Chapter 2: The Return

[Cadogan Trahem]

Its a long post and I don't have the time right now. ;)

Upate by tonight.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Three days later...

Despite the speed at which the group moved you never came within sighting or hearing distance of the army which proceeded you. Now late on the afternoon of the third day you rise up over the final ridge to see that calamity has taken hold on the once beautiful Pan-San.

Much of the outer peasant housing is on fire, the rich red flames light the eastern skyline, and the reflection off the lake only makes the scene more beautiful - if only it was a picture or a dream and not reality.

At the sight of the city alight, Kim drops off her horse and to her knees and begins to cry, Black Tiger tries to comfort her. You continue to look at the city only to realise that the walls of the Chiang household have not yet been breached, meaning many of the peasants, nobles, and your friends must still be alive seeking refuge inside the fortress.

Black Crane noticies this too.

"The walls remain intact but for how long?" He questions you not expecting an answer. "If we can make it to one of the gates, we might be able to get inside." He pauses prematurely and shouts. "Look there!" pointing into the town, you follow his lead and peer into the town to see that many soliders, both Chiang and Lim fight openly in the streets not yet touched by flames.

"It would be a hard task, with all those skirmishes." Black Tiger speaks up. "And if we get to the gate what then? Perhaps they won't open it, or perhaps they cannot."

Kim mumbles something and everyone goes quiet. She repeats herself barely a whisper.

"There... there was... a secret tunnel, I r-remember it.. from my childhood.. it leads under the walls. It used to be for my fathers spies to report to him.. but now it may be.. our only chance.."

[Maeko]

Xiao Hu at first stares without seeing, thinking of Master Li and her chosen brothers and sisters in the art.
Dragons fight and ants get squashed without them even noticing..., bile rises in her throat at the idea of all the distruction brought by an empty power squabble. Then her gaze falls on the walls of the Chiang mansion, still holding its own.
Safe at the moment...but trapped like mice.
The sound of Kim's crying grates her nerves, trying to exclude the sound, Xiao Hu amost misses the princess' wispered words. Angry at her own feeling of impotence and at the girl's emotional outburst she represses the temptation to shake Kim.

" Hurry, then! Show us where it is!"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"We'll split into two groups." Says Black Tiger, "Myself, Kim, and two men as well as the stranger will make our way to the tunnel and try to get inside." He explains. "The others, lead by Black Crane will enter the city from the west, and try to see if they can distract any forces long enough to let us get inside once inside we'll see what we can do."

The men split up into their designated groups.

"And what of us?" ask's Black Crane. "After you are inside what shall we do?"

"Withdraw and wait for a sign from us." Answers Black Crane. "My group, dismount! We may be faster but we lose stealth from horse back." All the men dismount and prepare to head down into the city. If there are any doubts in your mind right now, this is the time to ask.

(OOC: Any actions you want to take before you want to head into the Pan-San?)

[Maeko]

((OOC: just a quick equipment check))

[Cadogan Trahem]

All your equipment is in check and soon everyone heads down to the city, once a beautiful and peaceful place, now ablaze with chaos and murder.

As you pass the streets you can hear much fighting and skirmishing although so far you have not seen any such visable signs. As the party aproaches a corner they turn to see Chiang Wardens and Lim Soldiers fighting, the Chiang forces are outnumbered by nearly two to one and will surely lose the fight within moments if you do not give them aid.

The Chiang forces, numbering only four, are facing off against a far superior force of seven Lim soldiers who sport better armour, arms and... 'Chi! Towards the back you can see what appears to be a 'Chi Wizard blasting the Wardens with spells of all kinds. With yourself, the experienced Black Tiger and the two Bandit members who accompanied you, you could turn the tide of the battle, but Chiang Kim Nan would be exposed, if one of you should stay behind with her you could equal the Lim forces and perhaps beat them with experience, wit or luck...

(OOC: Decissions, Decissions... Sorry for the long wait Maeko, I can only use one of my arms properly at the moment, so typing is somewhat difficult but when I saw how long you'd been waiting I just had to step up and move the game for you.)

[Maeko]

((OOC Thanks Cadogan!))

IC: I quickly retreat behind the corner, whispering to Black Tiger " Take care of the princess. If your men help me we could even the odds. I'll take care of the wizard."

