The Yu Dragon

by Aiki Flinthart

  She glanced back over her shoulder. Even with the slower walk, they were only a few dozen metres from the dais. Zhudai had not yet appeared and the ri shi was still a good seven minutes away, if her Elven senses weren’t misleading her. How were they going to get Baiyu free and into the light? Phoenix awaited her signal to start his distraction and for that, Baiyu had to be free. Or did he?

  She looked up at the sun, directly overhead now as midday approached. Catching Brynn’s eye, she pointed upward, at the top of the cage. He raised an eyebrow then, as she made scissor-like cutting motions with her fingers, grinned in understanding. Slipping his dagger from its sheath, he stuck out a foot for a boost. She tossed him up onto the roof of the cage, quickly dividing the invisibility shield at the same time. It was getting harder. She resisted the urge to grab the cage for support as her knees shook.

  Seconds later, she heard a low laugh inside the cage. Baiyu’s voice carried softly to her straining ears. “Well done, child. Leave the rest to me. Go.”

  Suddenly, the palanquin tilted, throwing Jade against the iron bars. She bit back a cry of agony, seeing the world through a red haze of pain. Oblivious, the soldiers mounted eight stairs to the dais before setting the cage down and stepping away with discrete relief. Stuffing her fist into her mouth, Jade half-fell to the wooden floor, barely holding the magical shelter intact as the pain subsided. Brynn appeared at her side, helping her to stagger upright. Together, they headed for the stairs and escape. They had done all they could. Now it was up to Baiyu to absorb enough power to free himself and fight Zhudai when the time came.

  Jade was so focussed on keeping their magical safeguard together that she almost tripped when Brynn tugged hard on her arm. Her foot hovered over the first stair but he pulled her backward. Dazed, she followed his pointing finger. Zhudai’s foot was on the bottom riser.

  Panicked, Jade backed away, looking for another way off the dais. There was none. The entire edge of the structure bristled with kneeling archers. They faced outward but there was not enough space between each one to squeeze a cat through, let alone two people. Even if they could get off the dais without knocking a soldier over, the space beyond was being kept clear by a solid double-row of more soldiers holding the crowd back. They were trapped.

  She bit her lip. Together, she and Brynn crouched in one corner of the wooden stage, still hidden but feeling totally exposed. Zhudai mounted the stairs slowly, regally, as if he had all the time in the world. The ri shi was now only minutes away. Already a faint shadow began to darken one edge of the sun.

  Fumbling in her belt-pouch, Jade drew out two needles of the Ephedra plant and a small portion of ginseng root. Brynn looked at her, frowning. He shook his head. Both he and Marcus believed she was strong enough without herbs. She knew she wasn’t. She shrugged fatalistically and swallowed them with a grimace. This was looking like the final show-down and she’d already used a lot of magical energy on this shield. If they were going to survive at all, she’d need help. Now was not the time to be over-cautious.

  The big question was: would Baiyu have the strength to free himself?

  Zhudai stepped onto a small, raised platform at the northern edge of the dais – facing the palace. He raised his arms high, the long sleeves of his black and red robe fluttering like wings. All around, the crowd stilled, watching him with a kind of tense reverence; as if they were too afraid not to admire him.

  Brynn yanked on her sleeve again and Jade looked askance at him. He scowled, pulling out his dagger and pretended to stab it fiercely into Zhudai’s exposed back. Jade shook her head vehemently. She curved her left arm, miming a warrior’s shield and pointed at Zhudai, shaking her head again. He got the message. The sorcerer took no chances: he had a personal shield up and Brynn’s little knife would not penetrate it. The boy’s shoulders sagged and he glanced dispiritedly at the black silk cage. Nothing happened.

  Overhead, the eclipse shadow was now clearly visible, like the first small bite nibbled from the edge of a large cake.

  “Behold!” Zhudai pointed dramatically up. “It is the day of reckoning; the day when Dark obscures Light; when Death overcomes Life. It is the day of the ri shi.” There was a pause and the crowd held its collective breath, awaiting the punchline.

