The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  The warrior responded in his stead, the menace in his tone clear. “You have run faster than a rabbit, little man from your little House. But we have caught up with you at last and you can run no farther. Your trade encroaches on our Master’s monopolies and our House is offended!”

  Before any of them could reply further a harassed looking official from the town was half walked and half frog marched into the courtyard by the man sent by Zanwen to fetch him. “What is the meaning of this Master Zanwen?” he demanded huffily as he eventually succeeded in shaking off the guard’s hands. Suddenly noticing the tension and standoff in front of him, he paled looking as though he wished he were elsewhere. It was, however, too late for him to avoid the confrontation before him.

  Zanwen turned to the man. “Ah. How opportune. These men seek to interfere with my legal business. I would like you to confirm you have reviewed the documents I have presented and your satisfaction with them. I would like you to remind these gentlemen they have no jurisdiction for what they seek to do, that we are not in their province and that any further attempts on their part to interfere will be regarded as hostile and unlawful. As such, I seek your aid in defending my caravan and your confirmation I will be held harmless for any reparations their House may claim for injuries incurred by them while they partake of this illegal act. Further, I will seek reparations for injuries caused to me or my men and expect your support should it be necessary.”

  The town official had gone a shade of green at hearing what Zanwen said and began wringing his hands as he adopted an obsequious smile, trying to include everyone in it. “Ah, your documents are indeed in good order, Master Zanwen, and what you say is all correct. But these gentlemen represent a Great House. Surely you are able to resolve any difficulties between you without conflict or our involvement.”

  Zanwen knew the town did not have sufficient resources or the will to obstruct a Great House such as Guang, he was merely buying time. “I will resolve any difficulty here to my own satisfaction, I merely require you make a note of the circumstances, so that Master Guang and the emperor are able to confirm any details of any unlawful incident when it is brought to their attention.”

  The town factor glanced at the blank faces of the Guang men before looking back to Zanwen. The version of events which went outside the town walls would depend on whoever walked away alive from any unlawful incident. With a last look at the intimidating form of the Guang warrior the official nodded. Unable to suppress his expectation Guang’s warriors would win any confrontation, he replied. “Of course, Master Zanwen.” He was bowing with the intention of backing away from the incident when they all became aware of men appearing over the tops of the roofs surrounding the courtyard. There were about fifty men, all armed with bows. Their arrows nocked and pointing directly at the Guang soldiers, who were nervously closing ranks against the new threat above them and beyond their reach.

  The Guang factor looked at the men perched on the roof tops, turning back to Zanwen with open hands and a false smile. “Thank you for taking the time to explain the circumstances, Master Zanwen. Now you have informed us of the situation we may report back to our master in good conscience.” He bowed to Zanwen and the town official, the correct depth for their status and softly ordered the warrior to withdraw his men.

  The Guang warrior swept his contemptuous gaze over Zanwen and his men, lingering on Li Chin in curiosity, the only member of Zanwen’s group not an obvious guard or even armed but who nevertheless returned the warrior’s contemptuous examination unfazed. Snapping out an order he quickly formed up his men before leaving the courtyard. Turning back at the gates he made a mock bow of his own to Zanwen and with a contemptuous tone growled, “I look forward to our next meeting, Master Zanwen.”

  As the last of the Guang soldiers filed through the courtyard gate the town factor let out a tense breath. Relieved there had been no immediate violence the official was nevertheless irritated at being dragged into the conflict and addressed Zanwen formerly and without the warmth of their earlier meetings. “I wish that I could do more Master Zanwen but they are a powerful House and we cannot afford to anger them. Due to the current conflict between Houses Guang and Tanyeu both Houses have sizeable contingents in the area and are likely to punish any town which appears to obstruct them. It might be best if you left now, before they return.”

