Serpentine

by Cindy Pon

  The forest was dense and wild where they had stopped. It didn’t seem as if a person had ever passed through. “According to the map, if we descend westward, we should cross the main road leading to Shan An,” Zhen Ni said.

  The girls pressed on without rest after their short meal, both hoping to reach the town while the inns were still open. By the set of Zhen Ni’s shoulders, Skybright knew that her mistress was tired. Skybright tried not to drag her own feet as she walked.

  The bird song of dusk gave way to the sounds of night insects and the rustling of nocturnal creatures. An owl hooted in the distance. They continued on, carrying their lanterns, fighting through thick brush and low branches at times. But the foliage only seemed to grow denser as they headed westward. Finally, Skybright stopped them, pausing to drink from a shallow stream. She had heard its trickle, and was relieved when she actually found it in the darkness, guided by its burbling.

  “I think we’re lost, mistress. We should rest for the night.”

  Zhen Ni sat down without a word, removing her shoes with a sigh. Skybright wet a cloth for her and wiped her face and neck. Her mistress smiled, dipping her hands into the shallow water. “You’re too good to me, Sky.”

  Skybright didn’t answer, but squeezed Zhen Ni’s shoulder.

  “Your wound healed,” Zhen Ni said after a long silence. “Very quickly.”

  Startled, Skybright touched the scar running across her left cheek. She had forgotten about it. “Nanny Bai made me a special ointment,” she muttered.

  “You appear different somehow. Same, but different.” Zhen Ni gave a low laugh. “That made little sense.” She lifted her lantern as she leaned closer to examine the scar. “It’s so long, and raised.” Her fingertips hovered over it. “Does it hurt still?”

  “No, not since the stitches came out.”

  “It healed well. I’m even more impressed by Nanny Bai’s abilities now.” Zhen Ni pulled a wooden brush from her knapsack. “Come, let me brush your hair for a change. You’re looking disheveled.”

  Skybright turned her back and let her mistress remove the pins from her hair and brush it in long, even strokes. She remembered Stone’s warm palm cupping her cheek, healing her, saw again the flash of Kai Sen’s saber as he raised it to kill her. Her scalp prickled at the memories, spread until her face felt hot. She was glad that her mistress could not see, as Skybright drew a long breath and tried to forget it all.

  Skybright had found a spot sheltered below overhanging boughs, so they could be protected on one side by a giant trunk, at least. She fell asleep instantly, worn from the long day of walking.

  She woke in the middle of the night in demon form and jolted, whipping her serpent length away from Zhen Ni. She was about to change back when she felt the vibrations in her coil, the stomping of hundreds of feet in a heated battle a league away. Kai Sen had said the last time she saw him that the battles were moving down Tian Kuan mountain, just as Zhen Ni and she were traveling in the same direction toward Lan’s home town. Skybright knew with certainty in her heart that Kai Sen was fighting in this battle.

  Peering down at Zhen Ni, she saw that her mistress was deep in sleep. She always had been a heavy sleeper. The demons and undead never strayed too far from the actual battle, and her serpentine senses told her they were tightly converged in their fighting tonight. Zhen Ni would be all right as long as Skybright kept her senses on alert. She moved faster than any demon or undead she’d encountered, and if one began wandering in her mistress’s direction, she could intercept it.

  She slithered silently into the glooming thicket, guided by the pulsations in the earth, her thoughts on Kai Sen. The dense trees opened onto a shallow valley anchored between two forests, strewn with sandstone pillars similar to those she had seen earlier. But over half of them had toppled, making for an uneven fighting ground. Many monks stood on the fallen sandstones so they were better matched in height with the giant demons. Skybright guessed there were at least fifteen of the towering half-human monsters, more than she had ever seen before.

  Undead jostled, listless and hungry for mortal flesh. But for the first time, she glimpsed other terrible creatures: spiders the size of large sows with children’s faces and giant insect eyes, shadowy figures drifting in bloodstained robes, without feet or faces, their long hair unbound behind them. Both emitted an unbearable keening that Skybright could feel in the roots of her teeth. While the monks set fire to the undead, they decapitated the spider children and faceless demons. The creatures spewed thick black blood from the stumps of their necks and continued to scurry and float for a long time after, headless.

