by Brian Thomas
Li Chin had taken full advantage of the Temple’s resources to learn all he could, revelling in the stimulating and companionable association of his fellows. Never appreciating it more than now, when it was no longer available. Without the resources of the Temple Li Chin would have to fall back on living off the country and from experience he knew this took a great deal of time, often resulting in meagre fare depending upon the area and season.
He suppressed a wry smile. It was all well and good to champion the cause of the poor and underprivileged but quite another having to share their impoverished existence with them. He had been discovering a good deal about himself in the last few days, confronting his own arrogance and pride, snobbery even. Li Chin was discovering it was not easy to indulge in higher aspirations when it took all of one’s available time and energy to gather enough food to live. Even more so for the general population when any hard won surplus was swiftly commandeered by the ruling classes. He had unwittingly placed himself on a pedestal looking down on the poorly educated lower classes. Money, or lack of it, was a great leveller and he too would have to focus on the more basic requirement of finding enough food to eat regularly.
Li Chin looked up to see a man was standing at the edge of his sphere of gloom, holding a clay cup in one hand and a wind instrument in the other. He greeted Li Chin laconically with a bow and wide smile. “Greetings, Warrior! May I join you at your table?” Without waiting for a reply he sat down, carefully placing his instrument to rest upright in a corner before continuing. “My name is Baubu, I play for the tavern and they reward me with all I can drink and eat for the evening.”
As he spoke one of the serving girls came up to the table and placed a jug of wine a bowl of rice and steamed vegetables in front of Baubu with a smile. Thanking her with a broad wink and an infectious smile of his own without referring to Li Chin he requested a second bowl so they could share his meal.
Li Chin watched without responding, suspicious of Baubu’s familiarity and largesse. Though he seemed a genuine young man and popular with the tavern’s clientele at least. Baubu served up two generous helpings and pushed one towards Li Chin extolling him to eat, while enthusiastically tucking in himself.
Once the serving girl had left and they were on their own again Baubu lowered his voice as he continued talking around a mouthful of food. “It is not often we see a Temple priest in our village.” He chuckled before adding. “In fact I think you may be the first! It is even more unusual to see a priest on his own and in a tavern!” Li Chin ate slowly grateful for the unexpected meal but now even more suspicious, wondering at how Baubu recognised him as a priest and why he had come over.
As if anticipating Li Chin’s thoughts Baubu gestured towards the tattoo on Li Chin’s forehead. “There are many who would not recognise the sign of the Temple now, though once it would have been recognised by all. But the sword and the tattoo together ensure you must be a Temple priest.”
Baubu continued to shovel in rice and vegetables as he spoke and Li Chin could see he was nervous, though this could be because he was being so familiar with a Temple priest. Li Chin watched without commenting. He continued to eat slowly, waiting to discover why Baubu had joined him and admonishing himself for not thinking to have changed the more obvious aspects of his appearance to thwart any searchers.
“At first I was not sure you were the same one but there cannot be so many priests in the area and you are alone, sitting in the dark and in our little tavern.” Pausing briefly between mouthfuls, Baubu waved his chop sticks to capture the occupants of the tavern before continuing. “There is much discussion about who you might be. We do not often get warriors frequenting here and it makes for interesting gossip.”
Li Chin stopped eating, his chopsticks poised half way between bowl and mouth while he regarded Baubu intently. “There is no need for concern.” Baubu quickly assured him. “None are likely to recognise the tattoo as easily as I did. I travel much between villages and towns and I would recognise a priest when few else would.” Scraping the last of the rice and vegetables into his mouth he looked diffidently over the bowl at Li Chin as he added in a low voice. “Besides, I saw you at my parent’s village when you spared our headman, Xiou.”
Li Chin flicked his eyes over Baubu’s shoulder but the tavern carried on its busy and convivial conversations, seemingly unaware of the two of them sitting quietly in their cloaking pool of gloom. Li Chin regarded Baubu coolly as he waited, wondering at Baubu’s purpose while keeping a sharp ear for any change in the atmosphere of the tavern or sounds from outside.
If Baubu were seeking to report him to the authorities, Li Chin reasoned, he would have done so by now and could think of no gain for Baubu in coming over as he had if he were contemplating betrayal. Li Chin resumed eating, chewing slowly on the food as he continued to watch his gregarious benefactor.
Baubu visibly relaxed as Li Chin continued eating without reacting adversely at being recognised. He started chatting excitedly again still nervous but reassured by his own boldness in coming over and Li Chin’s apparent calm. “None of us could understand why you spared Xiou. We all expected you would cut off his head, that our seed stocks would be commandeered and that we would all face hunger in the months ahead. We are pleased you did not but his life is probably forfeit as he has been taken to the Sun Palace anyway.”
Baubu nursed his clay cup as he added sadly. “Few ever return from such a visit and your sacrifice may have been in vain. The rest of us decided that soldiers would eventually come so we all left, some going to family in neighbouring villages while I and some others have decided to travel further afield. At least we have our lives and our seed so we can start again. We do not know why you interceded but we are grateful you spared the lives of Xiou and his family, especially at such cost to yourself. I just wanted to let you know that we were grateful.” He finished lamely, seemingly embarrassed at his own boldness and familiarity in coming over.
