by Lance Wilson
The fight finished Byrdi kneels to examine one of the dead Umbragen. On his arm is tattooed a familiar emblem, the sign of the Kage Zaibatsu
All is silent in the Kage Castle. Kage lives in a huge medieval castle on a promontory directly above Saddrith Mora Bay. A testament to the islands of Salatar’s martial past. Two guards arc: standing at attention in a dank corridor high in one of the towers of the castle. Cell doors line the corridor. Bai Shi-zi’s Vulkoori swords lean against the wall next to them. Bai Shi-zi kneels in his cramped cell. A sound draws his attention. He rises and looks out a barred window. Below he sees two rickshaws moving up the twisting road to the castle. Byrdi and Patroclus, in formal dress uniforms, sit in one of the rickshaws. Patroclus looks him over.
“Ought shave more often, Byrdi. It becomes you.” Patroclus says and smiles at him
“Thought I would follow the Salatar fashion.” Byrdi says his eyes cold and his face emotionless.
“Heard you were leaving, actually?” Patroclus says cocking his head. Knowing nothing of the attack that happened only moments ago.
“Why would I do that? Kage wants me to train his personal guard.” Byrdi says knowing that Patroclus wanted that job, not that it matters to him at all. He has no interest in Kage.
“Certainly seems obsessed by you. Why do you think that is?” Patroclus says a bit of anger flashing in his eyes.
“Could it be my nose isn’t permanently lodged up his ass?” Byrdi says sarcastically letting him know that his distain for him has not left.
Patroclus shakes his head, turns away. Byrdi stares up at the looming castle. The two rickshaws stop by the heavily guarded main gates. Guards check the occupants. Motion to other guards atop the gates. The main gates slowly swing open. The bearers lower the rickshaws. Byrdi and Patroclus climb from one.
Ambassador Swanbeck climbs from the other. Kage waits in evening clothes and nearby a woman plays a harp. The interior of Kage’s castle is heavy, oppressive. Old Masters paintings dot the walls. Leather covered chairs are in some of the corners with a small desk. This clearly is not his personal chamber but perhaps an adjacent room that he uses for personal matters.
“Gentlemen” Kage says and opens his arms wide welcoming them.
“Kage, you have a lovely home. It must be very old.” Swanbeck says looking around.
“Nothing is “old” in the islands of Salatar, everything is “ancient.” But the views are pleasant. Sit down.” Kage asks gestures to some chairs by a roaring fireplace on the west wall.
Kage notices the cut on Byrdi’s cheek for the fight, but says nothing; he cannot believe that his Umbragen agents have failed him again.
“Champagne? And cigars, of course.” Kage says and with that two servants come in with silver trays. One bearing a wooden box of cigars, the other bearing long stem glasses filled with champagne.
“A gift from President Grant?” Patroclus asks taking a cigar and leaning forward as a servant lights it.
“Queen Victoria.” Kage answers smiling at him.
“Mr. Kage, may I use the necessity?” Byrdi says a polite bow
“Certainly.” Kage says and gestures to a servant to lead him to the facilities.
Kage summons a servant. The servant escorts Byrdi out.
“Now, Mr. Swanbeck, regarding our agreement, I noticed a discrepancy in paragraph seven in reference to the investment protocols for coal.” Swanbeck says beginning the meeting as Byrdi walks away with the servant.
The servant leads Byrdi through a corridor, head bowed. Sure that he is far enough from everyone Byrdi taps the servant on the back, and as the man turns, hits him hard. The servant falls.
Outside arrows pierce their necks, of two of the standing guards strangling any sound. Smiling the Rickshaw bearer slides his bow back over his shoulder. But it is not a rickshaw bearer at all it is Yoritomo. Soon the other rickshaw bearers join Yoritomo, these two are not ordinary rickshaw bearers, they are Ujio, Nakao, and Simon They hurry past the dead guards and up the stairs. The three Vulkoori and Simon race up the winding parapets. Three guards round a corner. Swords flash as Ujio and Nakao dispatch them without even slowing. They race on, Simon laboring to keep up. As Byrdi rounds a corner Ujio, Yoritomo, Nakao, and Simon are moving toward him. They meet in the middle of the hall and Byrdi bows to all of them.
