Chapter Twenty-Five: Ashes at the Last
The stillness of the night was a lie. Silence reigned amongst the inhabitants of Khanbaliq, but calmness was the sole privilege of those too old to care or too young to understand what had collectively befallen them. The resplendent capital of the Mongol Khanate had somehow been humbled by the unannounced arrival of the warlord Temutai's clan hordes - little more than mercenaries in terms of legitimacy; but whatever anyone thought of these interlopers, raw force had to be respected. By order of the Khan, ceaseless in his guile, the Mongols were to counterattack at first light. Opinions of this plan through the ranks of warriors within the city walls were understandably mixed; but few if any would argue that trying to withstand any sort of protracted siege - with stores of food and supplies being what they were - was anything other than suicide. Still, to sally out into the teeth of such fiendish enemies as the Qi-Dan was an unsettling proposition even to the most battle-hardened amongst them.
But morning was still far off, and these things did not matter just yet. No small few had taken to whatever brand of debauchery best suited them in their aim to separate any and all thoughts of death from their mind.
A dreadful state of affairs. How was this allowed to happen?
Tsagaan was at a loss for the current predicament. Looking out over the city which he had called home for so many years and finding it in such disarray – still burning, in some places – both angered and saddened the meek desert jackal. He loved this city. It had become the shining jewel of the Khan's many realms, but to Tsagaan it was still just home. The view from the resplendent palace steps would never give undistorted credit to life in the poorer sections of Khanbaliq, but unlike the royal family he served, the jackal knew this existence all too well. And yet, he could still only imagine the suffering that had been thus far inflicted upon the people there. His life of self-admitted sycophantic social climbing had long since removed him from such frugal suffering. So many years of devotion to the supposed divinely ordained line of Khans - so much of his life invested - and yet the heavens had still allowed this travesty to take place.
Is this our fate? To be done in by hardly more than common thugs – and Chinese ones at that! Kunkh Tengri casts his shame upon us, a reparation for our many failures.
Tsagaan knew that the collective armies of the Khan would surely massacre the force that lay before them; but this fact was now meaningless when only division and disorder had ruled as of late in the Khanate's clans. The various chieftains, princes, noyans, and claimants had become increasingly focused only on their own endeavors as the years dragged on without a proper invasion of new lands. All that was left to Khanbaliq now was its own people and whatever soldiers the Khan happened to have at hand presently; fortunately, this included some of his most veteran generals and steadfast protectors. However, if anyone knew the true boon of superior numbers on the offensive, it would be the Mongol hordes. It was an advantage they now sorely lacked. This was not to mention the fact that siege warfare was far from their cultural proficiency after eons of nomadic lifestyles.
The night winds abruptly accelerated, causing the jackal to draw up his tunic against himself; the fires raging at the edges of town flared up once more, fueled by the rush of new air. Riding in the current from the south was Altan, the strong-willed golden eagle whom the Khan held in such high esteem. The veteran of Tsushima landed himself to the side of the jackal with surprising ease for having sustained such speed. The appearance of one of his rivals for the Khan's attention did little to improve Tsagaan's mood.
"What news?" he asked, not turning his head away from the distant conflagrations.
"They've pulled back their archers, the barrage has ceased, and the southern gates are holding fast. It seems they are keeping to the terms of the accord, for now at least."
Tsagaan nodded, "And amassing their forces for the dawn, no doubt."
"Indeed. I've assured the Khan that everything will be ready for tomorrow's counterattack." the eagle replied, readying his wings to take off once more, "You really ought to get some sleep while you can."
The jackal paused before speaking, "I think I'll stay a while longer."
"Suit yourself. May Tengri grant us victory." Altan said, lifting himself from the palace steps with a single wingbeat.
How touching. We are beyond the help of the gods now.
The private quarters and residences of the Khan's palace were usually kept deathly quiet – for no less than seven royal ordinances had made it so. And yet, now hardly a moment could pass without some commotion permeating these most stateliest among dwellings. Groups of advisors and commanders argued and debated the night away fruitlessly, hours steadily passing. Small contingents of guards moved through the halls at a brisk pace, filled with a grim sense of purpose.
