4. What happened this night?
Po felt relief when he and Mantis saw the first houses of Gongmen City in the morning light. Po didn't want to waste time and walked, after a little break at a noodle restaurant, to the house of the two Kung Fu Masters.
Both were a little surprised to see the Dragon Warrior so early again.
After a greeting, Po came to the point of his visit.
"I have heard you found Shen."
Master Ox's face became dark. "Indeed. I don't know how, but he seemed to make a deal with dark forces."
Po smiled nervously. "Eh, yes. How is he?"
Master Croc cleaned his throat. "He is alive until now, but..."
"... not much longer," Master Ox finished his sentence. "His time is over. We will start his punishment in less than one hour."
Po swallowed. He didn't like the thought to punish the lord this way. Of course, he did so many bad things. Including his parent's murder. But Po wasn't going to kill him when he lay on the broken ship after his victorious fight. He had given him the chance to change his life. But...
"Why do you ask?" Master Ox's words called him back. "If you are going to torture him alone, sorry, we have hired a good torturer."
Po waved his hands nervously. "No, no. I'm here to talk with him."
"You want to give him a tongue-lashing? I rather like this idea. In this case, it will be a pleasure to usher you to him."
Master Ox thrusted the Dragon Warrior aside and shoved him to the exit.
"You have also the right to watch the show."
"Show?" Po rubbed his neck anxiously.
"If you want you can get a seat in the forefront," Master Ox continued while they did the way to the prison.
"Uh, very kind of you... but I can't take..."
"Of course you can. In this case we should hurry. His start is scheduled in 55 minutes."
Master Croc sighed, who walked behind them. "He can't wait."
Po felt a little unwell when he entered the prison hall. Master Ox went first, followed by Po. Before that, Po had said to Mantis to stay outside, like he promised to wait.
Po shivered when they walked deeper through the stony prison corridors. A few torches lighted the walls. Master Ox stopped. Po looked aside and saw a gigantic rhino in front of a metal door, which guided into another corridor.
They exchanged some words, and the rhino opened the door. Then they continued walking.
"Here we are."
A cell door opened and Master Ox waved his hand inside. "May I introduce, the soon-to-be death condemned prisoner."
Po eyed the almost dark cell room.
"Oh, yes, thank you."
He entered and stopped.
With silence of disbelief he stared at the white broken bird.
The wounds of the lord weren't treated. They were still dirty. His robe had cut and burned. They didn't give him a clean cloth at least. Chains stretched his arms and legs.
Shen had closed his eyes and gave the expression that he would meditate. He moved weak his lips from time to time.
"Didn't he receive a medical treatment?" He asked.
"He can relax when he is dead," Master Ox commented and laughed.
Po sighed pityingly. "Uh, okay. Can I talk with him alone now?"
Master Ox snorted. "But remember. We will start punctually in the minute."
He closed the door and Po left alone.
Shen still didn't move and seemed to feel and to hear nothing.
Carefully he came closer.
"Shen?"
Shen cramped his face muscles and ignored him. Instead he moved his lips faster.
"Uh... Shen?"
Po reached out his hand and touched the lord's right shoulder.
Shen growled loudly.
"Grrrggghh! Could you..."
He stopped with wide eyes when he saw the panda.
He narrowed his eyes wrathfully. "You!"
Po waved his hand hesitantly. "Um, hi."
The peacock jumped forward. But suddenly he shouted stridently and cramped when the yarn hurt his skin. He controlled his pain and found his self-control back.
"What do you want, panda?" he asked exhausted. "It shouldn't be at all surprised if you are the one who was chosen to torture me."
The words of the soothsayer still echoed through his head.
"Um, no. I want to talk."
"That's a bad torment for me."
He gave him an ugly look.
"No, that's not what you think. I... if I could... I wish I could avoid that."
"Avoiding what?" Shen asked disparagingly.
"I heard what they are going to do with you."
Shen was speechless for a while, then he smiled. "Mpmf. And you came that I can amuse you? For a Dragon Warrior, you are more than cruel."
Po narrowed his eyes. It was useless to convince the lord of the contrary. He swallowed down his anger and started his questions.
"What happened in the night?"
Shen listened attentively and peered hard at him.
"What a night?"
"You know what a night. The night of the day, when you attacked the panda village."
"There is nothing more to say."
"Yes, we already talked about, but I want to know more. For example, did you kill my parents or some of your soldiers? Did they say anything? How did you kill them?"
Shen watched him with unemotional glance. An ugly smile played upon his lips. "If you only came are here to know it, your way was futile. I will take all my thoughts into my grave. As long as I get one."
Shen eyes were mischievous and malicious. And Po knew, he would remain silent until his last breath.
He lowered his face.
"Can I do anything for you?"
Shen chuckled and said with hoarsely dark voice: "Kill yourself."
Po looked at him sadly. It hurt him to see the lord so bitterly and without a future for life. He tried to see something in his eyes, but Shen understood to hide his inner feelings like a safe.
Suddenly a rhino opened the door with a wide grin.
"Visiting time is over."
If you love Shen, you have to be a little strong if you read next chapters.
