Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon Page 7

  “That’s what those ancient scholars wanted you to think.” He leans toward me. “It’s not only me who believes this—if Viceroy Kang were here, and if he were an honest man, he would tell you the same. It’s why he’s so determined to get the River Pearl—determined enough to enter into a marriage alliance with a poor, inconsequential village.”

  I glower. “How dare you—”

  “That’s how the viceroy thinks of you. Or did you think he saw your village as an important ally?”

  I clench my fists, seething—but not at Tai. The viceroy spent years acting as if my home didn’t exist, ignoring our desperate messengers. Though he claims that he was passing over when he saw the Ligui attack, the speed with which he entered into the agreement with Headman Su makes me wonder if he was after the River Pearl the whole time. “How do you know this?”

  “This wasn’t my first time in the viceroy’s palace.” He sits back. “I’ve spied on him plenty of times while relieving him of his extraneous wealth.”

  “I see.”

  “The viceroy’s had his eye on the River Pearl for years. He didn’t know exactly what it was capable of, so he didn’t pursue it in earnest, but ever since an oracle named it among the few items he could use to solidify his power, he has, on some level, wanted it. Only recently did he discover an ancient scroll describing the pearl’s true power. I saw it when he first unfurled it … He didn’t know I was there, but I read the same characters that he did. I’d been told, a while ago, that a dragon’s magic would be the key to freeing my people from Mowang. It wasn’t until I read the scroll that I realized the River Pearl was what I’d been seeking. The very next day Viceroy Kang left for Dailan. And I waited for an opportunity to claim it for my own.”

  The story sounds almost too fantastical to be true—an entire people trapped by Mowang, the hidden power of a relic I believed useless. Shades of doubt cloud my mind, yet at the same time, why would he lie? Maybe he’s trying to earn my sympathy so I’ll let him keep the pearl.

  That’s something I can’t do. Whatever Kang wants the pearl for, he can have it as long as he protects Dailan.

  “You don’t believe me, do you?” Tai lets out a cold laugh. “Of course not … why would you listen to me when I’m getting in the way of your marriage?”

  A slight movement catches my attention as his hand closes around the end of his stick, which still lies on the floor where it fell. How did I fail to notice him reaching for it?

  I point my stick at him. He quickly raises his to shield himself, but I don’t strike. “You’ve been so keen to tell me why you need the River Pearl to save your people. Did you forget the part where I told you I need it for the same? I only agreed to marry Kang so he’d protect my village. The Ligui have already killed too many—including my father—and if a relic and my hand in marriage are what it takes to stop them from killing more, so be it.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” His expression and voice seem sympathetic, earnest even, but I don’t trust my ability to read him. It only lasts an instant. Letting out an exaggerated sigh, he says, “So, it looks like we’re once again locked in an unresolvable conflict. Maybe we should cross sticks again and duel it out.”

  I’d almost prefer that. “You’re not going to try convincing me that you were telling the truth?”

  “Would it make a difference?” His weapon remains raised in a defensive position. “Even if you believed me, would you choose my people over your own?”

  I don’t answer. Though I sense that he’s hiding something, I can’t persuade myself that he’s lying about the fate of his people. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to have a story so unbelievable; after being refused help by the nearby cities, Dailan’s messengers went to the Emperor with tales of the Ligui, only to be dismissed as superstitious fools. Who am I to do the same?

  I’m left with a choice between my people and Tai’s. He’s obviously chosen his own, and his situation is certainly more dire. Dailan still stands, after all. Perhaps there’s a way to save both.

  “If Kang knew of what happened to your people, he might be willing to lend you the pearl. That way, he could both protect my people and give you what you need to save yours.”

  Tai lets out a dry laugh. “Do you really believe what you just said?”

  I bristle. “It’s worth considering.”

  “Kang never does anything unless he stands to benefit. Just look at what your village had to give up in exchange for his protection, even though it’s in his province and should have been protected in the first place.”

