[LN Day 3] So, What Just Happened?

[Ikoma Ren]

"Tea? I think I could use some tea. Would you like some tea Sutorenja-san?"

Ren fills a kettle and puts in on the brazier, leaning against the bunk and he waits.

"So...we each had an eventful day"

It's a bit of an understatement. Someone had tried to kill her, the planned Ronin meeting had been swarmed by authorities only for them to sponsor the plan and use them to defend the wedding, and a strange spirit attack had attempted mass murder, leafing Ren to be beaten by an entranced mob

So yeah... understatement

[Sutorenja]

She seemed shaken after what happened at the beach with the people and the sea. She had tried to help and thankfully they had kept people from dying but still why?

She was silent and did not respond.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren goes onto one knee. "I feel that I must apologise. I was not there when you were in danger, despite saying that I would look out on your behalf. I brought unwarranted attention to the meeting, which might have gone badly, and then I foolishly went out away from your protection and found myself paying for it. I can see I have made abundant errors and I hope that you can still trust me"

[Sutorenja]

"Do not apologize, Ikoma-sama, you could not have stopped what was against me," she said honestly.

[Ikoma Ren]

"Well, two things" Ren's tone isn't argumentative, but is firm. "First, I still should have been there. Second...I don't really know what happened. Someone tried to kill you?" Ren wears his concern freely now that the pair is away from the group.

[Sutorenja]

"I am sorry Ikoma-sama, perhaps there is much we have to discuss in confidence," she said.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren glances to the door. "And I take it that now is not a safe time?"

[Sutorenja]

"I am not sure but this is the moment we have," she said in response.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren pauses. "Sutorenja-san, I meant what I said before. It would shame both of our ancestors if I were to compel you to break your oath. I will keep your confidence if you wish, but please, if I can help you avoid that..."

Ren clears his throat. "I consider it a high probability that you are a Clan samurai undergoing a Warrior's Journey. You have a great deal of knowledge and expertise, you've thought of steps of my idea further than I had and your equipment is well maintained. Add on that the Dread Magistrate had stepped forth on yourself behalf to save your life and it seems almost certain. And...if that's all I need to know to explain the basics of your past life, then so be it. My uncertainty would keep your vow intact"

[Sutorenja]

She thinks long and hard and then said, "You seem to have worked out the basics of it."

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren nods, mostly to himself as he gets out the tea set. "Unless there is something you think you must tell me, I will not push you on specifics. But still, can you let me know the basics of what happened, so that I can be aware and able to help in the future?"

[Sutorenja]

“Ikeda Ishi, a woman I considered a friend was ordered to kill me, but the orders it seems may have been false. I do not know the truth of why, but thankfully the Magistrate revealed the ruse before blood was drawn. Now we are trying to decide the best path forward,” she said to the Ikoma.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren blinks, trying to hold back the shock. He had suspected that his partner might have held station above his own, but an Ikeda sent with orders to kill?

"I see. If twisting legitimate means to attempt to kill you was the first step, I wouldn't be shocked if they try something unscrupulous next." Ren feels a rug of his gut and he realizes a danger. "They might use the premise of gathering Ronin to try to bribe one. If you don't feel safe helping me organize a band of them... "

It's hard to say the words, which might mean the end of his goal.

[Sutorenja]

"A samurai faces life with Courage, I see no reason to discontinue your endeavor," she said calmly.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren regards her carefully. "But we should share in the danger then. Please allow me to help with whatever dangers are facing you as well. There is safety in numbers as well. Do you trust the man you brought with you to the gathering? "

[Sutorenja]

"With my life, the Magistrate, well he means well," she said honestly.

[Ikoma Ren]

"No, no, the other one. The ronin who followed but didn't say anything." Ren is a little surprised at the omission. "We aren't exactly swimming in options for people to recruit"

[Sutorenja]

"Oh... apologies, I will ask him when next we meet," she said.

[Ikoma Ren]

"So...we have license to operate, it seems?"

[Sutorenja]

"It seems we have tentative license, best to bring it before the Crab directly," she offered.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren nods. "That makes sense. But it should probably wait until the morning." He looks down at the brewing tea. "Perhaps the afternoon. I am sure they will have issues dealing with... Whatever that thing was. "

[Sutorenja]

"I will be ready to assist the Crab in fighting whatever did this," she said proudly.

[Ikoma Ren]

"It was...monstrous." Ren gives a quick involuntary shudder. "I couldn't do anything at all. If there was reason before to oganize a band, whatever is causing this certainly has driven the point home."

[Sutorenja]

"It certainly has, I still feel... powerless," she said looking off.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren is quiet for a moment. "They once say that Shinsei's crow once came upon a flock of quail stuck in a hunter's net. Visiting them, he hopped down the grass where they lay sanred.

"Fellow birds", he squawked in the language of beasts "Your wings may be pinned so that you cannot fly, and the fear of death may grip your heart. If these things happen, just understand that you have been trapped by the hunter's net and do not give up! Remember, if you work together you can be free. Now, this is my plan. You must stick your heads out through webs of the net and, then, you must all flap your wings together. As a group, though you are still bound in the net, you will rise up into the air. Fly to a bush. Let the net drape on the branches of the bush so you can each drop to the ground, and fly away from under the net, this way and that, to freedom. Do you understand? Can you do this?”

“We do understand,” answered all the quail as one, “and we will do it! We will work together and be free.”

Hearing this, the Crow was content. The very next day a group of quail were pecking on the ground when they heard a long whistling call. “Twe whee! twe whee! twe whee!” It was the cry of a quail in distress! Off they rushed. Suddenly darkness descended on them and their wings were pinned. They had indeed been trapped by the hunter's net. But, remembering the wise crow's words, they did not panic. Sticking their heads out through the webs of the net they flapped their wings together, harder and harder and slowly, slowly, with the net still draped upon them, they rose, as a group, through the air. They flew to a bush. They dropped down through the bush, leaving the net hung on the outer branches, then flew away, each in their own direction, this way and that, to freedom."

Ren pauses his story, studying the woman as he poured them tea. "We're quail in the net. But I'll flap with you"