The Blue Mountain (The Forbidden List Book 2) (8 page)

“Haung, a
Taiji
is a rare man. What many see, and are jealous of, are the martial skills. There are many men, and women, who would like to be as dangerous and powerful as a fully trained
Taiji
. What they don’t see is the mind and soul in balance, or the amount of effort and dedication that goes into achieving it. The Yin-Yang was devised by the first
Taiji
masters as a symbol of that balance. Over the years, nobles have approached me to train their sons and I have always turned them away. Likely it is one of those who spoke to your wife. Take care around the noble houses and their sons. A more poisonous nest of snakes you will never find.” Shifu set the cup of tea back down on to the table.

Haung sighed. “I had hoped that in moving here, away from the intrigues that were bound to surround Weyl’s elevation to Duke, my family would find some peace.”

“In that case, you came to the wrong city,” Shifu chuckled. “In the home of the Emperor, all people are seeking power and position.”

“I’m not.”

“Ah, but you had both thrust upon you. To the nobles you are one to watch.”

“As long as that is all they do.” Haung took a drink of his tea.

“Haung, you are training to be a
Taiji
and are already a fully trained
Jiin-Wei
. It is very unlikely that any noble would try anything directly. Add the Emperor’s favour you currently enjoy and they would be fearful of any repercussions. The Emperor is not renowned for his tolerance of betrayal. I would consider you safe, but still I would take care.”

Haung sat back against the wooden chair and stared at the ceiling for a short time. “If you had to make a guess, your best guess, which noble family would be the most likely to be interested in my well-being and training?”

Shifu shook his head. “Haung, you are not in the
Jiin-Wei
now and I must caution you against the course of action you seem to be contemplating.”

“Humour me?” Haung said.

“This will not end well. The noble families guard their wealth and power ruthlessly.” Shifu’s eyes held a sadness that Haung could not read.

“I am in control of my own fate, Shifu. I will not allow anyone to threaten my family ever again.” Haung paused to give Shifu a chance to speak but the older man stayed quiet. “I promise not to take any direct action without talking it over with you first. I just want to do some poking around.”

“Hmmm...” Shifu muttered. The old man stared deep into Haung’s eyes and the ex-
Jiin-Wei
shuffled in his seat. “There five main families, all others are tied in one way or another to those. The first, and currently the most powerful, are the
Zhuhou
. They have many nobles who are close to the Emperor or in positions of power, mostly in the treasury. They are comfortable in power. A
Taiji
would be the nice addition to their ranks, but they have not pushed the issue.”

“So not them,” Haung smiled.

“Not them.” Shifu returned a slight smile as he took a sip of his cooling tea. “The second family are the
Qing
. They have been second to the
Zhuhou
for many years and seem content with their lot. There are court whispers that the families are to be joined by marriage within the year. Nothing unheard of or special in that. Many times all five families have formed alliances of convenience by marriage.”

“Are they likely to be interested in me?”

“Haung, they are all likely to be interested in you. That is the nature of the game they play.”

“Who is third?”

“The third are the
Daifu
. Traditionally, sons of the
Daifu
enter military service and would be the most interested in adding the skills of a
Taiji
to their family. It is the main reason I have always refused.”

“So it could be them.” Haung sat forward.

“It might be, but they are a military family. They have generals and even some
Jiin-Wei
in their ranks. If it is them, you would need to be especially careful in your ‘poking around’.”

“Fourth?”

“The
Shi
. They are mostly administrators. Don’t be fooled by that though. A shrewd family with an almost unrivalled knowledge of the way the empire works. They know where all the secrets are kept,” Shifu said.

“And?”

“What? Yes, they could be interested in you. After all, you are a puzzle. A soldier from the province given to me, by the Emperor, to train as a
Taiji
. I can imagine them scurrying about trying to find out why,” Shifu said.

“So them then?”

“The fifth family are the
Shumin
. They are the least powerful and mostly concerned with trade, so they deal with the
Shi
for permits, the military for protection and the treasury for taxes. They are reliant on all the others.”

