Trouble in Jonguria: The Jongurian Trilogy, #2

By Greg Strandberg

The Jongurian Mission is over and it’s time to pick up the pieces. In the East the rebel Warlord Zhou Lao strengthens his grip on the country of Jonguria. While in the West new plots are hatched that could once again put Adjuria on the path to civil war.

When the king of Adjuria decides that he’ll take it upon himself to have an audience with the Jongurian emperor, all deals are off. A perilous mission is started, and it’s clear that there will be trouble in Jonguria.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Greg Strandberg
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513045610

Greg Strandberg

Greg Strandberg was born and raised in Helena, Montana. He graduated from the University of Montana in 2008 with a BA in History.When the American economy began to collapse Greg quickly moved to China, where he became a slave for the English language industry. After five years of that nonsense he returned to Montana in June, 2013.When not writing his blogs, novels, or web content for others, Greg enjoys reading, hiking, biking, and spending time with his wife and young son.

Book preview

A moment later they could hear the sound of tree branches breaking and loud footfalls. Zhou and Grandon both jerked their heads to where the noise was coming from, up ahead and to their right.

There they saw Jin, his longsword gripped tightly with both hands as he came crashing through some small saplings toward one of the men crouched down behind a tree. He caught him off-guard and took him full in the stomach and chest with a mighty swing, causing a large spray of bright, red blood to fly back onto his face and body.

Without slowing he darted the five yards to the next man, who was attempting to raise his bow as Jin approached. His efforts were too slow, however, and Jin hacked down at him, nearly severing him in two from shoulder to chest before yanking his sword out above the man’s stomach.

––––––––

Trouble in Jonguria

Greg Strandberg

Big Sky Words, Missoula

Copyright © 2012 by Big Sky Words

D2D Edition, 2015

Cover Artwork: Joe Shawcross

Map Artwork: M. Nires

Written in China

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Connect with Greg Strandberg

www.bigskywords.com

Fiction

The Jongurian Mission

Trouble in Jonguria

The Jongurian Resolution

The Warring States

The State of Chu

The State of Qin

Tarot Card Killer

Black Walnut

Room 223

The Hirelings

Wake Up, Detroit

Ale Quest

Nine Amusing Tales

G.I. JOE: The Dreadnoks

G.I. JOE: JOE Team-13

G.I. JOE: After Infinity

G.I. JOE: To Its Knees

Florida Sinkholes

Bring Back Our Girls

Lightning

Fire

Dulce Base

Colter’s Winter

Table of Contents

Maps

1; 2; 3

4; 5; 6

7; 8; 9

10; 11; 12

13; 14; 15

16; 17; 18

19; 20; 21

22; 23; 24

25; 26; 27

28; 29; 30

31; 32; 33

34; 35

About the Author

The Jongurian Resolution Preview

ONE

Jossen leaned heavily on his cane as he moved away from the window, the muscles of his left arm flexing and tightening as he firmly gripped its ivory handle. The arm had grown larger than his right over the past ten years he’d relied on the wooden implement to help move around. Ever since the second day at Baden when he’d been wounded in his fight with Halam Fiske he’d been forced to use the thing, and he inwardly smiled when he thought of the man’s death somewhere in Jonguria. It’d been three weeks since the end of the trade conference and his brief encounter with the man, who he’d not seen since that day on the battlefield all those years before. Not for the first time since the party’d left Dockside did he wonder how many of them still lived.

He slowly shuffled over to the large table and took his seat at its head. Four of the men that had supported his plan at the conference sat around the table, each of them having arrived in Atros over the previous day or two.

So why exactly have you called us here? Jocko More asked, his oiled black hair shining in the lamplight of the room. There are matters I could be attending to in Shefflin right now, but here I find myself in Regidia. Our plan at the conference failed, I see little more that we have to discuss.

I agree, Andor Flin said from his spot at the table. His large jowls moved when he spoke and Jossen was filled with a brief moment of disgust as he looked over at the large man from Oschem.

I’ve called you here not to discuss trade, those matters are concluded, but something infinitely more important: the future of Adjuria, Jossen said to the four men seated around the table.

