Tristan was still unclear what had happened the night before that caused his current predicament. He knew he had to get the upper hand if he had any chance of figuring out what was going on.
What are they talking about? Finish what? Me?
The two men carrying Tristan simultaneously released their grip. Instead of falling to the ground as they assumed he would, Tristan leapt into action. With his right hand he grabbed hold of the right man's brown leather scabbard. With a firm grip on the cracked leather he twisted himself and the man completely around. While this was happening he moved his left hand swiftly to the hilt of the sheathed sword and drew it from the scabbard, placing the tip in the center of the stranger's back. Only after he completed the maneuver did he reach for the black hood that still masked his vision.
Tristan silently inspected his surroundings. Just as he had thought, two other men accompanied his hostage. "No one move!" Tristan rasped. He was surprised at how dry his throat was now that he had an opportunity to speak. The other two men had their swords drawn but were kept at bay by the threat Tristan imposed on their companion.
It was late, or early, the exact time was still unclear. Tristan stole a few quick glances, gaining no more knowledge of his surroundings than he had earlier guessed; he was in a forest. The three men in front of him all wore faded golden uniforms that bore the symbol of a lion's head across their chests. These men were imperial guards!
What crime have I committed? Why can't I remember any of last night?
"You can't hide behind him all day and you've got nowhere to go. What are you going to do now?" The commanding voice was familiar. This was the man who was trailing the other two. He must be their superior. The officer's questioning continued. "Does your disloyalty have no end? Die with what little dignity you have left!"
"Enough!" Tristan's voice regained its former weight and authority. Everyone froze, waiting to hear his demands. All right, just relax. There is always a way out, I just have to find it. First things first. "Where is my kwan dao?"
Pointing to Tristan's feet, the officer sighed. "Carrying that thing will only make it easier to track you when you try to run."
To his surprise, the weapon was lying at his feet as promised. His prisoner had been carrying it in his free hand and must have dropped it in the confusion of Tristan's speedy recovery. The head cover had kept him from seeing it drop when he spun the man around. The short blade he kept hidden at his ankle was hardly a loss as long as his kwan dao was intact. The base of the weapon was a spiked counterweight that could be used to strike if the need arose. Attached to the counterweight was a five-foot long wooden staff. Mounted atop the staff, a two-foot long blade rose to a point that could be used for thrust attacks. The blunt backside of the blade was designed with an indent that was used to catch and block opposing weapons. All in all, the weapon fell just short of seven feet long.
Tristan, ignoring the guard's suggestion, reclaimed his weapon. He slowly stepped backwards while keeping the guard's short sword pointed at his spine. A few steps further and he lowered his kwan dao to replace the threat of the short sword. There was now a full seven feet between himself and the nearest guard.
"I'd tell you not to follow me, but you wouldn't listen anyway. Oh, and one more thing, you won't be able to track me." With a grin, Tristan pulled the weapons tight to his body. With the sword facing down and the kwan dao facing up he bent his knees in preparation for his escape.
At that very moment an arrow soared past Tristan's ear causing his hair to bend from the breeze it created. A dull thud echoed as it drove itself into the back of the guard Tristan had been holding at bay. A fleeting wheeze escaped the man's lips before he fell to his knees and then onto his face.