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Summer, Nineteenth Year of the Xin Zhuo Emperor
Morha wandered through the bamboo forest. It was lush, an unending expanse of green, and the mušḫuššu could not help but look in awe at the beauty around her.
The branches swayed gently in the breeze, cracking ominously but standing firm, with only the sharp leaves shimmering like bubbling water currents. The entire forest felt like a living being, yet eternal and aimless.
Morha felt a bit like that.
Gradually the thoughts went from wonder back to her own predicament.
The mušḫuššu couldn't believe it. Qing had turned on her, and had tried to kill her. The entire rebel dragons had defected en masse to a cyno pirate, and everyone just went with it, because of that Emperor’s staff or whatever.
Why were the longs so loyal to a nice looking stick?
Morha didn't know what to do.
Once the purple dragon would have been, if not thrilled, then at least accepting of this outcome. She would have simply headed back West, trying to find home again. Jiangshan made no sense, and she shouldn't bother trying to understand it.
Now she knew better. Jiangshan was massive, and Babil was far away, wherever it actually was. Morha needed a place to rest, to regroup, to gather supplies and to plan.
And as much as the mušḫuššu hated to admit it, she cared about this crazy and inexplicable land, and she cared about that stick in the mud, self righteous teacher Qing.
For the first time in years, the purple dragon was alone, adrift and without guidance.
The only place Morha could think about going to was the Ba Valley, where folks at least treated her right.
If only the gods, whichever ones they were, would just give her a sign for what to-
The dragon suddenly sprang into alert.
There are humans about.
All around her.
“I can sense you watching. Show yourselves!” She hissed, her fur bristling with charge.
“That was uncalled for, my Lady. These are our woods, and our mountains.”
A grizzled bearded man clad in straw and linen stepped out from behind a rock, carrying a bow and a large changdao.
All around, other humans stepped out from their hiding places.
Mortha tensed.
Bandits!
The bearded leader shook his head.
“My Lady, we would have let you by without trouble, but you had to come looking for it.”
He called out to the others.
“Bind her up, see that minimal harm comes to her. But take anything you find of value.”
The bandit leader then drew his bow.
“My apologies, but we will do what we must.”
Immediately missiles whistled through the air from every direction. Morha dodged and swung, her air currents flowing in a protective laminar around her, but still a few projectiles struck home, hitting her on the legs and back. The purple dragon winced in pain and noticed that the arrows had little bulbs with perforated holes that caused their unsettling screams. The bamboo forest cracked and bent, hiding both sight and sound of her assailants, and even her wind manipulation techniques were restrained by the thick forest. The dragon needed to get out from this sea of bamboo. Morha spread her wings, but couldn't find a clearing. Instead a thick net fell upon her.
Now the mušḫuššu was grumpy.
As Morha struggled against the rope pinning her to the ground, the bandits converged all around in triumph, some wielding jis, others with large sabers. Finally as the mušḫuššu tired herself and settled down, the bandits circled their captive and went to work with rope. Finally the bandit leader stepped out again, his wicked changdao back in hand.
“There you go, my Lady. No need to be dramatic.” The bandit leader shrugged. “You know, this blade can be used to behead dragons like yourself. Maybe I'd enjoy you warning off other foes or keeping us company in our home. Or perhaps you'd rather keep your head and remain with us as a pet.” As Morha began struggling again the bandit laughed. “A joke, a little fun, I assure you, my Lady. I am Wang Feng of the Green Forest, and these woods and mountains are our home. The famine and war has ruined our farms, and thus we must survive somehow until the will of the Heavens is balanced. We treat the Heralds of the Heavens with respect, as well as we can.” The bearded man shook his head as he looked upon the mušḫuššu. “Still, you would do well, my Lady, to not barge into people's homes, asking for a fight.”
Morha breathed heavily out of her mouth. “Well, now that I'm defeated and at your mercy, what will you do with me?”
Wang Feng shrugged and casually twirled his changdao. “We will take you to the Flowerstone Pass and let you go, so long as you agree not to return. Of course, we'll also take your coins and supplies- it's only fair, of course, for the trouble that you've caused.” The bandit leader pointed at Morha’s Dǒulì. “I like your hat too. You should be grateful for our kindness.”
The purple dragon gave a shallow smile. “Well thank you, I do appreciate it, but still, I'd rather keep my things, and this fight isn’t quite over yet!”
Morha had been waiting for the bandit leader to come close. This fight among the bamboo would have been harder than necessary, and in the last few years she had learned the importance of leaders and their abilities. Despite the strain in collecting charge in the forest, the dragon had built up a small reserve, and despite her paws being bound she had long since learned how to secretly cut her bindings. Now as Wang Feng stood casually taunting her, Morha sprang into action.
With a roar, the mušḫuššu severed the last of the rope with her claws and threw her weight on the net, tumbling with it at the same time she threw out her charge. All around her bandits were hit by an arc of lightning, not strongly enough to seriously harm them, but enough to incapacitate them and drop their weapons. As the crowd around her fell stunned, Morha tackled the bandit leader, sending him into the tangled mess below her. Within moments the tables had turned, and Wang Feng lay beneath the paws of the angry dragon.