  It was a grotesque sight, yet Skybright felt no horror or fear for herself, only concern for Kai Sen. She scanned the mobs for him, unable to place his scent in the chaos of smells that rose from the carnage. Hundreds of monks fought against hell’s creatures, and the valley nestled between the thick trees was littered with corpses of mortals and monstrosities alike. She glimpsed the bloodied bodies of dead monks, still grasping their swords, mingled with the severed heads of the bestial and mutant, mouths gaping in hatred. She dared not look too long at the slain men, terrified that she might recognize Kai Sen’s face among them.

  The vibrations from the battle shuddered through her—and Skybright knew that no creatures wandered beyond that tight circle of intense fighting. Zhen Ni was safe asleep a league away. The pungent reek of black blood shed by the slain creatures mixed with the metallic taste of human blood assaulted her senses. She finally saw Kai Sen standing on one of the fallen pillars on the far left of the fray, fighting another giant demon. This time it was one with the head of a goat, its horns curving forward into dangerous points. It swung a sword that was twice as long as Kai Sen’s saber, and she watched, her heart in her throat, as he leaped on the pillar beyond its wide swings, then dashed back to slash at the demon, drawing blood each time.

  The goat demon roared, loud enough that even Skybright could hear it from this great distance. Without thinking, she slithered behind the tree line toward Kai Sen, hidden enough so no one could see her. She heard his chanting when she was parallel to him, heard the strong surge of his voice. But it lacked the warmth she was familiar with. He seemed leaner in the face, although his arms were wiry as ever, ropes of muscles working as he attacked his foe.

  The goat demon stomped its cloven hooves, but it was clear that it could not move from where it stood, rooted by Kai Sen’s spell. It continued to defend itself, determined to stab Kai Sen with its longer sword, even as he danced out of reach every time. But Skybright could see that he was tiring. How many hours had he fought like this, over how many nights? She watched, the tip of her tail writhing anxiously in the dirt. Then the goat demon lunged again, and Kai Sen lost his footing.

  Skybright was sliding toward him in an instant, even as Kai Sen twisted out of the way, and the demon’s sword sliced neatly across his torso. Kai Sen continued to chant, his voice never wavering, while he backed away on the stone pillar, trying to reorient himself. She saw how fast his chest rose and fell beneath his bloodied tunic, how tightly he gripped his saber.

  Then she was upon the goat demon, and she reared high on her coil, sinking her fangs into the back of its naked thigh. Her venom shot into its muscular flesh, filled her mouth with bitterness. It roared again, and turned, sword raised to plunge straight into her. But she had already slithered beyond its reach. It swayed on its feet, fiery eyes piercing Skybright’s, before crashing like timber. The goat demon twitched for a long time, its hooves marking deep grooves in the dirt. Finally, it stilled. Skybright knew it was dead with a flick of her tongue. She hissed in triumph, only to lift her face and see Kai Sen, standing near the pillar ledge once more, staring at her with those dark eyes ablaze.

  She whipped around, sliding back toward the forest, as fast as she could. Multiple feet seemed to stomp behind, and she threw a backward glance; four undead were jumping toward her, arms thrust stiff in front of them. Wretched t
hings.

  “Kai Sen!” Someone shouted from the distance.

  His friend Han tossed a torch to Kai Sen. Skybright felt Kai Sen’s footsteps, then heard the grunts of the undead and familiar crackling sounds as he set them on fire. She didn’t turn until she was within the forest, and saw Kai Sen decapitate all four with clean strong strokes of his saber. He didn’t pause after killing them, but ran to the forest edge and stopped at the tree line, peering into its impenetrable gloom. She slid further back, silent, and he scanned the shadows, seeming to look directly at her for a moment. Warmth rose in her chest, crept up her neck.

  His mouth was drawn into a tight line, his shoulders bunched and tense. Kai Sen stood like that for a long time, the muscles of his jaw flexing, before he finally lowered his head and turned away from the trees. Away from her.

