War (Chi Warriors Book 3) Page 6

  Gao pondered his words. “What do you ask of Shaolin?”

  “Send forces to Hanai and the Great Wall to replenish us. We gained flexibility with our victory in the Koon Kagi, but our strength must return.”

  “What does the council think? There is much to consider.”

  “Our forces in Shaolin are already thin and dispersed,” Woo said. “It is a common tactic for the Koon Gee to stage a diversion before the main fight.”

  “Tanjin was a diversion before one hundred unan attacked the Shaolin Temple,” Lin added.

  “Where would an attack come from?” Dai-dao asked. “The Dragon Pass again?”

  “The Koon Gee are engaged in combat with Wong and the magaus,” Jaguan said. “I do not think an attack would come from that direction.”

  “The sea, then,” Lin said.

  Jaguan nodded. “We can mount extra patrols on the waterfront to be safe.”

  “I don’t believe Shaolin is their ultimate focus,” Xiong said. “The Koon Gee have declared war on all of humanity. They mean to breach at the Great Wall or Tanjin and invade the heartland. Shaolin is too isolated. Their focus is here, and I would not leave Shandong if not for the fact that we destroyed the Immortal Crane.”

  “We must consider every possibility,” Gao said. “But I agree with your assessment. We will bolster Shaolin’s lookout and security, while sending any reinforcements that can be spared. Are there more concerns?”

  “Tanjin has the greatest need,” Riyon said. “But this force in Hanai troubles me. There may be a broader plan once night arrives, and, as I understand, much of this force is composed of dark ninjas and unan.”

  Xiong looked troubled. “Yes. That is also my fear. Things will get worse in Hanai before they get better. Our hope is that the city guards will be able to hold out until help from Shaolin arrives.”

  “If things get much worse, I will make the trip to Hanai,” Han said.

  “You are too critical to the defense of the Great Wall,” Gao said. “Especially if Xiong goes to Tanjin.”

  “We need to stamp out this cinder before it turns to a flame,” Riyon said. “This is Hanai. It is a volatile place for war.”

  “What would you propose as a remedy?”

  “Shaolin should send a greater response. Perhaps the Shoukoo can make the trip?”

  Jaguan looked up. “Perhaps.”

  “I sense hesitation.”

  “My mind will not stray from Tanjin. I fear for it. It has been a thorn in our side for decades, and we fail to address it properly. Tengfei had inherited impossible circumstances and now barely holds on.”

  “Do you suggest combining forces with the Shoukui there instead?” the grandmaster asked.

  “No. I may go now to help turn the tide, but Tanjin will be in crisis again by the next moon.”

  “Perhaps once I am there, I can think of a strategy not seen before,” Xiong said.

  “Unless you can find a way to extend the Great Wall across Jini, I do not see it. The problem of Tanjin is the same as it has always been. It is hard to defend so much forest where the Koon Gee are especially skilled.”

  “Agreed, but what more can we do?”

  “I have been in communication with Wong. The magaus are hard-pressed in the Koon Kagi. Once they fail, the full pressure will focus on the Wall or Tanjin, pressure we cannot handle. Before that can happen, I suggest we move the magaus to Tanjin.”

  “The magaus? Creatures of the Koon Kagi—here?” Lin said.

  “They are highly skilled in the trees and would instantly fortify our defenses. In return, they would receive a safe haven. It is a plan that serves both sides.”

  “Both sides?” Dai-dao said. “You would mix light and dark? Good and evil?”

  “There is light and dark, but I would not equate them to good and evil. I fought side-by-side with their king against the Koon Gee. They are trustworthy; I have seen it with my own eyes.”

  “Still, there is too much risk,” Woo said. “What would happen if they turned on us? Tanjin would be beyond repair.”

  “That could be their plan,” Gao said.

  “If we gave them sanctuary on Jini, the damage could be contained to the island,” Xiong said. “We would lose the territory, but form a new front beyond the river. Not ideal, but it is our current fallback plan, after all.”

