The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  Li Chin frowned in memory. “When I was last at the Temple a more gifted champion, the Temple’s champion, had driven his sword into his opponent, yet despite his wound and being the less gifted of the two his opponent was still able to defeat him. It is a sobering sight, Shushan, to see a man die when it was within his power to win and live.”

  Shushan’s expression had sobered as Li Chin spoke but she showed her determination when she answered. “Then I will practise in every spare moment I have, teacher.” Bowing, she turned to spar with one of the other villagers training in the background.

  Once Shushan had turned away Li Chin smiled in fondness at his pupil. As he watched her begin her next sparring session, Laulun joined him. “She has grown fond of you Priest and will be sad when you leave us, as will we all. You have shown us a possible way forward and have become one of us in the last few months.”

  Li Chin retained the smile for Laulun. “You had already chosen your road. I am merely helping you along the way.”

  “You will be leaving us soon?” Laulun asked.

  “I think it is for the best, though I admit I shall miss you all once I have gone.” Li Chin was surprised at how close he had grown to these people in such a short time but he represented a danger to them with his continued presence. He did not know where he was going, the final destination not as important as putting distance between himself and the emperor’s men pursuing him. Their company made it easy to find reasons to stay rather than reasons why he should leave, especially when he had no specific destination in mind.

  Laulun interrupted his thoughts as she said, “I mean no disrespect but I have wondered if you had considered removing your warrior’s topknot as an attempt to improve your disguise and remain unnoticed in a crowd. A bald man would be noticed but only for being a bald man, whereas you wear your hair as a badge of honour.” Laulun pushed aside her embarrassment to give an important message, “a topknot is a warrior’s badge of arrogance and it displays a pride beyond what might be expected of a poor and humble traveller.”

  Li Chin tensed at the suggestion but then immediately conceded the truth of what she said. If possible he wanted to maintain a low profile, avoiding recognition and the trouble bound to follow. He bowed to her. “You are wise to observe what my own pride prevents me from seeing, small but important details. Perhaps you could assist me?”

  Indicating the fire Laulun replied gently. “I have sharpened a razor and boiled water in the camp if you are ready.” They walked across to the pot of steaming water, which she removed from the fire as Li Chin sat on a fallen tree trunk.

  Watching the clouds gathering on the horizon promising a change in the weather, Li Chin could feel Laulun gently unbind his hair and begin cutting away long lengths before soaping the remaining stubble. The falling strands hammered home Li Chin’s changed status and isolation from his past life with the Temple. The life he left behind was not one he wished to live, he must instead learn to embrace this new life rather than cling to the old. The cutting of his warrior’s topknot was symbolic of that change, a positive change, where he could attempt to be the person he wanted to be rather than one enslaved by oaths to others. His damp and now entirely bald head was dried off, the cool breeze caressing his bared scalp and feeling strange. He smiled at the thought of his newly liberated scalp, free to feel the wind as it blew.

  Admiring her work Laulun said. “I have made up a blanket which can be worn across your shoulder and is long enough to conceal your sword. Shushan has also been smoothing off an oak staff. I have seen you gathering a few herbs as we travelled, if you keep them in a shoulder bag I also have for you I think you will easily be taken for an herb man, if you continue to wear a band over your Temple tattoo that is.”

  Li Chin took the offered white bandanna as one of the other women brought over the blanket roll, bag and staff. His sword was already wrapped in the blanket so he placed the blanket roll and bag over opposite shoulders, taking up the staff. He stood and tried out his new accoutrements and people gathered around to watch, smiling at his new appearance. Despite the loss of his topknot, which he felt deeply, Li Chin smiled back. He felt comfortable in his new guise. Laulun ventured respectfully. “Perhaps the time has come for you to leave us.”

