The Future Leaders

"Dear Truman, It's been a while, almost four years since the war has ended and yet people seem worried. I know you taught me never to show weakness even if you never said those words but you taught them." began the letter.

"Your majesty," a guard said, interrupting Princess Zhen as she wrote by her desk.

"Yes?" she replied looking up.

"Your mother requests that you see her before you leave," he replied.

"Very well, can you make sure that this makes it to him." she asked, handing him the letter as she left to find her mother.

"People seem to look at you and tremble, even guards shake if I say to them your name. You have a reputation, I just started mine I feel like. Surely you know better than I or my mother what's happening in the shadows. This is why I wrote to you, I would like you to join me at my family's summer beach home. I would like to talk to you again, you seem busy and hard to get to this past year. I understand if you don't want to hang out heirs under my protection but having someone from the blackmarket be here as well, could help you later. Please come and accept my invitation, someone with your skills should take a break and enjoy rest every once in a while. Also if you can come, ask your friend, my ally to come as well. There's something I want to know from him." the letter read. Zhōng looked from it, and to the road that led to the vacation home.

"I can't believe uncle talked me into this." grumble Zhōng. Yáo neighed in agreement and the two continued on down the road.

"Welcome Lady Mona and Lady Klee." greeted Princess Zhen earlier that day.

"Thank you, your majesty." replied Lady Mona.

"It's an honor to be invited and your closest friends at school." agreed Lady Klee.

"Especially over a certain four losers who are friends with that blacksmith girl." noted Lady Mona, the two ladies giggled and Princess Zhen just smiled.

"My empress, your betrothed has arrived." announce Lord Zào after the ladies left.

"Thank you for coming." she replied then she turned to Lord Zhe who accompanied him. "Thank you for watching us."

"The pleasure is mine your majesty, although let your mother ask me first if I can do this before inviting me." said Lord Zhe politely.

More future lords and ladies arrived right after and after they entered it was only she and Captain Howin, who was in charge of security, waiting for anyone else. "Your majesty, you should entertain your guests," he suggested.

"Not all are here," she replied as she watched the road hoping to see a horse and rider coming down it but there was no sign.

"Your majesty, holding off for one isn't fair for the others. If he thinks he could sneak in, I'll have him come to you. I have my troops on high alert and I'll know which way he came in." assured Captain Howin.

Princess Zhen sighed then turned to enter before saying, "If he arrives, have him report straight to me."

"I will," said Captain Howin but first he wanted to test a theory.

The lords, ladies and the princess enjoy the day at the beach, strolling through the gardens and eating twenty different meals each from a specific fiefdom. "No way you did that Lord Zào," said Lord Kaeya.

"You should have seen that thing, I couldn't believe I caught a boar that huge." gloated Lord Zào.

"You know what happens when people gloat on something. It wasn't that huge." said Lord Gorou, everyone in the room burst out laughing. When they caught their breaths they continued to eat.

"Your majesty, I hate to ask but it looks like we are missing someone here." observed Lord Chongyun.

"It's probably Lord Xīn, he's perhaps been busy manding his fiefdom since the incident." theorized Lord Kaeye. During the Eight-Year War, Lord Xīn's parents were executed for refusing to bend the knee to Emperor Huo. Even after their deaths he refused to bend and stay out of the war as his fiefdom stayed neutral.

"No my lord, it isn't him. Out of all of us, he has so much experience in ruling that taking that away for a week to spend with people his age will make him uneasy." explained Princess Zhen, she didn't want to tell them about her last guest.

"Then who is he?" barked Lord Childe, Princess Zhen's cousin's son. She said nothing and an awkward quiet filled the room.

"Don't tell me it's him," warned Lord Zào, breaking the silence but her face said it all.

"You invited him? A thief?" concluded Lord Chongyun in shock.

"Why would you invite someone from the blackmarket?" pleaded Lady Diona.

