Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 8, 2006 22:11:45 GMT -5
Liuchao frowned, his robes softly rustling as he paced. Things were happening far too quickly; he had to admit that perhaps he had jumped in far too soon. No matter, he would simply have to redouble his own efforts, he wasn't even close to beaten yet. There was only one real threat left barring his path to the throne, that damnable second nephew of his, Sze Kamlong. If only he should be lucky enough that Kamlong would die in war . . . , as he mused a most deliciously evil smile crossed his face.
Lately there had been more and more pressure building upon him, his steps had become more and more intricate as he danced about. One wrong move now and at best his efforts would be in vain, at worst he knew certain death awaited him. Murder of not one, but two emperors was something that no man would forgive him.
So it was that his latest move was naught but genius, if he should say so himself. Sending the news to his nephew personally! No one would doubt his intent, and here was his most opportune moment in which to sabotage. And all he had to do was simply blame the courier, after the "letter" left the palace he had no more say over what happened to it, who would gainsay him if the news was never received? After all, he was hardly a god and had no power over whatever misfortunes might befall a messenger upon the road. He smiled to himself, his nerves settled when he thought of the most recent turn of events.
All he had to do was keep Kamlong as far away from the capital as he could. With just a little more time he could surely shift the nobles' confidence in his own direction. Or, he mused, if luck was with him his nephew would make things easy and just die. After all, these were dangerous times of war for a Chinese general.
He smiled, settling down to write up a letter for his favorite nephew. A letter he would just have to make sure never reached its destination. As he began the slow methodical pen strokes he began thinking up ways he could plot for some poor letter-carrier to meet certain doom.
There was something intoxicating about realizing you had power over someone's life . . . or death.
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 8, 2006 22:40:05 GMT -5
Fai had finished patrolling the halls and found nothing that help ease his mourning. Even the Empress' servant girl could tell him nothing. Seems like I keep running into a dead end, Fai thought, walking past Liuchao's room. However, he halted before completely dismissing curiosity. Fai wondered if Kamying's uncle was taking his nephew's death well enough. Making a hasty decision he turned to the door and slowly leaned his forehead against it, causing his hat to tip up slightly. "Sir," he announced, before turning to place his ear to the door. "It's Yu Fai - I'd like to report the patrolling duties as well as requesting any more tasks since the Empress already retired for the night," he knew that Liuchao was still awake but behind closed doors, who knew what the older male was doing.
Or planning. Suspicious, his right hand shifted to the edge of the door, wanting to open it. But he couldn't, not without permission. "May I enter?" he asked.
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 8, 2006 22:54:30 GMT -5
He started slightly at the unexpected interruption, but gathered his wits quickly enough. He wanted very much to refuse, and perhaps he could have if for no other reason than the late hour, but there was speculation enough about him around the capital without adding more fuel.
Yu Fai, he placed the man quickly enough. If he remembered correctly he had been on very close terms with Kamying. Luichao schooled his face into a careful expression, weary, with a touch of sadness; he thought that should be appropriate for an uncle in mourning. For that was what he was, at least on the surface, and such a perfect specimen all the courtiers would agree.
He coughed once, laying down his pen and turning to face the door. "You may."
He took the time to study Fai carefully as the door was shut behind him, picking out the despair in the man's eyes. He must be very careful with this one. There were too many emotions involved to make any interaction with this man easy; he must do all he could to remain guiless to the young official. This one could make things difficult for him, this he instinctively felt.
"Your report, then?" He gave the man a wan smile, as if he were trying to dredge some cheerfulness out of an awful depression.
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 8, 2006 23:07:01 GMT -5
When he was in Liuchao's presence, he gave a respectful bow before returning the smile. Fai figured the report wouldn't buy him enough time to survey Liuchao's room for any suspicious artifacts that led up to the rumors of Kamying's death. "Everything is clear," he gave the report quietly, his eyes lingering over Liuchao's face. It was easy to pick out the resemblance to his nephews and it made him want to cringe. Although it was very obvious that Liuchao was standing in front of something, perhaps out of hiding or he had interrupted a meaningless task.
"Do you need anything, sir?" he asked by routine - knowing that if his eyes lingered or looked away he would be called out on it. Fai's expression was gentle, disregarding everything he felt. Suddenly, he took a few steps forward, his arms crossing behind his back.