Wishing for a bit of luck, I breathe deeply and slowly, feeling for my own chi gathering in the tant'ien. When I'm ready I draw it around me as a cloak and move, silent, shadow among the shadows, ready to strike the wizard by surprise.

((OOC : tant'ien is the point in the abdomen where the chi gathers, according to martial art traditions, i thought to give a bit of cultural flavour to 'move silently' and 'hide in shadows'))

[Cadogan Trahem]

The group sneaks up from a corner and prepares to enter combat, Already the Chiang Wardens look worn down and about ready to give up. The Lim Soldiers on the other hand look ready to pounce at any moment and the Lim Chi Wizard in the background looks meanacing. However to get to him you would have to either fight through the Lim Forces, or encircle the building you now use as cover.

(Your actions will kick off combat, check the map)

Initative:

Xiao: 23
Chi Wizard: 22
Lim Soldiers: 19
Black Tiger: 17 (Delaying)
Kim: 17(Delaying)
Chiang Wardens: 15
Bandits: 14

[Maeko]

Xiao hu whispers to the Tigers " Would it be possible for you to engage the Lims creating a diversion while I slip behind to take care of the warlock?"

If they agree, she will start circling the building, to get as near as possible to the chi wizard, as soon as the fight starts, if in range, she'll throw the normal fighting wheel at him.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Roung 1

You tell the Bandits your plans and then make a dash around the building coming around the other side as stealthy as you can manage with your fighting wheel in hand ready to throw it as soon as the Bandits strike. The Chi Wizard in your sights he begins to control the energy and makes it lash out against a Chiang Waren out of view in the form of a dark bolt of lightning. You can see the Lim Soldiers as they bring their swords to bare against the Chiang Wardens, and the Wardens fight back and back away from the vastly superior forces.

Just then you hear a scream as the two Bandits who accompanied you dash out and join the Melee, attacking two of the Lim Soldiers from behind and catching them by suprise.

Round 2

You take the oppotunity to raise your normal fighting wheel and throw it at the Chi Wizard the spinning metal catches his eye at the last moment and he raises his arm to defend against it causing his arm to take several grevious gashes down the forearm but saving his life. He tries to focus his Chi to errect a barrier to defend himself however fails because of his wounded arm and bulk of his armour. The Lim Soldiers fight back (out of view, two Chiang Wardens are injured, and one Bandit takes a minor wound). Black Tiger remains vigil listening to the fighting from the Shadows but remains true to his word and guards Kim.

The Wardens, seeing that atleast someone - whoever they may be - has come to their aid, rally and fight back against the Lim Soldiers, causing a few minor injuries. The Bandits on the left, hack down one of the Lim Soldiers, and advance to meet another.

[L4, 6 are wounded, as is C3 and C2. CW is wounded also but is now aware of your presense.]

Xiao: 23
Chi Wizard: 22
Lim Soldiers: 19
Black Tiger: 17 (Delaying)
Kim: 17(Delaying)
Chiang Wardens: 15
Bandits: 14

[Maeko]

I close in, engaging the Chi wizard in melee with the masterwork fighting wheel (I chose a somewhat circuitous route to avoid entering combat with L5 or L6).

[Cadogan Trahem]

Round 3

With lightning speed you charge out of the Alley towards the Wizard, trying to dodge past the Lim soldiers their without attracting any attention. However one of them turns quickly and tries to attack you with his polearm. Hitting the supporting beam of a near by building instead of bringing part of the roof down into the already smoldering wreakage. You dodge past the second soldier who looks at you but doesn't seem to know what to do.

You reach the Chi Wizard and slash out with your fighting wheel cutting a gash across the mans chest. He staggers backwards but does not fall from the wound - although he is certainly hurting badly.

The Wizard staggers away from you holding his left hand to his chest. He reaches out with his right hand and speaks a few strange words as he summons the fires of hell upon you. Gouts of flame explode in your face and torso burning you and singing your clothing, you shake off the worst of the damage however and come out not so bad as you first thought.

The Lim Soldiers continue to concentrate their attack on the Chiang Wardens, although one Lim Soldier turns around to face the Bandits which have attacked them from behind. One Warden is dealt a deathblow and goes down hard to the ground, bleeding desperately. Life fades from his eyes and he exhales his last breath.

