Aozora Campsite (Outside of Itami-cho)

After gathering what they could from the fallen, the Ao troops including those led by Kenjin Uesung set up a new temporary camp outside the nearby town. A small group of men would be allocated to go back for the bodies to further salvage and pile them for a mass funeral pyre.

After overseeing the construction of the camp, Ram was resting upon his new warhammer. He quite liked the feel of it so he decided to keep it. It would appear his secret was still safe. Soon Shintaro would be wanting him to go to the town to recruit and gather information.

Ketsueki would arrive at the camp as it began to erect from the ground in a bloom of tents, Taji pacing along leisurely and surprisingly calm. Presumably Dimitri would be walking alongside her (entirely up to player), and her gaze would simply sweep over those present. Then it settled the man by his horse - she had a guess this might be the warlord.

Despite Dimitri's prior words, she nudged Taji to change direction and approach the one-eyed man. She didn't care if her wrist and knee were still scored and continued to weep blood at a slower pace - she needed to know if this man was who rumor claimed to be... or if she should just turn around and head back "home".

She brings Taji to a stop several respectable paces away from the man. After a few moments of an awkward silence she returns the salute with a low bow of her head, as well - giving him a clear view of her damaged wrist since she had yet to return the leather gauntlet back to her hand, if he were to notice.

"Konbanwa, Shintaro-san," she replies quietly, bringing a soft stare up to meet his - perhaps akin to relief. "I am Ketsueki of the Akiyama house... one of a small family that fled Katashima when the land tore itself apart. I'm running on a rumor... seeking a warlord that is trying to bring those that escaped together to build anew." Her gaze sharpens a touch in expectancy but more in anticipation - she hoped he could give her the answer she sought.

Dimitri would have dressed Akiyama's wounds with the Firereed bandages before allowing her to move, even on horseback. He would also walk beside her horse, though Taji would find his presence unwelcome as other animals could smell the wolf in him. Ensuring the bandages did not come loose during the travel he placed his full helm back on his head, concealing his face from all onlookers.

As they entered the camp, Akiyama trotted straight to Nishida, so Dimitri followed her and found himself in the middle of an awkward introduction he was not a part of. When Nishida pointed out her wounds, Dimitri stepped in. "No need to concern yourself Nishida. Ms. Ketsueki just got wounded in the fight. I already saw to wrapping her wounds and am trying to get her to a tent so she can rest." His voice is rather nonchalant, showing neither respect nor malice.

Shintaro listens attentively, he was very surprised that he was apparently a beacon. "Haha, well if I am a beacon, those who are lost shall have safe harbor. Once we take care of those damned border bandits."

He knew if more people were coming to find him, they'd all have run ins with the same bandits as they did, and they may not be as fortunate. He had to kill every one of those bandits.

"Yes, Dimitri is indeed a good man, I wish for more like him." Dimitri was peerless by far, it would take years for any of the conscripts to reach his level of valor. Still there was worth in every man, they all had their own special talents. He was grateful to have those who chose to follow him. When Ketsueki spoke again he was pleased, another woman of particular talent was before him. "Oh? How fortunate! Of course you may join the ranks of Aozora, Akiyama Ketsueki, together we'll certainly make a new home in this land."

He'd turn to Dimitri, "Thank you Dimitri, continue as you were, finding her a tent to rest in comfort. We've got more than enough around."

He bowed to both Dimitri and Ketsueki.

Taji would follow at a leisurely pace beside Dimitri, and Ketsueki was slouching just a touch in her saddle. The fact the warlord was beside himself to have her along did her soul good. This was a start, and a step in the right direction.

Her attention snapped to the armored an as he spoke, causing her to sit right back up. "Hai. I have my own tent packed. It won't take me long to set it up - I would not wish to intrude upon Lord Shintaro's men so quickly. He may have taken me in to be one of his fighters, but to expect such quick acceptance from those soldiers would be asking too much."

Dimitri leads Akiyama towards the center of the encampment. "So, with you being a kunoichi like Kasumi, I guess you would prefer a lcoation close to the center, near Nishida's command tent. Should be easy enough to find a spot for you. Should you need any help, do not fear asking your new fellows in arms, and yes don't let your pride prevent you from doing just that. If you try to do everything yourself right away, you will just cause more grief for yourself and Nishida. He may not look it, but the deaths of those under him seem to wear on his mind. A mark of a good commander to not let that visibly faze him." He would assist Akiyama in dismounting her horse and setting up her tent once they reached their destination.

Dimitri smiles inside his fullhelm, which would go unnoticed. "Well then, I do recommend you stay off the leg for the evening and nothing extrenuous for the day after. The Firereed should have been able to properly seal your wound by then. As for me, I shall be on my way. If you do need anything, I can guarantee it wont be inconvenient for most of us here. There are a few injured, and with the golems from earlier, we will need everyone back in shape. And that even takes cooperation from the group. I'll be patrolling before hitting the sack near the camp edge. You have a good evening." He conducts another salute to Akiyama and walks away towards his duties.

As Dimitri walks around the encampment, he notices that neither the large suit of armor similar to him nor did he smell the two other shinobi around. He began to worry that something was up and made his towards Nishida's command tent. As he entered, he was immediately confronted by Nishida talking to a shadow of Kasumi. "Well, guess that answers where the other shinobi are. But where is the giant and silent armor suit?" Dimitri was kinda intruding without voicing his presence, kinda rude on his part. Though his voice is lased with a bit of concern as some of the better forces of the camp disappeared.