NationStates Jolt Archive

Father Sebastio points out the visitors and the Toopish boat.

"It looks like our day for visitors" the Chamberlain says "lets meet the firearms users first"

The two men, an old samurai and a Jesuit Priest head to the Ravean party. Another small group of samurai keep an eye on the Toopish delegation as they make landfall.

Sizing up the Ravean's it was obvious that the woman was in charge and the Chamberlain bows to her saying through the priest who spoke in latin "My Lady, Welcome to the Empire of Kirisubo. May I ask your name and your business here?"

Regina, unfarmiliar with the strange Language the Kirisubos spoke, called up her Yojimbo to see if they could transalate. A tall fighter named Alain, armed with a pair of Gladius and a rifle, stepped forward. He introduced himself to the two men facing them.

"My name is Alain, and my commander is Regina Spektor. We are on a trading mission from our home nation of Ravea, a land far east from here. We have eight ships, more than a hundred armed troops, and several scores of traders carrying spices, technology, food, and many other products that we are willing and eager to trade.

The Raveans are willing to start diplomatic relations with any nation it comes across; we are also interested in a trading post, if you could spare the land."

"The Empire has already opened up certain ports to foreign trade" the Chamberlain continues "the nearest one Hakodate is only 1/2 a day's sailing from here.

My name is Akechi Ichiro and I am the Chamberlain of Lord Anjo who rules the area round this village, Anjiro.

If you can send a pilot ashore I can arrange for one of our costal galleys to guide you into the port and then you can trade to your hearts content.

If you have any other needs we may be able to help you here"

Gritsnak was amongst the delagation and had been named chief translator, he had been pushed out to go and talk to the Samurai who were watching the Toopian King.

"Samurai Warriors, my King wishes to meet with the King over these lands, we come to propose an alliance!"

the group of samurai recognised a fair attempt at Kirisuban and the biggest one replied to Gritsnak "Welcome to Kirisubo. My Lord Nori Anjo will be back from our capital at some point this evening so If you and your honoured King want to make camp in the meantime while you wait that can be arranged.

Lord Anjo is the ruler of this part of of Hokkaido so he's the best person to talk to about an alliance apart from Lord General Nakamura, the Military commander of the province"

Gritsnak passed this information on to the King who thought for a short while over the options, if this Anjo was the man to talk about an alliance to then the Toops would wait for this Lord to return, the Grobbles were sent to unpack and start a camp-fire, Gritsnak went off to tell the Samurai what they had decided.

the lead samurai nods to Gritsnak and replies in simple Kirisuban "I'll ask our Chamberlain and Father Sebastio to visit your honoured King once they've finished talking to the other newcomers. "

He points out a small fleet out at sea and says "thats their ships out there. I'm sure i'll know what to call them soon enough but in the meantime I'll arrange for a few flasks of sake to be sent down to your camp so the time may pass more smoothly"

Gritsnak had never heard of Sake before but assumed that it was some form of drink.

"If you would like I could give you a bottle of Toopish ale in return."

Toopish Ale was made of whatever little scraps of rye could be harvested or bought, so it had to be strong to make it worth-while drinking, it was 40% proof and tasted like fire, just to the Toopish requirments.

"Sake is wine made from rice. It can be brewed to different strengths as well" the samurai explains "and your Toopish ale sounds interesting. You could even find a market for it in Hakodate.

Thats the main port for foreign trade on the island about 1/2 days sailing from here. If you asked the Chamberlain he might be able to get a local pilot to guide your ship there"

"Thank-you for your genorosity, I must get back to the encampment and speak to my King."

"I'll be around for a long while" the big samurai says "If you need anything else just ask for me, Katsuo san.

I'm sure we'll have more dealings later"

He then goes off leaving three of his colleagues on patrol as they survey the sea ahead of them and the hive of activity that Anjiro was totally unused to.

He goes back to the village and gets 3 flasks of sake and a few cups made from bamboo and thin wood and returns to his patrol with the alcohol and drinking implements.

Carrying them in a basket again made from bamboo he takes it with him as he leads his patrol.

"The Empire has already opened up certain ports to foreign trade" the Chamberlain continues "the nearest one Hakodate is only 1/2 a day's sailing from here.

My name is Akechi Ichiro and I am the Chamberlain of Lord Anjo who rules the area round this village, Anjiro.

If you can send a pilot ashore I can arrange for one of our costal galleys to guide you into the port and then you can trade to your hearts content.

If you have any other needs we may be able to help you here"

Alain Nodded and conveyed the message to Regina.

"Excellant. Syrel, take your yojimbo and see if you can't get a willing Kirisubon galley to guide us to Hakodate. In the meantime, I want to speak to those others we saw on the beach."

Alain turned towards the Chamberlain.

"We saw another group of peoples camping out on the beach, and would like to establish some relations with them. Would you be so kind as to lead us to them?"

Father Sebastio translates and the Chamberlain nods and speaks some more in Kirisuban.

"Toopians you say" he says to his translator "and you've already had dealings with them. It wouldn't hurt for these foreigners to meet them. You may take your leave and translate for the Raveans"

"Hai, shusho" the priest replies and he says to Regina in latin "Captain, I've been given leave to translate for you when you meet with the Toopians. I've dealt with them before and a friendly face would make life easier for you. They are fairly barbaric but I believe they can be reasoned with"

"Thank you, Priest." Regina responded gratefully. "It will indeed make negotiations a bit easier with you here. I've dealt with barbarians myself; this shouldn't be too difficult. Come, let us go and meet these Toopians."

in seeing the party come near him Goredash slowly got out of his seat supported by two of the Noomian Orcs, he walked out of the quickly made wooden cabin and took Gritsnak with him to help translate, the party got closer and Gritsnak began to shout towards them in Kirisuban.

"Greetings strangers!"

the priest translates what was said and they enter the Toopian camp.

Father Sebastio bows and in Kirisuban introduces the Raveans.

Gritsnak translates for the King and waits for the response, the King clears his throat and begins talking.

"I am King Goredash the Tenacious, I am glad to meet with paleskin nations which are beyond the nomadic life of those around our nation, I will present as a symbol of friendship the skull of the native Black Bear, it will grant you skill in military tactics."

A large skull was bought forward by a Grobble who raised it above his head.

Regina gratefully took the bear skull and examined it closely. A fine specimen indeed.

"Tell the Toopians that we, the Raveans, would like to open diplomatic relations with them, and would love to trade. Thank them for the fine skull as well."

Regina was not sure what to do with these Toopians. If they were as primative at she thought, she could probably easily exploit them to her advantage. Still, they could prove to be much more wiley then origianlly expected. Regina would just have to wait and see.

the priest translates accurately and observes this new side off Toopian culture. the greenskins were certainly barbaric but approachable.

Gritsnak translated the translation from Sebastio to his King who began to speak back.

"We would be honoured to open relations with your nation as you seem both honourable and wise, we have much to trade if you like to direct your attention to Grabdat, my Chief of the Raiders and of Wealth who will be able to display the finest in armour, weapons, silks and beverages."

the Jesuit translated the Kirisuban and knew he had a good thing going here. He would soon have more information on the Toopians and information on the Raveans.

He knew Lord Anjo was returning today so this bounty of information could well be a lever to get him to speak to Lord General Nakamura about setting up a Catholic Church outside the treaty port.

He could but hope..

Regina nodded.

"We can show you what we have to offer as soon as our trade ships are unloaded; in the meantime, we can demonstrate the effectiveness of our weapons if you want. First, let's see what your people can do."

The priest translated and noticed a samurai head towards him. He bowed and raised a hand so he could hear the translation back.

"what is is my son?" he asks quietly and gets a whispered report from Yokose point about the Frozopians meeting with Lord General Nakamura that was currently taking place and that he may be needed later on.

"Domo Toshiro san" he adds and gets back to his translating.

After having the translation Goredash called forward the largest of the Orcs, he had in his hand a large double handed Axe, behind him were around ten goblins armed with swords of varying length and bredth.

"This is the most armed Raider party in all of Toop, they have been raiding for the past 20 years and have collected an arseneal of the most advanced weaponary in Toop."

It was not much but this was the pinnicle of Toopish technology, you could see the blind faith in the King that these weapons were the most advanced warriors on the planet.

The priest translates and noting the large axe shuddering. Back home in Portugal something like that would be used to execute people.

ooc: assume that he's translating similtaneously as he hears replies

"Not bad," commented Regina. For a band of raiders, at least. I do hope this is not all the Toops have to offer. Still, that's a nice-looking axe. She noticed a rather fat rabbit moping around a couple of trees to her right. Fast as lightning, she drew one of her pistols. Bang! The rabbit fell dead. She drew her other pistol. Bang! A small bird perched in the trees above thudded as it hit the ground. Regina swiftly holstered the firearms.

"It seems we both posess some very fine technology, my friends." Regina smiled at the orcs. They might not have the best weapons, but they looked fast, and obviously had streanth in numbers. The Toops would be useful in the future...

the priest knew that the firearms going off would attract samurai and some very awkward questions and sure enough Katsuo san appeared with two other samurai.

Firstly he beckoned over Gritsnak and gave him the sake as he had promised explaining in Kirisuban they came with the complements of the Chamberlain.

then he went to priest and after seeing the remains of the bird and the rabbit he asked why these animals had been shot.

Regina shrugged as the Priest questioned her about her action.

"Intimidation, mainly. And respect. The Toops have never seen someting like that before; I need them to respect my people if I want them to get along with us. Plus, the rabbit will make decent eating. We have enough meat in our ships to pay you back a hundred fold for these two animals, if you want."

the priest and Katsuo san talk in kirisuban and the samurai move off resuming their patrol.

then Father Sebastio says to Regina "Katsuo san accepted your explaination and says the animals were unimportant. However firearms are frowned on here and considered honourless weapons to carry within the borders of the Empire."

"Honourless, but efficient. And Raveans are all about efficiency. Still, I apologize. I did not know of your customs regarding firearms; we will not draw them again in your lands unless we absolutely need too."

the priest nods saying "its not my custom. I'm Portugese but in Kirisubo there are only Kirisuban ways and solutions. The treaty ports are different although. As long as you pay the port tax they'll let you carry out your own customs there"

The Orcs look was that of both pure glee and shock, he walked up to gritsnak and symboled for him to start translating.

"How much would be willing to sell these fine weapons and ammunition for?"

With a pistol a raider could instill fear in an entire villiage of nomads before they had even drawn weapons, it could revolutionise the Toopian culture.

Regina was not stupid; in fact, she was far from it. She wasn't about to start arming orcs with guns. It would start all sorts of trouble. There wern't even enough guns to arm them with, anyways. Guns were rare, either from other lands or hand-made in Ravea. Getting them from either place took a long time. Still, it would not be impossible to lead these Orcs on; there could be much profit from this situation.

"We have no use for Toopish weaponry at the moment. Firearms are rare, powerful, and not easy to aquire. What else do you posess that might be equal to the power of a gun?"

"We can offer nothing but our own strength."

Toopish technology had penetrated the discovery of fire and gone stagnant thereafter, all the rest had come from looting other more advanced nomad races.

"Maybe instead you could instruct us on the basic principles of these weapons, so that we may make our own."

bump

OOC: Sorry i ran my car off the road, i live in Nova Scotia Canada..shitty weather...

Maximus received the agreements on a scroll and mounted his horse after the meeting, a royal wax seal kept it enclosed, a legal document. A bunch of kids ran by down the street yelling at the top of their lungs sounding really excited,

"Hitomi what are they saying...ships? where?..maybe my army has arrived off the coast! that is what they are saying isn't it??"

Maximus was getting excited to see Antonious once again, his friend had been gone a long time...

Hitomi asks one of the children, a 6 year old girl in Kirisuban whats going on and she tells her that a large fleet has arrived at Anjiro.

Hitomi then turns to Maximus and says "it looks like a large fleet has arrived and its yours"

###

meanwhile back at the Yokose point conference Lord General Nakamura had given Lord Conor time to think over the triple alliance proposal.

"what do you think Lord Conor? We could carve up the region between us but first we need to stop a war"

Maximus was clearly excited,

"We must ride! the General awaits my message!"

Maximus signaled his men to form up and took off down the road riding hard towards the coast,

"Comming Hitomi?!"

Hitomi explains what she's doing to Lord Anjo who lets her go and she gallops after Maximus.

They ride to the shoreline and see the ships out at sea.

"We can offer nothing but our own strength."

Toopish technology had penetrated the discovery of fire and gone stagnant thereafter, all the rest had come from looting other more advanced nomad races.

"Maybe instead you could instruct us on the basic principles of these weapons, so that we may make our own."

Regina got an idea. She snapped her fingers excitedly.

"A military alliance, then! We'll supply you with a couple of guns from our trade ships if you agree to provide military aid for us if we ever need it."

Excited at the prospect of the pistols the Orc stuck out his hand and agreed.

"Deal, we will be there for you in your time of need!"

Maximus seen the ships stretched out across the horizon, hundreds of them. He rode hard and fast across the Kurisban countryside looking to his side to see that Hitomi was keeping right up with the soldiers.

There was only very little daylight left so they tryed to get as far as they possibly could in the amount of time the group had.

as the sun sets they reach the shore and get to see the ships properly.

One samurai had kept up with Hitomi and talks briefly with Hitomi.

"I'll be fine" she tells him in Kirisubo "find the Chamberlain and tell him that Lord Anjo will be back soon. He was only just behind us"

The samurai rides off leaving them alone.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Hitomi says in latin as she looks up at the setting sun.

Maximus seemed in a daze,

"that reminds me that some things in this world are beautiful still..., One thing that can never be touched by war"

He paused breifly,

"Yes..beautiful...."

Maximus glanced at Hitomi breifly then turned his head back towards the road. The Ostian soldiers were ahead with the Samurai leaving Maximus and Hitomi a little behind at their request.

