A Tiding of Magpies

by Robert Dahlen

  “The wizard waits here,” he said firmly.

  “She’s my partner,” Michiko snapped, “and if she’s not coming—”

  “Michiko?” She turned towards Beth. “Just go. I’ll wait.”

  “Not without you! I’m not going to let this guy boss me around.”

  “There’s no time to argue!” Beth said sharply. “He’s just doing his job. And Jiao needs you. Just go.”

  Michiko’s eyes widened. “But—”

  “It’ll be okay,” Beth said. “I need a nap anyway.”

  Michiko stared at Beth and nodded. “Okay,” she said softly. She turned and followed the cavalryman, with one last quick, sad glance back.

  Beth stared at Michiko as she walked away. She saw the little things no one else could see, the slight slump in her shoulders, the spring in her step gone. I blew it, didn’t I? Beth thought ruefully, angry at herself. It’s rough enough for her right now as it is, and I made it worse. I pushed her away. I’m an idiot.

  Beth wrapped her arms around her knees and closed her eyes, lowering her head as she started to nod off. I hurt you, Michiko, she thought. I’m sorry.

  Her mind drifted, back to happier times with Michiko. Their first adventure together, and the start of their friendship. The pillow fight that had turned into a tickle war. Waking up after she had been bitten by the hellrat to find Michiko had stayed with her all night. Christmas Day, and how much Michiko had done to make it the best ever. The moment when Beth had seen Michiko after she had fallen off the airship, the relief and sheer joy she felt when she found that Michiko was alive. When did it start? Beth thought. When did you fall for me, Michiko? Why didn’t you tell me?

  Something deep down inside Beth stirred, but she ignored it as she felt sleep starting to come over her. You deserve someone better than me anyway. I don’t know why you’d care for me. I’m a nobody. I’m nothing special, she thought as she drifted off. No one’s ever thought I was special. Not my teachers, not my parents, no one. Only Anneliese…

  General Guo stood at the head of the table, holding a map of the area that showed the roads and trails leading to the Bridge of Magpies. He tapped an “X” that had been drawn on the map, not far from the bridge. “This is where Hong and his men have set up a temporary base, according to our scouts. They are holding the princess there, presumably until Hong secures the bridge.”

  “Let’s hope the men he left behind haven’t heard that we’ve escaped,” Merchant Sheng said. Next to him, Jade Crane nodded.

  “I take it you have a plan, General?” Prince Yun said as Michiko and Auntie Ting looked on.

  “We do.” The general set the map down on the table. “I’ll be leading the cavalry unit, along with Sheng’s guards, in an attack on Hong’s base. This will not be a direct assault; we’ll be trying to draw out Hong’s men, distract them.”

  “We’re hoping that they won’t realize they’re being tricked until it’s too late,” Sheng added.

  “While that’s going on,” General Guo continued, “you will need to do the important job—infiltrating the base, rescuing the princess, and getting her and Prince Yun to the Bridge to Xia. My forces will withdraw once this is done.”

  “Who’ll be handling the rescue?” Prince Yun asked.

  “You will,” General Guo said, “along with the others at this table.”

  “And Beth?” Michiko said.

  The general glared at Michiko. “She’s staying here.”

  “What?” Michiko felt her heart sink.

  “We already have a wizard,” General Guo said. “A real one.”

  “But Beth’s been through a lot of tough situations!” Michiko said. “I know she can handle this!”

  “She’s a third-rate wizard at best! And a distraction!”

  Michiko jumped to her feet and glared at the general. “She is not a distraction!”

  “She’ll get in the way,” General Guo said. “And we can’t afford to have our best fighter distracted. We’ve heard the rumors from the captives about the two of you.”

  Michiko blushed as she looked over at Merchant Sheng. He shook his head. “We’re already risking too much with five people sneaking into the base. I’m sorry, Michiko. I’ll have two of my guards stay with her.”

  She nodded and lowered her head. “How long before we leave?” she said softly.

  “Ten minutes,” General Guo said. He picked up the map and walked away from the table. Merchant Sheng rose, glanced sadly at Michiko, and followed him, Jade Crane close behind.

