The Watch Camp

Shoguns Council

“You dare display the head of an Emperors Guard!?” Thundered the old Steward. “This is insurrection of the foulest depths!”

His resplendent robes of silk with cranes in flight contrasting sharply to the duller cloth of all others gathered in the Tent. It was the cane with which he pointed that drew the Salamander's wary eye, or rather the wire that coiled it. All the way to the top on which rested a large violet core.

A Monster Core.

“You will relinquish his remains immediately and render full compensation of this Harvest until the Palace cellars are full. You will also pay a fine of 100 Koku immediately in compensation towards his family. Then, I will hear you beg to keep your title as leader of Qaelangs security forces, but only so that I might have the added pleasure of denying it to you.”

In the silence that lingered after the Steward of the realms threat only Cai could be heard sniggering, trying to stifle his laughter. Not to be outdone, Bo laughed outright, leading to an awkward silence from the Captains who shuffled about unsure looking entirely out of place.

Favouring his royal ‘guest’ with a raised eyebrow, he kept eye contact with the old man as he spoke to his Captains.

“Honoured Elders of the Watch, you have your task. See to it.”

The men bowed and parted immediately, grateful to escape the fire that was sure to descend.

“As a matter of course, I shall be seeking an audience with each of your Noble House Lords over this affront.” The Steward threatened in their passing. “You Elders can be sure of that.”

The men stiffened at the words, but failed to acknowledge the Stewards presence as they exited swiftly. This was a matter far above their standing and anything they said could only be used against them.

Vexed that the only persons susceptible to his threats were leaving, he gauged the rest of the Tents occupants. Besides the Salamanders two grinning apes were two of his six faceless Preafects. For all he knew he could be staring at the murderer right now, hiding behind those ridiculous Mata-Koshi imitation masks.

“Must the Golden Glove of the Emperor antagonise my Elders so? Those men are beyond the reach of their old Houses. They are mine.”

Tsea-gongs face was as a smooth stone parting rushing waters, as he spoke calmly from his seat.

Hiro-Takashi looked at him and then to his table, smiling viciously as he hobbled over to the small bowls of steaming rice and thinly sliced Kaiju meats. Just then the tent flap burst open for a second time as the Arch-Tenant came rushing in. Bowing silent apologies, he quickly surveyed the scene before moving to the side as the Shoguns eyes acknowledged him. The Salamanders face darkened as he noted a distinct cane mark across his Arch-Tenants face. The talks had not gone well at all.

“It’s spoken Golden Glove to the Divine Emperor, Tsea-gong.” The Steward warbled as he helped himself to the food greedily, using bony fingers to scoop it up in large clumps. “Or have you forgotten the Divine mandate I represent?”

Tapping his fingers on the table, the Shoguns mind raced as he watched the Steward shovelling down food greedily, noisily slurping and grunting in delight.

“How is it that you are here, Takashi? I haven’t seen you in years. I should say you haven’t changed but that would be an unforgivable sin.”

“I need not explain myself to the likes of you Tsea-gong.”

Soothingly Tsea-gong spoke, motioning towards the head. “Is it that you are lacking for servants?”

“That will cost you dearly, Tsea-gong.” Growled Takashi, spraying food as he spoke. The old man levelled a finger at the grisly head, “I knew that man. You will relinquish his head, that he may have a proper funeral.”

The Shogun considered the Stewards words scratching his chin.

“No.”

“No!?”

“It was a gift. It would be rude of me to just part with it.”

“Have you lost your mind? Not only was your man was witnessed committing this murder and robbery to add to it. But it was witnessed by me and mine no less, and here you are parading proof of the heinous crime.”

“Me and mine?” Tsea-gong nodded his head slowly. “I take it you’re referring to the five unknown Sacred Artists walking around my camp as we speak?”

“You saw them, did you?” Takashi smiled. “Yet still you did not immediately come to fetch me yourself, leaving me instead with your yapping dog? Your head has grown far too big for your own good Tsea-gong, it shall surely lead your men to ruin.

Tsea-gong’s face remained neutral as Takashi spoke, glad that the Palace Steward did not correct him on the number of Sacred Artists. Had Takashi been truthful and said ten, he would have immediately had the camp searched for twenty.

“Hand it over and I shall take my leave, Tsea-gong. For your own sake you do not wish to anger me further.”

“It?”

“The Kaiju Beast Core you insolent swine!” The steward raged, spitting rice as he yelled.

