The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  Li Chin merely raised an eyebrow at Markurd’s question. “No mystic interpretation is required. A swordmaster becomes such on graduating from an academy, whereupon he is presented with his swords which are engraved with his name and the academy chop. As well as his head I retained Sheywen’s swords which bear his name and the Wing-Ho academy chop. He may have acquired them nefariously but the evidence appears to fit the hypothesis.”

  Markurd frowned as he tried to think of a further weakness in the argument, eventually giving a reluctant nod. “Alright then.” as though passing judgement. When he looked up, they all wore completely neutral expressions, making him growl out. “I will place my trust in things I can see and understand, not in mystic mumbo jumbo which relies on blind faith!”

  Li Chin bowed towards Markurd. “Wise words, if spoken brusquely Markurd. May our eyes always observe all there to be seen and our intellects correctly interpret what we observe.”

  Zanwen suggested confidently, “I believe we have the right of it. Let us send our gifts on to Shushan so she may present them to Master Guang. If we are wrong Master Guang will appreciate the gifts of his enemies’ heads for their own sake. If we are right, he will know if his House works in tandem with Tanyeu and if so will appreciate the gift even more and know how best to use them. If we are correct it will deflect attention from our involvement on to House Guang. I for one want no unnecessary attention from the Sun Palace.”

  Chapter 48

  It had been almost two weeks since Guang had ejected the empress’s representative from his court. The Guang palace had since operated under an oppressive atmosphere whilst coming to terms with the loss of their master’s daughter and the crushing defeat of their guard. Whatever the personal loss, it also represented a huge loss of face. Guang’s factors had been busy assessing the impact of losing the entire season’s trading income, which only added to the sense of depression that pervaded. The factors tried to determine what payments could be deferred and where cuts could be made, assets sold and projects curtailed until the following season’s income could be collected and the House could recover from the financial loss.

  Duty required Guang attend meetings with his officials and advisors but he frequently excused himself early, unable to shake the loss of purpose he had felt since hearing of Swallow’s death. His melancholy mood affected all those around him. There was little solace within his harem as Swallow’s absence and that of her handmaiden’s was felt no less severely by her mother and friends.

  As Guang attended yet another interminable meeting he concluded that life went on, as indeed it must, but for him it currently had no colour and tasted of ash. Noticing the background buzz of conversation in the meeting had ceased, the silence penetrating his thoughts where the previous conversation had been unable to, he realised someone had put a question to him. Not concentrating he had missed it entirely. While he tried to recall the previous conversation he was distracted by the sound of someone running towards them. The door was flung open in a most indecorous manner as a palace messenger threw himself at Guang’s feet. The man looked up with a broad smile ignoring Guang’s frown as he garbled his message over anything Guang might have said. “The caravan returns Master, it is almost here!”

  Guang stood, the papers on his lap falling to the floor unnoticed. His already drawn features lost what colour remained as he did so. Not daring to believe, he demanded of the agitated messenger, “The caravan? Make sense man!”

  The messenger was far too excited for the others in the room to remain pessimistic, at what he obviously believed miraculous news. “From Tanyel city. Commander Rong’s men approach the palace Master! They are escorted by many strangers, on horses Master Guang!”

  Guang daren’t ask what he wanted to know most of all and if the man knew he would have volunteered it, which tempered Guang’s optimism but despite these thoughts he could not prevent the surge of hope which coursed through his veins. “I will be in the grand audience room, have them brought there immediately.” The man sped away and Guang started for the room he had designated, quickly followed by the advisors who were as busy speculating what this all meant as much as Guang.

  Guang reached the spacious audience room moments before a contingent of guards, rapidly forming an aisle between his dais and the great carved doors leading in to the room. As the guards hastily took their positions Guang sat on his throne. He was convinced that Swallow lived but was being held for ransom, which was why she had not been seen. Then cautioning this was probably too optimistic to contemplate, he prepared for confirmation of her death, which instantly had him swearing retribution on any of her guard who had dared to return alive while leaving her dead behind them. Guang was almost ready to put aside decorum and etiquette to go and meet them he was so impatient at the delay, when the large doors at last swung open.

