Mqueserasera
Into the cat night
VOL. 1-1: A FINER EARTH
Morning / Yanura, 150 AC
Zhu Xuexia
styled Lianjie
Courtyard, Orchid Manor
Tümen Lei
styled Batu
Courtyard, Orchid Manor
Interaction:
@Nessi
Mention:
N/A
Around:
@Nessi
“Indeed, Master Tumen.” Lianjie answered curtly. In one brief glance, she took in the woman’s imposing bearing. Up-close, the slightly taller officer appeared all the more intimidating, a physique no doubt had endured more battles and physical toils than most warriors still walked the earth. Having done her little inspection, Lianjie had found a justifiable reason to respect this stranger. For which, she made a slight effort to soften her initial formal tone.
Bowing she said, “I couldn’t help but notice your being troubled by a certain personal matter… of which I shall not inquire deeply. Only that as I am ordered to support you in this mission – one I am far too capable of accomplishing on my own. What I am trying to say is—“ Lianjie pivoted in place to face Batu, and continued in a tone she believed to be adequately friendly, “—should you feel yourself unprepared for the task, or unable to meet Lord Dao’s expectation, simply ask, I should be glad to shoulder the burden in your stead.”
Lianjie didn’t doubt someone trusted by Lord Dao would be able to handle a simple reconnaissance. Obviously, she was anticipating instead a conflict at the border. And it was not a wild thought either, in a turbulent time like this.
Lei felt Lianjie’s gaze burn into her as she looked her up and down. A drop of sweat fell from her face as her mind began to race with thoughts of what she could have possibly done to earn such an inspection. The tension felt so thick that Lei felt like she’d be able to cut it with her axe, but alas, it would finally ease up as Lianjie finally spoke again, this time bowing beforehand. Lei slightly smiled when she brought up concern with Dalnim, and opened her mouth to reaffirm that it wouldn’t be a problem.
However, it was the words that came after that set something off within Lei, when she looked into Lianjie’s eyes that she was serious in her offer.
“My personal matters will not affect my ability to carry out this recon mission, and letting someone shoulder my burdens just isn’t my way of going about things.” Lei responded.
“So long as we are with each other, we work together, shoulder each other’s burdens and work as a team!” Lei exclaimed a bit too loudly.
“Oh, and one more thing…You don’t need to call me “Master”, I haven’t earned your respect just yet.” Lei commented a bit quieter.
“Fine then,” Lianjie responded with an edge to her words, and something of a controlled annoyance, “The Lord has decreed that I am to support your mission, none more, so I shall abide by his words. But on the field, I tell you now, my actions are mine alone, so long as they are done all in servitude to Lord Dao. I care little for ‘teamwork’ that only serves to hinder the accomplishment of my duty. And when the time comes, I shall only trust myself to be the judge of that.”
She turned towards the gate, hands held behind her back. “I took the liberty of sending a summon to my retinue, as I wish to depart as soon as my arm, armor, and men have arrived. But what say you, Batu? Shall we set out for the mission at once, or delay until it is lukewarm, and our infinite idleness exhausted? You are the commander at the moment. Give the word.”
“Eagerness to go into battle, headstrong like an ox, oh yeah, you remind me of someone alright…” Lei sighed to herself. Even though Lei hadn’t spoken to Lianjie for long, she could tell that she wasn’t going to be the easiest to work with. However, Lei fortunately had plenty of experience under her belt, and felt confidence in being able to complete a simple recon mission.
“Alright then, have it your way, I won’t try to change your mind on this matter.” Lei responded, a tad disappointed. “Worry not about my men, they will arrive in time, patience is a virtue you know.” Lei chuckled back.
Lianjie decided against arguing over the matter. Batu had agreed to set out immediately, and that much was enough. Before long her retinue arrived at the courtyard. Standing at attention with their mounts beside each, the Ebony Vanguards formed a wall of war-readied soldiery. Black lamellar appeared intimidating under the daylight like battlefield’s black-smoking aftermath. The majority of them were of Orin origin, few were of the Zhu clan—apparent in their larger, dominating bodies. Their polished armors, sharpened arms, and well-fed mounts were dowry from the powerful Orin Lord Shan Wei, for whom Lianjie’s hand was promised.
Among them, one man moved towards the woman officers. He was the largest of them all, as towering as his stallion among others. His face weá wide and round, and despite his effort to put up a serious expression, one saw easily the kind and merry person in him.
