Nijiuu, Risai discovered, moved fast. Her legs ached from the strain of running, and the awkwardness in her balance sent her reeling more than once. The Nijiuu tracked them as if they were scent hounds, albeit scent hounds seven feet long with panther's claws and broad, powerful haunches.
She wanted to shout at Yousan, blame him for not being more helpful, but he was the one who'd given them a headstart. It wouldn't be enough, she was dead certain. As soon as one fast creature caught up to them, they'd have to stand and fight the whole lot of them. And they would die.
Yousan grabbed her arm, yanked her abruptly sideways into a small depression in the ground. "Hurry, this way. It's a cave I explored as a boy."
Risai swallowed her apprehension. She wasn't fond of caves anymore. Still, a cave was better than an army of Nijiuu, unless she was unlucky enough to attract another Toutetsu. The thought was so ridiculous that she laughed a little, though she quickly stifled the sound lest it come out hysterical.
"We aren't equipped for cave exploring," she pointed out, drawing an inch or so of her sword. "We have no torches, no rope, no tracking equipment."
"Why would you need any of those? You've got me."
"I had you when you led me and my friend down that little 'shortcut' last week, too."
Yousan paused, then sniffed the air. "This way. Taiki's this way."
You are playing a game with me, old man. I'm on to you. I don't trust you, and nothing you say will change that.
A Nijiuu howled from behind, and Risai hastened forward. Anything was better than going back, after all.
"Walk carefully, Yousan warned, then abruptly tripped and slid into the cave wall. He straightened up, then immediately slipped again. "You don't have magic to give yourself cat's eyes like I do."
I don't trust you. You aren't funny, and you're not taking me in.
Risai banged her ankle hard against a rock, and was forced to sheathe her sword to feel her way along the wall. The cave was rough, and probably would sparkle with gems in any light. In the darkness, it just cut her fingers every time she pressed too hard.
At least the ground was solid, beautifully so after the slippery rocks of the mountain. It was slightly damp, and Risai's boots sunk into it, which made her wince. If anyone was tracking them, they'd have an easy time.
She sucked her fingers to her mouth hurriedly, then relaxed. Taiki wasn't with them. She didn't have to constantly worry about every tiny cut and scrape, knowing that it would incapacitate him. She spared a brief prayer to a god she didn't really believe in, and continued through the cave.
The nature of the tunnels was strange, absorbing and reflecting light at the same time. It was such that Risai didn't see the hundreds of torches arranged in formation until she'd stumbled into the first soldier.