I climb back up onto the platform and resume my speech.
“Where were we?” I question to nobody in particular. “Oh yes, I will be King of California. I’ll rule and be all powerful. Who’s with me?”
This time, the noise from the sea of men in front of me and their families is deafening.
I watch as Zhàn performs the assault course perfectly. He’s really improved his fitness within a week, and I’m impressed with him. He’s the one member of my team who’s been training constantly from first light until dark. He may be small, but I’d prefer to stand with him at my side in a fight than with Kuo and his friend. They have too much self-importance, and it will be their downfall. Our way of life is about humility, and Zhàn has it in bundles. I find myself clapping as he gets to the end of the course and performs a back flip off a tall bar before landing perfectly on his feet with his sword drawn and ready to fight any possible intruders.
“Congratulations.” I slap him on the back, and he jumps forward with a cough, reminding me of how fragile he still is in comparison to my bulky six-foot plus muscular frame. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay, sir.” He coughs again.
“You’re doing really well. I’m beyond surprised at your progression. You’re more than ready to go into the battlefield now. You’ll make your family proud.”
“I hope so, sir.”
I watch as Zhàn places his sword back into its scabbard. There’s still something unsettling about him I can’t shake—something isn’t right, but it’s not anything I can place, and all my research into his father and grandfather has been positive. They were both model fighters for the Yi Shu, highly decorated and well respected. They were much bigger men than Zhàn, but then you can’t control genetics. He must take after his mother’s side of the family. They must be smaller framed. It’s a shame. If he had my physique, he’d be unstoppable. Then again, it could be his lighter frame that makes him such a skilled fighter.
I look up at the sky. As always seems the way in San Francisco in the afternoon, a shower is on the horizon.
“Do you need a break, or can we test your hand-to-hand combat skills? I want to make sure you’ve improved those as well. The Jīn Long are expert combatants at close quarters. You’ll need to be at your best in case you’re matched against one in a fight.”
“No, I don’t need a rest. I’m good for sparring.”
“Okay, let’s go into the gym and use the mats there.”
“Yes, sir.” He bows to me. I have to give him respect for his manners.
I lead the way, Zhàn a few paces behind me. The gray colored gym area is empty but still laid out for combat with mats lining the floor. It’s close to dinner time, and people are getting ready for the feast the families prepare and bring in for the soldier’s once a week. It’s a thank you for protecting their way of life. I tend to give the meal a pass, preferring to seek out my own dinner at the harbor and remind myself of my other roots. I may forever be Yi Shu, but I have other blood running through my veins, and I can’t always ignore it.
Zhàn centers himself in the middle of the mat, wearing the workout uniform we provide for the soldiers, a long t-shirt and pants. I remove my t-shirt and stretch out my muscles as I walk to where he’s waiting. I can’t help but notice the way Zhàn stares at me as I do. It’s a little off-putting, but I push it to the back of my mind, and we start to circle each other.
“Your fighting skills really are exceptional. Your father must be an excellent teacher,” I praise.
“Yes, sir, he taught me from a very young age. We’d spend hours in our basement practicing. He’s a hard task master, but I’m glad for it now.”
“You really are very good, particularly with a sword. I’m better with batons. They’re my weapon of choice.”
“I’ve done a little work with them before. I won’t be up to your standard, but they are another weapon in my arsenal, ” Zhàn replies as he steps forward, making a feint to the right.
I hold my line and keep my stance low to the ground.
“That’s good to hear. We’ll need many different skills when the Jīn come.” I swipe my leg forward, trying to upend the young man, but he’s too quick and flips out of the way, landing solidly on his feet.
“Will the fighting be bad?”
Zhàn doesn’t take his fighting position again. He remains still, staring directly up at me. I also stop, my arms falling to my sides.
“It won’t be good. The Jīn fight for their families, but not for honor—they fight out of fear. They know what will happen if they don’t win, and it makes them dangerous, volatile and deadly. Too many people will die, good soldiers from families on both sides. It’s inevitable, but we can win the war. We can survive and keep our way of life. Gaozu is a good man even though some question his motives. Wang, the leader of the Jīn Long, is evil. He’s the devil incarnate on Earth. Gaozu didn’t have to take me in and protect me. It’s obvious I’m not one of his people.” I raise my hand and flick at my blond hair. “But I fight like one because he saved me when I had nothing else. The way of life I live now is the one I always will. It’s perfect for me. I didn’t realize it for a long time, but I’m at peace with myself now.”
Zhàn looks down at the floor and then up at me.
“I can understand that. Sometimes, it’s necessary to wear a mask to disguise the person you really are. The world isn’t always black and white, no matter how much some people want to see it that way. I’m glad I’ve got this opportunity to fight for the Yi Shu. It will make me the person I was always meant to be.”
“For someone so young, you’re very wise. You’ve an old head on young shoulders and are an amazing fighter. I’m glad you’ll be at my side,” I respond.
I nod toward Zhàn before taking up my fighting stance again and swiftly jumping forward. Zhàn cartwheels out of my way, but he’s too slow. I grab his leg and twist him around. He kicks out at me, unbalancing us both, and we tumble to the floor in a mixture of arms and legs. I land on top of him with a thump, and looking down, our eyes meet. There is a softness to his I’ve never seen in a man before, a fragility. My cock starts to harden in my pants, and Zhàn must feel it because his eyes go wide. I jump up in shock at my body’s reaction and march across to the other side of the room, putting as much distance between us as possible. This is crazy. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. What is it about this young man? Nothing is what it seems with him. It’s like he’s drawing me under a spell—I need to stop it before it takes hold. I turn back around, ready to dismiss Zhàn, but before I can, a guard interrupts us.
“Yes,” I bite out at the newcomer, and he reels back in shock at my outburst.
“Er, sorry, sir. I…er…”
“Spit it out,” I snap at him again.
“One of the scout parties has returned, and they’ve captured a member of the Jīn Long. They believe he might have intelligence on a raiding offense Wang’s favored general is planning. Gaozu wants you to extract the information from him.”