  I hate how naïve I must sound. I furrow my brow, searching for another solution. “How about this: You return the pearl for now, but steal it again after Kang marries me and sends protection to Dailan. I’ll even help you get it.”

  “Kang will surely place more security around it after this incident. Who knows if either of us will be able to access it again?” Tai rises, keeping his stick between us. “I’m not giving up this chance to save my people.”

  I watch his every move in case he tries to attack. “You keep talking about your people, but who are they? What’s your village called?”

  “Before Mowang took them, my people lived in Baiguang.”

  That’s not a village I’ve heard of before, and I think I’d remember one named after light, but the Empire of the Pearl Moon is a vast place. Most people have never heard of Dailan either. I chew on my bottom lip, contemplating what else we could do. “How do you plan to use the River Pearl?”

  “There’s a powerful spellmaster who knows how to make a sword that could defeat Mowang. But a dragon’s magic is needed to make it work.” A lock of hair falls over Tai’s eye. He keeps both hands on his stick and tosses his head. “I plan to take the pearl to the temple so the spellmaster can construct the sword, then go down to the Courts of Hell and free my people.”

  I almost laugh. “You want to kill the demon king?”

  “Don’t be foolish. No one can kill an immortal.” He moves slowly to the right.

  I step to block him and glare. “What, then?”

  “Mowang can’t be killed, but his physical form can be destroyed.” Apparently realizing he can’t slip past me, he relaxes against the wall. “When this happens, he’s forced to retreat so he can regenerate … which takes a hundred years.”

  “Why couldn’t you have just said that?”

  Tai shrugs.

  He’s the most frustrating person I’ve ever met. Not to mention the most ridiculous. Journeying to Hell and going up against the demon king himself—tales like these are what legends are made of. And to think, when I first spotted him, I took him for a simple thief. I’m not sure if I admire his audacity or find it idiotic. “Just how do you plan to reach the Courts of Hell?”

  “The spellmaster has an enchanted map that will guide me there.”

  “What happens to the River Pearl if you succeed?”

  His mouth tilts slightly. “I suppose I could pop it out of the sword and give it back to you. I only need to defeat Mowang once, after all.”

  That could work. I worried that defeating Mowang would somehow involve destroying the River Pearl—grinding it into a powder for a spell or something. If Tai only needs to borrow the relic, we may be able to reach an agreement. I don’t know who’s more foolish—him for proposing his plan or me for believing he can pull it off. “One more question: where is this temple, and how long will the journey take?”

  Tai’s lips twitch. “That’s two questions.”

  I snarl. “Answer me!”

  “I’ve already been more than generous with answers. Don’t you trust me yet?”

  “No.”

  He chuckles. “Very well. The journey will only take a few days.” He taps his fingers against his stick. “I’ve … procured one of the viceroy’s flying ships. It’ll get me to the temple in a day or two, and assuming I don’t get lost in Hell or dismembered by the Demon King, I could return the pearl to you within a week. Then w
e’ll both get what we want.”

  “And the temple’s location?”

  “I’ll tell you that after I return from my journey. What do you say, Lady?”

  I’m not about to trust a thief to return to a city that’s hunting him. Also, this adventure he’s describing … it’s the kind of journey I’ve always craved, one worthy of Warrioress. I want to be the one to travel across the land, dive into danger, and face off with the Demon King himself, even if it’s not my people who need rescuing. I want to take Tai’s place in his own quest.

  Perhaps I can at least be part of it … and claim one last chance at glory before vanishing into the viceroy’s household. Dailan can survive for a week. And maybe in journeying to Hell I can find answers about the Ligui and discover how to stop them for good.

  “On one condition: I’m coming with you.”

  Tai laughs, but not in a condescending way. “I should have known you’d say that. You heard the part where I said I’m journeying to Hell and fighting Mowang, right?”

  “Of course I did—I can hear perfectly well. Do you expect Hell to frighten me?”

  “If I did, I’d be an even bigger idiot than you think I am.”

  I almost let that flatter me but warn myself that he’s probably making fun of me again.