  “And after the ri shi, is there not a rebirth? A time when life begins anew?” the sorcerer continued persuasively. “And should there not only be a rebirth of the sun but also a rebirth of this great Empire? Is it not a sign to us? A sign that it is time for a return to the days of glory and strength; the days when to be of the Qin people meant more than just paying taxes and farming the land for the ruling class; the days of power and riches for all the Qin? Is it not time for that?”

  A swell of surprised, murmured agreement swept through the crowd. This was not the speech they had expected.

  Zhudai clenched a fist and shook it at the palace. “It is that time and the ri shi is a sign of it. We can take that power back, my friends. Together, we can rule this great land – and many more besides. I have seen the vast wealth to be had beyond our mountains and I can make it yours.”

  The whispering increased as people began to catch the gist of what he was saying. Many cast uncertain looks over their shoulders at the Emperor, standing silent and unmoving on the parapet.

  Zhudai spread his hands and the crowd quieted again, expectant now, rather than frightened. “What do you say my friends?” His voice was silk and gold. “Are you sick of working harder but having less?”

  There were a few, half-hearted agreements shouted from the crowd.

  The sorcerer raised his voice. “Are you tired of the rich eating meat and dressing in silk while you eat broth and wear rough homespun?”

  This time the swell of accord grew louder, more definite.

  Now he shouted. “Are you tired of paying taxes so the Emperor and his cronies can live in luxury while you struggle?”

  “Yes!” the throng united now.

  “Are you!?” Zhudai waved his hands like the conductor of a mass choir. They responded in kind.

  “YES!” A frenzied excitement was growing. People began to shout and punch the air in anger, caught up in the mood Zhudai generated.

  “Shall I fix it for you?” the sorcerer cried. “Shall I?! Say the word and I will FREE YOU!”

  “YES!!” The crowd screamed, cheering madly, swept away by the excitement of the moment.

  “Oh my god,” Jade whispered. “He’s not just going to make himself immortal, he’s going to make himself Emperor of the world. Both worlds.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Murmuring heili-tala beneath her breath, Jade sent a tight mind-communication to the others, hoping that Zhudai would be too distracted by his big show to notice.

  Phoenix? Did you hear?

  Yes. Confirmations came in faintly from Xinyu and Marcus as well, overlain by horror from the Chinese girl.

  Have you released my father?

  I can’t. The lock is magic as well. Jade informed them.We’ve cut a hole in the top instead. He has light, it’s just a matter of how long it takes him to recharge. The longer we can give him, the better, I guess.

  Time for that distraction? That was Phoenix, doing his best to sound casual about what he had to do.

  Jade chewed on her lower lip, watching Zhudai. The sorcerer glanced up at the sun but the eclipse was not yet complete. It would take awhile and he couldn’t afford to expose Baiyu too soon. He turned back to the crowd, speaking again of freedom, equality and all the things he had no intention of giving them. They responded with frenzied support. He was playing them well but if he wasn’t careful they’d try and storm the palace and he’d lose all his followers in one fell swoop.

  We don’t have the Bag yet. Hope surged as something caught her eye. Eagerly she recontacted Phoenix. I can see it! It’s on Zhudai’s belt. It’s outside his personal shield, too. By its nature, the Bag must repel magic that might disrupt its own field. My magic must be more similar to the Bag’s tha
n Zhudai’s is or it would have done the same when I shielded and had it on me. Can you see it? Phoenix’s affirmation came back to her, tinged with eagerness for action and impatience with her explanations. Wait, she ordered. Wait until the last possible moment. Wait until Zhudai is about to uncover the cage. Then do it. Give Baiyu as much extra time as you can. An eclipse doesn’t last long. Maybe we can distract Zhudai long enough that he’ll miss his chance.

  Got it. He confirmed. Hey, where are you two?

  We’re ok. You just worry about your job. She said firmly. Cutting off the connection before he could pester her with more questions, she looked at Brynn. The boy nodded to show he’d heard everything. Looking again at the sun, Jade concentrated on holding her shield. Sitting crosslegged, she signed to Brynn to keep watch. Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath, trying to relax and find reserves of energy deep within. Their lives depended on it and she was weakening.

