Kar took a deep breath in. The news he had received today was going to drive his Lords up a wall. He pushed open the door of the throne room and walked across the large, open space. He bowed at the steps that led up to the thrones.
"I trust that the riots have finally been crushed and we will have no more issues," stated Canku, his eyes boring into Kar's.
"We will have no more issues…"
Canku seemed to smile and relax. Xisong just smiled and looked down.
"…in the City. That does not mean about the outside."
Both the wolves immediately bolted up, standing above him menacingly. The snow leopard's tone of voice said something that they weren't going to be pleased about. Still, Kar kept his poker face just as calm and bored as ever.
"The boars that we sent out to find the royal couples weak offspring and his friends were found dead, arrow holes in each of their bodies. The black uniform required to be worn by your soldiers had been taken off. Each one was found near one specific tree. We had an ape climb it. She told us that there were scratch marks and the faint sent of lilac perfume. Also she found pieces of fur around two large branches. The branches were large enough to hold the three felines. We followed some well hidden footsteps to a farmer's pasture heading in the direction of the River Yisan."
Canku's eyes blazed with pure murder. Xisong put a paw on her mates shoulder, yet inside, she boiled with rage. How could this incompetent cat have escaped?
Canku took a deep breath in. He started to pace.
"What else were you able to find out, snow leopard?"
Kar's eyes narrowed at the derogatory use of his species.
"The tracks were noted to be following the River Yisan, nothing else has been found."
"What about in the City? Anything strange happen in there?" asked Xisong, grasping for something that could lead them to where those bothersome three were headed.
"A group of three bounty hunters came in the day after your victory. Two soldiers had a run in with two of them. The third didn't talk much and mostly wondered down any road he wanted."
"How did this 'run in' end up? Was there a fight?"
"No fight. Both guards report that both asked lots of questions. One says he was drunk, so he doesn't know what the guy said. The other guard remembers her asking about…."
Canku's head turned at the world her.
"Did you say her?"
"Yes, sir."
Canku raised his head and smirked.
"We have them," he breathed. "Send a group of soldiers after them."
"They wouldn't catch up. A boat was stolen from a farmer. Chances are the three are on it. We have no boats. And commandeering one isn't much use, there aren't boats around here fast enough to catch up," Kar said grimly. His master's plan might be destroyed right there.
"Desperate times like these remind me to savor victory," said Xisong. "Yet is also shows me what I truly am capable of. You say that they cannot catch up with boats. What of the birds? A bird can fly faster than a land animal can run or a boat can carry them. Tell the birds to fly over to them and catch them."
Kar bowed and left the room. He walked along the red carpet with swift steps. The avian kind had been situated in the towers of the Palace. He envied them for their ability to fly, but other than that found them weak and rather disgusting at times. Kar eyed the stairs in front of him with revulsion, why couldn't the damn birds be in the barracks like his own troops. Sometimes, things were too organized. Kar reached the top of the steps. He knocked on the wooden door. It was opened by a goose and ushered him in.
"What do you want, land dweller?" asked Quan, not looking up from his scrolls.
Kar growled and put his paw on the scroll. He started to slowly pull it out.
"I want respect from my underlings!"
The hawk looked up and stood up as straight as a bird could. He gave a quick salute.
"My apologies," he quickly stammered out.
"Not good enough, but it will do."
Kar picked up the scroll and held it over the candle flame. The hawked looked at Kar with disbelief.
"That is a letter from my father."
"Really? Then I hope you have read it," said Kar, keeping his voice flat. "A quick reminder of who I am and the power that I have."
Quan's face hardened. He saluted once more and held it this time,
"You are my commanding officer, I have not forgotten."
"Good, now make sure you don't forget what I am told to tell you. If you do, it is Canku you will be answering too."
The snow leopard waited for a reply. Nothing.
"He has asked you to send out a squadron of predator birds to track down and kill the prince and his friends. They just need to follow the River Yisan and they will catch up to them. Am I clear?"
"As the sky," replied the hawk, his predator eyes still on the snow leopard.
Kar smiled and left the realm of the birds. He loved his newfound power. It had taken a few weeks to get used to it, but soon after, he enjoyed being able to push those underneath him around. He was second in command – well, third really – and he could do what he wanted. Inside the wolves' reign that is.
A flurry of wings attracted his attention upwards. There were the bringers of death for the prince and whatever animals still walked with him.
