Disclaimer: Don't own KFP. You get the drill.
A/N: Time for another update! I've been working quickly on this and have even been able to work a few chapters ahead for a change, which is great for me. Shout-out to MondaysAreBoring for helping me out with some of the Chinese culture and naming advice!
I hope you enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to review!
Chapter 6: The Gathering Storm
The noble, Lord Làn, after finishing his baijiu, exchanged a few words with the prince regarding the impending capture of the outlaw Ling the next morning. The prince dismissed him and waited until he had gone before calling his attendant and discharging him for the night as well. He was going to require complete privacy and secrecy after all.
As soon as he heard the door to the outer chamber creak shut, he got up and, taking the lamp from the table, made his way to a darkened alcove across the room. Pulling a small lever from behind a curtain, the stone fell away to reveal a hidden staircase. Chang entered the secret entrance and the door swung shut to once again obscure the room from prying eyes.
The prince stepped silently into his secret chamber, placed the lamp upon a small table waiting there, and settled himself onto a mat before a low table.
Upon the small table sat a small box resting on an elegant cloth of silk. The box, richly painted in fiery red and adorned with gold and pearls, gleamed in the small lamp's light.
Prince Chang wasted no time but placed his hands on either side of the box and lifted it up. On the table before him remained a curious object resting on the cloth – a pyramid of gold with strange symbols carved into the sides. The entire surface of the pyramid had been inscribed with elaborate runes that were, he considered, the source of its unusual power.
Prince Chang gazed upon his prize with an odd glint in his eye, as if lit by some unnatural light from inside. The pyramid always had this effect on him; he felt bold, invincible, and extremely clever.
The pyramid was the gift of Wūshī, known as the Necromancer, a cunning old sorcerer whom Chang employed as a partner in his scheme. Many a night did Chang draw upon the secret of his strange object and the knowledge of its inventor. But recently, Chang received less assurance from his accomplice and felt seeds of distrust beginning to grow.
Placing his paws on two sides of the pyramid, Chang closed his eyes and murmured a soft incantation. Slowly the pyramid, pale in the dancing light, began to glow with a ghostly luminescence. The glow became brighter, casting Chang's features into high relief and throwing shadows of his hunkered form upon the wall. As the unearthly illumination reached its apex the sides of the pyramid began to grow indistinct and hazy, although they remained solid under the Prince's touch. The pyramid, now lit with an almost piercing light from within, became translucent; Chang could see his own hands dimly through the sides. In a moment, the strange device had become completely transparent, almost invisible, and Chang looked long into its crystal depths.
A pale green mist shrouded the interior from view, but as Chang watched the mist began to thin into stringy, straggling wisps. Now the form of a raven could be distinguished, walking, as if from a great distance, toward Chang. But even as the dark avian walked he drew closer with alarming speed so that instantly Chang was face-to-face, as it were, with his old sorcerer.
It was not a face to be admired. Twisted. Cruel. Two beady eyes burned out from under a heavy, menacing brow.
"Ah, Prince Chang!" The necromancer hissed rather than spoke. "I was expecting your summons. I trust everything is as I said it would be?"
"Yes, your information is always good, Wūshī," the Prince replied, his eyes gleaming. "The master Po appeared just as you predicted, and was intercepted before his work could be completed. Unfortunately, we may never know what that errand was-he was killed in the ambush."
"A pity. He could have told us much, no doubt. But we have other ways."
"And another of your seeds is about to bear fruit, wizard. The outlaw Ling has surfaced again-as you suggested he would. This time we are ready for him. By midday tomorrow, that irksome band of renegades will be without a leader."
"Do not make the mistake of underestimating him once again," the conjurer warned. "He has outwitted you before, as you well know." The necromancer grimaced, and his brow deepened ominously.
"Do not think I will let him slip away again. My servant's blade is thirsty, and an outlaw's blood is just the refreshment I shall recommend. His head shall adorn a pike in the village square. Those bandits will see how lightly I consider their threats."
"I shall have no opposition when the Council of Lords meets and I shall be named Emperor. The petitions are already signed." The Prince rubbed his hands in greedy anticipation of the event. "All is ready."
"What about the Empress?" the wizard asked slyly. "Will she agree to step down so easily? Is her power already so diminished?"
"The Empress will agree to see things as I see them. She is strong, but she is a woman. Besides, if offered the choice between Ba'ying's head, or Ba'ying's crown, I rather believe she would choose his head."
"She may lose both, however-as will Ba'ying! Ha! Ha!" cackled Wūshī.
