Zhànshì: A Dark Retelling

by Anna Edwards

  We stay in this position for what seems like an eternity, neither of us moving, just staring into each other’s eyes.

  “I love you, Lia.” Jaxon finally breaks the silence.

  “I love you too,” I reply.

  He leans down and kisses me before withdrawing from my body. It hurts where I’m tender, and I gasp a little. Jaxon goes into the bathroom and brings a wet cloth to clean me before tucking me under the bedsheets and kissing me on the top of my forehead.

  “Whatever happens after, this moment is everything—the two of us here together. Tomorrow, we’ll finish what others started, and when we do, I’ll be taking you for my wife. I’ll be claiming you in front of everyone in the Yi Shu, and you’ll be able to fight at my side whenever I need you to. No longer will you have to be someone you’re not. You’ve given too much to this world to not be rewarded with your right to choose your future.”

  Jaxon kisses the top of my head again, and I shut my eyes. The lids feeling heavy as a contentment and safe feeling washes over me for the first time since I revealed myself to Gaozu.

  “Until tomorrow,” Jaxon whispers, and I know the instant he’s left the room because I shiver at the loss of his heat.

  I am different, and I know now it’s something to be proud of and not hide away from. It’s time to put my talents to good use for the Yi Shu. Victory will be ours.

  I stand nervously outside Lia’s family home. I don’t know how much her family knows about what has been happening, and to think I’m going to be the one to tell them makes me anxious. I don’t even know if they’re aware of my relationship with Lia. I could be delivering an abundance of information to them that will send them into a tailspin.

  I knock twice on the door and wait for an answer.

  “Coming,” a friendly female voice calls from within.

  I wait a few moments before an older woman opens the door. I see a lot of Lia in her. I know instantly this must be her mother.

  “Hello, madam,” I lower my head in a respectful bow. “My name is Jaxon, and I’m a general in the Yi Shu. May I come in? I have important information for you.”

  “Lia.” The older woman’s lip wobbles, and I know she’s imagining her daughter’s death.

  “Alive and well the last time I saw her.”

  She places her hands to her chest, then appears to get herself together and motions for me to enter the house.

  “Lin, Lán,” she calls out. “We have a visitor.”

  Lia’s mother guides me into a small living room. The house isn’t big, but it’s clean and well looked after. Red is the predominant color for the decor, and various deities adorn the walls. In the corner of the room is a prayer table, with one single candle lit. A prayer for Lia’s safe return. Damn, I’d do anything at this particular moment to ensure that candle remains lit.

  A young girl runs into the room, sees me, and bows. She must be around seventeen, a few years younger than Lia. Shortly after, a man joins us. He’s using a stick to walk and looks old and frail. I remember him from the day of the draft, but he appears to have aged even more since then.

  I immediately bow to him. He looks shocked to see me.

  “My daughter?” Lin questions, his face paling.

  “Alive,” Lia’s mother quickly responds.

  Lia’s father lets out a long sigh of relief and composes himself.

  “How can we help you, Mr. Jaxon?” he asks, finally.

  “I bring a message from Lia. She’s asked me to take you all to the Yi Shu compound for safety.”

  “Safety?” Lin questions, but Lia’s mother and sister look between each other nervously.

  I’m hesitant to speak in front of Lia’s sister. I’m about to reveal a lot about Lia and not all of it is suitable for the younger girl’s ears.

  “Maybe Lán should go and start packing a few of your belongings while we talk.”

  Lia’s parents look between each other, worry on their faces, before sending their youngest daughter away.

  “Please, sir, take a seat,” Lia’s mother offers, but I wait for Lin to sit first. I might out rank him in this situation, but I’ve the upmost respect for him.

  “You know she’s a girl,” Lin finally speaks again.

  “Yes, sir. I’ve known for some time, but Gaozu has only just been made aware of it.”

  “Is she to die?”

  I fervently shake my head.

  “No, not at all.”

  I reach out and take his hand in mine.

