<strong> Oshiro Midori (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=274532.msg13508458#msg13508458)</strong><br/><strong>Time:</strong>Y0S4, immediately after the battle.<br/><strong>Location</strong>: Site of the Unexpected Battle<br/><strong>Tagged</strong>: Ualan Yoson, Kogatana<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Midori had traveled far from her estate, but the local terrain still looked like home to her. Rice paddies, rolling hills, and a crisp touch to the air that told her a winter frost was imminent. The wind rose up from between the hills, and as Midori inclined her tired head  to speak with a footman, the sound of a horn rose up too. Within moments, her small, strung out military contingent was awash in arrows and screams.<br/><br/>Before she could call out, arrows sunk themselves deep into her horse. The beast collapsed, taking her with it: she was flung to the ground, hard. When she woke up, a man wearing Aka Ka colors stood above her. Not thinking, she rolled forward into a crouch and drew her father's blade. Steel rasped against flesh and the man fell back in shock.<br/><br/>Her head and shoulder hurt, she was covered in dirt, and her heart was hammering out of her chest. She had never felt more alive. The pain became something that was happening to someone else as her senses sharpened and the haze of waking from unconsciousness melted away in a rush of adrenaline. Time didn't stop, didn't slow, and none of it felt at all like what was described in the books she had read. Time sped up, but it felt as if she was more aware of any individual moment than at any other time in her life.<br/><br/>That hyper-awareness alerted her to the footsteps of a man over the general clamor of battle. Midori pivoted, turning the man's blade before it landed. Her small stature meant she couldn't have blocked it outright, and as she had been trained she instead redirected his force. After turning the blade, she stepped past him. Before he recovered, she ended him with a quick thrust from behind.<br/><br/>Midori lost herself in the fighting for a few moments; she flowed from one opponent to the next. Some were better than her, but they were cut down with the aid of her personal guard. Some opponents were bold, rushing past her defense to get at her. Those would-be heroes ended up only being remembered as red stains on her riding clothes. Eventually, a small knot formed around Midori.<br/><br/>That was how Ualan found her, surrounded by the core of her army, waiting for the next challenger. Blood and dirt stained her clothes, and her hair spilled around her shoulders wildly.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275522.msg13616623#msg13616623">Quote from: Ontan on 21-10-2017, 04:25:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">“Hmmph. I had all kinds of clever speeches saved up for an occasion like this,” Ualan said, “but now the moment’s come, they suddenly seem hollow and puerile.”</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Midori didn't answer him. Instead, she somehow reclined without sitting or having support behind her. She looked down her nose at him, transforming from battle maiden to princess in an instant.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275522.msg13616623#msg13616623">Quote from: Ontan on 21-10-2017, 04:25:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">“Lady Oshiro, I’ll speak plainly. The Aka ka Clan is not in the habit of taking prisoners. In fact, we don’t even have a castle to imprison you within, and given that we can’t risk a rescue attempt, there are only a few options available. The first is that your men are killed, and you are sold as a prize to Clan Gunba.”</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>She laughed when he said that, but didn't interrupt.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275522.msg13616623#msg13616623">Quote from: Ontan on 21-10-2017, 04:25:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Ualan patted the hilt of his sword, hinting to the obvious alternative. <br/><br/>“You already know the second option. Die in combat. Spit in the eye of those who’d turn you into their possession, and let your life end here in a blinding flash of defiance, rather than the long years of captivity and degradation in a sordid prison.” </blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>She shrugged, implying it was the obvious option.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275522.msg13616623#msg13616623">Quote from: Ontan on 21-10-2017, 04:25:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">“The third option is the hardest for both of us, and Kogatana may want to slice my head off for even suggesting this. Perhaps rightly so.” <br/><br/>Ualan lapsed into silence for a moment before taking the leap. <br/><br/>“Join us, Lady Oshiro – not as a whipped lapdog, but as an equal. We merge our Clans into something new, and share leadership through a ruling council. I could make it work. The Oshiro would get their ancestral lands back, and the Aka ka could finally stand on its own feet rather than playing loan-sword to a patron Clan.” <br/><br/>“I implore you to think on it. We are both in the very centre of Shindo, meaning that every other Clan has a knife levelled at our backs. However distasteful it seems, a merger is the only way that <em>either</em> of us survive the coming storm.” Ualan sighed, as if already resigning himself to failure. “It’s a lot to ask. Now, I’m sure you have either questions or defiant witticisms you wish to voice. I’ll entertain both, but make it quick. Kogatana will be here soon, and I need to know whether I’ll be presenting a prisoner, an enemy’s head, or a future ally.” <br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"I wish you would step into this circle,<em>barbarian</em>." If killing intent could be felt, Midori channeled it as best she could. Then, that intent faded and she became even more like a cat standing casually. "But death is lighter than a feather," she flicked her sword casually to emphasize the point, "and duty is heavier than a mountain." It was an old phrase that every Samurai within earshot knew.<br/><br/>Midori strode over to one of her personal guard, reached into his belt pouch, and withdrew a rag. She used it to wipe her blade of blood. Satisfied, she stuffed the cloth back and sheathed her weapon. "We will lower our weapons, but if this is a trick, I'll be sure to see your ancestors throw you into hell."<br/><br/>Her men stood down. She strode out of the circle, bee-lining for Ualan. "Take me to see Kogatana," she said when she reached arm's reach.