Dances of Deception: A Legends of Tivara Story (The Dragon Songs Saga Book 3)

by JC Kang

  By then, he’d learned the patterns for the changing of the guards, sending out patrols, mess times, and slave routines. The eastern wall, facing the river, was the least guarded... probably because the slope up to the palisade and river provided formidable defense against an attack.

  Confident in this knowledge, Tian tried a few dry runs during the night, to see if he could get in unnoticed. The most daunting obstacle was trying to swim across the river, whose current flowed strong with snow melt.

  Instead, he climbed under the bridge inverted, then landed on the narrow bank on the eastern side of the fortress. He crept to the south and found the earthen ramparts easy to negotiate. At the top, his cat-claws made scaling the palisade manageable. After two nights of experimenting, he was finally in. Still, as dexterous as she was, Kaiya would never be able to do the same.

  It had been five days since the others had departed. If all went well, a team of Moquan would be there to assist him in two weeks.

  The next day the twins returned, reporting that the restored roads stretched west for at least another three-day march, if not more. They witnessed plenty of activity, with slaves cutting down trees and dumping them into the river, and heavy infantry marching down the road.

  For each of the next three nights, Tian infiltrated the fortress, identifying hiding places and locating potential access points to the main keep itself. There was just one entrance, facing south, flanked at all times by guards. The windows were all too small for him to fit through—if only Jie were around, she could squeeze in some of the upper windows.

  On the second-to-last night of the twelfth month, the small sliver of the white moon threw the fortress into darkness. Tian took advantage of the dark and scaled the western outer walls of the central keep to investigate the roof. With sixteen guards circling along the perimeter, he didn’t climb all the way up, but instead peeked over the edge. Open space surrounded the single greywood tree tower protruding from the center of the building. Stairs spiraled down the tree to...another entrance. A way in, if only he could get by the sentries... Impossible without a diversion.

  If Lana’s forest friends were right, Kaiya was close. On Tian’s descent, he edged across the third floor, listening at each fur-covered window he passed. The sonorous sounds suggested large, sleeping men.

  Arms aching and listless, he somehow rounded the corner to the fort’s north face. Fifteen window slots were spaced ten feet apart. If she wasn’t in one of those rooms, his energy wouldn’t last long enough to find her.

  Heavy wooden slats blocked the twelfth window. The thick fur cover muffled the sounds inside, but...yes! Kaiya’s familiar breathing. He reached between the slats—

  Wood furniture creaked in rhythmic screeches. Geros Bovyan’s voice, husky in a loud whisper, professed his love for Kaiya. Her heavy breaths sounded wrong in his ears.

  Rage boiled in Tian’s head. His foot slipped from one of the crevices, with only the cat-claws on his hands keeping him from falling. Kaiya was suffering. The man who caused it needed to die. Slowly, painfully. His vision dimmed at the edges.

  Years of training brought his immediate impulses under control. His foot found purchase. Logically, what could he do? He had no leverage to break the heavy wooden bars, no way to slip in even if he could get past the slats. Anything he did now would just get him killed and leave Kaiya helpless at the rapist’s hands.

  No. His only recourse was to climb down and move far enough away that other noises would drown out the terrible sounds crushing his heart. Only then could he think clearly.

  He fled the fortress as quickly as he could, trying to banish the memories of Kaiya’s humiliation still echoing in his head. Muttering a terse greeting to Kosa and Kona, he climbed a tree to be alone with his thoughts.

  After this foray into the fortress, two things were clear: even if he could break in, he wasn’t sure how he could escape with her; and if Fang Weiyong had reached Hua in eight days, he would still have to wait another two weeks for reinforcements. Too long. And maybe still not enough resources to free Kaiya.

  Though his strategic intelligence told him there was zero chance of success on his own, his impulse said otherwise. Tomorrow night, he would go in alone.

  CHAPTER 54:

  Realizations and Confessions

  Kaiya was late. She was never late. Always as accurate as a dwarf-made clock, her monthly cycle reliably started when she woke the day of the new white moon.

