Ending the Start [complete]

[Xia Ren]

There was not a single strain or line to mark the area of stress in Ren's face. Everything had been planned out in such a way to make sure there would never be a weight holding down his shoulders. His horse was well-feed and his eyes rested. No matter where he went, his clothing symbolized the terror and insecurity of their fallen Emperor. The rooms that he slept in were practically free with the funding provided by his close friend. Each day was different, every story tweaked for the listening ear - Ren used words to gain favor out of everyone. To strangers he had been charismatic and nothing else. Though the days were getting repetitive and long. Ren would need new stimuli to keep his motivation from digressing.

Third day? No, third week. This day was different. Instead of riding on his horse he had the reigns tucked under his left arm and a map folded out in front of him. His eyes looked eagerly down at his trail, his progression and saw that it was coming to an end. Folding the map in and glancing back to his horse, he surveyed his weapons and eyed his halberd. Ren had to clean it a few good times, to get the blood off of it. Shutting the map into his left hand he reached back to slip it into the pouch before counting out loud how many men he had killed on his way here. "..four," and that was all because they tried to steal what he had. Ren wouldn't blame them; he would've shared - if they bothered to ask. Though they never did. He disliked the impolite characters society made out of greed.

Trying to relax he folded his arms back and allowed his fingers to play with the reigns. Up ahead was the minuscule camp he had been dying to see. Would it be wise to enter on foot or to come on horse? Actually, it didn't matter - his presence was going to be picked out from the crowd anyways. "C'mon," he said to the horse, tugging on the reigns as his pace quickened. It took awhile to get within the camp's line and was surprised to see minimal activity. Ren started to wonder if the area had gotten wiped out from an unknown invasion. Is that why the reports came to a halt..? he wondered, deciding to go to the heart of the camp to double check.

[Kwok Yulin]

The reason there was hardly anyone patrolling was not exactly due to lax order, but Yulin had chosen this time coincidentally to inform the rest of the army of the 'death' of one of their generals. She delivered the news with a somber voice and an expressionless face, pulling her hands at either side into trembling fists - all in all, a spectacular actor. "As a result," she added, lifting her head to address everyone, and raising her voice as to stun them out of their surprise, "General Sze's army will be cut in half and moved under either my or General Rie's control.

"I know this is a shock to many, especially at such an early stage of the game, but this is no reason to let your guard down! If anything we need to all be more aware of our situation from now on! We cannot let the sacrifce our comrade has made go to waste. This is only evidence that war is quickly approaching, if not already upon us now." An appropriate moment of silence, stern-faced and thin-lipped as she gauged the reactions of the crowd. She almost felt guilty, fooling all these people, but there was no helping it. "That is all," she finished softly, "you are dismissed."

"I will start on the partitioining of troops today and give you your revised list of soldiers tomorrow," she said in passing to Rie Chou, smiling thankfully at him for naturally having a strict face that hinted nothing of their lie. Turning towards Jianyu, she opened her mouth to give an order and then stopped, looking past his soldier at a man on a horse. They hadn't given anyone steeds yet, and he wasn't dressed in a uniform, besides.

"Is he ours?" she asked, squinting.

[Liang Jianyu]

Jianyu turned from the dispersing crowd, grateful to let the somber, worried expression slip from his face, as he squinted at the approaching figure. "Never seen him before," he replied slowly. He glanced at Rie Chou quizzically, but the older man shook his head, indicating that he'd never seen the man on horseback, either.

"Guess we've got some new blood..." Jianyu grinned at his superior. "Should we give him a proper welcome, General?"

[Kwok Yulin]

"Seems like he's going to introduce himself," she mused, crossing her arms as she waited while the horseman wove through the crowd towards their location, having spotted the obvious leaders of the bunch. "He's dressed well, and there isn't a scratch on him though he's travelled alone," she observed, cocking her head in a physical 'come here' for the rider, even as she murmured, "Probably from Chang'An. They don't spare such strong men anywhere else."

