Under The Sky Of A Thousand Lanterns

Chapter 4: The Blackmask Swordsman

The next morning, Su-ji woke up two hours earlier than her scheduled time. She feeling an unfamiliar uneasy unrest. Not sure what it was caused by. Groggily she stretched and washed her face and decided to take a walk.

She wanted to be alone, so she went out through the secret passage of the Emperor's or Empress's room, that not many people knew of. It was for security proposes but for Su-ji, it was the only chance she had to be on her on for awhile before the start of the day.

Dressed in blue and black swordsman's outfit, she took her sword in case any more assassins come after her. Her midnight black hair was pulled back into the long single braid with a blue ribbon at the end. She rode a chestnut colored horse. Dam was her name. Dam was a gifted to her by her mother at the age of thirteen when she learned to ride. Delicate on the surface, just like her but her muscles rippled from under her freshly groomed pelt and his powerful legs. A very fast creature.

Dam trotted through the forest nonchalantly with no intended destination. She listened to the sounds of the forest. Chirping birds and cicadas. There was a pleasant breeze brought by the far way waterfall. She heard the running water crushing down from the rock face and into the stream.

She came to a halt as a Swallowtail butterfly dipped on the breeze to flutter around her. Smiling, Su-ji marveled at the natural beauty of the scenery before her as the glimmer of sunlight rose behind the trees.

The sunlight caught and shimmered on something else. Something else created of silver and steel. A sword. She reached for her sword and waited...perhaps this walk had been a mistake. She looked out across the green needles shading and cooling the path before her. She heard the rustlings of leaves and flattering of birds nearing, and her sword was suddenly freed from his scabbard.

She listened.

The silence was split by thundering hooves as a black stallion galloped into view towards her. Su-ji stare gravely towards the advancing stallion as swords met and clashed. Su-ji held her ground against the against the force of power.

Her attacker appeared forbidding,

He wore a black mask with a surprisingly sensual mouth and a black hood with silver armor. Plates of steel added to the hard ripple of muscle beneath the fabric of his clothing. The armor reminded Su-ji of the drawings of the Japanese Samurai warriors in her marital arts books. Su-ji cast him a scornful glare, wondering why a Japanese warrior would be attacking her? Her eyes landed on a shimmering golden coin that embed the crest of the Yi clan of Jeonju. The imperial House of Lee were descendants are members of the Yi clan of Jeonju.

"Who are- "Su-ji began but her words was cut short. cold, as the attacker swung once again, with cold, calculating eyes, taking her by surprise. A rookie mistake. Never let your mind wander when facing an enemy, Jia's voice echoed in her mind as she fell of her horse and hit the ground. Her blade went flying into some green oblivion of forest.

The black mask swordsman leaped from the rearing horse, as Su-ji scrambles against the ground in an attempt to regain the oxygen that was knocked out of her lungs from the fall. Ravening fear thrashed in her. Forcing a breath deep into her lungs, she willed herself to stand but was unable.

Her attacker neared. Her fingers curled around for a handful of dirt and grass, throwing it into her attackers face.

The dirt did not even give him pause, he stood before his sword pointing at her. The point of the sword was close against Su-ji's throat. So close that it tickled the flesh beneath her jaw. A shiver snaked along her spine.

She was horrified but refused to show fear. Determined not show fear, though her heart pounded loudly in her ears, Su-ji faced the attacker.

A slow smile of challenge curled his lip, "Empress," A male voice so deep, ringed with familiarity but overtaken by fear, Su-ji was unable to recall from where. Her teeth gritted tight, struggling desperately against her foreseen fate.