Chapter Six: The Shadow Play
Currents of light cascaded onto pervasive glades and stalky leaves. Liquid air detoxified Shen's sleepy mind as shallow shapes shifted and shimmered. The cherry glisten of dawn embraced the wavy ceiling of this unknown place, forsaking the below to nothing but rusty sand.
Be at peace, for I am with you, a distant female voice evaporated on the end of a breath. Shen didn't respond. The words were comforting for some reason. He smiled and shut his eyes—teal and crimson faded on his irises.
Shen blinked at the bright world, feeling puzzled. His silver-red robe was a little dusty from leaning on the tower terrace, and his left wing tingled furiously; apparently, he had slept on it.
"Weird dream," he said as he sleepily rose from the pale grass, observing the castle buildings across from him. He didn't often nap, but today's palace-grounds treasure-hunt was proving boringly unfruitful.
There's just nothing good today. Shen thought as he absently scratched away lifeless blades of grass, mulling over the strange dream. Not a single trinket was to be found around the courtyard. The palace servants must've taken extra care cleaning the paths that day.
Shen leaned against the shady wall, absently jiggling the interesting metal box he had hidden in his sleeve. Tinny clinks filled the air as it collided with the five gold coins he had won. He grinned at the sound.
It was quite a warm day; he lifted his alabaster head to sniff the well-missed spring air. Some trees were yet to bud and banish winter once and for all. Shen tilted his head against the wall to view an upside-down version of the palace's tower. He giggled at the silly sight, imagining the throne in the highest room sailing toward the clear pink sky.
"Sit on this throne you shall, when you are ready," his father had said, perched atop the glorious, golden peacock tail. His father had more to say as well; words of the rather unkind, shouted variety, loosed when Shen's play became too obnoxious.
Shen hadn't seen his father in a while. 'He's busy' was the usual excuse. But today, that was not the case.
"There you are! Oh, heavens, you scared the life out of me!" the robed Jingfei said, skirting the corner of the wall. If only he saw his parents as much as he did her.
"Please, Jieru, we must curtail this sneaking off of yours. Who knows what hoodlums lie in dark places. Not all creatures are as nice as me, you know!" Her black wings assailed him as she dusted his robe.
"I'm not a chick anymore!" he groaned, "I can take care of myself."
"Of course. Of course, young Jieru," she said, patting his bare head.
Shen growled and rested his chin on his wing.
"I think you'll be pleased to know that the carriage has just arrived. Lord and Lady Shen await us; we must not dilly dally. You know how the Lord can be. So, come along."
It was time! Shen jumped up with vigor. He and his parents were about to embark on a journey into the huge city of Gongmen. There, they would attend a traditional shadow play, and Shen would at long last experience life outside the walls of the palace.
Jingfei escorted him to the wide open courtyard in front of the tower. Flags lay limp on their poles against the peachy sky, about as exciting as the leafless trees and embossed bricks that made up Shen's home. But, in the middle was the vehicle he would use to escape this drabness—if only for an evening.
An enclosed carriage, finished with red wood and shiny gold, rested on skinny wheels behind a team of antelopes. Goose servants loaded supplies and spare clothing into a box at the rear. And next to it, an antelope spoke with a peacock, who was bluer than blue in his luminescent robe.
"Father!" Shen shouted, running off to a dismayed Jingfei's displeasure.
The peacock lord dismissed the guard and stared as Shen approached. Shen slowed. His excitement mellowed, but still throbbed in the back of his head.
"Shen Jieru," his father said from behind his pointy grey beak. His haughty countenance was reminiscent of Shen's teacher, Huang Sho.
Shen stopped at his feet, not for the first time admiring the azure peacock's immaculate robe. It was composed of the most vivid and rich blue silk that Shen had ever seen, but the hem of the robe's sleeves especially commanded his attention. The hems were ringed with a remarkable fire-like pattern that appeared to swirl with an energy all its own. The bird's similarly orange wings were tucked away in the sleeves.
"Good to see you, little one. And I wish you a happy birthday." The peacock lord's sapphire neck was startling against the blushing sky. Rather than embrace him, Shen merely bowed. His father emphasized formality above all else. Jingfei appeared stumbling after Shen.
"Lord Shen Lin! I must express my deepest and most sincere apologies-"
"No need, Black Shoulder," Lin interrupted. "We leave at once. Please help Jieru into the carriage, then tend to his room, if you would."
Jingfei bowed deeply as Lin boarded the lavish transport.
"Why does he call you that? Black Shoulder," Shen asked his maid as she lifted him aloft. She huffed and rubbed her charcoal neck, black as it was even against her dark red servants' robe.
"Lord Shen may call me whatever well he pleases," she said with a nod, eying the ground.
"Now, be off, and behave."
Shen nestled into a cushy seat while the door shut. A lantern on the ceiling reddened his parents plumage across from him. They sat on their own cushions, chatting amongst themselves about some adult stuff. His father had to relinquish half of the bench to his massive, eye-spangled tail, as if itself was a passenger on their journey.
"There he is: my little cherry blossom," Yun tilted her head and smiled.
The carriage gave a lurch, and Shen skittered to the curtained window.
"You would do well to heed your maid's advice, I should think," Yun spoke as Shen pushed the curtains aside.
"I want to see," he said, watching as they neared the palace entrance.
Almost out!
"Jieru, sit still. This is an important day for all of us," Lin said. He smiled at Yun, and the two knit wings.
Shen pursed his beak and thumped onto the cushion.
"So..." Lin said, leaning toward the young peacock, "how was your first day of advanced instruction?"
"It was alright." He thought about the other students, like the mean Rui, and the strange glares he had received from them.
"That teacher, Huang Sho, said he used to teach you. He must be really old."
"Ah, Huang. He is a piece of work, I must say. Brilliant, but quite stringent." Lin tucked his wings into his robe again. "Any troubles?"
"No," Shen lied, wary of his father's words.
"But... Huang Sho said I can't thrive on natural talent alone."
"Hmm," Lin leaned back, seemingly satisfied. "That means that he likes you."
Shen raised his head with pride. Then the carriage rattled and tilted slightly.
"We must be on the stairway. Good to see the antelopes remembered to put the ramp up this time," Lin said, which elicited a laugh from Yun.
Shen had seen the wide stone stairs past the banquet hall many times, anxiously waiting for the day he was allowed to walk up and down them. But for now, riding on a ramp would have to do.
"How far away is the play?" Shen asked, hoping it was as far into the city as possible.
"The theater isn't far, now. Just atop the ridge."
Shen drummed his rear toes against the bench, wondering what this play could possibly be like. He had asked his parents many times, to which they invariably replied "it's a surprise." How did they expect him to sit still with all this teasing and surprising?
He continued to steal surreptitious glances at the drawn curtains, dying for a peek at the life of the commoners. His parents were preoccupied in their conversation... his chance was at hand.
"Is this tradition really still necessary?" Yun said as she broke out a scroll.
Shen scooted over a few feather's-lengths, inching ever closer to the window.
"Why, of course. The royal family have taken their children to the shadow play for centuries."
"I know. I just think that, with all that has happened—"
Lin cleared his throat and flicked his crest to Shen, who halted his creeping and tried to act formal. Yun re-rolled her scroll and leaned toward her husband. They nearly met beaks—his mother lowered her voice considerably, but Shen could still hear her. Adults always underestimated Shen's keen ears, much to his benefit.
"Maybe our traditions are a little... outdated," she said.
"Nonsense. Their persistence is our identity. And is not the root of culture a multitude of entwined traditions? Like the bricks of a wall: take one out, and many will follow."
"And I agree with you, my love," Yun said, setting down the scroll to grip the lord's feathers in her own.
"My thoughts dwell unnecessarily, but I cannot still them..."
Shen hoisted himself at a cloud's-pace onto the mantle. With all the smoothness in the world, he wrapped his wing around the window's fabric.
"Your worry is misplaced, Yun. You know the reports: Gongmen is at its most prosperous. Our treasury swells with coin. Not to mention, our son displays great talent. Doubt not. We made the right decision."
"Rest the reports, as they say nothing for how our citizens feel." Yun lowered her voice to a further whisper.
"The people speak of fear and discontent. Our rivals recoup their strength. Maybe it is time once again for The Guardian."
