Sixth Seal

by Thornbrugh, Josh

  She fired once more for good measure before getting in the car.

  “What in the hell happened?”

  Lee backed the car out, running over one of the men on the ground, and then he put it in drive and roared toward the exit.

  “I guess they don’t give a damn about witnesses,” he said.

  Jia

  Xi Shi kept her eyes on the shore. She knew they needed to get on land as quickly as possible. It would only be a matter of time before the Emperor’s men crossed the river. In fact, knowing him as she did, she suspected he had already sent an advanced contingent to Qiantang to cut them off. But there was more than one way to the sea, and she knew it well.

  Reflections from the burning ship lit the way before her. She could hear Wang Xu and the others behind her now, all swimming furiously for the shore. She considered them to be fortunate. The bright blaze was probably the only thing keeping the archers from seeing them.

  When the shore was within several arm’s lengths, she stopped swimming and probed for the bottom with her feet. They pressed into the muddy river bottom, but she was light enough to keep from sinking in. She trudged forward, feeling the book against her body. It seemed to be pulsating, sending out gentle waves of energy in time to her breathing. For a brief moment the path ahead of her lit up, but not physically. It was as though she had visualized the best route up the bank in her mind.

  “Xi Shi, wait.”

  She turned to see Wang Xu walking through the water, several of the crew behind him. The ship was almost entirely engulfed in flames now. The ominous light haloed the men before her. They numbered four, including Wang Xu.

  “We need to get on land quickly. They will come for us soon.”

  Wang Xu caught up to her. He brushed her wet bangs out of her eyes, and held on to her shoulders.

  “Perhaps I should go to meet them as a decoy while you head in the opposite direction down river. You should be able to buy passage on a merchant ship in Gusu. At least the book would be out of the Emperor’s grasp.”

  She shook her head. “No. We stand a better chance as one. We can still make it to the sea.”

  “We are on foot. They will surely cut us off before we can reach Qiantang.”

  She smiled. “That is why we will circle around them and head to Guiji.”

  He returned her smile. “Your studies have served you well. It won’t be easy. Once we get over the mountains, we’ll need to find some horses.”

  The other men were all standing now, looking to Wang Xu for direction. He motioned them toward the bank. “Follow the Princess. She will be our light.”

  As if in response to his words, a greenish-blue glow emanated from Xi Shi’s waist up through the murky water. She looked to Wang Xu, unsure of what was happening.

  He pointed toward the light. “Is it the book?”

  She dug beneath her wet robes and slipped her hand down into the leather pouch. The hilt of the jade dagger brushed her palm sending a tiny charge through her fingers. She grasped it and pulled it out of the bag. The intricately carved jade handle pulsated, casting a greenish glow onto the faces of the stunned men around her.

  “Where did you find this dagger?” Xi Shi furrowed her brow, concentrating on the painstakingly delicate carvings. The light appeared to be emanating from the relief of a lone pyramid set in the center.

  “Master Jing gave it to me. He told me that you would find it useful.”

  She turned the hilt over in her palm, making note of the weight. “And he said nothing of the light inside of it?”

  Wang Xu shook his head. “Nothing. Just that you would find it useful.” He rubbed his chin. “Do you think perhaps it has become attuned to the book?”

  The thought hadn’t occurred to her initially, but after hearing the suggestion, she thought it seemed likely. “Perhaps. We’ll have to contemplate it later.” She pointed to the ridge on the opposite side of the river. “The troops are breaking up.”

  Wang Xu followed her gaze. “They will head downstream to find a more suitable place to cross. We need to hurry.”

  “This way.” Xi Shi took a few more labored steps to the bank, grabbed the root of a tree growing on the edge, and then pulled herself up. She was several feet onto the bank before the others even made it to the edge. She waited, cleaning and re-sheathing the dagger as Wang Xu leapt up next to her and then helped the other men. She tucked the dagger back into the pouch and wasted no time making her way up the mountainside.

  The small band continued up the steep terrain in silence. Clouds now covered the moon and made the way even more treacherous. Their progress became progressively more vertical, making it necessary to find handholds in rocky crevices. At one point in their ascent, Wang Xu took the lead and helped each in turn up the more difficult stretches. It was evident to Xi Shi that the crewmen from the boat were not experienced climbers. Where their skill at sea was probably masterful, they were little more than a hindrance now. She hoped they would get the chance to prove themselves useful once again.

  By the time they reached the mountaintop, they were all exhausted. The crewmen sat on the rocky ground looking relieved to finally be at the top. Wang Xu motioned for Xi Shi to join him.

  “We need to get beyond those low hills over there. If my memory serves, the road to Qiantang is on the other side, and beyond that is the lake that lies to the north of Guiji.”

  She nodded, looking down at the expansive valley below. It was a sea of lush rice paddies separated by a a few thin raised roads that crisscrossed at various points. Despite the vast area, there were less than half a dozen low huts dotting the landscape with their tightly thatched roofs.

