The Empire of Chiazu
The OOC thread for this and any other adjacent RPs is located here.

• Location: Located in the Eastern Seas is a country that covers most, if not all of, a complex island chain. Due to the massive size and far-reaching influence of the empire that has sprung up after various wars, uprisings and feuds, it is a cultural hub. The oceans provide their bounty, and the people live off of it. Soil is fertile and rich, providing excellent farming and agriculture.
  
  The mountain ranges provide an excellent vantage point and natural defense for various sections, and passes through these crags are the only way that caravans can pass through. Patrolled and guarded diligently by those who would risk it, they are mostly kept safe from bandits and raiders. Hidden among these mountains are said to be the greatest schools of the martial arts, both unarmed and weapon-based. These are what the country is truly legendary for...
  
  However, the seasonal typhoons and hurricanes that usually occur make things harrowing for the inhabitants. Not to mention the tidal waves, but those come once every twenty years, on schedule. It is quite uncanny that the seas seem to have a timed and orderly schedule, but nature itself is odd in those ways where it has natural patterns.
  
  The capital of Xi'an is located on the largest isle, where three major mountain ranges meet. The entire section of the mountains for a good fifty miles has been converted into a fortress-city, hewn from rock and reinforced with powerful cannons. The walls themselves are the first defense, manned and patrolled constantly. The strongest stone from the mountain itself was used to build them, and since its inception, the city became known throughout the land as one that was impenetrable. Cannon fire rains upon those that would threaten those inside, thus providing excellent cover.
  
  The second defense is found within the city itself. The call to arms is raised and the local militia rises forth to answer the challenge. Being so close to the Imperial seat, this place is the highlight of unarmed fighting arts and also showcases those techniques with weapons. Except this time, the practitioners are taught to strike with intent to kill.
  
  The final defense, should one reach the top... is the Emperor himself, and his son. Both well-trained, both extremely dangerous, and both prepared at this point to die for the sake of their country.
  
  
  Description:
  
  The first two levels of Xi'an are considered a residential area. Housing is within the mountain itself and its various tunnels, and is highly advanced despite the limitations. The third level is the merchant's area. Festivals and ceremonies are held there, as well as a Grand Market event every year. The fourth level is considered the place of peace and serenity, and is extremely well-constructed for various places where martial arts can be practiced, taught, and honed.
  
  The fifth level is the Imperial Residence and the Temple of the Tides. It is said that here, if enough people pray, they can command the waters themselves. It has never been proven, but those are the legends passed around throughout the city. Nonetheless, it stands as one of the architectural marvels that the Chiazu has to offer, the statues and stone looking as if they had been carved with the waters themselves. Intricate detail and painstaking work has been put into the making of each sculpture, and the building design is the most rigid ever seen.
  
  
• Other Towns/Cities:
  
  The town that is considered the first line of maritime defense and is deemed the most potent naval base is Shang, located on the western isle. Other cities include the mercantile city Enrei, famous for being the center of the Merchant's Guild. Chapters in various places in the world originate here. Also included is the city which holds possibly one of the most comprehensive sources of knowledge in the world, Mei. The "scholar city" is a treasure trove of information, and holds the culture of the entire continent within its walls. It is considered the second largest major city in the Empire.
  
  Several other towns and cities await, but these are the most notable.
  
  
• History:
  
  A land plagued with strife for nearly three hundred years.
  
  Civil wars, peasant uprisings, various changes in regime. In the end, one man who had a love for the sea and the land came forth to settle this once and for all... Yan Mao, the man who began the unification of the country. Fifty years ago, he allied himself with the fuedal clans at the western shore and single-handedly brought them all into one solid force. With that, his ambition was to unite the entirety of the country under one banner...
  
  His!
  
  It was a line of victories, one after the other. The smaller force, through way of strategy and cunning, brought the massive armies down like trees in a forest. Slowly but surely, they pushed their way through the tumultuous times, one ancestor after another leading the way to their eventual future. Each son, each daughter, trained to become self-sufficient and ready to defend their motherland. After the dust settled, the various clans and regions were acclimatized, bringing in a various mixture of cultures and types of people under one single flag.
  
  The reign of the Mao clan has lasted ever since. And now that there is peace and overall prosperity, it's time to go looking for trade routes in other places. Thus, the Expeditionary Forces sail forth, backed by a naval force that seems too vast for words...
  