  “There is no secret plot,” Jaguan said. “I do not think the magaus would even accept our offer. They are resistant to leave the Tangled Wood Forest despite Wong’s insistence. They fear to come here.”

  Gao looked suspicious. “How long have you and Wong been conspiring? I do not like this path, Shoukoo. Every time Wong is involved, the foundation of our meetings turn sour.”

  “I mean no disrespect, Grandmaster,” Jaguan said. “But it is something we have discussed. Conflict of thought only means we are considering all possibilities. We have allies that we are not utilizing properly.”

  “I would not call them allies.”

  “They are a valuable resource then. And unless we do something they will be annihilated, which would not serve us well. Perhaps I would not feel the same had I not fought with them, seen them risk their lives for us, or laughed among their children. I understand the gravity of the decision to allow such creatures in our midst. It is not one I take lightly. The question ultimately becomes whether or not we can trust creatures of yin chi, and if we cannot, then we cannot trust Wong either.”

  The room was silent.

  “How would this sanctuary work?” Lin asked. “Would they be given autonomy in our land?”

  “I think the magaus would not accept it any other way,” Jaguan said. “But it is autonomy to stabilize a land we have no hope of controlling, bordering the Koon Kagi, and filled with warring demons. I do not see it as a sanctuary that we offer, but our problems.”

  “We must decide,” Gao said. “There is no more time for debate. What does the council say?”

  “The risk is too great,” Lin said. “Perhaps in time.”

  “I agree—who else?”

  “It is not natural to align with creatures of yin chi,” Dai-dao said.

  A murmur of voices hummed in agreement.

  Xiong offered a counterpoint. “I do not know these creatures, but I trust Jaguan and the tactical strategy is sound. At least Tanjin is isolated and they will not fight beyond the trees.”

  “We cannot protect Hanai, the Great Wall, and Tanjin all at the same time,” Riyon reasoned. “Shaolin is still recovering from the last attack. If these magaus prove true, we have a weapon. Perhaps that is why they are being targeted. I cannot say if I trust them, but the opportunity is worth the risk. My vote is to proceed.”

  “I do not have a vote,” Han said, “but I agree with Xiong and Riyon’s logic.”

  Eyes turned to Elder Woo for the final vote.

  Woo looked conflicted. “I was hoping it would not come to this, but here we are.” He looked at the grandmaster. “Gao, you know I share your beliefs on yin chi and hold true to the principles of Shaolin. Yet, in recent times . . . I can only go with what I believe in my heart. And I still trust Wong. Perhaps there is hope this can work.”

  Gao closed his eyes with a pained look, certain that Woo would see it his way. “These are trying times to be a grandmaster.”

  Dai-dao shook his head. “We stray from our core values with each passing generation.”

  “We will always maintain our core values,” Jaguan said. “But we must adapt to the challenges of the times.”

  “Fine, we have deliberated,” Gao said. “We will accept this plan. As Xiong says, the creatures can be contained on the island. How will it be executed?”

  “I will plan for the possibility in Tanjin,” Xiong said.

  “And I will go to the Koon Kagi to speak with the magaus,” Jaguan said. “It was my pro
posal. The burden is mine.”

  “I suppose it will do no good to dissuade you from entering the savage land of our enemies?”

  “I know the risk. I will go with the Phoenix Staff and leave Shaolin’s here. I have done it before.”

  “If I might interrupt,” Riyon said. “There was the matter of an increased response in Hanai. My proposal to send the Shoukoo is no longer valid, but the problem still remains.”

  “Yes,” Gao said. “I have not forgotten. We can send Shian and the warriors from the Commons. Our forces are thin and they will adapt better to the challenges of the city.”

  “That is a fine plan. Many of the warriors from the Commons are familiar with the city. I will also go with this contingent to Hanai.”

