She's a Witch

[Ace Trainer]

The boy stood with his arms crossed, looking at the village that had broken the horizon. The Land of Stars was covered in peaks and valleys, and this village sat in the center of a valley, clearly formed by some sort of cosmic event. Given the history of Land of Stars, he imagined a meteorite, but it wasn't his concern to speculate. The small boy Kesu floated just a few feet behind him and to the left, his blonde hair neatly arranged, his hands tucked away into his pockets. Behind him a small squadron of about 20 samurai stood in their rank and file, ready to take orders.

The information Kesu had received had been relatively clear, and Shio had decided this would be the first item they would address. Allegedly, a girl who was quite attuned to the natural flows of energy that these people used for their magick, as they called it, was the center of controversy in this village. While many of the people of this village wished to protect her, there were some within it, and many outsiders, who saw her as cursed and vile. They wanted her head on a stake, and it seemed they were slowly leaning to get their way. Shio's presence, however, was sure to change that. He took a few steps forward, looking at the village once more. "Are you ready?", he asked. The question seemed directed at no one, but Kesu nodded and the samurai would stamp their feet in unison, apparently indicating they were.

"Lets not jump immediately on the offensive, I'd like to meet the people protecting this girl.", he offered. His choice of words seemed to imply that going on the offensive was inevitable, it was just a matter of when.

[Das Kirb]

The quiet township stirred uneasily. Along the outer edge there was a gathering of people that appeared to be hold up inside a building once used for storage of some kind. The rectangular design lacked any comforts or niceties. However, some of the windows had long since been boarded up. Through the walls light could be seen coming forth as if from a small fire. Outside was a few men milled about, their heads on a swivel. The carried various farming tools while one seemed to be actually armed with a well made sword and bow, already strung and hung over his shoulder.

The rest of the town went about their business except for one house that could be seen almost dead center. It had a high fence and a gate that looked both imposing and inviting. The iron bar posts had been brought to a decorative spike every few feet. Behind the grounds were immaculately well maintained and the building itself more a mansion than anything that belong in such a small place. Guards could be seen posts at every entrance wielding spears and bows, clad in well made scale armors befitting a samurai. Attached to each hip was the symbol of their station, a masterfully made pair of swords. Despite this appearing to be a mayoral house or some official's personal estate, it appeared none dared come near this residence besides the select few who were clearly being patted down for weapons before being allow passage.

[Ace Trainer]

Kesu and Shio looked out over the village for a moment longer, before Shio added another comment, "Kesu, take two of them and go talk to the group at the outside. They're almost surely the ones that want this witch girl dead.", he posited. Kesu nodded without a word and signaled to two samurai who would step off and follow the boy as he floated down the cliffside. Shio hesitated for only a moment more than signaled to two more samurai, "The rest of you wait."

---

Kesu would reach the small shack in no time. The young 12 year old boy placing his hands in his pockets as his feet gently met with the ground. If these people were trying to behead a girl for being a witch, letting them see he could float would likely not be the best course of action. The two samurai looked at each other for only a moment, likely realizing they had never seen Kesu actually walk before. As he approached, he'd smile nicely at the man in front of the shack, his focus on the only man that looked truly prepared for what they sought to do, "You're here to kill that girl?", he asked rather flatly. His polite tone making the question seem far more innocent than it was, "We've heard about her, and the things she can do. How could something like this come to be? She seems dangerous.", how forward of him.

---

Shio, on the other hand, walked with his two followers, slipping into the village and meandering about it. He didn't seem to intend to go directly to the practical fortress in the center of the small village, but instead was looking around. He'd peer into conversations he was close enough to, then continue walking. "They don't seem like the types to murder a child do they?", Shio asked quietly to the two samurai following him.

"Sir?", one would ask, clearly confused. They had never heard Shio speak so casually before. The boy, despite his youth, had been incredibly regal in his time since taking the title of Taishou, always exuding energy of someone fit to wear the title. He was always "on", so they didn't seem to expect him to make such a nonchalant comment to them, "No...no they don't.", he'd finally say.

