Chapter One
"Your Imperial Majesty, the troops are ready. They will leave at your command." Minister Fu lowered his form into a sweeping bow, his long white beard touching the polished floor.
Empress Lian the Heavenly Lily surveyed the armoured men before her. All that stood in the great hall were officers. The bulk of the force was waiting outside the Imperial City. Waiting for her to send them to battle. That was something she was not quite sure she could get used to. The Imperial Officers stood to attention, their bodies as rigid as stone. At the front of them all, stood Wu the Lotus Blossom, wearing her trademark plum garb. Her gaze was set firmly forward, in the Empress' direction but not quite looking at her. She wondered what the Spirit Monk was thinking at that moment. Was her mind on the coming hostilities or perhaps on what she would leave behind?
Minister Fu's polite cough pulled her from her thoughts and she glanced at him. He wore fine blue robes that showed his status as the head of the Ministry of Harmony. He was her trusted advisor, one of the few uncorrupted by her father's reign. After she had come to power, Empress Lian had completely reshuffled the command structure within the Imperial Palace. With the help of Wu, she had weeded out the bad apples and managed to surround herself with advisers she had come to trust. Unfortunately, with all the change came more work for her to do and she had had little time to spend with Wu for the past two seasons. They were lucky if they got one night alone out of a month. Wu was also busy. She had built her own school in the Golden Way, much to the chagrin of many nobles, who believed the area was too good for a school. That took up much of her time.
Still, the Jade Empire was slowly becoming the great kingdom it had once been and that was the Empress' main concern. Her personal needs had always come second. And to keep the Empire safe, she needed to send the men before her off to war. The horse lords were savage and merciless in their attacks and no more time could be wasted. They would soon venture deeper into the Empire, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.
"It is time." She began. "The Horse Lords have dared to strike at us once more. We cannot allow them to move past our borders any more than they have. You, my loyal soldiers, will ensure that they do not!"
The group of men in front of her bowed, simultaneously and she was surprised to see Wu bow with them. "Go now, show them that this insult will not be ignored!"
In unison, the men turned and marched out of the hall. The Empress felt her heart sink as Wu went with them. "Wu, wait!" She stood. As Wu turned, she continued. "I must speak with you before you go..." She glanced at the courtiers around her. "In private."
Minister Fu stepped forward. "I must object, Empress. We have many preparations to make and the departure of the army must not be delayed."
Empress Lian turned to him, her eyes narrowed. "I will speak with whom I wish, Minister!"
Fu bowed clumsily. "Of.. Of course, your majesty." He retreated quickly to the safety of the pillars.
Wu was now standing in front of the Empress, waiting expectantly. She motioned for the other woman to follow her and they left the prying courtiers behind. Empress Lian led Wu to her personal chambers, the one place where she was safe from nobles vying for her attention. She closed the huge wooden doors after Wu was inside. The other woman seemed to stand there awkwardly, looking like a snared rabbit. Did she really make Wu feel that uncomfortable?
"Is... Is there something you needed, Empress?" Wu asked, her voice almost catching as she spoke.
Lian took one step closer to her. "I..." She trailed off before she had even begun. There was so much she wanted to say but she wasn't sure this was the time for it. Wu looked searchingly back into her eyes, trying to pick the words from her mind.
"Yes?"
Lian sighed. "I know we haven't been able to spend much time together, Wu..." She paused again, trying to make some order of her chaotic thoughts.
"You have an empire to run, Majesty, it's understandable."
"No!" The Heavenly Lily shouted angrily, annoyed that Wu was trying to make her feel better about it. At seeing her so taken aback, Lian's features softened. "I'm sorry, but I should have made time. So much has happened since we first... first met, and I feel as though we are drifting apart." She took another step closer so that there were only inches between them.
She could see the emotional wall Wu had placed up crumble and she felt the other woman's hands reach for her own. She clasped her hands firmly around Wu's. "I know, I feel as though there are forces trying to drive us apart. I haven't felt your hand in mine in almost a season." Her gaze dropped to their clasped hands and Lian could see the emotions building up in her face.
When she looked up, her eyes were moist and Lian could tell she was struggling to keep her emotions in check. "What are we, Princess?"
Princess. She often used that term when they were alone. She missed hearing it. "I… I don't know what you mean."
Wu took a deep breath and shook her head slightly. Glancing at their hands once more, she continued. "What is this? What are we doing?"
Lian's brow furrowed in confusion. What did she mean?
