Chapter 300- Foreshadowing (Patreon)

Foreshadowing

Chu sucked on a bone while watching the cloud of dust traveling in the distance. Removing the rabbit leg, he tossed it away to enrich the present biodome. Next to him, a golden-haired child sat with her feet stretched out onto the soft grass. Her greasy mouth chewed and downed the roasted meat she clutched with oily fingers.

"Brother Chu's bar-b-que rabbit is the best! When we return home, I want brother Chu to make me a spice pouch just like his. I want to hunt and roast pheasants coated in this rub."

"Sure, but you have to keep it a secret from Brother Ming. Otherwise, everyone on the planet will be using it."

"Not a problem. I can't wait to try a roast coated in the legendary soy sauce you told Uncle Hodge to find. If this tastes so good, I can't imagine what that mixture would taste like."

"Don't worry, if I ever come across it, I'll make you Korean bar-b-que."

Chu replied on seeing the cloud disappear down south.

A short time later, they saw Ming walking across the grassland towards them. Chu pointed towards the south.

"What was all that just now? That seemed to be a large group of travelers in a mighty hurry."

"Hurry is an understatement. They rode as if a Jaga was clawing at their rumps. From the way they all traveled on horseback, I say they probably are on a chase."

Ming replied. He had only gone to the road to fill their waterskins at the nearby well. The task of boiling and restocking their water supplies fell on his shoulders today. Behind the tree, hidden in the little sink, stood their wagon.

"Oh? But why to the south? I expected all the action to head northwards to Frost City. Good thing we decided on camping away from the eyes of travelers on the road. It's saved us a lot of explanations and unwanted encounters."

"Who knows, you know how nobles and people living in these parts think? Maybe they want to race their horses and show off their wealth on the road? I spotted a plump guy bouncing on one of the horses who might be their leader. Come to think about it, he did look vaguely familiar, but then all merchants possess the same figures."

"You're wrong, Brother Ming. Lucy said Brother Chu is a merchant and he looks... mmph!"

"If you ever want a piece of bar-b-que to eat again, then get the flint to light the fire for Ming."

Lucy interrupted as she seemingly appeared from nowhere and stifled the innocent lips of the smaller blue-eyed girl.

***

Stevven Simon Gofart halted his horse as the contingent stopped to rest. Wiping the waterfall cascading down his brows, he clutched at his cloak in the hopes of tearing away his drenched clothes cladding onto his skin.

"By the heavens! We have been riding at dawn to dusk every day with only a slight rest in between. When I wrap my fingers around the crook who stole from me, I want to savor his slow death."

"The only death you will see might be yours if we don't butt in, Uncle. I can't believe the Patriarch sent you on this journey with us. You were lucky you caught up with us before we left the villa."

"Your grandfather wants this task over and done before our house faces utter demise. I also possess more experience on the road unlike you, you brat. Instead of traveling to Limerock, we will take the east road in the upcoming village. This move will shave off around two weeks from the journey."

The elder Gofart replied. His father had no choice but to follow the advice of his brother and join the competition of the Ancient Clans with Wang Pigu. But the fame from the expected title could only keep their lenders at bay for so long.

"Haha, Uncle is the best. Don't worry, this nephew of yours will help you regain your pride and snuff all rumors. Then you can relax and pay me and my friends back on the street...hehe."

Young Master Gofart replied. The seriousness of their quest pasted a grim expression on his face. Only on the night before leaving the villa outside Frost City did he learn the consequences of failure for this task.

"Thank you, nephew. I promise when we succeed to gift you and your friends with any woman you so decide in Frost City. I'll ensure you also enjoy them to your heart's content. Okay, let's go!"

***

On a raised bed softened by blankets of thick fur, a slender figure stirred. The naked body then gracefully seated itself at the side of the bed. Dignified eyes belonged to a striking, smooth face which in turn, rested on a well-proportioned, chiseled frame. The young man ran his fingers through lush black hair as he tossed the strands behind his firm shoulders. Reaching out for a patterned ribbon, he skillfully tied his hair before dressing himself.

A moan escaped the luxurious bundle covering the bed.

"Young Master Wu, why didn't you wake me?"

The furs moved to reveal a face partially covered by long strands of golden locks. Even with the disheveled hair and remnants of sweat and exhaustion from last night, the allure of the lady shone in the flickering light of the lamp. The exposed leg and hips hinted of the seductive curves and mature body that yet lay hidden underneath the blanket.

"Forgive me, Lady Hiller, for my rudeness. I tried my utmost to avoid waking you at this early hour. Since a young age, I imposed a strict training regiment so as to present a body worthy of Clan Wu. The standing of my family requires I maintain a face of etiquette and dignity."

"Hmmm... Well, I can assure Young Master Wu that his training certainly bore fruit. As for etiquette and charm, I dare say none can best you in the Capital. Not even a month has passed since our caravan joined yours on the road and I found myself sharing your bed."

The lady muttered as her eyes then shifted from the bewitching young man towards her exposed fingers.

