The sun rose high in the clear sky, its beams of light radiating the forest from above. Birds chirped songs of happiness, and in the thick of the forest, a single carriage moved along the dirt road. The small girl peeked her head out of the carriage opening to observe the soldiers on horseback all around her.

"How much longer?"

The soldier just outside the window turned his head in the direction of the voice. "It is merely a day ride from here, my lady."

She smiled at his reply and the girl watched the soldier return the smile with a nod of his head. If she didn't know that Artimus was good friends with her mother, she would have thought him ill of trying to win favour with her. And she wouldn't let that happen on her watch.

"It appears our little one does not approve."

Artimus chuckled and leaned forward in the saddle of his horse to meet her face more closely. "And what is it that bothers the little miss now?"

She stared at him for a second before hmphing. "Daddy told me to make sure that no bad men hurt mommy. And that's what I'll do."

"Oh," he raised his eyebrow. "I think I may know what this is about." A burst of laughter came from her mother and it sounded as good as the bird's songs. Her pout increased as they found something funny that she could not understand.

"Do not worry." A strong finger tapped her nose. "Your mother only has affections for your father."

Her lips opened to form a reply just as something fast whipped past her eyes behind  Artimus. "Arggh!" A distance voice yelled before something fell to the ground.  She watched Artimus, suddenly feeling a surge of panic take over her small heart. His face was no longer smiling. Instead, he watched something somewhere ahead of them before shifting back to face them.

"Stay as far in the carriage as you can, my lady."

Her mother's big hands suddenly wrapped around her small body and scooted them further into the carriage. She gasped in surprise during the action. At the same time, Artimus had disappeared from the side of the carriage.

"It's an ambush! Protect the lady!" His voice came from outside.

"Mother," she looked up into her face. "What's happening?"Her mother always looked just like her reflection, with the same brown eyes and black hair. Worried eyes focused on the sounds outside before she finally slipped her gaze to her daughter's face. She patted the side of her head before cupping her small head into her chest. "Shhh," mother cooed. "It's going to be okay." But her voice was shaky and it didn't escape the ears of Tsu-Ming.

There were more shouts from outside and it scared her into closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her mother.

"Stand your guard. We mustn't let them reach the lady!"

Clink. Clink. Clink. Tsu-Ming recognised the sound of blades against blades, as she had frequented the training grounds on her father's manner lots of times.

"Hold them off!" Came instructions from Artimis. Not a moment later, his head peaked through the opening with frenzied eyes. "We need to get you out of here." His voice was low and held urgency. He extended his hand out to the lady and she took it. Artimus helped her as she got out of the carriage first and then grabbed for Tsu-Ming as she was still young to step down on her own. When their feet hit the ground, he quickly assisted them onto the horse brought from another soldier.

It was then she finally noticed people trying to reach the carriage who was being stopped by their soldiers. "I will be right behind you guys, so I want you to keep riding and stop for no one." Her mother nodded down at Artimus, Tsu-Ming captured between her mother's arms and the horse's reigns. Artimus kicked the behind of the horse and it gave a neigh of surprise before the horse was escaping the horror before them. Tsu-Ming honed in on the dead who lay between pools of blood. "No," she whimpered.

"Be strong for me, Tsu-Ming." She heard her mother whisper in her ear. "Don't break yet, my daughter. We will get out of this."

And even though she was scared and she wished this was all a bad dream, her mother's sweet voice always gave her courage. She nodded, silently. "That's my good girl." One minute, her mother was sitting up straight. The next. She seemed to begin to slump over Tsu-Ming and her weight was becoming heavy upon the horse. "Mother," she said. "You're crushing me." Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened at the arrow that was driven into her shoulder. "Mother," her voice shook. "It's an arrow."

"It's okay," she replied in a low voice. "We will get-" The words drifted off her tongue as she fell from the horse and crashed to the dirt floor. Tsu-Ming would have been pulled with her if not for grabbing hold of the horse's reigns they had slipped from her grasp.

"Mother!" She yelled from the horse. Her body was still against the ground and showed no signs of responding. Arrows soared through the sky as Artimus emerged through some trees. He swerved the arrows to the ground with the block of his sword. "Artimus!" Tsu-Ming called out from the horse. She didn't know how to ride a horse, her lips trembling as she held the reigns.