  Relenting slightly, he added in a quieter and more sympathetic tone. “The commander is Hi Fat. He was first sword at the military academy in Guang province and is a renowned swordmaster. He has won many challenges, sparing none of his opponents.” The official winced slightly. “He enjoys inflicting humiliation on his enemies and lives only to demonstrate his skills in front of an audience.” The official looked embarrassed as he added uncomfortably. “I do not believe he is the kind of man who will let a quarry escape easily.” With a quick bow the official turned and left, washing his hands of the affair lest he or his town become involved.

  Zanwen nodded at the departing official and with thinned lips flicked a hand at his men to prepare the caravan. The official had effectively abandoned Zanwen to his fate. He stood with a frown watching the men prepare the wagons for the road in a well ordered routine, quickly and without unnecessary orders though the reluctant oxen protested loudly as they were goaded back into their harnesses again.

  Li Chin watching the preparations beside him commented quietly, “You cannot outrun them, even if the oxen were fresh. Do you have a plan?”

  Zanwen’s eyes were fierce with determination when he replied. “We cannot stay and if we did it would only allow them time to gather more forces. Whereas we already have all we can call upon. There will be no support from the town, they will regard this as a clash between visiting Houses and will wish to stay apart from it. If we leave they will catch up with us at some point but I have until then to disappear or think of a solution. However, I will not just give in. Even if we must fight our way clear and then only operate in different provinces.”

  Li Chin studied Zanwen closely and detected frustrated concern but no fear at an almost certain confrontation with Guang’s soldiers. “Perhaps you place too great a value on the caravan goods. To save them will cost perhaps more than it is worth, in the lives of you and your men.”

  Zanwen lost none of his fire when he replied. “Their future is invested in this caravan as much as my own. You do them an injustice if you think they will not stand to defend what is theirs. They have all failed at some point, losing their home and family somewhere and have found a new one here, together. None will wish to fail again and we will stand together to defend what is ours, whatever the consequences.” Calming a little he added under his breath, “Unless I can think of a way to avoid any direct conflict.”

  Li Chin watched Zanwen stride across to his men as they completed the preparations to leave. A word here and a light touch to an arm there, Zanwen did a good job of encouraging his men without getting in their way. Li Chin told himself it was not his argument. He was maintaining a low profile and if Zanwen had now become a focus of attention then perhaps it was time for him to break out on his own once they were clear of the town. He climbed back on to the seat of his wagon and decided to watch events carefully before making his decision when to break with the caravan.

  The caravan pulled out of the tavern courtyard and made its way down the busy streets to the east gate. Li Chin noticed they were being shadowed by the town militia as they did so. Keeping well back from the caravan the militia cleared the route to the gate and brought up the rear, anxious Zanwen’s caravan should leave as soon as possible and before the factor would have to choose a side in their conflict. The last wagon eventually passed the narrow gateway through the town walls and the gates were closed behind them with a resounding bang, the locking bars dropping into their brackets with a decisive thud.

  Zanwen had thirty wagons and just over a hundred men to drive and protect them. All of the drivers doubled up as guards, Li Chin being the only acknowledged non-c
ombatant. Li Chin directed his own wagon to follow the one ahead of him, peering through the dust being kicked up by the beasts and guards travelling on foot to see why they were leaving the road. Zanwen was directing the wagons into a loose semicircle in front of the town walls. As the wagons were positioned the oxen were un-harnessed again and brought into the enclosed space between the town wall and the wagons, out of harm’s way. Zanwen’s men either grabbed a bow and quiver before taking a position on wagons piled high with goods or lined up in front of the wagons in a defensive line. Li Chin was again impressed with the practised efficiency with which Zanwen’s men acted on the minimum of instructions.

  The dust began to settle and from his vantage point on the wagon seat Li Chin began to see the reason they had left the road. Approaching them in two ranks were about two hundred and fifty soldiers being led by Hi Fat. Behind their lines the Guang factor was being carried in a litter. The soldiers stopped just outside bow range, the Guang factor coming round to the front of their lines to join Hi Fat as he strode arrogantly forward, halting halfway between his own men and Zanwen’s.

