Wandering Eternal: Brothers of War

Heroic Ambitions

Ezma turns back to her paper and continues writing while Po Chi takes her chair and sits behind Zee. She takes the comb from him and starts combing his hair from his scalp down parting it into four sections. She stands up to reach the front of his head and starts to braid overlapping them in the middle. When she gets to the end of his hairline she starts braiding in a different formation but still blending it with the under and over lays on his scalp. She finally reaches the end of his hair and she starts to tie it off with a blue ribbon until he turns around stopping her for a moment. He reaches into his courier bag and rummages inside for a moment searching for something then he pulls out a pendant handing it to her. She takes a look at it studying it for a moment noticing that it was beautifully crafted with a medium sized opal in the middle and the outside circle contains alexandrites, amethysts, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and one diamond at the top of it, or the bottom depending on which way you look at it. She ties the end of the braid tightly then ties the pendant on above the ribbon then ties another ribbon above the pendant and lashes them together so that hopefully it will not fall off, “thank you Po Chi,” he stands up to look at the body mirror near the door, “wow! That is the most impressive braid I have ever seen!” He turns his head and moves his hair around then he reaches into the courier bag again and pulls the pocket watch out looking at it, “now I believe it is time for bed,” he says realizing both girls are yawning more frequently.

“Hey you promised me I could have a drink of wine after we finished everything and I want to read one more story,” Ezma says with a pouty look on her face.

“I remember,” he says walking over to the bed and lifts up a pillow revealing the bottle of wine.

“So you hid it? I thought you took it with you?” She says irritably. Zee walks back to the table and pours all three of them a small cup of wine. Po Chi and Zee both down theirs with a single gulp while Ezma is smelling and tasting it with her tongue before taking a sip, “oh wow! This tastes really good...it kind of burns my throat though,” she coughs a little then drinks the rest of it with one gulp and her face wrinkles up and her whole body shivers, “woo! That’s a weird feeling!”

“Yes but the reason they do not let young people drink it is because it is easy to drink too much and really mess yourself up or get into a lot of trouble,” he lectures her with care and compassion, “now let us venture over to the bed and I will read you a story out of one of my books. Then it will be time to go to sleep,” Po Chi and Ezma walk over to the bed pulling the covers back and lay down. They both get comfortable while Zee grabs his journal, pen, and a book with a leaf stuck inside the pages. He walks over to Ezma’s side of the bed and lights the oil lamp sitting on the nightstand then walks over to the door and flips a switch turning the lights off. He walks over to the washroom closing the door then over to the bed sitting down beside Ezma. He reads aloud from the book for about five minutes and realizes that Ezma is fast asleep. He smiles and laughs a little then looks over to Po Chi who is still awake.

“How come all of the bruises and pain on my body are gone but the bruise on my face is still there and still hurts a little?” Her eyes barely able to stay open and her voice a soft whisper. Zee stands up pulling the covers up to Ezma’s neck and kisses her on the forehead. He takes the lamp and walks over to Po Chi’s side leaning over to her ear.

“You would not want Madame Chan finding out that your body is healed. So I had to leave the one bruise that can be seen so when she sees you again you will not look suspicious,” he leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek but she turns her head forcing him to kiss her on the lips. She then grabs the back of his neck and puts her other hand on his cheek and kisses him deeply and passionately for a few moments trying to be quiet.

“That is for being the most generous and polite gentleman I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” she whispers rolling over putting her arm around Ezma smiling and blushing. Zee walks over to the window and sits on the day bed sitting the lamp down on the window seal. He picks up his pipe and lighter that he sit there earlier and lights it up. He opens the journal using the book as a sturdy back and records his day in it using up two pages. He walks over to his bags putting the book, journal, and pen in the courier bag then walks back over to the window and finishes the bowl off emptying the ashes outside. He pulls the windows together leaving a small c***k for air to come through and lays down falling asleep almost immediately.

