Cover Blown - It's Time to Go

[Yamabara Shou]

Type of Quest: Delivery Mission under attack.

Quest Info: Tasked with meeting a Takeda spy in Uesugi territories in order to collect information on the Uesugi forces, the spy’s cover is blown and Uesugi troops enter the village to capture him. Yamabara now has to escape pass the Uesugi enemy, and get back home in order to bring the information to the Takeda.

Location: Village in Uesugi territories

People Involved: Yamabara Shou, Takeda spy, Uesugi soldiers

Plot-Important: Possible advantage of information to the Takeda faction in next battle vs the Uesugi.

[Takeda Shingen]

After storming into the village, from his hiding spot, Shou would be able to make out a group of three Uesugi soldiers checking the area, leaving no stone unturned. That was only one group of five though, which meant scattered throughout the village, were five groups, fifteen soldiers in total. If he wanted to make it out of the village with the Takeda spy alive, he'll have to get past them... or through them.

"Yamabara-san... What are you going to do? There are too many soldiers around. How will we get out and back to Kofu?"

The Takeda spy, Yamada Hideki would say in a stage whisper, his brows furrowed not in panic, but in worry. The information he learned was highly advantageous to Lord Takeda Shingen, but equipped with only a katana, he was sure fighting all of the soldiers would work against them.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou looked over his shoulder over to Yamada before looking back at the group he could see searching for them. It would be foolish to assume that they were the only group out looking for them. If he had thought they were Shou would have risked hitting them hard and fast before they realised what was going on. Currently the group he could see however didn't seem like they were going to find them immediately, but another he couldn't see may do so if they didn't move soon.

"Follow my lead." Shou whispered

They needed to get out of the village, his horse wouldn't be far out of town. If they could to get to it unseen it would be smooth all the way back home. However that seemed unlikely. Shou would wait until the group he could see wasn't looking in his direction, before rushing out silently dragging Yamada with him. Shou would aim for for cover behind one of the village building before literally jumping up and kicking up the wall to get above. From there he would pull Yamada up after him as quickly as he could. The high ground would be somewhere they could not only stay out of sight, but Shou could see where any other patrols he assumed they would be were so that he could try and plan a escape route. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Hideki silently nodding his head, he would follow after Shou, his hand hovering over the hilt of his katana, ready to pull it out in case they ran into trouble. The trio of soldiers nearby continuing to search, Shou would find he had a small window of opportunity to dash out and sneak past the soldiers.

Hideki dragged along behind Shou, he would make it behind cover successfully, but Hideki was almost successful. Just as the edges of his hakama whipped around the corner and behind the building, one soldier would turn around, just barely catching the bottom of the hakama disappearing from sight.

"Hey! I think I saw something! Sakamoto, you keep searching! Wada, you're with me!"

The two soldiers marching over to Shou and Hideki's hiding spot, Hideki would gesture for Shou to hurry up and get up top the building, before being pulled up after just as the soldiers reached the hiding spot. Hideki laying out flat on the roof of the building, he was holding his breath, afraid to even breathe, as the two soldiers combed the area for a few minutes, before the one that had seen Hideki's hakama would shrug his shoulders and motion for Sakamoto to follow him, as they would turn and head off. While Hideki let out a sigh of relief once the soldiers were out of earshot, from his vantage point, Shou was able to spot three out of the five groups of soldiers, though the remaining two were nowhere to be seen. It seemed they were farther out towards the entrance of the village, which meant Shou would have to move to a new vantage point to spot and find them.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou took note of the other search parties. A hand on Yamada's shoulder as they where both pressed again the roof flat. Using the roofs to get around seemed like a good idea. But in order to make progress Shou and Yamada would have to get to the roof of one of the building opposite where they were now. From over the other side of the path of the village. In direct view of one of the groups. 