Kar smiled, he had made a good choice with following the wolves'. They were not ones to trifle with. Their victory was assured. China would be theirs. He would have the luxury of it yet not the responsibilities. He had the best position in the entire army.
Shang and Tai faced Mei, who stood at the tiller – their bodies going to the rhythm of their hearts. They were rowing. It had been hard work, blisters in the paws for the two males, from most of the day spent rowing. Already, the sun was beginning to set from its zenith. Mei hadn't yet taken the oars. Mei's excuse was that she couldn't do it because she had a weak upper body. Tai didn't buy it but Shang told her it was fine. Tai promised himself that Mei would row. He concentrated on the mast in front of him. Pull, lift, circle, put in, pull. The rowing had become a mindless task for him and Shang now. Their minds wandered. Tai contemplated on whether to tell them of his experiences last night or to keep it a secret. Shang ventured on darker things. What he was going to do those who dared attack Mengyou City. He got bored of this and contented himself to stare at Mei. He looked her body up and down. She caught him staring and shook her head.
Who knows what Shang is thinking right now, she thought.
"I think I saw a couple ghosts last night," Tai blurted out.
The two other felines looked at Tai with disbelief.
"Yes, and I am a monkey," Shang said.
Even Mei laughed.
"Are you okay Tai?"
"I am fine and I am serious! I saw three tigers standing on the shore. They had their eyes closed and they bowed to me. After that they vanished! I tell you I'm not making this up!"
"Believe what you want," Shang said.
"It could be your ancestors," said Mei. "They have been known to come back down and say hello once and a while."
Shang snorted,
"Not you!"
"Just look out for them, they could help you at any time."
The Golden cat harrumphed.
"They haven't helped me so far!"
Mei shrugged.
The three were silent for an hour before Tai forced Mei to take the oar. Begrudgingly, she did. Tai went into the tent to sleep. Outside he heard the laugher of Mei and Shang. He looked down at the deck of the boat inside the cabin. Never would he find someone meant for him. He lay down on the cot. The rowing certainly was tiring work…
A cry of shock made Tai bolt up in bed. How long had he slept? He got out of the cabin and readied himself for a gruesome scene. Nothing but the whiteness of snow and rock greeted him. A snowball met his face. He was knocked back. Wiping snow from his face, he started to look at their surroundings.
They were in the Zuzhou Mountains! All he saw was snow and ice. It was beautiful. The rocky formations soared above him like great monoliths guarding the river. The river, once cool and refreshing now was ice cold with chucks of ice floating parallel to the boat. A frozen wind sent particles of snow at the three felines. The snow clung to their fur, giving them almost angelic appearances – even Shang. Ice was formed into curving figures from the winds that had so often passed through. Tai could almost imagine archways, ice sculptures, and rooms among the mountains. It was a citadel meant for nobody but savage beauty of the elements. Those who dared try to triumph over them were crushed mercilessly by the Earth herself.
On the other paw, the mountains had been always told to him that they were always howling with blizzards. That creatures never before seen haunted these fabled cliffs. He saw none of that here. The unadulterated snow gave an almost peaceful feeling. Perhaps the journey through these mountains wouldn't be so bad.
Mei jumped over Tai and hid behind him. Shang was coming after her with a snowball in both paws. He flung one at Mei. She ducked behind her living shield and it hit Tai. Shang saved his last snowball. He made a motion with his head. Tai understood it perfectly. He scrambled up and dove out of the way. Mei was left in the open. She got hit in the chest with a perfectly aimed snowball. Mei got back up immediately and tackled Shang. While the two were wrestling, Tai walked nonchalantly over and got two buckets. He dipped them into the river. With them full he chucked the freezing contents over Shang and Mei. They stood their drenched and shocked. Tai smiled.
"Never bring a third party into a two man battle. Whose side will he choose?"
"Shut up, Confucius," mumbled Shang, grabbing a towel. He walked into the cabin and changed into whatever they had. Of all the things, they forgot to bring an extra pair of clothes. All the clothing they had with them where their black outfits and the clothes they had on the night of the attack. Shang walked out with the black pants on and no shirt.
"Aren't you cold?"
"That is what fur is for," he stated coolly.
Mei went in a changed. Thankfully, she had taken off her cloak last night, so it was still dry. She walked out with only that on. It reached her knees.