Since it was agreed that we’d begin trading again, I think the future of Adjuria looks quite bright, Klyne Surin said. The Allidian sat up straight in his chair, his still-muscular frame noticeable under his tight-fitting brown clothing.

Even though our plan didn’t pass the conference, trade’ll resume nonetheless, Dolth Hane added, his loud voice echoing about the room. I’m not so uncertain about Equinia’s fortunes, now that the promise of trade once again assures a steady market for our excess goods.

Jossen reached his chair and gingerly lowered himself into it, his actions slow and deliberate so that he’d in no way inflame constant pain in his left leg any further. He looked about the four men seated at the small table, pausing a moment to meet each of their eyes before speaking.

Gentlemen, he began, a slight smile coming to his face, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t think that Adjuria and Jonguria will be trading anytime soon.

What do you mean, Jocko scoffed. You saw the same things at the conference as we did. Halam and the rest of the men that came up with the trade plan’ve already left for Jonguria. Most likely they’ve reached Weiling by now and’ve already spread the news up through the proper channels that we wish to trade.

No doubt as we speak the emperor is considering the best course to ensure a speedy resumption of commerce, Dolth added, smiling and returning the nods from the other men around the table.

I don’t think the men’s trade plan will ever reach the emperor’s ears, Jossen said.

What’re you getting at Fray, Klyne said, sitting up even straighter in his chair. Do you know something we don’t? If so, please, let us know.

Very well, Jossen said, shifting in his chair, the Allidian’s posture encouraging him to correct his own. I received word more than a week ago about the expedition. Halam and the rest of the men left Weiling soon after they arrived. Two Jongurian ships left the harbor a short time later heading in the same direction. A couple of days after that ship debris began floating up on shore around southern Jonguria.

Are you implying that the Jongurians sent two ships out to sink Edgyn’s vessel? Jocko asked, looking around the table at the other men. I myself find that notion absurd.

I agree, Andor said. "Why would the Jongurians want to cause trouble with Adjuria at this point? Most likely if any debris is washing ashore it’s from those two ships. Halam and the rest of the men’ll be coming into Dockside any day now."

They probably headed to a city on the Jongurian mainland, Dolth added. Perhaps after finding a cold reception in Weiling they tried for Bindao.

If they headed to Bindao I would have been informed of it, Jossen said. No, the men sailed from Weiling after their offer of trade was refused and headed back toward Adjuria. That being the case, they should have arrived back at Dockside more than a week ago. He looked around at the men. As it stands, there has been no sign of them.

How are you getting this information? Klyne asked, his small eyes bunching up as they peered at Jossen.

Let’s just say that I have my sources, Jossen replied with the same slight smile that so resembled a sneer.

I think we’re entitled to hear what these sources are, Jocko said, seeing as how you dragged us all here in the first place.

All eyes went to Jossen at that. He thought for a moment. If he indeed wanted these men to support his plans to take the throne from the young king then he’d have to tell them all eventually. The question was how much to tell them and when to tell it. To give all the information at once, and when they hadn’t even been informed of his ultimate intentions, would be too much too soon, he realized. It was a fine line to tell them just enough to pique their interest and have them stay to learn more. Doth and Andor seemed willing to live off of the hospitality that the palace in Atros had to offer, but Jocko and Klyne seemed much more inclined to get back on their horses and return to their own provinces as fast as they could. He had to make it worth their while, and the next few moments would be critical to his overall long-term plans.

For the past several months I’ve been communicating with the rebel leader who controls most of southern Jonguria, Jossen began. He raised his arm up to silence the men who were obviously shocked at what he’d just revealed.

Let me continue, please, I’ll answer all your questions in a moment. He cleared his throat then continued. This man, Zhou Lao, is in the process of expanding his power to further areas of Jonguria in the hopes of eventually overthrowing the emperor and assuming power over the whole country, and I think that he’ll succeed in his plans. Jonguria’s been very fragmented since the war. Rebel leaders cropped up like weeds once the fighting stopped and our troops were brought home. The emperor proved incapable of suppressing them, but they spent most of their time fighting each other at first so they weren’t a real threat to him. Now, however, the strongest have prevailed and pose much more of a threat. After following the situation for many years I’ve realized that Zhou has the best chance of bringing the others together to challenge the emperor, and I’ve agreed to help him in his endeavor.

