Original characters, places, and storyline are © to Microsoft and BioWare.
Chapter 3: The Staff and the Sword
Jing Liang…she needs…something. I need…to give her something…
Wu weakly trudged along behind the strange men. Wu looked over to her left. Pei Yi was draped unconscious over one of the men's shoulder.
She was always such a delicate thing…and I can't afford to fight back or escape…not with Pei Yi in their arms…I have to think of something…anything…Oh, Sky. What do I do?…
She looked back to the mule that was carrying the men's supplies and something caught her eye. Her sword was loosely strapped to the donkey's saddle, irritating it's legs as it bounced to and fro. Making sure none of the men were looking, Wu lagged a bit behind getting closer to the donkey. She untied the sword and quickly tucked it behind her back.
Now what? Should I kill them all? They don't seem to be much of a fight…no…that one is too close to Pei Yi and too far away from me. He could instinctively kill her…
As they progressed Wu saw a small bush coming to the side of the pathway. As she drew near it, she carefully tossed the sword into the shrub making sure it was out of sight. It was a small probability that Jing Liang would come across and find it, but she had to put her faith in fate to make it happen. Satisfied that she did something that brought out some hope in the situation, Wu felt a warm air overcome her as she faded into darkness.
Zhong Seng returned with the water and found that the strange girl had already cleaned her face from the soot and treated her burns. Now that there wasn't the danger of fire distracting him, Zhong Seng was able to really look at the girl. She was a strong looking girl that held a rare type of look that was as beautiful as it was strange. He had never come across a girl with brown hair and skin that dark. It wasn't as dark as some of the strange outsiders that have been coming through, but pretty dark in comparison to the other girls he'd seen around.
"Here, you should be thirsty after all of that," he offered the water to her.
She looked up at him deciding whether she should be polite and modest or give in to her true desires. Screw it. She grabbed the water and greedily drank it but made sure there was plenty left. Politeness and modesty was more of Pei Yi's thing… her face immediately became downcast when Pei Yi crossed her mind.
That's right…I have to save them…but how?
"I don't believe I caught your name," Zhong Seng said, interrupting her thoughts.
"oh!...It's Jing Liang."
"Pretty name."
An awkward silence passed between the two. Zhong Seng didn't know what else he could say and Jing Liang wasn't sure if she wanted to say much more.
"Thanks for saving me…" she finally broke the silence.
"It was no big deal…"
"How did you get there?"
"I guess you could say I'm just a humble wandering monk who happened to come across your town a few moments too late."
"oh…where were you headed?"
"No where exactly…"
"oh…"
"…um…"
"yes?"
"If you don't mind me asking, who was that man that you were so fond of…"
Jing Liang looked at her feet, trying hold back her tears.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…I mean it was a pretty rude thing for me t-"
"He was my father…"
"oh…what happened?"
"..I-I don't know…I was just training in the fields when all of a sudden the town was on fire. My father told me that strange men dragged my mom and sister off. I'm pretty sure they're behind it…"
"So what are you gonna do now?"
"I need to find them…but my only lead is to Dirge. I'm supposed to meet my friend at the Imperial Palace but…I think I should go to Dirge first…but I don't know how to get there…"
"Well there's a town not to far from here that has flyers. They're not great and won't last you for long but it will get you to Dirge. I can show you the way."
"You know how to get to Dirge?"
"Sure. I'm a wandering monk remember? I go to Dirge fairly often. And I want to help you in finding your family…that is if you'll let me join you."
"Thank you."
And for the first time Zhong Seng saw Jing Liang smile. Zhong Seng smiled back and stood up. Jing Liang looked up at him and just started to take note of his features. He was skinny but built. And he had long black hair tied into a ponytail with sparkling eyes.
"You know, it's better when you smile. C'mon, Dirge is waiting," he said offering his hand.
A radiant smile erupted across her face as she grabbed his hand and hoisted herself up.
"Let's Go."