Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

By Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 12: Confronting the Dragon's Daughter

Peter and Kwai Chang entered the narrow alley way that led to their home. As they grew closer, Caine doubled over in pain and grabbed his left shoulder. Peter also felt something, but it wasn't quite as strong.

"Pop," Peter crouched down to support his father and bring him back upon his feet. "I felt it too, someone's been hurt."

"Father," Kwai Chang proclaimed through the pain he was feeling.

"Grandfather?" Peter questioned, astounded that the connection he had also included Matthew Caine.

They did not waste any time after that. Caine and Peter were quickly on the move to get back home when a black clad figure suddenly appeared at the opening of the alleyway that led to the loading dock of the warehouse.

"Xia," Peter stated.

Xia stopped and glared at the priest and his son. "I swore there would be a next time priest. You will not stop me."

"Xia, you must not do this."

"You will still pay for my father's death, you, your cop son, and anyone who gets in my way."

"I guess she hasn't heard that I changed professions," Peter whispered to his father.

"Perhaps we shall teach her together, my son."

Caine and Peter advanced slowly, but Xia was quicker. She threw another pellet on the ground and a cloud of smoke obscured their vision. When it cleared, Xia was gone.

"Just what we need, Tan's daughter to complicate things."

"I agree, my son. We must hurry. Your grandfather is in deep pain."

Caine and Peter raced toward the fire escape and were soon back on the apartment terrace. They spotted the Ancient and another man whose back was toward them trying to administer aid to Matthew.

"Father," Kwai Chang bent down, fear registered on his face.

"My son," Matthew reached up and brushed his son's cheek just as Kwai Chang would with Peter.

"Help me lift him to the platform."

Trying not to injure his father further, Kwai Chang grabbed Matthew around the waist, bent on carrying him. Other hands lifted Matthew's feet and legs to help support the weight. As soon as Matthew was once again placed on the raised platform, a pillow was placed under his head for support. Kwai Chang immediately went to work and examined his father's shoulder. The knife wound was not as severe as he thought, though there was a great deal of blood. Kwai Chang Caine closed his eyes and focused his chi, sending clean healing energy into the wound. The bleeding soon stopped, and Matthew gave his son a deep satisfying sigh. As Caine worked on his father, Kwai Chang became disturbed, and his brow knitted together as he discovered something else was wrong with his father.

"Why did you not tell me?" he asked, the words coming out a little angrier than he intended. "Did you think I would not find out?"

"Please, my son," Matthew tried to calm Kwai Chang. "I did not wish to worry you. There were other more important matters that needed your assistance."

"There is nothing more important to me than you, my father."

"A Shoalin does not think of himself. A Shaolin . . ."

"Do not speak to me of duty, Father," Kwai Chang argued. "I am very much aware of where my duty lies."

While the argument continued, neither seemed to take notice of the audience surrounding them.

"I used to have the same kinds of arguments with my dad. I still do sometimes, " Peter said to the stranger pointing to the younger of the two men. Peter smiled in amusement, pleased for once that he was not the focus of the argument.

The stranger's eyes were fixed upon the face of Kwai Chang, not daring to breath. "It's okay. I've seen it before, though it has been many years."

"Oh?" Peter asked. "You know my father?"

"And your grandfather," the stranger stated with a wide grin. "And if they will stop arguing for one moment, they shall see that."

Suddenly, everything went silent as the two older men became aware that the others were watching and enjoying the scene between the two older Shaolin.

"Peter, can you not do something else instead of listening in on a private . . ." Kwai Chang Caine turned toward his son and abruptly stopped his reprimand. His eyes grew wide as they fell on the stranger. It could not be. After all these years believing that he had been lost to him, it was as if he had seen a ghost. But ghosts were nothing more than shadow as Kwai Chang rushed from the platform and embraced the stranger that stood before him, this person was flesh and blood. Joy filled his heart. He held his long-lost friend at arm's length then proclaimed his name. "Li Pei."

Kwai Chang Caine pulled Li Pei into another hug, not wanting to let go of his childhood friend. "How is it that you are here? I thought the soldiers would have killed you after I saw you taken."

"The Tao was with me that day," Li Pei stated. "The soldier that grabbed me saved my life."

Kwai Chang looked at his old friend in wonder. "But what brings you here?"

"I've come for your help, my friend. I am searching for my wife and son."

"Who's your wife," Peter asked, already knowing the answer but allowing the man to tell them.

"Her name is Marlene."

A deep silence fell on the room.

Continues with Part 13