Shoubu: Title Pending
folder
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
2
Views:
578
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0
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
2
Views:
578
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Chapter 2
Shoubu sighed as he reached the large tree at the foot of the mountains. The purple headed thunderclouds that had led him here were receding, making his trek that much longer. Shrugging, Shoubu decided to spend what remained of the day in the city. Or at least close to it. There was no way he would spend money to sleep in an Inn when the ground beneath a Willow tree would suit him just as well.
He shifted his pack onto his left shoulder, more to hide the blades at his side than from any discomfort. It wouldn’t due for him to be recognized after evading capture for so long. After making sure that his blades were at least reasonably hidden he ventured into the city. He would sleep in the forest, but he needed provisions first.
With surprising swiftness a storm front moved into the city. Not the purple thunderheads, but a natural storm that had been moving the same direction as he all day. Pausing for a moment, Shoubu looked up at the rain heavy clouds. Lightning flashed and the heavens opened up, drenching the ground with water.
Shoubu looked around as the people of the city began to flee, seeking shelter where ever it could be found. Not far off, he saw a man staring up towards the storm. Shoubu shook his head; it seemed he wasn’t the only traveler with eccentricities. Without waiting to see what happened he turned from the strange man and entered a building that appeared to be a supply shop.
Shoubu shook off the rain that had followed him into the store and looked about. Behind the counter stood a short portly man with receding grey hair, the average looking shop keep. He approached the shop keep and asked for a short list of items, ranging from rice to rope. The shopkeeper bustled about the store picking items with an instinct that belied many years of work.
As Shoubu stood waiting for the shopkeeper to finish gathering his goods he felt a breeze come from the outside. He turned towards the door to see that it was still closed. A frown crossed his face before he realized what the impossible breeze was.
He is one of the chosen.
Who is?
That man, the one we saw outside.
Chosen how?
\"Sir?\"
Snapping from his inner dialogue with the voice that had been his only companion since the death of his allies, Shoubu turned towards the shopkeeper.
\"I\'m sorry, what was that?\"
\"Your total sir, it comes to 8 gold and 3 silver pieces.\"
Shoubu paused for a moment, that was a little higher than he had anticipated, but he could afford it, then again, times had been getting tough. An increase in prices was not something unexpected. He pulled his pack from his side and rummaged through it, searching for his money case. Too late, he realized that he had exposed his swords. The shopkeeper’s eyes grew as large as the gold coins that Shoubu was looking for.
Quickly, Shoubu located his money case, counted out the needed coins, slammed them onto the counter and replaced his pack over his swords. Before the shopkeeper could say a word, Shoubu gathered his purchases and left the store.
That was a bad idea, revealing yourself like that.
I know full well what I just did.
Do you? The entire city is going to be in an uproar
I\'ll hide, I\'ve done it before.
From the Imperial troops?
...
I thought as much. You should have killed the shopkeeper when you had the chance.
And add murder to my list of crimes? I think not.
That is why you should seppuku.
Stubborn aren\'t you?
The voice fell silent.
Shoubu left the city, refusing to run and draw further attention to himself. The shopkeeper had seen the man who had been dubbed \"Twin Bladed Thief\" Word would spread like a firestorm and it would be only a few moments before someone realized he was not a native of this city.
As the sun drew closer to the horizon, Shoubu grew more panicked. The gates to the city would soon close for the night and any exit would prove difficult. He reached the gates with the sun nearly set, the guards had not yet come down from their posts on the guard towers to close the gate, there was still time. Shoubu rushed through the gate, no longer caring if his blades were visible, casting caution to the wind as he ran. He dove behind a series of wild bushes just as he heard the grinding of the heavy stone gate moving as the soldiers closed it. He remained motionless, breathing heavily as the guards lay the large wooden blocker onto the steel supports of the gate.
He breathed out, relieved to have avoided trouble.
But one of the Chosen is inside.
Chosen for what?
Do not insult me, you know what I speak of.