Jossen stopped and folded his hands on the table. The men looked at each other but said nothing, each of them digesting what had just been revealed to them. Finally Klyne spoke.

So you are planning to embroil Adjuria in Jonguria’s civil war, is that it?

Not at all, Klyne, Jossen answered. In fact, I don’t think Adjuria will be pulled into the conflict in Jonguria at all.

But you just said that you’ve agreed to support this man Zhou, Andor said. How can you do that without sending an army to Jonguria?

"How could you even send an army? Klyne quickly added. Only the king has that power now, and I don’t see Rowan Waldon lending any support to either side in a civil war in Jonguria."

But what if Rowan Waldon wasn’t the king anymore? Jossen said.

The question hung in the air for several moments.

You of all people should know where that talk leads to, Klyne said quietly.

Desolatia Island, Jocko said. Replacing a king didn’t work out too well for him, Jossen.

That’s because my uncle went about it the wrong way, Jossen said. I don’t plan to make the same mistakes as he did.

So you’re serious about this, Dolth said. You really think that you can overthrow Rowan?

I don’t see why not, Jossen said. The country’s not in a very good place right now. Most people are suffering as the economy continues to falter. Many can’t even find enough to put on their tables each day, and there’s nothing like hunger to drive the masses to rise up.

The whole intent and purpose of the trade council was to alleviate those problems, Andor said. And it looked like the plan put forth had a good chance of succeeding, unless what happened to Edgyn’s ship is true.

Oh, I’m quite sure that it is, Jossen said. He didn’t bother to tell them that he’d also received word that the Adjurians had been seen on the beach east of Bindao, and had even managed to kill some of Zhou’s men. There was no need for them to question him now.

I don’t know if I can be a party to another campaign to usurp the king, Klyne said. The last one didn’t go so well, as most of you will remember. He looked over at Jossen then at the cane that leaned against the table. None more so than you Jossen; you have a daily reminder never more than a foot away.

Jossen moved his left hand to the handle of his cane. Oh, believe me, Klyne, I haven’t forgotten. He gave his slight smile once again. This time, however, I won’t fall on the battlefield.

So you want to embroil all of Adjuria into another civil war, Jocko said. If you do that I don’t think that any who follow you will be treated so leniently this time. The consequences will be more severe than lost seats on the governing councils. Most likely it’ll be the splitting of provinces much like occurred following the first Civil War nearly a hundred years ago.

If we lose, Jossen said. But if we win, then there’ll be nothing to worry about.

"If we win? Klyne repeated. You think the rest of us’ll go along with your plan? Just because we supported your trade policy at the conference doesn’t mean that we’ll risk our lives and the lives of thousands of our countrymen so that you can avenge your family’s honor."

I think you’re making a mistake by being so hasty in your decision, Jossen said as he looked over at the Allidian. I wish that you would stay and listen to my plan first before you commit one way or the other.

I have no intention of listening to any plan that would involve moving against the King of Adjuria, Klyne said, rising from his chair.

Are you sure that you want to do that, Klyne? Jossen said. After everything that I’ve told you here tonight, I’m not sure it would be wise for you to return to Allidia without pledging your support. How can I be sure you won’t report what I’ve said here to the king?

Are you threatening me? Klyne asked in a hard voice, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Not at all, Jossen said in a calm voice, moving his hand up as if to flip away such a silly comment.

What harm could it do to listen to what Jossen has to say? Andor asked.

I think it’d be better to listen than to spill blood, Dolth added.

Klyne looked at the two of them then back at Jossen before slowly returning to his seat.

Very good, Jossen said, sitting up and leaning his arms on the table and drawing the others in with his actions. This is what I have planned...

TWO

The sun had yet to rise, but Grandon already knew the day would be hot. The noisy chatter of the thousands of insects carrying on all throughout the night was finally coming to an end. Their nightly songs began toward dusk and ceased just before the first warm rays of the sun crested over the horizon. At first it’d bothered Grandon, their nightly symphony; but over the past week he’d gotten used to it. It had been quite an adjustment getting used to the sounds of a city once again after five years of living on a desolate island. And then just when he’d finally been able to fall asleep each night despite the constant noise of Bindao, they’d left. Zhou had told him that they’d be traveling to the Three Lakes area of the country, the heart of the empire.