The morning sun peeks through the window and hits Zee’s eyes waking him up. He squints and puts his hand up to block the light standing up. He takes a look around the room while stretching and while rubbing his eyes, he sees Po Chi and Ezma still asleep on the bed and the room still the way he left it. He removes the dirty clothes off of the bags, then opens the backpack. He pulls out a pair of black baggy pants with two white stripes running down each leg and puts them on. He reaches in again and pulls out a thin sleeveless navy blue shirt and slips it on tucking it into his pants then he ties the drawstring on the pants tightly. He reaches back into the bag expecting to find the navy blue coat he put in before he left the village, instead he pulls out the white and black coat that Shu had made. He raises an eyebrow in confusion but decides to forget about it for now, he puts the dirty clothes into the bag and lays the coat over the courier bag. He stands up slinging the backpack onto his shoulder then he walks over to the door pulling the chair off of the door. He takes the dirty coat off the rack then opens the door and leaves the room quietly trying not to wake up the girls. He makes his way through the building trying to be swift and silent and arrives at the side door without being noticed. He steps outside closing the door behind him quietly then turns around and notices Guan standing right behind him.

“Oh!” He flinches and starts laughing, “you startled me, it seems you move as stealthily as I do,” Zee says in a hushed tone. Guan laughs quietly smiling.

“Your horse is one of a kind, she is a rare breed and she’s still very young,” Guan puts his hand on Zee’s shoulder.

“I know she has a unique color and very stout and agile for her breed, but what makes her so special?” Zee says raising an eyebrow.

“Your horse, Vesper, is what we call an Ixion. They have the stamina and look of a Clydesdale but just a little smaller, the speed and versatility of an Arabian but without the attitude, and wild as a mustang or stallion but even more unpredictable. They all have some unique markings or colors and are very loyal to the person who can tame them. They are suspicious of strangers and normally only appear to people with a pure heart and kind soul when they are needed. They are the rarest breed in existence. I’ve heard foreigners telling tales of seeing them and never being able to tame or breed them. They normally just show up out of nowhere and nobody knows how they got there,” Guan leads Zee to Vesper and pulls an apple out of his pocket feeding it to her, “I am most certain this horse is an Ixion.”

“She seems pretty calm with you though,” Zee questions while reaching into the saddle bags.

“When I was at the Wudang temple I was the animal keeper ever since I was five years old. Even back then I had some special kind of way with animals. So much that I could understand them and know their feelings,” Guan replies giving Vesper another apple, “this tack for her, it is quite exquisite and looks very expensive but is also a perfect match for her,” Zee takes out a black button up blouse, a ruffled royal blue skirt with a black lace strip going all the way around the trim, a pair of socks for him, a pair of thigh high socks for Ezma, and some black lace pink undergarments.

“It really was not that expensive, I was just there at the right time asking the right questions I would guess,” Zee scratches his head and chuckles, “if you would not mind, could you go and get me a small basket of apples?”

“I’ll give you this canvas rice bag that you can hang on the saddle bags, and you can just go out of the city to the north here,” he points to the northern gate, “then stay on that road until you come up to a fenced up area to the east. Follow the fence down a little ways until you find a gate. Then just walk straight north and you’ll see Orchid Orchard. Plenty of apple, pear, cherry, peach, and hazelnut trees there. Most of them have already bloomed and been harvested but you can still find a few either in the trees or on the ground that’s where I go to find some fruit for the horses, and the Scarlet Ladies,” Guan tries to give Vesper another apple but she refuses and lowers her head down smelling of his other pocket.

