XI.

"Hei," Jinzhang addressed the crow, edging nearer to Shen's side as the peacock drew his curved spear from its sling on his back. "Hei, what's going on?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Shen snapped. "The little pigeon wants the reward on my head." The crow nodded as if this were the most sensible thing in the world. "But he's a coward-" Shen spat the word. "So he brought in the city guard."

The oxen were quickly surrounding them, backing them up against the slippery railing.

"Cowardice, business, justice, call it what you like. Anyway, I was lucky to come upon you, my lord. Even after your disgrace, you are still worth something- quite a few somethings, actually!" Hei hopped onto the shoulder of a guard and cocked his head at a ninety degree angle. "Does this bring you solace?"

The edges of Shen's beak pulled back in a tight grimace. He gripped his spear so hard that the blade shook.

Jinzhang grasped at straws. "Do- do you have a warrant?"

"Ho, o'course." The largest guard, who had until now been stupidly watching the exchange between Shen and Hei, unfolded a small scroll and began to read: "Having learned of your presence in China, and being that this violates the punishment set down by the late ruler of Gongmen, the stewards of Gongmen City and advisors to the throne have issued a warrant for your arrest. Shen, last of the dynasty of the peacock, you are under arrest-"

The two nearest oxen made to grab Shen and he swung his weapon wildly, leapt at one of them as they scrambled to avoid the flashing blade-

"-for, as aforementioned, disobeying the authority of the Gongmen ruler-"

There was the thud of wood on wood as Shen's spear whirled through the air, cracking against the thinner spear of the guard, who used it to block again and again. The other three guards came to his aid and were intercepted by Jinzhang, who distracted them with lofty avoidance maneuvers while the largest oxen droned on above the struggle.

"-for the mass execution of approximately 450 giant pandas-"

Jinzhang danced away from the swinging spears, looking for an opportunity. One of them jabbed and Jinzhang grabbed the wood just below the blade and pulled roughly. The guard on the other end lost balance and stumbled into her fist. The largest guard glanced over his scroll.

"-and for resisting capture. Furthermore-"

There was a sharp, dry sound as Shen brought his spear cleanly down and his opponent's weapon and it splintered in two.

"Oh, you dimwits!" cawed Hei, hopping in place. "You're mangling it up!" He released a loud call that echoed in the open sky and caused everyone present to pause.

Shen, who had his blade pressed to the throat of the guard, suddenly bolted, leapt over the railing and glided to the ground. Jinzhang propelled herself toward the railing, felt her stomach lurch unpleasantly as a guard caught her ankle. Before gravity caught on, she used her momentum to spin around and kick out. There was a sickening crunch as the guard's nose broke in connection with her foot. He cried out and released her and she tumbled ungracefully into the air. She had seen Shen escape into the forest of ice statues and was fairly certain the guards wouldn't catch him- he was fast when he needed to be.

Jinzhang's breathing was just beginning to slow when she heard the steadily growing sound of flapping wings. She squinted into the night, saw only black for a minute and nearly fell out of the sky when the dark, roiling cloud of crows came into focus. Jinzhang glanced down, saw two of the five guards staring up at her. She climbed higher, hoping that the murder had not spotted her. But they turned sharply upward, so she dived in response.

The murder then split into two groups. One dived after her and the other swerved to the side. Jinzhang swerved the other way, flapping her wings to gain speed. The diving group was on her tail. She barrel rolled sideways and looped around in the opposite direction, gained some ground when it took them some time the turn about. Now the other group was ahead of her, charging at full speed. Jinzhang flew straight towards them, saw the wary but determined faces, nearly came nose-to-beak with the crow in the lead before diving away at the last second.

The first group of crows wouldn't be shaken. They were on her tail again and gaining. The icy air whipped at Jinzhang's face as she rolled, dived, and turned, trying to lose them. But they were learning the way she moved, even beginning to mimic her. Frustrated and tired, Jinzhang began to think she may have better luck on the ground. Then a crow came from the right and bludgeoned her wing. She lost balance and dropped a few feet before she could right herself. A few more crows were already there as she swerved about. They tore at her clothes and divebombed her from above. She rolled and struck out with her legs. There were too many; she was now engulfed in the murder, black feathers and sharp beaks everywhere. They were driving her down and she couldn't remember how far away the ground was. She flapped her wings wildly and flattened her ears against the deafening cawing. The murder had swallowed her whole.

...

