Guanqiu Jian
Junior Member
The Rebel Without a Pulse
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.
Posts: 54
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Post by Guanqiu Jian on Jun 23, 2011 4:36:45 GMT
Xian sighed as they finally reached Xu Chang. He'd been pushing his men hard for the last few days to get out of Shu lands without being noticed by any of the major outposts. Consequently they'd been forced to eat on the march and all of his men needed to rest. Looking back at his men, taking in the exhaustion clear on all their faces he called for them to make camp outside the walls. He wasn't sure what would happen here, and bringing nearly three thousand men into the city could be seen as an offensive gesture. With this being his only hope of a safe-haven right now, He couldn't risk it.
Resting with his men long enough to eat a warm meal and recover from sleeping only an hour or so a night, Xian headed into the city. Making his way through the streets towards the Palace, He could see that the stories of the wealth of the northern kingdom were hardly embellished. Everyone seemed to be content at the moment, there were no poor begging on the streets that he saw, it seemed like a place where any man could succeed. Hoping that there wouldn't be any fools like Zhuge Liang here, He quickened his pace, wanting to meet with this Cao Cao he'd heard so much about since entering the lands of Wei.
As soon as Xian reached the Palace, He looked for the nearest guard, grabbing him by the tuft of fabric sticking out over his armor and hauling him close, growling out "You will go find your lord and tell him that Xian Ye, Formerly of Shu, is here to see him. I possess knowledge he'll be interested in hearing. Now go." He shoved the guard away from him and watched him scurry away. Ah, how good it was to know that he was still imposing enough to send armed men running to do his bidding simply by growling at them. Resting against one of the walls, He waited for an answer to his request.
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Post by Sam on Jun 23, 2011 14:20:12 GMT
The palace guards had no love for the visitor on his approach, his form giving a dark contrast against brightness of the day. As he drew close their dislike only grew and they gripped their weapons all the more tighter. Pikemen gripped their pole arms and swordsmen set one hand on their scabbards.
The huge dark man approached and laid hands on one of them and threw him in the direction of the Palace to alert the King of this land of the current goings on. The soldier burning with resentment jogged up the stairs towards the palace complex and the court to do so, making himself ignore the humiliation of being manhandled.
The man looked like a thoroughly evil individual. The guards responded menacingly at his behaviour. These were no regular guards, they had a great deal of authority in the palace grounds, being incharge of defence of the court, it's ministers, the King and the reigning Emperor. These guards were chosen personally by the King of Wei, his most elite and trusted soldiers. Troops of this ability were found only in Xuchang and the King's personal seat of power in Ye.
Some left their places along the entrance to the palace and moved around the man's flanks, he would be intimidating to anyone, but these were the palace guard, trusted in such a position for a reason. They set their hands on their swords and readied their pikes, while over the passage archers looked down ready against anymore intolerant behaviour until attention was brought to the King.
In the Place the King was swiftly informed by the soldier who he could tell was thoroughly irritated at the strangers behaviour. Court wasn't in session yet, so Cao betrayed no feelings towards the incident, he was annoyed, yet maintained an usually calm air about him, he stood quickly and without a word and moved forward. As he exited the court a line of guards turned into a deadly bodyguard.
Cao Cao headed personally to the gate to the palace to see this man, who hadn't made a good impression on arrival. Cao muttered as he stormed forward surrounded by the sounds of heavy armour, "No wonder why he's formerly from Shu."
The gate had been left open but archers were mounted on both sides and the exit closed off by guards, the only way forward was towards Cao Cao. "Bring him forward." Cao stood at the fore of an armoured guard who were ready for bloodshed, these were the King's guard both on and off the battlefield.
The sword-bearing guards at the gate advanced and pushed the giant forward through the gate, while the pikemen guarded over any aggression. Like their lord, these guards weren't afraid to tame the beast if he made any absurd move.
As he was drove closer under watch of the guards, Cao remarked harshly, "I can see why you didn't fit Liu Bei's tastes." Storming into the capital of the reigning dynasty and dominant kingdom acting like a brute was most stupid, and manhandling palace guards was a capital crime. "What brings you into my domain?"
The man was left with his weapons on his person - for the time being; but if he thought he could get anywhere near to Cao with a naked blade he was foolish.