"It's like a dress, in case your wondering how it feels," she said with the same tone Shang had used.
"We weren't wondering," said Tai. "I don't really care what you wear."
"Neither do I," said Shang. "But I also care about what's underneath!"
Mei blushed and Tai groaned.
"Do you ever get tired of that, Mei?" asked Tai.
"No, I find that flattering."
"What love will do," murmured Tai.
"Yes, what love will do," said Mei back to Tai. "Love and hatred are two of the most powerful emotions. I'd say pride is next."
The three didn't say anything after that. They just stood their, looking out at the passing landscape. A sudden wind pushed against the sails and they sped forward. The boat bounced up and down as it reached small rapids. The felines scrambled to hold onto something, least they loose their footing and plunge into the icy river below. Though the rapids were small, they had never been on the rapids before. Only the knowledge gained from books and scrolls that told them what to do let them man the watercraft. Water sprayed up against the boat. The boat suddenly lurched downward. The bow dipped into the water for a second then sprung back up. Eyes wide with fear, the felines gripped tighter on what they could fine as they waited for whatever was next. It didn't come. The rapids were over. Slightly shaken, Shang was the first to rise and regain his footing. He helped Tai and Mei back up. Tai ran to the stern to look back the rapids.
"Those rapids weren't that bad, they just seemed like it," he called back to his two other friends. "I hope we don't see anymore bigger than that."
"And if we do?" asked Shang.
"Chances are we will drown in the waters after our boat is smashed."
"Well, there's a happy thought."
Tai nodded in agreement despite Shang's sarcastic remark. He turned back and noticed the sun peeking out between the rough mountains near the horizon. His stomach rumbled telling him that it was time for dinner. Tai got the wood from the bow of the boat and brought it to the metal box in the indent of the boat – the firebox as they had started calling it. After the flame had started to give off a sufficient amount of heat, he went and got the ingredients for some soup. Pouring the fresh stream water into the kettle they had found, he let it boil. All while he cooked Shang and Mei just sat by the small fire and warmed themselves as night fell and darkness overtook them. As the soup was being served, the stars appeared above them, shining through the clouds that lazily drifted above. The soup warmed their tummies and gave them a new sense of energy. After a second helping, they dumped the rest for the fish. Each feline felt comfort next to a warm fire and good friends. Tai had found a small chess board in the back and challenged the couple – Shang and Mei – to a game. They stood no chances but played anyways.
"Checkmate," said Tai triumphantly an hour later.
Mei yawned. Shang blinked wearily.
"Ugh, I'm never playing you again," said Mei. "I'm going to sleep. My head hurts. What about you Shang?"
Shang was already asleep.
"I'll take first watch again," said Tai.
Mei thanked him. She curled up next to Shang and fell asleep shortly after.
Tai put the chess board away and stood at the tiller. He made slight adjustments to the boat, taking care they did not run into any of the numerous rocks that littered the river. When he reached a straight the required no movement he looked back up at the stars.
"So, what is next?" he asked, still gazing up at the stars.
The stars just sparkled back at him in a mismatch pattern. A group of three shooting stars lanced across the sky. One was pure white, the other was colored red, and finally the third was just a slight hue of blue. He followed the shooting stars as far as he could till they disappeared. The tiger looked down from the skies at the river; nothing to be worried about ahead. He looked to his right. Like the front of them, there was nothing. He glanced to his left. His eyes narrowed in disbelief. The same three old tigers he had seen before where standing right there, walking next on the river's edge. They kept pace with the boat with ease regardless of the boats speed. One made the motion with his hand. Tai studied it closely. It looked as if someone was slowing down.
Slow down, a voice echoed through Tai's head.
Tai looked wildly around. He felt panic blossom in his chest. The voice spoke again.
Peace, child. Do not be afraid. We are here to help.
Tai turned slowly to face the three as he slowed the boat till it barely moved. He continued to stare at the three old tigers. They bowed in unison. Tai bowed in return, unsure what to do.
Peril you will experience if you do not listen to exactly what I say, the voice echoed once more in Tai's head. Though it told of danger, Tai felt immediately calmer.
Rapids you approach. Rapids that will wreck your boat and kill you. Gather your friends and your supplies. Leave the boat to drift. No fires tonight. I bid you good luck. Remember Tai, we are here…
As the last of the voice's words faded in Tai's head the three bowed once more and disappeared. Tai's sense of calm left. He blinked quickly. Tai rubbed at his eyes but stopped as he heard a faint, yet distinct sound. He listened closer. The sound of water rushing downwards and hitting rocks filled his ears.
