Seven Zhounese Brothers Part 6 (Progress and New Alliances)

After a few days of rest Sukh wanted to resume the quest to rescue the Zhounese brothers from the Black Flowers hideout. Bi-er and Farang were ready to join him. Bo Jing was unsure. It was dangerous. And he didn’t trust Bunko, somehow he thought the strange man was somehow assisting their enemies. But from he knew, it seemed the Elders of Pasar trusted Bunko so what was there to do? And, regardless, he had been named the new seventh brother to replace Sum-Oov. So he had a responsibility to rescue his captured comrades.

Batzorig was still recuperating and without his assistance, finding the hideout proved difficult. They spent a night in the forest and pressed on, into the hills that Bat had described. In the morning light, Bo Jing noticed the haze of smoke. As they drew closer, they found small signs of human activity but no obvious structure, nor even a trail. At Sukh’s suggestion, they climbed on top of a large hill that matched Bat’s description and prepared to wait, planning to spend the night.

Within an hour, a patrol emerged from the hill, one Black Flower and six ragged and desperate-looking men. The Leader and three of his men stood in front of the hill, while the three others dispersed into the bushes.  

After a quick, whispered conference, Bo Jing and Sukh began firing arrows at the men in front of the hill, concentrating their fire on the two with bows. One was shot dead by the first arrow. The other turned and shot blindly.

The leader picked up the dead man’s bow and hit Sukh with an arrow. He called for the other men from the woods, while ordering the others to charge up the hill. Bier and Farang charged down, while Bo Jing and Sukh shot more arrows.

Bo Jing and Siukh had every advantage. The Black Flower leader was trying to gather his men around him when Bat suddenly emerge from the forest. Bo Jing and Sukh charged down the hill and together killed their enemies while sustaining only minor injuries.

A voice called out from inside the hill. “What do you want?”

“Our friends!”

A ransom was negotiated. Bat put some money in a sack and threw on the ground, and the party members retreated into the forest. Bat hid behind a tree close to the clearing and Bo Jing button hooked to scramble back to his perch up the hill. A man emerged, wearing the thick armor and tall helmet of an imperial commander and bearing a large shield painted with a black flower. Peering over his shield, he pointed at Bat, “I see you there!”

Bo Jing took this as his moment to attack. With a shout, he leapt down the hill and delivered a mighty blow, just as the commander was turning. The Zhounese brothers charged in. Sukh circled around the clearing, and took advantage of the confusion to find a hiding place in the tall bushes on the hillside, scanning the re from which the leader had emerged, hoping to find the secret entrance.
The emergence of four more armed man, made the portal plain. Sukh ducked inside just in time to see a fifth soldier fleeing up the corridor to climb over a pile of loose stones. Sukh chased him over the debris and to an open wooden door. The man passed through the door and closed it, but before we could bar it, Sukh rammed it with her shoulder, preventing the man inside from locking it.

Outside, Bo Jing killed the commander and with the help of Bi-er and Farang was getting the best of the other four enemies. Bat, having seen Sukh disappeared inside the hill, followed after, arriving just in time to see Sukh bust the door open and send the guard sprawling to the floor.

Bat allowed the guard to run away. The party regrouped long enough to hack the door off its hinges and then retreated to the forest. They spent the night, well-concealed in a tangle of vines. But in the morning, they decided they were not well enough to make another assault on the hideout. Instead they returned to Pasar.

This was a wise a fortuitous decision. Sukh, was had received a bad wound inquired for a healer. Gunjar, a shaman from the north, hearing that his countryfolk were in need of assistance, came to find them at the Monastery. For reasons unknown, Sukh and Gunjar felt an immediate mutual antipathy for each other. So great that Sukh could not receive the shaman’s blessing. The others did receive the blessing and were healed. What’s more when Bo Jing and Batzorig told Gunjar of their quest to rescue their adopted brothers, he offered to join them.

Bojing and Bat met another interesting companion. A young wu-jen named Bangqiu had recently arrived in Pasar. He was there to say farewell to his parents who owned a mine somewhere in the vicinity. It would be a long farewell. He had been to Khanbaliq and Tiajing, cities that made Pasar look like a village. What's more, Tiajing looked out over the sea, something to which Lake Pasar did not even compare. On the clearest day, you could out over the sea like a bird in the sky, except there was nothing to see, only more water. Bangqiu had bought a boat, large enough for 100 men, and with four masts. He was preparing it to sail over the sea.

