Dragon's Cage Read online

  And after they give you everything you need. Her mother added. You take your revenge.

  The tiny cabin shook with the impact of the ship nudging the dock. The voices were right, she needed to think with her head and not the smoldering core of rage in her chest. Let him look, let him dream for now. He was lusting over a dead girl anyway. The foul metal heart would burn its way out of her chest cavity before too long. Let Ishe grow into an honest person. That had been the real reason Ishe continually hated Mistress Mana's lessons. While Ishe would cleave her axes through a dozen people who stood in her way she'd only feel guilty if she were forced to lie about it.

  So Yaki summoned up a mask with a pleasant smile as she replaced the dagger with her sword. "Very well my husband." She said cool collected voice, although it had the trace of venom. "Shall we start this endeavor?" She slipped out into the hall, linking his arm with hers and pulling him toward the ladder hard enough to make him stumble. One doesn't spend two years working with a monkey without developing some upper body strength.

  Chapter 4

  Yaki hissed through her teeth when she spotted the priest standing alongside the custom's official accompanied by several more watchmen. The priest held a wide flat wand, a shaku, no doubt carved of from a tree many times older than any living human.

  "Who's that?" Guro asked as a breeze nipped at Yaki's back through the hole she had cut in the back of her Kimono so not to cover the Death Panther's mark.

  "An indication that something's wrong. You don't send priests to the docks unless you want them to find something. They always will." Yaki scanned the deck of the ship as they joined the to walk down the gang plank to the docks. They were the only "Passengers" on the Scale. The pair of them stood on the lower deck watching as the wide gang plank was extended to the dock. As passengers, Yaki and Guro debark first. Then the captain of the ship would engage with the custom's officer to discuss the levies on the cargo.

  Yaki heart climbed up into her ears, an unneeded reminder that to many of the priests illness and evil spirits were one and the same. Yaz'Noth's device would count as surely as Mother's association with Coyote.

  Turning to Guro, "I need fresh water right now. And a long dipper." She said.

  Guro open his mouth and then closed it as Yaki's eyes bored into his. He gestured and huddled with several crew members, they split up, heading toward the galley and the hold.

  "Is there a problem?" The custom officer called after a moment.

  "Stall him." Yaki whispered.

  Guro flashed her an anxious grin and went to the railing. "Hoy!" He called down the officials. "Apologies, we are waiting for my Lady. She is still arranging herself to be worthy for her first step into your fair city."

  "Aaah of course." The official called back. "Please gently hurry her along will you? We have a busy day ahead of us."

  A barrel was placed before Yaki and opened to reveal clear fresh water, it's surface wobbling from its roll across the deck. A ladle from the galley was placed in her hands. Clearly the crew of the Scale were familiar with the ritual. Yaki placed her hands together and prayed: "Oh great winds, carry my words to the great grandmother Willow. Oh Grandmother. I, Yaki, your tender had returned to you. I apologize for the abandonment of my duties but I beg you to grant me entry for the sake of my sister's life. While within the walls I promise to tend to you and reverse any neglect you have suffered in my absence."

  A breeze stirred around the deck and the water in the barrel stilled its motion.

  "Thank you." Yaki took the ladle in a motion so practiced that she did not have to remind herself her left from her right, she poured the water over her left wrist and hands. It hissed and steamed as it touched her skin. Pain screamed out along her skin and Yaki had to bite her tongue to prevent from herself from crying out. For a moment her skin glinted strangely but only slightly redden skin greeted her after an eyeblink. Grimacing she scooped up a small amount of water in her hand and drank it. A coughing fit seized her lungs, only terminating after she spat a piece of charred meat onto the deck.

  Oh of all the nine hells! I really am impure! She mentally wailed. Still her body resumed the motion, washing her right hand. Steam billowed off her fingers as if she were quenching iron. It wouldn't be enough. Even dumping the barrel over her head wouldn't be enough. Her hands felt lighter but this new sensation of heaviness in her chest.

  "Drink child." A whisper made of the rustling of leaves threaded into her ear.

