Post by Hiei on Aug 22, 2010 16:17:07 GMT
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And the assassin sat alone in the corner of the inn, an empty bowl of rice and a half-full glass of water laid out in front of him. His right hand was placed upon the table, the blanking male toying around with a gold coin as he allowed it to roll over his knuckles and back. He sat quite sluggishly, his bottom almost at the front end of the seat and his legs sprawled out straight in front of him to prevent him from going down any further. His crimson hues would stare at the coin, following its small and repetitive movement, but anyone who glanced at him would realise that he was quite deep in thought.
The one-man mercenary force. That was what Hiei had come to be known by among the many lords of China. Despite how much power the title expressed Hiei to possess, he knew that such a title would only get him so far. There would be a time, where even his skills as a lone warrior would not be worth the pay of a company of soldiers. As an assassin, Hiei knew that there would be no problem getting his expenses paid, but as a mercenary, his future looked quite bleak. He needed an army, he was well aware of that.
However, Hiei knew of his own limits. Although he was educated in the arts of war and had an above average grasp in the aspect of strategies, he knew that he was no leader. He knew not how to motivate others save by example, as the man led the soldiers of his employers into battle, decimating his enemies and striking fear into the hearts of men from both sides. He knew not how to lead men into battle. He knew not how to coerce others to march under his banner. He was no conqueror, nor lord, nor general. He was but a warrior.
So, what was he to do? He sighed, adjusting himself in his seat, holding the golden coin in a clenched fist, his other hand pushing his body up the seat so that he sat a little bit straighter now. He opened his hand, looking at the object of admiration that idled there. After the years of working in China, Hiei had earned himself enough of a fortune to buy a formidable army. But the fault still stood. He was no leader. He chuckled, unable to believe that he would find himself in such a predicament so early in his time here. Putting the gold coin on the table, he would reach forward with the same hand , grabbing the glass of water as he brought it to his lips.
*BANG!*
The door would suddenly smash open, Hiei choking in his water in surprise as he stomped it down on the table, his other hand coming to the base of his neck as he coughed, trying to push the water out of his windpipe. He looked up, seeing a man standing at the doorway, panting with a look of fear in his eyes.
"Bandits! Bandits have come!"
Why wasn't Hiei surprised? He let out a growl. Ever since the Turbans had gone, this place did not actually see much development. Bands of bandits still roamed the area, terrorising towns and settlements, like the one Hiei was at now, located near the city of Shang Dang. The man disappeared, as the many patrons of the inn rushed out through the door, knowing that staying here would only spell disaster for them. Hiei grabbed Heikage from its resting place upon the seat beside him, Death and Despair already latched onto the back of his waist, the assassin following after the rest of the town. And he was the last to leave the inn.
Unfortunately for him.
A pair of bandits were rushing towards him, opposite of the direction at which the other patrons had fled towards. Hiei let out a soft 'tch'. Looks like he would have to deal with them. Hiei swung Heikage forward with his right arm, the outward swing catching the bandit by his cheek, the sheathe of the black blade knocking loose a couple of teeth. Hiei would then step back, dodging the other bandit's downward swing, before stabbing Heikage forward, the tip of the sheathe finding its way into his solar plexus, knocking the very air out from his lungs. He would double over, before being knocked unconscious by a hard elbow on the back of his head.
Hiei glanced up as he placed Hiekage upon his back, the bandits roaming through the roads of the town and setting fire to every house that they had pillaged. Hiei gritted, knowing that if he did not get out soon, he'd be caught in their surge too. He turned around, only to be intercepted by three bandits who had made their way through in between the houses. Hiei cursed. Fine, if he had to fight his way out of here. He reached up, grabbing the hilt of his weapon.
However, before he could even pull Heikage out, a large male would emerge from the alley that the bandits had emerged from, the man's gigantic sword bearing down as it sliced the closest bandit into half, the weapon slicing cleanly through his waist. Hiei's eyes widened. What?
The large man would then dive forward, his shoulder ramming into the next bandit's head, before he would stomp with his right foot, throwing the momentum of his shoulder ram into his arm as he swung the weapon outwards, catching the other two bandits this time as they were pushed against each other, the weapon once more spraying blood all over the place. Who was this man? His armor was uncommon, he was obviously no mere soldier. And his weapon, it was even more ridiculous, a large sword almost 6 foot long. Even the shape of the blade was unusual.
But the question still stood. Who was this man?
