* * * * *
The sky was still dark when Bryn was shaken awake.
“Come on Bryn, wake up, it’s time to move out,” Halam was saying over him.
Bryn sat up and wearily rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He felt more tired than he had in days. Looking around he saw that he was not the only one moving sluggishly. Rodden and Trey were shuffling around while they tried to get everything they could into the four packs they had. Iago leaned against a nearby tree with his eyes closed, while Flint was kicking at Jal and Conn while entreating them to get up, without much result. A faint light could be seen in the sky above them, the sun dawning somewhere to the east. Bryn turned to see that a light was shining from the cottage, and a moment later Pader and Jurin stepped out, closing the door behind them. Pader walked up to Halam and they exchanged a few words, then Halam called for everyone’s attention.
“Fess died sometime in the night. Wen did what he could to sew up the wound on his leg, but the blood loss was too great. That leaves only ten of us now since we came ashore three days ago.” He paused for a few moments to look around at the men. Most were not surprised that Fess had died, and probably expected that more of them would share the same fate during the coming days.
“After hearing that this rebel Zhou has wide support in Bindao, I think it is out of the question that we head further south. Jurin has explained to me that we are now well north of the city and between the two main roads that run from Bindao to the cities of Xi’lao and Waigo. I think that our best chance lies in passing the westernmost road and meeting up with the Dongshui River. We can follow it to the base of the Xishan Mountains and from there make our way to Waigo, where we may find some help. The emperor still enjoys the support of that city, and our chances of finding an audience sympathetic to our plight is higher there than anywhere else. If that plan doesn’t work out, we’ll still be close to the Isthmus. If we can get over the mountains there is a good chance we can flag down a passing Adjurian fishing boat.” Halam paused, letting the words sink in. “I think this is our best chance to stay alive.”
No one said anything. Perhaps it was because it was so early in the morning and so much had happened over the previous few days or that no one else had a better idea of what to do. Either way, no voices were raised in protest. Of the five men that had wanted to head to Bindao, one was dead and the other four kept their mouths shut.
Halam motioned toward Jurin who stood slightly behind him. “Jurin has agreed to show us the way to the river, and may accompany us to Waigo as well. Our chances of running into Zhou’s men once we get to the river and head north will go down. They mainly stick to the areas around Bindao. So today will be critical and that is why we are starting so early. If we can get to that river before midday, then all of us may yet get back home.”
“What about the old man?” Conn asked, and a few of the others nodded their head.
“Wen has given us what help he can,” Jurin replied. “He’s loaded us up with enough food to see us to Waigo so that we won’t have to forage along the way and given us some medical supplies so that if there are more injuries like those that Fess had, they won’t prove fatal. This is all that we can ask of him.”
A few of the men grumbled, but otherwise kept quiet. “Alright,” Halam said, “let’s gather up our things and get moving. We’ve got a long way to go today, and the chances of being spotted by Zhou’s men are high.”
They picked up their things, which weren’t much, and moved back through the trees the way they’d come. The narrow canyons were very dark, but Jurin took the lead and they made good time. By the time the sun had risen enough so that they could see well in front of them they had left the steep canyon walls behind and entered an area more valleys than hills. Bryn’s feet were already tired and all he wanted to do was sit down and rest, but each time he felt that way he made himself think about the scar that ran the length of Jurin’s throat and his feet continued to step one after another.
It was midday when they came to the road. They’d seen it from the last hill they came down, stretching as far as they could see both north and south. It looked just like the road from three days ago, all hard-packed dirt and well-worn. Bryn remembered all too clearly what had happened the last time they crossed a road, and hoped beyond reason that the same fate wouldn’t befall them this time. There were no trees running to within ten feet of the road as there were with the last one. After that final hill only grassy plains stretched on into the distance. If there were any of Zhou’s men, or any Jongurians for that matter, coming down the road, there would be nothing that the men could do to hide themselves.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Iago said when they began trudging down the hill. “There’s no cover to speak of in all directions once we get down in those plains.”
“What, not so quick to pull that sword out again, Iago?” Rodden quipped. “That’s all you talked about for the day before we were attacked.”
“Aye, and during that attack I found out my sword arm isn’t quite what it was ten years ago,” Iago replied. “It is one thing to train soldiers from the safety of a yard and quite another to be in the thick of battle once again.”
“There’s nothing that we can do,” Halam interrupted, indicating the road. “If any Jongurians come, then they come. We’ll deal with it as it happens.”
No Jongurians did come. They came down the hill and walked across the grassland then all crossed the road at the same time. There was no point in doing it in groups or posting lookouts. If someone was around they would see them from a league off. But no one did come, and they were soon crossing the grassy plain on the other side of the road.
“We should be at the Dongshui River in less than an hour,” Jurin told them. “It’s a very wide river, and I wouldn’t want to attempt crossing it this time of year. Although the Xishan Mountains don’t get much snow, they get enough to still produce a powerful runoff.”
