At first approach, it seemed like the fort was long abandoned. The wooden posts were rotting, some already toppled, and the surrounding forest was thick with overgrown brush. As the moved closer, however, there were signs of a recent presence. Coals sat undisturbed in a nearby pit, and areas of the thick leaf-bed had been recently overturned, showing the dark topsoil underneath. And -
A body was in one of the trees.
Not a skeleton. Not even desiccated. The skin was still fresh, though the blood on the man's clothes - and running down the trunk - and pooled beneath him - had already dried. He was impaled on several branches, suspended with his limbs splayed at odd angles. His glassy eyes stared at the group, mouth hanging open as if to warn them to leave.
Though his clothes were tattered, they were almost certainly the black gakuran of a member of the corps.
Sumi stared up at the corpse, biting her lip, but didn't say anything, instead silently moving ahead towards the structure of the fort proper.
A body was in one of the trees.
Not a skeleton. Not even desiccated. The skin was still fresh, though the blood on the man's clothes - and running down the trunk - and pooled beneath him - had already dried. He was impaled on several branches, suspended with his limbs splayed at odd angles. His glassy eyes stared at the group, mouth hanging open as if to warn them to leave.
Though his clothes were tattered, they were almost certainly the black gakuran of a member of the corps.
Sumi stared up at the corpse, biting her lip, but didn't say anything, instead silently moving ahead towards the structure of the fort proper.