"Well, we'll reach that road when it comes." Kaleb replied, moving to the other side of the tent, setting his swords aside against a holster. "I'll see you in the morning then. Don't worry, I don't snore." Kaleb enlightened her, pulling a cloth-like divided out giving them both some privacy. You could still see through it but only able to make out the outlines of each other in the dim candle light.

Kaleb removed his damp robe, hanging it on a rake to dry. His whole upper body was covered with scars he'd acquired throughout his life. Whips, swords, and spears all left their mark. Kaleb sat cross legged on his small cot, taking the time to meditate for a while before calling it a night. He was facing a small candle-lite shrine with a few small figures carved out of wood.

The whole ride his nose lifted to the scent of Memory's hair as it whisked in the damp air. The scents of shampoos he didn't know existed. Her company unusually was relaxing and peaceful. Why was his mind dawning on this? He had no chance with a noble anyway, right? The two dismounted when they reached the came, he was greeted by a bunch of disturbed faces seeing Kaleb bring back the imperial for a second time. They though she was nothing but trouble for them.

Kaleb glanced over to Memory in the dim lighting, able to see the bruise more clearly. "Wow. you got quite the shiner from your own vanguard. I wouldn't worry about it though, makes you look distinguished." He said with a smirk, eying her deeper. "Listen, I don't want to have to worry about you during your staying here. I'm sure your thinking the same. Just give me some of your time and in the end I'll let you go on your way." He offered truthfully.

Kaleb walked next to Memory as the two made there way towards the stables where three of his four men stood, waiting next to their horses. Kaleb gave each of them a glance as he neared. "Where's Shen?" Kaleb questioned, watching his men look down at the ground in silence. Kaleb knew before they even answered. "He didn't make it.." One finally said. Kaleb sighed heavily to himself, his mind racing over all his memories of Shen. He was a good man, and a fine soldier. "Rest well, our brother." Kaleb prayed.

His three remaining men mounted and took off for the forest line. The gallops of the horses dimmed over the distance. Kaleb neared his pure black horse, stepping into the rains and mounting himself. He looked down at the princess, finally offering her a hand to help her mount in front of him.

He peered down at Memory as she started to sob. "What do you mean it doesn't matter? These are your people, they have lives of their own. And they just lost their homes.." Suddenly no sooner did the words come out of his mouth did he hear thunder, booming over head. "Thank the gods.." He said, mainly to himself as the rain started to come down. It would at least save some of the structures and keep the fire from spreading. Kaleb closed his eyes while his head was lifted to the sky, letting the rain wash over him. He heard what she asked of him, he didn't answer right away.

"What makes you think I'm going to let you take the easy way out? I still have a need for you. You have to make the attacks on these outer villages stop." Kaleb said to her as he neared her side. "But until that time, you are staying with me." He removed his outer robe and offered it to Memory as resistance to the rain. Even though she was a prisoner, he wasn't a complete asshole for a rebel.

Kaleb lowered into a defensive stance when one of the Imperials charged at him full speed on horse back. Spear ready in hand to impale Kaleb. At the last second kaleb dodged the incoming spear, drawing his sword in one swinging motion, slicing his blade deep into the riders horse as it ran by. It collapsed over itself crushing the rider with its heavy body. Kaleb rose his sword high, turning quickly in case of another incoming attacker.

To his surprise, Kaleb's eyes glanced to Memory who ran out from the cover of the burning huts towards the leader on horseback. His eyes widened. 'Shit, she'll give away our camp in the woods.' He thought to himself, thinking for sure she was going get away. However when the Captain back handed her away from him, he was confused. 'He thinks shes one of the locals..' He pondered to himself, remembering he undressed her Imperial clothing when she was asleep.

Kaleb ran towards the two at full speed. Something suddenly clicked inside him as the captain rose his sword against memory. Like an adrenaline boost he usually got when facing a force he had no chance at winning. Things became ever so clear, a heightened sense of things. Time seeming to slow down until all he could hear was the sound of his own heart beat. He swung his sword out just in time to block the blade coming down at Memory's neck and shoulder area. The blades sparked, repelling off each other. Kaleb spun bringing his sword out in an upward swipe that cleaved the captains arm clean off. It fell to the ground still clinging to his sword. The captain screamed in pain, taking off with his remaining men with haste away from the burning town. Kaleb watched the Imperials leave, knowing they will return with a much larger force next time.

Sweat rolled down the sides of Kaleb's face as he turned to Memory who was still recovering from her blow. He then glanced around at the surrounding building that were burning to the ground. "You still think that what your imperial guard do are for the good of your people?" He asked retoricly, swiping his sword down and spraying the blood of its surface before re-holstering.

The trek to the nearby village didn't take too long with the group on horse back as they neared the stables and watermill, Kaleb pulled back on his horses reins and the group of five dismounted leaving their horses in the care of the stable keeper. The group walked side by side through the village getting a few glances from the villagers. So of them waved and smiled, especially the small boys, who carried wooden swords in their hands. Kaleb ruffled the hair of the kid nearest to him and the boys went about their day sword fighting.

The five samurai spread out, combing the town through the small market place. Kaleb approached one of the shops, buying a rather large bag of rice. He thanked the tiller, handing her a few gold coins. He carried the bag back to his horse, tying it to the travel pouch. It was then did he look over seeing a dust cloud approaching in the distance. Coming over the hill were 8 Imperial soldiers on horse back. Some had flag like banners sticking up behind their backs. They all carried torches in the crisp night. Kaleb whistled catching the attention of the men and they nodded coming to the stable at the entrance to town.

Without warning the Imperials came charging in right past Kaleb and his band of men, throwing their torches up onto the straw roofs of the surrounding houses. People started to scream and run in all the confusion. Most stood in the square watching as their homes were raised. "This village is known to supply the rebel army, enemies to the lord. Let it be known, all who harbor the enemy get their homes torched." Announced the captain of the Imperial force. Kaleb and his men ran into the square after the horse men. "Leave these homes alone Imperial scum!" Kaleb shouted and in no time the sword fighting started.