  
• Coat of Arms:
  
  A pair of Leviathan, playing within the oceans. A silver circle encases the scene, symbolizing that the country in its entirety has become whole.
  
  
• Economy:
  
  Trade between the various regions of Chiazu is high. The mountain passes have been properly navigated and mapped, thus providing the quickest routes from one city to the next. However, the true rewards come from the sea and the rich mineral deposits of the mountain ranges. Metals and minerals provide the economic drive needed to advance, while fishing and farming is the norm for those who don't work in the mines.
  
  Expeditionary Forces are currently riding out to the various regions of the world, seeking those who would want to buy their wares and possibly forge friendships that would be necessary for survival. The Merchant Guild's fleet is leading the way in these expeditions, seeing as they wish to spread their influence.
  
  
• Population:
  
  At this current point, the population is well over two million, though the birth rate has slowed to a trickle as of late. About one fifth of this total population is dedicated to military service, whether active or on reserve.
  
  
• Government: Imperial
  
  
• Head Of Country/Ruling Family:
  
  Government is currently under the Imperial rule of the Mao clan, with Zen Mao at the head along with his wife, Cen. His son, Eri, is currently the general of the massive naval force, boasting a sharp strategic mind and a keen sense of the ocean's ebb and flow.
  
  
• State Religion:
  
  Belief in elemental spirits that govern the waters, the earth, the skies, and fire from which the country's prosperity and might lie, are practiced in many places. The four main deities are said to come in the shape of animals- the Leviathan, Turtle, Tiger, and Phoenix.
  
• Military:
  
  Due to the scattered nature of the empire's islands, it is difficult to form a strong army or calvary. However, the oceans make a perfect training ground for a naval force, making this country one of the most powerful and efficient when it comes to sea battles.
  
  
• Agriculture:
  
  Due to the location at the Southern Seas, the islands make an excellent location for farming of all kinds. The runoff from the snow-capped mountains combined with the seasonal rains makes Chiazu an excellent place to grow most anything.
  
  
• Educational Level:
  
  Due to the movement started within the walls of the "scholar city", knowledge is freely passed around in Chiazu, regardless of social standing or gender. Every major city has a place of learning, and the closer you live, the more educated one is. Even a few of the outlying towns have somewhere that one can become knowledgeable. That said, the only barrier on how much education one receives is oftentimes money.

OOC Nitty Gritty
Down and Dirty Details

Bio Application Format: (Please PM Tabi Kat.)

Name: 
Age: Don't care if they are 13,527 and look 12, put it down. 
Race: Demon, Angel, human. Don't care. 
Gender: 
Status: (Noblity,citizen, peasant) 
Class: (Mage,Fighter,Scholar,Ranger etc...) 
Origin: (Country Eiros, Duvah, or Chiazu) 
Weapon(s): (ex: Please be reasonable. A mage can not carry two handed weapon) 
Physical Description: Do not even THINK of just giving  a picture. 
Personality: What are they like. Bubbly and vapid. Stern and serious. 
History: Doesn't have to be long and drawn out, though it can be.

OOC Nitty Gritty
Down and Dirty Details

The Law: From upon high, an unearthly spirit arrives and presents to you these laws which you must use to govern yourselves that there may be peace and enjoyment for all.

• Listen to the GMs. Their words are final.
  
• Be Polite. Do not create un-needed drama, just because you can. We are all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Please, keep it tame. We do not like to Flame. Repeat. Absorb. Learn.
  
• OOC stays in the OOC. Do not post OOC in the IC threads. Ever. Not even within IC posts. It just clutters things. Bring it to the OOC.
  
• Do not use Chatspeak. 733T is forbidden.
  
• Watch the language. Don't pepper your speaks with F*ck and D*mn. It's just not classy or pleasant to read.
  
• Please post a bio in this thread. Once approved, you may play.
  
• All are welcome, as long as you realize that the tech level is not where earth is at today. It is medival at best. But most classes are welcome.
  
• Try to use common sense. Such as AMP. And don't overpower your characters.
  
• No ruling family, high government officials, without talking to the GM first.
  
• Be literate. This does not mean you have to write a novel with every post, but try to be eloquent and descriptive. You are writing a story that hopefully people will want to go back and read later.
  
• Last but not least, try to let someone know if you are going to disappear for a while so they can move on or whatnot.