The rapids!
"Wake up!" he roared. "Get up! Grab as much as you can, rapids are ahead! Big ones too!"
Shang bolted upright. His military training kicked in. He grabbed Mei by the scruff at the back of her neck and hoisted her up unceremoniously. With Mei fully awake when Tai explained to her what was ahead, she scurried around, picking up various items that were vital for their survival out in the mountains.
"Can we carry the firebox?" she said, pushing in the last of the vegetables into a bag.
"It's too heavy and we would have to bring firewood as well," said Shang. "But we will just take the firewood. We need fire to stay warm. If we don't, we'll freeze."
Shang grabbed as much firewood as he could. Tai came out of the cabin carrying the few weapons they had along with the now dry clothes. Mei had picked up the food and provisions.
"Throw them to the banks! We will jump out and get them on the side later."
Each animal threw their precious cargo to the snow white rock on the riverbanks.
Tai jumped. He fought against the current and was able to drag himself to the shore.
"C'mon! Hurry!" he yelled croakily, water still in his mouth. He hoped that his voice reached the other two.
Mei looked at Shang. Emotions swirled around her head. Water. Shang saw the look of fear in her eyes. He held her paw.
"I won't let you go," he promised.
Mei nodded. With Shang holding her paw, she jumped. Time seemed to slow down for her. The water surging beneath her, as if it wanted the reach up and grab her – to pull her down to the bone chilling depths and crush her. She could see Tai on the riverbanks running toward them. She looked to her right. Shang had a snarl on his face as his body tipped downwards. Mei looked forward back at the water. The water slammed into her body. She was used to the snow, but this was not snow. It was water that is below freezing but cannot freeze because of its movement. She opened her eyes. Nothing was in font of her put darkness. The water clawed at her and pulled her down. Mei remembered Shang kicking his feet to stay afloat. Her feet swished wildly yet still she sank. Terror gripped her, but the arms of Shang gripped her tighter as they wrapped around her waist. Shang wasn't used to swimming in cold waters like this, but adrenaline and his love for Mei gave him strength he never thought he had. They surged upward.
Tai looked around frantically for his friends. He had seen Mei and Shang jump, paw in paw. They had to be together. He looked back to make sure the equipment was still there. Thankfully, they were there. Tai frantically searched up and down his side of the river. A splash alerted him. Tai's eyes shot down the river. There! Just above the waves were Shang and Mei, their heads barely clearing the crashing waves of the water as it rushed to the rapids. Tai sprinted over, snow clinging to his fur. Lying flat on the ground, he reached out.
"Shang!" he cried out. "Take my paw! I'll try to pull you two to shore."
Shang gratefully took the tiger's paw and felt him being pulled to safety. He clung to Mei even tighter with his other arm, not wanting her to slip between his grasp. Though the Golden cat's grip on Mei was unbreakable, he started slipping from Tai's grasp.
"We're slipping!" Shang yelled hoarsely.
"Use your claws," said Tai, grimacing at what was going to happen next.
Shang's sharp claw dug into Tai's flesh. Blood began to seep out of the wounds, tarnishing the snow as it dripped from the fresh wounds. Trying his best to ignore the pain, Tai pulled harder. Shang's claws went deeper into his arm. Tai roared with pain as it started to cut further than he anticipated. A piece of drift wood clung to Mei's pants, weighing them down. Gritting his teeth and with a powerful tug, Tai pulled the two to shore. As Tai rubbed his wounds into the snow to cleanse it, he noticed how the snow turned from a brilliant white, even in the dark, to a velvet red. Tai ripped the edge of his cloak and wrapped his arm tightly.
"It will heal," he assured Shang as he helped the two shivering animals up.
They sat in a dank cave. After pulling them out of the water, Tai had struggled to help the two and him to find a cave to stay in. After a deadly twenty minutes, they had found a shallow cave, nothing more than a slight indent in the rugged mountains. Disregarding what the three old tigers had said, he built a fire and moved Shang and Mei close to it.
"Thank my ancestors we brought a couple blankets from the boat," he said. "Oh, and my ancestors also warned me. I think that they really are there, not just something I saw."
