(Day 6 Morning, Open) Duty rests for no man.

[Akodo Amuro]

The edicts of the Maharaja bristled at the lion. He saw no reason to tempt anything any longer and decided that staying aboard the vessel would be best. Afterall there were still things to do here, and considering the tone of the edicts he had a feeling that being near the ship was a wise choice...

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi was still on this ship this morning, determined to start her morning at least as normally as possible after the fiasco yesterday. She strolled up to join Amuro after greeting him with a bow. "Ohayou gozaimasu Akodo-san."

[Akodo Amuro]

Bayushi-san. It is good to see you. he said carefully. Are you doing well?

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Good. I'm doing good Akodo-san." Hoshi said in a tone that implied a smile as she approached, folding her arms together. "How are we doing here?"

[Akodo Amuro]

Seems the locals are upity about something that happened yesterday. Of which I only hear whispers on the wind about." The Akodo said looking out over the docks from the ship. Not a pleasant sign I think.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"I didn't know that Akodo-san fancies himself to be a courtier. But...they have many reasons to be after so much commotion. Maybe they were just desperate to have something else busy their attention in all of this...waiting." She glanced out to the harbour as well, looking to the number of tents littered there. "It was a bad sign when we got here."

[Akodo Amuro]

He nods. I am no courtier. But I don't ignore the rumblings of potential dangesr when I hear them either. I must say despite having viewed their defenses yesterday, I am not certain what they are waiting for.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"What would samurai do if there were only given one shred of land as their only holding left against the darkness?"

[Akodo Amuro]

"isn't that what Rokugan is?" the Lion asked. "Have we not faced such situations of magnitude no less than twice in my father's life time? Once at least in our own? Do you know anything of what they fear Bayushi-san?

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi nodded softly. "Hai. It does indeed look bad from this corner, and we can only take their words about the scale that they face. I know little of this cult but it seems to many of them, the end."

[Akodo Amuro]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a Scorpion knows more information than I do. he says with an amused chuckle. But aside from rumors. I am curious if you have heard anything or seen something more concrete in terms of danger to our battlegroup. He sighs. Perhaps I should try to venture into the city again. Though it is a dishonor to have to do so under watch of one of their warriors. he frowned at that thought.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi lifted an amused brow at that. "-Ah...More information? It is merely putting what is in front of you together. Hardly a grand Scorpion scheme."

She nodded a few times as she grew serious again. "I have some tidbits, the ship that was responsible for sinking the gaijin that we found is actually sharing the same harbour with us. Your cousin knows of its identity. There may be some attempts of the guards to prevent our leave, an outside chance, they're stretch thin as it is and may believe that we're serving the same role as the Mantis ages past. Those are the obvious threats I can see."

[Akodo Amuro]

"Wonderful. " he said sardonically. "Perhaps I will go into town again this afternoon. It was hard to judge morale and numbers of guard in a rainstorm. I might have more luck today."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi looked to the city longingly. "I hope they are in good spirits...as they are stretched too thin on multiple fronts. Do you plan to give them your personal insight there?"

[Akodo Amuro]

"Would they care what some no rank foreigner has to say about their defense?" the Lion asked sadly. "It seems doubtful, and I'd more likely insult them just by offering.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Even if one of their own were to pass down the suggestion, I don't think we have the organization to really move so much at the moment. Still Akodo-san, you should have a better eye than me there."

[Akodo Amuro]

Move them? the Akodo says looking back toward the Scorpion. I'd sacrifice every single barbarian in the world if it would save the life on a single samurai. The Lion do not forget White Stag, nor the wars at the dawn of our empire, nor the War of Dark Fire.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi narrowed her eyes, there was some misunderstanding with her words. "Armies are meant to be mobilized rather than smuggled away ne Akood-san? I was saying that even if they had an effective plan of defense, it would be difficult for them to even enact it, making our advisement moot. Moving them is out of the question, many prefer to die here too. Life elsewhere is just a far slower death."

[Akodo Amuro]

Death is usually preferable to losing ones home. he replied ignoring the narrowing of her eyes if he even saw it. They are stretched thin with too few guard for too many in an overcrowded city. Something you already noted. I have not seen any indication of formal military training besides some anti siege measures, and we both know it doesn't take someone trained as a warrior to heat pitch and dump it down a murder hole. he said critically of their defense.
"Their 'leader' seems skittish at our presence, and the issuance of his orders this morning suggests he is afraid of appearing weak to his own people. Honestly it isn't a good sign.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Hai. Such an action from their ruler is a good token stance, as there is little we gaijin here can do to refute his rule while keeping our heads in the same place. We're a 'threat' he can handle. He ends up appearing strong to his people only but doesn't demonstrate anything tangible. Damage control at its best. The fact a certain ship is still afloat is dis-concerning though."