  “Baka!” Auntie Ting hissed at Sheng’s back as she stood. “Don’t you fools understand—”

  “Auntie Ting…” The priestess looked back at Michiko. “Please, there’s no time to argue,” the Monkey Queen said. “We need to get ready.”

  “Michiko—” Yun started to say.

  “I have to go talk to Beth,” Michiko said in a flat voice. “I’ll be back.” She walked away from the others.

  Michiko avoided the glances of the soldiers she passed as she hurried to where she had left Beth. She felt the shame and embarrassment rising again. Why? she thought. Why did they have to do this? Beth’s not a distraction! She’s not a fifth wheel! She’s my partner! Maybe she’s not a wizard, but she’s smart and clever, and she can be so brave! I need her watching my back. I want her by my side.

  As Michiko neared Beth, she could see that her partner had fallen asleep while waiting, sitting on the rock, her arms wrapped around her knees. Maybe…it’s better this way, Michiko thought. Let her sleep. I won’t embarrass her by waking her up and telling her in front of everybody. She stopped next to Beth, pulled a notepad and a pen from her partner’s pocket, and wrote a quick note.

  Michiko knelt next to Beth. She saw the lips that could smile so warmly, the hair drifting slightly in the breeze. She started to reach for Beth but stopped herself and looked away, squeezing her eyes shut. They were right, Michiko thought. Why did I keep my feelings for you to myself? Even if you had said no, at least it wouldn’t have ended this way.

  She looked back at Beth, her heart aching. I care for you so much, Beth, she thought. I can’t change how I feel, even though I know you’ll never feel the same way. I know you’ll never be mine. I’m sorry.

  She took the notepad and carefully set it on Beth’s lap. As she did, Beth stirred and seemed to smile in her sleep. Michiko stood up quickly, covering her face with her hands, hiding her sudden tears.

  Stop that! Michiko thought, taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes. Put your pain aside. Hide your feelings for Beth away like you always do. Jiao needs you, Monkey Queen. Save the world, even if your heart’s breaking. With one last sad glance back, Michiko walked away from Beth.

  The sky was a brilliant blue, and the wind was brisk and carried the scent of adventure. The guinea pig crew went about their chores as the airship sailed on. But their captain stood listlessly at the helm, steering robotically, no joy in her eyes or her heart. Anneliese’s gone, Beth thought. I’ve lost her. I’m all alone, and that’s all I’ll ever be.

  Snootles hopped up the stairs to the helm and looked sadly at Beth. “Wheep?” she said softly.

  Beth shook her head. “Someday,” she whispered. “I’ll be okay again someday. Just…not today.”

  “Wheep!” The guinea pig pointed towards the horizon. Beth glanced up and gasped.

  Anneliese’s small rescue ship swooped out of the midday sun, stopping alongside the balloon of Beth’s airship. “Forgot something!” Anneliese said with a smile. As she did, another woman jumped out of the passenger seat, somersaulting onto a canvas walkway as Anneliese flew off.

  The passenger worked her way along the rigging, her red scarf snapping in the breeze. The crew watched and wheeped as she climbed down the rope ladder to the helm, leaping off and landing next to Beth. “Reporting for duty!” the Monkey Queen said with a salute and a grin.

  “Welcome aboard,” Beth said, smiling with a joy she thought she’d never feel again.

 
Michiko blushed, but still met Beth’s gaze. “What’s our course?” she asked softly.

  “Wherever our hearts take us,” Beth whispered as Michiko took her by the shoulders and smiled. The crew cheered wildly as Beth pulled Michiko into her arms, their eyes closing as their lips drew together—

  Beth woke up with a gasp. Oh my God! she thought. Anneliese! I never realized—but it all makes sense! I never meant to hurt her, but I didn’t know! And Michiko! Beth’s heart pounded like it never had before. Michiko, I…

  She stopped and remembered the last few seconds of her dream, the happiness in Michiko’s smile, the love in her eyes. The tangled thoughts Beth had been pulling at as she had fallen asleep all unraveled. Beth realized, to her astonishment, that even if she couldn’t understand why Michiko would have fallen for her of all people, even if she had always considered herself to be straight, she had never thought, not even for a second, that she didn’t feel the same way about Michiko.

