1 Chapter 1

Tai Xian stood atop one of the towers on the Heavenly Palace's outer walls waiting for his father's army. A few of the palace guards marched along the walls on patrol. These men recognized him immediately and allowed him to pass as they went on with their rounds. The clasps on his cloak certainly didn't hurt either. They were ores of gold molded into the shape of a wolf, one on its haunches and throwing its head back in a howl. The symbol of the Emperor's heralds.

His father had already arrived from the southern provinces and entered the Eternal City hours ago. He heard them long before he caught sight of any of the warriors.

The army made no secret of their entrance. Aside from the soldiers and fighters, bands and musicians had accompanied them banging war drums and sounding trumpets to their marching songs. Even from the palace, Xian could hear the sound of their celebration.

Though much of it paled in comparison to the throngs of cheering crowds from the city who were doubtless eager to celebrate their victory. Xian saw them with the use of the walls' telescopic instruments that allowed them to view different streets and follow the crowds.

His father Zhou Gan would spend the rest of the morning parading his troops around the city and letting them revel in their welcome. Instead of marching along the main road to the palace, he had taken a route winding around the city and letting his army be seen by more of its citizens.

Lucky for him the emperor was not expecting him until noon as he was still holding court. Slowly though, the procession began to make their way back towards the main road to the palace.

Xian shifted the telescope around, directing it towards the main road. All around he saw the sigil of Zhou Gan, a spear flanked on either side by curved boar tusks on a crimson field. The Southern Tusks they were called. But just as plentiful were the men marching underneath them.

In the letters sent ahead, his father had told Xian and the emperor he would not bring his entire army for want of supplies. Instead, only two thousand foot and five hundred horses would accompany him. These had been swelled up by those hoping to find service under Zhou Gan's service; musicians, dancers, warriors, and all manner of entertainers.

Though taking the lead were not those men but prisoners.

At the front of the column was a man riding atop a donkey. He had a nobleman's look around him with pale hawkish features and intelligent brown eyes. His tunic and mantle were of excellent quality and would have been stained with mud and food stains. A pair of golden manacles bound his arms together. Behind him were row after row of men chained together and marching at lockstep. Xian quickly lost count of them, but there were hundreds of them. They were an unshaven and bedraggled group. Unlike their leader, they were barefoot and dressed in little more than rags which were covered in mud and blood. Many sported wounds of some sort and were quickly beaten or whipped by their overseers if they fell behind.

As they marched, many in the crowds jeered and booed at them, throwing bits of fruits or clumps of dirt as they passed. Xian also noticed a number did not partake in this though, simply watching them pass in silence.

Behind them were their captors. First came the mounted men, the creme of Lord Gan's warriors. They marched, armored in sturdy iron chainmail and with lances and swords held in the air. These men basked in the adulation rained on them, raising their weapons or blowing kisses in the crowd. They rode on small but sturdy horses from the southern provinces. His father was amongst them, waving his meaty fists in the crowds with a satisfied smile on his face.

As they rode ahead, the men behind took their place in Xian's sight. These men were on foot and many looked just slightly better than their prisoners. They were garbed more simply in lacquered leather, bones, and cloth with oddments of bronze and iron armor mixed among them. Yet they were no less proud of their achievements than their mounted counterparts. They marched in large squares with spearmen, archers, axe fighters, and swordsmen all mixing in together.

Finally came the band, marching behind them and somehow managing to stay in tune with their instruments as they walked. Alongside them were the various other performers his father brought with him; acrobats, jugglers, fire-eaters, and dancers.

Xian soon found himself turning away and sat on a low stool as he examined his reflection. He used a rectangular bronze shield whose owner was quick to lend it to him once Xian mentioned how good a mirror it made. He made sure his topknot was fixed without a single hair out of place. He minutely moved the two eagle feathers he used to tie his hair, minutely adjusting them until he was satisfied with its angle and straightness. He then went about adjusting his armor, listening to the plates clink around until he was satisfied with its appearance. Afterward, he simply spent a few moments admiring his look in the mirror. The bronze flattered his features quite well.

By the time he finished, the procession had already neared the palace. Xian leaped to his feet and picked up his halberd which was leaning on the side of the walls. He twirled it around as he walked towards the guard tower and staircase. Once satisfied with its balance, he slung it over his back. He left the shield where it was and decided that its owner would find it eventually.

As he reached the bottom, Xian found a man seated behind a wooden table, reading from some musty old tome almost as old as he was. His eyes never left his book as he seemed completely undisturbed by all the noise from outside. One would have been forgiven for mistaking him as a statue at least until Xian felt his foot hit the bottom step and the man's head creaked up. "Tai Xian."

