The old woman started to walk away, leaning on her stick for support, but still surprising them with how fast her legs could go. Mulan followed her, the others only a few steps behind.
The village was incredible, especially considering the location in Mulan’s mind. Although wooden buildings lay scattered throughout the area, chairs, buckets, and clothes hung out to dry beside openings around the far sides suggested the people living here made their homes in the caves.
Children tore across the grass, chasing after one another, as mothers kept one eye on them and the other on Mulan’s group. Yet there didn’t seem any hostility from any of the people, just natural curiosity.
If the seat of power at Pingcheng and the glorious palace was the face of the Tuoba, then the village was its beating heart.
As Mulan’s head swivelled to the right, she couldn’t contain the gasp of surprise that bubbled up. Standing on top of a platform reached by a few steps and carved into the rock stood a pair of gigantic stone doors standing the height of six men, well worn by the passage of time and natural elements. No carvings adorned it, but it still retained an overwhelming sense of majesty.
Na chuckled from in front. “Yes, yes, we’ll get to that later. Now hurry. It’ll rain soon.”
She led them into a cave directly opposite where they’d ventured out from. Dappled shadows danced over the room, adorned with brightly coloured silks and cushions. Curtains hung in the back suggested additional rooms further within the mountain. A low table sat in the centre, the wood clearly older than her, already set up with a steaming pot and several cups.
Mulan’s stomach rumbled at the sight of the fruits and bowls of freshly cooked rice; how long had it been since she’d eaten a proper meal? It took every ounce of control she possessed to ignore the chopsticks and simply scoop the rice into her mouth with her hands.
Gesturing for them to sit, Na took a seat on a low chair instead of a cushion. “These days I can get down but getting up is another matter. Eat, eat. Help yourselves.”
As Daocheng and Chuo picked up their chopsticks, Mulan began pouring the tea. Wafts of sweet-smelling steam filled her nostrils.
Kang turned his gaze to the old woman. “You know the reason why we’re here?”
Na took a deep breath and nodded. “Xuan Wu sent a message. You’re to retrieve the seal which we have protected all these years and bring it back to him.”
“How could he tell you so quickly?” Daocheng asked around a mouthful of rice.
“The hawks talk to us as he talks to them,” the old woman said simply. She turned back to Kang. “Centuries ago, when the first Tuoba ventured out of the ancestral cave, Xuan Wu looked after us. Gave us the gift of weaving, fishing, hunting. He taught us how to live in peace, to look after the world around us instead of always taking from it. We were simple but happy. As the first of our people grew older, Xuan Wu took them west. To protect the Tuoba from all threats, we hid the seal. He created this village high in the mountains where no one would ever look. He made the grass grow and fashioned caves into the rock so we could sleep in safety from the wind and rain. He even cracked a hole into the mountain to form a river, so we’d always have fresh water. A passageway through one of the caves leads to another expanse of ground where we grow crops. It’s a blessed life.”
Mulan brought her cup to her lips. The tea was hot and heavenly and although only a moment ago her belly screamed at her to eat, she suddenly felt the overwhelming need to listen to Na’s story more.
A sigh floated from between the old woman’s lips as she placed the stick across her lap. “Over a thousand years have passed since Xuan Wu created this village. We are the descendants of the first families brought here. Our job was to guard the first Tuoba’s tomb, where the seal is hidden, away from the power-hungry monsters of the world.” Leaning forward, she fixed them with a deep stare. “But Xuan Wu was crafty. Or stupid, whichever way you want to look at it. In case of trouble, he established four villages around the mountain to act as markers. If they fell, we would know about it and could prepare.”
Mulan set her cup on the table. “We passed by one. It’s been destroyed.”
Grief shone bright in Na’s eyes. “Such a tragedy. The hawks speak of death coming this way. The Lui Song are marching north. They say they’ll be here in less than a week with a force that could wipe the Tuoba out completely.”
Kang locked gazes with Mulan and nodded. “My father was right. This must be why he only gave us two weeks to find the cave.”
