Xiang Kai's Audience Hall - Dingtao

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:45 pm

"Well then," Kai said, "thieves, bandits, raiders, and the like can't be allowed to roam free I suppose," Kai smiled as he put special emphasis on the word 'raiders.'

"I myself have no designs on Jiaoxi other than to keep out the chaotic elements of life. Though, as you may have heard, my forces are currently occupied by business in Huainan, so I am not as able to deal with these elements at the moment. When an infant becomes ill-tempered, one must do what can to pacify the child."

paladinrpg · Post by **paladinrpg** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:14 pm

On a cloudy summer day towards the evening, the sight of a large trader caravan of several thousand merchants and their men-at-arms passed outside the roads leading to Dingtao. The cloth tarps that covered the wagons were of a deep purple hue, like the twilight that was approaching. In the midst of this group passing through, a single rider broke away from the main body to formally enter the city gates. Dressed in loose fitting robes of a similar color as the entourage and finely crafted bronze armor, the stern faced woman upon a steed the color of moonlight came to a stop before the audience hall of the King of Liang and bowed her head once. As her long bangs drifted down, the hilt of a long antique jian upon her back was also seen. Though heavily armed, the female warrior was very calm and composed as she greeted them.

"Good day, men of Xiang Kai. I am Yu Yinzi, the owner of the Twilight's Hammer caravan. I do believe your esteemed King is expecting my visit." At that she reached in the sleeve of her top and produced said parchment with with the master's seal upon it.

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:46 pm

One of the guards on duty at that time warmly greeted her, "Welcome to Dingtao, Lady Yu Yinzi. We can take you to him now if you would like? The King is currently taking audience. We will take your horse to the stable for food and water for the duration of your visit. Does this sound satisfactory?"

The guard directed the doors to be opened for the guest as he waited for her to respond.

paladinrpg · Post by **paladinrpg** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:44 am

With practiced grace the middle-aged mastersmith dismounted from her steed and entrusted it to the stablemen of Dingtao until her business here was concluded. Nodding once in affirmative to the guardsman, her steely eyes watched the gates opening with a neutral stare. "Yes. If you would lead the way then," replied Yinzi politely as she awaited the actions of her guide. She obviously was expecting to have to disarm before entry, though with her considerable prestige even the noble King Chen had allowed her to walk into his hall unhindered bearing all of her finely crafted arms.

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:26 pm

"Alright then. Follow me and I shall lead you to him," said the guard as he motioned for her to follow him.

Assuming she follows, she is led through the large, now open doors of the hall. Once inside, he leads her through this and that hallway, until they eventually find themselves at the far end of a cavernous room crowded with people, generals, guards, civil officials and the like talking to one another and going about their business. The walls were adorned with huge banners of the Kingdom of Liang. The guard led her to the other end where King Xiang Kai sat atop his throne on a dais. Flanking him on either side were many of his best guards, notably Dan Ro with his spear in hand. The guard led her to a point about twenty meters from the King before he stopped her and addressed his lord, "King Xiang Kai, Lady Yu Yinzi has come to speak with you as per your request," before moving out of the way for the two to speak to one another.

Kai leaned forward in his throne and welcomed withe new arrival with a smile, "I am glad that you have come. I hope your journey here was not too burdensome. Can I presume that you have come to speak about what I wrote to you in the letter sent not long ago, that perhaps you would enjoy employment in the ranks of Liang?"

paladinrpg · Post by **paladinrpg** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:21 pm

The mastersmith followed her escort calmly through the crowds of attendants, the journey ending with a respectful bow to the master of the realm she had found herself within. Her body language struck him as those of a well-practiced servant and bodyguard, but was she here to consent to be his or not was left to speculation.

