He stopped and stared as, with a low hypnotic hum, a wisp of bright light drifted out of the trees. It brushed the ogre chief, and his arm started to burn, a clear, ghostly flame. He shouted and dropped his weapon, stepping back from Michiko.
The wisp touched the cook next, and he shrieked with fear as his apron caught fire. He stumbled away from Michiko, slapping at his stomach. The other ogres tried evade the wisp, but it chased them down. Their shouts of fear and pain echoed around the woods.
“Ogres!” They jumped when they heard the loud, feminine voice. “You offend the gods and spirits with your foul lives! Mend your evil ways, or this is just a taste of what you’ll experience in Hell!”
The ogres fled, begging the gods for mercy as they ran. As they did, Beth was surprised to see that they had not been physically harmed; the fire had no substance. “Wizard?” Auntie Ting said slowly.
“Wasn’t me,” Beth said as she hurried over to Michiko and helped her up.
“So who was it—”
“Shh.” Michiko pointed to the edge of the clearing.
There was a young woman in a purple kimono with white sleeves standing there. She had long brown hair, and a pair of pointed ears stuck through it. Her bushy white-tipped fox tail poked out from underneath her kimono. She pressed her hands together in front of her and bowed to the Monkey Queen. As Michiko returned the bow with a smile, Beth could see the bandage around the woman’s right hand.
The kitsune grinned and winked, and she was gone, swallowed by fog and mist.
“Wow,” Beth said. “So she was a kitsune after all.”
“Let’s count ourselves lucky that she had to fulfill a debt.” Merchant Sheng sheathed his sword. “Now come on. We need to find the pack mules before it gets dark.”
He started off into the forest. Michiko headed after him, but then stopped and looked back. Beth followed her friend’s gaze.
Auntie Ting was standing where the kitsune had been, palms pressed together, head bowed. “I misjudged you, spirit,” she whispered. “I was wrong. Thank you for your help, and forgive me.”
She looked back and saw Michiko and Beth. “Monkey Queen! Wizard!” she snapped. “What are you waiting for? We have pack mules to find!” She muttered under her breath as she walked past them, shaking her head. Michiko and Beth barely held back giggles as they followed.
Chapter Seven
Merchant Sheng and the others finally found Chin and Bao as night fell. Though the provisions were starting to run a bit low, they still had enough left for dinner before they settled in for the night, sleeping on the forest floor with branches and leaves hiding the moon and stars. Thankfully, the day had been tiring enough that Beth and the others fell asleep quickly.
Auntie Ting had once again woken them up before sunrise, complaining about how they had to get there today and how Merchant Sheng’s shortcuts were ruining everything. They ate a very quick breakfast and set off.
Their path took them out of the woods and into flatlands, and from there to a misty marsh that ran along a river. Everyone was much quieter than the previous two days, even the usually talkative Michiko. Finally, Beth whispered to her friend, “Is it my turn to ask Merchant Sheng if we’re sure we’re going the right way?”
“Mine, actually,” Michiko said, “and I am starting to get concerned.”
“About what?”
“It’s kind of weird,” Michiko said, “but every time I start thinking too much about Sheng and if we’re going the right way, my mind starts to drift off the subject. Try it.”
Beth stared at the merchant, who was leading the group through the marsh. Is Michiko right? she thought. She trusted Sheng; what is he up to? And those pack mules! But it looks like Auntie Ting has them under control. She’s really good with animals. I wonder how she—
Michiko elbowed Beth in the ribs. “See?” she said.
Beth blinked. “You’re right,” she said. “But why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know, but we need to find out. But we can’t just surprise him.” Michiko sped up her pace. “We should talk to Jiao first, then Yun and Auntie Ting. Then, we can…”
She stopped and sniffed the air. “Michiko,” Beth said, “you can smell that too?”
Michiko nodded. “Smells like a troll passed gas,” she said. “But where—”
She glanced down the trail towards the others. She could see Yun holding up Jiao, his body racked with a horrible-sounding cough. Auntie Ting was sprawled on the ground, and Sheng was on his knees vomiting.
