It had been about a week since Xiang had left home. In that time, she hadn't seen a single person. It had been just trees, grass, and the occasional animal. Some of those animals even got close and allowed her to pet them. For the most part, though, it was just her and the journal she used to log her days.
Just when it seemed like she'd never see another person, she saw what appeared to be a group of people headed in the direction she was coming from. After a little more walking, she got closer enough to confirm they were, in fact, human beings. A group of four males wearing villager clothes, armed with swords. This was a good opportunity to asked where the next village was. Her food supply was running low and she needed to restock.
Once they were close enough, she waved them down. "Excuse me," she said. "I don't mean to inconvenience you, but might you direct me to the nearest village?"
The men stopped and looked her up and down, each giving her a look she wasn't very fond of. "Well, hello, milady," one of them said. "Surely, a pretty lass like you ain't out here all alone."
She heard one of the men whisper to another one, "Get a load of those legs."
Perhaps this wasn't a good idea. She didn't like the energy they were putting out. She looked away and sped up her walk. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you."
Two of the men ran in front of her while one wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "S'no trouble at all, lass. What did you need? To find the next village?" He pointed down the road. "S'bout a day and a half that way. You can't miss it."
She took his arm off her shoulder and bowed. "Thank you." As she turned to walk away, she felt him grab her arm. "Please let go."
"Why are you in such a hurry, lass?" he said. "We did you a favor. That means you owe us." He toyed around with the hem of her shorts with his other hand. "You got a lot of assets we'd be willing to accept as payment."
She elbowed him in the face and said, "Stop that!"
He let go of her shorts and her arm, checking his nose as he stumbled back. Upon coming to a stop and seeing blood from his nose on his hand, he exclaimed, "You dirty wench!"
"Please," she said. "I don't want any trouble."
One of the two men blocking the road reached out to grab her. "We'll teach you a lesson."
She floored him with a roundhouse kick.
The other drew his sword and laughed. "Whatcha gonna do now?"
She ran in and punched him in the chest, sending him flying thirty feet back, where he hit the ground a skidded another twenty feet, and lied unconscious.
"Please stop this madness," she pleaded. "You're supposed to be human beings."
The fourth man drew his sword and said, "Take of your darned clothes or I'll cut 'em off!"
"So this is what it's like out in the world," Xiang said. She felt her heart break. She expected better. And it looked like she wasn't getting away without a fight, so she got into her stance. "Then come at me and be crushed."
He charged her sword first. He intended to run her through.
She took a deep breath and time slowed down. Then, she stepped forward, rearing back for a punch. When he was within two sword lengths, she punched at the sword, stopping just short of the tip.
The sword broke and the man tripped and fell with a useless stump of a weapon.
"What the heck?" one of the men asked.
Xiang got back into her stance. "Your swords are useless against my Burst Fist technique. I doubt your bones would fare much better. But, if you wish to continue, come at me."
The men ran away, crying, "It's not worth it!"
She relaxed when they were a safe distance away. She hadn't been prepared for such individuals. A woman of lesser skill would have been...used. It was hard to believe people like this existed.
Her gaze shifted to the man she punched out. He was starting to stir. She walked over to him and knocked him out again with a kick. "Pig." Satisfied, she continued on her way.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
The Travels Of Xiang, Episode 1
There was nothing but open fields as far as the eye could see. The air was warm, the grass was green, and wild animals were going about their daily routines. She breathed deep, taking in the fresh, clean air of nature.
A cool breeze swept over her, massaging her body with refreshing energy. First, over her face, arms, and, legs. Then, through every strand of her black pigtails, penetrating through to her scalp. Finally, down her shirt, up her shorts, and into her boots. It was as if nature was making love to her.
She looked back at hometown, Shao Village. From where she stood, it looked like nothing but a collection of toy model buildings. She held in a few tears. She was leaving the place she'd spent all nineteen of her years up till this point. How could she not get a little emotional?
There was no turning back now, though. She could have stayed and been a humble farm girl, raise humble children, and live a humble life. But that wouldn't have made her happy. She knew she had to leave. She needed to know to see what was out in the world. She was starting her own journey.
She was not unprepared to step into the great unknown of the world. Mental fortitude and strong principles were among the things her friends and family gave her. But perhaps the most important thing she was given was her martial arts training.
