by Lance Wilson
The blazing sword battle continues. Byrdi throws a beautiful painted standing-screen in front of an attacking Umbragen, momentarily confusing him. Then he stabs through the screen as a bloodstain spreads across the pastoral painting. But another Umbragen catches Byrdi off-guard and slices at him with his short sword. As Byrdi lifts his sword to parry the blow, his little finger is chopped off. He drops the sword, momentarily defenseless. Across the hallway Yoritomo has been watching the shadow play on the rice-paper walls. Byrdi’s attacker raises his blade to deliver the deathblow.
Byrdi flinches involuntarily beneath the raised blade. Suddenly the Umbragen jackknifes as if punched by an unseen hand. As he spins, dead, to the ground, Byrdi sees an arrow lodged between his shoulder blades. Yoritomo has fired blindly, through the wall killing Byrdi’s attacker. Nearby, an Umbragen hurls a throwing star at Bai Shi-zi. With blind instinct Bai Shi-zi turns and takes the blade in the meat of his arm. Byrdi, meanwhile, has ripped the sleeve of his kimono into a tourniquet for his maimed hand. He uses the rest of the fabric to tie his hand to his sword before launching himself back into the fray slicing an attacker just as he is about to impale Bai Shi-zi. Together, he and Bai Shi-zi force the last two Umbragen through a paper wall to the next room. They fight all the way through that room and blast through another paper wall to the next.
The battle continues unabated on the stairs, the Umbragen spring for position with incredible grace, perching and fighting on banisters, leaping from one level to the next. It is mayhem of flashing swords and flailing limbs and flying arrows and spinning Umbragen stars. Sprays of blood splatter against the white rice paper walls. Some of the fighting is less than graceful. Men bite and wrestle and gouge to survive in close quarters. All of them arc bloody and sweaty and dirty and tired, heaving for breath, their skin flayed open, their kimonos ripped, their hands and arms and faces blood-stained. But more Vulkoori reinforcements follow Ujio up the stairs: Together with Yoritomo and Nakao, they have begun to gain the upper hand. Ujio flings both his swords through the air killing two Umbragen and dives to fight others his martial arts skills are dazzling. Byrdi and Bai Shi-zi are fighting side by side. The Battle that started like a flash of lightning stopped more like a simple tide, slowing down bit by bit until it finished. Umbragen and Vulkoori corpses litter the inn. We slowly move up the long stairway from the bottom. Yoritomo pulls an Umbragen star from Nakao’s shoulder. Then one from his own. Ujio moves through the Umbragen. Making sure they are dead. Before sheathing his sword, he angrily flicks it at the rice paper wall, spattering it with the bloody spray. Bai Shi-zi wipes his sword on a nearby corpse, replaces it in its sheath. He sits beside Byrdi on a stair. Both men are exhausted. Bloodied. Alive. The two only stare at each other a new respect found between the two of them.
The men take it easy and finish their sleep the rest of the night, but are on the move at the first sign of dawn. Around noon, perhaps a few hours before Byrdi, Bai Shi-zi and the others are nearing the palace. Byrdi slows to a stop—his path is toward the city. Bai Shi-zi stops, looks at him, and then does something absolutely extraordinary. He kneels and bows before Byrdi. Quickly touching his head to the dirt. Then he rises, turns and walks toward the palace. Byrdi can only stand there, stunned. But there is no time. Soon the other warriors are pushing him along, Yoritomo with a smile on his face. He moves with them but stops once more as he passes the parade ground. The change he sees could not be more remarkable. Thousands of new Salatar troops are drilling with new bolt-action Mausers. They are precise, exact and frighteningly mechanistic, their uniforms new and crisp. New dwarven advisors are barking commands. Colonel Patroclus sees him.
“Byrdi? My God, you never cease to astonish.” Patroclus says as he runs over and extends his hand.
“They have new weapons.” Byrdi says studding the new dwarven weapons.
“The Dwarves were only too happy to help. Along with his friends at Mauser and Krupp. Thank God we elves still have a few teeth in our head.” Patroclus says smiling at him.
Smiling Patroclus nods over to the ‘teeth’ of the Denerith elves. Cannons, huge Kainith elf cannons. Much like the rifles they work of a mixture of science and magic but on such a larger scale that it was almost unthinkable. A single fireball spell would go through the castle wall.
“The ambassador and I have spent eight months kissing Kage’s ass so he’ll sign the damn trade pact with us. You spent all this time living with those savages? He’s going to want to talk to you.” Patroclus says smiling hoping that by living with the Vulkoori may have given him some kind of insight to a strategy.