[Xia Ren]

Ren eyed the area, turning his head slightly to the left and to the right. He was surveying the area, making sure the position of the men wouldn't surprise him. There was a strain in the atmosphere; everyone’s face looked a tad bit solemn. Ren inhaled a small curve of air, moving his horse forward. It took awhile for him to notice the female figure ahead, decked out in a General's attire. He had heard the rumor that there was a female General, likewise he never believed it until now. It amused him to know rules could bend for the most powerful. Now that his horse was at least a few feet away from Yulin and Jianyu, he slipped off to land on his feet - hardly making a sound.

Just like before he wrung his left hand around the reigns, holding the horse away from his face. Ren could have eyed Yulin a little more but he found her face to be suffice. "Hello," he said in greeting, his mouth curving into a gentle but friendly smile. His eyes were bright, like he was glad to be here out in the open, instead of stuck in the stuffy barriers of the imperial palace. Knowing neither Yulin nor Jianyu was his superior, he didn't have to go into a respectful bow but he did anyways. Once he was out of it, his eyes skimmed over the Lieutenant General as well. "I have urgent news for General Sze," he turned slightly to reach for his pouch - taking out the fake letter with an authentic tie wrapped around it. "It's from the Imperial family."

[Kwok Yulin]

Yulin returned the bow when it was given. He was decked in imperial attire - importantly, almost flamboyantly declaring his social status. She only eyed the letter when it was presented, face becoming appropriately grim. After sharing a glance with her Lieutenant General, she turned back to the messenger and bowed again, apologetically. "Then I am afraid you have come a little too late," she said softly, seriously.

"I regret to inform you that as of early this morning, General Sze has passed away. We had captured a Japanese spy amidst our ranks, but he escaped, and in the chase that followed, the two of them were separated from the rest of us and by the time we found them, the General had been fatally wounded, and the spy gone." She bowed her head respectfully in mention of the 'deceased.'

"We have burned his body in accordance to his wishes. We would return the ashes to his family, but he has not made mention of where they reside. If your news is regarding the army, either I or General Rie can relieve you of the letter if you so desire."

[Xia Ren]

Given the news was a sudden blow and great disappointment rose upon his face. Ren was excited to take the life of someone very important but his chances were stolen away by a spy. Though the feeling was perfect for the situation and his head bowed slightly. Knitting his brows together his head suddenly jerked up, the lids of his eyes raised high. "You're unaware of General Sze's family?" his voice was slightly baffled and now he understood the importance of every transaction. Slowly, his eyes shifted towards the letter and then back to Yulin. "It's ironic that this letter to General Sze involves family matters but I must apologize for the regards to the matter were for his eyes only."

Ren's fingers curled around the letter, holding it tightly before moving back a few steps to place the letter away. Securely latching the top of the pouch shut, he turned his head to look at Yulin - the glow in his eyes had gone out. "This has become an inconvenience; therefore, I must stay here and assist you. By orders. I'll have General Sze's family contacted about their loss and we'll go from there. However, the process may take a few months. I hope you understand, we're trying to do everything to insure everyone's safety."

He didn't doubt Yulin's strategic setting of the camp but he had to double check. "The security of this camp has been increased? You guys are our best unit, I would hate to see it disbanded," it was almost like a warning, not on his behalf but he wasn't too sure what Liuchao wanted to do with them. Ren could continue on the subject of Kamlong though he knew it was disrespectful to discuss his matters in the mourning process. His gaze held to Yulin's face, giving a sad smile - if the news remained true, everyone would have to find solace in their loss.

[Kwok Yulin]

Despite his pretty words, they were only just that, and it was painfully obvious - condolences said by custom, an expression to match with just enough sympathy and pity in the tone. Kamlong wasn't really dead, but the reaction sparked her ire just the same. Who was this stranger to come barging in, criticizing the way they functioned and implanting himself like an unwanted chaperone?! Even if he was skilled at fighting, it took a lot more to lead people than to battle by oneself.

"We greatly appreciate your assistance," she bit out, twisting her mouth into a crooked smile. "Since I would hate to see our army disbanded also, for the sake of the people."