  He retreated, back straight, a blazing torch in one hand and a blood-stained saber in the other. Han and another monk ran up to Kai Sen, and he passed his weapons before removing his tunic. He raised his arms so Han could wrap a bandage around his torso before pulling the dirty tunic back on and taking his weapon, without so much a pause for rest.

  Skybright watched as he ran back to the fray to slaughter more undead and monstrosities.

  And she didn’t think it possible that she could, in that moment, miss him more.

  It was a few hours before dawn when Skybright returned to their small makeshift camp. She sensed Zhen Ni during her entire journey, stirring in her sleep. Safe. Skybright changed back to human form and pulled her clothes on before settling beside her mistress again. She tried to fall asleep but couldn’t, too filled with the rush of killing the goat demon and the ache of seeing Kai Sen again.

  If the breach was not closed, the attacks would go on endlessly. The monks were fighting a losing battle. How long before Kai Sen was more seriously injured? Or killed?

  She tightened her fists, trying to force the thoughts from her mind. Birds began chirping above them, welcoming the new morning. Skybright lay curled on her side, away from Zhen Ni, stiff and unmoving until she felt a hand on her shoulder. “A peaceful morning, Sky.” Skybright swallowed the lingering bitterness of venom in her mouth and sat up, feeling stiff in her joints. “A peaceful morning, mistress.”

  “I think I woke in the middle of the night,” Zhen Ni said, “and didn’t find you beside me.”

  Skybright pretended to be too intent on combing her hair to glance at her mistress. “I stepped away for a moment to relieve myself,” she lied.

  Zhen Ni nodded. “I was so exhausted, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming.”

  Skybright patted the blanket and her mistress sat cross-legged in front of her so Skybright could arrange her hair in servant style. They then rose and began gathering their belongings before Skybright offered Zhen Ni the last of her salted biscuits and dates. They drank from their flasks and stretched their aching limbs. “Let’s find our way back to Shan An. It’s worth it to go into town to restock and perhaps find an inn where we can wash up properly and rest,” Skybright said.

  “That would be wonderful,” Zhen Ni agreed.

  “The men your mother has sent are at least a day ahead of us. But we still need to be cautious.”

  It was a mist-filled morning, which made their trek more challenging. They paused to consult the compass and map several times while slowly picking their way through the wilderness. The girls didn’t speak for some time, intent on reaching the town.

  Finally, when they paused mid-morning to sip from their flasks, Zhen Ni asked, “Is my mother very angry with me?”

  “She’s worried. But no, I think she blames herself that you ran away.”

  Her mistress gaped at her, before closing her flask and wiping her mouth with the gold handkerchief. Skybright had returned it to her.

  “She felt she was too harsh in her punishment,” Skybright said. “She apologized to me … for the beating.”

  Zhen Ni winced, then sighed, and they continued on their journey. “I knew I was being selfish, Sky. And a poor daughter. But I didn’t care. I only wanted to enjoy my time with Lan.” Simply speaking Lan’s name aloud shadowed her mistress’s face. “We’ll both be married off when the time comes, and I doubt our paths will ever cross again. If she were of lower stature, I might bring her into my husband’s household as a handmaid. But she wasn’t born of that class. Her family is not as wealthy as ours, but neither can she ever be a handmaid.”

  Skybright’s heart dropped. She had been right all along, Zhen Ni preferred Lan to her.

  Zhen Ni glanced at her face and stopped midstride. “Oh, Sky.” She grasped Skybright’s elbow. “That wasn’t what I meant. You’re irreplaceable to me!”

  “I’ve been so jealous … ” It was difficult for Skybright to admit it; she felt as if she would choke on the words. “It would have been better if she had been your handmaid. Then you could be together.”

  Zhen Ni laughed and embraced her, holding Skybright tight. But Skybright stood still, arms hanging heavy at her sides. “Stop your foolish talk. You’ve been there for me since before I can remember—a sister, companion, my friend who’s always looked out for me. Lan could never replace you in my heart; I love you both for different reasons. I’m only glad that Lan and I met as we did this summer, that we got to have the time that we did.” Hearing the wistfulness in Zhen Ni’s words, Skybright relented and wrapped her arms around her mistress, feeling the delicate shoulder blades in Zhen Ni’s back, the sharpness of her collarbone against her cheek. “You need to eat, mistress. You’ve lost too much weight.”