Li Chin had finished his food and gently pushed the bowl away from the edge of the table as he considered Baubu. He was surprised at how pleased he was by Baubu’s expression of gratitude, though saving the old man’s life had been more a consequence of his decision to kill Zu Wah rather than his prime consideration. Nevertheless, he had already committed to not taking any innocent’s life in the future or indeed any life unnecessarily. Li Chin felt his previous resolve return at the memory of his other self as an old and bitter man, haunted by a legion of ghosts of his own creation. He spoke to Baubu for the first time. “You have not travelled far in that time. I think you were wise to remove yourself from the scene but you will not outrun the emperor’s soldiers at this pace and you need to be further away yet. It is only a matter of time before the emperor sends his men to seek vengeance. He will punish anyone even remotely connected to the event and seek knowledge of my whereabouts.”
Baubu sat up with pride before he replied. “What you say is true but we will tell nothing of the troubles which lay behind us as we travel and to soldiers one peasant quickly becomes invisible amongst the others.”
Baubu glanced slyly at Li Chin. “With respect I think we may disappear more easily than you, a tattooed priest bearing a warrior’s topknot and carrying a large sword, whilst frequenting quiet taverns and sitting in the dark. Besides, we have the old and children with us. We cannot travel faster than the slowest and to appear in too much haste would itself draw suspicion. My brother lives here. We have stopped at his house and will stay a few more days. It will take some time for news to reach the Sun Palace and for soldiers sent to our province.”
He smiled shyly. “My wife is pregnant and has started her labour, so at least for the moment we have no choice and must stay until the child is born. The auguries are good for a son. My first born will be a son.” He concluded proudly and with a broad grin.
Li Chin wondered at the young man’s optimism in the face of such recent events but gave a brief smile. “I hope the birth goes well and you have the son you seek.
”
Baubu smiled and continued excitedly. “My brother’s wife has four children of her own and has attended many births. I have told my wife there is nothing to worry about but she fears for the worst as it is her first. The women from the village are with her now. They sent me away, many hours ago now, with them all demanding what use is a man at a birth?” Baubu slapped the table in mock disgust. “Ha, the baby is probably birthed already and with their cooing they have forgotten to tell me, his father!” Baubu poured another drink from the jug, which seemed to be emptying quickly. “I am thinking of composing a song to commemorate his birth and I will teach him to play the pipes so he too will be able to play and sing, possibly in the Great Houses across the land. His mother has a fine voice and I am sure he will become famous.” Baubu’s face bore a broad grin which was sufficiently infectious that Li Chin smiled back, raising his own clay cup in a silent toast to Baubu’s unborn son and his assured fame.
They were still smiling at each other when Li Chin noticed a woman pushing her way through the throng to reach their table. As she approached Baubu stood jabbering excitedly. “It is my brother’s wife.” Greeting her with an eager smile he asked quickly. “How goes the birth? My Shisee is well? Tell me is it a boy?” But as he saw the woman’s strained expression the smile died on his lips and the colour drained from his anxious face. “What has happened?”
The woman took his hands in hers, tugging him gently in the general direction of the door. “Nothing has happened. The birth is a difficult one and Shisee needs you at her side, quickly.”
Baubu remained fixed where he was, reluctant to rush towards bad news. “Why? What can I do that you can’t? All will be well will it not?” His anxious question was more of a plea and there was more than a hint of panic in his voice.
“Come Baubu, there is little time. You must come now.” the woman starting to tug him towards the door more forcefully as she spoke.
Baubu pulled his hands free and with more force than before demanded. “Tell me. What is the problem, why are you taking me now when earlier I was thrown out?”
The woman’s shoulders slumped slightly. “The baby is facing the wrong way, it is a breach birth. Shisee has been in labour for many hours and is exhausted but the baby cannot get out until it turns. If it does not do so soon it too will become exhausted and die before being born, placing Shisee in danger also. Come Baubu, we must go quickly.” She reached for his hands again.
Baubu pulled his hands free once more and turned to Li Chin. Li Chin recognised fear and an inner resolve passing through Baubu’s eyes as he determinedly faced Li Chin. “Would you come with us?” Baubu held Li Chin’s gaze, waiting for him to respond.
The woman looked at Li Chin in the gloom of their alcove as if seeing him properly for the first time, noting his appearance and the sword on the seat beside him. The woman was tired and sharp when she turned back to Baubu. “Your wife needs you Baubu. It is not a place for soldiers or drinking partners. Do you not understand?”
Li Chin thought of the emperor’s soldiers that would soon be flooding in to the area and tracking him down. Once he had eaten and rested he had intended to slip into the night with no witnesses to see which way he had gone. To disappear as quietly as he had arrived. On the other hand Baubu had gifted Li Chin food and drink which he had taken, leaving Li Chin in his debt. At the thought he wondered if that had been Baubu’s plan from the outset and not merely to pass on his gratitude at sparing the headman, Xiou. Seeing the desperation vying with determination on his face Li Chin suspected this was the case and felt respect for the man’s courage in attempting to manipulate a warrior priest who he had seen decimate an elite guard detail only a few days ago. Li Chin gave a small smile in recognition of the man’s guile and courage as he took up his sword, saying quietly. “Let us see what may be done.”