“Mercy!” The bandit leader exclaimed, hands raised up in submission.
“Mercy?” Morha roared. “Why would I give you that? You're criminals and robbers!”
“We spared you!”
“I didn't need sparing!”
“We didn't know that!” The bandit quickly added. “Please! We do what we must to survive! We have been driven from our homes and farms by the war. We have nowhere to go and no purpose to follow but bare existence.”
“I can deprive you all of that as well. You look sumptuous. Perhaps you’ll look better in my belly.”
Wang Feng blanched. Around then the other warriors began to find their footing again, and unsteadily picked up their weapons.
Then Morha laughed.
“I jest. It's not nice to taunt folks.”
She lifted her paw from the bandit leader. “I will spare you and all your fellows, so long as you promise not to engage in further acts of banditry. Agree?”
“Yes, yes we promise!”
“Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I must continue on my way.”
Morha shook off the netting and got back to her feet.
“Yes, but my Lady, what about us?”
The purple dragon stopped.
“What about you all?”
“My Lady, you have removed our livelihood.” Wang Feng begged. “If we do not rob, we must starve, for there is not enough to hunt in these woods.”
Morha paused. These annoying humans didn't matter in the great scheme of things, yet she couldn't just abandon them with their stupid oaths. The mušḫuššu sighed. Qing had rubbed off on her.
“I guess that is a fair question." She shrugged. "I'm open to suggestions.”
“If we may, my Lady.” The bandit leader looked nervous. “May we join you on your quest?”
“What? Me?”
“You are a true warrior, and a merciful one. “You are a promising leader to follow.”
“Quest?”
“You are heading somewhere, for some great purpose, no doubt. We owe you a debt, and we will loyally pay for it, for the Green Forest Folk are honorable.”
The purple dragon scanned over the crowd of humans who just minutes ago were trying to capture and rob her.
They looked sincere.
She sighed again.
“Um, sure. Okay.”
“You are truly a kindly leader, my Lady-”
“Morha is fine.”
“Three cheers for our new patron, Morha!” Wang Feng exclaimed to his subordinates.
Fragmented cheers echoed through the forest.
And so, the purple dragon continued onwards, leading a contingent of hundreds of warriors out from the forested mountains.
Anala charvi - Song of the Bamboo Fores
From
Chickenzaur
Morha wandered through the bamboo forest. It was lush, an unending expanse of green, and the mušḫuššu could not help but look in awe at the beauty around her.
The branches swayed gently in the breeze, cracking ominously but standing firm, with only the sharp leaves shimmering like bubbling water currents. The entire forest felt like a living being, yet eternal and aimless.
Morha felt a bit like that.
Gradually the thoughts went from wonder back to her own predicament.
The mušḫuššu couldn't believe it. Qing had turned on her, and had tried to kill her. The entire rebel dragons had defected en masse to a cyno pirate, and everyone just went with it, because of that Emperor’s staff or whatever.
Why were the longs so loyal to a nice looking stick?
Morha didn't know what to do.
Once the purple dragon would have been, if not thrilled, then at least accepting of this outcome. She would have simply headed back West, trying to find home again. Jiangshan made no sense, and she shouldn't bother trying to understand it.
Now she knew better. Jiangshan was massive, and Babil was far away, wherever it actually was. Morha needed a place to rest, to regroup, to gather supplies and to plan.
And as much as the mušḫuššu hated to admit it, she cared about this crazy and inexplicable land, and she cared about that stick in the mud, self righteous teacher Qing.
For the first time in years, the purple dragon was alone, adrift and without guidance.
The only place Morha could think about going to was the Ba Valley, where folks at least treated her right.
If only the gods, whichever ones they were, would just give her a sign for what to-
The dragon suddenly sprang into alert.
There are humans about.
All around her.
“I can sense you watching. Show yourselves!” She hissed, her fur bristling with charge.
“That was uncalled for, my Lady. These are our woods, and our mountains.”
A grizzled bearded man clad in straw and linen stepped out from behind a rock, carrying a bow and a large changdao.
All around, other humans stepped out from their hiding places.
Mortha tensed.
Bandits!
The bearded leader shook his head.
“My Lady, we would have let you by without trouble, but you had to come looking for it.”
He called out to the others.
“Bind her up, see that minimal harm comes to her. But take anything you find of value.”
The bandit leader then drew his bow.
“My apologies, but we will do what we must.”
Immediately missiles whistled through the air from every direction. Morha dodged and swung, her air currents flowing in a protective laminar around her, but still a few projectiles struck home, hitting her on the legs and back. The purple dragon winced in pain and noticed that the arrows had little bulbs with perforated holes that caused their unsettling screams. The bamboo forest cracked and bent, hiding both sight and sound of her assailants, and even her wind manipulation techniques were restrained by the thick forest. The dragon needed to get out from this sea of bamboo. Morha spread her wings, but couldn't find a clearing. Instead a thick net fell upon her.