“You never mentioned what the
Qing
do,” Haung said.

“Most interestingly, they have spread their skills across many areas of government and civilian life. Skilled at everything and masters of nothing.” Shifu waved his hand is a vague gesture.

“So which family?”

“None of them, all of them, one of them,” Shifu said. “I don’t know. All I do know is that you are trained to seek out the secrets and I can’t stop you. You have all the information I can give. What you do with it is up to you, but please be careful.”

* * *

“General, what have you to report?” the Emperor said.

“My lord, the wall remains secure,” the general, dressed in his long silk robe of rank, spoke in a dry voice.

“I am pleased to hear that, General. I was hoping for a little more information than that.” The Emperor sat forward in his throne. “The latest report from the city of Yaart tells us that the number of refugees reaching them has slowed. Which we consider to be good news given the pressures on their food supplies.”

“My lord,” a thin man sat at a table piled high with scrolls said. “We have purchased all of the recent imports of rice from across the delta lands to the west. The cost was somewhat above our estimates, but it is a sellers’ market at the moment.”

“The treasury will meet the extra costs,” said a third man who sat at another table in the large room. His voice carried a note of resignation.

“The traders thank you for your generosity, my lord.”

“I am glad we can support the new Duke of Yaart in his endeavour to prevent the spread of famine, disease and discontent to the wider empire.” The Emperor stood and stepped down from the dais upon which the throne was set. “Now that we have that out of the way, General, I remain interested in the details of your report.”

“Yes, my lord.” The general returned to his table and picked up a scroll, unfurled it and read it quickly. “It appears that, though the wall gates remain open, the number of refugees has slowed in the past month. Those questioned have reported an army on the march, my lord.”

“You mean the refugees?” the Emperor asked and the general nodded, “and do these refugees postulate a destination for this army?”

“The reports seem to suggest that the army is moving south towards the wall and laterally west and east. We suspect that other countries, in those directions, are also experiencing an influx of refugees.” The general paused his report and focused his gaze on the scroll once more. “It has been suggested that we may be able to place our own agents within the refugees entering the other countries. The intelligence we gain might be worth the risk.”

“An intriguing strategy. Have a full proposal sent to me by tomorrow morning. I will consider it.” The Emperor turned his back on the three officials and looked at Haung for the first time. “What do you think of the reports, Captain?”

“My lord, me?” Haung looked at the other men in shock. “I am not sure I have anything to add or suggest, my lord. I am just a simple soldier and bodyguard.”

“Truly?” The Emperor’s strange eyes focused on Haung, who felt uncomfortable under that gaze. “No, I do not think you are a simple soldier. The men here know that you are not or you would not be in this city, let alone this room. So, give your views without fear of reprisal or retribution.”

“My lord?” Haung’s voice cracked a little as he noted the general staring at him with a degree of fury in his eyes.

“I could command it, Captain, but I would prefer not to. Speak to us. You are trained
Jiin-Wei
. Tell us what a
Jiin-Wei
makes of it.” The Emperor returned to sit on his throne.

“Well,” Haung began, “the information we have heard would suggest that the suspected army is consolidating its hold on the land it has taken. That the refugees are moving in three directions indicates that gaining land is its aim, but also that it may be possible to extrapolate a point of origin and, possibly, a home city.”

“Which we have done, my lord. Here is the map.” The general presented the scroll to the Emperor, who did not immediately reach for it.

“Continue,” the Emperor commanded.

“However, the honoured general’s reports are based on the recollections of refugees fleeing their homeland, on second-hand information, on stories and rumours. There is no fault in this,” Haung added quickly, as the general’s expression darkened. “With no means to discover first-hand the veracity of the reports, or to gather information from trained and trusted sources, it is the best that can be done.”

