The Last Concubine

events followed my plan. But I shall soon rectify that.”
    “You have no need to fear the hand of man or woman, but I have always found it amusing that you don’t fear horses, for instance. I could spook your horse, and he might throw you onto those rocks and break your spine. It could be a long, slow death.” Lan’xiu smiled.
    Wu Min looked down uneasily at his horse. “My horse is too well-trained, and you would not harm him. You never could hurt an animal.”
    Then he dug his spurs deep into the horse’s side, drawing blood with his wild strength, and charged at Lan’xiu, his sword raised to pierce her throat. She raised her own blade and sidestepped her horse, parrying his thrust and shouting like a clarion, “Neither man nor woman can kill you, Wu Min! Let a eunuch show us all who is the better man and warrior!”
    Wu Min turned a stunned face toward Ning and raised his sword again. Wen urged his horse forward but stopped when Lan’xiu hurled a command to him.
    Ning never even glanced at Wen, his concentration was so fierce. Wu Min had every advantage of size, height, and longer reach. His horse was taller and stronger, and yet from the back of one horse to another, Ning proved to be his master in swordsmanship. Every thrust, every slash from Wu Min was expertly parried and countered.
    Wen was holding his breath, ready to ride forward to rescue his lover, but gradually he forgot to be afraid. Never had he seen such a fight! Brilliantly, Ning beat back the larger man with skilled finesse and superior strategy. He knew more tricks than Wen had ever seen!
    Used to an easy life where he had only to command, Wu Min was tiring and his arm was dropping. His face was set in a desperate snarl, teeth exposed as he swung his sword at Ning frantically, hoping to best him with brute strength. Sweat rolled down his face from under his helmet, and he blinked quickly to rid his eyes of the sting.
    Ning would not take advantage of those moments. He waited with a scornful smile at Wu Min’s weakness before attacking again, but time and again his blade drew blood as he slashed at the general’s exposed skin and pierced his armor between the leather plates.
    “What do you want of me?” Wu Min finally roared, his heavy arm slowing as he slashed the air in vain.
    “Something you cannot return to me!” Ning shouted in his altered voice. “You cannot give my balls back, so I will have yours this day!”
    “No!” Wu Min roared. “I’ll kill first you and then that unnatural spawn of the devil you serve!”
    “You can try,” Ning replied, a little smile lurking on his mouth.
    Wu Min charged him and Ning stood his ground, keeping his horse under tight rein. Wu Min was so close Wen wanted to cry out and order Ning to move out of the way!
    But Ning surprised him again. Just at the last possible moment, when Wu Min’s sword thrust toward his chest, Ning crouched low, allowing the blade to pass over his shoulder, nicking his armor. But his blade took Wu Min under the arm, plunging deep into his side.
    A screeching howl of pain erupted from Wu Min’s throat, but he managed to hang onto his sword, though he was having trouble lifting it. “Five thousand men wait for my signal beyond that pass,” he croaked. “They are coming to my aid even now. I am only wounded, but they will kill you and I will have the pleasure of watching!”
    “No bandage will stop the spurt of life blood from your wound,” Lan’xiu said in the coldest voice Wen had ever heard from her. “Do your fingers grow numb? Is darkness clouding your eyes? You are dying, my brother, and my mother’s spirit waits to accuse you of the crimes you committed in this life. My death will bring you no comfort, for you will die long before I do.”
    “No, it cannot be!” Wu Min shrieked. “I will kill you!” His fingers opened and his sword fell to the ground. His eyes were empty as he stared about him. “The mists! The mists of death!”
    “They come to claim you, brother. I wish you a pleasant journey, for at the end of it, you will pay for all the misery you wrought in this life.” Lan’xiu stepped her horse forward, staring at her brother’s face.
    He looked about wildly, but death had stamped its claim upon his face and he was white with the loss of blood. Lan’xiu stretched out her hand and pushed him off his horse.
    In a flash, Ning dismounted and stood by the fallen man. “The demons come to claim your soul and your body, but you will go to