“This way” Byrdi says smiling at them and they all move down the halls
Clearly, this has all been Byrdi’s plan. They move up a stairway.
Soon they are right around the corner where Bai Shi-zi is being held. The three guards are still standing at attention outside Bai Shi-zi’s cell.
His swords are next to them. Byrdi keeps the others out of sight and lowers his head to whisper with Ujio. Ujio nods, then walks into sight and calmly approaches the guards. Still hidden, Byrdi gestures for the others remain too silent. After a moment, he gestures that they can proceed. Byrdi and the others round the comer to discover the bloody remains of the three guards—whom Ujio has dispatched in absolute silence. They unlock the cell. Bai Shi-zi is shocked to see Byrdi enter. Byrdi tosses him his swords.
“How’s the poem coming?” Byrdi says with a smile seeing the shock on Bai Shi-zi.
“The ending is proving difficult.” Bai Shi-zi says smiling at them, his loyal friends.
Once his swords are strapped to his side the three of them make there way through the corridor, it then comes to Bai Shi-zi’s attention that Simon is not a Vulkoori. As they keep moving Bai Shi-zi smiles at Byrdi and gestures over to Simon with a nod of his chin.
“Who is this?” Bai Shi-zi says a curious look on his face, but his eyes and mind still sharp about all that is around him.
“His Name is, Simon. Simon wants to write a book about you.” Byrdi says looking around as they turn another corner.
“An honor. I have followed your activities with great interest. I think the western public would be fascinated by a book about your adventures.” Simon says huffing and puffing trying to keep up.
“Not a book. A play!” Bai Shi-zi says and smiles at him.
Suddenly, from below, the raised voices of guards. They hurry away. Guards carrying pikes race up the stairs, Byrdi and the others are moving swiftly down a stone corridor. The sound of the approaching guards is growing louder. In a silent moment of preparation they stride down the corridor, five shoulder-to-shoulder Byrdi pulls the cavalry saber from his dress uniform. Bai Shi-zi prepares his swords. Nakao stretches his huge arms. Yoritomo and Ujio draw their bows. Ten guards with rifles patrol the upper battlements. Yoritomo and Ujio crouch and fire. Arrow after arrow after arrow, as fast as a repeating rifle, the arrows streak through the night. Completely silent. It is a dazzling display. They time shots to sail over walls, shoot through tiny windows, shoot out torches. Multiple arrows. Perfect aim. In a matter of seconds all ten guards are dead. They continue across the courtyard and up some steps. They stride through a tight, dark stone corridor. Suddenly, a group of Kage guards emerge from the shadows. Without hesitation, they launch into battle. Byrdi and Bai Shi-zi wield
Their swords. Yoritomo and Ujio fire arrows. Nakao fights with his hands, dramatic martial arts from the huge man. But this corridor is just too tight. It is a sea of combat. The guards and the Vulkoori are slammed together, the swords and pikes sending up sparks in the darkness as they strike the stone walls. The right corridor echoes with Vulkoori war cries and clanging swords. Then, more guards appear. These guards have rifles. Rifle fire and to the Vulkoori it is like someone let off a rocket in the corridor. The fire burst through the guns and the spells make different color lights flicker in the darkness. Byrdi dives in front of Bai Shi-zi to protect him but Yoritomo is hit, it looks to be some kind of lightening spell, a black mark now on his shoulder he jerks back as blood sprays onto the walls and floor. Ujio fires arrows at the guards with rifles, hitting two but mor
e guards with rifles are appearing, bullets sending showers of debris and ricochets Byrdi sees a stairway leading to a higher level and quickly barks out a command. As Nakao drags Yoritomo toward the stairs. They then make there way up and into a large room. Once inside they bolt a heavy siege door designed to keep attackers at bay.