  Li Chin looked at her and the other villagers who had become his friends over the months he had known them. “I think you are right. There is no benefit but much risk in further delay. Your people are fortunate to benefit from your wisdom Laulun.” Li Chin bowed to them all and felt the loneliness of his imminent departure. “A final meal with friends this evening and then I shall strike out alone in the morning.”

  The morale of Zun’s men had improved while it seemed less likely they would catch up with their quarry. It had then plunged again with news of the group ahead, coinciding with the changed weather.

  Their scout trotted towards them along the track in the premature gloom, the sky heavy with ominous dark clouds blocking out the sun. Static generated by the storm clouds left the air charged giving it a metallic taste and there were intermittent muted flashes deep within the clouds. The atmosphere was all the more eerie for the lingering threat of the lightening to come but as yet being masked by the clouds. The deep but still distant growls of thunder were making Zun’s men increasingly edgy. Zun had no time for their superstitious fears and was impatient to hear the scout’s news as he returned. “Well, what did you see?” he demanded as the scout finally reached him and Mading.

  The scout smoothed a patch of dirt between them and scratched a map as he described what he had found. “This track continues for about a mile, where it follows the base of this hill. There is one large tree at the top of the hill and brush which would provide good concealment for anyone at the top. After passing the hill the road bends in the opposite direction, alongside a small stream. The band we heard of is camped at the foot of the hill in a cleared area between the road and the stream. It is a good camp site, with plenty of wood, shelter from the wind and with access to water. They have cooking fires going and they are improving their shelters for the night, putting double ties on their screens and across their carts. They are staying at least for the night, maybe longer to sit out the storm. I counted twenty-five in the group, including the women, children and the old. I did not see the priest but some of the group were practising formal exercises, like our own training patterns.” The scout sat back after his report waiting for questions.

  Zun squinted at the scratched map in the dimming light with a small frown. “If we approached from the road how far away would we be before they saw us, did they have any lookouts?”

  “They would see us from about four or five hundred yards away and there is plenty of scrub and brush to conceal anyone slipping away along the edge of the stream. I saw no lookouts but some of the children were playing outside of the camp.” he replied.

  Mading squirmed uncomfortably. “If we wait until tomorrow we would have good light to see anyone try to make an escape and all day to pursue them.” he ventured tentatively.

  Zun knew his sergeant like the rest of his men was not anxious to meet the priest and the longer he waited the more skittish his men would become. Their superstitious concerns feeding on each other. “I will not risk the priest detecting our presence before we have a chance to take him. We will go now before the light fades completely. I and three others will approach along the road. Mading, take the rest of the men, wait in the brush at the top of the hill. Once you see us enter the camp form a skirmish line on the top of the hill. Only four travellers will not concern them when we are seen and the twilight will mask your approach. By the time the priest sees you on the hill we will be close enough to hamper any attempt to escape and will delay him until you reach us.” Zun could feel his excitement rising at the prospect of taking his quarry at last. “I am sure he is here! Go!”

  Mading jumped up, assigning the three men to accompany the lieutenant and bullying the rest of the men into formation. Then they started out reluct
antly up the hill.

  As they struggled up the hill Mading’s corporal, Zhi, asked. “Do you think the priest is down there Sergeant?”

  Mading knew it was the thought in all their minds but wasn’t surprised it was Zhi who voiced it. “The lieutenant thinks so. So he probably is.” They were all scared the priest was there. Damn it, so was he!

  “But you said we wouldn’t catch him, that he would be long gone by now.” Zhi persisted.

  “I said he was probably long gone. I was wrong. Stop bitching, today you earn your keep!”

  Zhi was silent for a few minutes. Cajoled by the men, he tried again. “But Sergeant, if he is there and is possessed by demons, what can we do?”

  Mading cursed under his breath as the lightning flashed behind the clouds, making them appear to boil with ominous portent for a brief second, though no bolt penetrated their depths to hit the ground. It created a strange light, which left them all dazzled in the following premature twilight and fuelled his men’s fears even further. “If you don’t stop whining I will tear your head off and stuff it up your arse and demons will be the least of your problems!”

