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Palace
Sept 26, 2006 18:43:52 GMT -5
Post by Dark on Sept 26, 2006 18:43:52 GMT -5
The envoy of the Xia army, though not officially formed as a kingdom, climbs the many stairs of the palace before finally seeing the two large doors ahead.
Two guards search the soldier, who is unarmed, before one knocks on the palace door three times. This was, it seemed, some sort of 'check' for the guards inside to open the gate. With all the current chaos, engulfing the land, it was no wonder why such precautions would be taken.
The envoy bows to the two as the doors open to allow him entrance. He stops about 100 paces to the throne and begins his short, but to the point, speech.
"Good day, Lord of Jiao Zhi" he says smiling; feeling extremely awkward with thousands of troops outside the city.
"By now i would imagine that you know of the amassing armies outside your city."
"We, rather my lord He Zi, wish you or the people of Jiao Zhi no harm" he says, removing his left hand from the sleeve of his right.
Using his hand to stroke his chin slightly, the envoy gets to the difficult part of his mission. This is when three things could occur: the messenger is slain outright for the audacity of the request, allowed to live but denied, or accepted in which much praise will be gained.
"My lord, the Black Scorpion as some call him, is an extrememly powerful warlord and has much talent within his ranks."
"I am not saying this to scare you, of course, but rather to inform you that an attempt at defense would most likely be futile" the envoy says while biting his tongue afterward to ease the growing tension.
"Lord He Zi wishes for you to step down and allow his rule over Jiao Zhi."
"The people will be safe under a powerful leader and you will be given a high rank to compensate for your loss."
Now, to wait. If the envoy is killed or denied than war will erupt. If not, than the people of Jiao Zhi will find new leadership without bloodshed.
*crap but whatever, gotta get warmed up*
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Palace
Sept 26, 2006 18:59:36 GMT -5
Post by Ge Hong on Sept 26, 2006 18:59:36 GMT -5
The lord of Jiao Zhi looks incredulously from his throne. He stands up, candles around him blowing in different directions, as though his fury knew no bonds. He was a large, hairy man, a helmet made from the skull of some poor animal bedecking his head, a large bastard sword, which was more or less a giant meat cleaver, held in one large grotesque looking hand, a hand that has seen grime and blood more than any other.
He continued to walk forward, a look of stupefaction upon his grimey face, until he nearly burst out laughing. Spit flying everywhere, he doubled over, and immediately, guards were aiming spears at the envoy's throat.
Tell your lord he can suck a chicken head. He ain't gettin MY TERRITORY!
The guards began to turn the envoy away, however, the lord stopped them.
Hold... Lets leave him with a message.
Two guards immediately grabbed the man, and brought him over to a table, where the large lord, who's name was found to be Jiangzhuo Duosi, lifted his cleaver into the air, and smashed its rusty blade down upon the hand of the envoy, severing it roughly midway through the hand, creating a stump. Blood began to spew everywhere, and the gruff man spoke once more.
Tell your lord Jiangzhuo Duosi means business! HE"LL NEVER TAKE MY LANDS!
They forced the bleeding man out, the only remaining extremity on his right hand his thumb, which had grown numb from blood loss...
The man was carried out of the city, and given a rag. He was forced to walk back to his camp....
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Palace
Oct 3, 2006 12:42:08 GMT -5
Post by Dark on Oct 3, 2006 12:42:08 GMT -5
He Zi moves gracefully up the countless stairs of the palace, blade still drawn, as three remaining loyalists appear from the doorway ahead. The fresh blood, staining his katana, begins to cool and dry as wind passes over the weapon while the Scorpion flails Venom around in a display of pure weapon mastery.
The leader's brown battle robe is torn and tattered in multiple areas, symbolizing the heated battle which recently unfolded out front the gate. He readies his stance as the enemy descends the stairway to attack, all three men wielding spears.
The first soldier, knowing that time was limited, rushes forward to attack. In the distance Xia troops could be seen moving toward the palace so the defenders had to act quick in order to slay He Zi.
Venom connects with the shaft of the guard's spear, as Zi parries, and soon the fingers of the enemy are falling to the ground along with the weapon! Not able to retract the weapon fast enough, due to the lunging attack, the defender has his left hand shredded. Dropping the spear from all the pain he now sits upon the stairs holding his 'nub'.