He needed to create a distraction. Examining the street Shou looked the building over. Father down the street Shou could see one of the village building with open window shutters. A idea forming in his mind. Shou would crouch up a fraction in order to get a better view, before sliding a dagger into his hand and tossing it towards the building. Hopefully it would hit the shutters as plan, causing them to slam close and cause enough of a sound to distract the guards. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Shou's dagger would indeed hit something, but not what he intended. Instead of hitting the shutters, due to a breeze of wind that picked up, the trajectory of the dagger would instead bury itself in the frame of the window, close enough to the glass that it would form a crack in the window, before one of the panes shattered. Immediately, two of the soldiers would go investigate, while the third one remained behind.

They would get a lucky break though, the soldier would turn away from them to continue searching, but they only had a small window of opportunity to get to the roof of their intended target, about a minute worth of time.

"Yamabara-san, now is the time! Before he turns around!"

Hideki would say in a stage whisper, before quickly scuttling to the edge of the roof and leaping off and towards the roof of the other building, making a rolling landing and immediately flattening himself on top of the roof.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou face cringed when he had the smash of glass rather then the slam of shutters, but nevertheless it seemed to have the intended result. Yamada  quickly told he they had to move, leaping from there current location to the other roof, before the last of the guards could turn back around and see. Shou was impressed with the spy's jumping ability there was obviously a reason he had been the one here. 

Shou would follow as quick as he could. Leaping from the edge of the current building towards the next. However unlike the other who easily made it, Shou caught the side of the roof in the stomach, but quickly turned his momentum into a quick climb and rolled as well before pushing himself flat as well. If the pair of them kept up this sort of progress they would reach the edge of the village soon, and then could make a break for his horse. It just came down to, if they were seen and if any patrols where in the direction the were heading. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Shou would manage to flatten himself down on the roof just as the soldier turned around, his brows furrowed in confusion, having thought he heard something, which happened to be Shou's amazing landing. Quickly glancing around for a few seconds, when nothing seemed out of the ordinary, he would scratch the side of his head before giving a shrug of his shoulders and turning back around, returning to his searching.

From Shou's new location, he could make out a new trio that he couldn't spot before, standing near the well located somewhat close to the entrance of the village, but still quite a distance away. He now knew the location of four of the five groups, but it seemed like the path the groups was not always the same, as they sometimes changed their direction of searching. It seemed like they would leave no stone unturned in order to find the Takeda spy.

Sticking to the rooftops was their best bet, but even that would not last forever, as there were no homes by the entrance of the village, just trees and a merchant's stall.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would watch the guard groups in there search. Noting the less then systematical search pattern they were using. It was less effective then it could have been but it did mean predicting there movements would be harder. However the entrance of the village was in sight. A few more roof tops, then the hard part would start. Shou and the Spy would go on cautiously waiting until a opportunity came before rushing to the next roof as silent and quick as they could until they where on the last roof.

The cover from here was lacking, only a few trees and a single stall. The well that the 4th patrol group not far from them and clearly able to see them if they made a break for it. Shou didn't like this. Turning to the spy Shou would whisper as quietly as he could. "How good are you with the sword?" He asked. "If we jumped them do you think we could take them down before they called for help." Shou added not seeing much of a option. If they were spotted between here and the trees then they would be to far to prevent them raising the alarm.

[Takeda Shingen]

"Skilled enough that I can hold my own against the Takeda soldiers, but that's risky though Yamabara-san! I know Uesugi soldiers are more skilled at training their minds than their bodies, but even they have good reflexes! ... But if that is our only option... I can handle one, two at most."

There was a tree located nearby that was large enough to hide both Hideki and Shou, but they would have to move fast, as another group nearby was just coming out from behind a nearby home, and would be able to spot them from their location. Quickly leaping down from the rooftop, Hideki would hit the ground and roll, before quickly sprinting to the tree, making sure to stay hidden from view, as he would urgently gesture to Shou to move.

