by JC Kang
“The pyramids,” Tian said. It all made sense, at least from what he’d learned at the reception the other night. “Your companion is Sameer Vikram.”
Brehane nodded. “Yes, he is with me, along with the Akolyte Cyrus Estazadeh.”
“A true Akolyte?” Tian kept himself from gaping. It was impossible. “Didn’t they all lose their abilities to channel the divine magic of the gods?”
Brehane shook her head. “After the Levastyan Empire conquered Cyrus’ homeland and took control of the pyramid there, the Akolytes lost their most powerful magic—but only in their homeland. The few who fled to other lands found their powers restored. When your friends and I infiltrated that pyramid, we found its font blocked.”
Tian looked again at the imperial guards, then back. It would explain their camaraderie with Jie. “Where are you going now?”
“Fleet is guiding us to the ruins of a pyramid in the Kanin Wilds.”
But how? Tian recalled the map. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to go upriver from the Shallowsea?”
“Can I tell him?” Fleet jumped up and down on his chair. “Please?”
Brehane laughed. “Of course.”
Fleet whipped a map out from who knew where and snapped it open across the table. It depicted the Kanin Wilds, with meticulous detail and all kinds of notations about landmarks, flora, fauna, and tribe names. He pointed to a ring of mountains right in the middle, which had several notes scribbled around it. Tivorc City. Kanin Pyramid.
Tian shook his head. “But how do you get there?”
“We will follow the north-south highway to the source of the Alto River, where the Nothori Mountains branch off into the Everwhite Mountains.” Fleet traced a route on the map with his finger. “There is a secret pass near there, which will open into the Kanin Wilds near one of the branches of the North Kanin River.” He pointed at one of the small tributaries. “There is an old, almost overgrown stone road that dates back to the first Kanin Empire over six centuries ago, which will go through the wooded hills before opening up to the mountains of the pyramid.”
Tian considered the route. From here to the edge of the Wilds, it was two weeks by horseback on the main roads. If they found one of the ancient roads along the North Kanin River, they could follow it right to the East Gate of Hua. It would take another two weeks, at most. At the latest, they would have the princess back in Hua not long after the Mid-Autumn Festival. “How safe is the area? Around the North Kanin River?”
“There are many tribes of Kanin hunter-gatherers there,” Fleet said. “Nothing like their horse-riding brethren in the Kanin Kingdom.” He jerked a thumb at their armor. “There is also at least one tribe of wild elves, as well.”
“Wild elves?” Thoughts of Jie crept unbidden into Tian’s imagination.
Fleet gesticulated wildly. “Those elves that did not believe Aralas was the angel from their prophecies, and therefore didn’t rise up during the War of Ancient Gods. They are the least of your worries. Ogres, on the other hand…”
Plans formulated in Tian’s head. The most dangerous leg of the journey would start now. They would have to stay ahead of messengers coming from the north, who would be spreading the news of the princess’ escape; and also avoid the altivorcs coming up from the south. He turned to Brehane. “May we accompany you? To the confluence of the North Kanin River and its tributary? We can provide six extra swords. We’ll help pay for the madaeri’s services.”
She was about to answer, when Zhao Yue motioned to the stairway. The altivorc was coming down.
CHAPTER 24:
More Unexpected Visitors
As night fell over Iksuvius, Geros slouched on his throne in the Teleri embassy. His energy still guttered in his limbs, and it took significant effort to maintain the façade of strength. Patrols had taken control of several strategic points, yet had met with unexpectedly stiff resistance at others. Progress might have stayed on schedule had he not redeployed hundreds of troops from the eastern gate to the Cathayi embassy.
Reports came in, each relaying another objective captured. His western army was scheduled to arrive within an hour. Soon, very soon, his dreams would be realized.
First Emperor of the Teleri Empire. It sounded wonderful in his ears, no matter how many times he repeated it. Fulfillment of the prophecy of his virgin birth, begotten by Solaris himself.
An unexpected visitor spoiled his anticipation.
