The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  Like his mission now, reflected T’ze with resignation. He had come back to his own home as executioner, to prevent the annihilation of the Temple. Much as he loathed his mission it was necessary and, as on many other occasions, he pushed the guilt and recriminations to one side. The guilt rests with the master, the guardian has no choice but to obey his oaths of fealty. He is merely his master’s tool. For the first time in many years T’ze considered how much easier it had become to avoid the responsibility for what he did in the name of others. This time, the lesser evil he would commit was against his own and consequently had more impact.

  Bracing against the morning chill, T’ze shook off his doubts and started across the bridge. His duty was clear, there was no other way. To fulfil his mission he must suppress all thoughts and emotion which would hinder its success. As his foot landed on the bridge a gong was struck in the Temple, the blow repeated at regular intervals and not stopping until he reached the huge oak gates to the entrance.

  The gates silently swung open, their large brass studs glinting in the sun as he strode between the narrow entrance and the roofless corridor beyond. Walls towered up on either side, closely fitting blocks depriving unwelcome intruders of handholds to scale them. Should an invader get past the bridge and then breach the formidable gates they would enter this killing ground, from which there was no way out except the entrance he had just used or a set of identical gates at the other end. The killing ground was fifty feet long, fifteen feet across and enclosed by walls thirty feet high. At various points in the walls were sluice vents which would channel oil onto a stalled invader, who would wish they had never got this far. The top of the walls were crenulated to allow defenders some cover while still able to attack those below. A stronghold’s weakest point was usually its entrances but for the Temple there was only one entrance and it was a trap for the unwary.

  When T’ze reached the centre of the killing ground the gates behind silently swung closed and only when the remotely operated brass bound locking-bars dropped into place with a distinct thud did the gates in front of him, the middle gates, begin to swing open. T’ze smiled inwardly at the message he, the emperor’s guardian, was intended to receive. As were all visitors to the Temple. The Temple was a formidable well maintained fortress, wary of external threat and it would not be an easy target.

  After T’ze passed through the middle gates his feet drummed upon the wooden platform covering “the hole” on the far side. In the event of an attack the platform would be removed and present another obstacle to an invader. The hole, as the priests referred to it, ran the full fifty feet of the tunnel behind the middle and inner gates, the sheer walls stretching to a bottom too distant to see clearly from within the tunnel. The tunnel was another killing ground with no exit other than the way in and the door at the far end.

  Once through the inner gates T’ze’s feet were again upon solid ground and he was in the walled grounds of the Temple. Immediately behind the curtain walls there was an area of orchards and vegetable gardens, which in the event of a siege could make the Temple self-sufficient for a long time. An attempt to starve out the occupants would take years, especially if they had extensive stores to draw upon and secret routes out to the country beyond, as T’ze well knew the Temple did.

  T’ze passed through the gardens and the inner keep, whose walls were even higher than the outer curtain walls, keeping to the main route. Passing the mixture of stone and wooden buildings which made up the living quarters for the priests and the shared utility areas, T’ze eventually arrived at the Temple’s main training area. Passing through ornate wooden doors he stepped into a walled arena, open to the sky with terraced seats encircling the sanded training ground.

  The terraced seats were almost fully occupied with priests, representing all levels of initiation. T’ze estimated there could not be less than a thousand on the terraces, probably everyone in the Temple and explaining the unusual absence of anyone before he reached the training ground. Facing him as he walked towards them in the centre of the training ground were the elders of the Temple, identified by their black robes. They were sitting cross legged on a raised dais, which left them slightly higher than anyone standing before them. It seemed he was expected and T’ze was gratified at being reminded what a formidable adversary the Temple priests were. The Temple was fully prepared for his arrival and knowing he came in his capacity as the emperor’s guardian, probably suspecting he brought ill news.

  As T’ze reached the dais he stopped and bowed deeply from the waist to the elders. Sitting in the centre and slightly forward was Si Li, whom T’ze knew well. It was Si Li who bid T’ze rise and spoke for the Temple. “Welcome Brother. It is too long since you last returned home. Your brethren welcome you. Be as one amongst us and find peace.”

  T’ze was the emperor’s guardian sent to administer a punishment and as such he retained the authority of the emperor in his voice when he replied. “Greetings honoured elders. It is with regret I return not as a priest amongst his brothers but as the emperor’s guardian, here at his bidding. I am his sword, come to take the life of your champion, the best you can field, for the Temple’s incursions on his Excellency’s grace. I am here to demonstrate the emperor’s power, to show that the emperor can reach inside the Temple with impunity to take the life he demands, thus restoring his face and reminding the Temple of his power. You must select your champion now and without delay. We will fight to the death and if I should lose, you must select your strongest candidate to replace me. He will then make the same challenge I make now. This will continue until the emperor’s champion, his guardian, is victorious and is able to return to the emperor and inform him of his victory.”