Shang and Mei said nothing, their teeth still chattering. Tai let the blanket drape over the two and he sat down on the opposite side. Shang's head dropped slightly. Mei just nestled even closer to Shang, more for warmth than a display of affection.
"I'm going to get some sleep," said Tai. "Right now, I could sleep for a week."
Tai got as comfortable as he could on the rocky ground.
"Don't let your tail drag into the embers as you sleep," warned Mei. "Otherwise, you'll have it charred and ready to eat. I'm still to cold to move."
Tai moved his crooked tail away from it. He pulled himself closer together.
"I hope we still can make it to the Valley of Peace," he muttered before falling asleep.
Quan, the hawk captain, gave a piercing cry. Other calls beset the air in reply to his command. Quan angled his body down and made for an outcropping of rock. His claws clacked as they touched the rock. Other raptors and a variety of birds landed next to him. His hunter's eyes looked down at the rushing River Yisan. They had been looking for the damn boat now for days now. Those felines could not have gone that far. Already, some of the avian used to flying in warmer weather had begun to look haggard. The peaks of these mountains were not a place for a hawk or any bird to fly. Quan's eyes darted around at his troops. They paced around. Two of the smallest birds, a pigeon and a sparrow stood together. Surprisingly the smaller birds were doing better. The hawk's men were not weak, it was the elements that they fought against now – and they were loosing.
An eagle hopped over to Quan. The eagle's voice reached his ears other the wind.
"Sir, we have followed the wolves' instructions to the letter, there is no sign of the tiger. There is not one piece of evidence that we can use to even tell that they went this way!"
Quan held up a wing to silence the eagle.
"Do you not think I know that?" he snapped back, irritated.
"I was just bringing it to the foremost of your attention, sir. No disrespect meant."
Quan bobbed his head.
"I understand. I too share your own thoughts."
"Sirs!" a crow spoke up. "I have noticed a bit of wood floating along the stream."
"Where?"
Quan flapped over the crow.
"There," said the crow, pointing her wings to the river.
"Let's fly down!" Quan commanded.
The squad of birds flew down to the snowy banks of the river. Pieces of wood floated in front of them. Rapids lay up the river. Quan eyed the scene curiously. The tiger had no experience with watercraft, he remembered. A fitting fate.
"Search down the river," he commanded. Two birds flapped down the stream, looking for broken bodies and any other pieces of evidence. A short while later and they stood in front of Quan.
"What did you find, if you found any?"
The crow bowed her head.
"We search up and down twice. We found nary a body or a scrap of clothing. We did find broken containers and boxes. Perhaps they heard the rapids and dove out."
Quan rolled his eyes.
"We're going upriver!"
They flew until they spotted exactly what they had been looking for. Blood red snow glistened under the blue light the quarter moon cast down on the group of killers. A torn piece of fabric was noticeable as it clung to some drift wood that had lodged itself neatly on the rocks that lay on the banks of the river. The hawk looked around for anything else. If they had escaped from the boat, where were the paw prints? Snow hit his body.
Damn, he thought. The snow could have covered them up.
Quan clacked his beak together in frustration. They couldn't go back to Canku and Xisong without proof that they truly were dead. He stared into the landscape beyond the river. What he could see was covered in snow with the occasional rock defying the snow and showing itself to the world. He saw no blood path. But whoever had the injury could have wrapped it and stopped the bleeding. Quan paced to keep warm and to continue thinking. He and his troops had already been searching for an extended period of time. More than they had bargained for. Any further searching could kill them. The swift strike at Chorh-Gom Prison wasn't prolonged searches in the snow. This could swallow them whole. And if it would kill hardened veterans, it would kill a little kitty cat prince and his friends. Quan's face contorted into what he thought was a grin, his beak allowing only so much movement. He called to three of the smallest members in the unit. The pigeon and sparrow were in front of him immediately. The other bird, a spoonbill, was soon standing to attention next to her other comrades.
"I am giving you an important task," stated Quan. He pointed with his wing at the mountain area beyond them. "Search out over there, as far as you like, for the three. Whatever you find of importance come back and report to me at once. Now go!"
With a loud flapping of wings, the three birds took off. As soon as they were out of earshot, Quan called in the rest of the larger birds.
"We cannot go back without looking like we were in a fight. As the three small birds come back to us, we kill them. Bloody yourselves, make the red liquid go over you to look as if you were in a terrible fight. Hopefully it will fool Canku and Xisong."
