered I will add my living blood to the bath so that my essence, my soul will always be a part of the sword as with my fist sword made when I was twelve.

I have 3 months to find something called adamantine. if I can find this he will add it to the making of the blade. If not he will use something called Mithril. I also have a jasmal to add to it. Also the wrap of the blade (The Same) which is usually made from sting ray; I want made in wolverine skin. I must first find and defeat one. then skin it.

He told me in the next three months to be on the lookout for more jasmal and other odd things that could make the sword better. I will do this looking for this adamantine. I am gladdened that a master of his reputation would have me as a client. I told him if there is anything I can do for him just say the word and I will be there.

It was a long two days. I will continue to practice, rest and meditate here in camp for a few more days before going out again and testing my meddle on new foes.

[Winterhawk99]

After 5 days of meditation the previous outing, practice and excercise, I went back into the cities of the region to test what I have learned. It didn't take long.

For a moment in time: Just a moment in a lifetime of dutiful study I felt the other part of my soul within my sword. For a long day I became the sword, and the sword became part of me. An extension of self. I felt and fought like the great sword masters of old: and then it was gone.

I felt immortal, undefeatable and that was my downfall, but in that moment, I exceled. During my two days of realistic practice two fell around the region. I have a magic map that tells me where all others are that also have maps. That maps also hum when someone dies so that their bodies may be rescued and hopefully raised. The first was a man by the name of Call. When I heard the map and saw the name I gathered together a group to go down into the depths of the earth below Narfell and rescue him. Along with me was a goodly elven archer and a wizard. He did not say his name but later Samwell told me his name is Gog the fat.

He is an old fat little dwarf.

We went into the earth to a ruined city called Arneth. There were powerful creatures there called Quoggaths. They were too much for me so I immediately went invisible and watched Gog fight them. The elven likewise went invisible. Gog put up a glowing green shield and fired lights at them hurting them somehow. They killed themselves on the green shield their skin smoking from the acid burns as they hit the barrier.

After Gog defeated the lot of them we rescued Calls body and took him to the temple. There we raised him. He was gladdened to be alive.

Very shortly after, within a few hours, The map hummed again in my pack. A young wizard had fallen in the giant lands. Again we gathered a group and went for the body. I took down many a giant that day. My sword humming and perfectly in tune with my body. Each part of my soul singing in harmony with each other. My reach longer, my power greater by far and my swing so precise. We collected his body and ran back to the temple. He was quite amazed that he had fallen when resurrected. He thanked us. I was so pleased by my new found understanding of Bushido and how it effected my complete being.

The next day it all fell apart. The next morning, I went looking for a wolverine near Blackridge. Samwell had told me he had seen them there from time to time. I took Dermin with me. Dermin is a solid warrior with much experience. Much more than myself in fact. While looking for wolverine we found a crystal cave filled with goblins that could control ice. We fought them. They were not particularly hard foes but did have a very large amount of coin.

We found a doorway to a mountain pass in the cave. We walked miles encountering zombie goblins, elementals, small dragons, and witches. We easily defeated all of them returning with some 5,000 in gold and equipment. I will go back there again when the opportunity presents itself meaning a man to fight the dead goblins. Thats a mans job because zombies are so.............icky.

I mean they splatter rotten flesh and green goo all over you when you fight them. They smell so, so bad. The awful sounds like 'Splish' that are made when you cut them and the gas. sometimes you stab them and you hear that awful noise of gas escaping and then the terrible smell! Yes, I definitely know this is a man's job to take care of the undead.

We won much gold but did not find any wolverines.

Later, on a hunch I went to a small village called Steppenhall. I had to fight several undead there but made it safely. Just outside the gates of the town in a farm field I spotted one. A wolverine. He was stalking the farmers chickens. I ran too it. It did not run off as I had expected. It attacked me. I still felt somewhat sorry for killing an animal that represents my own clan nickname, but I had too. I skinned it and put it in my pack. I went into the city and looked around. Samwell happened to be there. He wanted to explore a bit of the terrain around the village. I went with him.

The first thing we encountered was another wolverine. We tried to avoid it being I already have a skin but it would not back away. I had to kill it. Wasting nothing I skinned that one too. So now I have two wolverine pelts for the same of my new katana. We went further afield and encountered earth elementals and then manticore.

Manticores are like giant lions with eagle wings and a wicked barbed tail. They can launch these barbs at their enemies or anything they consider food. I think we are food. We chased a single manticore down into a valley and suddenly we were surrounded. I tried to fight as best i could with five of them throwing these barbs in my direction. And then the moment was gone. I fell.

Samwell raised me. The gods seem still have a mission for me to do in these lands. I am very thankful they do. Even missing Ryuu but life must go on. I lost that spark, that connection. Again if feel the part of me that is my sword as a distant echo in the night. It was my arrogance, That feeling of invulnerability, that addict aphrodisiac of power that led me away from the code of bushido. I will humble myself next time I travel out into the world and have better self control. In this way by following the code I will regain and relearn this new enlightenment. Next time, I will be able to remain in control now that I know to be wary of my own faults.

The last thing that happened while being out in the cities was that a large group formed to go south and explore. Both Dermin, Thau'lira, Crazy (Raazi) and others were with us. We fought hobgoblins and others. Most took the ship to Norwick. I took Pickles and rode down getting there much faster. I waited by the camp but no one came. After awhile I went to the ship. As soon as I got to the farms I saw a strange wu-jen talking to the rest of the group. He put a mark on Dermin's hand. I don't know why but everyone knew I did not trust the mage or the mark.

We started to explore the south when strange things started to happen around Dermin. Lightning struck his shield bounced off it and hit crazy. He would randomly turn invisible, other things would happen. luckily no one was seriously hurt. As all this was happening, we were fighting hobgoblins and other things. As we went further. I noticed that we had wandered into bugbear lands. I became greatly concerned. We fought more of those giant birds then the bugbears started to appear. I went invisible several times. Luckily, we did not terry in the field and all made it out alive.

This ends my diary entry for the days I tested myself in the region. Hopefully, when I return from my meditations I will again perceive and feel the deeper connection with my katana once again.