She remembers the training. Constant falling and being hit was a way of life for her. If her body hadn't been made strong through years of farming, she'd probably be crippled and unable to make the journey she was about to embark on. After enduring all of that, there was nothing this world could throw at her that she wasn't prepared for.
She would use everything she was given to find her path through this world. Even though she'd already thanked everyone many times over on her way out, she gave the village one last bow of thanks.
Would should return one day? Perhaps. It's not as if she was chased out. She was beloved by everyone and leaving on good terms. There was nothing and no one she was running from. But the world was a big place. There was no telling when or if she would find her way back.
What she did is that her name was Xiang Wenling of Shao Village. She turned away from the place that used to be home and started off into the frontier. She would proudly represent her people. This would be the beginning of her legend.
A cool breeze swept over her, massaging her body with refreshing energy. First, over her face, arms, and, legs. Then, through every strand of her black pigtails, penetrating through to her scalp. Finally, down her shirt, up her shorts, and into her boots. It was as if nature was making love to her.
She looked back at hometown, Shao Village. From where she stood, it looked like nothing but a collection of toy model buildings. She held in a few tears. She was leaving the place she'd spent all nineteen of her years up till this point. How could she not get a little emotional?
There was no turning back now, though. She could have stayed and been a humble farm girl, raise humble children, and live a humble life. But that wouldn't have made her happy. She knew she had to leave. She needed to know to see what was out in the world. She was starting her own journey.
She was not unprepared to step into the great unknown of the world. Mental fortitude and strong principles were among the things her friends and family gave her. But perhaps the most important thing she was given was her martial arts training.
She remembers the training. Constant falling and being hit was a way of life for her. If her body hadn't been made strong through years of farming, she'd probably be crippled and unable to make the journey she was about to embark on. After enduring all of that, there was nothing this world could throw at her that she wasn't prepared for.
She would use everything she was given to find her path through this world. Even though she'd already thanked everyone many times over on her way out, she gave the village one last bow of thanks.
Would should return one day? Perhaps. It's not as if she was chased out. She was beloved by everyone and leaving on good terms. There was nothing and no one she was running from. But the world was a big place. There was no telling when or if she would find her way back.
What she did is that her name was Xiang Wenling of Shao Village. She turned away from the place that used to be home and started off into the frontier. She would proudly represent her people. This would be the beginning of her legend.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
The House Of Ellis, Lady Katya Episode 4
Lady Katya frowned as she looked out of a window on the second floor of the Artemis Knights guild hall. The influence of sexy armor was increasing, along with the number of women wearing it. "I don't understand," she muttered to herself. "I just don't understand."
"What is it, milady?" the guild secretary asked.
She turned to face her. "How long have you been there?"
"I was just walking by," the secretary answered. "I couldn't help but notice you seem distressed. Is there anything I can do, milady?"
Lady Katya looked back out the window. "How much of an impact do you think this guild has?"
"Milady?"
"When I founded the Artemis Knights twelve years ago, I did so with the future in mind. I wanted to create a place where female warriors could be taken seriously. A place where sexy armor wouldn't exist. I wanted people to look at us and say, 'now those are strong women.' Then they would follow suit and sexy armor would become obsolete. But as I look outside, I can't help but wonder if I've accomplished anything at all."
The secretary came over to the window and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "The world is full of all types. It can be discouraging when you look out at the world and see that there are still women who wear sexy armor. But every time I walk into the guild hall, I see twelve women you have touched. They look up to you and maybe even love you. So while the impact may not be as big as you'd like, you are, in fact, having an impact. There are ambitious individuals who go their whole lives and haven't done as much as you. Never forget that, milady."
Lady Katya appreciated the secretary. She always knew what to say. In many ways, she was a counselor, as well. "Thank you. I needed to hear that." She stepped away from the window and headed downstairs to the tavern area, where the Artemis Knights would hold meetings or hang out during down time.
She observed the jovial atmosphere. There was laughing, drinking, roughhousing, and the simple enjoyment of the company of comrades. These were her Artemis Knights. This was family she built. Sisters-in-arms and in armor. "Okay, everybody shut up!" she barked.