There was silence in the room as the four men waited on the Emperor’s comments. For his part, the Emperor was staring at the ceiling, stroking his chin with one hand. Moving only his eyes, Haung took in the expression of the two men seated at their tables and the general who stood, alone, in the centre of the room. The latter did not look pleased with Haung’s words and the
Jiin-Wei
could only hope that he had not made an enemy.

“Suggests, indicates, maybe and suspect. That is what I hear today. No firm information upon which to act and that worries me. We need better information, General.” The golden eyes fixed the general in their sights.

“My lord, the army are doing all they can. Scouts sent out beyond the wall do not always return,” the general stammered out his reply.

“I agree, General. The fault is not with you or your army. I agree with Captain Haung on this.” The general bowed to the Emperor who continued speaking without pausing to acknowledge the gesture. “We need to think of a different strategy, but whilst we determine that I think a few layers of heavily armed patrols out past the wall may be in order. Don’t risk too many men, but see how far out you can push the patrols before they run into difficulties. If it is less than three days ride, I want to know immediately. Perhaps we can rely on the trade masters for information from the lands to the west and east, though this will be slower in coming I suspect.”

“My lord,” the three officials bowed and left the room. Haung was stopped by the Emperor’s voice.

“Haung, I brought you here to speak your mind. You are not too bogged down with the need to score political points or seek power. Feel free to speak and give us your thoughts.”

“Yes, my lord,” Haung said.

“Do not concern yourself with the general either. He is a wise man and already knew of the weaknesses with his information. Being told by someone else will not have been the most pleasurable of experiences, but sometimes being brought down a peg or two is needed.”

“Yes, my lord.” Haung bowed and left the room, leaving the Emperor alone with his thoughts.

“They’re back,” Boqin called as the room shook.

The assembled
Wu
rushed to the door and outside into the bright sunshine. Zhou was the last through. The ground shook again, accompanied by the sound of tiles falling from roofs and smashing onto the stone roads outside.

“Let’s go,” Boqin commanded. “Xióngmāo, you stay here and be ready to treat any wounded. Zhou, I’d tell you to stay behind but I don’t think it will do any good. Once you have called your spirit, I will show you how to grow.”

The other
Wu
found a clear piece of ground and settled down. Some sat cross-legged, others knelt, a few lay down. As each found their place they flickered and faded from view. If he concentrated, Zhou could make out their forms as faint distortions in the air, a heat haze over the grassland, a mirage. They were there but they were not. Zhou sat, his back against the wall, rested the short staff across his lap and sought the blue thread in his mind. He found it, reached out and started climbing upwards.

The journey was faster and smoother, requiring less effort than the last time and a few seconds later he was there, in the spirit world. The forest swelled with the energy, he could feel the tickle of it across his skin. He called to his spirit and there it was in front of him, claws digging into the earth. Zhou poured himself into it. He became the panther.

*Zhou, look and follow,* Boqin said and the words sounded in Zhou’s mind rather than his ears. A series of images and impressions flowed through Zhou’s mind from Boqin’s, the feeling of drawing on other places, other realms. A sense of returning that which was donated, of becoming whole again. *Essentially you are retrieving a part of the true spirit that is in every other panther in our realm. Don’t draw too much that you leave them with nothing, but from each take a little.*

*Will it hurt them?* Zhou asked as he began to draw pieces to him.

*No. As long as you do not draw too much or for too long.* Boqin the bear grew, increasing in size, and the panther grew alongside it. *You have it. Now, follow, we must go to the others.*

The image, of a place, formed in Zhou’s mind and he ran into it. The bear beside him did the same. They raced down the mountain towards the valley. Its narrow, meandering and braided stream had created a wide flood plain. In Zhou’s world, much of the stream was managed by the villages and temples. The power of its flow used to drive water wheels or drained and corralled to make fish ponds. Here, though, the river found a path suited to its own nature.