  Yaki sank down to her knees, grabbed the edge of the barrel and tipped it to her painted lips. Opening her throat, she poured water down inside of her. It filled a space within her that she could not begin to describe. The heart struggled against it. Ga-lump Ga-lump, struggling to beat. A bubbling sensation traveled upwards through her guts and she breathed out a stream of first black and then white steam before collapsing gasping for breath.

  "Thank you." Yaki muttered. Whatever blessing she had received, it would not last long. Her guts felt like they were at a low grade boil. Had mother done something similar to ward off the priests?

  Yaki stood, amazingly she had not spilled a single drop on herself. The deck was silent excepting the whistling of a gentle wind. Every man and woman on the deck stared at her, mouths open, eyes wide in various degrees of awe and horror.

  "Is everything alright up there?" The official’s call broke the moment.

  "AH! Yes" Guro began. "My wife has merely stunned us all with her beauty! We are coming down now." He stepped from the railing back into the shadows of the cargo deck, offering his arm.

  Yaki stared at for a moment, brain refusing to move with the situation. Her consciousness centered on the pressure building in her chest. This would be like serving tea with a nail through her foot. Nothing she couldn't handle. Taking the offered arm, she smiled. "Let me do the talking, give me a gem for bribe and then be ready to show off your wealth when I poke you."

  Guro nodded and together they stepped to the top of the gang plank and into the bright morning sunlight. Yaki summoned up a true mask, separating her face from her own emotions, imagining her face as puppet, the expressions controlled by strings. While her true face hid behind the curtain of her mind. The custom's officer's face changed from one of professional boredom to one of predatory amusement as he saw her heavy makeup.

  Yaki internally scowled at the Rude man as her voice rang out, ""Good afternoon officer!" in a pleasant sing song, she made her smile radiant. Yaki left Guro standing there and swept down. "So good to finally be here!" She exclaimed. The officer was returning her smile instinctively as she reached the end of the ramp. Yaki started to extend a hand in the usual trade post offering of a handshake but snatched it back as his own raised to meet it. "Oh!" Yak touched her fingers to her painted red lips. "So sorry. Not even one foot off the ship and I've completely forgotten my manners." She gave him a bow and another to priest. Keeping them shallow enough that neither of the men could see the Death Panther's mark on her back.

  "Not so deep mi- uh." The officer hesitate as Guro's heavy steps touched the dock, "Lady. We're officials not royalty."

  "Oh yes. Should I try again?" Yaki asked, batting her elongated lashes.

  "Uh no," The man flustered, grizzled cheeks darkening. "That was certainly sufficient."

  Yaki giggled.

  The priest coughed.

  The customs officer rolled his eyes and opened his clapboard. "Yes, Yes." He said, readying his pen. "Your names please?"

  "My name is Run away Feather Song. And my husband is Soon Song." He dutifully wrote it down. "May I check the spelling?"

  His brows knit before he handed the clapboard over. Yaki took it, squinted at the easy to spell names as she placed a small gem on the shelf of the clapboard with her other hand. Cafe to hold it so the priest could not see the bribe. His eyes darted towards the priest as he pocketed the gem. Yet the priest gave no sign of seeing the exchange, dismissed as a harmless bumpkin from the trading posts his eyes Yaki hoped, he scanned the Sc
ale with a suspicious squint as the Custom official read through a list of standard questions. All of which Yaki made up on the spot, until he reached the last question. "How long will you be staying?"

  Yaki lowered her eyes. "We're hoping to become residents." She said quietly.

  "Ahhh I see." His eyes brightened as his concern disappeared now that the purpose of the bribe had been revealed. "Yes, well I can help along then. Since you've clearly studied the customs and have the means?"

  An elbow found its way to Guro's ribs and he jiggled the bag of gems.

  "Good, then I can set you with a rental permit right now. And perhaps you'd like escort to the nearest Noguchi house? The Golden Hills are very safe, but with all the foreigners around the docks..."

  "Oh thank you so much sir!" Yaki bowed the correct distance and then moved to slip past them both.

  "Hold." The priest hand shot out to bar her way.

  "Hoy Father!" Yaki quickly stood to the side. Her organs began to bubble as he turned his gaze on her. "Have a something wrong."

