Breaking the Crimson Blade
Following 
Amir san they headed out of town till he could spot signs of a small branch off in the distance. Then he pointed to the side mentioning that there was a closer path to a gorge they hid in that the river would run through. The group turned to follow their guide, but a few of them still had questions about how he was able to uncover so much so quickly. What was hiss connection to the Crimson Blade’s leader – Nebet Sekhem? Was Benefru an accomplice in having Neferhotep-Nefru kidnapped while philandering with Beset-Shedet? The group was motivated to help Neferhotep-Tawy, Nefru’s father. In doing so they could likely gain favor with Per-Amunu’s high priest Hemka-Ra sama.
The ultimate goal was finding this realm of shadow where the Lady Shinjo was being held prisoner. In the present the group of the three samurai and the indentured ronin shugenja followed their guide to cliff where a small ruin of a fortified building sat near the edge. Amir pointed out that looks are deceiving and that building had a secret stairway that led into the gorge below. Taking them to a safe vantage point they peered into the gorge to see quite a number of hidden buildings below. One person appeared to command the others while holding onto a woman in robes and jewelry that glinted in the light. A small boat sat moored in the river branch below as a means of travel or escape.
The group quickly decided to divide their efforts. Tamaki sama and Donoha sama would go into the fortified ruin and work their way through those inside. While Asahi sama and Kagero san attacked the exposed bandits from above so the forces would be divided and in chaos. Those unable to attack those above, while those above were pushed back and destroyed. Amir san elected to join the Dragon’s group with a playful bet about whom could kill more bandits.
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It was Tamaki sama that surprised everyone by the end of the battle because he had managed to duplicate himself with the help of the Kami and could join both groups as Donoha sama was wreathed in kami-blessed fire and began tearing through the enemy as an angry Dragon should. While outside the second group made a bridge out of nothing going from the cliff down to the forces below. The the Lion began to slaying people in mass quantities!
What was not known until later, it the Phoenix shugenja had used the power of the kami to duplicate their body and be with both groups at the same time! Readers please understand Tamaki sama was processing and actively supporting two fights at the same time! Amir san and Donoha sama were working their ways through the thugs in the building and getting down to the river that way. While he was also supporting Asahi sama and Kagero san moving across the land bridge the ronin shugenja had made to draw most of the outside forces toward them.
Donoha sama and Tamaki san arrived at the base of the gorge and the river. Just in time to have Tamaki sama destroy his duplicate in Asahi sama’s group and make it re-appear across the river! Then through his duplicate he was able to be close enough to see the Crimson Blade’s leader – Nebet Sekhem san and two other members trying to flee with Neferhotep-Nefru san. Donoha sama was running and trying to reach them before they could get underway, and the other Crimson Blade members nearby could reach him. Tamaki sama’s duplicate invoked the kami of the Void and Unmade The Whole Ship!
The battle was swift and because the Dragon had the pendant he was able to let Neferhotep-Nefru san know they had come to save her. When it was just the rabble had been dealt with in the river bleeding crimson life-tea into the current. Donoha sama and Nebet Sekhem san faced off in a skirmish. It ended with a cut that Nefru san will remember to the end of her days. Donoha sama lept up and forward closing the distance with the black katana bearing the copper hamon – Mittsu Tamashi 三つ魂 the Three Souls Katana. He struck the center of Nebet Sekhem san’s head and continued straight through every muscle and bone until exiting where they legs used to meet.
Amir san managed to arrived only to witness Sekhem san’s body divide in half and fall. The group learned later those two had been in love in their past. Where Amir san chose truth, she chose the quick path of lies and deception. While his heart was heavy he warned the group that blood mages were coming forth and when they appeared hoping to support the others they found bodies and soon were among them.
The group investigated the ruins and Kagero san was instrumental in stripping away the protections on an obsidian knife so Donoha sama could smash it with Chikai kodzuchi 誓い小槌 the Oath-hammer
. The other relics of the blood mages were gathered up in Donoha sama’s yeti-coat and brought back with them so the high priest of Per-Amunu could deal with them. The ride back was somber, carrion birds circled the gorge behind the group as they returned. Had Amir san’s information had not been put to use they likely would not have returned home so fast. The additional news of having crushed the Crimson Blades as a group was welcomed by Nefru san’s father and the High Priest. The recovered relics apparently were so deadly that left alone they could have toppled the whole Senpt Empire! Plans were made to stay at the inn that night and leave for the capital on the morrow.
