by Cyci Cade
“Its appearance in movies as a weapon of military forces is inaccurate. It is heavy, difficult to handle,” Liu explained.
“How do you know about the movies?” Kate returned the weapon to its hanger.
“I was practicing outside with this sword minutes ago and a servant told me about the movies he watched and his dream to act one day.” He grabbed another one, slid his finger across the blade and smiled. “This is my favorite one Jiu Huan Do. This pole arm features a curved chopping blade with nine small iron rings on the back of the blade; it is a heavy saber. I won many battles using it. In spite of being heavy, it is very easy to handle, and accurate.” He contemplated the sword a little and returned it to the hanger.
“These are Riyue Qiankun Jian, they are used in pairs, with one you lock the opponent´s weapon and with the other you attack. These are the Feng Huo Lun, also called wind-and-fire wheels, wielded as a pair, each wheel is a flat metal ring approximately thirty eight inches in diameter, one quarter segment has a padded grip with a cross-guard, the other three segments possess protruding flame-styled blades; with one wheel in each hand, you can slash, stab, parry, or disarm the opponent.”
Kate touched the tip of the weapon. “It can pierce anything easily. How an object so beautiful is able to kill?” When she realized that Liu didn´t understand what she had said, she added. “I mean, it has the sun shape and the sun is synonymous with life, not death.”
Liu examined it, agreed with her, and went to the next. “This is the Wu Jian, according to the legend this jian could cut through jade like mud, later on becoming a famous sword style, difficult to master but well known for its swift and graceful movements.” He looked around.
“Are you good at fighting with all of these weapons?” Kate realized that they hadn´t seen half of the armaments.
Liu picked two swords. “I have an idea, let´s practice with the Liuyedao. There is time, another day I’ll tell you more about them. The best way to learn is practicing.” He handed one to Kate.
She grabbed the heavy sword and scrutinized it. “I am not sure if I should.”
“Don´t be afraid, we´ll execute easy sequences.” He showed the correct stance. Kate mimicked him. “Keep your body balanced so you can strike or parry without being hit. Always keep your feet shoulder wide and you move so your legs spread apart, never put your feet close to each other.” He moved, showed his feet position. Kate followed him. “Hold the sword so you can handle it easily. Watch your opponent´s movements and learn when he moves in to attack and launch a preemptive strike, be quick.” He moved toward her. Kate paced back. “When you parry you keep the blade close to you so you don´t stretch out to block and always try to counter your opponents attacks. Your footing and proper foot placement is the key for balance.”
Kate made wrong movements and lost her balance. “It is too difficult; I cannot reach my balance!” she protested.
“I help you.” Liu put his sword on the floor and moved behind her.
His body touched hers, his hands held hers, and his legs pushed her forward when they walked, then he pulled her back. His chin was on the top of her head, and his bare arms skimmed hers. It became more difficult because now she couldn´t concentrate on the movements, she only sensed his body´s movements pasted on hers. His fingers glided across her arms, ribs, and rested on her waist a little until they left her.
He returned to his place, took up his sword and continued, “The more of the sole of your foot touches the ground the more grounded you are, giving you greater strength in your attacks. To keep your balance, try to slide your feet rather than lifting them up and stepping. Leaning forward lifting up your heel also reduces your grounding, so be cautious with how your feet are placed and used during each strike because you give great opportunity to your opponent to knock you over.” He lunged forward, his sword stopped a few inches from her neck. “Keep your posture straight, Kate, your chest and torso forward which will keep you from losing your balance during your swings and allow you to avoid with a simple twist any blows with ease; rather than having your torso turned sideways locking yourself to only enable you to evade an attack in just one direction. If you charge in recklessly, especially against a trained fighter, he may just wait and let you impale yourself against his sword, by engaging carefully, you are able to maintain control and focus the whole time.”
He moved to her with a sequence of movements. Kate tried to put in action what he had taught, but he stopped near her, the blade was on her throat and the other hand on her waist pulling her closer. His eyes fixed on hers.
