The Sixth Seal

The moment of silence passed and several unsavory characters edged forward. The man at Xi Shi’s feet rolled around on the floor, still tangled up in her cloak. One of the men smiled and winked at her.

Wang Xu put up his hands as if willing the enclosing crowd to keep their distance. “We do not seek trouble.”

“Well you’ve found it,” said a stout man with a scar that ran from his jaw down the length of his neck. He laughed and licked his lips, then smiled at her, revealing a set of yellow and chipped teeth.

She put her back to Wang Xu and addressed the group of men that now surrounded them. “We seek a ship that can give us passage to the west.”

The man closest to her replied reaching out with a bony hand toward her robes. “I’ll give you passage, lady.” He moved his hips in a small circle, his eyes moving up and down her body. A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.

The book pulsed beneath her clothes to remind her of its presence. She counted at least forty men in the tavern. She stepped closer to Wang Xu. Together they were a formidable team, but they were limited by the small space of the room. One wrong move and the crowd would easily overpower them.

“There’s no need for violence.” Wang Xu addressed the man who had spoken, keeping his hands out toward the crowd.

“If you give us the girl, we’ll let you walk out of here.” The stout man elbowed one of his compatriots who then grunted and let loose with a deep chuckle that sounded more like a cough than a laugh.

A slow, confident smile spread across her face. “I’m afraid you’ll have to kill me first.” She felt Wang Xu’s body tense. From the corner of her eye, she watched his hand disappear beneath his robes to find his dagger.

“I think we can oblige you.” The stout man stepped forward, pulling a large blade from his belt.

“That’s enough!” came a voice from behind the crowd. It was powerful enough to silence most of the raucous group. The stout man stopped his advance, but didn’t sheath his blade.

The crowd parted and a slender old man with an unkempt graying beard and wild eyes, resting his slight weight on a staff stood before them. His hair was equally disheveled, but it hid respectably under a rather odd looking black cap. His tunic and peculiar slippers an unexpected shade of vermilion.

“You’ve all had your fun. Now leave these weary travelers alone.” His eyes roved over the group, pausing to stare down those who did not respond right away. “Their business here is with me.” He waved his staff at them idly.

The stout man stood his ground. “I don’t think I like your tone, old man.” He pointed toward him with his blade. “I’m going to take this woman with or without your blessing.” He glanced at her, licking his lips again. “You and I are going to have fun.” He tightened his grip on his blade. “Or maybe I’ll be the only one having fun.” He laughed and turned back to the old man.

With a deft thrust of his staff, the old man lashed out, striking the man in the groin. The stout man’s laughter curdled in his throat and his knees buckled, bringing him to the floor. Another blur of movement and the staff thumped the side of the man’s neck. His breath rushed out in short, quick puffs. He grasped at his throat and fell on his side. His weight shook the nearby tables.

The old man stretched out his hand to her. “Come, my lady, we have business to discuss.”

Wang Xu nodded and stepped over the fallen man. She took the old man’s hand and followed him to a table at the back of the room. The tavern fell back into its normal state. The patrons resumed drinking and laughing while a few dragged the stout man outside.

“So you need a ship and captain to take you west?” The old man looked at them expectantly.

Wang Xu studied him before speaking. “And you purport to be such a ship captain?”

“Indeed I do. Have you never heard of Sheng-Li, master of the seas?” He puffed out his chest a little and adjusted his cap. She could see now the cap had an insignia. It was a mighty sea serpent coiled around a ship. Two swords crossed behind the majestic creature.

“No.” He offered no other reply.

Sheng-Li looked to her, but when she shook her head he returned his attention to Wang Xu. He pursed his lips and furrowed his brow before continuing. “No matter. I assure you I’m the man for the job.”

“You haven’t even heard the job yet.” Wang Xu sat back in his chair.

“I’ve heard all I need to.” He leaned in closer. “It occurs to me that you do not have many other takers.”

Wang Xu pulled the bag of coins from his robes and set it on the table. He also pulled the dagger out and laid it down, keeping his palm over the hilt. “Our journey will be long and arduous. Half now for your trouble and to supply your ship, the other half when we reach our destination.”

“And what is your destination?”

Wang Xu looked to her and nodded. She answered the old man’s question. “West.”

“There are quite a few lands west of here. Can you be more specific?”

“It will become apparent in time.”

He looked as though he was going to protest, but Wang Xu shook the bag of coins. “For now the destination is unimportant. We need to make haste and head west. That is all you need to know.”

The old man snorted, leaned back in his chair, and then lurched forward and slapped the table. “Very well. We can leave tomorrow by midday.”

“I was hoping to leave sooner than that.” Wang Xu separated some of the coins from the bag and pushed them across the table.