Shoubu sighed, his back against the tree he hid behind. He looked up in thought only to see that he stood beneath the willow tree he had planned on sleeping under. A small grin fluttered across his face. He would think in the morning, for now he would sleep. With that final thought he lay his pack beneath his head, and nodded off to sleep.
He shifted his pack onto his left shoulder, more to hide the blades at his side than from any discomfort. It wouldn’t due for him to be recognized after evading capture for so long. After making sure that his blades were at least reasonably hidden he ventured into the city. He would sleep in the forest, but he needed provisions first.
With surprising swiftness a storm front moved into the city. Not the purple thunderheads, but a natural storm that had been moving the same direction as he all day. Pausing for a moment, Shoubu looked up at the rain heavy clouds. Lightning flashed and the heavens opened up, drenching the ground with water.
Shoubu looked around as the people of the city began to flee, seeking shelter where ever it could be found. Not far off, he saw a man staring up towards the storm. Shoubu shook his head; it seemed he wasn’t the only traveler with eccentricities. Without waiting to see what happened he turned from the strange man and entered a building that appeared to be a supply shop.
Shoubu shook off the rain that had followed him into the store and looked about. Behind the counter stood a short portly man with receding grey hair, the average looking shop keep. He approached the shop keep and asked for a short list of items, ranging from rice to rope. The shopkeeper bustled about the store picking items with an instinct that belied many years of work.
As Shoubu stood waiting for the shopkeeper to finish gathering his goods he felt a breeze come from the outside. He turned towards the door to see that it was still closed. A frown crossed his face before he realized what the impossible breeze was.
He is one of the chosen.
Who is?
That man, the one we saw outside.
Chosen how?
\"Sir?\"
Snapping from his inner dialogue with the voice that had been his only companion since the death of his allies, Shoubu turned towards the shopkeeper.
\"I\'m sorry, what was that?\"
\"Your total sir, it comes to 8 gold and 3 silver pieces.\"
Shoubu paused for a moment, that was a little higher than he had anticipated, but he could afford it, then again, times had been getting tough. An increase in prices was not something unexpected. He pulled his pack from his side and rummaged through it, searching for his money case. Too late, he realized that he had exposed his swords. The shopkeeper’s eyes grew as large as the gold coins that Shoubu was looking for.
Quickly, Shoubu located his money case, counted out the needed coins, slammed them onto the counter and replaced his pack over his swords. Before the shopkeeper could say a word, Shoubu gathered his purchases and left the store.
That was a bad idea, revealing yourself like that.
I know full well what I just did.
Do you? The entire city is going to be in an uproar
I\'ll hide, I\'ve done it before.
From the Imperial troops?
...
I thought as much. You should have killed the shopkeeper when you had the chance.
And add murder to my list of crimes? I think not.
That is why you should seppuku.
Stubborn aren\'t you?
The voice fell silent.
Shoubu left the city, refusing to run and draw further attention to himself. The shopkeeper had seen the man who had been dubbed \"Twin Bladed Thief\" Word would spread like a firestorm and it would be only a few moments before someone realized he was not a native of this city.
As the sun drew closer to the horizon, Shoubu grew more panicked. The gates to the city would soon close for the night and any exit would prove difficult. He reached the gates with the sun nearly set, the guards had not yet come down from their posts on the guard towers to close the gate, there was still time. Shoubu rushed through the gate, no longer caring if his blades were visible, casting caution to the wind as he ran. He dove behind a series of wild bushes just as he heard the grinding of the heavy stone gate moving as the soldiers closed it. He remained motionless, breathing heavily as the guards lay the large wooden blocker onto the steel supports of the gate.
He breathed out, relieved to have avoided trouble.
But one of the Chosen is inside.
Chosen for what?
Do not insult me, you know what I speak of.
Shoubu sighed, his back against the tree he hid behind. He looked up in thought only to see that he stood beneath the willow tree he had planned on sleeping under. A small grin fluttered across his face. He would think in the morning, for now he would sleep. With that final thought he lay his pack beneath his head, and nodded off to sleep.