As if hearing her thoughts, Wu raised their hands to eye level. "Since I defeated Master Li, something's changed." She paused to watch Lian's face for a moment. She seemed flustered when she spoke. "We hold hands, like this…" Her grip tightened as she spoke. "But… But nothing more." She sighed and dropped Lian's hands.
The Empress stepped back. She didn't know what to say. No words could comfort Wu now, only actions, and she felt incapable of offering Wu what she needed. What she had said was true though. She was very aware of their lack of intimacy. Wu's presence confused her. As far back as she could remember, she had always been told how she should behave, what she should wear, how she should speak. Even after her father's death, she couldn't escape it. There was so much that separated them both and many reasons why their closeness shouldn't be. It was something that was always at the back of her mind. She had broken tradition before, why couldn't she do so now? Perhaps it was because there was more at stake than tradition.
"Wu…" She reached her hand out to the other woman.
She didn't take it. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said this. Not now." The wall was back up again.
Lian turned away from her, afraid she would see the pain in her eyes. She couldn't let anyone see her emotions, not even Wu.
"Is there anything else?"
Her words seemed so distant, so cold. "Yes." She took a deep breath and faced Wu once more. "The Horse Lords, why would they attack now?"
"I don't know."
"Do they think the Empire is vulnerable. Do they think me weak?" It angered her to think anyone would believe such a thing.
"Perhaps." Wu said as she gripped the hilt of her sword. "But I will show them that you are not."
Lian recognized that steely resolve in Wu's eyes. She had seen it before they had faced her father, and again when they went after her uncle. The Horse Lords didn't stand a chance. She smirked at that thought.
"Empress?"
She shook her head. "You will fight for my honour?"
"Always."
Her features saddened once more. "Please be careful, Wu."
For a moment, it looked as though Wu would reach out to her but she merely nodded and left the room, leaving Lian to think over what had been said.
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Life. Such a brittle thing. One moment you have it. The next, it's gone. Some lives are revered, some thrown in the gutter and forgotten. Garrek rather enjoyed the frailty of it. He delighted in watching it and then snuffing it out. He had spent a long time studying it and he knew the best ways to remove it. His favourite technique was a lengthy one but certainly the most enjoyable. He didn't have that luxury today, however.
He brushed down his peasant's rags and climbed up the embankment he had perched himself on. He watched through narrowed eyes as villagers carried logs to the central hut and set off back to the nearby woods. A few nearby children tormented a sickly looking dog. He smirked as it yelped and bit at their heels.
The village was small, with perhaps only thirty people inhabiting it. Not much fun but at least he'd be done here quickly. It was also pretty remote, the next village being about half a day's walk from here. The villagers sustained themselves, farming the land and using the woods for materials. They were pretty resourceful for specs of dirt, he pondered.
Garrek lifted himself to his feet and strode to the clearing amidst the huts. A large fire crackled contentedly, with a few men and women huddled around it. He stared into the flames, watching as it licked at the air.
"Can I help you, stranger?" Offered one of the older men from around the fire.
He smirked. "No, but I believe I can help you."
The man seemed shocked at Garrek's ragged voice. His shock didn't last for long as the fire behind him exploded into a crescendo of raging flames. All the villagers around the fire were instantly engulfed and their screams died quickly as they fell to the ground. He sniffed the air. He did enjoy that smell.
Before long, more villagers rushed to the aid of their fallen friends and loved ones. Frightened and angered looks shot his way but they didn't perturb him. Not in the slightest.
"What did you do?" Spat a young male.
His words spilled venomously from his mouth as he spoke. "However could you think I was involved with this?"
He cackled mockingly at them, finding the situation quite amusing. Two young men charged at him, clumsily swinging their fists at his face. He easily sidestepped them, hit one on the back and kicking out at the other. Both men fell to the ground lifelessly, their corpses charred beyond recognition.
He vaguely heard a woman scream and terrified shouts as he continued his work. It wasn't long before he was done and there was nothing left of the village apart from ashes.
"Ashes to ashes." He muttered as he turned and left.
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The journey to the border was long and tedious. It wasn't exactly Wu's idea of a leisurely trip. The road was dusty and her horse seemed determined to lash her to death with its tail. She couldn't fault the military steed much though, he had traveled half a day without rest. She occasionally handed him some tidbits of food to nibble on, if only as a peace offering for that relenting tail.
She glanced behind her. She rode at the front of the large unit of men and they stretched back as far as she could see. Other units were taking different routes, so as to reduce the risk of a debilitating ambush. The Horse Lords were well known for their hit and run tactics. She gripped the reins harder as the wind picked up, howling around her as if trying to warn her to turn back. Pulling the heavy cloak around her cold body, she lowered her head to protect her face.