Shen's heart pounded in his ears as he rushed through a maze of statues. Every time he reached the edge of the sculptures, a high, smooth wall blocked his path and he had to dash back into the maze. All was eerily silent. Gleaming ice faces stared him down. The ice distorted everything; he saw shadows moving blearily in the glassy forms, only to find that there was no one lurking behind the the statues. And here again- a wall. Blocking all sides but the direction from which he had come. And he was sure he'd been past that giant two-headed goose before!

Suddenly- the thudding of heavy footsteps- or was that his heart again? He gripped his weapon.

"He's gotten away!" cried Hei's voice, far too close. "You've let him get away!"

"Relax-" began the deeper voice of the largest guard.

"Look! Look! Do you see him? I don't!"

"We're covering all the exits. He won't get away."

"Forget it!" Hei chirped shrilly. "Yes, forget it! I should have done this myself from the beginning."

Carefully, Shen edged around the statue until he could see Hei and the ox. The guard grunted.

"Hey, listen. We're doing this. We're earning our share of the reward whether or not you have anything to do with it. In fact, what have you done to assist with his capture, little bird?"

Hei ruffled his feathers indignantly. "I didn't want to endanger my family. But it looks like we'll be taking the whole reward after all. You're relieved of duty, captain."

The ox took a threatening step toward the crow. "I don't think so. If anything, the reward already belongs to me."

Hei cawed loudly, small eyes flashing. A shadow passed over Shen and he looked up to find the murder passing over him, speeding toward the ox and Hei. As Shen watched, a large shape broke free from the black mass and tumbled out of the air. With a muffled shriek, Jinzhang crashed heavily into Shen, who toppled to the ground, the bat on top of him, sending a cloud of powdery snow swirling into the frigid air.

Groaning, Jinzhang lifted her head from Shen's downy chest and got unsteadily to her feet. She made a face and spit out an inky black feather. She looked at Shen, who was retrieving the breath she had knocked out of him.

"Sorry," she said. He scowled and returned his attention to Hei.

The guard's eyes widened as he saw the murder approaching and Hei smirking up at him. But before the crows could reach him, he shot out a big hoof, caught Hei by the back of the head, and pushed the bird face first into the snow.

"Come any closer and I'll crush his skull!" shouted the captain of the guard. The crows immediately held back and began to coast restlessly just outside the ox's reach. Hei's body flailed helplessly, his narrow legs scrabbling in the snow.

"They're distracted," Shen said. "Come on." He swept away, toward the nearest path that appeared to be an exit, but Jinzhang didn't follow. He turned, made an exasperated noise. She standing there, staring at Hei's small, desperate body, his head trapped between unyielding ground and the captain's hoof. Her eyes were wide and alert.

"Jinzhang!" Shen hissed. She didn't move. "I know what you're thinking. Don't you dare- just- Come with me. Now."

Jinzhang broke into a run and Shen cursed fluently. She hurtled toward the ox and hurled her body into his muscled arm, causing it to release Hei. With an enraged cry, the ox grabbed Jinzhang's wing and threw her into a statue. Shen heard bone snap and watched the bat crumple against the ice, cradling her right wing and trembling.

With their leader free, the murder descended upon the ox, viciously pecking and swooping at his face. He screamed, swiping with clumsy hooves, and ran in the direction of the city with the crows close behind. Their hoarse caws faded away slowly. Hei stared at Jinzhang as he fought for breath. Eight or nine crows had stayed behind to check on Hei, including the slender female Shen had seen earlier in the marketplace. She laid a tender wing on his shoulder and he nodded to her, still gazing at Jinzhang.

"Your orders, sir?" asked a small crow. Hei looked at him, and then his eyes were drawn to Shen. Shen raised his weapon and they stared each other down until Jinzhang stepped between them wordlessly, holding tightly to her broken wing. She was pale with pain and exhaustion.

"That's a lot of money you're protecting..." Hei muttered, grimacing.

"Hei..." The female chided gently.

"Alright, alright! Okay. Yes. Done." Hei nodded. "I have too much money anyway." Jinzhang smiled weakly.

Shen crept closer to inspect her wing. The outermost spine was broken in the middle and the jagged edge of the bone was poking through flesh. His stomach churned sickeningly. "You fool," he muttered.

She laughed unsteadily and there was an edge of panic in her voice. "I, uh... I don't know what to do..." She swallowed thickly. "H-how do I fix it? What if I never... if I can never..." She released a shaky breath.

"Take her to Lady Qihi." The female stepped forward, addressing Shen. "She's a master healer, just outside of town. I'll lead you to her." The crow leapt into the air, gesturing for them to follow. Jinzhang took a step, swayed, and fell against Shen. He stiffened. She was light and possibly a little too skinny. Steadying her with a tentative wing, he followed the crow, hastening his footsteps as he felt her body grow cold.