  Undecided whether he expected a protest or an attempt to avert the contest, T’ze was mildly surprised when after a short while Si Li enquired of the arena. “Who would stand against the emperor’s champion for the Temple?” There was a brief pause before every man in the terraces rose to stand. Si Li let the echo of the response die down before he called out. “If a priest more proficient than you in the martial skills stands, then sit!” Almost in unison the priests lining the terraces sat, except for a priest at the end of the front bench nearest to the dais. Si Li gave a brief nod of acknowledgement to the priest, the only man who had remained standing. “Duan will stand for the Temple against the emperor’s champion.”

  T’ze turned to study the priest, not someone he recognised and considerably younger than himself. T’ze acknowledged he was getting old and it was hardly surprising he would not know many new faces in the Temple, he had been absent for a long time. Nevertheless, he was surprised the Temple’s champion was unknown to him. The young priest looked athletic and was staring intently at T’ze with an unseemly hunger for battle, at least for a priest of the Temple who was only meant to enter combat reluctantly.

  Si Li asked T’ze quietly. “The Temple’s champion is acceptable and complies with the emperor’s requirements?”

  T’ze glanced across the packed terraces, unable to recognise anyone he thought to be stronger than the young priest, Duan. No priest would so readily acknowledge another was stronger unless they genuinely believed it to be the case and he was satisfied Duan was the strongest contender here this morning. “The Temple’s champion, Duan, is acceptable.” Feeling like a violator of his own home T’ze was anxious to get the task done. “Let us begin.”

  “Hold, T’ze.” Si Li called in a mild tone. “Let us not be hasty. We do not blame you for the mission assigned you by the emperor, his punishing the Temple. You are merely here as his tool, compelled by your oath to do as he instructs and we know you would wish otherwise for yourself. Take time to renew old friendships, rest after your journey. Eat and take tea. You have made your challenge under the terms as ordered and we have nominated our champion as was required. The day is young, be a priest again for as long as it lasts and fulfil the emperor’s evil deed in this evening’s darkness, where it belongs.” Si Li finished his invitation w
ith open hands, bearing a smile of invitation for T’ze and with genuine compassion.

  T’ze hesitated, comparing what Si Li had said against the emperor’s instructions to him. It would be good to see old friends again and he certainly would not tarry if he were successful. This was T’ze’s third consecutive term as a guardian to the royal family, the first two terms for the current emperor’s father and now his son at their request. Constant obedience to his masters and fulfilling their many demands had, over time, conditioned him to their way of thinking. Not agreement so much as acquiescence that he was unable to change the royal family’s view. That he was their personal asset and would not be able to offer his skills or services beyond the emperor’s immediate circle.

  His indenture had initially been full of hope for the benefits he could offer his people but over time the hope had disappeared to be replaced by an ingrained sense of dutiful loyalty to his masters. In the earlier years T’ze had longed for a return to the Temple but recently the thought had not even crossed his mind, until he received the emperor’s command. He had been pleased at the prospect of returning but as he had closed the distance he chastised himself for a sentimental old fool given the reason he would be there. T’ze had expected only resentment or even hostility at his presence but instead he was welcomed home like an honoured son. T’ze gradually relaxed, the tension draining from him. He had been touched by Si Li’s genuine warmth far more than he would have thought possible. “Tonight then.” he replied hesitantly.

  Si Li smiled his approval and with a small bow signalled to an initiate who led T’ze away while Si Li dismissed the rest of the gathering.

  The arena began emptying except for the Temple’s champion whose smouldering eyes followed T’ze as he was led away. When Melong had approached Duan with his proposal Melong had made it clear he believed T’ze was the stronger opponent and would inevitably defeat him. Duan knew T’ze’s reputation but nevertheless had other plans. He had but a short time to live, whether he lost the competition or died of the vile canker devouring his insides. But he intended to win, he needed to win. Without victory his life and training to this point would have amounted to nothing. A single failed bout. But if he were to win against the emperor’s champion, the mighty T’ze, his fame would live long after he died of his despised illness and, surely, with such a notable success behind him he would have but a short wait on the Great Wheel before he was again given a new life in the world. “Your defeat will buy me greatness old man. Your death will speed my return to the next life, to live out a proper term next time.” Duan hissed under his breath.

  He knew they expected him to be defeated but he vowed that despite their expectations he would win, because he had nothing to lose and so much to gain. A thought which Duan found surprisingly comforting, causing him to give a bitter smile as he too turned to leave the arena and prepare for the contest to follow.

  Chapter 9

  Li Chin arrived at the Temple just as the light began to fade. His eyes began searching for the beater to strike the gong hanging on a hook beside the gates to gain admittance, when he realised the gates were already ajar. Torches had been placed in iron sconces either side of the bridge but with no gatekeeper it was an unusually bleak return to the normally welcoming Temple.

  Within the inner gardens there was still no sign of the Temple’s occupants and it was eerily silent. By the time Li Chin reached the doors to the arena the sun had set and the moon was rising to cast the Temple in its cold, bluish light. He strode between pools of light cast by lanterns hung along the route to the Temple’s heart, the training ground.

  He pushed the heavy doors to the arena open and on entering was surprised to see the terraces full. The arena was well lit with regularly spaced stands holding flaring torches and shallow oil filled bowls alight with bright flames. The sand floor of the arena had been freshly raked and the terraces were packed with the Temple’s brethren, the elders sitting cross legged on a dais at the far end of the training area.

