The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  Zu Wah snaked his hands in the opposite sleeves of his gown as he halted before Li Chin, his curling fingernails marking him out as a member of the aristocracy with servants to meet all of his physical needs. “Can I not persuade you to accompany us to the Sun Palace before you return to the Temple, Guardian? It would be unseemly to attend the emperor, my uncle, without the guardian I am entitled to as a member of the royal family. Surely you are able to attend me the few remaining days before the new guardian is appointed?” Though Zu Wah’s query had started with a note of authority, it finished sounding more like a whine.

  Li Chin ignored Zu Wah’s petulant tone, schooling his own features to keep them expressionless. “I regret my prompt departure, but I have been summoned by the Temple elders to return as soon as my indenture is complete. It is provident that on the day my indenture ceases our roads diverge as they do. I beg your indulgence but the Temple is now my new master and I must obey their commands as diligently as I have obeyed your own, while I was your guardian.”

  Zu Wah’s eyes narrowed making his face, still smooth from its lingering adolescence, seem older than his eighteen years. As usual, anything other than complete compliance to Zu Wah’s wishes was received as an insult or as a direct challenge to his authority. He had not missed the emphasis Li Chin placed on his changed status from guardian to priest, as Li Chin had intended. Zu Wah’s authority over Li Chin had expired along with Li Chin’s period of indenture to him at the passing of the midday sun. “Then you should be on your way to your new masters.” Zu Wah attempted to make it sound as though he were instructing Li Chin to leave. “I must learn to manage without you and instead take my counsel from your successor.” he replied loftily.

  Li Chin bowed again to Zu Wah and was relieved when Captain Chow approached with Xiou, who was bearing a large cauldron of rice. For the rice to have been prepared so quickly it must have been the meal the village had been preparing for themselves. “Come, join me priest, in a final shared meal of parting at least.” Zu Wah had placed an equal level of emphasis on Li Chin’s revised status. He turned and started towards his dining area, now laid with silk rugs and cushions, fine porcelain and ivory chop sticks, all under a silk canopy to shield the diners from the sun. A small brazier had been lit and was already supporting a fine porcelain pot of tea, a thin wisp of steam lazily trailing from the spout. Unable to avoid the invitation without causing unnecessary insult Li Chin reluctantly turned to join Zu Wah.

  Captain Chow faced the chamberlain, gesturing at the cauldron of rice. “We have sufficient here for the life guard, the servants and the porters but there is little else in the village as their stores were depleted by the last party to travel through. You will have to breakout our own stores from the wagon to serve the master and the common soldiers.”

  As Zu Wah approached the canopied dining area his pique, already raised by Li Chin’s rebuttal, was further raised at the meagre offerings of the village. The chamberlain was bowing in response to Captain Chow and about to order additional stores from the wagon when Zu Wah’s affronted and imperious tone interrupted him. “Surely, this cannot be the best even the poorest of villages has to offer? What would they eat tomorrow?”

  Xiou immediately threw himself to his knees and began unconsciously wringing his hands. “It is all we have Master and was to be our own meal for the day. We are a poor village and another large group passed through the village yesterday, taking what they would. We have nothing else to offer until we can gather the next harvest.” His tone was wretched and he obviously feared for the worst.

  All motion in the village had ceased as those around quickly picked up on Zu Wah’s intervention, though his outward appearance remained calm. “There is always more. What you found yesterday for others you can find again for my household today.” Zu Wah stated carelessly.

  Xiou was rapidly dry washing his hands now. “There is no more Master,” he mumbled, barely coherent in his rising fear of the inherent threat of denying a master even the smallest thing.

  Zu Wah spoke calmly to the quivering headman. “If there is indeed nothing, then there is no harm. However, if you have deliberately tried to deceive me and greedily withheld stores when asked to provide, well then we shall see; Chamberlain!”

  The Chamberlain ran over to stand beside the unfortunate Xiou, no less surprised at Zu Wah’s intervention than had the village been able to offer anything he would have dared present to his tetchy new master. “Master?”