[Xia Ren]

Ren read her expression carefully, taking the hint that he was unwanted. Of course he didn't want to linger here if his goal had already been done but he had to take to Liuchao's words and stay. His eyes closed, trying to calm himself - refusing to take on a hostile exterior. Yulin took his words all wrong, like he was the cause of the corrupted imperial ways. Good to go on, he opened his eyes to stare once more at Yulin. "I shouldn't have gone against my code, my words weren't in letter nor approved by the Empress' command. Though, we can't have the best of both worlds .. now can we?" it was a rhetorical question, wanting Yulin to know he would was a gate to the information held in Chang'An. He had offered information once, if refused twice he would keep to his silence.

If Kamlong was really dead, he would be obliged to help Yulin out. They were all blind to the obvious poison coursing through the imperial family at the moment, anyways. Ren liked Yulin but if given a reason he would surely give up his friendly mask. "You're in charge, then? Would it be all right if I was given a title to address you by? A name, perhaps?"

[Kwok Yulin]

She smoothed out her face, a metaphorical rearing back - not in retreat, but in wary temperance. Xia Ren was a formidable person indeed, patience and amiability to almost shame a saint. The issue was, then, whose side he was really on, because while they were all fighting for China, they certainly weren't fighting together. Nevertheless, his offer was too good to refuse, especially they had been kept in the dark for so long.

Yulin held no favor for the governing body like Kamlong did. For whatever strange reason he had stayed loyal - almost like a dog, unfortunately, she fought for pettier, simpler things, and held no shame in it. It was a living, it kept her housed and fed regardless of how the going was difficult, and she had learned long ago that food and stay was difficult enough to come by for someone of her standing.

"General Rie Chou and I are currently leading the troops," she answered, waving a hand to the older man behind her. Unsurprisingly, Rie Chou was wearing quite a scary expression. "I am General Kwok Yulin, and this is my Lieutenant General Liang Jianyu. May I inquire as to what your name is, sir?"

[Xia Ren]

Ren moved his gaze towards General Rie and noticed the frightful expression. He supposed the older male would get a rise out of any startling gestures, so he remained calm. Then he moved his thoughtful stare towards the Lieutenant General, giving a nod. Ren knew who everyone was and all those currently enlisted but that didn't mean he knew name to face. He would act like he didn't know more than the basics because if someone knew too much they would be labeled as suspicious.

"Xia Ren," he breathed out, letting his name hold in the air. It was an option to explain his position but he was positive that none of it mattered here, so he held tight to the information. Unless asked, he would comply. Ren hoped some of the tension would disappear, now that they knew each others names.

[Kwok Yulin]

"Xia Ren, from?" Yulin pressed, not so easily appeased. Who did he serve? A noble, himself? And who was he to hold such important information from the imperial family themselves in his hand?

[Xia Ren]

"Xia Ren, second in command of the board of punishments," he replied, knowing that the background information was a little more severe. "Also supervising the safety of Her Majesty and Sir Liuchao," which probably explained that the contents within the letter were highly important. Ren decided to use 'sir' in substitute for 'Sze' just in case they really didn't know. His position was a difficult one to maintain, though he had done it with obvious help. Actually, the position was suppose to go to someone else. "..?" Ren gave Yulin a questioning stare, just incase she wanted to know more she would have to ask the right questions.

[Liang Jianyu]

Jianyu had been watching the conversation closely, eyes darting back and forth between the participants. It was clear that Yulin took a quick dislike to the stranger, and he could understand that; the man's polite but obviously insincere condolensces would incense him too, were he as close to Kamlong as his superior. He was irritated enough that the man was acting like God's great gift to the armed forces.

It was at this last bit, though, that he finally spoke up. "Pardon the interruption," he said respectfully, bowing his head. "But punishments? Doesn't this place you a little out of your specialty, if you don't mind me asking?"

[Xia Ren]

Ren glanced over to Jianyu, reading all the irritations and when the question was brought up he wondered if Jianyu thought he had cornered him into an unwanted position. Of course his brow rose slightly and was slightly offended, knowing that Jianyu just implied he was incapable of doing both. "The boards are the imperial government," Ren answered shortly, knowing there would have to be another question if Jianyu wanted an explanation as to how.