Two guards left, two lives to end.
Both soldiers, thinking it better to attack at once, move in to lunge at the enemy commander. Had they both timed the attack perfectly, the possibility of injuring Zi would have been better. Instead, one spear is deflected to the right and the other to the left. With the speed and agility of a tiger mixed with the powerful and deadly strike of the scorpion there is little one of the defenders can do to save himself.
Moving between the two, up the stairs, Venom slices the head clean off one guard. The head begins a long descent to the courtyard below while the last defender prepares to die.
Taking the initiative, more out of fear, the guard charges forward and lunges twice toward the enemy commander's head!
The Scorpion, almost as if time was being slowed, dodges the first attack with the blade nearly slicing his left cheek. As the guard attempts to lunge again, toward his face, he quickly moves back the other way; spear just missing again and ripping the cloth of his mask that hangs in excess from the knot.
Missing with both lunge attacks, the guard quickly raises the weapon to overhead strike. It was foolish of him to waste so much time with the spear and he would pay the price when He Zi rushes forward.
The torso of the last defender begins to roll down the palace stairs, symbolizing the end of the defenders at the palace. There was more resistance on the walls but that was being handled by the Vermillion Phoenix, Sima Feng.
He Zi reaches the top of the palace stairs, which are now blood soaked, and he turns to look out into his new capital.
"And so it begins....." he says to himself before turning to enter the palace; taking his seat upon the throne of Jiao Zhi.
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Palace
Oct 3, 2006 14:50:29 GMT -5
Post by Angel on Oct 3, 2006 14:50:29 GMT -5
*The palace of Jiao Zhi. Fabian looked on the marvelous building with expressionless eyes and gestures, obviously not a man for admiring architecture. He was a warrior: born, raised, and lived in battle and that is all he had learned to admire. He’d been granted access to the city only moments before, and casually made his way to the palace. His soldiers, having been told their orders long before their departure, were searching for accommodations, or offering assistance with whatever work was being done. He’d told them the city would fall shortly before their arrival, and that assistance with rebuilding it would be appreciated, and any disreputable behavior would result in death. No questions asked. It was how Fabian lived his life, and his soldiers were more than accustomed to it by now.
Now, standing at the base of the palace, Fabian gazed up the stairs. The sun shone brightly in the afternoon sky, and he was forced to squint to see the double doors. He’d long since lowered his arms, and now carried a sword in each hand at his side, still sheathed of course. He ascended the stairs nobly, not watching his steps, but merely keeping his sight on the double doors ahead. This would mark the first time in history where the situation would be reversed. Though young, Fabian is a well known warrior whom countless leaders have approached hoping to enlist his services. All requests were declined, and told that their leader was either unfit for his position or that his talents would not be utilized properly by such incompetents. Obviously these responses garnered him a reputation as being arrogant, self-absorbed, or even plain stupid. However, had anyone tried to retaliate? No. It was this fact that kept Fabian’s reputation as a formidable opponent circulating.
Fabian soon found himself near the double doors, but first he had to pass by three mutilated bodies. Their blood decorated the stairs like confetti. It was like an endless supply of blood flowed through these bodies, because even now their were pools around the dilapidated corpses. A devilish smile encroached his face, showing the side of Fabian that only his enemies on the battlefield had the pleasure of meeting. A strong leader, capable of this, was possibly worthy of having me, he though.
The double doors were now before him, and before he could speak, the guards opened the palace doors allowing him entrance. Without hesitation Fabian entered, walking towards the throne room which was never hard to find in his opinion. He found it, and saw the man he’d been seeking sitting contently upon his throne. A twinge of anger rushed through his body, at seeming someone so content upon their throne. Hopefully this man preferred to lead on the battlefield, instead of leading from his throne, or there could be some future conflicts.
