The rain sounded like stones against the walls and the roof. Outside, the storm had been raging for the better part of an hour, the thunder and lighting penetrating though the windows of the house. Children could be heard crying for the rain to stop while their parents tried fruitlessly to calm them down. It was a night that would drag on until morning rescued the tired people and a new day began.
Li Tai, however, enjoyed the rain. She loved its cool feel on her face as she danced through it, and the clean feeling it gave her after it had stopped. Granted, in a storm like this, she couldn't be outside, but she could enjoy it from indoors. She listened to it pound against the roof, the rhythmic sounds soothing her. Sometimes she would wish for that sound on nights that were too hot for sleep, so that maybe she could have a few hours respite. Sometimes she wished she could just wash away with the rain, see what it saw. It just seemed so peaceful in contrast to the howling winds and crashing thunder that came with it. Sighing, she turned back to her cot on the floor. Then she saw it. A massive figure loomed in her doorway, blocking everything outside. Li just stared at it, not sure if it was a man or a monster. The figure didn't move, nor did Li. They seemed locked in their own world, the outside ceasing to exist. It was both frightening and astounding. A scream brought Li back to the real world. She looked outside as people ran screaming from their homes, driven by soldiers brandishing swords and spears. Li turned back to the figure, realizing then what it was. It was a man, a soldier just like the one outside. And her was here to get her. Eyes wide with terror, Li Tai cowered in the corner of her room as the figure came closer, closer, closer...
Li jumped awake, panting and sweating heavily. She looked around. She was still in the servants' quarters, the other women sleeping soundly. None of them had stirred from Li's abrupt awakening. She sighed heavily and rubbed her temples. Another nightmare, she said to herself. Nothing more. Still, she had been having that nightmare for too many nights now. It was always the same; the figure appearing in her doorway, coming to get her. She didn't know why this dream kept recurring. She just knew that it was becoming more and more irritating.
The sun began to pour through the small window opposite Li's bed, finalizing her decision to get an early start. She slowly got out of bed and pulled her servant's garb from the small trunk under her bed. After dressing and washing her face in the small water basin, Li headed towards the kitchen. Sometimes she could catch the cook before he finished preparations for the morning meal and sneak a few buns for herself for later. It beat the cold leftovers that she would have after the Sun family finished their meal.
About an hour later, Li Tai had assembled along with the other servants to receive their duties for the day. She chatted with several of the other women in the room before the head servant called for attention. "As you well know, several of our officers will be arriving later today from the Southern campaigns. It has been a long time since they've seen home, so we want to make sure that the journey and the battles were worth it. Many of you will be reassigned for that period of time in order to accommodate the needs of these officers."
The room buzzed with talk now. Some hoped for a job that would involve contact with one of the officers, while others talked of sneaking into the palace to catch a glimpse of them when they returned. Li Tai rolled her eyes. Many of them were just hopeless romantics. But she talked excitedly with them just the same.
Li heard her name and made her way towards the head servant to receive her duties. The piece of parchment ordered her to help lead the officers' horses to the stables and care for them when they arrived. Li grinned. She had always loved horses. It would be a nice break from the human world, if only for a few hours. Plus it would mean missing the banquet that would be held after their arrival. Li had never been much of a social person. Maybe it was her meager upbringing. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. She would have her way regardless, and at that point, that was all that mattered.
The courtyard was a mob scene when the army arrived home early that evening. People gathered in the streets to welcome the soldiers home, and those that couldn't fit hung out of windows and cheered from the rooftops. Li could hear the cheering from the stables, which were a good distance away from the main road. She sighed as she made her way towards the center of the city to relieve the poor horses of their burdens.
Li managed to get through the crowds and gather the horses without any trouble. Along with several other stable hands, they put the horses in their stalls and fed and watered them. There was some small talk as they worked, but not enough to pull Li from the horses. The other stable hands were men, and they didn't like to associate with her for some reason. Whatever. Li didn't care. She kind of liked the privacy.
The start of the feast could be heard a short while later. The other men were anxious to leave and go watch the feast, so Li told them that she would take care of the rest of the horses. They left without objection, finally leaving Li Tai alone. As she made her way towards the other end of the stable, she noticed a weapon still strapped onto one of the horses. Some officer must have been in a hurry. No matter. She would take it to them later. She began to unstrap it from the horse, being careful not to get it dirty or scratched.
Li held the sword for a moment. She was struck by the intricate designs that covered the holster, and the smooth feeling of the handle against her hand. Slowly, she drew the sword. The blade was spotless, so much so that Li could see her reflection in it. It was beautiful.
Hearing footsteps, Li quickly sheathed the sword and turned around. He smile disappeared and her eyes went wide. It was the figure. Its looming body filled the entrance, its cape blowing in the breeze. Li stared at it. Was she dreaming again? No, she couldn't be. She tired to move, but her legs wouldn't work. The figure took a step closer, then another, and another. And Li's world went black as the figure came closer...
