Arcanepath.net

Cheung Moon's early years.

Cheung Moon had lain back on the lichen covered rock and stared up at the pale blue early morning sky.
From her position on the rock she could tilt her head up and through the trees see the distant looming shape of Peaktu Mountain rising above all the surrounding landscape.
Clouds drift slowly beyond the mountain top but from this angle it looked like smoke coming from the mouth of the very long-dead volcano.
“Moon!” an insistent voice urged from the somewhere out of sight to her left.
She turned her head to see Jisoo, her very best friend, hands on hips and an attempt at an admonishing look turning her oval face into a pout.
“Come on,” Jisoo said urgently. “We have to get back before breakfast. We have chores to do.”
Moon screwed up her nose, but gave a sigh and forced herself to her feet.
“Go! 'll be right behind you,” she said as her shape began to change, dropping to all fours.
Jisoo watched her petite friend become a long sleek white tiger that took off into the forest with a roar.
Jisoo jumped off the rock, her shape already changing and flapped her arms as they became wings, pushing herself up into the air. She turned , heading for the monastery and swooping over the running feline below.

The beast courts had according to myth formed a thousand generations in the past, during one of the many mythic wars were heavens battles spilled into the middle kingdoms. As heaven cast out traitor servants who upon arriving in the middle kingdoms twisted in form into drinkers of souls and exiled gods. As much as these monsters preyed upon mortals, they hunted the folk, rich was their chi or to remove competition. Tian Xia was a vast land with many remote places, the courts were able to rally, the animal shape shifters gather in clans which eventually appointed leaders to arbitrate and assign duties. Most of the beast shifters revered the spirit lords of the wilds, but they all paid fealty to one, the celestial force of nature The Jade Mother. In the hills of the Peaktu Mountain the Song-Gnoshi or Mountain Fangs maintained their camps, remote enough to avoid mortals but close enough to their blood kin, who came from both mortals and spirit bloods. The Song-Gnoshi were predators, cats, bears and raptors, as likely to hunt and kill grazing shifters as anything else if it weren’t for the covenants, but times were changing.

The westerners claimed with great confidence (and arrogance) that the Mothers Soul had returned only sixty winters before. Yet how had there been legends of shifters for hundreds of seasons, did all of the shifters suddenly return, it was not spoken about but it had been sleeping in the blood of many and there were rumours that in some sacred places shifters had continued during the Sleeping Times.

Takano waited for his wayward wards on the cliff ledge that bordered the Place Between where the village lay. A rare wolf shifter, his people almost gone now in his native Nippon, eyed with suspicion by the cats and birds, amongst the beast-kin, wolves were said to lack restraint, unable to control their beast. He watched as Jisoo looped and arched through the air, his senses high as he knew Moon would not be far away and her need to finally beat him burning within her.

Moon caught a scent of the village and her frantic pace diminished until she came to a complete halt. All her mundane senses strained. She knew Master Takano would be out there, waiting. Somehow he always knew when she and Jisoo absconded from the village in the early hours. Slowly, keeping herself amongst the foliage and trees she crept forward, determined to avoid her mentors watchful vigil.

Moon appeared cautiously through the thickets
“Good morning Chuang” says Takano from behind her
The tiger stops in its tracks, motionless. Then its head dropped in a very human gesture of frustration. The form shifted upright, diminishing in size until the young Josean girl stood before the Japanese mentor. Moon turned. "Cheung, Master Takano. My family name is Cheung." She bowed deeply, but smiled. Takano had named her incorrectly from the first day they had met, and the petulant child had instantly corrected him as though it was done as an insult. From that day, he continued to use the incorrect name, just to annoy her and it had become an inside joke between the two, him wrongly naming her and her continually trying to correct him.

Takano smiled a sly smile, “Of course Cheung, your big paws were as loud as an elephants”
“Come, we have been asked to attend the council, you were almost late” he winks.

"But Master Takano, Jisoo and I mist sweep the temple courtyard this morning." "Tan will help Jisoo this morning," Takano said with finality. Moon stepped in just behind her Mentor. Her will only lasted a minute before curiosity got the better of her. "Master Takano, when you say we have been summoned to attend the council, did you mean we? Why would they want me?"

“I know not, I have a feeling we will find out quickly enough”

Moon nodded curtly. "Hi, Takano-san," she said, following him up the path from the village to the monastery.

The council were gathered in an old sandstone cave which had been carved into a mix of a meeting hall and temple, carved wooden pillars ran the length of each side of the chamber. The elders, sages and veteran hunters and warriors of the Song-Gnoshi were gathered, Moon looked about wide eyed all of the men and women assembled seemed larger than their human forms, made giants by their primal power. As was often the case her vision involuntarily switched between the Middle and Mirror Kingdoms, she saw a number of the Song who had spirits pact bound to them, some Shogi like her few but others commanding full Gelfs, her eyes widened and she averted her gaze when one of the elders looked back at her in the Geoul. At the head of the gathering the Clan Leaders were stood along with a terrifying and awesome creature. Every major clan and settlement had a Council emissary assigned to them, usually these emissary’s were represented by proxies but not today, the Zhou Lung, Dragon Blooded shifter was here in person.

Moon swallowed, her throat suddenly dry and her palms sweaty. She felt incredibly small and insignificant in this most sombre location, and amongst this gathering. Subconsciously she shuffled a little closer and slightly more behind Takano. He seemed to notice and altered his position to counteract her move. "You were summoned here alongside me," he hissed under his breath. He glanced at her again. "Stand up straight, do not slouch," She gave a silent but nervous nod, aware of the cold sweat on her brow. "Some birthday this is turning out to be," she thought, rapidly trying to recall if any other students were called to council when they turned sixteen? To a full meeting of the Council? With the Emissary in presence? She could not recall hearing of this. "By the Eighteen Hells!" she muttered to herself.

Moon listened as the elders and veterans talked of something significant, an event that had transpired at J'an on the Yalu River a number of leagues to the east. She tried to keep up with the frenzied, angry conversation, some form of attack and then the elders fell silent turning towards her. Many of them including several Spirit Guards looked her up and down, before starting to argue again. “This is foolishness she is but a cub” “But what options remain” Moon felt Takano’s hand squeeze her shoulder gently but steadily. Finally the emissary tapped his staff quietly but firmly on the stone floor. The creature turned and looked upon Moon “Master Takano what say you?”

“I am but a guest of the clan”
“No matter, we are but all guests of the Emerald Mother and I am sure your brethren would welcome your insight!” Despite being in innocuous human form the middle aged woman’s form of the Zhou Lung commanded silence.

“She is young, headstrong, but willing to learn and favoured by the spirits, but it is very early to turn her from her studies to being a spirit warrior”

Moon stiffened at the personal contact from Takano, an unusual thing in and of itself. However she remains stoically silent.

The Zhou Lung nodded “Yet the Sung have ambushed and killed a number of our Spirit Keepers, so she is the next generation”

Moon's brow furrowed, thinking she wasn't following the conversation, however her mind played catch-up and she realised she hadn't misunderstood at all.. Were they really asking if she was ready to go into the field? Was she ready for real life battles? Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she sought an appropriate opening in the din to completely object to this nonsense. Her, ready? Hah! Good joke, she laughed believing herself to be, as one of the council had pointed out, just a pup!

She glances around the room at the gathered council. None of them seemed to be discussing this as though it were a joke. Some even seemed genuinely concerned about this decision. Decision? It was as though her mind were several seconds behind and so to took a moment for her to realise that this wasn't a jest. "Are they being serious?" she whispered out the side of her mouth to Takano.

