The Silent Guard (mxm)

Chapter 23

Qi bowed to his master before straightening with a warm smile. It had been quite some time since he had seen the man. Nearly half a year, at least. Him and Zen had been on the road for quite some time visiting different villages before they had been sent on their trip to Han. 

"I am glad to see you are doing well, master," he said as he stepped forward into a quick hug, then began to follow the man as he turned toward the entryway to the palace. 

He had met him there, surprising him slightly, since he hadn't announced that he had been coming, nor had he seen many people milling about that seemed to take notice of him with his hood up. 

As they walked into the massive building Qi made sure to fall back slightly, giving himself plenty of room to react in case something wasn't right. He knew the man before him very well, but he also knew that something was definitely amiss, too. There were very few guards about and the ones that were there did not seem very well groomed or well mannered. He also did not recognize a single one. 

It almost appeared as if they weren't guards from his palace at all. They seemed like they would be much more appropriate for guarding the Didui tribe borders. 

Not that he had issue with how people wished to dress or behave, but he was not interested in playing into a trap. 

"Master Lu?" he said after being lead through the first poorly tended courtyard. 

There was no way his master would let such plants wither and die without true reason. When the man just gestured for him to keep following and said that his adoptive father was waiting to welcome him home, Qi nodded slowly and kept moving. He remained silent as he discretely looked around, then lifted one hand to tap at his lips, as if pondering his situation. 

After a few moments he moved that hand to slowly tuck a few loose strands of his hair back behind his ear, leaving his palm cupped over it, muffling the incoming sound for a few moments before lowering his arm back to his side. 

"Just inside here, your highness," minister Lu said as he stopped beside the large gold double doors that lead to the inner chambers.

Qi turned to the man and offered him one more formal bow. 

"I thank you for your years of loyalty," he said, a slight edge to his voice that was extremely rare for his stoic attitude.  

The old man before him clearly sensed it, but he quickly hid his unease with a respectful bow, then turned and opened the door for him. 

Peace to you, old friend. 

He was not surprised to feel a heavy gloom settle over his body as he stepped inside. His adoptive father, the king of his small kingdom, was also not there. At least, not bodily any longer. 

The man's figure lay upon his bed far across the beautifully decorated room. His arms were crossed over his chest and his attention rested upon the ceiling. There was no soul in that vessel any longer. 

Folding his arms within their opposite sleeves, Qi calmly began walking forward. He could sense cold eyes on him, but he was not worried. He knew who was present, and who had long-since gone. 

He focused on remaining calm as he made his way across the massive room, then stepped up onto the raised dais where his adoptive father lay. His heart ached at the sight of the old man. Black curse marks riddled what he could see of his body. It was a spell he had become all too familiar with. It was what currently affected the toxin within his sweet Zen, and he had no doubt that it was used specifically for that reason. He had felt his love's anguish earlier, but thankfully it had subsided enough for him to be able to continue onward without needing to return to his side.