Now the mušḫuššu was grumpy.
As Morha struggled against the rope pinning her to the ground, the bandits converged all around in triumph, some wielding jis, others with large sabers. Finally as the mušḫuššu tired herself and settled down, the bandits circled their captive and went to work with rope. Finally the bandit leader stepped out again, his wicked changdao back in hand.
“There you go, my Lady. No need to be dramatic.” The bandit leader shrugged. “You know, this blade can be used to behead dragons like yourself. Maybe I'd enjoy you warning off other foes or keeping us company in our home. Or perhaps you'd rather keep your head and remain with us as a pet.” As Morha began struggling again the bandit laughed. “A joke, a little fun, I assure you, my Lady. I am Wang Feng of the Green Forest, and these woods and mountains are our home. The famine and war has ruined our farms, and thus we must survive somehow until the will of the Heavens is balanced. We treat the Heralds of the Heavens with respect, as well as we can.” The bearded man shook his head as he looked upon the mušḫuššu. “Still, you would do well, my Lady, to not barge into people's homes, asking for a fight.”
Morha breathed heavily out of her mouth. “Well, now that I'm defeated and at your mercy, what will you do with me?”
Wang Feng shrugged and casually twirled his changdao. “We will take you to the Flowerstone Pass and let you go, so long as you agree not to return. Of course, we'll also take your coins and supplies- it's only fair, of course, for the trouble that you've caused.” The bandit leader pointed at Morha’s Dǒulì. “I like your hat too. You should be grateful for our kindness.”
The purple dragon gave a shallow smile. “Well thank you, I do appreciate it, but still, I'd rather keep my things, and this fight isn’t quite over yet!”
Morha had been waiting for the bandit leader to come close. This fight among the bamboo would have been harder than necessary, and in the last few years she had learned the importance of leaders and their abilities. Despite the strain in collecting charge in the forest, the dragon had built up a small reserve, and despite her paws being bound she had long since learned how to secretly cut her bindings. Now as Wang Feng stood casually taunting her, Morha sprang into action.
With a roar, the mušḫuššu severed the last of the rope with her claws and threw her weight on the net, tumbling with it at the same time she threw out her charge. All around her bandits were hit by an arc of lightning, not strongly enough to seriously harm them, but enough to incapacitate them and drop their weapons. As the crowd around her fell stunned, Morha tackled the bandit leader, sending him into the tangled mess below her. Within moments the tables had turned, and Wang Feng lay beneath the paws of the angry dragon.
“Mercy!” The bandit leader exclaimed, hands raised up in submission.
“Mercy?” Morha roared. “Why would I give you that? You're criminals and robbers!”
“We spared you!”
“I didn't need sparing!”
“We didn't know that!” The bandit quickly added. “Please! We do what we must to survive! We have been driven from our homes and farms by the war. We have nowhere to go and no purpose to follow but bare existence.”
“I can deprive you all of that as well. You look sumptuous. Perhaps you’ll look better in my belly.”
Wang Feng blanched. Around then the other warriors began to find their footing again, and unsteadily picked up their weapons.
Then Morha laughed.
“I jest. It's not nice to taunt folks.”
She lifted her paw from the bandit leader. “I will spare you and all your fellows, so long as you promise not to engage in further acts of banditry. Agree?”
“Yes, yes we promise!”
“Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I must continue on my way.”
Morha shook off the netting and got back to her feet.
“Yes, but my Lady, what about us?”
The purple dragon stopped.
“What about you all?”
“My Lady, you have removed our livelihood.” Wang Feng begged. “If we do not rob, we must starve, for there is not enough to hunt in these woods.”
Morha paused. These annoying humans didn't matter in the great scheme of things, yet she couldn't just abandon them with their stupid oaths. The mušḫuššu sighed. Qing had rubbed off on her.
“I guess that is a fair question." She shrugged. "I'm open to suggestions.”
“If we may, my Lady.” The bandit leader looked nervous. “May we join you on your quest?”
“What? Me?”
“You are a true warrior, and a merciful one. “You are a promising leader to follow.”
“Quest?”
“You are heading somewhere, for some great purpose, no doubt. We owe you a debt, and we will loyally pay for it, for the Green Forest Folk are honorable.”
The purple dragon scanned over the crowd of humans who just minutes ago were trying to capture and rob her.
They looked sincere.
She sighed again.
“Um, sure. Okay.”
“You are truly a kindly leader, my Lady-”
“Morha is fine.”
“Three cheers for our new patron, Morha!” Wang Feng exclaimed to his subordinates.
Fragmented cheers echoed through the forest.
And so, the purple dragon continued onwards, leading a contingent of hundreds of warriors out from the forested mountains.
Anala charvi - Song of the Bamboo Fores
From
Chickenzaur
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Fantasy
Species Dragon (Other)
Size 3484 x 2380px
File Size 2 MB
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