PC and NPC listing

NPCs:

Zen Mao (GM)
Prince Eri (GM)
Longwei Zhu (GM)

PCs:

Lao Fei Zhu (RovingMercenary)
Sukira "Sukie" Mai (seripha)
High Priestess Hoshimi (Tabi Kat)
Sayuri (Sayuri)
Ratbag (Jac)
Dayana (Jac)
Drache Mheron (hexeos)

Tale of a Nation: The Story Thus Far

Chiazu is within the eastern oceans of Gaia, within a mostly isolated island chain. Recently united under one flag, the trade ships of the Merchant's Guild are making final preparations to expand the influence of the empire via peaceful means. Barring that, they have a highly trained navy backing them. In short, the islands are a mixture of Ming Dynasty China (trade and expansion) and Joseon Dynasty Korea (naval prowess).

Two days after the festival, the Expeditionary Fleet is making final preparations to launch for Erios. The Constance and Persistance, along with six other naval vessels, will escort five trade ships on a pre-planned route towards the Western Continent. Seeing as the navy is much larger than a mere eight ships, it is noted as a small task to perform escort duty. Still, the naval officers in charge of this operation seem to be fired up about it... although they have the complete understanding that this is not an act of war.

Meanwhile, another ship has left on its own journey, one that is of much greater importance than a simple diplomatic mission such as the EF...

The Five Circles

The colloquial term for the five major temples within the archipelago of the Chiazu Empire. Each temple, known to be on an island that has a distinct regional climate that best describes its deity and purpose, has its own unique way of doing things. However, the one thing that the temples share is their service to the country itself and the people that live within, as well as those who rule it.

That said, they are almost a law unto themselves, and are said to hold hidden sway over the fate of the nation. Each temple is said to perfect a certain skill or art that many talented youths around the Empire come to learn, and thus become masters of.

Potential temple leaders are requested to submit the following to me via PM:

Abbot/High Priestess: Character's name (Username). Yeah, it looks just like that.

Location: Where exactly the temple is located.

Purpose: This is your temple's mission statement- their reason for being. This is what will drive every character that happens to be in this temple, whether NPC or PC. They will have their own way of doing things and their own personality, but in the end, this is their cause.

Expertise: A special trait or skill that those who study at the temple can learn.

**

Temple of the Leviathan

Abbot/High Priestess:

Location:

Purpose:

Expertise:

Temple of the Phoenix

Abbot/High Priestess: Longwei Zhu (GM NPC)

Location: Huojin Shan, Xengfeng Island, Chiazu

Purpose: The monks and nuns of the Phoenix Temple have a broad view of the world, and can suss out people and situations without bias, malice, or ego. This is due to the teachings of the Phoenix, one of the five Grand Spirits that are believed to exist within the Chiazuite Archipelago- a teaching that states that the cause of human sufferring is attatchment to temporal, transient things. The loss of these attatchments is a liberation from the physical world, an opening of the greater consciousness. A student at the temple begins to come to the realization that all of humantiy is one, and all life is precious.

Thus their mission is simple: to spread the message that sufferring is alleviated through release, that karma can be nullified and eventually defeated via good deeds. Through their words and actions, they attempt to protect lives, transform evil (instead of destroying it), and help people to elevate themselves to a higher state of being.

Expertise: The Eye of the Phoenix, a trait that is gained when a monk obtains the state of no-mind -a state of emptiness where discursive thoughts are silenced- is a result of direct contact with the fire spirit herself. This grants the ability to read the energy patterns of anyone whose gaze that the user happens to be fixed upon; the ability to see within the soul itself. Regardless of what their eye color was before the state of emptiness was entered, the monk's eyes turn a honeyed gold in color, a mark of those who have trained their minds to the point of purity.

Higher-level monks are able to manipulate the element of fire with their chi as a medium, giving them the ability to seal wounds, survive extreme temperatures, augment their attacks, and cause damage to an opponent from a distance.

Temple of the Tiger

Abbot/High Priestess:

Location:

Purpose:

Expertise:

Temple of the Tortoise

Abbot/High Priestess: Dayana (Jac)

Location: Yusheng Forest, Baitu Island, Chiazu

Purpose: To come in accordance with the natural cycles of the planet, to balance the relationship of the mankind with nature, and to protect the spirit of the earth and nature.

