by Ino Lee
Soldiers in brightly colored uniforms busily chopped wood and constructed makeshift barricades. Spikes were placed behind troop lines to protect them from rampaging zhuks while defensive walls were put in place to stem the flow of the enemy. A healthy supply of hearty sumos would be positioned behind each barricade, forming the core of the ground troops.
In the forest surrounding the encampment, watchtowers were placed high up in the treetops and loaded with bows, arrows, and spears. They were placed within range of each other so that the archers could back each other up in the event of a siege, forming a web of protection that would be difficult to penetrate. Ju Lai rangers would form the core of the forces in the treetops, while Yan soldiers would be split between the sumos and rangers.
Ideally, Han and Li wanted to thin out the trees well beyond the fortifications so that the enemy would have less cover, but they did not have enough time or manpower to do so. This would make the watchtowers vulnerable to attack by dark ninjas come nightfall. The best they could do was clear away the closest trees and trim the thickest branches. Wong also suggested that they line the bark of carefully selected and stripped down trees with lantern oil. When the dark ninjas came within reach, they could fire flaming arrows into the treated lumber to repel them and shed light on their approach. This satisfied Han and Li enough, for the barricade’s primary objective was to deter the Koon Gee from attacking during the day to give them time to escape. If the soldiers could not hold their positions throughout the night, it would not be a catastrophic loss; they would already be a day ahead.
Han approached Wong. “Our forces are nearly in place,” he said.
Wong looked out over the horizon. He drew a deep breath and took in the prickly air, closing his eyes against the rising sun. Already forgotten were the events that had transpired since Dailan. This was the beginning of a new day, the start of a whole new adventure. He had survived thus far and was closer now than he had ever been to fulfilling the prophecy. Ironically, that would put him closer to his inevitable death. How would he meet his end? Would it be in the mountains? Or perhaps past the mountains and on the journey to the temple? Would a lucky dagwai get the best of him, a mountain zhuk, or some greater demon of the night? Maybe he would simply slip off the ledge of a cliff and plunge to his death. The possibilities were endless. What would the day bring?
“Wong? Our forces are nearly in place,” Han repeated. “We should get moving soon.”
Wong came back to his senses and looked up at the sumo. “Right.”
“There are some people you should meet. They will be joining us on our fine journey.”
“Company? Not just foot soldiers, I hope. I’m not in the mood to babysit.”
“No, elite soldiers. Li approved. You could have too, had you stayed for last night’s meeting.”
Wong smiled. “You know how I feel about meetings.” His mood picked up at the prospect of new recruits. “Where are they?”
Han pointed. “There, by the tree.”
A tall and muscular warrior with long slick hair leaned against a trunk. Tattoos ran up and down his chiseled arms. He carried a wicked looking blade, which was best described as an overgrown machete. Wong could tell he was a formidable warrior, though something in his mannerism bothered him.
Next to him stood a shorter man with a sharp brow. He carried a bow on his back and wore suspenders lined with throwing knives. Wong immediately branded him a wisecracking marksman, though he could only guess at his temperament; it probably had something to do with the shape of his brow.
“Just the two?” Wong said.
“Yes. There are only so many elite warriors in a province. These two are the finest.”
“You won’t get any argument from me. I voted for none.”
“The one on the left is Zhozang. He was the last man standing at the Guilin Games.”
“How was the competition this year?”
“Fair. I’ve seen better, but he was dominant. He comes from one of the warring tribes. He has stayed here ever since being crowned champion.”
“Then what’s his interest in this?”
“Same as the tournament. He wants to make a name for himself. He was a sword-for-hire and now he seeks a greater challenge.”
“Not entirely noble. He’d risk his life for this?”
“He eagerly accepted when asked. The opportunity to fight alongside the Shoukui and Weapons Master was too much for him to pass up.”
“Fair enough, but those types aren’t exactly trustworthy.”
