The Tiny Emperor's Great Wall (Revised)

Chapter Eight

Aching joints warned Fenghua that a storm was coming. That or the cold air refused to leave his knees. Sitting on his stool, he sipped his tea as he surveyed the land before him. Slowly but surely, the moon reclaimed her nightly throne while the sun readied its earthy bed. Several long days of watching the killing field had left him a tad dull in the head.

That was one thing that had stayed the same since his time—war's tediousness. His troops shivered from the unwelcome breeze. One group of soldiers and militia played a game of I Spy. Shouwie barked at them to stop, but they kept doing it. Then the lieutenant looked to the general for help.

Fenghua set his teacup down to wrap a hand around his mouth. "Hey, you two! Please pay attention to the hovercraft coming our way."

Startled soldiers hopped to their feet as the hovercraft approached. It was the first time that the general had seen such a device. Yet the newspaper had told him of the incredible vehicles that the two grand Empires of the world created.

The hovercraft flipped in the air and landed on the wall's side. Sighing, the general stood. He was hoping for more than a day and a half of rest before dealing with more foes. Yet he put on his smile as the hovercraft jumped over the wall merlons to reach the top.

People scattered before the falling craft. One familiar-looking kitsune held tightly to its edge. Laughter erupted from a dark-skinned human as he slapped the kitsune on the back.

"Come now, my friend," said the human. "That wasn't so bad."

"Not until we went up that wall," stated the kitsune. Staggering out of the hovercraft, he kept hold of the railing to keep steady.

Jumping out of the car, the human marched up to the general. A thoughtful frown crossed his expression. Then that frown turned into a smile as he offered a hand.

"Hello, my friend," said the human. "I'm Menkonnen, servant of the Humble Empire. It is a pleasure to meet an old warrior."

A small chuckle slipped from the general as he tried to grab the hand. Having heard of handshakes, he thought he would firmly grab the offered hand. Menkonnen instead slapped Fenghua's hand lightly before withdrawing his hand. Confused by the gesture, Fenghua just smiled and nodded his head.

"You are only half right, sir," stated Fenghua. As he crossed his lower arms, he looked to the skies. "I'm an old man drawn back into a fight. One ready to die for his country when need be." Stabbing chills dug deep into his flesh. Shivering, he offered a pleading smile. "Care to amuse this old man and talk inside? I would like to discuss your terms of surrender in the warmth."

"I think that last statement is my line," declared Menkonnon. "But I'll be more than happy for warmth."

Marching into a tower, Fenghua gestured for his guest to sit in a chair. The lieutenant reluctantly left to fetch more tea. As he sat down, the tiger general studied Menkonnen's keen gaze. His hand ran over the chair as if in search of a trap.

Fenghua propped his weapon on the table. "So what do you want to talk about?" asked Fenghua.

"You," said Menkonnen. His arms rested on the table as he leaned forward. "I'm not even sure how to address you."

"General Fenghua should be good enough. As for my life story, I don't usually tell it to complete strangers. Why not explain who you are first?"

An amused snort escaped Menkonnen. "That seems reasonable enough." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small book. "The beginning is good, no?"

"Just keep it short," requested the general.

"All right, then. I was born in Nagmai, a province distant from the core of our glorious Empire. I spent most of my life training to be an officer in the army and the ruler of my province. My war career started when my forces, part of an army over two million strong, invaded your country."