"You remember as well as I what the Soothsayer said. The Guardian cannot be allowed return. Now, enough of this talk. Jieru might hear."
Shen wasn't aware of any 'Guardian.' Sounded like more boring adult talk. Curtain in wing, he pulled, and a key of light struck the carriage interior. Shen shuttered the window quickly and observed his parents, still occupied with their secretive words.
Almost there.
"And what of Jieru?" Yun's whisper was uncertain—even worrisome—but Shen barely noticed. His stealth mission was nearly at an end.
His father's answer remained assured and strong: "Jieru will understand why we did what we did—when he is ready."
With a final tug, Shen's eyes took a painfully arduous moment to adjust to the brightness. He squinted, but remained wide-eyed in spirit. With his beak rested upon the sill, Shen took his first real gaze at the city of Gongmen. And what a gaze it was.
Houses, shops, houses above shops, shops above shops—with produce stands and street peddlers in between it all. And the people—uncountable in their number and variety, and busy beyond belief. There were species he hadn't even seen before. Weird, short birds with rubbery protrusions on their heads, huge leathery beasts with imposing horns, and pigs with curling tusks. Occupied as they were, many took the time to stare strangely at the royal procession.
Everywhere he looked, there was someone completing some task or job. A few dirty children played in and around baskets and barrels, but they were far and few between. Life outside the palace wasn't anything like Shen had expected. Whatever fun was to be had lay shrouded within their busywork.
Even so. Life outside of the palace looked fantastic.
Shen gasped, joy and wonder winning out over guile. He wanted to see more; more of each weathered, mossy building, grisly pig, rotting fruit in the street—everything. Overwhelmed by the sight, he wondered how anyone could possibly rule over it all. There was so much to see, and so much to learn.
"Shen Jieru! Away from that!" Lin snapped his fan-like tail at Shen, bruising the young peacock's shoulder. Shen yelped and gripped his cushion, and his eyes watered; more from shock than pain.
"I'm sorry..." Shen said sorrowfully. "I just wanted to see the city."
"How many times to I have to—" Lin said, but was silenced by his wife's teal wing on his breast.
"Jieru." The peahen faced Shen with a sweetness that couldn't be matched. "You will, I promise. When you are ready."
"It is too dangerous for you right now." Lin added, looking down on Shen with a kingly glare. And the carriage rattled on.
Sit on this throne you shall, when you are ready. Shen wondered if that would ever be.
"Jieru, pay attention. It is important that you comprehend the details."
The theater was dim and wide like the valley of a mysterious land. Shen sat up in his seat, flanked by both of his parents. Theatergoers spoke in hushed tones in the rows behind him, all awaiting the shadow play that was nearly at hand. The canvas screen lit in a flare of light, and instruments swelled with enigmatic melodies as the play began.
"Long ago, in ancient China," a hidden, but extremely familiar female voice began. Shapes of darkness coalesced behind the flickering, lighted screen, situated at the end of a long stage.
"The peacocks founded Gongmen City."
"Soothy!" Shen realized, peering up at his mother beside him in the front row. She raised a feather to her beak, and looked back upon the stage.
The Soothsayer's voice drifted through the vale:
"The fearless Gaojin, the city's founder, led the first peafowl far, where they settled at the mouth of the Yangtze. But this land was bountiful, and coveted by many."
Tiny shapes of birds marched with jerky movements across the screen, and halted where the land met the sea. Shen's red eyes widened and his beak parted as he became lost in the harmonious beauty of the shadow play...
...
No one knows where the peacocks originated from. Some say they came from the east—from a land of spice and myth. But Gongmen City's first lord and founder, the great Lord Gaojin, led the city into a prosperous reign. His wife, Jiejie, was a witch wise in the ways of magic and spirits. She would often accompany him on walks by the Yangtze, who's clear water reflected in her blue robe, earning her the title of the River Witch.
One day, on one of their solitary outings, they came across a strange bird tangled in the boughs of a ginkgo tree. The bird's feathers were pure red, and her eyes shone as if gold. She identified herself as the Gü Gui, and if freed, this bird promised to show Gaojin many wonders of the universe. Wary, his wife cautioned against freeing her, but Gaojin was captivated by the beauty of the strange creature. He freed her and led the Gü Gui back to Gongmen City, where they began their work.