Princess Zhen paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before saying, "The blackmarket has proven their loyalty to the crown, considering that he's the second powerful in their ranks behind Lord Tyron and making a name for himself inviting him was the least I could do."

The room grew quiet, they all heard about the Dual Bladed Ninja. How he comes and goes as please and if he finds something secretive, he makes you spit it out or die brutally. Last year alone he killed more people that would take an entire year to kill in one month. "Is he the only person you know?" asked Lord Kaeya.

"Yes," she said, she knew another one but did not know the way to reach him. "Now let's move on, Lord Zào, how about you tell us the deer you hunted next." she suggested.

"Was it a two point buck?" asked Lord Gorou. The room burst out laughing again as Lord Zào begins to tell another hunting story.

Captain Howin was sitting by the stables waiting when he heard a thunder of hoofs. A horse rounded the last corner with a person in a cloak ride in the night. "This is not an inn, a town is not for another couple miles down." direct Captain Howin. The stranger hopped off his horse, pulled his cowl down and handed him the invitation as he led his horse to the stables. "You know, if you get an invitational again, at least make it when there's still light."

"I'm sorry I overslept today." said Truman as he began unbuckling the straps to his horse.

"I find that hard to believe." challenged Captain Howin.

"You tried riding four days without breaks, on day five, you'll be snoring louder than a wolf's howl." said Truman as looked over his horse, which neighed in annoyance. "And I know you hated for me to do that to you." he said to his horse.

"I was told by my men, you got this letter a month ago," said Captain Howin.

"Must have slipped my mind till the last minute," said Truman.

"That reminds me of your friend when we found out, your father's words were, 'must have slipped my mind'." said Captain Howin.

Truman paused for a moment then continued and said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're still the same. former prince. Every time you hear something sensitive to you, it's easy to tell you're lying or you're not bothered yet you are. And I can't believe you're still alive." said Captain Howin.

Zhōng turned quickly around and hugged him although there were no tears that came from him, he missed him so much. "It's great to see you again." he said.

"Ah, so it is you." teased Captain Howin.

Zhōng broke from the hug confused and said, "Wait you weren't sure?"

"Well I was fifty, fifty if you answer what you did. But I think the first time I thought I saw you was at the party where you were dressed like a guard." said Captain Howin. Zhōng sighed with frustration on his face; he was glad he didn't shed a tear.

"Wow, the sword gave him away, was it his looks next?" asked Lord Zhe who watched them.

"No, it was his skills I heard about." confessed Captain Howin.

"Well I'm touched, you won't tell her right?" asked Zhōng, looking at him.

"I swore, I will protect you. As captain of guards it is my duty to uphold my promises." said Captain Howin.

"I won't either," said Lord Zhe, "Unless your uncle has told you."

"Told him what?" asked Captain Howin, curious as to why he hadn't told.

"He hasn't," assured Zhōng as picked up his baggage. "Now if you'll excuse me, I would like to get some rest."

"The princess requests to see her when you arrive," said Lord Zhe.

"Well if you see her later tonight, tell her I still haven't arrived. Also have any mail sent here for me come to my room." said Zhōng as he went inside.

"Do you know how much was sent here for him?" asked Lord Zhe when Zhōng left.

"Almost all of it." replied Captain Howin.

Zhōng finished reading another letter sent to him and crossed a spot on a map of the empire. He began analyzing it trying to find where they could have gone. Something didn't seem right. For over a year he searched for traces but only found dead ends. "Where are they?" he whispered as he put down the last letter and drank some tea. His room was as expected, a bathroom to a side, a bed bigger than his at home and a desk with drawers. The ceiling was high and there was a square window looking out, the only light in the night was candles lit on his desk. The door opened and Princess Zhen entered. "Your majesty," said Truman as he stood up and bowed.

"You're late," she commented.

"The letter said what date, it never said what time." he replied back.

"I assume Lord Tyron would have taught you what time you should arrive in case you are invited."

