Chapter Two
Details of Plans Past
A beat of silence followed her words, during which the trio exchanged brief looks of speculation. Finally Sanzo snapped eyes like cut amethyst back to Menary's face, watching her lift her own teacup to her lips, sipping silently from the brim.
"So we got that she wants Goku's head on a stick. Why?"
For the first time surprise colored her features, and her mouth curved into a little frown, a line of confusion creasing her pale brow. "You do not know?"
"We've never heard the name Miyohiko before." Hakkai answered before Sanzo could respond with another quip. "Nor have we ever been to Mah Laou before. So it's hard to image why this princess would have a vendetta against any of us."
"Oh, my." She lowered the tea cup to the saucer again gravely. "I had best give you the complete version of this last week's events then, hadn't I? You traveled this way from the Hsien forest, correct?"
"We did."
"On your way you encountered a demon with hair like shadows and eyes like burning embers, am I right?" She waited for the confirmation of a halting nod. "His name was Torak, called the Unconquered Sun by the demon clan of Mah Laou, the clans he ruled."
Comprehension lightened Hakkai's features. "This demon was Princess Miyohiko's father."
"Indeed. During the battle it was your friend Goku who slayed him, turning his body to ash. This news was carried to Mah Laou by Torak's personal guard. Two days later, Miyohiko was crowned as head of the demon clan. An impressive ceremony, I was told at the conclusion of which she swore to kill the one responsible for her father's death with her own hand. The demon clans were rather reluctant to accept her as a ruler but this was apparently met with a standing ovation. Very stirring."
"You can skip the after party review."
Menary fixed him with a disapproving stare, one they held mutually in choking silence till finally the monk made a sound of annoyance and lifted his teacup.
"As I was saying; afterwards, Miyohiko named Tsai Soe her advisor on the condition that he find a way to capture the one who had slain her father, namely the young master Goku. However your reputation preceded you and Tsai Soe did not want to engage in an all out fight with the four of you. So instead he came to me. The Glass Slipper is the last inn before you reach Mah Laou and he had no doubt that you would stop for a brief time before continuing on. The night after Miyohiko's coronation he approached me near the river. We stuck a deal; I would be given what I wanted and in return I would offer you the Slipper best hospitality, free of charge. I was to slip the sleeping powder he had given me into your drinks, so that not even an elephant plowing into the inn would wake you. Then I would look the other way while he had your friend taken away to The Summer Palace while you slept."
"And you didn't think it was at all odd that after refusing to interact with humans for so long, this one was willing to strike a deal?" Sanzo questioned.
"Not at all. The culture of the Mah Laou demon clan is different, I would assume, than those further to the east."
Sanzo's regard became contemplative. "I see. And you're an expert on this culture."
Menary's teeth flashed in a modest smile. "Certainly not an expert. But I do enjoy studying western demonology. To the Mah Laou clan, revenge is more important than feuds, prejudice, or tradition. That is one of the reason many of the clan were more willing to accept Miyohiko after her proclamation about her intention to seek vengeance."
"So you knew that the demon we'd killed was the former leader of the demon clan, even before we arrived at the inn." Gojyo spoke after a long span of silence.
"I did. When you arrived I did as Tsai Soe had asked, playing the amicable hostess—quite well I think—and by midnight a host from the Summer Palace had come to take your friend off."
"So, if you knew we were killers weren't you afraid that we'd kill you as well once we found out you were involved."
"The thought crossed my mind."
Hakkai smiled with sheepish confusion. "If you don't mind my asking, if you believed that then why didn't you leave?"
"And go where? If it was true that you all are quite as strong as it has been suggested then was there really anywhere I could run to? Quite frankly if I was going to die I would much rather do so comfortably in familiar surroundings."
Sanzo had emptied the porcelain tea cup and unconsciously thrust it out, allowing Menary to pour him a second one. Even with this physical exchange his voice had lost none of its clipped attributes.
"And whatever Tsai Soe gave you was worth dying over?"
Menary's eyes closed momentarily and then opened again with slow conviction. "Yes. Completely."
A beat of silence followed and then Hakkai smiled warmly into the awkward quiet.
"Well then, it's a good thing we don't make a habit of slaying women."
"Speak for yourself, Hakkai." Gojyo smirked roguishly. "I'm a certified lady killer."
"They die of boredom." Sanzo snapped.
"I can not say I agree." Menary eyed the half demon thoughtfully. "He is nothing if not interesting."
"What did I tell you?" Gojyo bragged.
"His manners leave something to be desired though. And there is the fact that he dresses like a homeless person."
Hakkai choked on a laugh and Gojyo shot him a cool a glare then lit up another cigarette in aggravation.
"This chick pisses me off."