  She’d looked forward to the debilitating cramps this morning, hoping it would provide her a temporary reprieve from the daily violations at Geros’ hands. Now its failure to appear raised new fears.

  What had Doctor Wu told her? From when the flood waters receded, until about two weeks after it began, Heaven’s dew would allow a seed to find fertile ground? If only she’d listened more carefully instead of drowning out the graphic details. She counted off the days. Nineteen days since last making love to Tian. Eighteen since she surrendered to the Teleri. Sixteen since the emperor had taken her for the first time.

  She choked back bile at the thought of Geros’ calloused hands. Sitting on a soft bed in a narrow room, Kaiya brought her knees to her chest and wrapped herself tightly in her arms. A tear trickled unheeded down her cheek.

  When her ordeal had begun, she’d forced herself into a state of denial, tried to emotionally numb herself to the humiliation of his assault.

  It didn’t work.

  His insatiable lust dragged her down into depression. She considered throwing herself from the top of the fortress; but a bird came back day after day and sang to her. Its song perked her spirits up and gave her some resolve.

  On several occasions, Teleri generals prodded Geros to go oversee construction of the next fortress downstream—one which would put them uncomfortably close to Hua, if her poor map skills were even a little accurate. She had to keep him here.

  Without the power of her voice, all she had were her body and wiles. Like the tale of Lady Lanyu, concubine of a warlord during Hua’s Warring States Period. He’d sent her to a rival king, ostensibly to seal an alliance. Really, it had been to break his enemy’s focus as he became besotted with the girl. Still, a little part of Kaiya died each time she pretended to have fallen in love with the vile monster.

  Then, word from a Kanin slave girl that the Warrior From Beyond the Wall was outside the fortress gave her a glimmer of optimism.

  That was nine days ago. With each passing day, her hope guttered. Perhaps she’d have to keep up the act for the rest of her life.

  The all-too-familiar sound of Geros’ booted steps approached from down the hall. He only came to the third level to visit her.

  A stifling sensation in her chest seized her breath. She rose from the bed and stumbled to the window for air. Outside, the first colorful buds began peeking out from the branches of trees and shrubs. In the past, these heralds of spring had made her happy. Now they were a reminder of this prison.

  A lighter set of footsteps caught up to Geros.

  “Your Eminence, Captain Miris in Fortress Ten expects you tomorrow. It is a one-week march.”

  She glanced back at the door. A week’s journey from here must be at the Hua border. If only she was better with maps.

  Geros’ voice sounded bored. “Then I will take swifthorses after lunch and be there tonight.”

  “Your Eminence...certainly you know the road restoration and horse relays only reach Fortress Eight so far.”

  Kaiya frowned. From what she’d gathered, they were now at Fortress Nine.

  “The captain is a smart man. I am sure he can build a fortress without me looking over his shoulder.” His footsteps resumed, stopping right outside the door.

  Shuddering, she turned back to the window.

  The door swooshed open behind her.

  He came up behind her and wrapped her in an embrace. With supreme effort, she kept every muscle in her body from locking up. He kissed the back of her head and turned her around, almost gently.
/>   Kaiya composed her most adoring expression, and hated herself for doing so. “Your Eminence.”

  His voice was tender. “My love...”

  Her stomach lurched into her throat, leaving a sour taste. Did he believe his words? To think, this might’ve been her fate had she gone through with marriage to Lord Tong in Wailian, three years ago.

  He continued, “I was told your lunch was coming up soon, but I figured you might want an appetizer.”

  Kaiya winced. His idea of an appetizer was the reason she had no interest in food. Today, though... “Your Eminence, as much as I hunger for you, I cannot. Not today.”

  His eyebrows smashed together and his faced flushed red. He pressed himself against her. “What do you mean? Why not?”

  She pushed herself back against the wall. She swallowed the fear choking her words. “I have good news, Your Eminence. I....my.... I am with child...” Was she? Hopefully, it wasn’t... “Your child.”

  He staggered back, as if struck by a physical blow—one that didn’t hurt, but caused confusion. His angered expression relaxed and his tone softened. “Are you sure?”

