[Post Here First!] Northern Aozora Border

The silence of the suspended suit of armor was almost eerie, ringing with a hollow chime as ornate metal pieces knocked together with the otherwise natural appearance of a walking gait. However, the cheerful whistle emanating from the helm was a bemusing contradiction. Rapunzi wasn't entirely sure how he'd ended up here. His surroundings had changed from harsh sands to this curious (and scenic) forest. With his distorted appreciation of time however, he couldn't be too sure how long he'd been walking. He intended to follow this trail, however. Cheerful interrogation of the next soul he came across would hopefully give him some answers.

Rapunzi's metal exterior gave no indication he'd noticed movement, yet he came to an abrupt halt, steel scoring on steel in a sharp clang as his glittering helm turned to consider the bandit. "You'd think they would've band-it." the spirit scoffed, voice emanating from hollow chestplate. "Mortal, tell me my location." It was possible the djinn hadn't yet comprehended his situation...

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Caspaine examined the parchment in his hand once more; doubt creeping into the back of his mind as he found himself submerged amidst the thick vegetation of the forest, eerie silence filling the air.. Had it not been for the official seal, or a very very convincing fake sealing the letter he'd likely not have bothered.

He walked along the beaten path; a road made of hoof prints and heavy foot traffic that was meant to lead travelers towards their destination.

It took a lot of time in steady walking pace to reach the end of a seemingly infinite pathway but he was at he assumed to be the end of the border. He was now in Aozora.

''HELP ME, PLEASE!''
A shout pierced the silence as the man quickly pivoted to the side, his dark brown eyes glistening in the shimmers of light that penetrated the foliage.

A woman and a child; both cornered into the tree side as two bandits circled their position. They approached their prey step by step, the women appeared no older than in her late teens; blonde hair complimented by a ragged and dirty dress, but one of obvious value. A rich girl most likely, ostracized and exiled from her family for falling in love with the wrong man. Seeking a new life in Aozora.

A life those men were hell bent on taking away. Caspain's fist tightened around the hilt of his blade.
This is not your fight. You have a job to do and that's it.
But as they say, old habits die hard. He prowled the tall grass the shadow of the trees as he made his approach. Not a wisp of sound could be heard as he maneuvered the terrain; ending up a mere few steps away from the assailants. It was time to make his move.

The first one had a quick death, too quick perhaps. The sound of his neck breaking was concealed by the young lady's screams as his partner in crime tried to whisk the baby out of his grasp. Caspain unsheathed his blade.

The last thing he saw was the blade of an assassin puncturing his stomach. Blood sprayed over the woman's fair cheek as she witnessed the bandit die at her feet, his hand stretching for help before the last few breaths of life abandoned his crooked features.

And what of the man who she owed her life? he looked almost..disappointed, as he walked away without seeing a word. He had a job to do.

There were several events that happened in the merchant Azir Mir's short life so far; attempting to eat a prickly pear bare-handed, shoving her younger brother down a dune, and her latest protest of another marriage contract by fleeing the empire of Goraia..not that she was much of a citizen to begin with. Her entire life had been filled with travel among Sorala dunes with livestock eking out a living on the few seasonal grasses hardy enough to survive the environment. It was there she learned the practical skills of life from basic cooking to weaving as expected of her lot in life. While an elder trader took note in the apparent interest their small flock of goats displayed in the young girl...so began her varied career of animal husbandry. It had led to bigger and better lots in life as her family prospered from her connection with the beasts. Still as it would be expected..a several children possibly passing on this gift would be valued more than just one woman.


The ebony haired woman was shaken from her thoughts as her humble covered wagon rumbled to a stop in the lightly muddled road. Harsh braying from her two noble, if troublesome donkeys made her sigh as the mud squished under her sandals as she ran a calming hand down one of beast's flank hoping to quiet it. Rumors were that bandits multiplied like rabbits in these woods and a lone merchant would hardly be a match for armed thugs. A velvety muzzle lipped at the sleeve of her dress searching for a treat as the woman let out a soft laugh before reaching into her pocket producing a small handful of sweet corn. Stroking the lengthy ears of the beast as both creatures munched contently as the smile remained on the woman's face as she imagined the looks of shock that would possibly appear on the bandits faces upon stripping her precious wagon.


