(Day 5 Early Afternoon) Turi, was everywhere.

[Akodo Amuro]

Outer walls

Amuro decided that today would be a day to see the city...as much as that would be advisable. Afterall if these barbarians were worried about an attack, the least a civilized human could do among them is to take a look at their defenses for himself, and prepare for when their morale eventually broke. He hoped it would not happen, but the hearts of samurai were often tested, and these creatures were no samurai, no it would be best to know how they defended and what their troop layouts were in case.

[elonweis]

Today, the Akodo was saddled with one of the younger heimen from the embassy, an exuberant boy named Daisuke. The child kept pace with the older man, eyes darting around with curiosity. Warned by his mother to be on his best behavior with the infamous Lion, the lad kept silent though it was hard to miss the awed looks he gave Amuro. After all he was a real Rokugani samurai.

[Akodo Amuro]

(open thread is open.)
The Lion took pace toward the outer walls sparing only a brief set of commands to the young peasant. The man checked his swords to make sure they were at the ready. If you hear anything about us listen carefully and relay the message to me, but do not make it look like you are listening in. Do you understand?" Furthermore if you hear of anything that you consider a danger even if it is gossip tell me. Do well and I will owe you gratitude, and will strive to repay that gratitude in someway.

With those short and simple commands the Lion gave the boy as much of a smile as would be proper to one of the lower castes. He began to walk toward the area of the outer walls, confident his companions might join him soon.

[elonweis]

It was the most exciting thing ever. He was going to get to play a game of Scorpion... with a Lion. His day couldn't get better. Ok, maybe it could if it wasn't raining. Daisuke nods enthusiastically, "Ok!"

[Akodo Amuro]

The Lion nodded to the enthusiastic boy. Surveying potential threats was an honorable position, but the Akodo had no personal taste for spying. And though he and other bushi would understand the difference, he did not think these gaijin would care that there was in fact a difference, nor did he think they'd respond well to a lecture of honor. So the Akodo began his walk and kept his eyes open.

[Akodo Jishaku]

(OOC: Entering thread on the basis of this slot being free, other on-going thread may change this)

Deep in thought the younger Akodo made his way toward the City Outer Walls, where he had planned to meet Amuro. Given the events of the morning he had much on his mind. For the first time since leaving Rokugan the Cub is wearing a kimono and carrying his daisho. Finding his clanmate he offers a respectful bow, though the usually cheerful experssion is gone for the moment.

"Good afternoon Amuro-san. How goes your assessment?"

[Matsu Iori]

And a third Lion enters the picture. The burnt Matsu decided to finally leave the ship and explore the strange gaijin land. He decided to look around the walls and sentry positions of the land, and to his surprise, met his fellow Lions.

Nodding towards them, he issues a simple greeting. "Akodo-san, Akodo-sama."

[Akodo Amuro]

It currently goes...slowly Jishaku-san. The older Akodo says bowing, and then politely returning the bow of the Matsu as he approached. "Please Matsu-san. Calling us both by our family name would just be confusing, and though I appreciate the extra honorific I am no commander, or lord. The older man says rising from his bow. "Amuro will be fine among ourselves. I am glad you came. I haven't spoken with you yet and what better time to do so than gauging potential strengths and weaknesses of where we are?"

[Matsu Iori]

"You honor me Amuro-san. Please call me Iori then. It... has taken me some time to get acquainted to my new duty as an Imperial Legionnaire, I must say, I have never served on a ship before. Or in gaijin lands."

He gives a short bow towards Amuro to signal his respect, then looks around at the surrounding battlements. "Strength and weaknesses, as you say Amuro-san. Did you find anything in particular yet? It is my first day off the Half Moon, so please excuse me lack of knowledge of the surroundings."

[Akodo Amuro]

It is mine as well. I think we can safely say that this is strange land for us both. Amuro replies. This is also my first deployment upon a ship. I had a mind to stay on it when we docked, but thought perhaps it best to get the lay of our surroundings.

[Matsu Iori]

"Yes, it is tempting to stay on the ship, but as warriors, we must do what our Duty requires. How has your experience been so far on the Half Moon Amuro-san,"

[Akodo Amuro]

Quiet. he says. Though I must say it is not that I do not, disapprove of such. And yourself?

[Matsu Iori]

"Quiet as well. It takes some time to get used to the nature of duty on a ship. Before here I was a simple bushi in an army, garrisoned when needed, and sent out to march and battle when required. Although my basic responsibilities are similar, it is still... a ship." At a loss for words, Iori flashes a small smile, hoping to convey the confusion and strangeness that is serving on a rolling, bobbing, wooden monstrosity.

[elonweis]

There was a brief respite from the weather as the Lions arrived upon the wall before the sky opened up again. Still, regardless of the wind and rain, the guards were still on duty and vigilant... just far less enthusiastic about it all.

[Akodo Jishaku]

As the others speak Cub takes a closer look at the fortifications, working out what sort of forces would be required to take the City, and what it would need to hold out.

"Quiet as well. It takes some time to get used to the nature of duty on a ship. Before here I was a simple bushi in an army, garrisoned when needed, and sent out to march and battle when required. Although my basic responsibilities are similar, it is still... a ship." At a loss for words, Iori flashes a small smile, hoping to convey the confusion and strangeness that is serving on a rolling, bobbing, wooden monstrosity.

"Yes, marvellous isnt it Iori-san?" Jishaku looked happier back on the ship. There was a darkness to the Cub's mood today, though perhaps that was just the storm. Despite the impending violence it all felt so...still.

[elonweis]

The Outer Walls were newer than the inner walls, rising dark against the sky. It looks strong enough to hold out against a conventional siege. From this distance, one could see large covered cauldrons closer to the outside edge of the wall. What they held was a mystery, but any familiar with siege warfare could and would likely surmise that they held pitch or oil. The passages through the thick stone had gates on either end, weak points in the defenses, but if one stepped in to examine it they would notice murder holes.

If nothing else, these barbarians did know enough of warfare to be somewhat prepared.

[Akodo Amuro]

Amuro kept his eyes open as they walked even in the downpour he looked out over the fields, troops present, and their armaments as well as tried to gauge a general sense of morale and strong points.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Jishaku moves over to Amuro and stands at his side as the older Lion looks out over the defences. "Looks fairly well appointed to me Amuro-san. Depends on whether the soldiers have the stomach and training to weather a siege I suppose." He looks out at the gathering storm and nods. "It's going to get worse before it gets better I'd say."

[elonweis]

The men seemed grim but determined though the weather seems to bother them. Not so much because it was awful, but because it wasn't supposed to be. The fields beyond the wall were impossible to see through the sheets of driving rain.

[Akodo Amuro]

Amuro nods to his companion. Yes. I suppose that is so.