The eagle spoke up.
"Why would we kill our own, sir?"
"I don't want to, but what would you rather? Your neck sliced off by an angered wolf or the death of three lesser beings?"
The eagle lowered his eyes.
"My life is worth more to me than anything right now. I am with you. What of the three we chase after? We don't know for certain they are dead."
Quan's eyes narrowed.
"It is a gamble I am willing to take. The weather of these cursed mountains will slow them. If they are lucky, they will make it out of the mountains yet die soon of whatever black diseases these mountains will give to them. Other than that, they will die amidst the snow and ice."
A general murmur of agreement went from the rest of aviators.
"We are with you."
Shang tossed another log into the fire with paws that trembled only slightly. He was getting warmer. The cold no longer bothered him as much as before. Tai had fallen asleep shortly after he lay down and Mei had been out way before that. Shang sat back down next to Mei. The Golden cat rubbed her back gently, running his hand through her silky fur. Mei smiled in her sleep. This journey might not be too bad after all. Shang frowned. That was fool's talk. The mountains were a deadly place now and they had no map. Of all the things to forget when they abandon ship! It would have been helpful to have just the slightest idea of where they were! He must find a way. His friends depended upon it – not to mention his own survival!
Shang got up. He walked to the edge of the cave. Daring to venture further he moved away from the cave, forgoing the warmth and shelter. From his position now he could see….nothing. Just the blizzard greeted him. The wind blew right through him. He shivered. This wasn't the best place to be right after you get over a cold. The dry air stung his throat and he coughed. Hugging himself for warmth he sloshed back to the cave. He twitched his ears. The howling wind and the
…flutter of wings?
Shang paused. He listened harder. Silence met him. His mind must have been playing tricks on him. Shang yawned as he realized he must be in need of sleep more than he thought. A squawk penetrated the drone of the wind. There were birds out here! Hope began to fill Shang. Maybe there was a way to escape from their snowy dungeon.
"Hello?" he called out. "Is anybody there?"
As much as he wished an answer to come back to him, he didn't expect it.
"Are you there?" Shang called again. "We are lost and need your help! Please!"
Shang looked around, hoping he would catch a glimpse of whoever was out there. Not even an outline of a creature could be seen.
"You fool!" screeched the spoonbill. "He's heard us!"
The crow picked herself up and glowered at the other.
"It was not me who stopped without warning. Communication is important incase you didn't know, feather bag."
The spoonbill ruffled her feathers and was about to retort back about how at least she could stop herself from falling when the sparrow hushed them. They clamped their beaks shut as the footsteps of somebody approached there hiding spot. They pressed up against the rock. Whatever happened they could not be seen. The feline walked passed them yelling into the air. The crow snickered and whispered,
"We could give him some help."
"Those aren't our orders," snapped the sparrow. "There are still two others out there. Where are they? Look around."
The spoonbill and crow searched as the sparrow kept his eyes on the Golden cat.
"I think we've got 'em," said the crow. "That glow right there. Fire."
"Let's go after the cat goes back to the cave."
Shang stumbled back into the cave. He was shivering once more. The voices and noises were just a trick, nothing more. They were stuck here. They would die, frozen to death. Or starved to death. Either option wasn't pleasant. He sat in his spot next to Mei and wrapped himself back up in the blanket. Mei's body pressed up against him. He felt her warmth seep into his body. Shang allowed himself a tight smile. Mei was a joy to him, nobody understood him like her. Perhaps Tai, but he had a different relationship with Mei. Something closer. It didn't matter as much though as getting out of here. The Golden cat stared at the fire, almost willing it to show him the way. It crackled and popped, eating away at the wood. A small burst of wind entered the cave and the fire fluttered. Shang bent down and blew gently at the embers. They glowed at the newfound oxygen and the fire flared back up. With the fire back up he continued to watch it, least it extinguish once more. A strange sensation filled Shang. A shivered, not with cold this time. Another wind filled the cave, but it did not touch the flame. Instead a whisper could be heard inside the wind, as if it were talking. It muttered about what was happening, where it had travel, and other random pieces of information. Shang shook his head. His head was playing tricks on him again. The wind seemed to whisper back,
Why would we play tricks on you? We help you with your journey.
