Disclaimer: I don't own soul calibur/edge/blade. They belong to namco. I own my soul though.

Author's Note; This is the first of the many stories that are going on in my head about this. Interestingly this is the first of all of them that I actually typed and posted out of all the others. I have taken liberty of my poetic license and changed some of the personalities of the people and other small details buts it's all for the sake of a good story. Since not too many people have tried using Southeast Asia as a locale for a SC story I tried why not give it a shot and see how it will compare with the other stories. All locales, subjects, and people may or may not be real, mostly cause I am not sure if its true or not. Oh well... I got OC's too but thye won't play a big part... it think

The streets were bustling with people and the common folk as it often was during the midday. Merchants were advertising their wares; each competing with each other's escalating voices. People were browsing through the stalls or just passing by to get to the boardwalk. The road was particularly busy, with new arrivals coming from the shore. It is not too often does three consecutive shipments come in one week. The whinnies of horses and the shouts of men filled the streets. A normal person would have been somewhat bothered with all the noise. All accept one.

Above all the din, looking over at the busy bayside, a woman was standing in her veranda, eying the passersby. To the people below, she was a stunning lady. Platinum hair, a rarity in those times, and striking facial features made her a wonder to behold from where they were standing. A velvet red dress and make-up made it obvious who she was. Few people were as rich as her on their sleepy little island post off the pacific.

"Madame Isabella Valentine."

"What is it?" she said somewhat annoyed, still looking over her balcony.

"The guests have arrived, madam," her butler replied.

"Hmm...Very good. Send them upstairs and prepare some tea. It would be barbarism to not show good hospitality to our guests," she said quickly sending her butler down the service stairs.

Isabella hurried to the mirror to make some last minute touches with her make-up, a common sight to see among aristocratic women. She proceeded to sit by the balcony with a teacup in her hands, trying to look calm. To appear too excited or too nervous, she thought, would be a sign of weakness.

Two guards, who barged through the doors, pushing the butler aside, broke the silence. Turbans on their head and swords in their hands, they did not look too different from the Mongols that Isabella has read about in her books. A man dressed in a heavy silk robe with a bamboo hat proceeded to enter the room after scanning the room stepped aside to reveal a small girl, perhaps no more than 25, in a white and blue silk robe standing behind him.

"My lady, I wasn't able to stop them. They wouldn't listen to me," explained the butler.

"It is alright. We shouldn't expect too much from barbarians."

"Lady Isabella Valentine?" the man behind the girl asked, ignoring the comment Ivy just made.

"Indeed I am. However, please feel free to call me Ivy," she said, giving a small bow.

The two did not seem impressed.

"We presume that the proper arrangements have been made for our journey?" the man asked sharply.

"Of course it has. We are the leading shipping and trading company this side of Indies. A simple delivery job would hardly seem a difficult task. I have arranged our fastest ship serve as your vessel. You will see hthat it should be able to accommodate whatever cargo you are here to transport. I am honored that you have chosen this company and if we would just proceed with our transaction, I can deliver you to your ship.

"Very well, we shall secure the area and remove all unnecessary..."

"You shall remove nothing. The last time I checked, you were simply passenger of my ship. You have no authority to go checking anything. Please travel with the thought that you have the best security in this business."

"This is a matter of international welfare. Our agreement was that you provide the ship, while we provide the security and the goods," interrupted the man.

"Correction. You would provide the cargo and the security for the cargo. Anything applying to the ship will be under my charge. If this mission is as important as you say, an empty ship is bound to rouse suspicion and as they say 'Rumor flies quickly from the ears of men.'"

"We are responsible for the welfare of the goods, if anything happens..."

"My friend, nothing will happen. You are beginning to sound like a broken record. We will thoroughly screen all passengers. They paid as much as you did..."

"We are not going to let strangers on this ship! I ought to just take that ship and..."

"And what? This harbor is filled with ships that will launch after you at my whim. Not to mention that you have to wade through my personnel to get your grubby little hands on my ship.

"ENOUGH!!!"

Both were shocked by the outburst. They looked around for the source of the interjection, only to see the young girl eying both of them. She marched up towards them and pushed the man away from Ivy.

"Tsu Yen! That is enough! I am aware of your concer, but you are simply making matters worth. That is why you are and always will be a soldier nothing more," the girl said, each word accompanied by a step forward that caused the man to have his back against the wall.