Ujio fires arrows through the siege ports—momentarily delaying the guards as Byrdi leads them toward a rear stairs. Byrdi starts down only to discover more guards blocking this means of escape. He backs out of the way just in time as rifle blasts splinter the wooden stairwell. Meanwhile, an explosion from behind them indicates that the guards have blown the siege door. Byrdi, Simon, and Ujio have no choice but to continue upwards into the castle keep. Nakao helps the wounded Yoritomo as they climb. A narrow ladder leads to the final redoubt. They start to climb but Yoritomo leans against the wall. He is gravely wounded.
“Come on.” Byrdi says his voice in desperation and rushed.
<“You go, Byrdi. I will stop them.”> Yoritomo says with a prideful smile.
“No” Byrdi says unwilling to lose another friend, another brother.
“
Byrdi, staring into his eyes can see that Yoritomo’s determination is absolute. Finally, Byrdi nods. Bai Shi-zi moves to Yoritomo, leans in for a few final words, taking his head and pressing his forehead to Yoritomo’s. Bullets begin ricocheting around them
“
Byrdi bows his head in respect. With a long deep breath Byrdi then leads them up the stairs. Ujio fires a final volley, nods with respect to Yoritomo, then follows the others. Yoritomo pulls himself erect. Draws his two Vulkoori swords, closes his eyes. Smiles.
Then he opens his eyes and hurls himself down the stairs, The guards fire hitting Yoritomo, but still he comes wading into them knowing vary well they will kill him, but he will stop them and save his friends. Swords flash in the torchlight as he begins to cut them down, he is hit again, but still he keeps coming. Again and again he is hit, over and over, but his swords still move, still deal there death, but it is only minutes before he finally has had too much and his body collapses falling face first onto the floor, his blades making a clattering sound. It is a glorious death.
Byrdi leads them into the highest room of the castle, the siege room. The echoes Yoritomo’s death rings in their ears. Bai Shi-zi glances at Ujio and Nakao. Without a word, they kneel on the floor, open their kimonos and unsheathe their short-swords, preparing to commit the ritual suicide rather then allow themselves to be taken hostage again.
“No. Wait… !” Byrdi says as he stops at the window looking for a way out.
Bai Shi-zi glares at him harshly, furious to have his concentration disturbed at such a moment.
“There’s a way out. Look—!” Byrdi says noticing the shape of the roofs of this castle.
Reluctantly, Bai Shi-zi joins him at the window.
“This place is designed to keep people from getting in, not from getting out. We can make it” Byrdi says and points out the sloping roofs on each tower.
His sure that the way they are designed that they could hit one roof and roll off to another, probably far enough down that the final impact of the ground would shake them at best but not hurt them.
“This was your plan?” Bai Shi-zi says shaking his head thinking it is crazy
“Do you have a better one?” Byrdi sys smiling.
Nakao and Ujio look at Bai Shi-zi, awaiting his response. He turns to Byrdi.
“I may die. But I’ll die trying.” Byrdi says his eyes flashing with fire.
And without another word he LAUNCHES himself out the window, onto the sloping roof. He rolls, then falls, hits another roof, rolls, slides, falls, hits again. Bai Shi-zi and the others share a look. Has he survived? Gunfire begins to pepper the floorboards, bullets whistling past them. Byrdi slides, bumps, rolls, falls, hits, then slides again. Until he finally plummets into the moat. As his head rises above water, he lets out a scream of absolute joy. Above in the keep Bai Shi-zi hears the scream. A look of disbelief spreads over his face. Then the beginnings of a smile. Without a second look, he leaps out the window. Ujio follows. Simon shrinks away in fear. Nakao lifts him bodily, throws him out, and then follows. Each one hits the roof, rolls, slides, hits, rolls, slides, all the way down just like Byrdi tell they too hit the moat and begin to swim to the other side, then make there dash for freedom.
It is only hours later as Kage stands, very calm, smoking a cigarette, listening to the report of his guards. Colonel Patroclus and Ambassador Swanbeck standing in the room. Patroclus tries to apologize, never thinking that Byrdi would have done something as drastic as to join the other side, and help the most wanted man in the islands escape.