"I enjoy riding with you, always somthing to talk about...when i get back we will have to do it again yes? haha"

Maximus grinned at Hitomi. Under the veteran warrior was a lost young man who intended to leave the Army after the Frozipans were destroyed and start a quiet life.

Hitomi returns the smile and says "I won't always be around to keep you company. My work takes me all over the Empire"

She sees her father, Lord General Nakamura approaching with the Frozopian ambassador, his guards, his wife Hana and the mounted samurai.

She talks with her father in Kirisuban and nods as she listens.

Returning to Maximus she says "my father needs to speak to you about an alliance before you go to war"

Maximus lowers his head to the General to show respect then looks back at Hitomi,

"I am not the person you should be speaking with now..i am no longer in control...the General is Regulus now isn't it?"

Maximus shook his head then shrugged his shoulders,

"Your father will have to speak to him..if it was up to me..i wouldn't send my country men to die...however i have no say..Regulus might not listen ither..if the Senete and the Emperor told him to go fight the enemy he will do it to the best of his ablity..im sorry..all i can do is listen"

Maximus sat on his horse staring at the Celt beside the General,

"You must know Latin..your a noble...who do i have the pleasure of meeting?"

King Goredash dozed off whilst waiting for a Samurai representative or better the King, some Grobbles began to play with his face but were promptly swept off by Gritsnak.

"I am Conor, a noble of the Frozopians. It is my brother who posseses the colonies of Kuriles, the colonies which your nation have chosen to destroy."

Maximus replyed,

"Although i cannot discuss an alliance i can offer a surrender...if you accept i will give you the terms that are offered to all who lay down their swords to my Emperor"

He let his words sink in, the look on the Celts face remained the same as he studyied him,

"My army will occupy your lands, taxes will be sent to Ostia to remain in the Emperors good graces, all hostilles will disarm and present themselves to a place which they will be paid a total of 10,000 coins to pay for personal items..horses..goats..pigs..what have you...things to live.."

"Your brother and yourself will remain the nobles of the land, you will repersent your people for what ever they need from us..protection? as the Emperors subjects you will be treated fair"

Maximus then continued..

"It sounds alot better then going to war...both of us will gain alot if you accept..if not there is a chance you and your brother will die..it's somthing to think about Conor..there is nothing to gain when you are dead..."

"Conor..you will have a place to call home..bring as many settlers as you want! but don't think Surrender isn't an option because it is! you may draw up terms yourself! listen to reason..? do you have a family? think of your people.."

Conor laughed.
"We have fought you Romans in the past, and triumphed. 100's of years have passed since Rome was at its peak, and yet soldiers like yourself maintain the pretence of a Race of Warriors. The old world is dead and gone, and soon your nation will join it. You are the last wing of a decaying empire, and you still think you can rule the world."

"You no longer fight mindless Gaulic savages nor Wild Britons, you fight people who have mastered the way of war.The elite of the elite. Tell me do you think your precious shield formations will stop a storm of Longbow arrows? Or that your precious legions will break a Frozopian shield wall? I think not."

"Walk away foolish Roman, you will not succeed against my kind."

Maximus did not let any of the Celts words bother him, although he was slightly angered,

"Maybe not rule the world Celt, but will certianly have the pleasure of breaking your sheild formations..breaching your walls and..Reugulus! he's a butcher Conor! a murderer! what he will do when you are no longer there to protect your people! i am not trying to spark the conflict but no one can stop him!"

Maximus was getting excited and starting to yell,

"I am not a murderer! i do not kill innocent people! yes i am a veteran of Ostia and will die if i must to return her to greatness...i do not fear death my good man..in my mind im already dead! do i think im ever going to get home! no! this is my duty and i do it the best way i know how so sir! let your arrogance slide as i have and listen!"

Maximus was very upset and his adrenniline was pumping, the cavelry soldiers did not like seeing their commander upset and their eyes darted back and fourth from Maximus's waiting for the signal to kill the Celt but no signal came... just a short silence,

"just think about it Conor...we are running out of time...Regulus is brother in law to the Emperor..the precious legions will come back if you defeat Regulus....it will happen!..how long will you last...we will not just go away..we are the same in a way..you and i..we have heart and a fire that burns inside us for the love of our nations...1 warrior to another.."

Conor's face remained blank, his eyes cool and calm.

"Know this. Should your nation threaten ours once again after this conflict has reached its conclusion, you will not be fighting William and his allies, but the full might of Frozopia. We will not just be sending back Regulus's body, but we will be sending Frozopian armies, in the thousands, and we will not stop till we have burnt every last city. So I appeal to you. Do what you can to persuade your general to stop the attack, because if we have to be, we will be the end for your race."

Hitomi joins her fathers side looking concerned.

However the Kirisuban Samurai general just listened for a while and said to both men "the only people that benefit from war is arms dealers and undertakers. Is this really what you want to plunge your nations into?

Together we could carve up the region and get all the trading rights, ports and colonies we want without bloodshed.

Who would want to mess with our combined armies and navies?

Maximus san can you lead me to your general so this madness can be stopped"

Maximus calmed down when he took a deep breath,

"I don't mean Frozopia but on the kurlies Conor..an army of the thousands awaits off the coast..im almost positive Regulus will not back down ..he will not let this slide ....you seem like a good man who knows what he is doing, i hope your choice benifits you..but mark my words...it will be a dark day when Regulus's men storm through the gates of your fortress.I am a man of reason..but when i don't have any power to back it then it's useless..i have done my time on the battlefield i don't want to step on to another but if it's my Generals command i will not hesitate...really i see no reason to shed the blood of your countrymen but when have i ever seen reason in what Ostia tells me to do, i just do it..Duty and Honor"

*Paused speech*

"i know whats going through your head, Fight us, Fight for Survival....we fight for different reasons my friend...or nations...you have no choice as i understand it..."

Maximus leaned foward in his saddle looking right in Conors face,

"Do what ever you need to do for the well being of your people...you..yourself is the last thing in your mind.."

Maximus nodded and sat in silence looking at Conor. The proud Celt sat there returning his stare, Maximus respected this man very much..it was a long time sence he met an enemy that he respected like this.

Maximus replyed to Hitomi,

"I will take you to Regulus..."

Maximus did not take his eyes from the Celts,

General Nakamura looked at Maximus and says "lets go and meet with your General Regulus. Hitomi san can you lead Lord Conor to Lord Anjo's house so he can rest after his long journey?

Conor san I will meet with you later after the audience with General Regulus"

Hitomi rides her mare over to Lord Conor and waits while her father and Maximus ride on without guards towards the shoreline.

Conor did not want war with the Romans, and much of what Maximus said to him had made sense. He liked Maximus also, recognising power and ability in him as much as there was in Conor. But neither side could back down. Unless......

"Tell me Maximus, have you heard of the lands of Aust?"

Maybe there is something all 3 nations could unite for.

OOC:
How about this? A combined effort by all 3 nations to take Aust (australia)

"I really cannot rest." Spoke Conor.
"If these Romans sail for the Kuriles island soon, then I must sail before them and prepare to fight with my brother. Thank you anyways for your hospitalities."

(OOC: hi, you may not remember me my King still sleeps on the Kirisuban shores scratching his butt, if there is an invasion in the works then Goredash would be interested wake him up pleeeeease!)

Lord Anjo arrives in the village and is informed about the visit of the Toopian king.

After getting cleaned up and changed He walks to the Toopian beach camp with an escort of 10 samurai and Father Sebastio.

He introduces himself and warmly welcomes King Goredash to Kirsisubo, bowing as honour demanded

"I really cannot rest." Spoke Conor.
"If these Romans sail for the Kuriles island soon, then I must sail before them and prepare to fight with my brother. Thank you anyways for your hospitalities."

Hitomi says softly in fluent latin "my father won't be long. he knows how urgent this mission is and what is at stake for our nations.

I've heard so much about the colony from the reports our traders have sent back. its a very important trading hub and war would mean disaster for everyone"

Rather startled Goredash awakes and sips up the long line of drool pouring from his mouth, he calls for Gritsnak who appears next to the King and begins to translate.

"I am King Goredash of the Toop, I am here to increase the relationship between our nations, unfortunantly we Toop have very little experience in diplomacy so we ask if you could tell us what we could do to increase our standings with the Kirisubans."

'Barbarians indeed' thought Lord Anjo as he listened to the translation.

"Honourable King Goredash, we always welcome trade" Lord Anjo replies "we depend on it as a nation of islands.

The port of Hakodate in the south of this island is where our merchants trade with foreign merchants and you will be welcome there.

Intially i'm sure that a Toopian merchant or two would make good contacts between our peoples and them over time who knows what could happen"

General Nakamura stops in his tracks when he hears about Austia.

"I don't know this land but if we can forge an alliance then it could be a target for us" he replies.

Maximus thought for a secound,

"I have heard of Aust, a combined effort would be needed to bring down such a tyrant...i will pass it to the General..Antonious don't help the situation ither..he is like my brother but will be stuck right in the Generals hole.."

Maximus thanked Hitomi and started to leave with her father,

"Thank you! i will never forget it..maybe we will meet again"

__________________
APPROACHING THE BEACH:

Maximus looked at General Nakamura,

"Aust...a powerful nation...Regulus might agree..it's hard to say..he is a very un-predictable man...

The shores were covered with hundreds of soldiers taking the fort they had constructed down again. The horizion was barely visible due to all the ships that had gathered there. As Maximus and General Nakamura proceeded Antonious stood on a large rock shouting out orders and he seen Maximus, he walked quickly over,

"Maximus! my brother welcome back..i hear we have an alliance! the General will be very proud of your contributions in his sted"

Maximus looked down at Antonious,

"This is General Nakamura, he needs to speak with Regulus..."

Antonious could sence somthing was going on,

"Sure Maximus...and..1 more thing..your wife came with the civilians..."

At that point a million feels went though his mind and couldn't even ask where she was...shock had over come him.

"No! i want her to go home.."

"she knows you are here! a merchant ship brought her in..Maximus you are second in command to the General! the senete is impressed! once this war is over you are the Ambassitor for the EAST!"

Maximus cracked a grin,

"Ahahaa i did it!"

"you did it!" Antonious replyed

"Sorry General Nakamura for the hold up...my wife..she's here..."

straiting out his excited face then pointed to the Generals tent,

"There General..i will lead you over"

Before Maximus's report General Nakamura went in, Maximus and Antonious waited outside. Regulus stood behind a table wearing all his armor and a large lion skin wrapped around him,

"Hello General, i am Marcus Atillis Regulus, i am honored" he gave the customary bow awaitng the Generals reply

"Lord General Nakamura Toshiro, Military commander of Hokkaido province" Nakamura says returning the bow and entering the tent.

he's wearing light bamboo armour but has both his swords and his familiar black iron helmet on.

"Lord General Regulus, I have a propisition for you and your army" he replies in perfect unaccented latin "Shogun Katsushiro wishes to establish a triple alliance with the Frozopians and yourselves so we can maintain the peace in the region and be able to use our combined military forces to give us leverage in the region. Peace is the lifeblood of trade and thats why we are pushing this alliance.

Together no other nation could deny us anything. Typhoon safe ports, military bases, exclusive trading rights and even colonies anywhere we want them. We coud even match the navies of Imperial Cathay between ourselves and if anyone was foolish enough to want to fight us they would have to fight all off us and not just one nation.

All without any blood being split between us.

the Frozopians are in agreement and they've proposed a venture to attack Aust. However the decison lies with yourself if this alliance flies or not"

he lets his words sink in and waits.

"Goodbye Hitomi. I hope there is a chance for peace."
Conor rode away, his wife and guards at his side....

Regulus squinted his eyes and replyed,

"errr.. what does Ostia get out of this deal General?, no blood is shed! no victorys? no glory?....that would change my whole purpose for being here, i sailed for a very long time to get here ...i have a duty General...it would be different if we received tribute from them...a sign of respect..then maybe i could consider peace..

*Pause..*

"I expect a small tribute to myself from the Frozipans, then i will consider not attacking...i am moving up the coast to one of the islands where i will construct my fortress"

Lord General Nakamura knew about tribute and how unpalatable it would sound to the Frozopians.

"there will be victories and glories in the future General Regulus" he replies "In fact we have a target lined up right now.

The mysterious land of Aust which is south of Kirisubo.

my nation has been just been through a century of civil war so although we are skilled at the arts of war peace is always better for a nation.

The Frozopians may be celts but is that a good enough reason to war against them. just because you fight celts back home dosen't mean you have to do it here. Once you attack the Kurile colonies Frozopia will most likely declare war against Ostia. You may love war but can your nation manage another campaign without risking defeat. I'm sure that Frozopia has allies as well.

If you sail north with your army you will be unwelcome again in Kirisubo and without our islands you have no bases, very long supply lines and you'll be right in the middle of the typhoon season which will be very bad for your ships.

The triple alliance is the best plan on the table. There will still be wars to fight and land to conquer. Just not in the Kuriles"

Regulus thought long and hard about the given situations that sounded very possible,

"You are right about our campaign situation...our troops are spread too far in the west...now we have this army all the way to the east..."

Regulus sat down in a small wooden chair and stared at the floor,

"Ostia's desperate...we need victorys..."

Maximus entered the tent and said,

"General..we can't follow through on this attack..we just can't! we would be stuck at sea...the numbers we have would decrease alot, my last General died of a fever at sea.."

Regulus stood up slowly bracing himself on the table and simply said,

"Yes..General Nakamura...i will see these peace terms"

Maximus knew Regulus was not fond of the idea that he would die at sea of fever, he was also smarter then to trap men he commanded at sea..there would be an Alliance.

Regulus looked at General Nakamura,

"Can you tell me of Aust?"

When General Nakamura told Regulus that Frozopia would attack Ostia, that is when Regulus changed his mind..he had love for his homeland and went to war to prevent people from attacking it.

Maximus left the command tent and moved quickly into a quiet spot down by the ocean where he knelt down and thanked the gods, Antonious came up beside him,

"Maximus what are you doing..isn't there preperations you should be making?"