Through the throne room doors, an altivorc prince marched in, surrounded by an entourage of guards in chainmail. Like the Altivorc King, he was handsome, especially compared to his hideous minions.
Without so much as a bow, the prince spoke. “First Consul, we are ready to assist you in the siege of the Cathayi embassy. I have three hundred men inside the city at my command.”
Geros forced himself to sit straight and glared at the prince, wondering where he got such strange ideas. “That won’t be necessary. I have sent my most trusted general to negotiate their peaceful surrender. The princess is too compassionate and weak. She will surely sacrifice herself for her people. I will take that girl and punish her for her insolence.”
The prince grinned, revealing his fangs. “That is unwise, First Consul. Mark my words, she will only bewitch you.”
“I do not need your counsel. She is only a girl, one whose spirit I will crush with a night in bed.”
The prince’s grin froze on his face. “Do not be so sure. Despite my king’s warnings, you take her too lightly. You do so to your own detriment.”
“Be gone from my sight.” Geros waved his hand at the altivorcs. Even that simple motion was tiring.
The prince shrugged and turned on his heels without further comment.
Once the mercenaries disappeared, Geros motioned towards an officer who stood by the door. “Has General Marius sent word?”
The officer bowed his head. “No, Your Eminence. There have been no new reports from the Cathayi embassy.”
“Send a runner to convey my orders to the general. Master Feiying and his Nightblades will infiltrate their embassy to find out where the princess is hiding, and capture her if the opportunity presents itself. If there is no movement by dawn, commence the attack.”
Jie and ten Moquan brothers gathered in the Cobweb, though it no longer deserved its nickname. The intertwined strings which Tian had meticulously connected over two years now lay on the floor, the notes and evidence all boxed up and ready to be hidden.
Old Tong, now in command in Tian’s absence, turned to her. “Sister Jie, you are the most talented at setting the Tiger’s Eye. Use it on us now and take command.”
Jie offered a bow. Such responsibility! The Tiger’s Eye locked away all emotions and moral compunctions, and drowned out all perception of pain. It would transform a Moquan from a deadly adversary to a heartless killing machine who wouldn’t stop until he was dead or his assignment was completed.
The brothers focused on her as she arranged her hands in a secret sign. When all sense of humanity faded from their eyes, she issued her command. “Your mission is to protect the embassy until daybreak, whereupon you will return to this room at first opportunity.”
They flashed the answering hand signal, one that only their subconscious minds remembered.
Jie addressed the two youngest. “Fen and Cheng, relieve your brothers at the warehouse escape route and send them here.” With the tunnel secured, there would be a means to flee if the embassy fell.
Both bowed their heads and slipped out of the room through the balcony doors. No sooner had they left than red peacock caws emerged from the warehouse. The fainter, more distant set of screeches stopped mid-caw, almost as soon as it had started, while the other faded away in the distance before getting cut short as well. Had an enemy discovered the escape route? Had she sent the boys to their deaths?
“Sheng, Lu, and Yang: go to the temple and protect the princess’ decoy. The rest of you come with me to the warehouse.” The shadows shifted as they drifted from the roo
m, and Jie beckoned the remaining Moquan to follow her to the balcony.
Cool, reassuring air washed over her as she stepped out. Along the outer walls, none of the musketmen had taken up defensive positions, nor had the Teleri moved from their own ranks outside the walls. If they’d penetrated the secret passage, why weren’t they attacking from the outside as well? Or was it a diversion?
Leaping down to the ground below, Jie swept through the courtyard. The imperial guard remained motionless at the main gate. Maybe there was no attack, despite the bird calls. She motioned her brothers to continue towards the warehouse, while she paused and searched the ranks for General Zheng.
There he was, near the front gate. She sprinted over. “General Zheng, what’s the enemy doing?”
“Nothing. They just stand like toy soldiers.”
