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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 1:59:06 GMT -5
The soldiers politely did their best not to gape. But they did note that she was small for a human woman and had very unusual eyes. But she was also very lovely, and the look in her eyes, the love she had for the priest, made her all the more appealing.
“Shen is a very lucky man,” one soldier said to another, who nodded in agreement with a pleasant smile.
“Oh, I agree. I’ve seen no one like her anywhere on Nihon.”
“I don’t believe she is from Nihon, somewhere overseas I hear.”
“Ah, that’s why she’s a little strange. No wonder Shen speaks of her to be equal to a man. Where she is from, perhaps that is a common thing?”
“Perhaps,” the other one shrugged a little. “But Shen has been to so many places around Nihon, the world even. That must be why he thinks so different than we do.”
“But he has a point, I think” the other nodded. “It’s really a shame how nobles treat their wives in the capital. I grew up in the country and my father and mother treated one another that way. Why can’t something like that catch on?”
Shinji did not mask the hatefulness he felt for the assassin. She had made the first move that led to his defeat, and she seemed to be everywhere at once, willing to kill again if she was given the excuse to. “You’d love to dig that knife into my belly, wouldn’t you? May I remind you that you cannot lay a finger on me. So you’d better just run off and make better use of yourself. Something like embroidering a pillow or whatever you silly things do with yourselves when not in presence of a man.”
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:04:51 GMT -5
Shade didn't even glance his way or acknowledge a word, her face perfectly serene, her step not faltering one bit.
"He's like a dog chained and muzzled," Thrade murmured to her husband. "We can let him get a few growls in."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 2:10:03 GMT -5
When his taunting had no effect, Shinji made a sound of annoyance and looked away. “Can’t lay a finger on me,” he repeated in a mumble to himself. His eyes scanned the horizon. Somewhere ahead of them Kyoto awaited. He couldn’t let them do this to him.
Shinji moved his hands inch by inch until his fingers were locked in his horse’s mane. He hugged his knees to it’s sides and gave the mare the hardest kick as he could. The beast completely went nuts. As she reared up, Shinji gave another hard kick and the mare suddenly bolted, the rope snapping in two. He didn’t care which direction it went, just as long as it was away from Kyoto, and away from them.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:16:17 GMT -5
It was Thrade who caught up to him, not the assassin. As the panicked mare emerged into a field, shadow swooped overhead and a bird dove into the middle of it right in the mare's path. It shifted into a woman for a few seconds before her form suddenly expanded into some kind of humanoid monster made entirely of stone. The mare reared, throwing Shinji off its back, and the stone monster shrank suddenly, becoming a woman once again. Thrade looked weak and shaky, which might have been a comfort to Shinji if a boot hadn't planted into his side and flipped him onto his back, revealing Shade standing over him. She nodded toward Thrade. "She didn't want to risk hurting the horse."
Thrade had caught the mare and was soothing her, speaking in a low, murmuring language to it and stroking the trembling horse's neck gently.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 2:25:26 GMT -5
The soldiers had knocked arrows, and would not have hit Shinji, but would be forced to maim the horse that carried him in hopes that he would fall on his feet. Other mounted soldiers started to surge after him. But the arrows were withdrawn as Thrade acted first, and the soldiers slowed their pace in order to surround Shinji who quivered in anger under Shade’s boot. “You’re going to pay for everything you’ve done to me, wench.” Shinji spat at her.
Lei joined them with terrible rage in his eyes. “You are doing nothing, governor, except for joining the line of prisoners. He nodded to soldiers who dismounted and caught him up, dragging him more than escorting him roughly. “Thought you could get away, you slippery snake. Now you’re in for it,” a soldier growled at him.
“Shade, good work.” Lei nodded to her as Shinji was tied up with the others. “My love, are you feeling all right?” The hard look in his eyes had softened as he dismounted to stand before her. He reached up and smoothed a lock of hair that had been displaced, his face concerned.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:30:32 GMT -5
"You really are an idiot." Shade shook her head and took her boot off, letting them take him.
Thrade leaned against him a bit. This time around it really was all the shapeshifting that was wearing her out. "I just switched into too many forms too fast...."
"Thrade, did I just see you turn into a gods-damned stone golem?" Shade marveled, shaking her head. Thrade managed a proud smile. "I couldn't hold onto it for long. If I was at the top of my game, I could have, though."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 2:34:05 GMT -5
Lei chuckled. “You did enough, beloved.” He put his arms around her so that she would have all the stability she needed, raising a hand to hold her head to his chest. “What am I going to do with you?” He laughed a little. “You’re wearing yourself thin.” He raised his hands to her cheeks and tilted her face up to look at him. He chanted a few words of a healing spell and that golden light glowed again, releasing healing energy into her body.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:37:02 GMT -5
Thrade let her breath out in a soft sigh, closing her eyes and letting it wash over her. She opened her eyes and gazed up at her beloved, her lips curved into a soft smile. "The horse didn't deserve to be hurt..." she murmured. "Not for him."