Expertise: Although less spirit-oriented than, for example, the Temple of the Phoenix, this Temple stresses the importance of the relationship between mankind and nature, and seeks to protect and cultivate that relationship. The Temple focuses more on the spirit of the earth rather than the human spirit, and the preservation of nature is its foremost priority. (We would call them "Environmentalists," basically.)

While it is still wrong to take a life, it is within their bounds to punish those who harm nature. In this temple, edged weapons are seen as unnatural, and thus the style of fighting is close-range and personal, using staves at most but usually fighting unarmed. This is a powerful style of fighting where one hit can potentially neutralize an opponent: Ba Ji, the Eight Extremes Fist (called thus because it utilizes eight different areas of the body.) Such immense power, which is marked by a distinctive stomp into the ground, comes from becoming one with the earth; if a true master uses these techniques, the earth itself seems to shake.

Temple of the Eternal

Abbot/High Priestess:

Location:

Purpose:

Expertise:

Rice paper lanterns and streamers hung from businesses and homes. Miniature alters were lit in every house, praying for the success of the proceedings. Priests and priestesses- the men and women clad in red, white, brown, and ocean blue silk walked in procession and in order, giving the blessings of the spirits. The martial arts schools that scattered the islands were preparing their champions, hoping that he or she would be one of the select few chosen to enter the ranks of the Emperial Guard.

People from every corner and every island had come to celebrate the military conquests and eventual unification of the island chain that was once so heavily disputed. The capital city of Xi'an was in full-blown party mode, and there was only one grave face in the crowd. In fact, Zen Mao wasn't even in the crowd in the first place- he was in his palace, speaking with the leader of the Merchant's Guild, Guoliang.

"Yes, my Emperor. The ships are loaded now and prepared for launch. We have an escort of twenty ironclad ships with us, just in case we come under attack."

The possibility was highly likely. Tensions were high, despite the celebratory air. The fact remained that they needed all of the navy stationed, but the Expeditionary Fleet could not be unprotected. This was the last chance at maintaining the peaceful state of the island chain- try to get along with the neighbors before someone did something stupid.

Zen wouldn't be the one to do that. He was more of a defensive-minded man- let his son plan the offense when the time came.

"Mmm... see to it that you are successful. We cannot afford a war to break out now, not after so long. There must be a peace between us, or all is lost." The emperor sighed. "War is an ugly thing, and it is in man's best interest to avoid it."

Guoliang nodded sagely in response. "Your wisdom knows no bounds, Emperor."

Wisdom, hm... the political climate between ourselves and the north is running short on people with wisdom, he brooded to himself.

Hence, the tournament. Just in case a last stand was to be made, he wanted the best and brightest around him to defend the castle. He needed to replenish his elite guards. And he needed those who were proficient in kung fu. He would pick ten with raw talent, then train them to be stronger. Faster. Fiercer. More organized and more efficient. He had to bolster his ranks before the powder keg exploded.

But peace... peace before all else.

"...Finish your preparations," Zen finally said with his deep baritone voice. "The spirits protect you."

Guoliang bowed as he made his way out. Zen sighed and looked towards the exit to his chambers, wondering what would become of the country his ancestors had built. It had become so strong- now it seemed so small. They needed to expand, or be crushed by invasion.

With that, the festival was about to begin...

"No, Tsai. This has to be done before it escalates." The petite Chiazuan woman looked up at the half Eriosan man who stood before her, attempting to block her path. They were before the gates of the royal palace. Hidden, not in the robes of her office as High Priestess of the Leviathan Temple, but in simple traveler's robes.

"This is not the way to do it. You are a High Priestess of the Five Circles. Yet you would go before the Emperor himself who cherishes you like a daughter as a simple petitioner. To ask that he grant one of the few things he would not grant anyone." The man's arms crossed over his body and he looked around, hopefully some of the guards from the Temple of the Phoenix would show up soon and could help deter the girl of Water who had too much fire in her blood.

They would not show. Not yet, anyway. The guards had to protect the lodgings for the Phoenix Temple acolytes and monks and nuns, not to mention the abbot himself, who had personally come to oversee this tournament. The guards were busy.

However, one young man who seemed to be in command of himiself had been walking around the city in red robes. His head pointed forward, gaze aimed in front of him, his steps measured and fluent, his posture erect. He bowed as people said hello to him, speaking back with only a few words.

