Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 28 Part 2

Right on que, I could feel a group of men running our way, they had climbed a wall shortly after we arrived. They ducked under the cover of the side rails above us, their position was impossible to see from our angle below. Low to the ground to stay hidden, they placed themselves at the closest distance from us. If we turned to face the water it'd give them a perfect opportunity to advance on us.

I pulled my robes up slightly and placed my knees directly on the ground to rise up in front of the Crown Prince. Moving slightly forward, I grabbed one of his legs that stretched out and moved it open. I crawled even closer, placing a knee on the ground between his legs. His eyes opened wide as he stared at me.

"What are you doing?" He asked, nervous. His head swiveled around to see if anyone was watching. I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to the side, we rolled slightly in the grass until his body was partially on top of mine. Holding him by the collar, I lay on the ground while he looked down at me. I smiled up at him as his neck and ears turned red.

A short distance away I could feel the men quickly approaching. They saw their opportunity, neither the Crown Prince or I had a clear view of them. Our feet pointed in their direction, as our heads rested close to the pond. I pulled on his collar again, bringing his face close to mine. Still looking nervous and unsure of my intentions, he tried looking to the side.

"Be good." I whispered, my eyes lost their smile. I gathered energy as I prepared to kill the intruders. His face changed as he realized I wasn't trying to tease him.

Using my energy, I rolled him onto his back and set up a defensive stance over him. My arms and legs blocked the weapons coming down on us. Turning quickly I grabbed the wrist of a killer and snapped it back until he dropped the sword. Catching it as it dropped, I swung it cleanly through the wrist of another killer. Pushing them back I defended and attacked in waves. Eventually taking advantage of another sword, abandoned by its dead owner. I picked it up, gaining a sword in each hand.

I spun them together before running in to attack, swords thrusting out, blood flowed from anyone within my reach. I bent back as a sword swung overhead, the sword missed my body entirely. I swung myself around slicing his arm. My left leg extended straight out and my right leg bent. I paused, low to the ground. Left arm out straight parallel to the ground I held the sword pointed as my right arm leaned over my head, sword pointing parallel to my left arm.

The men rushed closer, I let my left leg sweep the ground as I broke within their range. Switching legs and arms I thrust my body forward, both arms extending out, I slid both swords through the torso of the last man standing. My uniform was covered in blood, it was time for the final show. I turned towards the Crown Prince and smiled ask I walked forward to wrap my hand around his waist.

"Where are we going?" He asked. He looked surprised by the attack, but not seemingly concerned by what he just witnessed nor the blood saturating my robes.

"To kill some officials." I said calmly as I took him away towards the meeting hall. I stopped just outside the door. Surprising the maids waiting nearby, I shooed them off. Upon noticing the blood splattered over my uniform, they left immediately. Several whistles blew after I light stepped through multiple patrols without trying to hide our passage. By the time we landed I could hear guards running nearby. To the side I could see Lei and Blake running down a pathway.

I smiled at them, knowing they hadn't been far from here to begin with. Blake had probably hoped the Crown Prince would leave me behind and come to his senses. He looked confused to see me, the obvious look of distrust in his eyes came first. Seeing the Crown Prince safe and me covered in blood, he also looked relieved. I waited a moment until they got closer. The people inside could hear the whistles, but nobody stepped out to see why. Giving the killers more time to take care of us? I wondered.

"The three of you should wait outside." I said in a toying voice, suggesting I was going inside to do something unmentionable.

"I'm coming inside with you." The Crown Prince said. I laughed slightly, I didn't want to hurt him, but I also couldn't have him following me. I took a step closer to him.

"It's really not appropriate for you to come, unless you want to be my slave?" I toyed with him again. Lei understood.

"I'm coming." He ignored my advice again. Close enough to hit his acupoints, I hit them in succession without hurting him. His eyes rolled back as his body started to collapse. I only had to hold him up briefly before Lei came forward to lower him down.

"Thank you." I told Lei. "It really is best if you both stay out here.." I trailed off.

"We understand." Lei agreed. Blake huffed at Lei for making the decision for him. I opened the doors and walked inside, closing the doors behind me.

The Officials all sat in rows before the Emperor, the Empress sat a ways off to the side and slightly back from him. She rarely attended these meetings as she had no say in the matters they discussed. It was odd that she decided to come today.

I walked forward, down the center isle, as the officials stared in shock to find a mere maid splattered in blood barging in and acting up.

"You?" The Emperor said, his voice rose in anger. "Where do you think you are!" He accused. I could feel displeasure growing to my right, I recognized where General Bai sat without looking. I smiled, my stride turned elegant and suggestive, my hips swayed with every step I took.

Slipping my hand into my robe, I pulled out a small thin knife. Holding it delicately, I cut across one of my fingers, just enough to let blood drop freely to the floor. The poison immediately affected those closest to me, I continued to walk around the room. Looking down at the officials kneeling below me. Their eyes all quickly focused on me. Satisfied they were all under my control, I walked to the front of the room, where the Emperor and Empress sat. Also captivated by the poison. I stood near the Emperor and looked into his eyes as I bent over, leaning closely.

"You should remember to show some respect in the future or you may regret it." I whispered to him. He shook his head in agreement. I put forward the hand that wasn't cut and placed a finger under his chin. I tilted his head upwards until I had a clearer view. "Out of respect for the Crown Prince I won't make you pay back what you owe for my humiliation the other day. My respect towards the Crown Prince does come with limits though, don't push them in the future." I added. I felt better having vented some of my frustrations first. I turned to face the Officials who sat obediently.

"Who has plotted against Crown Prince Sun?" I asked. My body stood in a seductive posture, not matching the modest maid uniform splattered with blood.

The five men I knew of stood, appearing happy to please me. I walked towards the one I knew as Official Chao. He was a long time official well known for his work alleviating towns in distress. Whenever a natural disaster hit, taking the crops or causing sickness, he was there to help. Distributing rations, money, or whatever was needed. With a closer look at the cases, which all seemed to be random, it became obvious that these disasters weren't natural at all.