by Ino Lee
They tightened their formation and angled the boards to better protect from the arrows, now coming from both sides of the road. Wong found the arrows’ sound oddly soothing—from the whistle of the projectiles speeding through air to the crunch as they bit into the flesh of the wood. His mind raced, analyzing everything that could be thrown their way.
They moved past the halfway mark of the buildings. Around the corner of the second main building, a group of ninjas waited under a net with more bows at ground level. Wong angled their makeshift shield to compensate for the lower trajectory of the arrows, but did not consider the archers a great threat—they would not dare to engage in hand-to-hand combat while out in the open, and their aim was still poor due to the sunlight.
Ahead, two dagwais and a razor hound provided more of a challenge. The first dagwai released an arrow at a relatively close distance. Wong dropped the front of the platform low and saw the tip of the arrowhead protrude through the wood. He reached for a metal disc and flicked it from behind the barrier. Another arrow followed before the disc sprang blades and angled into the lizard’s leathery hide, taking it out. The second dagwai released the razor hound, which raced toward Renshu’s column. When the beast was almost upon them, the monkey king leaned out from the platform and roared a terrifying howl, freezing the hound and causing it to whimper away. The dagwai handler, too, ran away after seeing its fellow soldier drop.
They marched on. Wong kept his focus on the gatehouse, which came into view past the last central building.
“Come on, Jaguan, show me a sign,” he mumbled.
Everything hinged on Jaguan and Shiki. If he didn’t see an indication that they had taken the gatehouse, he would have to make the call whether to storm it or retreat back to the wall where they left a vine. Neither option was appealing.
Tension grew in the gatehouse as horns blared from afar. All Jaguan, Shiki, and Yingli could do was stare at the haunted tower and pray that their friends turned up soon. Every second that passed made Shiki want to rush out of the gatehouse and storm the main building.
“Patience Shiki. Have faith,” Jaguan said.
Outside the wall, a gruff voice barked. “Hey in there—what’s happening?”
Shiki carefully peeked over the window ledge and saw the gator demon. It had crawled out of the moat and stood below.
“Unan,” he whispered. “From the moat.”
They looked at each other blankly.
Shiki finally shrugged. “Can’t get in.”
Jaguan nodded. “Keep an eye on it. I’ll watch for Wong and Renshu.”
The gruff voice persisted. “Dagwais! What is happening?”
More time passed and still they saw no signs of the magaus. Activity stirred on the terrace of a building across the courtyard.
“You stupid lizards! When I get there, I’ll feed you to the hippogators!”
The unan wedged a hand in a crevice of the stakewall and started climbing.
“The demon climbs,” Shiki reported.
Figures moved in the distance.
“Something’s happening,” Jaguan said. He looked through his gemstone and saw the magnified image of the magaus marching. “I see them.”
He flared a light orb to let them know they had control of the tower.
“You lower the bridge,” Shiki said. “I will see to the demon.”
The distant figures moved faster after seeing the orb, chased by a shower of arrows from the terraces. When they crossed into the courtyard beyond the bow range of the buildings, they dropped their unwieldy cover and ran freely. Jaguan could hear their wild and giddy monkey cackles, including Wong, who wore the magau mask.
The monk general ran over to the control wall and shifted a lever. Chains and gears started moving and the drawbridge groaned.
The gator demon was near the top of its climb and watched in confusion as the platform dropped. Then it sped up and tried to enter through the window. Shiki struck out with his staff, hoping to crack its face, but the demon caught the blow with both hands and wouldn’t let go. They struggled for control. Shiki tried to shake it off, but realized the unan was too nimble and its grip was too strong. He curled his foot around their climbing vine, now secured to the inside of the gatehouse for use as an escape rope, and jumped. The change of pace allowed Shiki to thrust his weapon into the demon’s chest to knock it away. The vine caught and held Shiki up while the demon flailed and splashed into the moat water below.
Koku sprang from his hiding place in the trees with the dagwai bow primed, and fired an awkward shot into the water. The unan stared contemptuously and slunk below the water line, disappearing without returning.
The first of the magaus stepped onto the drawbridge. Shiki hailed them while hanging upside down from the vine while Koku waved them across.
Jaguan called out to Wong from the other side, stopping him just before he got to the gatehouse.
“Is that everyone?”
“Yes.”
“Move through and I will drop the portcullis.”
Jaguan approached the other control wall and switched another lever. Chains and gears moved once again as the metal gate dropped. He wound the Phoenix Staff in his arms and powered it with tremendous energy, then unleashed it on a set of gears that could be used to raise the portcullis back up again. After a bright flash, the system lay in tatters.
Shiki hopped back through the window and grabbed a large urn.
“Nice sabotage. Let’s go.”
He slid back down the line and was cheerily greeted by the freed magaus. Jaguan touched down shortly after with Yingli.
Wong admired the gate and laughed. “Nice job. I wasn’t counting on that.”
“Job not over,” Shiki said.
He tapped the urn, which contained the oil used to fuel the gatehouse lanterns.
“Clear the bridge,” Jaguan said.
