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"so, the time has called us together, I fear that this may cost us more then it will ever be worth or known. I will be brief The lords have the lands thinks that the rise of bandits and that there is now a cult like religion, are threats to us all and must be stopped. I'd must admit it seems to be much more at work here, there are far to many soldiers being recruited or maybe its just enough to stop the tides of the possibility of war" Ralkmere looked back to sin, he could see looking at him. He spoke out to his troops as he stood on top of the wooden plat form. " But Do Not Let that discourage you, for each of you have trained and have only yourself to thank for your success, With the skills that you have acquired every man here shall be able to kill a tiger with ease, Now, I want everyone to show the pride and honor they have by fighting those who seek to bring us all down into chaos, We will not let the country be taken by barbarians and by bandits, Together we can bring in a new age of peace, one that will last forever"

He said aloud. He could hear people cry out in a cheer." now, Go, its time for the final preparations, tell your loved ones that you will be home shortly and with honor and glory of the kingdom that you have rightfully earned." He stepped down as he could see sin folllowing, He hated making false promises but he also knew they needed hope and a person to believe in and a person they needed to hate. He would fill those roles as he knew the burden he must bare.

It was still early morning as spring time had just arrived to greet them. He knew there was a few bandit camps in his own region, that needed to be dealt with before he could move on. It would serve as a proving grounds for his men, as years has gone by as they had been recruiting everyone who wanted in, turning boys into men. Ralkmere looked to Akiko as he even made sure she wore armor.

Akiko looked to Ralkmere as she stood near him. She was happy as she watched his speech, as she felt pride in his words as they echoed through to her core. She followed behind him as they walked off the plat form, giddy as could be in her new armor. She wore it with ease as the old armor had worn away from training, no matter how much she tried to keep it in good condition.

She followed Ralkmere wondering where her lord was going, she wanted to ask but knew she would find out soon enough. A few men chuckled at the sight of her. as they muttered" yep, Lord Ralkmere shadow is following him closely" she stuck her tongue out at them as she nearly ran into Ralkmere. they laughed as they passed by." looks like almost too close" their chuckles as soon filled with grunts of labor as they lifted boxes of supplies.

(By the way the plural of dynasty should be dynasties - sorry to be picky but this is the second time ^^)
The day had been just as any other. Lanfen had recieved a small order for her guqin but had been quickly sent away by the wife as her man and his friends had been staring too much.
Pigs.. she thought. But in reality those were the best jobs she could have. It was over quick, before anyone could ask too many questions and the employers would normally pay more just to keep her mouth shut.
She then spent the afternoon in the small tavern, playing and entertaining the visitors for a small fee. Until someone had given her a small pouch.
Curious, she opened it as soon as she came home. It was a job after all. A man named.. Ralkmere. A strange name, truly. He apparently was the leader of a local bandit group that were camping just outside the city.
perfect.

Lanfen proceeded to pack a small bundle and headed to the site an hour before sunset, believing every word of the note.. and money.

Ralkmere looked at the tent with the other three officers as he glanced back at Akiko who he saw walk out the tent. The flames of candles brought the room a glow. " If you look at the locations of the bandits, they have take up three of the villages each being major points of trade and travel, if reports are true they have been scouting, it was also noted that they have are communicating with each other"as one officer spoke. Ralkmere looked over the map, even the terrain knowing that there wasn't much choices they had.

" launch the forces at major roads, I will take a small band with me and we will push from this angle. I know a small trail that will let us cut down their ranks" his voice trailed off." although, before you engage give them one last warning to lay down their arms for the honor that they still have, and we will spare any man who seeks peace and willing to join our cause" with that he left out as he went to his tent.

She quickly went back to the tent as she was starting to get tried, even though she was adjusted to the armor. It still wore her out, she stepped into their tent. It did not look much different then any foot solider tent but slightly bigger. she went about making sure that Ralkmere had a meal, and then hers. she saw something in a box of things that set at the foot of the bedding. she looked at a large great sword as she admired it, then a smaller sword caught her attention, it was new looking as she blushed as she knew it had to be hers. Her eyes welted up in tears as joy over filled her.

Upon arriving she immediately noticed the lack of proper guards. The one stationed had let her through without a hassle after seeing her guqin - she went to one of the few campfires which were occupied and started playing, hoping to gather a little intel.
There was one problem arising the more she got to know. This was not a bandit camp. These were the soldiers who had been trained to get rid of them. Yet their leader seemed to be a man named Ralkmere after all. The lie bugged Lanfen but she was used to it. She had no options anyway. Failure meant death. Not only hers but her whole family..
She continued to play , and later that night more soldiers returned to base, looking either gloomy or very determined.. was it just her or had they gotten their orders at last?
There still had not been an opportunity, but that was not a problem. She was patient.

Ralkmere paused outside his tent as he looked in as he saw her still holding the sword. he was puzzled by her tears as he had wanted to surprise her with it. He went inside as he started to take off the outer most armor. He placed it on a armor rack as he took off his metal grieves as well. He wore light clothes under his armor. He went back outside and knelt down beside the tent. He felt an odd peace come over him as he meditated, as he would embrace death if it meant for the greater good. The moon started to climb high into the sky as it was bright and large as if to say the harvest would be bountiful.

she looked back as she saw some moment, she tied to dry up her tears. she slowly made her way out the tent. she quickly found him meditating as she got on her knees. she knelt down as low as she could, "thank you, thank you, master" she started to cry more as she became over whelmed with emotions.