The Chiang Wardens, use the confusion you've sowed to rally and form a counter attack, they manage to take down the Lim Soldier who turned to attack you when you ran past, thrusting their swords through his unprotected back and dropping the man to the ground grasping his back and trying to crawl away - only to have another Warden step up and decapitate the helpless soldier ending his life in a single powerful slice.

The Bandits continue thier attack on the other flank, but their suprise lost they are less effective against the ready Lim Soldiers. However the tide is turning as the numbers now match 6 against 5 in your favour, with you only slightly hurt, one wounded Warden, and a slightly wounded Bandit facing off against a badly wounded Chi Wizard, one wounded soldier and two healthy Lim Soldiers.

(OOC: You took 4 fire damage.)

[Maeko]

If my secondary fighting wheel is in reach I'll pick it up and then keep o attacking the Chi wizard.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Round 4

You retrieve your fighting wheel from the ground, and move forward to the Wizard, slashing at him twice but only connecting once very lightly. The Wizard continues to back away from you and goes into casting a spell, dark energy gathering around his body as he does so untill finally his spell is complete and a barely visible dark shimmer envelopes him entirely - a protective ward of some kind no doubt.

The Lim Soldiers continue their fight but with the battle turning on them don't manage to hurt any of their opponents, while the Chiang Wardens now on the offencive ready themselves and beging to fight with renewed vigor mananging to cause several minor slashes and gashes to the Lim Soldiers. The two black tiger bandits help them to corner the Lim Soldiers on the left, and with you on the right there is a desperate need for space as the Lim soldiers find fleeing increasingly impossible.

Xiao: 23
Chi Wizard: 22
Lim Soldiers: 19
Black Tiger: 17 (Delaying)
Kim: 17(Delaying)
Chiang Wardens: 15
Bandits: 14

[Maeko]

I keep on attacking the wizard (full action, double attack, if he goes down after the first I'll target L5 with the second attack).

[Cadogan Trahem]

Round 5

Drawing nearer the Wizard you slash at him twice and manage to cause sever wounds, the Wizard staggers making you think he is tougher then you first believed but then he falls down. First to his knees as he grips his wounds then finally face down in the burning ashes of a near by building.

The Lim Soldiers now in a panic fight to try and open the circle around them but fail to do so as the Chiang Men and the Bandits hold the line not allowing them to chance to make a safe flee. The Chiang Wardens keep up thier brutal assault, one of the Lim Soldiers on the right falling victim to a well placed sword strike, and with the aide of the Bandits on the left another Lim Soldier falls in combat leaving only two Lim men to face off against a further Six opponents, impossible odds at best - and judging by the look on their faces they are not looking forward to it.

Xiao: 23
Lim Soldiers: 19
Black Tiger: 17 (Delaying)
Kim: 17(Delaying)
Chiang Wardens: 15
Bandits: 14

[Maeko]

I move to flank L4 and attack.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Flanking the man and attacking him from behind, you strike the man down. The remaining Lim Soldier throws down his weapon and falls to his knees screaming mercy, but one of the Wardens sets upon him instantly killing the man where he bows.

One of the other Chiang Wardens looks you and the bandits up and down.

"Who are you?" He asks you

Just as the battle ends, Kim and Black Tiger come out from behind the building and another Warden looks in her direction.

"Miss Kim! We thought you lost!"
"I was but now I am here, what has happened?"
"Lim decieved us! They came here under truce saying they would help with your search only to attack us as soon as they where allowed into the main compound, only a few Wardens outside on patrols where able to fight the soldiers in the street."
"My family!"
"We know nothing of their well being, we've not been able to get inside the compoud for the past several hours."

The Conversation goes on in the background.

[Maeko]

" My name is Xiao Hu. Lord Chiang sent me to discover what had happened to princess Kim: she is safe and here, as you can see, but we arrived to discover yet another Lim's treachery."
I am reluctant to ask about personal matters, but just cannot help it:
" Is Lord Chiang well? And...he had some guest in his house, the leader of an entertainers'troupe of little renown, maybe you happen to have heard if he is unhurt?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"We know nothing about the inside of the compound. By the time Lim's treachery was revealed they had sealed themselves inside the compound. Effectively taking it from us. A second force which arrived shortly after has been destroying the city outside and all resistance it finds." The man explains. "we've had no luck at getting inside, and few victories outside. I fear what you see here is the only remaining Wardens."