  “An elder should not forge into battle,” Woo said. “You have served long enough in the field and miss the purpose of being an elder.”

  “I am not that old for an elder,” Riyon said. “But I will assist and advise, while Shian leads the charge. Shaolin’s resources are stretched and I can help. I cannot sit still while Hanai burns.”

  “I would second Woo’s thoughts,” Gao said. “But there is merit to your presence in Hanai. They will benefit from your experience.”

  Riyon nodded.

  “Are we settled in this?” Xiong said.

  “It would seem so,” Gao said. “Perhaps a summary?”

  Xiong nodded. “Shaolin will increase security and surveillance of its borders while sending forces to Hanai and the Wall. I will reinforce Tanjin and plan for the possibility of magaus there. Jaguan will go to the Koon Kagi to offer this plan. Riyon and Shian will travel to Hanai with warriors from the Commons. And Han will remain on the Wall.”

  Jaguan looked around for final consensus. “We are in agreement.”

  “I will make preparations. Godspeed all.”

  8

  TING DRIFTED UP and down nervous streets, wandering aimlessly as inhabitants woke from a turbulent night. Most peered nervously from windows and behind closed storefronts, frightful of roving bands of demons and unwilling to leave the confines of their homes. Ting recalled previous trips to the bustling metropolis and remembered being lost in the crowd, frustrated by the congestion and slowness of straggling city goers. She might have enjoyed the opportunity to explore the empty walkways and bounce from store to store undisturbed, as if Hanai were her personal playground, but the distress of the city had her on edge.

  An old lady from an upper floor shouted at her to get off the streets and go home, but Ting ignored her. She had no place to go. She just continued on in a purposeless daze, numb from recent events, exhausted after sleeping only a few hours in an alley, curled up among crates.

  A column of city guards marched in unison, patrolling the area and halting mid-street. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the guards’ presence after their conflict the previous day, but supposed any disturbance to break the uneasiness was a good thing.

  “Koon Gee! Koon Gee! Where are the Koon Gee?” the lead soldier shouted.

  The block immediately sprang to life. Several residents rushed outdoors, eager for news and a feeling of security. The soldiers broke from formation and spread apart to get a better look of the buildings, hailing the inhabitants from windows and looking for signs that they were safe; there was suspicion that Koon Gee could be hiding inside. The mere suggestion made the residents jumpy and elicited even more people to come out of their homes to talk. From the jumble of ensuing information, Ting learned that the residents had fared relatively well that night without confrontation, though a few heard footsteps on the roofs. The city guards explained that the unan and dark ninjas had spent the night raiding key buildings—city offices, guard stations, and armories—but disappeared once morning arrived. They were now methodically trying to track down the invaders street by street, inquiring about abandoned buildings and hiding places, or neighbors that had gone silent. A mandatory curfew would be instituted come sundown and residents were also encouraged to stay at home during the day.

  The soldiers reformed the line and marched onward, leaving the residents to retreat into their homes and resume their former state of caution. Ting eyed the soldiers as they pulled away. She decided to follow, having no better idea of what else to do. Perhaps one of the them would help her the way Yao had.

  They walked past a street without stopping, the low-level buildings with multiple onlookers not drawing further suspicion, but the next block caught their attention. Ting examined the buildings with the same care as the soldiers and wondered if there were Koon Gee hiding inside.

  A soldier noticed her following. “Hey, you! Stop following. Go home. It’s dangerous.”

  Ting stopped in her tracks.

  “Go home,” he said again. “This is serious business.”

  Ting didn’t respond.

  “Probably one of those orphan troublemakers,” another guard said.

  Ting shot him an angry look. “I’m not an orphan.”

  The soldiers ignored her and focused on the residents, then moved on. Ting gave them more leeway, but followed still. A helpless, sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach, knowing they didn’t want her there.

