Sword Quest IX - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Very well. Before that, however, please pardon me as I say a quick good-bye."
> Fly back down to Tojiko.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Very well. Before that, however, please pardon me as I say a quick good-bye."
> Fly back down to Tojiko.

>"Right," says Reimu.
>You fly down to Tojiko, who has been watching the three of you. "You're leaving again?" she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "It seems ghostly gardener has done her job."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "It seems ghostly gardener has done her job."

>"Ah, good," she says. "I'll be sure to keep Futo safe."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod with a smile.
> "Thank you, my dear. I shall return as soon as is prudent."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod with a smile.
> "Thank you, my dear. I shall return as soon as is prudent."

>"I don't imagine I'll be going anywhere," says Tojiko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Splendid. Be well until next time."
> Take flight and rejoin Reimu and Youmu's wannabe-girlfriend.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Splendid. Be well until next time."
> Take flight and rejoin Reimu and Youmu's wannabe-girlfriend.

>"Be careful, Crown Prince," Tojiko says, bowing a little.
>You rejoin Reimu and Kotohime, and follow the two of them westward.
>ELSEHWHERE IN THE WORLD: Youmu
>The faeries have been somewhat terrifying, but keeping to the ground, they seem to have ignored you. You've followed the road southward, only leaving to take a detour around the forest that the regretful dead linger in before rejoining it. You've passed between the Garden of the Sun and the Nameless Hill without any real trouble; you note the faeries are a lot wilder of the latter and practically non-existant over the former. Then you've passed through the farmlands, and found they are curiously but understandably empty despite the harvest season in the later afternoon. The faeries are not too prevalent there, thankfully. Now, the town is in sight. The afternoon is wearing on, the horse has followed you obediently and could definitely use water and a rest soon. Meira has not stirred. The road leading into the village is fairly empty.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is there anywhere immediately visible where the horse could get these things that it needs? If so, head there. If not, head into town and look around for such a place.

[Hello Purvis]

> Is there anywhere immediately visible where the horse could get these things that it needs? If so, head there. If not, head into town and look around for such a place.

>You suppose some of the nearby barns might do, but the people who claim them probably wouldn't appreciate it. There is a well close to the Myouren Temple, and you suppose you can let it rest just about anywhere.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is the well public use?
> In which compass direction is the Hakurei Shrine?

> Head toward the aforementioned well.

[Hello Purvis]

> Is the well public use?
> In which compass direction is the Hakurei Shrine?

> Head toward the aforementioned well.

>As far as you know.
>It is to the east and a bit south.
>You head into town, and find there is a little activity around the Myouren Temple; in particular you note the ship ghost and the nyuudo sitting on the temple roof, watching the sky. You think you see a glimpse of Mamizou making her way toward the back of the temple. As for the well itself, it is a simple thing made of stone with a wooden cover over it, and a bucket connected to a length of rope at the sides. The ground around it bare and compacted, showing plainly how frequently people come to it. Right now, though, there is no one here.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is there anywhere to pour water for the horse to drink?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is there anywhere to pour water for the horse to drink?

>You look around, and notice a small trough by the side of the road, a few yards from the well and within east reach of the rope.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Draw some water, then pour it into the trough.

[Hello Purvis]

> Draw some water, then pour it into the trough.

>You do so, letting the horse go and finding that it is content to obediently stand there. The cover comes off easily enough, and you draw the water easily. This gets the animal's attention as you carry it over to the troth, it whickers and follows you, and barely lets you finish pouring before it lowers it head in and begins to lap nosily at the water. You suspect it will want more, if only so it won't have to strain once the water becomes too shallow.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Draw another bucket and add it to the trough. Hopefully that will be enough for the time being, we don't want to use too much of the communal water.

[Hello Purvis]

> Draw another bucket and add it to the trough. Hopefully that will be enough for the time being, we don't want to use too much of the communal water.

>You fill the trough a bit more, and the horse eagerly drinks. After a couple minutes, it seems to be satisfied.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Hopefully not too much water left over in the trough?
> Put the bucket back where it belongs.
> How's our view of the east sky from here?

[Hello Purvis]

> Hopefully not too much water left over in the trough?
> Put the bucket back where it belongs.
> How's our view of the east sky from here?

>There's a little left, but you imagine it'll get used sooner or later.
>You replace the well bucket and look eastward. The  skyline is reasonably clear, as long as you aren't too close to a building. You don't think there's anything larger than two stories here.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How's Meira doing?
> The Temple didn't give us any oddball looks on our way by, did they?

[Hello Purvis]

> How's Meira doing?
> The Temple didn't give us any oddball looks on our way by, did they?

>She has not stirred.
>They may have, but you've not really been paying attention. Glancing over, the nyuudo is definitely watching you with some curiosity, or so it seems with the many yards of distance between you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Could we travel eastward from here, or would we need to move along a north/south-running road first?

[Hello Purvis]

> Could we travel eastward from here, or would we need to move along a north/south-running road first?

>You can go eastward via sidestreets, but it may be easier to go north and hit the main eastern road.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

Hmm.

> Is there anywhere in the immediate vicinity where we could tie the horse without being rude? Perhaps the well?
> If so, tie the horse to whatever thing we find, then head toward the Myouren Temple proper while on foot.

[Hello Purvis]

> Is there anywhere in the immediate vicinity where we could tie the horse without being rude? Perhaps the well?
> If so, tie the horse to whatever thing we find, then head toward the Myouren Temple proper while on foot.

>You do note a few hitching posts, particularly in front of nearby stores.
>You put one to use, then approach the temple. The Nyuudo waves toward you, which seems to draw the ship ghost's attention. "Hoy!" she calls. "Need shelter?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give a return wave.
> "I do not, but your concern is appreciated."
> Hold up Miko's sword so it is easier to see.
> "I do, however, wish to warn you that she is likely on her way, or at least one of her subordinates."

[Hello Purvis]

> Give a return wave.
> "I do not, but your concern is appreciated."
> Hold up Miko's sword so it is easier to see.
> "I do, however, wish to warn you that she is likely on her way, or at least one of her subordinates."

>The ship ghost eyes the sword. You're certain she frowns, but you're far enough away that you cannot tell. "Maybe you oughta take that somewhere else," she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course."
> Lower the sword, then gesture to the horse.
> "I will need to take this human and her horse with me. Do you have any suggestions for a safe place for them?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course."
> Lower the sword, then gesture to the horse.
> "I will need to take this human and her horse with me. Do you have any suggestions for a safe place for them?"

>"What's wrong with her?" says the ship ghost. "Faeries get her?"

>_