It made no sense. Attacking from inside and out would work better. No matter; if they wanted to use a stupid strategy, that was their choice. “There is a threat on the embassy, coming from the secret escape passage. Have some of your men defend the temple. We want them to believe the princess is there.”
General Zhang nodded and bellowed orders.
Jie caught up with her brothers. They crept through the darkened warehouse, fanning through before converging at the hatch that dropped into the underground tunnels.
It was open. The clang of swords echoed from below. The passage was compromised. Jie tapped orders on the men’s backs. One went to warn the general, while the rest dropped down into the passage.
She trailed several steps behind, listening. The sounds of combat had been replaced with the pounding of heavy boots, their spacing much too close to be Bovyans, but too heavy to be Nothori humans.
Altivorcs. Her second encounter with them in her defense of the princess, her sixth in all. Each time, they seemed to have a personal vendetta against her.
In the pitch black, the Moquan would lose their blind advantage, since the altivorcs would see their heat signature. In these depths, her elf vision would be useless as well. “Lights! Lights!” She yelled down the hall, pressing her back against the roughhewn walls at a turn in the passage. Someone would have to be rear guard.
Up ahead around another corner, the passage lit up. Jie stayed in the dark, well outside the reach of the light, readying her throwing stars and spikes. Again, swords reverberated against each other, mixed with the inhuman grunts of altivorcs.
Tong and Cheng fell back toward the corner and into her line of sight. One of Tong’s arms hung limply from his body by a strip of flesh, while the boy had suffered several deep gashes. Yet they took a stand at the corner, fighting on as altivorcs crowded the passage.
Blades flashed, and altivorc bodies began to drop at the sides; but at last, Tong fell from the slash of a broadsword. Despite his mortal injuries, he grabbed at the closest enemy and bit into his unarmored thigh. Cheng fought on with a shattered dao in one hand and a knife in the other, even as his lifeblood spurted from a cut to his neck. After a few seconds, he collapsed, unmoving.
Her brothers! Jie had not received the Tiger’s Eye, and their deaths wrenched her heart. There was no time to grieve their loss. The altivorcs crunched the light baubles under their boots, plunging the tunnels back into darkness.
She pushed herself off of the wall and hurled at least a dozen biao in the direction of the orc grunts. Several bellowed in pain. She turned the corner back towards the hatch and waited, her own dao now held in both hands. The boots thudded in her direction, punctuated by exclamations in their guttural tongue.
As she planned, a few paused to hack at the spot on the wall where she had been leaning. Jie turned back around the corner and cut through three altivorcs in a quick combination of deadly slashes. A fourth swung at her with a broadsword, but she ducked under its whistle, while slicing through his abdomen with her dao. Ahead, more heavy feet stomped in her direction.
So many bloodthirsty voices! Jie was vastly outnumbered. No way to hold the passage by herself. She turned and raced towards the hatch. Scrambling through the opening, she slammed the trapdoor shut and barred it with a heavy blockwood board. She dropped the smallest of her light baubles by the hatch and looked up.
Perfect. The light didn’t reach the ceiling, some twenty feet above.
Jie darted towards the corner and pop-vaulted against the walls until reaching the worn rafters. Crawling inverted, taking care not to slip in the dust, she arrived at an overhead door, installed just for these kinds of emergencies. Below her, the hatch door buckled as the altivorcs below slammed into it.
A few minutes of pounding. The hatch held.
Jie blew out a sigh—no! With a last shove, the altivorcs crashed through and tromped up the ladder into the warehouse. They bloomed out from the opening, taking in their surroundings, but never looking up. Two hundred seventy-nine in all, crowding the warehouse, several wounded. Among them marched a prince, a begotten son of the legendary Altivorc King himself.
Just as she began to inch towards the escape door, a last figure emerged, taller than the altivorcs, but gaunt. He looked around and up, and would have seen her had she not been concealed by the dark.
Jie chewed her lower lip. He was a Hua man, much too small to be a Bovyan Nightblade, and certainly too old. A dao hung on his back, and he was dressed in the manner of Moquan. Yet he was no one she had ever seen in her three decades at the Black Lotus Temple.