While the young man was quiet, he was also observant. Blue eyes were a counterpoint to shoulder-length, jet-black hair. Standing at 5'3" and weighing all of 160 pounds, the lightly tanned young man from the western island within the South Seas archipelago was a calm, steady influence.

Yet there was a fire within. There was a fire within all those who studied the Phoenix Temple's martial arts- a fire which could only be controlled by dicipline. This fire shone through his eyes, while his facial features remained calm.

Nearing the gates of the temple, he saw a man whom he had not seen for some time now. Walking up to them with his usual quiet manner, he clared his throat and smoothly broke in when he had the chance.

"It's good to see you, sifu Tsai."

Tsai turned and looked at the man, almost calling him by his father's name, but realized that would be foolish. Not even he could turn back time. "Greetings. I assume you are from the Phoenix Temple?" He had an identical robe to Lao's on his shoulders, so it was a dumb question really. More for Hoshimi's edification than anything.

"I have a Pr---"

But he was cut off by a small hand of the woman accompaning him, who stepped out from behind the larger man and smiled at Lao shyly. "My friend here and I were on our way to the Emperor for the festival's petition ceremony. I was chosen for our district."

And then, those blue eyes were fixed on her, his gaze unwavering. There was an itch at the back of his head- something familiar about this one. She was dressed oddly and looked as if she shouldn't be wearing the clothes that she was right now. She was too small, and they hung off of her in places.

Familiar face... and a disguise. But for what?

He decided to play along, just to find out what she was up to.

"I see. And what is your name?"

"She's ---"

But again, he got cut off by a look at those piercing blue eyes of hers. A normal Chiazuan maiden, but with blue eyes the color of water. " I am Shi-ko. A simple miko from the Leviathan Temple of Rei Sen." Tsai glowered at the girl, but so far she hadn't lied.

Those eyes. They were not normal.

They were the eyes of one who had the Sight. It was then that a flash of realization came upon him, and his features changed into a slow, confident smile. Not removing his eyes from her for one moment, he nodded tersely and responded.

"I'm certain that the Emperor will be gracious enough to see you. Tsai, allow me to escort her from here, won't you?"

He turned to the larger, taller man, his eyes suggesting that this should be best left to him now.

Tsai looked at Lao, and then at Shi-ko. "I guess. I do have ..people to visit. I haven't seen them in a few years." He nodded to Lao, knowing the man would know of whom he spoke.

"Don't let her fool you, Lao. She is a bit like your mother. " He chuckled and let the two young ones be.

Which startled Shi-ko. Tsai wouldn't just hand off her protection to just anyone. But she looked at Lao and bowed formally. "Thank you for the offer of guidance."

Lao Fei nodded in return as Tsai walked away.

"Thank you for the offer of guidance."

"Mention nothing of it. It is my duty."

Once they were beyond the palace gates and Lao Fei had granted them admittance, he had time to reveal his findings in the privacy of the hallways. His tone was still even and measured, but his eyes had mischief in them.

"You know... with all due respect to your position... you really shouldn't lie like that, High Priestess. Why are you in such clothing in the first place? It is beneath your station. You have come to petition to the emperor again about that vision, haven't you?"

The eyes had given it away.

She turned and looked at Lao, no surprise on her face. " I have not lied about anything. I have come to petition the Emperor, true. But I have been sent as the delegate from my district at my own request. But if this war goes on, his son will die. And Chiazu will fall."

Looking around, the merchant town that Suki knew seemed absolutely transformed. Streamers, lanterns, and other festive things were everywhere. There seemed to be a buzz emitting from the town too. The locals were as excited as the visitors, people coming from cities, small towns, and hamlets from all over Chiazu. All questing for glory in the tournament most likely, or to catch a glimpse of the games.

With the festival also came all the vendors, setting up their impromptu shops on the sides of the cobblestone streets. Normally the local merchants would be upset at this but in the spirit of the festival and the tournament, they were willing to put up with the competition for a little while. To be sure, they would be getting their fair share of the pullings anyhow. Guilds had a mysterious way of always making a profit.

"This is amazing, Suki. I'm so glad Captain Terrin gave us the shore leave for the duration of the festival," Observed Suki's tall friend, 3rd Lieutenant Haimet, as they walked up one of the crowded streets together.