It was on this unusually active occasion that the Khatun of Mongolia could walk the premises almost unnoticed; gone were the typical courtesies and salutes that she cared not for. Nadya welcomed this change.
The Kheshig guards, the most elite of the royal protectors, were preoccupied with ensuring the Khan's safety in the coming battle; even they had mostly cleared out of the palatial residences. The tiger queen made it her business to be keenly aware of the goings-on of her family even in times like these, and the princess had been unaccounted for through much of the night. As dawn drew ever nearer, Nadya thought it best to seek out the tenacious young leopardess.
Coming to a juncture in the hallways, she encountered her quarry: a trio of cloaked leopardesses, one of them possessing the unmistakable silhouette of her half-tiger daughter. To her flanks were her loyal attendants, each bearing ornamented lanterns that diffused a soft glow over their dark garments.
"The hour grows late, mother. You should sleep, save your strength." Yue greeted, eyes concealed by the hood of her robes.
The Khatun folded her arms in front of her, establishing an air of composure, "I could tell you the same."
"I will manage without. Long have I awaited an opportunity such as this."
The leopardesses turned to continue down the promenade of the hall, and the elder tigress followed in stride.
"You mean to fight with the army, then?" the queen asked, already knowing the answer.
Nadya could see the head of her headstrong progeny turn to the side through her cloak, but Yue did not slow her pace in the slightest.
"Khanbaliq will need every able warrior come morning. Destiny awaits, and I do not intend to deny the gods a worthy spectacle." she responded after a pause.
The felines came to the end of the hall and entered a large dimly-lit room. The princess' attendants affixed their lanterns to the walls, casting light upon the contents of the chamber. There were several long tables that surrounded a central elevated platform. Nadya hardly noticed as several more servants entered and begun to unravel heavy cloth bundles onto the tables. The contents of these were soon revealed to be an array of extravagant weaponry: blades of every shape and size, bows, arrows, and spears. The distinctive guandao spear of the leopardess was being struck repeatedly with a fine whetstone, preparing its sharpened edge for battle. As Yuelen took her place on the platform, the last thing to be unveiled by the servants was revealed: a complete set of imposing feline armor. This armory's worth of accoutrements laid out before the queen only reinforced the princess' intentions.
Nadya could not contain a sigh as she watched the spectacle, "While it is admirable you wish to be among our troops, there is no need to place yourself in such danger. I fear for your safety."
"Hmph. It's like you don't know me at all." Yue said, casting off her robe and tossing it aside to one of the servants, "Weep not for me old woman, but for any of the scum beyond our walls that dare face me tomorrow."
The princess' toned muscular form was now only concealed by thin cloth wrappings, and the servants at once came forth bearing pieces of the thick dark metal armor. They were meticulous in their work, fastening each segment one at a time.
"You've grown strong, my daughter, there is no denying that – but how you long for bloodshed – do you fight for the Khanate, or for yourself?"
The young leopardess huffed, "What difference is there? My father is this Khanate. I fight for him now, but one day I will succeed him."
A heavy sheet of scalemail was draped over the princess, only temporarily separating the locked gaze between the queen and herself.
"The disdain you have for your brother is shameful." the tigress said, her bearing becoming more intimidating by the second, "He is the male heir. You know this."
Yuelen briefly shoved away one of the attendants affixing her shoulder plates, gesturing vindictively towards the Khatun.
"He is unfit to rule, mother." Yue spat, her lilac eyes taking on a crazed focus, "He is a coward. Everyone knows it – especially father. Where will Zhen be tomorrow do you think? Hiding behind you and Tsagaan, that's where."
"Zhenjin knows better than to foolishly thrust himself into battle as you do. No one is forcing you to do this, Yuelen."
Yue just stared at the tiger queen with contempt. Nadya would say no more, but her evident disapproval could be intimately felt, poisoning the air between the two.
"Mistress?" one of the attendants interrupted demurely.