Xian paused where he was and bowed to his tutor. "Master Sen."

Sen rose ponderously to his feet, his stick-thin arms shaking as he struggled to bear his weight, yet would not accept any help aside from ordering Xian to retrieve his cane. Once he was on his feet, the older master began to circle him.

At once Xian understood what was going on. He straightened his posture and raised his chin as he had done thousands of times before. His master continued his inspection. Master Sen was a small mole of a man, barely reaching up to Xian's shoulder. He had only a few strands of grey hair left at the fringes of his head. His joints were arthritic and wobbled at every movement so much so that Xian feared he would topple over.

Yet his cane lashed out and struck Xian in the back of the knee. It didn't hurt but still had more force than would have been expected. "Eyes forward."

Sen's voice cracked like a whip and there was a fire in his intelligent eyes that belied any weakness his body had. Xian immediately fixed his gaze on the stonewall in front of him and let his tutor continue.

"Your hair is bound, though the eagle feathers seem a bit superfluous. Your armor is clean with no sign of rusting or dents. Good. Posture is better, at least no one will mistake you for a humpback."

Xian chuckled and just barely resisted the urge to shake his head. Only a man of Sen's age could speak of him like that so openly. He reached up towards Xian's blade. His finger slipped against the oiled metal. "Good, you're taking care of Singer."

"Always, master." He flipped the halberd over and ran it across the ground, letting its metal scrape up against the stone floor. Then, he flipped the blade back up on the right side and began to twirl it around before giving a few practice thrusts that would skewer any man who would have fought him.

Sen was perhaps the only man who was not impressed by this and simply tapped his chin with his cane. "Ahh, I see you forgot your scarf."

As he said the words, he reached into the folds of his robes and produced a long piece of scarlet silk cloth in his hands and began to reach it. Xian made it a bit easier for him and bent down to allow him to wrap it around his neck. Once it was tied there, Sen nodded in approval. "There, you may go now."

"Thank you, uncle." Sen was no true uncle, just a tutor who had taught him in his youth. Yet he still called him that nonetheless. "Will I be seeing you in court later?"

"Bah," He waved his hand dismissively at the idea. "What is there for a tutor to do in court? Eat and drink? I can already do that here. No, this celebration is for the lordlings and warriors like you."

Xian nodded and bowed his head. "Stay safe, uncle."

Sen returned the gesture before hobbling back to his books.

The tower he was in flanked the gatehouse and he emerged just in front of the great iron-studded gates of the palace which were now swung open to greet the guests. On either side of the gatehouse stood an honor guard of men who slammed their spears and halberds on the ground as he appeared. It did not escape his notice that these were his men.

Xian felt a smirk tug on his lips as he quite admired the sight of them standing there. He did not leave the doorway at once and simply took it in. They were all granted fresh suits of chainmail armor which were oiled and polished until they winked against the sun's rays.

Like himself, the smiths had now emblazoned on their pauldrons a new sigil which Xian had carefully chosen for himself, a black spear planted atop a silver castle. The symbol of the Sieger Breakers. He slung Singer on his shoulder and stepped out from the doorway and towards the front of the gate. He saw the army come to a stop right just a hundred feet away from the moat which separated the palace grounds from the rest of the city.

By now all the music had gone silent as the men all stared at Xian, unsure whether to advance or not. There was the soft thudding of hooves amongst the horsemen as Xian's father rode up to him. He rode up to the limestone bridge which traversed the moat. A pair of pages was at his side and helped him dismount from his black destrier. Gan's feet hit the ground with a roar as he stretched his back and shoulders. He shoved the reins of his horse towards one page before approaching the bridge, stopping halfway across.

Xian knew this was his cue as well and began to march across the bridge. As he stepped out of the shelter offered by the gatehouse, he was immediately greeted by the hard rays of the afternoon beating down on him. He winced and raised a hand over to shield his eyes as he walked. He was quickly grateful for his scarf as he used it to cover his head.

He marched across the bridge, going halfway until only a few feet separated the two men. Although not a small man, he only made up half of his father. Gan was a large man with broad shoulders, but with an even larger stomach which made Xian wonder how he was still able to ride a horse. Much of his face was hidden underneath a coarse black beard and red cheeks. He could make out his father's beady blue eyes whose gaze left Xian. He wore a red lamellar which struggled to contain his father's belly. He felt a flicker of affection as he saw his father.

Yet he also knew that as herald he had to assert the dominance of the crown over its lords. He slammed Singer's butt against the ground. "Who wishes to tread across the Divine Bridge and lay eyes on our Divine Ruler?"