Mulan returned the nod, feeling sick to her stomach. It made sense. The Northern Wei’s forces were depleted due to constant fighting against the Rouran and incursions against the Han to the south. The Rouran worms were strong, but Liu Song possessed greater numbers and the resources that came with a vaster territory. Emperor Taiwu must have known this. Fear would make men do crazy things, even utilise the power of their own ancestors.
But Mulan recognised the lust of power and greed within Jizi’s eyes. It was a mirror of his father’s. The emperor’s claim to want to save his people may sound honourable, but any sense of integrity had faded long ago.
And she couldn’t believe Jizi had ever understood its concept.
If one of them got their hands on the seal and took possession of the ancestral cave, the world would suffer. After seeing for herself how cruel both men were, Xuan Wu was right. Neither would truly protect the kingdom and its people.
Na reached for the pot of tea and poured a cup. “Tonight, you will eat and rest. At dawn, you will venture into the tomb. If the gods are willing, you will find the seal and return it to Xuan Wu so that the Tuoba may live.”
A deep frown settled into the lines of Daocheng’s face. “I can’t believe that it’s as simple as that.”
Laughter bubbled around the cave. “Oh, my dear boy. Getting into the tomb is the easy part. Getting out is an entirely different matter.”
Twenty-Nine
Sometime during the night, the rain had turned the soil to mud. It squelched beneath Mulan’s feet as she and the rest of the group trailed behind Na as she led them out across the open ground towards the colossal stone doors.
It seemed everyone from the village had stopped what they were doing to watch them. If Na spoke true, and not many found the village, then this had to be a monumental occasion for them. Women ceased arranging blankets over airers. Men with farming tools remained rooted to the spot. Even the children stared at them with curiosity blazing within their eyes.
I guess it’s not often they see strangers, Mulan thought. Even less who venture into the tomb and take what they’re meant to protect.
Beside her, Daocheng and Chuo’s faces remained twin masks of apprehension. After days of hard riding and the events of yesterday, food and rest had done them good. Daocheng’s bow and arrows were secure on his back, his blade sheathed at his hip. Chuo’s double swords swung by his side with each step.
Zong still hadn’t caught up with them. The thought sent prickles of worry down her spine.
Reaching down, Mulan’s fingers brushed the sheath that contained her jian. The dagger hung on the other side of her waist, but it didn’t offer as much comfort as the sword. It had saved her life too many times for any other weapon to come close.
Leaning on the snaked-headed staff for support, Na climbed the huge stone steps that led up to the tomb doors, the wood loud on the stone.
As she ventured closer, Mulan could make out tiny crystals embedded into the rock. From afar, she hadn’t noticed them, but up close, they sparkled in the weak sunlight. They pulsed with the same magic that enveloped the mountain itself - strong, potent, ancient.
The old woman turned to them, her weathered face solemn. “You are the first group to descend in a hundred and fifty years.”
Daocheng’s brows rose towards the heavens. “Others have come before us?”
Na nodded. “Oh, yes. And others before them. But in a thousand years, no one has made it out alive. You may find th
eir bones somewhere within. If you do return, let me know how far they got. I’m mighty interested.”
Worry gnawed at Mulan’s gut at her words. “Are you serious?”
Mock outrage spread over Na’s face. “Of course, my dear! My great-grandfather was said to have a wager on that they’d never make it pass the first hurdle. I want to see if the old goat was right.” At the concerned expressions on their faces, Na shook her head. “Youngsters. No sense of humour these days. Listen, and listen well. You’ve felt the magic of the mountain on your way up. It’s much stronger within. I don’t know what you will face in there, but it’s designed to test you, to stop you. Be prepared for anything. It’s a pity I’m prevented from giving you anything but advice on your quest, but alas, those are the rules we must abide by. I can’t even allow you to take food or drink with you. Only your weapons.”
Inhaling deeply, Mulan nodded. “We’ll be fine. Thank you for everything.”
Na opened her mouth, but something whipped her attention away, leaving whatever words stood on the tip of her tongue forever silent. “What ...”
A wave of energy coursed through the air, like a tsunami. It crashed through them, sending everyone staggering backwards two paces and robbing them of breath for a moment. Shocked gasps around the village echoed in their ears. Somewhere, a baby cried. Overhead, a flock of hawks circled, their squawks ripping through the air like urgent screams.