  *****

  After Jade cut their mental connection, Phoenix watched Zhudai, the sun, Baiyu’s cage and the crowd around in anxious turns. As an ever-increasing shadow slipped across the sun, Zhudai continued to exhort the crowd with promises of glory and riches, Baiyu’s cage remained shrouded and the Chinese people began to grow restless. Up on the Palace wall, the Emperor stood, unmoving.

  Damn. Baiyu was cutting it fine. Their whole plan hinged on his being free and strong enough to take on Zhudai in an equal match. It had already been made very clear that Jade and Phoenix were not strong enough to overcome the sorcerer on their own. Without Baiyu this whole thing would become very, very messy.

  The shadow of the moon inched further over the sun. It was very close to a full eclipse now and the crowd began to mutter and point at it. Bright daylight darkened to an uncanny, blood orange as the sun vanished. All that now remained was a very narrow, brilliant halo of red-gold around a perfect circle of darkness. It was both eerie and beautiful.

  Phoenix dragged his eyes away from the sight and refocussed on his task. Slipping closer to the stage, he pulled out his last throwing knife from beneath his shirt and watched Zhudai move over to the cage. Hot anger surged as the sorcerer drew forth what looked suspiciously like Blódbál. Phoenix’s own sword was destined to be the weapon that killed Baiyu? No way! Zhudai was not going to use Blódbál for something that evil. Not if he could help it.

  Common sense reasserted itself. He had a job to do and now was the time to do it. Trying to get a grip, he took a deep breath to release the desire to run up and fight for his sword.

  Just as Zhudai’s hand reached up to snatch away the black silk cloth, Phoenix acted. With more than a small twinge of regret, he hefted the knife, drew his arm back and threw it. Quickly, he ducked below the crowd, hoping desperately that his throw had been accurate enough. He had no more knives if he missed. No other options. Everything depended on this one throw.

  A shocked gasp swept through the crowd nearest Zhudai as the knife sliced through the air – and through the bottom of the Hyllion Bagia dangling at Zhudai’s waist. The dagger snagged in the silky cloth, cutting a gaping hole in the strange blackness of it, then fell to the wooden floor with a loud clatter.

  Surprised, Zhudai glanced down and kicked the dagger away contemptuously. He peered into the crowd, obviously believing someone had tried to kill him. Phoenix ducked lower.

  For a moment, nothing happened and Phoenix cast an anxious look up at the dais again. The black silk began to slither off the cage. If Baiyu wasn’t ready yet….

  Suddenly the thick silence was split by a scream of fear, mingled with excitement. The peasants around Phoenix began to yell, point and back away from the dais. He did the opposite, trying to edge closer while keeping an eye on Zhudai and the Bag. Crackles of purple-blue lightning began to flicker at the edges of the jagged cut in the bag. Hissing and snapping, they earthed themselves into the ground, struck a guard senseless, flung another off his feet. Something protruded from the Bag. Something large.

  Realising a possible danger, Zhudai snatched the bag off his belt and flung it into the crowd. The peasants pushed back then stopped, staring in horrified amazement.

  It was hard not to watch. Just as Brynn had once predicted, it seemed that everything anyone had ever put into the Hyllion Bagia came pouring, tumbling and crashing out of it at once. A near-hysterical cry of astonishment arose from the people nearest as trash and treasure in enormous amounts appeared in front of them.

  Half a dozen or more bronze swords; a locked wooden chest and three bags of what might have been clothes appeared, clattering to the ground. They were swiftly followed by a confused jumble of weapons of all sorts from all ages: Roman, Iron age; Bronze age; swords, spears, even flint axes. The pile grew as what seemed to be an entire household of furniture appeared: two beds, a chair, a loom, any number of pots, pans and cooking utensils. A confused sheep bleated and staggered about, blinking in the light. Fleetingly, Phoenix wondered how long the poor thing had been in there.

  The crowd began to overcome their initial fear and greed took over. Small squabbles broke out over items of value, rapidly escalating to all-in brawls as people fought over weapons and money.