  “Sir, your daughter is amazing. Her fighting skills are second to none. I’m astounded by the things you’ve taught her. It’s her bravery that has me most in awe, though. She never backs out of a fight because of her lack of strength or height. I witnessed her kill a man twice her size. She removed his head from his body. She’s not going to be executed for pretending to be a man—she’s to be applauded for her courageous actions.”

  I see the relief wash over his face, and Lia’s mother lets out a sob. I lower my head and fall silent, deep in thought about Lia and the time I spent with her last night.

  “There is more, though?” Lia’s father questions and shifts our hands, so it’s him now offering me comfort.

  “There is something else, yes,” I confirm.

  I know what I’m about to say is going to come out as a jumbled mess of words. My mind is all over the place again. My heart is with Lia, but I’m terrified destiny will pull us apart today.

  “Sir, I’m in love with your daughter. I will openly claim her as mine as soon as I can. She’s become the center of my world, and I hope never to lose her, but she’s stubborn and brave beyond compare…I’m guessing you already know that.”

  “What has she done?” Lin asks.

  “She’s put herself in great danger. We intend to end the fight with the Jīn Long today, and Lia will play a pivotal part in the victory. With Gaozu’s help she revealed her identity to the Yi Shu a week ago. The day her belongings were collected from here. I know you were kept in the dark about what was happening. You weren’t the only ones. It was a plan concocted between Lia and Gaozu. You see, the man Lia beheaded was Wang’s favorite general. Wang wanted her dead while she was a man, but as soon as he found out she was a woman, he had other ideas about punishing her. Lia knew this could happen and put herself at the center of a trap.”

  Lia’s mother’s breathing speeds up, her gasps coming out as heaves when she realizes my meaning. Lin Zhànshì’s pallid face remains a mask. He reaches out to his wife as tears fill her eyes, and he brings her close to him.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but Wang took your daughter as his concubine. It’s where she is at the moment.”

  “No, not my daughter.” Lia’s mother weeps, just as Lán pops her head around the door to the living room.

  “Mama, what’s wrong?” she asks.

  Lia’s father waves her away, and the girl disappears again.

  “Did she go into the trap a virgin?” Lia’s father looks up at me.

  I shake my head,

  “No, sir, she didn’t. I will claim her as mine and marry her when all this is over.”

  He nods.

  “A blessing. Thank you, Jaxon.”

  “I wasn’t aware of her plan, or I wouldn’t have let her go. I know it now, though, and her reasons for doing it. If she’d remained as Zhàn, others would have died trying to protect her. As Lia, she’s been able to find out secrets that will give us victory. More importantly, she’s been able to get close to Wang, and today, she’ll kill him and then enter Los Angeles with the rest of the Yi Shu. We’ll be taking the fight to them for the first time ever, and we’ll be ending this war, once and for all. This has only been made possible because of Lia’s bravery.”

  “You’ve seen her?”

  “Yes, sir, last night.”

  “How is she?” her mother asks.

  “Bruised, sore, but she knows I love her.”

  Lia’s father leans forward and rubs his hand over his receding hair.
>
  “I knew training her was a mistake. I should never have done it, but I didn’t see how else I could give her what she needed. Lia was always different as a child. She wasn’t the perfect daughter like Lán. She was a tomboy, always covered in dirt, climbing trees rather than playing with dolls. She had an energy to her I’d never seen in anyone else before, and I’ve been around soldiers all my life. I knew if it wasn’t focused, it would lead to trouble, so I trained her. I gave her an escape for her energy in the hope my wife could teach her about her duty as a woman to the Yi Shu. We both failed.”

  “No, sir, you didn’t fail. You’ve raised one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. There is no reason, except tradition, as to why Lia shouldn’t be allowed to fight for her people. Some traditions need to change, and your daughter will go down in the history of the Yi Shu as the one who set that change in motion. It won’t ruin our way of life. It’s about integrating the new with the old, keeping the traditions that matter. It’s different from Wang’s vision of the future. He wants to conquer California and make it a new China. It must seem strange to you, a European man talking to you about these matters, but the Yi Shu embraced me and my family, and I owe Gaozu my life. You should be proud of your daughter. The honor she’s brought to your family will be legendary. They’ll probably make films about it in years to come.” I try to lighten the mood.