  “Take Captain Chow and search the village to see if this man is telling the truth.” The chamberlain and Captain Chow bowed, quickly turning to shout instructions to the life guard and the household servants. Zu Wah turned to Li Chin with an ingratiating smile. “Why do peasants persist in flagrant disregard for our authority? If they succeed in small acts of defiance it will only give them the confidence to perpetrate greater incursions. It is a burden to educate them on how they should behave towards their betters, but without a firm hand to correct their misdemeanours, how would they learn, priest?”

  Li Chin retained his impassive composure, though he was certain the display was for his benefit and a punishment for not complying with Zu Wah’s request to accompany him to the Sun Palace. The unfortunate Xiou remained on his knees, still wringing both hands as he mumbled, “There is no more,” over and over, though now it sounded more like a prayer. A short distance behind him was a woman of a similar age, looking equally distraught, who Li Chin took to be the man’s wife. Beside her were a young boy and a teenage girl, clinging on to the woman’s worn gown as they watched the nightmare unfold in front of them. The boy, who appeared the youngest, started to cry when the chamberlain and one of the life guards returned to the group carrying a wicker cage containing a cock and two hens. The birds squawked in alarm from inside their cage as it was thrown accusingly to the ground beside the headman.

  The chamberlain bowed to Zu Wah. “We found the birds in the cellar of this man’s house, along with sealed earthenware jars of rice, millet and other seed stock Master.”

  Zu Wah’s features remained impassive but there was no disguising the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at Li Chin. “Ah. So it seems there is more after all and you have lied to me old man.” Zu Wah looked down at the desolate headman, who was staring at the caged chickens as if they had betrayed him. “And how should I respond to peasants who lie to me, selfishly withholding support to my household? If I leave such transgressions unpunished others will believe they may also do the same without fear of repercussion.”

  The old woman behind Xiou clenched the front of her gown in both hands as she dropped to her knees in the dirt, moaning quietly in anguish, while now both of the children also cried in dread. Xiou looked up at Zu Wah with a slack face. “These are our seed stores and breeding birds Master. Without them the whole village would be without eggs or a crop for the next season.”

  Zu Wah looked at Li Chin triumphantly, deaf to the man’s pleading explanation. “I gave him the opportunity to volunteer what he should have offered freely but instead he lied and continued to conceal what was due to me. It is a direct challenge of my authority and an insult that he believes his own requirements superior to my own. I do not need a guardian to tell me this man should lose his head if I am to retain the respect and authority due to my person.”

  It was clear to Li Chin the real punishment was aimed at him, for not acceding to Zu Wah’s request to accompany him to the Sun Palace. He schooled his features to mask the anger he felt towards this arrogant young fool, who abused his power to take pleasure and satisfaction in such spiteful revenge.

  With the flick of a curling finger nail, Zu Wah signalled to Captain Chow. “Separate this old man from his head, so others may learn from his greedy stupidity and not suffer a similar fate.” Zu Wah affected a disinterested air as he regarded the condemned man down his nose, but avarice filled his eyes for the blood which would flow, the life taken at his command.

  There were shocked gasps from the
peasants around the central square and Xiou’s family gave cries of alarm at Zu Wah’s command. Moans of muted anguish were repeated at the sight of Captain Chow roughly taking hold of Xiou’s shoulder and forcing him upright on his knees. Chow’s sword made a cold hiss as it was unsheathed and held double handed over his shoulder, ready to carry out Zu Wah’s orders. The bright blade was held steady and poised to swing and Chow looked to Zu Wah for his confirmation to complete the command. Other members of the life guard had quickly positioned themselves around the scene, alert to the heightened tension and ready to defend their master, though none believed there was any genuine threat from a peasant village.