“My Lord. The men are ready to go anytime. I have prepared the provisions for a three days march. Though we may be able to get more on the way.”
He was Lianjie’s cousin, her lieutenant to look after the Ebony Vanguards when she wasn’t present. Though not in line for succession to the clan’s head, being the son of Lianjie’s aunt, he nonetheless possessed the great strength and honorable character of a true Zhu.
“Very well, cousin Wu. I trust you've informed my mother already?” Then with marked hesitation, she added, “I have not the time to bid her farewell.”
The wretched woman. War had taken from her all five of her sons, and her husband too. As the mother of the current clan head, she naturally put on a strong hopeful front. But anyone could imagine the hopelessness she would feel knowing the last of her children were to set out for war again. Lianjie couldn’t afford to leave her lieutenant out of the mission to tend to her mother either, no matter how much that would have eased her heart. For the Zhu, it was always loyalty before personal concerns.
“I did,” the lieutenant answered simply, and did not speak further despite his master’s probing gaze.
Lianjie sighed internally. “Bring me my divided dao and armor.”
The divided dao, as long as the lieutenant was tall, was brought to Lianjie by another of the Zhu. Then her set of lamellar, black as the night and tiger-fur trimmed. A rectangular shield, solid and heavy. Then her mount, a carefully selected stallion, deep brown in color, with somewhat a shorter back than most of its kind, but few steeds in the realm could bear the physical burden it supported every day.
Fully armed and mounted, Lianjie looked to Batu.
Lianjie seemed satisfied with her answer, and kept quiet while the pair waited for their retinue to arrive. As expected, the ebony vanguard would arrive first, and Lei was quite impressed. They were heavily armored, the darkness of the armor fitting the name that they had received. Lei could tell that each man had more than a few battles under their belts, and could hold their own against anything thrown at them. Lei watched as a man from the Ebony Vanguard approached Lianjie, and they both conserved amongst themselves, but she knew better than to poke her nose into business that wasn’t hers.
Once Lianjie was fully armored, she looked over to Lei, as if she was asking where her own Retinue. Lei looked to the skies, and spotted a hawk soaring overhead, smiling when she saw the majestic bird.
“My Retinue has arrived!” Lei said with a grin. As if on cue, the Orin Riders began to flood into the courtyard, wearing thick fur clothing to protect against the cold.
“I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about us, Lei.” Said a familiar voice.
Lei smiled, and turned to face her own Lieutenant, Gan. He had short cut black hair, and a rather thin but built frame, sporting a long blade on his back, and a blue headband.
Gan dismounted his own horse, and led Lei’s steed to her, a mighty black steed that matched Lei in strength and personality.
Lei embraced Gan, and pressed her forehead with his, they stood in silence for a moment before Lei pulled away. “I pray everything has been well without me?” Lei asked.
Gan chuckled, and handed Lei the reins to her horse. “Everything has been well, a little cold, but nothing we can’t deal with.” Gan responded.
Lei stroked the nose of her horse, and began to take off the gear that he carried.
“It’s all your Armor, and your axe, took the liberty to wrap it in cloth. We’ve brought food for a few days, and enough yurts to house our heavily armored friends.” Gan informed as Lei begun to put on her steel armor.
With her armor on, and axe fastened to her back, Lei swiftly mounted her steed, and looked back to Lianjie. “Any last minute checks before we go?”
Lianjie observed closely Batu’s retinue as they poured in. Their mastery on horseback proved themselves true Orin. She had not many difficulties in discerning a few traits they shared with her own troops, the only differences being in the details in their attires that followed the Orin tradition. Orderly and capable: that much was apparent. The girl didn’t make any indication of her approval, however. She merely answered the woman with a suggestion: “The crimson river runs across the land to our north, situated between Weilang and Hanjun, then rounds Weilang to the west. As said by our Lord, marauders have been ravaging our western domains—small pests they are, but ones that must be put down. I wish to ride west in search of them before following the river north to the land south of Hanjun."
Lei listened closely to her comrade, and nodded thoughtfully. “Then we shall head westward, I have no qualms with dealing with the skirmishers, for small pests, if left unattended, will cause larger problems in the future. “ Lei responded. “However, immediately after we shall follow the river to Hanjun. remember that we are only surveying the situation, and reporting back.” Lei reminded Lianjie.
“My riders! Prepare to depart, for we head westward!” Lei shouted. Her men quickly saddled up, secured supplies, and were ready for departure.
Lianjie kept her piece, made no promise. Then she ordered her troops to set out, but left the forefront to Batu’s men.