"Hold on-"

An arrow wiped close to her head, the tip slicing her kneck as it zoomed past and stabbed the wood of a tree mere inches from her. "Argghh," she clutched her kneck in pain, feeling the hotness of the blood that had emerged as a result. The horse in shock reared up on all fours and she was forced to leave the grip of her kneck and clutch the horses with all the strength she could muster.

The horse broke into a gallop, diverting trees and jumping over rocks and branches.

In the distance, Tsu-Ming noticed the emergence of cliffs.

"No, No, No," she gripped the reigns and pulled. Hard. "Stop you stupid horsey!" It kept for the direction of the cliffs and decided to halt just before diving over the cliff, understanding finally dawning in its eyes. Tsu-Ming sat in the saddle, the horse nearly hanging over the cliff and silence enveloping her for this brief. Then she broke out in a horrible cry. At the horror of it all.

"Tsu-Ming!" Artemius called from somewhere close. "Where are you?"

She only cried louder. His black steed pushed through the trees with the determination to reach her. Something shiny came from a small cliff in front of her. It flickered in the sun and stole her attention from crying as she tried to hone her gaze on the spot. A man rises from the bushes with a bow held in his grip. He points it at her and pulls back, then releases.

The arrow wooshes through the air and strikes the backside of the horse. It loses its balance in a power to stay upright and its foot slips over the edge of the cliff, the rest of its body following, along with Tsu-Ming. Her screams are muffled by the wind as she stretches a hand out to the cliffside as they fall and fall and fall until their bodies are lost to the river below.

The sun blares down like a beast, its ferocious heat hissing against Han Fei's copper skin. He grips a metal sword that wooshes through the air with his effortless movements. He swipes up, down, and sideways. Sometimes on his feet.  Other times on his knees. Sweat drips down his forehead, but he doesn't wipe it away until his drills are over.

Soldier's watch him from the shade of the stone that circles around the rectangular training grounds. Some taking notes with their eyes, others cheering when he completes a couple of slashes with expert speed. He conducts the final move on his knees slashing the blade as if to make an x in the air.

"That's our general!" One of the soldiers yells in admiration. It had been five years since lord Feng Ren Xui had discovered him in the Estierian markets at the fighting rink. Later did he know that he would impress the man and would be offered a position as a soldier in his manor. Since stepping through the doors, it only took 3 years for Feng to gift him the position of General amongst the soldiers. Apart from gaining the lord's favouritism, he had seemed to also gain a loyal following amongst the soldiers he commanded.

Taking in a long breath, he rose slowly before placing his sword back in its sheath. The spectators took this as a sign to finally enter, knowing full well that he didn't like to be disturbed until he was done. He put on a bright smile at the sight of them all pushing and shoving each other to get there first. "Shen Rao. Did you take notes of how I held the blade?"

"Yes, my general," he replied, one amongst the fourteen soldiers that crowded around him.

"Good." He nodded. "You grip the hilt of your sword too strong and that hinders your speed with the sword."

"Yes."

"Make sure to focus on that in your practices."

"I will be sure to." He bows his head and holds a hand to his heart. "You have my word."

Han Fei grips his shoulders and forces him to rise. He may be their general but he was no different from them. Born on the same streets as them. Just a commoner with no nobility. He would not expect them to treat him higher than as equals.

"There is no need to bow to me when Lord Feng Ren Xui isn't in our presence."

"Oh, I know what you said." He smirks, dimples lining his cheeks. "It is by choice, of course."

Han Fei shakes his head at his stubbornness. Since taking up the general position he had made Shen Rao his second in command. He took his training just as seriously and also held protecting the lord as the highest priority. If anything was to arise and he had to leave his soldiers in the hands of a second; he could always count on him.

His eyes unintentionally rise towards the hallway that connected to the training grounds. He captures the familiarity of golden hair cropped at the shoulders. From this distance, you could only make out small figures of people crossing, so he couldn't be sure if his vision was accurate.  The hallway led first to the great hall, then Feng Ren Xui's personal study and living quarters.

Could that have possibly been Father? The only reason that he would be visiting the manor was either to visit him or to see the lord personally. Considering he had passed the training grounds with determined steps only ruled one outcome.