Takano nods “Venerable elders and honourable warriors, if we might be permitted to know what task Cheung is required to undertake, perhaps we might be more able to assess her suitability” he says bowing

One of the elder Spirit warriors screws up his face and sighs “She can barely call upon minor Shogi!” The Zhou Lung turns giving the bear shifter, albeit in human form a hard look. “Always capable and accomplished we’re we!” She says sharply The bear elder looks abashed and bows

“A sensible question Master Takano, the Sung mercenaries encroach upon a number of Riverfolk villages, we need a Spirit Talker to convince them to retreat this avoiding the loss of more Song-Gnoshi kin!”

“So she is required to be diplomatic and conversive” Takano smiles “Cheung is a great talker, she would excel at this task!” He winks at Moon

The Zhou Lung elicits a half smile “Excellent, welcome Cheung Moon we have need for you to use your spirit tongue and save the Song-Gnoshi kin, are you up to the task?”

Moon bows deeply. "I am up to whatever Master Takano-san believes me to be. I have nothing on which to base what ready looks like, but the Master does. If he believes I can do what is asked then it is so, and I am willing," she says, standing tall and casting a quick glance at the bear-shifter councilman.

“Hmmm a meek soul, it remains to be seen if she has the strength of character” says the bear shifter to Takano, who bows in response

"If the Great Master wishes to go in my stead then surely that would be the more prudent option, as you wouldn't want a meek soul now, would you?" she seethes forcing the words out through gritted teeth.

There was a reason Shifters were feared, the longer they spent in human form the greater the savage bestial side of them grew. Eventually they had to change, release the animal or in the case of many shifters release one of their animals. When they met they had to be wary of challenging one another, exciting or goading the beast. The bear shifter despite his experience yielded shifting almost instantaneously into a huge bear wearing a monks robes. Takano stepped forward between them

Takano readied himself as the bear roared and stepped forwards

Moon felt the woman’s terrible true visage extend for a moment and the bear stopped advancing

“We have lost enough today without further bloodshed” the woman smiled a faint smile “And I think the young one has passed the test, she will go to the river folk!” “Young Cheung, Master Takano if you would walk with me?” And she walks from the cave temple

Moon's face had flushed with anger. She puffed her chest out and stood tall, silent glaring at the bear, flinching only when the Zhou Lung shouted.

Moon nodded and silently followed the Lung and Master Takano

They walked from the cave temple, along the ridge that looked down over the trees and lake. The woman turns to Moon

“Good, the she-tiger is strong, but the Riverfolk are uncomfortable kin, the Beast often worries them, so a gift to help with your many missions Cheung Moon” The woman reaches into her robe and produces a necklace of Worry Beads “These will absorb some of the heat of your rage, use them well!”

"Thank you, Mistress," Moon says as she takes the offered gift with a bow. "You honour me," she adds.

“You leave at dusk” she says and starts to walk away

Moon waited until the Lung had moved out of earshot. "Master Takano-san, the Mistress has not told me what they want me to do?" She sighs heavily, the sound full of frustration. "Who are these Riverfolk? What are Spirit-Keepers and Spirit Talkers, and if the ones before me have all been killed, how could the elders expect more of a mere cub? The Master Bear may have been mistaken about my meekness, but he was not wrong in suspecting my inexperience."

Takano chuckles “Spirit Talkers are those with the ability to talk to spirits in their own tongue, Moon as you have been able to since birth, they are also able to enter into pacts with spirits such as your Shogi. Spirit Warriors are those who then protect the material and spirit worlds as part of greater pacts between the courts of the Emerald and Jade!”

“The history of our people is as rich and tragic as any mortals, we have conquered and warred, including within the spirit realms. This cannot continue forever, great wrongs occurred on both sides leading only to the kingdoms of night and hell prospering and mortals seeking the destruction of all hengeyokai. The ancient spirit talkers eventually entreated the Celestial Courts of Jade for peace and alliance, good thing too as the shifters would have been barred from the Moon Realms during the Mothers Sleep”

"So I am to go to the Riverfolk and persuade them to leave this area? But if they have pressed into this territory and slain the spirit talkers before me, why would one more spirit talker make any difference to them?"

“The Riverfolk haven’t slain the other spirit talkers, humans did now they advance along the river towards the Riverfolk settlements!”

"Ah, sorry, I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning, and I misunderstood. So I must persuade the humans to retreat. That does make more sense," she chuckles.

Takano looks quizzically at Moon “Or the Riverfolk to move away from the humans advance!”

"Why? From my readings in the great library, humans take more and more and our folk lose land all the time. Perhaps it is time for them to give up land, even if for a while?" she eyes her mentor looking for some sort of sign as to approval, or not. His stern look tells her he is not enthusiastic. "Perhaps I shall wait and see the situation for myself before i make any decisions?"

“Very wise, now we must gather supplies and our travelling kit”

"You are coming with me?" Moon said unable to hide the relief in her voice.

“Of course and some others, now young one chop chop, we must be ready to leave at dusk”

Moon chuckles again. "I am ready," she states with amusement. "I have nothing else but myself to take. Oh and these," she says looking at the beads she holds. She puts the beads around her neck. "There, now I am ready."

The pair arrived at their camp a series of single person wicker dome dwellings, a small group of retainers had assembled bamboo backpacks, staffs and stretchers with provisions. Moon noticed Jisoo dressed for travel, as well as some of the other young shifters.

She stopped in her tracks, a move not unnoticed by Takano who raised an eyebrow in question. "Now I am afraid," she said.

Takano cut Moon off before she could say what he knew she would say “Many of the Masters are accompanying the veterans and Sohei into the wilds, some to guard the passes and boundaries, others to slow the Sung Xiang, so I have the enviable task of looking after the cubs and you Cheung Moon will help me, you are now the elder cub” he grins “You need to collect a pack and you will carry this from now on” Takano hands Moon a wakazashi in an ornate scabbard “May she serve you well, Moon!, now make sure all of the older cubs have a pack, no grumbling and no shirking!”

She gives a half nod, half bow. "Hi, Takano-san," she says and marvels at the short blade. "I will honour this blade to the best of my abilities, Master." With that she turned towards her own hut and darted inside to hide the tears welling in her eyes. For Takano-san to gift her one of his own blades was an honour that she could not put into words. She donned her own travelling clothes, strapped the sword into place, and grabbed a pack, then wiping her eyes dry, she returned to the hubbub outside.

The cubs protested and made faces at Moon as she tried to tell them to hurry up, pick up their packs, don’t wander off, it was exhausting. She looked at Master Takano but he was busy reviewing maps with the scouts and retainers

Moon bit back frustration, so hard that she made her own lip bleed. She looked imploringly at Jisoo who returned an exasperated look. "No, Chen, you cannot take that easel! Why would you even want to?" "In line, please." "No stay in line, where's your pack? Wait, why is this pack so light?" "Pick that up please, Jun." It was like trying to herd cats! And in some cases it was herding cats. Moon slumped onto the edge of a trough, open mouthed. Why was it so difficult? She gained a new level of respect for the elders who trained these pups and cubs. After a moment she glanced across at Takano and it looked like they were getting ready to move out. The herd was still strewn in disarray. Moon stood, hopped up onto a rock and a deep rumble growled up from the back of her throat. "Silence!" She bellowed with the full force of the tiger.

Takano and the retainers started as the bellow came out as a half roar, the cubs and pups stopped stick still and fell into line. One of the scouts called Yeoh nodded and then instructed the group to form two lines and the procession set out. “Well done Moon” said Yeoh

Externally her face was impassive, but inside she was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "okay, maybe I can do this," she thought.