Na’s face drained of blood in an instant. Gripping the stick tight enough her knuckles matched the colour of her cheeks, she hurried to the stone doors. “It looks as if we have more visitors.”
“Who?” Kang demanded, his tone tight and angry.
“Outsiders. Foreigners. Men whose hands are soaked in magic and blood.”
Mulan exchanged worried glances with Kang. “Rouran sorcerers.”
Nodding, his face stretched into a scowl. “It has to be. Fuck. I didn’t think they’d find this place.”
Lifting her stock, Na tapped it against the stone doors. Another pulse of magic flowed through the air, this time a gentle caress over their faces. “Well, they have and what’s more, they’re destroying the spirit columns.”
The stone doors groaned, and a crack formed between them. “What are spirit columns?”
“You saw them. Long carved poles with ribbons?”
Mulan pulled a face as the doors slowly inched open, revealing nothing but darkness. “The things with the skulls?”
Na snorted. “The bones of our ancestors protect us.” Another wave of magic blasted through them, sending the old woman to her knees. Mulan hurried to her side. “Another has fallen,” she whispered, the words coming out ragged as her eyes rolled up in the back of her head. Tremors coursed through her body, growing stronger and stronger, the thud of her limbs striking the stone platform with sickening loudness. Behind her, Mulan heard the doors come to a standstill.
Daocheng knelt opposite her, his fingers pressing against Na’s body to stop her from hurting herself any further. A wave of nausea rolled through Mulan’s stomach as Na’s eyes turned completely white. Suddenly, she sat up and gasped, her hands grasping Mulan’s and Daocheng’s arms. “They’re here.”
Screams from the villagers whipped their attention around. Three shadows emerged from the entrance of the cave they themselves had ventured through yesterday. Slowly, Mulan rose to her feet, the blood in her veins transforming to ice. “I know him,” she whispered.
She’d never forget that dark aura of power as long as she lived.
The sorcerer from the Rouran tent.
As he stepped forward, he rose his hands. A ball of energy gathered within his palm.
“Everyone inside your homes!” a male voice shouted from somewhere in the panicked crowd. “Protect yourselves!”
Daocheng hurried the old woman to her feet. “What do we do?” The other two figures unleashed spell after spell towards the villagers, now screaming and crying in horror as they fled within their cave dwellings.
A spell rocketed in Mulan’s direction, over her shoulder, crashing against the stone doors in a cascade of shimmering light. Na urged them towards the entrance of the tomb, her eyes back to normal. “Go. Find the seal.”
“Granny, we can’t leave you here to face them,” Chuo exclaimed, drawing both his swords.
But Na just wacked him on the arm with her stick and prodded him backwards. Her face retained its grisly ashen tone, but determination blazed within her eyes. “There’s still power within these old bones to slow them down. Close the doors. The tomb only allows one group to venture within its walls so as soon as the doors shut, no one else can come in. Not unless they’re exceptionally strong, that is. Now go!”
A barrage of spells forced them to step back, until Mulan realised they’d already passed over the tomb’s threshold. Na tapped the doors three times and the stone groaned once more as they began to close.
Mulan’s throat clogged with guilt at leaving the village to the mercy of the Rouran. She stepped forward, but Kang’s tight grip on her arm forced her back. Glancing over her shoulder, he shook his head.
This wasn’t their fight. Theirs lay within.
Another silvery orb sped towards them at lightning speed. The gap between the doors grew narrower, until Na’s back filled it completely. The wind threaded wild fingers through her white hair. Energy gathered around the old woman, winding around her body like menacing snakes ready to strike. Up ahead, Mulan caught a glimpse of dark robes as the Rouran sorcerer raced towards them, his angular face etched with fierce resolve.
The doors continued to close, the deep shadows of the tomb pulling around them like a death shroud. Only the smallest crack remained. Na screamed a curse, and the energy that surrounded her exploded like a hurricane.
