Zeya, where are you?
Bayin wanted to call out. Her stomach clenched as she quickly scanned the men who were up and about in the clearing. Sure enough Htoo was also missing.
Who else has gone with him? They must have left at first light.
Her pulse hammered as her palms grew cold with dread. Her mind raced through countless scenarios, each flooding her with fear.
"Are you okay?" Kyaw's voice interrupted her downward spiral.
Bayin nodded. There was no time to hesitate, she must act now. She rose swiftly, clutching the blanket close to her chest, her eyes scanning the ground as if searching for something she might have lost.
"What you doing?" Kyaw continued to question, frowning as he observed her panic stricken face.
"I need to follow the General," Bayin said, stuffing the blanket and the piece of cloth Denpa wrapped around her arm, into her small bag.
Using her cloth power she subtly renewed her shirt sleeve, and refreshed the clothes she had on. She was ready to go.
"What's happening?" Soe asked as he pulled his hair back away from his forehead and stretched out his stiff limbs. "We leaving already?"
"We'll come with you," Kyaw said, packing a small satchel with his belongings.
"No, it's too dangerous," Bayin replied, glancing at him.
"That's why we're coming," Kyaw insisted.
"Yeah, we're coming. We're sworn brothers, ain't that right?" Soe chimed in, rising to his feet instantly. "Whatever ya gotta do, wherever ya gotta go, we stick together. Let's go, Bayin."
He stood grinning, his arm languidly leaning on Kyaw's shoulder.
"Wait, where we going?" he said.
Kyaw flicked a hand to silence Soe as he tried to persuade Bayin.
"It's not safe to wander these forests alone. Besides, we'll make good company. Alright, we may not be brilliant with a sword, but we trained today. And I reckon, if we stick together, we might just survive."
Bayin hesitated but seeing that there was no time to convince the boys to remain, reluctantly said, "Fine. Bring those swords with you. You should at least be armed. But stay behind me. Do not advance until I say so."
"Alrighty, whatever you say." Kyaw nodded. "Lead the way."
"Let's be discrete. I don't want anyone else to know we're going after the General," Bayin warned, scanning for an opportunity to disappear.
The entire camp was up and bustling as they prepared to leave, packing away gear, and falling into their familiar routine. From what Bayin could gather, the majority of the men remained, suggesting General Min had departed with a small unit. Taking advantage of the commotion, she and the boys quietly made their escape, heading east without drawing attention.
Denpa was the first to realise Bayin was missing. He'd been momentarily distracted while he checked off supplies for their food rations. General Min had given him specific instructions to keep an eye on Bayin.
"Oh Spirits! Where's Bayin!" Denpa cursed, when he couldn't see Bayin as he scanned the area. "Has anyone seen her? Him. I mean Bayin."
He immediately ran around the perimeter of their camp, calling out, "Bayin. Where are you?"
By this time, Bayin and the boys were out of mortal earshot but she sensed Denpa's calls. She was surprised they had noticed them missing already. She picked up her pace to a light jog.
"Come on boys. We need to catch up to General Min's group. He's at least a couple of hours ahead of us."
"Where're they going? I thought we're heading south. Why head this direction?" Kyaw fired one question after another. "This is heading east, right? Are they on a different mission? Why all this secrecy?"
"Hey Bayin, ya sure it's this way?" Soe asked, jogging next to Bayin then hanging back as they passed low branches of a tree.
Bayin immediately indicated he should stay behind her. Her senses working frantically to scan the path ahead for signs of the General and his men. The forest floor beneath the oak and camphor trees was littered with fallen branches, a thick layer of decaying leaves covering the ground. A variety of small shrubs, here and there, provided obstacles to leap over or go around. There was no evidence of the General's men having passed through. The men had obviously been trained to cover their tracks. Bayin continued to rely on her heightened senses to direct her.
"You're not saying anything, Bayin," Kyaw spoke again. "You're starting to freak me out."
Bayin slowed her pace as she explained, "I'm trying to follow General Min's trail. I need to focus."
"Alrighty, but you haven't said why we're following him. And why we had to sneak off."
This was a good question. She couldn't think of a plausible reply that would satisfy them. She couldn't tell them she wanted to keep General Min safe. She couldn't tell them General Min was the Crown Prince. And she couldn't tell them she wanted to be near him.
"It's something I have to do. You don't have to follow me. I'll join the main group again in a few days. Why don't you two go back. Tell them you were looking for me."