It was actually less than an hour that they came to the river. Traversing such flat ground, they saw it well before they came to it. As Jurin said, it was wide, fast-moving, and loud. After filling their water skins and splashing the cool water on their faces, the men began to follow it north.
“Why is it called the Dongshui River,” Bryn asked Jurin as they walked.
“It’s Jongurian,” Jurin replied. “It means east river.”
“And Xishan Mountains, what does that mean,” Bryn asked.
“’Xi’ means west, and ‘shan’ means mountain,” Jurin answered.
“So west mountain,” Bryn replied.
“Or western mountains,” Jurin said. “Jongurian is not too difficult to learn when you get some of the basics. It is the pronunciation that still plagues me to this day, not that I have many opportunities to practice it on anyone, mind you.”
“Did Wen teach you?” Bryn asked.
“Yes. I picked up some basic words and phrases during my time at Bindao, but nothing substantial. While Wen taught me weapons and the martial arts during the day, he was adamant that I train my mind at night.”
“Martial arts?” Bryn asked confusedly.
“Yes, the art of using your body as a weapon. The fists and feet can be more powerful and much faster than any weapon.”
“Can you teach me?” Bryn said excitedly.
Jurin laughed. “Perhaps when we stop tonight I can show you some basics.”
The river stretched north just the same as the road did. They were far enough away from it to not be seen, but the land was flat and so they were cautious just the same.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just keep heading west until we reach the sea, then skirt the coast to the mountains?” Pader asked. “Surely the mountains are easier to cross where they approach the sea and flatten out, and that way we could avoid Waigo altogether.”
“You were so adamant about going to Bindao,” Rodden said, “now you want to avoid cities altogether?”
“I’m just not sure how well received we
will be in the city is all,” Pader replied.
“The mountains stretch right down to the water,” Jurin said. “They’ll be impossible to cross there. There is a natural passage at Waigo that would be much easier, if we need to go that route.”
“So you are going to accompany us then,” Willem said.
“Aye, I’ll see that you make it safely to Waigo. After that I can’t make any guarantees. While Wen thinks the city will be receptive to your plight, I have my doubts.”
“Why?” Halam asked.
“While it is true that the emperor’s grasp remains firm on the city, especially at the higher levels, there are still those that support the various rebel factions.”
“So there is a possibility that Zhou’s men will be able to find us there,” Pader said.
“If they don’t find us before,” Jurin grimly replied.
Gradually the river began to bend slightly to the west while the road continued on. The sun began to go down, blanketing the land in twilight.
“We’ll keep following the river,” Jurin said when the road was out of sight. “Less chance we’ll run into anybody that way.”
“We’d best find a spot to make camp for the night,” Willem suggested.
They continued on until they came to a spot along the river that had a few trees. Jurin wouldn’t allow a fire. They hadn’t seen the road for some time, but he said that the risk was too great. Jal and Conn parceled out the last of the apples they had received from Wen, as well as some more of the same dry salt pork they’d been eating for several days. Halam said that he wanted them to get an early start before the sun was up, so most of the men lay down right after eating. Sleep came quickly after the long day of walking.
TWENTY-ONE
“What do you mean they killed five of you?” Leisu asked the man angrily. For the second day in a row now he was hearing bad news concerning the Adjurians. Just the day before word had gotten to him that two of the Adjurians had been captured by a group of riders while coming out of the forest and onto the road north of Bindao. It was late enough it the day that the men had decided to make camp instead of coming immediately back to the city. Sometime during the night the other Adjurians had managed to free the two men, killing one of their captors, but also losing one of their own in the process. What should have been a quick, easy task was instead turning into a serious headache that was taking up in inordinate amount of Leisu’s time; time that should have been spent seeing to Zhou’s consolidation of power throughout Jonguria. Why did Grandon have to get off of that ship, he asked himself again for what seemed the hundredth time. Now Hui, who was normally an able military commander, was in front of him saying that these Adjurians, twice the ages of the men sent to hunt them, had prevailed. It was not what he wanted to hear.
“We tracked them into the hills west of the road,” Hui explained in a quick voice. He was nervous and a few thick beads of sweat could be seen forming on his forehead. “They must have seen us coming, for when we came upon them they had taken up defensive positions behind a small clearing with good cover for them and none for us. We were forced to come through a small passage between some large rocks, and that’s when they attacked. One man was killed by their arrows and another was unhorsed. After the momentary surprise we were able to charge their positions. We killed one of them and seriously wounded another, but they injured one and killed another two of us in the process. By then, however, it was only a matter of time. Two of us on horses proved to be too much for them, and they were tiring quickly. Suddenly an arrow sailed into Hu’s throat from somewhere above, killing him. I fought on, keeping a wary eye on the trees above, when an arrow took me in the arm.” The man held up his heavily bandaged forearm for Leisu to see. “Being alone and with an unknown attacker sending arrows from above, I retreated. I managed to catch up with Jin further down the hills, but he was dead on his horse. After that I rode as quickly as I could back to Bindao.”