"Thank you for your cordial invitation, King Xiang," spoke the woman with a neutral expression, straightening from her bow carefully. The middle-aged warrior took a moment to scrutinize some of his close retainers, most notably the spearman that stood watch which she could tell by his handling of the haft was well-practiced. "It is not a burden to honor your desire to see me. In actuality, I and the men of the Twilight bazaar are on a journey to the northlands from Chu at this time, which naturally brings us through your domains. Though I am on this trip to seek new business opportunities in the lands of Qi and Jibei which I was born... so I sadly cannot remain here in Liang to fulfill entirely your request at this time." Yinzi lowered her head once in deference and to accentuate her apology, yet she did not long leave this air of disappointment unchallenged. "However... I would not wish to be so rude as to visit you to merely say as much. There is certainly a potential in the future to work alongside a powerful force such as yours in a more direct fashion, and at the very least in the realm of securing many fine items for your officers."

His guest then cast a glance to the side in thought, adding "If it would not be a bother, I would definitely be curious as to your relations with the powers within Qi... it may influence my decision greatly should certain events come to pass."

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:02 pm

Though he tried his best not to show it, Kai was slightly dismayed that this visit might merely become a sales pitch for the woman's bazaar. But he ignored that part as he attempted to answer her question. "Qi? We are on quite good terms with the King of Qi. I myself am originally from Qi and have seen the good things that the King is doing there, so I have some respect for him. Why do you ask? What significance might this have for your shop?"

paladinrpg · Post by **paladinrpg** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:53 pm

If Lady Yu was trying to be a salesman, then her face certainly did not seem like it. His answer however, did elicit a positive reaction in Yinzi's visage. "I see. That is good news..." She took a moment to consider her next words and soon found her voice, steady and reasonable. "As I stated, the caravan is now on a trip to Qi, as my business for now has ended within Chu. I am so far hoping to persuade the Tian clan to allow me to setup in one of their metropolis, in order that the province be perhaps shaken out of the lethargy it has suffered from in recent months. Of course this may also lead to certain misunderstandings..."

Closing her eyes a moment, she exhaled deeply. "You see, the once quaint caravan of ours has grown exponentially in recent times, far beyond even my own expectations. Though those like yourself court its favor, but there are others who view it as a military threat. And they are not entirely incorrect in seeing it as such. Should we finally come into possession of a city itself, I will be seeking allies in the regions to aid me.... as well as kingdoms who may find themselves in need of more than just weapons, but the men to wield them as well." Yu Yinzi then lifted her head up with a stronger gaze, as it was obvious what she was implying -- the Twilight's Hammer was not a mere escort any longer, but a sizable mercenary army at the master smith's beck & call. One that the King could potentially have on his side.

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:49 pm

"Possession of a city?" Kai raised an eyebrow. "This naturally brings some questions to mind, you must understand. To gain possession of a city seems to require that one take it from another. Or else you may have a more peaceful plan for doing so. But I am very much concerned if war may soon erupt to the north of my lands if I understand you correctly. Tell me if you can, how do you hope to obtain this objective of yours?"

paladinrpg · Post by **paladinrpg** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:35 am

Yinzi nodded once, a rather simple gesture in response to the King considering the nature of their chat. "Needless to say, I do not plan to be the harbinger of war so to speak... rather, I know that war within Qi and the surroundings soon is to be an inevitability. Yan seeks to spread chaos to Jibei and beyond, and Chen Yun of Jiaodong eyes the Tian clan's lands to his west with anxiousness. Prefect Cai Xingzhe seeks to recapture his former holdings and to grow as well. Among all these competing interests it would then be remiss of me to ignore the opportunity this may present to grow my organization -- to trade my services for a land to call our own, especially one in my former home is certainly fair."

She paused a moment then smiled a bit somberly. "Of course this all has not come to pass just yet. But you may be sure that the northern border will not remain peaceful for much longer. And it is into this chaos that I make my way now... but such a plan obviously is not assured of success. Business is risk. Should the risks prove not worth the reward, or the Tians prove unresponsive to my desires to aid them, then perhaps I will retreat to Liang and reconsider your generous offer of employment..."