“I will try to remember that thank you!” Zee says petting Vesper. The monk reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a handful of dates and holds it out for Vesper, she eats them all quickly, “I hope that your life is full and that you have no regrets,” Zee puts his hand on the monks shoulder then walks back over to the side door and walks in quietly. He notices a few of the ladies are up moving about and a couple of men straightening their clothes and hair hurrying out of the building. He waits until he notices that everyone has left the foyer and makes his way up the stairs and through the hallway stopping at his room. He opens the door as quietly as he can peeking inside to see if the girls are still in the bed and they are. He lets out a sigh and walks in shutting the door quietly then proceeds to the bed laying out Ezma’s clothes in a neat fashion at the foot of the bed. He then walks over to the window and takes a seat picking up his pipe and tobacco bag. He packs it and lights it doing the same habitual ritual then opens the window doors and watches as the city starts to liven up as the sun rises over the buildings shining brightly throughout the room. He watches the suns light rays chase the dark shadows through the room until the entire room is filled with brilliant light. The crystals and glass fragments reflect and refract the light around the room like starlight dancing in the moonless midnight sky. He finishes his bowl smiling, “this tobacco really is wonderful,” he says to himself dumping the ashes out of the window. He turns around notices he woke the girls up. They both toss and turn stretching and yawning kicking the covers off of them covering up the clothes that Zee had laid out. He looks over and notices that Ezma had somehow wiggled out of the shirt she was wearing and is completely n***d laying next to Po Chi. He turns back to the window, “good morning to you both, I laid some clothes out for you Ezma. Po Chi I do not think any of Ezma’s clothes will fit you but you are welcome to use my shirt and I have some shorts you could wear,” he continues to look out at the city.

“It is alright, I will just wear the gown I wore yesterday. You have done so much for me already I cannot accept anything further,” she stands up taking his shirt off and picks up the shirt Ezma was wearing off the bed when she gets up. She folds them both neatly and puts them down on his bags. She pulls the covers back revealing the clothes Zee laid out for Ezma and picks them up ushering her into the washroom. Zee looks down at his bags once he hears the door close behind them and takes out a handkerchief and puts one hundred gold pieces on it tying it up tightly. He then counts the rest of the gold to make sure they still have plenty left.

“Hmm, only three thousand eight hundred and forty two left. Might be a struggle eventually but we should manage,” he says filling his purse up as well then puts all of their clothes on top of the coins then closes everything up. He opens his courier bag and takes out his glasses and sunglasses making sure he prepares his pockets orderly and neatly. He puts the white and black coat on as the girls come back into the room fully clothed, wearing makeup, and their hair pulled up into pigtail buns. He looks up at them and smiles seeing that they both look beautiful, “I can hardly believe that I am looking at the same two girls, you both look so absolutely gorgeous,” he stands up grabbing his hat off of the coat rack and holds Ezma’s sunglasses out to her.

“Thank you,” Po Chi says blushing as she curtsies.

“You mean it?” Ezma says running over to him tackling him with a hug ignoring his hand holding her sunglasses.

“Yes I mean it. You are starting to fill out your clothes like a mature woman. Also with this makeup and your hair done up it looks very nice, and fashionable,” he says smiling and hugs her. He pulls away and puts the sunglasses on her face. She blushes and smiles uncontrollably. He walks over to Po Chi and gives her a hug without notice, “I hope that you and your brother find peace, leave this place and find something to call your own,” he says slipping the handkerchief full of gold into her dress beside her right breast. Her eyes widen as she feels his warm hand rubbing across her chest gently and the weight of the handkerchief. She has a worried look on her face as she hugs him tightly.

“I feel like I owe you so much already, and now this gesture? I have never met anyone who was as kind, gentle, and caring as you. I find myself aggressively attracted to you and I feel like I could honestly trust you enough to actually earn this this generosity if you want to,” her voice is shaky and nervous. Her face is completely red from blushing, “I don’t think I could accept this unless I gave myself to you in return,” she keeps her voice low so that Ezma cannot hear her.

“I would not feel right taking from you something that a man who could be your husband one day deserves. Just take it as a gift and get yourself away from this work and place,” he says patting her on her bottom moving her towards the door. She yelps and giggles as she walks to the door. Ezma grabs her bag and makes sure she has everything then follows behind Po Chi who opens the door to reveal Madame Chan standing there with a fowl look on her face.