The Gü Gui showed Gaojin many things: Secrets of metalwork and carpentry. Herbs and elixirs meant to delay death. Minerals and rocks that contained astounding properties when combined. The city grew as a bastion of marvel and intellect. It was there that the first fireworks were invented: rockets of power and color that lit the heavens with sacred flames. Tales of these inventions spread far and wide, and all reveled in their glory. But there were always those who sought to replicate fireworks for themselves, and Gaojin knew such secrets needed safeguarding.
As the years progressed, Gaojin became more and more infatuated with the Gü Gui. His wife Jiejie was seized with envy as they became closer. The River Witch sought knowledge as to the origin of this unknown creature, and she uncovered the Gü Gui's true nature: a demon who's purpose is to ensnare the hearts of men and trap them in her dreamlike realm. There, the Gü Gui would feed on their life force, becoming stronger with each lover she traps. In her realm, the Gu Gui would use the energy for a truly dark purpose: to finally release her demon kin to conquer the world.
Emboldened, Jiejie confronted Gaojin and the Gü Gui. Upon explaining the demon's intentions, Gaojin was incredulous, claiming that Jiejie's jealousy had overrun her. Furious, the River Witch smote the Gü Gui with all her might and magic, and both the Witch and the Demon vanished. The Gü Gui was no more. Nothing but a beautiful robe of crimson and gold was left behind. Devastated, Lord Gaojin enshrined this scarlet robe and vowed never to taste the poison of desire again. For his distractions had nearly cost the destruction of his city, and the world.
Lord Gaojin instead devoted his life to Gongmen, pouring his love and devotion into the bricks and people, should the evils of the past and future threaten the prosperity of this great city ever again. The scarlet robe on his mantle served as a reminder to the dangers of forsaking ones duties for wild desire, and the importance of maintaining dutiful diligence to ones kin and progeny.
Though it is now lost, it is said that the robe takes form every so often: that of a bird with gleaming yellow eyes and a robe of scarlet—a spirit of River and Demon, seeking to uphold Gaojin's wish to protect Gongmen City, and the secret of fireworks. This great saboteur would be seen uncovering spies, repelling bandits, and guarding firework recipes. Brilliant in its dark work, the apparition is often identified as The Scarlet Robe: the silent protector of Gongmen City.
Gaojin has since passed, and he bequeathed the excellence of Gongmen City to his peacock descendants, who rule to this day. The story of The River Witch and The Scarlet Robe has faded into myth, but sometimes, crazed creatures in the night rave about yellow eyes and a bird-like creature too fast to see. Adversaries who assail Gongmen City would do well to reevaluate their ambitions, lest the Scarlet Robe enact its shrewd vengeance upon them...
...
And then, the Soothsayer's voice departed them. With a crescendo, the musicians tamped their instruments, and the last candle was blown from behind the screen. The audience erupted into cheers at the close of the play, and Shen blinked furiously, his beak immobilized in a wide smile.
"Did that actually happen? Is The Scarlet Robe real?" He frantically asked his father beside him.
"No, Jieru," Lin chuckled, "it is only a tale. Quite a tale, at that."
"What did you think, young one?" Yun said, her lively voice greatly contrasting the old goat's.
"That was amazing!" he said, completely taken by the artistry of the play.
"I want to create plays like that." He wanted people to feel the way he did. There were so many stories he could tell.
"I beg your pardon?" his father's seat squeaked as he turned.
"Wouldn't it be great? Shen Jieru, Playmaker." Shen traced an arc with his wing.
"I could set up all kinds of props and scenes, and people would come from far and wide to see-"
"You will do no such thing," his father scoffed, "this story was meant to prepare you to be a ruler. To know of the dangers that beset this city—and fireworks. You must put aside all other desires to serve Gongmen, like Lord Gaojin learned. I had hoped you would understand as much."
"But..." Shen said, disheartened, "I like shadow play. What if I want to make plays instead of rule?"
"You will rule because you must!" Lin said, abrupt, commanding.