Maximus replyed,

"For peace Antonious? the General cancelled the attack on the Frozopan's"

Antonious was outraged,

"WHEN! WHY?"

Maximus paused in his praying,

"Somthing bigger Antonious that we may be able to pull off with the help of the Celts...it was an easy descision Antonious..if we lost and had to retreat we would have no where to go!"

Antonious turned and left...

General Nakamura knew he now had his deal.

He takes a scroll written in latin and gives it to General Regulus outlining the agreement that the Shogun authored.

"together we can do anything we want in the region" he says "and if anyone attacks us our mutual defence pact kicks in. We can also control a lot off the trade going back west as well as finally being able to deal with the Cathayan pirates whom the Spanish and Portugese have a lot of problems with.

Today is first day in our bright future"

The signature of General Nakamura is already on the scroll as well as on the 2 copies he has.

"My friend if you sign these I'll take a ship to the Kuriles and get Lord William's signature. Then we can plan the campaign against Aust"

OOC: Good, good. Soon Aust will have 3 powerful nations to deal with, and boy will he struggle.

Regulus made his signatures then looked at General Nakamura,

"General..i have heard that Maximus has been doing alot here, would it be possible for him to go to this Noble..william with you in my sted?..i must take our army North and land on one of the islands to dig in.."

Regulus had no second thoughts about making his signature, When he was informed of what he must do in the East it was very simple...just destroy any Enemys encountered..for the first time in history the Ostians were allied with Celts, Regulus had seen into this situation, home he would be known for making this great pact. In his mind he had gained alot..another step up the ladder, another thing to add to his personal greatness. The Ostian officer who made an Alliance with a Celtic Tribe.

Regulus awaited the Generals answer.


On the beach Maximus stood staring out at all the ships, he knew there would be peace..Regulus was not stupid..Antonious was another story..he was very un-predictable and Maximus feared he might do somthing stupid.

OOC: Im in, Aust is very large and powerful..but it will be a struggle.

General Nakamura sizes up the Ostian commander and finds a man whose cut from the same cloth as he is.

"Regulus san" he says "you can protect your ships from the storms in the meantime by taking them round to the south of Hokaido and your troops can camp there. You'll be quite close to the trading port of Hakodate and you'll have a chance to give your troops shore leave as well.

Just tell me your requirements and my staff will do their best to provide them. one off our coastal galleys can guide your ships to their new home.

It will be a good idea to bring Maximus san to the Kuriles. My daughter Hitomi was his translator while he travelled to Edo and back while getting the trade agreement sorted out and she told me that he was the perfect gentleman while in the Shogun's castle.

Lord Conor gave his agreement as well so this trip will be a formality i'm sure and a chance for Maximus to meet his new allies"

"Austians?" Spoke William.

"Yes brother." Replied Conor, "This is a chance for us to earn glory for the Empire. Clauro would want no other noble to lead but you my brother. Just request it and he will accept. You have proven your worth, and I would be proud to serve along you brother."

"A triple alliance? Hm. It will be a long battle but victory is certain, that I have no doubts about. These Ostians and Kirisubans are worthy warriors. We would be combining all our strengths. So did they accept?"

"One of the Ostians said he needed to convince another, but I am sure he will be persuasive."

"Then it is your duty Conor. You must head to Frozopia, and return with an army, as soon as this matter is decided."

"As you wish Brother."

(OOC: hey, mind making this a Quadruple alliance?)

OOC: Sure, just other your support to the Kiriusbans when the conflict breaks out, or before hand (ICily I mean).

General Regulus agreed to all terms of the alliance and gave his word as a soldier he would follow through. Maximus was informed he was to travel to the Kurlies while he was greeting his wife(Anna) on the shores of Kurisubo. She had arrived on a ship carrying nobles of Ostia, mostly officers familys,

"How long must you go for?" she asked him holding on to his shoulders,

This was the first time in 2 years they had seen eachother but their feelings never changed,

"Im going on diplomatic buisness, i have no idea how long it will take..but i will be back as soon as i can..Antonious is here somwhere..he's not hard to find"

They said their goodbyes and Maximus rode off towards the Generals tent. The camp was all taken apart, logs and preveious defences were all stacked up neatly on the beach. The fleet was ordered to follow a Galley to a landing area where they would be close to the trading markets.

Lord General Nakamura then says to General Regulus "my ship will be sailing to the Kuriles on the tide so i'll have to leave you now. Lord Anjo the samurai chieftain of Anjiro will be able to help you with anything you or your men may need. If Maximus san can be ready to leave soon he can travel with us.

Sayonara Regulus san"

He leaves the camp and joins up with Hitomi and the mounted samurai. He tells his daughter what happened and she sighs with relief.

they head to Lord Anjo's house and after a bath, a meal and a short nap they are ready to travel again.

###

Admiral Ishido's two ships set sail from the Kuriles heading north on their mapping mission. a few hours out from the Kuriles the skies look dark and brooding.

"Admiral sama" his pilot says "it looks like a typhoon's brewing. We'll need to find shelter"

"reverse our course back to the Kuriles" he orders and the Kirisuban navy ships arrive in the safe harbour just in time as a typhoon strikes the central island.

the kirisuban ships lose a little rigging but theres minor damage to some of the buildings in the colony.

"thats a tough little settlement" Admiral Ishido remarks to his 1st officer "a kirisuban village would have been flattened by that"

###

back at Anjiro the Kirisuban galley leads the Ostian fleet into the safety of the south of Hokkaido. less than a mile from the new camp is Hakodate, the main trade port of the province.

Maximus made himself look proper to meet his new allies. He wore his best armor looking very sharp to repersent his nation as best he could..in Ostia's military regulations all soldiers must look sharp when possible to better repersent their nation as professional soldiers.

He went down to the Imperial docks to meet the General so he could travel to the Kurlies on his ship.


___________________________
1 mile from Hakodate:

The Ostian soldiers streamed off the ships, hundreds comming in at a time, horses being unloaded along with crates full of supplys. General Regulus stood surrounded by Pretorian guard watching engineers prepare to construct a star shaped fortress on a near by cliff over looking the south of Kurisubo,

"I want as many men on that citidal as you can muster that are not already tasked Desius.."

Ordered the General to an officer then he looked at Antonious,

"I want you to organize patrols about 40 strong all around this area..i want 4"

They both saluted and left to carry our their orders...

A small Grobble bounced over to Gritsnak who listened to it's frantic chattering, the primative language of the Grobbles which very few understood, Gritsnak walked over to King Goredash and whispered what the Grobble had told him into his ear.

"My Lord, A Grobble overheard some Kirisuban, his accent was terrible but I have translated what I could, they speak of a war far Red from here."

Goredash's interest was peeked as he heard the word "war", it had been a time since the Toopish army had marched and the lust for combat had grown.

"Tell the Kirisubans that we wish to aid them in this war, if they ask tell them of the filthy Grobble and if they request it we shall have him put to death."

General Nakamura and his daughter Hitomi both bow to Maximus to welcome him.

both Kirisubans having changed themselves into clean kimono's lead Maximus aboard the IKS Akage, a large kirisuban ship with portugese rigging.

the crew gets busy to leave noting their very important passengers. the Captain shows his guests to their small comfortable cabins under the deck and the strong breeze guides them from the jetty into the open sea.

General Nakamura tells Maximus "the journey should take a day, two days at the most"

Maximus replys,

"I rather like traveling by sea, grown rather used to it..often thought of becomming a pirate ahaha"

Maximus sat in his cabin spinning his sword around in circles on a small table, his eye concentraiting on 1 of the rubys encrested in the handle..at sea there was 2 things to do..ither sit in your cabin or go out on deck but that got boring at some points. Kurisubo was a very interesting place like no other Maximus had ever seen. Campaign after campaign would be launched from here..a new life far from the West.

Father Sebastio translates what Gritsnak said and Lord Anjo looks surprised.

"I don't know about any war yet but I will keep King Goredash informed off news as we get it"

###

on the IKS Akage, Hitomi looks out at the darkening sky as her father talks with Captain Yoshinaka, the master of this ship.

The Kirisuban Navy standard flies proudly in the breeze and Hitomi looks up at the flag she hoped would be known throughout the region for the right reasons.

She heads below deck and knocks on Maximus' cabin door.

Maximus stopped the spinning sword with his finger and replyed,

"come in?"

Hitomi comes though the door and maximus hops up quickly cleaning up things he had taken out of his luggage,

"Sorry for this disgraceful mess..."

Hitomi manages a little smile and enters closing the door behind her.

the lamp light catches the silver thread in her red kimono and she sits on the edge of the bed.

"I'm not worried about the mess" she says "the evening meal will be served soon and the Captain arranged for some pheasant to be brought aboard for you. My father knows how much westerners like to eat meat"

Maximus smiled and sat down at the top of the bed stting some things down in the middle,

"Haaha it is true..i found somthing that i promised"

Maximus opened a medium sized box stuffed with things,

"These are things i collected from every campaign i have been on"

He pushed the box across the floor closer so Hitomi could see the contents, inside lay small weapons, strange rocks and a large diamond which he noticed caught her eye,

"I got that in the south ...the native people are very dark skinned there, this Diamond was recovered by the village cheif and he gave it to me"

He placed it in her hands and dug through the box and out of it he produced a rather rough looking necklace with a green jewl hanging from it,

"This is for you, it's from Gaul..it belonged to a warlords wife..the stone is said to posess powers..although i have never seen it do anything special..somthing of a demonic religion?"

"Regulus was second in command to my General then, he's not a stupid man..he's too smart and no one ever knows what he is up to Hitomi..he got promoted back then when our General 'died' in battle, he really earned his title when he ordered 300 Legionaires to kill everyone in a civilian village..i was one of those soldiers....we were called heros...i led some of those men under orders..."

Maximus sat staring off in space,

"When Reugulus caught up with the Warlord and his Misstress afew miles away from the village..he took them apart peice by peice in front of any survivors of the Enemy army.."

*Pause*

"Before he slit her throat after 2 days of torture..she looked me in the eyes terriyed..i took that necklace.."

Hitomi rests a hand on Maximus' shoulder and says gently "we all have to do things under orders that we don't like and it sounds like your General Regulus is a butcher. All warriors have nightmares no matter where they come from.

Slaughtering civilians is not the kirisuban way of war. during our civil war we were able to accept the change of Lords on a regular basis.

Apart from their men changing sides occasionally most Kirisuban villages didn't notice much in the way of change.

As for demonic religions you know what I believe and thank you all the same for the neckless."

She lifts it up looking for a fastener and finding it puts it on so Maximus can see it.

"so what else happens when Ostians defeat their enemys?"

Maximus sat there thinking,

"Well those were Regulus's orders..other victorys we take prisoners..they get sent back to Ostia for Theater purposes and to work..other people in nations we conquer join the army so they can become an Ostian citizen after 25 years of serivce"

*Pause*

"After we win, what ever citys we have taken there is a huge parade of the Legions through the streets.."

Maximus looked at the necklace and smiled,

"it looks nice on you..somthing that no one else has, on my journeys i have never aquired one just like it..the stones special.."

Maximus spoke again,

"It is not the Ostian way..only some of our sick power hungry officers...every nation has them, ither they are already in power..or climbing....i fear for Antonious.."

Hitomi replies "domo Maximus san.

We've had our share off bloodthirsty Lords as well but they tend to fall to a ninja's blade or poison if they overeach themselves.

I've never met Antonious but he sounds like that type of person. Wasn't he the one who nearly attacked the Frozopian ships while the peace treaty was being hammered out? Lord Anjo told my father and he told me.

So your Empire expands by conquest, slavery and assimilation. How has it survived when former enemies learn your ways and become subjects off your Emperor?"

Maximus replyed,

"Citizens they become, not Lords...they cannot get into the Senete or any noble positions..they just receive the right to live in Ostia"

"I really don't know Hitomi..the Senete and the Emperor at the present time take care of things..Butcher Generals such as Regulus cannot be stopped ither..they control too many soldiers and could start a civil war..Legions get attached to their commander and their loyalties lay with him, a Legion will die for it's General before it's Emperor.."

Maximus looked around the cabin,

"I would much rather be here then have to deal with Ostia...."

"I'm sure you would" Hitomi replies softly "Life is a lot simpler in Kirisubo.

I also heard that some Ostian civilians arrived with the fleet. I'm sure they'll set up a Ostian colony at some point in time"

Maximus nodded,

"Yes, Regulus is building a large star shaped citidal on a cliff over looking the Ocean to the South...a village will be built at the base of the hill so when and if any Enemys attack they can fall back to the fort"

____________________
Ostian Settlement:

The fortress was quickly beginning to look like somthing, very large in size with deep ditches and wooden spikes surronding the walls. The Civilians were working on building their homes, the higher class Civilians would live in the fort untill they had homes built for them on property that was being divided out between noble familys. The whole Ostian East army was on land, 13,500 soldiers covered the beach, they had orders to march to an open feild where they would be served soup. There was too many for them to be just lounging about.

Outside the camp bemused locals got on with their lives as if nothing was going on around them. Some went to the camp although.

They had their orders from their Samurai Chief to assist the Ostians build Kirisuban style houses.

Once the fort and village was complete there would be business prospects for local merchants and silk dealers. there was even the chance for the local tea houses to do some trade as well. the mama sans could almost see the profits already from when the Ostian officers came to visit. Legionaires would never be able to afford the prices.

###

Hitomi replies "the fort should be secure with sea on one side of them and the advantage of high ground. Have they considered how earthquake safe their camp is although? We get them from time to time in the Empire and thats why our buildings are made from wood and paper.

theres an increased risk of fire but if they collapse or get blown down by a typhoon they can be rebuilt very quickly"

OOC: When we sailing on to Aust?