Kyaw held out a palm and shook it. "Nah, we stick together. No going back."
After another hour, the trees began to thin, letting more daylight filter onto the forest floor. Clusters of giant bamboo replaced the oaks and camphors, until only the occasional oak remained. Bird calls echoed in the distance, while the crunch of twigs and leaves underfoot released the musky scent of decaying leaves. They were clearly untrained in stealth, leaving a trail of disturbed soil behind them. More daylight allowed long grass and thorny shrubs to thrive, slowing their progress. Still, Bayin pressed on and guided the boys onwards.
Eventually, up ahead, the haunting sight of the temple ruins emerged. Once vast, the complex had stretched across the land, its towering stupas glinting in the sunlight. A marble walkway circled the main tower, its entrance carved with the serene faces of the spirit the temple had been built to honour. Now, only hints of walls and pathways remained. Twisting roots and trailing vines clutched at any structure that still stood.
"Do not leave the cover of the trees. No matter what," Bayin urged the boys. "Will you promise me?"
"Why's that?" Kyaw asked. "What's so special 'bout the trees? We can take cover behind those rocks."
Bayin was beginning to feel frustrated by Kyaw's constant questioning. She surveyed the giant stones scattered between the trees, worn smooth by time and softened by moss. They would provide good cover but Rei's words surfaced in her mind. They must stay beneath the trees.
"The spirit of this forest will protect us as long as we are under a tree," she replied truthfully. "There's no protection out in the clearing or behind rocks."
"Sure, that's good enough reason for me. But how come you're going ahead?"
"I need to check out those ruins. I won't be long. I'll come back for you," Bayin tried to reassure them. "There's no need to worry. I've got my sword."
"Yeah, but what if ya get ambushed? How we gonna know yer not in trouble," Soe spoke up. "We gotta stick together."
"No," Bayin said firmly. "No sticking together in the clearing. Please do as I say. I promise I'll be careful and I will come back."
She was beginning to wish she'd taken off without her sworn brothers.
Seeing Bayin's determined face, Kyaw waved a hand and said, "Sure, thing. We'll wait for you here. Call out if you run into trouble."
"I will," Bayin said and cautiously emerged from the tree cover.
The sun felt pleasant on her face, as she scanned the surroundings for danger. On cue, her heightened senses caught the faint rhythm of marching feet, then broken by hurried shouts. Panic rippled through the air, and before long the harsh clang of steel against steel rang out.
Zeya!
She'd found him at last. She wanted to protect him, but how? Doubts started to taunt her. She wasn't trained for battle, and frankly, she didn't think the General would be pleased to see her. He'd left without her, after all, and that spoke volumes. The real question was how she could help him without being seen.
Well, I can make clothes look new again, Bayin mused. Brilliant. I can ensure he fights in style. That's bound to be useful.
She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head at the absurdity of her power. The only real advantage she had was her ability to heal. That, at least, might be useful.
"They're fighting. Are we gonna help?" Soe's voice snapped her back to the present.
By now, it was clear a battle was unfolding up ahead. Shouts rang out, followed by the sharp clash of steel. Hearing it, Kyaw and Soe edged forward and joined her, crouching behind the stone. It was barely large enough to conceal all three of them.
"Why are you two here? You should be back there," Bayin said, aghast but not entirely surprised. "Remember the trees? Stay under a tree?"
"How we gonna help if we're hiding behind trees?" Kyaw asked.
Bayin sighed. "Fine, but trying to all fit behind this rock won't work. We'll be spotted straight away. Let's hide over there. Come on. Quickly."
They darted towards the crumbling pile of stones that had once been a wall. Dropping into a crouch again, they pressed their backs against it, straining to listen.
"We need to think things through. I'm still useless with a sword," " Kyaw murmured, rubbing his chin. "Soe and I ain't no fighters."
"Hey, I can fight," Soe protested.
"Who you kidding? We're not warriors like those men. But I'm a damn good runner. I can distract the enemy if need be."
"You will be doing no such thing," Bayin insisted. "We're not meant to be here so we can't be seen. I don't know how to help them except if someone is injured I can use Spirit of Cloth healing."
"Spirit of Cloth healing?" Kyaw and Soe asked in unison.
Bayin realised the last part of her sentence, she'd been thinking out loud and quickly added, "I have some material blessed by Spirit of Cloth that will heal people."
"Hey that's useful," Soe said with a thoughtful look. "If only Spirit of Cloth can make armour outta ordinary clothes."