As they descended, Zhou saw that the valley floor was carpeted by a racing horde of the horse creatures. Near the base mountain those hordes crashed against the defending
Wu
. Giant animals were kicking, biting, gouging and butting the much smaller horses. A monkey bounded through the attacking creatures, landing on some, grabbing others with its hand and dashing them together in an explosion of bone, blood and red light. Further away, an elephant stomped the creatures beneath its great feet, three or four at time. Elsewhere, a wolf and fox worked in tandem. The larger, grey furred wolf, snarling and biting the creatures, blood dripping from its jaws. The smaller, rust coloured fox, darting between the wolf’s legs, nipping and tearing at the creatures that sought to attack the wolf.

Everywhere he looked, the
Wu
were holding their own but the tide of creatures was without end. And then he was amongst them, his claws raking out, slicing through the sharp-toothed horse creatures, their flesh parting like the skin of a ripe peach under a paring knife. He barrelled through the front ranks, letting his mass and inertia force them out of the way. In their midst he turned, feet finding purchase in the soft ground and leapt over their heads. He swept more out of his way with great swipes of his claws when he landed. He spun again, his sharp teeth biting down on a creature. The horse screamed in agony, a strangely human sound, before blood burst from its mouth.  Zhou shook his head, the corpse flapping in his jaws, before dropping it to the floor and driving back into the creatures.

*What are those?* Boqin’s alarmed thought spread out to every
Wu
.

Zhou looked up. Against the clear blue of the sky, bright sparks of fire were flying towards them. The horses pulled back as the sparks closed in.

*Biānfú,* Boqin directed, *what can you see?*

*A Bat’s eyes are not the best for this,* Biānfú said as he glided through the sky towards the oncoming sparks. *I’ll need to get closer.*

Zhou padded back to Boqin. *What are they?*

The bear swung its head towards Zhou. *I’ve never seen or heard of anything like those.*

Boqin held Zhou’s gaze for a moment, there was worry in the look.

*Boqin,* Biānfú sent, *I think that they are some kind of bird. But my echoes are just passing through them. It’s as if they were made of...*

*Biānfú?* Boqin called. *Biānfú?*

There was silence. Zhou focused his eyes upon the advancing yellow and orange birds, seeking out the speck of black that would be the bat, Biānfú, amongst them.

*Boqin, I can’t see him,* Zhou said.

*Neither can I.* Boqin lifted his muzzle into the air and roared.

The birds began to descend towards the waiting
Wu
and their forms became clearer. They had the shape of birds, wings outstretched and long, narrow bodies between, but it was fire not feathers on which they flew. The flock pulled out of their dive in perfect time above the heads of the horse creatures and raced onwards.

*Yīng,* Boqin called out towards the sky.

A giant eagle swept down from the mountainside, its cry echoing along the valley. With wings stretched wide and claws extended, it fell into the midst of the fire-birds. They scattered. With great sweeps of its wings it rose back into the air. The fire-birds, their formation lost, turned to either side, clearing the path directly ahead of Zhou.

The eagle cried again and dived, the buffeting wind from its wings ruffling Zhou’s fur and stinging his eyes. One of the fire-birds came too close and its body flew apart, its fire snuffed out by the rushing air.

Zhou shouted,* Yīng, again.*

*I’ll try,* Yīng’s strong feminine voice came back to him, *but there are so many.*

Then the eagle let out a cry of agony and Zhou saw smoke rising from her wings. His sensitive nose caught the scent of burning feathers. She cried again, wings flapping faster and faster as more fire-birds streaked towards her. Some were snuffed out by the downdrafts, but others swept over her wings and body. Where they touched, her feathers caught fire.

*There are too many,* she cried out.

*Fly, get away,* Boqin called. *Everyone else, back away from them.*

*We can’t retreat,* Zhou said.

*We have no choice at the moment,* Boqin said as he backed away, up the mountainside. *We’ve lost Biānfú, and Yīng is hurt. I don’t know how to fight them. Not out here in the open. Amongst the trees they may not find it as easy to attack us. Now, run.*

As one, the
Wu
turned and ran back towards the tree line on the lower slopes. Behind them came the thunder of hooves.

