A Maiden Peril.

Ying Lan shifted on the branch, trying to ease the ache in her backside. She reached up to adjust the eunuch cap atop her head, then pulled her robes closer around her to ward off the chill of the night breeze. She was about to resume her quiet vigil when a scream cut through the night, followed by the sound of frantic footsteps.

Ying Lan leaned forward and parted the leaves with her fingers. By the light of the moon, she saw a girl being chased by two dark figures who wore masks over their faces. With her hair held by a silver hairpin and her frame draped in a white silk dress adorned with blue embroidery, the girl looked like one of the noble daughters. Fear and panic shone in her eyes as she splinted on the grass.

She let out a scream as one of her pursuers caught up with her. He stretched a hand to catch her. She ducked and lost her balance, tumbling to the ground. They surrounded her in a heartbeat. She crawled back, her voice quivering. "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

One of them ripped a cloth from his cloak and came at her. He wrenched her arms behind her back and forced the rag into her mouth, silencing her cries. "We must be quick." he told his companion, drawing a dagger from his belt. "She screamed too loud. Someone might have heard."

The companion knelt beside him. "No," he said. "We are far from the buildings. No ears could catch her cries." He eyed the girl. "We should have some fun before we mar her pretty face."

From her patch, Ying Lan watched them with a hard frown. Mar the girl''s face? What madness drove them to such cruelty? She studied the girl's features with a critical eye. Skin smooth and white, nose straight and proud, lips red and plump, eyes black and shining with fear under the moonlight. Ying Lan was not fond of noble maidens, they were haughty and spiteful in her experience, but she had to admit that the girl was a rare beauty.

The second man drew Ying lan gaze as he fumbled with his belt. The first man seemed a bit uneasy as he watched him. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I want to enjoy myself." the second man answered. "It would be a pity to spoil such a beauty without having a taste first." He lowered his breeches to his knees.

Ying Lan felt it then, a wave of anger and disgust as she realized what he intended to do. She had hoped to get back her pendant without drawing attention; without falling into the Marquess's hands. But she could not stand it, no, she could not stomach it, to watch this girl suffer such a fate.

She reached into her chest pocket and drew out a cloth to cover her face. Then she reached again under the robes and drew out her twin blades.