Controlling the plague [task]

[Lu Bu]

Whether it was the heat, the noise from the streets or something else playing on his mind, the magistrate of Pu Yang failed in his attempt to go to sleep, hence his late night walk. It was days before Lu Bu had travelled to Luo Yang for the "Call to arms". It was already night time, a short day it felt like to Fengxian as he took an unusual stroll through the streets, escorted for the most part by two palace guards, who kept a vital watchout for their lord with ever-vigilant eyes.

One thing the governor had forgotten to do in recent times was to take a slow and careful look around his fine city. It was indeed beautiful and elegant and he had forgotten that in recent months. Every crack and spec of dust he would say he remembered, but then the great man stopped in his tracks, his train of thought halted when he saw the image of a large building, one he could not recall seeing.

His guards stopped and looked at each other, both obviously nervous, knowing what the building was and realising what could unfold if their Lord was to enter inside. One of the two guards took the first chance and moved around in front of Lord Lu's vision and turned to face him.

"Please sir, shall we return to the palace, the streets are dangerous this time of night."

The words perked the eyebrows of Lu Bu up as he smelt something fishy. What more the second guard came around and made a smiliar speech, adding even more to Lu Bu's curiousity. He was going to concede, letting the guards relieve a small sigh, before their voices were caught with the return of Lu Bu's glare, now firm and demanding.

"What do you mean? I have walked these streets before and none have called it such words." A similar sound to an animal's growl came from Lu Bu's vocal chords before he continued. "Now you either tell me what that building is for, or i will find out for myself."

"It's nothing sir, and besides it is late." Just as Lu Bu took a step the two merged closer to block the movement of their lord, gulping in fright in doing so. "Please my lord, trust in me, there is nothing to see in there."

"Get out of my way and return to the palace, or else I will not be held responsible for my actions!" Lu Bu spoke up, having had enough of the two guardsmen trying to stop him.

The men lowered their heads and allowed Fengxian past, conceding that their life was probably better than letting their lord entering the building, even though knowing full well what was in there. They would depart, back to the palace to resume their guard duties, reporting back that they had been dismissed by Lu Bu.

To be continued

[Lu Bu]

It was time for fight or flight. Inside the inner workings of Lu Bu's brain fought to gain control of the answer, one part told him to return to the palace and come back with a few brave and hardy men, who would not worry, but the other part reminded him he was the great Lu Bu, nothing was to be feared. There seemed a definate risk by the way his guards beseeched him to remain, but Fengxian was to be stubborn and his footsteps inched closer to the doorway of the building.

For the most part his body language was calm and composed, his sword whilst drawn, was to his side and lowered, by no means threatened, yet even the bravery of Lu Bu could get a jolt of surprise when almost from no where the sight of a stairway appeared, leading underground. Candles created a small glow from down below, giving a somewhat eerie effect, but still Fengxian's bravery faltered none and he continued his calm and steady walk towards it.

He descended the cold stone stairs, his footsteps quiet and cautious as he tried his best to silence his movements. But four steps into it and the low sound of humming was picked up by Lu Bu's ears. By no means a skeptic of such acts existing within the realms of possibility, it was however strange to even suggest the noises he heard were that of a cult. Like any ruler, he would like to think his lands were safe and free of such cruel intentions.

By now the magistrate had found his feet planted firmly on the ground. His eyes darted around the room, noticing the torches and candles which lit the small room and the corridor to which they led to. Right then Lu Bu knew the danger of moving to that very corridor, again his eyes looking at the light. If he were to walk down it and the humming being so near, he would be like a cat in headlights - out of no where his shadowy figure would appear before the cults eyes and his idea to arrest or kill them all would be in danger of failing. No, for the first time that night, Lu Bu would concede he needed help from someone else and so he would turn back to get the helping hands of Wei Xu and a few of his most trusted men.

He was just as careful as he was previously. His footsteps slow and silent and his eyes glancing behind every few seconds showed Lu Bu's need to remain unnoticed. A smile was again on his face at the prospect of arresting or killing the occupants of the building. he would show these cowardly lot why no one fucks with Lu Fengxian!

- - - - -

"A cult? My Lord are you completely sure?"

Wei Xu was a constant reality checker for Lu Bu, of whom relied heavily on the service of his brother in law. The two had formed a tight professional bond, but being so different reflected on their small time together for anything other than work. Wei Xu was reluctant to believe it at first, but as his lord assured him of its accuracy, the more Xu bent his mind to believe it too.

"Very well. Allow me a minute or two in order to prepare my armour and weaponry and I will be with you my lord."

Fengxian waited outside his general's private chamber, leaning against the wall with a small sigh and huff, wanting to get done with this whole situation as quickly as possible. With two of his finest men also joining in alongside Bu and Xu, the question was no longer about danger, but what they would in fact find down under that building...

To be continued