“I need a bath.” Byrdi says taking a long deep sigh
“And your back pay, I imagine.” Patroclus says with a chuckle remembering the old Byrdi
Byrdi only ignores the comment and starts walking away.
“They got their flag. See?” Patroclus says remembering the comment long ago from Byrdi, that the people needed a flag to rally around.
Byrdi turns and sees it snapping on a flagpole high above the parade ground. It is immediately familiar. A red circle on a white field. The Rising Sun. The cannons fire in sequence. Thundering blasts that shake the heavens. Fear grips Byrdi, he wonders if the Vulkoori are ready for this, ready for the full might of the Kainith elves.
As this is going on with Patroclus and Byrdi, Kage stands above Emperor Meiji respectful but persistent. The Emperor is kneeling, tending to his iris garden. It is one of the wonders of the Palace: a sea of white, pink, blue, and purple blossoms. Retainers and servants stand at a distance. One holds a standard with the Imperial seal: a yellow chrysanthemum. Kage sees Bai Shi-zi making his way toward them. He talks a bit more quickly to the Emperor. Bai Shi-zi begins to prostrate himself before the Emperor; the usual sign of extreme respect, but the Emperor stops him.
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Bai Shi-zi stops prostrating himself. The Emperor offers his hand.
“” Bai Shi-zi says shocked that the emperor would offer his hand to him. He is not worthy of such things.
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It is a difficult moment for Bai Shi-zi. He simply cannot do It. and only shakes his head at the emperor. But the emperor shows no anger at this though; he can tell that he is just two rooted in the old ways.
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Kage appreciates Bai Shi-zi’s droll response. He assumes that Bai Shi-zi is aware of his part in the assassination attempt.
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Kage bows his head quickly and goes. Silence. The Emperor gazes at Bai Shi-zi. The two then walk through the garden for a moment. The moment seem to pass in slow motion, and then the emperor passes him, turns and looks at his old teacher.
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“” Bai Shi-zi says his voice strong and full of power.
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“” He says his head still hung,
Bai Shi-zi is one of the few that have seen this side of him. He is a good man but still so many times he is just a young boy trying to be brave and confident.
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The emperor laughs warmly, almost happy to be scolded as he once was.
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He hates leaving his old student like this, but this is a test in which he cannot help him with. A test of an emperor, to see if he can see what is good for the people, what is good for himself.
After his bath Byrdi and Patroclus walks the harbor with two other officers. Byrdi looks around and sees a series of warehouses, and beyond that he sees warships in the harbor. The cavernous warehouse piled high with huge crates.
“As soon as they sign the agreement, they’re obligated to buy the entire weapons package, from revolvers to cannons, and rifles. Plus this particular item you might recognize.” Patroclus says and nods over to some of the crates.
A few stevedores tear open one of the crates. Byrdi hides his astonishment, A Gatling Gun is revealed.
“They’ve been calibrated to fire 200 rounds a minute, the new copper cartridges cut down on jamming.” Patroclus says smiles at it
Byrdi closes his eyes, trying to keep his memories at bay.
Taking a deep breath he and the others leave the docks and then to the streets of Saddrith Mora, Byrdi fights the crowds with Colonel Patroclus And Ambassador Swanbeck. New construction everywhere. Telegraph wires strung next to an ancient temple. A modern European hotel is going up, dwarfing the traditional Salatar buildings. Huge billboards advertising Western goods. A new invention, the rickshaw, has replaced many of the palanquins. Looking at all this Byrdi pulls his journal out of his jacket and begins to write.
‘The city I return to is immeasurably changed As though Saddrith Mora were determined to become another Vivec. All in one headlong rush. Spider’s web of telegraph cables spread from a tall new brick building. It is like the more modern cities of the west, office building stabbing into the heart of old Saddrith Mora. The familiar Kage character is emblazoned on the side of it all.’
Telegraph operators click away. Accountants use adding machines. Secretaries use pneumatic tubes to send documents back and forth. Engineers plot out railway lines. All are dressed in Western clothes.
Byrdi, Colonel Patroclus, and Ambassador Swanbeck make there way to the main office of Kage. Before entering the main waiting room Swanbeck turns and looks over at Byrdi.
“If he asks, you can talk about ordnance and tactics. But remember, this has to do with a lot more than just weapons.” Swanbeck says looking over at Byrdi.
An anteroom holds waiting delegations from the various European powers. A babble of language. Dwarven, elvish, common, even Vulkoori. A Beautiful Wood Elf secretary looks up from her desk.