Glistening webs danced elegantly from the ceiling of the heavy cloth from back to front as spiders of varying size worked dutifully with an almost impeccable flow repairing weaker areas, binding unsuspecting insects and gently rotating eggs with gentle care. The species of spider was native to her homeland able to grow to the size of small dogs preying on small birds of sparrows and starlings at that size building their trappings under the shifting sands. Their fangs secreted venom able to down such tiny creatures..but the merchant managed to utilize it in healing mixtures as the acidity was remarkable in cleaning out wounds..or worsen them if too much was applied. Softer clicking greeted her as Azir climbed back in the lightly padded seat of the wagon as one of larger eight-legged creatures decided to perch itself on her ebony locks, as an almost purr-like sound squeaked out of it as Azir ran a soft finger along it's abdomen before gently putting back on a nearby web.


Lightly flicking her riding crop against one of the donkeys back as the beasts let out another bray, but finally managed to get back on their rumbling slow pace. It was a long way to Itami-cho as Azir mentally reflected on the crude map she was given by the last innkeep she had met..not that the less-traveled man knew each and every landmark. At least her direction was the correct one as the road before her was littered with markings of past travelers. It was eerie to be the only one on the road as her little wagon continued down the road. While a harsh call of 'coin' made her jump slightly as ebony wings fluttered down in front of vision as a crow smugly perched itself on her head before squawking "Coin" in a rough imitation of a human voice. That little trick was one Azir taught herself to the tiny flock she tended to as four other crows settled themselves on her person tittering about as birds often do. Only one had managed to a rough replica of the human voice earning the name Mirage as the eldest crow's feather tips were beginning to turn a lighter ash color with each passing season.



Gently offering the few kernels of corn remaining in her pocket as the birds pecked at the offering before the four settled themselves on the top of the wagon with a few scuffles here and there. Only Mirage remained like pampered lapdog in Azir's lap enjoying the gentle grooming of her fingers running over silken feathers. The birds were valuable as alarms as nothing was as suspicious as murder of crows when a stranger entered their territory. While their fiscal valued lay in their occasional shedding and annual molt as their ebony feathers made fine adornments to any item if under the right care. While underneath the wagon hidden from the daylight were small caskets filled with water, aquatic plants and mud as sleeping horned toads slept the days away content, emerging only at night for a feeding occasionally. Such was the life of a traveling merchant..but Azir Mir wouldn't have it any other way..aside from wishing it wasn't so cold. Still that lonely wagon rumbled down the road without a second thought for the desert she left behind.

A booming voice broke the tranquil silence as a furry of ebony feathers rained from the cloth covered wagon's soft shell as the quadruplet of crows took off startled crying alarm calls. Azir's hastily pulled the wagon's reins to a halt as the donkeys came to a stop once more. It was troublesome getting the stubborn beasts to start again, but it would be even worse to get ambushed by highwaymen. Her expression changed from slight irritation to one of surprise as the woman took in the appearance of the 'lone' highwayman and his..smaller stature. The dangerous-looking hammer in his hand didn't ease her worries as the merchant leaned back against the wooden seating of the wagon silently contemplating her own answer before replying apprehensively "A traveler traveling the road like yourself..seeking my share of wealth in Aozora as a merchant..by the name of Azir Mir".


A shuffling of wings echoed in the air as the skittish birds returned to their posts, beady black eyes watching the curious stranger with a bit too much interest. It was the metallic shine of the hammer that drew their attention..as did much of man's shinier creations in the form of precious metals and coin. A shrill whistle interrupted their soft squawking as the birds took off into the north as Azir ran a single finger down the silken hide of a silent Mirage as the bird dignified in his movement perched itself onto the offered wrist of Azir as his greying head cocked at the apparent peace coming the dwarf before cawing out.


Soft giggles escaped the woman as the crow fluffed itself with an air of pride playfully nipping at the woman's fingers from her other hand as she tried to grab the bird's beak. The act similar to a hound wrestling in his master's hand, playful but trusting at the same time. As Azir halted her play as she herself cocked her head to the side resting a knuckle on her tattooed cheek "Trouble? Few people would seek to cause it when outnumbered. While the only trouble a merchant like myself can cause is a few unneeded purchases..although I cannot say the thoughts of my feathered companions..". Mirage twisted his head back up at his mistress with a look akin to an insulted dog before sulkily flapping up to the woman's bared shoulder as the woman apologetically stated "Oh do not look so hurt Mirage, that man's hammer is much to heavy for your flock to carry anyway...Not that weight has ever stopped you before.".


