Yan's eyes were fixed on something. As he ran after what it seemed he was Chasing, he reached to his back and pulled out his bow and arrow. Without losing sight of his prey, he targeted the arrow straight towards it and then let it fly. The arrow went straight into the stomach of an antelope and a wide smirk spread across his face.
"Your mine anty"…. He chuckled as he slowly approached the lifeless antelope lying in the midst of the forest grass.
suddenly, something caught his attention. He slowly walked towards the sight of horses accompanied by palace workers and maidens running after a travel box (what The royal people sit in while they are being carried from place to place).
It was a carrier in the shape of a box big enough for a man to sit in. It's texture looked like it was made from bronze covered in a wine colored curtain that swung from each golden rings at the sides. The golden bells attached to each corner of the box from top to bottom, jingled as the box carriers moved.
"It seems like someone from a noble or royal house, but what are doing in the midst of the forest?"...…Yan wondered to himself as he closely followed after the moving company.
Yan looked nothing like a noble man. His long black hair dangled over his dirty weaved vest each time he moved as though it were dancing to the sounds his basket sandals made. He looked exactly like any average commoner except for his smooth and shiny skin that complimented his already handsome face and sculpted body.
With his antelope in his hands, he continued to follow after the box as though he had never seen one before. He had always enjoyed following after them whenever he saw one till it was out of sight. He found it fascinating but a bit unfortunate that he was not being carried around in one of it , instead, he spent his years hunting for the villager's meat.
The peaceful travel was soon ruined when a group of bandits jumped out of the bushes and began massacring the palace workers.
Yan watched as they screamed in terror, running for their lives while abandoning the box and whomever was in it they were supposed to protect. Though he hid behind a tree, he continued to watch as the palace officers attempted to protect the box with their swords.
they were indeed no match for the bandits and quickly they were all overpowered and slaughtered on the spot. These bandits had a similar look to those in Yan's childhood memories. He watched them for a while and noticed the tattoo on one of them's shoulders which had the exact same sign as the one the sword of the assassins that killed his sister and mother had . His eyes widened in shock at the sight of this and anger began to run through his veins. He held back himself and continued watching but the sign refused to leave his head. It was a symbol of a diamond in the middle of a wrapped snake drawn on the right arm of this killer and as he swung his sword, it was as though the serpent moved with him.
At once, they were no more guards or maids as they had all been killed.
"Hello….. what's happening.. hello"...…A female voice echoed from inside the box.
Yan continued to observe their every movement. They opened the box and dragged out the woman whom was sitting in there and with a quick smirk, their Leader grabbed unto her and pointed a sharp dagger towards her neck.
At this point, the thought of his sister in a similar position came back to him and as though he just woke up from a nightmare while standing, he staggered backwards and panted for breath.
it was a traumatizing experience that left him weak each time he remembered, and the thought seemed unwilling to leave . He argued within himself whether to leave or save this princess, after all , "she was amongst the nobles that conspired to take his father's throne", he thought to himself .
"We were sent to kill you, it seems like they don't want you in the palace "... the bandit smiled sarcastically.
"Let me go and I'll pay double of whatever they are going to give you".... The lady's voiced shaked in fear as she strained her neck away from the dagger.
"I'm afraid I can't do that my princess, as it was a direct order from above ".... He chuckled sarcastically again.
She shivered In fear as he pulled the dagger closer and closer to the right vein on her neck.
" Ughhh"….Yan groaned annoyedly . "you guys are so bothersome. look, your black aura is scaring away my luck and all the antelopes are avoiding me . How exactly can I hunt with you interrupting the process with your small gathering here"....Yan suddenly came out of nowhere.
the bandits turned in surprise but slowly gathered him.
their leader scoffed and spat out in disgust at the sight of him. "Hey you this commoner, get out of here. This does not concern you"….
"I can't leave because i need the person you are holding unto. You guys are probably broke and that's why you won't be able to pay for all the antelopes you chased away with your black outfits and bloody smell. She on the other hand looks rich so I need you to hand her over to me right now, while I'm asking nicely. Unless, you might become like these dead bodies you littered all over this place"...….He replied reluctantly.
"What?"...…The leader scoffed again in surprise at his audacity.
He signaled to his men and one by one, they started to attack Yan .
as they came, Yan flipped them over and turned them inside out with his spinning kick. With a blow, he knocked one of them unconscious and took his sword. The incoming men who challenged him with their swords equally got defeated as he slashed them one by one on their chests or their throats. Though he was just one man, his sword skills and fighting skills was enough to send six of the bandits to the floor, groaning out in pain. The leader staggered in shock and what seemed like a hint of fright but still, he refused to let go of the princess. It was remaining only the leader to be sent to the ground, but Yan monitored his movements closely so as not to make a reckless mistake as he was still holding unto the noble lady.
"Now that you see that I am not joking around, let her go "..... he sounded more authoritative and less like a joker.
"Fine!, have her ".....the bandit submitted to Yan.
he shoved the princess towards Yan and then turned around and fled the scene.Yan caught her in his arms and watched as the bandit ran into the forest till he disappeared out of sight.
"Even with all this entourage and body guards, you still would have been killed"….. he scoffed and then pulled her away from himself.
"We best get out of here before more thugs come"....he continued, though she remained silent but continued to follow him behind until they got to What seemed like a Cave. A Cave Yan was much familiar with.