Swords Crossed: Chapter 1: The Journey of a Thousand Miles ( closed, and started)

The Funslinger

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Sep 12, 2010
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After a while, Emmett stopped whistling, and smiled to himself as Reiko attempted to imitate it. She was interrupted however, by a voice. Someone vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place him.

"Excuse me and good day to you both; I am an official in need of an escort to Namako, with it being besieged and all and with how dangerous the roads are these days. I have have you have recruited some individuals of a martial nature and are travelling to Namako. I sincerely request permission to travel with you and in return, I can provide you with my services."

Emmett stroked his moustache thoughtfully. "And what services would those be?" While he waited for the man's answer, he carried on walking, heading into the stables, where a horse drawn cart painted in a flaking red was contained. Moving to a couple of the stalls, he led out his two horses, and began attaching them to the cart. Then he walked around to the cart's back and moved some of the thickly piled hay to reveal his bags. All of them were still there, and were undisturbed, so he piled the hay back on top, concealing them once more.
 

NinjaDeathSlap

Leaf on the wind
Feb 20, 2011
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"Where do you two travel from?"

"A long way away, friend." Bashir replied, plainly not interested in delving into his cultural heritage. Unless Emmett Smythe still knew something the rest of them didn't, then about half their party would most likely be dead by the time they got to Namako. Bashir didn't intend to be one of them, and neither was he going to waste time making friends with people on the fist day who could be in the ground on the second. Still, he took the opportunity to glance back at their tail, sizing the man up. Guy looked to be some kind of monk or something (Bashir hadn't exactly been paying much attention to the local customs, except where drinking and cunts were involved). Although, he'd heard that some of the Holy Men in this part of the world could be pretty deadly in their own right. They never attacked first though, apparently, which seemed stupid to Bashir. You know a man wants to stick you, you stick him first. You don't wait for the knife to come out. In the end, nobody remembers who started the fight, only who was still standing at the end of it.

He decided that he's let the man tag along for now. Time would tell if he would be of some use, or would only be a dead weight.

As they headed in the direction of the stables nearest to the North Gate, Bashir addressed his other companion.

"I could give a Sow's left tit what the bandits think! I'm not fucking walking all the way to Namako."
 

Terratina.

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May 24, 2012
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"And what services would those be?"

So, he would have to sell himself? Naisho was pretty amused by that, but explaining things to foreigners was tiresome. The man could just assume, after all. Then again, did the European want a concise list of what the official could do? Well, it was just a simple request... Naisho cursed himself, he was getting impatient and impatience usually led to sloppiness. More of a smile flicked on his face and was covered by a neutral mask; as long as Smythe was being cooperative, there was no reason to frown. If the man wanted to know what he could do, the official would gladly tell him. Hence, Naisho did.

"Unfortunately, my post only grants me power over cereal storehouses. Nevertheless, my services include accounting, letter-writing book-keeping and all manner of paperwork. I can lend my assistance in bureaucratic matters and am willing to perform unskilled manual labour. Make no mistake, I will earn my keep; if you allow me to join you on your travels."
 

The Funslinger

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Sep 12, 2010
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"Unfortunately, my post only grants me power over cereal storehouses. Nevertheless, my services include accounting, letter-writing book-keeping and all manner of paperwork. I can lend my assistance in bureaucratic matters and am willing to perform unskilled manual labour. Make no mistake, I will earn my keep; if you allow me to join you on your travels."

Well, Emmett had asked for more people to make the group less conspicuous. "You make a decent enough case, I suppose. We'll be leaving by the North Gate in around twenty minutes. Make your own way there, or ride in my cart. Either way." Climbing up and taking the reigns, he pulled Reiko up next to him by the hand, and waited for the man's decision.

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"I could give a Sow's left tit what the bandits think! I'm not fucking walking all the way to Namako."

"And yet you don't have a horse," replied Mujo mildly. "I suppose one will turn up. Personally, I've walked nearly everywhere I've been. I quite like it."
 

roushutsu

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Mar 14, 2012
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"I have no belongings other than what's in here, so if you need to alight anywhere else to collect your possessions then I will gladly accompany you."

Emilio thought back to his studio. He could get by with the paper he was already carrying, and maybe he could scrounge up some wood while on the road. But he would need his paints and tools.

"I appreciate it, signore. I will need to gather my paints. My studio's not far from here," he said, pointing the way.
 

NinjaDeathSlap

Leaf on the wind
Feb 20, 2011
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"Excellent." Nathan exclaimed, holding the door open and motioning his companion through "Lead the way."

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"I suppose one will turn up. Personally, I've walked nearly everywhere I've been. I quite like it."

"Where's your enterprising spirit?" Bashir joked, as the reached the stables. A big, black stallion caught Bashir's eye, looking like it would suit him just fine. The horse whinnied and stamped at the approach of the three strangers, but Bashir quickly dove in, stroking its nose and mane to calm it down before it made any more noise. Untying the beast, Bashir vaulted onto its back with ease.

"See? Couldn't be easier, and there's plenty more where this bastard came from." he said, geasturing towards the row of pens.
 

The Funslinger

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Sep 12, 2010
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"See? Couldn't be easier, and there's plenty more where this bastard came from."

Mujo shrugged and approached a lithe grey stallion, mounting it quickly. Pulling the swords from his back, he hung them behind the stirrups, on either side. "Well, I suppose we've no excuse not to be quick now," he said, and dug in his heels. The grey started quickly towards the mouth of the stables, without making a sound. He'd expected as much. He picked steeds based on two things: speed, which this one looked to have, and quietness. Its mild demeanor hadn't proved false.
 

Terratina.

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May 24, 2012
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"You make a decent enough case, I suppose. We'll be leaving by the North Gate in around twenty minutes. Make your own way there, or ride in my cart. Either way."

Naisho allowed himself a genuine smile; there was no reason for worry, the first step had gone off without a hitch. However, the smile quickly faded back into a regular, faint, polite smile - the type that had been drilled into the official ever since he had become one. Also known as the pleased look presented to all foreigners, or other clients, the look that masked true intentions and was friendly yet somewhat suspicious. Nevertheless, his words were as cordial as ever, "I will take you on that offer of a ride, Mr. Smythe."

As Naisho clambered up and took a seat, he slight bowed his head and said, "Thank you."