The Salt of Little Bear Village

Princess Jinyat arose early the next morning and woke Amalie. She said, "Amalie. Amalie! Are you awake? I barely slept at all last night. I have to ask you a question. Please tell me honestly. Do you think I was rude to Seven, er, Toma yesterday? I've...I've never spoken to him or to Six like that before. I don't know why I was so blunt. Maybe, maybe he won't like me now. I'm really sorry I talked to him like that...Maybe we should go back home..." The princess' eyes welled up.
  Amalie answered, "Oh, Jinyat. You shouldn't think like that! I can see that Seven is so happy. He adores you! I think going to meet his mother is the right thing to do. What you said is right. Without the Queen's blessing, it will be impossible for you and Seven to be together." She stopped for a moment, and her face clouded. "But Jinyat, you'll have to get your father, your mother, your grandmother, and the Empress to agree, too. I think your father and your mother will be okay, but your grandmother and the Empress might not allow it."
  Princess Jinyat said, "I know, Amalie. Convincing grandmother and the Empress might be hard, but father wants to improve our relations with Chessa, so I think he will help. Grandmother and the Empress can make a scene and cause trouble, but father is the Emperor, and in the end, they have to listen to him, right? Anyway, there's nothing we can do about that now. Let's get ready. I want to meet Queen Na'Omi as soon as I can."
  About an hour later, Six, Seven, Princess Jinyat, and Amalie set off. Six drove their carriage pulled by two horses. Seven and Amalie rode alongside. Six said to them just before they left, "The road along the foothills of the mountains is not good, and we run the risk of Orkrim from the mountains finding us, so I think we should go due west to meet the road along Da Azma Lynna and follow the river north until it turns northeast at River's End, and heads toward Fort Senyon. Seven, Princess, what do you think?"
  Princess Jinyat looked at Seven and said, "Toma, what do you think? It's your decision."
  Seven said, "Well, Princess...I mean, Jinyat...Six is usually right, so maybe we should go along with what he says."
  The Princess looked directly at him and said, emphasizing her words, "Yes, Six is usually right, but it's your decision, Toma. What is it?"
  Seven looked at Princess Jinyat for a moment, then drew his breath, then let it out slowly, calming himself. He said, "I agree with Six, Jinyat. We will go west and meet up with the road at the river, then go north from there. It is a long journey from here to Chessdo. Let's go."
  Princess Jinyat smiled at him.
 
  Going slightly north of due west from Xosuyel Vold Monastery, bumping and bouncing along a rough dirt track for two weeks, the party finally reached the main road running along Da Azma Lynna, the Great Eastern River, where they turned north. Though the road along the river was better, it was still rough and nearly deserted. It had been a difficult journey, and the horses pulling their carriage were nearly exhausted, despite Amalie's expert care. Making their way north, they came to the outskirts of a small, quiet farming village along the road. As they got nearer to the village, Amalie said to the others, "Our horses are getting really tired pulling our carriage, and it would be nice to bathe and refresh ourselves. Can we stay here and let them rest awhile before we go on?"
  Princess Jinyat said, "I really want to get the Chessdo as soon as we can, and I can keep going," but Seven said, "I agree with Amalie. She knows horses better than the rest of us, and we should trust her judgement, I think. Six, what do you think?"
  Six replied, "Yes, I think it would be a good idea to stop for a rest. If our horses are injured or fall ill, we would be in a difficult situation. Let's see where in this village we can stop for two or three days."
  Seven said, "Jinyat, I know you are eager to keep going, but I think we should rest. It will be good for all of us. Are you okay with that?"
  Princess Jinyat said, "Yes, Toma. What you said makes sense. I trust you and Six and Amalie. We can rest. Is there an inn where we can stay?"
  Six said, "I don't know this village at all. We'll have to ask around. Princess, I think it would be best if you stayed in the carriage until we find a place to stay. Amalie, maybe it would be better for you to stay in the carriage as well."
  Seven agreed. "Yes, Jinyat, Amalie, let's keep both of you out of sight until we understand the situation here and find a place to stay."
  Princess Jinyat and Amalie climbed into the carriage, and the four headed into the village. They soon encountered an older peasant woman along the main road. Seven called out, "Excuse me, madam, what village is this? We are not from this area. Is there an inn where we can stay for a few days, to rest?" The woman ducked her head and looked around furtively. She said, "I wouldn't know anything about inns, and you shouldn't know, either. I'd be on my way as soon as I could, if I were you, and I'll be on my way now. " She turned down a small path without looking back.
  "Well, that was odd," said Six to Toma. "I wonder why she was so reluctant to talk or give us any directions. A village of this size should have some sort of inn or roadhouse, I think. Something seems off here. Let's be careful."
