House of the Eternal Peach Tree

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Tathkar Eisgrim
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House of the Eternal Peach Tree

Post by Tathkar Eisgrim » Tue Jun 09, 2020 3:33 pm

"House of the Eternal Peach Tree."

Upon the tallest mountain, besides a flowing stream, a young man crafted for himself a House and planted a Peach Tree.

Each day the young man would tend to his house and water his tree - and as the sun set and the stars would appear - he would sit and think a beautiful thought.

Years passed. The young man took for himself a wife. Each day he would kiss his wife and tend to his house and water his tree - and as the sun set and the stars would appear - he would sit and think a beautiful thought.

In the fullness of time the middle-aged man and his wife were blessed with children. Each day the man would throw his children into the air till they screamed with glee. He would kiss his wife and tend to his house and water his tree.

At the end of his days, the elderly man laid to his deathbed. His wife loyally at his side. His children and grandchildren gathered all around. Through the window of his fine old house, a peach tree stood - upon its highest branch - the juiciest, ripest peach.

And as the sun set and the stars appeared - he closed his eyes and thought a beautiful thought.


==============

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Tathkar Eisgrim
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Re: House of the Eternal Peach Tree

Post by Tathkar Eisgrim » Thu Jun 11, 2020 3:02 pm

The Emperor enjoyed his walk in the Imperial garden each morning. The scent of flowers upon the air; the low mist over the surface of Kunming lake. A cup of Osmanthus Tea to hand. Each morning was full of fresh surprises. A new sight to behold, a new smell to savour, a new thought to ponder. It brightened his day before a long day to court. Reminded him of--

The three assassins stepped out of their hiding places. Dressed in white, ceremonial daggers tucked to their waistbands, marking them of Master Bingwen's school. They were dressed impeccably as Imperial Assassins should be, and made no effort to strike from shadow. Perfect examples of etiquette.

Two took up positions behind the Emperor. One in front. They all bowed respectfully -- then attacked.

The Emperor performed a reverse somersault kick: the tip of his slippered foot catching the assailant in front under his chin.

A sideways tiger claw from the second assailant meant for the Emperor's spine ruffled his silks -- before a sweeping heel kick took the Emperor beneath the blow -- and took out the man's legs and balance.

The third man was wiser and more cautious. He swayed this way and that - Cobra Style - seeking an opening. The Emperor watched his eyes. The third man switched to Grasshopper style and stance - and unleashed a furious flurry of abdominal strikes.

The Emperor turned body left. Turned body right. Blows passing behind and in front - an exquisite display of minimal effort / great return. The cup of tea jostled in his hand, threatening to overbalance.

The assailant launched into a full Tornado Kick, spinning off the ground, his trailing leg coming about with great skill and intended lethality.

The Emperor countered with the exact same move, spinning in perfect symmetry to the man's own position. His trailing leg and foot coming about - catching the man in the back of his skull. The assassin disappeared over and through a garden bush.

Somewhere an alarm-gong crashed. Guardsmen rushed into the Imperial Garden. Twenty, thirty, forty and more dressed in lacquered heavy armour. Formed a square of protection about the Emperor's Esteemed Presence, all stony faced and resolute, facing outward.

The Emperor waited patiently for the dust to settle - then sipped his Osmanthus tea.

"You may enter now, Master Bingwen." uttered the Emperor.

Shuffling feet, the honour square opened and Master Bingwen and several courtiers approached. Master Bingwen held a tall and heavy sand-glass shaped like a dragon.

"Congratulations on your training of your students. The first two however were too nervous. The third shows promise. The results Master Bingwen?"

Master Bingwen bowed to the Emperor's words; yet paused before he replied:

"Slower my Emperor. Both you and the Imperial Guard. You were slower to defeat the assailants. The guard were slower to respond." His words were spoken plainly, honestly, loyally.

"This I know. Age and treachery are my enemies now."

The courtiers behind Master Bingwen raised their voice in denial like noisy peacocks. He was not an old man. Still young! There was no treachery. All loved the Emperor. Perhaps an elixir to soothe his troubled mind?

The Emperor stared them down. A singular tea-drop stain to the lapel of his garments.

Servants rushed in to change his clothes.

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Tathkar Eisgrim
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Re: House of the Eternal Peach Tree

Post by Tathkar Eisgrim » Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:42 pm

Image

Constellation of the Crane -- with the Commoner's Star in Prominence.

(Created using a RL constellation, GIMP and a 1pt pixel brush.)

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