The old man quickly pocketed them. “There is much to do before a long journey. As it is I will be up all night making preparations and gathering my crew.”

The room was beginning to thin out a little. She touched Sheng-Li’s hand. “We have nowhere to stay, and I don’t think it would be wise for us to room here.”

“No problem, my lady. You can sleep on the Sea Dragon tonight. You might as well get a good look at the vessel that will carry you across the sea.”

The only thing impressive about the Sea Dragon was her name. At first glance under the light of the moon, she appeared to be listing a bit to port and her hull was weathered and pitted. Even the dragon’s head that crested her bow was chipped and in dire need of fresh paint. In fact, the entire ship was in need of paint. The sails, however, looked crisp and the battens straight as though they had recently been replaced.

Xi Shi nudged Wang Xu as they made their way down the pier toward the Sea Dragon. She whispered to him, “Do you think this vessel is capable of a sea voyage?”

He started to answer, but an annoyed snort from Sheng-Li stopped him.

“I assure you she’s more than capable.” He took off his cap and gestured from her bow to her stern in a grandiose manner. “She’s the fastest ship to sail these seas.”

She blushed. “I meant no disrespect, sir. It’s just that she looks quite...weathered.”

He sat his cap back on his head at a rakish angle and rubbed his chin. “If you’d been through the storms the Sea Dragon has, you’d be a bit weathered yourself.”

Before she could offer another apology, Sheng-Li turned and called out to the boat. “Kang! It’s your captain, boy. Get your lazy ass up, you good for nothing dung beetle, and lower the plank.”

A small boy appeared at the ship’s mid-deck. He grunted and strained, raising the hefty board over the side before lowering it to the pier below. Although he didn’t so much lower it as drop it. The wooden boardwalk under their feet trembled and creaked in protest.

“After you.” Sheng-Li bowed, then ushered them up the ramp.

Wang Xu followed behind her, his hand at the small of her back. His presence reassured her.

When she reached the top, the boy held out his hand. “Welcome aboard.”

He looked to be around ten years of age and despite his small frame, there was a quiet strength about him. He wore a dingy yellow tunic tied at the waist with rope over a pair of tattered pants. She took his hand and stepped over the railing onto the planked decking of the ship.

“Thank you, Kang.”

Wang Xu climbed on deck and looked back down to the pier. He called down to Sheng-Li, “Are you coming aboard, Captain?”

She looked over the railing down to Sheng-Li. “Yes, aren’t you coming aboard to show us to our quarters?”

He waved his cap at them absently. “There is much for me to do tonight. Kang will show you to your room.” He directed his gaze at the boy, who was now standing right next to her. “See to it, boy!”

Kang’s slight frame straightened and he gave a quick salute. “Yes, Captain.”

Wang Xu looked as though he wanted to say more to Sheng-Li, but the Captain turned and shuffled back down the pier and vanished in the darkness.

“Don’t worry. I can show you to your room. I know the Sea Dragon almost as well as the Captain.”

She nodded and smiled. “After you.”

Kang smiled broadly and led them toward the ship’s stern and through a small door that sat directly in the center of the low-slung structure that occupied the aft of the Sea Dragon. Its roof was adorned with terra-cotta tiles, but many of them were missing and had been replaced by thatching.

Inside, oil lamps hung at regular intervals from a wire that ran along the low ceiling. Their angle confirmed her earlier observation that the ship was listing a bit to port.

“Kang?”

“Yes, Miss?” The boy didn’t stop or even turn around. He just kept leading them through the halls.

“Is the Sea Dragon taking on water?”

“Not much.”

Wang Xu interrupted. “What do you mean, not much?”

“Nothing to worry about, Master.” He opened a door, revealing another narrow, dimly lit hallway. “She has six water tight compartments and only the aft port compartment has been breached.”

She grabbed Kang’s shoulder and gently turned him around. “Don’t you think that should be fixed before we set sail?”

“There’s not enough time. Besides, the Captain has taken her out in much worse shape than this.” Kang walked backward a few paces until they were even with a red lacquered door. “Here’s your room.” He pushed the door open, ushering them inside.”

“Don’t worry.” He gave them a toothy grin. “The Sea Dragon always finds her way home.” He shut the door leaving them alone.

She may not find her way home from this voyage.

Heavy footsteps and shouting from the deck above pulled Xi Shi from sleep. Wang Xu stood at the door and motioned for her to join him. The light of the morning crept through the room’s single porthole.

“Do you think it’s the crew?” She put a hand on his shoulder.

He shook his head. “Too much noise just to be the crew.”

He led the way back up the narrow hallway toward the open deck. She felt at her waist for the book, reassured by its warm presence in the leather pouch that still hung from her waist.