(OOC: Once again I owe you EXP... sigh i'll remember one of these days.)

[Maeko]

"The Princess knows a more covert way inside, she was guiding us there. There may be hope yet.
Will you join forces with us ?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Of course our loyalty to the Chiang Family does not end with Lord Chiang himself. We will do anything we can to help you." He says.

Making your way with the Wardens, and the Black Tiger Bandits you move with great stealth through the city towards the secret entrance to the Chiang Compound.

"Overe here." Kim says jumping down the small embankment of the lake and wadeing through some water towards a specific spot where the wall meets the lake. Pushing aside some ferns and foliage to reveal a small cave just above the water line. She points towards it.

"Thats how we will get in, its a short swim and then there is a tunnel." She says.

"I'll go first, and then one person every 15 counts alright?" Black Tiger says to everyone else before pointing towards you. "You make sure Kim goes before you." He crouches, takes a breath and dives under the water and enters the cave disappearing out of sight. Three men follow him periodically untill eventually its just you, Kim, a warden and a bandit. Kim decides to go, the Princess takes a breath and ducks and goes into the tunnel.

Having fullfilled your part of the bargin you decide to go next. Tucking your fighting wheels into your belt you take a breath, and dive through the tunnel swimming and feeling the walls along the way. Just as your breath gets weak and your lungs burn for air you rise into a dark chamber where some other wet figures pull you out of the water.

"Two more?" Asks Black Tiger's voice from the darkness.

[Maeko]

" Yes, one of yours and a warden" I answer, gasping to catch my breath, " They should be here shortly".

[Cadogan Trahem]

The last two men come through the tunnel uneventfully, and the troupe regroups for a moment to catch their breath before pressing onward in the darkness. Following the walls, each person follows another, hand on shoulder through the dark tunnel before finally there is pause.

"Here." Kim whispers through the darkness pressing against a wall, it pushes out quietly and slowly. Black Tiger, and herself peak out and open the door further to reveal that they are in one of the long hallways inside the Chiang house hold.

"I want you three to to try and find any prisoners and liberate them. There are surely Chiang loyalists still alive somewhere, we need as many as we can get." Black Tiger says to the three Wardens The men nod before they draw their weapons and prepare themselves to embark on thier mission.

"What of my father?" Kim says to Black Tiger.
"I suspect he would be held seperately from the others. His importance is greater." Black Tiger explains "We'll search this house hold for him, agreed?" He says to his love, she replies with a Kiss.

The troupe divides, Wardens going one way, Kim, Black Tiger, and his loyalists another. Leaving you to decide which path you take.

[Maeko]

I stand there for a moment, then turn to join the Wardens, there are just three of them, they probably could use another hand or two.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You move quietly out of the Chiang household into the main compound via an unguarded servants door. Following closely behind the Warden. Once inside the compound you scan the area, there are many Lim soldiers around, too many to take on by yourselves. This would have to be a mission of stealth for now.

The soldiers have the storage compound - and the precious weapons inside, under heavy guard on the far side of the compound, closer to you the food storage house is also under guard although it doesn't look like there is much left in the house itself, all the provisions you saw earlier are now pilled up in the middle of the compound where some soldiers fill their stomachs on the food, while others watch and talk with them. Up on the walls around the compound are several Lim soldiers, patrolling and watchin both inside and outside the compound.

Some of the other minor buildings, such as the servants quarters, guest compound and stables are not under heavy guard only one two three men per structure. Just then you see an important figure appear, a Lim solider who looks like he has his fair share of experience, addorned in well used armour, he exists the guest compound followed by several bound people, one of which is the servant you woke you up only three days earlier before you left.

The man walks them out into the compound, and forces them to knee. Two soldiers put black bags over the heads of the some dozen people (including children, some soldiers, mostly servants) and before your eyes, the experienced man - probably a commander or general, begings to execute them one by one.

Anger swells in your belly, but one of the Wardens puts a hand on your shoulder and shakes his head. Knowing full well that charging across the compound to rescue this already dieing group of prisoners would only result in your own death.