"Yes, my lady," said Tsu Yen reluctantly. Why did he have to back down to this Englishwoman, thought Tsu Yen.

Ivy, in turn was very surprised at the outcome of events. She expected that the cargo they kept on talking about was this girl, perhaps some daughter of the emperor. After her little lecture, it seemed that she was really the one in charge. The girl fixed her composure and turned toward Ivy.

"Miss Valentine..."

"Just call me Ivy," she said, trying to ease the formalities.

"Miss Ivy, I would like to humbly apologize for the rude actions of my associate. He has a very low opinion of non-Chinese people and your comment earlier just enraged him more. Please, however, that both our peoples are very civilized and that is why we are able to have this transaction today.

"Apologies accepted. It is comforting to know that I am dealing with a sensible person rather than some brute," Ivy commented, looking at Tsu Yen.

"Yes, thank you. You are aware for the reason that we are meeting in secret now, are you not?"

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten involved with such a lucrative prospect."

"We are special envoy from the Emperor of China. We are here to ensure the safety of the transport of cargo that is very important to the prosperity of China and your home, England."

"Ahh, so you are special operations personnel sent to protect these cargos from those who seek to acquire it."

"Actually, we are the Royal Guard and in essence, yes that is what we are here to do. You are aware of the meeting that had just been undertaken between our two countries."

"Such great news does not escape my ears that easily. China has already declared that it shall turn over its colonies and possessions over to British power, save for a few key cites and ports. The British Empire has agreed to turn over something of great importance that it has acquired in recent conflicts between our two countries and our enemies. In order to seal the deal, you and I must deliver the cargo back into Chinese waters. Since you are the governor of area, new acquisitions will prove a very great profit for you.

"You know how we businessmen think," chuckled Ivy scratching her chin.

"You are correct. Since you are the one who would profit from this the most, we entrust you in delivering the cargo and ourselves safely," stated the girl. "In light of that, you must be aware of why we are taking these measures. If anything happens, you will be held responsible and our governments will not go lightly on this. We will go on the ship and allow the passengers to go on, but we shall be the judge of who will go and who will not."

Ivy, though seemingly attentive, was slowly getting annoyed. She was Isabella Valentine, the Ivy of the East. No one lectures her, but now, some Chinese dumpling was doing just that. It is easy to say that it did not sit well with her. She thought she had had enough.

"I am aware of your concern, we shall take every precaution and send our top security with you on you journey," Ivy said hoping to satisfy the annoying little girl.

"I am afraid that is not enough. We request that you accompany us on this journey. You are the ones that your sailors answer to and it would seem inappropriate if we gave orders to your men. Let us say, that your presence will give us an insurance package."

A lump filled Ivy's throat. Though she was the favorite of the Australian coast, she wasn't exactly miss popular everywhere else. At the same time, however, she became excited. It had been ages since she captained a ship. Too long she thought.

"Amusing proposition," chuckled Ivy, covering her mouth trying to hide her delight.

"We do not find this funny," interrupted Tsu Yen.

"Very well, I shall act as your nanny for now."

"It is agreed then, we leave at dusk."

"I didn't catch your name. It is rude for two people to close a deal without even knowing each other's name..."trailed Ivy.

"Xianghua."

"By the way, it seems you are much to young to take such heavy a responsibility. Keep this act up too long and you'll grow old before you even notice. Responsibility is something everyone should learn, but act your age," commented Ivy.

"Hold your tongue," interrupted Tsu yen, who unsheathed his sword.

"Enough, you have caused enough trouble. Miss Ivy, I suggest that you keep your comments to your self. This relationship has gotten off on a rocky start. This will be a long journey. I hope you can change your attitude quickly,' said Xianghua in a tone not fitting a young lady.

"Likewise," replied Ivy, turning back to the balcony.

The Chinese respectfully bowed to Ivy and left in order to make the necessary preparations. Ivy, on the other hand, did not take the situation as calmly as they have done. She walked up to the mirror with a frown on her face. She hated having to look happy and hospitable. She picked up an untouched crumpet that was served for her guest and took a mouthful. She sighed and walked to the balcony, still chewing on the crumpet. She felt the sheath on the side of her dress. She found the handle and squeezed it hard.

"Ivy, what the hell did you get yourself into this time?"

This was going to be a complete waste of time. Or at least that's what she thought.