Carnassa and Bei

Breakfast is quiet and Kunsaw sits awkwardly next to Feng Da.

 
Carnassa's claim of betrayal raises my suspicion. Had Khan Bei gotten to them somehow? There is more quiet debate among the group about supporting Khan Bei or killing him. Shen Po readies himself to speak to Carnassa, alone. A bit after he leaves, Elme arrives and joins us at the table. She tells us that she’s now second in command and currently Carnassa has passed her authority to Elme.
While we wait for Shen Po, we talk about dueling Khan Bei. Kunsaw immediately interjects, insistent that we’ll just die if we attempt it. Feng Da suddenly stands and leaves. Arslan finds Yosio, asking if Khan Bei really would accept a duel. We send Yosio back to Khan Bei to arrange the duel.
Shen Po returns to the inn, gives us a quick look, turns to the counter and takes a long pull from a mug left there. Tear streaks are visible for the brief second I see his face. “We’re going to kill him,” Shen Po says while the mug is refilled. He doesn’t say anything further or look our direction again, instead gulping down the new brew. Kunsaw closes his eyes and wrings his hands.

---

I find Feng Da in the Temple of Acharya, where I suspected he might be. He struck up praying to her rather quickly. I wait for Feng Da to finish before I ask to spar again. I need some of this nervous energy to go. As I wait, a thought wanders into my mind. I think back, but I can’t recall a single time Shen Po has prayed. It seems Feng Da will take a while, so I stand up and leave to find Shen Po.

---

Feng Da announces at dinner that while he prayed he had a feeling that help would come to us, if only we were able to buy more time. Hopefully, Khan Bei will be slow in replying to the duel, or perhaps we ccan set a date another day away. Morning proves neither option would happen.
Looming on the horizon are shapes holding aloft Khan Bei’s banners. They remain about an hour’s ride away while Yosio rides into town to inform us Khan Bei is ready. The townspeople gather, Elme and Kunsaw saying a somber goodbye as we mount up and ride to duel Khan Bei.

---

We ride into an area cleared of rubble. Khan Bei is seated, seemingly meditating, alone. Now that I can actually see him, he’s kind of handsome. His black hair is tied back in a knot, a nodachi is strapped to his back, and ornate metal plating is strapped over leathers. Though I suppose I could do without the little bit of facial hair. He opens his eyes as we enter the clearing.
“I must say,” he says with a small smile, “I’m a little disappointed you declined my offer, but I thought it to be in good taste to give you another opportunity to reconsider.”
“I cannot speak for all my compatriots,” Feng Da says, “however, I gave my word and my honor dictates that I hold true to it.”
“It seems unnecessary that you should die for something so trivial.”
Shen Po cuts in. “It is not as trivial as you would lead us to believe. Carnassa believes you took something from her.” Shen Po’s stare is intense.
“Of course she does,” Khan Bei says with a bit of a smirk.
“Did you?” Shen Po demands.
“You heard it from her, yet you inquire it from me?”
“Answer the question.” Shen Po’s patience is running thin.
“It seems you doubt her.” A coy smile was on his face now.
“Do you know where they are?” Demands Shen Po. They?
“I’m not the individual playing mind games. I came to you with an offer.” Anger seems to boil inside him, despite his calm outward appearance. “At first, I was hopeful that you would accept it.”
“What’s keeping you from simply killing us now?” Spark asks.
Khan Bei’s smile disappeared. “Your lack of fear displays ignorance, not bravado. I simply continue to hold out hope that maybe I can spare one of your lives.” He looks over our group. “I see a great deal of potential in this group. There is strength in this group. Tempered and honed, it would be a strength worthy of rivalry. But, your edge cannot be honed if your blade is broken.” He pauses. “My ambassador has informed me that instead, you wish to challenge me to a fight.” Some of the internal anger began to spill over into his voice.
“Yeah,” Shen Po says. “Yeah, we’re going to beat you to death.”
Fwip releases an arrow at the seated Khan, piercing straight into his chest. There is a silent moment and no one moves. Shen Po draws silvery sigils in the air. Khan Bei stands and draws his nodachi. Feng Da charges in, sword deflecting off the Khan’s armor, but his war pick slams into his side. Another arrow flies into Khan Bei from behind me.
I pull out my saber and focus on Khan Bei’s sword. “Varme,” I say and point at the weapon with my right hand before drawing my short sword.
His grip tightens on the hilt, but the pain from the hot metal is still noticeable as he fails to parry an attack from Feng Da. He shrugs off the hit and glides past Feng Da to swing at Fwip. Magic bolts fly from both Yawei and Wen. There’s no reaction from the Khan, even as Wen’s magic clings to him. He swings at Fwip again, who’s still unsteady from the first attacks. Blood splatters as Fwip backs away.
Arslan's sword begins glowing as he steps between Khan Bei and Fwip. The Khan steps to the side and dodges Arslan’s massive sword swinging down at him. Spark flips the magic hourglass found in the cave on the way to East. She runs in and attacks with her quarterstaff and claws, and seconds later appears back where she turned the device.
Feng Da’s sword slashes across Khan Bei’s shoulder and shows blood. “If he can bleed, he can die,” Feng Da says. The Khan ignores him and follows after Fwip, cutting her again.
Fwip finally manages to get well out of range, stumbling the whole way. Yawei moves closer and a dark cloud of energy surrounds him, tendrils of it reaching for the Khan. I pull in power and release it at the man. “Viske!” No reaction. I grit my teeth and focus on the hot sword hilt, willing the heat to flare up. Khan Bei takes in a deep breath and shifts his attention to Yawei. Damn it! Arslan swings with his still glowing sword, small flames splashing from Khan Bei’s armor. Again, the Khan ignores the attack and slashes at Yawei.
Yawei staggers away and falls down, blood beginning to pool. Wen runs to him. Arslan swings his sword down, releasing a rift of dark energy that misses Khan Bei by a dagger length. Shen Po draws a sigil and silver flames erupt from his hands, washing over Khan Bei. Feng Da’s sword slashes at Khan Bei again while Fwip’s arrows come flying in. How was he still standing? I repeat my plan. “Viske!” I hiss and direct the magic to Khan Bei’s mind. I then turn my focus to pulse heat from his sword. He still doesn’t drop it. He gives me an angry glare and turns his attention to Arslan.
Panic floods me and I begin closing the gap between myself and Khan Bei. Arslan holds his ground, but how much longer will we need to keep this up? Feng Da attacks at Khan Bei’s shoulder wound, worsening it. Khan Bei cuts Feng Da squarely in the chest. Another arrow pierces the Khan. He takes more swings at Feng Da, drawing blood. “Viske!” It comes out sounding desperate.
A look of fear breaks over the Khan’s face. “No! I escaped that!”
Everyone takes the chance to swing at him, blood spraying from each wound. I close the gap. Khan Bei’s eyes widen with realization. My saber slams under his chin, straight through to the back of his neck. I jerk the blade from his body and he falls limply to the ground.

---

We untie his horse and send it back to his army loaded with the ornate, blood-speckled helmet. We load Bei’s body on one of our horses and begin the trot back into town.