Post by Mikey on Jul 13, 2008 0:53:41 GMT -5
The Arrival of The Prime Minister Word Count: 2086
Ba Zeng walked into the palace silently. You could almost not tell it was him, however on his gray robe was "Zen" no one knew what it meant and he refused to tell anyone. Why you could not tell it was him was because Ba Zeng wore a robe, and a cloak with his hood always on. He simply didn't want anyone to know he was losing his hair. he also covered his wrinkly face with a gray cloth. There was absolutely no color on him at all. Everything he wore gray. Except for his eyes and the mysterious word "Zen" on his robe. They were both black. You were lucky if you could see Zeng's eyes beneath his clothing. His didn't have almond eyes like the Asians. Zeng is originally Roman, and with the new Roman kingdom his loyalty was questioned lately. He walked on his own with no one's help or a with a walking stick. Believing he was strong enough.
" I give Chang An up, I am not able to beat the Qiang for I have few catapults and even fewer men... Send another one of your officers, uh...My liege. My goal right now is to extend our borders to the eastern Coastline and North, of course. Our empire was betrayed, I intend to destroy anyone that denies our control. "
Zeng said as he came closer to his emperor. A fool he may be, Zeng was loyal to this kingdom. He had to respect Zhanglao... For now.
Zhanglao was somewhat eager to see his mentor, and grand teacher Ba Zeng. He had trained him for several years, though Zhanglao himself knew that he did not catch onto to his master's teachings. His father however did, and his grandfather would not make a decision without this man's help. He was the Enlightened man of Zhao, age taking effect to his body yet not to his mind or power. He truly was the last great man of the first Zhao Empire, and all knew this well. The Emperor kindly spoke to the man, though disrespect was capable of being seen within his words.
"I trust you to move to Xiang Yang for the moment, Prime Minister. Though you may have failed in Chang An, I know your skills will be in capable hands within Jing province. I only ask of you to do this but for a while. Good luck with your health, and your position."
He practically lied through his teeth, as he still needed the Prime Minister. All would fall apart without him.
Ba Zeng's face went blank. "There's...disrespect in his voice..." he thought. It was surprising. All this time he had thought Zhanglao at least respected him. Because of this, Zeng grew more angry at Zhanglao. It was clear to what was to be done with him. If he were to die control of the empire would be places within the hands of the Prime Minister. He put his hands together as if he were about to speak, however he thought instead how would he find an assassin to put an end to this fool's life. Zeng knew just how much body guards Zhanglao had. If he made a move right now, they would reppel off the ceiling and kill him instantly. Or at least the elite archers on the second floor would. He would have to leave killing Zhanglao up to a professional... Perhaps one could be aquired in Jing...
"I also trust that Jing would be the best position for me to move to, sire. They're a lot of battles to be won there, and they could use my 50 catapults aswell. Good day Mi'lord."
Zeng nodded to Zhanglao, and left Xu Chang silently. Zhanglao watched Zeng leave the capital, and thought for an entire minute before coming up with a hard solution. The Prime Minister has served this kingdom for 52 years. Without him Zhao would fall apart and e destroyed either from within or by barbarians. However, Zhanglao thought to himself, if Zeng were to betray the empire it we would have more consequenses. Finally he came to a conclusion and said outloud to his nearest advisors.
"There was a hint of betrayal with the expression on his face, and the tone of his voice... If I may say gentlemen we need to take him out soon. Where is the White Assassin, we always count on when it comes to this?"
A advisor nodded and said "He is in Jing Milord"
"Perfect, let us contact him for his final mission against Ba Zeng. This time he'll kill the Prime Minister."
Trap at Jing
"Good evening Prime Minster Zeng, I'll be your escort to Xiang Yang palace. My name is Jin Pin. Domestic affairs officer." A man greeted the recently arrived Prime Minister extending his right hand, the sun had just fallen and a curfew placed on the city made sure that no one wandered on the streets. Zeng looked around before introducing himself to Jin Pin. 5 imperial guardsmen stood by, while the town was silent for a few moments...
"Like wise, its a pleasure Jin. If you don't mind I'd like to get to the palace early." Zeng finally answered, shaking Jin Pin's hands he was a bit shorter than Zeng wearing a red robe and cloak, also carrying a sword. Every imperial guardsman there had a spear of the finest craftsmanship. Jin Pin noted that for an 82 year old man he surely was mysterious only his black eyes shown, there was almost no way to tell what his emotions were other than his voice. And that he could run was also strange, let alone walk without a walking stick or help.
There was a deep secret hidden with Zeng Jin knew it. Something rather strange happened that second. A glow tint of blue shown from underneath Zeng's Grey robe from where the black Chinese word Zen was. Jin was mezmorized like under a spell as he stared at it. He has no clue what it was.
The spell was broken when the Prime Minister spoke.
"Shall we be leaving soon?" He said almost as too drag the officer's curiosity away from the glow. As Jin answered he looked up to Zeng's masked face and the glow faded away.
