Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Upon a grand hill which overlooked the meager valley below, a great hall rose into the sky with golden arches glimmering in the stillness before dawn. As many slept their bodies unwillingly bracing for the strain of morning a single soul crossed the darkened hall with ease. A careful mouse of diminutive size Lao Qiaolian still found the hall's grandiose size unsettling. 

 

The creek of yawning wood led Qiaolian back to her tasks as she cast incense into their bowls with reckless abandon before rushing to the martial hall. Rushing back and forth between the many sites of the sacred flame sect Qiaolian watched as her time was chewed away by the rising sun. As each chore was completed the sun grew higher and in the twilight, the stygian sky faded to light the droning bells cresting the air. 

 

The chorus of rustling clothes and sliding doors was a tune Qiaolian was familiar too yet its tune was slowly silenced by a song of her own. With all manner of furnaces and vials coming together the clatter of porcelain and glass twinkled like chimes in the wind. The space small as it was held all she truly needed to fulfill her role as an arcanist. Pushing away what wrinkles laid in her clothes Qiaolian paused for a moment as she regarded her pendant. 

 

Its figure was but a small ebony spider wrapped around a simple crimson gem. Qiaolian considered the pendant for a moment as the rising light glistened against its errant nicks and razor line cracks. The bobble swaddle like a child in Qiaolian's hands brought a serene stillness to the world, a cool breeze softened her clothes and for a moment ‘mother’ lingered on Qiaolian's lips.

 

Suddenly the tenuous wood of the door was flung open “What are you doing, get out here and greet the master!” dai qi cried.

 

Pulled from her thoughts Qiaolian eyed the hostess before her as her soft colorful garments draped along her ideal figure. Without a word, Qiaolian tucked away her pendant and deftly followed suit as all members of the sacred flame sect bowed in respect for the great lords' return. Nestled at the end of the line Qiaolian watched the hostesses gather tracing their eloquently painted skin though before envy could grasp her heart the familiar jingle of golden rings rang true across the winds.

 

Riding forth the caravan lumbered into the temple; cages rattled with yaoguai younglings, small and vicious while the wounded laid close to their mounts hoping the dark coats of their bonds could hide their deep crimson stain. However, it was the lords' arrival that forced silence onto the grounds. The two followed in regal silence wrapt in burning robes that dripped golden eminence. For a time Qiaolian had hoped to earn such a robe yet those dreams were burned by the very furnace she now attends.

 

Once more she turned to dai qi and her hostesses watching their hungry eyes grin with fennec delight. Their intentions were clear even though bloody rouge and painted lips ‘flirts and seduction were the sole tricks of their trade, and they still think they have a chance. It's only the strongest that's chosen to bear an heir and yet-’ 

 

Qiaolian let off a soft snort at the thought. Though as she did she found a swift kick meet her in response. Off-kilter and flailing Qiaolian scrambled away from the caravan as a razor-tipped paw barely missed her head. A rage gripped Qioalian as she eyed Dai Qi though her gaze was swiftly cut by the glare of the great lord. Clambering back into a bow, Qioalian shook as the idle clack of sandals resonated around her. 

 

A grave sweat traced her chin as the lords' approach stood louder and louder until the familiar golden rings laid stark before her.

 

“Lao Qioalian, you've seemed to have halted the grand return of me and my son. For what reason could such an intrusion be called for.”

 

Qioalian fought for words yet her lips were dry and all thought had left her completely.

 

“Answer me!” Zhao Yang shouted.

 

Qioalian blinked away what tears existed and swallowed all the fear she could muster “D-dear Venerate, pardon great lord Zhao yang I had interrupted your return as… a”

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Qiaolian sat a leaf in the wind before the great lord and knew what little home she had would disappear soon.

 

“I had called for her, father”

 

Qioalian stole a glance at the source of the voice and found her breath hitch as Zhao Cai stood before her. The boy's scarlet hair fell in flowing waves as his orange eyes met hers with the warmth of an evening hearth.

 

“I sent an urgent request for our arcanist to tend to our wounded disciples,” Cai said, gesturing to the many men and women either limping or laying draped across their mounts.

 

“It is true our hunt was a grievous one,” Zhao Yang declared.

 

With nary a second's hesitation, Zhao Cai came to his knees cupping Qiaolian's hand “please tend to the wounded as best you can they shouldn't suffer for any folly that befell them”.

 

Qiaolian melted with relief her hand little more than warm clay in Cai's grasp. With a fervent nod, Qiaolian returned Cai's warmth with a mirthful smile “your will be done, young master”

 

Pulling away, Qiaolian watched a shadow of sadness cross Cai's face before the lord reclaimed dominion over the space. With wide sweeping arms lord Zhao faced the sacred flame sect with magnanimous virtue.

 

“My disciples, my journey has been a treacherous ordeal, one of many scars and many wounds. Yet what we gained from this trial is insurmountable in wealth. Our prize from this hunt was not the yaoguai for our highest disciples, it was not the scrolls granted to us by the divine phoenix.”

 

Lord Zhao rose in the air, his brilliant robes sparking with roaring flames that warmed all that were near. With a furious pride lord Zhao stood not a mere man but a great lord of flame that held unknowable strength.

 

“My disciples we have been recognized by the highest of powers. We have been seen and declared worthy by his grand word and so let all of Tatakai know that the sacred flame sect shall join the emperor's court!”

 

A flood of cheers burst from the disciples as lord Zhao stood shrouded in flames. Those simple words had made an auspicious day as the emperor's divine court brought only the truest of souls into its realm. Ascension into an immortal form. Qaiolian looked to Zhao Cai expecting a look of joy and elation yet all she could see was a deep sadness hidden in the afterglow.

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