  "No child, but some wicked this way comes on the wind this day." He smiled kindly, "Everything and everyone that comes to the Golden Hills must be check for the poisons of the world beyond the gates.

  "Oh." Yaki tittered, "You should check my husband for those." She said, giving Guro a sly smile. "He can be so uncouth."

  Guro's expression darkened as the priest looked in his direction. Yaki tried to slip past him but as she did so the Shaku brushed over her midsection. The bubbling sensation exploded into a full boil. She stepped wrong, her ankle rolling sideways, the world lurched to the side before she managed to catch herself. One of the soldiers rushed forward to assist her but she stopped him with an outstretched hand. Pressure built inside her torso and pressed for escape against her lips. Holding her breath, the heat hit her entire body, radiating through her ears. Not daring to open her mouth. She bowed toward the soldier, hands together in thanks as she backed away down the docks. Fortunately, the priest's gaze remained rooted on Guro as Yaki backed away her guts boiling so hard that the pressure popped her ears.

  Guro played the part at least. Arms crossed and looking obstinate. The priest strode forward, thrust his up as if it were a weapon, "Do you beat your bride sir?" Yaki turned, saw a pile crates that might provide shelter and sprinted for them, her stomach bulging outward. As she ran, her insides sloshed around as a roiling mass. She stepped between two crates, braced herself between them and hurled forcefully, a torrent of bubbling water rushed out of her and onto the wooden planks of the dock. Dark things bounced against the wood and remained as the water drain away. Sucking in breath she could feel her lungs fill with the mountain air like swallowing cold water on an empty stomach. Yet the shape of them was unfamiliar, lower in her body as if her lungs had fled from the presence of Yaz'Noth's heart. Wiping her mouth and smearing red across the back of her hand Yaki stood, panting for breath.

  Yaki stared at the charred bits. That taste of smoke when she got worked up. That had been from her own insides cooking. Still, breathing was an effortless exercise. She stepped around the crate. Guro had finally gotten free of the priest and stood down the dock. Yaki contemplated running, she didn't know the docks well, but she had to know the city far better than Guro. She could lose him. Then she wouldn't have to deal with his leering at her while she acquired the quicksilver. Sadly, Yaz'Noth would probably take that as running off and betraying him so her feet stayed put. Her stomach rumbled ominously. Oh yes. He had the money too.

  "You mussed your make up." He said as he peered past her.

  "I'll fix it after we eat." She snapped as a hunger pang bit into her stomach.

  "Looks as if you just lost your lunch. You sure you can handle more now?"

  Yaki grabbed Guro by his shirt and jerk pulled him close. "Joke with me about my food and I will kill you." Yaki's voice came out as low dangerous hiss. Guro's eyes widened but his face awoke no pity in Yaki's heart or mind. "It’s your fault that I'm... Corrupted." The word tasted bitter on her tongue. "This is how it works. If I'm hungry. You get me food. Understood?"

  Guro nodded.

  "I'm hungry now." Yaki pulled her hands away from his shirt, they were shaking with her rage. How dare he make light of what Yaz'Noth had done to her. She put up a pleasant mask, but the anger bubbled like molten lead in her veins and she felt it radiate from her eyes.

  "We will find you some food then." Guro took a deep breath. "Gotta be some street vendors nearby."

  Chapter 5

  Hawk stopped mid stride. A raven perched in the barren ahead, it had the same chip out of its beak as the last Raven she'd spotted. "They're coming. Take off that coat and hide."

  Sparrow coughed once and pulled the gray wool coat, the blackcoat, from his skinny frame. Although midsummer, the cool mountain breeze that wafted through the forest made his body start to shiver immediately. "I suppose I'll climb a tree like a small bear cub?" He said, offering Hawk his walking stick, fashioned from the remains of a sapling felled by an avalanche over the winter. They'd been walking for two days, trying to a way around the tribe that lived below Yaz'Noth's domain.

  Hawk took the three foot long stick and twirled it like baton. Blinky chittered sleepily from her back. She spoke softly in Low River, "My Love, if they find you before they find myself then I shall be displeased."

