Soft melodious chanting filled the chapel of the small monastery. All around them, lamas dressed in red and orange robes recited mantras and shook cymbals in the flickering candlelight as one by one they approached the statue of The Enlightened One and made offerings of flowers, herbs or other reagents. Lyssara intently watched the followers of the Red Mountain Sect as they meditated, waiting to see if anything would happen.
She knew of course that rituals rarely resulted in divine intervention, but she was clinging to the last dregs of her hope like the survivor of a shipwreck to flotsam. Lyssara had been stuck with the cursed blade for months and was eager for even the slightest hint that someone had found an answer. Even now she could feel an itch on the back of her neck as if the spirit in the blade was watching her.
The katana had been left outside the temple so as not to defile it with the curse like had happened with the hsing-sing. This was doubly important since the lamas of the Red Mountain Sect were celibate. The adventuress was just at the edge of the range where it would be teleported back to her if she went any further. With a sigh, she reflected on the last two months of their journey. After leaving the hsing-sing they returned to the Silk Road and traveled through Shou Lung. It seemed like every day their progress slowed as Matsu grew bigger and rounder.
The shikken's daughter was six months pregnant but already looked fit to burst.
Of course, none of us know how long it will take to carry a half-oni child to term. For all we know her water could break any second.
Lyssara glanced to her side at Matsu as she silently mediated. She had no idea what the other woman was thinking, and even after all this time found it hard to understand her. Despite being used by Wagnard and the Cult of Lamashtu, she remained loyal, at least in spirit, to the demonic entity. While she didn't overtly worship her, Lyssara knew Matsu would waste no time before getting bred again once her first child was born.
Lyssara turned to her other side to look at Chun with deep regret. She wasn't showing yet, but the young woman was pregnant from her 'encounter' with the hsing-sing.
By the Abyss what a terrible first time to have,
Lyssara thought guiltily. The adventuress' shame was only compounded by the fact that she had avoided being despoiled that night and had to leave Chun to her fate.
To the apprentice's credit she hadn't let her situation slow her down. Chun had thrown everything she had into combat training to emulate Lyssara's fighting style. She now had the basic elements of the form down, though she still lacked the number of enhancing spells Lyssara used to buff herself in combat. Still, Chun was making great progress and was now at least able to actively support Lyssara in close combat.
They were expecting to see more of it now that they were in Khazari. The small kingdom was best by enemies, both internal and external. The longer they stayed in the valley the higher the chances of them being attacked. At least the kingdom was famed for its hospitality, or rather, the hospitality of its monasteries. There was hardly an inn to be found since the religious settlements opened their doors to travelers.
After the service they were meeting with the chief monk to discuss their request. Lyssara was seeking a letter of introduction for the large monastery in Skardu, the capital of Khazari. She hoped that he would have the power to banish Wagnard and the discipline to keep the evil spirit from corrupting the ritual.
I can't have another night like with the hsing-sing.
At the conclusion of the ceremony Lyssara, Matsu, and Chun approached the senior lama. "Greetings honored one. Thank you for allowing us to observe your ritual" Lyssara said.
"It is our pleasure to share the ways of Padhran with all who wish to learn" the lama replied. "I understand that you wish to appeal to the head of my order to cleanse an evil spirit from your sword, and you desire a letter of recommendation from me. This is correct?" When Lyssara nodded that it was, he continued. "This is a serious request to make. Please understand, the situation in Skardu is tense, and there is a great rivalry between my order and that of the Yellow Mountain. To gain access to the Dalai Lama requires trust, especially if a cursed weapon is involved. I hope you can appreciate our concerns."
"Of course I can, they're really quite sensible and understandable. That being said, I've been nothing but forthright in our intentions since arriving. What more can we do to convince you that our intentions are noble?"
Oh no,
Lyssara thought, cursing herself as soon as the words left her mouth,
I walked right into it.
The lama smiled triumphantly. "There is something you can do. A group of bandits has recently moved into the area and is preying upon travelers on the road to Skardu. Such problems are endemic and a way of life in Khazari, but this band has disturbed the tomb of Lo Pan, an evil wizard who died long ago in a failed attempt to become a lich."
Power in Khazari was incredibly decentralized, meaning the Prince Tsipiang didn't have a standing army strong enough to patrol the roads and protect caravans. The local lords were supposed to do that, but they often protected only their own interests, resulting in a land overrun with robbers and thieves. The Tuigan invasion had given Tsipiang an opportunity to strengthen the crown, which he was doing, but his efforts had not yet born fruit.
The word 'lich' made the back Lyssara's neck start to itch again.
At least this one failed.
"And you're concerned they'll awaken his spirit? Find an evil artifact?"
"Yes to both. Defeat the bandits, put the spirit of Lo Pan to rest, if needed, and I will write you the letter of recommendation you seek." The lama marked Lyssara's map with the location of the tomb. It was nestled in one of the many mountains surrounding the small valley kingdom.
Lyssara stared at the map for a while as she calculated the distance to travel and the effort involved. "With your permission, I'd like Matsu to stay here while I deal with the bandits. She's not up to traveling, and it will be too dangerous in her condition."
Matsu started to object, but Lyssara lightly touched her arm to stop the protest. "The baby could come any time, Matsu. You can't go running off to fight bandits with us and we don't want to have to worry about you while handling everything else."
"It will be alright, I'm sure they'll take good care of you here, and if you do go into labor it will be better have shelter instead of being in the wild" Chun added as she patted her friend's shoulder.
When the shikken's daughter reluctantly agreed, she went with the lamas to find quarters while Lyssara retrieved the sword.
It's about time! It's a shame you didn't take me along. I could have had a lot of fun with celibate monks!
"Quiet" Lyssara hissed, then turned to Chun. "You can stay here as well, you know. I can do this alone."
"Don't be silly, Miss Lyssara. You need me, and I need to get stronger. I can't do that sitting in a monastery" Chun retorted.
"It's going to be dangerous. We don't know how many bandits there will be, or if they'll have awoken anything in the tomb. In your condition-" Lyssara tried to object before being cut off.
