I live. Sorry for the long wait, harvest season was a slog that didn't leave me with much time to write. Hopefully the wait wasn't too bad and I hope to get this story done. With that done, on with the story.
Chapter 7
Daimyo Inazuma Yari didn't expect many events to happen when he awoke this morning. At first, he started his routine with waking up, getting dressed and having breakfast with his wife Hana and their two young daughters, Hatsuko and Katana. Once that was done, Yari then met with his staff and the two other Daimyos that had come to him for aid with the raiders that have been plaguing them for months now as they waited for the arrival his brother-in-law, Akuma Mao.
Normally, the Daimyo would return back home after a long day of intelligence gathering, military planning and inspecting the soldiers to have dinner with his family.
That is if this was a normal day.
During the war meeting, a messenger appeared at the combined army's headquarters. He arrived with an escort of one of the guards of the military council.
"My lord," the guard stated, "this courier says he has news for you."
"What is then," Inazuma demanded, he was getting really impatient with the weeks the army has wasted with this intel gathering.
"A group of Samurai appeared at the perimeter of the army camp," the courier stated, "and they're flying the Akuma banner."
The three Daimyos were surprised by this statement, especially Yari. Akuma was the first Daimyo he sent a letter to, calling for help with the raiders.
"Then send for them," one of the other Daimyos ordered, "We need them at the war table."
"There was something else my lord," the messenger stated, "Two strangers rode with the Samurai, the likes of which I've never seen before."
"How are they different?" Yari asked curiously.
"One stranger had a brown cloak and hood on," the courier replied, "I couldn't see his face but I could see his hands. They were pale and had three fingers instead of four."
The Daimyos present shifted a bit uncomfortably before the courier continued.
"The other stranger was wearing normal clothing but had paler skin, no horns and looked to be rather short."
"Order them to accompany Lord Akuma to the war table," Yari commanded, "We'll want to speak with them."
When Lord Akuma entered the tent, the Daimyos were expecting Yari's brother-in-law to appear before them. They were instead met with the presence of Yair's nephew Wakai, adorned in his armor and flanked by the two strangers and the Akuma Kenzou.
"Greetings nephew," Yari said in a polite tone, "I hope you are well,"
"I am now," Wakai replied, "The journey was long and arduous but I'm glad it is over."
"Now all we need to wait for your father to arrive," the elder man spoke, the other lords nodding in agreement.
The young lordling's face fell and whole demeaner got a lot less lively.
"My father won't be joining us," he explained, "Our castle was attacked a couple weeks ago. My father was killed during the fighting. My sister and I were sent away while the army was scattered in the attack."
"So, you have no soldiers with you?" one of the lords asked.
"We only have a company of infantry and a half dozen samurai," Wakai explained, "Along with two hundred refugees."
"So, you have nothing with you?" the other lord grumbled bitterly, "Why even come at all then?"
"Not entirely," Lord Akuma said in an even tone, "I've come across some individuals who are in a similar situation."
"And what do they have to say for themselves?" Yari asked, hoping to keep the lords away from each other's throats. This drew their attention fully to the strangers. The courier's description of the two was rather spot on. The hooded stranger took his three fingered hands and removed it and revealed his face.
The war council were stunned by the appearance of the man. His face was a pale, and had short white hair and eyes that lacked pupils.
"Greetings my lords," he spoke, "I am Duran Jeth of the Jedi Order and this young man with me is my apprentice, Ry'ven Vonto." Ry'ven and Duran both made a quick bow to the War Council.
"I am Daimyo Inazuma Yari," Wakai's uncle replied before gesturing to the other members of the War Council, "and these lords here and I are in a war council to deal with the threat of a group of raiders that have been plaguing our people."
"I've heard as much from your nephew, Lord Inazuma," Duran answered, "For my associates and I are also looking for the same raiders."
The Oni war council perked up at this statement.
"What do you know about these raiders?" one of the war council asked.