There was a thump behind Michiko. She turned and saw Beth, lying in the middle of the trail, unconscious. Michiko ran back to her, but she could feel her head spinning as the first coughs racked her body.
Michiko stumbled and fell on her face next to Beth. As her strength faded, she pulled her hat over her mouth and nose and tried to breathe as shallowly as she could. Too weak to cough or speak or even move, she hoped that whatever fate awaited her, Beth would somehow be spared.
She could hear footsteps coming up to her and Beth. They stopped, and a hand brushed her hair away from her temple. Michiko was too dizzy to shudder at the chilly, bitter touch.
“Earthlings! Bah!” The voice was high-pitched, raspy, and as cold as the hand that had touched her. “They’re no use to me!”
Michiko tried to breathe as softly as possible as she heard the footsteps moving away from her. No use? she thought. What could that mean?
“Bring the other four,” the voice said. “I have plans for them.” Michiko lay still as the footsteps faded. Then, at the edge of hearing, the voice added, “You four, finish off the Earthlings. Don’t drain them. Just tear them to shreds.”
Michiko kept her eyes tightly shut, but she could feel the dizziness fading, the strength returning to her limbs. She took a tentative deep breath, and though there were still hints of the gas that had affected her, it was mostly clean if dank air.
The ground began to shake faintly around her, but not with footsteps. Instead, there was a thump, then another, then several more. Michiko could hear faint moaning nearby. That’s trouble, she thought as she opened her eyes and lifted her head.
There were four of them approaching her and Beth, who was still unconscious. They had once been rogues and bandits, judging from their tattoos and clothes. Now, their bodies were stiff, their legs and arms barely able to move, their jaws slack, their eyelids stitched open. They approached her with jerky, hopping steps, groaning horribly as they closed in.
Michiko jumped to her feet, leaving her staff as she picked up Beth. Carrying her partner bridal style again, she ran into the depths of the swamp, splashing through shallow water. As she did, Beth stirred in her arms. “Michiko?” she murmured.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on in a moment,” Michiko said.
“What do you…” Beth glanced behind them. “Michiko?”
“Keep quiet,” Michiko said softly. She and Beth had reached a grove of trees, and Michiko stopped next to the tallest one. She shifted Beth, holding her friend over her shoulder, and started to climb. Beth squirmed in her arms, but stayed silent.
Michiko stopped when they were well off the ground, by a long, wide branch. She carefully sat on the branch, then set Beth down next to her. “Michiko?” Beth said, starting to tremble.
Michiko grabbed Beth’s collar. “It’ll be okay,” she said. “I won’t let you fall.”
“It’s not that.” Beth’s voice was shaking. “What was the deal with those people who were following us?”
“They’re not people,” Michiko said. “They were once, but not any more.”
“What are they, then?”
“Jiang shi. Energy vampires. The hopping dead.”
“Vampires?” Beth said faintly.
“They’re not like Western vampires,” Michiko said. “They don’t bite you and suck your blood. They just latch on to you and drain your life force, and when they’re done, you’re one of them.”
“That’s not reall
y an improvement,” Beth said. “Does this mean…?”
“Their controller has taken Jiao and the others.”
“Oh my God.” Beth turned pale. “How do we stop them?”
“I don’t know.” Michiko shook her head. “I wasn’t trained in fighting jiang shi. Everyone thought the last one was destroyed a decade ago when the Great Tactician sent his wizards to wipe them out.”
Beth closed her eyes. “Michiko…I don’t mind saying that I’m scared right now. Really scared.”
“I’m kind of scared too.” Beth looked at Michiko as she continued, “I don’t know if just kicking their butts will be enough to stop them. And if anything happened to Auntie Ting, we may not—”
She stopped talking as she glanced down. The four jiang shi hopped past the tree, underneath the branch where they sat, not looking up. Michiko watched quietly; looking over at Beth, she could see that her partner was biting back a scream. “They’re gone,” Michiko finally said as the hopping dead moved on.
