This little short story came to me. I have always wandered what the conversation might have been like on the day the Emperor learned that his nephew had been killed.

Disclaimer: Kung Fu was created by Ed Speilman and is the property of Warner Brothers. I do not own the characters. I am only borrowing them for a short while. I promise to return them in the condition that I found them. This story is for entertainment only and cannot be sold.

Wanted: Dead or Alive

By

AJ

"I want him dead!" shouted the emperor.

"We are doing all we can to find him, your Excellency."

"I cannot believe that no one has been able to find one Shaolin priest."

"It is as if he has vanished into thin air," another stated.

"I do not care. My nephew is dead. I want the priest who killed him."

"Your Excellency, may I speak?" a young woman came forward.

"No woman is allowed to speak in a man's presence," the emperor's advisor spoke.

"But I know where you will find the priest."

"Let the woman speak," the emperor stated.

"I overheard a conversation between the priest and one of the sea captains from America. He was trying to book passage."

"When was this?"

"Six days ago."

"Why would a priest leave the country when he could have joined with the rebels?" asked the advisor. "And why did you not come forward, woman?"

"I did not know he was a priest."

"Did you not see the brands on his arms?"

"I did, but I did not know what they meant. I have never met a priest before. He was so kind. I did not know he was a murderer. And the name he gave me was not Chinese."

"He did not use a Chinese name? How was that possible? He is Chinese."

"He is not fully Chinese," another man entered. "I did as you bade. I went to the temple in Hunan Province and learned all I could about the priest. His full name is Kwai Chang Caine."

"Caine?" the emperor's eyes narrowed. "I have heard of that name. There was a merchant by the name of Thomas Caine. He was living in Hunan Province. Before my father died, he granted Caine immunity. Caine was killed along with his wife and her father and mother some years ago. I did not know that Caine had a son."

"Apparently, he was allowed to enter the temple. Only full-blooded Chinese are allowed into the temple. The priests will pay for this sacrilege."

"Do what you will with the priests, they are not my concern. I want the murderer of my nephew."

"But if he has flown to America, it will be difficult to find him."

"Do what you must. I want him found."

"Your Excellency, is there not a Chinese Consulate in America? Your father tried to negotiate a treaty."

"Contact the Consulate. Perhaps, they can help us find Kwai Chang Caine. And set a reward, one that no one will resist."

"It will not be long, your Excellency. The priest will be found. He is as good as dead."

End