"You'll have to excuse me." He told the soldiers, his gaze locked on the hall. He swerved around them before they could respond and first decided to make his way to the Lord's study. It was always peaceful walking through the hall as it was painted in gold and decorated in portraits. It had been three months after his wife had died and he was still in search of his daughter. Lord Feng had told him that it had always been an idea of Zye Mai's to add colour to the bland white of the halls and to hang portraits of their family. He had voiced his regret that he hadn't organized it sooner when he still had his family.

'Find me an artist. One that can paint a picture with my words alone.' He had ordered of Han Fei and they soon found one in the home of his mother. His mother had come to the manor to translate in Hyeiti as the lord described his wife and daughter in vivid detail.

He had cried upon seeing it in its completion.  The lord had always looked haggard and delved into his work upon experiencing the tragedy. But he had never cried.  Not until that moment.

Han Fei stopped in the hall to gaze upon the portrait in front of him. "Tsu-Ming Xui." He said it slowly, as if for the first time, almost in a whisper. The daughter of lord Feng Ren Xui. He kept staring at the wide smile and the bright sparkle that the painter had captured in her cloudy grey eyes. The resemblance to her mother was clear. He pondered on how she would have felt being put in a situation like that at the age of five. He wondered where the trouble maker, as Lord Feng described her, was, and if there was a chance she was even still alive.

The search for her had not seized even after twelve years. He hoped that there would be signs of her soon so that her father might finally be able to rest and the tiredness in his heart that he tried so very hard to hide could come to an end.

End.

Author note: Yes that is me in the flesh XD I just wanted to come on here and let you guys know that this is going to be a third-person story with 3 different POVs. I may also possibly shift to another character's POV in the same chapter later throughout the story.  I'll do my best to make it as clear as possible to whose POV it is anytime during the chapters.

Just as he had predicted, his father was seated on the lounges bunched together in the middle of the room. The cup of freshly brewed tea atop the table had been untouched. The lord stood towards the back of the room, his arms crossed behind his back, staring at the beyond through the clear glass window that outlined the back of the wall. It was a simple action, but somehow, he still seemed to illuminate a beautiful radiance.

His father's attention shifted to the doorway where he stood.

"Han Fei."

"Father," he replied.

His father's gaze drifted to the lord. "I am not at the manor to pay you a visit today. I am here to see seek your Lord's audience."

"I understand. I was just in the courtyard when I happened to see you pass by in a hurried manner. Has something concerning happened? And may I be of use?"

He addressed him from his current spot, knowing full well that he may have walked into a conversation in which his presence was not welcome. And until the lord clearly invited him to join the conversation Han Fei wouldn't take a step. His question was greeted with silence but the worry that slowly seeped into his dark eyes answered for him. Han Fei's father was not a man of much worries other than that of his blacksmith and family.

"It is fine, Chao." The lord finally spoke. His voice was low with a calm undertone. "Han Fei you make take your seat."

"Yes, my lord." Han Fei chose the couch opposite from his father as he always felt more comfortable looking at a person directly in the face when they talked.

"Very well." His father leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees, his hands interlocking. "He would have reported it to you eventually."

"Now..." The lord says slowly. "Tell me what it is you wish to discuss with me." His back stays faced towards them while he listens closely.

"It is actually more of a report."

"What type of report?" Han Fei asked.

"As you may be aware, a few months ago I was called upon by his majesty, Zo Ming."

"Yes," Lord Feng confirms. "There was mention of it in the last letter I had received from him."

For the five years that Han Fei had lived at Ren Xui manner, the emperor frequently sent and exchanged letters with Feng Ren Xui frequently. Although he had never made his presence known in the manor, it was clear they shared some deep-rooted ties. It also held wait when he was given the title of Lord and appointed power to govern and manage smaller problems within his kingdom. From the occasional conversations he picked up between the workers, there were whisperings that Zye Mai may have been of royal blood. Alas, it was speculation on their part, and no one knew how they had formed such close relations.

"I had personally met with him in private, per his request, and he had asked of me to create a work of steel which would be unique, cut through the sharpest of bamboo, and be personally crafted for him."

This reveal of information did not surprise Han Fei as his father had a renowned reputation for being the greatest forgeman that Esteria had seen in decades. It was not uncommon for him to take an interest. It was just unsettling that his family could be in danger upon the emperor finding his work unsatisfied for any reason. He still recalled the time when an emperor's messenger had knocked on their door. They had been surprised when the messenger had presented his royal edict which stated that they would supply the weapons for his imperial army. It had come as a blessing for them as they had been struggling financially. His gracefulness allowed for business to thrive. Once the news had swarmed over the region, many neighbours and travellers came to buy goods from his store.