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Guanqiu Jian
Junior Member
The Rebel Without a Pulse
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.
Posts: 54
|
Post by Guanqiu Jian on Jun 24, 2011 19:35:48 GMT
Leaning against the wall, Xian saw the men flanking him and did his best to ignore it. This was how they should react, after all. He was an unknown and a rather large one, at that. Inwardly he cursed his nature, always acting in ways that played to his strength and size instead of properly. Taking another look at the men who'd surrounded him, He couldn't help but sigh at having brought his blade with him. It had no sheath and only hung loosely from a sash at his waist, and it would probably be seen as either a threat or an insult by Lord Cao.
After a short time the guards approached him and shoved him forward, through the gate and into a world where his only hope of survival was to gain, if only temporarily, the favor of Lord Cao. Shrugging off the guards hands, Xian strode forward with his back straight and his head held high. If he was to die here, He'd die with honor and staring his killer in the eye. As He was guided further into the Palace he could see archers on the walls above, complimenting the platoon ready to spear him at any imprecise movement.
After what couldn't have been more then minutes but felt like hours he could see Lord Cao waiting for him. The man seemed to exude a regal aura, letting anyone nearby know just by his posture who he was. It was...impressive compared to Liu Bei's humility. A small smile spread across Xian's face as he saw this man, This was someone who understood the difference between power and authority.
As he came closer he heard Lord Cao remark about his declaration of being formerly of Shu, carried across on the breeze and ignored just as easily. It was true, He didn't appear like any of the men he'd met in Shu but he was used to being judged based on his size and appearance first. Stopping several feet from Lord Cao, He slowly drew his blade and placed it at his feet, kneeling in front of the man. He would show his respect before he spoke, his pride could handle that.
Looking up at the man who made entire kingdoms fear his displeasure, He listened as he spoke, speaking derivatively about how Xian hadn't suited Liu Bei's tastes and almost demanding an answer as to why he'd come. Rising from his kneeling position, Xian looked him in the eye before speaking "I suited Liu Bei's tastes just fine, Lord. It was the one called Zhuge Liang who's tastes I didn't suit, and he tried to kill myself and my guards in a cowardly fire attack en route to Xinye, where Liu Bei had stationed me. After I escaped, I knew continuing to Xinye was suicide, for both myself and my force. I gathered my men and headed north since Wu is notorious for joining with Shu against you. I offer you my services and that of my men in return for the chance to kill Zhuge Liang. Give me that and I'll fight until you have no need of such warriors any longer." He could only hope that his answers were satisfactory to Lord Cao.
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Post by Sam on Jun 24, 2011 22:25:08 GMT
Cao maintained his distance from the man, standing firm, despite the man's repectful bow, he still bore a sword within arm's reach, Cao didn't like that. The King's tone did not soften, nor did it offer any comfort, for he still regarded this man lowly, even more so after his explanation. He seemed reckless and unschooled in events and etiquette.
"Wu is notorious for backstabbing, not allying with Shu." Cao corrected. "They would not ally with anymore if they had any strength of their own to depend on. They have depended on both mine and Liu Bei's both to try and seize an advantage for themselves at times. They are useless. I suppose you made the only logical choice."
Cao moved to the point quickly, leaning forward condescendingly with his hands clasped behind him, "If the great Zhuge Kongming couldn't bear you? What makes you think I would be any different?"
The man hadn't even given his name in introduction, he remained mysterious, offering no reasons as to why he was essentially banished from Shu by one of the greatest minds of his time. Cao wanted a good explanation, hopefully impressing him. The man radiated a sickly air to the King, he was not impressed so far. But, apart of him relished the idea of having a bloodthirsty beast to set on the great Zhuge Liang, and chase him out of Xinye, he had no love of the renowned Shu strategist being so close to his capital.
The man didn't seem very wise, more of a brute who needed a plan to follow. A target; Zhuge Liang would be that target. Just the meat this wolf wanted to chew. Revenge, it's always a powerful tool. Cao knew this, for he also desired revenge for so many things, many to do with Kongming as well. There lay the similarity between he and this fellow.
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Guanqiu Jian
Junior Member
The Rebel Without a Pulse
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.