  Continuing his progress towards the dais Li Chin had the attention of the entire arena as he stopped before the elders and bowed, straightening up in front of Si Li. The torch flames snapping in a gentle breeze caused the only sound in the otherwise silent arena. Li Chin had looked forward to a fond reunion with his old teacher many times over the last five years. Now that he had arrived and was face to face with Si Li the carefully prepared statements deserted him and he only stared without speaking, conflicting emotions leaving him bereft of words.

  Si Li, without ceremony, gestured to a space at the end of the front row terrace nearest to the dais. Si Li was the senior elder and for whatever was happening here tonight he was also master of ceremonies. His expression was blank and the gesture to the vacant space a command rather than an invitation. Li Chin went to the space apparently reserved for him and sat cross legged to wait his turn. Whatever events were being orchestrated he was momentarily content to defer the onerous task of confronting his former teacher. Si Li continued to sit motionless with his hands in the opposing sleeves of his gown, as implacable as the other elders who sat in a row behind him, his presence commanding without need of instructions.

  While those gathered in the arena waited silently the moon had been rising and when it fully illuminated the arena floor a gong in the buildings to the rear of the dais sounded. When it was struck a second time Si Li rose and two men dressed in loose pantaloons, broad waist bands and bared chests entered the arena from either side of the dais. They both turned to face the dais and bowed, backs to the crowded terraces, before standing straight and proud.

  Si Li spoke out so all could hear clearly. “Let it be known. The emperor has sent his champion to challenge the Temple’s own champion. The challenge is not one the Temple can evade without sanction from the emperor. T’ze, the emperor’s champion and guardian, our esteemed brother of the Temple, brings the challenge. When delivering the challenge the challenger demanded the strongest champion we could field on receiving the challenge. The Temple’s champion is Duan. The contest is to the death. No quarter to be sought and none to be given. The contest will only be over when the victor leaves the field and the soul of the vanquished is set upon the Great Wheel once again.” Si Li paused briefly before picking up the rhetoric again and gesturing to the man on his right, the man nearest to Li Chin. “Let all here honour T’ze, who is bound by his oath as guardian and to be held blameless for the implementation of his master’s commands.”

  As one the terraces called out. “Ho, T’ze!” simultaneously clapping their left hand to their right breast.

  Si Li gestured to the man on his right. “Let all here honour Duan, who freely offers himself in answer to the Temple’s call for a champion.”

  Again the terraces called out as one. “Ho, Duan!” and clapped their left hand to their right breast. Otherwise there was complete silence. The atmosphere had grown taught with expectation, heightened by the ceremony and flickering torch lights.

  Si Li turned to the two men and asked them both. “Is it your free wish to continue?” To which they both gave a brief nod. “Then begin and the Spirits protect you both.” With which, Si Li stepped back a pace and sat cross legged with the rest of the elders to witness the contest.

  Both contestants made a short bow to each other and walked to opposite sides of the arena, where each had an array of identical weapons held in wooden racks. Li Chin examined the two contestants as they selected their preferred weapon. He recognised T’ze from his childhood whilst he had been an acolyte at the Temple, though he did not know him beyond recognition. He was aware of T’ze’s reputation as a skilled and dangerous warrior and could see the easy grace with which the man moved. T’ze carried the developed musculature of a man in his prime. Despite his age he remained lithe, his bared chest and arms laced with fine white scars, testament to the many battles he had survived as the victor. In comparison Duan was young. His lean body rippled with vibrant muscle toned to perfection but with a lighter build than
T’ze and almost completely free of any battle scars. Li Chin wondered at the apparent youth and inexperience of the Temple’s champion, though he too moved with grace and the barely restrained power of a large cat.

  Assuming there was no significant imbalance in their skills Li Chin expected the contest would hinge on T’ze’s greater strength and experience against Duan’s speed and youthful stamina. The two protagonists had both selected swords, though T’ze had selected a curved blade similar to Li Chin’s own, whereas Duan had selected a straight blade of the same length. They approached each other cautiously in the centre ground, their bared chests reflecting the flickering torch light.

  Oblivious of the spectators now and entirely focused on their adversary they circled each other slowly, displaying every aspect of the dangerous predators they were. Duan waited until the moon was directly behind him before taking a step back the way he had come, hoping the moon’s light would distract T’ze while he made a probing strike, his blade flicked out almost too quick to follow. T’ze mirrored Duan’s action, avoiding any distraction and swept his own blade down to deflect the strike, following with an equally quick riposte.

  From then the battle was engaged in earnest with a dazzling flurry of thrusts, deflections, reposts and counters. The clash of blades and almost constant scrape of metal upon metal beating out a hectic tempo as both men tested their opponent’s defences, only to counter a furious attack in return. There was no doubting the skill of both men as they tested the other’s ability, engaged in an almost acrobatic dance around the arena floor during this early stage of the contest. The combatants appeared well matched and Li Chin could see the younger man’s inexperience was offset by a natural ability with the sword. Neither had a clear advantage over the other and the competition would indeed be determined by a test of T’ze’s experience and strength verses Duan’s youth and agility, as he had initially expected.