Feng Ming slowly slumped into the cold darkness of the shadows that dance with the flickering flames.
An Xun knelt beside the boy, snatching the slender wrist to survey for a pulse, he wanted certification that the last beat was exhausted from the dying body. Satisfied, he relinquished the lifeless arm and stood up.
The Queen was closely behind, standing to one side, her tear glistened eyes swept over the motionless Prince. Her voice was calm and gentle, “For your sake, I have sacrificed my own child, there is no mother under the heavens as heartless as I am. Keep your word and recall your spies in Xi Rei and you will also avoid any outsiders taking advantage of leads, else you will endanger Xi Rei.”
In contrary to her emotionless state, a turbulent sea of sorrow raged inside the Queen. The elaborate display of loyalty and submission to her old lover today was all part of a ploy to force An Xun onto a path of no return.
Her heart still urged her to deny An Xun’s profound love, even after all these years. Her eyes were dampened by her tears, she was crying for An Xun.
Naturally, the poison that Feng Ming was force feed was potent but alas a fake.
An Xun nodded in agreement, “Good. There’s no Prince, who else could oppose me now? My men are no longer the needed in the grand scheme.” He suddenly released a deep growl, his hand shot to his waist, where he drew out a hidden dagger.
The distinct sound of metal scrapping against the sheath echoed in the hall, it was ear splitting.
Shivers ran down the Queen’s spine, as the sharp blade eerily reflected the fire light.
Fear struck down with a heavy hand, she trembled as she dared to ask, “An Xun, what are you doing?”
“Mu Lan, It’s not that I do not believe you.” An Xun wielded the sharp object threateningly, his voice had a gentleness reserved only for his lover whom he also offered a smile to.
“Merely I do not want take any risks. Xi Rei’s Royal Arcanum excels in the art of medicine and they’ve developed ones riddle with mystery for assorted purposes. There’s a possibility that their drug was designed to feign death and the manner of his death gives me no ease.”
He smiled.
“Which will be resolved, if I wound him mortally to guarantee his death.” He waved the weapon. “I can be assured that he will not rise from the dead. Then I shall hand over my last bargaining chip to you.”
Rong Wang had been especially concerned with Feng Ming’s safety, with one stab, who can guarantee that there will be any life left to recover?
The colour drained from the Queen’s face. ”The Prince is dead, aren’t you satisfied? Don’t tell me you won’t even allow me to preserve his corpse?"
“Rest assured, after I stab him several times, I will have his wounds sewn.”
“An Xun!” The Queen’s raised her voice in disbelief.
“Mu Lan, we are adults now and far from the innocent days we spent as playmates.”
An Xun clenched his fists on the handle and issued her a bitter laugh.
“In the end you were his mother, both involved in the title of the King and keeping the throne in his bloodline, haven’t I been treading carefully? Everything was for this moment, my love, the affections I have for you will never change. Not now, not forever“
Taking a couple of steps back, the man’s words struck the Queen like high voltage electric shots. She couldn’t bear to hear her past lover’s confession, as the words echoed in her mind it left her critically damaged, her emotions were in turmoil.
Her legs were numb and they faltered beneath her she managed to catch her balance by supporting herself off the wall behind her.
Eyes closed, she shook her head slightly and in a soft voice,” His body no longer has a pulse, yet you insist on scarring my child’s remains? Will you withdraw your men afterwards then?”
“Where is the problem, if he has no pulse then it wouldn’t matter if I inflict wounds on his body with this knife? I’ll withdraw my men when my doubts have eased. From then onwards I’ll ensure Xi Rei’s security and nothing will come to harm this land.”
At that very moment, it appeared that if the Queen was to obstruct An Xun’s bidding she would certainly rouse suspicions.
She stood there, staring intently with much hesitation, remaining silent as millions of thoughts turned in her mind. Rong Wang’s face surfaced in her thoughts, his face that had her trust and the imagery of Xi Rei in cindering smoke of war torn times.
Biting her lips, she finally gave the sign of approval to An Xun, settling on the safety of Xi Rei as the most important agenda she could choose between the two choices. “Very well, if this is the case then let’s put this matter to rest. Proceed and do as you please. Aim for the heart, this way no miracle of medicine will bring the Crowned Prince back to life. You should be at ease.”