“Michiko…” Beth watched the jiang shi as they vanished in the trees. “You said their victims become just like them?”
“Yeah.”
Beth swallowed. “We can’t let that happen to Jiao and the others. We can’t. We have to try to help.”
“It’ll be dangerous,” Michiko said. “I should leave you here.”
“Not a chance.” Beth’s jaw was set. “No matter what, the safest place I can be is near you. And Jiao may need all the help we can give her.”
Michiko found herself smiling. “Thanks,” she said. “Let’s get down from here.”
“Where’s your staff?”
Michiko stretched out her right hand. “Incoming,” she said.
“Basket weaver?” Yun the cheeseman raised an eyebrow as he stared at the slender, lovely young woman who sat on the bench next to him. “Why basket weaver?”
“I had some skill and training in it,” she said. “The advisors felt I should learn something artistic.”
“Why was that?”
“Because they were concerned that I spent so much time studying tactics and combat. They wanted me to be a little more…like a princess.”
“It still seems unlikely to me…Your Highness.”
Princess Jiao nodded. “I never expected this to happen. I never thought I’d grow so close to someone while I was in disguise.”
“And yet you have.” Yun looked away. “Not that it matters.”
“Why would you say that?”
“No doubt, the royal advisors have planned your future out in great deal. Marry a rich merchant’s son or a noble’s nephew. Provide an heir. Rule when your time comes. Never step out of line.” Yun rose. “Never follow your heart.”
“Then you’d be wrong.” Jiao jumped to her feet. “I may be the heir to the throne of Nui, but I am my own woman. I will not let anyone dictate to me who I will love. I will let my heart decide…”
Yun looked back at Jiao and was shocked by the tears on her cheeks. “And it has decided,” she said, “on the kindest man I have ever met. Turn away if you will, Yun. Reject me for not being honest with you, for being royalty, for whatever reason. But I want you to know that…that I love you.” Jiao bowed her head, weeping quietly.
She felt a hand cupping her chin, raising her head. She looked up into Yun’s eyes. “My princess…” He swallowed. “If…you would have me, if you would willingly face all opposition to love me, how could I not return that love? How, when your smile causes the heavens to open? When your laugh is sweeter than a magpie’s song? When your spirit is fiery and loving and wise all at the same time?”
“Yun—” Jiao started to say, but he pulled her into his arms. She returned his embrace, kissing him joyously.
When their lips parted, Yun looked down at Jiao. “Your Highness…my love…”
“Yes?” Jiao said.
Yun finally smiled. “I fear that you are not the only one who was concealing a secret.” He reached inside his robe—
Yun groaned as the soft kick landed against his thigh, snapping him into consciousness and out of his happy memory. “Still alive!” the shrill voice said with a cackle.
The prince opened his eyes and saw the rotting floorboards he lay on. He slowly rose to his knees, but froze when he heard the moaning. He looked around and gasped when he saw the jiang shi.
There were more than a dozen of them in the room. Four surrounded Yun, arms stretched towards him, waiting to drain his life away if he made any move to attack. “Where is she?” he said.
“Yun!” He looked over to a dais set by the far wall. Jiao was there, sitting in a throne, three jiang shi guarding her. He looked around the room and saw Merchant Zheng, bent over and slightly green, and Auntie Ting, bound and gagged, both watched carefully by more of the hopping dead.
“Quiet,” the high-pitched voice said. “Do not stress yourself, my princess.”
The speaker walked past Yun. He was old and wizened, with a long tangled beard, wearing a plain red robe. “Who are you?” Yun said.
“It has been so long since I was asked that,” the man said. “The last time was when I joined the crusade to destroy the jiang shi. But then, I saw how splendid they were, how useful. I rescued one of the necromancers, and he taught me everything he knew before he died. A shame he insisted on cremation.”
“Who are you!” the prince repeated. “You filthy corpse-stealer!”
“I suppose you can call me the Lord of the Temple,” the necromancer said. “But ‘corpse-stealer’? They are just bodies. Once the souls had departed, they needed a use, a purpose. I just provided them with one.”