From there, once the trio had moved on past them, Hideki would quickly move from tree to tree, as they were large enough to hide one person, but not two. Upon reaching the last tree however, Shou would see Hideki freeze up, and even he could see why. Just past the entrance of the village, was the fifth and final trio of soldiers, searching the outer area of the village. It seemed like they would move away eventually, but for now, Shou and Hideki were effectively faced with six soldiers, three between them both.

[Yamabara Shou]

Yamada informed Shou of his opinion of the idea of attacking the soldiers while no one else was present as well as his skill with his weapon. Shou wasn't the spy here, Yamada was, and therefore knew more about the soldier ability then Shou did by a lot. Shou didn't even wait to follow Yamada down from the roof to the first tree as he made his way to next, having seen the soldiers about to spot them if they remained where they were. Moving from tree to tree, Shou noticed the spy freeze and why and suddenly didn't want to be here anymore. Six soldiers was no joke, and if Yamada could handle only 2 at most Shou would have to take the rest. Their had to be another way out. 

He could rust out and lead them away, but that would leave Yamada alone and on foot without a idea where Shou's horse was. Shou could also try the trick from before, but no viable target that would cause enough of a distraction presented itself without risking moving out and being spotted. Or they could wait and hope that the troops managed to miss them. Sometimes knowing when not to act was the smartest course of action. Shou would keep a eye on one group, and on Yamada and signal the man to circle the tree to avoid being spotted by the grouup near him. Hoping that the spy would pick up on his idea and returning the favour so that the group near him would see him either. From there they would have to wait until on of the groups moved off. Then they should be able to carry on moving tree to tree to reach the market stall. Then with the larger obstruction blocking line of sight make a break for it. 

[Takeda Shingen]

With one katana, Hideki could handle at most two, but that was only if they had to face one trio. If they had to face six soldiers, he could handle three, but the Uesugi soldiers were no pushovers. They were strong, but to try and take them out without alerting the others was near impossible. Seeing Shou signal to him from the corner of his eye, he would nod his head slightly and circle around the tree, to avoid being detected, as he did so, he would notice something that Shou missed.

Perched up in the tree located right beside the one he was hiding behind, were dozens upon dozens of birds, sparrows to be exact. If they tried to run, their movement would frighten the sparrows, and send them flying away, which would alert the soldiers to their location. Catching Shou's attention, Hideki would point hurriedly at the other tree. The other group at the entrance to the village didn't appear like they were moving off anytime soon either.

But an opportunity would present itself to Shou, as the trio nearby to them would break off, leaving two in the current area, while the other one would head towards the other trio. If Shou moved fast enough, he and Hideki could take out the two soldiers and steal their uniforms, but it'd have to be quick.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou's eye would dart to the tree being pointed out, and Shou would bite his lips in order to prevent himself cursing aloud. They couldn't run, but maybe they could simply walk away in the right clothes. Shou would notice one group split up, signalling to Yamada with a simple point at his throat and then tugging his own jacket. Shou hoped the spy under stood. Move fast, take away there ability to scream with a simple but effective slit of the throat while preventing blood from spilling on the uniforms with there own clothes before dragging the men behind a tree and pulling the clothes on.

It was the best plan, he had to take the men down. Shou would move out, on light quick steps, his heels barely touching the ground, but not quite enough to be considered a run that might alert the birds. Sliding a dagger a dagger into one hand, Shou would grab the man from behind. A hand holding his jacket over the man's mouth as his second hand would shot up and slit the man's throat spurting blood on to Shou clothes put there for the purpose. Dragging the man aside, Shou would tie his jacket around the man's neck to hold the blood in even though the man was already dead. Before pulling the man's clothes of and pulling them on as fas as he could. 

Shou would then step back out of cover, wearing the man's clothes and weapon. Not facing the other group of guards, but half turned away in case the men would recognise his face. Hopefully Yamada would be with him. Slowly purposefully as if searching for themselves Shou would lead Yamada to the market stall. Making a brief show of searching he would move round to the side out of sight and then. Leading Yamada away. Only once they had got far enough that Shou thought the birds wouldn't be alerted would he break in to a run. 