“He knows what he is getting into. He is not a bad person. A little cocky, but courageous. He will fight to the end. I’d rather him than an inferior warrior.”
“Understood.”
Wong shifted his attention to the man on the right, who picked a blade of grass and stuck it between his teeth.
“What about the little wisecracker?”
Han raised an eyebrow in question.
“The marksman,” Wong clarified.
Han made another face to acknowledge the oddity of his previous statement, then shook his head.
“His name is Genji, from the house of Ju Lai. He leads black op rangers and is a master scout. Very sharp. Shaolin-trained. Tae mentioned him on recommendation from Master Chen and I agree.”
“Really,” Wong said. “How does he know him?”
“Master Chen was once a black op ranger. Their paths crossed briefly before he left to form the Shunnan Hunters. Chen claims Genji is the best.”
“Good. What else?”
“His chi is fine-tuned for long-range attack. Master of knife and bow. A good compliment to our skills. He may be small, but he is tough as steel.”
Wong narrowed his eyes in scrutiny. “Tough as steel, huh? I bet he’s super-sarcastic too, am I right?”
Han did not acknowledge the question, accustomed by now to his eccentric mood.
“Give them a chance.”
“I always do.”
“You do not. You find fault when there is none. Especially with new ones.”
“Fault? Who said sarcasm is a fault? It’s just the kind of thing this team needs.”
Han postured. “Let’s go meet them.”
The sumo signaled over to the others, causing Li, Tae, and Kai to join them by the tree.
The party came together, a hopeful air about them. Their meeting on top of a hill made for a picturesque encounter, under bright skies and the shade of a lovely Jagu tree.
Han introduced them. “Tae, Kai, Wong . . . this is Zhozang and Genji.”
A smattering of hellos ensued. Zhozang’s eyes locked on Tae, while Genji bowed his head warmly, a wry smile stretched across his face.
“So this is it,” Tae said proudly. “Our stealth force.”
“It is an honor to be a part of this mission,” Genji said. “And it’s nice to see you again, Tae.”
“Nice to see you too.”
“Have you met?” Li asked.
“In passing. Master Chen has ties to Ju Lai.”
“And how are the Shunnan ninjas doing of late?” Genji asked.
“It’s been tough lately, but we’re getting by.”
“A Shunnan ninja?” Zhozang said with wide eyes. “No one told me a woman was traveling with us. And such a beautiful one at that.”
Wong knew immediately he did not like him.
“Thank you,” Tae said uncertainly.
“Well I can assure you, I will not let harm come to you . . . or the boy. Not while I have my blade.”
Wong tried to hold back a grin. Tae decided to play along.
“Thank you again. You are so kind.”
Zhozang continued. “And Wong, it will be an honor to fight alongside the legendary Iron Dragon.”
This time Tae smirked.
“Yes,” he replied, trying to t
hink of something nice to say. “That blade—is it Ko Hang’s?”
“Yeah. And it cost me a fortune.”
He held the unique looking blade up and showed them an edge. “It was custom designed. The front blade hacks through armor and thick dagwai hide.” Flipping it over, he said, “The back slices like a sword. Ko Hang called it a war cleaver.”
“That sounds like Ko Hang,” Wong said.
“Speaking of Ko Hang,” Tae interrupted. “Where did he run to? He was just here looking at my weapons.”
“He said he was taking inventory and coming back with gifts,” Wong said.
“Ooh. I do like gifts.”
Just then, Han pointed. Ko Hang arrived on cue with a sack slung over his shoulder. His apprentice followed with more items. Their approach made them eager with childlike anticipation, though the gifts they carried were anything but childlike.
The weapon makers finally reached them by the tree.
“Okay, okay! I’m here now,” Ko Hang exclaimed. “You can’t run off into battle without the proper equipment.”
He reached into the sack and fumbled around. “Let’s see, now.”
When he found what he was looking for, he hurriedly approached Li.