  Wang Xu sat down on the hard ground. “We don’t have much time until dawn. If we cross the valley in the daylight we’ll be exposed to the Emperor’s men. By the time we get down there, his soldiers may have already found a way across the river.”

  “Then we should seek shelter with one of the farmers until nightfall.” She pointed to one of the thatched huts below. “Then we can continue under cover of darkness. The Emperor will surely think we have continued on to Qiantang, and we’ll be able to pass right behind them on our way to Guiji.”

  He nodded and turned his attention to the others. “I’m afraid there will be no rest for us yet, men. We need to get to the valley below before dawn.”

  Xi Shi had to give these men credit. Despite their obvious fatigue, they did not complain. Perhaps they would be more useful than she first imagined.

  ***

  Their progress down the mountain was easier, but no less treacherous. One of the crewmen fell, gashing his knee open on a craggy rock. Wang Xu made quick work of dressing the wound, but it slowed them down considerably. By the time they reached the valley, they had lost their pre-dawn cover.

  Wang Xu took the lead and motioned for the others to keep low. He spoke in hushed tones pointing toward the first outcropping of raised huts. “We’ll approach them as travelers beset by bandits.” He pointed to the men. “If anyone asks, you are attendants to the Princess and I am her bodyguard.” The men nodded their understanding.

  “What if they recognize me?” Xi Shi touched his arm.

  “I’m counting on it. Your beauty is known far and wide. The people are enamored of you.”

  She rolled her eyes. He gave her a half smile and turned toward the open fields. The others followed his lead, keeping low and trudging carefully through the warm, knee-deep water. Xi Shi knew that the man who had cut his leg would need more careful attention once they reached their destination.

  So far, there was no sign of any of the Emperor’s men on any of the narrow roads that seemed to float on the water of the fields. They were a little over halfway to the huts when a child, a little girl, caught sight of them. She jumped up and down, pointing and shouting until a man came out of the hut and studied them with a hand raised above his brow.

  Xi Shi looked to Wang Xu for guidance. “What shoul
d we do?”

  “We keep going. We’ve been spotted now anyway.” He turned to the men. “Do any of you have weapons?” When they told him they didn’t, he returned his attention to her. “They’re just simple farmers. We shouldn’t be in any danger. Just stick to our story, and everything should be fine.”

  A couple more men appeared in front of the hut. The first man pointed out toward the advancing party, and they all descended the steps into the field. It was difficult to tell, but it appeared they had staffs or spears. Xi Shi reached for the knife beneath her robes, but Wang Xu shook his head. He was nearly as wise as Master Jing. What would he have advised here? Aggression comes to the aggressor. Advance with open arms and draw them in. Sage advice, she thought.

  The closer the three men came to them, the more apparent it was to her that it was just a father and his two sons. The boys were fairly young, but each of them held a sickle, and looked nervously over the group. Their father walked cautiously ahead of them, a wooden staff in his right hand. His graying hair was pulled tightly and knotted in a ponytail that hung over his left shoulder. His skin was dark and leathery, undoubtedly made that way from years of hard work under an unforgiving sun. When they were within a few yards, he held up a hand. His sons took up positions on either side of him, but kept their sickles upright. Xi Shi noticed that one of the boys kept stealing glances in her direction.

  “What do you want here? We are poor farmers. We have nothing but the land.” Although his voice was weathered and raspy, there was a commanding presence behind it. She knew this man would fight to the death to protect his family.

  She stepped forward between Wang Xu and the old man, keeping her palms outstretched. “Please, kind sir, we wish you no harm. Bandits attacked our caravan. If it were not for the efforts of my attendants and my bodyguard, we would surely be dead. We seek refuge.” She bowed low, dipping deeper into the murky, warm water. Wang Xu and the others followed her lead, bowing before the man and his sons.

  One of the boys stepped forward, but the man’s hand shot out to stop him. “But father, it is her. It is Princess Xi Shi.”

  “Stand up. Let me get a look at you.” The man eyed them suspiciously as they stood.

  She could tell he was watching the men out of the corner of his eye, but he was studying her carefully. An awareness crept over his face, and he immediately lowered his head and dropped to his knees. He motioned for his boys to do the same.

  “Forgive me, Princess. I had no idea that it was you.”

  She walked to the man and placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched almost imperceptibly. “You do not need to ask forgiveness, kind sir. You are a father protecting his children. I would expect no less.” She placed her hand under his arm. “Please rise.”

  The man stood and his sons followed his lead. He kept his eyes cast away from her. “How may we help you, Princess?”

  “My men have fought bravely and are wounded and weary. We seek shelter, food and rest.” She pointed toward the man with the wounded leg. “As soon as we are able, we will take the road to Qiantang, and meet up with a detachment of the Imperial Guard.”

