Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

The King's War - Search

-Kantan, Country of Zhao-

Impa sat in the shadowy corner of the inn, waiting. It was the height of the day, so most were busy with their business. The market outside bustled, and the view of the Zhao palace was marvelous, standing proud and tall against the sun. Impa turned the panels of the window shut as if it might look back.

At the expected hour, out of the crowd of the market entered two men. One was gangly and the other large. They didn't look like much, but their eyes were attentive. They saw Impa out of the corner of their eyes and approached.

The thin one had disheveled hair and a cold look in his eye, immediately looking down on her. "You the woman we looking for?"

"Depends," Impa moved her cloak out of the way to reveal a short blade hidden behind her hip. She didn't like his tone, and the last thing she needed was to be bothered by a couple of horny men. "Are you looking for pleasure or business?"

"He said you wanted some labor in moving some goods." His eyes moved momentarily to her knife but only sharpened in turn. He seemed to have some grudge against her from the start, and despite the implied threat, he did not budge.

So they were the black marketers she was waiting on.

"That would be correct."

Whether to her relief or detriment, as the former man was difficult, they sat down. The larger one bowed slightly and said, "We just wanted you to know we are thinking about the job."

Impa slammed her fist on the table. She raised her voice slightly, "What the realms do you mean you are still thinking about it? Didn't you come here accepting the job?!" She glanced toward the doorway. She hoped no one had heard her outburst. She had expected them to be here, and so promptly and punctual, precisely because they had accepted it. She did not want further setbacks.

The first said, "Nah, that isn't it. We came here so we could decide whether or not we'd accept the job. So hurry up and tell us what it is."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself? I will not divulge it just because you ask. It is too delicate a situation. If I were to tell you, and you refuse, I would have no choice but to kill you."

The black marketer met her glare head-on. "Aren't you the one getting ahead of yourself, woman? I only need to yell out that you are of Qin, and every man for miles will run to tear you apart and rape the pieces."

The man leaned forward on the table. His temperament grew angry yet controlled. "It has been a decade since Chouhei, but I promise you. We have not forgotten that pain."

Impa examined his eyes and saw he also suffered from that battle.

What could Impa express to appease the pain this Zhao man held in his heart? The anger and hate he kept contained? What of the whole country? She likewise had suffered from constant wars. No one hadn't. In her heart, she wanted the wars to end, but to convey such an idealistic philosophy would fall on deaf ears. All that would satisfy in this cycle of vengeance was further vengeance.

The second black marketer rebuked the first, "Don't give her grief, no need to hassle the lady. We are over here to discuss business, not politics."

The first man grunted.

A third man entered, and from the greeting between the men, Impa considered that they recognized each other. He must be the last of their party.

"Relax, Dawn. She is just being cautious because it is an urgent matter," The third sat down. "It is no small matter to 'smuggle a small person'."