As the carriages bounced along the grassy hills, the mounted guards kept pace. The yumi bow in Momo's hand, made of stern yet flexible bamboo, was strung and ready. Though they moved at fair speed, they did not move at their greatest speed - at least, not yet.
"So, should these horsemen come, what will you do?" The princess idly wondered, eying the bow and quiver of arrows she had been given.
"Kill them, my Lady," Momo replied firmly. "These men intend to kill us or worse. It would be best if they fell rather than succeed in their attempts to stop us." She looked around to see if the path was still clear. She disliked not being near the man she was sworn to protect but it was her task to protect the princess. Her honey brown eyes drifted back to the pretty face of the woman that would be her rival if that battle wasn't already lost.
"I still have my blade if they breech the gap again," Momo added thoughtfully.
"This is all true," the Princess admitted, "But perhaps I should have been more specific," she admitted. "Should they come, how are you going to fight them? With the bow after climbing out on top, or would you prefer to shoot out from the door?" Tsumami asked. "If you insist on shooting out of the door, I could put a cloth around your waist as you leaned out for a better shot," she offered. It was a surprisingly warlike, yet practical idea, coming from her.
Aoki pursed her lips together. From the top would be practical but it would ruin our cover. So, your idea of tying a cloth would be best. That's a wonderful idea, my Lady." The yojimbo smiled. "It will be challenging but it will have to do."
"Good," the princess replied, peering out of the back of the carriage. Tying an obi into a large knot, she added, "Because you're going to have to do that at any moment." Behind them, off in the distance, dust rose in a cloud as hooves furiously beat against the road. With a yell, the man at the carriage urged the horses forward. But even then, carriages were heavy and slow - as the distant riders caught up, both could see glimpses of brigand cloth and iron. Though crudely dressed, they were well armed and armored, lances in hand.
The samurai's eye twitched and sighed. She waited for the tie before attempting anything. "Here we go.." Aoki moved closer to the princess to get the makeshift rope tied around her narrow waist. "With any luck I won't fall out. If I get enough time, I might try to climb on top but I don't want to leave you alone in the carriage."
"I'm less worried about being alone than I am you falling out," Tsumami replied. Getting up from her seat, she tossed the silk obi over Aoki's head, and making sure to brace herself, nodded to the yojimbo. As the guards closed their formation around the carriages however, she saw it. Those same blue eyes. Riding close enough for her to see, their eyes locked as he nodded to her as well, the brigands closing in fast from behind, lances leveled. He had his bow, holstered to the saddle, and she, her bow in hand, yet hidden from view.
Momo could feel it - he wanted to surprise them once they closed!
Momo felt the anticipation as they were about to spring their trap. She lingered hidden inside the carriage and waited for the Lord and their mercenaries to start the surprise attack. She held her bow and an arrow at ready. Everything got quiet in Momo's ears as she waited. As half dozen riders got near, the whites of their eyes becoming clear, the young master in guard's garb pulled out his bow, and turning in his saddle, loosed a single shot in one smooth motion.
The loosing of the arrow resounded loudly in Momo's ears and she shoved open the carriage door. The yojimbo gracefully leaned out of the carriage, bow and notched arrow in hand. Her sharp eyes found a brigand approaching the young master and let a white fletched arrow loose. Her training had prepared her for archery on horseback but not quite this. It was exhilarating with the charge of the enemy, the whiny of horses and the pounding of hooves as dust and peach petals whipped around them in a frenzy.
As the wind blew through her hair, the arrows found their mark. Horses screamed as their strength fled them, plunging head first into the ground and tossing their riders. As the two smoothly drew their arrows once more however, the brigands broke and ran, hooves beating into the soil.
"Ara," the princess exclaimed in mild surprise. "That was all much quicker than I would have expected," she commented, pulling Momo back into the carriage. "Watch your head!" Once Momo was in however, Tsumami sighed. "I suppose they're either actual brigands that were surprised to see guards of skill, or assassins who will try again at night." For a princess, she was surprisingly thoughtful on these matters.