OOC: soon, i was thinking we should land in New Zeland beside Aust and cross the border...what will be our plan of battle? will we be forming Ostian troops with Frozo and Kurisuban? we could mix our archers aswell..and artillary such as catapults and Bastillia's..i wouldn't mind handing some archers over to the Frozipans because they seem superior to me when it comes to Archery. My men are very good Archers but maybe topal you could make them more useful?. Maximus will always be on the feild but Antonious will lead all out attacks.



Maximus replyed,

"Thank you for everything Hitomi, i don't know where i would be with out you haha"

____________________
Ostian Settlement:

Civilians were amased how rich the land was, green and alive everywhere. Kirisuban people were helping them construct homes out of the same materials they used. Meanwhile an open feild 1/4 of a mile west in an open feild General Regulus stood on a hill over looking his army tight in formation,

"My fellow Ostians! lend me your ears!" His voice boomed

Everything was quiet,

"In the days to come we join eachother in the feilds of battle once again! this time with 2 great allies at our side..togeather we hold the sword! Enemys of our allies are enemys of Ostia! enemys of us! togeather we will destroy this enemy and advance ourselves through victory once again with the hope of restoring our Empire to the height of it's power!!"

"AhHHH, AHHHHHH, AHHHHHHH" Thousands of soldiers cheered shaking their weapons inthe air

ooc : we can discuss numbers off troops and tactics in the OOC thread.

IC: Once the dirt floors were beaten down and sufficent tatami mat supplies organised, the Kirisuban builders built the houses roof first once the bamboo roofs were constructed and waterproofed.

then the wood and paper Shoji walls were put together and rooms partitioned off using more sliding walls. Bathhouses and Kitchens were built as outbuildings to reduce the risk off fire and finally the reed mats were pegged down and the roof pegged and tied to the walls.

these houses could be built in less than a day and would last for a long time unless they were burnt down or were blown away during the stormy season.

###

"i'm here to help" Hitomi replied "my father didn't bring me for translation purposes on this trip.

Was your wife amongst the civilians who arrived?"

Maximus replyed,

"Yes..it's so different having her close to me..i didn't know what to say when i seen her..ever think you seen a ghost?...it's like that.."

______________
Ostian Settlement:

The Kurisuban's were being very helpful, the village was starting to take shape. The Fortress was well underweigh protecting the South from any pirates or raiders. The Army was being fed and preped for battle, new peices of equipment were being given out to the soldiers. The 2 Legions which were in the east now were Veterans of Gaul and Germainia, they had been pulled out and restored to strenth so they would be more effective. There was 2 thousand replacements.

Hitomi says softly "you can now have a home now she's here. i don't think this trip will take long and then you can see her again"

The call goes out for dinner in Kirisuban and Hitomi says "dinners ready on the deck if you want it"

on deck sticky white rice, cubed fish and pickled vegetables were being served in large wooden bowls to the crew.

Lord General Nakamura and his 10 samurai had already been served and were enjoying their rice and fish, the general chatting with his guards.

Hitomi settles for what her father chose and Maximus is given fried strips of pheasant meat instead off fish.

Maximus sighs and replys,

"Yes, a family..."

He then perks up and agrees to go to dinner. On deck the General sat talking to his men, Maximus took a seat after bowing to the General,

"Good evening General, thank you for the dish you have had prepared for me but i would not have minded fish..would have saved you the trouble"

Maximus looks at Hitomi and smiles, then back to the General..

"The pheasant was no bother Maximus san" General Nakamura replies "We had to fry it because we didn't know anyother way of preparing meat.

A lot of us are Buddists and don't eat meat anyway. Some Shintoists think the same way but the main reason is we usually find the smell of cooking meat repulsive. It's not a good idea to annoy your neighbour especially when your house is so close to theirs.

I have enjoyed a fat rabbit from time to time while traveling but rice is a good meal by itself."

the general notices the neckless round his daughters neck and when she tells him it came from Gaul he asks "whats Gaul and its people like?"

Maximus thought back to his early days as a soldier,

"Gaul is a mystic place..covered with fog..lots of rain and snow at times through the year..rather hellish weather. The people are barbaric..their ways are like no other i have ever seen..a very noble enemy, they also do not understand defeat...i received afew wounds when i was there"

He noticed he had the attention of who ever spoke Latin,

"Tribe after tribe..they would combine forces and meet us in open feild at first, they could not manage a victory so they started ambushing us which was most effective because our forces were so large and hard to control..rumor had it they know dark magic..tales of fairys and other things through out the land...i almost think they are folk tales..storys much like our own cultures but they found ways to almost make us beleive them as childern would...."

General Nakamura laughs and says "we get snow on high ground, fog and plenty of rain here and the summer will cook you as well.

We're actually having quite a mild winter this year. thats why we're able to keep sailing this far into the typhoon season.

we also know about ambushes as well. a small body of troops can hold up a larger formation given ranged weaponry and the element of surprise. the trick is the ambushers getting away before being killed so they can do it again.

A dead soldier won't do anything for you but one which returns can fight another day.

the Ostians must have able doctors if you survived battle wounds. Maybe we could learn from each other and make our own doctors even better"

Maximus stood up pointing out where he had received wounds,

"Ive had my ribs smashed by a mase, this scar going up my left bycept is from a Germanic warriors curved sword..rather crude looking thing..ive been shot with arrows twice in my right shoulder, i was stabbed by a dagger in my right side and had my right arm broken at the shoulder from a Gaulic tribe leaders hammer..i wonder what Aust will give me ahahaha"

Maximus got back on topic,he was quite proud of his wounds

"Our doctors try and save limbs rather then cut them off liek in the past pretty much...im not much of a doctor..i have given myself stitches before aswell as afew of my men..we can lean alot of each other.."

Maximus looked at general Nakamura and said,

"you know that scar going across Regulus's face? it adds some charactor but do you know how he got it? It was in Germania about 8 years ago..we raided a village and Regulus ordered that no one was to be left alive..after we had..carried..out..the order Regulus had a woman pinned up against a wall by her throat.."

Maximus paused..this story was difficult for him,

"A young man was brought fourth by guards from the womans house, i think it was her son..the woman spit in Regulus's face and he dropped her..when she tryed to evade him the young man struggled free and brought a dagger over his eye then took off into the trees..Regulus had his mothers head put on a spear in the centre of the ruined village.."

Maximus let his words sink in then continued..

"4 years later, who do we run into again under a differernt General..the young man..who attacked 2 Legions with his army of wild men and killed mostly everyone we had there...i retreated with 4 others..we were the only survivors..after that we halted our advance through Germainia..and there we sit..no one advances...he does what he does out of hate for Ostia..it makes him stronger.."

General Nakamura eats more fish and rice while he listens and replies saying "we will have to watch out for ambushes like that in Austia then. some off our ninja skirmishers should be able to give us advance warning on the flanks.

I can now see why General Regulus wanted to attack the Frozopians.

If we had this alliance when we tried to invade the kingdom of Chosen we would have managed to take it over but the Han emperor sent Cathayan troops against us and we had to retreat or lose an army.

Its still a sore point amongst our troops but once Austia is out off the way we can have another go at them"

Maximus smiled and replyed in-between his chewing,

"Yes..the posibilities that lie ahead, a drink to that!"

Maximus raised his cup high in the air,

"All im saying is Regulus can't be controlled in the feild...he is a good General but he does what he thinks is right...he will go along with the plan..enough about those matters..they are not the sort for the table..im sorry"

General Nakamura says "we're both warriors and its soldiers talk. Nothing to worry about.

It dosen't worry Hitomi either. She's grown up on war stories but she'll be the one who lives to a ripe old age looking after her grandchildren while I'll fall in battle somewhere.

to be honest war is all i'm good at. I wasn't much of a father to Hitomi and she's more like her mother"

the grey haired general laughs and adds "thats Karma, fate or the will of God. whatever you choose to call it"

He gives an order in Kirisuban and green tea is brought to the low table. Hitomi pours everyone present a cup and relaxes with her own cup while watching her father relax for a change. He was the kind old man again who she was now getting to know better now the civil war was over and he was home more often.

Maximus nodded agreeing with the General,

"General you are a wise man, i remember everything you tell me...i was taught to use my mind before a sword..my Father fell in battle when i was a teenager...he taught me alot of what got me started and thats why im alive today..some day i may have childern of my own and i hope i live to watch them grow.."

Maximus paused closing his eyes thinking of his wife,

"I will do everything in my power General to end this war as quickly as possible...you have my word"

Maximus took a sip from his cup, and thanked Hitomi,

"Im only 25 years old and ive faught in almost as many wars as my father did..i picked up my knowlage from different places ive been in my life..i try to understand everything...."

Hitomi smiles slightly and says "you will have plenty to learn in Kirisubo. We're very different to the west.

If you have children i'm sure they'll be blessed with beauty"

General Nakamura adds "when I fought the Frozopians at Yokose point breaking off the attack when we had them retreating turned out to be the right thing to do. they had given me a lot to think about and i needed to figure out a way to defeat their tactics. That gave us the chance to hammer out a peace treaty that began this alliance.

In a battle you have to be flexible with your tactics since the lines can be fluid and the gods of war favour the brave and the intelligent. Tried and trusted tactics will only get you so far.

Lord William is a very able commander and a wise leader. I'm sure you'll get on very well with him"

He drains his tea and pours another cup for himself.

Maximus grinned,

"Yes..men who think..a rare kind we are General, if all men thought as we did.. wars would ...never end?"

"You, Regulus, William, Conor..myself...and our many trusted soldiers which we do happen to command? our loyal troops do as we ask of them, we are capible of pulling off anything we want,"

Maximus waited for a reply sipping wine slowly as he caught eyes with everyone who was listening.

The dark clouds clear so the moon and stars can be seen and the pilot adjusts the ship accordingly.

"we certainly are" General Nakamura replies and adds "I'm going to retire for the night after I finish this. I'm sure my daughter can keep you company on a clear night like this"

He eats the last of his rice and fish and after consulting with the ships captain gioes below to his cabin, a pair of samurai following him.

Hitomi is still eating and says to Maximus "maybe here you can live in peace. your campaigning days will have to end sometime"

Maximus says good night to the General at looks up to the stars when he is out of sight,

"Yes...i often think about a world of peace, as for my days as a soldier...they are almost at an end..after Aust i will retire to being a farmer...start a family and die at an old age ahaha.."

"I don't want to die on a battlefeild..i would like to go 80 years from now an old man in my bed, i feel as if my luck has almost ran out for some reason...what a man does in his life decides his fate afterwards...i never used to care where i died..for some reason things are starting to matter"

He looked at Hitomi then stood up walking to the side of the ship, he leaned on the side bracing himself with his elbows,

"This will be my last war....i have promised the gods i will not pick up my sword on the Empires order again...only for defence of what i beleive in as a free man.."
___________________________
Ostian Settlement:

The village for the settlers was pretty near complete but the citidal was still being heavily fortifyed. Regulus stood on the ramparts over looking the work being done below,

"How long ago did the 4 ships set sail for Ostia with my request for 2 more Legions?"

Antonious replyed to the General,

"they left 4 days ago General on a need to know basis..only the officers in charge of the ships were informed of their destination"

A grin crossed the Generals face then he started laughing slightly,

"then our strenth will be?"

"25 thousand five hundred strong..sir"

Regulus excitedly replyed,

"correct! we have enough men now to assist with the invasion...some day my young friend we will march troops from the West all the way to the East on a road i will construct...there is so much more here ...the possibilities that lie ahead are endless.."

Antonious was growing very fond of the General, he followed him everywhere and did everything he said to the best of his ability. Regulus knew his type, if he said jump..he would hear the reply of how high sir?..Maximus on the other hand was his own man, too smart to be led by others.

Later on that night Antonious visited Maximius's wife. She was living in the fort in her husbands chambers. Antonious entered the room to see her sitting by the window looking out at the Ocean,

"Anna..i feel as if your Husband..my brother abandons me..he never listens to anything i say any more...any suggestions i have..he is power hungry!"

Anna turns around to face Antonious,

"He would never do that to you..he would give his life for you! how can you say that!"

Antonious put both his hands flat on a table bracing himself,

"I feel alone..."

Anna stood up and walked over to him placing her hand on his shoulder, the moon light shone in through the window increasing her beauty..Antonious watched her perfect red lips as she spoke..

"You must understand as i do...he promised to retire after Aust, YOU! will take his armys when he no longer carrys the sword..i notice your connection with the General Antonious..he has taken you under his wing..but be careful"

Antonious brushed her hand off,

"I will not hear of it..the General needs me.."

"Antonious the General needs armys, victorys..he needs no one person like you and i.."

Antonious shook his head and left the room without saying a word. Anna stood watching him leave then retured to the window and took her seat,

"Some day..he will come home to me..soon.."
_________________________-
Later that night: Regulus's quarters

Regulus lay in his bed motionless then quickly sat up gasping for breath sweat pouring from his face with a dagger he had pulled from under his pillow tightly gripped in his trembling hand,

"why am i cursed with these horrifying dreams..." he wisped as he got out of bed

The General looked around the candle lit room still clutching the dagger, once his nerves had calmed he sat back down on the bed. There was a knock at the door,

*Boom* Boom*

"Enter!" Regulus yelled

Antonious came into the doorway and the General waved him in,

"Are you alright sir..i was doing my rounds before i turned in.."

Regulus replyed,

"It's late and im fine..being old is catching up with me ahaha"

That was the first time Antonious seen the General crack a smile,

"Do you require a drink or somthing sir?"

"No, no thats fine..this happens alot.."

Antonious was puzzled,

"What happens alot ...sir?

Regulus looked right through him with his icey blue eyes,

"The dammed nightmares from hell"

Antonious nodded his head slowly and left the room. walking away from the door he heard the General talking to some one which made him stop..he turned and put his ear to the door,

"Im sorry...it had to be done.."

Antonious was starting to expect some one to reply from the way regulus was talking..but no reply came..,

"If only Quinntis didn't find out, i could have spared you and not have risked killing the bastard myself..an Ostian General! for ...a barbaric whore....sorry i didn't mean that!"