  “You know there was no one else.” She acted demure, casting her gaze at the floor. He’d either ignored or forgotten what the doctor on Wild Turkey Island had told him. “He will be third in line for the Dragon Throne of Cathay.”

  Geros turned toward the door. He paused and looked back. “A doctor will be visiting you shortly. You had better be telling the truth.”

  Kaiya shuddered again. She went to the washbasin to scrub where he had touched her, as if doing so would wash away his odor, which lingered in her imagination.

  Before long, a middle-aged Arkothi man came and asked several questions. When was her last cycle, when her next one was due, when had she lain with the emperor, was she experiencing certain symptoms.

  Though leaving out any mention of Tian, she answered honestly, wanting to know the result as much as Geros. After he finished taking notes, she asked, “Am I with child?”

  The doctor’s mouth shut like a trap and he rushed out the door.

  Ill at ease, she turned back to the window, hand over her belly. Please let it be Tian’s seed that had taken root in her. How devastating it would be to carry the spawn of a depraved rapist.

  Presently, Geros’ heavy steps approached, more rapidly than usual. He burst into the room, bounded across the floor and wrapped his huge arms around her.

  Again, she fought to keep from shrinking in his embrace.

  He then released her and leaned back. “Kaiya, I am so overwhelmed by the news. Despite the many sons that I must have sired, I never expected to know any of them, lost as they must be among the hundreds of Prospecti. I can describe the feeling as nothing short of joy, a joy that we will have a son together. I will see to it that he will rule Cathay and Teleri. Sharing our blood, he will be a strong emperor, ensuring the peace and order I have worked so hard to establish.”

  The man was delusional. Kaiya forced back a tear. How ironic. Her brothers’ wives had both gone years of trying without success to conceive an heir to Hua. She’d spent a week out of every month consoling them as their disappointment dragged on.

  Now, she might carry the product of rape, who might very well become a pawn in the occupation and subjugation of her nation. Her countrywomen would share her fate, forced to endure violation, only to bear more tools of Teleri conquest.

  Heavens, let it be Tian’s.

  Tian spent the day alone in a tree, mentally walking through his rescue plan. It wasn’t really much of a plan, with too many uncertainties and variables. Had the memories of the previous night not haunted him, he’d never even consider it. Some Architect he was.

  Late in the afternoon, he came down from the tree to discuss his strategy with Ma Jun and the twins. They all hovered around as he sketched a layout of the fortress grounds.

  Tian pointed at the bridge. “I’m going to attempt the rescue tonight. Through here. Before the blue moon rises. With the new white moon, it will be dark.”

  Kosa clapped his hands in excitement. “Did you scout out the interior of the main keep last night?”

  Tian shook his head. “No, but I know exactly where she’s held. There’s an access point on the roof.”

  Ma Jun’s jaw dropped. “How do you plan on getting the princess down from the rooftop, assuming you can actually get her out of her room?”

  “Not from the roof. I’ll take her out through the entrance.”

  Ma Jun’s eyes and mouth widened. “You haven’t even been inside the fort. Even if you get her out unseen, she can’t climb under the bridge like you.”

  So much for the man’s infectious optimism. Tian leveled his gaze at him. “That’s where I’ll need your help. You and the twins will create a diversion here at the eastern gate. It’ll hopefully draw the garrison’s attention to you. I’ll take her out the back.”

  Ma Jun glared at him. “Hopefully? There are too many uncertainties. When the Tianzi ordered us to accept the Moquan as adjunct protection for his family, he assured us you were meticulous. This doesn’t give me confidence.” He had slipped into the Hua tongue, but even Kosa and Kona looked at Tian with creased foreheads.

  Tian jabbed a finger at Ma Jun. “We can’t wait for word from Hua. They’re two weeks away. Every day Kaiya is imprisoned, a part of her is dying.”

  Ma Jun shook his head. “I don’t want you to risk yourself, but it is your life to throw away. However, I can’t let you risk the princess.”