  “Wait!” Li Chin swept a glance over the village. All the villagers were on their knees and there was a shocked silence apart from the stifled sobs of Xiou’s children, still clinging to their mother. Li Chin locked eyes with Zu Wah and forced humility to replace the anger he felt, so his true feelings would not be betrayed in his voice and demeanour. “Master. I have served the Wah House, your father and you, faithfully for the last five years. I would ask a boon of you, on this, my last day of service. Forgive this man his indiscretion and free him. I am certain no insult or challenge was intended. The respect and loyalty of your people is in no doubt but a magnanimous gesture on your part would also secure their love and admiration.”

  Zu Wah nodded slowly, as though considering the request. “As ever, wise counsel from our previous guardian and it pleases me to reward such loyal service. Captain, release this man.” Captain Chow pushed Xiou forward so he fell gratefully on all fours, as Xiou’s wife rushed towards him in support and was quickly on her knees at Xiou’s side.

  “However,” Zu Wah’s voice was full of false regret as he continued, “respect and loyalty are hard won. To be effective, justice must be seen to be done and I cannot risk my generosity being interpreted as weakness. His family are also culpable as the stock was in their house and they too must have known of it. Captain Chow, behead them instead.”

  Zu Wah made little attempt to mask the satisfaction he felt at having needled his otherwise impassive guardian. Captain Chow signalled his men to take the children while he roughly shoved Xiou away with a foot and turned Xiou’s wife to face Zu Wah, again raising his sword he looked to Zu Wah for the confirmation to strike. The children were dragged wailing into the dirt of the road beside their mother whose hands were now reaching out helplessly towards her children, even though they were well beyond her reach. Xiou had collapsed to a silent despairing heap, tears silently streaming down his face, too devoid of hope to even protest.

  Angry he was indirectly the cause of the imminent executions Li Chin stepped between the old man still on his knees and Zu Wah. Straining to maintain a tone of deference in his voice and to keep his eyes bereft of challenge, he tried again. “Master, I beg you reconsider. The punishment is disproportionate to the crime and your real anger is at me, not this man and his family.”

  Zu Wah looked indifferently at Li Chin. “The dilemmas of leadership are a heavy burden, as you yourself have lectured me many times. Perhaps I should let you carry the burden of this particular decision before you leave us, Priest. You may decide whether you behead the old man yourself or command Captain Chow to behead his family in your stead. In either case, justice is seen to be done and you may claim your odd boon for loyal service to our House. Choose quickly, so we may proceed with our farewell meal without further delay.” Zu Wah had already become bored with the executions, his interest now focused on the discomfort he was causing Li Chin and what he would decide.

  Steeling himself against the resentment he felt towards Zu Wah, Li Chin knew there could be only one decision if he were to minimise the deaths. He would execute the old man in front of his family, for the crime of trying to feed them from the fruits of his own labours. Then he would take his leave, escaping Zu Wah’s vindictive influence. Li Chin withdrew his sword. There was a chiming ring that hung in the air as it cleared the sheath. Raising it to shoulder height parallel to the road above Xiou’s head he held Zu Wah’s gaze as he waited for the command to continue.

  Zu Wah placed his palms together in front of his chest, careful of his nails, the symbols of his indolent and pampered life. Reading the question in Li Chin’s delay he said calmly, “The death of the old man by your hand or those of his children and wife at the hands of the life guard. It must be one or the other to preserve our honour and authority. Choose, Priest.” Zu Wah appeared curious but unconcerned as to what Li Chin would decide, knowing he would have his revenge either way.

  Li Chin avoided the dark orbs of Zu Wah’s eyes, feeling his own anger rising at being so easily manipulated to conduct such a gross act. Something he had succeeded in avoiding throughout his indenture and which he knew would scar him forever. Nevertheless, he forced the anger to drain out of him, to be replaced by a bleak fatalism at the empire’s unwillingness or inability to change. Perhaps he was wrong to try and overturn what was accepted. Perhaps he too should just accept what was and retire to the Temple, turning his back on his people as they had apparently done on themselves. Li Chin committed to the vile act and pushed all emotion down into his inner well. He forced down all resentment at Zu Wah, anger at his predicament, his sense of injustice and any pity for the old man; eventually feeling the inner calm he sought wash over him.

