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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 20:02:34 GMT -5
Being away from the countryside made him forget the time and date, finding none of it relevant on their journey. He figured it was because it was the same routine: walking, resting and verbal arguments. Since the orders were direct from the Emperor himself, some of the soldiers decided to oblige. Not to mention the environment was nothing to really look at. It was cold and dry, with a lot of flat plains. Sometimes if they were lucky they arrived at a grassland. When he noticed the trail of men slowing down he started to move up the line towards the Generals.
At first he didn't see where they had ventured off to, until he cut through the path and found Sze with the usual cluster of soldiers surrounding him. But as he was approaching he noticed how numb his fingers went and he curled them into his palms to try and gain warmth. Shen was surprised no one had caught a cold from the change of weather. "Is this the place?" he spoke up while the cluster broke apart and left to their orders. His voice had some dread in it - he didn't like the cold.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 20:11:40 GMT -5
"Unfortunately, yes," answered Sze, empathetic, recognizing the voice immediately and turning to Shen. He had already received more than a handful of verbal complaints about the weather. Many soldiers were from areas warmer and milder in climate than this. The chilly air was harsh on those not accustomed to it, he knew, but everyone had no choice but to obey. Neither their whines nor their suffering could hold any standing against the orders of the Palace.
"At least it isn't the coldest time of the year yet," he added, watching as some of the faster soldiers had begun to set up their tents. It was almost nightfall - that decision was probably wisest.
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 20:24:17 GMT -5
"Could be worse," Shen said, trying to make the situation comfortable. "Like snow." Following the General's gaze he watched the faster group prepare camp for the night. Everyone was going to be okay; they had plenty of wood for fire and enough blankets. He didn't want to start dumping his concerns and burdens on Sze, like how he was uncomfortable being this far away. Nobody really knew what was going to come, or if this whole thing was just a hoax. Every reason confused him now.
Without thinking he moved his hands to the back of his neck, allowing the cold from his fingers to sink into the flesh. However, no matter how he tired to scratch the haunting from his thoughts.. he just couldn't let it go. "It's for the best," he whispered to himself, although it was still audible to his friend.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 20:37:48 GMT -5
Sze's expression softened, sensing and knowing from experience that Shen was always, always trying to make things easier for him. "Thank you," he said gratefully, meaning it as much as he had every other time he said it. However, Shen's voice had something other than consideration laced into it. Worried, he asked, "Are you alright?"
He reached up and followed Shen's own movements, slipping his fingers over Shen's fingers and laying flat on the skin of the other soldier's nape. The skin was icy to the touch, even though his own flesh was cold. He frowned, noticing now that his friend's face also slightly flushed from the unforgiving weather. It stood out against the already ashen complexion. "Are you cold?"
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 20:55:39 GMT -5
Shen liked to pick out the smaller things - sort of like Sze always thanking him when he tried to get rid of the damper on situations. He was about to reply with the usual 'you're welcome' and move onto more business. Until he heard the General's question, mouth turning into a slight-smile to say he was all right. However, Sze's gesture prevented him from speaking. The other's flesh was warm against his own, blocking the chill of the air - yet he could tell Sze was also affected by the air. He had wanted to switch the position and provide what little warmth he had for the other, but it wouldn't suffice.
"A little," he finally spoke up, averting from the awkward silence. The weather wasn't the only thing putting him at a flush now. Shen had the urge to step forward and rest himself in the other's touch, but he fought it off just like the previous ones. He couldn't have everything he protected fall through with just this. "..uhm, are you cold?"
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 21:40:05 GMT -5
Misinterpreting the hesitance in Shen's words, Sze pulled away, letting his hand fall back to his side. "Ah, sorry," he said, a bit embarrassed. Though the younger boy had always been somewhat tongue-tied in conversation, Shen seemed even more awkward around him now, and he wondered if it was because they were no longer children, who could no longer interact as freely as before. It really put a damper to things, he decided, preferring the natural ease of their friendship in the past.
"I'm fine, though," he responded, waving his free hand in the air. "A little bite in the air never hurt me." Anything else he was about to say was interrupted by a messenger, who announced his presence on one knee. The horse behind him shuffled restlessly, also apparently uncomfortable with the change in weather. Sze took the letter from the man with thanks, and as quick as he had come, he mounted his steed and galloped back. Odd, he thought, usually consecutive letters have more of a gap in time between them.
