Prologue
A teenage girl stands by a sewer grate, her fine dress and regal pose out of place in such a place. Her two guards shift ever so slightly as a silent figure in a black garb approaches, making not attempt to been hidden.
"My lady…" he murmurs, kneeling without regard to the filthy ground, a testament to his unwavering loyalty.
The woman nods at the figure, and watches him rise. "You changed my diapers at one point; I think we can dispose of the pleasantries. What news do you bring Hanzo?"
Hanzo's weapons give a small clank as he straightens himself and he chuckles softly. "True enough Lady Sulhee, but certain formalities must be followed." His eyes lock on hers and his focus hardens as he prepares to give his report. "It would seem sir Manji did not witness the event in person, but rather he came across Jin and the late lord Tristan. By then your father was dead, and Jin fled the area, bloody weapons in hand."
Sulhee's eyes flashed with rage and she used could not contain her growl. "That blasted traitor! I'll take revenge myself on that blasted backstabber!" the teenager snarls, clenching her fists tightly. She quickly regains her composure and takes a calming breath. "Alas, that must wait for now. The people of the city already believe that deviant's lies and already see him as the next Dark Lord. My father must be turning in his grave…" she murmurs, anger still evident.
"Perhaps…" Hanzo replies, eyes closed, "but for now only one option remains for you. The current forces follow Jin's lead, so you must grow stronger in personal skill and numbers before you can hope to challenge him."
The young woman frowns in displeasure, but doesn't disagree. "I know…it's just so…ugh. I hate to ask but…" she trails off, unsure how to ask her next request.
"Of course my lady, my loyalty has always been to your family. I shall send word through via the normal method every full moon. At the moment Jin believe me to be loyal to whoever holds the seat of Dark Lord, so I shall have little trouble getting information" he states. 'I'd rather not leave my ladyship's side…but none of her people could possibly pull this off…'
The girl sighs in relief, and smiles softly at the man. "My thanks Hanzo, I'd be lost without you. I shall gather my forces and take leave within the hour. Stay safe" she whispers, as she and her guards vanish.
"You as well my lady…" he responds, leaping into the air and away with incredible speed.
Despite the decades of experience the Hermit had, or the intense training the daughter of the former Dark Lord had, neither notice as they exit the air waver and a small boy appear in the now empty clearing. The right side of his mouth a curves upwards in a half smile at his success at having stayed hidden. "Interesting…I suppose I'll have to make a choice then…" he trails off. The child shrugs and walks off into the night, unafraid of the darkness. As dangerous as Kerning was the son of the former Dark Lord, a bastard or not, feared little in the thieves' nest he called his playground.