Heavenfall

Hanzou continued his watch, wondering what the rest of the night would bring. He also wondered what the day would bring. Whatever terrors currently lurked in the shadows around the camp, were surely nothing compared to what the rescue team would face. He looked at the tents around him and said a short prayer for those within them.

Having finally slept, and truly slept, not the haze of one's body and spirit mending, for most of the evening and the night, Ayumu woke up just in time to take the final watch before dawn.

Seeing what Hanzou was already there, dutiful, he signed to him: Hello. Quiet until now?

"So far." He nodded, holding up his jade. "Are you alright? I heard you had been wounded."

Ayumu also touched his own jade, then went back to signing:

Healed by powerful magic. Miuna, one eye fire horse magic man, and jade man worked hard to save me.

He smiled. "They are each very capable. Thank you, for fighting for the rest of us."

He nodded. "I've volunteered to call upon the air spirits. And, there is the other ritual before that. It will be a difficult day for all of us."

Ayumu nodded, his eyes wandering to the uncertain stars already dying in the light of the upcoming day:

It will be. We will do our best.

"This will all be over soon." he signed after a taking a moment to look around. "One way or another."

He chuckled. "There will be more to do, of course. But, this will be over. As you said, we'll start something else. What will you start?"

"This language will not be forgotten." he said. "I believe there are plans to expand its use."

"If accepted, I will go with Shinjo and her followers." he answered. "But, I'd like to return to my teacher, first."

"She's been very busy." he shrugged. "Hopefully I'll get the chance to discuss everything with her."

He grinned. "The reason is very simple. Miuna."

Ayumu smiled softly:

How and when do you envision the wedding?