Nether the less the group wails as one by one they perish with bloody blows from swords. Finally when he is done, the general nods to the two soldiers and the pair begin to carry the bodies, following an already well worked bloody trail which you only now see, back to the food storage building.

The general returns to the guest compound after cleaning his sword, no doubt to pick more victims for his sadistic game.

[Maeko]

" We cannot allow him to kill anybody else" I whisper to the wardens, "Do you think you can dispose of the guards while I attack the general?".

Master Li and my whole family should be there too... if they are still alive, I try to silence the treacherous doubt, they must be alive, they must.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The Warden's nod and both move silently as they can around behind a storage compound to leave you to make your way to the guest house.

After several minutes of anxious stealth and several near misses you are standing behind the guest house peering through a window. At first the room appears to be empty, however you soon learn that a soldier is napping on a bench right under the window, just out of view. Had you crawled in you might have woken him and raised the alarm but you managed to hear the man turn in his sleep at the last moment.

This window is the only one on the rear of the building, the rest are on the sides or at the front, and entering through there would no doubt raise the alarm.

Out in the compound you hear a man scream in pain, then a call to arms by the Lims - The Wardens had made their move and now you must make yours, The man sits up quickly grasping his Quan-Do and looks out the hallway listening with his back towards you...

[Maeko]

I jump at the chance and attack him (if in the right position I'll try to cover his mouth and slit his throath, otherwise I'll use a full attack action and strike twice)

[Cadogan Trahem]

Your moves are as silent as they are deadly, the man goes down without a fight and without even a whisper of danger. Out in the courtyard the sounds of fierce battle rages and continues to grow - it is obvious that haste is required.

You crawl into the room and look around, its a small but fitting room, much like the on you inhabited in the Chiang House Hold. With a bench and a small bed near by, a door and window the only exists. Despite the sound outside you manage to here the cries and woes of some people near by - the prisioners most likely crying over lost ones.

[Maeko]

Moving as silently as I can and on my guard for more Lims, I move towards the source of the sound.

I'm not thinking about Master Li anymore, totally focused on the task at hand I let my training and reflexes take charge.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You move silently across the room, and open the door slowly finding no one beyond it. You slip into the hallway and slowly advance towards the murmurs and cries untill you peer out into the room were you suspect the people to be.

A mixture of delight and utter sorrow swell in your stomach as you find the survivors - only numbering 5 - none of which are familiar to yourself. A handful of servents and cooks are all that you see - and judging from the look of pure terror on their faces, they are all that remain.

The general is not here, and a single solitary guard stands over the prisoners leaning heavily on a spear. Outside the battle begins to die down its clear that the fatigue of heated and outnumbered battle is wearing thin on the Wardens.

[Maeko]

If any of the prisoners see me I signal quickly for silence, and try to approach the guard from a blind angle to strike by surprise.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Moving quickly you prepare to strike the man down, however your suprise is lost as the guard turns and sees your aproach. Striking anyway you slash the man sending him to one knee, instantly out of oppotunism one of the cooks grabs a small decorative chest and raises it above his head, bringing it down with brute force on the Lim's skull with a cracking sound as the wood shatters spewing the contents of a writing kit across the floor. The guard slumps and does not rise.

The man, still over come with terror takes a jump back from you but places himself between you and the survivors.

"Who.. Who're you!?" He asks stuttering the words.

[Maeko]

" My name is Xiao Hu," I whisper, "I was sent by Lord Chiang to find Princess Kim, and came back to yet another Lim's treachery.
We must get out quickly".
I draw a breath, dread the answer but I have to ask. " Are there other prisoners?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"We don't know, many have left but none have returned." The man replies while looking at his feet. "Sometimes we hear screams, we fear for the worst." He says as he helps up an old lady.

"How should we escape?" He questions. "Its not safe here, and the compound is full of Lim's. I know no way out except for the main gate and that would be suicide." He says with a tremble in his voice.

[Maeko]

" A battle has started outside" I answer. " I did not come alone.
Does any of you know how to fight? "

[Cadogan Trahem]

None of the five raise their hands.

"We're but cooks and cleaners, we've never seen battle before - let alone been part of one." Says an elderly lady.