With three swift clicks, the Shogun caught all offending rice grains with his chopsticks staring daggers at the old man. The Steward glanced at the chopsticks then back at the Salamanders calm visage. Slowly a grin spread on Takashi’s face and without warning he unleashed a terrible belch.

Before he could catch himself, the Salamanders face broke into a snarl. Hiro-Takashi burst out laughing in delight, immediately seating himself opposite from the Shogun as a chest slid across the room untouched.

Calming himself once more, the Salamander shooed his men back into place with a wave of his hand. Speaking only when he heard their swords click back into their scabbards.

Just lovely. The madness all Qaelang whispers of.

“Please First Councillor, perhaps a cup of strong drink to help with your meal?”

But even as his Preafect made to fill a tjan cup, Takashi lashed out with his cane shattering the cup and sending the bottle of Soju flying as it glowed dangerously.

“I would not have my drink poured by your Preafects, thankyou Tsea-gong. He could be the murderer. Besides, why would I let such inferior drink touch my lips. If you wish to beg for forgiveness, the least you can do is fetch that vintage you have secreted away behind your desk and send these faceless murderers away. The apes too.”

The Salamander stared a little while longer, smiling with a predatory gaze as understanding began to dawn upon him.

“Cai, can you please go see to it that the Captains have left already and ensure the Harvest is operating smoothly. My Preafects will go with you to help.”

AT first it appeared that Cai was about to protest, but with a raised eyebrow he bowed in acquiescence and turned to leave. the Steward added sharply.

“Wait!” Takashi yelled. “Show me your swords.”

The Salamander frowned but nodded.

“The Steward seemed less pleased with the weapons displayed. “He is not here. I would recognise that sword. You! You stay. If I can’t have the rightful head, then I will have a Preafect head as well as that blade. See to it!”

“Very well.” Tsea-gong smiled. “Bo, you may also accompany Cai on this endevour. We wouldn’t want to upset the Steward any further.”

“Then take that yapping mongrel Tenant with you too. I don’t see how those two apes could possibly see to it that Qaelangs Harvest is being properly readied.”

Bo could be heard growling, but left saying little else under the stern gaze of Tsea-gong.

“No. He is needed here. Now, where were we?”

“My drink?”

“Yes,” the Salamander smiled, nodding to the Arch-Tenant.

It was only when the man crossed the floor and his remaining Preafect stood to guard the entrance, that Tsea-gong raised his hand to halt the Arch-Tenant progress.

“Did he do this?” The Salamander asked, indicating the bruised swelling on his man’s face.

“Apologies, Seo-sang.” He smiled ruefully. “The Steward is surprisingly fast with his cane.”

“I shall die of thirst.” Takashi clicked his fingers.

“Alas Takashi. I forget, we cannot offer you drink. If memory serves right, we just don’t have cups for the shape of your forked tongue.”

The Arch-Tenant moved swiftly away from the pair as a sharp intake of air was heard.

“You tread on dangerous ground Tsea-gong. I will not be merciful for much longer. Give me what I seek or I shall ply you with the best elixirs that you might live for as long as possible in the dungeons.

“You have those?” The Shogun laughed quietly. “No. I didn’t think so. I ask you again Hiro Takashi. Why are you here, in person and so soon?”

“And as I told you, these matters do not concern you.”

“Fool! Merely saying that is what gave you away. It was your insidious mind that used to strike fear into the Court, I remember even my predecessor warning me of it. Now I ask how can you be so stupid?!”

“I won’t be spoken to like this by an uneducated swamp dweller! If you even knew a little of your history you would know this was common practice. Stewards would wait at Qaelangs Gate for the Kaiju Beast core to be handed over, so that the men and women of Qaelang might remember who it was they fought for.”

The Salamander sat back down in exasperation, staring at the indignant Steward for what felt like eons before shaking his head.

“No. The mad brats wagons have only just returned to the city. They will have to turn around to retrieve the most valuable items the swamp has to offer, Ki meats. Meaning they were not under your command.”

“You dare…”

“You have arrived on foot with only five Sacred Artists, none bearing Palace insignia. Meaning you wish to remain inconspicuous. And lastly there is your lack of mental facilities…”

The Shogun ignored Hiro-Takashi as he tried to interject again. Signalling instead for the Arch-Tenant to retrieve his strong box, knowing that it would silence the palace dog much more effectively.

“You display no caution to attacking my men. So one has to wonder why you with five Sacred Artists under your command, did nothing besides watch as my man acquired that head. You’re not here for me. You were already here, for someone else.”

