By Jason C Marshall (JCMarshall@sympatico.ca) for the Celestial Court.
Three quick movements of his sword hand was all it took. Now it was time to deal with the house's master.
He entered the reading room silently and immediately saw Hui Tsin, Jian Shih of this district sitting with his back to him.
Po Lao shifted his grip on the sword.
Now.
He began his move when Hui Tsin spoke.
"Now then, who is this, that comes sneaking into my house like a snake?"
Po Lao stopped as he felt a will overcome his.
Hui Tsin stood and turned. Cold brown eyes regarded him.
"A rat out of his hole."
Po Lao concentrated on the mystical mantra taught to him in order to counter Hui Tsin's Dominate powers. He felt the iron grip on his body slide away.
He once again began his sword stroke towards Hui Tsin's neck.
A blade met his with explosive force.
Hui Tsin smiled.
"So, you can counter my will. Good. I haven't had a good sword practice in days."
Sun Jian, still deeply in love with the young woman who had captured his heart those many years ago, acknowledged the royal decree and set about his task. He took his best ghouls and brought them across. Each one was told to find two worthy candidates and present them to him, and so on and so on. Each time the number doubled. Soon there was a small legion of the newly created Jian.
Sun Jian led his new bloodline to their proper spot in the newly created Celestial Court and took his place as the T'ang of his bloodline and of the Dragon Council.
Sun Jian's line has had many time to prove its worth and capabilities. They were there when the Japanese invaded, helping Chinese soldiers survive and plaguing the Japanese army and navy. When communism took a hold of mainland China, they were there to back up the People's Army and silently deal with rebellious outbreaks.
Perhaps the most significant thing the Jian did was bring the Men Hu bloodline into the Jen Pao. It occurred during a rather difficult time following the incursions of Sabbat raiding parties from Hong Kong. Aided by Wu-keng wizards, the Sabbat were making headway into various outlying communities. The Jian were sorely pressed. The Kwai Tao were being difficult and the Tong Chu hadn't been founded yet. Sun Jian decided on a radical direction of action, and accompanied by his best warrior elite, left to kill the Sabbat leaders. Upon arrival he discovered that another group of kindred had beaten him to the kill. The leader of this new bloodline, Mien Shan, offered the services of her childer to the Jian and the Dragon Council in return for full bloodline status. The Jian agreed.
Over the years, the Jian have found themselves being less of a warrior bloodline and more of a political one, though by no means does this mean that they have lost their skill. Indeed many Jian are among the best warriors in the Celestial Court, but they have taken on a largely new role, more akin to the ways of their founder, Sun Jian.
The Jian and Lung debates in the Dragon Council have become legendary for their depth of arguments and political maneuvering, leading many Lung to wonder if they didn't create their own match.
"We gave them life. Since then they have proved a most competitive ally."
Pao Yu: These warriors our are pride and joy. Cultured and trained by our allies the Jian, they are the best.
"We are proud to call the Jian master."
Kwai Tao: As the old saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
"We wait. Soon it will be our time again."
Tong Chu: They have helped create the myth of the Jen Pao. Because of them, we have the fear needed to deal with the unworthy.
"We are proud of our place in the Jen Pao. We have found our niche and are content."
Men Hu: We weren't aware of this bloodline till it made it presence known by the assassination of several opposition members. We are thankful and have awarded them status.
"The first part of the plan is complete and the Jian are to thank."
Shu: Rats. As the name implies, so does our attitude. They are the lowest of the low.
"They rant and rave about how they're so high and mighty, about how they rule us, body and damned soul. How wrong can they be."
Ch'i chu: They say that they are merely watchers, but we suspect more.
"We watch and record, nothing more. It is this that they fear, the knowledge that we hold."
Mui Tsai: That this bloodline has managed to become as large as it is, is surprising. We suspect that they are ruled by controlled by others.
"Our lot has been cast and we follow it as well as we can."
Yu: A stoic and steadfast people. They are seemingly content in their ways.
"We have never had trouble with the prestigious Jian."
Camarilla: They are a mixed bunch. Some are with honor and should be treat with the respect of equals, others are totally without and should be stepped on.
"These guys are as bad as the Lung. One moment they're smiling and bowing politely, the next, your head is lying next to your body."
Shogun te: Our esteemed foes. I eagerly await our rematch.
"Few are those among the Court we could fight an honorable battle with. These are one of the few."
Sabbat: The worst of the species. We will gladly see them to their final deaths.
"You just try it."