~ Chapter One ~
The Wolf and the Peacock
Shen was used to pain, but this was different. Pain in the body, not the heart. That was rather less common. Shen was a fine warrior, good enough to give rather than receive - most of the time. But not this time, and all from that same stinking panda, of all creatures.
Shen opened his eyes. He was on his back, on some rough sheets. A muzzle loomed down toward him, the mouth opening to reveal many teeth. "Wakey wakey, sleepy head" said a rough voice.
The wolf was clad in the armour that identified him as a member of Lord Shen's army. He looked vaguely familiar too. Shen struggled to his feet, but immediately felt dizzy. It couldn't be. "You…"
The wolf pushed Shen back down with a jab of his paw. "Nuh uh… You. You opened fire on us. You killed my brother. He was only trying to save the wolves. Your army." The muzzle came closer, the voice lower. "I found you in the water… and now here you are."
The wolf stood up, and tapped a tray bearing a bowl of Lion's Head soup and a cup of tea. "Eat up, peacock. We've got some business, you and me."