While her expression turned curious as it was Azir's turn to ask the question "So my slighter stature friend what trouble are you seeking on this road? Or I suppose a better question is why a heavily armed man such as yourself is on this very road. With only a hammer to protect you instead a sharpened blade..forgive me..It seems to be an odd choice of weapon..". Her limited exposure to such weapons came in the form of smaller knives and occasionally the curved edge of a scimitar from a hired guard in the market.

Heavy footsteps sounded among the trees, accompanied by the soft scraping of a sled along the ground. Evan trundled through the forest, the reigns of its makeshift carriage clutched firmly in one hand and its expressionless face fixed decidedly forward. It had been walking for some time now, not entirely sure where it was going, but when it had found the road two days ago, it knew that it was nearing civilization.

The sun was already high in the sky, and the blue bird that had been trying to build a nest on Evans sleigh had reappeared. It flew to the golem's shoulder, perching on the stone plate that made up its shoulder, and began pecking at the exposed wood underneath. Evan slowly turned its head to the creature, the sound of stone grinding stone adding to the rhythmic thud of its stride, and reached its free hand up to shoo the bird away. “This one has told you before, bird. It has no place to make your home. Go find a tree.” The bird took flight, leaving an undesirable present on Evan’s shoulder.It made a mental note to clean it, and repair the damaged plates, when it found a place where it could work.

The golem's stone head turned back around to the front as it continued on its way. It hoped it would reach the city soon, and by the congregation of grooves and foot prints in the ground in front of it, its destination seemed close at hand.

The Golem stopped at the guards call, its stone head turning slowly to face the one that hailed it. It raised a hand and called out in its low, rumbling voice.

"Greetings! This one is named Evan, and it has travelled for many days to come here." The blue pinpricks of light of its eyes scanned the men before it, realization slowly dawning on it. Its large, stoney hand released the reigns of its sled and raised both in the air, a gesture it had come to learn meant 'surrender'. "This one means you no harm. It has travelled far to seek a new home, one where it can practice it's craft in peace. You see, this one is a blacksmith."

The golem scanned the faces again, looking for a sign that he was not about to be attacked.

Evan would not object to the search of his cart, instead watching as the cloth was removed and it's contents were sifted through.

"This one wishes to remain humble, but it feels comfortable saying that it's work is of high quality." The golems deep voice kept its monotone sound, but it seemed to contain a quiver of pride. It's cart carried its work tools and apron, but in the back, in a small, sectioned off area, were a handful of goods. Two swords, some metal tools, and other, minor oddities were carefully arranged within. While dirty, and with mild signs of wear, they items were of unquestionably high quality.

"Those are the display pieces this one brought with it to show. The swords were the last things it made before it left its home, and it is quite pleased with them. If you say one of those towns could use a blacksmith, this one would be happy to go there."

The young woman stumbled, going down to her knees as she clutched her child to her chest in preparation to try to direct a fall backward out of concern for the small form. Her arms shook with the effort, for she had traversed a good distance without stopping to rest. Oh, but she was so very tired! Not only was her journey long and arduous. it was quite risky for her.......

She was Itami... The former empress of the war torn Katashima... Her reign had been short lived, and froghtening toward the end. If she hadn't used the secret passageway to get herself to safety, to protect the life growing within her belly that was planted sometime before her wedding to Isao... Where he had gone, she didn't know, but if he died... She hoped that he did not suffer.

The exhausted young woman was able to make it to her feet again, she finally made it to the closest guard before collapsing again, rolling to her back and checking the tiny little girl who whimpered. "We've made it, Sakura-sama... We've made it..." The little girl pushed herself up and placed her tiny palm upon her mother's face, "Aaababa!" The litte almond shaped eyes peering curiously from beneath her wispy black hair. She showed her teeth off, wrinkled her nose, then lay her head upon her mother's chest.

By that point, the former empress had already closed her eyes and gave in to the sleep she'd denied herself for quite some time.