“You need a strong defense.” He went on as if nothing was happening; that was really a class fight? “Deflect blows by stepping up into the blows, with your sword held at a forty- five-degree angle and arms held against your body, by moving closer, you can cut off a blow´s power. Counter your opponent´s blows by pushing the blows instead of trying to absorb them with your own sword. If blows are aimed at your head, move your sword parallel to the ground and above your head, block with the center of your sword, not the end.” He attacked, this time Kate was fast enough to block him.
Liu smiled. “Always move out toward your opponent, even if you are defending and not attacking. Move your sword quickly while making your blows down, up, and to the left and right. Fight defensively by moving quickly and waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.” He attacked again, this time he was faster. “By stepping into blows and deflecting the blows to the side may put your opponent off balance.” Kate´s feet made wrong movements. “When your opponent is off balance you can take advantage of his moment of vulnerability by landing a devastating blow.” He twirled his sword and disarmed her.
Liu glanced at her. She was totally defenseless and wrapped in his muscular arms. His deep breath moved his bare chest. Her fingertips touched those muscles and went along his muscular stomach. His mouth encountered hers with fervor, desire, and daringness; his hands ran up on her ribs and pressed them. She didn´t have any idea for how long they stayed stuck in an endless kiss. Suddenly, his body reacted and he pushed her away.
Not again! What was wrong with that man? Nothing, he was perfect, a god of nature. Maybe she was the wrong girl, an undesirable woman who made him run away when they were too close.
She let her sore, tired, tingling body fall on the floor and stretched her legs. Liu sat beside her with a bottle of water. Kate grasped the bottle and gulped the water.
“Did you like? You are very good.” He took the bottle and drank water too.
She nodded. “Yes, it was very funny, but exhaustive. I discovered muscles that I didn´t know existed and now they are aching.” She rubbed her thighs. “I like swords, in the village I asked Phillip to train me with sword, hatchet, bare hands, but he wouldn’t.” She stopped when she saw Liu scowling at her. “What´s wrong?”
“I don´t like it when you talk about that guy; my imagination flies, and I think about you and him together.” He shrugged.
Kate cleared her throat; she should say that her practice with Phillip was different from their practice, but she thought that it was the best moment to talk about Wei. “I need to tell you something.”
“You said that you and Phillip didn´t date, but…” Liu said in a thin voice as if he mimicked her, and he tilted his head to the sides.
“I kissed Wei,” she interrupted Liu and threw it all in, in one go.
“Why did you kiss him? You barely know Wei.” He leaned toward her with menacing eyes. His features changed from angry to furious.
“The first kiss...” She lowered the head and stammered.
“How many times did you kiss him?” He leaped and stopped in front of her; his chest and arm muscles swelled up, that was really threatening.
“You kissed me in our first meeting.” She stood up and protested. She didn´t let those powerful muscles intimidate her.
“You hurt me in our first meeting. I kissed you on our second meeting.” He argued. It was true.
“Why
can you kiss me and Wei cannot?” She didn´t believe that she had said that. She wished those words had stayed in her throat.
“I assumed we were dating.” He threw his hands up. “Why do you want to kiss him?”
“We are, but… let me explain.” Kate sighed, now thinking that to tell him about Wei was a bad idea, too late for regrets. “I don´t want to kiss him. I kissed him once, but then he kissed me again.” It got worse. “When we were in the cave I thought he was you, I only noticed the difference when I kissed him.”
“And the second time?” Liu tilted his head and faced her with a fierce look; he didn´t believe her explanation.
“Today, he was practicing in the private garden. I arrived there and I thought he was you. He surprised me with a kiss, I didn´t have time to notice the difference.” She sobbed.
“I will put an end to this now.” He glared at her and left.
“Liu! Wait! Don´t…” He had gone. “Do anything unwise.” At least he went unarmed.
Great, Kate, your abruptness might cause many problems to that family. Mr. Fu Chow had revealed that the brothers were competitive, argumentative; she needed to be more careful communicating to Liu that his twin brother was kissing his girl and that he decided to keep kissing her. She didn´t say the last part, but certainly Liu read between the lines.