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 8, 2006 23:25:51 GMT -5
He began to say "no" before he thought better of it. "Hmm . . . I might have just the task for you."
He leaned over his letter, adding a few more lines to it and his signature. All the while he watched Yu Fai out of the corner of the room, lest the man should do anything suspicious. The tension was thick in the air and his senses were on overload, ready to interpret even the most minute detail.
He wasn't so concerned about Fai discovering anything in his room, he'd made sure to hide any existing evidence, such as the small amount of remaining poison, elsewhere in the palace. Instead, he looked for anything which he might use to shift accusation or blame upon the young man. A scape goat could, at a later date, be of great use to him.
"This," he pointed to the letter, "is a letter to my dear nephew informing him of our great loss, that we might share our grief together. I thought it my responsibility to inform him personally; he deserves better than learning through an impersonal note from the capital, or, even worse, through rumor. If it wouldn't be too much trouble I need a courier hunted up either tonight or in the morning to carry it. You may send him to my rooms."
He briefly considered sending Fai with the letter, and effectively killing two stones with his murder, but decided that man was of too high a rank for him to risk such an action. He didn't need the suspicion of yet another death upon his head. Especially one so conveniently connected to Kamying.
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 8, 2006 23:39:43 GMT -5
Fai watched Liuchao bend over and scratch something on a scroll. He wasn't exactly leaning to look over the male's form but when Liuchao turned back around his eyes adjusted to the man's profile. "Of course, it's always a honor," he said with high regard and respect. Fai took his time approaching Liuchao, wanting his movements be calm and yet not so eager. Of course he would open the letter and read what the contents were, if Liuchao said what was true, he would find the courier.
Although he wanted to deliver the letter himself, it didn't seem to be in his options. He would've asked if Liuchao wanted Kamying's written will sent out with the letter as well, but hiding the fact that he held such a valuable consent was best left unsaid. At least until he could trust Liuchao. Fai's eyes slowly looked down at the letter, allowing his guard to teeter slightly. It only took a few seconds before his gaze focused back on Liuchao's face. "You're very generous for doing this, sir."
Because he was standing so still it gave the illusion that his golden eyes melded with the candlelight, and a cat-like grin accompanied the expression.
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 8, 2006 23:52:02 GMT -5
The effect of the light was not lost on Luichao, but he chose to ignore it, carefully hiding his frown.
He smiled as kindly as he could at Yu Fai, "No, not generous, my boy. This is the very least I could do." He rolled the scroll up in his hands, preparing to mark it with his seal. "Were I a little younger perhaps I would bring the news in person."
He turned slightly, but continued to watch Fai. He was entirely unconvinced that he could put any real measure of faith in him, not so far as his own crooked plans were concerned. But with some careful manuevering he should be able to use the man well enough. So long as he was careful not to arouse too much suspicion.
It would all be easier if he could just rid himself of the man, who was obviously far too perceptive for his own good, and doubly so because he was on guard. But as that was no option, Liuchao was obliged to come up with other means of occupying Yu Fai.
"Very well, if you have no further intelligence or questions, you are dismissed."
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 9, 2006 0:06:30 GMT -5
"Sir, this really has nothing to do with inner relationships, however, how are you fairing?" Fai took this to his advantage, wanting to probe the older man's mind and hopefully unfold secrets. It seemed fair to ask Kamying's uncle how he was doing considering he had been with Kamying for so long. Perhaps he was searching for a memory of Kamying, to make himself feel better - perhaps the opposite, even more sad.
"If you see my question as an insult, I'll gladly withdraw it."
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 9, 2006 0:19:39 GMT -5
The question wasn't an insult so much as an annoyance to Liuchao. He frowned mentally. Whether or not Fai was aware, he was putting Liuchao in an awkward position. To refuse the question, as he would like, and as he was given a window to do, would invite suspicion.
It was easier just to play along, and perhaps soothe some of Yu Fai's doubts while he was at it.
"I fair," he gave a calculated pause with a hint of a sigh attatched, "well enough as one could under the situation." He smiled sadly, "The loss of my dear nephew is such a blow to the heart, more so while my other nephew is in such danger out on the fields."