  “It sounds like we have an agreement, then,” he says.

  “Only if you’ll give me your oath.” I don’t know whether oaths mean anything to thieves, but it’s better than nothing.

  Tai looks me in the eye. “I swear on my mother’s soul that I’ll return the River Pearl to you once Mowang is defeated and my people are freed from his realm.” The smile returns. “Do you trust me now?”

  “Still no.”

  “I’ll do my best to prove your distrusting instincts wrong, Lady.” He bows his head.

  I roll my eyes. “First, we have to get you out of Tongqiucheng.”

  “You too.”

  “I’ll have no trouble escaping. Unlike you, I can blend into a crowd.” I cock my head. “Why don’t you simply dress like everyone else and do the same? Cover your hair with a hat, attach a fake queue, and go out without your mask?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Why not? You want me to trust you, yet you won’t tell me anything about yourself!”

  “I prefer to be the mysterious type. The less you know about me, the more interesting you’ll find me.” He winks.

  I have half a mind to tackle him again and forget our plan. If seeing it through means I’ll have to put up with his smug face for the next several days, I’m not sure it’s worth it. “If you don’t start taking this seriously, then you won’t have to worry about the viceroy executing you. I’ll kill you myself!”

  “I don’t doubt it, Lady.”

  “Stop calling me Lady. You know my name.”

  “Apologies, Anlei.” He pushes off the wall and straightens. “I have an idea, though you’re not going to like it.”

  “What is it?”

  “In the dark, most people look the same, and even Kang’s cyborgs have trouble discerning one person from another when they’re moving fast. If you cover your face, all they’ll see is a masked thief.”

  “You want me to be your decoy?” It’s not a bad idea. Especially if I let my hair out of its braids to flow wildly around me—the hair of a foreigner. Of course my locks are much longer than Tai’s, and my clothing is dissimilar, but if I move quickly enough no one will have time to notice.

  “Kang’s men won’t come after me if they’re too busy chasing you. And you’re faster than me, so you’ll have an easier time evading them. I can meet you outside the city, where I’ve stashed the stolen ship.” Tai grins. “I knew you wouldn’t like it.”

  I arch my brows. “How do I know you won’t run away with the River Pearl?”

  “Because you trust me?” He widens his eyes into a look of innocence.

  I want to smack it off his face. “How about this: You give me the pearl first, and then you trust me to bring it to you outside the city.”

  “Here we go again … Maybe we really should just duel it out.”

  Out of patience, I swing my bamboo stick. “If that’s what you’d prefer.”

  Tai blocks, and a clack rings through the room. “I was joking!”

  “I’m not. Don’t you take anything seriously?”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  I glare. “If you won’t give me a real reason to trust you, then we might as well go back to where we started.”

  Tai releases his right hand from his weapon and lowers it, letting it dangle from his left. It looks like he’s surrendering, but I keep my guard up. “You know my name, and you’ve seen my face … That’s all the leverage you need to make sure I hold up my end of our agreement.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Instead of answering, Tai pulls his mask over his nose and mouth. “The stolen ship is hidden in the East Forest, by the lake—Huimaohu. I’m leaving for the temple at sunrise, whatever you decide. You can help me, or you can try to stop me, but either way, remember that the fate of my people depends on your decision.”

  A sudden blow sweeps my ankle out from under me. It isn’t hard enough to hurt, but it causes me to lose my balance. I land gracelessly with a yelp.

  Tai drops his stick and darts to the window. I scramble to my feet and move to grab him, but he’s too fast this time.

  Ta ma de! Cursing, I chase after him as he leaps off the windowsill, but by the time I make it onto the roof, he’s gone.

  I put on Anshui’s spectacles and look around, certain he must be around somewhere. This house isn’t connected to any others, so he must have scaled down the side and run into the streets.

  The arrogant, ridiculous, irritating fool! I pace along the rooftop, wondering what to do. He may have escaped me, but he told me exactly where he’d be—assuming he was telling the truth.