They’d mounted up one morning and headed out the northern gates of Bindao before the sun was even over the horizon. For several days they’d ridden along the road heading northeast. Zhou had set out with ten men, all well-muscled and battle hardened. They packed light, each carrying little more than a small pack containing a change of clothes and a few other items. Their most important possessions seemed to be their swords and daggers. Each evening they honed and oiled them to a fine edge, even though there’d been no need for it; they’d met few since setting out, none of them a threat.

They’d come to the edge of the mighty Dashao Desert on their first day and followed it until the road forked east toward the northern edge of the Shuiyan Lake, the southernmost of the Three Lakes. The ride had been rough; Grandon hadn’t ridden a horse in more than five years, and the sores he developed made sleep difficult each night. Every morning they ached worse, and it was with a considerable amount of pain and all of the resolve he could muster that he saddled up to begin a new day.

Zhou set a relentless pace. Each day they’d covered more than a dozen leagues, and Grandon’s respect for the man had increased. Not once had the rebel leader complain or shown any signs of fatigue, traveling well past dark each night before he grudgingly called for a halt. A fire would be built and the men rubbed their horses down, honed their already sharpened blades, and ate a sparse meal before falling asleep, sometimes right on the bare ground. Zhou himself didn’t use a tent, just a small net which he wrapped around himself to keep the more bothersome insects away. Grandon had foregone the device the first night after leaving Bindao, but after waking up the next morning with itchy red bumps all over his arms, neck, and face he’d been one of the first to reach for the netting when they’d made camp the next night.

They’d reached the lake on the third day after leaving Bindao. It was a crystal clear blue color and stretched further than Grandon could see. Immense trees surrounded its clean waters and a coolness emanated from it, a welcome relief from the sweltering heat that’d bombarded them night and day. But with that relief had come the swarms of insects that quickly became the bane of Grandon’s existence. After leaving Bindao and dealing with the saddle sores he didn’t think things could get much worse. He was wrong. He’d gritted his teeth and withstood it, however. Soon thereafter they came to the less-traveled road that led to the lake, which exacerbated his already precarious physical well-being. But it was the insects that began to drive him mad. When the thick black clouds had first appeared Zhou was pleased, for it meant that they were close to the lake. To Grandon, however, there appearance only worsened his already sour mood. For the first time he’d seriously doubted his decision to leave the island he’d been exiled to. At least there he’d not had to deal with raging hemorrhoids and swarms of blood-thirsty black specks no larger than a grain of sand. To make matters worse, his obvious discomfort only added to the mirth of the rest of the men.

Far from being afforded the respect he thought he deserved as a former king of Adjuria, the men of Zhou’s entourage considered him a hapless has-been who only slowed them down and had no real place among them. Zhou had done nothing to dissuade them from this course, and with each passing day their disdain had only increased. Leisu, the man that had taken him off of Desolatia Island, and his deputy Ko, had not been among those that had set out from Bindao. When Grandon asked about them on the first day had Zhou replied that they were both attending to important business in Ximen, but what that business might be he didn’t elaborate upon. The man that seemed closest to Zhou was named Jin Fudao, and he’d seemed to have taken a particular dislike of Grandon on the first day, casting hard looks and muttering to himself whenever Grandon caught his eye. Each time Grandon looked at him he was reminded of how much he was looking forward to the end of their week-long trek through the middle of the country.

Their goal was a small village on the southeast edge of the lake, toward the mouth of the Yanshou River, and a man named Wei Xi. This was Zhou’s counterpart in eastern Pudong province. Where Zhou was the undisputed rebel leader in the southwest of Jonguria, Wei Xi held that distinction in the southeast. Both operated in the Pudong province, which, being so large and nearly separated into two distinct geographic regions due to the mighty Dashao Desert, had room for two men who’s power and ambition wouldn’t afford a rival anywhere else.

