Xian Lang stretched her back with a groan, setting down a large tub of water with a thud that sent the contents cascading over the rim and onto the floor, soaking the hem of her dress.
With an aggrieved sigh she yanked the first article of clothing off the line which ran between two magnolia trees, and dunked it, sending even more water onto her dress.
She longed to be out, free, feeling the wind rush by her face as she soared over the village. But she had vowed to never attempt shapeshifting in front of her fellow villagers again. They had not taken well to her ability the last time she transformed herself into a hawk. In fact, they had not taken well to any of her abilities. Things had come to the point where she was housebound. She dared not risk leaving her home for fear of what the villagers would do to her. "Witch." They called her.
The very word made her blood boil. None of them had any idea how hard she had worked to obtain her abilities. She was no witch.
A tearing sound jolted her out of her thoughts. The stocking she had been washing was impaled with two talons. It had happened again. It annoyed her that she had no control of her most recent ability to change her hands into talons, however she knew as with the rest of her abilities, it took a while to gain complete control of each one.
Xian Lang grimaced as she peeled the stocking off her claws. Those had been her best pair.
A sudden rumble of thunder shook the ground, and Xian Lang peered up at the sky. Strange. The sun was shining.
As the rumbling grew louder, she realized it was not thunder after all, but hoof beats. She had not remembered her brother mentioning he was expecting visitors today. She had best get inside. It would not be wise for anyone to see her outside. Not after last time. She shivered remembering the feeling of stones raining down on her with no way to escape, and the shocking cold of the knife blade against her throat. It was then that her ability to change her hands into talons had emerged. She had been sure however to only scare them a little. Had she so much as gave one of her attackers a scratch, it would be over for her. She had seen what the emperor did with witches.
Dropping her now-mangled stockings into the wash pail, she disappeared inside.
Immediately she was struck by the silence.
Where was her brother? Did he not know his friends were coming by today?
The hoof beats were drawing closer. It sounded like there were more horses than she had originally thought. What was she to do if they came inside looking for her brother? The house was only a small hut. There were few places to hide.
And why should I? I haven't done anything wrong! Xian Lang thought angrily.
However she knew that her thinking was irrational. If she wanted to live to see the next sunrise, she would be wise to find a place to take cover.
Just as she was slipping behind her father's chest of drawers, the hoof beats stopped. She could hear murmuring outside. A horse neighed, seemingly right in her ear. The hut's wooden walls were thin, so she was able to make out a few words the men were saying; Inside...Force...Burn... She pressed herself harder against the wall.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Someone was rapping on the door.
"Hello?! Chen family? Open the door!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The voice was definitely a males, however he did not sound like anyone her family knew. He had the accent of a upperclassmen. Perhaps even a nobleman. He must have travelled a long ways to get here.
"Open the door now, or we will have to do so with force!" Came the voice again.
Xian Lang tried to breathe as quietly as she could. She resented her heart for beating so loudly. Surely someone would hear it.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"You leave us no choice." The voice cried angrily. "All together now!" The voice sounded more distant.
All was quiet. Had they gone away?
Crash! Wood chips went flying. From where she was, Xian Lang could see that where the door had once been, there was now a massive hole. That was not the most horrifying thing however. Pouring through the door were imperial soldiers.
The tallest. A general, she knew from his uniform spoke, "Search the house. If you find the family bring them to me. They will all face charges for attempting to elude us. And be careful of the girl. She is dangerous."
Xian Lang sank against the wall. What did they want? Her family had always been nothing but loyal to the Emperor.
The chest of drawers was suddenly yanked back. A face mapped with scars from past battles peered down at her.
"Where is the rest of your family?" He demanded. "Don't you know it is a crime to hide from the Emperor's men?" He took hold of her arm in a vice grip, hauling her up.
Trying to hide her fear, Xian Lang lifted her chin and tried to mask the tremor in her voice. "They are not home, sir. I am not sure where my brother is, as he was not here when I came inside after I completed the laundry, however my parents are both working in rice fields. Why do you ask?"
The man locked eyes with her, but Xian Lang refused to look away. "I understand." He said at last. "I must speak with General Liu. Stay here. If you leave, there will be repercussions."
Xian Lang nodded. "I will sir."
Satisfied the scar faced man walked away, shouting for the rest of his comrades to come with him.
For agonizing moments, the imperial soldier spoke to each other in hushed tones. It was impossible to make out what they were saying.
At long last the general approached her. "Under the order of His Majesty, Emperor Sun of Heaven, you Chen, Xian Lang are herby under arrest for witchcraft. Our messenger will inform your family of what has happened today. You have brought shame to your family and to your village. The Emperor will decide what to further do with you." He turned to the soldiers flanking him. "Restrain her."
Three Imperial soldiers stepped forward and took hold of her shoulder.
"No!" Xian Lang screamed. "Stop! Don't touch me!" Overcome with panic she struck out at the nearest solider, willing her hands to become talons. As she slashed at the solider she gagged as she felt flesh tear under her fingers. The solider collapsed, clutching his face. Feeling another of the soldiers hot breath against the back of her neck she swung around flailing.
It was no use. The solider, clearly well trained dodged her attack and knocked her across the head with the flat of his sword.
As she stumbled back she felt strong hands grab her waist. She tried to fight back but the room was spinning. She could feel the awful bite of chains as she was bound hand and foot. Though she knew it was a loosing battle, Xian Lang still tried to fight back, however she could do little in the state she was. She could suddenly feel herself being lifted, but couldn't see anything now. Only an inky blackness.
Her head lolled back and her mouth filled with blood.