When he spoke in Arkothi, he barely had an accent. “She will go to the most defensible position. I suspect that’s the temple, but I recommend sending several of your men to sweep through the rest of the compound. I will wait here to guard the escape route.”
The altivorcs stampeded towards the door, their boots and armor rumbling and clanging like an earthquake. After several dozen exited, the thunder of musket fire roared through the night sky. Jie waited patiently until all of the altivorcs had departed and the sounds of hand-to-hand skirmishes resumed outside.
Now alone, the man picked up her light bauble. Before she could react, he threw it in her direction and looked right at her. His eyes bore a hint of sadness. Whatever; no time to dwell on it. The roof would provide a better view of the battle. Jie popped out of the hatch.
In the courtyard below, a large group of altivorcs charged through musket fire towards the lines of imperial guards defending the temple. Another regiment was locked in mortal combat with a detachment of imperial guards at the main gate. Yet a third force stormed the main residence. A reserve had formed by the warehouse, shooting black-fletched arrows at the musketmen, who in turn discharged their weapons and passed them back to their partners for reloading. Several lay at the base of the wall, felled by altivorc arrows.
Jie raced along the rooftop and leapt to the battlements along the outer wall, timing her jump with a lull in the volleys. She peeked out of the compound.
The Teleri still held their position. Their officers, however, argued among themselves.
No time to think about it. She continued along the wall, dodging several well-aimed arrows…they really must have a personal vendetta against her! She didn’t recall ever insulting an altivorc before, at least none that lived to tell about it.
Reaching the closest point to the temple, Jie vaulted across the gap and caught the bottom edge of the pitched roof. After flipping up, she teetered along the edge to the sole entrance and swung down. One last glance at the courtyard.
Outnumbered, the imperial guards were losing ground to the altivorcs.
She passed through the double doors. Inside, she was greeted by bright light shining from the huge statue of Yang-Di at the rear of the temple, sparkling off the gold paint on the red ceilings high above. Kneeling there in prayer were Ambassador Wu and Meiling. The last of the princess’ handmaidens, she was a stunning beauty in her own right, now serving as a decoy.
“Godfather,” Jie said.
Ambassador Wu turned to face her. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes now betrayed his age. “Little Jie, what is happening?”
“The Teleri haven’t moved, but altivorcs have stormed in through our escape passage. An older Hua man assists them.”
The ambassador shook his head. His voice was calm and melancholy. “We cannot hold the compound against an attack from the inside. All is lost. When the embassy falls, make sure all the firepowder is detonated. Without a sample, the Teleri cannot study it, nor use the guns they will capture tonight.”
Outside, the roar of musket fire stuttered to sporadic shots, then stopped altogether. Shouts and cries grew louder, and a dozen imperial guards backed into the temple as the altivorcs pressed their advantage.
“Hold the door, hold the door!” General Zheng yelled as he took a protective stance by the decoy’s side.
Keeping two of her throwing stars in reserve, Jie drew her dao and charged into the fray. Around her, the imperial guards fought brilliantly, dispatching more of the altivorcs than they lost. But before long they were pushed back, as they succumbed to fatigue and overwhelming numbers.
Jie found herself not far from the door, isolated from her countrymen, forced to fight half a dozen altivorcs on her own. In fact, it looked like they’d intentionally isolated her. As she evaded deadly slashes and struck back at her attackers, she shot a quick glance back. The imperial guard had formed a protective circle around the ambassador and Meiling. A contingent of altivorc archers stood at the door, arrows trained on the decoy and her protectors. The prince stood at the fore with a wicked broadsword raised, his head protected by a T-slot helm.
He snarled a few words.
Jie gasped.
The altivorcs loosed their arrows into the group. Imperial guards fell, and others rushed forward to take their place as their circle tightened. Meiling screamed.
Ambassador Wu’s voice of command carried above the pounding in her ears. “Jie! It is lost here. Remember what I said!”