Zhou had sent off a message to Wei several weeks before suggesting that the two of them meet face-to-face to discuss the future of Jonguria, a future which Zhou saw himself playing a large role in. A message had arrived shortly after Grandon had arrived in Bindao telling Zhou to come to Wei’s stronghold near the Three Lakes for a meeting. Zhou had wasted little time preparing, and since he had Grandon to safeguard for Jossen Fray, had decided to take him along. After all, Zhou certainly didn’t trust Grandon to stay in the city alone for the few weeks it would take to travel to eastern Pudong and back. Grandon hadn’t been enthusiastic about the situation, but could do little to argue with it. He was fast realizing that he was more a prisoner in Jonguria than he’d ever been on Desolatia Island. Why didn’t my countrymen exile me here? Grandon thought to himself. I’ve been more a prisoner this past week than I ever was during the past five years.

The morning routine went much the same way that day as it had since they left Bindao. The men ate a small breakfast of whatever meat was left from the previous day’s hunting along their route, fed and watered the horses, then were on their way before the first hints of dawn began to appear. Zhou headed up their column of men with his most trusted deputies close behind, while Grandon rode near the rear. The heat, though stifling, was not near as bad as it would be when the sun became high overhead, and Grandon was thankful for the few hours of respite. In an unusual break from the normal routine, Zhou left the head of the column and rode back to talk with Grandon soon after they set out.

What do you think of my country so far, Grandon? Zhou asked as he sidled up to the already sweating Adjurian.

I could do without the bugs and the heat, Grandon replied, wiping his hand across his brow then rubbing it on his shirt to leave a wet smear.

Zhou laughed. Yes, those aspects of traveling in this area of Jonguria during the summer are most unwelcome, I must admit. But don’t worry, good sir, our ordeal will soon be at an end. Sometime today we’ll reach the edge of the lake and be greeted by Wei’s men.

Who is this man Wei Xi? Grandon asked. He swatted at a bite on his arm. The sun had barely begun to peek over the land yet already the insects were out in force.

He’s a man much like me, Zhou replied. He’s strong where others are weak, uncompromising where others look for the easiest deal possible. Seeing that Grandon wasn’t impressed with his words, he continued. Wei has controlled eastern Pudong for several years now. I’ve only met the man once, during a meeting five years ago when several of us rebel leaders gathered together to discuss our areas of control in the south. There were six of us then, but now only Wei and I remain.

I find it hard to believe that you willingly share power with another, Grandon said.

I haven’t had much choice in the matter, Zhou replied. Until now I’ve spent most of my time and resources expanding my own power in southwestern Jonguria. There were two other strong men that sought to control what I now call my territory. The first was easily dispatched with, but the second took considerably more time and effort. It wasn’t until shortly before you arrived that I finally destroyed his networks of power and scattered his supporters, many of whom I now call my own.

Zhou stared off for a few moments as if thinking over the events that had put him in his current position of power. In the short time that Grandon had known the Jongurian he’d learned that he awarded success lavishly but punished failure unmercifully. It was only on his second day in Bindao that Grandon had seen the full extent of the man’s wrath. It’d been just before dawn when a knock came on Grandon’s door. Before he could even get out of bed to answer it, his door had swung open and Zhou himself stood in the hallway. He’d told him to dress quickly and come down to the street, that there was something he wanted Grandon to see.

A few men had been waiting on the street for them with horses and they’d mounted up and rode through the silent city streets; where, Grandon couldn’t say, their direction changed so many times. It was still dark when they came to an ordinary looking three-storey building and Zhou got off his horse, handing his reins to one of the men and telling Grandon to do the same. They headed into the building and climbed the stairs to the top floor, coming to a simple door at the end of one hallway. Grandon hadn’t been expecting much, for Zhou wasn’t even armed, aside from the small dagger which was always at his belt. Without taking the slightest effort to move slowly over the creaking floorboards, Zhou had moved up to the door and opened it without knocking. Inside two men huddled about a small table. Both rose when Zhou entered, but he held up his hand for silence and they’d slowly sat back down.

You know why I’m here, Zhou had said to them, and after a moment they both slowly nodded, looking down at the floor after they’d done so. Zhou had moved over to the small stove against one wall while Grandon remained in the hallway looking in. Neither of the two men seemed to notice him, or if they had, chose not to acknowledge his presence. Both had seemed intent on staring at the floorboards and silently awaiting whatever fate was in store for them.