  Two people entered. Captain Rong he immediately recognised by his uniform, even at this distance from the doors. The other was a woman in simple dress and his heart sank, before hope flared again as they drew closer. Leaning forward he almost stood and smiled in a most unseemly fashion, indeed, he felt like running out to meet them but was just able to maintain the decorum one would expect of a master.

  They stopped in front of the dais and genuflected in front of him. “Up, up!” he commanded, wanting to examine Swallow more carefully at close quarters. As they rose to kneel, sitting on their heels, Guang sank into his throne losing his tension, struggling to keep a stern visage and prevent the tears which threatened to shame him. “You are late Captain Rong. We had word your command was lost and you were all perished.”

  “My apologies Master Guang. Our passage was delayed by an attack, the number of wounded and loss of porters slowed our progress further. We were obliged to take an alternative route and travelled more slowly for the sake of the wounded. I did not know you had received the false message, otherwise I would have sent a runner ahead Master.”

  “Ah.” Guang was looking at Swallow while Rong spoke. “And what of you daughter? You have caused great distress at your delay in returning.” Guang could see the marks of minor cuts healing on Swallow’s face and neck. His anger flared stronger than ever at whoever had allowed her to get so close to danger, before remembering that only a moment before he had believed her dead. Guang gripped the arms of his throne. Again he reminded himself such a lack of control over his emotions was most unseemly, especially for a master of a House, a Great House.

  Swallow wanted to rush over and hold her father tight but knew this was neither the place nor the time. That would come soon. “I am sorry for any distress I may have caused Father. Were it not for the brave and heroic actions of Captain Rong and the rest of his soldiers the delay would have been indefinite.”

  Guang regarded Captain Rong more carefully. He also bore the marks of a recent conflict and looked tired but not beaten. “Then General Rong has the thanks and gratitude of this House. Tell me quickly General, what has happened? I will require a full report later but now just the essence.”

  General Rong nodded. “On the return journey we were approached by horsemen. Master Zanwen come to warn of a large band of nomads which pursued us. In warning us, he also directed us to the most appropriate defensive position and by the time we reached it Master Zanwen was trapped along with the rest of us. The horde attacked and we were greatly outnumbered, driven back in a last stand around the jiao which contained your daughter and her maidens. As the nomads broke through these final defences their attack was valiantly broken by the intervention of men associated with Zanwen, led by Zun.”

  Guang frowned at the odd manner of his General’s report. “Associated, led by? You seem careful in your choice of words General. These are important matters I wish to understand fully, speak plainly.”

  General Rong bowed before beginning again. “I am unsure of the relationship Master Guang. Zun, who I believe is a swordmaster, calls himself only Zun, though his people call him Lord. He is of the same city as Master Zanwen and Zu
n guards Zanwen’s caravans. Their interests seem aligned, but neither claim precedence nor filial duty to the other. Yet, Zun and his men are not mercenaries.”

  Guang kept his frown as he puzzled over such an unorthodox association but signalled Rong to continue. Rong started again with a deep breath. “We had but minutes to live, probably less, when the force we faced turned and ran as a result of the attack by Zun and his men. They were all mounted and are a most capable force, worthy of respect and consideration. In attacking the horde they attacked a much larger force than their own and had it gone poorly they would have been massacred along with us, Master Guang.” Rong looked at his master to be sure he understood the risk their saviours had taken.

  “Of my original force of one thousand soldiers, four hundred porters and other retainers, I return with one hundred and fifty soldiers, one third with serious injuries and five porters.” With a quick glance at Swallow, Rong added. “All of our Lady Swallow’s retainers were slain. We buried between two and three thousand nomad raiders, I would say just under a third of their force and of those who escaped many fled with injuries.”