  They pulled apart and Zhen Ni said, “I know. I haven’t had much appetite these past few weeks. But running away, being alone, has helped. I’ve had a lot of time to think. And I’m glad I can see Lan one last time.”

  Skybright squeezed Zhen Ni’s arms. Her mistress couldn’t be with the one she loved either. “One last time. Aren’t you angry? Aren’t you—”

  “I’m furious, Sky. Devastated. My heart aches constantly, a true pain. And I often feel as if I live outside of myself, like my soul isn’t tethered to my body any longer.” Zhen Ni bent to retrieve a large rock from the ground. “If I could pick up the world and smash it to pieces, I’d consider it, to ease my misery. Out of selfishness.” She let the stone slide from her hand, and it thudded dully against the earth. “But what good would it do me? I’ve thought long and hard in these few days on my own, and I understand now what Mama was trying to tell me—what she was trying to teach me. Running away and seeing Lan one more time are my last selfish acts. Mama is right. I’m a grown woman now, with responsibilities to my family.” Zhen Ni pressed Skybright’s hand. “Come. We’ll eat well together when we reach town.”

  They picked carefully through the brush and gnarled cypress trunks with thick roots. Skybright’s heart felt full, filled with gratitude that she and Zhen Ni were together again, yet weighted with sorrow that her mistress had been faced with such a wrenching revelation and decision on her own.

  We do what we must.

  Dusty and travel-worn, they reached Shan An in the mid-afternoon. From the outside, it looked more like a village than a town, with low mud-colored walls surrounding it. There wasn’t even a guard at the bamboo gate. The girls walked through and stopped dead at the entrance. The small main street was empty—not a person in sight—and an eerie silence descended upon them, sending pin pricks of unease down Skybright’s spine.

  Zhen Ni took a step forward. “Where is everyone?”

  Two dogs barked ferociously in the distance, but the noise fell into frightened whimpers after a few moments. A goat dashed onto the main street from a side road, bleating in terror, kicking up clouds of dust as it ran blindly away from them.

  Her mistress took another tentative step forward, and Skybright touched her arm. “Something terrible has happened. Can you smell that in the air?” Skybright lifted her chin and drew a small breath. The air smelled musty—rank. It smelled of the undead.
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  “What?” Zhen Ni asked. “What do you smell?”

  “Unsheathe your dagger, mistress. I think this village has been attacked.”

  Zhen Ni drew her dagger and clutched for Skybright’s fingers. They walked together slowly, hands clasped, down the abandoned main street. The stores lining it were two-storied, faded and weather worn. Weak from hunger, Skybright led Zhen Ni toward the first tea house they saw. She pushed aside the dark blue cloth overhanging the entrance and stepped inside, blinking against the dimness for a few moments until her eyes adjusted.

  The tea house was empty, with overturned chairs and tables littering the floor, as if a big brawl had taken place. Skybright released Zhen Ni’s hand and approached a table still filled with uneaten dishes and a pot of tea. She touched the teapot; it was cold. “All this must have happened near midday.” Skybright gestured to the many tables cluttered with dishes. “See how many people were eating.”

  “But where did they all go?” Zhen Ni asked, and rubbed her hands over her arms, as if chilled.

  “I think the undead attacked the—”

  “Undead?” Her mistress stared at her, as if she were speaking in archaic Xian.

  If Zhen Ni even knew half the truth …

  “Undead are reanimated corpses risen from their graves. A bite or lingering touch from them can taint a person—turn them into the same. I think the people that were in this town have been turned.”

  Her mistress’s eyes widened. “But there must have been hundreds of people living here. Are you certain?”

  Skybright nodded grimly. She should have felt fear, but after all that she’d seen and been through, she was numb inside. Nothing mattered but their survival.

  “How do you know all this?”