The trek took them East, they followed the mountain paths that overlooked the rivers that flowed out from the lake. Moon could sense Chi in the air, the Five Elements strong here, she sensed plants and flowers changed by the Mothers Wakening. She found herself watching the youngers, warning prying teeth and fingers away from poisonous berry’s. Before nearing midnight they arrived at a heavily forested slope on one of the foothills.

Takano assembled the retainers and beckoned to Moon, who had to stifle a yawn a legacy of her nature was that she liked a nap and hadn’t had one today. Jisoo hovered at the edge of the pups camp, the master looked resigned and beckoned her also. “Jisoo you are just to listen and learn” She nodded in response

“We camp this evening, sentries in shifts, Moon you will join the first watch then sleep, we are close to paths the Sung may have posted scouts so we must be quiet. We have another days trek until we reach the river village, to your posts”

Moon nods but as the others thin out, Moon remains. "Master, when the sun comes up and we break camp, might I suggest using those with bird forms to watch us from above? They should be able to spot any problems on the road ahead and warn us?"

Moon could not tell what Takano thought about her suggestion. His face remained neutral as looked back at her. Self-consciously Moon took a step back, bowed quickly, and pulled away. She quickly found one of the others who was on first watch and asked what she should do. "Go over there and keep a watchful eye in and out of camp," the leader said with a little annoyance. Moon was chagrined at the abrupt command, but nodded silently and made her way up the slope of the hill to get the vantage point. She sat in the dark, watching, trying to ignore the cold. When the cold got too much, she shifted into her tiger form, her senses sharper, and fur to keep out the cold.

“I knew this would be bad luck” mutters one of the sentries shaking Moon awake

The big cat groans as it awakens, then looks around in a very human gesture of shock. The form shifts back that of the young Josean girl. "I fell asleep?" she asks in obvious disappointment. The figure merely gave her a derisive grunt. "I told them I was not right for this," she hisses at the night.

It was just before sunrise, she’d been allowed to sleep through, the disgruntled retainer was moaning at Yeoh who listened patiently, smiled and then walked over. “Morning young one, so time to hunt, hungry mouths to feed but we must be quiet!”

"Then there may be some hungry mouths later," she comments under her breath. She flits over to her pack and retrieves a bow.

After almost an hour of hunting Moon felt her frustration rising. She was being quiet, cautious but not overly so, and yet she'd found nothing that she could bring back to the group. Her frustration turned to annoyance. Where the hells was Takano leading the children? If she was meant to be heading off to talks that in some cases had resulted in her predecessors dying, then why were they taking children? The whole thing had happened in such a rush, one minute she was a mere student of the court, and then, well, she wasn't any more. Now she had a role to perform. And suddenly she's baby sitting kids? Had someone from the Council decided to overrule the others and reassign her to looking after the young ones? Things weren't adding up in her head and that had distracted her from the hunt. She had stalked her way back into camp, passed the sentry. Rather unhappily, she revealed herself and her lack of success to Yeoh.

After she had blurted out her failure, she turned before the elder could speak. She stormed through the camp to where Takano conversed with a couple of scouts. "Takano-san," she dropped to her knees, head bowed, the wakazishi held out in her upturned palms, the beads dangling. "My lord, I am not worthy of these gifts. Please take them from me so that I may truly earn them, or lose them forever."

Yeoh caught up with Moon, Takano nodded to the scouts who gave her a sideways glance and moved off onto their concerns.

“I think I’ll be the judge of that Cheung, now on your feet and no more outbursts” he said harshly and walked away

Yeoh sat beside Moon his round face calm an annoying little half smile upon it as he watched her. “Tell me Moon, when you wandered the woods did you ask the spirits for aid?”

"No," she said quickly, not wanting Yeoh to think she had cheated and had even managed to fail at that.

“Why in the heavens not, your a Spirit Talker, they wait to talk to you. Moon like many acolytes you are very good at one thing, do you know what that is?”

"No, sensei, I do not," she replies.

“Making life twice as difficult as needed, you hunt like a tiger in all forms Moon, your beast form has senses your human form does not, but your human form better command of other talents - use your strengths, come this morning was fruitful we have rabbit for breakfast” Yeoh stops Moon as she starts to move off “Oh and Cheung you do Master Takano a greater dishonour in returning his gift than having the strength to wield it!” He says looking at her solemnly

"Can you make the world eat me up and perhaps spit out something useful, please," she allows a hint of smile to creep onto her face to show that she is not serious. "Not my finest day, Master Yeoh, that is for certain." She turns to look out at the children. "They can have my portion, I shall eat another time, my appetite has gone." Again she gave him a look to let him know that this was level-headed Moon, not petulant Moon speaking.

“Cheung Moon, we have many leagues to travel and you an important task ahead, you will eat, I’ll not have a raging tiger because it’s hungry, now go eat” he insists

“I won’t tell you twice” says Yeoh as he notices Moon slightly deviating from a path that would take her to where breakfast is being eaten

With a heavy but silent sigh, she joins the queue for breakfast. She eats quickly, ravished.
After breakfast Yeoh found Moon once again, “Before we set out follow me!”
She nods, and follows silently.

Yeoh leads Moon up a slope that overlooks the camp, a sentry nods and heads down before they arrive on a ledge “You will wait here” says Yeoh who turns and starts back down Just as Moon is about to say something she hears a voice behind her “Greetings Cheung Moon!”

Slowly, calmly, she turns to face the stranger.

A tall woman dressed in white armour and tunic, a crane shaped headdress covering her face.
Moon bows low in respect.
The woman bows back “Cat got your tongue?”

Moon looks about her as though what she is seeing is not real.
"You, I have dreamed of you, or someone very like you. Sorry, where are my manners? Greetings, My Lady," Moon says a little awed.
"Was it you, that I dreamed about?"

“Perhaps” she replies sternly “I am the White Crane Woman, emissary of the Jade Court, you are a Spirit Talker are you not?”
"I am," she says cautiously.
“Good, you are aware of your birth rite?”

"My birthright?" She asks, brows knitting together and nose wrinkling. "Birthrights are for the fables and the heroes of old within them," she says confused.

White Crane Woman tuts “Very well, we will start at the beginning, I have been sent to help you with your understanding of the Spirit Realms”

Moon looks somewhat relieved. "Please do. I have let myself down today. I thought i was ready but I worry that I will let people down because I don't fully understand what I am doing and what I am expected to do."

“And what is it you are expected to do?” She asks stiffly

"I am expected to... " She stopped.
"I have to go to the Riverfolk and convince them to leave their homes. The Sung mercenaries encroach upon their lands and the Song-Gnoshi are dying as a result." "They are short of spirit talkers and ask me to do this thing. A little desperately, it seemed to me at the council meeting"

“War brings desperation, I fail to see what is difficult to you’ve been asked to do?”

"Difficult? I have no clue where we are going.. i have no idea what we are going to face when we get there. I don't think people are telling the truth. Not lying, but just not telling me the whole story. So my difficulty is, the council gave me a task and that was it. No explanation, no details, just a 'do this', end of conversation. So my difficulty is, how am I supposed to deal with a something, when I don't even know what or where that something is?" She sighed in frustration. "Ill tell you what it is. I feel like a stranger her. Like i grew up somewhere else and all this is new to me and I don't understand it. And it is annoying the hells out of me not being able to figure out why I feel like that? And why I keep forgetting my training?"