"Then you notice I came twelve hours later, princess." said Truman. They stare at each other, both have grown up to be very demanding of respect.

"You trim your hair a little." noted Princess Zhen. Zhōng's hair wasn't as messy as it once was, but the style of it didn't change.

"And yours got red." fire back Truman. She dyed a strand of her hair on her right side of her face. "Not to mention your outfit." he also noted. The front of her dress went up to her thighs while the back went to her ankles. Her shirt was the same, long sleeves and she added a small cape to the back.

"You've become very observant." applaud Princess Zhen.

"If all you here is to greet me, then if you excuse me I need to go back to work." said Truman, he sat back down and began looking at another letter.

"I believe I told you to take a break and enjoy a week."

Truman looked at her as he put the letter down again. "Your cousin has gone missing and the market seems to be in conflict." began Truman. "Something in the shadows has awakened that shouldn't and what makes things worse is Lord Tyron is retiring."

"What?" asked Princess Zhen, the news surprised her. Her cousin she knew about before arriving but the blackmarket's leader quitting was a shock. "When?"

"End of the year."

"Who will take over?" asked Princess Zhen as she looked at him. The boy showed no emotions, just stared back at her.

"You've invited me even though you forgot our rules. Lucky for you, I've been elected." said Truman as he got up and walked up to her.

"Congratulations, Lord Tyron must be relieved for that." said Princess Zhen.

"On the contrary, he's working on cleaning up his paperwork so I'm not due for anything when I take over."

"And he gave you some to work on?"

"No, I just decided to take some," said Truman going back to it. Princess Zhen's mouth dropped, never in her life she knew someone who was willing to take work with them, even herself dreaded it. "Now excuse me princess, I must get back."

Princess Zhen sighed, almost everyone that argued with him, were defeated one way or another. "Can I expect you at least to show up for breakfast tomorrow." she said.

"And if I don't I assume you're going to find me and bring me or kick me out." said Truman, setting another letter to a side. Princess Zhen said nothing and left the room, she could try to debate some more, but it will be a losing cause.

"A rider arrived last night," said Lord Kaeya the next morning as they walked to the breakfast hall.

"Is it the Dual Bladed Ninja?" asked Lady Shenhe.

"I don't know but whoever he is might be someone important," said Lord Chongyun.

"Whoever it is better have some good reason as to why they stop here, cause if he doesn't and I see him, I'll…" said Lord Zào as he opened the door. On the other side, surprise everyone.

"My lords, my ladies, allow me to introduce myself." began Truman with a bow, he was waiting for them to arrive.

They began eating their meal, no one said anything as they were looking to find something to criticize the Dual Bladed Ninja. Surprisingly, he had very good table manners, he had his uncle to thank for that. "So Dual Bladed Ninja," began Lord Childe.

Truman put his hand up as he swallowed his food before saying, "Please my lord, Mr. Truman is fine."

Lord Childe sighed then continued, "What do you do in your position?"

"Well my lord, I take care of documents that could loosen or tighten the punishment, I work in the daylight as someone else and investigate any unusual disappearances in the shadows. Perhaps you can help me?" said Truman.

"I do not know where my father is, what he does isn't your business." replied Lord Childe.

"On the contrary, anything that happens in the shadows is my business. What's considered a rumor or a myth in the light, I consider as a theory in the dark." said Truman, he took a simple question and turned it against him.

"And I assume you know where the former prince is, or do you guys no longer talk." said Lord Zào bringing Truman's secret to the light to the others.

"Surely, you all heard of my reputation." began Truman watching all the lords and ladies nod their heads. "Well in order to build that I need witnesses, the former prince has a bigger one no one knows because he doesn't leave anyone alive." The room got silent and cold as they looked at him with shock as Truman just smiled. "To find him, you don't look for him, he looks for you. And believe me when I say you much rather talk to me then him." he said.

"Why?" asked Lord Gorou.