Kate returned to her room; on the bedside table was a huge black hexagonal ornate golden vase full of blue flowers with five petals growing thickly on stems in a slightly disorderly fashion. She approached it, smelled and touched the flowers; next to the vase was a note. She picked it up, moved to the bed, sat cross-legged and unfolded the paper.
These small blue flowers are forget-me-nots, symbols of love and hope.
There are many legends attached to the name. The one I most like says that one medieval knight and his lady-love were walking beside a river, the knight held a bouquet in his hands, because of the weight of the armor, he fell into the water. He threw the bouquet at her shouting forget-me-not.
Kate, forget-me-not. I love you.
Wei.
Kate folded the paper and put it underneath the pillow. A knot formed in her throat, tears flooded her eyes. She brushed them away and went to the bathtub. She filled it with warm water and liquid soap, kicked the shoes off, undressed and dipped her sweaty and sore body into the water. At that moment her eyelids became heavy and closed; her mind drifted.
She ran through the dense forest. Something big, fierce, and dangerous chased her. It was in her heels and it approached ever closer. Her legs refused to keep moving, but her life depended on it. No, Liu´s life depended on it, she needed to find him. Talons slashed her arms; a frightening roar stood her hair on end.
“Liu!” she called.
Claws grabbed her legs and dragged her back; she landed on her stomach. She dug her nails in the soil and pulled herself forward while she kicked the beast in vain. She held on to a branch and kicked until she released herself, then she crawled away, leaped up and ran.
Kate found a glade. A cramp in her left side made her breathing difficult. The green dragon was there, and he glanced at her with sad eyes. She ran toward him, but before she could reach Liu, the blue dragon appeared, spat fire in his direction. They fought. The blue dragon was stronger and defeated Liu. The green dragon was mortally injured, unable to strike back. Blood gushed out of his deep slashes. The blue dragon spat fire, the last and devastating attack. The green dragon slumped on the ground; fire burned his scales. Little by little he returned to his human form.
Kate approached him and knelt beside him. “Liu, talk to me,” she whimpered.
He blinked and opened his eyes. “Why did you abandon me? Why did you choose him? I loved you and you betrayed me,” he complained forlornly.
“I defeated you in a fair fight.” The blue dragon turned to Kate. “I defeated him, now you belong to me.” He gloated.
“Liu stay with me. I didn´t betray you. I choose you. I want you.” She shook the limp bloody body.
“I thought you were my betrothed. I will always love you, my pretty girl.” He closed his eyes.
“No!” Kate yelled.
A terrible pain sliced her and she hugged the dead body. Tears rolled across her face in floods and cleaned the blood that covered Liu. Soon a lake of pink water formed around them. She could neither breathe nor stop crying. Kate coughed and waved her hands looking for help. She saw a white metal, grasped it and pulled herself up.
Kate coughed, took deep breaths and noticed that she was in the bathtub. “Thank God it was a bad dream.” She rubbed her sore chest. “But the pain is real.”
She needed to solve that problem, put an end to that weird situation with Wei before the brothers killed themselves. Wei needed to understand that she loved Liu and stop that Chinese flirtation ritual that drove her crazy.
Chapter 25
Fu Chow
Fu Chow finished his meditation in the dragon´s temple and took note of what he should do, the next steps, the beginning of the tasks that the young princes had to accomplish to break the curse and put an end to their punishment definitively. It would be hard, a dangerous work, and they´d need all the help that was available.
He got up, went to the entrance, signaled to the servant who had been instructed what to do and returned to sit on the cushions spread in front of the dragon´s statue. He took the notebook, turned over a page and put a title WEI.
Wei came in, bowed to the dragon´s statue and looked at his master. Fu Chow pointed to the cushions and he sat down near the master. Fu Chow remained quiet, scrutinizing his pupil for some minutes. Wei waited calmly for instructions, after so many years he had learned to wait.