White Crane Woman laughed, it was a hard noise short and abrupt before turning “Your assumptions are many and great Cheung Moon, you assume that your masters now what you’ll face or that they know the whole story themselves” “When you hunt as a tiger you know not what you’ll face just that indecision and doubt slow your mind and are the difference between a full belly or starving” “You are right your elders are undoubtedly not telling you the whole story, if they did fear would replace your doubts and fear that consumes is death” “Your were born under the Fire Sky, although your parents bore no spirit blood, you were marked by heaven as aligned to the Jade Courts. The Spirit Talkers who were slain were arrogant, full of hubris that their beast forms were invincible and their spirit allies mighty, The Mothers Breath brought power to greedy men, Wu have great power including over spirits”

“Now let us see how you handle yourself assume your kata stance!”

“Now you are not trying to beat or exceed me, I am a creature not of flesh, flesh alone will be slow to answer spirit. This will come!”

The two spar, Moon finding her doubtful mind settling into something familiar and routine. She blinks and finds her leg outstretched and foot poised beside the spirits head.

“Ha, that is better, when you calm your mind and focus your doubts are removed”

“The Riverfolk are a mixed lot, the misbegotten descendants of River Spirits who shall we say befriended mortals. They follow mortal tradition but set themselves aside because they are different, marked. Of course such is the way that some of the shifters who roam this land would also befriend the Riverfolk. As a race you shifters are territorial things and once mortals carry your blood and produce shifter young they claim these mortals as their blood-kin, whether these mortals wish that or not”

“Knowing this and that these people have dwelt in these parts for centuries, what will you say to them and before you answer, your mind calm!”

Moon stood silently, searching her heart. "I shall spell it out to them in simple terms. The choice of what to do will be theirs. I shall tell them of the approaching tide and the dangers it carries. And i shall tell them of the protection the Courts can offer them if they should so choose it," she answers, her voice failing to hide the fact that she was convincing herself as much as White Crane Woman.

The White Crane Woman nods “Then let us see!”
"Us? You are coming too, now?""

“You wish me to come?”
"I am the first to admit that I do not have the experience. I will seek advisors where I can. However, will I also be tempted to lean too on those around me to. Solve issues where I should be sorting them myself. I guess the choice is yours." "Perhaps keep s watchful eye from afar?" She laughed.

“Very well, however I note that you have not called any Shogi to you, that may be wise, particularly those of the river”

"I was waiting to see the situation, so I call the right Shogi to me. But perhaps you are right, I should have one ready, and I think I know what to summon."
“Good, proceed!”
She looks up to White Crane. "I want to summon a Shogi that deals with sound and the perception of sound. Specifically one that can detect the disharmony that untruths and falsehoods cause. I want to know when someone lies to me, or by their deliberate omission withholds something." What sort of Shogi should I call for that?

“I would suggest a hawk”
"Not a bat?"
“That is also an option, you choose” she says expectantly
Moon thinks about what she wants. Thinks about the sayings she had heard. Eyes of a Hawk. Ears of a Bat. She pulls a half burnt candle and match from her pocket and places the candle firmly on the ground. She lights it and concentrates on the flame. There is a pin buried in the candle that she uses to prick her finger. She squeezes out a drop of blood which she lets fall into the flame with a hiss. The tiny drop mingles with the molten wax. Moon closes her eyes and sends her thoughts out beyond the barrier between the planes, calling a bat Shogi with short wings and long ears. Her thoughts carry her desires out and she waits for the Shogi to answer he call.

Moon waits patiently, her mind calm and her breathing slow, as she had been taught. She worked through the process, the sacrifice of her Quintessence in the flame. All were as Master Jian had instructed. After a very long while she began to grow impatient and realised that something wasn't right. There was something missing from all this. She replayed the whole thing again in her mind. She had felt the life energy leave her in the sacrifice, had cast her pact out for tender as instructed. All things she had done before. That's the moment it changed. An emptiness she felt at the back of her psyche. She opened her eyes and looked around, her face openly showing her confusion. White Crane Woman sat opposite her, legs crossed. "I see you understand," she said. "Understand? No, but I know something isn't right." "Correct. Your summoning was answered by a malevolent spirit. It took your payment and destroyed your pact offering. It has closed you off from the spirit world." Moon jumped up in concern. "What? Why? For how long?" "Who can say? I have seen this before and it is rarely permanent. Only a really powerful imp could do that." White Crane Woman stood and looked down at the wooded valley. "Keep your mind open to the spirit world, you will sense the connection return. Until then you must rely on Cheung Moon's abilities alone. She is more capable than she thinks!" Moon felt anger rise at the unfairness of the situation and felt the beads about her neck grow warm. The warmer they became the more her anger dissipated until it had gone. "If you saw this happen why did you not say?" Moon asked without any accusation in her tone. "I am here to assess and guide you, girl, if I told you I would be seeing my reaction to the event and not yours." Moon screwed her face up as she thought about that answer. She gave a short bow of acceptance to the spirit woman.

“It is also a lesson in preparedness, next time you will take precautions to prevent such theft!” White Crane Woman looked down the slope “It is time, the camp is readying to depart!”

Moon picks her way back down to the camp. As she gets nearer she can hear the chitter of small children, laughter, not all from the young ones. She sought out Master Takano. He was sitting with Yeoh, deep in conversation, reminiscing over past escapades. His back was to Moon. Yeoh noticed her standing respectfully silent, waiting for an opportunity to announce herself. He nodded his head towards her and Takano glanced over his shoulder. He turned back, finished his conversation. "Yes, Cheung?" Moon started at the sudden bark. "Master Takano-san, may I speak with you privately?" "You may speak openly," he said sternly. She bowed "Master, I wish to apologise for my outburst. I did not wish to offend you. I would never wish to offend you. I felt that my failures were more of a dishonour to your gift than my asking you to hold it in trust. I realise," she glanced at Yeoh, "that I was not thinking clearly. Please can you forgive me?" Takano motioned for Yeoh to give them space. The younger man nodded, gave Moon an almost imperceptible smile, and walked off to help pack up the camp. "Cheung Moon," Takano said as he stepped closer, his tone much softer this time. The only dishonour you can ever do me is not believing in yourself. " Moon looked up at the Japanese man. Nippon and Josean had long had been enemies in the past, with the Nipponese oppressing the Josean culture, taking the women as slaves and whores. But amongst the people of the courts, this was rarely the case. The older Nipponese man, the antithesis of how a samurai of old should look and act, had never shown anything but genuine affection and respect to her. "I will do better, Master Takano-san" "You will," he agreed. "Now, pack you things, we are leaving."

The camp gathered and packed the group made its way across the hillside fields taking the high road. “It’s time for explanations Cheung” Takano said suddenly “This has been troubling me for a good time, but protocol prevented me from addressing the matter!”

“You are not just a Spirit Talker Moon, you are the Yuèliàng dēnglóng (Moon Lantern), the Lanterns are hunters, Spirit Talkers trained in war and spirits to hunt the fallen.” “There are those that may the Mothers Soul, awoke too early, that this was too much of a shock, that it permitted fallen energies to seep into the Middle Kingdom and lead to the eager corruption of creatures and escape of corrupt things from the divide” “When this occurred the Jade Kingdom called upon the Emerald to honour an ancient agreement, that in return for the great aid the spirits provide, that the beast shifters once again send their own to root out these things that gnaw upon the roots of life. Not all of the Emerald Courts obliged, the elders had grown complacent or wary, pacts of peace had been made with the Courts of Blood and Shadow, despite their fallen states, but the Song-Gnoshi have no love for the Blood Courts and honoured the ancient pact. Your predecessor was among the spirit talkers sent to reason with the Sung Forces!”

