Kyuden Hida: Arrows in the snow.
 

The snow began to lightly fall as you walk down the path from the upper gat house. The parde grounds have been turned into a field of competition. The crowd cheers loudly as the young son of Hida Tampako scores a bullseye on the target.

Two burly crabs stop you as you try to enter the field

"Contestants only beyond this point." Hida Ocho says to you.

Saryon looked up. He was carrying his Dai bow, along with several Ya arrows. He showed them to the guards.

"I'm sure that I'm a contestant today."

"Welcome then Bayushi-san, The samurai contests will begin shortly." Tha samurai uncross their yari and let you pass. A pavilion has been erected and several notable persons: Shiba Noboru, Mutsuye's bodygaurd, is meditating; Matsu Hitomi, a beautiful young Matsu, practices her realese; Shinjo O-Shito is brushing her horse in the nearby corral; Bayushi Tatsukoro, your daimyo, is talking to several crab bushi who seem to be ignoring his prideful boasts; In the stands you see Hiruma Kage's elderly father Yoshi talking to a young Hiruma with twin sai's at his waist; Near him the bride's father sits watching the contests surrounded by retainers.

Nadare shouldered his bow, and nodded to the sentry as he entered the range. He slowly scanned the grounds, and two people caught his eye - the Matsu and Shiba Noburu.

Business, as always, clashed with pleasure. To chat up the Matsu, or to pump the yojimbo for information? Nadare sighed. Life could be so hard sometimes. And then he remembered a mantra which a visiting Wasp had taught him once, and he repeated the second verse to himself.

Desire is a sin. I do not desire.

Glum, but resigned, he walked over to Noburu, then paused as he realized the latter was not simply sitting down and watching the grounds, but meditating. Not wanting to disturb the Shiba's repose, he turned instead to the samurai-ko, trying to relax as much as he could.

"Think you'll win, Matsu-san?"

When Saryon saw his daimyo sitting in the stands, he couldn't help but laugh out a bit. While he respected his daimyo, the man could certainly talk.

And why not? The scorpions were smarter than to interrupt him from talking.

Saryon rolled his shoulders, and began to roll the sleeves of the kimono he was wearing up to his upper arm. Using some straps he had taken from his bag, he tied his sleeves in place so that they wouldn't move. He could now more easily use his bow.

He silently cursed himself for not more readily having better clothes for things like these. Kimonos are alright for formal meetings, but this was a sport competition.

Thankfully his armor was nearby, just in case his daimyo decided to impress some of the other court members with one of his prized followers in a sword duel.

"I do not think I will win, I know I will." The Matsu replied. "I know this because my ancestors guide my actions, and they have never known defeat. I am Matsu Hitomi, daughter of Matsu Hakihime, former Rikugunshokan of the Lion's pride.

Nadare smiled at the samurai-ko. Such... bravado. It was admirable in some ways, impressive in others, yet utterly pointless when viewed through the lens of his own experience.

Sometimes, one lived because they walked to the left of a twisted tree, rather than the right.

He watched her carefully, trying to see her technique. If she was as good as she was cocky, he might have a real challenge here on his hands.

"Do I get to learn your name, or shall I continue to think you are another rude crab samurai."

"I am Hida Nadare, and I am yet another rude Crab samurai, albeit one who knows a fine warrior when he sees one. Forgive my delay in introducing myself, my lady."

"Your youth certainly seem to show proficiency in martial arts." Hitomi said commenting on the youth competition.