[center]
[sup][h1]
[color=black]Li Zhao 「李昭」 [/color]
[color=#8f344f]Li Zhao 「李昭」[/color]
[sub][color=black]_____________________ [/color][/sub]
[sub][color=#8f344f] _____________________[/color][/sub]
[/h1][/sup]
[color=#8f344f][b]Location:[/b] Unknown, Froviel Empire[/color]
[color=#8f344f][b]Interacting With:[/b][@Sedjwick][/color]

[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/02e53f1d-fd12-4a07-a4e7-4528e511562e.png[/img][/center]

[center][hider=Status][sub][h3][b][color=#5e5e5e]Lv.[/color] [color=#9F9F9F]10[/color][/b][/h3][/sub]
[sub][h3][color=#8D2A2A]❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅[/color][/h3][/sub]
[sup][h3][color=#466A9A]✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅[color=gray]┅┅[/color][/color][/h3][/sup]
[color=#5e5e5e]STR [color=#9F9F9F]23000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]__[/color]END [color=#9F9F9F]23000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]__[/color]INT [color=#9F9F9F]2000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]__[/color]AGL [color=#9F9F9F]3000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]__[/color]DEX [color=#9F9F9F]1000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]__[/color]LCK [color=#9F9F9F]1000[/color][color=2e2c2c]__[/color][/color][/hider][/center][hr]

Cool winds blew down from the mountain, a calming breeze as Zhao regarded the old knight with a tired stare, the kind of expressionless gaze she always used when dealing with troublesome people. She didn't dislike these knights, and even if they were no longer suspicious of her and the others, she was still suspicious of [i]them[/i]. Serving in her father's army gave her a window into their mind. She sympathized with them. Who wouldn't be on edge if they had to regularly contend with monsters like the Kobold Lord. But somehow... hearing thanks and praise didn't improve her mood. It was obvious the knight captain was being earnest, but as he stumbled through his apology, her gaze wandered. Many of the knights were busy moving bodies, and chanting prayers. The reality of how many died began to sink in. Pity and despair twisted inside her, forming a dense pit in her stomach. She didn't know any of them, but she felt terrible all the same. What a waste...

She drew in a quiet breath, composing herself, and addressed the old knight with as much courtesy as she could muster. [color=#cd758f]"You acted with integrity and courage in the face of terrible danger, and for that you have my respect. We may be strangers still, but as it is my hope we can continue as allies."[/color] She said with a slight bow. [color=#cd758f]"Your kind words and hospitality are appreciated, but there still work for me to do here. Please excuse me."[/color] 

Zhao turned on her heel as the knight vanished into a sliver of light. So much had happened it was enough to make anyone's head spin. She could feel the tension building into a headache. Nevertheless, she had made a promise to that child and she intended to keep it. Her feet carried to the center of the field where they had all appeared and she looked around for signs of the boy, but it was near impossible to find anything in the tall grass. She heaved a sigh and stared listlessly at the heavens, praying silently for guidance. The blue sky loomed above, and floating among the clouds was great hawk. 

[color=#cd758f]"Ah..."[/color] Higher ground provided many advantages, she remembered, perhaps she could find him more easily that way. However, gently sloping hills surrounded her in every direction. Her heart sank, when she realized a way to solve it. Memories of her father speaking of the Tao came rushing in. She could hear her father's voice saying 'Mastering yourself is the path to true power'. She scowled at the hawk with bitter resignation.   

With a groan, Zhao widened her stance and lowered into a crouch, building power in her legs as she had done before. Her heart hammered in her chest. [i]Be still[/i], she told herself repeatedly. The ground cratered beneath her as she flew into the air. When she reached the apex of her jump, she ventured a look down and noticed the hawk was only a few meters away. Her fear of heights struck fast and hard, like an anvil against her chest. She let out a small cry and gulped hard as she began to plummet back down. Her eyes frantically scanned the nearby hills, using her fear to focus and look for any sign of the boy. 

[color=#cd758f]"There!"[/color]

Several hilltops away, she could see kobolds fleeting a small, shaggy-haired person standing in the tall grass. That had to be him, she thought as she braced for impact. The landing was hard and unpleasant. She skidded to halt as her feet dug trenches into the hillside and threw a cloud of dirt into the air. She drew in a few long breaths to calm herself and took a few awkward steps. Her legs felt stiff and her knees ached. She worked through the pain and started sprinting in the boy's direction, all the while dreading the thought of having do anything like [i]that[/i] again. 

[quote]"New skill 'Fear Resistance level 1' acquired!"[/quote]

[color=#cd758f]"Fear resistance? What a cheeky Goddess..."[/color] She thought. 

After cresting a tall hill, she found him walking aimlessly amidst the grass, and rushed to him. [color=#cd758f]"Are you hurt?"[/color] She asked, somewhat out of breath, and inspected him from head to toe. Her expression softened once she realized he didn't have an obvious injuries. [color=#cd758f]"It was wrong of me to leave you behind. I didn't realize those knights wouldn't be able to keep you safe. On my honor as Princess Zhao of Pingyang, I swear to protect you, so please come back to camp with me."[/color] She paused for a moment. [color=#cd758f]"Although... It's probably for the best, if you just call me Zhao for the time being."[/color] She offered hand, and smiled softly. [color=#cd758f]"Since I've given you my name, why don't you tell me yours?"[/color]