The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  The emperor’s face clouded and his concern deepened as he thought before continuing. “If it was not the Temple, then it must be another with mystic powers able to spy upon us. If they can enter our inner sanctum, murder one of us on the metaphysical plane and we are not even aware of their presence, who is to say they cannot enter and corrupt the mind of another. Even a priest of the Temple? The Temple is more subtle in its meddling than to enter our chambers and kill someone in front of us. They know what our reaction would be. I would wipe the memory of the Temple from the face of the land. Whatever the cost, such a direct challenge to our authority could not be tolerated and the Temple knows this. Their meddling would never be so crude or overt as a result.”

  The emperor gestured at T’ze. “T’ze reports how such overt opposition was put directly to the Temple by this corrupted priest and how it was rejected, his fellows rejecting him in fear of the repercussions of such a direct incursion against us. Yet, if a hidden enemy were able to set us against the Temple, placing a bloodied knife in their hand and righteous anger in our hearts, we could well turn against each other. In our anger we would destroy our most able allies against an enemy with mystic powers.”

  The emperor frowned. “The coincidence of the priest who attempts to turn the Temple against us and our murdered fakir is too great and I fear the finger points all too obviously at the Temple, when they suffer in this as much as we do. I think we must look more closely at the crime against our nephew.” The advisers bowed as one to the emperor, whether they agreed with him or not no one was likely to challenge his view without fresh information now. “Mika, you brought the news of the atrocity against our nephew to us, remind us of the circumstances.”

  Mika stepped forward again. “A minor noble, Master Li Yeu, sent a message he bore dire news and asked for an immediate audience. The news sufficiently important that he had already left to bring it first-hand. I met Master Li Yeu on his arrival and he told of how the remnants of Zu Wah’s household had left the battle scene, a village within his domain, to arrive at his House. The battle took place in a village where the cavalcade had broken its journey, a natural divergence of routes for the priest and your nephew. Zu Wah was to swear his fealty to you and be invested with the powers of governor for his province, while the priest having finished his indenture was to return to the Temple in The Clouds.”

  Mika paused briefly. “This was all known to us beforehand but this is the point at which it becomes a mystery. Zu Wah requested his previous guardian accompany him to the Sun Palace but the priest declined and Zu Wah concocted a pretext on which to execute members of the village, most likely in the knowledge this would irritate his guardian. The priest pleaded mercy and Zu Wah offered him the choice of executing one of the villagers as an alternative to three others being executed by his guard. It appeared the priest was preparing to execute the single villager, when he turned instead on Zu Wah. The life guard attempted to take the priest into custody and bring him to the Sun Palace for your pleasure. He resisted, killing them all in a matter of minutes. At the sounds of battle, the honour guard of one hundred House soldiers entered the village.”

  Mika paused to ensure his explanation had been followed before continuing, “It is not entirely clear what happened then but it would seem the priest merely sent them away. Zu Wah’s chamberlain gathered what remained of the cavalcade and went to the nearest authority, Master Li Yeu.” Mika concluded with a slight bow to the emperor.

  “So this Li Yeu did not see what took place firsthand?” queried the emperor sharply.

  “No, Excellency. He brought witnesses with him but the matter seemed straight forward in terms of the events, if not the reason.”

  “The witnesses are here?” queried the emperor.

  “I have Master Li Yeu and the men he brought with him at hand, Excellency.”

  “Have them brought in immediately. There must be more to this than has been unearthed so far for events to have turned so dramatically.” Mika signalled to a guard who disappeared out a door.

  As they waited for the men to be ushered in the emperor cursed under his breath. “Spirits curse our brainless fool of a nephew for bringing this trouble to our House.” The emperor hardly knew his nephew and as he waited impatiently swore he would have executed the fool himself for causing so much trouble if the priest had not already done the deed.

  Three men were escorted before the emperor’s throne, soldiers from his life guard matching their pace as they were escorted in. Their escort came to an abrupt halt a good distance from the dais and the three men genuflected in front of the emperor. One of the men was dressed in the silk finery of a master and was a bit slower in throwing himself forward than the others, as though he were unaccustomed to doing so. “Master Li Yeu. We have heard your version of events through our adviser and would hear the account first hand from those who witnessed them. You are able to confirm these men witnessed the atrocities against our nephew?”

  Master Li Yeu sat up on his heels to respond. “I am able to confirm these are the men who came to my mansion and told me of the events, Excellency. Not being there myself, I have no way of ratifying their version of events as an accurate one. On hearing their tale I sent my men to search for and apprehend the monster who perpetrated the vile acts, or to die in the process. I, of course, journeyed to the palace myself to inform you of the news firsthand, and assure you my meagre resources have been deployed in your service.”

  “Truth.”

  The emperor waved his hand impatiently. “You will be amply rewarded for your loyalty Master Li Yeu. Tell us who these men are.”

