Prince Jia

Takeo wasted no time scowling the corridors searching Jia; over three decades of training made him silent and swift. As he neared the center of the hideout, Takeo began to hear footsteps and a familiar voice. Instinct made him cling to the old stone walls. He was near the dungeon. It was well lit, yet completely empty. He focused on Jia's voice, though it was clear the prince was not alone. Finally, the ninja made it to an interrogation cell and inside he saw the Prince bound and blindfolded guarded by two bandits.

"I can hear you breathe, you fiends. I can hear every step you take." His voice protrayed no fear. Jia's head followed the bandits as they circled him; even without his sight, he monitored each movement and it seemed to make his captors uneasy. What was once a game, now was a way to intermediate an enemy.

"Shut up, brat!" A bruly Draconian bandit ordered. He wore onyx armor over thread barren cloths. One of his crimson wings had been broken and not set properly sometime ago.

"Don't waste your breath. We bound his hands behind his back to his ankles with irons." The second bandit looked to be a pirate, a rarity so far from the sea. "He's blindfolded and about the only weapon he has is his mouth. If it was up to me, he would already be dead."

"You dare threaten a descendent of the legendary Dragon Emperor, Li Longshi!" Antagonized Jia. He tightened his muscles and fought against his restraints as though he wold burst out of them. "You've choosen death! Even without my sight and use of my limps, I can summon the power of the storm to cut you down and free myself in a heartbeat. I might even make it home in time for breakfast if I hurry."

"Then why haven't you done that already, your royal lizardship?" The pirate laughed. Both of the bandits focused on Jia. Takeo got into position and got a smoke bomb ready; he had to aim so he could blind the bandits without putting Jia in danger of getting sliced by their bumbling.

"I wanted to give you a fair chance to set me free on your own accord; perhaps even gain some gold for your change of heart, but you've tried my patience and goodwill for long enough!" Jia took a deep breath; somehow he knew Takeo was waiting for his signal. The Prince smiled. "Behold! The power of the Dragon Emperor!"

Takeo threw the smoke bomb into the room and struck down the two kidnappers instantly in the confusion. The smoke began to clear. He untied the blindfold on Jia, who was coughing from the smoke. "Took you long enough! I had to put up with those idiots for days! Don't even get me started on the food."

"Sorry, your highness, but news travels slow." Laughed Takeo inspite of himself. Igt was nice to see his old friend hadn't lost his sense of humor. "Besides, you know if you wanted to see me, you could just summon me or get off your lazy ass for a visit. You don't need to go to the trouble of being kidnapped. Besides, my wife is a natural hostess."

"I'll keep that in mind, Takeo. So, how is she?" Asked Jia. He rubbed the sores on his wrists. The rope burns would leave marks for quite some time. "I don't think I've seen her since your wedding."

"As content as could be, but she's taken to mothering me as well as our son." Answered Takeo. He hunted his pockets for a saive. He tossed the tiny jar to the prince, who caught it instinctively. "Perfect in cleaning and cooking, but she always leaves collecting rent to me."

"Lucky you." The prince snorted. The burning eased as soon as the saive touched his wounds. "My lady Tiger spends more time in front of a mirror than she does with my son. It wouldn't surprise me if I walked in to find her making love to one."

"Well, you always went for looks over everything else." Teased Takeo. Jia glared at him. "Maybe you should find a second wife to help the Empress with the palace."

"It might give Rin some initiative to actually do something besides pretend to be a porcelain doll." Laughed Jia. He shook his head. "Maybe some day, but now I just want my own bed."

"Let's switch jackets then." Suggested Takeo. He started removing his coat and turning the orange side out again.

"The body double thing, again?!" Jia wasn't happy, but complied. His own jacket was red and lacked the metal plates that Takeo's had. "Or do you just want to steal my style?"

"Getting out of here isn't going to be easy. The floor caved in at the passage I entered." Explained Takeo. "I don't trust the other secret rooms and several have deadly traps. We'll have to get out by one of the main enterances. Any idea how many bandits are here?"

"Alot, but for some reason they always disappear at midnight or at least those in this room." Answered Jia. He looked at the door. "I think they might have some sort of meeting about that time. Afew of their guards kept mentioning a nightly meeting. I think it's on an upper floor."

"Getting you out of this place alive is the only objective." Takeo knew what Jia was suggesting. "Besides, there's only two of us. We can come back with a small army to clear this place out later."

"Still, not a legendary warrior?" Jia laughed.

"There's a reason they are called legendary warriors-- their stories had them doing impossible feats." Takeo watched the corridor for any sign of life. He motioned for the prince to follow him into the stone hallway. "They did great things, but over time the stories exaggerated into things only Gods could do. I might be able to take out 25 on my own, but only if I have a good plan and the right materials."

"Well, every story has a grain of truth." Jia countered. "You are right, but ,Takeo, they're planning on capturing Princess Guinviere."

"Isn't she one of the Draconian leaders?" The name was familiar, but it wasn't a Shiryuian or Yangshi name.

"Not just any Draconian leader; she's the one who has been the main advocate within the tribes for peace." Explained Jia. By now they were half way to the dungeon's door. "It gets worse. They are planning on killing her and I to frame our people. These bandits want a war."

"Not again." Takeo shook his head. Memories of the last Draconian-Shiryuian war that had dominated their childhood flooded his mind. Both lands were still recovering. He looked at Jia; the prince had spent the last 5 years trying to preserve peace and prevent more bloodshed. "Jia, our kingdom can thrive without a leader. "

"My father . . .? ! "

"Still lives, but he is aging." Takeo had to handle this one step at a time. "I'll get you to safety and I'll see to it the Draconian Princess is not harmed."

"They're going to reveal their plan to take her tonight." Jia added.

"Well, I thought this mission was too easy." Sighed Takeo. "You do remeber how to walk without making a sound, right?"