  Focusing on a post at the end of the square, he was almost in a meditative state as he prepared for the swing which would complete his task and allow him to resume his journey home to the sanctuary of the Temple. With all emotion forced to the core of his inner self he was prepared to complete whatever was demanded of him and he raised his eyes to meet those of Zu Wah, seeking the final confirmation to strike. Zu Wah’s mocking amusement at Li Chin’s consternation was clearly visible but Li Chin ignored it, keeping a tight rein on his own emotions, driving himself deeper into that private place which would allow his body to work freely, without being hampered by conscious thought, waiting doggedly for the command to proceed. He saw a brief nod from Zu Wah and Li Chin turned to the quivering Xiou, who was now only being held upright on his knees by Captain Chow’s firm grip on his shoulder. Chow’s lined face was devoid of compassion as he focused on expediting his master’s commands without allowing room for personal conflict regarding his own dogged obedience.

  In a fraction of a second before he struck Li Chin tensed experiencing an odd sense of dizziness. There was a moment of confused shock and then it felt as though his consciousness was ripped savagely away. From deep within his internal well, where only moments earlier he had so carefully coaxed it, through his head and into a black void.

  Astonished, Li Chin called out and dropped his sword, raising hands to his head which felt as though it had been cloven by an axe. But there was no sound as he called out, no sword to drop, no head to be grasped and he could neither feel nor see anything of his surroundings. There was simply nothing but a total void, which had absorbed him in the fraction of time between deciding and then acting on the decision to swing his sword. Bewildered, he became aware of a remote glow, a small point of light in the distance. Focusing on it intently he could see it was gradually drawing closer, barely brighter than a candle but, nevertheless, dazzling due to the total lack of anything else in the void. As the light continued to approach Li Chin wondered if he should fear it but as his only reference point he welcomed the light even if it did represent a danger.

  The light slowed and drew to a halt in front of him. He could have held the hovering orb in the palm of his hand and immediately following this thought he was certain this was what he should do, that the orb wanted him to do so. Tentatively, Li Chin extended the hand he couldn’t feel or see until it would have gently cradled the orb before his chest. Just as his hand would have made contact the orb gave a single pulse and Li Chin felt he had made some sort of connection with the light. “Guide,” the instant correction came unbidden to his mind.

  Li Chin was flooded with relief at finding something in the vo
id and his mind filled with a host of questions as to why and where he was. “Later, come.” Came the thoughts and he had the sensation of being pulled within the void at great speed, though to where he had no idea.

  A dim glow appeared in the distance, not a point of light as his guide had been but more like a brightening horizon, towards which they sped at incredible speed. Looking down Li Chin could see nothing of himself, only the guide resting where his hand should be. By the time he looked up again they were crashing through a blinding disc of light, which only a moment ago had been on the distant horizon.

  Once through to the other side the glare dimmed and Li Chin was suspended over the tableau he had just left. He could clearly see himself below, sword poised and ready to strike, waiting only for the command from Zu Wah. The stricken features of the forlorn Xiou, the villagers gathered around in a rough circle and the life guard interspersed between the villagers; everyone completely frozen in the moment his consciousness had been wrenched from within his own body. Before Li Chin could form a question, the guide pulled him upwards at a dizzying speed, the frozen tableau below rapidly shrinking until he could barely discern the individual figures, even the village becoming indistinct.

  He was again entering a dark void but this time the dark void beyond the clouds, which were suddenly below him and shrinking as he was pulled ever onwards.

  Events were happening so quickly Li Chin had little time to be afraid, astounded or even curious about what was happening, though all of these emotions surged within him as he was pulled further towards the stars. Darkness gave way to a ceiling of light, a light with no source which stretched across as far as Li Chin could see in all directions. Faster and faster they approached until, with a sickening lurch, they were passing through it, their progress suddenly being resisted until, with a virtual gasp by Li Chin, they were through!