The morning had blossomed into a scorching afternoon. It had rained heavily the night before, but already not a single trace of it could be found, and the dirt was once more cracking under the heat.

They were in the courtyard, all men of importance, with servants buzzing around them, tightening buckles here and saddling their horses, ensuring that everything was in place. No matter where he stood, Gengyo continued to find himself in the way. The servants never told him to move – they would not dare – but their gazes as they stood there awkwardly waiting for him to move was enough bother in and of itself.

His conversation with Jikouji was continually interrupted for that reason, and as the wind whipped up more noise, it became nigh on impossible to hear the old man speak.

"Will ten guards be enough?" He heard Jikouji say at last, having to shout it.

"Ten guards and five generals. Anything more would be excessive for a tea ceremony," Gengyo replied, moving closer to him so that he wouldn't have to raise his voice so high.

"The lady Akiko, myself, Morohira, Togashi and Yamamoto? You could bring another man – the lady is your wife. She should not count towards your guard," Jikouji suggested, ever the prudent man. They'd made certain to bring the Takeda man, Yamamoto. He was wise, that much was obvious. His wit was there. His younger companion – the general Yamagata – was more inclined towards combat and strength. Both had played a pivotal role in integrating the Takeda troops.

"And have Akiko dress in a yukata? This may be a tea ceremony, but I want us all to be armed and armoured. I do not want Nobunaga to forget for even a second that our intentions are purely military," Gengyo said, shaking his head by way of refusal.

"Your mount is ready, my Lord," a servant informed him, speaking modestly quiet as he bowed.

Gengyo barely heard him, "yes thank you," he dismissed him with a wave of his hand. It was shaping up to be a chaotic afternoon. There was so much happening with his departure. So much that needed his attention. He planned to come back that same evening, to collect the body of his army, but he found himself making more preparations than necessary.

"But-" Jikouji tried to protest, yet his timing was off and his words were drowned out by the arrival of Matsudaira.

"Have a safe journey, my Lord Miura. If anyone can make this Oda man see sense, it is you. I will be praying for your success," Matsudaira said respectfully, having dressed in his very best silken kimono, of navy in colour. He'd tied his hair neatly in a top knot, and oiled it. He'd even trimmed the whiskers that had begun to invade his lower jaw as of late, as he poured over maps and prepared for the task that was to be set for him.

"Will I ever manage to rid you of that formality?" Gengyo asked with a smile, grasping his shoulder. "You take care of yourself as well, Matsudaira. Of our ten thousand men, it worries me to only give you four for our defence. Are you truly certain it will be enough?"

"More certain than ever," Matsudaira said firmly, "I will make full use of our fortresses. There's a net of them on our eastern front. There's strength in them. I'll hold the Hojo and the Imagawa remnants back, you have my word on that. It is me who should be ashamed taking so much of your forces when the objective you pursue is so much larger than mine. The unification of all the Takeda lands and battle with the Dragon of Echigo? That's a daunting task indeed."

"If you swear to win, then so will I. The odds are against us once again, but that seems to be the way of the Miura forces – always fight outnumbered. We managed against Shingen, and our men are stronger now, better trained. We'll do it again. We'll go further. And with the Oda on our side, it will be much in our favour," Gengyo reassured him. "Work with Morojo. He will ensure you have all the coin you need. Takeshi as well. Mount his cannons on your walls, and the enemy will not come close."

Matsudaira smiled at his concern. Of course he'd already considered those options already. "You have a difficult day ahead of you. Your concern should be with yourself. I told you, didn't I? I'll seize victory, worry not, my Lord."

"Our Matsudaira-dono has a point," Jikouji chipped in. "If you don't plan to push your luck with guards for fear of offending Oda, then you had better mount your horse and let us getaway. If you arrive late, that will be a far bigger insult to that fickle little Lord's honour."

Gengyo had to smile like that, imagining the look on Oda's face should he make him wait. It was tempting just for that reason. Alas, his sense won out, and he thread his foot through the stirrup, and jumped on the back of his horse.

He could see better now, from that height. Everyone important to him had gathered to see him off. Rin was pouting, threatening to say goodbye, irritated that she wasn't included in the five generals that he was bringing along. There are reasons for that, little sister, he thought to himself as he smiled at her, if I were to bring all my best men along with me to a tea ceremony, then who would defend all that I own should my enemies smell weakness?

"She'll forgive you soon enough," Akiko said from his side, mounted on her white mare, smiling towards Rin as well.

"Let us hope it is sooner rather than later," Gengyo declared, pulling back his reigns and digging his heels into the sides of his horse, leading their party off to the warm sounds of their comrades bidding them farewell. The guardsmen drew open the fortress gate just in time, and then they were racing across the long grass of the plains, the wind running through their hair, enjoying the ultimate freedom.