“How was everything Po Chi?” She says not moving an inch.

“It was a great stay...” Zee begins to speak.

“I was talking to her,” she interrupts Zee scowling at him.

“I had an amazing afternoon and even had the best night ever. I also actually slept all night. Best satisfactory client,” Po Chi tries her best to persuade Madame Chan.

“I heard that you actually,” she looks down at Ezma, “served, this client. What was so special about this one?”

“He was much nicer and actually treated me like a woman unlike the others who only treat us like a piece of meat or a child’s toy,” Po Chi looks down and lowers her voice, “I also want to leave, quit and leave, please.”

“Absurd, you still owe me a great debt and can’t leave until you are consolidated,” Madame Chan stands firmly in her position.

“How much does she owe you?” Zee says trying to get out of the door. Madame Chan looks at him then at Po Chi.

“How about leaving this girl with me and Po Chi can leave,” She caresses Ezma’s face.

“Absolutely not, I can give you some money to release her, or we can do this another way but Ezma stays with me no negotiation,” his face changes with his words from a smile to a challenging expression.

“I don’t want money, if she leaves I will have to replace her. I will not settle for less. I will be in the foyer when you make up your mind,” she turns and walks away stomping with her steps.

“It is okay Zee, I will stay. I would not wish for Ezma to stay here, much less work here. So I will stay, please do not worry you have done enough as it is,” Po Chi reaches into her dress beside her breast to grab the pouch he gave her. Zee stops her and walks back into the room. He rips the sheets and covers off both of the beds tying them together into a long strand then throws it out of the window tying it firmly to the leg of the bed. The girls get curious after a moment and walk back into the room see Zee throwing the cover strand out of the window.

“What are you doing Zee?” Ezma asks curiously walking over to the window and looks outside.

“We are taking the scenic detour. Come on, Po Chi go first and keep a look out, then Ezma. Once you are outside head to the stables and have Guan escort you and Vesper to your home and pack up with your brother. Then leave town and wait for me about a mile north of the city. Do not stop for anyone nor talk to anyone. Now hurry,” Zee commands then rushes over to the door to keep watch. The girls make their way down and Zee returns the covers back to the beds making them up neatly. He finishes up and leaves heading to the foyer where Madame Chan sits in her normal spot. Four men dressed in solid black dapper suits are surrounding her. He walks over to her and the men close in around Madame Chan like body guards.

“It’s fine let him pass, he’s hear to negotiate...” before she could finish her sentence Zee moves faster than the eye can see hitting each of the men in the back of the head knocking them out.

“You were saying?” Zee retorts without remorse. Madame Chan sits there speechless contemplating what just happened, “I do not want things to get messy. So both girls will be leaving and there is nothing you can do to stop them or me understand? Oh, and if anyone follows us, I will come back here for you.”

She nods in agreement then stands up from her chair and makes her way to a double door room in the middle of the double row of stairs below the top deck. She closes the doors behind her. Zee waits for a few moments then walks out of the front door. Two men come from behind Zee and pass him by with haste, both walking as fast as they can towards the center of the city. Then they both separate heading to different places. He stands for a moment watching them studying their whereabouts as they stop at each inn and tavern. They only stay inside each building for a short time and every time one enters they walk out with more men. Zee shrugs it off and walks toward the northern gate pulling his pipe out loading the bowl and lighting it. Before he reaches the gate a crowd of men start running in front of him and stop in front of the gate blocking the path. Zee stops and looks at all of them while puffing suspiciously.

“Would you all excuse me please?” He stands there puffing harder each time he draws.

“Hey, this is the same guy who took out the whole tavern when the people trying to impress the Axe g**g attacked him. It was over in seconds and none of them were able to touch him,” one of them says in a lowered voice. They all start shuddering and whispering to each other.