  I have to find her, Beth thought, jumping to her feet. I need to apologize, to set things right, and then—

  Beth heard a faint noise. She glanced down and saw the notepad on the ground near her; it had slid off her lap when she had stood up. She picked up the notepad and read what Michiko had written.

  Dear Beth,

  By the time you read this, I’ll be with Yun and the others, on our way to rescue Jiao and fulfill the prophecy. A few of us will be sneaking into Hong’s camp while Guo’s soldiers lure away the guards there.

  I was told by Sheng and Guo that I had to leave you behind, that you would be useless and a distraction. There was no time to argue, even though we both know better. The two guards here will stay with you, or get you back to the auldgate if anything goes wrong.

  I’m sorry I had to leave you here. I’m sorry for everything. You’re so special, Beth, and I care for you so much. I never meant to hurt or embarrass you. Stay safe and take care, and I hope I’ll see you again.

  Yours,

  Michiko

  Beth stared at the note for a moment, holding her breath, her heart racing, a solitary magpie’s song the only sound she could hear. “Michiko,” she whispered. And another thought came to her. Michiko really cares for me. She really does. She thinks…I’m special. The sweetest, kindest, most amazing person I’ve ever known thinks I’m special. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I am.

  And in that moment, something inside Beth McGill didn’t so much snap as click.

  Beth jumped to her feet. She carefully closed the notepad as she saw the two guards sitting near a small fire. “You!” she shouted. “How long ago did the others leave?”

  The two guards glanced at each other. “Less than ten minutes ago,” one said.

  “Good.” Beth glared sternly at them. “Get the horses. We’re following them.”

  “But General Guo’s orders—”

  Beth held up the notepad. “These are orders from the Monkey Queen herself. Do you dare question her?” Her eyes narrowed. “Do you dare defy the will of a wizard?”

  The guards jumped to their feet. One stomped out the fire; the other nodded at Beth and headed for the horses. Beth carefully tucked the notepad into her inside jacket pocket as she followed him.

  No, Beth thought. I won’t let things end this way. I won’t lose you, Michiko. I’m coming. You need me.

  Almost as much as I need you.

  Chapter Ten

  “We’re under attack!” came the shout from the entrance to the base. The lookouts relayed the information to Lord Hong’s lieutenants—the intruders were Nui cavalry, intent on getting into the base and taking back Princess Jiao.

  “Send out all the cavalry we have,” Lieutenant Yu said as he huddled with the other officers. “Spearmen for backup. Keep our opponents out.” As the others nodded and hurried off, Yu added, “Li Fong?”

  A warrior, who had been watching the meeting from a distance, walked up to Yu. He was almost seven feet tall and moved effortlessly even in his heavy red armor. “Yes, lieutenant?” he said in a rumbling voice.

  “I suspect that this is a diversionary assault,” Yu said softly. “If they’ve come for the princess, they’ll try to send someone in to free her.”

  “And the Monkey Queen and her friends have escaped.”

  Yu nodded. “You are to patrol the base. I’ve already assigned a dozen men to guard Jiao, but your job is to keep any intruders from getting that far.”

  “And will Lord Hong want prisoners?” Li Fong asked.

  “The Monkey Queen has an annoying tendency to escape,” the lieutenant said. “No prisoners.”

  “Gladly.” Li Fong smiled. “Long life to Lord Hong.”

  The small group had hidden behind a clump of bushes, watching as Hong’s men rode out to skirmish with the Nui cavalry. As the last of the riders left, Merchant Sheng looked at the others and nodded. He set off towards the two trees that marked the entrance to the base, followed by Jade Crane, Prince Yun and Auntie Ting. Michiko brought up the rear.

  Sheng pointed at the two guards standing between the trees at the entrance. Jade Crane gestured, and one guard, then the other, grabbed his head and silently collapsed. The wizard smiled.