Most people in Pasar were suitably horrified, but Bojing;s family owned a merchant fleet and Bat was a nomad child, and had spent his youth blown back and forth over wind-swept plains that stretched as far as the sea. So they were keen to join Bangqiu on his voyage. If he would help them rescue their friends.

Seven Zhounese Brothers Part 5 (Loyalty)

Thoroughly reassured that Bunko was a good man, Bat Zorig encouraged his friends to attempt another expedition to recover the poor man's statue. Sum Dank and Bo Jing were interested at first, but when the time came, apologized that they didn’t feel up to it. Bat passed on their excuses to Bunko who smiled wanly and shook his head. “Story of my life. At least you had the decency to tell me to my face that you didn’t want to help me anymore.”

Bat did want to help him. And he had a plan. If Bunko could find some old imperial uniforms, they could disguise themselves as Black Flowers and infiltrate the base. While Bunko looked form uniforms, Bat told his friends about the plan. They still didn’t want to help and so Bat ventured out without them.

Bat returned to Pasar the next morning, exhausted, and carrying the half-dead body of one of the Zhounese brothers. The monks at the Monastery of the Two-Fold Path cared for Bǐ'ěr and Bat told his tale to Sukh and Bo Jing.

Bunko had taken the group to the black flower hideout in the forest. As before, he had moved silently through the trees while the Zhounese marched noisily along. Bat himself had also proved adept at moving through the forest without attracting undue attention. Bunk had found one uniform and given it to Bat to wear. He had also learned that one of the Black Flower leaders was named Krang.

As they were drawing near the hideout, the party encountered a deer, bleeding from an arrow in its flank. The deer was pursued by a ragged group of well-armed man, the leader of whom wore the Black Flowers badge. He was suspicious, but not belligerent, and asked the Zhounese brothers what they were doing in the forest.

Bunko called out from behind a tree that they were lost and looking for friends. At this point Bat made his presence known and elaborated. They were new recruits. He was the son of Krang. “How do we get to the hideout?”

The (real) Black Flowers were confused, especially by this last question. Before the leader could reply, Bunk interrupted, “You were chasing that deer weren’t you?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Don’t let it get away. We can talk more later.”

And so the Black Flowers chased the deer and Bunko, Bat, and the Zhounese made their way to the hideout. After about an hour, a clear path appeared, that led to a low mound in a forest clearing, thickly covered with creeping vines and small bushes. Bat approached more closely and began to poke at the mound with a long stick. A large patch of the brush proved to be an illusion. When Bat prodded it, he glimpsed a tunnel leading into the mound. He led the way and Bunk and the Zhounese brothers followed him. The tunnel led to a heavy, barred door. Bat knocked. A small window opened, a crossbow poked out, and a voice called for a password. Bat started to say he was Krang’s son and the crossbow fired. Bat raised his shield just in time and then backed out of the tunnel. The Zhounese brothers rushed in them. As they reached the door, a mass of debris crashed down from the ceiling. Bǐ'ěr was badly crushed. The others, bruised, battered, and enrages, charged the door, knocking it down. Bunko ran for the forest. Bat pulled Bǐ'ěr out of the rubble and followed him.

They found a sheltered spot and rested. Bunko told Bǐ'ěr that he’d showed himself to be a true friend and that he’d pay for a special ceremony to remember him as soon as he got back to Pasar. Bat protested that Bǐ'ěr would survive and there was no reason to talk like he was dying. Or to talk about going back to Pasar when the other brothers were fighting their way inside. While the two discussed their options, they heard the noise of the returning hunters. They looked to have been successful and were carrying half a deer carcass. Bunko hissed out to the leader, who responded to the call while sending the other men inside.

Bat told the Black Flower leader again that he was Krang’s son and that their friend was hurt. The leader appeared concerned. “We should get him inside. How did this happen?”

Bat asked, “What’s the password?”