“I just need to get through that gate you are so rudely blocking. If you let me pass and leave peacefully, I promise you a healthy afternoon,” he smiles taking the last puff of his pipe dumping the ashes out of the bowl as a breeze blows carrying the ashes away. The men look to each other and one of them takes a tube out of his back side and holds it into the air pulling the string on the bottom which ignites a spark and sends a fireball high into the sky until it explodes in a blast of beautiful colors crackling as they fall and wither out. A roar of footsteps can be heard from the south like a stampede of animals as a crowd of men close in behind Zee. Then men close in from the west and east as well, once they have Zee surrounded they all pull out axes from sheaths under their shirts. A man steps out from the crowd wearing a white fedora and a man wearing a black bowler hat and glasses follows close behind him.

“The Axe g**g is at your disservice, Madame Chan sends her wishes,” the man with the white fedora stops right behind Zee, “you see, when people need someone or something dealt with they call on the Axe g**g. I’m the leader, you can call me Boss,” he points behind him, “this is my assistant you can call him Kim,” he pulls out an axe from under his shirt and holds it on his shoulder, “you have to die now, see? It’s what we get paid for...” he swings the axe at Zee’s right shoulder when suddenly he catches the axe with two fingers on the blade.

“You should let me leave in peace, I would rather not have to fight. And I promise that none of you want me to either,” he tightens his grip on the axe and the man tries to pull the axe away but cannot get it free. He pulls and pulls as hard as he can but still cannot seem to pull it away from Zee’s fingers.

“Kill him!!!!” The man screams letting go of the axe and runs away like a dog with its tail between its legs. The men start shuddering and swaying back and forth waiting for someone to make a move. Zee drops the axe over his shoulder and puts his pipe back into his coat pocket. The men jump in anxiety when he reaches into his coat pocket. He takes his sunglasses off and puts them in his messenger bag then takes both bags off sitting them onto the ground beside him. He picks a stone up from the street as he takes his hat off then he puts the rock inside the hat setting on the bags. He takes them over to the stairs of Madame Chan’s place then walks back over to his original position. He rolls his sleeves up and swings the front storm flap of the coat behind him tucking it in his waistband. The men are still anxious and restless watching Zee prepare himself. He stands in a readied fighting stance and jumps slightly testing the men and they all flinch backwards gripping their axes tightly. He waits patiently after seeing how jumpy they are, he cases his environment looking around at everything from the wall around the city to the buildings surrounding them. He lowers his body squatting down on his left leg stretching his right leg out, then his left arm clenched to his chest in a defensive position and his right arm straightened out in front of him with an open hand.

“Didn’t you hear me? Kill that son of a b***h!” The boss of the g**g says in a squeaky adolescent tone. He runs into the nearest building with his assistant following him closely. He slams the door behind him and shoves a chair into the door barring it and squats down behind a window. The men slowly begin to creep toward Zee with their axes and legs shaking and quivering, all of them sweating nervously. From the side of his head his eyes gleam with a spark of light. As the men draw closer he tenses his muscles up preparing to strike like a viper coiled up and cornered. Once they are within touching distance the men rear their axes back to attack Zee and he spins ruthlessly holding his leg out sweeping every man close to him then jumps into the air still spinning kicking the axes out of the hands of the men. He lands and takes his flask out of his pocket chugging the liquor inside and the men take this opportunity to strike at him. He dodges the attacks in what seems to be a drunken stupor and both of his hands are clenched into fists with his index and middle finger protruded out mimicking holding a bottle. In between each dodge he chugs the flask and finishes it tossing it aside and it lands on his backpack slipping into a side pocket. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve and readies himself staggering in a dizzy but focused strong stance.

“Look! He’s so drunk he can barely stand!” One man says laughing.

“He got drunk knowing he’s going to die!” Another yells from the back and all the men start laughing then jump towards Zee axes held high. He stumbles around in a short circle punching and kicking in what looks like a random lucky farce. He hits the men so hard that some of them are sent flying through the air and sliding across the ground. All of the men start trying to overwhelm Zee by coming at him at once instead of a couple at a time but Zee does not falter.