  Guang went pale again at the realisation of how close it had been for his daughter and the consequences for his domain if the nomads had succeeded and pressed their raid inland. Swallow added to his imagined and graphic image of events. “My life was saved by Master Zanwen, who threw himself across my body to protect me. While he was doing so he received a wound which would have surely killed me if it had been I, rather than Master Zanwen, who received it. It seems that both he and I were then saved by the direct intervention of Zun’s second-in-command who has escorted us here, Father.”

  Rong frowned at Swallow’s interpretation of events but did not challenge her. Instead he looked up to Guang. “We return with all of the season’s takings, four chests of silver ingots. The richest we have ever had I believe.”

  Guang sat back, many emotions warring within him. “And our saviours, what do they wish for their intervention, have they said?”

  General Rong exchanged a look with Swallow. “I do not believe they seek anything Master. They did it as a matter of honour. As trading partners and in return for the compliments we have given Master Zanwen as we have passed at the roadside.”

  Guang raised both eyebrows bemused. “This is the same master whose champion beat ours and, at your suggestion, our soldiers salute as they have passed to enhance the honour of our House? And for this, he committed to a battle where he was outnumbered and his guards, who are not his liege men, also commit themselves against superior odds in support of him and you? They recover a fortune in silver and return it to me with my daughter and they seek nothing?” Guang tapped the arm of his throne as he decided no one sought “nothing”, but was still nevertheless intrigued and impressed at what they had done on his House’s behalf. “And his second-in-command is here with you, he seeks an audience with me?”

  Rong squirmed uncomfortably but Swallow stepped in as he hesitated. “His second-in-command is a woman Father, the Lady Shushan. She has not sought an audience but waits at our invitation.” Looking anxiously to her father who was this time unable to restrain his surprise at hearing Zun’s second-in-command was a woman. Swallow added cautiously. “The Lady Shushan is willing to see you but has told us she will not kowtow or call any man Master. She intends no insult and would not be offended if you refused to see her as a result.”

  Guang was even more bemused than before. “This Lord’s second-in-command is a woman? They are of the Hansee Empire and she was at the battle?”

  Rong nodded in confirmation, encouraged that his master had neither seemed angry nor refused to see her out of hand. “Not just present at the battle Master. She rode beside Zun leading their force in a wedge through the nomads. She was the first to break through and only she was in a position to save our Lady and her rescuer, Master Zanwen, as a result.”

  Guang was even more surprised than before. “And Zun’s men are willing to follow this woman? What kind of man would follow a woman into battle, even at their Lord’s command?”

  Rong looked his master clearly in the eyes as he replied. “These men do not follow because Zun commands them to do so. They follow from choice, as would I. This is no ordinary woman, her courage and sword skill is exceptional.” Taking the initiative he ventured cautiously, “If you wish to preserve face you could command the hall be emptied and I would stand as you think best, but I believe a meeting would be beneficial, Master.”

  Guang was impressed this strange woman had made such a strong impression on his General and Swallow, who nodded her agreement and encouragement. Placing his hands in opposite sleeves, Guang raised an imperious eyebrow. “This is the most curious thing I have heard of in many years. How could I possibly not see this woman? She is here at my invitation and I see no loss of face, but even if there were I would nevertheless risk losing some if only to satisfy my curiosity. Have her brought to me, I can barely wait.” he added dryly.

  General Rong signalled to the guards and the great doors swung open to admit two figures, one diminutive compared to the veritable giant beside her. As the two figures walked forward they both looked around at the audience room, openly curious as they examined its ceiling supported by arches fifty feet above their heads, the guards standing to rigid attention at either side, even marvelling at the tile mosaics in the floor.

  When they reached the dais their attention switched entirely to Guang and after a brief pause they both gave deep bows. When they stood upright again Guang found he was being curiously studied by the young woman in front of him, surely only Swallow’s age but old beyond her young years. Her expression was confident and there was a wild, untamed aspect that made her appear simultaneously desirable but unattainable. Guang gave a small bow of his head from his throne. “I and my House are indebted to you, to Master Zanwen and Zun. You bring the treasure of my House and the treasure of my heart. What may I offer you and Zun in return?”