Genius, thought Bayin. That's what I can do to help General Min and the men.
Her face lit with excitement as she turned to Soe, beaming.
"Soe, you're amazing," she exclaimed. "That's exactly what we can do. Let's pray to Spirit of Cloth."
"Yeah I'm amazing… wait, what? Clothes into armour?" Soe said, smacking a palm to his forehead. "That sounds nuts. Can it be done?"
"Now's the time to find out." Kyaw shrugged, bringing his hands together in a prayer. "May we be blessed by your divine power, Spirit of Cloth. Protect our General and his men. Make their clothes into armour so they can't be harmed."
Bayin closed her eyes briefly, steadying her breath as she cleared her mind and gathered her spiritual energy. The boys' prayers poured strength into her, sharpening her focus. She reached out with her will, trying to summon the image of the men's garments, but the effort was clumsy, like blindly stabbing at air. The men were scattered, their forms indistinct, slipping from her grasp. Without the sight of their clothes, she couldn't weave her power into the thread.
Her eyes fluttered open and she peered cautiously around the stone. General Min stepped into view. For a moment, she forgot everything, caught instead by the sheer power of his presence. He moved with such grace it seemed unreal, his blade an extension of his will, every strike purposeful, every step unshakable. His two opponents lunged in desperation, undisciplined and clumsy. They began to falter, overwhelmed by his unyielding confidence.
Bayin couldn't help but watch with relish at that handsome man, who was untouchable in his command of the fight. It was obvious that he had ample opportunity to cut his enemies down, but curiously, he chose not to. Who were these men dressed in black robes and gleaming gold headscarves, Bayin pondered. They didn't look to be from the North.
Shaking the thoughts aside, she returned her attention to the task. Her mind focused on the General's clothing, shifting the natural fibres of his shirt and trousers, so they were impenetrable by arrow or sword. Bayin was careful; she dared not hinder his movements nor break his concentration. The change was subtle, invisible even to touch.
Htoo came into her line of sight, locked in combat with a stocky man who charged forward with a raised blade. He side stepped out of the way. Then with sword raised, preparing for what appeared to be an overhead strike, only to feint at the last instant and drove his boot squarely into the man's groin. The stocky fighter let out a strangled cry, staggering back.
Nice trick.
Bayin praised as she weaved her power through the fabric of Htoo's clothing.
Now for the other men, she thought.
In that instant, she sensed the vibrating bow strings even before the first sight of arrows came hurtling overhead. Her attention immediately snapped back to General Min. A warning shout rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down. Instead, she poured her will into fortifying his clothing again, reinforcing every stitch, as arrows hammered into the ground, each one a near miss.
"Watch out," General Min alerted his men.
Whilst he was distracted, his two opponents seized the moment, gathering themselves and charging once more. General Min neither flinched nor wavered. Standing firm, eyes cold and unblinking, he said, "You cannot win."
His chilling voice was enough to halt their advance, like prey caught in the eyes of a predator.
He let the silence hang a moment longer before he added, "Surrender now, and I will let you live."
The enemy remained rooted, swords raised but hesitating. Terror lurked in their eyes as the General loomed before them, his stance suggesting a tiger ready to pounce. Bayin could already foresee the outcome, grim and inevitable. She turned her gaze away just as a desperate cry rang out.
"Run!"
The enemy was whipped into action by that command, and abruptly abandoned the fight and took off. Before General Min could give chase, more arrows swiftly flew over head straight for him. Every fibre of her being screamed to leap forward and shield him, but Bayin forced herself to remain hidden. She must trust in her cloth power woven into his clothes.
General Min spun instinctively, his blade a blur as he cleaved through arrow after arrow, splintering them aside. She let out a long breath, relief washing over her at the sight.
Her attention was diverted to newcomers emerging from the tree cover. They fanned out quickly, pressing against jagged rocks or crouching low behind bushes, advancing towards the ruins. Bayin recognised them as the General's men. She had to work quickly before they disappeared from her sight. Drawing a deep breath, she cleared her mind and channelled her power into the fabric of their garments.
Another onslaught of arrows were let loose, landing on the ground, missing their mark. Bayin and the boys watched the men signal to each other.
No, no, no, Bayin cried out in her head. Don't go that way.
If Bayin had to pinpoint the source of the malicious intent, it was from the temple ruins, and General Min was heading straight for it.
"Oh spirits," she said out loud. "Why can't he stay away from danger?"