Antonious gasped and felt dizzy, he heard the confession of regulus for killing his commanding officer,

"I can't report this..it does not matter now and there is no proof..heartless.."

Antonious moved cautiously away from the door and ran down the hall.

OOC: The woman in Regulus's dreams is the woman the necklace that Hitomi has belonged to. Her son who gave him the scar was in fact his own son...the General at the time (Quinntis) found out so regulus killed him in a battle. Im just trying to give a little bit of charactor history to explain why they are how they are. Regulus raided the village to keep his secret safe fearing that more people would find out.

Hitomi nods as she listens knowing herself that she wants to die an old woman herself.

"I know what you mean" she says "I want to see my sons grandchildren grow up in a peaceful land and I'm sure you want your children to do the same.

However its in God's hands. We don't know the future"

Maximus grinned,

"Soon enough..things happen at the gods pace they set for man kind.."

He continued to look up at the sky,

"I wonder how far the stars are away from us..i wish we could explore upwards..."

A shooting star flew by,

"in Ostia when i was a boy i remember lots of stars like that all flying at once..my father said it was the gods racing their chariots"

the 'Akage' sails gracely on through the choppy sea.

Hitomi smiles and says "its a very poetic explaniation" happy with life.

He laughed turning around to face Hitomi,

"Yes..but it makes sence haha, the interesting conversations we have..yes my father was a good man, he taught me young and i turned out rather well.."

He tryed to keep a strait face then cracked a smile,

"enough about me..General Nakamura's daughter, Loyal..trusted..loved by his friends...feared by his enemys..respected by his allies? the perfect boyhood role model father..."

Maximus paused..

"i bet he taught you everything he knows!"

Maximus crossed his arms and thought about it for a second staring in Hitomi's eyes

"Yes, i can tell i am right about that..hell you could probably kill me! or at least come close ahahaha"

Hitomi looks up at Maximus and says "I'm an only child so my father taught me most of what he knows. I'll never be in a battle but i know the ways of the sword and the dagger in case i need to defend myself from bandits.

I also know Latin, Spanish and Portugese; languages that Kirisubans find hard to learn and the arts of diplomacy.

Who knows I might even pick up Frozopian as well"

bump

Maximus grinned,

"i speak many languages, picked them up through my life...been taught by Prisoners of war...captured poets and philosophers..."

He took a sip of wine then continued...

"I heard legends of female warriors leading armys as Generals..it's not impossible..i have encountered many able female warriors in the past.."

Hitomi replies "i'm surprised you could picture me in great armour and leading armies. What harm could I do anyone?

I'm still samurai although and so is my son. One day he'll be a warrior himself.

I'll do what it takes so he inherits a Kirisubo at peace with itself and hopefully he'll never need to use a sword in anger"

"There are sides of people even they don't know exist..some day it comes to them"

The moon shone brightly glistening off the waves,

"the quicker Antonious gets to lead an army into battle i can stop worrying about what he might do..thats all he wants to do, be the centre of attention to the Senete and the Emperor.."

Maximus seen sails of another just comming into veiw, it's sails fluttered in the wind,

"A ship Hitomi.."

OOC: Is there Pirates in Kurisubo?, if so Rp some comming to attack the ship...optional..up to you really

Hitomi looks at the flag of the vessel bearing down on them and comes to the same conclusion as the captain has.

"Thats the flag of the white lotus, a band of Cathayan pirates. I've never heard of the attacking an Imperial Navy ship before" she says as she gets her dagger out off her obi.

The little stiletto dagger catches the light as the samurai are all called to the deck.

Lord General Nakamura returns having dressed in a hurry wearing both his swords.

the crew of the Akage arm themselves as several samurai archers send fire arrows into the enemy ships rigging.

The large Cathayan junk slows slightly as the northernly wind carries the Akage away from the pirates for now.

With their main sails ablaze the junk soon stops and Lord General Nakamura makes his mind up.

an order is given from Captain Yoshinaka and the crew readies itself for a boarding action, the Akage closing fast with the pirate ship. More fire arrows streak out from the Akage and some are returned

"Maximus san can you stay with Hitomi in her cabin?" he asks "I don't want my only daughter involved in this".

As the general speaks a wild arrow files from the pirate ship and hits Hitomi in the left arm. Luckily its not a fire arrow and she falls to the deck injured.

Maximus called to his Praetorian guard captian he had brought along,

"Ciero! get your sheild and report back to deck!"

Maximus drew his sword and helped Hitomi to the door leading down to her cabin

"Don't move! none of them will touch you!"

Ciero returned with his sheild bearing the Emperors coat of arms and passed it to Maximus who stood in front of Hitomi while Ciero joined the samurai who were getting ready to board the ship. Pirates lined the decks looking as if they intened to board the Generals ship.

"Hitomi they are going to come abord!,if any get behind me yell!"

An arrow flew towards maximus and he swiftly lifed the sheild and stoped it. 2 more arrows come towards the Ostian officer, lifting the sheild and kneeling down the 2 arrows hit the sheild.

"General!...good luck! your daughter will be fine!"

Lord General Nakamura smiles, bows and leads his twenty samurai and 30 crew onto the pirate ship without fear.

Hitomi looks up at Maximus the arrow sticking out through her arm and staining her red kimono a darker colour.

Weak from blood loss she lets herself be guided to her bunk and lies still knowing she can't do anything until the ships doctor gets to see her.

###

on the pirate ship the fight is brief and very messy. In return for capturing and killing the crew 5 samurai and 6 crew fell in battle.

Only two pirates survived and they are dragged aboard the Akage, tied and bound.

A prize crew throws the bodies of the Cathayans overboard and run up the Kirisuban Navy standard. They also draw silk from the Akage's sail stock and work on improvising a sail so the now renamed 'Tsubaki' can sail onto the Kuriles.

The honoured dead are wrapped in cloth, their bodies weighted and stored in the hold for sea burial later on.

When the doctor does get to Hitomi he asks for Maximus's assistance to hold Hitomi's arm steady while he removes the bamboo arrow.

After cutting away her left kimono sleeve, the wound is bound up and Hitomi drifts off to sleep.

Her father enters the cabin and pulls a quilt round her. "the Doctor said the damage would have been worse if the arrow had hit the bone. Hitomi was lucky.

She'll need to go over the logs tomorrow. If anyone can make sense of them it'll be her. The Cathayans may use the same characters but they've different meanings"

Maximus stood at Hitomi's side and listened to the General. The Praetorian guard captian entered the room,

"An interesting little scrimage that was! ahaha"

He had blood splattered all over his chest plate and hands. Maximus grinned and replyed,

"I wish i could of got my part in.."

"General Nakamura is a honorable leader, i would follow him as i follow you Maximus"

Ciero saluted then walked over to Hitomi's bed side,

"I hope you are feeling better miss"

"Get cleaned up my friend" Said Maximus

Ciero nodded then left the room.

Maximus looked at Hitomi and said,

"Praetorian guard are to keep the Emperor from being assasinated...his personal troops...they come on journeys like this to repersent him..Ciero is one of the best men i ever met in my life"

General Nakamura manages a little smile and replies "Ciero san, you must have been a samurai in a past life. If Hitomi can't get through to our prisoners i'm sure the Ostian fleet could do with two more galley slaves"

He turns to Maximus and adds "My daughter will have a busy day tomorrow despite her injuries. she dosen't speak Mandarin but i'm sure she could make herself understood"

He orders a flask of sake brought to the cabin and says "lets drink to victory"

Hitomi was taking in the conversation despite her weakness and says "Can I have some as well father?"

Nakamura Toshiro laughs loudly and gets another cup sent down to the cabin saying "Hitomi, i know you wanted to get involved but you're too important to risk in a skirmish"

Hitomi drinks a little of her sake and tries to sit up on the bunk despite only having the use off one arm, her left in a sling.

William watched the Kiriusban coastline, as minute by minute the ship got closer. Thinking about his brother, he wandered if Conor would be successful in the 54,000 soldiers he had asked for. Combinded with his own forces, William's invasion force would number 60,000.

60,000. A force to rule the world. Even Frozopia

The thought leapt into his mind unbidden.

Never. Never would I betray my King.

Yet the thought would not pass.......

ooc: it looks like Lord General Nakamura and Lord William will miss each other since the Kirisuban is on his way to the Kuriles, still a day away.

are you landing at Yokose point the same as last time or at another part of Hokkaido island?

IC: the mounted samurai watched the approaching ship and recognised the Frozopian colours on the main mast.

The rumours were going round that the 'northern devils' as the locals called Frozopians were going to be allies once they signed the triple alliance treaty.

So he rested his horse and watched the ship approach taking off his back banner so he could use Lord General Nakamura's standard as a signal flag if needed.

OOC: Aw crap, could you not "cancel" General Nakamura's transportation to the Kurile islands? It would speed things up (They are going a bit slow).

ooc: i can't cancel the trip but I can hurry it up a lot. they could arrive and turn round again after reallydrunk's next post.

William could meet with another Kirisuban army officer in the meantime or the ship could be guided to a safe port near the Ostian fleet. I assume Conor told him about the triple alliance idea.

elsewhere in the Kuriles Admiral Ishido's two ships had made progress on the mapping mission.

They had discovered two more islands in the chain and had found a safe harbour for the night.

While most of the crew sleeps the Admiral stalks the deck of his ship wondering just how many islands are in the Kurile chain and how far it stretches on for.

Still he had his orders and had to return to Kirisubo and hand in his report to Lord General Nakamura and he would do that when the tide turned.

setting a course for home he heads back with his favourable report as fast as the wind will carry them.

Conquering Aust. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=467366)

a strong overnight wind gets the Akage and Tsubaki to the Kuriles by dawn.

They anchor outside the harbour and Lord General Nakamura heads ashore with Maximus and 2 samurai on a small boat.

He's surprised to find that Lord William has already left for Kirisubo and returns to the Akage ready to set a course for home on the change of the tide.

bump

William landed, and realised his error. Heading to the Kiriusban camp with his wife Koiko and several soldiers, he awaited the return of the general.

The Kirisubans put Lord William and his party up in Anjiro while they waited and were well looked after.

Two days later the sails off the Akage and the Tsubaki appeared on the horizion and Lord General Nakamura and Hitomi went ashore with 3 samurai while the dead from the attack on the pirate ship where cremated on the shore.

The two pirates were still in the hold awaiting their fate.

After a bath in Lord Anjo's house General Nakamura and Hitomi greeted William and Koiko.

"I'm sorry about the mix-up" General Nakamura said to William "but these things already happen. I assume your ambassador told you about the triple alliance idea. I journeyed to get your signature if you are agreeable"

tea is served by two maids and the guards keep a respectable distance away so the men can talk business

"Conor has told me of it, and I agree. Together we are far stronger than when we are divided. Now where shall I sign?" William spoke, glancing at the lavish surroundings.

Hitomi leaves and returns with 4 copies of the agreement.

General Nakamura says "one of these is for your nation and then we can plan the invasion.

How are things going in the colony so far?"

"When we thought the Ostians were attacking, most of the people we focussed on home defences. This has turned out quite benficial, it would take a brave group of pirates to attack the island now. However the colony goes well, the people are happy and well fed. We have spread to the third island. Within years this will be a very good colony indeed I think."

"I've seen a imperial navy report" General Nakamura says "they've found another two islands which seem to have potential and theres a good chance theres more islands in the chain. Who knows how long the chain could continue on for?"

He drinks more tea and Hitomi kneels beside Koiko, the two women talking in Kirisuban about life on the islands.

bump

Maximus joined the General and Hitomi on Kurlies, he had been delayed on board the ship assisting the officers in repairing the vessel. He approached the meeting place and went inside,

"Sorry Gentlemen i am late, i am Lt Gen Maximus Arulious of Ostia, Second in command to General Marcus Atillis Regulus tasked with completing the alliance docments so we may get on with our plans"

He removed his helmet and sat down smiling at Hitomi...

General Nakamura says "Maximus san, may I introduce Lord William from the Frozopian Kurile islands"

A maid pours more tea for everyone and the General continues by saying "Now we are all here we can begin. for starters what do we know about Aust?"

Maximus nods then speaks on the topic,

"Well...Aust i hear is a worthy enemy..very powerful..good trade routes and ruled well..i have never been there personally..i got this information from merchants that have visited..it isn't much..kind of obvious really..just thought i would give some input and we can expand on that?"

Maximus sipped on his tea studying the faces of the group, Ciero stood to the side taking in the discussion...

"if we can get charts of the area round Aust that would be helpful in planning the campaign" Lord General Nakamura replies.

"Maximus san would any of your merchant contacts have these charts?"

Hitomi kneels listening in case anything needs translated for her father. Instead of smiling back she gives him a 'we'll talk later' look her left arm still in a sling.

Maximus brought his hand to his chin deep in thought,

"Yes i could get ahold of the maps...the merchants know what we are up to...therefore they will charge us for this service..i am not worried about that though..thats the easyist part of this whole campaign.."

Maximus continued,

"I was informed that General Regulus has sent for 3 legions..they will move through sandy lands south of Ostia to the coast..after that..they have no means of traveling on to Aust.."

General Nakamura thinks, drinks some tea and replies "the portugese have told us it takes two years to sail from Europe to Kirisubo.

We don't have many ships either but perhaps we could transport one legion. How many warriors would that be?"

Maximus worked out the numbers they had in the east then replyed,

"around 6 thousand if we made it a little smaller...the support from the west will ensure victory if everything goes to plan..but ships...we need ships..i am drifting towards just going to a country and asking to buy ships that will transport 30 thousand soldiers...."

"If we moved as many troops as we could with our own navys ships and any merchant vessels that could be called up then there would be space on Frozopian ships.

buying the ships sounds like a good idea but we can't invade until the forces are gathered and that may take a long time"

General Nakamura ponders these things and wonders how to get round the transport problem.

interest tag.

need to read up on this lot, I have missed a lot here...

