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The grim-faced swordsman had been standing in the same spot outside the inn's largest guest room for nearly two days now, his constant presence an obvious warning to the remaining servants that sifted through the empty inn like slow-moving insects. A'chu kept her eyes down as she padded softly past, but she could still feel his eyes boring down on the tray she held, its dishes barely touched. It wouldn't surprise A'chu if the swordsman was silently calculating just how many grains of rice the room's occupant had managed to swallow.
A'chu finally reached the kitchen, setting down the serving tray with clatter, her stiff posture crumpling in relief. One of the dish girls motioned her close, clearly wanting to know what had happened, but A'chu shook her head quickly, instinctively glancing back over her shoulder in case the swordsman was watching. Since his arrival, one look at the foreboding expression on his face and the sword strapped to his waist had silenced any unnecessary questions, and there were many to be had, most of them centered around the mysterious young lady whose room he was guarding, the very same lady who had barely touched the bowl of rice still sitting on the tray.
The swordsman had made his dramatic entrance days earlier, the young lady lying unconscious in his arms. A'chu had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, wiping down a particularly dirty table, when the swordsman burst in. He was flanked by several of the soldiers A'chu had seen on patrol near the border, and her hand paused mid-scrub, frozen in terror. The swordsman's movements were measured and fluid, clearly someone who had trained in martial arts. Someone important too, from a quick glance at his clothing and the way he quickly began shouting commands. She watched one of the soldiers immediately flag down her employer, while the others worked in tandem to clear the inn of guests. A'chu was the only serving girl within sight, her fellow maids either back in the kitchen or outside flirting with the stable boys. The swordsman had clearly noticed this, and A'chu suddenly felt the full weight of his gaze as he turned towards her considering. She looked down quickly. This was not a man to be noticed by.
A drop of sweat trickled down the back of her neck as she waited, finally peeking surreptitiously through her lashes. The swordsman's face was pale and strained, and she could see a visible tic in his jaw. His clothes were of fine silk, the embroidery subtle but exuding wealth. Very important, A'chu amended silently. Especially if the unruly border soldiers were scrambling to follow his bidding. But who was the girl? She couldn't help but notice that he cradled her almost reverently, the minute gesture a visible wrinkle in his otherwise lethal presence. A'chu's silence and deference must've been noticed because he gestured towards her with a quick tilt of his head, the universal gesture of "follow." And that was how A'chu had found herself suddenly elevated to a lady's maid.
And a lady she must be, though an outsider would be sore-pressed to tell at first glance. The girl in his arms was dressed like one of the many refugees that now lined the roads to Luoyang in a sea of rags, torn and stained. Her delicate face was smeared with dirt, and the serving girl couldn't help but notice the old bloodstains on the girl's sad excuse for slippers. Surely she didn't come to Luoyang by foot? A'chu had followed them into the room, watching as the swordsman gently lowered the lady to the bed, as if she were some precious cargo.
"Hot water, and food."
The words were powerful and authoritative, but the swordsman's eyes never strayed from his charge. The inn-keep had bowed, head bobbing frantically, like a child's toy, and he'd gesticulated at A'chu do as the man asked. Hurrying to comply, she saw the inn-keep fondle what looked to be a heavy pouch full of coin. The situation was definitely out of the ordinary. No one paid that much unless utmost discretion was needed. If the young miss was in fact of the nobility, how had she become like this? On the road, alone, or worse, amongst men... A'chu's mind couldn't stop cycling through the endless nightmarish possibilities as she filled a bucket with hot water. The room already had a pitcher and basin, she would just need to gather up some soft cloths and some soap...perhaps bandages?
She hurried back quickly, wincing when some of the hot water sloshed over the side in her haste, soaking through the toe of her slipper.
"Will you be needing a physician milord?" Her employer was still hovering, likely in search of more coin. As A'chu sat down her bucket and moved to fill up the basin, she couldn't help but watch the exchange. The swordsman's fists had noticeably clenched, the look on his face turning thunderous. The inn-keep quickly realized his misstep, stumbling over his words as he backed away. "Not to imply the young lady needs one milord!"
"Get out."
"Yes! Yes, milord!"
The bamboo door slid shut behind him with a clatter, and A'chu flinched at the noise. To her surprise, so did the swordsman, and a flash of what A'chu could only describe as fear slid across his face as he turned back towards the bed. A'chu followed his gaze, audibly letting out a sigh of relief to see that the young lady was still soundly sleeping. The swordsman was silent, but she could see his shoulders lower ever so slightly.
"...Lord, shall I?" A'chu gestured towards the basin, small tendrils of steam still curling from it. She could see the war of emotions flickering across his face. He had called for the water after all, but with the young lady still sleeping...
"My mother always said she slept better when she was clean milord. I think the lady won't mind if we wake her."
Hearing some matronly advice, second hand as it was, seemed to do the trick. He nodded brusquely in assent, stepping away from the bed. A'chu watched as he took several strides towards the door only to stop, and she could see his hands trembling, though they were no longer clenched.
"If the pri-...if the lady wakes...tell her I'm just outside the door." The words came out quiet, and somewhat stilted as if the swordsman had paused to swallow.
Later on, when she was finally able to recount the tale, A'chu would say that it had sounded like a completely different person was speaking. The tone of power and authority from before had bled out of his voice completely. For a moment, A'chu could forget that this man was a lethal force to be reckoned with. One that carried a sword he knew how to use, who soldiers bowed to in fear, while commoners either ran from him or followed. For a moment, she could pretend he was just a young man, like any other, worried about his sister, or his sweetheart..?
But then the moment was over. The swordsman straightened abruptly, one hand reaching out to grip the hilt of his sword in practiced reflex, before crossing the room in strides so swift and silent that A'chu was terrifyingly reminded that this man was a predator, and the world his prey. Gazing up, she held her breath as he loomed close, the expression on his face so cold and dark, she had to stop herself from shivering. His eyes narrowed, and A'chu could make out the threats within them clear as day.
And then, he spoke.
"The lady...take good care of her."