As they approach the forest, Chen Wu greets his friend with a smile. "All that wait for a bird, Hon Yin? I hope this does something good..." He then remebers they got company, and that intriductions are in order. "Do you remember our buddy Quai, from the temple? He'll be tagging along with us during this mission." He points to the monk while he says that.

Momentarily tearing his eyes from scintillating colours found within the birds plumage Hon Yin turns to the others, a momentary confusion flashing across his features as he looks at Swift Snake before realization kicks in. "Sai I thought you were heading to town to gather supplies not monks. Hmm. Barely any meat on him. A poor purchase."

Chuckling to himself he strides forward and puts a hand on the monk's shoulder. "It is good to see you again friend. Your arrival is most fortuitous - we could certainly use all the help we can get in this task." He faces becomes flat and expressionless for a moment as he leans in closer. "Tell me. What became of the shrine? The monk, Hozi, did they escape?"

Sai nods and says, "Thank you."

With the pressure off, he quickly makes way to purchase the two bedrolls they were lacking. He then hurries back to the camp, keeping an eye out to make sure that he's not followed.

Swift Snake smiles at the priest's comments even though he avoids the priest's embrace.

"I bring some unfortunate news I'm afraid. We better wait for Sai Yun, so I don't repeat myself"
He starts passing the rations around keeping only a couple for himself but his attention is clearly caught by the bird.

"Why do I think I've seen such a bird before, it doesn't look like a jungle bird. It would seem it is quite fond of you" he says regaining his earlier smile.



He then unrolls his tatami mat and sits in the lotus position. From a small sack he retrieves some berries he also offers to the others. Then he retrieves a small basket and a small bundle. He empties the bundle in the basket, what seems like a small dead mouse falls inside.
If anyone looks closer he will see that the basket is full of leaves, only after some time will he see the small serpent moving towards its food. In the meantime a sweet melody fills the air as the monk reclaimes his flute.


Under his tengai he carefully observes their surroundings.

Hon Yin frowns at Swift Snake's answer but doesn't push the issue. "Very well. We shall await Sai's return - though from your face I can make a guess at your answer." His frown breaks somewhat when the pheasant flutters onto his head and begins to roost. "As for him he a pheasant; a symbol of and gift from my patron, sent to aid us in our quest. He will be a stalwart companion of this I am sure."

Sai says, "Sorry that took a bit. Should we wish to conduct further business in town, though, I think you'll find we're more welcome. I've also got some news concerning our pursuers, though I think our new friend has some information to share first."

He then pulls off his layered outer garment and tosses it to the side. His weapons are in full view as a result: the thick chopping blades positioned for cross draw, the daggers at the small of his back and the bandolier of throwing blades across his chest. He kneels to close the circle and asks, "Can someone explain the bird to me?"

Swift Snake notices Sai Yun's approach even before the warrior reaches camp but continues to play the flute nonetheless. Only when Sai Yun stands among them does he end his song and calmly sets his flute asside.

Whith swift movements he replaces the lid on his serpent's basket. "Still too cold for you little fellow" he thinks to himself.

As he waits for someone to explain the pheasant to Sai he finishes packing.He then reclaims the lotus position on the tatami mat and waits for everyone's attention before he can share his story.

"As you know I remained at the temple hoping to face the aggressors and assist the priests, but the priests tricked me in a secret chamber before I could even lay my eyes on the attackers. When I finally managed to get out the assault was already over."

, turning to Hon Yin,
"Hozi didn't make it. There were few other casualties though, since the whole thing was over in a flash"

, turning again to the rest of them,
"The other priests informed me that the attackers were three wizards, one of whom proficient with the sword, though they couldn't give me a more precise description. The wizards escaped before other priests could arrive to face them.
The most important thing, the priests told me, though is that the attackers don't seem to know what they are looking for, which leads to the question, why did they attack? What is their objective?"

Swift Snake stops to let his words sink in before continuing

"They arrived at the village some time after you three arrived ,a little before myself; and left after wounding one of the guards."
With that he turns to Sai Yun to let him fill in the gaps or add anything else he might have heard.

Sai listens and nods as the description of the mages comes into the story.

"That fits with what I was told. The trio arrived, confronted the guard who told them nothing. One of them knows how to ensorcel men, however and was able to loosen the tongue of one of them with magic. When one of the guards tried to help his enslaved companion, she was run through by the leader, who wears his in a topknot and carries an enchanted, burning blade.

"The only other detail they mentioned was they spoke the name 'Lord Daigam', apparently as if it gave them authority.

"They know nothing of our whereabouts save that we came to town and left after refusing to surrender our weapons. They then headed towards Ceonling.

"I was able to heal the injured guard and this has bought us some trust, should we wish to provision ourselves further in town. I was also advised that if we were to go north, the woods are haunted. This suggests that our initial plan isn't a bad one, though our pursuers are ahead of us. I don't know if this changes our plans."

Hon Yin listens without input, obviously the least informed of his peers in these matters. He awaits first for Swift Snake and then for Sai to finish their stories before he himself speaks. "Hmm. It would appear we have the advantage then. If our pursuers know not the item they seek then it is also unlikely they know our faces. This we can use to our advantage." Raising a hand to his chin he begins pacing while he thinks through the various scenarios they could find themselves in. His pheasant, having now fluttered to the ground, follows his actions, eventually finding the same rhythm to move at.

Finally he stops and turns to the others, a sly smile set on his face. "It is settled then. We keep to our original plan. That our enemies are ahead of us gives us all the more reason to do so. They have shown themselves to be cowards, willing to use steel and magic against those weaker then themselves, and will do so again if they believe it will lead them to their goal. Should we come across them we will strike without mercy, obliterate them and scatter their ashes to the winds. This Daigam will find out just how dangerous a path he has set his minions on."

Swift Snake listens carefully throughout the others' comments.
"What is the plan?" he asks.

As he waits for an answer Swift Snake draws a quick map in the dirt using a stick. He places markers for the locations of note, a twig here, a rock there, even a bunch of leaves for the haunted forest.

He can't help laughing when he notices Hon Yin's glorified chicken checking the map imitating its master.

Chen Wu hears the conversation, although he's much more interested in the strange bird than on anything else. When he notices that the talk is getting somewhere, he decides to join. "I suggested that we head to the nearest big city and try to vanish there for a couple of days to make them lose any kind of track they have on us. Then we can proceed our journey without raising suspicions."