Dark Edge Village

"Hya!"

Chi-Pu stands up in her saddle, leaning forward as Tianma takes off into a trot, dust clouds kicking up behind her

"You're getting slow, girl"

The woman smiles as the wind blows through her hair and ruffles her riding outfit. As the rider and steed approach a log, Chi-Pu shouts again.

"Hya!"

Tianma huffs and leaps over the log, never missing a step and maintains a break neck trott.

The Moto whistles as she guides her mount, Oguro with her legs. She is dressed in armor for battle but otherwise was content to allow her steed to guide the way, this was his time to stretch his legs. He shook his long beautiful black hair, a horse made of midnight with a shocking white patch around the left eye.

She shouts to her kin, “Is the field large enough for you share, Otaku-sama?”

Hearing the noise, Chi-Pu uses her legs and reigns to command Tianma. The steed responds lightning quick and in less than a moment the woman and her horse completed a 180 degree turn to face the Moto, swiftly picking back up speed.

"Certainly, Moto-san! Shall we maneuver together?"

“Lead on Otaku-sama,” she says warmly.

"Oguro needs the exercise."

The Otaku and her steed continue to race towards the Moto without slowing. She loops around again until the two match speed and direction, riding slightly in front of her and off to one side.

She draws her blade and uses it as an extension of her arm, a signal to point each turn ahead of time, leading the two and their horses over logs to jump as well as patches of mud or otherwise uneven terrain, all used to assist in training the mounts to get used to all combat situations.

"Did you sleep well?"

The woman shouts over the whistling of wind.

“The sky was quiet, much too afraid to make a sound when the land thundered with our steeds,” she says in a loud reply.

“Did you find rest?” she shouts back.

Chi-Pu leads the two over a large stack of fallen logs, easily the height of a man. As her steed jumps, the woman responds

"Aye, it was peaceful. Almost as if the world is waiting with a held breath to see what the Unicorn came for!"

“We came home! By the state of things we are much needed!” she shouts and then gives a shrill ululation.

Chi-Pu lets out a warcry of her own, though much more Rokugani in tradition.

Tianma whinnys in response and seems to pick up a little more speed.

"Things here seem better at least than the Shadow we rode through!"

“That accursed place took so many… may they know peace at the side of our ancestors,” she says loudly.

“I will feel better when I can put that place fully out of my thoughts.”

"Agreed! Though, I do wonder what new enemies we will face here."

She smiles brightly

"I look forward to having them taste Unicorn hoof and steel"

“Look around nikutai, we are surrounded by enemies, all these silk slick samurai with their fancy words and coveting eyes,” she laughs.

“We have no shortage of enemies.”

Chi-Pu lets our a growl and swings her sword

"Fancy words and coveting eyes will do little to harm us, Moto-san. Not while I help lead my sisters at least."

She growls a little and swings again as Tianma turns a corner

"I would like to think there are those here who actually want us, not just for some political game. Though perhaps they are testing us much like your ancestors did."

“You seek the good, I prepare for the bad,” she replies.

"You would mistake yourself to think I am not prepared. After all, I am a Nikutai of the Shiotome. I must be ready at all times to lead my sisters against any foe."

She swings again, this time across her body and the opposite side her blade is held.

"I escorted one from the Lion clan here along with one of the Otaku heirs. The Lion seem a militant clan and quite capable. Have you learned anything as of yet?"