  Shouts rise from below. Thanks to Anshui’s spectacles, I’m able to see several guards and a cyborg racing down the streets, and I wonder if they spotted something I missed and are now chasing Tai.

  If they catch him, Kang will kill him.

  Angry as Tai makes me, at least he showed some decency, and he did give to a beggar. And he’s on a quest to save his people. The thought of watching my hateful husband-to-be kill him over a mere object sends fire shooting through my veins.

  Besides, I swore to Lao Gu—on my father’s soul—that I’d help Tai escape.

  Fine! I’ll do it! After stashing the spectacles in my pocket, I unbind my braids and shake them loose. Yanking hard, I rip the edge of my tunic, then tie the tattered fabric over my nose and mouth. I tuck the frayed edges of my tunic into the waistband of my trousers so I’ll at least be shaped like I’m wearing the shorter tunic of a man. I’ll have to move quickly so no one can get a good look at me and realize that I’m not Tai.

  I must be as ridiculous as he is.

  CHAPTER TEN

  OUT OF THE CITY

  My lungs burn from the effort of running through alleys, ducking into corners, and jumping over the low walls that surround some of the buildings. Since Tai’s heading for the East Forest, I lead the guards and the cyborg soldiers toward Tongqiucheng’s west side—or at least what I think is the west side, based on the little I know of the city’s layout.

  The cyborgs’ heavy footsteps ring off the buildings lining the wide street. There’s not much cover here, and if I were really a thief trying to escape, I’d never be foolish enough to take this route.

  “There he is!” a man shouts.

  Good, I got their attention. I turn into an alley. Based on what I hear, I estimate that I have about half a minute before Kang’s men catch up. I whip Anshui’s spectacles out of my pocket and put them on—one of the taller buildings has a narrow balcony I missed in the dark. I shove the glasses back into my pocket, and jump onto the column supporting the balcony and pull myself up. My arms ache from having scaled many similar columns tonight. I do
n’t know how much longer I can keep up this pattern of running, getting the guards’ attention, hiding, and then doing it all over again.

  I flatten myself against the balcony’s floor and hold my breath as Kang’s men pass beneath me. The torn cloth over my face feels like it’s trying to smother me, and I wonder how Tai can stand wearing one.

  Who could he be? Maybe he’s the wayward son of an elite household and he worries what consequences his actions might have for his family. I suppose it doesn’t matter as long as I get the River Pearl back by the end of all this.

  After several moments, the sounds of Kang’s guards fade away. I climb back down the column.

  A metal hand seizes me. Gasping, I spin to find myself staring into the face of a cyborg soldier. The mechanical casing over his arm gleams under the yellow glow of his artificial left eye. I twist hard, but his grasp is too tight. With his other hand—the human one—he yanks the mask off my face.

  My heart stops. I suddenly understand why Tai might fear someone knowing his identity. As long as I was just a masked person, there was still a chance I could return to Viceroy Kang as if nothing had happened. But if I’m recognized as Liang Anlei—the future Lady Jiangzhu—things will be much, much worse for me and everyone I know.

  The soldier narrows his human eye. “You’re too short to be the thief.”

  Relief seeps down my chest.

  “Who are you? And why are you running around in a mask?” His mechanical eye stares into mine. “I can see when someone’s lying.”

  When someone asks a woman or a girl who she is, they’re really asking who her family is.

  I swallow hard. “I’m just a poor girl from the countryside. My father is Liang Liwei.”

  Liang is a common enough family name and neither Kang nor anyone in his entourage ever asked about my father other than to confirm that he’s dead.

  I pause, trying to think of a way to tell the truth without giving away my identity—or letting the soldier know that I’m helping Tai. “I heard about the man who stole from the viceroy, and I was outraged by the thief’s audacity. In my village, it’s every citizen’s duty to stop criminals, so I left the house hoping to catch him. But my father would disapprove if he knew his daughter was running through the streets at night. I masked myself so no one would know who I am.”