"You even asked that question?" asked Truman rudely. "You were all supposed to be following him when he'll someday rise to the throne. But of course, a war happened and now he is a criminal branded by traitors. Do you think you can find him and he'll talk to you?"

"Not all of us betrayed him, my father fought for him," said Lord Xiao.

"That's true, but considering the taxes set on those ten that fought for him. His capture and delivery could have any of the fiefdoms regain their glory." replied Truman looking at the ten lords and ladies that once were his allies. "Perhaps that's the difference between you and me. He can always trust me to come."

Later in the day, Princess Zhen, Lord Zào and a few lords and ladies went on with them for a walk. "What some nerve he has," expressed Lord Kaeya.

"If I were you, your majesty, I would personally throw him out for shaming us." complained Lady Mona.

"Not before exposing himself to the level he put us," said Lady Klee.

"Well get in line then ladies," snapped Lord Zào, making everyones' head turn.

"You have a problem with him?" asked Princess Zhen as they continued to walk.

"With all due respect, he's a criminal that has no boundaries. He has too much freedom, what happens if he turns against you and fights for him?" said Lord Zào. Princess Zhen never thought of that, he is friends with the former prince and her, but which side would he choose.

"He has a point, where does the blackmarket actually stand with him soon to be empowered?" said Lord Gorou.

Truman galloped on his horse from behind then came to a stop when he caught up. "Your majesty, what a pleasant day to be out." he said.

"And exactly where are you going?" asked Lord Zào.

"Well my lord, I go here and there anywhere my horse feels free to travel, I let him do it. Besides, he took a lot of unforgiving orders from me." replied Truman. The horse shook his head in agreement.

"That thing, you let it go wherever? I know your horse can respond to your commands as you just demonstrated, but having it decide, it's brain isn't big enough to manage that." bullied Lord Zào.

Truman felt the horses back tense, he put his hand on his neck to calm him down. Then an idea pops into his head. "Very well, if you believe it follows my orders, I'll let you get on him and watch you ride him without saying a word." challenged Truman as he got off his horse still hanging onto the reins.

"Hmpf, there's no way a criminal's horse is smart." commented Lord Zào. He walked up and climbed up on the horse, then Truman let go of the reins and walked a good distance back. "Alright let's go, yah." shouted Lord Zào but the horse didn't comply. "What's wrong you dumb thing? Why won't you gooo!" he sneered, then the horse went blizark. Yáo jumped up and down kicking his hoofs in the air. He was more like a bull than a horse, whipping and kicking all over the place. Now the princess and the rest knew why Truman was the farthest from it.

Yáo finally whipped one last time, sending Lord Zào flying before he crashed and tumbled to Truman's feet. "Ha ha ha, you sure a criminal's horse isn't that smart?" he mocked.

Lord Zào quickly got up and snapped back, "You must have ordered him to do so."

"No I didn't say anything, I let go of the reins and he did the rest." said Truman, his horse neighed in agreement as he did a victory trot. "Clearly, I should tell him to stop being a showoff." he mutters to himself.

"Then how do you ride him Mr. Truman?" asked Lord Gorou.

Truman looked over at the princess, a grin form that was all too sinister. "Your majesty, would you like to try?" he asked, reaching out his hand.

"Are you mad? What happens if she gets what I got?" enraged Lord Zào.

"It won't, trust me." Truman said, still looking at the princess. Princess Zhen hesitated then she took it as he led her to his horse. He grabbed the reins and helped her up it then went to look into the eyes of his horse. "Remember," he mutters the password to him. Yáo shook his head in compliance. Without warning he let go and stepped back, everyone else did as well fearing the same result.

Princess Zhen looked at the horse, Yáo didn't tense up nor acted wild. He was calm and collected waiting for her to say something. "Can you show me how fast you can run?" she asked. The horse neighed and just like that, he was gone taking a big loop with the princess sitting comfortable on his back.

When they returned, everyone was stunned. "How?" asked Lady Mona.

