Yiye Shan's Audience Hall - Dai

[Kaori]

Rin shifted uncomfortably on her stolen mule after a particularly large bump in the road. She grumbled and lamented having lost her cart in Yue. She'd been traveling with her grand father for almost 2 weeks when she had decided it was time to see Yiye Shan in Dai.

The cart had been commissioned by Lin Xin and the driver hadn't been willing to go that far out of the way so she'd decided to go on foot. Her Grandfather had expressed incredulity at the idea of going to Dai after such a long journey and refused to let her go, so she had escaped and set out on her own. This was a very poor idea and had she realized just how far Dai was from Yue she would likely have chosen a different course of action. It had become apparent after a few days that the journey was impossible on foot and Rin had been forced to trick a farmer into lending her his mule. No one suspected small girls. After two weeks of riding, being chased by bandits, falling into a river and getting lost, Sun Rin had finally arrived in Dai.

"I made it. No thanks to you, you stubborn jerk" The Mule didn't deign to respond. Rin had some trouble dismounting the steed and her improvised cloak fluttered as she adjusted herself to jump down.

Leading the mule to a nearby post Rin dug through her satchel to find a rope and groaned when she realized that the satchel was very empty except for a large hole sitting at its bottom.

"Okay...stay here. Got that? aww never mind, you never go anywhere unless you're kicked". With a hard pat on the animal's flanks Rin turned toward the Governor's Audience Hall. It wasn't much to look at, but it still managed to out do anything else in the area and she decided she rather liked the style.

Walking up to the gate, Rin smiled at the nearest guard with all the goodwill she could muster
"Hi, I'm Rin...Sun Rin I mean. Could you tell Yiye Shan I'm here? I'm really tired."

[TGC]

Rin shifted uncomfortably on her stolen mule after a particularly large bump in the road. She grumbled and lamented having lost her cart in Yue. She'd been traveling with her grand father for almost 2 weeks when she had decided it was time to see Yiye Shan in Dai.

The cart had been commissioned by Lin Xin and the driver hadn't been willing to go that far out of the way so she'd decided to go on foot. Her Grandfather had expressed incredulity at the idea of going to Dai after such a long journey and refused to let her go, so she had escaped and set out on her own. This was a very poor idea and had she realized just how far Dai was from Yue she would likely have chosen a different course of action. It had become apparent after a few days that the journey was impossible on foot and Rin had been forced to trick a farmer into lending her his mule. No one suspected small girls. After two weeks of riding, being chased by bandits, falling into a river and getting lost, Sun Rin had finally arrived in Dai.

"I made it. No thanks to you, you stubborn jerk" The Mule didn't deign to respond. Rin had some trouble dismounting the steed and her improvised cloak fluttered as she adjusted herself to jump down.

Leading the mule to a nearby post Rin dug through her satchel to find a rope and groaned when she realized that the satchel was very empty except for a large hole sitting at its bottom.

"Okay...stay here. Got that? aww never mind, you never go anywhere unless you're kicked". With a hard pat on the animal's flanks Rin turned toward the Governor's Audience Hall. It wasn't much to look at, but it still managed to out do anything else in the area and she decided she rather liked the style.

Walking up to the gate, Rin smiled at the nearest guard with all the goodwill she could muster
"Hi, I'm Rin...Sun Rin I mean. Could you tell Yiye Shan I'm here? I'm really tired."

The two guards could not hold back a slight smile at the woman's words and actions. Their discipline and the protocol they had to follow quickly got back into control, however. They searched the woman for any weapons she could be carrying and confiscated them, promising to return them once she would leave. They then brought her insidein a most formal manner and asked her to wait in the waiting room until Yiye Shan could receive her. Benches and seats were at the disposal of the visitors for their comfort.

After a mere ten minutes, she could hear a small ruccus from the other side of the door that led further into the building. A young man wearing plain robes, an humble bun and bearing a shortsword in its sheath at his waist came through the door with an older man. The elder was in the late thirties and looked like an hardenned warrior ; he was speaking to the younger fellow as they came in, but remained silent after they both had made it through the door.