  Hi Fat looked up at the town’s defensive walls now thronged with militia and its citizens, curiously watching events from the safety of their parapets. He smiled in anticipation of what lay ahead, pleased there would be a fine audience to watch the humiliation of this minor House which dared to trespass against House Guang’s interests. “Master Zanwen!” he called, irritated by the threat represented by Zanwen’s archers keeping him at bay but which nevertheless gave him the excuse to pose before the town’s citizens thronging its walls. “My master takes offence at you. Surrender your arms and goods. We will take you to our master, where you may beg for his mercy!”

  Zanwen did not look phased by the demand, despite being so heavily outnumbered by Hi Fat’s men. “I trade legitimately. By what right do you try and stop me?”

  Hi Fat laughed before shouting back with haughty arrogance. “By right of House Guang’s might!”

  Zanwen did not flinch. “I choose not to bow before your House’s might. If you choose to steal our goods like common bandits then do so. But you will pay the price in blood!” Zanwen’s men almost as one clapped a hand to their chest in salute at Zanwen’s defiance.

  Hi Fat and his factor were surprised, as was Li Chin, at the men’s enthusiasm to fight against a far superior force. Hi Fat’s men were regular soldiers from a Great House, whereas Zanwen had supposedly only drovers from a minor House who doubled up as guards. Hi Fat looked again at the confidence with which Zanwen’s archers handled their bows while perched on the heavily loaded wagons. He did not have archers and his men would have to run a gauntlet before his force would be able to meet with Zanwen’s men. Nevertheless, the outcome was certain and victory would be his.

  The factor beside Hi Fat intervened, his thin reedy voice straining to be heard across the gap separating them. “You and your men do your House much honour Master Zanwen. But we will not let you continue and the outcome of a battle, though possibly bloody, would also be certain. Unnecessarily so, when there may be an alternative and yet still keep honour on both sides.”

  Zanwen feared he knew what was coming but asked. “What do you propose?”

  “That you offer a champion to represent you against our own champion. Should your man win, House Guang will not contest your right to trade. Should our man win, your trade goods are forfeit along with your wagons. You will return to your master’s House but not trade in Guang province or any province bordering Guang territory again.” Hi Fat gloated at the prospect of a showpiece contest in front of such a wide audience.

  Zanwen paled but remained steady as he replied. “You demand that I send a man against Hi Fat, a swordmaster and the first sword of the Guang Military Academy. You suggest this in the belief that it is no contest but a certain win for House Guang. I will not order one of my men to his death in this way.”

  The factor turned to Zanwen’s guards spreading his arms wide imploringly, adding a challenge to his tone laced with contempt. “Is there no one amongst you who will stand against our champion? Not one amongst you with the courage and honour, who would risk his life for the honour of his House and to save the lives of his fellows? If you do not have the courage to volunteer, then let us choose from amongst you, for have no doubt that we will have our way.”

  Zanwen scowled angrily at the factor and the ranks of Guang soldiers. There were many things he wanted to shout back but instead he braced his shoulders and turned to face his men. For a long moment he scanned their resolute faces, the love and pride he bore them plain. At last he addressed them, the emotion in his voice clear and unambiguous. “I love you all like brothers and there are none in this world I would rather stand beside in a battle to the death.”

  With the single exception of Li Chin every man cheered, brandishing their weapons in the air and leaving no doubt they were with him, ready to tear into the larger Guang force. Many of Zanwen’s men were visibly ready and eager for the battle ahead and undeterred by the odds against them. Zanwen’s voice sobered as he continued. “Battles are uncertain and the Spirits may even grant us a victory here, even against such odds. But if we win this battle, we would still lose. We could no longer trade or even escape the next Guang force we would meet. Know that if there were no choice, I could have no greater honour than to die here with you and make these arrogant men drown in their own blood. But if there is even the chance that most of you could walk away with your lives, then I must consider it.”

  Zanwen’s shoulders drooped slightly, then he forced them back again. “Is there one amongst you who would stand alone against Hi Fat, risk his life to save his brothers?” For a moment there was absolute silence as his men absorbed what Zanwen had said. But no sooner had they done so, again with the notable exception of Li Chin, every man stepped forward, even the archers atop the stacked goods in the wagons jumping down to do so.

