Shadows on Water
A long dream, broken by a knock at the door. Here begins our tale. A glance out the window at swollen black clouds gathering in the afternoon sky. Another knock. No doubt it is the boy, back from his errand, late as usual.
But it's not the boy. A young man stands in the doorway in mud stained travelling clothes. Beyond him, two other strange men lean by the brushwood gate. He humbly hands you a small green disc.
The stranger speaks; "You are Huan Tan, peerless scholar, counsellor to emperors, wise beyond measure. Long has your illustrious name thundered in my ears." Despite his words he seems to be completely serious.
"Well, now that I know who I am, perhaps you would introduce yourself," you say.
"Apologies, wise one, I forget myself."
"Do try to remember."
He smiles. "I am Fang, humble servant of our divine emperor, Wang Mang. This is his seal."
He presents you with a stamped piece of paper.
Humble indeed judging by his shabby clothes. His papers appear to be in order though. Whoever this man is he has been sent by the emperor himself.
"That which I gave you before the seal is just a humble gift from myself. I hope it does not do you dishonour."
You examine the gift. It is a green jade amulet, round with a square hole in the middle. It is unusual to say the least for a functionary or messenger to give a personal gift, not from the emperor. Not so shabby a gift either.
Something concerns you, however. Beneath his coat he is concealing something, a weapon perhaps.
But it's not the boy. A young man stands in the doorway in mud stained travelling clothes. Beyond him, two other strange men lean by the brushwood gate. He humbly hands you a small green disc.
The stranger speaks; "You are Huan Tan, peerless scholar, counsellor to emperors, wise beyond measure. Long has your illustrious name thundered in my ears." Despite his words he seems to be completely serious.
"Well, now that I know who I am, perhaps you would introduce yourself," you say.
"Apologies, wise one, I forget myself."
"Do try to remember."
He smiles. "I am Fang, humble servant of our divine emperor, Wang Mang. This is his seal."
He presents you with a stamped piece of paper.
Humble indeed judging by his shabby clothes. His papers appear to be in order though. Whoever this man is he has been sent by the emperor himself.
"That which I gave you before the seal is just a humble gift from myself. I hope it does not do you dishonour."
You examine the gift. It is a green jade amulet, round with a square hole in the middle. It is unusual to say the least for a functionary or messenger to give a personal gift, not from the emperor. Not so shabby a gift either.
Something concerns you, however. Beneath his coat he is concealing something, a weapon perhaps.