They had been traveling for days and there had been no incidents as of yet. She was thankful for that. It wouldn't be long till they neared the enemy. Perhaps they would get there tomorrow, weather permitting. The sky spirits didn't seem to be on their side though. The wind and cold was rising and some of the men were showing signs of fatigue. They hadn't been given much time to rest but they understood the need for it.
Wu heard galloping from up ahead, she looked up and saw the scout she had sent out earlier, returning. He stopped in front of her with a salute.
"The bridge is out!" He shouted over the noise of the wind.
Oh great. This was going to be a problem. The bridge spanned a river that, during this weather, would be pretty fast flowing. Getting the bulk of the unit across was going to be difficult. The biggest problem were the foot soldiers, which happened to be the majority of their ranks. She had to conceive of some way to get them across safely. They couldn't afford to lose one man.
"We will have to cross the water then." She stated. "Ready the men."
The scout rode off to inform the commanders and they rallied the troops. When they reached the river, she could see the extent of the damage to the bridge. It had been sabotaged that was for sure. The central wooden beams were missing and the ropes that used to act as railings were cut at the opposite side of the bridge. There was no hope of salvaging the bridge, a new one would have to be built. She looked to the soldiers, who were collected around the embankment. The water crashed against the grass, reaching out for the feet of her men. A single man would be washed away in a instance.
Then it hit her. She had an idea. There was possibly a way to get them all across without them being harmed. She rode quickly to the bridge and examined the ropes that were being battered in the water. She waved over a few of the soldiers.
"You four, hold this rope firmly. I am going to cut it and you must ensure that the river doesn't take it." She explained.
The men nodded and gripped the thick rope tightly. Wu drew her blade from the scabbard on her horse and raised it high. In one swift motion, the blade sliced through the rope and the soldiers fell backwards with the rope on top of them. Wu smiled. Just one more to go.
Half an hour later, she had organized the troops so they were all tied to the rope. She had spent a long time explaining how they should go in single file and help any man who falls behind or in front of him. They seemed to understand well enough so the only thing left to do was to cross the river. She looked across it once more. The wind swept across its surface, throwing white foam into the air. The embankments on either side were extremely muddy and unstable. The clouds overhead were darkening and Wu knew that they would bleed water soon. A storm was coming, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
"Forward!" She ordered.
The lead men pushed onward, their feet sinking into the mushy bank. With much effort they reached the water's edge. The first soldier carefully put a leg in and Wu saw it was nearly instantly taken by the river. He glanced back at Wu. She nodded at him and he jumped in. He immediately went under, his hands flailing for some purchase that wasn't there. The men behind him grasped the rope and heaved. He burst out from under the water and gasped. After steadying himself as best he could, he moved deeper into the water, the other men helping him the entire time to keep his balance. Soon, there were three men in the water and then four. They were making good progress and Wu was pleased with their resolve. Once she was sure they were almost to the other side, she guided her horst to the edge of the river.
Her steed rose up onto his hind legs slighty and whinnied. She had problems keeping him under control. The fierceness of the water must have been scaring him. She patted the side of his neck.
"It's ok, we can make it." She cooed.
She dug her heels in and he stepped forwards reluctantly. With a bit more pressure, he took another, and then another. As he moved into the water, Wu could feel the resistance, the ever pushing force that wanted to envelope them. She continued to grip the reins firmly. As they pressed on, Wu watched the men scrambling up the opposite bank. Occassionally one would slip and fall back into his comrades. They generally recovered well enough that it didn't hold the line up, however. Wu and her steed reached the other side before most of the soldiers and she watched over them to ensure they all made it. Taking up the rear were the mounted officers and two advisers.
She didn't believe this was the place for advisers, not at all. Battle was a place for warriors, court was a place for advisers. Minister Fu had insisted, however, and as much as she disliked the idea, it wasn't her place to contradict him. Empress Lian trusted him, that was enough for her. Lian. The thought of her brought painful emotions to the front of her mind. This wasn't the time nor the place for such thoughts so she pushed them back and tried to concentrate on the situation at hand. Soon, they would be on the march again, and soon they would face their enemy. An enemy far more ferocious than any river.
Author's Notes: I've had to use a long line of 'o' to represent the scene change as, for some reason, wouldn't allow me to use my usual three asterixes. Hope it isn't too intrusive. :)
