WAY OF THE FLYING CRANE
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 11
Even after the Abzan siege towers made it back to Arashin safely, Tashi found himself already being summoned to Shahzad's palace for another assignment. When Tashi gathered with Jinpa, Sangye, and Sahar in Shahzad's meeting room, he stared dumbfounded at the nobleman.
"You want us all to act in a play during your celebration party?" Tashi repeated. He tried to hide his distaste from both his face and tone. Beside him, Sangye shifted slightly.
"No, no. It's a reenactment!" Shahzad said, slapping a hand on the meeting table, making his seated officers jump. He fixed his eyes on Tashi. "You know what this means, don't you? Important people from all over Arashin will come to this party, maybe even Khan Anafenza herself. We have to make the right impression."
"I'm sorry, but my acting skills may not be all that impressive," Tashi blurted.
Jinpa elbowed Tashi in the ribs. "Don't be silly. It's a rallying cry to unite us against the Sultai Brood!"
Shahzad smiled. "Thank you! It seems that you understand. Yes, Jeskai people; us Abzan are ready to march on the Sultai and remove their taint from Tarkir forever. My victory at Ukud Necropolis was great, but I can't do this alone. I need to inspire the other nobles to join me."
Tashi was about to argue when he closed his mouth at the last second. He thought back to how many had died at Ukud Necropolis, but what good was arguing? If Shahzad felt good about stealing Sultai treasures and killing the local naga ruler, then let him have it. War isn't something for me to celebrate. Violence is a necessity, not a hobby.
"You are absolutely correct, of course," Lady Sangye said politely. "If I may ask, Shahzad, what is to be done with the Sultai artifacts we obtained? I was there when Sahar secured a ritual knife."
Shahzad looked uncomfortable and glanced at Sahar. "Oh yes, that. Well... for now, all Abzan treasures we stole back will be re-distributed, or if we can't find the original owners, auctioned off. And the Sultai relics will be secured in my vault here in the palace until my experts can look them over. They may be dangerous."
"With much respect, Shahzad," Sangye said carefully, "Khan Orzat has many well-versed artificers and scholars in his employ in Sage-Eye Stronghold. Perhaps I could escort a few of these items for study? You need not do everything yourself."
Shahzad narrowed his eyes and wiped his brow. "That's a kind offer, Lady Sangye, but not yet. These items could prove hazardous, given their origins and nature. It's possible that, by being taken far from Sultai influence, they could activate self-defense enchantments. My men and I have seen such items before. Nasty business."
Sangye smiled and bowed her head. "Understandable. It's my hope that someday, we can crack the secrets of the Sultai together, and in so doing, learn better how to destroy them."
What's with her and the Sultai? Tashi wondered, watching Sangye. He could tell that her smile was false. Even if she's here on Grandfather Chodak's orders somehow, what does she gain from that? Chodak had a mild scholarly interest in the Sultai clan, but they'd never accept him, or his minion, into their ranks as a cultural exchange.
Undisturbed by such thoughts, Shahzad cleared his throat. "Well, that settles that. Sahar, could you help me arrange the party? I have so many invitations to send. And you and your daughter have always been better at interior decor than me." A few officers chuckled.
"We will do our part as well," Jinpa offered. "To be honest, this reenactment sounds like great fun. I think we could all use a relaxing evening."
"Exactly," Shahzad said, pointing at her. "Victory on the battlefield isn't enough. We have to win over the hearts of others as well! You're wise beyond your years, little lady."
With that, Sahar escorted the three Jeskai visitors out of the room and back to their hotel. Along the way, Jinpa pulled Tashi back a bit and muttered to him, "This isn't over. I didn't like the interest Sangye took in the Sultai relics. No way would Khan Orzat let those things into Sage-Eye Stronghold."
"That's what I was thinking," Tashi muttered back. "Something tells me the party might be Sangye's chance to make her move."
"We'll just have to trust Shahzad and his men to keep the peace."
"Yeah." But that thought didn't make Tashi feel much better.
*o*o*o*o*
"Master, why did you have me spare Tashi and Jinpa back at Ukud Necropolis? I don't understand."
Sangye sat cross-legged in her mind, right in front of the Way of the Flying Crane school. Chodak the Mad sat before her, a gentle smile on his face.