  They made their way along the road into the village. When they reached the center of the village, a group of around a dozen men met them, blocking the road. Seven dismounted from his horse. One of them men, a little larger than the others and presumably their leader, stepped forward and said, "Ah. Travelers. What brings you to Xoxongshar? We have few visitors and welcome even fewer. We don't like anyone interfering in our affairs."
  Seven said, "We don't intend to interfere in anyone's affairs. We are simply looking for a place to rest ourselves and our horses fora couple of days. Is there an inn here where we can stay?"
  The man said, "As I said, we don't welcome visitors. There is no inn here."
  Seven answered, "Very well, we'll continue on our way. Please let us pass. We won't bother you."
  "Yeah, your polite words don't mean much here. We're going to take a look in your carriage. You might be smugglers, for all we know, right, men?" The men muttered and nodded, and they gathered around Seven. A couple of them headed for the carriage.
  Six dismounted and blocked the men heading for the carriage. He said, "Our belongings are our own. You won't be looking at them. Step away."
  The leader said, "Do you think the two of you can stop us? We insist."
  Princess Jinyat and Amalie stepped out from the carriage. The princess shouted "Stop! I am Princess Yixing-Jiumin Jinyat, first daughter of the emperor! This insolence will stop now! On your knees!"
  The group of men stopped, looking confused. One of them said to the leader, "Uh, maybe we should let them go, Kang. They might be important, you know." The leader, apparently named Kang, ignored him and gloated, "Well, now we know, don't we? You're hiding some pretty girls from us in there. One of them even thinks she's a princess!" He laughed evilly. "I think the princess and her yellow-haired friend will be staying here with us. They look like they'll be fun!"
  Princess Jinyat retorted hotly, "You dare to speak to us like that? I am an imperial princess! This man," she gestured to Six, "is Ginginya Liu-er, the emperor's personal assistant. The other is Prince Toma, crown prince of Chessa, and this is my personal assistant," pointing to Amalie, "Now step aside!"
  The man that had spoken up before said, "Kang! Kang! I heard of that Liu-er before. He's the emperor's assistant, and he's the head of the security department or thing like that! I don't think we should mess with them!" The leader said, "Nah, I don't believe her, Fang. She's just some jumped-up tramp. I'm going to enjoy the princess first. She's earned my special attention."
  Princess Jinyat flushed and said, "Prince Toma, silence him."
  Seven said, "Gladly." Seven flowed across the space between him and Kang. Before he could react, Seven crushed his trachea with a single blow. He fell to the ground, clutching his throat and gurgling.
  The two that Six had blocked shouted, drew daggers from their sleeves, and attacked. Sergkatjel na Azazala appeared in Six's hand. He quickly dispatched them, but suffered a minor cut on his shoulder. Two others, one carrying a club, and another a short sword, attacked Seven. Seven took the club from the one, in the process breaking the man's arm, then used the club to dispatch the one carrying the sword, breaking his skull. The rest of the men ran, along with the one with a broken arm. The leader, Kang, writhed on the ground for a couple of minutes, then fell silent, dead.
  The one that had spoken up to warn Kang fell to his knees with his head to the ground. He shouted, "I'm sorry, Princess! I'm sorry! We really didn't know who you are! I tried to warn them!"
  Princess Jinyat said angrily, "Do you think that matters? You and the others are attacking innocent travelers on the Emperor's road! We met a woman earlier that warned us about this place. What is your name and what is going on here? Do not dare to lie to me!" A group of villagers was gathering, but none of the men that had accosted them was with them.
  One of the villagers, an older, oily-looking man, spoke up, "Are you really a princess? My name is Shen Meng. This thug is Fang Ming. Him and Kang and the others of them came here from Okiimoa about a year ago. They killed the village leader and started bullying everyone, taking whatever they wanted, and assaulting travelers. We're farmers, not fighters, so we couldn't do anything about it."
  Princess Jinyat said, "Why didn't you report this to the authorities? The district governor should have stopped this!"
  Shen Meng said, "Kang and his men didn't let anyone leave the village. They always had lookouts. We couldn't get out."
  Seven said, "I have a hard time believing that, Princess. If they were being oppressed so much, someone could have snuck out sometime. I think there is more going on here than they are saying."
  Amalie said, "I think Seven is right. Something here is strange. Maybe we should look around."
  Princess Jinyat said, "I don't want to waste time here, but I agree, we should find out what's going on here."
  She said, "Shen Meng! Do you dare to lie to me? I can have you executed right here and now. Why couldn't you leave? I need the truth, right now!"
  Shen Meng started to reply, but Fang interrupted him, "Don't tell them anything, Shen. You know what will happen. The society doesn't like people that talk too much."