Maximus nodded then replyed,

"Yes...you are right..Legions move fast usually.. but a force this size..with supplys and such...this can be very difficult..they will arrive on the coast of the sand lands as they are scheduled to on time..do not worry about that.."

Maximus sipped on his tea looking around the room at the other faces, he turned to Ciero who shrugged his shoulders,

"Damn it!.."

Bump!

OOC: that was a mission, my you lot have been busy. Well, I shall keep up from now on. I now roughly understand how the invasion plan came about.
Hehe.

The old man came home and told his children of a land far away
His oldest son asked him: "Will you tell us more tomorrow?"
The man put his hand on the sons shoulder and told him he would
"Please do not forget" His son added
The father said: "My child, do not worry for I have tagged the thread.


I need to follow up on this, lots of things happening and a possible meeting in the future. Now I can always find it.

ooc: this is happening at the same time as the invasion planning meeting is taken place.

ic: Edo castle, the home of Shogun Katsushiro

Shogun Katsushiro paced the room while he waited for his advisors to arrive.

The lack of news of Lord General Muira's ship was worrying especially since his mission to the Han Empire could improve the security of Kirisubo.

Having such a large and powerful neighbour on your doorstep was always a worrying problem even if they were leaving you alone. There had been no direct contact between the nations for a century and the Kirisuban diplomatic mission was the first in that time.

His advisors arrived, all fellow Lord Generals.

"General Muira is two weeks overdue now and it dosen't look good. Portugese merchants reported several Tai-fun in the area round Macao and Canton. its likely the ship never made it to land" one says

the Shogun shakes his head and says "General Muira and his daughter were a great loss to the Empire. I've never seen a translator as talented as Lady Kaede.

when spring comes we'll have to try again. with the Han as a neighbour theres a chance however unlikely that they could invade and we'd have no warning off it. We need a non-aggresion pact with them so we can have a measure of security.

what about those newly discovered islands past Nansei province?"

Admiral Ishido repsonds "the Spanish have used those as stop off points from time to time and we could use them for the same purpose. they would make good supply bases for Kirisuban shipping in general.

All we is need is a few of them"

The Shogun says "move peacefully into the closest one for now and we'll see what happens. your bases in Nansei province should have enough free ships to subdue one island. I'll leave this in your hands Admiral"

the meeting goes on in this vein and when it concludes the Shogun goes to the nearest temple on the castle grounds and lights incense sticks so his prayers for Lord General Muira and his daughter can be heard by the gods.

The meeting had ended for the night and Maximus sat in his room thinking about the situation they were in. The word from Ostian merchants was that Emperor Xavier had lead legions to the borders of Ostia and the nation was on full alert. Maximus was not worried about his homeland, Ostian's were not hard headed people and would do what was needed to survive and maintain an Empire.

There was a knock on the door, Ciero came in,

"Do you need anything my friend?"

Maximus grinned,

"No i'll be fine Ciero..just alot on my mind.."

Ciero grinned aswell and replyed,

"Yes..the same with all of us..good night Maximus"

Maximus could not sleep though, he watched the Praetorian close the door and just sat there in the candle light watching it flicker off the wall...

Hitomo and General Nakamura head to their rooms.

Hitomi and her maid share a room with two guards on duty even here in a place where they should be safe.

She can't sleep while she wonders about the future and goes for a walk in the grounds with her maid and two samurai in tow, passing Maximus' room as they head outside.

the moon is full and is reflected in the surface of the sea. ships of all types are at anchor. Frozopian, Kirisuban and even a small Portugese frigate which had stopped off for supplies.

Hitomi sits and ponders nature while she sorts out the thoughts in her head.

Maximus looks out his window at Hitomi and her staff pass by. He walks outside and sees Hitomi sitting down looking as if she was deep in thought, the samurai noticed it was the Ostian officer and let him pass,

"You are having the same trouble as i am ahaha..can't seem to find sleep.."

He sat down beside her adjusting his sword sheath, Maximus did not like wearing his armor all the time but thought it nessasary to his life these days.

"What is on your mind my friend?"

"the future" she simply comments.

"the war on Aust, the future of the Empire and my son as well as my own future.

My father has said he'll suggest me as the translator for the next Western diplomatic mission that comes up.

everything seems to be moving so quickly"

Maximus grinned,

"then you may visit Ostia...your General Nakumura's daughter, Duel citizenship will be granted to you..you will see the rolling green hills of my home land...the lush green grass.."

Maximus sat staring off in space with a hollow expression crossing his face, he looked tired...

"You will love the West Hitomi...Ostia is beautiful..."

the moonlight catches the stones of the Celtic necklace that still hangs round her neck as Hitomi ponders.

"I may end up in Ostia since its the only Western nation we'll probally have any dealings with. Generally we're a very conserative thinking people but some people can see past the obvious. My father is one as is the Shogun.

I sense you're the same otherwise you wouldn't have ended up in Kirisubo"

Maximus smiled and his eye caught the necklace shining in the light,

"You are right..i have devoted my life to ending other peoples..so far i havn't had to raise my sword..in Ostia i was always doing somthing to keep any problems away from the Emperor"

He paused....

"When i return home i will accept my commission to the Praetorian guard i have been putting off for so long..they don't do nothing but sit on their asses..the way i seen it i have to be one of the people in the Empire thats independant...one willing to make a change.."

"the Pretorian that fought against the pirates we encountered didn't look that way. He was enjoying the whole thing" Hitomi replies softly.

"i can fight but I don't want to unless I have to. My father has no sons to follow him so he taught me the sword and most of what he knows so his grandson could maybe learn from me.

Saruji is still an infant but i've barely seen him since he was born"

Maximus looked at Hitomi,

"Ahaha Ciero..yes..he was in my old Legion, don't get me wrong but Praetorians are not poorly trained..they defend our Emperor and do it well.."

Maximus smiled at Hitomi,

"Maybe i will be around to help teach your son...i learned with my mind before i was allowed to learn with a sword.."

Maximus's hand slid down over the ivory handled gladius slowly,

"I do not enjoy killing as much as some i know..i have done some evil things Hitomi.."

Hitomi moves her left arm slightly to ease the pain it still gives her.

"just maybe he won't have to fight any wars" she says hopefully "and he won't have to carry out evil things. I am be a Christian but Karma is a still a fact.

Whatever you do in this life will come back at you in this life or affect your next reincarnation"

her guards and maid fall back slightly so they are out of earshot but not out sight.

Maximus looked to the stars, a shooting star went over followed by another,

"There! the gods race once again.."

He smiled at Hitomi,

"A world of peace...wouldn't it be great to not worry about anything..live without a worry in the world..."

Maximus listened and replyed,

"yes..when i have a son..or daughter of my own my whole outlook on life will change...i feel emty..like my only purpose in life is to serve Ostia..no personal feelings..."

Hitomi smiles and says "peace would be nice to have but it may not be our karma and theres still the Han Empire to the west. We haven't had any direct contact with them in a century but theres still the old mistrusts in the way.

even while we were fighting each other we were being eternally vigilant for invaders. a lot of us still have the paranoia that goes with those fears.

I'm sure you'll have children off your own someday and be able to hang up your sword. a lot of Kirisubans only live to serve the Empire as well especially Samurai.

Before I met with you I felt the emptiness of a loveless marriage but now theres hope"

Maximus's face turned to a look of sadness,

"Yes...loveless marriage...mine was basicly presentation for my family..Anna and i had somthing yes..but i think it no longer exists.."

Maximus felt strange around Hitomi, it was even hard for himself to realize he had feelings other than hate for people...love was somthing he had forgot about. When Maximus thought of love..the Empire came to his mind...

Hitomi looks up at Maximus and says "my husband only really gave me two good things in life. A son and his death.

He fell at Sekigahara and then he set me free. After that all i really had was my son and my duty to the Empire.

Maybe theres more to look forward to now"

Maximus looked back into her eyes,

"Maybe...there is always a new day with the possibilities of a new start on things.."

Maximus's eyes darted to the necklace,

"I never would have given that to Anna...well not now anyways..i tryed so hard to get her ahaha..i was the talk of alot of people..jelous that the star of Ostia was mine..now it don't matter any more...i feel there is no room in my heart for her now.."

Hitomi nods and says "I've heard that story before as well. Given time you could love her again and give her children.

If you can't theres a kirisuban solution. a man can have one wife but as many consorts as he can afford to keep. A consort is more than a mistress but slightly less than a wife.

I doubt it'll work in Ostia but it works here"

Maximus looked down at the ground,

"You are right..i..was thinking..an Emperor before my time took a queen from a distant land, he told his wife...and they made it look like they still got along and such just for the presentation of things..."

He paused,

"I am unclear of my feelings at this time Hitomi, so much is happening..but soon i will see the light.."

Hitomi gently lays her left hand on his shoulder and says "there'll be time for karma to work itself out.

in the meantime we do what we can until our destiny is revealed to us"

she remembers something and says "My father wanted to see Ciero san. he has a present for him"

Maximus closed his eyes when her hand touched his shouder,

"Yes i know..."

He replyed to her question,

"Ciero is in his room i would imagine...that is where he can be found"

Maximus smiled at her,

"He rather enjoys gifts...ahaha"

"This can wait until the morning" Hitomi says "my father wanted to present him with one of of our wakizashi swords. he figured he wouldn't be using a katana along with that big shield of his. he also wants you to have one as well because he respects you as a commander and a student of war.

it belonged to one off our fallen Samurai but its a tradition that its passed onto a warrior that can appreciate a fine sword or to his family"

Maximus grinned and replyed,

"That is a great honor for both of us, Ciero will love it!"

Maximus sat there for a moment then said,

"I am truly glad i have your fathers respect..it means alot to me to know that.."

Hitomi calls over one of her Samurai and speaks briefly to him in Kirisuban.

He gives her his wakizashi and she shows Maximus it.

Drawing the blade it catches the moonlight and shines.

"You're like the son he never had Maximus san. this is a pretty standard length for a wakizashi, although i've seen and used shorter ones.

Why don't you try it for size?"


ooc: its 30 inches long in total and the handle is bound with red and black cord criss crossing so theirs gaps in the design.

Maximus took the weapon and studied it,

"Beautiful..it is like nothing i have ever seen before"

Maximus drew his dagger and held it out so Hitomi could see it. The dagger had an ivory handle with rubys encrested on the hilt, also the Imperial Eagle was engraved going down the blade,

"This was my Generals...he gave me his equipment in his will, he always said a leader should look like one...i am the only man in Ostia who wears white and gold trimmed armor...

Hitomi nods and says softly "it's certainly a generals weapon and your General was right. you should always stand out so your men know you're still in the fight.

when we battle Samurai wear a little flag in their armour which tells you whose side you're on, your name, rank and things like that. they also wear back banners so you can tell at a glance"

the two Kirisuban navy vessels approached the most northern island of the Phillipines as planned. This would make a good supply base and safe harbour for Kirisuban and her allies ships.

Things went smoothly and Admiral Ishido soon established the base. He left the locals tribes alone and in turn they left the Kirisubans alone.

Eventually this island would be a Kirisuban colony but the islanders weren't to know that..

Maximus nodded,

"Yes..i was like the son he never had..he was the father i never had..."

Maximus sat on the bench staring off with out blinking, he sheathed the dagger and looked back at Hitomi,

"thats unique....alot of attention would be required i imagine?"

Hitomi smiles and says "we don't have a uniform look to our warriors the same way that your forces do so back banners are necessary to tell one unit from another.

Each suit of great armour is usually passed down the male line from father to son until its lost in battle, the same as the two swords"

An Incognitian deep patrol (instituted in the current crisis, to chart the northern seas, and keep a look-out for strange ship movements), had the (luck? mischance?) to stumble across one island amongst many in the northern chain ooc:(can we call it the Philipines if there never was a Philip?)
They were a long way from home, but there appeared to be a small staging post on this particular island; that qualified as peculiar activity, so the Commodore decided to investigate. Taking his four frigates and two third-raters, he approached cautiously, spreading out. He doubted there was anything to challenge his firepower, but he didn't want word to escape.

OOC:(If you really don't want me crashing your supply base, I can make this a smuggling dock or something. I just think it'd be fun, a minor action before the main fleet arrives.)

EDIT: note to self, don't open brackets right after a colon :(

ooc: Terror i didn't know what else to call them for now.

also is your navys policy to attack foreign shipping on sight? War hasn't been declared yet and if you attack the Kirisuban navy ships you'll be regarded as nothing better than pirates.

peaceful contact will be better for both of us

ic:

the Kirisuban war junks 'Suisei' and 'Kagemon' were patrolling together round the island.

the spotter on Admirals Ishido's ship, the Kagemon draws his attention to the 6 ships.

Not recognising the colours he puts the samurai on board both ships on alert in case they are pirates.

OOC: Ok, Philippines will do.
My navy's policy is, currently, to attack warships not recognised as allies in sensitive areas, i.e. anywhere to my North. This policy was only started, along with patrols this far out, when the threat became apparent.

(What are your vessels like, so I can RP this?)

IC: Two vessels were sighted heading towards them. They looked like warships; and looking through a spyglass, the Commodore saw they were preparing for battle.

The decks of the flotilla were already cleared for action. They would be ready.

No experienced sailor wished for battle; and the Commodore was no different, however, he knew his duty.

"Number one, signal the flotilla: Action This Day."

ooc: the war junks are identical. 50 metres long with two masts and 3 large sails on each mast they have recently been fitted with an ostian style ram on the prow.

the walls are high and theres raised decking on the back of the ship for archers to shoot from, a feature borrowed from european ships.

theres no artillery but all the samurai on board (30 total) are archers with longbows. Fire arrows are the Kirisuban ship to ship weapons.

theres another 30 crew on each ship who have access to assorted melee weapons like short swords, short spears, staffs and anything they can lay their hands on.

theres another 20 men on shore building the wharfs needed to hold several ships at a time.

what the locals make of this is another story :)

ic: as the gaijin ships closed looking ready for a fight Admiral Ishido ordered his archers to prepare fire arrows. A wood fire was prepared in a brazier and left standing in the the middle of the Kagemons deck. The Suisei was also doing the same following the standard procedure laid down for sea battles.