Morning / Yanura, 150 AC
Zhu Xuexia
styled Lianjie
Courtyard, Orchid Manor
Tümen Lei
styled Batu
Courtyard, Orchid Manor
Interaction:
@Nessi
Mention:
N/A
Around:
@Nessi
“Indeed, Master Tumen.” Lianjie answered curtly. In one brief glance, she took in the woman’s imposing bearing. Up-close, the slightly taller officer appeared all the more intimidating, a physique no doubt had endured more battles and physical toils than most warriors still walked the earth. Having done her little inspection, Lianjie had found a justifiable reason to respect this stranger. For which, she made a slight effort to soften her initial formal tone.
Bowing she said, “I couldn’t help but notice your being troubled by a certain personal matter… of which I shall not inquire deeply. Only that as I am ordered to support you in this mission – one I am far too capable of accomplishing on my own. What I am trying to say is—“ Lianjie pivoted in place to face Batu, and continued in a tone she believed to be adequately friendly, “—should you feel yourself unprepared for the task, or unable to meet Lord Dao’s expectation, simply ask, I should be glad to shoulder the burden in your stead.”
Lianjie didn’t doubt someone trusted by Lord Dao would be able to handle a simple reconnaissance. Obviously, she was anticipating instead a conflict at the border. And it was not a wild thought either, in a turbulent time like this.
Lei felt Lianjie’s gaze burn into her as she looked her up and down. A drop of sweat fell from her face as her mind began to race with thoughts of what she could have possibly done to earn such an inspection. The tension felt so thick that Lei felt like she’d be able to cut it with her axe, but alas, it would finally ease up as Lianjie finally spoke again, this time bowing beforehand. Lei slightly smiled when she brought up concern with Dalnim, and opened her mouth to reaffirm that it wouldn’t be a problem.
However, it was the words that came after that set something off within Lei, when she looked into Lianjie’s eyes that she was serious in her offer.
“My personal matters will not affect my ability to carry out this recon mission, and letting someone shoulder my burdens just isn’t my way of going about things.” Lei responded.
“So long as we are with each other, we work together, shoulder each other’s burdens and work as a team!” Lei exclaimed a bit too loudly.
“Oh, and one more thing…You don’t need to call me “Master”, I haven’t earned your respect just yet.” Lei commented a bit quieter.
“Fine then,” Lianjie responded with an edge to her words, and something of a controlled annoyance, “The Lord has decreed that I am to support your mission, none more, so I shall abide by his words. But on the field, I tell you now, my actions are mine alone, so long as they are done all in servitude to Lord Dao. I care little for ‘teamwork’ that only serves to hinder the accomplishment of my duty. And when the time comes, I shall only trust myself to be the judge of that.”
She turned towards the gate, hands held behind her back. “I took the liberty of sending a summon to my retinue, as I wish to depart as soon as my arm, armor, and men have arrived. But what say you, Batu? Shall we set out for the mission at once, or delay until it is lukewarm, and our infinite idleness exhausted? You are the commander at the moment. Give the word.”
“Eagerness to go into battle, headstrong like an ox, oh yeah, you remind me of someone alright…” Lei sighed to herself. Even though Lei hadn’t spoken to Lianjie for long, she could tell that she wasn’t going to be the easiest to work with. However, Lei fortunately had plenty of experience under her belt, and felt confidence in being able to complete a simple recon mission.
“Alright then, have it your way, I won’t try to change your mind on this matter.” Lei responded, a tad disappointed. “Worry not about my men, they will arrive in time, patience is a virtue you know.” Lei chuckled back.
Lianjie decided against arguing over the matter. Batu had agreed to set out immediately, and that much was enough. Before long her retinue arrived at the courtyard. Standing at attention with their mounts beside each, the Ebony Vanguards formed a wall of war-readied soldiery. Black lamellar appeared intimidating under the daylight like battlefield’s black-smoking aftermath. The majority of them were of Orin origin, few were of the Zhu clan—apparent in their larger, dominating bodies. Their polished armors, sharpened arms, and well-fed mounts were dowry from the powerful Orin Lord Shan Wei, for whom Lianjie’s hand was promised.
Among them, one man moved towards the woman officers. He was the largest of them all, as towering as his stallion among others. His face weá wide and round, and despite his effort to put up a serious expression, one saw easily the kind and merry person in him.
“My Lord. The men are ready to go anytime. I have prepared the provisions for a three days march. Though we may be able to get more on the way.”