"They're group of pirates known as the Red Reavers," the Jedi Knight explained as he unveiled the pauldron with the Reaver's insignia, "They're wanted for piracy, theft, slavery and armed insurrection by the Galactic Republic."
"What is the Galactic Republic?" Daimyo Inazuma asked.
"Council of many different worlds," the Jedi Knight explained, "All banded together for common purposes, like defense and trade, and the Jedi are there to help maintain it all."
The War Council nodded and murmured before asking the Jedi another question.
"So, what do you propose we do now?" One of the Council members asked.
"Perhaps we could work together in ending this threat," Duran replied, "If you're willing to let us."
Daimyo Inazuma thought for a moment before speaking.
"This will take some thought," the older man explained, "Wakai, can your guests please wait outside while we discuss this with you?"
"Of course," the young Daimyo answered, before turning and nodding to the Jedi pair and the Kenzou. Once the trio had left, the War Council started to debate.
"So," Wakai asked, "What do you think?"
"I'm a bit surprised, young nephew," Yari stated, "This could turn things in our favor."
"I'm still skeptical," one of the Daimyos stated, "Are they the only outsiders here or are there more?"
"There are more Lord Riichi," Wakai explained, "Three more with them, waiting with their craft."
"And why would they do that?" the Daimyo asked perplexed.
"They have prisoners from the battle a couple days ago," the young lord explained, "Most of them are bound for the Republic to face criminal charges while a few are a bargaining chip for us."
"Why wouldn't they tell us this?" the other lord asked in a combative tone.
"Easy Lord Setsuna," Inazuma told the Daimyo before looking toward his nephew, "I'm sure they have a good reason to withhold that from us."
"If I had to guess," the young Daimyo answered, "Probably because we didn't ask."
"You mentioned there was a battle," Lord Riichi added, "How did they fight?"
Wakai went into detail on how the Jedi fought, describing their weapons and abilities in this "Force" they use. All of this intrigued the three older Daimyos as they listened to the recounted tales of this young being's journey. Eventually the Jedi were called back to meet with the War Council.
"My nephew told us you have more people with you, correct?" Lord Inazuma asked Duran Jeth.
"That is correct my Lords," the Arkanian Jedi answered, "We would've brought it up when we were asked."
"Is there another reason they didn't come with you?" Riichi asked.
"Apart from guarding prisoners," Ry'ven answered, "They lack the means to speak properly and because their appearances might give the wrong idea."
Lord Setsuna snorted at the thought, "I highly doubt that would happen to us."
"On the contrary my lord," the older Jedi stated, "my other companions look very different to anything you've seen."
"Is it possible to meet these companions of yours?" Inazuma asked.
"We can," the Jedi answered, "Is there a large field we can go too?"
"A large field?" Inazuma asked.
"The ships need a large area to dock," the Jedi explained.
"Just outside the camp," Riichi explained, "We can lead you there."
The Arkanian found this acceptable as he gestured for the Daimyos to lead the way.
The group walked through the war camp, free for the whole army to observe and gawk at. The Akuma men who fought with the Jedi were not phased by them while men of Inazuma Yari, Setsuna Yamato, and Riichi Kogeki, were shocked by the appearance of the Jedi. Any unit commander approached their respective lords, they were told to join the group for the demonstration.
Eventually, a sizeable gathering of military officers gathered with the four lords and pair of Jedi have reached a field not far from the army camp.
"Is this big enough?" Lord Inazuma asked.
Duran looked around the field as and nodded before retrieving his comlink from his belt and turning to the crowd.
"With this device here," he said as he gestured to the comlink, "I will summon two flying craft that will land here with some companions of mine that will assist you in fighting the raiders."
This caused the crowd to murmur as the Jedi Knight opened the com and gave the ship their location and waited. A few minutes later, loud rumbles could be heard as the two ships drew closer and closer to the small group of soldiers as the extended landing gear and touched down.