Samurai in the Time Rift 8.1 b

Taisa followed the indication by the farmer and noted that the river was swift in its current now, with many more creatures in it. They were feeding on what was in the river.

"There were Nihonzaru in the currents and that attracted the predators." Edo explained. "We can't cross today. It would soon be dark and we need to rest. What happened back there?"

Taisa explained the fight and Bento added in the rest.

"I was there upriver when I saw the Hibagon. There were eleven of them led by the One Eyed one. At the river bank, they were greeted by ten more who may had stayed back to guard their boats. As I was to make my way back, the Hibagon was set upon by the Nihonzaru led by Keo. There were more than the Hibagon but the other fought back. I tried to sneaked away and was discovered by the Nihonzaru. I shot two of them and fled into the forest. The rest you heard from Taisa Mori."

"Now the two battles each other and we are free to leave." Taisa Mori remarked. "So be it. We would cross tonight."

"In the dark? You must be crazy." Edo protested.

"We have to, as those Nihonzaru are going to search here and we would be next like the Hibagon." Taisa Mori explained. "Its best we leave tonight."

Taisa Mori looked to the group and they all kept their silence on the issue. He then looked at Edo-san.

"If you want, you can stay on." But the farmer shook his head.

That night they attempted the crossing. They boarded the large raft and three of them took to the oars; Taisa, Gunso and Edo. They hit out to the river and was swept by the current towards downriver.

"Gunso, hold the end." Taisa called out but the current was swift, and even Edo lost his balance. He was held onto by Bento who grabbed his knees. Their efforts were not working as the raft took to the middle and then moved with the current. Some 'orichi' tried to climb on board, but the samurai repelled it. It was the boarding of a young Ryu with it left limb mangled that shock all those on board. It was Lady Ayuse who moved forth and thrust the katana into the wounded creature in its neck. She then kicked the creature off the raft letting it be fed by the other river predators. But what was amazing part of it was she had called out during her effort. It was some time since she had uttered any sound from her voice.

"Ayuse, you shouted!" Lady Noki clasped her care in her arms but Ayuse shook her head. She still would not speak or make any more noise despite the persuasion of the older lady. Bento also joined in but Ayuse refused to try again. Her expression showed fear.

"She needed time, Lady Noki." Bento assured the older lady.

"Time is what we don't have. Hear the sound ahead." Edo shouted out. "I feared we need to get ashore or we would all die."

Gunso had heard of that roaring sound before. Its was when he visited the Shōmyō Falls ( Shomyo-daki ) at Toyoma, Honshu. It was over 1,200 feet in height. He was there as a young Hohei then, with his Lord, and it frighten him till now. The roar of the water was loud like the roar of the Ryu, and its swiftness in the water flow made him feared the drop.

"Work on the oars and hard." Edo shouted as he pushed at the river bed with the oars to moved the raft. Taisa sighted the far river banks and reckon if they would concentrate on Edo side of the raft, they may swing the raft to the river bank. He called out to Gunso to followed him. The three of them pushed hard on the oars that reached down to the river bed, moving the raft against the sweeping currents. Slowly, they made it and then the raft was caught on a side current which flowed the raft towards the river bank.

"Hai!" Gunso shouted out in jubilation. The raft now with the new current and the assistance of the oars, it was moving there. At last they made it until the raft ran onto the solid land again. They rested there until it was sunrise again. It was Gunso who alarmed the Taisa.

"Taisa, you must see this."