Shio nodded, "Strong children do that. The make people fear the status quo. These people see this type of magic every day in their lives but because this girl is so naturally attuned to it, they fear her. Its quite the thing. Thats why I like our country, when I arrived it seemed to simply be accepted that power comes in many forms. Much like where I was raised.", he pondered. "Well. Lets get to this.", at this point he'd pick up his stride, and head off towards the center. When he arrived, he'd simply cross his arms and stare at the guards. Silent. His two escorts standing just as silently behind him.

[Das Kirb]

Kesu would see a man who had clearly gone at least a couple nights without meaningful sleep. His sunken in eyes lazily glanced over at this kid and his escort. A moment of confusion came over his face as he peered at the newcomers, wondering why a child would have such a detail with him. After a moment a resolution came and he slumped back in his chair before rising to bow dutifully. "Forgive my impertinence, young master. Exhaustion has robbed me of my mind and it took me too long to recognize I was in the presence of a noble. Though I admit to not knowing which noble. It is good you have come though. The girl is indeed wanted dead by the people. Perhaps you in your majesty could diffuse the situation and speak heaven's wisdom to them. Her deeds are not worthy of death and it is but base fear they respond with." The well armed man notices what is happening and turns his gaze to these people. A scowl comes across his face for the briefest of moments before he turns and retreats into the building.

---

As Shio would approach the estate he'd find the road was well traveled and packed, the sides maintained with diligence and care. A little further he'd witness two men who'd each train their weapons at the ready, one a naginata and the other a spear. Inside a building beside an overly large gate a woman clad in more layers of steel protection than the heaviest shock trooper samurai would poke her head out and look at the kid with his guard. Seeming more agitated than anything she'd slide a heavy steel helm on and retrieve a comically large studded club before positioning herself to stand vigil in the middle of the road. With a couple fingers she signaled for other people to string their bows and have arrows trained just in case. "If you've come for the girl's head return to your homes. The lord has issued edict she is not to be touched until the Dymio weighs in on the matter of her crimes. She is held and you are safe from any of her witchcraft. So in short, unless you're from the Dymio, piss off you superstitious pricks."

[Ace Trainer]

Despite the distance between them, the two young boys would have the same thought at virtually the same time;

'We've got these two mixed up.'
'We've got these two mixed up'

Kesu understood Shio's expectation, that he'd been sent here because these were the people that wanted to kill the girl they were after. This wasn't the case, however, it appeared these were actually the individuals intent on protecting her. He looked visibly frustrated with this revelation, Shio would have wanted to interact with the people intent on protecting her. But, they were here now, and they'd have to improvise. Frowning, he nodded, "Indeed it is our intent to try and diffuse this. We're hoping to take her to safety. We're told she's 8, and she's able to conjure spirits. Is there truth to this?", he asked. Shio would want information, if Kesu could ascertain that then at least this wouldn't be a complete mistake.

Without allowing the man to respond, Kesu's eye peered around the small area they were in, thinking about how much of the village he'd seen beyond this, "If it comes to a fight you're hardly prepared to save this girl. Are you all willing to put your lives on the line for her? Why?", what had she done to have such a grip on these people's hearts? Or was it purely empathy? Kesu had seen so little of it in his life it was hard to believe.

---

Shio, likewise, was a little caught off guard; his demeanor wouldn't betray this though and he would cock his left eyebrow up, glancing over to the two samurai that flanked him as his escorts. Holding out a hand, one would remove a small pack from their waist and pull something out of it, handing it to Shio. Shio would take the cap that had been revealed and place it on his head, adorning the traditional cap of the daimyo now. "You're speaking with the Taishou of Iron Country.", his voice firm now, anger palpable. Scary how quickly he'd become intense.

Holding out his other hand, the samurai would brandish a sword and extend it to Shio who would take it, and point it directly at the guard, "I wasn't there for it, but I was told the last time an Iron Country Taishou felt insulted, he removed the heads of an entire family, and word is he has more patience than me. Tell me, does your family live in this pathetic village with you? Or would you like to rethink your words?", he practically snarled. The two samurai glanced at each other, then back at their Taishou. They had yet to see such anger from the young lord.

"I'm here to resolve this issue for your Daimyo. Perhaps you should move quick to inform your lord that a Daimyo with very little regard for you life or his is here and would like to meet the young woman, before I decide to tell him myself and remove your usefulness.", this was not a request. The woman, samurai, guard, or whatever she was had a decision to make her. Was it truly in her best interest to pick this fight?

