Pawn's Gambit by Rob J. Hayes

Author:Rob J. Hayes [Hayes, Rob J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Rob J. Hayes
Published: 2021-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Yuu donned her old mask and strode down the hill into the valley and towards the encamped army with Natsuko, Li Bang, and Lump just a step behind. It did not take long for her to remember how uncomfortable the mask was. It pushed against her nose and only had holes in it for her eyes. Moisture from her breath pooled at the little lip underneath the chin. She had been used to it before. She had worn it every day for almost seven years; it had become as much a part of her as her hair or nails. It offered anonymity and carried with it a legacy and a responsibility both. Yuu had failed the responsibility and tarnished the legacy. She didn't deserve to wear her grandmother's mask.

Li Bang sniffed loudly, then said in a lilting voice, "They're coming." Yuu realised he was being led by Natsuko, his eyes distant and clouded.

Half a dozen soldiers rode out to meet them each carrying a spear and dressed in black lacquered ceramic armour, their horses' hooves tearing up muddy clumps of earth as they galloped up the hill. Yuu walked on toward them, head held high. It was important to present an air of confidence. She might need General Roaring Tiger to believe her, but she needed the soldiers of this army to believe in her. Of course, she had to consider that if the soldiers were from Qing province, they might just spear her in the chest and drag her body back to their army. That would certainly put a quick end to the Art of War's tremulous resurrection.

"Halt!" called one of the soldiers as they drew close. These were no provincial troops; they were the elite soldiers of Wu. They formed up around Yuu and Natsuko and Li Bang, surrounding them. If she played this wrong, they would all die. Well, except Natsuko. The old goddess would likely laugh off a spear in the chest.

"No," Yuu said. She tilted her head so the lead soldier could see under her douli, so he could see her mask. And she continued her determined pace, ignoring the spear levelled at her chest and stepping to the side to move around the big stallion snorting mist in her face. Natsuko was blessedly silent.

The lead soldier looked to his comrades. Yuu could not see much of his expression under his helmet, but she could tell some of the confidence leaked out of him. It was important to appear in control, even if everything was going to hell around you. The soldier wheeled his horse around as Yuu walked past it, and manoeuvred in front of her again.

"I said halt!" He held the spear tip inches from Yuu's chest.

"And I won't repeat myself," Yuu said. Her voice had changed, taken on the air of command, the confidence she had once been so proud of. The change had not been a conscious decision. It had come naturally. She gently pushed the spear tip out of her way and continued walking.

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