He decided to deflect the question back on Yu Fai for a bit, and maybe distract his scrutiny for a little while.
"You were close to my nephew as well, were you not? I imagine his passing has been hard on you as well?"
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 9, 2006 0:26:25 GMT -5
"Yes, it's always a misfortune to lose a friend," he answered the question, but decided against going in-depth over his feelings. Fai wasn't there to dump problems on Liuchao, so being discrete allowed him more of an opening. "However, it's only a loss if one allows it to be one - some may see it as a gain, but yes, he'll be dearly missed," Fai didn't say who he would be dearly missed by and the grin on his face had faded.
"We've learned of how he lived and died, and I am thankful," so he made it seem like he wasn't in a deep hole of grieving and his eyes slowly shifted towards one of the candles. "If my observation isn't too demanding, you're always alone. Why is this, sir? Isn't it customary to have a body guard?"
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 9, 2006 0:36:07 GMT -5
"Yes, unfortunate indeed," Liuchao agreed. He placed a comforting hand on Yu Fai's shoulder, a gesture meant to convey a compassion he could only pretend.
A bodyguard, of all the things he might have thought Fai would pick up on that was certainly not one of them. He cursed himself for the slip-up.
"I suppose I had neglected my own safety," he carefully replied, "Seeing as how I've been holing myself up in my grief, I've relied upon the palace guard to protect me."
He studied the younger man, mentally grinning as he realized this could work to his advantage. Making Yu Fai his bodyguard would allow him to keep an eye on the man and limit just what he might be able to unwittingly discover about the true nature of Kamying's death.
"I can think of no one more suitable for the post than yourself, should it suit you. Your skills are known throughout the nobility, and you've certainly demonstrated your perceptiveness tonight," he looked Fai in the eye, "Perhaps we might find solace in each other from our sorrow."
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 9, 2006 0:44:11 GMT -5
Fai tensed when Liuchao had touched his shoulder, not because he was afraid of the older male but because he had been trained to react by unsuspecting tactics. Although his arms stayed to his side and he didn't even motion of his weapon. When the two were eye level, he nodded his head slowly. "I am very grateful for this honor, sir. It comforts me to know we'll be of help to each other," he was also smiling mentally. Being close to Liuchao would also allow him to watch over the other's actions and pinpoint his last suspicions.
He would've gone into a very respectful bow but the hand disabled him from doing so. Instead, his hand lifted to slowly rest on top of Liuchao's. Pretending the action was mutual. "I'll protect you with my life," Fai smiled, though feeling his throat burn. It was tempting to start coughing or breathing heavily but he couldn't show the illness.
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 9, 2006 1:04:32 GMT -5
Liuchao removed his hand, resisting the urge to wipe it on his clothes. He looked Fai in the eye and smiled back, "I trust that you will."
He watched Fai carefully, "Where are your current quarters? As my bodyguard we should probably have you moved closer. I can see to the arrangement in the morning."
And then I shall see to it that you stay out of trouble. I've enough of it as it is.
It might have been his imagination, or merely the low candlelight. Perhaps, had Liuchao been superstitious he might have thought it an omen. For a moment, just a few seconds, Yu Fai looked feral not unlike the lions which were embroidered on his robes. He supressed a shudder and covered it with a smile.
|
|
Yu Fai
New Member
[China]
Posts: 28
|
Post by Yu Fai on Oct 9, 2006 1:13:02 GMT -5
"It's next to the Empress' room, sir," he had been placed there because of Kamying when he had retired for the night. Fai could tell that Liuchao was not only staring at him but he was watching him. What could he possibly do to alert Liuchao and tag himself as suspicious? Absolutely nothing.
However, seeing a shudder that graced into a smile. "Are you cold, sir?"
|
|
Sze Liuchao
Junior Member
Evil is sexy, just ask Ren
Posts: 59
|
Post by Sze Liuchao on Oct 9, 2006 1:16:59 GMT -5
So he saw that. Liuchao was not pleased. Even if that probably should have pleased him in a potential bodyguard.
"Just a little, but there's no need to concern yourself," he stroked his beard absently, "I always get a bit chilled at night. Must be my old bones." He chuckled.
|
|