Shen recoiled at his father's shout, which gave way to silence from the dispersing patrons.
"Lin," Shen's mother said as she caressed Shen's shoulder.
"Jieru has ambition and heart; the budding properties of a leader. Lay to rest your quarrels."
Lin relented and pursed his beak at Shen: "I apologize, Jieru. Your mother is right. When the time comes, you will be ready."
The reassurance left Shen more confused than resolute.
Antelope guards led them from the forefront seats. Shen ruminated on the play, and his parents' words. Every step of his life, there was someone to tell him what he was to do. Be it his parents, his maid, his teacher or even this wondrous shadow play. All the control exacted on him felt constricting, and he longed to be rid of it. If only he could escape all the expectations and forge his own path, even for a moment—like the citizens of Gongmen City: beholden to their own whimsical activities.
After having experienced the theater, the brightness of the outside gave it an alien quality. The carriage was waiting for them in the shaded alley-way, guards and all.
"Alright Jieru, in," his father said, motioning to the open carriage door. It was back to the palace, back to his walled-off life.
I'm not ready to go back, he realized. For so long he had waited to see the city, and he wasn't about to let the opportunity pass. He gave a calculated look up at his father. Did he dare follow his own heart?
"Well? Go on then," his father said, a splash of irritation hidden in his regal voice.
Convicted, Shen crept toward the open door.
"Alright..." he said, pretending to comply. Just as he reached the door of the carriage, he darted under it with slippery skill. He was, for once, glad that his tail hadn't grown in yet.
"Jieru!" His father shouted coldly, but to no avail. Rather than run past the carriage, as they would expect, Shen skidded his clawed feet on the stone. A store box protruded at the rear of the carriage. There he could hide. He hoisted himself up and scrabbled to open the box. Like a blown candle, spare fabric snuffed the light and sound as he hid.
"Guards, follow him down the alley!" his father shouted with panic. Shen had never heard his father so upended. Should he be caught, he would have to contend with Lord Shen Lin's retribution. The thought filled Shen with unease, but the solution was simple: don't get caught.
He breathed as softly as he could, and squinted, even though it was dark. When the footsteps retreated, Shen lifted the lid of the box. He was nestled in leftover servants' robes.
Splendid, he thought, and removed his palace robe. It would be all too curious if a young royal peacock was seen wandering the streets of Gongmen City. So, he carefully transferred his treasures into the servants' robe sleeve, and flipped up the dull red hood. The unadorned apparel would render him invisible amongst the townsfolk. Shen left his hiding place, confident in his plan.
Two guards had stayed behind—sneaking past them should be no difficulty. His back to the plaster wall and his eye on the guards, he started to inch to the main street. But he stumbled on a loose stone, and the coins in his sleeve clinked.
He stifled the coins, but it was too late. The guards had seen him. Wasting no time, Shen scampered headlong for the beckoning beams of light that rose from main street.
"There he is!" the antelopes said as they made chase through the alleyways of Gongmen City—Shen's muddy robe flapping in the wind.
A/N:
Couple months in the making, longer counting the initial idea for this chapter! Thanks for sticking out with it. I'm pleased with the length and quality of the chapter: lots of threads to explore, here. Hopefully much guessing can be abated in the coming chapters.
This is generally how the story will play out- switches in perspective to past and present. This is as much Shen's story as it is Crane's. I'll try to cliffhangers to a minimum as that can get annoying, fast.
Shen's father, Shen Lin, is the current lord of Gongmen City. I refer to him as 'Lord Shen Lin' where possible, but may truncate that as sort of a fun quirk. Lin means forest / beautiful jade (according to my basic research) and I thought it had a nice cadence to it. Gaojin is a nonsense word as far as I can tell. Jiejie means "sister."
Writing the allegory in this chapter was incredibly liberating, as well as challenging. Switching up a writing style like that is so much fun, and is also the reason I like writing from children's perspective. Writing the history of Gongmen City as a frame story seemed like a great opportunity: let me know what you think about my specific take on it. As always, if something in my chapter is messed up, be sure to shoot me a review!
Thank you to my supportive friends online for showing enthusiasm and ample assistance when I need it. As well as a big thank you to my readers! I do this for you!