Snippet #1175963

The villagers began to trickle into the Inn where Lui sat deep in thought sipping from a glass of burgundy he had ordered when the spiced rum had run it's course down his throat. While the enigmatic swordsman would have preferred the mild sake of his homeland such things simply where not to be found this side of the ocean, especially in such a remote fishing village as Shila.

Now packed with the locals the Inn began to fill with the subdued chatter common after a day spent burying the dead the Sea had given up. In the corner a young boy of perhaps 14 years played upon a violin, a bittersweet tune as if playing for the sailors who met their end upon the unforgiving deep blue ocean. It's notes suffused the air and so the locals fell silent as was the custom in these parts. On and on the violinist play, a melody as old as the village itself that had been composed when first the village had taken to burying the dead washed ashore near their homes and businesses. It had been the duty of one villager to learn that melody when the last to learn it neared death.

For Lui it was a reminder of time he had done his best to forget.As of late though he found strength in that memory, a odd source of inspiration to be sure. But perhaps such things were best embraced for he could not outrun it or bury it under good deeds. He knew the risks involved but thinking himself ready had taken the plunge. In the end it was the swordsman's blade and hands that had committed that dark deed so long ago.

And that was why he found himself far from home. But did he truly crave redemption, was redemption even possible after such a crime. Did he Lui Sho-ping have any right to even entertain such thoughts. He following a code of honor old as his nation lived life by the sword and a code of justice was on a personal mission that had all the markings of a messiah complex. But did he the swordsman with a bloodstained soul deserve to deliver justice and salvation to others. What was he in the end, a Dark Saint, a Demon with a good side, or a sinner who was only kidding himself.

These thoughts at time drove him insane and so it was now. Seated at a bar drinking wine as red and thick as blood surrounded by a crowd but not really part of it. Lui knew he was already dead, who he was had died so long ago that it seemed another lifetime ago. All he was doing was wandering the world doing the most good he could do before death claimed him. Or was he to be a living example of why the objects should be left alone, a walking memorial to a life forever altered by the curse of humanity's foolishness. The objects as far as Lui where concerned best destroyed but no amount of force could break them. And so the swordsman though they best be erased from living memory and never touched again.

But so many did not agree with him. Lui Sho-ping Lord of a dead village and son of a family he slaughtered with his own hands, why should they. They like him thought themselves above such worries. After all power was a addictive drug and even the side effect don't sway the addict from yet another taste. And so Lui had become the man who came in after that power had destroyed the fool who though it worth it. His life a never ending series of trips to long forgotten areas to lay objects in their resting place. And then erasing the trail so none could find it again. But the traps and dead ends would not keep the fools and the lucky for long. Who would ensure the misbegotten objects stay hidden once Lui Sho-ping was no more. For who care about the dangers of the objects besides him. This thought too often troubled the enigmatic swordsman.

His wine drunk to the lest dregs the swordsman ordered another although this time a light and fresh white to clean his pallet of the heavy and sweet burgundy and spiced rum. Three drinks, every night without fail when in a city or village was his wont. Only three and no more for he knew a clouded mind would serve to only dull edge of razor sharp skills. And the life he lived demanded such skills be in their top form.

"Hey Mr. Sho-ping how you been." A voice said behind him it's tone soft and feminine, back in his old life before the curse of his object lead him to sin his blood would have quickened at such a voice. Turning upon the bar stool to face the owner of the voice Lui was greeted by the sight of a rather beautiful young lady, barely 18 she for some reason found this swordsman from a foreign land enticing. Lui at 42 was old enough to have daughters this old had he married and had children. But despite her apparent willingness the swordsman did to even entertain any ideas of seducing her. For ever since that day he had not thought about such matters. He had tried his best to dissuade her gently and subtly but so far it had been a failing battle.

" I have been fine Rose." Lui replied his tone a disinterested one, hoping once more to keep this girl away from him. A subtle study of his wine glass to show even a greater lack of interest as the girl named Rose tired to read his face.

" Oh I see, been something today ain't. Been a long time since we buried that many at once." Rose pressed hoping to engage this enigmatic swordsman in conversation. She really did try so hard but Lui stood his ground.

"I wouldn't know, I have only been here a few weeks." Was all the enigmatic swordsman would reply with closing his eyes and leaving the bar and his wine half drunk on the counter. His steps carried him past this oblivious woman named Rose and out to the streets of the village. Thankfully Rose did not follow him. Striding to the docks where the fishing fleet of Shila lay berthed in all their varying state of repair and or glory. The fish market set next to the docks although empty and close still stank of fish. The shipyard where the village built their boats stood abandoned too, no one in their right mind worked during the storms that could rip ships apart and kill men.

Seating himself down atop a empty crate that must held trade goods at one time Lui gazed at the ocean to the far horizon. Although he stared at it the horizon was not what his eyes saw. They saw memories and emotions that had formed during his life. Once more the swordsman lost himself in thought of days long gone by for he found solace in such things. For he could look back at his life and now though he suffered others didn't. Because of his actions they had been spared his fate.Egotistical of him perhaps but it kept him sane when the darkness of his sin threatened to break him.