Battle of Great Climb: Siege Of Kyuden Agasha, day 1
 

(Lazyman and Mp37a can join this chapter when they are finished with what they are doing in the old)

The mountaineers entered the vale below Kyuden Agasha. The Castle stood on a tall mountain lonely in the valley. In one end Lion troops were pouring through one of the other passes.

Raiden looked wide-eyed for a moment “RUN! FLY FOR THE GATES WE HAVE NO TIME!” He clutched his katana’s saya and took off running toward the hidden crystal gates of Kyuden Agasha. The amazing flora of the region almost seeming to part for the great samurai giving him a clear path.
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Akodo Yokutsu surveyed the forested terrain.

“Good the forests will give our troops cover from their archers and magic.”

A nightingale caught his attention as it sang a worried song. Lion troops with ono’s were cutting down its tree to make fortifications and siege weapons.

“Look out!” one called.

The tree fell crushing the bird and it’s nest.

“The dragon will pay in blood this day. “ He turned to a Taisa. “I want the terrain mapped by night fall I want to know ever inch of the valley.”
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Tsanuri bent down. The fire was only a day old. She was not far behind her prey

“I’ll make that insolent worm pay for making a fool out of me.” Tsanuri said. “Forward, we are late as it is.”

“Kaoki are you alright? You seem distant.”
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Ogami rode at the front of four legions of Mirumoto samurai. He had hoped for more, but he had all he could get in the time needed. Winter storms had destroyed many passes and travel in the Dragon lands favored the attackers.

“Raiden I am coming.” He said, the wind carrying his words away. He clutched his Naginata

“We are one days march from Kyuden Agasha. We must not let the Lion get into the Castle. Prepare yourselves for battle. FOR THE DRAGON, AND OUR ANCESTORS!”

“OKAMI! OKAMI! OKAMI! OKAMI! OKAMI!” The troops shouted in deafening unison. They followed their General, the scaled wolf.

Ogami visualized the Vale of Agasha in his head, the caverns, and the secret library of the Dragon, the secret foundries of the Agasha, and their smoking chimneys blending with the clouds to make swirling tapestry in the air. He pictured the Lonely Mountain and the vale in the center of the labyrinth.

“Hold on Brother I am coming.”
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The Agasha had no guard; they had never needed guards before. Their shugenja prepared for battle. Scribes worked hard pouring over ancient scrolls copying the ancient spells and histories, Priests and priestesses purified themselves and the castle placing protection wards.
The weapon smiths of the Agasha made arrows by the barrel. Alchemists brewed arcane potions. Never had they made war before, but they seemed ready. Kitsuki magistrates suited up for war. They would die to protect their home.

“This is my fault.” Mirumoto Asijin said to his wife from a pagoda of the sprawling castle.

“The fault is mine as well dear husband.” Moroko replied. She touched the aging warriors face. “You have always carried great concerns, I am everything will turn out for the best. You and I are linked by more than just love. You are my soul, and I yours. We are bound together on the karmic wheel. If this is to be our end, we will meet again in the next life.”

“I worry not for just ourselves.” Asijin said. “I worry for Kuyuden. He is to young to bear the mantle of leadership.”

“We have raised a good and noble son. He will do well. He is to much like his father.”

“I see much of you in him too.”

A massive armored figure entered the room from the shadows. His golden eyes glowed like the sun from his helm. "The storm has come, The time of heroes and birds of carrion. Your parts are not played out yet."

"Togashi Ayoko-sama." Asijin gasped. He immediatly prostrated himself in front of the great daimyo. Tonbo Moroko followed suit.

"Your path is filled with darkness and danger, but you do not walk it alone." With the Togashi Lord disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

The troops were already near. "No... We cannot let them have this place!"

Please Gods... let us fight and win this battle, and live on so that we may be able to fight again. But also... make sure lives are not lost here. None that don't need to be wasted.

Katsu was up in the front, charging as quick as he could towards the structure, and almost certain doom.

Kenren didn't know where he was running to. He was simply following Raiden and praying that the latter knew what he was doing.

He could sense the strange magic of the place already, the subtle flows of energy in the place twisted from the manipulations of the Agasha.

The crystal gates to Kyuden Agasha came into view. they were built into a small cliff face at the base of the mountain and decended into blackness.

Keiko started a bit then glanced at Tsanuri, "I guess I am being a little distant." She confirmed, "I'm just disappointed in myself for not paying attention enough in battle. I wouldn't have gotten wounded if I had my mind on the battle at hand instead of... something else." She sighed, her rage growing again after thinking of Kenren. She hoped he hadn't died in battle, so that she could have the pleasure of killing him herself.

"Get some rest, Keiko. Tommorrow will be a red day, a day of battle. I want my best Taisa well rested for when we storm the dragon's libraries."

Keiko nodded a bit, then thought it over, "Actually, I think I am going to look over the maps once more. It would be better to know our surroundings more for this battle to assure our victory." She said, heading to where the maps were stored, and glancing over them, hoping for the gods to reviel to her a strategy to winning the battle with the least casualties.

Kenren sneezed as he ran.

Perhaps someone is thinking of me?

He shook his head and continued running, praying that the Lions wouldn't catch up with them.

"Kenren we need some light I need to read the directions." The dark tunnels under Kyuden agasha extended for miles

Kenren closed his eyes and reched out to the ambient fire kami, who were only too glad to accede to his request to create a ball of fire in his hands.

He held it in front of Raiden's face.

"Will this do?"

OOC: Cast spell, Summon Fire. I'm rolling 7k3 dice (School Rank 4, Fire Ring 3) and there is no way I can fail this roll, unless God feels like giving mke a hard time.)