"When you say, predecessor, you mean a Yuèliàng dēnglóng?" she asked.

“Yes, a Yuèliàng dēnglóng, they are typically female”

Moon nods sombrely.

Inside, her mind raced and her stomach lurched. Another Yuèliàng dēnglóng was sent, an experienced one, and had not survived.
“She made a simple mistake, to think the Sung would parley, they have only acquisition on their minds, do not mistake age for wisdom, there are plenty of old fools!”

She smiled. "I shall bear that very much in mind should," she stopped and corrected herself. "When I encounter them." They heard some of the wardens calling for the stragglers to keep up. "Master Takano-san, may I ask you a question?" She didn't wait for his reply. "Where are we taking the children?"

Takano smiled and nodded, Moon noted a sense of appreciation for her insight “To another camp, the elders are no longer patient enough to deal with them day to day, their tutors deployed to the borders, so here we are, not all orders are welcome Cheung” he winks

"Hmmm, miserable lot!" Moon chided their distant leaders. "They should remember that one day, if they are lucky, that they will be the too elders, and will be relying on these not so children any more to look after them!"

"That is a jest, by the way, Master. I truly do not mean any disrespect towards our honoured council of elders," she added managing to make it sound even more mocking than her actual mock.


Takano's raised an eyebrow, then he smiled “Actually Cheung Moon, that is an astute observation, but we deal with the hand before us” He stopped at a slope, the grassy terrain dotted with stones

Moon notices that the songbirds that had seemingly accompanied their walk have grown quiet, and there is a smell of cinnamon on the air.

"Something is amiss!" She warns Takano quietly. "Jisoo?" She hisses and sees her friend turn to look at her questioningly. "Where have the birds gone?"

Jisoo nods, shifts turning from a young woman into a hawk and arcs into the sky. Takano nods, his hand signalling half a x gestures to Yeoh

She opens her mind, forming a very quick pact, and - bam! She is shut out! Silently she cursed the damnable bad luck. ((On her character sheet is scent of the true form or it's equivalent. Does she have that yet? Is it a Shogi granted power or one from her own make up?))

Moon dropped to her haunches, left hand reaching down to touch an aged lichen covered rock the barely protrudes from the grassy hillside. Closing her eyes and concentrating purely on her sense of smell she draws in a slow, deep breath through her nose. ((She shall indeed activate Scent of... Although there is no direct target she is smelling the area for a hint of what might be present))

"I know there is something not right, but I cannot tell what. Do you sense anything, Master Takano-san?"

“Yes, we are not alone”

Jisoo screeches from high above, wheeling through the air
High above Moon notices four or five ornate kites () fluttering, however closer inspection reveals that they have no strings. From down the grassy slope below them, she senses movement heading up toward them.

"Something is coming from that way!" Moon says to Takano without making her movements overly obvious to who or whatever is approaching.
“Sung Bamboo Scouts, what are your orders War Leader Moon?”

Moon sees large dog like shapes made of bamboo moving up the slope.

"They are getting too close." she states flatly. "Keep the children hidden and quiet. I will lead the creatures away."

Moon used the undergrowth and rocks to screen her movement away from Takano and the rest. Satisfied, she took up her bow, aimed at the nearest bamboo creature and loosed an arrow at it. The arrow flew straight and true, missing the creature by mere inches and slamming into the gnarled old tree beside it. Moon gave an audible curse, loud enough to be heard by anything that might be listening. She jumped up in fright, looking aghast at the missed shot and turned fleeing away as quickly as her feet could carry her.

Moon takes off across the brow of the slope, the three bamboo hounds break into a gallop, but despite being in human form she manages to keep ahead of them.

Exhausted Moon arrives at a large rock, where she turns and sees the three things approach

Quickly she slips the bow over her shoulder and feels for the short sword at her belt. She draws the blade, readies herself to fight. "What do you want?" she screams at it as though in terror, her face contorted into a visage of fear. She is expecting the former, but hey, just in case - she'll talk/scream at it!))

The three constructs fan out in a circle surrounding Moon with her back to the rock

Her feet shift, the blade is gripped in both hands, a defensive stance. She waits, patiently, allowing her vision to slip momentarily into the astral plane to help her assess her opponents.

The forms bamboo is saturated in woven magic, which animates the creatures
Moon waits, poised, ready. She notices the tip of her blade shaking and realises how nervous she is. She could try to calm herself, but then decides the nerves, the shaking blade all paint her in a light that would seem less of a threat to the animated creatures and perhaps their masters.

Two of the bamboo dogs feint then leap, one seems to erratically shudder as if it’s movements are affected it’s leap sending it wide. The third bursts into flame as an arrow streaks across the hillside catching it before it can attack. The first leaps bowling Moon over and lunges for her throat

A episode of grappling ensues as the Bamboo Dog and Moon writhe to inflict injury upon the other.
Moon manages to roll sideways and severs the bamboo dogs left leg.

Moon tries to wriggle from under the animated form, but it pins her with its weight and sinks its teeth into her shoulder

Moon cries out in pain as the teeth sink in. She stabs the blade into the earth so that she can use both hands. She thinks to her Aikido lessons with Takano-san and thrashes about to get into a better position to roll with the beast, to get herself on top and in the dominant position in this fight.

Moon tries to tilt and roll the dog however it braces and leans into her roll, thwarting her attempt

Moon screams again, this time frustration rather than pain.
The beads at her neck flare hot and she realises they are calming the rage that is building inside her. "No!" She barks at them and they grow cold, while inside she becomes hot with anger. Her shift takes mere seconds.
Moon sinks her teeth deeper, uses her mass to roll them so that she is no longer pinned, and rips her head away while using her front legs to hold the creature still. ((Attempting to pull its head off))

Grabbing the Bamboo Dogs Head, Moon rolls the animal's head tearing from its body. Moon senses the energy release as its body explodes showering her with bamboo fragments.

Moon growls as she staggers back. Ignoring the pain and the multiple shards of bamboo now protruding from her flesh. She instantly turned to fave the other two creatures.

Moon checks her rage, not fully surrendering to the savage beast, much of it expended in the kill and pain. The wounds are slow to heal a magical element to the shards nature, the injury being grievous. The second dog keeps its distance, turns to run and then explodes as an arrow made completely of fire streaks across the hill and destroys it.

The enormous cat snorted, and limped away from the destroyed creatures. Moon took her time shifting her form back to normal. She cries out as pain wracks her and again each time she pulled a shard of bamboo from her flesh. Blood coated her skin from head to foot and soaked into her clothes. She slumped back after the last shard was removed, sucking in great lungs full of air.

Yeoh appeared on top of a large rock ahead of Moon, in fox form. As he stepped down the boulder he effortlessly shifted, a practised command of form where he flowed from one form to the next. He bowed slightly to Moon, a small smile upon his face “Can you move?”

Moon nodded. "Like a grandmother with eighty summers behind her, but yes!" She groaned as she rolled over and pushed herself up. "Are the other okay?" she asks.
“Yes all fine, you led the danger away whilst we destroyed the kites” Yeoh said as he helped Moon to her feet
Moon leaned on Yeoh as she limped along beside him. "Thank you for following after me. I would not have done well against all three. Real combat is very much different to training," she chuckles.

