Heart of Defiance

by Ryan Kirk

  Delun followed Hien, fascinated by this woman who didn’t seem perturbed by anything. She had escaped his grasp several times, almost assassinated him, and now he followed her. Life was strange, sometimes beyond belief.

  Soon they found themselves at the edge of town, looking out over an empty field. The nearest roads were visible, but barely. In the dark, at this distance, it was unlikely they’d be spotted. Again, Hien led the way.

  They walked through the field for a time, then cut over toward the road. They’d passed the gate. Now they needed to head for the road so they could make good time toward Galan and then the mountains beyond. Hien led them to some stables not far out of town, meeting with a man she clearly knew. Within minutes they had horses being prepared.

  They had just saddled their horses when Delun sensed a presence on the road behind them. He cursed as the sensations accelerated towards him.

  Hien looked over.

  “We’ve been discovered,” he said.

  25

  A casual glance at Lei revealed little about his attitude. His face remained serene, and he looked as though meeting a questioner from a lord of the empire was a routine matter. But Bai had been with him enough to recognize the signs of distress.

  His weight, normally perfectly balanced, shifted back and forth. His hand would occasionally drift down to his sword, just brushing the hilt as if to make sure it was still there. Though he said little, Bai got the sense he was prepared for a fight.

  Bai felt panicked enough for both of them. What she knew about questioners was little more than rumor, but those rumors were terrifying enough. If even half the stories were true, the questioners weren’t people she wanted to cross paths with. Part torturer, part detective, and part executioner, they reported only to the lord.

  Lei had offered her protection, but how far did it extend? A word from a questioner could summon an army to his doorstep. Surely he wouldn’t take that risk for her?

  Yang had disappeared immediately after the messenger delivered his news. Bai suspected the monk would take an alternate path out of the village. His decision seemed wise.

  After only a moment’s hesitation, Bai remained close to Lei. The questioner had asked for her by name. That meant he had already been down to the village, had heard the stories they told about her. Stories that were closer to the truth than she wished. Lei couldn’t protect her from him. He shouldn’t have to.

  She decided then that she would sacrifice herself for this village if needed. They had shown her nothing but kindness, and they didn’t deserve whatever future a questioner might visit upon them.

  She hoped they could find a different way.

  As she and Lei walked down the path toward the village, she recognized a new emotion.

  Curiosity.

  After growing up hearing nothing but nightmarish stories of questioners, she wondered what was true and what was myth. She felt nervous, but the fear she expected to feel wasn’t present. The questioner couldn’t harm her unless she chose.

  Bai rubbed absentmindedly at her bracelet, wondering at the change within her. A month ago, her legs would have melted and she would have huddled in fear.

  No more.

  When the questioner’s head appeared on the trail, followed by the rest of his body, Bai felt a pang of disappointment. The man was of average height, and although his eyes were quick and sharp, nothing about him looked particularly dangerous. Bai couldn’t feel his presence, either, so he wasn’t gifted.

  As far as nightmares went, Bai had seen worse.

  As the questioner neared, Bai realized she’d been wrong on one count. The man was as cold as they came, and he definitely seemed dangerous now that she faced him eye to eye. In the corner of her vision, she saw Lei tense the slightest amount. He felt it, too. The man’s appearance didn’t seem outwardly threatening, but something about him made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

  He offered a short bow to Lei. “Master Lei, it is a pleasure to meet you in person after all this time. I’ve heard so very much about you.”

  If Lei was surprised the questioner knew his name, he didn’t show it.

  The questioner’s gaze turned to Bai. “And from your description, I must assume that you are Bai.”

  She nodded, seeing no point in lying.

  “Perhaps we could move to your common room and have some of your local tea?” the questioner suggested, with the air of a man who already knew everything about the village.

  Lei smiled and shook his head. “I apologize for my lack of hospitality, but I suspect you will be leaving our village soon enough. The empire is not welcome here. I made that clear to Xun decades ago.”

  Bai fought to keep her face calm. No one spoke to a questioner with such disrespect. She tensed, ready for a fight to break out at any moment.

  The questioner laughed. “How refreshing, Master Lei. It has been years since anyone has met me with calm assurance. Of course, given your strength it is no terrible surprise.

  “Then let me ask my questions. Are you the one who destroyed Galan’s square? The locals all blame the woman, but they don’t know who you are. Lord Xun has allowed you to live in relative obscurity, but not if you harm his subjects.”

  Lei met the questioner’s gaze calmly. “I did not.”

  Bai was surprised that the questioner took Lei at his word. “If not you, then you certainly know what happened.”

  Lei nodded. “I do.”

  The questioner waited in expectant silence.

  “The story is not mine to tell.” Lei glanced over at Bai.

  Bai realized Lei’s intent. If she wanted to continue to hide up in the village, she could refuse to speak to the questioner. He wouldn’t turn her over.

  The temptation pulled at her heart, but her conscience argued against it. She would never be welcomed in Galan again, but they at least deserved to know the truth.

