Witch Fall(4)

The dense canopy blocked out the sun, leaving little light for the growth of underbrush. So when the plants around Lilette started to thicken and the men had to hack at them with their swords, she knew they were close to the edge of the jungle. And at the end of the jungle was the sea.

The hard ground became loose and sandy before they stepped out of the jungle into the oppressive light and heat. A zhou was anchored off shore. It was easily five times larger than the largest fishing boats in the village, with three wide sails and dozens of men on deck.

Lilette knew what fate awaited her once she was onboard. She tried to dart between two soldiers. One caught her, his grip firm as he pushed her into the middle of the group. She whirled and tried again. Another soldier easily caught her and forced her back toward the center.

Emboldened by their carefulness with her, Lilette shot toward the scarred soldier and kicked him with all her strength. She’d hoped he would falter, but he absorbed the impact, and the blow seemed to hurt her far more than it had him. He grasped her about her waist, holding her firmly. She beat against his chest.

The formation halted. While Chen watched, two soldiers caught her wrists and bound them with soft cords. The flowers in her hair had come loose. They swung against her check, their sweet smell nearly making her gag.

Chen carefully tucked them back into place behind her ear. “If you’re not careful,” he said dispassionately, “you’re going to hurt yourself.”

He backed away from her and resumed his place up front. “We can’t afford any delays,” he said almost apologetically. “Fight any more and we’ll bind your feet and carry you. Understand?”

The wound at her neck had broken back open, spilling blood down her neck and chest and making her tunic cling to her. She nodded dizzily, and Chen gave her a small smile. “Good girl.”

He turned toward the scarred soldier. “Get her in the boat.”

The man took her elbow and dragged her down the beach to a small rowboat that had been towed onto shore. He easily hefted her inside. She looked into his eyes and was surprised to see a hint of compassion. “Please.” Don’t do this to me. Let me go.

His gaze darkened and he turned away. Something whistled through the air and landed with a thud near his feet.

Lilette nearly cried out with joy to see a fishing spear quivering in the ground. She knew the spear had been a warning—the men of her village could easily impale a fish from twenty breadths.

“Phalanx formation!” Chen ordered.

Soldiers who had been climbing inside the boat leapt back out and loped forward, their spears held before them. Men from her village stepped slowly out of the jungle. Bian was among them, as was Quo, his eye now swollen completely shut. The men held fishing spears, long knives strapped to their waists.

The two groups appraised each other. Lilette’s villagers outnumbered these men, but even she knew that fisherman against trained soldiers didn’t make for good odds.

Bian took a step forward. His hair was shot through with gray, his skin weathered by the sea, but he still carried himself like a younger man. “Who are you, and why have you taken my wife?”

Chen reached into his armor and pulled out a drawstring purse, which he tossed at Bian’s feet. “To compensate you for her bride price.”

Slowly, Bian bent and lifted the bulging purse. He opened it and his eyes widened. One of the elders said something and Bian passed the purse over.

Another villager called out, “You cannot buy another man’s wife.”

Chen tipped his head to the side. “She’s not a wife until the marriage is consummated. Until then, the contract may be bought out by another.”

How could Chen possibly know so much about her betrothal?

Bian studied the soldiers surrounding Lilette. “By law, you cannot take her if I do not agree to the exchange.”

Chen lifted his swords. “If you wish to die, come and try to take her then.”

The scarred soldier stepped closer to Chen and said softly, “You slaughter an entire village and there will be consequences, Chen.”

“Remember your place, little brother,” Chen said. “These peasants are no threat to us.”

Brother? Lilette’s gaze shot back to the scarred man, searching for the boy she’d once known. To her utter shock, she found him there, in the eyes that had once been gentle and full of life. Now they were just empty.

“Han?” she said softly.

He flinched, as if his name on her lips was utterly repulsive. What could have happened to him to turn him into this? He’d sat beside her for hours, patiently teaching her how to speak Harshen so she wouldn’t be so lonely.