An Xun’s face lit up, cheerful at the shift of power, “Mu Lan, I know you are hurting inside. After all he is your son, don’t worry once I ascend the throne, I will ensure he is given a proper grand burial befitting of his status.”
He looked down at the unconscious Prince, his eyes glossed in savage glimmer. Wielding his murder weapon with both his hands, he raised it above the chest cavity, aiming directly for the boy’s heart.
As he motioned to pierce his prey a sudden a loud thunderous clap interrupted the tragic scene.
An intruder had kicked down the wooden door, like a whirlwind the sole figure charged into the narrow passageway.
The couple were thrown off, as the man swung into action at lightning speed brandishing a sword that aimed a slash at An Xun’s head. He had taken the An Xun by surprise.
Luckily, An Xun’s dagger quickly switched position, his attention immediately diverted from the Prince. The years of the man’s experience showed as his reaction time saved him from a vital wound.
Clang!!
The screech of metal clashing was deafening as An Xun blocked another murderous blow from his attacker, however the force behind the attempt was enough to leave his own arms numb.
An Xun was confronted by the face of a raging lion engulfed by anger, this beast was powerful and deep in a frenzy of adrenaline. The intruder’s handsome face snarled with benevolence.
Rong Tian retracted his arms and initiated a continuous onslaught at the man’s vital points, thrusting his blade with such agility An Xun barely managed to keep defending.
The Regent King was unrelenting as the rhythm of colliding weapons intensified. The younger man gave no room for recovery, indicating that there will only be one survivor at the end of this battle.
CLING!
CLANG!
CLING! CLANG!
Flints flew from the point of contact between their swords as the men demonstrated their skills and talent. Rong Wang fighting style was flamboyant and powerful, each swipe had excellent precision. Although his age was tender, he was not shy in tactic and performance, such gallant pose was rarely seen in swordplay, it was becoming apparent to who was the weaker in this deadly game.
An Xun’s years were catching up to him, he staggered slightly dodging the swift swish of Rong Tian’s blade. His breath was laboured and he knew he was reaching his limits in contrast to the fitter King. Making a cowardly withdrawal, he backed towards the speechless Queen his eyes glared at her.
“Mu Lan, hurry and order him to stop!” he yelled with all his might.
The Queen had watched wide eyed like a stunned fish, she had bitten her lips until they were bruised and her complexion was like a starched linen.
Regardless of any impending commands the Regent King did not hesitate to seize the opportunity, he took the opening. At the speed of light he outstretched his sword and dislodged the weapon from his enemy’s hands with a flick of his wrists. Quickly in one stride he was in range to inflict the finishing move on the older man. With no escape he brought his blade down and brutally slashed An Xun.
When the blade struck, An Xun could only return a helpless expression.
“Stop!” a blood curdling scream came from the Queen but unfortunately it was too late to intervene.
Rong Tian could care less for grace, he had slammed his blade from An Xun’s scalp down to his abdomen, the older man’s muffled scream was mixed with the gargling of blood, he slumped down on the very spot he was wounded. A disturbing sound came from his bloodied lungs before he finally expired.
Although their match only lasted a few moments, Rong Tian had put a violent end to Xi Rei’s biggest threat.
“An Xun…” The Queen’s voice trembled, she had just witness a cold blooded murder.
Her legs rushed to the dead man’s side she had nothing now, but the aftermath. She bowed her head down to that familiar face, emotions floated to the surface. A mix of anger, pain, disbelief and bitterness clouded her mind and tears flowed like rivers down her cheeks. She turned to face the killer, her own son.
“W-Why did you kill him?” she spat out as she cradled An Xun’s head on her thighs.
Rong Wang’s anger was only fanned by her actions, he coldly stared down at the pair
“This man is a traitor of Xi Rei, he even dared to conspire to ascend the throne with underhanded means, yet the Queen weeps for him?”
“Rong Tian!” the Queen scowled at her child in a sharp tone wanting no more of his cruel words. She tried to calm her emotions, and gasped for breath between her sobs.