On the Admirals command the Kagemon and Suisei swung into the wind looking to cut across the lead ship of the scattered formation.

as the distance closed fire arrows were loosed into the sails and the rigging, the burning pitch on the arrows heads sticking to the canvas when they hit.

A volley of 60 arrows hit the first ship in the formation and the nimble kirisuban ships changed course to intercept the next ship in the scattered formation.

knowing he would have to get a message home Admiral Ishido writes out a message for the commander of the fleet in Nagasaki and plans when he can make a break for home so they know whats happened.

OOC:Oops...

General Regulus approached General Nakumura, he did not reconize the Frozo noble who was before him,

"General! i have brought my Army foward to load on my ships, the supplys are being stored now..quite the force before us.."

Antonious nodded to the allied leaders who were across from him. Some day he would fill a position like that.

OOC: I think it is out of our point of view, but Im not certain. Check the invasion thread Really Drunk.

Maximus nodded,

"I understand...that is amasing, your culture is truly like no other i have ever seen, i wonder how the invasion fleet is comming along..."

Hitomi says softly "I'm needed back in Edo soon so I'll be leaving in the next day or two once this meeting is concluded. I doubt I'll see the fleet but i will remember you in my prayers and hope for your safe return.

then Karma can sort itself out"

OOC: Okay, so your vessels are smaller than my frigates. They carry deck-mounted cannon, about a dozen each; a few swivel guns for anyone who comes close; longbowmen on deck; marines for close quarters.
The third-raters have a deck of guns belowdecks as well as all of the above.

IC: As shown in their recent combat with Caladonn, Incognitians could handle fire on board ship. With buckets full of sand, and buckets full of water, laid out everywhere as part of the preparation for action, they were keeping pace with the fire arrows, for now at least. Little blazes were doused everywhere.

Meanwhile longbowmen on all the Incognitian ships were loosing volleys, with each of the four frigates carrying as many longbowmen as the Kirisuban vessels; and the two bigger vessels carrying around fifty each. The fire was continuous, only waning as the enemy passed behind friendly vessels.

Simultaneously, at every opportunity the cannons spoke with chain shot, hitting out at the enemy's sails.

Casualties on the Repulse, the lead vessel, were moderate amongst the longbowmen, but otherwise light; the marines took cover, and the sailors weren't standing on deck. Ten men were down with at least severe injuries. Not bad from one volley.

as the pair of war junks pass the lead ship they both fire another volley of fire arrows.

some samurai go down but not many as they seek shelter close to the hull of the ship.

following the standard plan off attack they carry on round in a circle and another double volley of fire arrows goes into one of the 3rd rater ships.

the cannons worried Admiral Ishido but the chain shot only caused minor damage to his ships sails. he knew if he could keep going at least one ship had a chance of making an escape with the wind favouring a northern course.

he takes the report, wraps it round a normal arrow and shoots it into the other Kirisuban ships bridge.

they now had to make the break for home as the Kagemon would be staying...

The Commodore was surprised; the enemy hadn't taken much damage from the chainshot yet. However, it was only a matter of time.
From the way they were moving, one of them was going to make a break for it; spotting an arrow deliberately fired from one to the other only confirmed which. The frigates moved round to focus on that one, as they had the best chance in a pursuit. Meanwhile the two third-rates kept the chain-shot flying, to slow the enemy down and get to grips. Something big, probably a spar, was bound to go soon, and significantly cut the enemy's pace.

a massive hole appears in one of the Kagemons main sails and Admiral Ishido knows he has to take these ships out the old fashioned way since he's outgunned.

the Samurai and crew are readied for a boarding action, the Admiral joining in the attack as befitting his status as a samurai.

The Kagemon pulls over and grapling hooks are thrown catching the 3rd rater.

the 20 samurai fire one last volley of normal arrows and and the 30 crew join them in boarding the ship knowing its'll be their last act before going onwards.

the Suisei sets a course for home trying to get away from the frigates chasing her as the Admiral joins in the vicious hand to hand fighting.

Though pike-and-archer tactics are somewhat outdated on land, at sea the Marines still use them highly effectively.

As the Repulse was boarded by the Kagemon, her most vicious armament came into action. The Marines, idle until now, fired the swivel guns down that side of the ship into the enemy vessel, sending masses of shrapnel at the enemy crew.
The Marines then swiftly formed ranks facing the enemy, with the bowmen, swords sheathed for now, continuing to fire past them.
The sailors on deck either grab pikes from the racks on deck to join the Marines, or withdraw to reload swivel guns currently safely behind their ranks.

The Indomitable, Repulse's sister ship, sails in on the other side of the enemy vessel, firing one last volley of cannon before counter-boarding.

Meanwhile the Frigates, led by the HSS Barker (High Seneschal's Ship), were fighting the fleeing vessel. The Barker was ahead of her, for now, the Biter level, and the other two a short way behind. In a replication of enemy tactics, all gunpowder was cleared from the decks, and the longbowmen on the frigates (still nearly 100) switched to fire arrows; aiming primarily for the masts and sails.

the Kagemons crew were taking heavy losses but giving as good as they got.

Admiral Ishido was killed in the first volley of the swivel guns but his troops still carried on fighting despite being outranged by the pikes.

on the Kagemon the only woman on board the ship set fire to the Admirals cabin. the fire caught quickly destroying all the charts and the pilots log book.

the Lady Keiko, the Admirals translator and a samurai herself took out her dagger and committed seppuku as the first enemy soldiers found their way below deck.

Despite the futility of their situation the Kirisubans fought to the last man and the deck of the enemy ship was soaked in blood, both Kirisuban and Incognitian.

###

the Suisei's ram struck home at the ship in front of her holing the enemy vessel below the water line and trapping the Kirisuban ship.

Likewise they boarded the closest ship and prepared to sell their lives dearly..

Maximus smiled,

"Yes, the Ostian navy pulls out tomorrow..i will fight my way to Aust, we will see each other again.."

Maximus looked deep into Hitomi's eyes, he wanted to tell her how he felt but decided it could wait till he returned to Kurisubo. He had the urge to just blurt everything out but every time he tryed it felt like he was going to choke,

"Hitomi..keep this in case i do not return..please.."

He removed his familys ring from his right hand holding it out to her...

"i'll look after it" Hitomi answers softly "but you want to tell me something.

tomorrow will be too late and you may not return from Aust. Now is always better than later"

Maximus got serious, he knew if he didn't tell her he might never get the chance,

"I will return from Aust..with the intent of...seeing you again"

He paused

"In Ostia when a man..of nobility gives a woman his family ring...it is a form of affection..i shouldn't have expected you to know this custom"

He sat there making direct eye contact with her, He froze up and did not know what else to say...

Hitomi looks up at Maximus and says quietly "does this mean that you love me? I may not know your customs but I can read the little signs and I know in Europe an exchange of rings usually happens at weddings.

we keep things simple here and two lovers can join if its not against the law. Is this what you want?"

Maximus grinned,

"I know it sounds crazy..but Anna..is ..not for me? You amase me...you speak many languages, you kind..understanding...well ..yes, it's what i ...want"

He managed to stutter...

"I think your father likes me, i would give my life for him...partly to make you happy aside for the respect i have for him..i will not leave his side"

Hitomi returned a little smile and says quietly "we have tonight if nothing else. lets make the most of it"

She squeezes his hand and then goes obver to her maid and samurai guards dismissing them for the night.

the maid goes to bed and the samurai patrol round the house.

"the coast is clear" she says quietly to Maximus practical as always

Maximus smiles and replyed to her,

"You are right, but i want this to be special...this will be one of the last times you might ever see me...my love.."

Maximus felt light like a heavy burden was lifted from his chest,

"We will go for a ride..tonight!" He looked up at the stars then back to Hitomi

"I think i've seen enough stars tonight" she replies softly and finding the house quiet she leads Maximus back to her room.

With the Maid being in another room they were alone at last...

Maximus agreed,

"Then lets go"

He followed her back to her room where he removed his sword and sheath placing them beside the bed. Maximus left then returned with an Ostian bottle of wine,

"I will come back, and in Kurisubo i will stay..my new home where we will live in peace and live well off the spoils of Aust..."

He paused..

"My heart will ache for you untill i see you again...nothing will stop me...do not worry about me Hitomi..we will be one"

Hitomi gently kisses Maximus and the first night of a new life begins for her.

Some time later she opens her eyes to see the sun brightening the wood and paper walls of her room.

"it wasn't a dream" she says to herself as she sees Maximus beside her in her futon bed and her own bare skin.

Switching to Latin she nudges Maximus and says gently to him "its morning my love. you've got a ship to catch"

Not only had the Repulse taken heavy casualties, but, unnoticed until this lull in the fighting, a fire was spreading in the mizzen top. Men immediately set to chopping down the mast, so it could be cast overboard...hopefully before the fire spread to take over the ship. (The ship is three-masted. The mast nearest the back is the one that's on fire.) Meanwhile the Repulse and the Indomitable spread away from the enemy vessel, leaving it to burn.

Barker had been rammed; the crew had rushed belowdecks to pump out the lower-deck; the Marines, longbowmen and gunners were locked in hand-to-hand combat on deck. The Biter repeated Indomitable's successful tactic of counter-boarding the enemy vessel; Blazer came alongside the Barker to reinforce her men with the Marine contingent. The one remaining frigate, HSS Wyvern, was a little way behind, but would soon join the fray.

ooc: terror, i hope you're willing to take a lot of casualties considering the nature of the fight. if i can rp losing two war junks and their crew we might as well make this a bloodbath of a sea battle.

the Suisei's logs and charts will survive the battle if you can get someone that can understand them. they're not very detailed because kirisuban pilots don't need that level of detail to navigate.

ic: the battle rages for another hour before the Kirisubans die to a man. heavily outnumbered and outgunned they knew they were doomed but fought on regardless taking a lot of their enemy with them to the afterlife.

The Suisei, still stuck in the Barkers hull stood defiant even without its crew to man her.

Maximus turned to her and smiled, he kissed her gently then started to ready himself. He strapped on his sword and placed his helemt under his left arm,

He bent down and looked at Hitomi,

"I will be back before you know it..say a prayer for me.."

He stood there awaiting her reply, he held her hand tightly..

Hitomi kisses Maximus and says "I'll keep you in my prayers my love".

she takes of her silver cross and gives it to him saying "wear this to remember me and if it God's will that you return from Aust we'll be able to spend the rest of our lives together, wherever that may be"

A single tear falls from her right eye as she speaks knowing her beloved is leaving for war.

Maixmus received the cross,

"Not even the god could stop me from comming back to you.."

He tryed not to think about the tear and left the room, he could not stay any longer. Maximus took off on his horse full speed through the city to the coast line to make it to his ship before it was late joining the invasion fleet. He reached the top of a hill to see hundreds of ships starting to move out towards the ocean.

When he reached the docks his command ship was prepaing to move, as soon as he was on board all the crew saluted and the gang plank was removed,

"Lt Gen sir, we are taking you to the Frozo command ship where the officers are meeting to discuss invasion plans" said one of the Galleys officers

Maximus nodded. His command ship sailed forward till it reached the side of the Frozo command vessel, Maximus hopped up on the side rail of his galley and jumped on the deck of the ship startleing the crew members slightly.

He was brought to the command room when he explained to a guard who knew latin who he was.

OOC: Yup, heavy casualties, especially amongst the Marines. Haven't worked out exactly what yet, but I agree that two suicidal attacks, each made by 30 samurai, who have to be killed to a man, is going to take a heavy toll on my men.

IC: The Commodore had not expected two small vessels with no cannon to sell themselves so dearly. While he had little regard for their technology - fire arrows and swords, in the modern age! - their bravery and skill commanded respect.
The butcher's bill was not yet in, but casualties had undoubtedly been heavy. Repulse had lost her mizzen mast in fighting the fire on board, and the Barker urgently required repairs if she was not to sink before reaching home.
He ordered signals made that Barker remain where she was, aided by Biter.
The other two frigates were to accompany Indomitable to investigate the facilities on shore.

ooc: on shore is a work crew of 20 men with long spears and short swords.

ic: having watched the battle the foreman of the Kirisuban engineers had his men set fire to the two wharfs they had completed. No pirate was going profit from their work.

The Admiral had set an example but Sakichi was savvy. Kirisubans looked a lot like the natives on this islands and they could hide in the dense forests or villages until they could get home when another friendly ship arrived on the island.

His men walked away into the thick forest with all the food they could carry and set their plan in motion. They would remember the flags they seen and get word back home no matter how long it took.

The facilities were already ablaze by the time the Incognitian ships reached shore; and twenty men were spotted walking away. Having neither the men nor the time to mount a serious pursuit, the Commodore ordered that a watch be set against their return, but otherwise the fugitives be ignored.
The vessels would stop here to make repairs. Wyvern was to be sent back with news of the action here, taking all the documents salvaged from the captured vessel. The rest would follow once Repulse and Barker were seaworthy.
Before they left, however, they would gather up all the men they had lost, and bury them here. Possibly the first victims of a war about to engulf the Western Pacific; they would stake Incognitia's claim here. Not directly, but by the inscription above their grave:
"In defence of their homeland; and the freedom of our allies. May history remember them."

Hitomi watched Maximus ride away and got ready for her journey to Edo castle.

Part of their journey took them to the coast where the coastal galley was waiting for them.

From the high point on the shore she could see a forest of masts and sails and prayed as she was carried in a pallaquin to her ship that she would be united with her love.

The galley rows south along the coast towards the Kirisuban capital and another set of duties for Hitomi.

The Ostian fleet was slowly pulling out of the harbour. It was an ocean of ships as far as the eye could see, people lined the cliffs waving and shouting their good byes to the soldiers. Ciero captian of the Praetorian guard stood with afew of the officers on board 'Victory', General Regulus's over sized command ship,

"Good bye for now peaceful Kurisubo..we will miss you.."