Fabian was well acquainted with etiquette when in the presence of leaders or people of ‘royalty’. Standing the customary distance from the throne, Fabian lowered himself to one knee, placing his twin swords before him on the ground in unison with lowering his head for a brief moment. Raising up once again, Fabian made the critical eye contact with He Zi so he could read any emotion that might happen to seep into the leader’s eyes.*
[White]“My name is Fabian Saladin, Lord He Zi, and I’ve come to speak with you about your army… I have two, rather simply questions, that I must ask you…”[/White]
*There was a moment of silence, while Fabian watched He Zi’s face for any reaction or emotion he might feel about being confronted in such a manner. Only weak minded individuals react harshly to such comments, knowing no other way to handle the situation. Fabian would die before serving someone who couldn’t handle his own in a conversation.*
[White]“First… Does the man make the army, or does the army make the man?”[/White]
*Another brief silence, while Fabian allowed the leader to think over his response, before he continued with the next question.*
[White]“Second… What is it you fight for?”[/White]
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Palace
Oct 3, 2006 16:33:02 GMT -5
Post by Dark on Oct 3, 2006 16:33:02 GMT -5
The Black Scorpion, sitting in his new throne, had not even a moment of peace before Fabian is allowed into the palace of Jiao Zhi. Was the presence, the strength, of the Xia kingdom spreading throughout the land faster than Red Hare? It seemed that way as yet another officer arrives to join the ranks of the growing force.
This one, however, was different.
The aura surrounding Fabian was most powerful, indeed. It was as if the spark of his soul was being echoed in the empty palace; the structure void of any other life as most have been slain or imprisoned by now.
However, a man that demands respect can either be appreciated to the fullest extent or overlooked as an arrogant fool!
Either way, He Zi is most impressed with the entrance of this new warrior and he rises from the throne to answer the two important questions. Important due to their meaning to Fabian, possibly failing to join if not taken seriously, and the simple truths themselves. Could the leader not answer a few simple questions for his new elite?
Guards begin to file in through the palace doors but not out of any other reason than patrol. This, however, causes He Zi to wave them off as they are now interrupting.
After the guards move further into the palace and outside, closing the doors, the Scorpion responds to his inquisitive guest.
"An army alone does not win battles."
Placing his left hand upon the pommel of his katana, only for comfort as he walks down the throne stairs, he waves to Fabian to follow toward a window overlooking the city.
"An army alone does not secure the loyalty of great warriors."
He Zi's simple point was that a man, a leader, is the true strength of a force; able to act as a beacon of strength to the army and a comrade, a commander, to his generals. Certainly Fabian would understand this and Zi could go on to the other question.
"What do i fight for?" he says, turning to face Fabian.
"I fight to be the best."
He Zi would begin to tell Fabian of his past and how the present had unfolded while they move toward the barracks.
"We are moving upon Ling Ling, to the northeast, and you are more than welcome to witness the Black Scorpion first hand!"
*bah, questions suck, sorry for crap responses to your nice posts*
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Palace
Oct 3, 2006 17:43:19 GMT -5
Post by Angel on Oct 3, 2006 17:43:19 GMT -5
*Fabian listened eagerly to what He Zi had to say, however hiding his excitement well from his new leader. He’d been waiting for what seemed an eternity for the right individual to come along and grasp his attention, and he’d finally found him. He followed He Zi to the window, looking out over the city of Jiao Zhi. The sun was still high in the sky, and the eye could see to the horizon without obstruction. It was beautiful by any measure, however, beauty was never something Fabian dwelled on. His whole life he’d been told he was good looking, but it mattered not to him for the reasons it did to everyone else. He only kept his clean appearance because that is what people expect of a leader, and his soldiers had come to expect of him. If he had expectations for them, it was only fair he keep theirs.
Raising a hand to brush some hair from his face, Fabian heard the final question that was phrased more like an option. With his reputation as a hard to obtain officer, Fabian was used to hearing people offer to display their talents for him. The fact that He Zi offered to display his strength was not a surprise, but the fact that he was taking the offensive so soon after finally establishing a capital is what was surprising. Fabian smiled, knowing he’d made the right choice.*
[White]“If you are going on the attack, that means you will need someone to stay back and defend the capital, I assume? I believe that would be the more strategic placement for me at this time. There will be plenty of battles ahead for me to witness your might.”[/White]
*The whole statement was spoken in a normal conversational tone. The young man had impressive control over his voice, and was also quite skilled with words. Obviously he’d accepted He Zi as his leader and was already making plans for the future. Turning to He Zi, he bowed, signifying without question his loyalty.*
[White]“There are few men in this world I would follow, He Zi. Allow me to defend this city while you spread our influence across China, and further.”[/White]
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