Gan stiffened in surprise at this but quickly understood the protocol. He slammed a meaty fist against his chest. He bowed his head slightly. "I, Zhou Gan wish to offer his patronage to our Divine Ruler. I come bearing gifts and tribute to show my devotion."

Xian nodded. "Then pass and bear witness to his most illustrious majesty."

He stepped aside so his father could pass. Before he did though, Gan turned to his men and barked a few orders. A moment later, a pair of overseers led the lordling riding a donkey forward. He was ordered to dismount and when he moved too slowly, one of his overseers grabbed his leg and yanked him down, sending the nobleman sprawling on the ground.

A ripple of laughter escaped from the crowds of warriors, even Xain chuckled a little bit at it. The man tried to brush the dust from his clothing and salvage what dignity he could as he approached them with his guards.

Gan now cast a glance towards the other prisoners who kept their gaze on the ground and remained silent. "Haul these wretches off to prison and then report to the barracks."

As his men hastened to obey, Xian stepped forward. "The emperor has informed me that in his infinite compassion, he has ordered that all inns, taverns, teahouses, and other facilities serve the arriving soldiers for free. Instead, he shall take responsibility for compensating those businesses."

A cheer went up around the warriors who now began to march off, leading their new prisoners away. In truth, the emperor had decided that these men best not be seen in court. Xian cast a glance around the soldiers as they dispersed and agreed with that assessment. Zhou Gan's troops were tough, gruff, bearded frontiersmen, certainly brave and loyal, but not the type of men meant for court.

Xian turned at his heel and began to lead them forward, his father right behind while the prisoner and his two overseers took the rear. As they walked past the gates, his guards slammed their polearms and slammed their fists against their chests in salute. Xian looked at the sound of that.

They emerged onto a great square courtyard that could have easily fit Zhou Gan's entire army if he had brought them and with room for many more men still. Once they were past the gatehouse and out of earshot, Xian felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and spinning him around. He came face to face with his father who smiled down at him, though Xian could see that the joy did not reach his face. Instead, his eyes regarded him coolly. The overseers stopped as well and yanked their prisoner's arms until he stopped. The lordling raised an eyebrow but remained silent. "That was quite a show you put on out there."

"I simply obeyed protocol, father." Xian tried to shrug off his hand, though it felt like trying to shake off a slab of iron and his grip remained firm. He glanced up at his father, feeling a flicker irritation rise in his chest.

"I know my son. I understand that. I just hope you understand your place." He replied, his tone leaving no doubt to what he meant.

Xian felt his teeth starting to grind together as he tried to shake off his arm. "Of course father. I am merely the emperor's bodyguard and herald, titles he bestowed upon me because of my exploits under your service."

"Ha!" At once the iron hand on his shoulder vanished. Instead, it slapped him on the back and nearly sent Xian stumbling forward. Gan liked what he heard as he pulled his son into a bone-crushing embrace. "I've missed these conversations, my son."

When at last he released him, Gan began to walk forward once again. Xian could only smile weakly and stretch his back. He glanced back towards the guards who got their prisoner moving once again. "I am pleased you feel that way, father. Now could you tell me who that is?"

"Him? That's Guan Fu, king of his Yi Province, or at least that is what he claims for himself." Gan made sure to emphasize the last part of the sentence. The lord did not rise to the bait and quickly turned away.

"Guan Fu," Xian thought and a name seemed to prod his mind as he thought of the lordlings who arrived. "Is he related to Guan Wei by any chance?"

It was one of Emperor Yang's northern generals. One who helped raise the northern provinces in support of the emperor. Gan nodded. "Aye, his bastard brother. Or perhaps Guan Fu is the bastard. Both men always claim the other is the bastard."

He cast a nasty smile towards Guan Fu who up until now had remained silent. "I suppose we'll see soon enough who the bastard is."

The lordling said nothing in response, turning his head away from Gan and instead focused on the palace grounds. There was not much to see in this part though. This was the gathering courtyard, the place which armies of soldiers, subjects, or servants gathered when the emperor felt like he needed to address them. Because of that, there was furnishing in the courtyard to allow more people to be packed inside. The only sort of furnishings here was a few trees in the sides for shade and two lines of stone statues that ran along the path to the next gatehouse.

Whereas the first gatehouse was meant for the soldiers and security, this one was meant for the emperor's servants and his officials. Instead of just having a gatehouse, this home had a ling corridor with dozens of rooms. These were filled with storage rooms, wardrobe rooms for the emperor, and even a small temple to the dragon god.

The door at the end was smaller, a third of the size of the main gatehouse. This was meant for a small group of people to pass through, yet it was no less secure. The gate was barred and blocked by a group of armed guards who stood ready with their halberds and swords.