"Every blackmarket personnel has a horse breed similar to him." began explaining Truman. "They don't let anyone ride them, even if you know the password. They only trust in their primary rider, if he doesn't trust someone, then the horse doesn't trust it as well. These horses are bred to run for days, from School Town to the capital it would take me almost a full day. If you think they're not as smart, then let me tell you they are extremely valuable."

"If they are that, how come we don't have more of those?" asked Lord Zào.

"Because you have to tend to them almost every day, if you don't then it will distrust you for abandoning him. Also years of training and bonding." replied Truman. Princess Zhen looked at the horse, looking around minding his own business, it looked up at her with curiosity. "He likes you," said Truman, reaching his hands up to help her off. He gave her an apple when she got off and she gave it to Yáo. The horse neighed in thanks as he took the snack and ate it.

"Is that the reason why you're close with the former prince?" she whispered to Truman.

"Your lords may have switched, but I remember who I swore to follow," said Truman. He got on his horse and rode ahead of them.

Two days passed since and every night in between, Truman snuck out for a midnight ride and returned a few hours after. He left around the time the nobles sat down to eat dinner and return when it was time for bed. Princess Zhen didn't see him often, only breakfast and lunch and sometimes walking around. When she noticed him leaving, she became curious as to where he was going. That night after dinner, Princess Zhen decided to follow his trail. His tracks were fresh and the past runs were still engraved. She continued to follow the trail even after she realized where the trail was leading her. As she rounded the last corner, she saw the old summer mansion of the Old Empire. No one tended it and with the weather and the ocean, it became more like a haunted house than a summer home.

"Hello?" Princess Zhen cried after she pushed open the main door. She left her horse with two other horses before she entered. Birds flocked from the disturbance of the door. The moonlight flooded into the room through cracks on the walls and the hole in the roof. She looked around more, the silence of nothing but her footsteps filled the room. "Anyone home?" she called out. A door creaked open, sending shivers down her spine as an orange light came from the room.

She entered the room to see it was a ballroom with a fire lit by one of the pillars. She drew her sword and carefully walked over to the fire. As she got closer she noticed there was something over it steaming. As she rounded around the pillar, she saw him sitting with his back on the pillar. "Looks like he was right, you would come find us," said Zhōng. His cowl was up and his blue eyes lit amongst the shadows of it. Princess Zhen pointed her sword at him and he revealed the Ninja Sword. "If anything, you are at the mercy of me, unless you think you can beat me."

"And you suppose I believe that?" challenged Princess Zhen.

"It's not like I have a choice," said Zhōng. He offered her a spot across the fire, Princess Zhen put her sword away and sat down at the spot. "Tea?" he offered, she said nothing, only glared at him. "Of all the things to kill you with, poison will be the last." he said as pour himself and her a cup. After he gave hers, he took a big gulp of his tea then poured himself another.

"Looks like you've seen better days." noted Princess Zhen as she took a sip.

"Well he was right about you being observant." applaud Zhōng, his cloak was old and ripped. It was the same cloak that he wore when he fled from the palace. "I take it you want to talk about something else instead of catching up."

"I want to know what you're planning." snapped Princess Zhen.

"Why do you think it's me? I've been quiet except when Truman speaks about me." defended Zhōng.

"And so who is the mastermind? You or him?"

"You think it's no coincidence that he got the position the year before I speak again."

"I know you're planning something."

"Perhaps, and you don't like that? Have you forgotten we're allies, I'm not your friend like Truman."

"And that's what I want to know, if we split, where would he stand?"

Zhōng leaned back a little to ponder on that. "Perhaps that's what holds us still, if he dies what happens to this bond?"

"There's too much pain for us to make up."

"And for that, I'm sorry." began Zhōng, shocking Princess Zhen. "I had no idea you were in prison nor I wish to know what they did but I have nothing to do with it."

Princess Zhen's memories came flying back into her as she touched her stomach. "Liar you had to know." she protested.

