The Red Pike

Siyu's Story Ch 4

By CL1

Siyu limped through the woods, Dajiao by his side. All but one of her children had died during the fight, her son. He dropped suddenly. Dajiao walked back to her son and sat by his side. Siyu did the same. They waited as the carno's breathing slowed to an eventual end. Dajiao place her head on his side and let out a soft cry. Siyu dropped his head. How could he have been so foolish, to let Dajiao and her children suffer like this? They were all he had, and he'd gotten them killed. He looked up again. Dajiao was standing over him, awaiting his command. He could see the pain in her eyes, physical and emotional, yet she continued to be loyal. "I won't make you face this again," Siyu promised her. "Next time, it will be Nerva who suffers." After giving Dajiao's son a proper funeral, they returned home. Xiaochou was running through the kitchen, bringing items to the stranger, who was cooking again. A cough from the corner startled Siyu, and he quickly raised his bow towards a shadowed figure.

A man limped out from the darkness, clutching his ribs with one arm. He looked Siyu up and down and chuckled, "You're shorter than I thought you'd be."

Siyu wasn't amused. "Tell me who you are and why I shouldn't kill you." The cook stepped between Siyu and the injured man. "He was hurt," the cook said indignantly. "You didn't seem the sort to turn away a person in need."

The injured man waved the cook out of the way. "My name is Christopher Walker. I'm Helena Walker's sister. She spoke of a Li, Mei-Yin. You're her son, right?" Siyu said nothing. Christopher stepped forward a little. Siyu tightened his grip on the bow. "I'm looking for my sister. She was last seen with Nerva and Mei-Yin. I heard Mei-Yin was missing too. I thought maybe you and I could work together to get answers out of him." Siyu remained silent, his bow still trained on Christopher's head. Christopher sighed, "If you want me to leave, just say so, but say something at least."

"My mother said Helena knew everything about the creatures of the island. Do you?"

Christopher laughed, "Well, not as much as her, but certainly more than anyone else." Siyu lowered his bow. "Good. If I'm going to get answers out of Nerva, I'm going to need a new army."