The Fourth Mistress
Chapter 1
A lone figure ran through the woods, long hair trailing behind it. Occasionally it would stop and lean on a tree, holding it's chest as it struggled for air. Then it would continue it's running.
Pang Tong, out for his dawn walk, looked up from the warn path to see a girl come flying toward him. Not running, but actually flying. He was able to accomplish the same feat, but not without the aid of his Wind Staff. As she passed him, he reached out and caught the hem of her tattered gown and pulled.
He turned when he heard a thump and a loud string of curses. He raised his eyebrows when he saw her face up close.
Her face was a perfect oval, her eyebrows had been shaved off, and he could see traces of makeup on her lips and near her ears. Her long hair was falling out of what once was no doubt once a beautiful topknot, sticking to her face and tangled. Her gown was dyed pink silk with blue hares along it's tattered hem, with long sleeves that covered her hands. He raised his eyebrows higher when she raised a dagger and reached into her sash with her free hand.
"Whoa, now. Where are you going in such a rush?"
She looked him up and down, then lowered her weapon.
"You are of Shu?"
Pang Tong glanced at her dagger again, shifting his weight so he could defend himself in case she attacked.
"Yes. I'm Pang Tong. You are?"
He yelped in shock when she launched herself at him, then dropped down so her forehead was touching the ground.
"Please… Take me to Lord Liu Bei. Help me…"
Pang Tong was never a man who could stand to see a woman in distress, and when she lifted her face to look at him, he felt what little uncertainty melt away. Her cheeks were streaked with tears and dirt, and her big black eyes were shining with hope.
"Alright. Come with me."
Damn if he wasn't a sucker…