“Everything I have done, has always been for you, don’t you understand? Everything could have been resolved if you didn’t barge in here in cold blood, why did you have to destroy everything we have worked so hard for?” she screamed.
Instead of answering, Rong Wang turned, paced towards his lover and gathered the boy into his arms. His eyes softened and the fury subsided, he was completely captivated by Feng Ming.
“The original plan, did not include Feng Ming’s death.” His voice was chilled as ice.
“It was a matter of urgency, in order to protect Xi Rei, why can’t we sacrifice this imposter? You willingly threw away our perfect strategy and brought upon a catastrophe for Xi Rei? All for this fake Prince?”
“Feng Ming is not as simple as an imposter. When the Queen has time, she should consider listening to his theories and opinions on the matters of ruling this country. This boy is the most precious treasure Xi Rei has in its possession. As for An Xun’s untimely death, I shall handle the repercussions.”
With one hand steadily holding his bounty, he uncloaked the mantle he was wearing and gently wrapped Feng Ming in a tight bundle.
He murmured with a hint of annoyance as his gazed pitifully at his lover, “Once the poison subsides Feng Ming should awake but not without any after effects. If I had known earlier that this ploy was useless, I wouldn’t have him suffer like this.”
Reflecting on her choices, the Queen knew her decision to use Feng Ming as the bargaining chip was the reason why Rong Tian was furious with her. She could tell by the tenderness in her son’s eyes for the younger boy.
She trembled in disbelief, her son had abandoned her.
“Rong Tian, you…you are angry with me? I did this for your throne, for your Xi Rei.” Her words quivered with every word.
At this moment, she didn’t even pay mind to her country’s future. The words that left her mouth were from a mother that truly loved her child and couldn’t deal with being shunned because of her wrong doing.
With his back facing the Queen, Rong Wang softened to her desperate cries, “A mother’s hardship, is always for her child. Only that I ask of the Queen that you must not bring harm to Feng Ming ever again.”
Reaching to stroke Feng Ming’s face, he could feel a slight rise in the boy’s temperature. Life was returning to the motionless body, a sign that the drug was wearing off.
Rong Tian turned to face his mother, his eyes catching hers as he sincerely informed her,“ If mother wants to act upon Rong Tian’s sake, then please treat Feng Ming as if he is your own blood and flesh. I…we…” He frowned, and released a deep sigh, cutting his sentence short.
He was determined to not linger a moment longer so he bowed slightly at the Queen to excuse himself, taking Feng Ming with him.
All the Queen could do was to watch as her son walked defiantly away from her, all the energy drained from her body and she slumped down on the spot.
Heartbroken by the turn of events, she looked sadly down at An Xun’s dead profile. His once handsome face was tormented to the very last breath of his life.
He had died with his eyes wide open.
Her tears poured down like a faucet as she grieved, the salty drops mixed with the dried blood on the man’s face.
“I didn’t want this, why did you return here, why did you have to challenge my son?” Her hand shook violently as she traced her fingers over the cheeks of the face marred by the wound.
She cried, and wallowed.
“This is a curse of being a Mother! Can’t you even understand something so simple?” she wailed.
“As Xi Rei’s Queen, how could I be idly sitting on the sidelines when you want to violate this country? An Xun, you are brave but still so foolish! With all the spies across this country threatening Xi Rei, tell me how am I to deal with them now? “
Her ex-lover provided no answer, his eyes emptied and soulless, only wrought with despair and disbelief.
The cold of the hallway had long welcomed him and all that could be heard was the Queens muffled sobs.
“Even though you couldn’t ascend the throne, my heart was always yours…”
She wept until she couldn’t bare the sight of An Xun’s open eyes any longer. She reached out with her pale jade-like hands and gently brushed the lids so they closed, changing the pained expression so he could be at rest.
…
The violent death of An Xun within Xi Rei’s palace quickly travelled across the country, it wasn’t long until the country of Fan Jia caught wind of the news, sending the country in a complete uproar. A chaotic mess of a raging diplomatic storm was heading to Xi Rei.
Even countries border-lining Xi Rei were restless.