Empires of Ashes

"I can teach you. I've been riding since I was three"

Joachim: And my men have only used horses for farming. None of them have ever ridden one. It could take...a very, very long time for my men to be ready to ride a horse anywhere.

"i'll tell you the basics, it isnt difficult. We'll be moving in no time"

Joachim: Very well. Let's hurry then.

he quickly instructs them how to ride

*With some hilarious and embarrassing but non-fatal failures on the part of some of the expedition before they finally get the hang of it.*

he's baffled by how hard they're finding it

Joachim: There are few horsemen in my land. Most horses are used for farming. Few are used for war and travel.

"I cannot imagine such a thing"

Joachim: If you cannot imagine that, imagine a land with such harsh winters that keeping war horses alive is a challenge only the kaiser and the richest of nobles can afford.

he shakes his head

Joachim: That is what our land is like, and that is why my men are having...difficulty.

he stays quiet

Ooc. Dude... A construction bot, essentially a glorified welding apparatus on tracks, is running for the hills... Colonists are somehow making alcoholic drinks out of onions and tomatoes... 
I want to know how this story of chaotic banes and crazy russians ends...
Only 2 achievements remain now... Get the Gene modified tomato DNA from a trader and bring the population up to 300... I cant wait to see the brave 300 crazy russians getting drunk on tomato-onion liquor while being bombarded by meteors to high hell and beyond...

OOC:.............................................................

IC: *After some times passes, the expedition manages to stay firmly on the horses and continues its journey.*

they make much better time with the horses

*They eventually arrive at the next settlement.*

its a large city
the guards confront them

Joachim: Kenshin, you take the lead.

kenshin approaches them
they start speaking

*The expedition waits.*

they let them in
they also notice one guard is female

*Which surprises the Brigardi to an astounding degree.*

she notices their surprise and frowns

*Which they fail to notice. Probably still caught up in their own shock.*

Joachim *to Kenshin*: You let your women fight?

Kenshin: you dont?

Joachim: What!? Of course not. We don't have the luxury of letting women fight.

he shrugs. he looks over at the guard and also reacts with surprise
Kenshin: Mako? Anatana no?
???: Kenshin?!

*Joachim raises an eyebrow.*

Kenshin: Uwa ̄ ! Sono yoi wa anata Mako o hyōji shimasu. Anata wa ima, gādo o shirimasendeshita.
Mako: Saikin shōkaku. Nani o bugai-sha no bando de yatte imasu ka?
Kenshin: Nagai hanashi. Wareware wa sono sake den de kon'ya au koto wa dekimasu ka? Watashi wa oitsuku no ga daisukidesu.
Mako: Tashika ni, watashi wa keikaku o motte imasen. Kon'ya o sanshō shite kudasai. *winks*
Kenshin: Sayōnara, sonogo! *the two wave to eachother as kenshin leads the brigardi inside.*

*The expedition follows him inside the walls.*

Joachim: Rather spirited conversation.

"Mako's an old friend"

Joachim: I could tell that much. So, what can you tell me about this city?

"Konoha. Ruled by the Sarotobi clan. Honestly the friendliest clan in voldamia"

Joachim: Really? What makes them so "friendly"?

"not exactly the most 'expansionist' clan. Their ways emphasize learning and knowledge"

Joachim: Really? The world could use more men like that.

"They say the daimyo, Saratobi Hiruzen, spends most days in his study, and that he spends less time ruling because most problems presented to him he solves near instantly. They say he has books from all corners of the world, and that he has mastered every combat style known to man"

Joachim: Every combat style? Truly? I would like to see that.

he chuckles
"All warriors of voldamia know the name Saratobi Hiruzen"

Joachim: He must be very well traveled if he knows so many arts.

"He is a man of learning. It would not surprise me to learn he already knows of Brigard" *chuckles*

Joachim: If he does, I'd very much like to know how he learned of my homeland.

he shrugs

Joachim: Where's the best place to quarter a group our size?

"the residential district"

Joachim: Lead the way.

he does so

Joachim: Any placed you'd recommend?

OOC one of my dogs died today, shortly after 5 PM EST...
some Halloween...

OOC: