Between the gate and the River Placid two hundred paces away was an ecological preserve. Verdant, trimmed grasses grew between the luxuriant, widely-spaced trees, the sparse undergrowth manicured. The nearest homes were a mile to the east and west.
Shifting the crate a hundred paces to the north, the levithons maneuvered it over grass covered by a six-inch layer of snow.
Flying Arrow approached it but stopped at ten paces. Probing it, he saw the shielding. From the corners trickled noxious chemical. “Did it leak like that the whole way here?”
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow,” one of the levithons said.
“Why's it shielded?”
Both levithons shrugged.
“Open it,” he ordered.
They looked at each other. “Forgive me, Lord Emperor Arrow, but the bill of lading specifies—”
“Open it anyway,” he interrupted, shrugging back at them.
Helplessly, the two levithons looked at each other.
“Lord Captain,” Flying Arrow said.
The Captain ran up and bowed.
“Ten warriors to help these imbeciles.”
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow.” Bowing, the Captain moved to obey.
The side of the crate came off quickly. Inside were more crates, small ones. Each looked about a foot high, wide and deep. A warrior lifted out a smaller crate, brought it to the Emperor, and set it in front of him.
Flying Arrow gestured.
Lifting off the unsealed top, the warrior looked inside, then immediately turned his head to the side and vomited.
Flying Arrow also looked inside. Immediately, he checked the bill of lading. At the bottom, he recognized the flowing, elegant signature of Scowling Tiger. Why didn't I see it before? he wondered. “Line the boxes up in rows and take the lid off each,” he ordered, anger building inside him.
While the warriors worked, a few of them retching and one even fainting, Flying Arrow gestured the two levithons closer. “The signature on this bill of lading is that of a bandit.” He held it toward them.
One of the two reached for the parchment and inspected the signature. “Now that you mention it, Lord Emperor Arrow, I recall that the Lord General Scowling Tiger is a bandit, yes.”
Flying Arrow snatched it from the other's hand in disgust. “Of course he's a bandit, imbecile! You watched him sign this bill of lading?”
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow,” both levithons said. Both began to sweat.
“Where did you pick up the crate?”
“In Burrow, Lord Emperor Arrow, as the bill of lading says.”
“The most infamous of all bandits signs a bill of lading in Burrow, and you didn't report his presence to Imperial authorities?”
Glancing at each other, both men looked at the ground, pallid.
“Lord Captain!” Flying Arrow bellowed.
The warrior appeared instantly.
“Arrest these two for failure to report the presence of a bandit. Here's your evidence.” The Emperor shoved the parchment into the Captain's hands.
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow.” Turning, the Captain barked orders at a subordinate. Warriors quickly hustled the two levithons off to the dungeons, chained and dampered and sick with fear. The failure to report the commission of a crime or the presence of a criminal had only one penalty.
Flying Arrow massaged his aching left arm. He inspected the contents of the boxes already laid out as he'd instructed. Some, he recognized. Casually, slowly, reverently, he examined each, his disbelief, shock, and rage increasing with every step.
“Let me through, by the Infinite!” said a commanding voice from beyond the cordon of guards. Shoving aside another warrior, Guarding Bear strode toward the Emperor, ignoring the warriors drawing swords behind him. Passing a small crate, he looked inside. “Infinite blast him!” He glanced toward the Emperor. Behind him was Bubbling Water and a blond-haired boy holding Rippling Water.
“You recognize them as well, Lord Bear?”
“Of course, Lord Emperor. I didn't realize there were so many.”
Flying Arrow nodded. “I imagine every Prefect, General and Matriarch had someone there.”
“Indeed, Lord Emperor.” Guarding Bear's face was white with rage.
Flying Arrow had seen enough. Stepping toward the river, he gestured the General to follow. “There.” He pointed.
A servant spread a large tarpaulin over the snow and placed several cushions upon it.
The Emperor lowered himself to a cushion and pulled the Imperial Sword into his lap.
At ten paces, the General, Matriarch and boy bowed to him. The youth then gently but firmly put the infant girl's head to the tarpaulin, explaining in a muted voice that obeisance was obligatory.
“Infinite be with you, Lord and Lady. If our proximity to this madness doesn't disturb you over much, we can have the audience here. A shield!” he ordered.
A servant produced one, adjusted the settings, turned it on. The unit on the tarpaulin between Flying Arrow and Guarding Bear, the psychic barrier enclosed them all.
“Let the atrocity remind us who our enemies are, eh Lord Emperor?”
“Yes, Lord General, indeed,” Flying Arrow replied. “Greetings, young man. Hand, aren't you? You've applied for apprenticeship under the Imperial Medacor?”
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow, I have, though my talents are paltry.” Healing Hand bowed to acknowledge the honor of the Emperor's notice, and to cover his embarrassment.
“Eight months ago, Lord Hand, you also cured Rippling Water's illness, eh? After several fully-trained medacors failed. I doubt, Lord Hand, that your talents are as paltry as you say. When we're finished here, see the Lord Spirit. Tell him that I recommend he expedite your acceptance, Lord Hand.”
“Forgive me, Lord Emperor Arrow, for correcting you. I'm not worthy of the title of 'Lord.' ”
“Nonsense, Lord Hand,” Flying Arrow said amiably. “As Medacor Apprentice, you merit the title. Perhaps you're not worthy now, but I think you'll earn your worth.”
“Yes, Lord Emperor Arrow, I'll certainly try!”
“Do more than try, Lord Hand.” Flying Arrow had deliberately held up Healing Hand's application to plant his own hooks into the boy. He didn't want the Medacor Apprentice to be the Matriarch's exclusive pawn. He had just elevated Healing Hand from peasant to noble and further indebted the Medacor Apprentice to him. “How's my cousin Rippling Water? Has she recovered from her illness?” Flying Arrow asked the girl in Healing Hand's arms.
“Lord Emperor!” she said, clapping her hands happily, her turquoise hair shimmering. “Bad smell!” she added, frowning.
Grinning, Flying Arrow saw Bubbling Water covering her smile. “Infinite be with you, Lady Water. Sorry to hear about your trouble in Nest. Not pleasant, having to dirty one's hands like that.”
“I don't agree, Lord. If I or the Lord Bear were to tour the provinces more often, situations such as Nest wouldn't occur.”
“You may be right, Lady. A person of less strength couldn't have done the necessary, however, and for that I commend you.”
“Thank you, Lord.” She half-bowed to acknowledge the honor.
“Again, Lord Bear, welcome home. Your head doesn't hurt from last night too much to conduct the business of living today, does it?”
“No, Lord, not too much,” Guarding Bear said, chuckling. “Thank you again. I don't deserve such honor as you lavished upon me last night.”
“Of course, you do, Lord. You're the greatest general of all time, eh? I insist on no more protest, Lord Bear. Do you have a missive for me from the Lord Emperor Jaguar?”
“Yes, Lord, as well as other information. Shall I, Lord?” At Flying Arrow's nod, Guarding Bear began to recite:
* * *
“Infinite be with you, Lord Emperor Arrow, seventh of thy Imperial Lineage, most eminent of all Emperors Arrow. If you hear this, you have chosen to repatriate the Lord General Guarding Bear. I applaud such an action. I bear no ill-will toward him for his in
decorous behavior at the negotiations.
“Please give my regards to the Lady Consort Flowering Pine, and congratulations again upon the Succession Assured. My hope is that Eastern nobility take care to prevent dissension between the identical twin sons. I'd regret a repetition of events such as occurred between myself and my brother the bandit Leaping Elk, Infinite blast his hide and rack!
“The declining health of our colleague to the west concerns me as well. The Lord Emperor Soaring Condor appears to be dying despite having the healing talent of an Empire at his disposal. While I don't relish having to deal with the Lord Heir Swooping Condor, I doubt I will have to. Lord Emperor Arrow, I have dreamt that he will not succeed his father. How and why he will fail is obscure to my trace prescience. Of course, I have informed the Lord Emperor Condor of my dreams, but have yet received no reply. The Lord Heir's failure to accede to the throne worries me, Lord Emperor Arrow. We both know the strife of an interregnum, eh? When one faction dominates, the other will likely flee to the empty northern lands. Lord Emperor Arrow, I suggest you prepare for that event.
“Forgive me my being the bearer of bad tidings. I look forward to the birth of your sons. To all loyal citizens of your exalted Empire, I hope they bring peace and joy. For now, Lord Emperor Arrow, I bid you to walk with the Infinite, may it keep your interests at heart.”
Flying Arrow nodded. “Thank you for being so kind as to deliver the message, Lord General. You have other information as well?”
“Yes, Lord Emperor,” Guarding Bear said. “I hear that the Traitor nearly froze to death last night on the banks of the river, about twenty miles east of here. I know where he went, Lord.”
“Where, Lord Bear?”
“To the northern border, Lord Emperor,” Bubbling Water said. “A Burrow Garrison Captain has filed charges of trespass, evasion of Imperial authority and psychic assault upon an Imperial officer. I implore you, Lord Emperor, not to quash those charges.”
“The border? That Infinite-blasted Traitor! Why was he there?”
“He met with an old man bearing a staff, Lord Nephew. What's wrong, Lord?” Bubbling Water asked.
“Eh? Nothing, I just don't feel well, nothing's wrong. Nothing, I tell you. Who's this old man, eh?”
Both Bubbling Water and Guarding Bear shook their heads.
“Don't know, eh? Well, thank you, both of you. The spineless cretin finally turned on me.” The Emperor guessed who the old man was. I can't have these two sticking their noses into that lion's den, he thought. How can I throw them a sop and rid myself of the ruffled hawk all in one motion? “Lord Bear, time to clip the wings of Lurking Hawk, eh? I'll need more than assault charges to execute him.”
The General looked at him directly. Then he smiled. “Yes, Lord!”
Knowing the suggestion enough, Flying Arrow smiled inside. His expression bitter, he looked toward the crates.
The mates bowed, thinking this dismissal.
“One moment, Lord, Lady.” The Emperor rubbed his upper left arm, his face tight, his gray eyes smoldering. “We can't let this depravity go unpunished. I considered ordering you to do this, Lord Bear, to penalize you for your unseemly assault upon the Emperor Jaguar. However, I thought the punishment too harsh for such a minor breach of protocol, but because of what we've received today—”
“Say no more, Lord. You needn't even ask,” Guarding Bear interrupted, glancing back over his shoulder. “It is an honor to volunteer.”
Guarding Bear looked at Flying Arrow. “Lord Emperor Arrow, I promise to destroy the Tiger Fortress and all its occupants, even if I have to take it apart stone by stone.”
This was one of those rare occasions: To accord respect where respect was due, Flying Arrow bowed to Guarding Bear despite his superior station, honoring him for committing himself to a task that would likely result in his death.
Bubbling Water and Healing Hand also bowed to Guarding Bear.
Inside, Flying Arrow felt immensely pleased. If Guarding Bear succeeded, Scowling Tiger would no longer plague Flying Arrow. If Guarding Bear failed, Flying Arrow could invite him onward. Either way, Flying Arrow would be rid of one of them.
* * *
The undefeated General nodded to them, as if their superior. Now's the time, he thought. “Lord Emperor, if I may speak with you alone?”
Flying Arrow looked at him sharply.
One by one, Guarding Bear took off his weapons, laying each ritually upon the tarp. Standing, he gestured toward the river. “Let's walk, Lord.” Unarmed, he stepped toward the water, not waiting to see if the Emperor followed. Five feet from the water, he stopped. When he heard the rustle of grass behind him, he asked over his shoulder, “Do you remember the year we called it the River Crimson?”
“Indeed, Lord Bear.” Flying Arrow stood ten feet away, half facing him, his scabbard loose in his hands. The diamond glowed, the Emperor shielding himself with the Imperial Sword circuits.
“During my hibernation in the Southern Empire, I've had time to think, Lord Emperor.” His face reflecting his heart, Guarding Bear looked at Flying Arrow. “Listen, Nephew, I'm not the same person I was three years ago. Remember what I told the Traitor a few days before the negotiations?”
The Emperor frowned. “About the joys of fatherhood?”
Sighing, Guarding Bear nodded. “Perhaps I'd have crushed his skull a moment later, but I meant what I said. Ask yourself this, Nephew, could a man who says that ever usurp an Empire?”
Looking puzzled, Flying Arrow looked at the snowy grass.
“I want to make a trade, Nephew.” Guarding Bear waited until the other man looked at him. “If you let me teach your sons, I'll abdicate all my posts to my son Rolling Bear and disband all the insurgents I've scattered across the Empire.”