  I’m feeling on edge, and I know we need to leave soon. Every moment Lia is with Wang, there’s a chance he could hurt her again, and I’m not sure she’ll survive the next time. I’m itching to fight now.

  “The blood of my ancestors runs strong in my daughter.” Lia’s father gets to his feet, maybe sensing my sudden need for urgency. “What do you need from us?”

  “Lia needs to know you are safe. When Wang took her, he threatened you and especially your younger daughter. I need you all to come with me at once. Gaozu will arrange for his special guard to protect you until I can reunite you with your daughter.”

  “Lán,” Lia’s father calls. “Bring only what you need. We’re leaving now.”

  Lia’s sister appears with a small bag over her shoulder. I lead the family out of the house to the car waiting for us. As we speed through the streets of San Francisco with guards on motorbikes surrounding us, I write a note to Lia to tell her, her family is safe. When we arrive at the compound, I give it to one of the guards to get to her while I lead Lia’s family through the amassed throng of Yi Shu soldiers. Gaozu greets us all, bowing to Lia’s father before Lin can show his respects to our leader.

  “The honor your daughter does for us will forever be celebrated.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Lia’s father bows low, and her mother and sister join him.

  Gaozu pulls a sword out of his scabbard and hands it to Lia’s father.

  “I believe this is your families’ property. I’ve been taking care of it for Lia, but I think it’s safer in your hands until she returns.”

  Lia’s father looks down at the sword, and tears fill his eyes. He turns to look at me.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ve done nothing, sir, except fall in love with your daughter.”

  “No, you gave her a life. Now go bring her home for us please, son.”

  He hands me the sword. I shake my head at first and try to give it back, but he refuses.

  “Please, Jaxon. Take it to her.”

  “I will protect it with my life until I can return it to her hand.”

  I bow again and sheathe the sword, replacing my own with it.

  Pulling my shoulders back, I walk toward the assembled group of soldiers. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lia’s family being taken away to safety. The first part of my job is done, and now it’s time for the second.

  “Thank you for coming here everyone. In a moment, you will be assigned transport, and we’ll be traveling to Los Angeles to end the war with the Jīn Long. It’s gone on for too long. We want our way of life back, and our families reunited.” I pull Lia’s sword from my scabbard and hold it up in the air.

  “For the Yi Shu.” I shout, and the sea of men in front of me do the same with their weapons held high—it’s a deafening battle cry.

  Not everyone here will return from what we’re about to do. I still fear destiny’s plan for Lia and me, but if I die today, I’ll go out fighting for the people who are my true family, now and forever.

  I’ve tried to keep myself busy today, but it’s not easy locked in a room with nothing in it. I’ve practiced some workout routines Jaxon taught us during training. They’ve helped to ease the tightness in my body and centered my mind a little.

  I don’t know exactly what the next few hours hold, but I do know I won’t stop fighting until Wang is dead. He’s a devil—a demon sent to cause pain to all those around him. He has no respect or loyalty for anyone but himself. I doubt he’s that upset about the death of the general I killed. He’s probably more concerned about losing face because it was a woman who dispatched his greatest asset. He certainly doesn’t have any respect for the opposite sex. I feel sorry for his wife and daughters. Maybe with him gone, they might be able to have a better life away from his dictatorship. It will be a blessing for them all.

  At least I hope they’ll see it the way I do.

  I’m wearing the summer dress that was laid out for me this morning. It’s red in color, the symbolic color of Chinese life. It’s ironic I’ll be wearing it when I take Wang's life. Hopefully, it’ll hide the blood. The small knife Jaxon left behind for me is tucked into my underwear. I was surprised I’d been given any. It makes me wonder what duties Wang has planned for me today.