[Das Kirb]

The haggard man looked up from his bow and attempted to catch the young master's eye. He forced as much will as his tired body and mind could muster to emphasize his words. "I have already sacrificed my reputation and my family to these people. They wish for her head out of petty superstition and her crimes are no more than any practitioner of the arts may incur when perfecting their craft. I do not know the depths of her sin but I know none were injured gravely and her communion with the honored dead is hardly a crime worthy of death. Heaven's voice surely agrees with the word of justice." As he spoke there came more noise from inside. It sounded like heavy metal being dropped against wood and a small army being geared up. Muffled voices could be heard coming from inside but their words indistinct.

---

The guard captain regarded the threats with a cool head. Two fingers were raised and bow strings could be heard drawing from behind arrow slits in the walls. The two men flanking her held their ground though one appeared visibly nervous. His grip laxed slightly before reclenching upon looking at his officer. "Some hat hardly makes you a lord. We'll see why my lord has to say. With luck, your threats will ring true. Otherwise, you'll be another corpse buried like the rest." Without another word she signaled for the nervous one to retreat back into the walls and fetch the lord of the manner. She did not budge from her spot and merely stared down Shio and his group.

It was only a minute before a portly man dressed in fine silks made his way to the gates. He looked out and saw Shio, a look of wide eyed shock and surprise spreading across his face. "Saku you dense brained idiot that's Shio! The new lord of Iron and you make open threats!?!" With the repromand the armor clad woman turned and saw her lord, taking a knee. "I suspected him one of the rabble. I did what you commanded my lord." More sputtering came from the large man. "Well do as I command now and drop your weapons. Open these gates and let him in. If we're to have any luck figuring out what to do with her before letting her damn head be removed he would be our best chance." "Yes, my lord." With that the various weapons all began to hang slack as arrows were unknocked and others relaxed. The large steel gate opened and the guard captain stepped aside, now removing her helmet to glare once more at Shio and company. "You may enter. I give fair warning to be on your best."

[Ace Trainer]

Kesu nodded in understanding as the man spoke, she was just a girl who might be a little in over her head. Or at least so he thought. Kesu had heard a little from the reports and had anticipated her being in over her head was more an expression of great power than it was of a great power. The distinction there was important. "I'm here with my lord, the Taishou of Iron Country -

---

Shio's nostril flared at the response, and he gripped the sword tighter, killing intent radiating from his body. The two samurai directly to his flank would drop their hands down to their weapons, expecting that the Taishou was about to attack. Surely the guards directly in front of them felt the sudden monstrous ferocity echoing off of Shio's body. It was enough that even Kesu on the outskirts of the village could sense it, even if perhaps the less attuned folk around him could not. As he was gestured in, Shio would place the blade away, calming his intent. "Stay with her.", he instris ucted one of his guards as he turned to follow the lord that had come out for them.

Not a good sign.

---

Kesu let the shudder pass through him. It seemed Shio was making some form of progress, whether that was good or bad was hard to tell. "Well. I've been instructed to come and prepare you all. The girl is going to be relieved from her prison. Either through choice of her captors...or by force. If its the latter, we'd like you to be more well equipt.", he said with a soft smile. Gesturing to the entourage that had accompanied him, they began unloading the packs on ther back, revealing a number of well-taken-after weapons, shields, and leather armors. This was the lighter armors for weaker samurai in Iron, but would surely be better than anything the men here had.

"I trust you've prepared for this eventuality?", Kesu inquired.

---

Shio followed in, "I'd like to see the girl.", he insisted. "If I'm honest, I'd simply like her to be relieved from her chains and left over to me if it could be that simple, but I have a feeling you're not going to make it so.", he was sure even the lord before him would have felt the killing intent, regardless of how portly and oblivious he could be. Shio partially hoped he'd simply be able to strong arm his way through this with his authority, and get what he wanted with little fight. But he had a feeling he might be laying waste to the village in only a matter of minutes if the conversation didn't go right.

"She's cursed, yes? Let me take her and I'll manage the curse.", he demanded. In Kishakisei, Shio had been given the virtue Charity, but perhaps Patience would have been a better fit for him.