" Oh, yes of course Prime Minister I understand you're in a hurry. There’s something that needs to be done first however..." Jin nodded to a Imperial Guardsman as he let the Prime Minister's hand out of his grasps. Suddenly, the Guards man rushed to wards 1 our of the 5 Imperial Guardsmen grabbing him from behind chocking him in a lock.
"What are you doing!" His words were followed by silence as the guard pulled a dagger out of his belt and stabbed the guard, in his grasps, in the back. The Guard covered his mouth with his hand preventing him from yelling or screaming from the pain. He slowly led the corpse to the ground as blood pooled on the floor.
Zeng watched partly in terror as one of his guardsmen were just killed, he also watched confused as dead bodies didn't scare him like it used to.
"So why aren't I already dead?" Zeng looked at Jin, his facial emotion hidden, yet there was no fear in his voice.
"We're not trying to kill you, we're trying to protect you." Jin answered back trying to convince him.
"Yet for some reason I don't believe you." Zeng pulled 2 swordbreaker daggers slicing one at Jin Pin keeping one aside to block any attacks from the traitorous guards. Jin reacted quickly and pulled his sword out with a reverse grip and parried the attack.
"We're not lying, think about you'd already be dead!" Jin exclaimed, he truly was trying to help the Prime Minister. "And we could all be dead in a couple of minutes if you don't co-operate!"
Zeng suddenly listened and put away his daggers, Jin also sheathed his sword. "Alright I'm listening to whatever is so important." He said, but Jin knew he was still on his guard. In this case, that was a good thing.
"I'll get straight to the point, The Emperor has hired a well trained, professional, veteran assassin to kill you." Jin answered expecting Zeng to not believe him. "Good, this finally gives me the reason to hold a coup!" He answered excited.
"But first, Who are you really Jin Pin?" The last thing Zeng needed to know came up before they decide to leave.
"I'm not your assassin, which I know is what you thought. We're spies under Yuan Shu. And he just ordered us to take you to safety. Meaning we move now and go deeper into Jing. Then we'll finally be safe within Yuan Shu's land." Jin answered trying to get Zeng to finally move. "Well them what are we waiting for! Lead the way..."
The first thing they needed to do was to find the escape tunnels in Xiang Yang. Unfortunately they were near the Imperial Palace. So they had to be careful. If they were seen by multiple people, Jin knew he had to still be in disguise and the Prime Minister would have to die.
It would just be another failure to tell Yuan Shu. The war with Zhao had been going down hill in years. So far Yuan Shu is losing, but if the Prime Minister actually holds a coup. There might be hope for winning the war against the Emperor. The first path the 6 took was down an alleyway wide enough to fit 3 people across. 2 Guards in the back, 2 in the front. Jin Pin and Ba Zeng in the middle.
They walked despite the fact that they knew the assassin was coming for all of them. Running might make enough noise to attract any of the Emperor's patrols. Being out in the middle of the city with patrols were dangerous enough. The dead body however, was hidden in the alley. The trail of blood wasn't. As they walked normally Jin asked Zeng a question looking at the black words, "What do those mean?" Zeng looked back at Jin and grinned.
"It's a long story, not really a good conversation when being hunted down. Not a productive one anyway, perhaps some other time over a light dinner."
Jin, Zeng, and the other two guards looked behind them at the sound of two bolts firing. It was very different then what they expected. Now they knew they had almost no chance of winning. Or at least thats what it felt like to the remaining four. Looking back at the ,now dead, two guards. Two bolts launched into their necks as a man covered in white clothes sat crouched at their knee level, both his arms extended into the air. Swords in hand the two guards fell liflessly. He sheathed his swords as he brought himself standing up tall.
Zeng, whithout thinking, drew his sword and yelled, "Identify yourself!" Jin grabbed Zeng's arm and backpeddled slowly while the remaining guards went to the front, spear ready to impale on demand. "Well we know who this is Zeng... It's just the matter if we can haul ourselves fast enough to the palace before he kills us..." Jin said as he kept walking backwards.
"We'll hold him off sir!" One of the guards said bravely. Jin nodded and put his hand on the guards shoulder.
"Thank you soldier... Start running on my mark Zeng..."
The assassin giggled at Jin's words, sensing all of their fears within them, "So, you want that spear through your heart?"
The assassin pointed his words at the guard who would give his life up to protect Jin and Zeng... The two guards looked at eachother in disbelief.
"Run Zeng!" Jin turned around as Zeng followed his lead. They ran as fast as they could down the alleyway. It felt almost as a hall that would never end. As Zeng turned the corner he saw the guard already dead, his own spear impaled him in the chest. They other disarmed, spear on the ground while the assassin jumped ontop of him a dagger in hand as he stabbed it right in the guard's neck as his body hit the ground. It was clear to Zeng he was outmacthed. Possibly even if he had 20 or 30 guards. He erased his thinking as ran as fast as he could, following Jin.