Zhang Liao Wenyuan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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rukhgate2013-01-15 11:21 am
800isenough) wrote in rukhgate2013-01-15 11:21 am
Entry tags:
001
[Rukhs. Dungeon Gates. Magicians.
Magic.
He could barely wrap his head around these terms, to acknowledge their existence as real and fact. Not just some slight of hand or a cheap charlatan's trick. No, there were flying carpets, magic spells that could lift a man of his feet and send him flying in one direction if he resisted, a strange crystal that pushed back when he carefully placed his hands on the smooth surface, and the alien architecture and foreign words that he had to accept as his reality now.
They called him an Indigo Mage, a Strength Mage. He glanced down at his hand; a warrior's hand, covered in calluses and skin hardened and toughened through war and training. Flexing his fingers, he frowned, closing them to form a fist and straining to find his Qi; the energy that brought forth strength from within. But where there was once something, now there was nothing. It was like reaching for a tool, no, it was like trying to move an arm or a leg, only to find...nothing. It was as if his access to his Qi was blocked.
He leaned his head back on the wall he was resting on outside his assigned room 107, closing his eyes in an attempt to block out the sounds and sights around him. He might appear relaxed, but his other hand gripped his twin axes tightly, an indication of the distress and inner turmoil he was feeling. He was still trying to come to terms with all that had happened back home, still searching for answers to the questions that burned within him, a quiet, intense flame that consumed his every being, and now that he was here, in Magnoshuttatt, his problems only multiplied. Quietly, he muttered to himself.]
Can the way of the warrior lead me home, when I'm no longer the warrior I once was?
[Maybe you overheard him? Without his Qi, his senses had been dulled and it was more difficult to notice people, especially with his eyes closed like that. Or perhaps you're wondering why he's just standing outside his room like that, still wearing the Chinese armour he arrived in. At any rate, he looked like he needed someone to talk to.]
Magic.
He could barely wrap his head around these terms, to acknowledge their existence as real and fact. Not just some slight of hand or a cheap charlatan's trick. No, there were flying carpets, magic spells that could lift a man of his feet and send him flying in one direction if he resisted, a strange crystal that pushed back when he carefully placed his hands on the smooth surface, and the alien architecture and foreign words that he had to accept as his reality now.
They called him an Indigo Mage, a Strength Mage. He glanced down at his hand; a warrior's hand, covered in calluses and skin hardened and toughened through war and training. Flexing his fingers, he frowned, closing them to form a fist and straining to find his Qi; the energy that brought forth strength from within. But where there was once something, now there was nothing. It was like reaching for a tool, no, it was like trying to move an arm or a leg, only to find...nothing. It was as if his access to his Qi was blocked.
He leaned his head back on the wall he was resting on outside his assigned room 107, closing his eyes in an attempt to block out the sounds and sights around him. He might appear relaxed, but his other hand gripped his twin axes tightly, an indication of the distress and inner turmoil he was feeling. He was still trying to come to terms with all that had happened back home, still searching for answers to the questions that burned within him, a quiet, intense flame that consumed his every being, and now that he was here, in Magnoshuttatt, his problems only multiplied. Quietly, he muttered to himself.]
Can the way of the warrior lead me home, when I'm no longer the warrior I once was?
[Maybe you overheard him? Without his Qi, his senses had been dulled and it was more difficult to notice people, especially with his eyes closed like that. Or perhaps you're wondering why he's just standing outside his room like that, still wearing the Chinese armour he arrived in. At any rate, he looked like he needed someone to talk to.]
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[It's good to get the confirmation he needs. He has not been around the entire academy yet, but from what he's seen of the students most of them appeared to be of the scholar type. No shame to be of the book than of the sword, but training by yourself can only get so far. You needed a partner, one preferably of a higher level, to push you to exceed yourself and to set a new level of excellence to attain. And while the Lady Tazendra was a woman, she was a warrior woman, and if she proved herself a committed one with the skills to match his than he would be honoured to have her as a sparring partner.
