Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

"Someone must be selling crickets, by the kami I have better things to do then go hunting for a bug."

Having arrived in the middle of the night Daidoji Hayabe had quietly set up his tent where permitted then waited for daylight. As soon as the village began to stir he may he way into it's heart looking for shops to fulfill his short but important list of needs. He chews on a bamboo shoot as he glances around in the early morning light.

A few doors down the street, Doji Hametsu emerged from a shop leading a pair of heimin weighed down with what appeared to be about 15 throw pillows. Looking left and right down the street, Hametsu gave a bow of acknowledgment to Hayabe before turning to the heimin.

"Take these back to Daidoji-sama's tent. You'll find proper placement spelled out there in a note on her desk. Don't disturb her; she has a meeting with Lord Mirumoto in a few hours' time. Understood?"

Receiving quick nods, he sent them on their way and pulled the morning's list out of his obi, taking the time to carefully cross out the last of the tasks. Having done so, he heaved a small sigh and began making his way in Hayabe's direction.

"Ohayo, Daidoji-san," he ventured. "Have you had rice?"

Hayabe bowed quickly and deeply to the other samurai.

"Yes Doji-sama, I hope the kami have as well blessed you this day. This one is Daidoji Hayabe of the Goha family, assigned to the fifth Kaisha at your service." Seeing a lack of guard by the Doji's side he drops he bundle of bought items and rests his hand on his sword. "Are you in need of assistance?"

Hametsu smiled. "Not at all, Daidoji-san, the streets of Mura Nishi Chushin are not so rough as that, at least not so early in the morning. The villains stay out late, you see, and must all be in bed by now. But I would not mind some company. I am Doji Hametsu of the Niihara family, aide to Daidoji Kumiko, Chui of the Fourth Kaisha. It is an honor to meet you."

Hayabe relaxed his posture but left his bundle on the ground.

"The honor in mine Doji-sama. I hope you are finding everything you and Daidoji Kumiko-sama are seeking here. My distain for commerce makes it difficult."

Hametsu nodded slowly. "Yes, commercial transactions can be trying, but unfortunately a Chui's tent must be a palace of tranquility so that the Legion can perform as it ought. Someone has to make it so, and it so happens that someone is me. For this reason, the other aides-de-camp and I try to get the purchases out of the way quickly in the morning so that no one is disturbed by the little necessities of life."

"But what brings you out to the streets, Daidoji-san, if not the rattle of coin?"

"Just so." He said sounding unhappy. "I was rotating off border duty and returning to my family home when I got word of my transfer here so I am less prepared than I would like to be for a march to the The Wall but I am rectifying that now. Would you happen to know the route we will be taking south?"

"I believe the general is keeping such things close until he is ready to issue marching orders, but I expect that Beiden Pass will feature in them. The route by sea is quicker, but it takes a great many ships to transport an entire legion, and most of these samurai have never experienced sea travel."

"Mm, traveling through the Pass would be ideal. I do not relish the idea of marching this army through Crane lands."

There was a lot left unsaid there but there was a nervous urgency to that hope.