  The group slipped into Hong’s base. As they moved between trees, Michiko found her thoughts drifting. She quietly rebuked herself as she tried to focus on searching for Jiao, but she couldn’t help but wonder and worry about Beth. She’s probably furious with me, Michiko thought. She’ll go home without me, kick me out of our apartment, never talk to me again. I should have brought her along, no matter what anyone else says. It’s all my fault—

  She glanced over her shoulder and saw the furtive movement, the shadow in the trees. “Look out!” she shouted, but before she could act, a rock flew past her, striking Jade Crane in the back of the head. The wizard dropped to her knees.

  “Beloved!” Sheng knelt by Jade Crane’s side.

  “I’ll take care of this.” Michiko gritted her teeth as she ran into the trees.

  “Michiko—”

  “Find Jiao!”

  Sheng nodded and examined Jade Crane’s head. “She was hit hard,” he said.

  “So,” Prince Yun said, “if we can’t revive her, and Jiao is chained, how do we get the locks open?”

  “We had another wizard we could have brought along!” Auntie Ting snapped. “She could have done it! But two idiots made us leave her behind!” Sheng said nothing, but he nodded very slightly as he tended to Jade Crane.

  Michiko crept silently through the trees, trying to keep Beth from her mind. She stopped when she thought she saw movement, just in time to bend out of the way as the spear flew past her head.

  The warrior lunged from the shadows. Michiko dodged the heavy sword he swung at her, but that left her open for his follow-up, a left jab that got her in the shoulder, knocking her back. Li Fong, she thought. Hong’s most feared warrior.

  Li Fong swung at Michiko, and she barely parried the blow with her staff. Snap out of it! she thought. This guy is good! She stabbed with her staff, catching the warrior on the side of the head. He grimaced with pain, though his helmet shielded him from the blow.

  The warrior looked at Michiko and chortled. “Is that the best you can do?” he said. “Or are you still thinking of your lover? Your wizard girlfriend?”

  Michiko closed in on Li Fong, but had to duck as he threw his sword at her. As she straightened up, he charged her and punched her hard in the stomach. She doubled over, gasping, her staff flying from her hand and bouncing away.

  She looked up, saw Li Fong pull his arm back, and tried to evade his blow. It still grazed her temple, hard enough to send her spinning; she fell face-first into the dirt. The warrior picked up his sword and smiled triumphantly.

  Michiko thought she heard footsteps, but she knew her friends wouldn’t reach her in time. She got to her knees, shaking her head, still too weak and dizzy to stand and fight. Beth, she thought. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

  Li Fong laughed cruelly. “M
y name will go down in history!” he shouted. “I’ll be known as the man who killed the Monkey Queen!” He raised his sword.

  “Michiko!”

  Michiko raised her head, her eyes widening. “Beth?” she whispered.

  “Zap!” The magic bolt flew through the air and struck Li Fong in the chest; his armor absorbed most of the blow, but he still staggered back. As he did, Michiko could hear “Zap!” shouted over and over again, each one louder and angrier than the last. Bolt after bolt hit the warrior, pushing him further back until the last one knocked him to the ground.

  Michiko stood up and glanced around. “Beth!” she said as she saw her partner, stepping out of the trees, lowering her magic wand. The pain and dizziness Michiko had been feeling vanished, swept aside by a rush of adrenaline fueled with joy.

  Beth looked at Michiko and pumped her fist. “Get him, Michiko!” she shouted.

  “You got it!” Michiko reached out and caught her staff as it flew towards her. She spun to face Li Fong as he got to his feet. “Hey, ugly!” the Monkey Queen said with a grin. “Time for round two!”

  Li Fong swung his sword at her, but she parried it easily and whipped her staff around, striking his hand. The warrior dropped his sword, and Michiko closed in. “‘The man who killed the Monkey Queen’?” she said. “Try ‘the latest person to get his butt kicked by her’.”

  “Get rid of that staff,” Li Fong hissed, “and it’ll be a different story.”

  “Will it?” Michiko glanced at her staff and tossed it aside. “Let’s find out.”

  The warrior charged at Michiko, fist raised. She raised her forearms to block the first punch, then leaned back to dodge the second. She jumped in the air and kicked her foe in the face as she came down.

  He staggered, but recovered quickly and glared at Michiko. “Lucky!” he shouted as he lunged at her.