"That is your concern, not mine. Leave me out of it. You get the Emperor and I his crown-that was our agreement. I do not want any difficulties. I cannot afford to arouse the suspicions of the people; I need their support for the while."
"I am your servant, Prince Chang," the wizard replied. "Is there anything more you require?"
"No, I think not. All is ready, now," the Prince replied, and added, "Is my brother comfortable?"
"Oh, yes, Ba'ying is after all the Emperor." The necromancer laughed suddenly and Chang felt an unaccountable anger spring up inside him.
"But not for long!" he cried. "Soon there will be a new Son of Heaven on the Celestial throne. That I promise!"
The sorcerer appeared to bow low and suddenly the pyramid went dim, its sides becoming once more opaque and cold. Chang replaced its ornamented cover and, taking up the candle, left the room at once. He did not know why, but the mere mention of his brother's name upset him. That night it troubled his sleep with dreams of doubt and fear.
Tigress awoke with a start in a strange room. She glanced over to Ling's bed and saw it was empty. She raised herself off the pallet and took up her cloak and went off in search of her friend.
She discovered Ling at a small shop, bartering with a vendor for more supplies.
"Good morning, Tigress. I'm glad to see you're an early riser," Ling chuckled before smiling at Tigress.
"Good morning, Ling," Tigress replied with her own smile, inexplicably chipper for awakening at an early hour. To tell the truth, she really wasn't an morning person by habit, but the good company of Ling had set her in high spirts. "Were you able to at least get some sleep last night?" she asked with a slight hint of concern in her voice if Ling was not mistaken.
He brushed aside such thoughts and responded, "Enough. Come, I've gotten what more provisions we'll need, so let's go find ourselves some breakfast."
Ling walked with Tigress back into the inn and the two settled at the table in front of the now cold ashes of the fire from the previous night.
They ate together relatively alone as none of the other guests, if there were any, had stirred.
"I have a plan that might work for us," Ling said, speaking in low tones. Tigress ate quietly and listened to the plan as Ling described it.
The plan was simple; they would enter as merchants just arriving from trading in the Valley of Peace and would offer to show the Empress the finest treasures they'd obtained.
"We have no goods," Tigress had objected, and Ling countered by telling her that they wouldn't need any. They were merely to be admitted in order to make a proper appointment. Such appointments were not uncommon with craftsmen and traders of high reputation. However, once in the Empress' presence, they would discard the cover story and make known the real reason for their visit.
"Now, should something go wrong," Ling continued, his voice steady, and his eyes hard in sincerity, "you get out any way you can. Do not stop to think or search for me; just get out. Go back to Yinshi and tell him what has happened. He will know what to do. Please do this for me? I don't want you to be hurt." His tone had changed to one of near-pleading and Tigress merely looked down with a frown, nodding her understanding solemnly.
She had not considered the possibility that they might fail and that Ling might be captured. But Ling, noticing the now somber mood, smiled and said, "Don't worry, Tigress. It's not the first time I've been hunted by Chang's men. I can take care of myself. Besides, the great Ling never fails!" he finished with a mock sense of haughtiness, causing Tigress to chuckle lightly.
"Sure he doesn't," Tigress said, before giving Ling's shoulder a light punch.
They finished breakfast and left by the side entrance. Ling threw open the door and froze in his tracks.
"Run! We have to move!" he shouted to Tigress, at the same time throwing his cloak aside and drawing a short sword from a hidden scabbard. Tigress shook herself out of her shock as Ling turned his face towards her slightly and repeated himself, "Get moving! Go! I'll be right behind you."
Tigress shook her head, "I'm not leaving you behind!" she declared resolutely.
In the same instant, a group of twenty armed animals ran forward, swords and spears drawn. Ling growled at Tigress' resistance to following orders and kicked Tigress back through the inn's door way, throwing his fist into the latch, effectively jamming the door closed. Tigress climbed back to her feet only to hear intense fighting breaking out on the other side of the door. She ran towards the main door and was able to see through one of the windows just as one of the soldiers swung the pommel of his sword down upon Ling's head. She heard a dull crack, and Ling slumped to the ground.
"No," she whispered. The remaining soldiers then turned towards the inn and began trying to bring down the side entrance door. Knowing she did not have much time, she immediately ran through the front door and into the crowded streets of Nanjing, all hope seeming lost.
Uh oh. Things aren't looking too good :( Tigress be all on her own! What will happen next?! Find out in the next chapter, coming soon to a fanfic near you!