Chapter 3: The Lord Is a Kind Man
Kim Chou and his companions continue on their journey down the dirt road, making idle chit chat to make the time go by.
"Sir Knight Kim, will Lord Koga truly be fine suddenly taking in a stranger?" His old voice was extremely deep. He wasn't very fond of the idea of taking in a stray rabbit, but he was only a foot soldier and Kim Chou was a knight. What ever he decided was absolute, and he would follow his orders obediently. He only feared they would anger their Young Lord, and though he had lived a long life, he didnt wish it to be cut short by their Lords nasty temper.
Kita's ears perked up by the mere mentioning of the Lord again, she was quiet curious of this man. One would naturally like to know if they were about to walk into the lions cave or not. She now knew not all men were evil, but that didn't change the fact that the majority were.
She trusted Kim Chou, but she had never even met this so called Lord Koga. For all she knew, he could be the devil incarnated himself.
What if he casted her out the minute she arrived, over even worse, have her killed on the spot! Humans weren't exactly known for their kind and genital nature. As far as she could tell, Kim Chou was the only human could hold that honor.
As if Kim Chou could feel the anxiety building in her heart, he spoke clearly, brimming with confidence.
"Lord Koga is not the kind of man to send away a woman in need of help!" he then turn his face toward the old foot soldier who spoke earlier, and let out a valiant laugh.
"If anything, he would of had our heads if he learned we left a young maiden bloody and alone in the Beast's Forest!"
The foot soldier subconsciously touched the nape of his neck, and shiver crawled down his spine at the though of it.
Kim Chou's words brought her a sense of calm, She felt he would have no reason to lie to her, but her skeptical personality couldn't help but bring her doubts.
She looked up toward Kim Chou's strong back, and felt a sense of trust between them.
She could no longer hold the questions brewing inside her at bay, and she parted her red lips to let out her lovely voice,
"Do you serve this Lord Koga, Sir Knight Chou?" Her voice was light, and very charming to ones ears. Like an elegant violin, playing its enchanting music for all to hear.
"That is correct, young miss. There is no Lord I would serve!" he exclaimed proudly and without doubt. "My lord is the strongest man in all the Ten Kingdoms! His influence is far and wide, even the king must give him face!"
She continued on asking her questions, and Kim Chou responded honestly and without restraint, making Kita extremely pleased. If only all human's were as honest as Kim Chou!
"What is this land called?" she asked, as her eyes studied her surroundings. They were no longer inside the forest, and were now ridding through a green pasture. It's grass was a rich dark green color, and small wild flowers of ever color were spread across it as far as the eye could see. It quite paired beautifully with the endless blue of the sky above it.
"This is the Roma Plains, it's one of the many lands within Lord Koga's control."
"Does he have control over the forest as well?" she inquired, thinking back to the old trees and the freedom they must of felt being far away from the prying eyes people.
"He does, but he leaves it be for the most part. He ordered the dirt road built through it for easy travel, but other than that he has left the wildlife live free of human influences. There's even a law about not straying from the path."
Day two among the humans, and she had already broken one of their laws. She decided to keep her venture into the forest to her self for now.
She nodded her head in approval. Good. A forest as magnificent as that should never have to feel the plagued touch of human hands.
With what she had learned, this Lord couldn't be too horrible of a man. Her inquires stopped, and she silently continued her ride, eagerly awaiting her fated meeting with this Lord Koga.
She clamped her almond eyes shut, and did a small inward prayer to her self. If there are any gods in this world that watch over it, please don't let me be disappointed. I am setting my sights high trusting another human, dont let me come to regret it.
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After riding all day, they finally arrived to the Koga estate. It was like somthing straight out of a Renaissance painting! A huge castle with more floors then her eyes could count. A giant draw bridge claped the entry inside shut tight, keeping the residents safe from outside foreign entities.
As their horses carried them close, voices could be hear from the other side shouting over the gates gleefully.
"Sir Kight Kim Chou has returned! Lower the bridge for him quickly!" the rapid movement of feet echoed back and forth, their eager behavior gave her the impression that Kim chou was well respected and liked by the residents.
The giant wood draw bridge began to tremble and the sound of iron chains rattled in the air. It slowly started to lower itself to the ground and then loudly landed, shaking the ground as it hit.
What kind of Lord was this? How much money could one man have to actually build a full on castle!
Several young knight apprentices and servants gathered around them as they crossed the bridge and entered the estate, all cheerful and extremely lively at the sight of their beloved kight.
She wasn't surprised by their reactions in the least, after all Kim Chou was very charismatic. His warm personality, and strong values made him the ideal knight, and someone the people around him could not help but respect.
Kim Chou smiled brightly and waved humbly to the young knight pledglings that surround his horse.
A young boy around ten years old quickly made his was to Kim Chou and immediately grabbed the reins from him, preparing to take TenTen back to the stables.
"Welcome back, Sir Kim!" his small face lit up and a boyish smile filled his face.