  Bai took a small step forward. Even that small step felt like one of the largest she’d ever taken. “It was my gift that caused the destruction.”

  The questioner looked at her with a surprised expression. Bai imagined not many people confessed freely to crimes before the questioning actually began.

  Slowly, but with more confidence as she went on, Bai told him everything that she had learned. She spoke about her gift, and related the story Yang had told her. How she had stood up to a monk, and the reaction to that monk which had leveled part of her town.

  The questioner listened with interest, never interrupting her story. When she finished, he stood silent for a few moments. “That is one of the more difficult stories I’ve ever been asked to accept,” he confessed.

  Bai didn’t respond. She found that telling the truth, telling the story from beginning to end, had made her feel lighter. At the moment, she didn’t particularly care how the questioner felt about it.

  The questioner let out a sigh. “I believe you, though.” He turned his gaze to Lei. “You confirm her story?”

  “I wasn’t there,” Lei admitted, “but I have also investigated, and I believe she speaks the truth. Since she has been here, I have been training her, teaching her to control her power.”

  The questioner’s gaze turned sharp. “Lord Xun will not like to hear that you’ve taken on an apprentice.”

  “Would you rather she wander the streets, unable to control her gift?”

  The questioner’s answer was calm, as though he held no personal stake in what he said. “I’d prefer if you were both dead. I would sleep much better at night.”

  Bai tensed again for a fight, but Lei was more relaxed than before. What did he sense that she didn’t?

  The questioner turned his back to them. He looked out over the trail he’d just hiked, gazing at the valley below. When he turned around, he looked at the village and the people going about their lives. No small number of eyes were on them. “Is there someplace more private we can speak?”

  Lei studied the man for a moment, then nodded. He followed a trail ou
t of the village, one Bai had never hiked before. Together, the three of them climbed above the village, stopping on a rocky point that provided a majestic view of the land below.

  The questioner looked down. “A magnificent view. I can see why you selected this location for your village.” He looked back to Lei. “Also a good place to kill a questioner.”

  Lei’s grin held a hint of menace. “The thought had occurred to me.”

  “I suppose it goes without saying that I send messages to Lord Xun daily, and that he knows I planned to visit here today. Killing me only delays your problems.”

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, then,” Lei responded.

  The questioner turned back to the view below, drinking it in. “Have you heard of the latest events?”

  “No,” Lei answered. “News has been slow to reach us lately.”

  “The monastery in Kulat has had difficulties with the citizens. Apparently, a group known as the Golden Leaf blew up a few monks with black powder. In response, the abbot sent his men into the town square and massacred a group of citizens.”

  Bai couldn’t believe her ears. She had never been a fan of the monasteries, but this… this was too much. How could the monks go so far?

  “We know you’ve got connections to the Golden Leaf, Lei. We know the assassin lives here.”

  Bai started at that. After a few moments, she understood.

  Hien.

  When she had left the village, it had been to set that black powder.

  Bai tried to reconcile the two women in her head. Hien was certainly a warrior, but she had rescued Bai. That didn’t seem like the action of an assassin. Bai wondered how much more was happening she didn’t know about.

  “I offer shelter to those who wish it,” Lei responded.

  “Are you telling me you had no idea what Hien was up to?” the questioner challenged. Bai was still surprised at how well-informed the man seemed to be.

  “I knew she was working with the Golden Leaf. I did not know she planned such violence.”

  Bai studied Lei. She wanted to believe him, but did she? She wasn’t sure anymore. She hated doubting the man that had shown her such kindness. But it was hard to separate truth from lies.

  The questioner turned on his heels, staring at Lei and Bai.

  “Lord Xun has always had a respect for you that I never quite understood, Master Lei. I presume you two have crossed paths in the past, but knowing your history, I’m surprised he feels so strongly about you. He’s left you alone because you’ve left the empire alone. But if you continue be involved with the Golden Leaf, his hand will be forced. Do you understand?”

  Lei’s voice was hard. “I do.”

  The questioner’s voice softened. “Galan was the spark that has lit this region on fire. The people blamed the monks, and as far as we can tell, the Golden Leaf fanned those flames until it exploded into a full-fledged rebellion. It’s caused the monks to take drastic steps, and they’ve gone too far. I just received word that they’ve locked down Kulat. In response, Lord Xun is marching troops toward Kulat. The monks have been too ambitious as of late, and he needs to react strongly before this gets more out of hand.”

  “He’s going to start a war,” Lei interrupted.

  “I fear the war has already started,” the questioner replied. “Now it’s up to us to end it before it spreads.”

  Lei looked like he was about to retort, but stopped when another thought crossed his mind. “What do you mean?”

  The questioner looked at the two of them. “I risked my life to come here because I believe that you are a man of honor, Master Lei. But she is the person that began this chain of events.” He pointed at Bai. “I see a way to end this all. If she comes down and confesses publicly, we might be able to turn the anger of the populace away from the monks. Right now, the Golden Leaf is telling everyone the monks were responsible for Galan as well. But if she confesses, perhaps tensions will cool enough for Xun to take more reasonable actions against the monastery in Kulat.”