Shade stepped away and turned away politely to give them a moment, also watching them sent a pang of jealousy through her. Not for either of them specifically, but for what they had together.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 2:44:12 GMT -5
“Yes, you did well.” He ran a hand thorough her hair after the spell had completed. There was a healthy glow about her now, and color touched her cheeks.
The soldiers practically bristled in anger as they watched over Shinji, now among the prisoners and forced to walk on foot. “Shall we take his shoes?” One grinned mischievously to another.
“You will do no such thing,” Shinji backed away a little only to get closer to a different soldier who grinned at him with the same mischievousness.
“Afraid to get your feet dirty?”
“Of course, he is as dainty as a beautiful woman.” Another clasped his hands to his cheek and batted his eyes.
Shinji turned to face the soldier who made the comment. “I am not dainty!”
“Don’t get your undies in a knot. We’re not going to untwist them for you.”
“Oh, we can’t have that. Perhaps we better remove his clothing as well.”
The entire company started laughing uproariously.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:47:36 GMT -5
"I've finally got it," Shade said as they arrived back to the procession and took in the scene. "He's like a big, dumb kid."
Thrade cocked her head, absorbing that, and nodded in agreement.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 2:53:34 GMT -5
Shinji was almost literally hopping mad. The soldiers continued to laugh until Lei Shen returned then flanked the caravan in formation without another titter between them. Lei grinned and helped Thrade onto his horse and began the march again. There had been some delays but they would reach Kyoto before the day was done.
“We should have taken his shoes,” one soldier nodded to the other, grinning.
At last, Kyoto was before them. They rode through the massive gates into the city. Citizens bowed in respect to them, backing up to clear the road. The soldiers sat tall in their seats as some cheered. “Glory for the emperor, they have returned!”
As the prisoners passed by, Shinji tied last in the rear, he received jeers and cat calling. By his fine dress they did not have a doubt that these were one of the two brothers that had caused unrest in Nihon.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 2:59:13 GMT -5
"That would have gotten him limping and slowed everything down." Shade's voice came from off to the side. Her lips curved into a wicked smile, humor lighting her face. "Plus then he would have started whining and who wants to hear that."
Thrade, who was never one to grow attached to cities, was surprised by how happy she was to be back. This is what home feels like, she thought, smiling.
Shade had vanished again right before they reached the city. No scary purpose this time around, she just hated crowds and attention.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 3:07:18 GMT -5
Lei was also in good spirits as they rode in two columns towards the palace. He let in and out a soft sigh, smiling down at the citizens who looked upon him with praise. As they rode through the gilded gates of the palace, the soldiers rode to stop in a circle, the wagons stopping in the center. Palace guards briskly walked forward to place the prisoners under official arrest. They brandished spears too close for comfort as Shinji and the others were forced to walk towards the jail.
Emperor Haru showed himself, walking a few paces down the palace steps. His eyes were on Shinji, recognizing the one brother. His elder must be deceased, for his friend Lei Shen would not have arrived without him otherwise. That gave him one small comfort, for the divines had already judged Shiguen’s fate.
As the prisoners disappeared from view, moving onward to their holding cells in the dungeon Haru stepped forward to greet him, flanked by royal guards. He stopped as Lei approached with Thrade behind him and bowed slightly.
“Shen, you have my eternal gratitude.”
Lei dismounted quickly and bowed deeply. “Emperor, it was my pleasure.”
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 3:10:22 GMT -5
Thrade managed to pull off a neat, polite bow along with Lei, though she didn't look half as elegant as he did. She'd managed to learn the art of the bow. She didn't necessarily always remember WHEN she was supposed to bow, but one had to give her credit for trying.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 3:21:35 GMT -5
“Thrade, wonderful to see you again, as well.” Emperor Haru smiled warmly at her. “I am sure it has been a trying journey for the both of you.”
Lei bowed again. “It was no trouble at all. The gods have held us in their favor.”
Emperor Haru lifted his head as Huo Ting Zao was lifted in stretcher to be taken to the palace hospital. “My captain, is he hurt badly?”
“He saved my life.” Lei nodded. “He took an arrow to the chest meant for me. The medic says that it will not take long before he is himself again.”
The emperor looked pleased. “I only wish that I could have been beside you on that fateful day. You have turned the tide so that Nihon will be in peace once again.”
“I would have been honored, my emperor. I am pleased to report that we did not lose a single man.”
“I look forward to your report, my friend.” The emperor smiled warmly. “But it can wait.” He looked to Thrade. “I advise that you take some time for yourselves to recover. I insist.”
Lei bowed again. “My gratitude, sire.”
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