  Had their roles been reversed, Tian would’ve agreed. Nonetheless, he couldn’t let Kaiya suffer another day at the emperor’s hands. He turned to Kona and Kosa. They idolized him and would accede to his requests regardless of what they thought of the plan. “I want you to—”

  “Ma Jun is right,” a female voice said. A familiar voice.

  Tian spun around, looking left and right to find the source, one which could not possibly be there.

  Jie.

  Jie launched herself into Tian’s chest, wrapping her arms around him as they tumbled to the ground.

  She’d followed the Kanin tribeswoman, her heart racing at the imminent reunion with Tian. She admired how Lana could speak some of the Hua language. Even more impressive was the shaman’s ability to pick her way through the forest, barely making a sound.

  Meanwhile, Jie had constantly stepped on a hidden twig or dry leaf. Maybe the enemy would think it was a rabbit.

  Lana had dropped into a crouch, and Jie froze. When the shaman beckoned, Jie crept up to her side. There, in a small clearing, squatted Tian, Ma Jun, and two Kanin boys.

  Her heart had nearly leaped out of her chest. She started toward the clearing—

  Tian and Ma Jun were bickering. And with just cause. Tian’s plan was idiotic, something she would’ve expected of...well, nobody was that careless.

  Now, she lifted her head and looked into his eyes, trying to read his blank expression. Feeling the weight of the stares around her, she picked herself up and helped Tian to his feet. When she spoke, her voice sounded too husky in her ears. “Zheng Tian, I thought you’d died.”

  He flashed a grin, but it seemed forced. “I’m glad to see you are alive and well, too. My plan can’t fail with the two of us.”

  What? Someone deserved a painful reminder—

  Tian opened his mouth to continue, but knowing what he’d ask and wanting him to see the answer, Jie cut him off. “Were you hit on your head so hard that you can’t see the holes in that ridiculous plan? I never thought an imperial guard would have more sense than a Moquan.”

  Tian shrugged. “It’ll have twice as much a chance of succeeding now that you are here.”

  Something was wrong about his demeanor. Her stomach hollowed. This was not how their reunion was supposed to be, even with a princess to rescue.

  Ma Jun disentangled himself from Lana’s embrace and pulled Tian aside. He leaned in and whispered, though Jie’s elf ears heard it all.

  “Neithe
r Weiyong nor Lana told anyone in Hua the whole story. That is between the two of you. But you can’t let your emotions get in the way of objectivity. It’s one thing to risk your own life, it is something entirely different to risk all ours.”

  What was that all about? Jie sucked on her lower lip.

  Tian looked up. His distraught, almost guilty expression settled into a Moquan blankness as his eyes met Jie’s. “I think the two of us can do it.”

  “We have more assets a few li away, and I have a better plan. Follow me.” She nodded towards Lana. “Or rather, follow her.”

  Tian trailed behind Jie in silence for a half-phase, remembering all the things that were left unsaid in the haste of the escape from Iksuvius half a year before. Had their mutual feelings been clarified, perhaps things would have turned out differently. But now, Jie’s magnetism no longer pulled on him. That attraction, no matter how brief, now transformed into guilt.

  He started to confess, but other words spilled out instead. “How did you escape Iksuvius?”

  Jie glanced over her shoulder, her expression speaking of a silent hurt. “The Teleri destroyed the embassy, killed most of the staff and imperial guard.” She cast Ma Jun a sympathetic eye. “They rounded up all the Hua residents and imprisoned them.”

  All those comrades, killed. And Tian had left Jie there.

  “Then,” she continued, “the Tianzi sent a dozen ships to blockade the coast. I took the fastest ship back to Hua with word of the princess’ escape into the Wilds. Search parties embarked on futile forays into the plateau, but heavy snow forced the Tianzi to call the search off for the winter.”

  Tian nodded. “They would’ve stumbled on Teleri fortresses before they found us.”

  Jie shrugged. “They would’ve resumed their search tomorrow, but the embassy doctor and his guide delivered the news of the princess’ capture two days ago. In the meantime, your brother Zheng Ming mobilized three thousand soldiers. They’re heading this way.”