For the first time since arriving Hiro Takashi looked at the Shogun with something less than contempt as he sat back down. The Arch-Tenant placed a box on the small table, then stepped away. It was made from Chi hardened Sheraak leaves and bore three different elemental seals.

“Who is he, and what could the Steward of the Realm want with him?”

Takashi scowled before shaking his robes clean of spilt food and pottery fragments, as a bird might flap its wings. In so doing he produced an enormous Jade pendant from within them. Two cranes in flight and emblem of the throne.

“My word is Law.” The steward spoke impatiently, holding his hand out. “I’ll take the Koku fine as well. Now, Tsea-gong.”

“No matter.” Cooed the Shogun as he folded his hands together. “My man can inform me better as he was there himself. As for the second part of my question, you have already revealed enough. Again.

Tsea-gong placed the box in front of him.

“You have fallen out of Favour, Takashi.”

“And you have had your brain addled being chewed on by a Kaiju.”

The Shoguns smile slipped momentarily. “Why else do your own skulking, unless you are lacking trusted servants? Why else demand my Preafects head and sword, unless you needed trophies of your own? I don’t think you’re taking this Core to that mad child, Takashi.”

“You cannot know the forces you’re dealing with here Tsea-gong! For the last time. GIVE ME THAT CORE!”

The Shogun nodded his head pensively, slowly opening the first seal with a crackle of fire. “It matters not, it allll matters not to me Takashi.”

“Then why even waste my time with your drivel!” Takashi barked even as he watched greedily as the second seal of blue light fall away.

“Because Takashi...” The box clicked audibly as the third seal broke. “...they all relate to the only important question between you and me.”

Takashi snorted as the Shogun turned the box to face him, sighing in relief as the lid was opened to reveal an untouched Kaiju Beast Core. It was much larger than he suspected.

“Oh, And what’s that?”

“Where is my Metal?”

The old Palace dog at least had the decency to glance at the Shogun, but only just, as he reached for the Core. “Yes, yes. It’s on its way.”

Just before Takashi could reach for the box, the Shogun slammed a hideous dark brown object between his hand and the Core. Three times the size and twice the thickness of the Core, it caused Takashi to recoil instinctively as it grazed his fingertips.

“When?” Asked the Shogun.

Snarling at the Shogun, Tsea-gong held his ground looking back innocently and nodding towards the object. Takashi huffed as he picked it up and examined it closer. It was a huge claw of some sort.

“You’ll get it, when you get it, Tsea-gong.” Takashi lobbed the object back at the Salamander. “Now, get out of my way.”

“That’s a shame, old friend.” Said the Salamander as he shut the strong box and held up the giant claw. “I have thousands of dead today because of this. We ran out of Metal even before the Wave hit and your assurances mean nothing anymore. You Viper!”

“Just give me the core and his sword!” Takashi shrieked. “I am so close to returning to favour. Then you can have your metal.”

Tsea-gong winced at the pitiful display before him. It pained him to think he had once thought highly of the wretch before him.

“No. If you couldn’t provide me with metal at your highest, then I fail to see how you would do so when I return you there. The Palace will no longer receive anything from the Watch. Not one core. Not one hide. Not one cut of meat. Nothing.”

“Eleven years of empty platitudes. All you were supposed to deliver was metal and you couldn’t even do that. If the Nobles won’t grace your courts anymore, then why should we? You can forget about your taxes…”

Takashi rose suddenly, swiping his cane down onto the Shogun as it burst into purple flame. Tsea-gong still in his armour swivelled with a full kick, his leg coated in a hundred candle flames. The table went flying. Where leg and cane struck there was an explosion of force that shook the Tent. Both Shogun and cane went flying in opposite directions, as Hiro-Takashi staggered from the shock of being cut off of the Monster Core mid-technique.

Both Preafect and Arch-Tenant dashed forward. Takashi was struck a savage blow from behind to the back of his head. Still reeling he was kicked in the legs and collapsed to his knees. The Preafect immediately put him in a chokehold.

The Arch-Tenant reached the Shogun, relieved to see him only dazed as he rolled him over to the sounds of a pained growl. The Shogun actually winced as he was helped up, concerning the Arch-Tenant once more. But before he could enquire, the Salamanders eye’s opened wide in shock.

“Behind you!”

The Preafect turned in alarm as the distinct sound of splashing water sounded behind him. A huge yellow spotted ethereal Eel coiled out from the back of Takashi, sinking its razor fangs through the Preafects armoured shoulder with a crunch.

