G R Matthews [Matthews - Outlaw Mountain

Outlaw Mountain

By

G R Matthews

Copyright 2017 G R Matthews

All rights reserved

IN THE SOUTH OF THE EMPIRE

You know the problem with outlaws, Liu? Gang twirled the great hammer above his head and brought it down upon the leather armoured skull of his current opponent.

There are always more of them? Liu dropped under the wild slash of a Dao and hooked an axe blade behind another outlaws knee, dragging him forward, off balance. A kick to the downed mans head sent him into oblivion.

No, thats not it. Gang swept his hammer left to right, crushing anothers ribs.

Liu stepped forward, one axe rising high to deflect the sword blow aimed at his head, the other axe burying itself in the attackers unprotected neck. Their lack of skill?

Keep guessing. Gang reversed his swing forcing the three who faced him to stumble backwards in panic. The large man jumped into the gap and swung again.

Gang, Liu began, twisting around the stab of a tasselled spear and chopping at the hands that held it. Im not one for these games.

I have to have something to entertain me in these fights, Liu. Gangs hammer clattered into an upraised sabre, snapping the blade and the arm that held it.

Battle is not entertainment, Gang. Lius axes rose and fell, chopping down another life. We came here to help the village. Not to enjoy ourselves.

Why cant we do both? Gang drove another thief to his knees with a blow from the studded hammer and grabbed the last in meaty hands, lifting the man from his feet with ease.

Keep that one alive, Gang. We need information. Liu cautioned as he wrenched his axe blade from the collar bone of the last attacker. It came free with a crack and a wet, sucking squelch and the smaller man looked at the blood with a disappointed expression. Bring him with us.

If you dont like blood, dont use axes, Gang growled as he dragged the outlaw by the hair towards Liu. The outlaws legs scrabbled and kicked at the ground. Stop your moaning or Ill forget my friend said to keep you alive.

So what is the problem with outlaws? Liu said, taking a rag from inside his plain robes and wiping the last of the blood from the blades of his axes.

They steal things, Liu. I thought you knew that. You should have got that one easily. Gang guffawed as he finished and shook the outlaw in his grasp.

The village, Cuandixia, was set at the bottom of a snaking valley that ran northwest towards the frontier. To the west, a series of low ridges and dry valleys and, to the east, the mountains rose into the mist of the early morning. Gang, Liu and the captured outlaw followed the narrow path of the valley floor around another spur of land.

Been here before? Liu asked, pulling the scarf tight about his throat.

Never understood why you feel the cold so much, Liu, Gang said, gesturing with his free hand at the layers of clothes which Liu always chose to wear. Springtime is warm. If you'd ever let a little bit of sun hit your flesh, youd be as warm as me.

Gang saw Lius raised eyebrow and sidelong look.

Youve flesh enough for us both, Gang.

The large man laughed and grabbed the stomach that threatened to break through the thin wrapping of the food stained robe Gang had chosen to cover his body at the start of this mission. Keeps me warm in the winter.

The village, Liu said, his quiet voice cutting through Gangs laughter.

Stone houses lined the dirt track which climbed up the valley. A few one storey dwellings were crushed up against the sheer face of an overgrown cliff and the main bulk of the village, small, courtyard houses and a ragged collection of wooden and plaster built homes, climbed the lower slopes of the hill. Above them all, on a flattened platform a two storey home overlooked them all.

Chiefs house. Gang pointed at the largest home.

Lets go, Liu said. Bring the outlaw with you.

The thief was sweating in the cool morning air and when Gang grabbed his arm, he could feel the trembling fear in the mans frame. Gang pulled him round to look into his eyes. You give me any trouble and Ill smash whats left of your brains out of your ears.

Make sure he can still talk, Liu said, turning up the street towards the Chiefs house.

Hell talk.

Up close it was a less than impressive house. White plaster fading to dirty grey barely covered the woven wooden frame of the walls. The windows were simple shutters that may once have had some intricate carvings and scroll work but age had worn them down to the merest imagining of artwork. The poorest person in the capital would have been ashamed to have such carpentry on display.

Liu knocked on the door and waited. When there was no answer Gang reached past the smaller man to bang on the wooden door. It rattled on its hinges.

Im hungry, he explained.

A moment later the door was wrenched open and small, wiry man with an uncontrolled shock of hair glared up at them. What?

Greetings, Liu said, bowing. We have come to see the Chief of the village.

Why?

On a matter he regarded as important, Liu answered in a smooth unruffled tone.

Who are you?

This is Master Gang, Liu used a flat open palm to indicate the larger man, and I am Master Liu.

Whos he? The wiry man squinted at the trembling outlaw.

An outlaw, Liu said. We met him and a few of his friends on the road just south of here.

Theyre dead, Gang added.

What? The little man screamed, hopped from foot to foot and, poking his head out of the doorway, cast desperate glances around. You shouldnt have killed any of them. Theyll find out and theyll blame us. Well have to pay them even more of what we havent got. No, no, no. You shouldnt have hurt them. Oh dear, no.

Gang sucked in a deep breath to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Behind the old man, a young lady with dark hair tied up in an elegant style and possessing the most beautiful eyes Gang thought hed ever seen, stepped into view.

There you are grandfather, she said. Who are these people?

Masters Liu and Gang, from the Capital, Liu said after a pause. We came at the request of the Chief?

My father, the young lady said. He was injured in an outlaw attack a week ago. Come in. Come in. My name is Nuan. I will get you some refreshments and take you to him. The doctor is with him at the moment.

You honour us, Liu bowed.

A sharp pain in his foot caused Gang to complete his own bow and he saw Lius foot retreat as he looked down. Any food?

Of course, Master Liu, the young lady said.

Gang.

My apologies, Master Gang. She smiled and returned their bow. Out of the way, Grandfather.

They were shown through to the greeting room and seated in chairs that had been hand-crafted with love and polished by years of use. The legs were intricately carved. Monkeys cavorted on the legs of one, climbing vines and playing games amongst the arm rests. On another, long sinuous dragons curled and meandered through the wood.

Beautiful carvings, Liu said. Gang picked up his chair and cast an eye over it.

My grandfathers work. Nuan nodded to the little man who had followed them in. He was a gifted carpenter many years ago, when his eyesight was undimmed and his hands did not shake. The chairs are the last thing he made and the only items we have to remind us of his former skills. Please, be seated. I will have a servant bring you refreshment and then we will see my father. The doctor should not be too long. Does your servant require food?

Servant? Gang looked up at her and tried not to stare. Ah, no. He is not our servant. An outlaw we captured on the way to the town.

He saw Nuans face pale and she drew back.

He wont hurt you, Miss, Gang said. If he knows whats good for him, he wont even look in your direction.

Nuan glanced once more at the outlaw and bowed in Gangs direction. Let me get you some tea and food. Please, sit.