G R Matthews [Matthews - Tales From the Stone Road

Notthat, Zheng snarled.

Sorry, Chan-jaun carried the large, leather boundbook in her tiny hands and edged it back onto the table. What next, Daddy?

Can't you think for yourself? You're more fuckingtrouble than youre worth. Pack that into the trunk, Zheng pointed at a brasscandle holder.

The little girl, standing on tip toes to reach thetop of the table, wrapped her fingers around the engraved metal and pulled itinto her arms. She sagged under the weight, tottered over to the trunk anddropped it in.

Careful, he shouted. Better still, leave italone. I'll finish the packing. Be a damn sight quicker. Go and sit over there,out of the way, and don't speak. If your bloody mother hadn't up and died

Chan-jaun looked down at the dust-coated, woodenfloor and moved over to the stool that her father had pointed towards. Sheclambered up onto it and sat still. The weight of memories, heavier and morevaluable than gold, rested on her small shoulders.

Stop snivelling, girl, Zheng snapped as hecontinued to shove clothes and jewellery into the trunk.

A loud banging sounded through the house. Zhengstopped packing and raised a single finger to his lips. She echoed the motionbut where he had a pinched, worried expression on his face she wore an innocentsmile. The door rattled in its frame again.

Open up, Zheng. We know youre in there, a voicecommanded, muffled by the thick wooden door.

Zheng crept over the small window and risked a peekoutside, Fuck.

Open the bloody door or I'm going to kick it in anddrag your sorry arse out here, the voice screamed and the banging on the doorintensified.

Zheng wrung his hands and cast a panicked lookaround the room. Nothing offered the help he sought. All right, I'm coming.

He stood and beckoned to Chan-jaun. Together theytraipsed down the stairs to the main room of the house where Zheng drew backthe bolt that held the door closed. The instant the bolt cleared the metalhousing, the door was thrown open, the heavy wood catching Zheng full in theface. He staggered back, swearing, holding hands up to his face. Blood welledup between his fingers.

Mind if we come in? the large thug said as hestepped through the doorway followed by a younger, smaller man. Both carriedthe thick bladed Dao sabre that was popular amongst soldiers andcivilians alike. The blade was a long as the wielders arm, sharpened on oneside, and curved upwards to the point. The hand guard at the base of the bladewas a simple disc of metal.

He wants to see you, the large man spoke throughthe greasy beard that adorned his face. His eyes passed over Zheng and focusedon Chan-jaun. She moved closer to her father, uncomfortable under the gaze.

Ill be right there, Zheng grabbed a rag from thework surface and held it against his nose. Give me a chance to get cleanedup.

Well wait, the younger man said in a calm tone.

We aint waiting. He doesnt care what state yourein, the large man corrected. You aint gonna care much either once hes donewith you.

Ah, Zheng backed up a step, whats the chance ofjust forgetting you found me?

Not much, the large man said.

You shouldnt have stolen from him, the youngerone said.

You can have the money. Ill double it, Zhengbacked up another step. Triple it.

Zheng, money is not going to work. That belongs tohim. Dont take anything that belongs to him. Thats one of the rules. Youbroke it and you are going to pay for it. Dont make it any harder than it hasto be. The young mans voice was hard but there was a note of resignation.

Time to go, the large one said, his eyes wanderingback to Chan-juan.

No, Zheng back up again and tripped over hisdaughter, hiding behind him, falling to the floor. Please, no. There must besomething I can do.

There isnt, the young one said.

Zheng cast a fear-filled glance at the young man andthen to the other. He caught glint in the older ones eyes, Take her. Let mego and you can do what you want with her. He grabbed his daughter, dragged herround and held her out as an offering to the large thug.

Well now, the large man had a hungry look in hiseyes.

Take her. Let me go and take her, Zheng pushed herforward again as he scrambled to his feet, hope lighting his eyes. And themoney too. Just let me go.

The large man took a step forward, A young bit offlesh and the money. Thats a good bargain, that is.

No, the young man said.

We could tell him that Zheng was gone when we gothere. Left in such a hurry that he hadnt even packed his stuff. Hell be happyto have the money back, we get to keep a little for ourselves and we get tohave some fun with the youngun here.

Chan-jaun stood in between the thugs and her father,looking back and forth between the two. Daddy?

Youll do as youre fucking told, girl. Zheng tookanother step back, distancing himself from his daughter. Might have a useafter all.

No, the younger one again.

You aint never had young flesh? Its different,special, the large one spoke, his voice deeper than before and he re-adjustedhis trousers. Once you have there aint no going back. You get the taste forit.

No, the young man said. There was steel in hisvoice.

What the fuck do you know? The large man turned onhis fellow thug. You been here, what, three months and think you know it all.Little piss-ant runt. Fuck off outside if you dont want a piece. Take her oldman with you. Ill be out in a while.

Chan-jaun, a tiny figure between the thugs andfather, began to cry.

Shut your howling, girl. Zheng shouted.

No, the young one didnt bend or back up before thedangerous mix of anger and lust displayed on the older man's face. We camehere for Zheng and we take him. We do our jobs and thats it. You want to be apervert; you do it on your own time and far away from me.

Fuck off, little man, the older one swung a fistat the younger.

Chan-juan cried louder as blood sprayed from thesevered neck of the old thug. It drenched her, dripping through her hair andsoaking her dress. The old thug collapsed to the floor, his eyes gazing atChan-jaun but seeing only darkness. Bright red blood continued to pump from hisneck as if his heart had not received the death message and continued to beat.

The young man wiped the blood from his Daosword on the murdered man's legs. Zheng ran into the small kitchen area andwrenched the small cleaver from its hook. He held it in front of him, waving itback and forth; a talisman to ward off the spectre of death that hadre-sheathed its sword and was now advancing on him.

Zheng, youre a worthless piece of shit. Less thana man, never a father. He wants to see you and he will. The young man droppedhis sword to the floor, Doesnt matter to me whether you're alive or dead.Maybe matters to him, as he wanted to kill you. Put that little knife down andyou get a few more minutes of life.