"Sangye, I believed Tashi to be a serious threat. But he and his friend... what's her name... Jinpa? They are blind, and based on Tashi's combat ability, he poses no real threat."
"You are certain?"
"My grandson disappoints me," Chodak said with distaste. "And at any rate, by saving his life, you maintained your facade of benevolence. If Tashi really does become a threat later on, by some means, we will both have the capacity to dispatch him and anyone else who opposes us."
"I suppose that we shouldn't shed any more Jeskai blood than necessary at this point."
"Correct." Chodak stroked his beard. "People such as Tashi are more interested in clinging to the old ways and avoiding confrontation than finding the true way of the world. When I lived, my trips to Arashin, and my infiltration into Sultai territory, taught me much. Black mana unlocks so much potential of an individual, you see. And when that person has the chance to spread that power among many others..."
"Yes?" Sangye urged him, leaning forward to listen closely.
"Bring back what I need, and I'll show you," Chodak told her. "Khan Orzat is a complacent fool. It's time that someone worthy takes the office of Khan."
"Of course."
*o*o*o*o*
"Lady Sangye? Why are you back here? Does Shahzad need something?"
One of two guards spoke up uncertainly as Sangye strode comfortably through the torch-lit back halls of Shahzad's palace. Even from back here, she could hear the babble of laughter and talk from the party. With everyone's attention on the reenactment play, no one had seen Sangye slip back here. Now, the guards stood between Sangye and her mission. This wouldn't do.
"Yes," Sangye lied. "He and his other guards are busy. He sent me to check on things."
One guard narrowed his eyes. "What's the passcode?"
Sangye paused. "Now, is there any need for that?"
The guard raised his weapon. "If Shahzad sent you, he'd have told you the code. Recite it for me, or you're in big trouble. I don't care if you're some famous Jeskai sage or not."
Sangye sighed inwardly. I should have figured. I'll just do this the hard way. Chodak has no time for this!
"Forget the code. You're in the way," Sangye snarled. She untied her razor-sharp hair ribbon, and with a snap of her wrist, sent it lashing through the air. The long cord wrapped itself around the guard's neck and snapped it with another casual flick. Before the other guard could call for reinforcements, the ribbon wrapped itself around his throat. The man froze in place, his eyes wide. His breath caught in his throat.
Sangye approached the lone guard. "Can you open Shahzad's vault for me?"
"I..." The man tried to tug the ribbon off his flesh, but his fingers jerked back once they touched the ribbon's razor-sharp edge.
"Well?" Sangye shoved her face in the guard's. "If you want to live, open it for me! Now!"
The guard swallowed. "No," he rasped. "Maybe you Jeskai people don't get it, but the Abzan are true to their own kind. I won't betray Shahzad for your schemes."
Sangye tightened the ribbon slightly around the man's neck. "Last chance."
The man's eyes spat fire as the ribbon started to strangle him. "You... stupid bitch."
With another flick, Sangye ended the man's life.
Lamenting the loss of her stealthy plan, Sangye stuffed the two bodies in a supply closet and stalked toward the vault's front door. Built out of enchanted wood, it wouldn't open for anyone who didn't have the key. But Sangye was better than that; if the guards wouldn't help her, then she'd resort to brute force. Her ribbon snaked through the air and carved a complex pattern across the vault door, reducing it to countless wood shards on the floor.
With a smile of contempt, Sangye stepped into the room. Sealed wooden crates lay everywhere, and a few were open, revealing all kinds of treasure inside. Several statues and oversizes vases were in here too, along with rare stuffed animals, and what appeared to be several gold-plated dragon bones on a pedestal.
Walking right past these priceless relics, Sangye scooped up the Sultai ritual knife that Sahar had found and infused it with her mana. The knife's runes glowed blue-white as Sangye worked, and as she thought, it had several protective enchantments. Crafty work, but nothing that Sangye, aided by Chodak's thoughts, couldn't handle. The knife grew hot and spat sparks as Sangye's mana shattered the protective enchantments, and then the knife lay still.
Sangye could still senses the knife's only remaining enchantment, and that was one that she intended to keep intact. Pocketing the relic, she turned and walked right back out, headed right for the front doors. If she could climb aboard her carriage at the city gates, she'd be back in Sage-Eye Stronghold before anyone would notice.