Momo took a deep breath to calm her heart beat as the engagement ended as quickly as it began. "I don't think we intend to stop until we reach the next town but that's still a few hours ride. The horses should be able to make it but they'll be wiped if we push them through the night, my Lady," she thoughtfully replied. "They mean to stop us. I suppose our ruse was effective for a few days before they figured out something was a miss."
"Yes, it has been a quiet few days," the princess admitted. All things came to an end however. "There is no point in pushing past the next town though - we will simply make rest there knowing they will come," she thoughtfully spoke, her mind distant in the moment. "I assume you're quite alright?" Tsumami then asked, her eyes coming to gaze over Momo's body.
The guard's hair was dusty and disheveled from the wind but otherwise, she was unhurt. "I am fine, my Lady." She nodded and settled back on the bench to look out the windows again. He met my gaze. The thought warmed her and softened her expression. "Thank you for keeping me from falling, hopefully, you weren't jostled too much?"
"Oh, not at all," she smiled back at the yojimbo fondly.
The rhythmic pounding of hooves on the road and the creaking of the carriage became steady as the horses readjusted to a normal gallop instead of the frenzy of trying to evade brigands. The mercenaries rode along side, providing a closer escort now that the attack was over.
Green eyes peered from behind an ugly metal mask to check on the women inside the carriage. "Fair ladies, are you well?"
Momo recognized the eyes and her cheeks flushed pink as she remembered his naked form from the night before. "Tanaka-san, we are well. How are the others? Hopefully we haven't lost anyone?"
The mercenary laughed, "Nay, little Momo, everyone is fine! Just keep on your guard, we should be to the next town soon. The horses need to rest or they will drop." He smiled at the women and spurred his stallion forward again to rejoin the others in formation around the carriage.
"Such strong, courageous men," the princess sarcastically sighed. With the previous incident still fresh in mind, she looked to Momo's eyes with a giggle, hoping to see her reaction. "And the young master as well. Whether he looses arrows or stabs with his lance, he is impressive to watch, is he not?" Tsumami smiled.
"He is very impressive, my Lady. You are truly lucky to have been paired with him. He will be a good husband to you," Momo replied with a forced smile, pushing a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. The yumi bow was balanced neatly across her lap and the quiver rested easily beside her calf. Her cheeks still pink. "Do you study tactics? You seem quite knowledgeable, my Lady."
"Oh, forget about that," the princess replied, reaching out with both arms at the swordswoman. "Just come here." Bringing Momo close, her arms wrapped around her in a warm embrace. As her bosom pressed against the yojimbo, Tsumami's head rested against her shoulder, gently rocking with the royal guard. "I know of your pain," she gently whispered for Momo alone. "And I am here for you."
Momo's eyes widened for a moment and she tensed as soon as the princess embraced her. It took her a few moments for her to relax and return the embrace. "...Thank you, my Lady." She didn't know what came over the princess, perhaps she was in love with another and was being forced to marry her Lord? It was impossible to tell with how playfully elusive she could be at times.
"You and I both know they'll attempt another attack of sorts. Some night attack or ambush," Tsumami began, her arms relaxing as she released Momo from her embrace. Giving her an almost catlike smile, she suggested, "Perhaps, we should try turning the tables?" If they managed to pull it off, they'd be free of harassers for quite some time, at least until the next group showed. But more importantly, with things in their favor during such a counter-ambush, they could possibly aim for more.
Like capturing and interrogating one of their attackers.
"That is actually a good idea. How do you think we should go about capturing one of them?" As Momo asked the question, she had an idea. She would need to wait for them to reach the next village to execute a plan but the trickier part was to not tip their hand. She leaned in close and whispered her idea into the princess's ear, taking care to not allow the driver to overhear.
"Capturing one?" The princess exclaimed with surprise. Smiling again, she added, "How daring of you~"