Young Master Wu smiled while following her eyes to the ring on her finger. In a fluid motion, his face dropped inches away from the mature beauty as he captured her eyes firmly with his own. With the same action, a hand slivered into the sheet to find warmth between the sensuous legs.

The blue eyes opened wide before an amorous moan escaped the pink lips.

"Within the Capital, Lady Hiller enjoys both fame and fortune as being ranked among the honorable beauties to grace the Empire. All know that Lady Hiller possesses the epitome in grace and virtue befitting a married lady of the court."

The words barely exited the mouth of the young man when his lips descended onto the panting mouth. A brief moment later, he looked into the glazed ice-blue eyes that seemed to have melted. The fingers of his other hand caressed the face and then held the chin of the beauty.

"Who does Lady Hiller serve now?"

"..."

"Who?"

"Young Master Wu. Lady Hiller serves Master Wu..."

"Lady Hiller has finally known what it's like to engage in the intrigues of the Empire. Don't worry, I will ensure Lady Hiller arrives safely to join her husband in Frost City."

Young Master Wu soon exited his round tent while bearing a face of solemn dignity. Walking across the campsite of mercenaries employed by Clan Wu, he paused on hearing a call. Squinting his eye over the dying embers of the campfire before dawn, he spotted the source. A lieutenant of his guards arrived with one of the leaders from the convoy.

"Greetings, Young Master Wu. I am terribly sorry to interrupt you this early before daybreak."

"Greetings, Master Line, how can this one be of assistance?"

"Ah, Young Master Wu remembers my name?"

"But of course. When on a journey, one must strive to know about one's companions on the road. What seems to trouble Master Line?"

"Beg your pardon, Young Master Wu, but another servant has gone missing. This time the young fellow belongs to Merchant Jells. The nobles and fellow merchants in the convoy were wondering if Young Master Wu could assist us by increasing the patrols at night?"

Master Line asked while admiring the man half his age standing before him. Everyone n the convoy heading towards Frost City understood the Young Master of the Wu Clan possessed a dignified yet amicable character. He watched as the smile vanished from the face of the man as a frown replaced it. The young master stroked his chin before raising his head under an air of authority.

"This should not be tolerated. It seems like the bandits along the east mountain road to Frost City have become brazen indeed. Fear not, Master Line. From tonight I will command half my guards to join in patrolling the perimeter when we make camp. We are all brothers of the Empire, and so we must always assist each other, especially when traveling."

"Thank you, Young Master Wu, thank you. I shall convey your kindness to the other leaders of the convoy. My the Heavens shower their praises on you!"

Young Master Wu nodded as he watched the nobleman walk away with a gratified smile. Striding across his campsite which occupied the center of the convoy camping grounds, he halted before a secured tent. This round enclosure of tanned and stitched animal hides stood at the true center of his own campsite. The tent was not only twice as large as his own but it appeared even more heavily guarded.

Clearing his throat, he stood beside the entrance flap and called out for only the occupant to hear. On hearing a response, the young master disappeared into the seeming void.

Within the tent, Young Master Wu stood with his hands clasped in greeting while bowing. The barren area allowed for the lone occupant sitting at the center to easily be recognized. Cross-legged, he resembled the appearance of a withered old man under centuries of fasting meditation. Behind him, a torch flickered.

On closer look, the four-fingered digits, saw-like teeth, and seven-foot burly frame indicated this entity never belonged to the human race. A snake-like tongue slurped the soft organ once alive and functioning from the cracked skull. Vertical red slits switched lazily from the bone to the headless corpse of a seemingly young servant. Since entering, those eyes never shed a glance at the esteemed young master.

After what counted like hours, a contented growl escaped the bloodied lips. If not for the command of the leader, this Grot would never belittle itself in conversing with a human in their broken language.

"Find me another young one like this tonight..."

***

Atop the expansive roof of a castle in Frost City, a princess stood at the center of a large circle etched with symbols and lines. Surrounding the perimeter of the starlit design, three ancient priests hobbled while gazing between her, the symbols, and the stars. In this dark hour before the dawn, the old man belonging to the Churches Union finally sighed.

The most wizened one among them turned towards a figure behind a veiled curtain.

"Forgive us, great Empress. The stars shed the same fate as revealed by our brothers in the Capital. The line will be severed during this year. The stars portend an upheaval in fate if she remains within Frost City."

The old man knelt on the cold stone with his forehead resting in respect.

A gentle voice yet filled with sorrow drifted from behind the veil.

"Rise, oh Sage of the Stars, the Empire has long acknowledged the benefits of your predictions. Only through your words did our Emperor allow our daughter to travel away from his side. So be it, we leave our daughter's fate to the Heavens..."

***

Within the same city, a brunette sat drinking a mug of water. Not long after, a golden-haired beauty exited the single bedroom of the slum hovel to join her.

"What's the matter, Sakura. Can't sleep?"

"Not really. Soon I won't be able to turn and twist freely while sleeping. I want to enjoy this feeling while it lasts."

Amanda dropped her eyebrows in thought before grinning.

"I understand. You really have it hard, don't you..."

****

END OF BOOK 6