  I resume the training exercises as I wait for fate to come for me. Another hour of breathing and relaxation exercises goes by before the door opens. A man I don’t recognize stands there, staring at me with a lustful expression on his face. Shit. Where is Wang?

  “What do you want?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

  “Your presence is requested,” he snarls at me, and strutting into the room, he grabs hold of me. His strong fingers dig into the soft flesh of my upper arm, and I know I’ll have more bruises there tomorrow to match the ones over the rest of my body. I need to read about natural remedies to reduce bruising. I’ll be black and blue all over soon. Perks of the job, I guess.

  A flash of excitement spreads through my body.

  My mask is about to fall.

  Today I’ll show everyone just who I really am.

  Dragged down the corridor, I try to keep pace with the man, but I stumble more than once to his annoyance. He grips me hard and pulls me with purpose until we reach our destination. I know immediately where we are—a throne room, similar to Gaozu’s but more pretentious. Pictures of Wang dressed in emperor’s clothing adorn the walls. Gaozu has too much class and respect for his people to make a display of himself like that.

  The room is full of soldiers all standing at attention. Wang and a couple of his guards are on the stage at the front. He’s sitting on a throne that must be three times the size of Gaozu’s. As I enter the room, all eyes turn to me. Snide smirks cross many of the faces, and my stomach sinks. This can’t be good. Please let Jaxon and the Yi Shu come soon.

  I received Jaxon’s message a little earlier in the day, informing me my family is safe, and he’s on his way to get me. I don’t know how the guard got it into the building, and I wasn’t about to ask, but I’m glad he was able to do it as it gave me the courage I needed to do what I’m about to.

  I’m dragged forward by the man who brought me here. He takes me up onto the stage and presents me to Wang. The man I despise stands in front of me with a lascivious smile on his face. I want to wipe it off with a slap or better still a knife into the skull.

  “Well, Lia, I thought it was about time I introduced you to everyone else here. I hope you don’t mind.” Wang chuckles. “It’s not like you have anything else to do. How are your bruises from yesterday by the way? I see they are shining brightly. Doesn’t she look a pictur
e?” Wang addresses those assembled, and they all shout out their agreement.

  A few call on him to give me more bruises, and other’s murmur about wanting to see my blood flow. I push everything to the back of my mind. I won’t allow them to distract me from the calm mood I’ve put myself in with the training techniques I used this morning.

  “I barely felt anything.” I yawn. “Must be a sign of what little you and your guests have going on in the groin department.”

  I see the Russian and the Yi Shu traitor sitting on seats at the side of the stage, and I give them a wave and a smirk. Both have looks of thunder on their faces. Wang reaches out and slaps me hard across the face. I don’t give him a reaction. I blink a few times to dispel the pain and then stand straighter as the crowd cheers him on.

  “Is that all you’ve got?” I yawn again.

  “Fucking bitch, how dare you speak to me like that.” Wang grabs my chin and holds me so I’m facing the crowd. “I think it’s about time we show this bitch just who the Jīn Long really are. I know it’s been a long time since the more loyal members of you out there were last with a woman. Well, today’s your lucky day because I’m feeling generous. Lia here is my concubine, but I’m going to share her. Throughout the day, the worthy among you will be given time with her to do whatever you want…just as long as you don’t kill her. I want this woman in my bed for a long time to come.” Wang throws me from the stage and onto the floor. I land with a thump and a sinking feeling in my stomach as the crowd of soldiers cheer wildly and make lewd comments. Please, God, let Jaxon save me.

  My prayers are answered when an explosion rips through the back of the room. The guards nearest the blast area are ripped apart, and their bodies as well as body parts fly through the air. Everything in the room falls into a state of confusion as guards rush to protect Wang. I’m pulled to my feet before I can be trampled on by the stampede of people now heading closer to the stage area—they’re desperate to escape the fire raging at the rear of the room. Unable to struggle against the guards holding me, I’m dragged back to Wang and thrown into his arms as he barks orders to those around him.