  Phoenix backed further away, watching in awe as his distraction took effect. His only regret was that he couldn’t see the Horn of Aurfanon and there was little chance of finding it now. More and more people came crowding over to see what was happening. More and more fights broke out, spreading outward into the crowd in a wave of reaction. The bed rose up and began to weave its way through the crowd, carried on the heads of four determined people. He heard the distinctive tinkle of money hitting the ground and the crowd noise stopped for a second as the bag spewed forth thousands of coins of all denominations and countries.

  That was the final trigger. Pandemonium erupted. People went berserk.

  Up on the dais, Zhudai brandished Blódbál and shouted uselessly, his voice unheard in the melee. Even his guards wavered at the sight of golden treasures now tumbling down the growing stack of stuff that continued to emerge. Phoenix looked up, the sun was still covered; Baiyu still hidden from sight.

  Coming to a quick decision, Phoenix strode purposefully toward the dais. There was no chance of retrieving the Horn of Aurfanon from beneath the pile of treasure from the Bag. Blódbál was now their only hope. It called to him. He wanted his sword back. Now.

  Phoenix, don’t. It was Jade’s voice in his head. We’re in a better position to get it for you. Just don’t put yourself at risk for that damned sword. It’s not worth your life. Go back and find Xinyu. We need those daggers and amulets if we want to get home.

  He paused in mid-step, wondering where the hell she was. Zhudai sheathed Blódbál and signalled to one of his guards, his face stiff with anger. The sword’s call diminished, Phoenix considered Jade’s words and saw their sense. After a brief, internal struggle, he gave in and spun around, hunting for Xinyu in the milling mass of dark-haired people.

  *****

  Up on the dais, Jade watched Zhudai with such fierce concentration that it was a wonder he couldn’t feel her gaze on his back. Her heart jumped to her throat when he grabbed the cloth over Baiyu’s cage. It was too soon. Where was Phoenix? Then, when his throw was true and the distraction of the Bag’s treasure finally began to take effect, she ignored it with an effort and kept watching the sorcerer. He was the key. She had to let the others do their jobs. Hers was to free Baiyu or prevent the ceremony, one way or another.

  Brynn grabbed her arm and pointed urgently. Phoenix was elbowing his way through the crowd toward them, his eyes fixed angrily on Blódbál in Zhudai’s hands. Frantically, Jade threw her thoughts at him, hoping he would be sensible – at least this once. Relief washed over her as he turned away.

  “Do you think you can steal the sword?” she whispered to Brynn.

  He sent her a doubtful look and shrugged.

  “We need to try.” She murmured. “Blódbál is probably one of the only weapons that actually can kill Baiyu – or Zhudai. Wi
thout the Horn it’s our only chance.” She looked quickly at the sun. It was still shadowed. How long did an eclipse last? “I’ve got enough strength to keep the shield going about another three or four minutes. We’ll have to go now.”

  Brynn nodded, his young face turning hard as he sized Zhudai up. Together they crept forward, Brynn signalling to Jade which direction he wanted them to go. Jade’s heart beat so hard she was certain it must be audible to the sorcerer as they came nearer. Zhudai conferred with the head of his guards, gesturing angrily toward the ever-growing, ever-spreading brawl that threatened to consume his audience.

  Brynn stretched out his hand toward the sword hilt. They edged closer, stepping carefully, quietly, stealthily. Two feet away; one; just a few centimetres more. Brynn’s hand was on the weapon. He nodded sharply and pulled. Blódbál slid easily free and into his hand, inside the invisibility shield.

  The boy’s face was a picture of surprised confusion as the sword tried its magical wiles on him. Fortunately, his was not a warrior’s mind and the sword could not find a foothold in it. Brynn shook his head, blinked and grinned at Jade. She nodded approvingly and gestured. They needed to get away and quickly. The presence of such a large amount of iron inside her shield was draining the last of her power more quickly than she’d anticipated. They had to get off the dais.

  They’d gone no more than a couple of steps when two things happened at once: Zhudai reached around to draw his sword – and found it missing; and Jade’s shield collapsed. She and Brynn stood, completely exposed, in the middle of the enemy, holding a stolen magical sword for all to see.