Falcon!
The guardsman was startled as he almost nodded off, something of an accomplishment with the harsh wind rattling the Shou banners at the top of the Dragon wall. Should really have been easier on that plum wine the night before... but what else was there to amuse oneself with in this hopeless little hellhole? Commander Chen frowned upon drinking in excess even outside of duty, but didn't exactly forbid it either. Not that he minded the commander... she was strict but fair, regarded serving the Empire even in this god forbidden place an honor, and he knew that the commander was the kind who could be relied on in a real war situation. Not that there was anything of the sort looming in the future... but what was that? The bushes on the arid plain... moving? And the guard knew no more as the crossbow bolt penetrated his throat.
The leader of the stealth platoon got a confirmation that the next guard had met a similar fate. He motioned to his followers and they started to approach the wall. They didn't make noise, but hurried somewhat, as the dust cloud was already visible on the horizon. The cavalry was on its way. The snipers had their crossbows ready, watching the top of the wall. The troop spread out, as they knew that the Shou had firework weapons stationed along the wall. They would probably launch them as soon as they found out about the attack, and this way they could get only one fighter at the time.
The sergeant knew fully well that he could be one of those who got sacrificed in the initial attack. It was curious, he thought fleetingly, that he didn't mind. He had seen the Khan a few times, the woman who was like a noble wolf, the woman who would make his people far more than they had ever been. Following a woman like that was an honor, and he hoped that if he died, he would get to watch the empire from the afterlife.
Meanwhile, Shui was drinking tea he had spiked with a herb that helped him to keep his eyes open. It was the hour of the dog, and he was on duty, waiting for the guardsmen to make their routine announcements. He sighed and shifted his weight on the chair in front of the table in his command center. On the table there was a miniature of the fortifications, such as they were, and the situation of the troops. Chen punished promptly any officer who failed to keep it up to date. Shui remembered their powerful barbarian friends visiting the command center. The child Umikaze was delighted with the miniatures, and had made her displeasure known by screaming long and hard when she was denied playing with them. Shui couldn't help smiling a little. Barbarian or not, the child was really a delightful thing. It had been so long since he had been around an infant. Perhaps one day he would marry and have one of his own... he wondered what Umikaze's mother had looked like when the child had been conceived - the red shiny hair loose like a horse's mane in the wind, the full lips all over the father, riding him, between those strong shapely legs... Shui blushed and willed the thought away.
Two of the guards hadn't reported yet. It was minutes past the hour of the dog. Shui frowned in annoyance and glared at the door. It steadfastly refused to open.
- "Lieutenant Tuang," his sergeant spoke. "Should we..."
- "Yes," Shui interrupted. "Go inform commander Tuang at once. I will go investigate."
Shui drew his sword and cautiously started to approach the wall. He felt a flutter of not exactly fear, but apprehension, in his stomach. He had never been in a real situation, only rehearsals. He knew all about a cautious and stealthy approach, but it was so very different when the threat was not being ridiculed by a grinning friend after the hours in the barracks, a friend who had bested you in the game of war. No, when the threat was ending up dead, not knowing any more, losing one's life before it had properly begun when there was still so much to achieve and experience, it was very different indeed.
The night was dark, the wind chilling, as the wall loomed above Shui. The silence unnerved him. It was too thick, too ominous... ah, Shui! Do not give in to fear. Mother said always that not feeling fear is bad for survival. The sense of urgency keeps one on his toes. The trick is to use the fear, to make it an icy lump in your stomach. Nothing you can't control, nothing to prevent you from thinking calmly and moving your limbs like you have been trained to do. So Shui approached the ladder leading up to the wall.
Then he heard noise. Just a bit of noise from behind the wall. Could be anything, really - merchants, nomads, animals... or something... not from the Red Earth. Shifting.
- "Falcon!" It was the password, and the guard was supposed to answer it with 'talon'. Quiet.
- "Falcon! It is lieutenant Tuang!" Nothing.
Shui cautiously climbed the ladder, all senses intense, one limb at the time. His hand touched something sticky... oh no. He craned his neck just enough to see the slumped forms of the guard and his replacement, both made the mistake of looking behind the wall.
Now Shui must go back, and soon. Mother was right, something was afoot. But before he had time to finish that thought, he was grabbed from behind and knocked into oblivion.