Perfect.
*o*o*o*o*
"... and with great courage, the mighty siege towers brought themselves before the wicked Sultai temple, and the battle was joined at last."
Tashi tried not to roll his eyes as the reenactment plodded on well into the evening. Hundreds of wealthy Abzan nobles in gaudy outfits sat in leather-padded seats, watching with glee. Anafenza herself sat in the crowd's middle on a raised platform, her arms folded as she watched. Tashi couldn't read her expression, but he hoped that she'd at least enjoy his Flying Crane sequences.
On the stage, dozens of actors stood in elaborate costumes; some, Abzan soldiers, others, caricatures of Sultai troopers and nagas. Tashi couldn't help but notice the stupid and cowardly expressions the fake Sultai warriors made as the two sides clashed with wooden swords and toy bows. All the while, support staff tossed long, colored ribbons on the battlefield to mimic spells. On one side of the stage, several replicas of the siege towers stood, and a replica of Ukud Necropolis sat at the other end.
The narrator's booming voice annoyed Tashi to no end, but the audience clapped at everything he said, and they positively cheered when Tashi and Jinpa were called up. Tashi tried not to go red as he placed himself at the battle's forefront with Jinpa. They both wore their actual outfits for convenience.
"Then, the noble Jeskai visitors lent us their strength, exotic saviors from a faraway land," the narrator said solemnly. "With his mysterious crane flight technique, Toshi took flight and purged all Sultai who stood before him!"
My name's Tashi! And it's the Way of the Flying Crane! Get your facts straight, guy!, Tashi thought as he adopted his usual combat stance. Two "Sultai" advanced on him, making thuggish expressions. What's so mysterious about the Way of the Flying Crane, anyway? All I do is kick stuff! Still, Tashi grinned at himself in a self-depreciating way. He might as well put on a good show.
The crowed oohed as Tashi executed a gentle, slow-motion flurry of punches and kicks, and the "Sultai" troopers leaped back and fell onto their backs, crying out pathetically. More surrounded Tashi, only to be "fallen" by Tashi's "exotic" techniques.
On and on it went, all the way into the battle inside Ukud Necropolis, where a large man covered in animal pelts advanced on Tashi, making ridiculous cat noises. This time, Tashi hung back as Jinpa stepped forward and tossed an imitation charm, and the support staff showered the fake Rakshasa in red and yellow ribbons to represent fire. The Rakshasa collapsed, and his dying cat noises almost made Tashi laugh out loud. This is too much!
Just as Tashi was starting to enjoy himself, though, three of Shahzad's guards threw open the doors, their dragonscale armor clanking as they went. Everyone froze when one guard cupped his hands over his mouth and hollered, "Show's over! We have a crime in progress here in the palace. Everyone, we will escort you to your homes. Be assured that no harm will come to you while we're watching over you."
Tashi stared in numb shock as more guards came in, herding Arashin's elite out the palace's doors and to their waiting carriages. His mind raced. Did Sultai scouts follow us back for an assassination mission? That wouldn't be unlike them...
A guard approached Tashi and Jinpa. "Shahzad's private vault was broken into," he said sternly. "And Lady Sangye is missing. Do either of you know anything about this? Answer me!"
"No! Jinpa and I've been here the whole time," Tashi babbled. "Sangye's not a friend of mine or anything. She hasn't told me a thing."
"Please believe us," Jinpa urged the guard. "We will honor our contract to Shahzad and offer our full support in catching the culprit."
The guard nodded curtly. "You had better; Shahzad is not one to cross, and all of you Jeskai people are far from home."
Tashi swallowed. "I understand."
"Good," the guard said. "Follow me. A guard detail will escort you to your hotel and keep a constant vigil, just in case. Tomorrow morning, you will attend Shahzad's court on this matter. Khan Anafenza will be there, too."
"Anafenza?" Tashi blurted.
The guard smiled. "Shahzad has all kinds of friends. Didn't you know? He and the Khan won't let this treachery stand, whether or not Lady Sangye is responsible." With that, he gathered two more guards and led Tashi and Jinpa through the palace.
Along the way, Tashi gave Jinpa a concerned glance, and her expression in return mirrored Tashi's thoughts: Hell of a mess, huh?