The man seemed to be relieved to tell of the events and visibly slumped in his chair when he finished. He’d failed, that much he had admitted, but Leisu understood the circumstances. They were outnumbered to begin with; he simply should have sent more men. He hadn’t even considered that the task would be a challenge. He’d obviously been mistaken. It would not happen again.
“You have no idea who this attacker from above may have been?” Leisu asked.
“No sir, I did not see him. But the arrow that I pulled from my arm was of a Jongurian make.”
“Really, do you still have it?” Leisu asked, sitting forward in his chair.
The man reached down to his pack and pulled the arrow out. It was broken in half and blood covered the upper portion of it, but Leisu could tell immediately from the fletching that the craftsmanship was native to Jonguria.
“It would appear that our Adjurians have a homegrown friend helping them,” Leisu said as he turned the arrow shaft over in his hands.
“Or another Adjurian who just happens to live in that area,” Hui said.
Leisu looked from the arrow to Hui for a moment then stared off toward the wall behind him. The man was right. It was well known that the Adjurian soldier named Jurin Millos lived around those hills. If he had come to their aid, which was not at all unlikely, then it was also possible that he would have taken them to Wen. That was an interesting thought to consider. It had been ten years since Leisu had seen his former master, and that occasion had not been amicable. If Jurin and Wen were now traveling with the Adjurians he would have to send more men out to deal with them, a lot more.
After a few moments Leisu focused on Hui once again. “Do you need time for that wound to heal or are you ready to gather some more men together and finish what you started?”
“I am yours to command sir,” Hui said without pause, as Leisu knew he would. The man would fight to the death next time instead of coming back to report failure for a second time.
“Very well,” Leisu said then rose from his chair and walked around to the front of the desk. Hui stood at attention as he approached. “I want you and a few other men to find their trail and follow it. Don’t risk another attack. If they are now traveling with Jurin and Wen it would prove too risky. We need to choose the ground next time. Send word when you have spotted them and report where they are heading. I will organize a larger force here in Bindao and lead it personally when I hear from you.”
The man looked up at that last, for it was well known that Leisu was a skilled fighter that any man would want next to him on the field. It was becoming rare, however, for him to actually lead men in a fight; he usually sent out others to do his and Zhou’s bidding.
“Yes sir,” Hui replied, and moved toward the door, stopping as Leisu’s voice rang out once again.
“One more thing, Hui,” Leisu said, and the man turned slowly to face him. “Do not fail me again.”
Hui nodded with downcast eyes then opened the door and vanished into the hallway. Leisu moved back to his chair behind the desk and Ko left his spot against the wall to sit in the chair that Hui had left.
“We both know how formidable a fighter Wen is,” Leisu said from his chair as he turned the broken arrow shaft in his hands once again. “And Jurin is trained by him, so that makes him nearly as dangerous.”
“We’ll need at least three times as many men as before, then,” Ko said.
“Maybe more,” Leisu replied, looking across the desk at his deputy.
“And you’re right, the field of battle with have to be chosen by us,” Ko said. “We cannot allow them to take up defensive positions again. They got lucky the last time by being in the hills, putting us at a natural disadvantage as their pursuers. With Wen and Jurin with them they must be caught by surprise.”
Leisu rose and looked out the windows behind his desk to the narrow alley below. “Where are they going, Ko?”
“They’ve been moving north and west since they were spotted on the beach. If they are indeed going to Wen, then they’ll have to move further
north.”
“And what does that tell us?”
“We know they want to get back to Adjuria. If they’re not moving toward Bindao, which will most certainly not be the case with Jurin and Wen to steer them right, then their only other option is to head north toward Waigo and the Isthmus.”
“If they make it to Waigo before us they could secure passage on a fishing boat to Yanshide Island, and from there they would have no trouble getting onto an Adjurian vessel,” Leisu said, turning from the window to look at Ko once again.
“So we stop them before they get to Waigo then,” Ko said.
“Or we stop them in Waigo,” Leisu replied. “We know that if they go there the chances are good that only a few of them will enter the city. If they divide their forces they’ll be easier to cut down.”
Ko nodded, following Leisu’s train of thought.
“If we could capture the men they send into the city, who will most likely be accompanied by either Wen or Jurin, perhaps both, and then lure still more in after them, we’ll have them.” Leisu slammed his fist into his open palm as he finished.
“And if they fight their way out?” Ko asked after a moment.
“Then we follow them into the mountains,” Leisu said. “There’s no way they’ll be able to get through to the Isthmus from Waigo, it’s too well defended and no one’s allowed to pass. Wen fought there during the war, however, and he knows the mountain’s secrets. They won’t hesitate when they’re that close to home.”
It sounds feasible, sir,” Ko said.
“Ko, I want you to gather some good men and prepare for our trip north. We’ve already lost six against this rabble; I don’t mean to lose anymore.”
“As you command,” Ko said, rising from his chair and heading toward the door. When it was closed Leisu sat back in his chair and looked down at the arrow shaft once again. He’d wanted to kill his former master for these ten years and now through a chance of fate he’d been given the chance. Leisu tightly grasped the broken arrow in his hands and snapped it in two, then leaned back and stared out the window.