The servant was offering the leopardess the final piece of her armor – an interlaced metal mask that contoured perfectly to her features. Yue accepted it and lifted it over her face. The armor was demonic looking. She had become like the very embodiment of death; it was an encasement of pure malice.
"Swords." Yue commanded, outstretching each of her arms to the side with palms open.
The attendants placed the hilts of two magnificent serrated sabers in each of her paws, and with a whirling flourish they were promptly sheathed upon her back. A quick glance to her side alerted the servant sharpening her spear, and the weapon was tossed midair to the princess. Yue ran her claws along the spearhead, inspecting its sharpness. Satisfied, she returned her focus to Nadya.
"You speak truth, mother. No one is forcing me - I choose this for myself. Don't forget how your kingdom capitulated to father's conquests; I will not continue your shameful legacy of subjugation."
At this, the leopardess moved towards the exit, but Nadya outstretched her arm into her path.
"Temper your hubris, young one. There is much you still do not know of this world - fail to learn its ways, and it may yet betray you."
Yue swatted the paw out of her way and leaned close to the queen's face, "Then I'd rather betray the world first."
Even concealed with the mask, Nadya had sensed her daughter's fiendish grin.
The princess took her leave, cold vengeance in her wake. The Khatun followed for a short distance into an exterior courtyard, but allowed her daughter to go uncontested. It was of little use to say any more. Breathing in the cool night air, she reflected on the inevitable calamity that daybreak was sure to herald. The multitude of thoughts surging through her mind almost completely distracted her from the slightest thud of an agile figure landing behind her from the courtyard overhang.
"My, you're certainly a quiet one - almost didn't hear you at all."
"That is how I generally prefer it." came the response from behind.
The queen turned about to find herself facing yet another female tiger; the mysterious Chinese master that she had seen many times in the passing days about Khanbaliq but had yet to speak to. Her fellow striped feline did not appear to be in the best condition, streaked with blood and ash in equal measure.
"If this Temutai is to be believed, your head is now the most valuable in all of Khanbaliq."
Tigress surrendered a slight grin, "So it would certainly seem."
"If it were up to me and not my husband, I would have taken the warlord's deal rather than partake in this madness. How many more shall die for the petty pride of men?"
Tigress did not answer, and for a brief time only the night wind spoke between them.
"Have you come to kill me then, take your vengeance early?" Nadya postured.
"No." Tigress came closer, "I am uncertain of how things will transpire come morning, and there is something I must know."
At this, the tiger queen relaxed somewhat. The older feline was also the larger of the two, but she knew well enough the infamous capabilities of Chinese martial artists.
"I wager I can guess what you seek. You've never met any others like yourself before, have you?"
Tigress gave a subtle shake of the head to acknowledge the queen's perception, "Not once."
"Our kind is a rarity in these times, yes - even more so in China I imagine. Myself, my children, the Kheshig; we are what remains of the Kingdom of Sakha."
"I do not know of my own origin; could I also be from this kingdom you speak of?"
Nadya was amused by the question, "Surely not - your build is too slight and your fur too thin to be one of us. Our people were known as the Yakut; we called the snowbound lands to the north home for many an age. I was once a princess of the realm, but that was another time."
"What became of Sakha, then? Why do so few of you remain?"
"It was dissolved in the Mongol conquests. My kingdom was just one of many that has long since been absorbed into my husband's empire."
Tigress' features shifted, as if surveying the Khatun for some weakness, "So what are you to the Khan, then - his trophy?"
"Hmph. Your attempt to humiliate means nothing to me, girl. I am empress of the vastest domain in the world. That's power you can't even begin to comprehend."
"Maybe." Tigress said, beginning to back away with her curiosity now sated, "But that power comes at a cost that I would never wish to pay."
In another instant, the Chinese tiger had turned away and vanished once more into the darkness. For the briefest moment, Nadya's thoughts returned to bygone memories; but like so many things, these quickly faded away.
The ravaged outer bands of the south district of the city were now something of a rugged palisade of damaged buildings. Many of these structures were now occupied by sundry gatherings of soldiers preparing for the coming hostilities. Some of the more spirited among them sung songs or played crude instruments, but the majority sat around their encampments in contemplative silence. One of these numerous makeshift dwellings was the remnants of what used to be a fine restaurant; it was here that Po felt right at home.