Moon winces and draws in a sharp breath. Stopping, she leans her shoulder against a tree and reaches awkwardly behind her. "Something is irritating my back. Would you mind taking a look, Master?" She unties her Gi and slips it off her shoulder, soliciting a hissing wince from Yeoh. "Oh, that looks sore! You still have a sliver of that dog in you. I can pull it out, but it will hurt." Moon nodded her consent, then yelped as Yeoh pulled the shard from her before she could ready herself. "Thank you," Moon hissed through gritted teeth. "Damn!" Yeoh cursed under his breath then said more loudly as he put her arm around his neck and took most of her weight, "Come on, girl, let us get you back to the others. And maybe find you a crisp stream to wash in!" he chuckled.

Yeoh smiles as they trudge over the hill “You acquitted yourself we’ll Moon, a good ploy to draw them away”

Takano is waiting on the edge of the group as the two plod back “Like a pair of old women” he chides He looks Moon over “ Bloodied and slow healers, good your battle training has begun” he says with little sympathy

Yeoh informs Takano that he is taking Moon to the stream at the bottom of the gorge, the master nods and the pair continue down the hill past the group, the younglings looking at the bloodied Moon in awe.

Moon grabs her pack and pulls out clean clothes. She follows Yeoh down to the river where the man sits on a rock and turns his back on the young woman. "I will keep watch while you wash," he states. Moon slowly stripped off her blood soaked clothes and plunged then into the ivy waters it the stream. They would need better attention later but this was the best she could do right now. She washed and as she did so said, "Master Yeoh, I could have come here and washed alone. Was there something you wanted to speak to me about?"

“No, it is important that the younglings see solidarity Moon, if you had walked to the stream alone they may think you chastised or in the wrong. By accompanying you we show that acts of bravery are rewarded!”

"Politics," Moon comments. "A more dangerous and complex foe we will never face." She dresses and bundles up her wet clothes. "Thank you, Master Yeoh, for keeping watch."

“Also leadership young Moon, the younglings are both excited and fearful, you are no longer a youngling” he winks “Bath your wounds in this spring water it will cleanse them and aid healing” with that he bows and heads back up the slope

Moon does as bidden. Eventually, she returns to the camp and seeks out Master Takano.

The camp is on the move, Moon painfully catches Takano up in the middle of the throng, the scouts leading warriors and behind them the younglings in the centre. They make their way down the slope of the hillside and into the cover of woodlands running along the river to the east.

Moon followed along in silence, still feeling the pain from her slowly healing wounds.

Impressing herself Moon suppresses the pain rippling across her body as she moves, the party arriving at a rocky bend in the river with a long drop below. Takano signals for the Ariel scouts to climb, then turns to Moon.
“Climb to the top of the ridge, war leader the river widens below let’s see what awaits us!”

Moon bows, "Yes," she says and begins to climb towards the ridge.
Moon painfully but assuredly clambers up the tree covered ridge, a wedge of stone jutting off the river bend now overrun by trees and woodland. Finding a vantage point she thanks her Iron Warrior training, all those hard hours of being beaten with bamboo pains or lifting heavy stones in scolding steam rooms, they all hated the training but now it made sense it wasn’t just to toughen them, it had taught them to deal with pain. Looking down she frowned, the river was wide, growing wider as it rounded the ridge and moored along its bank was a large paddle steamer, a western vessel not Middle Kingdom.

Moon stares a little in wonder having never seen the like of it before. She realises it is a ship, as she isn't stupid but never envisioned on that looked like that. "Who are they?" she asked no one in particular.

Gunfire splits the air as crew members take pot shots at birds high above

"Master Takano, what do we do? Should we avoid contact with them? "

Moon hears Takano’s voice upon the wind
“If we can move past them unseen the better, an you scout the forests on their land side, we must avoid taking the younglings down if they have sentries”
"Any chance these strangers may be friendly?"
“It’s hard to tell, the Wiageou are a fickle people, some aid the Sung, others themselves, what do you think?”
"I think... I shall find out." she says. Then unashamedly, she drops her pack, strips out of her clothing and puts the dirty bloodstained set back on. She hands her sword to Takano. "Would you do me the honour of looking after this until I return? It is a treasured gift from a much cherished mentor," she smiles widely at him.

“I’d prefer you keep it, as no telling what you will encounter!” he turns to one of the shadowy figures in the trees “Sojal will accompany you and school you further on being unseen!”

"Oh, I wasn't intending on being unseen, Master. I was going to wander into their came all battered and bloodstained. A young innocent girl whose family has suffered a tragedy. They either help, or they don't. Either way we will know their intentions."

"Hence the reason I must go unarmed."

Takano looks surprised, then nods “Subterfuge, that’s not something you’ve been taught” he grins “Sojal please guard Chuang's blade from the shadows, on your way down practice the Dusk Pelt that Sojal will show you!”

Moon bows, fidgets uncomfortably in her cold damp clothes, then indicates for Sojal to lead the way.

As they start into the woodland and down the ridge Sojal changes into panther form, giving Moon a snarl of challenge but quickly backs down as Moon snarls in response

Moon notices that Sojal's coat seems to absorb the flickers of light that cuts through the canopy above
Impressed at Sojal's capabilities, Moon follows on behind, moving cautiously away from the group and down the hillside towards the unusual looking ship.

After a short while, their movements slowed, both adopting more caution without communicating the need. Their route took them down the less steep side of the hill, away from both their camp and the steamer. It was quite some distance upstream that they finally crossed the strong flowing river and made their way down the opposite bank towards the ship.

At times Sojal seems to vanish passing through a shadow and disappearing only to emerge several feet away. She pulls up short, signalling for Moon to slow and points, ahead just within the treeline overlooking the moored boat stand two men dressed in the white uniforms of foreign invaders.

Moon crouches and watches the foreigners for a moment. She leans to Sojal, whispering. "This is where I must go alone. Thank you, Sojal. I will give you a few moments to withdraw." Another pause as her senses are comforted by Tiger's presence close to her. She looks at her clothes, bloodied and torn and filthy, her hands too covered in dirt. For good measure she wiped them on her face, although she felt sure there was dirt aplenty there already.

As she watches she hears the two men, both human talk in a strange twanging tongue and smoke cigarettes. Neither man appears aware of her presence.

Moon remained silent and hidden in the thick foliage and watching these two strange men. One of them made a joke and the other laughed. He said something else, eliciting a grunt from his companion and walked over to a tree, unbuttoning his pants. Moon's mouth hung open in surprise as the man began to pee, sighing heavily in relief. Now was the time, Moon decided. "I am with you," she heard the majestic voice of tiger in her mind. Moon gave a high pitched cry and threw herself down the grassy slope, rolling and yelping as she lands in the mud of the river bank.

Both sailors jump, visibly startled drawing their revolvers as the young girl crashes out of the foliage.

Pretending not to notice the two men, Moon picks herself up, loudly muttering curses at her misfortune. She hoicks the leg of her gi up, rubbing at a scuffed knee. Then she turns to make her way back up the bank at that point 'noticing' the men. She gives a frightened yelp stumbles backwards, slips on the mud and falls into the river. She flails around, struggling to regain her balance as she tries to stand, finally manages, looks at the men with the guns, puts her hands up and bursts out crying.


The sailors look at each other unsure what to do, one says something intelligently to Moon then gestures with his gun for her to move toward the moored steamer.

Moon slumps, her hands dropping by her sides in utter resignation as shoulder bouncing sobs wrack her body. She doesn't move, just stands there crying.

Seeing the silent exchange between the two men, which Moon was more than capable of reading, she could tell that neither really knew how to deal with this sobbing child. Eventually she gave a great heaving breath, and her sobs ceased and she trudged out of the water, her clothes clinging to her and hanging heavily, exaggerated her dismal appearance. She stopped just before the two men, a kind of half thankful smile on her face. She looked pleadingly at each of them and very warily at their guns.