Posts: 54
|
Post by Guanqiu Jian on Jun 26, 2011 3:06:19 GMT
((My bad Sammy, I had meant that the sword was placed on the ground at my feet and left there, shoulda been clearer on that.))
Xian stood there, debating an idea that had crossed his mind. The entire idea went against every grain of his personal rules and nature but it might help his sincerity. He had no idea why he'd picked up his blade when he stood, he'd planned to leave it on the ground and now he could see it'd been a mistake not to. Gritting his teeth slightly, Xian extended his arms, holding the blade balanced across his palms towards Lord Cao. He'd prove his sincerity even if it required being beaten to within an inch of his life. This man was the only sure-fire path to Zhuge Liang and his revenge.
Listening patiently to Lord Cao as he spoke, Xian took in more then just the spoken words. It was clear this man held no respect for Wu or the Sun Family any longer, and only grudging respect for Shu. The question he asked nearly caused a grin to spread across his face, Just why he would tolerate Xian. Looking Lord Cao in the eye, He spoke as carefully as he knew how "The "great" Zhuge Kongming is an arrogant fool, so lost in his own reputation and arrogance that he discards all but those who defer to him in all things. It surprises me that he hasn't tried to take-over Shu yet, really. You, on the other hand, lead a kingdom far larger then either of the others that matter and are quite obviously not lost in your own arrogance. I'm willing to bet you'd take a chance on me, even if only to be a tool to be used at your discretion. It matters not to me, as long as I am not betrayed I follow my word. Zhuge Kongming betrayed me and desecrated the honor of himself and Shu."
This was getting tiresome, either he would convince Lord Cao or he would not, all that truly mattered right now was that he could resolve this quickly. There was too much time being wasted that could be used to re-take his outpost from the fool. Xinye needed a proper hand guiding it, after all.
(Edit: Missed a space, had to fix it.)
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Post by Sam on Jun 26, 2011 4:03:55 GMT
((I know you left it there, I was meaning how it was still accessible =D.)) Cao Cao stood still even now looking over the man, still he had not given his name. The King heard him out, he seemed very different, his mindset was far from the likeness of himself. He frowned and shook his head as he replied, "Zhuge Liang is arrogant, but no fool is he. An irritating thorn in my arse that I can't be rid of.""Me? Arrogant? Perhaps." Cao smiled deviously as he stroked his beard, "Perhaps indeed, but indeed not lost. Confidence, yes. Confidence perhaps vibing from the fact that I could have you killed at a click of my finger, or the flick of my sleeve.""Who knows? Maybe, your next breath could be your last?" Cao joked and laughed chillingly. "But you are right. I will give you a chance, I give everyone a chance. But I do not know yet your sincerity beyond revenge. If that is the limit of your loyalty to the north, then see it fulfilled.""You speak of serving me, yet I know not your name or your background beyond this betrayal, if a betrayal is what it was. Either way I have no reason to stop you."Cao walked to the side, his hands moving behind him and he stepped slowly observing the man. "I trust you have your own army stationed outside yes? Hmph, at least you had the decency to leave them out there.""Go to Xinye, and get that Dragon off of this side of the river. Do some damage to ease your humiliation. Who knows? If you return Xinye to Wei; you may one day have your revenge." Cao didn't have the confidence this man would undo Zhuge Liang, but it was worth a shot, perhaps it takes reckless hate to 'outmaneuver' the Sleeping Dragon, overrun him. "Return with some form of success and you are set on the road of fame, honour, success and revenge. You have refuge here should things go bad for you. Prove that there are holes in Zhuge Liang's genius, make him regret his actions."Cao leant in, "Show me what you can do."Perhaps this man could be his pet afterall, but maybe one day he would grow into a more worthy role. Pet was good enough for now, Cao thought. If this man got him Xinye back, that would be huge, since Zhuge Liang defended it and had recently been lost, one step to regaining his original foot hold in Jing.
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Post by Sam on Jul 21, 2011 4:19:37 GMT
((Thread closed. Due to Josh's character switch.))
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Post by Storyteller on Jul 22, 2011 1:35:38 GMT
Using the Reward Rubric, this thread scored moderate in plot, low in conflict, low in character development, and low in entertaining factors.
Sam - 5 Reputation Points
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