One Last Chance
Our charge was glorious. To anyone else looking on the scene it would have appeared to be a great golden flood bearing down on the palace. We moved flawlessly and with absolute precision; not a single step was taken that hadn't been rehearsed into our bodies and minds, preparing for this moment. Our training was the best in the land, our tactics surpassed by none, and our will unbreakable; we were the Royal Guards. But in the end, it wasn't enough...
My name is Tao, I was an officer in the Royal Guards who assisted in Prince Jai's rebellion and attack on the Palace. I alone survived the massacre that took place there. Everyone else thought that nobody who participated in the rebellion lived, I don't blame them. What are the chances of surviving a storm of arrows from all angles? But miraculously, I did. And as long as one who wore the chrysanthemum scarf lived then the rebellion was far from over.
After taking three arrows in the chest I'd briefly fallen unconscious. My armor had stopped the first two from penetrating my skin and the third only made a deep flesh-wound. I awoke to the sound of stamping feet and bodies in full armor being dragged, such as myself. I wanted to do nothing more than jump up and attack the closest person to me but I knew that the enemy troops, the Palace Guards, had to be nearby and overseeing the whole thing; to do that now would be to alert the enemy and allow them to finish what they started.
I stayed as silent as I could and relaxed my muscles, making them go limp. It would not only keep up the appearance of being dead, but it would also dull the pain of being dragged over something uneven. I stayed like that for an unknown length of time. I knew that even though we'd rebelled against him the King would see to it we recieved a proper burial. When I was alone that would be my chance to escape.
Along the journey, I allowed my eyes to open. It is only in stories that mens eyes close when they die so I was in no danger of being spotted. I saw how my brothers and I were dragged out of the courtyard and loaded onto wagons that would carry us to the lower levels of the Palace. Upon reaching the holy grounds where the monks would help in preparing the dead for their funeral I was lifted off and taken into an enormous room.
Like my brothers, I was placed on a table where a servant began to strip me. Thank the heavens there were no women around or I fear I would have been betrayed by my arousal. My armor was placed on another table parallel to my own that also held large tubs of hot water and soap, bottles of perfume, and other such items including combs and another set of armor for my funeral.
Time seemed to slow as I was stripped naked and washed clean of blood. My wound had stopped bleeding and was dressed as though this was a medical ward. Next came the armor as I was redressed and my hair combed and lightly scented with perfume. Finally, the helmet was placed on my head and a servant closed my eyes. I could hear the servants still cleaning others though I could no longer allow myself to look.
At last, the final steps of the servants left the room and went away for the Chrysanthemum Festival and I was free to move. Stripping the armor off to the robes I wore underneath, I moved silently to the door to peer out in the hall. It was empty and I had a clear shot, but I still needed to hide my escape. What would I do to replace myself for the funeral and not cause an uproar? My question was answered by a drunken Palace Guard stumbling down the corridor, a gourd of wine sloshing in his hand. I waited until he'd walked past when I struck from behind and snapped the fool's neck. Next it was a matter of switching clothes and armor with him and placing him in the same spot where I'd been left.
I did my best to tighten the fit, the armor was a little too large for me, but I was able to disguise it with the cavalry cloak the guard had been wearing. I finally was all set to leave, but just before I did I grabbed one of the chrysanthemum scarves piled on the tables. It would not only serve to remind me of why I was still alive but would allow me to honor my fallen brothers. The King would pay for their loss.
I quickly made my way through the Palace undetected and stole a horse from the stables. I had to leave quickly to begin plotting my lone rebellion and nobody cared if a horse or two went missing during a celebration. As I rode out of the Palace and through the gates I could still hear Prince Jai's inspiring warcry in my heart. I silently prayed that his spirit would serve as a guide for me on my mission...