  “And what happens to me?” Bai asked.

  “After you confess, you’ll be executed. Quickly.”

  Lei stepped forward. “It might have been her gift, but it wasn’t her fault. If not for the actions of the monks, it wouldn’t have happened.”

  The questioner held up his hand in a gesture of surrender. “I’m not here to tell you it’s fair. It’s close enough to the truth, and it can save many lives. Her life could be the sacrifice we need to end this now.”

  “I won’t let you take her,” Lei growled.

  The questioner laughed. “I’d never try. As much as I’d love to test my skills against the most dangerous man the empire has ever met, I’d be a fool to think I could win, especially with your apprentice right here. No, I won’t force anything. I’ll simply make an offer to both of you.

  “Bai, if you turn yourself in within the next three days, you can stop the violence that is about to happen. You can save Galan, Kulat, and this village here. If you do not, I’ll be forced to report to Xun that Lei is hiding the person responsible for the deed right here in the village. After that, I do not know what will happen, but I would rather those events not come to pass.”

  With that, the questioner took one last look at the valley below. “It really is a gorgeous view.”

  He turned and started scampering down the trail. Lei and Bai watched him go.

  Before he passed out of sight, he gave them one last look.

  “We can meet at the large boulders about twenty minutes out of town. I shall wait there every sundown for three days. I hope to see you soon, Bai.”

  26

  Delun and Hien made quick time. They left the stables as soon as Delun sensed the other monks. As they rode away, Delun felt the power of the monks behind him fade.

  He hoped that he had seen the last of the monks for a while. If they were trying to hold the city, Guanyu wouldn’t spare any to chase a lone monk. They began their ride in silence, which he also appreciated. He needed time to think, and after they had run their horses for a time without evidence of pursuit, they finally slowed down.

  The scenery surrounding them was spectacular. Off to their left, the mountains that marked the edge of the empire rose to incredible heights. Snow-capped peaks glistened in the early morning sunlight. On their right, an old forest stretched for almost a hundred miles. The road to Galan straddled the boundary of the forest. The trees here were younger and smaller, but still cast ample shade upon the road.

  He noticed little of the view, though. His mind was distracted with thoughts of his loyalties, a milieu from which no answers emerged. Hien had killed monks. The monks had killed civilians. He didn’t wish to be associated with either action. And yet he found himself with Hien instead of the monasteries he had given his whole life to protect.

  His logic held. The actions Guanyu and his monks had taken were a step too far, even for Delun. The consequences could reverberate through the empire. Hien gave him the best chance of actually doing something to stop them. Once Guanyu was reined in, perhaps Delun would have more information on the Golden Leaf. Maybe enough to shut them down.

  None of the logic made the twisting feeling in his gut subside, though.

  His thoughts came to a screeching halt when he felt monks behind them. Before, Delun had guessed there were one or two. Now, he suspected there were at least four. They were eating up the distance, too. They had to be mounted. He told Hien, who cursed. For the second time that day, they kicked their horses into a gallop. He hoped the animals weren’t too exhausted from their previous run.

  Delun was a passable rider. He was no expert, but considered himself better than most monks, who rarely rode. Delun had always wanted to be ready for just such a situation. He was glad for the training now.

  They made good time, but the monks were gaining. Either they had better horses, or were better riders. Delun didn’t care for either option. When he told Hien, she slowed her horse. “Stand and fight, or es
cape through the woods?”

  Delun’s choice came without a second’s hesitation. “Through the woods.”

  Hien nodded, directing her horse off the road and deeper into the woods. “We’ll ride as far as we can, then abandon the horses if we need to.”

  Delun agreed, and they were off. He leaned forward as far as he could in the saddle, keeping his head low to avoid overhanging branches. Horse and rider disappeared into the forest.

  Hien found a game trail, a narrow track running through the wood. She turned her horse to it, and Delun followed. Hien, by far the superior rider, could move faster, but she kept herself in sight, waiting for him as necessary.

  Delun lost track of time and direction between the trees. The paths cut left and right, sometimes without reason, and as they penetrated deeper into the forest, Delun lost track of the sun. Shadows played out in all directions, and one grouping of trees looked much the same as any other. He kept his eyes on Hien in front of him and his sense on the monks behind him.

  He felt the energy being focused and barely had enough time to make a turn as an attack slammed through the woods behind him. Branches snapped and trees groaned as the attack passed through.

  The monks in Kulat were strong. He’d seen evidence of that in their training, but that attack confirmed his suspicion. Most monks couldn’t have summoned that much power, especially at the distances still separating them. It didn’t have the feel of Kang’s energy, which meant there were other monks of considerable skill.

  More attacks followed the first. At this distance, they couldn’t do much more than frighten Delun’s horse, but even that was enough to slow him down and allow them to catch him. One attack brushed against them, but the distance was too great, and Delun managed to keep the horse on course.

  The monks were closing the distance, despite Hien’s and Delun’s efforts. Delun wondered how much he had underestimated the monks.