SpoilerShow

Killing Intent
D-rank Taijutsu Discipline
[Perception]
Shio is able to amplify his killing intent to [Will Power] meters, making everyone in the area aware of his vicious nature.

[Das Kirb]

This man glanced nervously to the building behind him. He heard them gearing up and knew what an angry mob could accomplish and it was nothing but bloodshed. And now with this young master dropping more and better equipment his heart turned cold. "Yes, young master. I have prepared for this eventuality but hoped it would never come. I hoped there was a diplomatic solution to this as these men and women are just scared. Perhaps, if you could speak with them and your lord and promise to take the girl far away their nerves may be calmed. But if I must, I will fight with you. I have some training and served with the Mercenary King for a time. I am well past my prime, but I can help." His eyes somehow grew even more heavy, now that he knew a true warrior was among them as well. Accepting the possible fate, he reached down and began to don some of the armor and claimed a weapon.

---

The guard captain simply scoffed at the display and as the samurai was told to remain with her. She pulled out a chair and offered it to him before grabbing a large pipe and lighting it up. On the inside the rotund man, still wincing from the display before, nervously spoke. "My lord, I would want nothing more than the girl be spared. I would willingly hand her to you and wish her fate be peaceful from here. I don't share the people's superstition and hatred for the arts. However, they have deemed her worthy of death and arm themselves against me. I'd rather it not come to bloodshed as what is a lord without subjects?"

[Ace Trainer]

Kesu nodded understandingly, "If I understand the Taishou's intent, you and your men will be little more than a show of force. That will hopefully be ample enough to establish means for him to take the girl and leave without conflict. But, these things don't always go as planned as I'm sure you understand.", Kesu gave a sorrowful look. It was probably for the best that he'd ended up here and Shio the other way. Kesu would surely be more sympathetic in this situation than Shio would have been.

If Kesu understood right, the people of Star Country utilized blood as a medium to manipulate a form of energy that tampered with spirits and connected people. It was essentially blood based fuuinjutsu and tenkujutsu. Shio was not well read on the country, Kesu was, so he had to filter the lessons he had received from the Taishou on chakra and energy through the information he found on Star, and align it. Basically, when blood was spilled these people released Physical Energy as well, leaving a higher quantity of spiritual energy in the blood, allowing them to manipulate spirits. Likewise, the high density of spiritual energy in the blood made it easier to connect the person who made the blood with others, allowing the blood to be a medium for jutsu similar to fuuin. If this girl was especially talented at something like this, she would be invaluable to the organization, and the country as a whole. Shio needed to recruit her.

"If you can be prepared on the ridge, that would be appreciated.", Kesu would finally offer. It seemed time was limited.

---

Shio would follow, "Just show her to me.", he would demand.

He'd leave silence between them for a brief moment as he trailed behind the lord, before finally speaking again, this time his patience clearly gone. "I have little interest in waging a war against your scrabble of a village, let alone the country as a whole. This girl is cursed? So be it. Then the curse can wash over this entire village and clear the lives out of all of you. You have a very simple choice in front of you. You can give me the girl, or I will relieve you of her and your head. If you give her to me, perhaps you can convince those out there to be kinder than me.", his hand tightened around the sword he'd retained possession of.

"And I'd like that guard out there to be relinquished to my entourage as well.", he demanded.

[Das Kirb]

The man, with armor now seeming to weigh him down more, stood and went inside. There were hushed whispers that came from behind the closed doors before he came forward once more. "My lord, they have heard what we have been discussing and they're unhappy with the girl being spared her life. They wish her dead for her sin. However, I explained the order is coming from the mouth of heaven and they agree to lay down arms upon her to have her curse removed from their hearts. I'll take them into the hills and we'll be ready upon your command." With that he left and opened the door. Out filed two dozen men armed with old armors and bows. At their side was a Katana, obviously kept in pristine condition. They filed out, each one glancing at Kesu. Some came and claimed weapons or pieces of armor, but none dared make a sound.