Neither man looked happy, as if they’d just gained an annoying task, one holstered his gun and gestured for Moon to head for the boat whilst the other followed up keeping the young girl in his sights. Beside the steamer was a small camp, not so much tents but an area where the crew had unloaded supplies and seemed to be accounting for inventory. A few local people were dotted among the foreigners, performing manual labour.

Moon trudges into the camp, her whole demeanour screaming submission and resignation. She catches the eye of one of the locals and allows a smile of greeting to pull at the corner of her mouth, but she gets nothing in return from the man.

The two men lead Moon to the brow. One steps up onto the rickety gangway and Moon is shoved forward, stumbling as she goes and barely keeping her balance. As they step onto the boat a voice, deep and harsh sound out from the aft end. "What, or who the hell have you got there?" it called out, the words a jumbled mess to Moon, very alien with absolutely no semblance to any language she knew. Even at fifteen years of age she could already speak most Chinese dialects, Josean, Japanese, all with respectable degrees of fluency. There were a few others too that she could stumble her way through. But these words sounded hard and abrupt with little natural flow to them. Her lead escort however responded and she could easily discern the deference in his tone. This other person, who she could not yet see was obviously someone of authority.

A gruff looking man older than the two sailors stepped from a door below the higher wheelhouse. His uniform was slightly dishevelled and stained, it occurred to Moon that the foreigners probably weren’t accustomed to the humidity, this one seemed particularly sweaty. He frowned looking at the sailors and said something harsh to them, she could tell by the speed of their replies that they were having to explain things. He barked an order to one of the local helpers on the shore, the man told the helpers to carry on sorting the supplies and hurried up the gangplank.

Moon looks meekly at the gruff man and then at the incoming local, whom she offers a quick, subservient bow.

The local takes her to one side “Who are you girl? What are you doing here?”
"My name is Moon. My family were travelling to Beijing from Seoul. We we're attacked by a creature in the dark and I ran. My father was killed but I don't know if the rest of my family survived."

She begins to cry again.

After a moment she obviously gets a grip on her emotions, and between big heaving breaths asks, "Who are these men? They look so strange?"

The man looks unsympathetic, regarding Moon carefully “You are not safe here, the Sung Armies are coming, the Westerners patrol the rivers to protect their pet merchants and silly girls find themselves in bad places, what are you going to do, be quick I need to tell these men?”
"What do you know of the Sung Armies? Do these men work for them?"

"I do not wish to run into those armies. Why do they come here?" she pleads.

“No they work for themselves and take what they want, I don’t know why do puffed up kings do anything, it doesn’t matter why they come here, they are and you don’t want to be around when they but you also don’t want to be on this boat, neither is safe for you!”
She bows. "Thank you, uncle." She says. "Please tell them I head [insert opposite direction to where my people are heading]. If they might spare me some food and clean clothes I will be on my way."

The man looks annoyed “I will explain and get you small supplies, you must go, wait in the trees I will bring you some things, but you must go!” He turns to the foreigners gesturing to Moon, and makes a great show of rolling his eyes and dismissively waving her away. Moon picks out one word from the gruff senior westerner ‘spy’, the local man laughs, the kind of laugh that suggests something is ridiculous. The senior seems to become disinterested and gestures a dismissive wave, the local man looks at Moon meaningfully and guides her back down the gangplank.

Once out of earshot of the men, she turns discreetly to the local man. "Where are you from, uncle? And I must know where the Sung come from?"

The man mentions a village but Moon is unsure where it is, she guesses from his tone it’s near “They come from Peking to the North!”

She says no more as the man leads her out of camp and into the trees. "I have no need of supplies, uncle-san. I thank you for your help." She turns and darts off into the trees.

The man looks surprised as she disappears

After several moments Sojal emerges from the shadows and ushers Moon into the undergrowth

"They are strange and foreign, but they are not with the Sung. We should leave them alone but give them a wide berth"

Sojal nods quietly. "That was a risky strategy, young Moon. What if they had been with the Sung? What if they had kept you on that vessel. There are things men like this would do to a pretty young girl that do not bear thinking about. You must not place yourself into situations like that again." "We needed to know, Sojal. Master Takano knew my intention. But I will weigh each moment from now on and only choose the riskier path when I have no other choice."

The return journey is a reversal of their approach. After about an hour of hard travel across rough terrain the two arrive back at the ridge where they had left Takano and the others. ((are they anywhere to be seen? Or is there sign of their moving off elsewhere?))

Moon crouches as she and Sojal arrive at the ridge to find it empty. Although there is sign of a group having been here there is no obvious trail to follow or indicating the direction they went. Moon looked at the older woman. "Do you see which way they went?"

Moon closes her eyes, pictures her tiger spirit companion, Kyung, her broad head and wide snout. She pushes the thought of it to the front of her mind, her will shaping her own face to match.

Moon feels Kyung answer her call, feels her on the other side of the mirror. Pain shoots over her nose and cheeks as the change starts, but then she feels the surge of power that normally accompanies Kyung merging with her. Within a moment the powerful white tiger padded softly over the grass and curled around Sojal's legs. Realising that the partial change has become a full change she knew not to fight it. She used her now greatly enhanced senses to smell where the group had gone.

Sojal snarls at the approach, moving back from Moon.

Moon shudders as she allows the spirit form to leave her. "Sorry, that was meant to be a partial transformation," she says apologetically. "They went this way." Moon leads them along the northern slope of the hills following the line of the smaller river and staying high while she watched for any signs of the group amongst the trees or even Jisoo flying over-watch in the slowly darkening sky.

Moon senses that the group have moved off to the West, the river branches around the row of hills that Sojal and Moon are currently hidden upon, so the main waterway travels from east to west on the hills southern side, whilst a second smaller tributary runs parallel to its north. The war pack has followed the North side heading West

CIRCLE OF THE MOON.

Moon and Sojal travelled in silence, Moon leading them through the thick Jungle undergrowth.

She had to use her enhanced senses a few more times to get them back on track when it became obvious she had lost the trail.

Eventually, the light was gone and Moonn found herself at a loss.

“I have lost the trail, Sojal,” she announced.

Sojal, standing a way behind her shrugged, an action lost on Moon who could barely make out her companions Shape.
“Yes, you have, again,” Sojal said flatly then added “about a mile back.”

“You knew? Why didn't you say?”
“Because Master Takano said that I should follow your lead. You are in charge.”

Moon could hear the bitterness in Sojal's words and wondered what the source was.

She decided that now was not the time to discuss such things. Both of them were cold and tired and hungry.

“We'll Camp here,” Moon said. “I'll gather some wood.”

"As you say,” Sojal agreed.

An hour later both were huddled on either side of a respectable fire silently observing the flame while the rice that Sojal had brought with her boiled in a tin pot.

“Sojal, may I ask you something?”

Moon took Sojal's lack of response as a yes.
“Have I done something to offend you?”

Sajal looked away.

“I have?”

“No Moon, you have done nothing to offend me personally, though I do find you offensive.”
Moon leaned backwards, away from the fire, her brows furrowed and disbelief on her face.

“How? You and I have so little to do with one another,” Moon said, a little hurt by the accusation.
“Oh, that is true enough and also as it should be. You are a child, a mere novice acolyte at the temple and I am not one of the mentors. Yet here you are, apparently my superior in this. So yes, you may take that look from your face, and accept that I find that notion offensive and therefore you, offensive."

Moon felt a knot in her stomach and heard a low growl deep in her subconscious.
She fought down the feeling of outrage, determined not to show emotions.