  Cursing again under his breath knowing it was not going to be enough Mading stopped and turned to face the men. He knew they would face an army where their life was at risk but could run from a Spirit, jinn, or demons which threatened their soul and their subsequent return on the Wheel of Life. “Now listen to me all of you. This priest is a man, just a man, like you or me. Cut him and he will bleed. Oh he will be hard to reach and we will do some bleeding ourselves if he fights but we are many whereas he is one. The lieutenant is a good man and he is relying on us and I’m not going to let him down. He knows I will not let him down, just like I’m relying on you and I know that you’re not going to let me down. Now come on, we have a job to do!”

  Mading turned and began climbing up the hill again and was gratified to hear his men follow a little more enthusiastically than before. He even smiled as he heard Zhi comment in a stage whisper, “If my head were up my arse, it couldn’t make it any more difficult to see in this light and might be less of a target than on my shoulders.” It raised a few laughs and Mading was comforted, knowing they would now follow him.

  When they reached the top of the hill Mading spread his men out along the ridge. It was getting dark and it had taken longer than expected to reach the top. He could already see the lieutenant approaching the camp. There was another flash of light from the depths of the clouds directly above them, the thunder crashing out and sounding very close. The people in the camp below had stopped what they were doing at sight of the lieutenant’s group approaching them. The lieutenant had reached the camp and was talking to some of the villagers who had come out to meet him, it was time.

  Taking a breath and praying to the Spirits for their aid, Mading stood and took two paces forward so his men could see him leading from in front. At his command the men rose from their concealment and began to follow him down the hill. The people in the camp looked up as Mading and his men broke cover and one of them on top of a cart used a staff to point them out. There would be no escape for the priest now. Or themselves if the priest were there, Mading thought.

  Mading picked up the pace raising his sword high over his head, calling the men on as there was another blinding flash, the lightning finally breaking through the clouds, the accompanying thunder clap mind-numbing in its proximity.

  The guide led Zun and the other two men around the hill bringing the villagers’ camp into view, surprising Zun at how close it was. He had deliberately set a modest pace so as not to alarm the camp but he could not disguise the military uniforms and bearing of his men, which became obvious to the camp once they had been seen. The children playing at the edges of the camp called out, running back inside for safety. The other villagers all stopped what they were doing. One of them, a bald man in worn out clothes and holding a staff, climbed on to a cart to get a better view of them. Squatting as he watched Zun and his men approach he also scanned the surrounding area.

  Zun raised his hand palm open to signify he intended no threat and kept the pace so he could close with the group quickly, running his eyes over the assembling people for the tell-tale signs of a wolf, possibly masked in peasant’s clothing. Resisting the urge himself, he hissed under his breath to the others not to look towards the hilltop for Mading as they closed the distance still further without raising too much alarm.

  Zun halted his men at the edge of the camp and a small group headed by a woman came to the edge of the camp perimeter to meet them, kneeling with their heads to the ground in front of him.

  Zun spoke with authority but no threat. “I seek a fallen warrior, a priest expelled from the Temple for his treasonous aggressions against the emperor.” That should remove any inappropriate sense of loyalty these people might hold for this man, Zun thought. “Death follows this man and he places all those around him in danger. I believe he travels with you. Point him out to me and you can continue unharmed. There is no longer any need to fear him. Let me take him and be on your way safely!”

  The woman who had led the delegation from the camp sat back on her heels, the others following her lead. “There is no one amongst us that poses a threat, Lord. We are simple farm folk about our business.”

  As she spoke the people in the group had formed in a small crowd behind the kneeling delegation and they did indeed all look like harmless peasants. Despite the gloom Zun was certain no one had slipped away as they approached the camp, which was a small affair with little in the way of hiding places before the brush at the stream’s edge.