  He nodded. “Certainly, Princess. My home is yours.” He motioned for his boys to help the wounded man. They complied, each taking an arm, allowing the man to shift the weight off of his bad leg.

  “Please lead on, kind sir.” Xi Shi bowed.

  ***

  The little hut was barely large enough to accommodate its new visitors. The front was open to the fields, but looked like it could be sheltered from the elements by several large, reed blinds. The walls and floors were made entirely from bamboo tied tightly together. There were several grass mats on the floor surrounding a low, central table, also made of bamboo. The man’s wife stood like a terrified animal next to a wok in the far corner of the room. Her daughter clung to her thigh.

  The man gestured toward an open doorway toward the side of the room. “Your man can rest in there. I’ll have my wife bring you some water and bandages.”

  The boys followed their father’s direction, and helped the wounded man to the room. The other crewmen followed. Wang Xu and Xi Shi stayed with the old man. The man turned to his wife and spoke a few rough and hurried words. She fell to the floor in front of Xi Shi, leaving her daughter standing bewildered next to her groveling form.

  “Forgive me, Princess.” She kept her head low to the floor.

  “Please, there is no need to bow before me. I am a guest in your home.” Xi Shi knelt in front of the woman, touching her lightly on the head. The woman looked up at her and her daughter took the opportunity to cling to her mother once more.

  “Thank you, Princess. I’ll get some water for your men.” She peeled her daughter off of her body and went after a bucket next to her wok.

  “And what is your name, little one?” Xi Shi gave the girl a reassuring smile.

  “Jia.” She blushed and kept her eyes to the floor. Xi Shi took her chin in her hand and lifted her face to hers.

  “A fitting name for such a lovely girl.”

  Her bright eyes sparkled, warming Xi Shi’s heart and making her feel at ease for the first time in many days.

  ***

  After the family got over the initial shock of receiving what they believed to be royal visitors, they seemed to relax and settle into a more normal routine. The wounded man had been attended to and now rested peacefully in the next room. Wang Xu and the other two men helped the sons gather more water and some rice for dinner, while the father, who she learned was named Peng, went back to his work in the fields. The mother, Lin, set bowls around the low table, while Jia wove strands of flowers together on the floor.

  “Water Lilies?” Xi Shi knelt down next to Jia.

  She nodded and kept weaving the flowers together in a ring. When she was done, she stood up and placed the crown of flowers on Xi Shi’s head. Her broad smile told her that the girl was proud of her work. Xi Shi kissed her on the cheek. Jia giggled.

  Before she could tell the girl how lovely the flowers were, Wang Xu ran up the steps and into the hut. He was out of breath. He pointed back toward the fields.

  “The Emperor’s advanced guard are headed this way.”

  A second later, Peng entered the hut followed by his sons and the other two crewmen. Peng appeared to be confused, a dark shadow falling across his features. “Why would you run from the Emperor’s soldiers? Won’t they be able to help?”

  Wang Xu gave Xi Shi a worried look. He glanced toward her waist where the book was hidden, as well as the dagger. She did her best to let him know without words that she had no intention of harming these people. She stepped between him and Peng.

  “I’m afraid we have not been entirely honest with you.” She grabbed his hands.

  He glanced nervously to his wife and child. “What do you mean?”

  “I am Princess Xi Shi, but the Emperor means to track me down and kill me. He believes that I have stolen something from him.”

  Peng pulled his hands away from her. “Have you?”

  Xi Shi looked at the floor. “Yes, but it does not belong to him. It belongs to the people.”

  Peng lifted her head up and looked into her eyes. She didn’t know what he was looking for, but after a few tense moments he seemed to find it. “What you do, you do for the good of the people?”

  A tear escaped her eyes. She nodded, knowing what this kind man was about to sacrifice for her.

  The Gauntlet

  The silver BMW rocketed out of the parking garage, hitting a fiberglass crossing arm. A shower of tiny fragments rained down on the hood and windshield. The engine growled eagerly as Lee laid on the accelerator. The sudden transition from the dim garage to daylight made Ana shield her eyes.

  “Better put on your seatbelt.” Lee gave her a sideways look.

  She nodded and fumbled with the buckle. “Do you think they’ll follow us?”

  “After the shit they just pulled in the airport, I have
no doubt we’re in for a rough ride.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Keep the gun handy.”

  “Do you see any of them?” Ana scanned the outdoor lots as they whizzed past.

  “Not yet, but they’ll be on us shortly.”

  “Why are they in such a big hurry? Wouldn’t it be easier to track me to the book, then grab us?”

  “I don’t think it’s the book they’re after anymore.”

  “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t they want the book?”

  “I think they already have it.”

  Ana gave Lee a quizzical look. “And what makes you think that?”

  “Like you said, it would be easier to just track you to the book. Their brazen actions tell me that they already have it, and now all they need is you to unlock it.”