The man looked puzzled, “Wait, didn’t Krang tell— Wait—” Suddenly aware of what was happening, the man turned and ran toward the hideout. In a flash, Bunko had pulled a knife, leapt onto the man’s back, and killed him.

“So sad, this always happens to me, I think someone’s my friend and then they just turn their back on me . . .” And then walked into the forest, soon disappearing from you.

Bat waited an hour for the other brothers to return and when they didn’t, realized that if he could accomplish anything it would be to save Bǐ'ěr’s life. All night he walked through the forest and back down the road to Pasar.

A few days later, Frang, one of the other brothers showed up in Pasar, tired, half-starved, and somehow more crazy than before. He had been captured and imprisoned. He dug his way to freedom. The other brothers were still imprisoned. Or dead. He wasn’t sure.

That was all Bat needed to hear. Bo Jing agreed to accompany him this time, as did Sukh. Bǐ'ěr and Farang wanted to accompany them in a few days when their wounds had healed sufficiently; Bo Jing and Sukh liked the idea of more help, but Bat wouldn’t hear of it. He declared that he would attack the hideout by himself if necessary and by this drastic tactic convinced Bo Jing and Sukh to join him the next morning.

Bat Zorig knew the way and led the others down the east road out of Pasar. At about noon, the three adventurers encountered a merchant caravan who warned them of a fearsome monster that was lurking near the road. The monster was a 10-foot tall man with fang-like teeth and attacked with a pair of heavy swords. Several guards had received grievous wounds and the caravan only escaped by throwing to the monster multiple live goats.

Again Bo Jing and Sukh urged caution and again Bat Zorig insisted on pressing onward. He led the way and was the first to hear the sounds of lip-smacking and bone-crunching. The giant, was enjoying its repast at a campsite near the road. It heard Bat approaching, dropped the goat in its hands, and reched for its weapons. Bat released an arrow that found its mark in the giant’s hamstring. As the giant stumbled, Bo Jing and Sukh charged into the clearing, swords swinging. Bat drew his own sword and joined them. The heroes’ blades were swift and sharp and soon the giant was bloodied all over. But it seemed to barely acknowledge its wounds, and continued to wildly swing its huge heavy swords. Bo Jing and Sukh dodged and slashed, while Bat took his blade to a tree, trying to topple it onto his enemy. But when it did land a blow with its heavy blade, the force of the blow sent Sukh flying into the air, to land on the ground with a heavy thud. Bo Jing stepped in to defend his fallen friend and slashed the monster twice across its face. Howling with pain, the monster turned to run from the clearing and found Bat directly in its way, still hacking at the tree. The giant swung both its swords at once, and caught Bat between them. The doughty barbarian of the steppes crumpled to the ground and the giant escaped into the forest.

Sukh, shaking off her own superficial injuries, rushed to aid his fallen comrade, pouring a long-preserved elixir into the mouth of the unconscious Bat. Cursing and kicking, Bat was revived. He started to charge into the forest, but when he stumbled to the ground, reason at last prevailed. Bat consented to return to Pasar.

Seven Zhounese Brothers Part 4 (Are you really a real friend?)

Batzorig and Bo Jing were distressed by what had happened to Sum-Oov and started asking some questions around Pasar. They decided to start by going straight to the Elders of Pasar and their court in the village circle of First Pasar-- the ring of traditional huts by the lake around which the Free City of Pasar had developed. 

At first the outsiders were rebuffed by the guards stationed outside the entrance to the First Pasar.  But Bat and Bo Jing persisted trying to gain entry until they were arrested. Each was held for about an hour in separate bamboo cages and then questioned by one of the Elders.  The man who questioned Batzorig asked him a few questions about how he knew Bunko and what had happened on the road. Batzorig shared all he knew and was released with a reminder that Pasar was city of peace centered on a village of love and no violence would be tolerated with its walls. The woman who questioned Bo Jing asked few questions about what happened and instead asked him if he was a true friend to Bunko. “Because he has a lot of enemies, lots of people saying bad things about him.”  After Bo Jing reassured her that he was a true friend and didn’t believe that Bunko had done anything bad, he was released.  The Elder gave him a little present to thank him for being a good friend to Bunko—a long slim dagger disguised as a rod of bamboo.