  Shushan smiled. It was a genuine and uninhibited smile, which made her look most attractive Guang decided. “Grain for our horses, supplies for my men’s return journey and replacement arrows for those lost during the battle would be most welcome.”

  Guang raised a finger and one of his aides ran to implement the request. “Is this all?”

  “Your gift of supplies is gratefully received.” Shushan gave a brief bow and rose with a smile again. “We also have a gift for you, but Zanwen said it would be considered discourteous to offer you a gift in your own House, without first accepting one from you.” She shrugged at the absurdities of court life. “It has no value to us but Zanwen believes you may take pleasure from it. May we have it brought to you?” It was plain Shushan also enquired whether she had adequately covered the protocol on gifts.

  Guang looked to General Rong and Swallow but they were equally surprised and intrigued. With a cautious nod he gave consent and another aid ran down the aisle of soldiers, returning in a few moments with two baskets, one in each hand. Placing them beside Shushan he quickly returned to stand behind Guang’s throne. Reaching down Shushan removed the lid from the first basket to reveal a severed head resting on salt. Despite the salt the smell of decaying flesh was strong as the lid was removed.

  Shushan saw them all looking at the head, fascinated but not recognising whose it had been. Shushan introduced him casually. “This is Sheywen, a swordmaster and the leader of the bandits which have been raiding the caravan routes at the edge of the border. We also believe he is connected to the emperor’s palace, an agent sent by the empress to implement a move against Houses Guang and Tanyeu.”

  Turning to the other basket she removed the second lid, revealing the face of a nomad still bearing an ivory ear ring. “This is Mishka, a nomad Khan of the Green Snake Clan. He was with the Bear Clan which attacked your caravan and was a known associate of Sheywen. Zanwen believes the nomad incursion may well have been encouraged by Sheywen. There was a deliberate weakness in the imperial guard’s pat
rols along the border, making your caravans and province the obvious target as they were consequently the most vulnerable.”

  Guang looked from the severed heads back to Shushan in amazement, tinged with a habitual caution. “And why did Master Zanwen believe I would find these of value?”

  Gauging his body language Shushan could see Guang was already enjoying the gift, despite his query. She laughed, the sound so unusual in the reception hall it was vaguely shocking to those who resided there. “He thought you might want to wrap them and present them as gifts of your own to the empress at the Sun Palace.”

  Guang was positively rubbing his hands in anticipation. “Ah yes, yes indeed.” Guang tore his gaze from the two baskets to regard Shushan and the silent giant beside her, both dressed in warrior’s battle armour and armed to the teeth. “What entertaining people you are. Please offer my most sincere thanks to Master Zanwen for his gift. To have guessed the game in play, identified the agents and the players yet without being involved he must be a formidable player.”

  Shushan merely smiled and, with bows, she and Mengpo turned and left. As the doors closed resoundingly behind them, Guang turned to the two severed heads with relish. “Oh rarely has the prospect of bestowing gifts on the Sun Palace been so satisfying.” His eyes gleamed as he looked to General Rong and Swallow. “This Zanwen is indeed a player and I feel his hand guiding me like a piece in a game but, as he knew, I find I do not mind and am unable to resist the invitation he offers.”

  General Rong frowned in concern. “In what way does he manipulate you Master Guang?”

  Guang’s eyes gleamed as his mind enthused at taking up Zanwen’s challenge. “He uses me knowing I will be a willing partner. The empress, or others close to her, sought to make us vulnerable by weakening the border patrols but in doing so they also make the empire vulnerable. This is made worse by the involvement of the barbarians in their plot. The empire does not want the hordes thinking they can plunder us at will and even a small success would encourage other attempts. The emperor will be furious at the risk they take in their scheming. I, on the other hand, will present him with the evidence of their plot, causing them a double loss of face that it was discovered and worse by those it was intended to injure most. While at the same time eliminating the threat they instigated our House will gain great prestige to the same extent the empress will lose it. The emperor will indeed be indebted to me for succeeding, where his own soldiers so demonstrably failed due to the meddling of his own wife.”