“You'd slit your own belly!” Flying Arrow looked shocked.
Guarding Bear knelt and cleared snow away, then scooped up a handful of frozen dirt. “Nothing's more important than the soil and the people who cultivate it, Flying Arrow. I'm Guarding Bear. The Infinite put me here for a purpose: To guard the Empire. I won't destroy it in a silly bid to wrest power from you or your sons. I also won't let the soil of your sons' minds lie fallow—as your father did yours. You're not a bad man, Nephew. Consider what's better for the Empire. Not for you, not for your sons, not for anyone but the future of the East. Let me teach your sons, Flying Arrow. I beg you to consider it. I'll ask again in two years time, Lord Emperor. Thank you for listening.” Guarding Bear put his head to the cold, cold ground.
“Get up, Lord Bear,” Flying Arrow said minutes later.
The General rose, ready to die and feeling fully alive.
“I'll consider it, Lord,” the Emperor said. “I make no promises other than that.”
“Thank you, Lord Emperor Arrow. I need none.” Wiping the snow off his forehead, Guarding Bear stood and bowed sharply, turned and strode toward the castle. Stopping at the tarpaulin to re-arm himself, he looked across the field of crates. Rubbing the pendant at his neck, he looked among them, recognizing the contents of many.
The unloading only half-finished, Guarding Bear guessed the larger crate contained a thousand smaller. Dropping to his knees beside one of hundreds, he reverently lifted out the contents, noting the strong smell. Formaldehyde dripped from one corner of the wooden platform. Blood sang in his ears. Tears of rage rand down his cheeks. Setting it back in the crate, Guarding Bear looked across the field of crates toward the castle. His mind reeled at the size of the atrocity.
Scowling Tiger will pay for this! Guarding Bear thought, enraged. He wondered how he would besiege a structure that had never fallen to siege. Treachery and sabotage had delivered the fortress to an attacking enemy, but never a direct frontal assault. Looking amidst the crates, the General realized he'd have no help with the siege from within the fortress itself. What about my promises? he asked himself. I promised myself that I wouldn't war except on those who warred on me. That I wouldn't kill except those who tried to kill me.
Hasn't Scowling Tiger warred on me with all these crates? Don't my promises include the Empire itself?
As in love, so in war. When a man found a woman attractive, he gave her a gift to symbolize his liking, the first of sometimes many gifts in the formal, ritualized negotiations toward engaging her in love. When a noble found another offensive, he gave the other a gift to symbolize his antipathy, the first of sometimes many gifts in the formal, ritualized negotiations toward engaging the noble in war. The shipment with the thousand smaller boxes was Scowling Tiger's war-gift to Flying Arrow.
Each had been a loyal citizen of the Eastern Empire, and each had been a spy within the Tiger Fortress. Now reverently displayed in the ecological preserve between Emparia Castle and the River Placid, in rows upon rows upon rows of small wooden crates, their faces washed, their hair combed, their remains carefully preserved.
In each crate was a head.
Chapter 10
As the fall of the Swords approached, biological experiments grew increasingly more daring. Archival records from the Imperial Jaguar Menagerie imply that the Emperors Jaguar bred animals more powerful than the Swords themselves. In fact, the first Emperor Jaguar usurped the Southern throne with a neurologically-enhanced animal's help. Were only animals experimented upon? A few period historians speculate that Flowering Pine, Flying Arrow's consort and the mother of the Arrow Twins, was herself the product of extensive neurological modification. Alas, we must dismiss this assertion as only supposition. The tale does, however, exemplify the deep roots of resistance to the sovereignty of the Swords.—The Fall of the Swords, by Keeping Track.
All the peoples of the four Empires regard the Inviolate Insignia as sacrosanct, whether old or young, rich or poor, noble or peasant, citizen or bandit. During times of peace, the Inviolate Insignia might lend inviolacy to the participants in negotiations. During times of war, the banner might establish truce in the midst of battle. The misuse of the Inviolate Insignia carries terrible consequences. The authorities pursue those who misuse it more relentlessly than even traffickers in contraband talismans. The last time someone abused its sanctity was so far in the past that no one knows exactly how long ago it was. Everyone remembers the result. Three Empires obliterated the offending fourth.—Essays on Government, by Guarding Bear.
The Bandit (Fall of the Swords Book 2) Page 11