“You defile the dead,” Yun hissed. Auntie Ting glared at the necromancer and shouted muffled curses.
“I create warriors. Servants. Protectors. They deal with intruders, and I do the rest to increase their numbers.”
“There were two others with us,” Jiao said. “What happened to them?”
“The Earthlings?” The Lord turned towards his captive. “My work is at its best on faeries. There are always problems when I work with goblins, ogres and the like. So, it’s best to dispose of them for good.”
“Dispose?” the princess said.
“No witnesses.” The necromancer began to pace around the room. “At least I can put you three to use. My servants could use a good feeding, and three of you should do the trick.”
“Three?”
The necromancer smiled a cruel yet oddly sweet smile. “Even with my servants, I get lonely with no one to talk to. You would make a lovely bride. And when your spirit departs for Heaven, your body will still be here.” Jiao looked into his mad eyes and had to fight back a scream.
“That must be it.” Michiko pointed with her staff at the temple in the mists. It was old, and abandoned; Beth could see the holes in the roof and the broken windows. “Even jiang shi and their masters need shelter from the elements.”
“Such as it is.” Beth shivered. “So what’s the plan?”
“Jiang shi are faster than you’d think,” Michiko said, “but I can still outrun them. Even when I’m weighed down.”
“Weighed—” Beth stopped as Michiko picked her up. “You just like carrying me, don’t you?”
“I’m not complaining.” Michiko grinned. “We get inside, rescue everyone we can, and let Auntie Ting loose on the jiang shi. She seems like the type that could take out the hopping dead.”
“Assuming she’s still alive.” Beth shook her head.
“She probably is. Anyone who thinks keeping jiang shi around is a good idea probably doesn’t have the sense to kill their dangerous enemies first. Now hold on!” Beth wrapped her arms around Michiko’s neck as the Monkey Queen started to run.
There were jiang shi surrounding the temple, placed at regular intervals as if they were pieces on a chessboard, wearing armor pieced together from the bodies of dozens of soldiers. They saw the Monkey Queen charging towards them and started to advance with their horrifying hopping gait, but Mi
chiko shot past them like pawns waiting to be moved. “That was easy!” she said.
“Yeah, but this part won’t be.” Beth pointed to the door, which had long ago broken off its hinges. Four of the hopping dead stood there, arms reaching out slowly to seize the living.
Michiko quickly set Beth down and grabbed her staff. She poked at the jiang shi, who hissed as they moved closer. “Stay behind me!” she said to Beth, who nodded.
The jiang shi grouped together as they hopped towards the door. Michiko held her staff in front of her, parallel to the ground, and pushed out hard, dodging the grasping hands. The jiang shi tumbled to the floor, flopping around, their stiff arms and legs unable to push them upright. “That just looks…sad,” Beth said.
“But it works! Come on!” Michiko grabbed Beth’s arm and led her inside. They sprinted down a hall that ended in a set of double doors; Michiko jumped and kicked, and her momentum carried her through in a shower of splinters.
“Those doors weren’t locked!” a shrill voice shouted. Michiko landed in a crouch and looked up at the speaker, an old man wearing red. “It’ll take my servants forever to get that fixed!”
“Necromancer,” Michiko said softly. Anger flashed in her eyes. Behind her, Beth reached into a pocket.
“I will see you all dead!” the necromancer shouted. “Servants—”
“Zap!” The bolt of force shot from Beth’s wand and struck the necromancer in the chest, knocking him over. The jiang shi froze in place.
Michiko ran over to Auntie Ting and yanked off her gag. “Good thinking, Beth!” she said as she untied the priestess’ ropes.
“I thought taking out their controller would buy a few minutes,” Beth said. “Let’s not waste them.”
Jiao nodded as she jumped off the dais. “Get going, all of you!” she said. “Before they start moving!”
Michiko nodded and gestured towards the shattered door. Beth moved aside to make room for Jiao and Yun, followed by Merchant Sheng. Michiko and Auntie Ting brought up the rear. “Outside!” the Monkey Queen shouted.
A Tiding of Magpies Page 8