~ Chapter Three ~

Storms and Crocodiles

The lush hills and river valleys of Gongmen province yielded rich harvests. Terraced rice paddies, and orchards of succulent fruit made Gongmen a farmers delight. The climate was easy, winters were temperate and summers brought reliable - if heavy - rainfall, and their produce could easily find it's way to market by river and sea alike. In the times of the Peacock Lords, the wolves had patrolled the land, protecting the farming villages from bandits and secret societies. Then, the exile of the heir and the death of his parents brought the Council to power.

The fireworks and glory of Gongmen faded, but the Council worked hard with the limited experience they possessed, and were determined to protect the province. At the least they provided security, and the farmers continued their way of life, with Gongmen City ensuring the roads and wharves were in good order to transport their harvest.

Lo Chun, however, knew that things were changing. Ever since the Council had re-established itself, following Lord Shen's aborted efforts to re-establish the reign of the peacocks, problems had emerged. The ewe had neither the time nor the interest to know of the death of Rhino – like most of the provincial population, she had little time for the "fighting gangsters" – but now the impact of the Council's loss was felt on her life, as she and her children brought a small cart laden with fruit down to the river.

The humble wharf, where normally one could find merchants and farmers loudly bargaining, was a sight for sore eyes. Desolate, its broken planks and collapsing structure were awash with silt, and tangled with storm detritus. A lonely boat sat on the river-bed, where a summer storm a had sank it, only it's prow poking above the muddy water, the rope still attached to the wharf.

"Aiyah! Now what?" Chun said to no one in particular. A couple of edlerly goats sat on the remains of the wharf, fishing. She approached them. "Is the wharf at Yingliang open?" she asked. The aged male chucked at her misplaced optimism. "All broken, young lady. The flood took them all out as far as Xintan."

"Is the road passable?"

"I heard it's good as far as Bengxi, beyond that it's useless. But I wouldn't do it, lady. There's zero security out there. My daughter tried to make it through to the city and was chased by robbers. She only just got away in time."

Chun sighed. "At least my family get to eat this" she said, gesturing to the cart, "even if we're broke…"

"Ox!" croc yelled, swishing his thick tail angrily. "What's going on out there? It's madness!" The crocodile lumbered up to the table where Ox sat, scowling at a mound of scrolls. An impassive Magistrate, Chǔ Li Ming, a graceful, slender Siamese cat, stood beside him, his paw still pointing at the relevant passage on the scroll they had been reading.

"I don't know!" he bellowed in anger and frustration, tossing the scroll aside, and sending a pile of others tumbling to the floor in a tangled mass. Li Ming, startled, leaped aside, hissed at Ox, and sauntered off to sit in the corner, grooming himself. "The riverside shops are flooded, there's riots on the southern side, and looting all round the palace ruins. Something about the sewers or sea, or roads... or whatever, I don't know! Then there's the bridge, and something about taxes on shops in the western district for roofs, or wood, or something, and now it's food! I don't know the details – why can't we just go out there and fix it?! Just show me the target already!" Ox gestured at the mess on the floor, "This was Rhino's thing" he said, pausing at the memory, catching himself, "not mine. There is too much…"

Croc heard a commotion, and walked over to the window, glancing out. "That is not good... Get down!"

A large lump of masonry sailed clear through the window, smashing the table that Ox had been working at moments before. Broken wood, more bricks, rotten fruit and… a sandal – Croc and Ox looked at each other quizzically – all followed them. "We need to get down there."

They made for the stairs, only to reappear back in the room – Li Ming having taken to the safety the eaves - as a mob burst through. "Now" Croc said with an air of finality "would be a good time to have a plan."