The deck was bustling with activity. She counted eight men attending to the ship’s rigging and another three coming up the ramp with large wooden barrels.

“What do you suppose those are?” She tapped him on the arm and pointed to the barrels.

He seemed distracted, but he answered anyway. “Most likely supplies. Rice, fresh water, everything we’ll need for an extended time at sea.” He walked to the rail and peered over the side.

“What is it?” She stood on her tiptoes to get a better look down the pier.

He leaned farther over the edge, looking back to the south at the row of ships moored along the docks. “Looks like Imperial soldiers.”

He pushed past her and grabbed the next man coming up the ramp. The man nearly dropped the large barrel he was carrying and muttered something under his breath. Something about Wang Xu’s look stopped him.

“Where is your captain?”

The man shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I suspect he’ll be along soon.”

He shook the man. “We need to set sail now.”

The man pulled free from his grip. “Not without the captain. Besides, we have to get all of the supplies loaded. The quicker you let me finish, the quicker we can be underway.”

Wang Xu nodded and gestured for the man to continue with his duties.

“Maybe we can hide below deck.” She offered.

“I don’t think it would do any good.” He leaned back over the railing. “It looks like they’re searching each ship one by one.”

“These men could help us fight them off.”

“Not likely. They’re not soldiers and I doubt if they’d be willing to risk their lives for the likes of us.” He scanned the pier. “Our best bet is for the captain to return and get this ship out to sea.”

Another couple of men came up the ramp hauling a slatted crate. The man closest to them spoke. “Our departure might be delayed.” He motioned with a quick flip of his head toward the soldiers. “Looks like they’re looking for something.”

“Or someone,” she added. He glared at her.

He turned his attention back to the man. “Is this ship ready to set sail?”

The man laughed. “Well she’s still moored, and without some wind we’re going to have to row her out to open water.”

She grabbed the man’s arm. “What if a strong wind were to appear?”

“Well, we could probably get out to sea pretty soon once we cut the ropes.”

Wang Xu looked down at the pier. His eyes grew wide. Six heavily armored Imperial soldiers were moving in their direction.

“Cut the ropes now!” He ordered.

“I answer only to the captain.” The man protested.

She pointed down the pier. “There’s your captain and he’s coming fast.”

All the men on deck looked out to see their captain charging toward the ship on a black horse. He was waving his staff and shouting.

“Your captain is coming. Now cut the damn ropes!” Wang Xu pushed the man toward the upper deck before turning to the others. “Cut the ropes!”

The soldiers on the ramp drew their swords and charged toward them. Wang Xu drew his dagger and prepared to face them.

The book became hot beneath her robes. She pulled it from the pouch, light spilling out of the Eye of Jupiter. She gazed through the light and into the center where great billowing clouds were forming over a raging sea. The book was communicating to her, but it needed her to act. She was the spark, the tempest that could channel the power. In that moment she realized the book itself held no power, it simply drew energy from the Earth and the life that inhabited it. It was only a conduit between the source of the power and the one who had been attuned to wield it.

She held the book at arm’s length up to the sky. Words poured from her mouth in a voice that was not her own, raising and falling in a discordant symphony that willed the sky to darken and a spiral of dark clouds to form like the tendrils of some great sea creature. She could hear the sails behind her flap to attention and the battens creak as air filled the empty space. The ship groaned and strained against her moorings as if the Sea Dragon were actually alive and ready to free herself from the wanton grasp of the land.

When the book’s incantation was finished, she dropped her arms and fell to her knees, exhausted. Wang Xu called out to her, then dove behind her to avoid being crushed as Sheng-Li’s horse mounted the ramp. The captain sat in the saddle, batting at the soldiers with his staff. They jumped from the platform to avoid being trampled by the determined steed, falling one by one into the sea below.

His horse crested the railing and landed on the deck as though it had done so a thousand times before. Sheng-Li dismounted, raised his staff above his head and yelled at the top of his lungs. “Cut the moorings you lazy bastards!”

The crew was on the ropes before the words escaped his lips. They used every blade they had to hack away at the massive moorings. The ship continued to creak and groan as the sails, full of air, pulled her taut.

On the pier a new group of Imperial soldiers hurried toward the ship, their swords already in hand.

“Hurry, they’re almost here.” Wang Xu pointed at the soldiers.

The same sailor who had carried the barrel on board raised his sword above his head and sliced the final rope. The Sea Dragon rocked back, nearly tipping over, before righting herself and gliding sideways away from the pier.

The misfit-looking crew jumped into action, working the ropes and cutting the sails so that the wind shifted the Sea Dragon forward and out toward open waters, leaving a throng of angry soldiers cursing and waving their fists behind them.