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 21:49:36 GMT -5
Shen felt the weight of Sze's hands leave and he slowly bowed his head in somewhat of a defeated gesture. He even sighed at himself; he had gotten so tense in the situation. Instead of making things better for himself and the General, he made it worse and put an awkward flag up. Now it meant Sze might question their friendship before hand, and he wanted none of that. However, the interruption alerted him and his head rose. A messenger? Already?
I don't have a good feeling about this, he thought, eyes lingering over the letter.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 22:00:36 GMT -5
"Excuse me," he murmured ritually, untying the string and unfolding the letter with deceptively calm, precise movements. Shen was not the only one with second thoughts about the message. He had felt something wrong from the instant the paper had touched his hands. The black words were straight, neat and unshaken - the handwriting did not belong to his brother. They were also few, direct, and painfully to the point.
The name at the end was his Uncle's, and while he had always known his relative was a high-ranking court official, the fact that he was the author made Sze even more afraid for Kamying's health. Unfortunately, that was the least of his worries now. He scanned over the sentences again to make sure he had not misread, and then rewrapped it. "We," he began, turning in the direction of the camp, "need to talk to the Japanese prince now."
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 22:10:23 GMT -5
Shen nodded his head and watched the General read the letter. He waited for any reaction to come up, a smile or a frown. But nothing was there. Usually he wasn't too curious about those letters, considering they were about what to do next - and Sze told them in the end, anyways. Yet Sze suddenly did something unexpected and Shen started in tow with the General. "Did.." he paused, confused for a moment while making sure to keep with the other, "It said he was the Prince, then?"
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 22:16:58 GMT -5
"Among other things," Sze answered shortly, not stopping until they reached tent where Akihito had been taken to directly after the march had stopped. In his hurry, he didn't even take the time to wave the guards down, or ask to come in, merely stepping through the door, still tugging Shen after him. "Prince Akihito," he said upon entering, and that was almost explanation enough.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 19, 2006 22:25:53 GMT -5
Akihito turned at the name, somewhat confused considering he hadn't been addressed with 'Prince' in a long while. And if he was, it was noted in high sarcasm. He took notice of the Lieutenant General before looking back to Sze, trying to piece out the trouble expression. "What is it?" before they had entered he was busy moving objects in the tent with his foot, just to occupy his time.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 22:29:46 GMT -5
"I...ah...we..." he began, tripping over his words much to his chagrin. Truthfully, he had no idea how to begin, or how to continue once he did. It was a lot to take in - he wasn't so sure he had a good grasp of the information he had been given himself. "Umm, I apologize. We really couldn't have known you were really who you said you were."
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 22:37:19 GMT -5
Shen stood off to the right of Sze, sort of standing behind the General. He started to gap at the other's words, taking in the reality as he slowly stared at the Prince in confusion. It took him a few minutes to register the General's words, and even then he couldn't speak. So, he bowed his head in apology instead. Not sure how else to go about it.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 19, 2006 22:37:21 GMT -5
Akihito looked between the two, giving them a confused stare until he gave a nervous laugh. "It's okay!" he said. There was no way he could be upset at the two, or their military in general. He wasn't killed on-spot and he wasn't treated badly, either. Suddenly, a smile lifted on his face and he bowed his head back at the apology. "This has been a great opportunity," now he wasn't so sure what to say - all this while he was trying to prove who he was, and now that he was acknowledge for being the Prince of Japan .. he didn't know what to do.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 22:47:57 GMT -5
Sze frowned. If that had been the end of it, he would've been elated, but things had only become more complicated, as they tended to. "Not exactly," he replied, lowering his eyes. "Are you literate as well as fluent in Chinese?" he asked, handing the prince the same letter he had read moments before.
"Japan has formally declared war on China as of this morning, October twelfth, on the grounds that we have placed an unexplained and unfair embargo on our trade, and for the murder of their beloved prince. Because we know nothing of the latter matter, we can only assume that they are trying to peg us with false accusations, as a pretext for the desire for battle. At this moment in time, we can only oblige. Prepare your soldiers for war," he recited, the words sounded like a death sentence for thousands to his ears.
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