Return of the Thieves (Task, Open)

[Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf]

Mengzhong was walking through his Luo Yang. The people didn't really notice that he'd thwarted the bandits who had been terrorizing Luo Yang, and he was quite alright with that. He didn't enjoy being in the eyes of everyone and really hadn't done anything worthy of note. The bandits hadn't been exterminated, simply disbanded.

As he began to let his mind wander, Mengzhong he a fracas break loose in the merchant district. "Where is Ai Rui! Tell me now you scum!"

Damn! Someone's after me! It must be one of the bandits I'd thrashed previously. They're certainly sore over being defeated, and I left most alive. One must have come after me for vengeance. And what a time, Dao Jiang's away.

Mengzhong knew he had no choice, he move to investigate this ruckus. "Ai Rui! Where is he?" He heard as he turned the corner. There, torturing the merchants, he saw the same female bandit he'd let go free during his attack. "So, you've not forgotten the great dishonor of our last encounter.

"You!" she bellowed as she turned to face Mengzhong. She had several ax-brandishing henchmen and an ax herself. The similarities between her and Mengzhong were truly remarkable. "I shall shame you just as you shamed me, then I'll let my men loose upon you."

Mengzhong drew the hookswords left to him by his father, the bloody roses. "Try though you might, you'll find no honor in any battle you should pick here. I'm not the easy prey you seem to believe, and you'll find only greater shame should you pursue this action. Still, come should you desire to find dishonor and death at the edge of my blade."

Mengzhong may have spoken with confidence, but he knew that even should he fell the bandit leader that he would be unable to defeat the remaining bandits on his own. He would need aid in this battle, but it was too late to actively seek any. He would have to hope that an ally came along before he met with his end.

[Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf]

Mengzhong knew he had no chance of defeating all of the bandits at once, but he could not turn away and allow the people of Luo Yang to be threatened by these outlaws. He drew Bloody Thorns from his sides and prepared for battle.

"You can only pray you survive our encounter. I have no desire to kill you, but I fear that is the only way to solve our matter. Menzhong readied himself for an attack. He had to hold her off until allies could arrive to his aid.

"You're a fool to stand against me. My blade shall carve through you in an instant." The woman charged strait for Mengzhong. He knew just how to react, and sliding left he grabbed her leg with his hook. She fell on her face and dropped her blade.

"You underestimate my abilities. you should study your opponent closely before you attack. Failing to do so will only condemn you to defeat and dishonor. For one who wishes to reclaim her honor, you are careless and sloppy in your form and attacks."

Mengzhong smirked confidently as the woman returned to her feet and readied herself for another bout. Her carelessness only committed Mengzhong to his plan of attack.

[Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf]

The bandit lady charged once more toward Mengzhong. Again he was ready. This time he slid to the right and grabbed her sword with his right hook and hooked the other around her left shoulder. After situating his blades he gave a mighty jerk downward and back throwing her off-balance and disarming her. Now Mengzhong stood between her and her blade. She was no longer a threat in her own right, but she could call her minions. He was no where near safe.

"Grr! If I cannot reclaim my honor alone I'll have my men ravage this city and you along with it." The woman threatened.

"I may be outnumbered, but you'll find no victory here. I cost you most of your men last bout and will defend this city to my dying breaths." Mengzhong certainly sounded confident, but he knew he had no chance. He could fight several enemies at the same time, but the bandits out numbered him for sure.

"You won't get the better of us!" Mengzhong heard someone shout.

"Yeah, you bandits can just leave!" another bellowed.

"We're not giving our town to you. We'll fight just like the boy!"

Mengzhong smirked arrogantly. "Now you are out-numbered. It doesn't matter how big and powerful your bandits are, I'm sure they cannot handle an entire town at once." Mengzhong kicked his sword back toward the bandit lady. "Now, you can fight me with honor; or you can watch as your men are slaughtered by the people of Luo Yang."

The woman rose from the ground. "You and me, huh? This'll be fun tough guy!"

The woman charged Mengzhong again, but slowed before reaching him and swung low her blade. Mengzhong hooked her blade and spun the sword from her hand. He then proceeded to use the other hook to drop her to a knee. He spun behind the woman and hooked a sword around her neck.

"You are now at my mercy! Have you any last words?"

"Heh, I guess it doesn't pay to stand opposite the law. Or perhaps it's standing opposite you that's so detrimental.
You're obviously brilliant and capable. I knew there was something I liked about you. Perhaps in another world, I could walk alongside you on your path."

"Then enough regrets; you will serve me to regain your honor!" Mengzhong unhooked her neck and adopted a more serious look than ever.

The woman stood and turned to face Mengzhong. "You jest!" she stammered. "Why would you show me mercy no matter to what I agree? This is one of your ploys and nothing more."

"You are brave and possess the raw talent of a great warrior. It is wasted with these bandits and if I train you, you'll be the perfect protector for my daughter and wife. That is your duty from this day forth. You will obey my orders, or I shall kill you where you stand!"

The woman bowed before Mengzhong. "Very well, my lord! I am at your disposal."

Mengzhong smiled and returned the woman's bow."Then you shall begin your duty by helping rid Luo Yang of its bandit problem."

The woman rose and reclaimed her sword. "Yes, my lord. I shall strike true and fast before these scum can harm the city.

Mengzhong and the woman rushed the bandits together. They slashed through nearly half the bandits before the rest fled.

"Do not flee cowards! I shall chase you down and slaughter you all!"

"Do not pursue!" Mengzhong ordered. "We have expended more energy than we can spare already, pursuing those cowards will only ensure our defeat and deaths. Now, I request you introduce yourself properly."

"My name is, was Dong Mi. But in honor of my new life as your servant I would request you give me a new name, one with the honor worthy of your family's guardian. Please, my lord, it would be the perfect beginning to my new life."

Mengzhong was too stunned to speak for several minutes. He had just been asked to rename a woman who had agreed to serve him. After a time he decided upon a name. "Very well; then from this day forth you shall be known as Meng Yi, the guardian of Ai!"

Mengzhong was astounded by what had happened and could feel no greater honor than what he had been bestowed. It is a new life I begin. Today's events have opened my eyes to the threats to myself and my family. Now I know no matter what I do in this world, it will bring danger upon those close to me. I will do all I can to protect Caiwan and Xuanchailiang."

[Li Wang]

Always interesting to read your tasks, Brent

Anyway, lets get to the rewards:

The bandits scatter and, without Dong Mi's leadership, the surviving bandits are slowly picked off by guards in and around Luo Yang until there are none left; the last few have moved on to other places.

Dong Mi, now known as Meng Yi, is repentant of her former ways and becomes a virtuous guardian of the Ai family, though it takes years for her to shake off the reputation she'd earned as a bandit. But she does eventually shake it off.

Ai Rui now has a guardian for his wife and daughter, and has also crippled this particular group of bandits. He is doled out a reward from the Imperial coffers for the service, and the people of Luo Yang esteem him even more.

*Ai Rui: +200 gold, +40 reputation*

*Meng Yi is now Ai Rui's second sub-character; she and Dao Jiang are the only subcharacters Ai Rui may play outside of battle unless circumstances call for it.*