"I am Magistrate Yiye Shan, lady Sun Rin.", said the young man on a warm tone. He was standing in front of the inner door, at about seven feet of the young woman. He bowed before as someone bows before an equal. "It is a pleasure to see that you could make the trip, even if it appears to have tired you much.", added he on the same tone, before pausing for a moment. "It is why I chose to come to you, I thought it would be unecessary to further tire an already weary guest." Rising from his bow and looking at the person he had invited in the eyes, he added the offer he had in mind on a friendly tone. "Perhaps you would like to rest. I would gladly offer you one of the numerous room of this facility, or if the perspective of indebting you so to a stranger troubles you, I would gladly cover the costof a night at the nearest inn."

[Kaori]

Rin collapsed over the nearest chair and waved her thanks to the guard who'd shown her in. The wait was short but by the time Yiye Shan entered the room Rin's eyes were already getting heavy.

"I am Magistrate Yiye Shan, lady Sun Rin." She snapped to attention at the unexpected sound and realized that she was being bowed to. Scrambling up from her seat, Rin hurried to return the gesture. As the Magistrate spoke the girl realized belatedly that she'd forgotten to remove her hood and swiped it from her head in an attempt to be inconspicuous.

"Perhaps you would like to rest. I would gladly offer you one of the numerous room of this facility, or if the perspective of indebting you so to a stranger troubles you, I would gladly cover the costof a night at the nearest inn." Grinning sheepishly, Rin shook her head and shifted slightly. She'd spent so long getting here that now she wasn't sure what to do. Only that she didn't want to fall asleep anymore.

"Thanks. I do need somewhere to sleep, but I just got here..." Rin paled slightly realizing that she wasn't sure what to say. "umm, thanks for writing to me...sorry I'm late, I had a little trouble along the way." she unconsciously felt the ruddy cloth she'd used to replace the expensive dress she'd started out with and sighed

"but I'm here now and I've already had an adventure just getting here" A grin spread across her features and she cocked her head to the side.

"what can I do for you mr. Magistrate?"

[TGC]

Rin collapsed over the nearest chair and waved her thanks to the guard who'd shown her in. The wait was short but by the time Yiye Shan entered the room Rin's eyes were already getting heavy.

"I am Magistrate Yiye Shan, lady Sun Rin." She snapped to attention at the unexpected sound and realized that she was being bowed to. Scrambling up from her seat, Rin hurried to return the gesture. As the Magistrate spoke the girl realized belatedly that she'd forgotten to remove her hood and swiped it from her head in an attempt to be inconspicuous.

"Perhaps you would like to rest. I would gladly offer you one of the numerous room of this facility, or if the perspective of indebting you so to a stranger troubles you, I would gladly cover the costof a night at the nearest inn." Grinning sheepishly, Rin shook her head and shifted slightly. She'd spent so long getting here that now she wasn't sure what to do. Only that she didn't want to fall asleep anymore.

"Thanks. I do need somewhere to sleep, but I just got here..." Rin paled slightly realizing that she wasn't sure what to say. "umm, thanks for writing to me...sorry I'm late, I had a little trouble along the way." she unconsciously felt the ruddy cloth she'd used to replace the expensive dress she'd started out with and sighed

"but I'm here now and I've already had an adventure just getting here" A grin spread across her features and she cocked her head to the side.

"what can I do for you mr. Magistrate?"

Yiye Shan laughed lightly at the young woman before him and at her great efforts to remain coherent and awake. Pu Ai, watching from behind his lord, obviously disapproved of all that was happening ; it could be read on his harsh face. He obviously cared much for the young man. The magistrate turned and motionned to a few guards to follow him. He then turned again to face his guest and spoke as gently as before. "If you would follow me, I will show you the guest quarters."