  "Good I'm already displeased with this entire mountain. You can join me in the land of displeasurement." Sparrow answered, looking around for possible hiding places while running his hands up and down his upper arms for warmth.

  Hawk took out a cluster of feathers that had been hanging around her neck via a thread of spider silk and tied them to the end of the stick. A bird song pierced through the normal avian chatter. A few test swings and the feathers stayed put. Hawk allowed herself to smile. If she could avoid getting stuck with an arrow this might turn out to be a good day after all. Her wounds from their escape had already faded to free scars.

  More not bird calls sounded, from different directions. "Baby bear style it is." Sparrow sighed. He touched Blinky. "Come, follow. Let Mama here have her fun."

  Clik-Clik, Blinky crawled off Hawks back and followed Sparrow up into a conifer thick with branches and concealing greenery. Hawk thought it a bit too obvious for a good hiding place but if this tribe's tactics were as bad as their bird calls they had nothing to worry about. She'd already counted four distinct voices converging on them. Walking in a loud circle, she strained her ears for any creak of a bow bending. Instead she heard hasty movement in the bush behind her, three, maybe four people. Two with much lighter feet were cutting her off, Hawk caught flashes of the sun glinting off metal through the trees.

  Sloppy work but she could teach them.

  "Halt!" A man stepped out into Hawk's path. He wore a hide jacket decorated with plumes of black feathers held with shiny metal clasps, the blade of short hunting spear in his hand glinted in a beam of light that had made it through the trees. "You are trespassing in the land of the Two Horns. By treaty all who come from the mountain must return to the mountain." He spoke in a clear but heavily accented dialect of the Dragon Sworn.

  "I am not from the mountain, my name is Swooping Hawk. I seek peaceful passage through your lands for myself and others under my protection." She stood tall and even with the young man standing thirty feet away, he had to look up at her.

  Another man stepped out of the trees, this one branding a round shield and a sword. He had that half starved build of the Dragon Sworn but wore the same clothes as the spear barer. The first one continued to speak. "You came from the mountain, you must go back."

  "Has anyone from the mountain ever bested you? Could the mountain produce a warrior who could count coup against five-," a stick snapped helpfully. "Six of your warriors without your spear making a single mark on me?"

  The shiny spear warrior thought for a moment. "I agree, but big as you are, my spear will bite you." He settled down into a fighting stance, spear pointed in her
direction.

  Something moved on either side of her. She leapt forward, toward Shiny spear. The pair split, shield to the left, spear to right. A kick to the shield sent it bearer stumbling and her coup stick smacked him between the eyes. "One!" She shouted, turning to smack away a spear enroute to a kidney. Grabbing a tree trunk, she swung around to the other side. The spear blade danced like snake before striking out.

  Hawk merely stepped back to avoid the blade. "I'll leave you for last blade boy." She grinned at the flash of rage on the warrior's face before turning and running. The branches tore at her skin like gnarled hag fingers, before snapping with the force of her charge. The forest pressed in on her, narrow her path to straight ahead where a warrior trained a bow on her. Hawk watched the woman's lips invoke her medicine and let fly an arrow tipped with demon killing golden fire. Hawk uttered a cry she had learned from her namesake, but it only slowed the arrow in its flight.

  The coup stick met it right below the arrow head. The willowy stick bending against the arrow turning upwards. Hawk barely registered the sting as the arrow smacked lengthwise across her breast. Her own pace had not slowed and the cowardly archer's eyes showed their whites as she fumbled for another arrow, turning to run. Hawk caught her by the quiver and jerked the woman back. Quick as a snake, the woman twirled, her hand flashing with gleam of metal. Hawk only had time suck in her stomach before the blade scored a red line across it. Confusion flashed across the warrior's face in the moment before Hawk slammed the coup stick into her temple, striking the blow with the wood a few inches from her fist. She fell.

  "Two!" Hawk declared, turning to parry a fatally intended thrust. Shiny snarled as if the parry had been an insult to his mother. Hawk laughed at him, "You need to make far less noise Shiny boy." She taunted, swiftly deflect several more blows, finally he over committed. Hawk twirled low and extended her leg, sweeping his out with so much force the man did a backflip. "Take a rest for a while."