Han Fei felt himself lean forward as his father continued. He knew something important was coming and that he had to listen carefully.

"One week ago, that very sword which I handed to the royal guards who were tasked with delivering it was stolen while on their travels and they were killed in the process."

Han Fei looked towards the lord awaiting his response. He was silent as he absorbed his father's words. Eventually, he asked, "how did you get a hold of this information?"  

"The majesty had sent his royal guards to retrieve me two weeks later after the news had reached him. I was escorted back to the palace and brought in front of the king." His voice was heavy.  "Of course, he was enraged.  Demanding who I had told about his request."

"And did you tell anyone, father?"

He shook his head. "Of course not. I have no idea who could have done it."

"Zo Ming would not have let you go just like that." Lord Feng chooses that moment to turn around and look in his father's direction with careful eyes. His midnight hair is bunched into a topknot above his head and held with a pin. His face is smooth and youthful. A face with no imperfections that doesn't match his age. A total opposite to his low voice and sharp wit.  "So how did you manage to escape his wrath?"

A dark look shadowed his father's eyes, seeming to take him into another moment for a brief time. "I had relayed to him that a strange man had appeared at my workshop and had seemed too interested in my business dealings and steelworks."

"While I believe that, I believe it is still not enough for his majesty to dissipate his anger."

"Indeed." He nodded. "That is also why I am here today."

Lord Feng raises an eyebrow, his speech slow and pronounced. "Oh, is that so? And how am I related to this?"

His father then reaches into the gap of his sleeve and pulls out a piece of folded paper. "For you," he tells him, extending the paper out in his direction. He lowers his head slightly, not wanting to align their gazes as the Lord's expression turns into one of concentrated caution.  He breaks the distance between them until he is hovering in front of him. Tender fingers grasp the paper and it crinkles as he opens it to reveal the inside. It is not read aloud. Nor does his father lift his head as he does so. Nether-the-less, his focus zones in on his face which is neutral at this given moment. It takes his Lord Fenh scanning half of the page for him to stop and his gaze to fall onto his father for a brief moment before continuing. Han Fei's stomach drops knowing that is not a good sign for his father. When he is done, he turns Han Fei and presents the letter to him.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

He nods.

"Very well." It is taken from his hands as Han Fei opens it and scans the content.

For you Feng Ren Xui from Zo Mong.

For you Feng Ren Xui from Zo Mong.

My sword which Chao oversaw the making of has been stolen by bandits while on the way to me. At first, I was enraged and looked to questioning him about who he may have told to have them steal from me their emperor. Then It was brought to my attention that a mysterious stranger had visited him three days prior and showed a lot of interest in his forgery. I have allegations to believe that this isn't a mere thieving but something more. If my instincts prove to be true, then this may be the work of Qin Ko. Chao has as much confidence as I place in you when it comes to your capabilities and we believe that you will be able to uproot this stranger's identity and bring me clues as to where my sword may be.

Chao has with him a sketch of the man. From my connections, he is laying in hiding at Tai Chu brothel. You must find him.

The paper weighed heavier than the time before he opened it. This was something written from the majesty himself and wasn't meant for his eyes. The fact that the Lord entrusted him to read it brought joy to his heart. This man really deserved his loyalty.

"Have you read it?"

Han nods solemnly.

"Then you have also picked up that your father had personally named me, and this is why this task has been handed down to me?" The agitation in his voice was clear. The Lord was selective with what work he assigned himself so that he may prioritise his efforts on the search for his daughter.  What he was feeling was justified as he could not decline, and it would take all his attention.

 "Yes." His voice was laced with guilt. "I apologise in my father's stead." He did not speak, but Han Fei felt his gaze rest on him from under his brown locks. Feng places a hand on Han Fei's shoulder and squeezes gently.

"While this is truly annoying, Chao…" He looked down at his father who finally met his gaze. "I will let this matter go for the sake of your son. And that is only because a child should never take on the burden of a parent."  

Shame clouded his father at Feng's scolding. He bows his head as he says, "thank you."

"Now," he takes a seat beside Han Fei on the couch. "Show me this sketch."