The fire cut off as its source was exhausted. The man dropped his shield and leaped. His robes billowed as he effortlessly soared high above their heads. The ground erupted beneath their feet and flung them opposite ways when he pointed in their direction.
Chips of stone and debris stung as they struck Nyori, and her breath exploded from her lungs when she slammed against the ground. She tasted blood, and her limbs would not cooperate when she tried to raise herself. When she groggily lifted her head, the stranger's sword rested just above her throat.
"I have some questions before you die. Your answers will decide how much pain you endure before it happens."
Something twanged like a single harp note.
The stranger did not even look away as he snatched the crossbow quarrel out of midair. The bolt quivered in his hand. "It appears as if you have forgotten your allegiances, son," he said in a near whisper. "How disappointing."
Han stepped from the swirling smoke, removing the snug guard that covered his face. He tossed the crossbow to the ground, staring at the man. "My father died years ago. But long have I looked for the kuang-shi who wears his skin, so I may put his memory to rest."
Nyori gasped. The man had to be Bo Yung, the father Han said had stolen a powerful fusorb and fled his homeland for refuge among the akhkharu.
"You are wrong." Bo Yung seemed to have forgotten about Nyori as he strode toward Han. "You see this face? It has aged since you last saw it, has it not?"
"Vizardry is a Craft of the kuang-shi. It is nothing to change your appearance."
Bo Yung smiled. "Such a suspicious mind. You have grown wise. So now you must know the truth. You remember when I was captured by the kuang-shi. What you do not know was it was all part of my plan."
Han unsheathed Chiyou. "Now I know you are not my father. Killing you has become that much easier."
Bo Yung appeared indifferent to Han's threats. "I see you have kept the Honor Sword. You could have sold or traded it when times were rough, and I know they were for you. But you didn't. I knew that you would not. I know you well — better than you do, in fact. I see myself at the same age. A man who believes in ideas larger than himself."
Han stood in an attack stance. "The only belief I have is in retribution. That is why I have sought you out these many years."
Bo Yung's eyebrows rose. "Truly? Then why are you involved in this battle, Han? You did not know I would be here, did you? This is not your war, nor your home. But you have joined a hopeless cause because you desperately need something to believe in. I know the feeling well. That is why I chose to come here. Because I too have something I believe in."
Han shook his head. "You lie. The kuang-shi do not bargain with those they feed on."
Bo Yung clasped his hands behind his back. "There are other ventures my current masters are interested in besides nourishing themselves. Ventures such as expanding their base of power. Our lands have been safeguarded against an influx of kuang-shi for ages because of the powers of our Sovereign Ones. But they have grown weak and their time is nearly done. The invasion will come, and soon. But who will stand to gain from their arrival? The one who opens the gates, of course. You can benefit as well, son. It is not too late." He smiled then, looking at Han with expressionless eyes.
Han stood still as stone, but Chiyou quivered with fury. "You would spit upon your honor and expect me to join you in your shame?"
Bo's smile turned sad. "Very well, my son." He spread out his arms. "Kill me. That is why you have sought me out, is it not? You know of my plans. Do you hesitate now? Are you the warrior…or the coward?"
Not a quiver of emotion betrayed Han. One moment he was a statue. The next he was the wind. Everything blurred as he streaked forward.
His father's hands moved with a speed that made Han seem like he stood still. He slammed into the earth almost before Nyori realized he'd been struck.
As Han spat blood, Bo Yung eyed him with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Your form is flawless. But you deny the gifts you have earned by right of the kill. You know what I'm talking about. The Crafts are no longer the sole property of the kuang-shi. Learn to use them, and perhaps you will be fit to face me again. I will kill this Shama and leave now. Farewell, my son."
Han leaped to his feet and dashed forward. "Father, don't—"
Bo Yung's smile and bow was mocking. When Chiyou slashed, it was through mist, tendrils that quickly reformed near Nyori.
Who had regained her footing. She had no time for tracing Glyphs, no time to utter a command. She desperately focused on what she needed with her Inner mind, picturing the shield that Bo Yung had used earlier. His sword was liquid silver, igniting sparks as it clashed with her barricade of Tropos. Bo Yung stumbled back from the recoil, giving Han a chance to come within reach.
Bo Yung met Chiyou with his own blade while his free hand pointed toward Nyori. The ground heaved, and she stumbled backwards. Without slowing, Bo Yung flipped backward and caught Han's chin with his heel. Han hurled daggers as he hit the ground, but Bo Yung managed to evade those as though his bones were made of water. His blade glimmered as it flashed toward Nyori's head.
Streaks of fire crackled, forcing him to drop his sword and protectively raise his hands. The air shimmered, forming a shield that pushed against the flames. Shiru's black robes fluttered as he sailed toward them, flames roaring behind his outstretched hands. The fire sizzled against Bo Yung's shield, the air between the two forces flashed blindingly.
"Where is the Geod, Bo Yung?" Shiru stepped closer, creating a roaring backlash of heat. The sound of the two forces clashing sounded like splintering ice. "Surrender Fucang to me and you may yet live."
Nyori felt a tug on her sleeve. It was Leilavin. Half her face was a mottled bruise, but she appeared otherwise uninjured. "We must leave, Mistress. This battle will destroy us."
Nyori heartily agreed. A bubble of flickering energy expanded from the combatants, creating by the opposing forces. Anything in its wake was flung backward, the air and ground seared and crackled from the unnatural manipulation. Was that what it looked like when Shiru and I fought Eretik in Kaerleon? It was a wonder she survived. Nando was barely visible from the other side, supporting Ayna as they staggered away. He motioned with his hand, gesturing for them to go as well. Even Han shielded himself as he stumbled away from the conflagration.
Nyori and Leilavin ran as the courtyard erupted in an explosion powerful enough to fling trees through the air and rupture the side of the palace. They dashed alongside the wall, shielding their heads as stone and earth crashed down around them.
Battle raged as well. One moment they ran alone, the next they were virtually yanked into a riptide of bodies. Leilavin had to grip Nyori's hand to avoid being swept away by the struggling forces.
They barely managed to move to the wall as the combatants surged by. The akhkharu forces appeared broken, fleeing into the interior of the palace as their human foes eagerly pursued. Nyori caught flashes of bloodstained blades and armor, faces twisted in pain and fear and fury. The men growled, grunted, roared, and screamed as they boiled together, turning the courtyard into an overflowing cauldron of blood and fallen bodies. Torn banners bearing the Isbjorn of Norland, the Silver Horn, the Three Shields, the Eagle of Epanos, and the Black Rose of Parand fluttered and streamed as their carriers struggled forward, stirring their forces onward. The sunlight was brilliant, golden blades that slashed through the umbrella of cloud cover that had protected Aceldama's inhabitants for so long.