Parlay With Darkness (Day 6, Late Night)

[Ide Samai]

Seriously?

"Shinjo-san, perhaps you should escort our guest back to her yurt, as her host?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"If we split up now, our expected company could show up and leave us in a precarious situation. From what I understand from the rumors Yuzuki-san can handle herself in a fight. Best we stick together for now. And If something happens to her I'll take responsibility," he offers.

[Yuzuki]

"I am Yuzuki," she said, repeating herself. "Of the Mantis. I have faced and defeated an Orochi. I fear no danger."

Eli's coming.

Aaah!

"Something's going to happen out here. I know it. Something important. Destiny has brought me here."

She did not immediately, take the offered hand. Clearly these Unicorn needed to sort out their differences first. Only after Monkhbaatar made his statement, did she take the offer and found herself hoisted up the horse.

"But seriously, someone needs to tell me what's going on."

Eli's coming.

[Moto Khulun]

"Be sure she does not knife you in the back," she says easing her blade back into the saya.

[Iuchi Saksaha]

The sound of hooves approaching at a gallop heralds the appearance of... not heralds, but Saksaha, the bright moon illuminating the beads in her hair and clothing.

She pulls up her mare once in speaking distance of the others. "Am I too late?" Her face is set in a grim expression and her normally light, husky voice has dropped half an octave with the urgency of her question.

"I bring a warning. A terrible omen."

[Moto Khulun]

She narrows her eyes and says, "I thought the Iuchi chose inaction..."

"What dark omen brought you here?"

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He gives Khulun a nod, but he's clearly not concerned. If someone riding with a Unicorn knifes them, they're sure to get thrown and trampled. And he seems to have some trust in Yuzuki... even if it's out of a simple, idealistic naivete.

The arrival of the Iuchi draws his attention, as he waits to hear what the omen is.

[Iuchi Saksaha]

"A true dream, a dream of a future. I saw armies of dead horsemen in Unicorn colors, marching from the South under an evil banner I did not know. Their armor is rotten, their bones show white, but still they ride, following a pale horseman from Hell."

"I cannot ignore such omens."

Saksaha's eyes unfocus as she recounts her dream, and her voice has the creepy resonance and conviction of prophecy, for those who believe in such things.

"This is what the one you meet seeks. The pale rider is of his kind, and if he grasps us with but one finger's tip, he will make Unicorn his dead army, marching from the lands of hell against the Empire. Of this I have no doubt."

[Moto Khulun]

"Then even more reason to show Courage, stand with us sister. You are now apart of this, willing or not," Khulun says undeterred.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"Indeed. We are all the more strengthened by the presence of one who can watch over our souls," Monkhbaatar echoes. "If this is what he seeks then let us stand as one and tell him no."

[Kiyoshi]

A lone rider gradually becomes visible to the southwest, his white hair blowing gently in the breeze. He rides a pale white horse that walks with a strange, determined gait, its flesh almost appearing to glow faintly in the moonlight.

Four spectral riders follow in his wake, their faces hidden behind long, flowing burial shrouds. Their steeds are skeletal and seem no more substantial than the riders astride them.

The Onyx Champion and his entourage stop a short distance from the Unicorn, allowing them to approach when ready.

[Iuchi Saksaha]

"I beg you not to put your pride before the honor of the clan, but to ride away now," Saksaha counters. "It is rare that Heaven sends a message so clear and so direct. There is no shame in changing course when Heaven grants such a gift. It is not courage to ignore such a warning, it is defiance of the gods."

... and then it's too late.

[Moto Khulun]

Khulun mentally goes... I want one of those.

She urges Oguro forward and stops at a respectful distance and says, "Onyx Champion, Lord Kiyoshi, you speak to Moto Khulun of the Unicorn... all have come but the Otaku. Speak your piece."

[Kiyoshi]

"I count five among your number." Kiyoshi's voice is a strong, soothing baritone, like honey to the ears. "I had been led to believe that the Unicorn only had five families."

[Moto Khulun]

"The no-name Mantis is not Unicorn," she replies nodding to Yuzuki.