“To the tree cover,” Renshu instructed. “Keep guard.”
Shiki emptied the oil across the midsection of the platform. Jaguan sparked his staff and touched it to the slick surface, giving life to a healthy fire. They retreated to a safe distance.
“That will make it tough to mobilize and follow,” Jaguan said.
Shiki beamed at their accomplishment. “Seems too easy.”
“Four are lost,” Renshu said. “Do not forget, but at least not eleven. This is a great victory. We owe you much, master thief,” he said to Wong.
“If only we could raze this entire place,” Wong said.
“There is still the Temple of Masks.”
They watched the flames grow, making sure the damage took hold. The crackle of the fire gave them a feeling of calm and completeness before moving on, away from the stockade and deeper into the swamp.
The hike back to the camp was quicker than the one leaving it. Though more magaus were now in their company, they were less concerned about being spotted and more eager to rejoin the larger force, moving at a brisk pace. Fortunately, the magaus had been kept in fair shape by the ninjas, since healthy prey were better for training.
They did not speak much since they were still on the lookout for the earlier hunting party led by the unan, and there was always the possibility of pursuing dark ninjas, though they did not expect anything till nightfall. The dark ninjas would need time to regroup after having lost their drawbridge and would wait until sunset to exact revenge.
Late in the day, a deep howl reverberated, causing Renshu to cup his hands and call back. Soon Domu and a host of magaus stepped from hiding and rushed to greet them.
“Renshu,” Domu said. “We are glad for your return.”
The great gorilla scanned the party.
“Success,” Renshu said. “What happened here? There was a hunting party.”
“Crushed. Half their party.”
“Unan?”
&nb
sp; “No, got away.”
“I see. It will be dark soon. Let’s return to camp.”
They soon reached the encampment where they spent the previous night, escorted by Domu and his soldiers. The return of the captives and the relative security of their numbers made the occasion a cheerful affair. Freed magaus were boisterously greeted by friends and family, while guards formed an extended perimeter in the upper branches. Stories of their escape were told around a roaring campfire with roasting food.
Renshu read the apprehension in Jaguan and Wong’s faces. “Rest and recuperate. We are safe.” He pointed all around them. “Soldiers guard.”
“The dark ninjas will rally,” Jaguan said. “It is nearly sunset.”
“But not yet. Eat. Be strong before the Temple of Masks. We will not have this long.”
Jaguan conceded and grabbed a handful of roasted pine nuts, which he had grown increasingly fond of. The magaus did things much differently than the strict order of Shaolin and he had to respect it. This was their land and they could not always be fearful in it. Living in danger had probably become second nature to them.
A magau handed Renshu a package of mud. He grabbed a clump and slathered it on the ninja star wound on his rear, grimacing. Wong wanted to make a joke, but couldn’t think of anything.
Domu sat nearby and pointed. “You, humans.”
Wong and Jaguan looked up.
“Good job.”
He cracked a smile and chuckled, evidently pleased by stories of their escape.
Shiki joined them. “A fine plan. We need another.”
“What is the plan?” Domu asked. “Do we leave for the temple tonight?”
“You will not go,” Renshu said.
“Why not?”
“It is a secret mission,” Shiki said. “You are too big.”
“Tangled Root is too thin. You must return to defend it,” Renshu said.
Domu grumbled.
“Do not complain. It is important. There is no other.”
“Who will go then?” Domu asked.
“Me, Shiki, Toutoumo . . . Baifu.”
“Not enough for the Temple of Masks.”
Toutoumo weighed in. “It is too much. There are more eyes there than here. Five plus Baifu is hard to keep secret, impossible in the temple.”
Renshu snickered. “You only count as half.”
They all laughed.
Toutoumo shrugged. “Sneaking alone was hard, four more sounds bad.”
Their mood sobered.
“The king should not go,” Domu said. “Mission is too reckless.”
“You doubted this mission, yet here is Toutoumo,” Renshu said. “The plan was the master thief’s. What does he think?”
Wong was caught off guard. He felt like he was in the middle of a family argument. He thought about it and addressed Toutoumo.
“Do you think you can get into the mask room without force?”
“Better that way, but don’t know. There was always a guard.”
Wong pondered it more before making a decision. “The king should not go.”
Renshu slammed his fist. “Master thief is a foreigner!”
“Toutoumo is right. There are too many. Stealth will be even more important than in the dark ninja compound. Another body won’t make a difference in force and it might as well not be the king.”
“I am going. It is my word. If less is better, then Shiki and Baifu will not come.”
Shiki argued. “If stealth is needed, then magau is better than monk.” He turned to Jaguan. “Sorry.”
“I need Jaguan to take down our demon,” Wong said. “It will be kaigun-shur, a fully formed, solid lo-shur, more powerful than any unan.”
Jaguan spoke. “Perhaps you should not press your luck, Renshu. Wong and I are committed to hunt this demon, no matter the odds. If we can take out this mask creation pool, we will. There is no need to risk additional life. We just need Toutoumo to guide us.”
“The humans speak truth,” Domu said.