  Li Chin was moved by the men’s loyalty to Zanwen and each other. If Zanwen were to lose his goods, wagons and trading licences it was difficult to see how he could recover. But he and his men would at least have their lives, all but the doomed champion that is.

  Zanwen turned to his men, tears in his eyes. “We shall start again elsewhere but the Guang man is right. I cannot choose one from amongst you to die.” Turning to the factor and Hi Fat, Zanwen called out. “We all accept. Choose our champion from any amongst us and we will abide by the outcome.” As he said this Zanwen faced the two men in the centre of the field angrily, acknowledging his likely defeat but refusing to be beaten. “A bargain is made!” The pride and defiance of Zanwen and his men shone bright, reminding Li Chin of his old friend Captain Chow and the life guard.

  The Guang official bowed smugly, hands in either arm of his gown. “A bargain is made!” Turning to Hi Fat he said with satisfaction, “Choose your victim and humiliate him as much as you wish but ensure they all see the cost of offending House Guang.”

  Hi Fat looked to Zanwen’s men as the archers jostled to stand in line with their fellows. The only exception was the same bald young man who had been with Zanwen in the tavern courtyard. He had stayed on the wagon seat calmly watching Hi Fat, not volunteering himself for selection but nevertheless unbowed. Maybe his confidence was merely an aristocratic arrogance, knowing he was not at risk by allowing only his fellows to step forward. He was obviously of some importance to have been with Zanwen at the tavern and was the only person other than Zanwen not wearing at least some protective armour, or even armed from what Hi Fat could see. Probably a son of the House. A craven performance by someone who had not anticipate that he might be their champion might add to the entertainment and to Zanwen’s shame. He would enjoy smashing the arrogant noble’s smug confidence if that was what he was. Whatever, he would not be so bold when next he looked back at Hi Fat. Hi Fat had a malicious smile as he raised his hand to point at Li Chin. “Him!”

  Zanwen followed Hi Fat’s pointing arm to Li Chin, replying angrily. “
He is not one of my men, choose another.”

  “No!” Hi Fat called out in satisfaction before the factor could intervene. “The bargain was made. He is with you so he is one of you. Him or all of you!” his gaze locked on Li Chin and the contemptuous smile was back on his lips. Li Chin held Hi Fat’s sneering gaze for a while, before he put aside the reins and dropped lightly to the ground.

  Zanwen rushed over and made to stop Li Chin. “There is no need. He must choose another or we will fight and they do not wish a battle any more than we do as they know the cost will be high. Their factor will allow another if we insist.” Most of the men who were close enough to hear nodded their agreement, one whom Li Chin had tended on their journey even starting to step forward to take his place with a reassuring grin thrown at Li Chin.

  Li Chin raised his hand slightly to still them. “The challenge is made and Hi Fat seeks to humiliate you by selecting me. He will not be easily swayed. The challenge is made and, now, it is accepted.”

  Zanwen tried to protest further. “Another…” but at Li Chin’s look he stopped his protest. “Still…do you know anything of sword skills?” he asked forlornly. Suddenly Zanwen exclaimed, “Spirits, you do not even have a sword!” There was an embarrassed fumbling as a number of the men began untying the leather ties holding their sword sheaths in place.

  Li Chin, his palms out, calmed them. “Enough. It is not a fight he seeks but a demonstration. I will go as I am.” Li Chin slowly walked to the centre of the field, halting ten feet away from Hi Fat who had been watching their consternation with amusement.

  Zanwen’s men drew up in front of the wagons as Hi Fat waved his arm to signal his own men forward, forming a clear but short space between the two forces. Hi Fat’s men formed two ranks, the first rank sitting cross-legged, the second standing behind them. Hi Fat strode forward to stand equally between the two forces and studied Li Chin dismissively. “Get a sword boy and at least pretend to act like a man and save your House some honour.”