"Almost finished…" he murmured to himself, sprinkling a dash of spices into the soup he was preparing.
The panda had always possessed an uncanny skill for cooking, to the extent that he would often grow completely enthralled by it. This instance was no different, regardless of the fact that the venue he was in now lacked the entirety of one of its exterior walls. By the looks of things, the place had taken a direct hit from the side; a smaller hole in the opposite end indicated that a hunk of siege ordinance had passed clear through. The rubble outside formed a convenient enough walkway in and out, and a nearby group of soldiers came inside every now and again to collect some of the splintered furniture – which looked like it used to be rather expensive – to fuel their campfire down on the street. Po could recall when Mr. Ping would have practically killed for furniture like that at the noodle shop. Back in those times he never could have imagined one tenth of what he'd seen in just the last few months.
The soup was finished.
Moving away from the woodfire stove with two bowls in hand, Po stepped into the dining area and spotted Tigress sitting in one of the few remaining booths that had not been either outright destroyed or looted for firewood.
"Something to eat?" he offered.
Tigress looked up at first as if confused, revealing her mind had been elsewhere. She accepted it, nonetheless.
"Thank you."
Po sat opposite her and began to eat as well, the icy chill against his neck being a constant reminder of the missing wall behind him. Still, the soup was delicious as always, and this did no small service to make the situation more tolerable.
"How long until dawn do you think?" Po asked.
"Can't be long now. I saw some of the leopards starting to form up near the gates a little while ago."
The tiger master had hardly drawn her focus away from her food. After a few minutes had passed, she looked up, apparently ready at last to share her thoughts.
"What are we going to do about Crane and Mei Ling? About the dagger?" she asked.
Po leaned back from the table somewhat, contemplating the serious issue at hand; try as he might, he could not find the right words to explain a way out of their predicament.
"No idea, but I expect we will see them on the battlefield. Strange as the situation may be, I think everyone is aware that we have a common enemy right now." he said, trying to sound as calm and collected as possible.
"True." Tigress sighed, "But I hate to go into battle feeling as I do."
Po could tell that she was still emotionally out of balance from the events of the previous day. He understood exactly what she was going through. He knew he had to do his best to inspire new hope in his friend.
"Tigress, no matter what happens out there… just remember that you're not going to be alone, alright? Crane is my friend too. I know deep down this isn't what he wants either."
She finally looked him directly in the eyes as Po continued, "Even still, you and me still have each other: an army of two if there ever was one. We're going to survive this – I promise."
She gave a halfhearted smile.
"You cannot promise that, Po. There are no guarantees of what will become of us."
Po's gaze lowered to his food, saddened by the truth in her words.
"But still…" she continued unexpectedly, "Thank you. I needed to hear that… master."
Tigress had given the title special emphasis, and Po knew that sign of respect from her was never to be taken lightly.
Both warriors smiled at one another; the first band of radiant sunlight passed through the dilapidated restaurant. Both seeing it, there was now only one thought in mind.
The time has come.
Author's Notes:
- Well, I suppose I can insert the obligatory "Sorry guys for taking ~unspecified long ass amount of time~ to update!" here as per usual :)
- But on a more serious note, a sincere thanks to any and all of you who still keep up with the sporadic updates of this story, it really means a lot!
- By now, I know better than to make promises regarding future updates, but I do have some good news, sort-of
- I finally have a formal outline drawn up for the complete rest of the plot of Winds of Change, meaning I can more efficiently write future chapters which is a big deal for me personally
- This does also mean that at last this story has an actual ending planned! I've spent years flip-flopping on some things in the plot so it feels great to have a plan
- I know that this chapter is really something of a big tease, with the actual battle coming next time around, but I thought it necessary to set the scene a bit before this next big phase of the story picks up too much pace
- Side note, I'm personally very excited about the official announcement of KFP 4! With some luck I'll be able to wrap this thing up before it hits theaters
- Thanks again guys, wishing everyone out there all the best!