They did so, lining up and saluting. "Yes, milday?" they all asked in unison with eager looks on their faces.
"I just want you all to know that a am proud of all of you," she said. "Throughout the years, many women have come and gone from this place. Some was killed in action. Some were injured to the point they could no longer fight, living on as honorary Artemis Knights. Some couldn't handle the training and preparation that goes into being an Artemis Knight and parted ways. The women gathered here are not the same ones who started this journey with me. But I am just as happy to have all of you as I was all those who are no longer here." She bowed. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I hope that we all will wage war against sexy armor for the rest of our lives. I hope that we can grow the Artemis Knights and strengthen our proud legacy together."
"Yeah!" the Artemis Knights all roared. "Down with sexy armor!"
She smiled while holding back tears. They were strong, loyal, and proud. That's what it meant to be an Artemis Knight. These twelve women embodied all of these thinngs. She turned away and headed for the stairs. "As you were."
When Lady Katya got to the top of the stairs, the secretary was standing there. "See, milady? The Artemis Knights love you. And those who have parted ways because of injury or ideology still sing your praises. The only woman in the entire empire who receives more praise is Lady Madison."
Lady Katya grumbled. "And she's wearing sexy armor now. I will not be second to someone who wears sexy armor. I will become the mightiest woman in all of Empora. The Artemis Knight will become the standard-bearer of female warriors everywhere!"
"What is it, milady?" the guild secretary asked.
She turned to face her. "How long have you been there?"
"I was just walking by," the secretary answered. "I couldn't help but notice you seem distressed. Is there anything I can do, milady?"
Lady Katya looked back out the window. "How much of an impact do you think this guild has?"
"Milady?"
"When I founded the Artemis Knights twelve years ago, I did so with the future in mind. I wanted to create a place where female warriors could be taken seriously. A place where sexy armor wouldn't exist. I wanted people to look at us and say, 'now those are strong women.' Then they would follow suit and sexy armor would become obsolete. But as I look outside, I can't help but wonder if I've accomplished anything at all."
The secretary came over to the window and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "The world is full of all types. It can be discouraging when you look out at the world and see that there are still women who wear sexy armor. But every time I walk into the guild hall, I see twelve women you have touched. They look up to you and maybe even love you. So while the impact may not be as big as you'd like, you are, in fact, having an impact. There are ambitious individuals who go their whole lives and haven't done as much as you. Never forget that, milady."
Lady Katya appreciated the secretary. She always knew what to say. In many ways, she was a counselor, as well. "Thank you. I needed to hear that." She stepped away from the window and headed downstairs to the tavern area, where the Artemis Knights would hold meetings or hang out during down time.
She observed the jovial atmosphere. There was laughing, drinking, roughhousing, and the simple enjoyment of the company of comrades. These were her Artemis Knights. This was family she built. Sisters-in-arms and in armor. "Okay, everybody shut up!" she barked.
They did so, lining up and saluting. "Yes, milday?" they all asked in unison with eager looks on their faces.
"I just want you all to know that a am proud of all of you," she said. "Throughout the years, many women have come and gone from this place. Some was killed in action. Some were injured to the point they could no longer fight, living on as honorary Artemis Knights. Some couldn't handle the training and preparation that goes into being an Artemis Knight and parted ways. The women gathered here are not the same ones who started this journey with me. But I am just as happy to have all of you as I was all those who are no longer here." She bowed. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I hope that we all will wage war against sexy armor for the rest of our lives. I hope that we can grow the Artemis Knights and strengthen our proud legacy together."
"Yeah!" the Artemis Knights all roared. "Down with sexy armor!"
She smiled while holding back tears. They were strong, loyal, and proud. That's what it meant to be an Artemis Knight. These twelve women embodied all of these thinngs. She turned away and headed for the stairs. "As you were."
When Lady Katya got to the top of the stairs, the secretary was standing there. "See, milady? The Artemis Knights love you. And those who have parted ways because of injury or ideology still sing your praises. The only woman in the entire empire who receives more praise is Lady Madison."
Lady Katya grumbled. "And she's wearing sexy armor now. I will not be second to someone who wears sexy armor. I will become the mightiest woman in all of Empora. The Artemis Knight will become the standard-bearer of female warriors everywhere!"
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