---

The rotund man winced once again at Shio's threats and this time visibly took a step back, throwing his hands up before his face as if to ward off a blow to end him. However, the final command caused the man to go wide eyes and summon one of the servants that wandered nearby. Hastily he whispered in the man's ear as the serf ran off at great haste. It wasn't but a minute of silence that passed before he returned with a girl dressed in rags, her frame clearly suffering from malnourished and her gate weak and uncoordinated. However, she looked up with pursed lips and a fire in her eye that promised hatred and disgust. Despite the weakness in her body she attempted to right herself and stand up, balling a fist and glaring at the two lords, as if to dare them to make a move. "My lord forgive me my insolence in questioning your wisdom. Please, take her far away from here and spare my people and lands. We mean no harm and do not wish any blood spilled, least of all hers. But please, I beg of you in your mercy, leave me my guard captain. Her skills have served my family well for many lunar cycles."

[Ace Trainer]

Kesu watched with a determined nod, simple enough. He had little more to say, and could only hope that these men wouldn't actually need to fight over the matter.

Shio, on the other hand, was not as content with the events playing out in front of him. When the girl was presented, the already visibly unhappy Taishou transition from discontent into a very clear rage. He would ignore what the daimyo was saying, approaching the girl and kneeling in front of her. Shio was hardly tall, 5'6" and unlikely to grow much beyond that. But in front of this decrepit young child he looked quite large and wanted to be as unimposing as possible. Holding his hands out for her, she'd place one in his and they'd simply make eye contact for a moment. Giving her a sharp nod, he'd stand back up, gesturing towards one of the samurai who would approach her and share quick quiet exchanges before sweeping her up in one of his arms.

The sword in Shio's hand would move through the air swiftly and silently, stopping directly in front of the mayor's neck, "If you wished no harm or blood spilled, 'least of all hers', he mocked, "You'd have ordered your people down and made a decision for her safety prior to the state she has came in. The request for your guard was a courteous demand, not an option for you to pick.", he said with his teeth still tight, "If its any relief, she will be treated better than you have treated this young girl.".

He began walking back from where they had came, dropping the sword from the mayor's neck and turning his back to them, "You'll escort us out, relieve that guard to my entourage, and we will be on our way. And I will send a delightful report to your daimyo of how graciously you handled this meeting.", he explained. It seemed there was no choice.

[Das Kirb]

The portly man immediately cowed tripping over himself as he attempted to back up and put distance between himself and Shio. With panic clearly in his eyes he called over the same servant and immediately sent him to fetch the guard Captain. Apologizing profusely and groveling on the floor his knees and face touching the tile, he waited for the guard Captain to return only a few minutes later. "you no longer work for my family you are now directly employed by the Lord of iron. I am sorry but you do not have a choice in this matter." panic and desperation was clear in his voice as he continued to grovel and whimper on the floor. The guard Captain simply looked at him in a very wide grin spread across her face as she lifted her heavy club and placed it on her shoulder. "Well hell, it's about fucking time. So what are your orders boss?"

[Ace Trainer]

As the guard approach, Shio looked back at the small girl that was now in the samurai's arm. He felt a distinct anger in him, the same anger he had felt when he had slaughtered Kesu's village. He felt strong opinions about the way children like Kesu and this girl were treated, and the fact that people so powerless as these were the one to execute such harm. He thought of the children out in the world he wouldn't get to, born with magnificent gift and abused by the people around them because they were weak and small.

The guard seemed excited to join his entourage, but Shio had little interest in her service. Her willingness to be complacent in the treatment of the girl was unacceptable to Shio. Shio would walk slowly, circling around the large women as if he was inspecting her. When he was directly behind her, he would move quickly, slamming his knee into the back of her legs then immediately placing a hand on the nape of her neck, squeezing down on it with an immense amount of strength, "Don't even think about moving.", he would order as he forced her to her knees. The samurai holding the girl would bring her even closer to his chest, being careful to protect her from anyone else in the room. The other samurai that had accompanied them would immediately draw his sword.

"I was going to kill your lord in front of you.", he said rather coldly, "I expected you to be more loyal to him based on the way you disrespected me before I entered. Perhaps you don't care for his life though...", he would nod towards the samurai not holding the girl and he would move forward, slamming his sword through the mayor's right pectoral, quickly pulling it out and slamming his foot into the man's gut to pin him to the ground. He'd keep his sword extended, encouraging the man's guard to hold fast for a moment. "Disrespecting me was a mistake. But it was an even bigger mistake to disrespect me when you knew the state of this girl.", Shio whispered to the woman on her knees.

