Empires of Ashes

he goes back to his spear
*quietly to himself* "Tada, subete no bugai-sha, keii no yōna."

Brigardi: Look, I don't know what you're on about, but I didn't mean any disrespect.

"you spoke ill of those who died in defence of my home"

Brigardi: I meant no disrespect. But...if your people knew that they couldn't fight Dracia in a field battle, then why did you fight them where they were strongest?

"there was no choice. how can one ambush when your country is mostly grassy flatlands?"

Brigardi: Fair point. Brigard is only partly plains. Much of it is forest. But surely there was something you could have done. An army is only as strong as its weakest link.

"My ancestors sold their lives dearly to save our people. thanks to their sacrifice dracia stalled at the vein. It was all that was possible"

Brigardi: Then perhaps it is simply enough your people keep them occupied...for now.

he nods

Chapter Master Arken wrote:

OOC: Naz, firstly, that's dark. Secondly..The hell you watching?

Infinite Stratos.
Not overly bad, but i wouldnt recommend.
Hidan no Aria, now thats a different story! Go and watch it. I was laughing my ass off during most episodes! (the first 1 or 2 being exceptions)

Brigardi: Have you ever thought about trying to find new ways to fight them?

"such as?"

*The Brigardi finishes cleaning his weapon and hefts it.*

Brigardi: Such as keeping out of their reach?

he cocks his head

Brigardi: Come. Let's find a good target.

he follows curiously

*The Brigardi stops a short distance from the camp and points his finger at a tree.*

Brigardi: There, that tree. Would you say it's roughly as thick as an armored man?

he nods

*The Brigardi shoulders his weapon, inhales, slowly exhales, and carefully squeezes the trigger. A thunderclap and small metal ball usher forth from the weapon, striking the tree and shearing off part of it.*

".......I see....."

Brigardi *with a malicious grin and equally malicious grin*: Think what that would do an armored legionary!

".....effective....but the clans would never adopt such a weapon"

Brigardi: Why not?

"Simple. It would anger our war god, killing our foe from a distance so easily"

*The Brigardi frowns.*

Brigardi: You've got to be shitting me.

"it is our way. A true warrior faces the foe, dancing the deadly dance of blades. *he realises the brigardi doesnt understand* I am sorry. To us, melee combat is more than just trying to kill and not be killed. It is an art form of movement. A contest of skill with your foe."

Brigardi: Bah. For us, it's just another way to kill. You don't drag it out if you can avoid you. You kill the other bastard faster then he can kill you.

"I am Senshi. The warrior caste. Skill in combat is my purpose."

Brigardi: I never said you can't be skilled. But if you have to draw things out, then you're doing something wrong. You kill quickly and efficiently. Anything less brings a fight to a halt.

he draws his katana
"what do you see?"

Brigardi: A well made blade.

"It is more than that. the katana is modelled after the sword of Drago Nobunaga, the man who unified this nation, never lost a battle, and killed over ten thousand foes single handedly. The man who ascended upon death, becoming our war god. You could say it is holy to us"

Brigardi: And you could also say that nothing is holy to my people.

head cock

Brigardi: What gods do we have to believe in? None. We have none. We do not lean on gods to see us through the day. We cannot. We have to forge our days ourselves. Besides, gods at least implies some form of kind heartedness towards men....And I refuse to follow any god that lets a child die in their own home...huddled around a dying fire, hoping it lasts just one more day as the snow mounts ever higher...

".....Watashi o fakku...sounds....personal"

Brigardi: If you can call the mindset of an entire nation "personal".

"did you lose a sibling or child in such a way"

Brigardi: Siblings, aunts, uncles, children, friends, my wife. All Brigardi have suffered because of the snow in some such way.

"....I am sorry"

Brigardi: For what? You didn't kill them.

he sighs. he reaches up and removes the mask
its clear he's much younger than they thought
25 at most

*This action clearly confused the Brigardi, or at the least, he does not understand the significance of it.*

he silently sheaths his blade

Brigardi: Is something the matter?

"no"

Brigardi: Then why remove your mask?

"Personal reasons"

*The Birgardi shrugs and begins to walk back to camp.*

after a minute or two kenhin follows

*The Brigardi remains silent for part of journey back.*

Brigardi: Look, I...apologize if I offended you. We Brigaridi aren't very good noticing when we've offended others.