Heavenfall

Shortly after dawn found Yoshitsune Nori at the river, setting out a fishing net, weighing it down in the slowly moving stream in hopes of catching some fish for the day's meals.

Once the Crab shugenja was done placing his nets, he prowled up and down the river banks, inspecting the foliage and looking for useful herbs. These leaves will be good seasoning for soup, he thought. These others will be good for grinding into medicine.

He sees another also looking around, but ignoring the plants. Instead, the other man seems to be looking into the dirt itself. Occasionally the dirty looking man will pull up a stone, or push a root out of the way, but he is obviously looking for something else.

"Oh, hello there," Nori said, recalling Kyosei from the earlier meeting. "Looking for grubs?" he asked speculatively.

"Hmmm? Oh, no. Looking at the dirt. This isn't just good land, it's excellent land. If it could be cleared, it would grow amazing crops."

"A fine idea," Nori nodded approvingly. "Are you thinking of starting a farm down here? It's a bit remote, but some folk like it that way."

"Oh, no. Not at all. I have a wife, children, a teacher, all in Isawa lands. But, if I can help someone find this land, settle it, when they are successful, they would remember me, particularly once they are looking to trade."

"It is good land here, with good access to water," Nori agreed. "I'm surprised the Seidou haven't already settled a village here. Though, I guess maybe raiders from the south would be a problem here - it's far from anyone who could help."

Kyosei nods. "Raids would seem to be an issue. Distance another - who would they trade with? Even we, the Isawa have to trade with others for items we can't produce, after all."

"If there's something worth trading for, I'm sure merchants would come," Nori said philosophically. "Perhaps not for a lone settlement, but if enough people came here to found a new village...well, I'm sure it would become worthwhile."

"Perhaps the Crab? They will, like all prosperous people, want to expand, to get enough land to feed their people. If we bring back the report this is good land, then they might expand this way."

"It's a fine idea," Nori agreed. "More people are flocking to Lord Hida's banner every month, so perhaps there will be some who would like to start a new village on a place with good land and good water. I'll be sure to bring it to my superior's attention when we get back to Great Mountain City, and, if you don't mind, I'll mention your name. Perhaps new settlers would like your help founding a village here; it was your idea, after all."

"They can settle, and with my blessing, but I have my own family and home to return to. I live far to the north, in the mountains and the cold."