You have failed me again in a task which I have assigned for you, Zhou had said, turning from the stove to face the two men. There will not be a third.

Suddenly, and rather foolishly Grandon thought, one of the men had jumped up from the table and charged at Zhou with a small kitchen knife. Zhou didn’t so much as flinch at the sudden attack, but only allowed the man to come within a few feet of him before he’d reacted. Faster than Grandon had seen any man move before Zhou had reached out his arms and grabbed the man’s wrist that held the knife while moving his other hand further up the man’s outstretched arm. So fast that Grandon was barely able to register what had occurred, Zhou jerked the man’s arm up so that the knife he held pointed from Zhou to himself. His own forward motion carried the man into his own knife, which Zhou angled in such a way that it took the man through the right eye. Zhou’s emerald gaze was already on the other man when he let the lifeless body fall to the floor. He’d slowly walked over to the table and toward the man, who’d showed no signs of attacking as his companion had. Without a word Zhou moved behind the man and quickly reached his arm around the man’s throat and with his other twisted the man’s neck, which gave way with an audible snap that Grandon had heard from the hall. The man had fallen forward onto the table, his lifeless eyes staring at the far wall. Without a word Zhou had returned to the hallway and moved down the stairs. They rode back to Zhou’s residence in silence, and the Jongurian hadn’t explained his actions since.

It had been an obvious display of power and an example of what could happen to anyone who challenged that power, Grandon knew. The men had obviously been two of Zhou’s own, tasked with something they hadn’t been able to carry out. Both seemed to know the consequences of their failure, and looked to have been expecting Zhou’s arrival. One may not have known exactly what was in store, so chose to attack, but Grandon was quite sure the other had known that any resistance was futile: Zhou would eventually find and kill the man, no matter how far he ran or how much he fought. It had also been a lesson directed toward himself, Grandon knew. Zhou was showing him what could happen if he was crossed. Grandon immediately had more respect for the man. Not only did he carry out his own killings, but he was obviously well-trained in the Jongurian way of fighting, using nothing more than his own body. Grandon knew then that if he ever chose to cross the man, he’ have to do so in such a way that ensured Zhou was killed in the process.

As if coming out of whatever thoughts had held him as they traveled along the lake’s edge, Zhou shook his head a few times and looked over at Grandon.

Wei has done much the same over the past few years, and now each of us stands unopposed in our separate areas of Pudong. It’s much the same in the other provinces, although I now call much of Ximen my own.

So what do you hope to gain from this meeting, then? Grandon asked.

Zhou thought for a moment. The rising sun caused the green emerald set into the patch over his left eye to sparkle brilliantly. Grandon was still not used to that unnerving sight, and found it difficult to hold the man’s gaze for long.

I hope to reach an agreement with Wei concerning my plans to challenge the emperor, Zhou answered. I don’t think that Wei entertains such grand designs himself, but if he does, then I plan to dissuade him from them.

Grandon looked over at the man. And how do you plan to do that? he asked.

Zhou looked over at him and smiled. Very carefully, he said before turning to ride back up to the head of the column. Grandon was left to interpret that in whatever way he saw fit it seemed, but all he could think back to were the two men Zhou had killed that morning in Bindao.

THREE

Get down! Ko shouted for a second time.

Two more riders were approaching from the east and the last thing he wanted was to be spotted by any of Zhou’s men. After Hui had rode back from scouting ahead to report the men on the road, Ko only had to tell the men to get down into the trees. The three Adjurians were the first to reach the small copse and dismount, pulling their two horses well back from the tree line. Sui and Hui went next, followed by Wen, while Ko remained on the road for a few moments longer to make sure the men were well-enough hidden before he too rode off the road to join them.

They heard the horses before they saw them. They were moving at a fast gallop down the hard-packed dirt road and in only a few moments they were well past where the men were hiding, the dust still rising from the road the only indication that they’d been there at all.

Alright, let’s get moving again, Ko said to the men after a few more minutes had gone by, and they got back on their horses and headed to the road.