“Master Li,” he said, cuffing a fist and bowing curtly. “Here are the throwing knives you asked for.”
A belt with four knives—two on each side—was handed to him. Li examined a knife and saw that it was a singular metal piece with no lines or imperfections.
“New design. Flies straight and true,” Ko Hang said.
Li cuffed his fist and bowed back. “Impeccable quality as always, Ko Hang.”
The weaponsmith moved on to Tae.
“Tae. Your sword is good but your bow needs improvement.”
He took a bow off the shoulder of his apprentice and handed it to her.
“This is the proper size and weight for you.”
Tae held it and plucked the string. “It’s light.”
“Petrified Zhigau wood. It will only bend when soaked in water, and even then you need to wrench it with a clamp.” He pointed up and down at the bowstring. “Yaje silk. It will last two hundred years, minimum.”
Tae was overwhelmed and gave him a hug. “Thank you so much—”
“Oh my! Here, take this also.” He handed her ninja stars and an arrow. “Be very careful,” he said, referring to the arrow. “Take off the cap before you use it. Poison viper arrow. Will take down a zhuk.”
Next he turned to Kai, who had already come over in anticipation. He looked up at him eagerly.
“Oh! I have a surprise for you,” Ko Hang said.
A revamped needle gauntlet materialized out of the sack, which Kai readily accepted and put on. Ko Hang tightened the straps for a perfect fit.
He pulled out the arming lever and told Kai to give it a try. This time, Kai was able to pull back on it with ease.
“Pump twice for the same distance as yesterday. Three times for something further, like that tree—” He pointed at one within proximity. “You can pump it once if it is an emergency and the target is point-blank.”
“Nice job!” Wong said. “A ratcheting system. I can’t believe you put it in so quickly.” He turned and knelt beside Kai. “The needles are dangerous. They can paralyze you. It’s not a toy. It is a weapon. Do you understand?”
Kai nodded. “Mm hmm.”
“You are a warrior now. It is within you.” He looked him in the eye to make sure he understood. “It is not the weapon that makes the warrior dangerous; it is the warrior that makes the weapon dangerous.”
Kai cuffed his fist and bowed shortly. Wong grinned at his antics, shook his head, and looked up at everybody laughing.
“I think he’s ready,” Han said.
“Profound,” Tae said. “Did you come up with that yourself?”
“I practiced saying it twice.”
A soldier walked up to them.
“The yu-mees are here,” he called out.
Six yu-mees arrived from the house of Yan, a mountainous region of Guilin where the unusual animals were raised. They were used by the villagers there much like horses, except they looked nothing like them and were better suited to rocky terrain. Being shorter to the ground, with a wider base and a more muscular frame, they were adept at travel on uneven surfaces, though they did not move as fast or have as much stamina as a horse. Additionally, they had long tails for balance, feet for grip, and short, stubby horns.
A handler dismounted from a seventh yu-mee and began to prepare the beasts for passengers.
“The time has come,” Han said.
After thanking the weaponsmiths, the stealth force, as Tae called them, left the Jagu tree and walked over to the animals.
Wong stayed behind to share final words with Ko Hang.
Tae took Kai by the arm, as he was still fidgeting with his gauntlet, and looked over at Han.
“Nothing for you?”
Han held up his war mace. “This is all I need. Ko Hang and Wong gave it to me as a birthday gift several years ago. There is a thin shaft up the middle of it I can use for blow darts and a compartment in the handle, but I have never used it.”
“The compartment is for blow darts?”
“I believe so. Wong claimed it was for snacks.”
Tae sighed.
Ko Hang looked on as they walked away with his weapons, hoping they would be of good use. It was the best he could do to contribute to their cause.
He turned to Wong. “So what to give the man who has everything?”
Wong shrugged. “I am a difficult man to shop for.”
“Nothing,” he explained. “So I can only improve what he already has.”