Shang's eyes widened. Was he truly hearing this? Wind did not whisper, let alone speak at all. The fire flared up and a tongue of the flame burst into the air above. It twisted and turned until it formed a Chinese character. Shang studied it as long as he could. He reverted back to what Tai had told him. What was this word? It was a character of direction. He drew the character in his mind. His paw made the brush strokes on the rocky floor without him realizing it.
"East!" he shouted, springing up. Mei's head, which had been resting on Shang's shoulder, fell to the floor.
Mei sat up rubbing her head. Tai got up, blinking unenthusiastically, slightly flustered from his rude awakening.
"East!" repeated Shang. "We go east!"
Mei, still massaging her head looked at her lover oddly.
"What?"
Shang bent down on his knees and looked Mei directly in the eye.
"We go to the east. The Valley of Peace is east of these mountains! If we follow whatever paths we can find that lead east, we should eventually reach the Valley."
It was Tai's turn to look at his friend with a confused expression.
"What made you choose that direction?"
Shang huffed.
"You aren't going to believe me."
"Try me."
"A wind filled the cave and it seemed to wrap around the fire. A flame leapt out and formed the character for east."
Tai said nothing.
"I believe you. I've had those three tigers appear to me twice now. It seems that events beyond our comprehension are happening."
"Again please?"
Tai rolled his eyes. Shang was mocking his use of what the Golden cat called, 'big words.'
"Impossible stuff it happening to us."
Shang grinned.
"I liked your first explanation better. Since you both agree with me, you do right, Mei?"
Mei nodded. She trusted him.
"Alright, let's pack up our stuff and get ready to leave in the morning. For now though, I'm going back to sleep and am not waking till that sun rises!"
Shang plopped down the cold stone next to the fire and lay there. Tai and Mei got whatever stuff they had taken out and shoved it back in the canvas sacks. Tai got back into his previous position near the fire. Mei lay next to Shang, sharing his warmth.
Tai envied Shang and Mei just a bit right now, they were warmer than he. Tai yawned. His mouthful of glittering white teeth and fangs showed. Anyone there would have been frightened at the display, but would have laughed upon hearing the only thing they had bitten were vegetables.
The spoonbill, crow, and sparrow all sped recklessly back toward their camp. This news would shock Quan to no ends. As they neared the river, they heard the sound of water flowing but no voices.
"Captain, we have brought our…" the crows statement was cut short by a talon piercing its heart. The spoonbill was also trapped under the claws of an eagle. Another bird started tearing at the spoonbill. She screamed in agony, her body writhing as her precious red liquid drained. A wing was torn off. Bone showed along with the torn muscle and sinew. Shock made her heart collapse. The spoonbill gurgled and lay there like stone. Still the other birds tore at her body, bloodying their beaks, feathers, and talons. The sparrow faired no better. The legless bird tried to lift himself, trying to get away from the three raptors that tortured him. Two trails of blood followed him, marking out exactly where he had ventured. The sparrow's heart beat faster than it had ever beaten before.
Why were they doing this?
Quan stepped in the way of the struggling bird. He slowly put his menacing talons around the sparrow's fragile head. He started to squeeze slowly. The pressure on the sparrow's skull increased.
"Why are you doing this?" the sparrow managed to breathe out.
"So our necks will be saved," hissed the hawk.
The sparrows mind rushed. They thought the prince and his friends were dead. Regardless of what he said, he would die. His death would go unnoticed. The lie the hawk was to tell: the three small birds were killed in action with the stronger birds overcame the three felines and murdered them. But if he let them go and wolves' found about this treachery, the hawk would face a death more horrible than this. The sparrow smiled on the inside.
"We have found nothing," he murmured.
With those last words, the hawk crushed the sparrow's head. Brains oozed out were the skull and skin had been fractured. One of the eyes had been skewered on the talon of the hawk and it stuck to it when he released it. Quan shook it off in disgust as he eyed his ghastly handiwork. This, as he looked around at the bloodied birds, was going to fool Canku and Xisong, no mistake. They looked as if they had been through a massacre. It was perfect.
"Let's go home and tell of the tragic death of our three comrades. Let us tell of the death of the three cats as well and be hailed heroes!"
A ragged cheer was raised from the bloodthirsty birds. Each one flapped its wings and they all headed back to Mengyou City where Canku and Xisong would be waiting. Then, they would traverse the Chinese land, conquering all that dared oppose them. It would be glorious!