“I am Sorry, Sojal, that you feel that way, and I do not see myself as your superior.”
“Good! You aren't,” Sojal snapped.

Moon gave a nodof submission. lay down with her back to the fire partly for warmth, but also to hide her face from Sojal, so that she wouldn't see the silent tears on her cheeks.

As usual, Moon's dreams were of her running through forested mountains. Such dreams always left Moon in a happy mood.
But, her dream self, as always her tiger self, stopped its running ears pricked, head to one side.
It sniffed the air. “Wake!” it growled.

Moon's eyes sprang open. She was laying on the ground, her back to the fire still, though the fire was low now.
Sojal's soft breathing let her know that her companion was sleeping nearby.

Without moving, Moon strained her hearing, listening for anything. beyond the normal nighttime noises of the forest, the wind in the trees, owls hooting in the darkness, small creatures scurrying about in the undergrowth.

A twig snapping, small branches rubbing against a rough tunic. Whoever was approaching was being careful, their movements slow and deliberate.

They were close, Moon could smell their sweat now even without tiger’s enhancements, and they were getting closer.

Moon sprang into action, rolling away from the movement, and up to her feet in one swift manoeuvre.
In her hands she held the wakizashi, scabbard in one, hilt in the other, the silver-blue blade still unbared.

The figure, a stout man with short cropped hair and thin beard leapt back in surprise, his hands held up defensively but also a plea not to attack.

"Whoa! Moon, it is Seokjin!" came a high pitched and worried voice in the darkness.

Sojal, at the sound, started and scrambled to her feet. "What is the meaning of this?" she blurted out.
“Easy Sojal, it is Seokjin,” Moon replied as she lowered her weapon.

“I can see that! But why is he…” Sojal stopped and turned to the man. “Why are you sneaking into our camp?”
“A moment.” Moon said and fed more sticks into the dying fire.

When the wood caught and the flickering flames cast their dancing illumination over their vistor, Moon bade them sit and Seokjin to explain.

“We were travelling towards the old temple grounds south and east of here. Master Takano received word, do not ask me how. that the Sung armies had already sent advance units into the Riverfolk lands and some skirmishes had already been fought.”
“Master Takano is leading the children south now, away from the fighting, but sent me to find you.”

Moon glanced at Sojal, who glanced back. Both knew there was more to this tale and that they were about to receive news neither of them really wanted to hear.

"Go on," Moon said.

Seokjin nodded and continued. “Master Takano wishes you and Sojal to hedl west and scout the Riverland area. Help those you can.”
“Me and her?” Sojal asked, obviously not relishing the thought.
"Yes, and me, I suppose," Seokjin said.

Moon sat silently watching the flicker of flames on the dry wood.

'We could go now, I suppose, but maybe it would be better to wait for daylight?" Moon said.
“You are in charge, Moon,” Sojal said. “Neither of us are chosen ones!” She indicated Seokjin and herself.
“Oh for heaven's sake!” Moon blurted. “I'm no more in charge here than that tree over there. Not now. If my original task still stood, then for whatever reason the elders chose me, but it no longer stands,”
Sojal sprang to her feet. “So I lead?” she asked.
“Yes,” Moon replied.
Sojal eyed her.
“Damn your eyes, Cheung Moon! Stop being a child! You are chosen. You had a companion spirit from birth. You are meant to be a leader. Don't just bow down to stroppy companions like me!" Sojal barked at her.

Moon scowled at Sojal, leaving Seokjin looking awkwardly from one to the other.

Sojal could see the accusation and the thoughts running through Moon's mind as though they were written across her face.
“Do not misunderstand. me. You are too young, You do not have the experience to be an effective leader. To claim otherwise is foolhardy and offensive. But you were born to lead, so do not give up that position so lightly.”

Moon nodded, understanding Sojal's sentiment, but she remained silent.
“You lead, I'll guide. That should work for both of us.” Sojal finally put forward a suggestion.

“Then we wait for sun-up,” Moon said instantly, to which Sojal nodded and lay back down with her eyes closed.

As the sun began to lighten the sky the three of them broke camp and headed east over the steep terrain. They continued on for the day, their pace one of swift caution.

As they went Sojal had Moon scout ahead using her stealth and senses to pick out their route, or she would go ahead and have Moon track her with the aim of catching her unawares.
Every time Sojal would follow Moon and catch her, or spot her as she approached. By the end of the day Moon was feeling very frustrated and a little despondent.

They made camp as the sun dropped below the horizon once more and made their journey through the forest almost impossible.

Sitting around the fire Moon confessed her disappointment in her performance.
Sojal laughed. "Do not feel too bad that you cannot catch me, Moon. Very few can see me coming. Yincang and I have been a little unfair to you."
"Yincang?"
"My Spirit-bond. Yincang, it literally means to hide, to conceal, She is shadow."

Moon looked in awe at Sojal, across the dancing flames. "That is amazing. I have never known someone with that sort of bond before. I have heard such spirit bonds are rare. No wonder I could not find you, nor spot you when you sought me. I can never compete with such abilities as shadow can give."

They ate well, Seokjin proving himself quite the hunter, they dined on deer and cooked enough for their onward journey too.

"Moon, may I be permitted to point something out to you?" Sojal asked after they had eaten.

"Of course. I lead, you guide."
Sojal smiled politely.
“You do tiger a disservice,” Sojal said bluntly.
"I what?" Moon frowned and straightened defensively.

"You and your tiger have a strong bond, stronger than many, this much is clear by the sheer power it channels through you. But that is just it, Tiger is so much more than strength and power, yet you only call on that side of it. I have seen this before, in others. Your youth lends you to anger, to rage and as such you lean on that side of tiger that supports that. Do you understand me so far?"

Moon had relaxed, "Yes, I understand."

"Good," Sojal said and continued. “Tiger is a strong leader, a protector, watching over its land and its people. To protect it must have strength and raw power. To watch it must have cunning and stealth, And to lead it must have presence and wisdom. A tiger has stripes, Moon. This you know. Why?"

Moon thought for a moment. "Camouflage," she said.
"Yes! Camouflage. Stealth. Tiger is a master of remaining hidden, of sneaking upon its prey. If you wish to stand against me in such things you must ask Tiger to guide you. Do not use her simply for the strength of her muscles and the sharpness of her claws.”

Moon felt Tiger stir within her, beside her, around her. It knew the truth of Sojal's words, she could feel it. "Thank you, Sojal,” Moon said softly.
"We have a half day before we reach the Rivertolk lands. Tomorrow I suggest we practice more, only this time call upon Tiger's knowledge."
Moon agreed and bade her companion goodnight. "Moon," Sojal waited for Moon to look at her. "You did very well without Tiger. Tomorrow you will do better."

Once more the three broke camp at sun-up. Sojal went ahead with instruction to come upon her undetected.
Moon sat in meditation before she began her stalk. She called to an eager tiger. She felt its joy in her asking about this new aspect of itself, as though it had been waiting a long time to share it with her.

With Tiger enhancing her senses and her movements and filling her young mind with new knowledge, she stalked through the bamboo forest like a ghost.

She came upon the place where Seokjin hid and knew that Sojal would be close.
Silently Moon crept towards the crouching man. As she neared him her senses flared as she detected something nearby, but before she could act she felt Sojal's blade at her throat.
"Not again," Moon said crestfallen.

“No, Moon! That was amazing! I did not see you until you were here, I mean right here, almost standing on me.”
“But I could not see you!”
“Of course not! Yincang would not let you. But you did well. Not many Sung would have detected you, that is for sure. I will be honest. If you continue like that I feel much better about our odds of survival!”