Renshu deliberated. “No. Shiki will stay, I will go. If I do not return, Shiki will be king. No argument.” He paused. “To take out the mask pool, we must hit all at once, like prison and gatehouse.” He smacked his fists together. “If too great a danger, I will not enter, but I must decide.”
Shiki and Domu reluctantly nodded.
“So just four then?” Jaguan said.
“We went in with four to the stockade,” Wong said. “Minus the monkeys.”
“It is decided then,” Renshu said. “Rest some more and then we go.”
They finished eating and began to mobilize the entire camp. Domu and Shiki led the majority of the magaus back to the Tangled Root Forest, while Renshu, Toutoumo, Wong, and Jaguan slinked off the other way, careful to hide their tracks within the volume of prints left by the main force.
26
“RUN FASTER, PANTHER,” Lafay said.
Lau Gong bristled. “You carry the sack. It’s your turn.”
“But you are so strong and the humans are not far.”
“How can those flesh bags keep up? They should not be so close.”
“They caught up during the day. There was smoke and perhaps now they have horses, but do not fear. Night will soon be on our side.”
“They are too close.”
A voice called out from the sack. “Why don’t you just leave me then?”
“Shut up!” Lau Gong said. “Do not dare speak!” He shot Lafay a look. “Remember to gag him the next time we let him out.”
“You let him out. Your incompetence—not mine.”
Kai kicked and struggled.
The panther threw Kai to the ground and took a moment to rest. It looked back at the horizon and saw tall blades of grass bending in the narrow streak of a purple dusk, swaying with the wind.
“The humans are not there, but in the fields beyond,” Lafay said. “Do not fear.”
Lau Gong growled. “I am not afraid. The Shoukui is formidable but does not scare me.”
“Then why are you always looking back? Is the poor poor kitty afraid?”
Lafay’s high-pitched giggle was a stark contrast from Lau Gong’s deep snarl; Kai wasn’t sure which was preferable.
“Tread carefully Lafay. I would as soon rip out your face as slay the humans. Why don’t you sneak up and kill them if you are so confident?”
“Aren’t you the predatory cat?”
“What good are you then?”
Lafay stood tall and gestured with its arm. “I am the tactician.”
Lau Gong scoffed. “Tactician. I see no plan except to run.”
“It was my plan to take Kai. My plan to use Hojin. My plan to do what one hundred could not.”
“So then, tactician, why don’t you figure out how to take the humans down? Unless you are the one that is afraid.”
“All will be well once Kai has reached the Koon Kagi. As long as we continue without distraction, we will do that. Then we can kill the humans.”
“I do not like being chased. I am the one that chases.”
“Know your circumstance, Lau Gong. What will you do when we reach the dragons? Will you chase them too?”
Lau Gong huffed. “Shaolin. Dragons. We could not reach Black Mountain soon enough.”
“If we stay the course, we will get there.”
“How far is it?”
“We will dance with the dragons tomorrow night.”
“I cannot bear the load another day, not at this pace.”
“I will carry Kai.”
Lafay reached into its tar-like body and pulled out a small satchel containing powder. It then uncovered Kai’s face.
“Well hello, Kai. How is the trip so far? I hope Lau Gong was not such a bad host.”
Kai look
ed around.
“What did you do with Hojin? Where is he?”
“Aw, poor boy. Don’t worry about dear sweet Hojin, for you will never see him again. I will be your new best friend.”
Kai shot them an angry look. “When Li catches up with you, he’ll cut off your heads.”
Lafay giggled. “That’s not how best friends talk to each other.”
“Watch your tongue, boy, or we’ll cut it out,” Lau Gong added.
“Maybe we shouldn’t give Kai to the lo-shur,” Lafay said, grabbing a tuft of the boy’s hair. “We’ll cut off his hair and grind his bones.” It smacked him in the face. “Why he would make such a lovely mask.”
“Stop playing around,” Lau Gong said.
Kai screamed skyward. A bright ball of light flared high above their heads.
Lafay threw powder with its long fingertips. “Sleep tight.”
Kai looked away as fast as possible and breathed out, but the toxin was too potent and snuffed out the light orb. A numbing sensation spread from his head to fingertips, dizzying and cold. His eyes glinted as he closed them, focusing within as his senses began to fail.
“What did you throw?” Lau Gong said.
“Monkey powder.” Lafay chuckled through its wild grin. “He should be easier to carry now. No more speaking. No more struggling.”
“Why didn’t you use that before?”
“He was such a good boy when he thought we had Hojin. Not anymore.”
“The Shaolin warriors must have seen his light. We must go.”
“Night is upon us. They will not dare attack while Kai is in this sack.”
“They attacked when we had Hojin back in Shaolin. They will do so again.”
“Now that does not seem right. Don’t they realize we have the upper hand?”
“It does not matter. They are skilled. They will attack.”
“Perhaps what is needed then, is a little diplomacy.”
“What do you mean?”
Lafay bowed. “The skills of a tactician.”
“Stop talking in riddles.”
“You were right. I will pay them a visit.”
The flash of light was brief but unmistakable.