Seven Zhounese Brothers Part 3 (Unseen Evil)

The next morning, Bunko, Bug, and his new friend Bo Jing made plans to retrieve Bunko’s statue. They visited the Monastery of the Two-Fold Path and solicited the assistance of Sum-Dank, Batzorig, and Sukh. Sum-Dank took an immediate liking to Bunko and the plan to recover Bunko’s statue. Sukh was a little more wary, especially when she learned that Bunko would enlist the help of the Seven Zhounese Brothers.  A compromise of sorts was reached.  They went to the Brothers’ house and Bunk induced them to apologize for their previous behavior and for what “those crazy dogs did to your friend.” Sum-Dank, at Bunko’s urging accepted their apology and Sukh could little maintain the grudge herself. Indeed, the Brothers seemed less than half-aware of what their own actions.  In preparing for the expedition, they brought out a cloth sack obviously full of weapons—which were illegal in Pasar. And seemed to not be sure of each other’s names. Nevertheless, Bunko convinced the others, including Sukh, that they were fearless and thus great in a fight.  “I need you all because of your good minds, I need them to be the meat shields.”  As a final compromise, Bug would stay behind.

They passed through the gates of Pasar and collected their weapons. (The Brothers had been convinced to leave their illegal weapons at their house and did not have any to claim at the gate.  However, Bunko convinced one of the guards that an unclaimed cache of spears belonged to him and so the entire party ventured out well-armed.  Except Bunko, who apologized that he was more of a leader than a fighter.

They ventured on the East Road for a few hours and stopped to rest at midday at a campsite just off the road. And then they beat a path north through the forest. Bunko proved a very adept trekker, passing almost unimpeded and silently through brush and vines.

They encountered a group of armed men, some of the wearing scraps of Imperial armor and one with the badge of the Black Flowers. The two groups sized each other up, with some half-casual, half-challenging question about what they were doing in the forest. “No, what are you doing in the forest.”  When the groups parted, Sum-Dank suggested to Bunko that they should follow the other group.  “They might lead us to their hideout.” Bunko agreed it was a fine plan.

The other men seemed to know they were being followed, taking a circuitous path back toward the road. But the Black Flowers made too much noise to escape pursuit. Towards nightfall, they reached the same campsite where Bunko & friends had eaten their midday meal.  Sum-Dank and Batzorig climbed trees to watch them.  The Black Flowers called out, “We know you’re there, what do you think we’re doing?”  Challenging words soon led to a standoff.  The Zhounese brothers entered the clearing and at a mild provocation, attacked in a violent rage.  In the fray, one of the Black Flowers escaped, but the rest were killed.  Most of the Brothers also sustained injuries, likely at each others’ hands.

Bunko’s friends that that they, too would need to camp for the night in the forest. Sukh set up a watch system, establishing among her old friends (Bat, Bo Jing, and Sum Dank) that at least one of their number should be awake at all times.  Sukh herself, took an early watch with Sum-Oov, one of the Zhounese Brothers, who revealed to her that he was not Zhounese at all, but Tuigen like her, and the other men were not even his brothers. He began to complain to her about Bunko, “The only good thing I can say about him right now is he gave me a chance to meet a nice girl like you.” Sukh, indeed, was nice to him, encouraging him to share his feelings and expressing sympathy for his misfortunes.  

Sum-Oov, at last, decided to confront Bunko.  “I knew it would come to this, Sum-Oov, it always does . . .” Bunko woke up Bo Jing, “I think it’s our turn to watch, my friend.”  Sum-Oov drew his weapon. Bo Jing was ready to defend Bunk and Sukh had to intervene, pleading with Sum-Oov to think about his future. “Just go to sleep and think about it in the morning. Lie down here, next to me.” Sum-Oov was placated.

Bo Jing, Bunko, and Farang, one of the Brothers began their watch.  About an hour in to the watch, Bunko saw something in the forest, “You saw that right, eyes watching us?  And did you hear that?”  Farang had fallen asleep.  Bo Jing wanted to wake everyone up. “No,” Bunko said, “let’s go see what it is.”  They walked out into the forest, following the noise, but found nothing.  When they got back to the campsite, Bo Jing was tired.  “Go to sleep,” Bunko suggested, “I can finish the watch alone.”  Bo Jing did sleep.  Later, Bunko woke up Sum-Dank an told him about the watcher.  “Just stay alert.  Bi-er should watch with you, he’s the least drunk.”