"What's happening? Ain't the prayers working?" Soe asked, trying to peer over the rock. "Are they alright?"
"Keep praying," Bayin ordered, her eyes were fierce. "Do not move from here. I've got to get closer."
Before Kyaw or Soe could object, she darted to a low-lying clump of wild grass, dropped to her knees, and craned her neck to catch sight of the men.
A staggering presence of malevolence permeated the air, and a tidal wave of nausea swept through Bayin as she watched innumerable black arrows soar overhead. There was no sound, even the birds and the wind held their tongues. These weren't mortal arrows.
She swallowed hard and took a breath to steady herself. Scrambling to focus, she fortified the men's clothes again, concerned her first effort had not been enough. A couple of the men, too slow to duck, were struck, but the arrows rebounded harmlessly off their shirts, falling uselessly to the ground. The men froze, wide-eyed, staring at the shafts in stunned disbelief.
A rush of relief surged through Bayin's chest at the evidence of her power. Her gaze swept the surroundings, searching for General Min. He was hidden from her view but she spotted Htoo crouched behind a moss-covered stone, giving a signal before darting into the centre of the ruins. Close on his heels followed a well-built man whom she recognised as Lord Cetan.
Bayin crept forward to follow them, her eyes scanning for a suitable place to conceal herself. A flicker of movement caught her eye. It was Kyaw, edging towards her, darting from bush to bush like a frightened squirrel. Alarm caught her breath. If the arrows came again, he could stumble right into the line of fire. She flicked her hand in a sharp gesture, urging him back. But Kyaw shook his head, his jaw set with determination. Bayin exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes and pressing her lips into a thin line of frustration.
Fine, she thought, extending her cloth power to his clothing.
Having lost precious seconds, Bayin bolted out into the open, hoping she wasn't seen by anyone. Before she made it to the crumbling wall, a fresh torrent of queasiness overwhelmed her as she sensed more black arrows being released, filled with loathing and twisted with spite. Their venomous intent was crystal clear. She swallowed hard, pushing back the bile. To her amazement, several arrows moved in an unnatural, almost sentient manner, erratic and unpredictable, as if guided by an unseen force.
The General and his men were now visible up ahead. She watched horrified as a black blur, encircled General Min, trapping him in a menacing embrace. His face remained calm, and with swift, precise strokes, his blade scattered the arrows like leaves caught in a storm. Htoo however was struck on his shoulder but again her cloth armour proved effective. The men dove for cover, disappearing out of sight.
Bayin dropped low behind tall grass, heart racing, filled with awe at the remarkable speed and skill of the General. She kept her eyes fixed on him. Behind a thorny shrub, he crouched on his haunches, gazing at a fallen arrow lying by his feet. His brows knitted together, as he extended a hand towards it. For a moment his fingers hovered, almost touching, then with a sudden realisation, he pulled back, as though sensing something wrong.
Don't touch it, Bayin cried out in her mind.
Without warning, the black arrow sprang to life, jerking upward to pierce the General's exposed forearm, just where his sleeve was rolled up. He winced in pain and dropped his blade, stunned. Recovering quickly, he retrieved his sword with his left hand, scanning the environment for any threats.
Bayin froze. It was as though the arrow had pierced her own heart. A chill tore through her, and her arms drew in instinctively, as if to brace herself against the pain. Then awareness snapped back into focus. Urgency surged through her like lightning. Without hesitation, she sprang to her feet and ran towards the General. There was no hiding now. She no longer cared if she was seen. Somehow, she knew. The arrow was poisoned. And she had to save him.
With the sinister arrow still protruding out of his right arm, General Min tried to stand upright but was clearly unsteady. He was on high alert. Hearing someone approach, he whipped up his sword, ready to strike. Then he saw her. He blinked.
"What? You!" he managed to utter before his legs gave way and he sank back onto the ground.
Bayin dropped to her knees before him and cupped his face in her hands. His eyes were distant, unfocused, already slipping away, and panic clenched her chest. He was fading.
No, no, no. Don't leave me. Not now.
The words repeated in her mind over and over.
With shaking hands, she tore open her bag and pulled out her healing cloth. She must not touch the arrow. Somehow, she knew that with absolute certainty.
Then, a memory long buried clawed its way back to the light. One she had locked away for good. The ache it carried was too sharp, too raw.
It was her last encounter with the black arrows. There was no time to dwell on it. No time to fall apart.
If she hesitated now, he would die.