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.: Courage Ablaze :. The evening had set in several hours ago, yet the lighting of the courtyard hadn't faltered since dusk. O-Kuko, a young artisan and imperial scriptwriter of Buya, continued to strum lightly upon the strings of her biwa (a small guitar-like instrument). The diplomats of the Tri-Kingdoms gazed out upon the courtyard in silent admiration. The picking of the steel strings echoed a swelling sense of pride in the men and women as they took in the sights of the city they collectively cared for. "I tire of her incessant picking." The most beautiful girl in the room whispered quietly, her lips curving up, ever-so-slightly, to cast a radiant smile. "I suggest a game. Any ideas?" "Perhaps one of contemplation?" Spoke the Dharma diplomat. "Or one of serenity?" The Heaven courtier nodded. "I suggest," A soldier stepped forth, the representative of the Phoenix Clan. "One of courage." The diplomats each turned to their respective bodyguard and whispered quietly. It was the Lost Kingdom courtier who spoke up first, "What do you mean? Surely, each of us here demonstrates courage in the name of our clan! For Buya!" The Phoenix courtier smiled, "Oh? I propose thus; The courtier who can test the courage of their bodyguard the greatest will win the honor of the night, and a play by O-Kuko!" The Phoenix glanced out the corner of his eye, toward the imperial scriptwriter. "As you wish, Lords of Buya." The woman continued to strum. Each courtier proceeded to summon up a great quest for their bodyguard; risking their life or being committed to torture by the creatures of the Vortex. First-borns were pledged to fight daemons, eyes were vowed to be plucked out should they fail. Lastly came the Phoenix's turn. "Courage. To rise above ones' own fears and commit to duty." The soldier announced. "My bodyguard, you have a wife and several children?" The man, standing at the side of the courtier, nodded. "And yet you still risk your life each night, for the honor of the Phoenix?" "I would sacrifice anything for the Clan, thus is my courage!" "Then kill me." A ribbon of red curled through the air as the bodyguard sliced through the diplomat. As the Phoenix courtier slumped to the floor, lifeless, his bodyguard fell upon his own blade. The courtier's body began to burn up at the feet of the audience. "Look there! A sure sign that this courtier was one of Mupa's!" Shrieked someone from the crowd. "But why choose to die?" The Dharma courtier pondered. O-Kuko, the imperial scriptwriter, abruptly ceased her playing of the biwa and rose from her seat. "You see, dear guests." She began. "The Phoenix courtier was inflicted with dark magic. Who would dare to turn their blade against such a high-ranking council member of their clan, especially a bodyguard charged to protect him? Surely, they would be executed in shame for allowing their charge to fall." O-Kuko allowed her biwa to fall to the floor, the haunting sound of the instrument crashing to the ground reverberated through-out the room. "And all heroic achievements of their family-line stricken from the Imperial history records. Forever." O-Kuko gave a low bow to the lords of Buya and promptly exited the room; hiding her tears of admiration as she gripped her writing quill tightly. ============================ - Knight of Koguryo - Shisou "Blooduster" Ng - Guided by StarLyte Dedicated to Sister StarLyte and Brother xBlackNjax | |