  Clenching his teeth as he looked around the campsite, he was about to order his men to search the area when he noticed a pile of fresh cut hair and a bowl of water resting on a fallen log. Zun swung to look at the man squatting on the cart, the bald man he had initially thought much older because of his baldness. The man steadily regarded him from the top of the cart about fifteen feet away. Zun felt a thrill as their eyes met and his own look was returned fearlessly down from the raised height of the cart. Zun smiled in satisfaction, forgetting the gathered peasants. This was his man! No peasant would have the confidence and fearlessness in the face of soldiers interrogating their group as this man did.

  Without having to check Zun knew his men had followed his lead, spreading to either side of him and facing the threat. “Come peacefully and you will not be harmed. Now you are found there will be no escape.” There was no disguising the priest had been recognised but Zun did not intend confronting him until the rest of his men were on hand, unless he had to, and if he could distract the priest long enough Madding would soon be with them.

  Lightning flashed behind the clouds again, casting an eerie light across the group and seeming to make the squatting priest’s eyes briefly glow red. Zun heard a gasp from behind by at least one of his men who had also noticed and he shuddered before pushing thoughts of demons back down, angry for letting the superstitions of his men affect him so. The priest rose slowly to his feet and raised his staff to point at Mading and his men as they appeared at the crest of the hill. Mading stepped forward, sword raised to call his men down towards the campsite and Zun was pleased to see that they would be here in moments.

  Li Chin pointing to Mading with his staff queried. “Your men?” As he stood, there was a gust of chill air which preceded the rain, snapping Li Chin’s old field clothes about him as he looked steadily down at Zun. All of those on the ground looking up at Li Chin were damp from the warm humid air and had heightened senses because of the charged atmosphere. The fresh gust left them chilled and raised goose bumps on exposed flesh.

  There was another flash, dazzling in its intensity as the lightning eventually penetrated the clouds to strike the ground, immediately followed by a cacophonous roar. They all flinched at the suddenness and proximity of the lightning strike, all except the priest who was briefly silhouetted, pointing accusingly at Mading and his men as the lightning played across the sky.


  Momentarily deafened by the thunder, Zun closed his eyes against the glare but was shocked at the after image seared on to his retinas by the bright light. When the lightning had flared a bolt had shot towards Mading, leaping down to his raised sword as he called on his men to charge down the hill. There were moans from Zun’s men on either side who had seen Mading struck just as the priest pointed him out. The momentary blindness from the lightning soon passed and they were all able to see the smoking body of Mading and the soldiers which had been nearest to him knocked off their feet by the blast.

  All forward movement by the other soldiers had ceased as they were momentarily stunned by the close strike and subsequent thunder. Slowly, the fallen soldiers staggered to their feet, staring at the motionless smouldering body of their sergeant and the priest still pointing his staff towards them. His loose clothes now being snapped dramatically by the stiff breeze. The soldier furthest down the hill took a backward step, before turning to run back to the trees. Taking his cue the others turned and followed him, running for their lives until only the smouldering body of Mading remained on the hill. Li Chin jumped lightly down from the cart to stand a few feet in front of Zun and his men, resting one end of the staff on the ground beside him. “Go Lieutenant, while you can. You can achieve nothing here, only a pointless death.”

  Zun could hear his men shuffling backwards, desperate to run but not wanting to draw attention. Braver than the others, one of his men pleaded in a frightened whisper. “Come Lieutenant. The stories are true and this man is possessed by demons or has great magic we cannot beat.”

  Zun held the priest’s gaze and hissed with frustration at his men. “Hold! He is but a man and our honour depends upon taking him!” But it was too late, the men he had brought with him turned and fled leaving him to face their quarry alone. Having found the priest Zun could not allow him to escape without challenge. Disturbed by the seemingly divine intervention on behalf of the priest Zun nevertheless grasped the hilt of his sword as he challenged him. “I am no ignorant peasant to be deceived by your tricks priest. Come peacefully or I shall take your head by my own hand!”