Or at least that is what Shou had in mind. When the opportunity arrived, he moved to follow it through before it was lost. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Hideki nodding his slightly at Shou, indicating he understood what the messenger was getting at, as soon as Shou moved out from behind the tree, Hideki followed suit, though unlike Shou, all he had was a katana. Keeping low to the ground and moving with quick, light steps, as Shou grabbed one soldier, the soldier would struggle while trying shout out, though it would only come out muffled, before quickly dying from the slit to his throat. The other soldier would meet the same fate by Hideki's hands, the blood spilling onto Hideki's clothes.

After dragging and hiding the body in a remote location, Hideki would steal the man's uniform, his kimono jacket tied around the man's neck to stem the flow of blood from the wound, and would emerge alongside Shou fully disguised... well except for his face. Shou would find the both of them had returned to the real soldiers spot in time, as the soldier that broke off from the trio turned back towards their direction, none the wiser that two of their fellow soldiers were actually dead, and would finally move off and disappear from sight after searching the area.

Hideki following after Shou, imitating his actions, and as soon as they were out of sight, Hideki would break into a run alongside Shou, only for them to run into one more obstacle. Just outside the village entrance, the soldier that had broken off from the trio was coming back towards them, the other trio further down the area, just disappearing around the corner of the village fence.

"Hey, you find anything Matsuda? Sano?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would have a internal heart attack at the voice of the other guard. There was no way he would get to the man to take him down quietly. Shou would turn and point at the market stall and point. "Maybe there." Shou would keep his words short hoping that the man wouldn't notice the difference in voice. As the guard would hopefully turn to look were he had pointed Shou would move closer. 

His hand was ready to bring a blade to his hand, and throw it at the man if he tried calling for anyone as he approached. If the man however didn't do so, and was distracted or followed where he had pointed. Shou would jump him, one hand going for his mouth to silence him and cut the man's throat as quickly as he could before breaking out into a run, far enough away from the other guards that they may reach his horse before they heard and came back to investigate. 

[Takeda Shingen]

"Over there?"

The soldier would look over at the merchant's stall after he had stopped in front of Hideki and Shou, the former keeping his head down in hopes the kabuto (helmet) he wore cast enough shadows to keep his face hidden. As the soldier moved away from Shou and Hideki to investigate, with his back turned, he didn't notice Shou jump towards him, and only after he looked behind the stall did he begin to turn around.

"I don't see anything. Sano, are you sure they went this way? It doesn't seem like it. Hey, are you alright? Your voice sounds different. Are you getting a cold or some-"

The soldier would begin to say, only to be cut off mid-sentence as a hand was clamped over top his mouth, his hands automatically going up to Shou's hand and would claw at it, to try and get it off, but his efforts would be for naught as his throat would be quickly slit. The soldier's body dropping to the ground like a sack of potatoes, Hideki would quickly go tearing off after Shou, one hand holding onto the sheath of his katana. Shou would manage to reach his horse without much trouble, but just as he did, he would hear shouting issue from the village.

"What the...!? It's Arata! He's been killed! How... Over there! It's them! The Takeda scourges!"

Shou would see one trio of soldiers come tearing from the inside of the village to the entrance, with the rest not too far behind, all of them equipped with a bow and arrows. They were too far to hit him currently, but if Shou didn't move, he would have arrows raining down on him very soon.

[Yamabara Shou]

This was bad they had been spotted. "Come on." Shou would say sharply. Knowing that if they tried on moving that the soldiers that spotted the would have two bad option to attempt to take them down rather then good ones. If they stopped to fire, in order to be accurate then Shou and Yamada would gain ground. Jumping up on to his horse Shou would stick a hand out for the spy, before pulling him up, while already pushing 'Gokaze' onwards. The horse was a fast one and if the guards didn't manage to do something then they would easily get away. 