Kim Chou returned his smile with his own, and gracefully jumped off of TenTen's back, landing skillfully on his feet. He then turned his attention to the beautiful girl still raised high on the back of his favorite horse.
He couldn't help but think to himself how he wouldn't mind to have such a girl with him on all his journeys. It was certainly make any long trip much more enjoyable.
"We've arrived, young miss!" he held out his hand to her, offering to help her down. She glanced at his extended hand then back to his face.
"You may call me Kita, if you wish." her face felt hot, and a slight tinge of red could be seen in her cheeks. She extended her hand toward his and clasped on tight, throwing her small body off the horse and landing awkwardly onto her feet.
"if it would please you, then I shall address you as Miss Kita" he stared warmly into her eyes, only making her face burn brighter.
He then turned his attention to the boy, and patted him on his fluffy head making the child look up at him, admiration written clearly on his face.
"Tomo, would you please bring Miss Songo here? I have a request to ask of her."
The young boy quickly tied TenTen's reins to a wooden hook and agreed excitedly , nodding his head rapidly.
"Right away, Sir Kim!"
The duo watched his little back run toward the servants quarters, bouncing up and down from excitement. He was completing a request of Sir Kinght Kim, how fortunate he was!
Songo was young girl, around thirteen years old, who was taken in at an extremely young age to serve the Konga family as a maid. She was young, but very capable.
Kita silently stood by his side, like a cute little duckling following its mother. She was made uneasy by the sudden bust of people around her.
A brief picture of the horrid group of men flashed threw her mind, and she subconsciously grabbed Kim Chou's sleeve for comfort. He was the only one she trusted, and being surrounded by so many strangers made her face crease in anticipation.
Kim Chou didnt seem to mind it at all, in fact he was overjoyed by her sudden clingy behavior. He turned to face her, kindness brimming from his smile, and reassuringly patted of head.
"You're going to be happy here. I'll see too it."
She nodded her head, and returned his kind words with a soft smile of her own. She felt slightly more at ease, but the butterfly's in her stomach still twirled around making her antsy.
It didnt take long for young Tomo to return with a small framed girl with ginger hair and several freckles spread across her skin. She did a small curtsey, and bowed her head respectfully toward Kim Chou.
"What can this humble servant help you with, Sir Knight Kim?" her voice was very mature for her younge age.
"Please take Miss Kita here to the bath house and help clean her up. Also provide her with a new dress." He put both of his hands on Kita's shoulders, and presented her to Songo.
"As you wish" she replied, and smiled gently toward Kita. "This way Miss. Kita."
Kita nodded her head in understanding and took a couple of steps toward her to follow her lead. She couldn't help but stop for a second and look back at Kim Chou's reassuring smile, before obediently following suit.
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Songo drew a warm sented bath for her, and encourage her to get in. The water was a deep blue color, and the steam that rolled off of it was a very light baby blue.
"This is a special bath, Rose peddles and several other medical herbs are brewed into it. It was intended to help heal any wounds, and leave your skin soft and smelling like a rose." she explained everything detailed and slow enough for kita to grasp fully.
She delicately stepped into the bath, letting the warm water incase her body with its warmth. A strong smell of roses and herbs invaded her nose, making her head feel alittle light headed.
As soon as her body was submerged in the water, Songo grabbed a sponge and gently scrubbed the dried blood off her silky white skin.
She knew better than to ask what happened to the poor girl. From the amount of blood on her she could tell that what ever happened, must of been truly traumatic and she didnt wish her to relive it.
"I've picked out quite the lovely dress for you. Once cleaned up you will be as pretty as a picture!" Songo couldn't help but enjoy herself, she found it quite fun to dress up others.
"Thank you.." How was she supposed to respond? She was completely naked infront of a stranger! These customs were too strange to her, and made her feel very awkward. But someone had done her a favor, and she would not hide her gratitude.
With her hair now wash and her body now clean, Songo moved onto the next portion of her assignment. Dressing her!
She pulled out a beautiful blush pink silk dress, that was lined with exquisite white embroidery. It was made of high quality materials and seemed very expensive.
After she was dressed, Songo pulled her long black hair up in an elegant up do, leaving a few strands to fall and frame her gorgeous face.
"You look absolutely stunning!" Songo squealed in delight at her master piece. From head to toe she transform her into a beautiful princess! The kind that could crumble kingdom and snatch the hearts every man she crossed with a single glance.
"Now, I know you must be tired, but your presence was request by Lord Koga and Sir Kight Kim. We ought to not leave them waiting any longer." she smiled gently at Kita and began to turn to the door, intending for her to follow her lead.
This Lord Koga wanted an audience with her allready? Was that not too fast?
Panic brewed in her stomach and slowly climbed up her throat. She had no choice. If she wanted to stay, she had to do as he asked.
Her feet felt heavy, and extremely awkward in her new shoes, but she moved them forward anyway following Songo out the door.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone