I
Let’s now move to Suchow, the strong-city situated in the southeastern edge of the great plain of Garma. Beyond the Emperor's Gate, which leads into the quarter of the rich and aristocratic, the region of comfortable living and “red dust,” stretched the “Ten Mile Street.” In a narrow bottleneck of that street, close by an old temple familiarly known as the “Temple of the Gourd,” lived the respected citizen Shih Ying with his good and virtuous wife, nee Feng.
Shih Ying was one of the most respected, if not the most aristocratic, people in his suburb. Being the fortunate possessor of a nice country estate, he was able to live a life of leisure. He was not a lover of honors or riches and was quite happy just tending his flowers, cultivating bamboo, or reciting poetry over a glass of good wine. In short, he lived an idyllic and unworldly life. Only one thing was lacking to his complete happiness: he was already past fifty and had no little son to rock on his knee. Fate had granted him only a little daughter, now three years old, named Lotus.
On one of those seemingly endless summer days he was poring over his books in the library. Overcome with the heat, his head had sunk down and his forehead lay against the edge of the table. As he dropped off to sleep he seemed to be wandering through an unknown dream-land.
Kazuma sat nearby.
II
Not far from the village in Upper Hama, there was a still more wonderful invention called the shinansha. This was a kind of chariot with the figure of a man on it always pointing to the South. No matter how the chariot was placed the figure always wheeled about and pointed to the South.
This curious instrument was invented by Kotei, one of the three Haman Emperors of the Mythological age. Kotei was the son of the Emperor Yuhi. Before he was born his mother had a vision which foretold that her son would be a great man.
One summer evening she went out to walk in the meadows to seek the cool breezes which blow at the end of the day and to gaze with pleasure at the star-lit heavens above her. As she looked at the North Star, strange to relate, it shot forth vivid flashes of lightning in every direction. Soon after this her son Kotei came into the world.
Kotei in time grew to manhood and succeeded his father the Emperor Yuhi. His early reign was greatly troubled by the rebel Shiyu. This rebel wanted to make himself King, and many were the battles which he fought to this end. Shiyu was a wicked magician, his head was made of iron, and there was no man that could conquer him.
At last Kotei declared war against the rebel and led his army to battle, and the two armies met on a plain called Takuroku. The Emperor boldly attacked the enemy, but the magician brought down a dense fog upon the battlefield, and while the royal army was wandering about in confusion, trying to find their way, Shiyu retreated with his troops, laughing at having fooled the royal army.
No matter however strong and brave the Emperor's soldiers were, the rebel with his magic could always escape in the end.
Kotei returned to his Palace, and thought and pondered deeply as to how he should conquer the magician, for he was determined not to give up yet. After a long time he invented the shinansha with the figure of a man always pointing South, for there were no compasses in those days.
With this instrument to show him the way he need not fear the dense fogs raised up by the magician to confound his men.
Kotei again declared war against Shiyu. He placed the shinansha in front of his army and led the way to the battlefield.
The battle began in earnest. The rebel was being driven backward by the royal troops when he again resorted to magic, and upon his saying some strange words in a loud voice, immediately a dense fog came down upon the battlefield.
But this time no soldier minded the fog, not one was confused. Kotei by pointing to the shinansha could find his way and directed the army without a single mistake. He closely pursued the rebel army and drove them backward till they came to a big river. This river, Kotei and his men found, was swollen by the floods and impossible to cross.
Shiyu by using his magic art quickly passed over with his army and shut himself up in a fortress on the opposite bank.
When Kotei found his march checked he was wild with disappointment, for he had very nearly overtaken the rebel when the river stopped him.
He could do nothing, for there were no boats in those days, so the
Emperor ordered his tent to be pitched in the pleasantest spot that the place afforded.
One day he stepped forth from his tent and after walking about for a short time he came to a pond. Here he sat down on the bank and was lost in thought.
It was autumn. The trees growing along the edge of the water were shedding their leaves, which floated hither and thither on the surface of the pond. By and by, Kotei's attention was attracted to a spider on the brink of the water. The little insect was trying to get on to one of the floating leaves nearby. It did so at last, and was soon floating over the water to the other side of the pond.
This little incident made the clever Emperor think that he might try to make something that could carry himself and his men over the river in the same way that the leaf had carried over the spider. He set to work and persevered till he invented the first boat. When he found that it was a success he set all his men to make more, and in time there were enough boats for the whole army.
Kotei now took his army across the river, and attacked Shiyu's headquarters. He gained a complete victory, and so put an end to the war which had troubled his country for so long.
This wise and good Emperor did not rest till he had secured peace and prosperity throughout his whole land. He was beloved by his subjects, who now enjoyed their happiness of peace for many long years under him.
He spent a great deal of time in making inventions which would benefit his people, and he succeeded in many besides the boat and the South Pointing shinansha.
He had reigned about a year when one day, as Kotei was looking upwards, the sky became suddenly red, and something came glittering like gold towards the earth. As it came nearer Kotei saw that it was a great Dragon. The Dragon approached and bowed down its head before the Emperor. The Empress and the courtiers were so frightened that they ran away screaming.
But the Emperor only smiled and called to them to stop, and said:
“Do not be afraid. This is a messenger from Heaven. My time here is finished!” He then mounted the Dragon, which began to ascend towards the sky.
When the Empress and the courtiers saw this, they all cried out together:
“Wait a moment! We wish to come too.” And they all ran and caught hold of the Dragon's beard and tried to mount him.
But it was impossible for so many people to ride on the Dragon. Several of them hung on to the creature's beard so that when it tried to mount the hair was pulled out and they fell to the ground.
Meanwhile the Empress and a few of the courtiers were safely seated on the Dragon's back. The Dragon flew up so high in the heavens that in a short time the inmates of the Palace, who had been left behind disappointed, could see them no more.
After some time a bow and an arrow dropped to the earth in the courtyard of the Palace. They were recognized as having belonged to the Emperor Kotei. The courtiers took them up carefully and preserved them as sacred relics in the Palace.
III
Shin Ying suddenly woke, searched the room for Kazuma. He was sitting in the same position.
“I had visions,” Shin somehow said.
“What type of visions? Do you remember anything?” Kazuma asked.
“I remember only a part.”
“What happened?”
“I saw the village of Upper Hama, the previous Emperor.”
“Interesting, is there more?”
“That the only part that I could remember and I saw a tale.”
“There was a tale?”
“Yes.”
“What tale, tell me?”
“The phantom vessel.”
“Heard that one already, but, again, it may be different.”
“So, you want to hear it?”
“Yes.”IV
Once a ship loaded with pleasure-seekers was sailing from North Chinn to Shann. High winds and stormy weather had delayed her, and she was still one week from port when a great plague broke out on board. This plague was of the worst kind. It attacked passengers and sailors alike until there were so few left to sail the vessel that it seemed as if she would soon be left to the mercy of winds and waves.
On all sides lay the dead, and the groans of the dying were most terrible to hear. Of that great company of travellers only one, a little boy named Ying-lo, had escaped. At last the few sailors, who had been trying hard to save their ship, were obliged to lie down upon the deck, a prey to the dreadful sickness, and soon they too were dead.
Ying-lo now found himself alone on the sea. For some reason—he did not know why—the gods or the sea fairies had spared him, but as he looked about in terror at the friends and loved ones who had died, he almost wished that he might join them.
The sails flapped about like great broken wings, while the giant waves dashed higher above the deck, washing many of the bodies overboard and wetting the little boy to the skin. Shivering with cold, he gave himself up for lost and prayed to the gods, whom his mother had often told him about, to take him from this dreadful ship and let him escape the fatal illness.
As, he lay there praying, he heard a slight noise in the rigging just above his head. Looking up, he saw a ball of fire running along a yardarm near the top of the mast. The sight was so strange that he forgot his prayer and stared with open-mouthed wonder. To his astonishment, the ball grew brighter and brighter, and then suddenly began slipping down the mast, all the time increasing in size. The poor boy did not know what to do or to think. Were the gods, in answer to his prayer, sending fire to burn the vessel? If so, he would soon escape. Anything would be better than to be alone upon the sea.
Nearer and nearer came the fireball. At last, when it reached the deck, to Ying-lo's surprise, something very, very strange happened. Before he had time to feel alarmed, the light vanished, and a funny little man stood in front of him peering anxiously into the child's frightened face.
“Yes, you are the lad I'm looking for,” he said at last, speaking in a piping voice that almost made Ying-lo smile. “You are Ying-lo, and you are the only one left of this wretched company.” This he said, pointing towards the bodies lying here and there about the deck.
Although he saw that the old man meant him no harm, the child could say nothing, but waited in silence, wondering what would happen next.
By this time the vessel was tossing and pitching so violently that it seemed every minute as if it would upset and go down beneath the foaming waves, never to rise again. Not many miles distant on the right, some jagged rocks stuck out of the water, lifting their cruel heads as if waiting for the helpless ship.
The newcomer walked slowly towards the mast and tapped on it three times with an iron staff he had been using as a cane. Immediately the sails spread, the vessel righted itself and began to glide over the sea so fast that the gulls were soon left far behind, while the threatening rocks upon which the ship had been so nearly dashed seemed like specks in the distance.
“Do you remember me?” said the stranger, suddenly turning and coming up to Ying-lo, but his voice was lost in the whistling of the wind, and the boy knew only by the moving of his lips that the old man was talking. The greybeard bent over until his mouth was at Ying-lo's ear: “Did you ever see me before?”
With a puzzled look, at first the child shook his head. Then as he gazed more closely there seemed to be something that he recognized about the wrinkled face. “Yes, I think so, but I don't know when.”
With a tap of his staff the fairy stopped the blowing of the wind, and then spoke once more to his small companion: “One year ago I passed through your village. I was dressed in rags, and was begging my way along the street, trying to find someone who would feel sorry for me. Alas! No one answered my cry for mercy. Not a crust was thrown into my bowl. All the people were deaf, and fierce dogs drove me from door to door. Finally when I was almost dying of hunger, I began to feel that here was a village without one good person in it. Just then you saw my suffering, ran into the house, and brought me out food. Your heartless mother saw you doing this and beat you cruelly. Do you remember now, my child?”
“Yes, I remember,” he answered sadly, “and that mother is now lying dead. Alas! All, all are dead, my father and my brothers also. Not one is left of my family.”
“Little did you know, my boy, to whom you were giving food that day. You took me for a lowly beggar, but, behold, it was not a poor man that you fed, for I am Iron Staff. You must have heard of me when they were telling of the fairies in the Western Heaven, and of their adventures here on earth.”
“Yes, yes,” answered Ying-lo, trembling half with fear and half with joy, “indeed I have heard of you many, many times, and all the people love you for your kind deeds of mercy.”
“Alas! They did not show their love, my little one. Surely you know that if any one wishes to reward the fairies for their mercies, he must begin to do deeds of the same kind himself. No one but you in your entire village had pity on me in my rags. If they had known that I was Iron Staff, everything would have been different; they would have given me a feast and begged for my protection.
“The only love that loves aright
Is that which loves in every plight.
The beggar in his sad array
Is moulded of the selfsame clay.
“Who knows a man by what he wears,
By what he says or by his prayers?
Hidden beneath that wrinkled skin
A fairy may reside within.
“Then treat with kindness and with love
The lowly man, the god above;
A friendly nod, a welcome smile—
For love is ever worth the while.”
IYing-lo listened in wonder to Iron Staff's little poem, and when he had finished, the boy's face was glowing with the love of which the fairy had spoken. “My poor, poor father and mother!” he cried; “they knew nothing of these beautiful things you are telling me. They were brought up in poverty. As they were knocked about in childhood by those around them, so they learned to beat others who begged them for help. Is it strange that they did not have hearts full of pity for you when you looked like a beggar?”“But what about you, my boy? You were not deaf when I asked you. Have you not been whipped and punished all your life? How then did you learn to look with love at those in tears?”The child could not answer these questions, but only looked sorrowfully at Iron Staff. “Oh, can you not, good fairy, will you not restore my parents and brothers, and give them another chance to be good and useful people?&rdq
For now let’s leave Kazuma and travel to the different parts of the world. The situation was the same.The air messed up his hair, Haldir turned in the other direction. He didn't like this wind. He brought many things with him; the strongest of them was the smell of change. Haldir shivered at the thought. The wind was cold as death itself. Haldir walked without end, until he found shelter. The cave was large enough for him to enter.Haldir found freshly cut wood in one of the openings. The mountain hall had at least four or five openings that were full all sorts of items. Haldir hesitated at first. Until the pain in his stomach, became so strong that there was no way of stopping it. He returned to the second opening, in there he found dried meat. In the center of the hall, a small fireplace was built. Haldir lighted the fire. The warmth of fire was mesmerizing, Haldir looked at the figures that danced in the fire. The dried meat was, to him, a blessing from heave
IThe rain fell in sheets. The group after a long battle gathered to discuss what to do next. They had few options, which were only a short problem-solve, they never a reserve plan if things get worse. With the current situation, it was only a matter of time.“Andrii is out of the picture,” said one of Lamayi.“How can you be sure?” Nezamaikov stood up.“That is easy to see.”“How is it easy? I don't see it.”“You are blind.”“Maybe I am, but the question still stands, how?”“He didn't leave us for gold or riches; he left us for firm breasts.”“Are you sure?”“Yes.”“You saw that Postar girl?”“I have.”“She is something.”“True.”“We must have a reserve plan,” Hamil appeared from the group.“True,&rdq
The boar looked to his side. Finally, he is old enough to explore the world. His mother gave him a backpack, full of all the necessary things he will need on his travel. They said their goodbyes. He was full of confidence when he crossed the village gate. To him there was, always, something terrifying about that gate. Now it was an ordinary gate, the same as all the rest of them. Tucos turned and looked, one more time, at the village.The village looked so small now. When he was little, the village looked so large. To him, it was the largest in the world. He giggled. He always answered the same about his village, now, the answer would be different.The road was straight, the sun bright. Everything was wonderful to him; everything was perfect.“Maybe, I am the first boar that went out of the village. It’s a small step for me, but, a large step for boarkind,” he said.Some two hundred meters, the road became even better. The old, dusty vil
In the land of Muntania there was a Cizgir prince of the Gespir faith, by the name of Dragwer in Walchiran, and the Devil in ours. His way of life was as evil as his name.On one occasion there came to him ambassadors sent by the Taskar ruler. Entering and bowing according to their custom, they did not take their hats off their heads. So he asked them: “Why do you behave thus, you have come to a great ruler and yet you show me such dishonour?” And they replied: “That is our custom, Sire, and it is observed in our land”. And he said to them: “I want to confirm your custom, so that you keep to it resolutely”. And he ordered that their hats should be nailed to their heads with small iron nails. Then he let them go, saying: “Go and tell your ruler that he may be used to such dishonour from you, but we are not used to it, so he should not spread such a custom among other kings, who do not want to observe it. Instead let him keep to it at h
Our story begins in December 455, Samhain is approaching, and the beauty Catherine pulls big sleigh full of soldiers “provisions on the hill in deep snow, to the highest point of the Crown for the Weavers” Bastion. Kids, her younger brothers and sisters are pushing sleds and Catherine drags, drags. He saw all this agony of a young beauty, Val Dragwer rushed to the rescue in front of his friends. Surprised the soldiers of his swagger, they looked at each other, it was too unlike Dragwer. Thus began one of the love stories of our hero, Val Dragwer and Katharina. Then Catherine was 17 and Dragwer 24. He was young, tall, thin, and incredibly attractive, with jet-black mustache and hair. His eyes were hard and imperious. In his view, was an expression of a moment, a deep and obvious interest. The man bowed, and continued to stare enchanting eyes, being at the mercy of unexpected feelings. Catherine knew that the only correct will be silently bow and go about their business, b
Over seven mountains, behind seven seas there settled a little, happy kingdom, the most beautiful in the world. Many were searching for him, but did not find, because it is only for the chosen, those with a pure heart and soul singing. It was ruled a happy king and a noble, beautiful queen. They had three beautiful daughters, smiling and cheerful as the sun itself, the most beautiful in the world. In the small kingdom of whom we are talking, they were constantly looking forward, not a care in the world, and yet... someone had concerns. Though small, tiny, but still they were worries. Let’s look at the concerned.Unlike their older sisters who were properly dressed and already had royal manners in communication, the youngest was the naughtiest, most turbulent, the most curious. Full of life, constantly teetering, always asking questions, she could not settle in one place. Her eyes still wandered freely and “jumped” at the castle. The protocols are not very in
The day was warm. The bard, Aster, and his group walk down the steps that once were a place of significant importance for the late Irstiaran Empire. Centuries ago, this place was the capital of the same empire. The empire lasted for centuries, since it was first created, only to be destroyed by barbarians. What a lame way to end.Aster stops for a moment, looks at the magnificent ruins. He has an idea. The groups halts.“Are you thinking, which I am thinking?” he said, playing with his hat.“What?” said the drummer. She turned her head. “It isn't a good spot.”“We will find a better one.”“Are you sure?”“Of course.”“Lead the way, nosy.”They continued down the road. The violinist stopped, her gaze went up to the tall tower.“The only thing that remained for the Irstiaran Empire,” she said.“Are you sure?”
Prince Yamato waited for the rest of the group to arrive. With the current line of events, something ancient has awakened. Everyone of them knew this. but they hoped that it won’t come to this. And, like in everything, it came to that. Fate had another card to play and he was sure of that. There was no mistake, that card is the rest of the group.He need to wait. Currently, the hardest part. There was no other way. Yoritomo, Fuhito and Kazuma will soon appear.The first one to enter Fuhito, after him entered Kazuma and after a fewmoments Yoritomo.Yamato silently moved to the upper end of the table.Silence“You heard about, the thing," Yamato started. The rest of the world doesn’t know.”"That is a good thing,” Fuhito, said.“For now, "Yoritomo said, "for now.""It won't last long," Kazuma murmured."Sooner or later, the news will spread. It's only a matter of time."“Tru
ICorporal Zhang promised to do as he was bid. He had his dinner, got things ready, and left for the temple.That night mother and son packed their bedding and clothing, their silks and silver, and placed them in containers to be carried on a shoulder−pole. They also filled two saddle−bags with fodder for the horse.At the fifth watch before dawn Wang Jin summoned Corporal Li and said: “Take these silver coins to the temple. You and Corporal Zhang buy and cook the three kinds of sacrificial meat, and wait for me. I'll join you just as soon as I've bought some sacrificial paper ingots and candles.”Corporal Li took the silver and departed for the temple. Wang Jin got the horse ready, loaded on the saddle−bags, tied them firmly in place, led the animal outside the rear gate and helped his mother mount. All the heavier household belongings they left behind. Wang Jin locked the front and rear gates, raised the carrying−pole
Let us talk rather of Gao Qiu. After he went into the service of Prince Duan he lived and dined in the palace and accompanied the prince every day, never taking so much as a step from his side. Before two months had elapsed, Emperor Zhe Zong died without leaving an heir. All the high civil and military officials conferred and made Prince Duan the emperor. He was known as Emperor Hui Zong and bore the title of High Priest of Jade Purity and Taoist Sovereign of Provident Truth.Hui Zong assumed the throne and all went well. One day he said to Gao Qiu: “I'd like to raise you in rank, but you'll have to perform some meritorious deed on the border first. I'll have the Council of Military Affairs put you down as available for imperial appointment.” Less than half a year later, he was able to make Gao Qiu a marshal commanding the Imperial Guards.Gao Qiu selected an auspicious day and hour to assume office. All the officers of the Mighty Imperial Guards, both infa
Let’s see in detail about the boy that solved the Fujiwara problem.In Bianliang the Eastern Capital, in Kaifeng Prefecture previously called Xuanwu District, there lived a young scamp named Gao. A second son, he was quite useless. He cared only for jousting with spear and staff, and was an excellent football player. People in the capital were fond of making quips. They dubbed him Gao Qiu, or “Gao the Ball.” Later, when he prospered, he changed “Qiu” to another character with the same sound but with a less inelegant meaning.In addition to his skill with weapons, Gao Qiu could play musical instruments and sing and dance. He also learned a bit about poetry and versifying. But when it came to virtue and proper behavior, he didn't know a thing. He spent his time gadding about the city and its environs. Thanks to him, the son of Master Wang, an iron−shop owner, dissipated a considerable sum of money in theaters, gambling dens and brothel
ILet us leave for now those love birds and return to the situation at had. Prince Yamato laughed when he saw that Yoritomo raised a flag. The prince moved closer to the fence.Yoritomo, proud, moved forward. “This is going no where.”“True,” the prince replied. “What is your offer?”“The final battle.”“You know that you will loose.”“I know.”“Always the proud fool.”Yoritomo turned and left. IIMinamoto Yoritomo was at a stand still, all options looked the same. Good or bad- they all looked the same. He had a choice of evils, he had to choose and now. He won’t have support of the other lords for long. There is no other way.“Charge!” he shouts.The infantry was in the first row to charge. They were near the massive iron gat
Lady Basira insisted that Hegwin should give her instruction in “fencing;” he did not refuse, though he delayed for some days. He preferred Corinna; still, he liked Basira greatly, so difficult was it, in fact, not to like her.A certain morning the first lesson began, mainly because of Basira's boasting and her assurances that she knew that art by no means badly, and that no common person could stand before her. “An old soldier taught me,” said she; “there is no lack of these among us; it is known too that there are no swordsmen superior to ours. It is a question if even you, gentlemen, would not find your equals.”“Of what are you talking?” asked Zastar.“We have no equals in the whole world.”“I should wish it to come out that even I am your equal. I do not expect it, but I should like it.”“If it were firing from pistols, I too would make a trial,” said Lady Mak
The sedate matron became greatly confused, and pushed back somewhat from the jovial knight; the younger women dropped their eyes, divining easily that the pranks of which Sir Zastar was talking must be something opposed to their native modesty, especially since the soldiers burst into loud laughter.“It will be needful to send to Sir Rushet at once,” said Basira, “so that Sir Pyotrovich may find the letters ready in Rashroff.”“Hasten with the whole affair,” added Sir Bogush, “while it is winter: for, first, no wergils come out, and roads are safe; secondly, in the spring God knows what may happen.”“Has the hetman news from Tsargrad?” inquired Hegwin.“He has; and of this we must talk apart. It is necessary to finish quickly with those captains. When will Mellehov come back? For much depends on him.”“He has only to destroy the rest of the ravagers, and afterward bury th
For now let’s leave Kazuma to his sleepingand see what the people, that he meet in Chigrin, are doing, not far from him, Lady Anna wept without ceasing during the reading of the letter; and Zosia accompanied her, raising her blue eyes to heaven. Meanwhile, and before Sir Geswer had finished, Basira ran in, dressed in woman's garments; and seeing tears in the eyes of the ladies, began to inquire with sympathy what the matter was. Therefore Sir Geswer read the hetman's letter for her; and when she had listened to it carefully, she supported at once and with eagerness the prayers of the hetman and Lady Anna.“The hetman has a golden heart,” cried Basira, embracing her husband; “but we shall not show a worse one, Geswer. Lady Anna will stay with us till her husband's return, and you will bring him in three months from the Teswer. In three or in two, is it not true?”“Or tomorrow, or in an hour!” said Sir Geswer, bantering.
Meanwhile the old man said to Zalmar: “I hear that you court the Balir colonels, and drink with them.”“For the public good, most worthy standard-bearer.”“You have a nimble mind, but inclining rather to disgrace. You wish to bring the Balirs to your side in their cups, so they may befriend you in case they win.”“Even if that were true, having been a martyr to the Talmir, I do not wish to become one to the Balirs; and there is nothing wonderful in that, for two mushrooms would spoil the best soup. And as to disgrace, I ask no one to drink it with me,--I drink it alone; and God grant that it taste no worse than this mead. Merit, like oil, must come to the top.”At that moment Kazumareturned. “The men have started already,” said he.Zastvil poured out a measure. “Here is to a pleasant journey!”“And a return in health!” added Zalmar.“You wi