He would pinch harder, a loud cracking sound reverberating through the room and a painful moan from the woman, "That was your clavicle.", he informed her. Next he would quickly slam his foot into her right calf, another crack, another moan, "Your tibia and fibula.", he added. "In Iron, honor is quite important. Being a samurai, you have honor. The state she was in? No honor is here. I grew up in the honor-less lands of Kirigakure. I know how to act with no honor.". The mayor on the floor was gasping for her, his pleural membrane punctured, he was developing pneumothorax. He'd slam his foot on her other leg, then shift his heel forward, cracking her tib-fib and then tearing her ACL. He'd slam her body forward, her face striking the floor. Taking a step over her as she groaned in the pooling blood, he'd pull the sword out, slicing it through the neck of one guard and throwing his fist out to launch back the other guard who attempted an attack in this moment. He'd approach the mayor, kneeling next to him, and placing his palm on the man's ear, "If your guard had been more loyal, I would have torn your limbs from you in front of her. But, she doesn't seem to care for your fate so count yourself lucky, it means your death will be quick. But I want you to know, every guard in this village, I'm going to personally kill. Everyone under your employ. Their heads are going to be hung from this building. And everyone in this village will blame my arrival on the curse of this girl. They will say she did it, and that she brought death. But I want you to understand it was you. You brought death to this village, you brought death to your men, and you will forever be why this village is thought to be cursed.", he spoke slowly and purposefully, keeping his words between the haggard and labored breaths of the mayor.

Finally, he would press, and continue to press, until the man's skull would crack and break under Shio's palm.

Turning to the samurai who had been keeping the mayor in place, Shio would gesture towards the woman on the ground, "She's hardly in a state to resist but disarm her, bring her outside, and sit her across the road to face the building. I want her to see every head of every comrade she abandoned hanging before she passes.", he growled. He'd run the tip of the blade through the pool of blood that had formed from her clearly shattered jaw. "Take the girl to Kesu and rejoin the squadron. I will take care of this village.". He would pause once more, looking at the child in the arms of the samurai. She had been watching the entire time, a fierce look on her face, seemingly placated by the justice that Shio was serving on behalf of her.

"You are safe now.", he would tell her.

---

Kesu stood at the top of the ridge, watching over the village below them. The sun was setting behind them, the small girl still in the samurai's arms, her eyes locked on the village all the same. Kesu had been met by the samurai and given Shio's instruction and followed it, telling the men he had met with to disengage. On behalf of the Taishou he would assure them safety fro, the Taishou should they lay down their weapons, and then assured them that Iron would offer them support and a monetary reward for their willingness to defend the girl. He would remain in silence, waiting for his Taishou to return. To a degree, Kesu felt a bit of relief from this, knowing that Shio had the same fire within him that had been there when Kesu himself had been saved. It took him back to the days he had been abused, and the security and relief he felt when Shio had saved him. He would wait for Shio here, and anywhere. Occasionally, there would be the loud sound of a sword clashing, or something crashing which was clearly the consequence of the Taishou's actions. A shrill scream, angry yells through the air.

Eventually, the sun would finish setting, a variety of pinks and purples fading away to deep dark blue. The stars would shine above them, and Kesu would turn to the squadron, instructing them to begin their return. "The Taishou will join us soon.", he said. He would look at the girl and give her a smile, and the group would begin its trek back to Sanrou.

---

Shio sat on the ground next to the slumped body of the guard that had been relinquished to him, 'I told your lord you would be treated better than the girl we relieved from your village.", he said, the sword still in his hand. "I will stay true to that promise. But, I simply assumed you, a great and mighty warrior, would have more endurance than a helpless child.", he slapped a hand on her shoulder, shifting her broken clavicle, a pained gasp escaping her shattered jaw. "I'm going to leave you here. Should you die, you'll join your brothers and sisters in arms.", he would gesture towards the heads hanging from cloth off the side of the building the woman had been guarding hours earlier. "And if you live. You will tell everyone the Taishou of Iron Country liberated your village from the curse placed on you all by your mayor."

The boy would stand, brushing off his pants, and dropping the sword that was in his hand, a heavy clang against the ground.

His work here was done.