Two men crossed their pole arms when they saw their group approaching while four more approached with their hands on their swords. "State your name and business."

Xian simply needed to show the patch on his pauldron as well as the clasp he wore for his cloak. A few moments later, the guards were bowing and opening the gates for him. Beyond this was a smaller, though much more lively courtyard. This one was meant for the enjoyment of the emperor and his officials alone known as the Garden Kingdom.

Instead of cut stone, their feet sunk into the soft soil. There was a path leading to the palace though it was made of dirt and stone. A canal that cut through the courtyard was cut and modeled to curve and twist to make it resemble a river.

The Forest Kingdom would have been more apt as there were hundreds of trees all spread out. There was every manner of plants here, many brought from all corners of the empire. It was rumored that there was a specimen of every known plant within the Yuandong Empire within this courtyard.

Beyond was a tall staircase that led up to the palace proper. By the time they finished climbing, Gan was panting and winded from the walk. Xian smirked and offered to let him rest for a moment, but the bearded man shook his head. With a huff, he continued to walk into the palace.

Unlike the other entrances, there were no doors for no man other than those summoned by the emperor were ever to be here. Instead was a great opening so high and wide that a dragon could have spread its wings out and flown through. Red and yellow columns rose from the ground all along the entrances to greet them.

Beyond them was one finally hallway that led to the throne room. Inside it was a sea of silk, velvet, and jewelry as hundreds of courtiers, nobles, and officials were gathered inside. Each one seemed determined to outdo the other and Xian reckoned that the wealth of a province must have been spent to garb all these figures. The air was filled with laughter and revelry as the courtiers gathered in their groups of threes and fours, trading tales, and sharing mirth.

Instead of just trying to squirm through the press of flesh and fabrics, Gan growled and used both his powerful voice and strong hands to push and clear a path for them. Guan Fu's guards joined in, though they both kept one hand firmly around their captive's arms to prevent him from running.

There were some of the most prominent denizens of the empire here. He spotted his brother Guan Wei, garbed in grey and yellow silk tunic embroidered with his family sigil of a red and white crane. He was entertaining a group of nobles with a story while taking sips out of his wine. His jowls jiggled around as he laughed with them.

The slender and graceful Minister of Laws Shui Rong sat on a table with some of his subordinates, his tiger skinned cloak threatening to engulf his slight frame. King Yu Chun of the Korowa Kingdom was there as well, accompanied by half a dozen armed men and by the Yuandong representative to his kingdom Yuan Shi.

Yet none were allowed to be impressive as the emperor who outshone them all. He sat on his gilded golden throne on an elevated platform. Emperor Zhu Yang watched the subjects all around him with a confident smile. He was dressed in bright golden robes as bright as the sun that covered him with neck to ankle. Embroidered on the chest of his robes was the sun made of slightly more orange color and flying on either side was a cobalt dragon. Unlike the kings of the western continent he wore no crown on his head, nor was one truly needed. Emperor Yang carried himself high and gave off and an aura that would prevent anyone from mistaking him as anything but a monarch. His rich ebony hair was bound and tied up into a topknot while his clear blue eyes seemed to take everything in the room.

At the base of his throne, a line of men stood vigil over him. They did not wear the regalia of his Siegebreakers but instead wore long black robes with gold borders. Their face was covered by wide-brimmed, metal conical hats that obscured their faces from the world. Such an appearance before the emperor would have surely been a death sentence, yet none dare questioned the emperor's elite cadre of protectors.

Aside from the emperor himself, there were only two men who were permitted behind him. Xian noticed that both men were not only eunuchs but two of the emperor's ministers. The emperor seemed to be in deep discussion with both men, but that quickly petered out once his gaze quickly fell upon Xian and his small group as he pushed through the crowds. The smile on his face disappeared somewhat as he noticed them bringing a captive with them. He quickly raised his hand in the air and suddenly all the festivities seemed to die out on that order alone.

The emperor was swiftly on his feet and looked down from his platform towards them, gesturing for them to approach. "Ahh captain, I see you've brought Lord Zhou Gan, and you have brought a friend."

Gan stepped forward first, his belly shaking heavily as he kowtowed before the emperor. A few chuckled at this, though none of them were close or too loudly. "My emperor, I am here to offer you homage. I come bearing this gift as proof of my loyalty."

He glanced towards his guards who immediately showed Guan Fu forward. The prisoner stumbled forward and fell on his knees as the whole court regarded him with weary eyes. Xian noticed Wei slowly setting his wine glass down as he moved to get a closer look at his half brother. The emperor stared down at the man, his eyes seemed to gaze right through the man. "Lord Guan Fu, thank you for joining us."