Still, such invitations can only be made once a deeper relationship is built. It is too soon for him to ask her for anything just yet. Furthermore, training with a woman, alone? That might breed idle talk and gossip, and if she had a husband than there would be unneeded enmity and tension. There were plenty of things to consider when asking a woman such things. She had her own honour too, and he should respect that. Regretfully, he would have to wait.]
I am afraid that I know of no such House but it must be a strong house indeed, if all who walk there are warriors. If it is not a private question, I would like to ask regarding your choice of weaponry.
[His is pretty obvious: the twin axes that he holds in his hand are what he brings with him to his battles.]
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[her wand is more of a staff, but it does look suitably magic]
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That is unfortunate indeed, but perhaps you may obtain another sword here. I usually bring one with me as well when I enter the battlefield, but I was dragged here while I was training. I did not have the good sense to keep my sword with me at all times.
[A frown; that had been very, VERY careless of him.]
It is a harsh lesson to learn, but at least I still have my life, and for that I shall be grateful.
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[Smart move. Zhang Liao's grip tightens slightly on the handles of his weapons; he still trains hard, still plans to go to war and win battles for his new lord, but although on the surface his skill seems to be as sharp as ever he knows that he lacks the passion and drive that once pushed him to his utmost limit in battle. He has yet to find his answers, and thus the reasons for his fighting, and it has affected how well he fights. His movements are mechanical, with no real vigour. It is easy to see that he is a shade of the man, the warrior he once was, if you had knew him before and know him now.
Still, at least now he had a goal to strive for again. Going home was a pretty good reason to push himself yet again.]
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[In short, he tries not to think too hard on the battle. It brings up too much questions that he'd rather shut out.]
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[Mostly Aerich realized that Tazendra had her staff doing most of the peacetime work anyway, and that when she was bored, she experimented in sorcery, which usually leads to major renovations on Daavya Castle.]
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Peace is yet a reality for me but should the day come when my lord no longer needs my blades, then I shall respectfully request to leave his service and continue in my own pursuit of true strength.
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There is no shortage of warlords who wish to challenge Her Majesty, so I spent some time as one of her escorts.
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[Though Zhang Liao has a sneaking suspicion that Cao Cao had something a little sneakier planned in the long run.]
You must be a strong warrior indeed, if you are the escort of your...emperor.
[Wait, did she say..."Her" Majesty...? He's never heard of a female emperor, the concept itself is ridiculous!! But then again, he must remind himself that the Lady Tazendra is from a different world, and that she carried a title of her own.]
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And, well, I am a Lavode. We are not often called on to assist the reigning Emperor or Empress directly, but we are tasked to the defense of the Empire. And I did serve in His Majesty's Guard in my youth, where I met my most beloved friends. In fact, my dear friend Khaavren has advanced to be captain of the guard.
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It is a double honour then, to know one as prestigious as yourself.
[He salutes yet again, bowing slightly lower than before. Personal guards are among the most honoured in his home; they faced the most assassination attempts and the most danger when it came to keeping the lords and the Emperor safe.]
Please forgive my forwardness in addressing you without the proper respect from the beginning.I am merely an officer of the lowest rank in my lord's army.
[Mainly because he's technically a new "recruit". Under Lord Lu Bu, he was one of the top generals but that's all in the past now and he'll have to prove himself worthy of any titles before he'll climb back up again. Not that the lack of rank ever bothered him back home, and it's certainly far from his mind given his current predicament.]
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Bah, it is forgiven. I do not expect foreigners to be familiar with our Empire. And I am no longer one of Her Majesty's regular guards, having other duties within the Empire to attend to, so I lack the uniform.
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[Straightening up, he realises there's not much else he can ask her at this moment, not until he's gotten to know her better. And talking too long with a woman might get people talking. It would be better for both their honours if he ends the conversation now.]
I am afraid I must be going, my Lady, but it has been an honour. I shall look forward to the next time when we meet.
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He must keep his skills sharp for the day of that duel.]