"I know, everyone is getting into the spirit of the festival," Suki agreed, her hazel eyes shining with delight, taking everything in, "But of course, we have to remember that we're also here to look out for suitable hands as well. During tournaments like these men seem to get a little more enthusiastic about doing their duty for their emperor."

Suki tried to retain her demeanor of disinterest, but the truth was that she was ecstatic to be able to leave the ship for the festival. Not that she would ever be tired of her ship of the line, the Constance, but she was definitely happy that Captain Terrin picked her and Haimet to be the two officers to go onto shore and scout for potential hands at the festival. It meant that not only could she get a good seat for the tournament, but she would also have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the Prince Regent himself.

Her fascination with the man had no end. If any of the men on board the Constance had less scruple they would tease her for having such an infatuation with the man, but they all knew that it purely a professional interest than a girlish fancy. Suki was above those feelings and didn't have any of those silly girlish tendencies; she was a true sailor. Suki didn't know what she would ask the Prince first if she ever had the chance to meet him in person, but she was already milling through questions in her head as they continued walking.

"Haimet, there is the Inn that we will be lodged at. Please check in with the inn keeper about our lodgings. I'm going to try and see if I can find that contact that the captain gave me to speak about procuring hands." Suki said, as she pointed to the very busy inn across the street, "I'll meet you in the tavern in three hours."

With that Suki went off by herself in the crowd, a shock of red hair stick out from underneath her lieutenant's hat.

Originally Posted by Tabi Kat

"...if this war goes on, his son will die. And Chiazu will fall."

Lao Fei nodded. He did not have the Sight yet- not like his father- but he did have tactical knowledge of troops and his own intuition. He knew the direction in which this would head if things went sour.

"I know that. If we go to war, we will most likely be decimated by their greater numbers. They have strength in force- greater firepower, greater mobility. We have power on the sea, but they do not need that. They have a better army, and that is of great importance."

His facial expression had lost its hidden mirth.

"Why did sifu try and stop you? You speak wisdom and truth."

It meant that he would not deter her. He might even go with her. Monks were supposed to help protect the nation, as well as their faith. Defend others while defending one's self.

**

Suki would be met with cries from vendors, greetings from the townsfolk, catcalls from the men who thought she was attractive. The life of the festival was everywhere, all parts of it. One of the games was rather interesting...

"Observe these monkey poles! Eight of them, clearly spaced out and of different heights! Test your balance and speed here, and be the fastest to the top! Only three at a time, please!" The game seemed to be rather popular, and there were even a few who were said to be participating in the tournament who were playing. She would just have to watch and see who was who.

Perhaps, if she wanted, even play the game herself, just to give it a go.

"Because I am going to request that I be sent as envoy to Erios." She didn't look at him as she spoke, her eyes straight ahead of her, on the prize so to speak. Her hands were folded at her stomach beneath the large sleeves of her cloak.

Lao Fei turned his head toward her for a moment, considering his options. After a while, he spoke, his tone of voice still self-assured.

"...Should this request go through, you will need a guard, just in case things go astray. I am most certain that Tsai will attempt to accompany you, but should he be unable to come, I will gladly be your defender."

It was said smoothly, without a trace of faltering. His eyes were fixed forward as he spoke, not faltering in the least. It was his duty to help, after all. The warm fires of the Phoenix will never leave someone in need out in the cold. Thus, one with a clear mind should be as such.

"Tsai cannot go. That is part of the reason he is against this so. His father is dead, but was wanted for many crimes. He cannot return to Erios, nor can any of his family." Again, simple words, but words that had much behind them.

"He was going to speak to the Phoenix Temple to arrange another guard if I actually went through with this."

The catcalls of the men didn't offend Suki, she honestly thought they were for another woman in the street. Wearing her naval uniform and her lance at her hip, she felt like just any other sailor on shore: A little bit out of her element but that was natural. None of the vendors really caught her attention until she saw the monkey pole competition.

The poles looked just like the smaller masts of the first ship she served on when she was a Midshipman. Suki smiled a little at the memories, of her racing up and down the masts. Sometimes it was punishment, sometimes a race amongst the midshipmen, other times just the pure thrill of reaching the top. This place would be a marvelous location to find good hands, ones that weren't afraid of going up and down slippery wooden masts. Granted, the tallest pole was not even half the height of the main mast on the Constance, but it was still a good indicator of a man's skill.