The other officers agreed togeather lowly mubleming. Now their fate awaited them at the bottom of the world where they would fight to increase the greatness of the 3 allies.

The Frozopian command ship out at sea

a few days and nights pass and General Nakamura emerges on the deck with one of his samurai following him.

The full moon combined with the clear night was a beautiful sight and the Kirisuban commander spots General Maximus also looking up at the stars.

"Maximus san" he calls out "can't you sleep either?"

Maximus turns around and bows to the General,

"No General..too much on my mind at this time, so many plans lie ahead..."

He wore Hitomi's small cross around his neck but it was concealed by his armor,

"Aust knows we are comming i would imagine and will putup one hell of a fight.."

General Nakamura returns the bow and his samurai hangs back out off earshot so the men can talk.

"its imposible to keep a fleet this size a secret" he says consoling Maximus "and I would expect them to give us a good fight. However a large army won't always win you a war.

Whatever happens in Aust it'll be my last campaign. I'm getting too old to carry on fighting. I want to see my grandson grow up and Hitomi to be happy.

she left me a letter before we set sail"

Maximus listened to the General but then was shocked when her heard about a letter,

"o0? did she sir?...good..news?" he asked showing interest..

Maximus thought to himself,

"Damn..i know what this is about.."

noticing Maximus' surprise Nakamura Toshiro replies "it was good news. My daughter asked to be your consort.

Hitomi has always been strong willed and she also said in the letter that she loved you. How could I deny her anything?"

Maximus let out a sigh of releif,

"General, i will make anything in the world hers....the options are endless.."

Maximus stayed strait faced and continued,

"She is truly amasing sir, the most valuble treasure i have ever encountered..."

the General smiles and replies "I thought the same about her late mother and Hitomi is deserving of her name.

In our language it means 'doubly blessed with beauty'.

She is a rare treasure with beauty, intelligence and courage. Its rare to find all those in the same person. When we get back from Aust I'll make the wedding arrangements myself and I'd be proud to have you in the Nakamura family"

Maximus bowed to the General,

"I will be honored to be part of your family General"

Maximus nodded to him,

"We will both return General, return heros..conquerers...gods to some..it is amasing how people know of us everywhere we go, our reputations carry.."

"Maximus san you've started a new life" Nakamura Toshiro replies "and so has Hitomi"

he picks out the star thats guiding them south and adds "your past is like the cherry blossom thats withered and died"

Maximus nodded listening to the wise generals words,

"I would have it no other way general, my old way of life would have killed me inside.."

Maximus looks out over the dark water and takes a big breath of the ocean air.

"then Anna is a widow" General Nakamura adds "and she will have to deal with that"

Maximus leaned on the side of the ship and replyed,

"She knows..i had a message delivered to her at the fortress before i left explaining the situation...she loves me and i know she will understand"

He looked at the general,

"Sir..i know you don't need my blessing on the feild of battle but take it anyways...keep a tight defence and a strong offence....victory is only a short time away.."

"Domo Maximus san" Lord Nakamura replies "Now we have our version of your tall shields and mastered the turtle formation our spearmen will be a handful for any army to deal with.

I hope we will have a quick campaign as well. A hungry army will have problems and we will have long supply lines.

Mind you Kirisubans can keep going as long as they have rice or can catch fish"

OOC: Sorry to interrupt here, but this is where it happened so...
IC:
The butcher's bill came to around 100 marines, and nearly 30 others. Most of the injured would recover.
The Repulse was now seaworthy, and ready to depart, having cut a large tree for a new mast; and the Barker had been successfully repaired.
The Incognitian vessels turned for home, bringing experience of fighting Kirisubans.
Another patrol would be out this way shortly. But with probes like the one they had just fought, invasion could not be far away.

Maximus thought about the situation,

"We have been stretched far before..somehow a legion always manages to feed it'self..."

Maximus grinned,

"Yes i seen them practice..they move like Ostian troops now, it would even be possible to join them in Ostian ranks that is how good they have became.."

"they like their bamboo shields" Lord Nakamura replies "but the samurai won't change just yet.

they've had swords, spears and long bows for centuries and don't want to trade them in yet. We both know how important tradition is even when technology changes"

OOC: Sorry to interrupt here, but this is where it happened so...
IC:
The butcher's bill came to around 100 marines, and nearly 30 others. Most of the injured would recover.
The Repulse was now seaworthy, and ready to depart, having cut a large tree for a new mast; and the Barker had been successfully repaired.
The Incognitian vessels turned for home, bringing experience of fighting Kirisubans.
Another patrol would be out this way shortly. But with probes like the one they had just fought, invasion could not be far away.

the 20 Kirisubans emerge from the jungle once the pirates leave and wait.

A week later a the first supply ship arrives and the engineers make their report.

More troops and ships are promised to secure the base and the report is rushed back to Kirisubo.

the invasion fleet may have been unaware of these happenings but now the Shogun was going to know the full story and a garrison would be ready for the next attack when it came.

60 samurai and 50 spearmen arrive with some Frozopians who organise the building of defences and signal beacons.

the engineers start to build a small junk so they can patrol the island more efficently and now theres a garrison with defences this base would be a harder nut to crack.

The soldiers left behind guarding the Ostian fortress were informed that hostile ships were in the area and they were put on high alert. The officer left in charge was named Desius, one of Regulus's head officers, he sat in the Generals command room over looking the ocean.

Commander Sato had been left in charge of the Hokkaido defence forces and he rode with 5 of his samurai to ask for a meeting with the Ostians.

He knew about the supply base and what they lacked. with the General being out off contact it was his responsibility.

Father Sebastio rides with them and translates into latin when the commander dismounts to speak to the sentrys.

"Good morning" he says "My name is Commander Sato of the Hokkaido defence forces. would it be possible to speak to the officer in charge about a report we have recieved?"

The Sentrys at the gate saluted the commander and one replyed,

"Yes, move on through...his name is Desius, right now he is in Regulus's quarters.."

The large doors opened showing the inside of the fortress where troops marched back and fourth training. The forts garrison could not have had more than 400 defenders, plus all the others that were through out the fort handling buisness of a non-military nature. Desius stood in front of the stairs leading to the roof of the main building,

"Grettings my Kurisuban friends! how can i help you!"

Commander Sato bows and speaks the priest translating into latin.

"Desius san, my name is Commander Sato Hiromatsu of the Hokkaido defence forces. In the absence of Lord General Nakamura Toshiro I've been left with the problem of those hostile ships"

he unrolls a chart of the region and points at a large island marked out with Kirisuban writing beside it.

"this is the supply station on the island of Chosuku. It was recently discovered and its strategic location made it ideal as a stop off point. Other ships have also come to the same conclusion. its also only a few days sailing from the sea lanes of Terror Incognita.

The pair of war junks sent to to establish the base were attacked and defeated although our crews exacted a heavy price on their enemy as they fought to the last man including their commander Admiral Ishido.

A group of engineers survived and when the scheduled supply ship arrived they were able to give their report which reached the navy high command and the ear of the Shogun.

I've been asked to speak to our allies so we can deal with these brigands together"

He shows the Ostian officer the report in Kirisuban and a drawing of the flag at the bottom of the page.

"have you ever seen colours like this before? its possible that the ships came from Terror Incognitia but we need to confirm this so we can either rule them out or know for sure they attacked our ships"

OOC: Ah deid not have diplomatic relations with that country.
Brigands? Pirates? And you the ones with a whole invasion fleet coming. What does that make you guys?
Being serious now, if you want a scrap over that island, it can be arranged. I'll need somewhere closer to you to base my blockade out of. And my army could possibly do with some experience :D

ooc: Kirisubans would see Terror's ships as pirate vessels and regard the crews as dishonourless men.

rather than god-modding this and jumping to a conclusion i'm trying to play this little episode out.

most of the imperial war junks would be in the southern waters of the empire because thats the expected area a counter invasion would come from.

if you feel you need the island you can certainly try and fight for it but the kirisuban plans for them haven't been fully drawn up yet.

OOC: Fair enough. I'll have to consider how my Admiralty would react to the news they've had, I guess. I'll get back to you on that one.

Hitomi completes her journey to Edo a few days after the fleet sails.

Now in Edo castle she spends her off duty time with her son Saruji.

the infant was crawling now and Hitomi nursed him so the wet nurse and the maid could have a break.

Hitomo thought she could make out signs of talking so she talked to her son who responded with laughs and other noises.

"Your mothers here" she tells him "and soon you'll have a step father and you'll know as many languages as I do"

'if we have a future' Hitomi thinks to herself.

Being a generals daughter she knew the risks of this campaign. once they reached the lands of Terror Incognito they would be on their own and would either have to retreat or fight a campaign in Aust.

She hoped most of all that Maximus and her father would return alive..

OOC:I apoligize for the inactivity, i was really busy with work...i will try to catch up...sorry once again...there was no time to post..

Desius nodded as he went over the page, the flag was indeed one of Terror,

"We will do what ever needs to be done Commander Sato in this time of war, you have my full support in your home land defence"

Desius continued,

"What will be our plan of action?"

ooc: not a problem. i know what its like

ic: Commander Sato replies and nods when the flag is confirmed "So they are involved and the first shots in the war have been fired. we have most of our war junks stationed at Nansei province ports and i have been allowed to evacuate Chosuku.

It would be nice to hold it but we can always return there after the war is over.

We could intergrate some of your galleys into the southern defence fleet if you are agreeable. Your ships don't depend on the tide and wind and along with our own small galleys they would make the defence forces stronger.

the orders will have reached them by now and the garrison will be evacuated soon since they're needed for home defence duties"

###

At Chosuku the Kirisubans and the Frozopian engineers were departing and boarding the war junks sent to collect them.

They had more pressing concerns such as the defence of the home waters and islands. they knew they could return here.

there was very little evidence of the base remaining. Everything else had been taken away and the locals were left in peace.

However their future was uncertain. This withdrawl could see a shift in ownership of the Chosuku chain (ooc : thats the name that the kirisubans gave the Philipines).

the 5 war junks take advantage off the strong northernly wind and sail for home...

<Tag for future arrival>

Desius nodded,

"Our remaining ships will be sent to the south to assist you in the efforts being made"

Desius sighed as he looked at the nation of Terror on the charts,

"This fort may be used by all defending forces..it is the gate way to the south"

"We realised that ourselves but with most of the Kirisuban fleet part of the invasion force we can't hold it" Commander Sato comments.

He unrolls another chart showing the coastline of the Nansei province (southwest islands).

We'll draw our naval line at the limit of the empire and leave ships behind us so they can maintain the lines of communication. all our ships can be based at Okinawa island, the most southernly base in the empire.

Iff the Han had wanted to try anything they would have done so by now. We'll only really have to worry about forces from the south and the eastern approach.

Even if enemy shipping slips past us the shore patrols will spot them and alert the defence forces on land.

Commander Desius, we'll also need a northen fleet so most of your ships won't need to leave the harbour they have here.

I'm led to believe that any journey will take 5 days given good weather but i'm sure we would be quicker because we'll be rowing.

there'll be 30 kirisuban galleys going with your fleet by the time they arrive at their new home. the arrangements have already been made for them joining the defence fleet as we pass their home ports"

ooc: heres link for a RL map of the area in question so we know where we are on the map.

http://www.ease.com/~randyj/japanmap.htm

The flag was indeed one of Terror
OOC: Damn, the compliments just fly tonight :p

IC: When the Admiralty got word of the contact to the North, a conclusion was swiftly reached: these had been harbingers of coming storm. With their experience of naval logistics, it was clear that this had been intended as a logistic base and marshalling station. This would have to be denied to the enemy. All the marines that could be spared from other duties were mustered.

Some 5000 men, including 1000 raw recruits, were loaded aboard transports. They included a detachment of pioneers for overseeing the construction of fortifications. They went with an escort of all the vessels devoted to Northern patrols, amounting to some dozen third rate vessels and a score of frigates; and a substantial number of merchantmen, sufficient to set up a minor naval outpost. When the invaders arrived, there would be a warm reception.

OOC: may have to change the actual island cos Wintrees has gone in on the one we fought over...

Desius studied the charts closely,

"What you say Commander makes sence, i see your points made clearly"

*pause*

"How many men will you require for this posting? also i must add that General Agrippa's legions are on the nile....word has returned from the vessels we sent out quite awhile ago..they will be ready for Aust..a little late but ready"

##------------

Maximus sat ona barrel on the the deck of the Frozopian command ship writing a letter to Hitomi which read....

'My dearest,
I have been at sea for many days, the gods are with us and it is certian we have their blessing. Aust is not far now, i am privillaged to be around such capible leaders such as your father..William..conor and Regulus.

I trust these men with my life, i wanted to inform you i am well and my spirit is high soaring with the eagles. I will return to you my love, wait for me because the emptyness in my heart has been replaced with your love..this is only the beginning
With the outmost love
Maximus

P.S Acompanying this will be a copy of my will,

He sat there and re-read it,

"Finished.." he said quietly

"finished..

"Desius san I believe that 4 galleys will be sufficent. the remaining ships can deal with any encounters from the east along with whats left of the Kirisuban navy and the coastal galleys"

Commander Sato muses and adds through the translator "that is good news. if only there was a way to catch up with the fleet and tell them about whats going on here. I doubt they even know that Terror Incognitia had fought against us yet and they'll have to pass through their sea lanes"

Desius grinned,

"If that happens Agrippa will be there hopefully....the conflict will be full blown by that time..."

He moved his finger down the map,

"What is this nation beside Aust?..here..the island..?"

"I'm not sure Commander. Charts of the south pacific are few and far between and i'm not sure how accurate they are.

However I believe these islands to the east and southeast are in the territory of Angermanland. at least thats what it says on the chart. We've never had a ship travel that far south before so I can't be sure

The large island to the west of Aust is the territory of Kilani if the chart is accurate"