The woman, pleased to have Baubu follow her at last, shot a frustrated glance at Li Chin before giving a resigned shrug. The three of them left the tavern, attracting more than one curious glance as they went. No doubt many of the tavern’s occupants knew the woman and of Baubu’s wife, he being the garrulous sole he was. Li Chin frowned knowing his own presence would only add to the speculation that would follow them. He was leaving a stronger trail rather than no trail.
They quickly made their way across the street from the tavern, turning down a narrow alley and entering a sprawling wooden house through a side door. Half a dozen women looked up as they entered, coinciding with the muffled calls of Baubu’s wife as she endured another fruitless contraction. They made their way towards the inner room and a number of the women came to their feet to bar Li Chin’s passage, like protective mother hens displaying far more authority while in their own domain than usual before men, especially one bearing a sword.
Baubu brushed past them in his anxiety to reach Shisee while Li Chin acknowledged their presence without pausing to discuss his right to be there. Approaching the bed where Shisee lay Baubu took her hand and began to whisper nonsense to her, which seemed to comfort her even though she was in tears and obvious discomfort. Another woman sat beside the bed holding Shisee’s hand and wiping her sweating brow with a damp cloth. It took a moment before he placed her as Xiou’s wife from the village. He knelt beside her. “How does it go?” he asked her gently.
The woman looked up at him, surprised at recognising him but too tired to react. “She is ready for the birth but the child is breech. I have tried to manipulate the baby but have not been successful. I have explored Shisee and fear the cord is entangled, preventing the child from turning on its own. It cannot get out but both mother and child will soon be dead if it does not.” It was stated bluntly but Li Chin noted the woman’s concern through her own fatigue.
Lifting the covers, Li Chin gently felt Shisee’s hot and swollen belly, looking away so as not to be distracted as he determined the baby was breech. Asking gently for the woman to assist him, he did his own examination and confirmed the cord was across the entrance to the woman’s uterus.
He sat back with a slight frown as he thought. All of the Temple priests studied the properties of herbs and medicines but Li Chin’s own personal interest in the subject had led him to be particularly well read in medicine. He had even assisted on several occasions when other priests had offered treatments, though these had largely been battle wounds or the result of accidents. He had been present at several births, all of which had been straightforward except one where there had been a complication that was anything but straightforward. It was one thing to theorise and take a supporting role but quite another to translate that theory to real situations on the back of very little first-hand experience.
Unable to wait longer Baubu asked anxiously. “Well? What should we do?” he asked insistently.
The woman holding Shisee’s hand spoke quietly and with resignation. “Baubu, the baby is breech and we cannot turn him. If we cannot turn him, he cannot get out.”
Li Chin looked at them both. “I fear it is worse than that. The cord is anchored to the uterus near to the opening and I believe this is what is causing the breech and preventing the child’s birth.”
“So what must we do?” Baubu asked, desperately ignoring the resignation in their tone and fighting the tears which threatened to spill.
The woman looked down tiredly replying gently. “There is nothing we can do Baubu. Other than be here for Shisee and give her what comfort we can.”
Li Chin frowned as he thought of what he had studied and his own lack of experience. If he voiced what he was thinking there would be no going back and if he failed the fault would be his. Knowing there was no hope for the woman otherwise he ventured cautiously. “There may be something we could try.” Both of them looked at him, the woman in surprise and Baubu like a drowning man in sight of land. “I have read and once seen a procedure, though it is very dangerous and should only ever be a last resort. A new opening is made for the baby to exit. There is great risk that in making the new exit damage is do
ne to other organs or a main vein is cut. Most do not survive and it may prove fatal to her, possibly failing for the child also. Even if successful there is a risk we cannot stop the bleeding and then even greater risk that the wound putrefies and causes death.” Before he finished Shisee arched her back as another contraction took hold and wracked her already exhausted body once more. Finally she relaxed as the contraction passed but her anxiety was clear.
Xiou’s wife looked at Baubu with renewed vigour. “I have seen women who have died in childbirth opened up to save the child but it is rare that either survive. Shisee started her contractions earlier than we expected so the child should still be small and she is still strong which might help. If the priest could help her you should let him try, quickly before her strength fails and it is too late. If we do nothing she will die within the hour.”
Baubu looked desperately from one to the other as they waited for him to make a decision. He looked at Shisee who was pale but determined as she nodded. Before Baubu and the priest had come in she had been facing certain death, whereas now there was hope. If it was only a very small hope. Eventually Baubu nodded, causing the suppressed tears to stream down his face as he clung to his wife’s limp hand between his own.
The decision made Li Chin turned to Xiou’s wife. “I will need you and others to hold her steady on the bed. She must not move while I perform the procedure. We must act quickly before she and the baby become too tired. I saw a cauldron of boiling water on the way in. Have a pot of it brought in. Have one of the women thread some silk on a fine needle and place it in the boiling water. Mix a spoon of salt in another bowl of the boiled water and bath Shisee before I begin.”