Suki stood and watched for a little, her hands clasped behind her back calmly. Some men, shouting bravado for their ladies and to their chums, scrambled with their arms and legs and didn't get much farther off the ground than a few feet. Others were more successful and got half way before losing their grip and sliding back down to the bottom with a thump. Only one in dozen could even get close to the top of the poles. A little disappointing but Suki knew that as the festival got underway this would be an excellent place to keep an eye on.

The more she watched, the more the competitive nature in Suki rose. She could feel her heart beating faster and her fingers tingling as she saw the men, and even some boys, try to get up the poles. She could easily do any of these, faster than any of the men there. Her lower center of balance and agility would be a better asset than rippling muscles that some of the gloating men where putting on display before competing. The cash prize for winning a race was also a good incentive too, as she desperately needed a new lance that her poor lieutenant's pay couldn't afford at the moment.

Taking off her hat and placing it under her arm at her side, displaying her brilliant red hair, she approached the man who seemed to be in charge.

"I would like to participate. The highest poll please. "

"We have a competitor!"

The men hollered and cheered as Suki stepped forward, looking confident. The man smacked one of the poles, rubbing his hand against it to display that it wasn't that slippery. The diameter of each pole was around four to five inches- not that much in the way of things.

"The goal is to step from one pole to another in succession. Balance is key and agility is crucial. The fastest time thus far is twenty seconds. Make it in fifteen or less, and the prize is yours!"

They cheered again. Time to get moving.

"Begin!"

**

Lao Fei had not considered this... his master, the man who had taught him the Phoenix Fist, had a past like that? His face remained passive as he analyzed these facts for a brief moment. Then he nodded to himself. It made sense- everyone had a past. Tsai probably was in the temple in the first place to forget about it. And besides, it didn't matter. He couldn't come. Lao Fei knew it would happen, somehow.

"Then I insist. I will ask permission as soon as the festival is over. Our meeting is well-starred, High Priestess."

Even if they said no, he would probably come. Besides, it was in the service of the Emperor and his country, and thus it was his duty. Not to mention there was a side of him that thought of the petite young woman beside him cute.

As the men were cheering and the man in charge announced her place in the competition, Suki took off her coat and placed it and her hat in the arms of a near by woman spectator.

"Keep these for me whilst I race and I'll give you a good solid coin at the end." Suki said with a smile. The woman nodded and Suki believed that she had nothing to worry about with that woman stealing her things. The promise of money always had a good effect on people.

"Fifteen or less?" Suki thought incredulously, knowing full well that he gave her what would seem to be an impossible time because she was a woman. However, she didn't have much time to think about it as the words starting the race were yelled.

Heart beating rapidly and adrenaline racing, Suki spurted towards the first pole and nimbly climbed up it. The diameter at the top of the pole wasn't very large but it wasn't impossible either. Balancing quickly with her arms out to the side, Suki could see that the poles got thinner in succession along the line, and higher as they went. The first four poles Suki quickly sprang from from to another with ease. The fifth and and sixth poles were a little more difficult but still, Suki was leaping gracefully from each one, her experiences on the sea extremely beneficial.

It wasn't until the seventh pole that Suki had a little bit of a problem. She nearly lost her balance and she could hear a gasp from the crowd as she recovered her balance. She would have grinned from the pleasure but time was racing away and she wanted to win. The last pole was a lot higher than the previous ones and she wouldn't be able to jump to it with her feet, she just didn't have the height. She would have to try and grab the top with her hands and pull herself up on top.

Keeping her eyes on where she wanted her hands to meet the pole, Suki swung her arms and jumped with all her might. Her hands made contact with the pole, but one of them slipped. Her right arm dangling at her side, Suki grimaced to keep her grip. Swinging her right arm up, she managed to get a good grip and pulled with all her might, using her inner thighs to help her get her bodyweight higher on the pole. Surely enough, Suki managed to get her whole body up, planted her right foot underneath her hand and then stood upright one one leg, successful.

Suki looked down happily at the people below. She was fast, and she felt sure that she had beaten the current record, but it was going to be close as to whether or not she beat the time allotted.

Hoshimi didn't really say anything. She had a lot on her mind. If everything went well, then when the festival was over, she would be on a boat to Erios. If the Emperor was unreasonable, then she would still be on a boat to Erios, only she would disappoint a man she saw like a father.

"Tell me, would you blindly obey your father's commands even if you knew something was wrong?"