Outside the battle continues to die down rapidly, few sword blows and fewer screams are heard with each passing second.

[Maeko]

'Such a house won't be laking in secret passages and concealed rooms' Xiao Hu thinks aloud. 'Would you know of any place who could allow you a measure of safety while my companions and I rout out the Lims?' She asks, faking a certainty she does not feel.

[Cadogan Trahem]

At first none of the people speak up, but then an elderly lady moves forward.

"I used to watch over the children, and there was a tunnel that they got into once, it was by the lake side - I thought it dangerous." She starts. "Well, once we got them out, we reported it and they said it would be dealt with - but I know it wasn't closed because a few days later the children were back there playing again, maybe it still exists." She concludes with a shine of hope in her eyes having described with almost strange similarity the tunnel you used to gain unseen entrance to the compound.

[Maeko]

It was too much to hope for something nearer I think without letting the disappointment show in my face, I pray to all the spirits I know that the way is clear, this bunch is bound to be slow, and probably noisy.

She has the luck of dragons, I hear Master Li's voice in my mind.
Let's hope you where right, Master, this is the time I need it.

'Let me see if the way is open', I tell them, 'do not move until you hear me'.

I get out of the room, stealthy as a cat, senses alert, checking for danger.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You exit the room and find the hallway empty. Exit through the front would put you into the fray, however a quiet exit out the back would give you a chance to make a silent disappearance untill someone noticed the prisoners missing, the unconcious wounded guard and the dead one in the other room.

[Maeko]

I gather the survivors.
" I'll escort you to the tunnel, try to be as silent as you can, secrecy is our best hope"

[Cadogan Trahem]

They join you in the hallway and you escourt them to the room were you gained entrance and one by one they climb out the window. Some of the older people with a little bit of help.

Once everyone is outside you lead them around the compound to the service entrance were you exited the Chiang Household. All the while trying to remain unseen, moving from building to building and hidding in shadows.

From your view of the compound the last warden is making a defiant last stand over the bodies of his comrades as he is surrounded by Lim soldiers. Then suddenly you see the general emerg from the crowd, he takes a step forward and moves to strike with his sword - the Warden goes to block, however the sword and general explode into speed as the weapon slashes with frightening speed, the Warden almost looks like he explodes has he is butchered.

This sight sends a deep chill down your spine, evil magic no doubt - not even the best of swordsman you've seen can do anything similar. You escourt the survivors into the compound and too the hidden escape route with no troubles - most of the guards no doubt would still be in the compound.

As you open the secret passage and look in, you are startled to see a Black Tiger Bandit standing near the water, he draws his weapon and then lowers it as he recognises you. Kim, and Black Tiger are no were to be seen in the passage.

[Maeko]

I shoo the survivors on, glad that at least those got away, still white faced at the scene I witnessed, I draw a deep breath before asking the Black Tiger in hushed thones: " What happened? Where are the Princess and your leader?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

He shrugs and re-sheaths his weapon.

He says with a deep breath. "We had found some workers hiding in the lower levels of the house hold, I escourted them here and led them out and am now only just returning." He pauses. "Black Tiger, Kim and the others continued to the higher levels. It's strange though, there is almost no resistance inside the house hold, no guards, no henchmen, and no patrols." He says as the servents walk passed him down the dark hallway to make their escape.

[Maeko]

" There are enough outside". I comment," more than a dozen Lims, and their general was slaughtering prisoners for his amusement.

He must have some sort of magical sword" I add, thoughtfully, " I never saw a human being strike so fast".

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Wouldn't suprise me." The man says. "Lim has alot of ties with the world of mystics, rumour has it that for one hundred miles around, anything to do with the magical world has Lim's hands on it." The man smiles and looks around you before going serious.

"What happened to the others?" He says, however the tone of his voice makes you suspect he already knows the answer. He awaits for your reply (assuming you tell him they were killed.. just to press things along) before lowering his head.

"That is truly saddening, but I fear it won't be long before they find the truth about your intrusion, so we should hurry and tell Black Tiger of these developments." He says before pushing past you into the house.

[Maeko]

I follow, liking this whole situation less and less, I doubt our small force will be able to reclaim the compound, but at least some lives were saved, and if Lord Chiang is still alive...