The rest of the night passed without incident.  In the morning, it was noticed that Sum-Oov was dead, strangled in his sleep. A couple of the brothers looked at Sukh suspiciously but Bunk defended her. “She wouldn’t have done this, we were being watched last night. By the jungle spirits.”

Wi-Pei was much affected by the death of Sum-Oov and led the other brothers in a wailing funeral. Bunko returned to Pasar.  The others made their own way back by the end of the day.

Seven Zhounese Brothers Part 2 (A Real Friend)

A couple days after being rescued from the Seven Zhounesee Brothers, Bug began talking about “Bunko,” a “very nice man” who had visited the brothers at their house when he was a captive there and, taking pity on him, shared his food, including some very delicious sweet buns.  

Bo Jing was intrigued and agreed to go with Bug to meet Bunko, who lived in a large house near the brothers. They arrived at a peculiar moment as Bunko’s house seemed to be on fire. Bo Jing wanted to help, and a woman came running out with her children and asked him to rescue her servants. At this moment, the front door to the house next door opened and a squat man with twinkling eyes appeared. He was Bunko. “Don’t listen to her, she doesn’t even have servants? Why not come inside where it’s cool?”

Bo Jing and Bug accepted his invitation, and were treated to a delicious meal featuring lots of sweet buns, and many hilarious stories about Bunko’s life of heroic deeds, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and a string of fair-weather friends who one after another had betrayed the trust of the all-too-trusting Bunko. “But I know you won’t be like that, right Bo Jing? You’re a real friend, aren’t you? Because I don’t think I can take any more heartbreak.”

The party was interrupted by repeated knocking at the door. Finally Bunko answered it.  Bat Bo Jing could hear the sounds of crackling flames outside but as Bunko told the fire brigade, he was quite comfortable inside his house. “You have better things to do than interrupt my party.”

Bunko showed his visitors around his house, showing off many interesting curios before arriving at an empty pedestal. He had owned a statute, of a beautiful hunter goddess, but some of his so-called friends had stolen it. And the local watch, known as the “Brothers of Pasar” were of course “useless, or worse than useless, someone suggested to me that they’re probably in league with the criminals.  I never would even think of that because it’s not my nature.”

Bo Jing agreed that would help Bunk retrieve his statue. Bunko was very grateful. “But now, you must be tired, and you’ll have a big day tomorrow.”

The Sacbe 5 (Jaguar Vanquished)

Food was running low. It was time to start traveling again. But the travellers decided they could pass through the ruined city one last time and look for the missing porter.

They followed the stream and found a shallow place where they could run across without being threatened by the fish. They headed for the pyramid. It was still largely intact though the jungle grew ride to its foundation. The party heard voices and stayed concealed.

It as the last of the Jaguars-- the leader and the last of his men. The leader stood high on the pyramid, shouting orders at his minion who was poking at the foundation of the pyramid.

Divemoye and Omachaka crept closer. Their noise attracted the man's attention, calling out to his leader that he heard a deer. When he raised his deer, Omachaka shot an arrow into his heart. Zolin stepped out and challenged the leader to fight. Rightly suspecting an ambush, the leader at first refused, instead giving Zolin a chance to flee. But Zolin stood his ground, taunting the powerful warrior. Forced by the insults to his courage and by the practical. As he neared the bottom, Omachaka, Divemoye, and Atl shot arrows at him. He couldn't retreat and was forced to charge. Zolin met him with his spear.  He was a fierce opponent, but with the travellers surrounding him, and the porters harassing him with thrown stoned, he had no chance. He lunged at Omachaka and dealt him a mighty with his maca.  The others immediately attacked him from behind. When he turned on them, they fell back. He pursued Zolin and again the others attacked him from behind. No matter how fast he turned and how hard he swung his weapon, they escaped any heavy damage and wore him down until he could be killed. The porters kicked his dead body and the travellers stripped him of his jewellery weapons, and armor.  He carried a peculiar amulet of hard metal and also a map.

The travellers explored the rest of the city. They found a store of good maize but did not find the missing porter.