If they ran after them, then either they would not be firing at them, or would be forced to fire on the move. Throwing off there aim. It wouldn't have mattered if there was more then just the two of them, as a  volley at a group would probably hit someone. However against 2 individual targets having there aim thrown off slightly would make them much harder to hit. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Hideki quickly grabbing onto Shou's hand and scrambling onto the back of the horse as Gokaze was urged forward, he would tightly hold onto the saddle for dear life, which it kind of did. If Shou looked back, he would see two of the four trio groups go running after them with spears, while the remaining two, with bows and arrows in their hands, would remain stationary, and pointing their arrows skyward, would fire at an angle into the air, the arrows firing in an arc and curving towards Shou and Hideki, as the arrows would rain down upon them, just barely missing them, before moving forward and stopping every so often.

Same went for the soldiers running after them, as they would let loose with a barrage of spears thrown at them, each spear clipping or landing dangerously close to them. Distance appeared to be no limiting factor to the soldiers, as their aim was deadly accurate. Shou would have to move faster to avoid the rain of arrows and spears sent their way.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would press himself as flat to 'Gokaze' neck as he could. "Stay low." Shou would instruct in a shout, to get Yamada to do the same. Even if it meant the other man had to press up against his own back. The benifit was two fold. It made them a smaller target, and Shou could swear one of the thrown spears would of taken his head off had he not had been lower down. While it would also cut down drag, allowing his horse to move faster without out the wind catching on his and the spy bodies and clothes as much slowing them down. 

However Shou wouldn't trust their speed and smaller profile along to keep them safe. While one hand controlled the reigns his other would reach down and backwards, gripping at Yamada's waist and drawing his sword if he didn't try and stop him. Turning his head Shou would try and keep a eye where he was going and above them at the same time. If at any point a spear, or arrow came to close at them Shou would un-flatten his profile from the horse and knock it out of the sky. He didn't need to cut them, just make sure they didn't hit Yamada or the horse. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Hideki following Shou's instructions and mimicking him, pressing himself as low as he possibly could, despite the discomfort of having to press up against Shou's back, the Takeda spy managed to duck just as time, as a spear would flying over their heads, and would sliced off a few strands of his hair if not for the kabuto he wore. Shou would notice his horse would gallop at a much faster pace, as the wind drag was indeed cut down with both of them crouching down so low.

The barrage of spears and arrows would not let up sadly, if anything, it seemed to increase, each wave of projectiles seemingly blocking out the sun from the sheer amount sent their way. The Uesugi soldiers were intent on killing them. Hideki would not resist as Shou reached back and grabbed hold of his katana, letting the courier take hold of it, while Hideki, who had grabbed a second katana after stripping the uniform off the Uesugi soldier he killed, would pull that one out and try to slice any arrows or spears that came too close to them, which were quite a few.

Up ahead, Shou would spot a wooden bridge connecting two cliffs together, which also served as the border between Kofu and Joetsu. But he would have to move fast to clear it, as the Uesugi soldiers would stop trying to hit them, and try to sever one of the ropes of the suspension bridge.

[Yamabara Shou]

As Shou noticed there escape ahead, he noticed that the barrage of missiles weapons would change there target from them to the bridge to cut off there escape. Spinning the sword in his grip, he trusted in the spy to cut down any weapons that still came in there direction and focused on riding. Grabbing the reigns with both hands, he pretty much hugged the 'Gokaze's' neck and dug his feet into the horses sides, pushing the horse to his limits. 

Shou would see a spear slice one of the ropes of the bridge causing it to tilt slightly and hope beyond everything that the bridge would hold as they reached it. It was shaky, and it was hard to keep control of his horse on the uneven ground but he had to. Hearing another snap of a breaking rope behind him, he instinctively made his horse jump, before the bridge gave out under them and jumping would no longer be possible. 