“Ambassador Swanbeck, if you’ll follow Me.” she says in common and bows a bit to all of them.
Some of the delegates arc craning forward, watching Byrdi and the others hungrily as they head into the final office.
As they enter the main office they find Kage standing like an industrial titan before large picture windows offering a dramatic view of Saddrith Mora.
The only decoration in the room is an enormous painting that looks like it has more of a Kainith elf influence to the painter.
“Please, sit down, gentlemen.” Kage says with his back still to them.
Kage removes a gold cigarette case and lights up. Cigarettes are the newest Western fad sweeping the islands.
“A gift from Czar Alexander… Captain Byrdi, it seems you have endured your captivity with little ill-effect.” He continues taking a deep breathe and blowing out light smoke.
“Yes, sir.” Byrdi says his voice cold to the man.
“He’s an extraordinary man, isn’t he?” Kage asks taking another puff.
“He is Vulkoori.” Byrdi says finding that is the best way to describe Bai Shi-zi.
Kage turns and gazes at him. Slowly takes I puff from his cigarette.
“Mr. Kage, my people have been drawing up the documents we discussed. I have a draft—” Swanbeck begins but is stopped as Kage puts his hand up to silence him.
“We’re not quite ready to announce the treaty, Ambassador.” Kage says explaining the silencing.
“Excuse me?” Swanbeck says stunned at all this.
“The Emperor is… sentimental. Bai Shi-zi was his old mentor—he is not eager to offend him. It will take I few more days.” Kage says taking a deep breath.
He is sure that he can still sway the emperor to there side, but Bai Shi-zi is making it more difficult.
“How many days are a few?” Swanbeck asks containing his irritation.
“I assure you the Vulkoori will not stand in the way of our agreement. You are prepared to make delivery?” Kage says and smiles his smile like that of a serpent.
“Soon as your emperor signs on the dotted line.” Swanbeck says smiling with a nod.
“Captain Byrdi you are the expert. Will this array of ordnance be sufficient?” he asks Byrdi knowing he is the one with the most experience these weapons.
“Depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.” Byrdi asks already knowing probably why he wanted so powerful weapons and so many of them.
“I want my country to take its place as a modern power.” Kage says cocking his head, that serpent like smile still on his face.
“Then they will set you well on your way.” Byrdi says sure this is the answer he wants. And with those kinds of weapons, it would happen.
“I am pleased.” Kage says smiling and turning his back to them again.
“Mr. Kage, you assured us you had the influence with your emperor to make this deal come to pass. With all due respect perhaps there is someone else we should be speaking to.” Swanbeck says trying to use his old battering tricks to get things done.
“With all due respect, Ambassador, perhaps there is someone else we should be spe
aking to, for instance the dwarves, or humans. Or any of the legations waiting in the next room.” Kage says letting Swanbeck know that he is not in power right now. That they have the advantage of choosing many others.
“Yes, well, we look forward to hearing from you.” Swanbeck says swallowing back his rage.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” Kage says his voice cold.
For a moment they all stand stunned at how, anticlimactic the whole meeting was. Then once they gather themselves they turn and begin to walk out of the room.
“Captain Byrdi, perhaps you can stay a moment and tell me of your experiences in our rebellious provinces.” Kage says looking still out the window.
Patroclus looks at Byrdi. Doing as he asks. He leaves Byrdi alone with Kage.
“Cigarette?” Kage asks turning and offering the cigarette.
” No thank you.” he takes a deep breath, this is not a meeting, there is much more to this.
“You fought bravely on behalf of our army against the rebel Bai Shi-zi.” Kage says smiling at him. But there is something shadowing the smile, something he can’t quite up his finger on.
“And yet you helped save his life when attacked by the Umbragen.” Kage continues taking a deep breath. He must learn of Byrdi and what is going on.
“My role was much less significant than you may have heard.” Byrdi says keeping his modesty.
“Tell me about your role in Bai Shi-zi’s plans.” Kage says looking hard at Byrdi now.
“I have none.” Byrdi says honestly, Bai Shi-zi has never told him of any plans of any kind.
“And your sympathies?” Kage continues his questions.
“Again, I have none.” Byrdi says lying this time, in this war his sympathies would be with Bai Shi-zi and the people of the village.
“I know you have little sympathy for Colonel Patroclus.” Kage says having seen the hate between the two of them.
“He is. Unsympathetic.” Byrdi says snarling a bit.
“I thought it was we who are inscrutable.” Kage says and smiles at him.