Should she follow him, they would be led to the main audience hall, through a long corridor. From there, they would go through a few doors and corridors that probably reminded the tired woman of the mazes of tales where adventurers would get lost. They would finally make it to a room on the second floor. It had a simple bed with a desk, a bookshelf and a chest. It also had a balcony with a view on the city and the mountains of Dai. It was too high to jump down from and only a very agile person would be able to use the shapes of the architectures to leave it. She would be allowed to rest and the entrance to her room would be permanently guarded by two men, as well as by the regular patrols who were filling the numerous corridors and halls of the building.

"Just ask a guard to contact me when you will be ready to meet with me again.", said the young man before letting her wander into the dreamlands.

[NightForever]

In one late afternoon, a white horse was seen striding towards the city of Dai. On its back was a warrior wearing a silver armor. With the speed of the steed, the warrior arrived at the city hall of Dai in a very short time. He stepped down the horse and approached to the guard.

"Good day, Sir. I am Wu Weilong. I came here upon the request from lord Yiye. I am consent to any search."

[Kaori]

A whining complaint was on the tip of her tongue and Rin, realizing how childish it would sound, bit her cheek to keep from speaking. Sighing, she nodded her head, unkempt locks falling over her eyes and she swiped them away in frustration.

"I guess so" she pouted slightly and padded after him through the maze of halls, realizing with some discomfort that she'd never be able to find her way out of here alone. As the pair arrived at what Rin assumed must be her accommodations, she turned to the Magistrate to speak.

"Just ask a guard to contact me when you will be ready to meet with me again." The words had been spoken even before Rin had managed to open her mouth and she found her self automatically protesting

"But...oh, alright" She failed to stifle a yawn and made a haphazard bow to her host before turning toward the bed and falling on it, still wearing her torn clothing and over cloak which she now wrapped around herself in place of a blanket. She'd fallen asleep in seconds.

Through the night, Rin had numerous dreams of awaking in the endless maze of halls and wandering forever, being chased by griffons and other horrors, and at some point of kissing that old man who'd been in the room with Yiye Shan. It was that particular nightmare that woke her up.

Turning on her side, Rin stretched in the bed before jolting into an upright position as she saw daylight pouring through the window. She smacked her forhead and rushed out to the balcony to measure the sun. Midday, she'd slept far too long. As she turned back to the room the view caught her attention and Rin realized she was staring at a gorgeous panoramic view of Dai. The sight calmed her slightly and she took a moment to sniff the fresh scents of food wafting from the city.

"I could get used to this place" She left the vista only grudgingly and made her way across the chamber. The door creaked ajar and the guards were treated to a pair of wide eyes peeking around its frame and staring at them for a second before retreating bashfully into the room.

"umm, morning." She smacked herself, 'ugh it's noon you idiot' Rin ran a nervous hand through her hair and managed an awkward grin. "Can you two take me to the magistrate?"

[TGC]

In one late afternoon, a white horse was seen striding towards the city of Dai. On its back was a warrior wearing a silver armor. With the speed of the steed, the warrior arrived at the city hall of Dai in a very short time. He stepped down the horse and approached to the guard.

"Good day, Sir. I am Wu Weilong. I came here upon the request from lord Yiye. I am consent to any search."

After going through the standard search prcedures, Wu Weilong was asked to wait in the room beyond the entrance doors. He was told that YIye Shan would meet with him shortly. After about ten minutes, a guard came back and motionned for him to follow him into a long corridor. After a minute walk, he finally made it to the audience hall.

The prefect was sitting on his throne when the warrior came in, but rose ot his feet and climbed down down from it as soon as he noticed his guest. Stopping at about ten feet of Wu Weilong, Yiye Shan bowed to him and greeted him on a friendly tone. "Welcome to my humble lands, master Wu. It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope the trip was pleasant."

A whining complaint was on the tip of her tongue and Rin, realizing how childish it would sound, bit her cheek to keep from speaking. Sighing, she nodded her head, unkempt locks falling over her eyes and she swiped them away in frustration.