  Li Yeu could barely restrain a nervous glance at the truthsayer; silently thanking the Spirits that he had done all he could. “This is the late Zu Wah’s chamberlain, who was travelling with Zu Wah and was at the village when the evil events took place. This is the village headman.” Li Yeu gestured to the two men. Neither moved as they lay prone.

  “You saw and heard what was said between our nephew and this priest, chamberlain?” queried the emperor.

  The chamberlain rose to sit back on his knees. “I was organising our master’s meal and the billeting of our men, your Excellency. I heard some of what was said but not all.”

  “Truth.”

  “And what was it that you did hear?” the emperor asked, irritated everything had to be dragged out of these people but not willing to give the task to others at this stage.

  The chamberlain couldn’t restrain a glance at the truthsayer standing to one side and passing judgement on the accuracy of his testimony as he spoke. He suppressed a shudder as he continued. “Li Chin, our master’s guardian, led the life guards into the village.”

  “Lie!” rang out the condemnation from the truthsayer, causing all blood to drain from the chamberlain’s face and leave him cringing in fear.

  The emperor leaned forward and hissed at the cringing chamberlain. “Take care in what you tell us Chamberlain. Your own mind knows the lies which trip from your tongue even if you do not readily remember. Tell us wrong again and I will see you get help to tell us all that you know but in a far less pleasant manner. Tell us what the lie was and continue.”

  The chamberlain looked sick with consternation before relief flooded his face and he almost blurted out. “The priest was not our master’s guardian when we entered the village! His term as guardian expired at midday, before we entered the village.”

  “Truth.”

  Calming a little, though his brow was now slick with sweat, the chamberlain continued. “He was talking with Captain Chow of the life guard and all seemed well. As we started to prepare a meal for our master he joined Li Chin and began speaking with him and Captain Chow. I believe our master wished Li Chin to continue with us to the Sun Palace. Our master considered it unfitting to enter the palace without the guardian he was entitled to as a member of the royal family. I was not near our master at this point but I believe he and Li Chin were about to have tea when something angered our maste
r. He ordered a search of the village and when undeclared goods were found he commanded the execution of the headman. Li Chin pleaded clemency, asked it as a boon for his previous loyal service.”

  The chamberlain, swallowed nervously before continuing. “Our master granted the boon to Li Chin. Instead commanding Captain Chow to execute the headman’s wife and children. When the guardian objected again Master Zu Wah offered the guardian the choice to take a single life, the headman here,” the chamberlain pointed towards Xiou, “or for Captain Chow to take those of the wife and children. We all believed Li Chin was to take the life of this man,” the chamberlain paused to indicate the prone and now quivering Xiou again. “When, at the last second he turned his blade and took the life of our master instead. Captain Chow demanded Li Chin return with him to the Sun Palace but Li Chin refused, saying he had to go to the Temple. Then the fighting began. I saw nothing more until the honour guard were leaving the village.”

  “Truth.”

  The chamberlain gave a small sigh, almost fainting with relief at the endorsement of his testimony.

  The emperor frowned. “There was nothing else, no others who joined your party, no harsh words said in anger or in explanation?”

  “No your Excellency, though I was not near enough to hear all that was spoken. Though this man was at their feet and must have heard everything.”

  “Truth.”

  It was obvious the chamberlain was anxious to focus further attention on the headman and away from himself, though it genuinely appeared the chamberlain had nothing new to add to the story. All attention now focused on Xiou, who was shaking at being in such esteemed and hostile company. The emperor’s attention was now directed at Xiou. “And you man, tell us what you heard. Has the chamberlain got the right of it?”

  Xiou sat up on his heels but kept his head bowed as he responded in a near whisper, terrified he would be the source of his own demise. “Yes your Excellency.”

  “Truth.”

  The emperor was barely able to contain his frustration and though Xiou could not see his face he was nevertheless aware of the emperor’s mounting temper. “Did you hear the words that were spoken?”

  “Yes your Excellency, though I did not understand most of it, nor do I remember exactly all that was said.”

  “Truth.”

  “Did you hear more than what has been retold here, do you know why the priest murdered our nephew?” The emperor’s voice was rising with his anger causing Xiou to shake even more visibly than before, his fear evident in his voice.

  “No, Excellency.”

  “Lie!” rang out the condemnation into the silent hall.

  The emperor gripped the arms of his throne in sudden excitement and all those listening leaned forward in anticipation. The emperor retraced his earlier question in his mind before he asked again. “Did you hear more than what has been told here?”

  Xiou looked confused at the truthsayer’s claim, before answering. “Yes your Excellency.”

  “What do you know; tell us what you heard or your understanding of it.”

  “Yes your Excellency, though I fear it did not make sense. After the master was slain and before the fight, the Captain asked what the priest had done, that the priest had condemned them all to death in slaying the Master. That their only chance was to take the priest to the Sun Palace. The priest said he could not do that, he had to return to the Temple to warn them, that….that your Excellency would want his revenge against them.” Xiou paused, afraid to say more.

  “Truth.”

  “And? Tell it all man!”