“His Tattoo! For Takers sake! Watch out his…!”

The Preafect was hurled across the room, limbs flailing as he yelled in pain from the lightning coursing across his back. On the floor on all fours, Takashi looked up with eyes aglow. Without his Cane, he was half the Cultivator he used to be and his Spirit Beast was costing him dearly.

The ethereal spirit launched itself across the room as Tsea-gong dived aside, swiping out with his Katana. The priceless metal blade coated it Ki flame passed right through the ethereal spirit, causing no damage that he could see as he crashed down with a curse.

Rolling to his feet, he pulled out his Doa dagger and crouched as the Spirit Beast advanced. Hiro-Takashi was rising on unsteady legs as his pet Eel struck again. Sinking its fangs into the Shoguns forearm, ignoring his armour. It shrieked a watery cry of pain and flickered as the Shogun stabbed it with the Silver lined Doa blade.

Twice more and it vanished. An invisible force slamming into the back of Takashi as he was crushed back onto the floor. Tsea-gong checked his wounds as he caught his breath, nodding to his Preafect who groaned as he stood up.

“Hold him up.” Tsea-gong snarled at the Arch-Tenant, sheathing his blade as he approached. “UP!”

The Arch-Tenant lifted the Steward as the Salamander hammered him a vicious blow to ribs and kidneys causing him to cough blood.

“You will rue this day, Tsea-gong.”

“I rue a great much these days, none more than the presence of lying Palace dogs. Where is my METAL!?"

“Fool.” The Steward gurgled on his blood. “Why would we arm our simplest farmers?”

Tsea-gong gripped him by the face, shoving the claw before his eyes. “Do you even realise what this is!? It’s an Azuma claw. Walls won’t stop these horrors! What are my men supposed to do against them without metal!? An army of them!”

“Indignity can be suffered. Patience expected. Moderation called upon, but I’m all out of it with you, Takashi. ELEVEN YEARS! And not one ounce. The only insurrection here is that which goes on in the Palace!"

Takashi laughed softly, “Metal won’t save you from what’s coming?”

Tsea-gong and the Arch-Tenant frowned at each other. The Shogun shook his head in disgust.

“You were supposed to be the most powerful man in all of Qaelang and you lost it all, a shell of the Cultivator you were before. How far you have fallen old dog.”

“Unless my eyes deceive me you are still unchanged from first we met. Worse, you have ruined 3 of your meridian gates. I imagine your Cultivation is lacking and yet you don’t even wear the protective charms. Even your Essence has waned! What I do now is a mercy.”

“You’ll hang for this, Tsea-gong. Your soul forever damned”

“The heavens care nothing for cowards Takashi. They will not notice your passing, but my dead demand it. I satiate their honour with your blood, for your betrayal of all their lives. You were NEVER going to give me my metal.”

Hiro Takashi gave a bloody smile

With a vicious snarl the Salamander's arm blurred as the Stewards eyes went wide, his throat bursting open as the Azuma claw tore out his throat in a single swipe.

“Lift him higher!” The Shogun snarled. “I will see the light go out in his eyes.”

The old man spasmed gasping for air like koi on land as the Salamander leaned close, caring nothing for the spilt blood that gushed upon his boots. The old man began to shudder as his eyes rolled back, Tsea-gong grabbed him by the head, adamant that the last thing this Pyeanchi see as he left this world, was his visage.

With a last surge of strength, the steward raised his trembling arm and flicked open his ring, releasing its contents. With a sigh, his arm fell limp. Hiro Takashi, Steward of the Realm, breathed his last. The Arch-Tenant dropped him in the pool of his own blood.

The significance of their deed delayed, as both men stared intently at the tiny drop of light that remained floating. Cautious but stunned. Its power was immense, both were irresistibly drawn to it. Chi, pure and compressed. Desperate to be consumed. The Shogun gently shoved his Arch-Tenant away, not taking his eyes from the tiny fragment of intense light.

He knew of the Nobles trading in Chi talents, he had seen one before, but this was far too compressed for that. His Cultivation came nowhere close to producing something like this, even with the cores he drained. If he didn’t know any better he could have sworn this Chi was Essence.

Impossible. How had that dog come to possess such a prize?

Overwhelmed with desire, he closed his fist over it and Cultivated. Drawing it in.

With a terrible cry of fright, the world went black as the Salamander fell to his knees. Holding his head, he felt a terrifying presence of unimaginable power. Only a pair of angry red flaming eyes showed through the darkness of his mind.