"I guess so" she pouted slightly and padded after him through the maze of halls, realizing with some discomfort that she'd never be able to find her way out of here alone. As the pair arrived at what Rin assumed must be her accommodations, she turned to the Magistrate to speak.

"Just ask a guard to contact me when you will be ready to meet with me again." The words had been spoken even before Rin had managed to open her mouth and she found her self automatically protesting

"But...oh, alright" She failed to stifle a yawn and made a haphazard bow to her host before turning toward the bed and falling on it, still wearing her torn clothing and over cloak which she now wrapped around herself in place of a blanket. She'd fallen asleep in seconds.

Through the night, Rin had numerous dreams of awaking in the endless maze of halls and wandering forever, being chased by griffons and other horrors, and at some point of kissing that old man who'd been in the room with Yiye Shan. It was that particular nightmare that woke her up.

Turning on her side, Rin stretched in the bed before jolting into an upright position as she saw daylight pouring through the window. She smacked her forhead and rushed out to the balcony to measure the sun. Midday, she'd slept far too long. As she turned back to the room the view caught her attention and Rin realized she was staring at a gorgeous panoramic view of Dai. The sight calmed her slightly and she took a moment to sniff the fresh scents of food wafting from the city.

"I could get used to this place" She left the vista only grudgingly and made her way across the chamber. The door creaked ajar and the guards were treated to a pair of wide eyes peeking around its frame and staring at them for a second before retreating bashfully into the room.

"umm, morning." She smacked herself, 'ugh it's noon you idiot' Rin ran a nervous hand through her hair and managed an awkward grin. "Can you two take me to the magistrate?"

One of the guard nodded and motionned for a patrolling guard to notify the magistrate of the guest's awakening. After about ten minutes, during which she probably would have asked the guard about the location of the "restrooms", the guard came back. Yiye Shan would be ready to meet him anytimeshe would want. He also offered her to eat lunch before doing so, since after such long travels in both the real world and dreamlands, she probably was hungry. Whether to decidedto eat or not, she would be escorted to the back of the main audience hall, where Yiye Shan was waiting beside a large table. "Good afternoon, lady Sun Rin. I take it you slept well.", he said with a grin.

[NightForever]

TGC

Wu Weilong bowed to the lord of Dai and spoke with a light smile on his face.

"My trip was great, lord Yiye. It is my honor to be invited to here. Lord Yiye, please forgive my bluntness, but would you please let me know about your next plan and what I could be of use here?"

[TGC]

TGC

Wu Weilong bowed to the lord of Dai and spoke with a light smile on his face.

"My trip was great, lord Yiye. It is my honor to be invited to here. Lord Yiye, please forgive my bluntness, but would you please let me know about your next plan and what I could be of use here?"

The young Prefect chuckled lightly as he was asked that question. He shook his head lightly before answering on the same friendly tone he had greeted the warrior on. "Unfortunately, I cannot reveal the details of my plans to a person I have just barely met. I hope you understand." He paused for a moment. "I can tell you what you would be doing in my forces, though. Since it seems to be what you are interested in, I cannot feel bad for pushing you a bit... You would, of course, be leading my troops in battle and challenging enemy officers in duels. You would also be very useful as an administrator in one of my towns or city, as someone who would conscript troops and train them..." He paused for a second. "All of these duties, of course, come with proper rewards. Rank, gold... but the greatest of them all, in my eyes, working to unify this country..." He chuckled lightly at the last statement. "Of course, my opinion on that matter happen to be slightly biased."

[NightForever]

The Southern Swordsman listened to the lord of Dai to finish his talk. Wu Weilong then replied.

"That is quite an interesting offer, lord Yiye. It is such an honor of me to receive this offer. There is one problem, though. To me, it is a little risky to have the commander of the troop as the same person who will be the duelist? That would bring a disaster to the army if that commanding duelist is lost or captured. I would rather stick with only one position, either commander or the champion of the troop. However, I would like to know if there is any current commander-type general or duelist-type general in your force or not, so that I could think of my position in your army clearly, given that all other things work well."