"My father never told me, I had to find out on my own. As such, my anger is what fuels me today."

"Anger towards what? My mother, your father or yourself?" asked Princess Zhen.

Zhōng leaned forward again taking a big sigh. "If I told you that the Dual Bladed Ninja has four instead of three blades, would you believe me?" asked Zhōng. Princess Zhen looked at him confused as to why this had to do with anything. "He has a Longus, a Valtryek, a dagger and a mask."

"What kind of mask?" asked Princess Zhen.

"A mask that hides the truth of him. His past, his personality and his name, Truman isn't his real name. His past hurts his emotions that he no longer shows them often." explain Zhōng as he picked up the teapot. "If anything I should be called the Dual Bladed Ninja, cause I carry the Ninja Sword and my ways of disappearing." Suddenly he poured what was left of the tea onto the fire. Steam rose from the dead fire, Princess Zhen lunged forward but the former prince wasn't there as the teapot laid on the ground.

Princess Zhen looked around, it was like how it was when she entered. There were no signs of the former prince. She went the way she came in with more questions than answers. "He mentioned it," a voice said, startling her. She turned around, armed her sword and saw Truman leaning on the wall. "Didn't he?"

Princess Zhen put her sword away, "I'll ask you again who are you?" she said. She wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"Like everyone else in the blackmarket, I'm allowed to keep a secret." replied Truman.

"Then why give me that one?"

"Would you want someone to call you 'Princess of the New' if they didn't know your name?" asked Truman. "After hearing it from familiar faces, you probably give yourself another name to go by."

"Where did he go?" asked Princess Zhen as she looked around their surroundings.

"This mansion, he used to come to, perhaps he would like to visit old memories." explain Truman. They looked at a painting of Zhōng, Xing and their brother Zhēngfú, it was perhaps the last painting of them before the fall. "He at least has the guts to return, I would have thrown mine away." he said as he walked out.

"Is the past the reason why you go by a different name as well?" asked Princess Zhen stopping Truman in his tracks.

"You think your two years of prison were rough, I grew up with my father dying in the Eight-Year War and my mother during the Fall of the Capital. I watched kids play with the former prince and I wish I could as well. But I had to take care of the family and when all of them died there was nothing left. Zhōng took me under and I paid him with friendship and honor. Only he cares, and he understands what life I once lived was like. That's the reason why I work hard, that's the reason why I don't take breaks. Give me one reason why I shouldn't join him over you when the war breaks out?" stated Truman.

Princess Zhen was about to open her mouth but couldn't find the answer reasonable enough. "I don't know, if a war does break out I want you to stay out of it. For my sake and for the former prince's sake. Having you decide shouldn't be fair to you." she answered.

"If I told you my true name, would you believe me?" asked Truman. She turned her head, with all she heard another one would have her questioned everything before. "Then can I ask you something princess?"

"What?" she asked, defeated.

"What he said to you was the truth. I remember his face when he discovered it. So now he came out with the truth, why do you still show anger to him?"

Princess Zhen looked up to see the boy's worried look back at her. "Just like you have secrets I do too, and I do not wish to talk about them."

"As you wish, your majesty," said Truman leading them outside. When they were out, the summer mansion burst into fire. What secrets that it held were now destroyed or with Zhōng. "If I were you, princess, I would stop chasing after him. I believe he shows where his loyalty lies."

"How would I know it's not for show?" she asked as they watched it burn.

"He would have killed you and wouldn't be more illusional or you don't." said Truman. The next morning he left as apparently there was a lead that he needed to catch before it got cold. Princess Zhen watched from a window as he departed. This was the second time she did this, she looked up to see the smoke from the abandoned mansion still burning. She invited him to offer clarity and peace however neither were answered and the Dual Bladed Ninja's personality became more mysterious. The minute hand struck at twelve to signal a new hour, but the end of the Dual Bladed Ninja drew even nearer.