novelraw Chapter 203: Crisp
Chapter 203: Crisp
Xilai shrugged and poured himself some wine. "Luding and I are linked to each other somehow, for good or ill. I can feel his fear. And his anger, and his gloating. As can the Pavilion Mistress."
"Fear?" Baijian asked. "Fear? A mighty Qi lord is afraid of us?" He laughed.
But Wuyi understood. "He must be afraid," he said. "I would be."
"He has a great deal to lose," Xilai said. "But he knows he can destroy our Ballista with one shot if he gets close enough. Of course, he has to risk himself on the plain to get it, hence his attempt to get it done with the Flying Serpents. But they've failed."
Baijian shook his head. "You make him sound like he's but a ballista himself."
Xilai bobbed his head. "Not bad, Baijian. In a way, the Qi lords aren't much more than large ballistas to siege on a battlefield. Except they move much faster and are much deadlier. But I agree, the effect is the same."
Wuyi made a face. "Why must he get the Ballista? So he can move his stone throwers against the Bridge Castle?"
Xilai nodded. "I suppose so. That's not my department." He put his wine cup down. "I'll leave you to get ready. The Pavilion Mistress asked us for sunset." He paused in the doorway. "Don't stop practicing, young man.
We need you."
Baijian watched him go. "He's an odd one and no mistake."
Wuyi smiled. "This from you?"
He summoned a silk towel from the door. It flew to his hand. He grinned and rose, dripping.
Baijian rocked back in his seat. "You are learning some mystic arts? What was that?" he said. He had his heavy knife half out of its sheath. "It almost shocked the senses out of me. Don't do that again."
Wuyi looked at his subordinate. "I am mysterious, Baijian," he said. "You know I hold a lot of secrets and not all of them are righteous."
Baijian grunted. "Knowing and watching are different beasts." He shrugged and looked uncomfortable. "We lost five warriors yesterday and three archers." He looked at a parchment. "Nine warriors and nineteen archers since the attack began. Twenty-eight, and two attendants make thirty." He shrugged. "One man in four."
Wuyi got his robe over his head.
"I'm not saying we should quit," Baijian said. "But it may be time to see if we can make a deal."
"You, too, Baijian?" Wuyi touched his fresh arrived clothes. They felt clean and crisp. He felt clean and crisp too. And very tired.
"We're losing them faster every day," Baijian said. "Listen. I'm your man. You're a fine leader, and even those who don't know you personally are coming around to that." He shrugged. "But this isn't what we do, Young Master. One monster; sure.
An army of them?" He frowned.
"We're not losing," he said.
"As to that..." Baijian said.
"We're going to hold here until the king comes."
"What if he's not coming?" Baijian leaned forward. "What if your messengers didn't get through?"
"What if pigs fly?" Wuyi said. "I know the owners of this fortress were notified. I saw it, Baijian. The Elders of the Lotus Order in the kingdom will not let this stronghold – the base of their wealth, the sacred trust of the old king– they will not let it fall. Nor will the king."
Baijian shrugged. "We could all die here."
Wuyi started rooting through his clothes for a clean tunic, or at least one without a noticeable smell. The one he found was made of brocade and two layers of heavy silk, rumpled but completely clean. He began to tie his trousers to it.
"You all may die here," Wuyi admitted. "I know I won't die here. I have my arts to escape. I cannot hold anyone against their will either, so if any of you want to leave, I will allow it. I will try my best to protect you and your brother for Bolou's sake." He raised his arms. "Think of it as doing something righteous for once.
For all the sins you have committed in the past, you are repenting. Besides, these people need us."
Baijian nodded, obviously unmoved by the needs of the people. "You really think the king will come, eh?"
"One day's time. Perhaps two," Wuyi said.
Baijian scratched his chin. "Can I tell the men that? It will help their morale... only once I tell them, that's all the time you get, young master."
"Is this an ultimatum, Baijian?" Wuyi stood up straight, as if that would make it better. "Are you telling me that in two days, my warriors will demand that I look for another solution?"
Baijian sneered. "Like enough there's some as would. And more every day after that. Yes." He stood, a large giant of muscle. "Don't you go and mistake me, Young Master. I like a fight.
I don't really care who brings it. I could fight here forever." He shrugged. "But there's some as can't."
"And they might want to quit," Wuyi said, with a feeling of relief.
"They might," Baijian said. He grinned. "I swear, there's something in the air, like a poison today. Men are touchy. Every comment has an edge."
Wuyi sighed "I've felt it."
It was not just an accident that his subordinates who were so loyal to him would get riled up and argue with him. But now was not the right time to fix the problem.
Baijian shook his head. "I hate the mind games. Takes all the sport out of a fight." He shrugged his great shoulders. "I don't so much mind dying, so long as I go down my way. I like a good fight. And if it's to be my last, well, all I ask is it be good." He nodded.
"Good enough for villagers to write songs about me."
Wuyi nodded. "I'll see what I can do," he said.
"I'll tell the men," Baijian said.
As soon as he passed the door, Jia and Dong came back. His black robe was brushed, and he saw that the embroidery on the front was repaired.
Jia helped him into it. They each tied a wrist while he stood, thinking. He thought more while he pulled on his long silk trousers. Dong tied his leg wraps and Jia held his outer robe. Dong combed his hair. Jia brought out his ceremonial sword.
"Real sword," said Wuyi. "Just in case."
Jia brought his fighting sword and then stood back while Wuyi drew it three times, testing the balance. Dong secured his armguards. Jia held the heavy jade belt with a questioning air.
Wuyi smiled. "Why not?" he asked.
Jia fastened it around his waist and handed him his headpiece and ceremonial fan. "You'll be early," he said, "but not by much."
Wuyi walked down the steps to the courtyard. Men and women looked at him – clean, and, although he couldn't see it, glowing.
He walked across the yard, nodding to all. He stopped to compliment young Baoxin on his swordplay, to share a jibe with Weixu, and to tell the younger Lan girl that he was sorry for her loss, as both of her parents had died in the night. She rose to give him a curtsy, and he smiled when he saw her eyes slide off him to Jia, who was following him.
He heard the tale of Xianyu Ma's near-death experience told by a circle of archers who slapped their thighs in merriment, and he listened to a complaint that someone was stealing grain from Dujuan, who also handed him a piece of parchment rolled very tight.
"As you asked," the clerk said. "I've spoken to a dozen elders and some of the farmers." He shrugged. "If you want my opinion, Young Master—" He let the words trail off.
Wuyi shook his head. "I don't," he said. He smiled to take the sting out. Tucked the scroll into his sleeve and bowed. "I have an appointment with a lady," he said.
Dujuan returned his bow. "Count your fingers after you eat," he said softly.
There was a long table, set for thirteen. In the center was the Pavilion Mistress's throne, and he sat on her right hand. The table was empty as he was the first to arrive.
A pavilion elder came in and saw him. Wuyi turned, bowed, and smiled. "Your pardon, Elder. A glass of wine, if I might?"
She departed.
He walked over to the paintings in the hall. Now that he knew their secret, he was far more interested and only lack of time had kept him from them. It was so obvious now – especially the tomes here, how special they were. He turned the pages, deciphering them roughly. "Read this one. Read this one.
Hmm. Did not read this one."
It was, quite literally, awe-inspiring. So much knowledge. Which was sitting in the open, under a window, in a fortress.
He scratched under his chin.
"Say that every woman here is like Liwei," he thought. "And the sect sends them here. To be safe? And to keep them out of common knowledge. Why else—"