The Peasants Find Their Destiny

The peasants gathered quickly in the center of their make shift village. They hurried from their simple huts and from the fields as the news spread of the returning of their humble envoy that had journeyed to the lands of the Crab to seek their alliance.

"They must bear good tidings, my friends, for it appears several Crab warriors have joined them in their journey back to our temporary abode."

"You have a good eye, noted one of the monks, those appear to be the noted scouts of the Hiruma family. Perhaps they were sent as guides to help you in your quest to your new home."

Excitement raced through the village. The Crab had truly welcomed the assistance of the peasants in their fight against the Crane and in their duty to defend the Wall. Several days passed as the ashigaru prepared for their trip through mountains and then through Shinomen Forest to reach the lands of their newly made allies. However, a few of the older peasants and the families with small children chose to stay with the monks. Some felt the journey was to much to ask of the elderly and the young and furthermore, the ones that remained could continue to offer their hands to the Brotherhood in thanksgiving for their hospitality.

One thing was certain, none would return to the land of the Crane. The story of Doji Eloka's butchering of Kyoko, his faithful ashigaru servant, became the epilogue that empitomized the House of Crane's arrogant dislike for the unwashed. Furthermore, the news about the shady ascension of the new Emerald Champion mended no wounds either. A common phrase spoken quietly among the ashigaru bears noting, "Better to be on the wrong side of the Wall, than to be under the judgment of the corrupted Emerald Crane."

The exodus to reach the lands of the Crab took several weeks. For the most part the trip was without incident. Tensions ran high as the people traveled through Shinomen Forest but there were no signs of the abominations that had battled for Toturi's remains just a few months ago. It appeared the Scorpion and Crab patrols throughout the forest had temporarily kept the tainted ones at bay.

The Hiruma, Kaiu, Kuni and Hida welcomed the ashigaru with a simple festival. A Hida summarized the feelings of most in saying, "Many hands help to make the burden lighter for all. We welcome the people from afar. We believe they understand duty, just as we do."

And so the new life for these peasants has begun. Some served by working the farms, others by helping to restore the wall, while others joined the soldiers on the training fields. Many however, found an unexpected calling. Under the guidance of the Hida, these spirited peasants started their new life working side by side with the Nezumi -- interesting creatures, distrusted and even hated by many. Nonetheless, the Nezumi accepted the ashigaru as their equal and peasants did likewise.

To the Crab! Bonzai! To the Ashigaru! Bonzai! To the Nezumi! Bonzai!