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Eversteen wrote:

Kaito did not blame her at all, and he finished up getting ready. Showing that he was being rather protective himself, he did not just get into his robes, but also got into his armor. He felt it wrong to carry around his sacred blade without wearing his full getup, but of course he had the other reason of wanting to be able to fend off any attackers should they appear. Regardless, now fully equipped, he nodded to Michiko, "Time for us to get going. I'll take the lead." With that, he started to get moving towards the docks, to the designated meeting place.

-

Taltoro listened closely, considering his words with his own knowledge of Eversteenian warfare, "A lack of a shield is quite dangerous here in Eversteen, thanks to the existence of the Longbow and Crossbow. Both are deadly instruments, and can harm even a heavily armored knight. A shield is quite likely to save your life. And it is hard to outspeed a crossbow that is already prepared. You may need to adapt to that in due time, but fortunately here you will still have plenty of supporting archers." He seemed more impressed however by the blades, looking them over, "I see, the style makes some more sense to me, although there are still issues. The Katana, as you called it, may be suitable to armored enemies in your land... But it is very clear to me that your land does not do armor like we do here in Eversteen!" For emphasis he clanged his own full plate, "I don't doubt you can cut down peasants and the soft mainlanders, but you'll need to be ready to last in longer battles against Eversteenian armor. I'll have to teach you the way of the Longsword, which is a more suitable blade. However... I will admit your Odachi there interests me. Quite like a Greatsword, but different. Certainly more clean, and those techniques for handling spears and lances will serve you quite well. Keep that blade, Kondoru. One day you'll have to present it to a master smith, so he can copy the style and create for you such a blade of masterful quality."

Meanwhile, one of Kondoru's soldiers came up to him, "My lord, we found the horseshoes. However, there is a good deal of other loot here. Stolen weapons, gold coins, wine barrels... It's quite the haul. What should we do it with it? There is a wagon here we could load it up on, although we'd need to use the horse of you and Lord Taltoro's to drag it in that case." Meanwhile, the bandits were being forced away by the soldiers, allowed to keep their lives as they ran off into the forests.

The walk to the docks was short and simple. The morning darkness and cold air put Michiko on edge, her neck feathers ruffled up as a sign of her discomfort. She clutched Sumire close to her as well.

As they reached the docks, Kaito found Toru waiting by a small ship. A servant was sitting on the boat itself, holding an oar. And Benjiro was sat at the front of the boat facing towards the back. Toru was standing with a little boy, who couldn’t have been older than 8 or 9. Still a young one, he was wearing robes of his own, and trying to imitate Toru’s professional and proper stance. Though he was falling asleep while standing, holding onto Toru’s robes for support. Toru bowed as Kaito approached. “Good morning, noble friend. I do not believe you have met my son, Yasutake. Go on, boy. Introduce yourself.”
The young man stepped forward and bowed, half asleep but trying to maintain his composure, he spoke in a quiet voice. “Hello... Lord Kaito, I am Yasutake Okadu.”
Toru looked like he was going to say something else, but Benjiro spoke, “Come! Come, come, come! Both of you!”

-

Kondoru’s pride seemed to rear itself as his uncle talked about the Katana, “Uncle, I can assure you my armour is sturdy and holds! It allows for flexible movements, unlike your armour which seems far too heavy to allow for useful combat. My Katana could not cut through armour like your’s, but should I encounter an opponent like you, I would have a simple strategy. Cut the mount down from under the attacker, and use my Odachi to cleave at the slow armoured foe. The Katana would be useful for fighting peasants and lower enemies. However, I believe my arsenal is adequate for this land or any land. My father taught me these forms, and I wish to honour him by continuing his legacy.”
He turned to the approaching soldier, “secure the coin for yourselves, consider it a reward for valiant hearts. Kamikaze is no working horse, and he will not haul a wagon! Leave whatever you cannot divide and carry for others. I have no need of it.” He said as he mounted his horse and stroked its neck before turning it and heading for the exit of the cave.