“I don’t know what to say, sir. I never would have thought him capable of treason.” Patroclus says shaking his head, wondering how Byrdi could have done such a thing.
“I would say Captain Byrdi’s acts tonight have assured our success.” Kage says with a kind of sly smile.
“What do you mean?” Swanbeck says cocking his head, not getting the connection.
“Bai Shi-zi will rejoin his kinsmen. They will fight. We will destroy them with your new weapons.” Kage says explaining how the escape of Bai Shi-zi will ensure that the emperor will sign the bill.
“What if he just goes off to the mountains and becomes a damn sheep-herder or some such?” Patroclus says smiling at him giving him another possible outcome.
“You still do not understand us… Bai Shi-zi can do nothing but fight. It is his role in the drama. He must act out his destiny. He knows it.” Kage says explaining the way of the Vulkoori.
“You trust a lot in destiny.” Patroclus says shaking his head.
“This story was written years ago. From the first sight of your warships in our harbor. It is all inevitable.” Kage says smiling and turns to look out the window.
The others just look at one another and after a moment of silence they take the queue and leave the room. The meeting is done.
As sunset passes over the hills Byrdi, Bai Shi-zi and the others ride over the rocky ground. They climb a steep trail and beyond the glaciers glow pink. Byrdi, Bai Shi-zi and the others move through the trails and into a dense forest. Bai Shi-zi reins his horse and the others follow suit, silently they wait. Soon mounted Vulkoori emerge from the thick forest as if they were invisible. The leader of the new Vulkoori leaps from his horse and bows, touching his head to the dirt. All the others quickly follow suit. Bai Shi-zi walks over to the main leader and the two have a few whispered words. Then Bai Shi-zi takes the lead of the army. It doesn’t take long before they reach the cherry orchard; Bai Shi-zi taken in the moment reins his horse and falls in beside Byrdi.
‘Yesterday, I passed the field where Zebulon Bolvive was killed by the man with whom I now ride. In the distance a steam train chugs along. Inevitable. Progress. I am beset by ironies—trained to fight rebels now I am one. And yet I ask myself… can a man be reborn? And if so, what would he make of it?’ Byrdi writes in his journal and then suddenly realizes that Bai Shi-zi is now riding beside him. Smiling he tucks the journal back in his jacket
“I was prepared to die in Kage’s castle. And yet here I am. I cannot help but ask why were you sent into my life. What is the lesson you were meant to give me?” Bai Shi-zi says looking Byrdi trying to figure out what fate has in store for him now.
“Maybe that neither of us is as smart as we thought.” Byrdi says trying to add a bit of humor to the situation.
Bai Shi-zi laugh and then spurs his horse and heads off. Byrdi shakes his head and follows.
It is early evening when they return to the village. Upon their return the villagers all gather around them and begin to welc
ome them warmly. Children cheer seeing their leader’s return. Byrdi pays no attention to any of this and Rides directly to Yoritomo’s house. Standing outside is Neckity, Higen and Toshiie. Neckity is smiling at him warmly when he begins to approach him. But as she looks around and notices the absents of Yoritomo the smile fades and she lets out a long sigh. Higen and Toshiie bow to Byrdi and then run up to him and give him a long hug as if he was there long lost brother or even father. Neckity opens the door allowing him to join them inside. Once inside they all sit in the main room where they eat there dinners. For a long moment he sits next to them and tries to find the right words to say what he wants to say.
“He gave his life to save us. He died bravely.” Byrdi says lowering his head and looking at the floor.
“Thank you, Byrdi” Neckity says her voice soft like a summer wind.
“Will you fight the white men?” Higen asks his eyes huge now and full of fear.
“If they come here, yes.” Byrdi says smiling at the boy.
“Why?” Higen asks his hands trembling now.
“Because they come to destroy what I have come to love.” Byrdi says looking at each of the family in turn now.
Neckity looks at him, moved and surprised. Suddenly, Higen jumps up and bolts out of the room. Byrdi looks to Neckity hoping for some kind of explanation.