Secondary Responsibilities. (Day 2 Late afternoon)

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu thinks for a moment as she performs a few more Kata.

"I was advised by the Fox clan of the Lion's aggressiveness. They seem to be at war with many. I am surprised they are still so powerful."

A frown as she thinks back on the previous evening and the mornings events.

"I have heard much of the Crab and their fight. I wish to learn more, but was told few speak about it in public, and that no Crab samurai are here. These lizards and their riders sound dangerous however. How often do they attack?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"There are crab Samurai here." He offered in a effort to be helpful. "I met a Kaiu Hiroji just last night, and if not that you may ask one of the Hare clan. They don't deal with the servants of the ninth directly, instead they hunt those that practice dark magics, but from what I understand they are closely related."

"As or the Lizard riders, if not at war, we've been in near constant skirmishes with them for three years now. Though the worst of it seems to be over at least for the moment, but something tells me they are just bidding their time and building their strength for another big attack in the near future."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"I will have to look out for them then, thank you for letting me know."

Chi-Pu continues her Kata, most series of side slashes as if she was mounted on horse. Any infantry trained bushi would be able to pick apart dozens of ground based openings in her swings.

"I am glad the Badger have the lizard riders contained. It does make me uneasy however. Should they attack, the Unicorn could not help easily as we are mostly cavalry based, and you said Badger lands are all ill suited for horseback combats. "

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Having selected a bokken Daisuke finally starts his own kata, one developed for ground combat, though it isn't all that intricate. he is after all a scout, and fighting is not normally his primary concern. "I'm not sure how much they might be able to help, but they'll certainly be more knowledgeable then I in such matters."

"Aye Badger lands are mostly mountains and foothills, and while we have some valleys they are small, so horses don't do as well there as infantry. So I figured more then anything else knowledge would be the best thing to look for."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"The scholars in the Unicorn are mainly from the Ide and Iuchi, though with the Iuchi you want to look at the Marta vassal family, as the Iuchi themselves are our priests."

Chi-Pu sheaths her katana for now and bows to the front of the Dojo again, turning to watch the Badger.

"What are the kills a scout emphasizes in your clan, Ichiro-san?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

He nodded. He would need to look into these Marta people, He didn't think he had met one yet, but he might have.

"Well for the most part, as a scout we emphasize not being detected by the enemy, So one could say the kills we emphasize are those kills necessary to complete our mission, whatever that may be at the time."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

She nods.

"With that in mind, how does one get in close to do such a thing? Our scouts are on horseback and might use a bow and then ride off. On foot one seems to be much easier to detect and catch."

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"You just make sure you aren't seen Otaku-sama, It takes some practice, but one can learn to walk without sound, and blend into shadows so you are overlooked."

"On a horse it's a bit harder to do so,though as you have to worry about concealing yourself and your mount. Or so I would imagine."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"It's not so much they are not seen, more that they get away. Also, scouts can have great birds that they ride with, and then when they get close to an enemy, they send the bird off. Bird knows what to look for and brings back information for the scout to bring back to the Unicorn."

Chi-Pu sits down on the mat and begins stretching again.

[Ichiro Daisuke]

The idea of a bird bringing back information seemed more magical then factual, birds were after all just birds. Even well trained one's couldn't do something like count or draw maps. At least as far as he knew. Still he wasn't going to deny the woman's words.

"That sounds interesting."

"Are there many scouts among the Otaku?"

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu shakes her head no.

"Some of the men might, but almost all of the women who are combat capable are a Battle Maiden. From what you said earlier, it seems like being a scout for the Badger is a rare thing as well."

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"That's true. As we mostly fight defensive battles, we aren't as needed as in some armies." Like the lion. "But we still serve a purpose, figuring out how the enemy might advance, and placing traps to slow them. things like that."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"You should certainly tame pride in your training. As you say, it is very important. Without your abilities, your armies would be blind. That is never a good thing"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

He wasn't certain what she meant by taming pride, did he need to do it? Or perhaps his clan? Was what he said boastful? In the end he merely nodded at that and tried to follow up with her other words.

"True enough." Though without scouts he wondered how the Otaku had managed in their solo journey.

"You said something about retiring your horse though? Has this already happened? Or will it soon?"

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"It will soon, and then I can have a child. Shortly after though I will be given a yearling and begin bonding again."

"Have you thought of what you want when it comes to family?"