[Cadogan Trahem]

Moving through the house hold with haste, you pass many finers only found to the rich and powerful. Acending to the higher levels of the house hold, you find no evidence of guards or patrols and soon you are apon master chambers of the Chiang family.

The door already open you peak in to see a man in a long robe with the markings of the Lim nobility on them in one hand he holds Princess Kim tightly with a dagger to her throat, and in the other he holds a strange sceptar which is outskretched towards the badly wounded figure of Black Tiger, a small pool of blood at his feet.

On the floor before them, the bodies of the Chiang nobles, Black Tiger's men and to your sadness the frail figure of your former master and friend. No one in the room has noticed you thus far.

"Back!" says the man waving the Sceptar in a threatening manner. "Kim stays with me, Not my brother! Not my mother! Not my Father! And most certainly not you can prevent that."

"You're mad!" Says Black Tiger. "You slaughter a city, destroy a family for this!" He says waving his sword around the room - now nearly destroyed.

"You don't know what it's like! To belong to the most powerful family in all China and to come off second!" He screams. "Kim might have been arranged for my brother, and she might have denied him - but she won't deny me!" The man says nearly in hysterics.

"Ha!" Black Tiger nearly laughs. "I bet your brother wouldn't appreciate that - I sure know I don't!"

The man retorts instantly "Shut up you pest!" he lowers his sceptar and instantly a powerful gust of wind cuts through Black Tiger like razors, flinging the bandit across the room and into the wall. Kim cries out in terror and in responce the man tightens his grip. With utmost resilliance Black Tiger climbs to one knee and then another before standing up sluggishly.

[Maeko]

I freeze for a moment, then, forcing my anger and grief down, shadow among the shadows, I try to put myself at the assassin back, ready to strike him

Master, ...father.., be with me now, I need everything you ever taught me to avenge you.

And if he hears me, at least Black Tiger will have a chance to get him.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You move quietly as you can around the room clock wise, shadowed by the bandit with you. Black Tiger sees you but doesn't let his opponent onto the ruse instead stumbling and walking in such a way that his foe turns his back towards you quicker.

Soon you find yourself at the back as the hysterical Lim as he rambles more non-sense at Black Tiger. You ready your weapons, and charge forward bring them down to bare on the back of the man. Twice you strike, but to your utter amazement your weapons feel as though they collided with concrete instead of flesh.

The man turns instantly flinging Princess Kim to the ground as he does so, Black Tiger makes his move - rushing to aide the Princess Kim to help her escape this madess.

"You!" The man says to you with utter contempt, he turns back to Kim. "No!!" the man spins again returning his gaze to you. "You have cost me so much! I will make you pay!" The bandit behind you charges forward and strikes at the man, but likewise his attack is repelled. "Both of you will die!"

He brings his sceptar around, and it is now that you see its mangnificance. Golden, and Blue with an aura of silverish light - truely it must be a valuable and powerful item. He points it right at the both of you and in an instant you feel a great blast of wind - much too powerful to be natural, at first you slide backwards a few steps, and the wind continues to get stronger and you find it harder and harder to remain standing. The man opens his mouth, and the words find their way to your ears.

"I will send you to the far reaches of the land! You will die for what you have done!" And with that said he gives a command to his sceptar, a blue light envelopes you and you're airborne with your allied bandit. You fly across the room and smash through the wooden shutters of the window, into the skies above the once beautiful city, and beyond. The last you see of Black Tiger and Kim is the brave and noble bandit charging blindly towards the robed Lim as Kim cried and made a dash out of the room.

Your bodies flail and twist as you continue to accellerate over the land scape, you soon lose breath as you climb higher and higher into the clouds and wonder if this is the last thing you will remember - finally you begin to decend, at first you see nothing but clouds, and then a large city appears, a speck which grows with startling speed. The last thing you remember is your body slamming into the roof of a building, your eyes fade into darkness and you hear alot of commotion, people scream, orders are barked but it all fades over you. You can't move your body, and darkness envelopes you as you drift into unconciousness - perhaps, you think, a little - just a little sleep might be a good idea.

(This concludes this Chapter, and you've leveled up so go ahead and update your character sheet. :) Await for my reply in the main forum.)