  “They saluted each other, the Captain and the Priest. I believe they were friends and I do not believe the Captain expected to win, he believed that he and his men would be killed by the priest.”

  “Truth.”

  “Why? Why do you say this?” demanded the emperor, certain they were on to something.

  “The Captain said something about not dying old after all and…and they were smiling at each other, just before they started the killing. He seemed anxious that none of his men survive.” Xiou had started wringing his hands, a habit he was unconscious of.

  The emperor looked across to his generals. “Aidi, you know of this captain, Captain Chow?”

  The general stepped forward. “Yes your Excellency. An experienced warrior and clever tactician. He was a fine swordsman, as all of his men would have been. He was a courageous man who would baulk at no command or duty, whether it cost him his life or not. He was an honourable warrior.”

  “Truth.” rang out the endorsement, irritating the emperor that the insulting verification had also been applied to his general’s response.

  “Could he have conspired with this priest, could it have been some plot?”

  The general cocked his head on one side as he considered his response. “Chow would not have conspired against his own House. He was entirely loyal and incorruptible in the normal sense. He was a lion of a man who enjoyed the thrill of battle. From all that has been said, I think it more likely he knew the skill of the guardian, this Li Chin, and did not expect he and his men to win a battle against him. With the death of his master the lives of his guard and Chow would have been forfeit anyway. Knowing Chow he would have wanted to bring Li Chin to you or die trying. Implausible as it sounds, I believe Chow expected this Li Chin could best him and his whole life guard.”

  This time the truthsayer managed to restrain from confirming the response.

  Frowning at the implied skill of the priest, the emperor turned back to Xiou who, though still terrified had calmed a little as attention had been briefly focused elsewhere. “And do you know why the priest killed our nephew in the first place?” It was plain from the emperor’s tone that he expected not.

  Xiou hesitated before replying “No, Excellency.”

  “Lie!” rang out the accusation from the Truthsayer triumphantly.

  “Speak man, or by the Spirits I will have my shaman read the auguries from your liver!” hissed the emperor impatient to hear the reason.

  Xiou squirmed, wringing his hands desperately. “Your forgiveness, Excellency. I heard them speak, the Priest and the Captain. After the battle. The Captain was wounded, dying. It was just talk between friends.”

  “What did they say!” demanded the emperor, almost rising from his throne in his impatience.

  “The Captain asked why the priest had attacked their Master,” garbled Xiou, “the priest said that it was to save the cockerel.”

  “Truth.”

  “The cockerel?” queried the emperor, a bemused expression on his face.

  “Yes your Excellency. The chamberlain had found the cockerel and hens and he was to cook them. The priest said that…that the bird was a noble bird, that he was honour bound to come to its aid, as it was outnumbered.”

  “Truth.”

  There was a stunned silence in the chamber before the emperor sought confirmation, failing to keep the incredulity from his voice. “Are you saying the priest murdered our nephew to save a cockerel?

  “This is what he said your Excellency.” Xiou desperately wanted to kowtow, lay prostrate upon the floor without having to say another word and perhaps be forgotten. Instead, he remained the centre of attention convinced his own words would be the death of him but unable to think of a way of avoiding the answers.

  “Truth.”

  T’ze’s sharp ears picked up a message hissed urgently from behind the hatched panel where he believed Butterfly sat. After a brief moment Mika bustled forward. “Your, Excellency!” He whispered quietly into the emperor’s ear but T’ze just managed to hear. “The prophecy!”

  The emperor turned to Mika, the initial look of incredulity turning to anger that a member of his family’s life would be taken so frivolously. Mika pressed forward, bravely ignoring the emperor’s anger which was likely to flash out at whoever caught his attention. “Your family prophecy Excellency.” he whispered again urgently.

  The emperor unable to think be
cause of his anger was stalled from lashing out due to Mika’s intense expression. Then it came to him, the family prophecy to which Mika referred. Passed down from generation to generation it was heralded as a warning which might enable them to avert disaster befalling their House. He struggled to remember it at first but drummed into all of his family from an early age it slowly formed in his mind, materialising through the fog of his anger. “As the Greatest House reigns supreme, its pinnacle will be marked by the fall of a son for the sake of a bird, its song rallying support and emboldening those who plot to bring the House down, only stilling the bird song will halt the decline.”

  The prophecy had been given to his family soon after they had won the clan wars. It was well known all prophesies were deliberately ambiguous and next to impossible to decipher ahead of their time. The true meaning of the prophecy, if it had ever really been understood, had long been forgotten but the words had survived. Nevertheless, in an attempt to forestall the prophecy from ever coming to fruition it had been kept secret to the immediate family and their most trusted advisers, lest an enemy attempt to invoke it against them. Previous interpretations from his grandfather’s reign had resulted in the palace tradition of only serving bird meat completely removed from the bone, in case the prophecy referred to a death caused by a bone accidentally swallowed. With its meaning remaining a mystery, other than the simple precaution of keeping its existence secret and trying to avoid a death by choking on a chicken bone, it had been ignored.