The pair and Gokaze would move through the air the last leg, and Shou would see over his shoulder yet more ropes snap, and the bridge go down under where they had been. A drop in to what was most likely death, at least sever injury, and complete failure. They landed on the over side, unstable, and close to the edge and Shou carefully guided his horse away before they got hit by something and stumbled off the edge. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Hideki would continue to deflect any projectile weapons that came dangerously close to them, because right now the only thing keeping them from being shish-kabob'ed was Shou and his horse. As they galloped onto the bridge, it would sway dangerously beneath them, but would stay intact for the most part... That is, until more of the ropes were cut. Shou and his horse would manage to clear the jump, but Hideki, who was holding onto Shou with only one arm, would feel himself slipping off the horse.

"Yamabara-san!"

He would cry out as he slipped backwards off the horse, his arm desperately trying to grab hold of anything nearby, to keep him from falling down the chasm. If Shou didn't act fast, Hideki would fall and injure himself, or worse, to his death. To add to the conundrum, the Uesugi soldiers had caught up, and would begin firing spears and arrows across the gap, to try and hit them. The spears and arrows would fall short, but every second that passed, they would adjust their aim, getting closer and closer, and if Shou didn't think fast, their daring escape will have been for naught.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would her Yamada called out for him, and panic. Turning to see the man falling away. Keeping one hand on the reigns of his horse. "Yamada!" Shou exclaimed his hand shot and grabbed at Yamada's wrist. However he was to far gone, and Shou was pulled out the saddle after the other man. The pair would fall over the edge until the slack of the reigns snapped tight. Shou heard Gokaze, neigh in pain and effort but not move from the spot he stood, the strength and weight of the animal saving the pair of them. 

Hanging Shou would hold on to Yamada's wrist and the reigns with everything he could. Swinging slightly, Shou would use the moument to to lift Yamada and try to throw him back on to the edge of the cliff. However part way through, Shou body filled with pain, a arrow slamming into his lower back and piecing through. With a scream of pain, Shou would throw Yamada up. "Gokaze Heyah." He shouted slamming into the rock once more as arrow in his body snapping, as he would be dragged up the wall, it hurt but it was better then falling to his death when a a arrow or spear cause him to lose his grip. 

If Yamada hadn't managed to get up and mount the horse with in the time it took the horse to pull him up. Shou would grab the spy on the way pass. Turning onto his back, and pulling the spy atop him. Literally letting him be dragged away at speed by the horse, protecting Yamada from the pain and injury. 

[Takeda Shingen]

Shou would successfully manage to swing and throw Hideki back onto the top of the cliff, as the Takeda spy would quickly scramble to his feet, an arrow grazing his arm as it flew past, but thanks to the armor he wore, he would only suffer superficial damage. Quickly mounting Gokaze, Hideki would literally try to drag Shou back up onto the horse as he took off, the sky blotted out with arrows and spears raining down on them from the other side. But with each gallop, instead of flying in an arc, the arrows and spear would now be fired straight at them, the Uesugi soldiers making one last ditch effort to take them down.

Hideki would do his best to swat the arrows and spears away with his katana while keeping Gokaze on a steady path, since Shou was still holding onto the reigns. Just up ahead though, Shou would be able to make out a forest off to the side, but he'd have to move fast, as the arrows and spears, while less in numbers, were still flying dangerously close to them.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would struggle to turn over as he was dragged along the ground, he free hand pushing himself up slightly and jumping to his feet. Shou would run as fast as he could, in order to not continue to be dragged by the horse. Noticing the trees off to the side, Shou would pull the reigns to slow the horse slightly, so he could catch up and jump on awkwardly in front of Yamada. Pain from where he had been hit. 

Shou would rear the horse to turn and push the animal once more to speed. Hearing his animal cry in pain, as a arrow slashed down it's flank. If only they could reach the trees quickly. They would have got away, and Shou could tend to his and his horse's wounds then.