It had been rather hard to leave the campfire as the soldiers, longing for a distraction, insisted her to keep playing. She had been at her wit's end but luckily a nearly handsome soldier had approached her, asking for a 'service'. Sometimes her ancestors seemed to help here more than she deemed to be worthy.
After excusing herself she followed him to a tent in the upper part of the camp. As soon as they had entered the tent, she began undressing, letting her clothes slide on the floor and walked towards him, trailing it behind her and once she was in reach, , launched at him, muffling any potential noises with the cloth while strangling the soldier. She had no intention of killing him, so she stopped as soon as he ceased to resist, then tied him to the pole that held the tent and gagged him with a spare undercloth.

After checking that she was unnoticed, she made her way up to the biggest tent in the camp, sneaking around it to check for any weakspots.

Ralkmere jolted up as he shouted sternly." Enough" He began to march back to the largest tent as the graveling gotten to him. He stormed off, as he was only a few tents away. An officer still in the tent heard his voice as he quickly went to make sure that it was ready for inspection. He was tempted to stick his head out the tent to see if Ralkmere was heading his way. He stood ready to greet him. Ralkmere stopped at the front of the tent as he paused for a moment thinking.

shi..
Lanfen froze as she heard voices outside. Someone was coming. Judging from the sudden movement.. someone important. Not even allowing herself to breathe, she listened quietly..

but there was no conversation. This confused Lanfen yet she did not dare to move - she had no means of explaining what she was doing here.
But soon her curiosity got the better of her and she cautiously peeked around the corner.
It's fine she told herself I'm in the shadows...

Ralkmere could hear the faint distant chatter of the soldiers. He knew there was just too much quietness as if even the crickets held their breath. It was a bad Oman as he went directly inside. The officer bowed to him as he bowed bit back. " Send word that its lights out, any men that is out without being ordered to guard is to be subjected to punishment, I expected better of them, No excuses from you, go now" he said sternly as he gestured him out. The officer quickly left out heading straight out to spread the word himself.

She slowly pulled herself to her feet as she dusted herself off and dried her eyes. She made her way back into the tent as she made sure the tent was ready for them. She was quite as he clammed down, she stretched out as she got ready for bed. deep down it bugged her that Ralkmere walked off, but she knew he hated graveling like that. She felt like she had to go see Ralk as she knew he wouldn't rest much, she was conflicted what to do. He needs rest, but yet...he still has things to take care of. The turmoil fought inside her as she wanted to do what was right.

Good. He was alone now.
She waited a few more minutes, just to be sure and then pulled her hairpins out. Although she had no poison, they were still deadly with her accuracy.. This man would feel nothing until it was too late.

Still sneaking , she confidently made her way towards the entrance. Pausing for a bit and then tensed. With one motion, she jumped through the sheets and threw the two hairpins into the direction of the first flesh she saw.
As soon as she had landed, she drew a small dagger from her leg and continued forward. Although she was definite that he was dead already, it could not hurt to be safe.
(now tell me she is not overestimating herself )

( that was good, I am enjoying reading your posts)

Ralkmere suddenly snapped as the tent rustled about as he dropped low as he turned to face his attacker. He felt them nearly graze by as they missed his neck. He could barely make out the blur of events as he charged with his shoulder to slam into the attacker. His actions was hasten by the fact he was not wearing his heavy armor.

She soon gave away as she had to make sure Ralk would get some rest. Knowing she might get into trouble as he would prefer her to be in bed, she risked it anyways. She took her sword in tow as she slowly and quietly made her way closer to the large tent knowing he'd most likely be busy in there again. She saw other solider go in for the night, as a cold chill ran up her spine. she wasn't use to being alone without Ralkmere by. She some up some courage as she wanted to be stronger and braver for him.

She had missed! what a lucky person.
But - he was charging straight at her dagger! Strengthening her grip, Lanfen continued her rush, ramming her dagger into his arm but flying backwards and out of the tent, groaning as she landed on the ground. She was not used to people fighting back and therefore was slow to react after getting up to her feet...
not to mention she only had one more dagger, which was already in her hand by now.
staring at her target, she waited. He had been quiet so far - there was no reason to assume anyone was coming.

He quickly got to his feet as the dagger pained him. He looked his attacker over, as she was no thief with death wish. He slowly recomposed himself as he held onto the dagger in his arm, pulling it free." I see you come for my life, your dagger only proves how weak your valuer really is" He spoke softly and clammily through the pain. He dropped the dagger." What will you do? run in fear or question an unarmed man." He stood there waiting for any signs, a twitch, anything as he watched her every muscle as he read into her every juster of fear of trying to put her arms and dagger between them to keep him at bay.

Lanfen felt the conflict down in the deepest parts of her stomach. Fear? Maybe but rather intuition.. and experience - her past experiences with martial artists made her wary. On the other hand he had said something rather interesting...

"Question you?" she asked. "Why would I do that? You are a target. Someone wants your death. Why do I need to question that?"
Although she knew it was wrong, Lanfen held on to that belief. It made things easier. At least her voice was not shaking...

He wondered how much his corps was worth. "Is greed the vice you hold dear? I'd doubt those bandits would part with their gold so easily" he stood, almost as if he looked past her as he spoke in almost a whisper. Her rushed words convinced to him of her own inner disbelieve" I guess even an assassin is a solider at heart, blindly following orders, such a shame that innocent people must die by those ignorant orders" he breathed was controlled and easy, as if he wasn't even hurt. The blood continued to flow down his arm, he kept his hand steady at his side.