Xian noticed that he had omitted Fu's self-declared kingship. Fu looked up and glared at him. He shifted around his bonds. "It would seem I don't have much choice in the matter. What is it you wish to do to me, Lord Yang?"

"Emperor Yang," Guan Wei snapped and stepped forward. He looked ready to cuff his half-brother but restrained himself. You would best remember that if you know what is best for you."

"I remember that this city was held by a different emperor just a scant few weeks ago." Fu snapped back, this time directing the comment to everyone present. He stared up at them defiantly, glaring at them before coughing for taking over. When he recovered himself, he turned to Emperor Yang. "Or have you forgotten about your nephew so quickly, Lord Yang."

The blow was directed not just at the emperor, but at the men around him as well. All but a few such as Shui Rong or Zhou Gang shifted around nervously from foot to foot. A few shame-faced men suddenly found themselves unable to meet his eyes and instead grew interested in their boots.

"I forget nothing." Emperor Yang snapped and folded his arms closer. His eyes hardened as he regarded Fu. "I also recall that he is no longer here, that he took ships and abandoned his people to set sail to new lands. In the meantime, I stand here as the emperor."

"Then prove it to us! Show us your power as emperor." Fu retorted, all but spitting the words up. His head snapped up so quickly that Xian momentarily feared that he would rush the emperor. His grip tightened around Singer as he watched the prone man cautiously. If Fu saw this then he ignored it. His gaze was fixed solely on the emperor. "Face me in single combat."

The blow struck right on target. A few men in the crowds gasped and even the stone-faced Shui Rong's eyes widened. Guan Wei looked at him, feeling the color drain from his face. Even the emperor himself recoiled as if struck, and it seemed like he was on the back foot. It was only there for a moment before calm returned to his face.

Xian knew that it was his cue and lashed out with Singer. He struck him with the stone ball attached to the bottom of his shaft. It landed right at his cheek and sent Fu stumbling aside. A woman gasped and those nearest to him danced back. He lay limply to the ground and Xian wondered if he had knocked him out until he feebly stirred from his place.

At once his two guards each had Fu's arms and held him up. Blood ran down his cheek and he spat out a bloody tooth. His head dizzily spun around as the emperor clapped his hands.

Xian saw that none of the emperor's guards made any move to stop silence the assailant. Instead, they remained standing where they were. The only indication they seemed to give that they saw what happened was the slight twisting of their hands as if sketching in the air. No doubt they were already conjuring up a plethora of spells that would give the prisoner a number of bloody deaths.

"I did not bring you here so you may question my legitimacy and test my powers. I come here to offer you a chance to save yourself."

Fu seemed to only be half-listening as he fluttered along the lines of consciousness. That did not stop Yang who continued to speak. "You stand here accused of attempting to declare yourself a king. You did so by taking advantage of the weakness of my nephew. I will, however, offer you a chance to redeem yourself if you kowtow and reswear your allegiance to my family."

"Kowtow to you?" Guan Fu, blinking several times. He shook his head and stared at the emperor. In his eyes, it was clear he understood what was being asked. Instead what seemed to surprise him was the emperor's audacity to ask that from him. "Kowtow to you?"

"Yes, Guan Fu. Kowtow to me and I will forgive all of your crimes and I shall even let you remain governor of Yi Province."

The lordling stared at Emperor Yang for a long moment, not saying anything as confusion and temptation warring in his expression. He took a deep breath and looked up, his gaze was determined and defiant. With considerable effort, he spat at the emperor's robes, a mixture of phlegm and blood splattered on the silk which covered his calf. "Better die a king than life under a false emperor."

Emperor Zhu Yang stared at the stain, staying silent as his gaze could have frozen a phoenix. Had Xian been hin his place, he would have broken the imprisoned lords' nose as a start. Yet the emperor did not even lay a finger on him. Instead, he simply raised his hand and snapped his fingers before turning back and returning to his throne.

At once Xian was behind the man and drove the spearpoint of Singer through Guan Fu's neck. The blade burst through the front, coated crimson red. A sharp gasp escaped the man's lips as the last of the air in his lungs fled. Blood began to run down and seep into his clothing.

Xian twisted the blade to a sickening squelch before yanking it out. Blood fountained and flew everywhere, painting the ground a shiny crimson. A woman in the crowd screamed and fainted while others felt the colors on their face. Many looked horrified and trembled in terror. Even Guan Wei slowly shook his head and pushed his way past the crowd.

The emperor did not even give the corpse a second as he called for some servants to drag the body away. As they hurried forward, the smile returned to his face. "Let the festivities continue."