Mulan was vaguely aware of being thrown backwards by the intensity of it, then a sudden blossoming of pain as her head met the floor. Grimacing, she sat up and looked around, finding nothing but total darkness. “Daocheng? Kang? Chuo?”
“We’re here.”
Relief surged through her at the sound of Chuo’s voice.
“Can anyone see anything or is it just me that’s blind as a bat?”
Suddenly, light exploded within the darkness. Torches set against both sides of the rock walls blazed with soft flames that sent shadows dancing in all directions. Mulan inhaled. A dank smell invaded her nostrils making her grimace. No fresh air had flown through this place for a long time.
Slowly, they rose to their feet and glanced around. Silence descended upon them as they took in their bearings. A long passageway stretched before them; the torches unable to penetrate the thick shadows that cloaked the furthest point.
Kang peered into the mouth of that gaping gloom. “Looks like there’s only one way.”
Slowly, they walked, trepidation edging their footsteps. The passageway expanded enough for three to walk side by side. Kang and Mulan took the lead, leaving the others to follow behind. As they passed one set of torches another set further down would magically burst into flame, providing enough light to see ancient paintings adorning the walls. Images of gods, monsters, humans, and animals coloured in vivid pigments showcased the ancient artists’ skill who created works of heart-stopping beauty. Mulan couldn’t help but be captivated by them. They spoke of stories and legends lost with time.
Hours passed before they finally reached a set of doors. As with the colossal doors that locked the tomb away from the outside world, these were fashioned from the same crystal-flecked grey stone but stood only a few inches taller than Kang’s head.
A knot of unease tightened within Mulan’s gut as Kang slowly pushed them open.
At first, all they could hear was the groan of stone upon stone. Then Mulan heard it, a rustling sound that squeezed her nerves into a complicated knot that sank to the bottom of her stomach.
Suddenly, something dark jumped out of the door towards them.
Instantly drawing the jian from its sheath, Mulan stared in horror at th
e sight before her. Sharp fangs snapped at them, and large black eyes reflecting the terror on everyone’s faces filled the doorway. Long black hairy legs struck at them, the ends razor-sharp.
Chuo’s swords were instantly out. “I fucking hate spiders,” he said, jumping back as a hairy-coated spindly leg thrashed at his face.
Kang swung his sword, cutting through the limb with ease. A pain-drenched squeal echoed through the tomb and a foul stench filled the air. “I don’t blame you.”
Neither could Mulan. She’d never seen spiders as large as this one. Standing over six feet tall with legs twice as long as her body, this was a monster.
As it shrank back from Chuo and Kang’s onslaught of strikes, another took its place. And another.
And another.
Fear lodged itself in the back of Mulan’s throat as three spiders rushed at them.
Fangs the length of her lower arm snapped menacingly as Mulan stepped back several paces. One spider scurried sideways over the wall, hurrying after her. Drawing in deep breaths, Mulan steadied her grip on the hilt, waiting. With a hiss, the giant spider launched from the wall.
Ducking, Mulan swiped the jian upwards, the tip of the blade slicing through its belly. The air filled with the rancid stench of blood and perverted magic. It forced its way through her nostrils, sliding down her throat.
The spider skidded several feet away, then turned to face her. Its large eyes shone like a mirror at midnight, so glossy she could see her fear-coated features reflected within them. Its fangs clicked, sending her heartbeat racing. One screech after another infused the air, followed by the sharp rings of metal, flesh, and bone, along with the ping of arrows flying.
Its front legs rose up, and the torches sent terrifying gigantic shadows along the walls. Behind her, Mulan heard Chuo and Daocheng’s battle cries echoing off the walls.
Mulan braced herself for the spider’s next attack.
Two legs swept up and arced down like twin blades determined to cut through her like a scythe with wheat. Jumping to the side and rolling out of the way, Mulan surged forward. Hot air rushed over her face and a blur of motion caught her eye. The monstrous creature scuttled around, trying to keep her in its line of sight. Mulan rolled to her knees just as one leg swiped over her head. Tightening her grip and ignoring the taste of her heartbeat in the back of her throat, she swung outwards, taking the tip off its limb.
Honour, She Obeys Page 32