He handed Wong back his cutting chain. Wong took the discs, but noticed there wasn’t a chain in between them. It was refitted with Yaje cable.
“This is too expensive,” he said.
“I sharpened and polished the blades too—”
“But this must have used up all the Yaje silk left in your shop.”
“It was yours anyway. You brought it to me. Are you going to try it or keep babbling?”
Wong strapped the weapon to his sides. He took one of the discs, compressed its clutch, and shot it into the air. It soared high above their heads then snapped promptly back to his side.
“Oh ho ho ho!” Wong howled. “That’s much further then it went before! I should have done this a long time ago. Thank you.”
“I thought you might like it. Be careful—the recoil is much quicker than before.”
Wong unleashed the other end. “It’s smooth. Exceptionally smooth. I promise to bring you more Yaje silk if I ever make it back.”
“It’s all right. It’s the least I could do. I hope it serves you well on your travels.”
“It will. Take care of yourself.”
They clutched hands a final time and wished each other well.
It was just after daybreak when the small party started up the path into the mountains. Genji led, followed by Li, Wong, Tae and Kai (who shared a yu-mee), Han, Zhozang, and the yu-mee handler, whose job it was to bring the animals back when they could not be taken any further. Evidently, yu-mees were difficult animals to train and domesticate, making them a valuable commodity.
“I’ve never ridden one of these,” Tae said.
“They are slower than horses, but their movements are more exaggerated,” Han said. “Be sure to hang on tight.”
“And they’re a lot nastier,” Wong added.
At this, his yu-mee let out a guttural bellow, causing them to laugh.
The mountain forest soon engulfed them, and the commotion of the Guilin warriors below fell away.
Han’s thoughts remained with his kinsman. He worried about how they would fare against the Koon Gee and felt guil
ty for leaving them now, at a time when they were most in need. But he knew he had little choice in the matter—Kai’s need was greatest.
Li focused on the task at hand. If everything went according to plan, they would travel the mountain range as far north as it would take them, cross the northern forests into the plains, and finally reach Shaolin. Once they reached the temple, they would immerse Kai into the mystical pool just as his brother had long ago. He knew getting there would be difficult, perhaps even tougher than the first time. A troubled feeling told him so.
Tae was still somewhat wary of her purpose in the undertaking, but knew in her heart she was doing the right thing. Although she had been warned that the road ahead would be darker than the one that got them there, she did not fear it. They were now joined by Li, Han, Genji, and Zhozang; and if they were anything close to the caliber of warrior that Wong was, she could not see how they could be beaten.
Wong was quiet and alert, his face calm, though his gaze was intense. The danger of the forest was almost comforting to him, in a way. The shelter of Guilin afforded him too much time to think, to be left alone with thoughts of prophecies and things to come. But here he was at ease from serious thought, his attention instead focused on sensing out and thwarting the enemy.
Genji and Zhozang shared similar sentiments. Both were excited to be included in the mission and understood its significance in history—their plight would be talked about for generations. They were eager for the experience to fight alongside Wong and Li, and to lesser extent, Han. Though they held the sumo in high regard, they had already fought with him during recent border skirmishes with the Koon Gee. The brothers, however, were unfamiliar fighters with transcendent reputations. The ability to go on a mission with them was a rare privilege. And while Genji was content to observe and learn from them, Zhozang was more interested in seeing how his skills measured up against theirs.
Lastly, there was Kai, who looked as if he were on an ordinary stroll, on an ordinary day back in Dailan. He did not complain or bemoan leaving the comforts of a soft bed or the luxury of a warm meal. On the contrary, he appeared untroubled and carefree. But if one had been more attentive, one might have noticed the sound of Kai grinding his teeth, as he often did when he was nervous, worried, or pensive. He understood that creatures and demons gathered from all parts of the world to hunt him. He understood that the life he once knew in Dailan was over. And he understood that his very existence placed the lives of those who stood by him in danger.