Ko didn’t like to ride directly on the road, and he hoped that by later in the day they’d be able to find a clear enough path to simply skirt the busy route between Waigo and Xi’lao instead of riding directly upon it. He wasn’t sure who may be out looking for him and the three Adjurians, or if there even was anyone out looking for them.

After the battle in the Oval and the death of Leisu, Ko had been unsure of exactly what to do. The smart thing would’ve been to kill the three Adjurians as well as Wen Wubai and then ride back to Bindao to report to Zhou Lao directly. For some reason that Ko still couldn’t quite explain, however, he’d chosen to let the four men live and brought them back out of the mountains.

At first it was a difficult undertaking. The older Adjurian, Iago was his name, had a serious wound from a crossbow bolt. With the help of Liu’s men they’d managed to remove the bolt, which resulted in more blood loss than they’d anticipated. The man had fainted, and most were sure that he would die. Ko was adamant that he be carried out of the mountains, however, and somehow the man had held on.

Liu had been skeptical of his intentions. The small-time gang leader that Zhou had hired to chase the men into the mountains hadn’t quite believed Ko’s story that Zhou wanted the Adjurians brought back to Bindao.

If that’s the case, the Liu had said, then why was Leisu so intent on seeing them dead?

The only explanation that Ko could give the man was that Leisu had been blinded by his hatred for his former master and would kill all the Adjurians just to get at Wen. Liu hadn’t been satisfied with that answer, but he also didn’t want to concern himself with the foreigners or what some rebel leader far to the south wanted. He’d been paid handsomely by Leisu and was content to guide the men back out of the mountains and into Waigo. What Ko did then had been of little concern to him.

They’d threaded their way through the mountains and come back down toward Waigo. When Hui mentioned that they still had a good chance to head out of the mountains toward the Isthmus to catch the Adjurians that had gotten away, Ko only shook his head.

They’re already gone, he’d said, looking at the route the men would now be forced to take to get back to Adjuria. He’d looked over at the two Adjurians who were dragging their wounded companion on a makeshift stretcher. More than likely they’ll be dead within a few days. Very few people can survive that desert.

It had taken them only half-a-day to get back to Waigo. Liu took the rest of his men and disappeared into the city, leaving Ko, the rest of the men that he and Leisu had brought north with them from Bindao, and their four prisoners alone to make it out of the city on their own. Ko had the men that wore cloaks give them to the three Adjurians so that they could cover themselves up. The last thing that he’d wanted was to be questioned by the Waigo garrison as to why he was harboring foreigners in the city. The wounded Adjurian would be their biggest problem. Wen had been able to staunch the flow of blood shortly after they’d taken out the crossbow bolt and stitched up the wound as best he could. It’d stopped the bleeding, but did little to bring the man to a state anywhere close to what was needed for a hard four day ride back south to Bindao. All of them, even the other two Adjurians, were sure that the man would die within a day.

Ko had sent Hui out ahead to find a good route through the back streets that would take them to the city gates. Sui was sent with another man to secure the necessary provisions for their journey south, while the other was tasked with retrieving the horses from the stable near the warehouse.

We can’t show up at the gates dragging a man on a stretcher, Ko had said to the two Adjurians and Wen. You’ll have to think of something better if we’re to take the man with us.

If we can just get him on a horse, one of the Adjurians had said, then I think we can prop him up enough to get onto the road.

I’ll ride right behind him on the saddle and hold him up, the other man had said.

Ko had nodded. We’ll see how it looks. If I think the guards will be fooled, we can do it. If not, he gets left behind.

Wen had given him a hard look at that, so Ko had walked right up to him.

You’re lucky you still have your life, old man, Ko had said. I could have had Liu’s men kill you back in the Oval.

Why didn’t you? Wen had asked.

Ko thought for a moment, staring up at Leisu’s former master. I don’t know, he’d answered honestly.

Hui eventually returned saying that there was a good route that would take them near the city wall and right to the gates. It had been nearly empty of people; only a few beggars would spot them. Sui and the other two had arrived soon after with five horses and a few packs containing food.

We could only get five horses, Sui had said when he returned. It seems there’ve been some problems with horse thieves in the city recently.

That will have to do then, Ko had answered. "Get our