“These past few days I have been meditating, asking for wisdom and direction. The Great Dragon gave me instructions, and we need to follow what was said.” Fu Chow crossed his hands on his lap. “Did you recover your memory?”
Wei sighed. “No. I had some flashes when we arrived, but only disconnected images that make no sense.” Wei looked at the sculpture and studied the image, his expression changed and when he appeared to say something, he lowered his eyes.
Fu Chow scratched his jaw. “Can you remember about your military training?” He started to write while talking to Wei, but kept his attention on the prince.
“I don´t know, I think I can follow my instincts, if I manage a spear I feel I am able to fight.” Wei spoke confidently.
Fu Chow stopped to write and stared at Wei. “Why did you choose the spear? Swords and other weapons, do you think you are able to manage them too?”
“I think so. The spear was the first that came to my mind.” Wei leaned forward, maybe expecting that the master would clarify his doubts, but it was clear to Fu Chow that Wei didn´t have any idea of what he talked about.
“Interesting.” Fu Chow returned his attention to his notebook.
“Why don´t you tell me what I need to know? It´ll make things easier. If you tell me, maybe I can remember my history and everything I need to accomplish this duty.” His voice sounded inquisitive. Wei was nervous, his hands moved fast as he spoke.
Fu Chow knew how difficult that situation was to his pupil and for him too, giving Wei excuses so he need not tell the truth. “I am sorry, Wei. I cannot say a word about what happened because I know only part of the history and I´m not permitted to reveal this. When you are ready, you´ll recall, be patient.” Fu Chow tapped Wei´s arm. “Start to train with your weapons, perhaps it helps, and you´ll need all your skills.”
Wei bowed quietly in agreement.
“Wait outside.” Fu Chow wrote more two lines while Wei left.
Wei´s lack of memory might be a problem that could put them in danger. Fu Chow had to find a way to overcome this disadvantage. Wei wouldn´t be able to help if his brother or the young lady was hurt in battle. It would be a burden too heavy for him.
Fu Chow turned over the sheet and put the title LIU while the young prince walked toward him. Liu sat in front of
the master and grinned. Fu Chow recognized that sign, Liu grinned in that way when he was nervous or had done something wrong.
“I feel guiltier when I come here and face the dragon´s statue without the eyes and the heart. I´m so sorry.” Liu´s grin disappeared and his expression became lackluster.
Fu Chow put pen to paper and glanced at Liu. “You aren´t the only guilty one, Wei, your parents and I are also guilty. Before we taught you both how to be a great Emperor and warrior, we should have taught you family values, these are really important. If you respect your family, you can respect and be fair with everyone else. But we were worried about doing the right thing, to find a better way to choose the new Emperor. Your father wanted to be reasonable; he loved you both. He´d never be capable of choosing just one of you, that´s why he always put you in combat. The winner would be the new Emperor.”
“Our childhood was harsh. Sometimes I observed the servants´ children and wished for the same life. They were happy, the brothers played, they had a lot of friends while Wei and I handled a sword since we were able to support its weight.” Liu laughed, embarrassed, he had never talked about this.
Fu Chow had thought many times that the princes enjoyed that unspoken battle for the throne. Inside, they suffered because those obligations overloaded them.
“I am glad that you are mature. These duties will demand a lot of you physically and emotionally. At the moment, you are the strongest in the team. Kate is an inexperienced young girl and Wei is in the darkness, he doesn´t recall his past. Both of them depend on you, and you’ll need an open heart to help and protect them. Only you know the truth about what happened that day when the theft of the heart took place and the curse was set. I found Wei unaware, in this temple.”
Liu listened to him in silence until the master had finished. “That day Wei and I fought. We started a sword battle and as I am better at managing a sword I defeated him. Wei tripped, fell, and knocked his head. I ran to him. The building shook, and I realized that the heart had gone. The dragon´s eyes floated, danced in the air as a ballet show, and then thrown through the windows. I got out, asking for help and found my mom in the corridor and then Jin Quan captured us. It was what happened, the rest you already know.”