Entering the tree line, the
Wu
began to shrink, hiding below canopy. Letting go some of the spirit they had pulled to them.

*Hold them here,* Boqin commanded.

The gathered
Wu
waited and watched the devil horses and fire-birds close in on their brittle line.

The horses stopped, hooves scrabbling at the ground, before they reached the trees, too far away for any
Wu
to race out of the protective covering of the trees. They would be leaving themselves open to attack from the fire-birds and then being surrounded by the horses.

In the sky, fire-birds circled and small groups of three or four swooped down to brush against the branches and leaves. The trees smouldered and caught alight. The fire-birds let out a great cry, echoed by the horses. The green wood began to char and darken. The cracks of splitting wood and pops of boiling sap sounded amongst the trees. Dark smoke rose into the sky and a low layer of dense soot began to obscure Zhou’s vision.

*Back away, deeper into the forest,* Boqin called them.

*Be careful,* Yīng’s soft voice came accompanied by an image of the forest from above. It was a simple task to spot the invading army of horse creatures who stood on the edge of the forest and the flock of fire-birds circling above. However, it was also clear that a group of the flaming birds had broken off and were setting fire to the forest behind the
Wu
line, cutting them off from retreat.

*We’re trapped,* Zhou said.

Then, before Zhou and Boqin, a blue spectre faded into view against the dark smoke.

*I have Biānfú,* Xióngmāo’s voice spoke from the ghostly image of her panda. *He is badly hurt, but he told me what he saw before he passed out. Boqin, you have to call him. You are out of choices.*

The great bear’s head dipped. *I have. He is coming.*

*I’m sorry,* Xióngmāo said and the panda faded from view.

*Who is coming?* Zhou asked.

*You’ve met him,* Boqin’s head swung away from Zhou’s gaze. *We need to hold the line until he gets here. Dà Xiàng,* he called to the elephant, *can you call some reflections to aid? Yīng, can you?*

Zhou listened in as the deep voice of Dà Xiàng and then the higher pitch of Yīng agree. *What are they going to do?*

*Each
Wu
is the true spirit and to grow we call the reflection of it to us. They are going to call on the spirits that exist in our world and ask them to fight for us here. They will not truly be here, in the spirit realm, but enough of their spirit will resonate with this world to make it possible. They will be solid and able to fight, but not for long. A few minutes at the most. Watch.* Boqin turned his face to the sky.

Out of the blue expanse, grey shapes formed, took on definition, becoming the shadow of an eagle. The shadows shrieked out their own battle cry and fell amongst the fire-birds who, distracted now from their purpose, turned to fight. The aerial dance was all at once graceful, beautiful, complex and viscous. Where shadow struck fire-bird, or fire-bird attacked shadow, an eruption of blue and red light destroyed both. The fire-birds soon gave up attacking and sought, instead, to keep away from the shadow-birds.

Between the trees, grey shapes of shadow elephants tramped, knocking down trees in their drive to reach the horse creatures on the plains. The fires ahead of Zhou began to die as a natural break was created by the stampeding elephants. He could see clearly as they, line abreast, ploughed into the herd of horses. Each elephant, the size of three horses, stomped through the front lines and continued on, deep into their ranks. Zhou watched panic set in as the horses close to the rampaging elephants tried to turn and retreat through those behind.

*Come on,* Boqin called. *The reflections will not last much longer. Attack now and push them back.*

The
Wu
broke from the trees, following the path of the shadow-elephants into the mass of horses. Zhou bit and tore at those that were fleeing the shadow-beasts. His paws batted away others, sending them tumbling into other horses. Blood covered the grass plain and the screams of the injured, maimed and dying drowned out thought. He let his animal instincts take over, the spirit now in command of their shared body. His sharp claws hooking into soft bellies, pulling and dragging out entrails, jaw crushing spines, sharp teeth tearing out throats. The saltiness of blood on his tongue was a heady, intoxicating drink for the hunter.

A dark shadow blotted out the sun and, in the midst of the carnage, he looked up.