He was Lianjie’s cousin, her lieutenant to look after the Ebony Vanguards when she wasn’t present. Though not in line for succession to the clan’s head, being the son of Lianjie’s aunt, he nonetheless possessed the great strength and honorable character of a true Zhu.
“Very well, cousin Wu. I trust you've informed my mother already?” Then with marked hesitation, she added, “I have not the time to bid her farewell.”
The wretched woman. War had taken from her all five of her sons, and her husband too. As the mother of the current clan head, she naturally put on a strong hopeful front. But anyone could imagine the hopelessness she would feel knowing the last of her children were to set out for war again. Lianjie couldn’t afford to leave her lieutenant out of the mission to tend to her mother either, no matter how much that would have eased her heart. For the Zhu, it was always loyalty before personal concerns.
“I did,” the lieutenant answered simply, and did not speak further despite his master’s probing gaze.
Lianjie sighed internally. “Bring me my divided dao and armor.”
The divided dao, as long as the lieutenant was tall, was brought to Lianjie by another of the Zhu. Then her set of lamellar, black as the night and tiger-fur trimmed. A rectangular shield, solid and heavy. Then her mount, a carefully selected stallion, deep brown in color, with somewhat a shorter back than most of its kind, but few steeds in the realm could bear the physical burden it supported every day.
Fully armed and mounted, Lianjie looked to Batu.
Lianjie seemed satisfied with her answer, and kept quiet while the pair waited for their retinue to arrive. As expected, the ebony vanguard would arrive first, and Lei was quite impressed. They were heavily armored, the darkness of the armor fitting the name that they had received. Lei could tell that each man had more than a few battles under their belts, and could hold their own against anything thrown at them. Lei watched as a man from the Ebony Vanguard approached Lianjie, and they both conserved amongst themselves, but she knew better than to poke her nose into business that wasn’t hers.
Once Lianjie was fully armored, she looked over to Lei, as if she was asking where her own Retinue. Lei looked to the skies, and spotted a hawk soaring overhead, smiling when she saw the majestic bird.
“My Retinue has arrived!” Lei said with a grin. As if on cue, the Orin Riders began to flood into the courtyard, wearing thick fur clothing to protect against the cold.
“I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about us, Lei.” Said a familiar voice.
Lei smiled, and turned to face her own Lieutenant, Gan. He had short cut black hair, and a rather thin but built frame, sporting a long blade on his back, and a blue headband.
Gan dismounted his own horse, and led Lei’s steed to her, a mighty black steed that matched Lei in strength and personality.
Lei embraced Gan, and pressed her forehead with his, they stood in silence for a moment before Lei pulled away. “I pray everything has been well without me?” Lei asked.
Gan chuckled, and handed Lei the reins to her horse. “Everything has been well, a little cold, but nothing we can’t deal with.” Gan responded.
Lei stroked the nose of her horse, and began to take off the gear that he carried.
“It’s all your Armor, and your axe, took the liberty to wrap it in cloth. We’ve brought food for a few days, and enough yurts to house our heavily armored friends.” Gan informed as Lei begun to put on her steel armor.
With her armor on, and axe fastened to her back, Lei swiftly mounted her steed, and looked back to Lianjie. “Any last minute checks before we go?”
Lianjie observed closely Batu’s retinue as they poured in. Their mastery on horseback proved themselves true Orin. She had not many difficulties in discerning a few traits they shared with her own troops, the only differences being in the details in their attires that followed the Orin tradition. Orderly and capable: that much was apparent. The girl didn’t make any indication of her approval, however. She merely answered the woman with a suggestion: “The crimson river runs across the land to our north, situated between Weilang and Hanjun, then rounds Weilang to the west. As said by our Lord, marauders have been ravaging our western domains—small pests they are, but ones that must be put down. I wish to ride west in search of them before following the river north to the land south of Hanjun."
Lei listened closely to her comrade, and nodded thoughtfully. “Then we shall head westward, I have no qualms with dealing with the skirmishers, for small pests, if left unattended, will cause larger problems in the future. “ Lei responded. “However, immediately after we shall follow the river to Hanjun. remember that we are only surveying the situation, and reporting back.” Lei reminded Lianjie.
“My riders! Prepare to depart, for we head westward!” Lei shouted. Her men quickly saddled up, secured supplies, and were ready for departure.
Lianjie kept her piece, made no promise. Then she ordered her troops to set out, but left the forefront to Batu’s men.