  The coming blocks played out much like the first few, with the exception of a burnt out building and a crying woman. Ting sympathized and guessed something similarly bad had happened to her. How could the chaos of the farm have spread so fast to the city? Could she have done anything more to stop it?

  The troop patrolled through a changing landscape, the buildings growing in height and complexity, when a different guard from another party ran past the street.

  “Koon Gee spotted down Chanjing Way!” he shouted.

  The soldiers reacted promptly and double-timed. Ting hurried to follow around a corner, then another, finally stopping a few blocks away where a group of city guards congregated. They conversed and pointed at the second floor of a pottery shop, which seemed like the perfect hiding place for Koon Gee. A swat team readied at the entrance and prepared to take the building by force.

  Ting watched nearby, engrossed in the action and distracted from her own worries. Something exciting would happen soon, and she was eager to see the demons destroyed. She studied the shop, its weathered wooden walls and rooftop, and looked for points of vulnerability. Judging by the building’s size, only a small squadron of Koon Gee could be hiding there, which the city guards seemed more than capable of handling.

  The lead guard waved his hand and the troops stormed in.

  Battle cries sounded. Ting’s eyes bounced from window to window as the assault unfolded, trying to catch a glance of what was happening inside. Suddenly, an unan leapt from an opening—a bronze demon mask with large teeth. It laughed and struck a city guard, then tried to escape in her direction.

  Ting grew angry, the memory of her fallen mother spurring her on, and she grabbed the closest throwable item at hand—a plum from her satchel. She aimed at its head, only after it left her fingertips wondering what she had hoped to accomplish. The plum struck the demon’s mask squarely as it tangled with more guards and caused it to stumble awkwardly. The demon regrouped and appeared flustered, then incredulous after fixing on her position and realizing what she had done.

  “Putrid child!”

  It throttled a guard with a long leg, then whipped a knife at Ting’s head, which she ducked. She feared it would come after her next, but fortunately more advancing soldiers chased it away. The wily demon crawled up a building and disappeared over the rooftops, a crowd of soldiers following.

  Ting sneered, defiant. Nice try.

  She turned and retrieved the unan’s knife—which had lodged into the wall when she dodged—and noted how unique the weapon was. It was oddly curved, with a gold tint and a smaller secondary blade that extended from the handle.

  “Nice knife,” a voice behind her said.

 
Ting was startled and pulled the knife protectively to her side.

  An older girl spoke. “It should fetch a decent price at the market. Weird things like that always do.”

  Ting looked at her blade and then at the girl again without speaking back.

  “Don’t worry,” the girl said. “I won’t take it from you, even though I could probably get a better price for it than you could.”

  Ting was suspicious and unsure of what to think. She didn’t like her tone.

  “So, do you talk?” the stranger commented. “That was a nice shot on the demon.”

  A soldier suddenly interrupted. “Hey, you girls shouldn’t be here. Leave this place at once. And leave that knife alone.”

  Ting recognized him as the same soldier that had tried to chase her off before.

  “It’s not yours,” the other girl said.

  “Leave it alone and move to safety.”

  “It’s not yours,” she said again. “Mind your own business.”

  The soldier marched angrily toward them, pointing.

  “Move away—”

  The girl kicked him in the shin. “Run!”

  She grabbed Ting by the arm and ran down the street. Ting was alarmed at the turn of events and didn’t like the idea of running away, but didn’t have time to think about it and had already gotten into trouble with the city guards the day before. She flew down the streets with surprising speed.

  Several blocks later, the girl called out, “Wait up.”

  Ting looked back. No one pursued. The soldiers were probably too preoccupied with the Koon Gee.

  “No one’s chasing,” the girl said. “It’s always better to run until you can’t, but the city guards have their hands full today.” She caught up. “What’s your name?”

  “Ting.”

  “I’m Shadow. Shadow of the Cat.”

  “Oh,” Ting said, feeling awkward for not having used a nickname, too.

  “What were you doing there? Are you by yourself?”