  Hearing what Fang said, Six spoke up, "The society? Are you talking about the Sea and Mountain Society? Why are they interested in this little village, Fang? "
  Fang said defiantly, "I'm not talking to you or no one else. You all ought to get out of here real soon. You might be imperials, but there's just the four of you."
  Princess Jinyat said coldly, "Fang Ming, did you know that threatening an imperial princess is a capital offense? You really should be careful with your words, or they will be the last ones you speak. Now, tell us why your society is here in Xoxongshar."
  Fang Ming swallowed hard. "I...I...I'm not really a part of the society, uh...uh...princess. They just hired us, Kang and the rest, to keep things running smooth here, you know. Make sure production kept up and all." Six said, "Production of what, Fang? Are you mining salt? The Sea and Mountain Society smuggles salt, right? Is that what's going on here? The salt trade is strictly controlled by the imperial government, Fang. Being involved in this is another death sentence for you, besides threatening a princess."
  Fang said, looking around anxiously, nearly yelled, "I didn't say nothing about salt! I don't know nothing about no salt!" He started to weep, "I didn't want no part of this. Why did I let Kang convince me? He said we'd all get rich. I should have stayed back home."
  Shen Meng spoke up nervously, "This... This has gone too far, Fang. No use hiding it anymore. Here's the truth. A few months ago, some of the villagers found an outcropping of salt in the hills east of here some ways - really pure and high quality. The Society heard about it somehow and sent Kang and his men to start mining it. They forced a bunch of the villagers to start working in the mine, and paid a few of the older guys to supervise. I...I was one of them." He went on hastily, "But I've had enough of it! They started hurting people and running the village like a prison camp! They still have people down in the mine right now! What they're doing isn't right, and a lot of people are hurt and even dying down there!"
  Six said, "Princess, this is too big for us to handle on our own. The Sea and Mountain Society has spies and assassins everywhere., and dealing with this isn't why we're here. We need to get to a place where we have some backup and can get a message to the Emperor."
  Amalie said, "But shouldn't we do something? The people of the village are being treated like slaves! It could take weeks for a message to get to the Emperor and for anything to be done."
  Seven said, "Jinyat, we can get some of the people from the village together and get rid of the thugs. I can handle the guards at the mine. They aren't trained fighters. Once the thugs are cleared out, we aren't that far from River's End. When we get there, we can send someone to Senyon and let the Emperor know what's happening. He can dispatch guards here. The salt mine should be under imperial control anyway. Six can stay here with you and Amalie."
  Six said, "I think that's a good plan, if we can get the people of the village organized."
  Jinyat said, "Toma, I don't want you to get hurt, but I can't think of a better idea. If we just leave, the thugs will just take over again and probably make things even worse for the villagers than before." She went on, "Shen Meng, who in this village can you trust, and who can lead the village after we get rid of Kang's men?"
  One of the older village women stepped forward. She said, "Princess, my name is Liang Hong. The village leader that Kang and his thugs killed was my cousin. I'm the leader of the family now, and our family has vowed to make the thugs pay for what they did. We will join you."
  Princess Jinyat said, "Liang Hong, I am so sorry for your family's loss. On behalf of the Yixing-Jiumin family, I give our condolences to you and the Liang family. I admire your bravery for speaking up now." She called out, "Who else is willing to help get rid of the thugs? Step forward! We will help you, and I promise that the Emperor will send more help as soon as we can get word to him."
  About twenty of the villagers came forward. One of them said, "I'm not really a fighter, princess, but I'll do what I can. I can swing a club, anyway." The others nodded and agreed.
  Seven said, "All of you, come with me, but don't do anything until I say so. I'll take care of the guards at the mine. You don't have to risk getting hurt." The group of villagers and Seven left for the mine, leaving Six, Princess Jinyat, and Amalie in the village.
  Six said, "Shen Meng, we've got Fang Ming here, and Seven and the rest may have other prisoners after clearing out the mine. Where can we put them so they won't cause trouble?"
  Shen Meng replied, "Well, they got some cages down in the mine where they put troublemakers. That's probably the best place, if you don't just kill them."
  Liang Hong said heatedly, "We ought to just kill them all, after what they did here."
  Princess Jinyat said, "No. I understand your anger, Liang Hong, but imperial law doesn't allow us to just kill them. They will get a proper trial. Keep them confined until an imperial magistrate can judge their cases."
  "What if they get free or others show up after you leave?" Shen Meng asked.
  Princess Jinyat said, "You'll have to defend yourselves as best you can until we send some troops back here from River's End. We'll send them here as soon as we can. Liang Hong, can you do that? I'm counting on you and your family to uphold the law here. Shen Meng, you and the other village elders have to defend the village and uphold the law. Will you do that?"
  Shen Meng said, "We will, princess. Those thugs took us by surprise before. If they come again, we'll be prepared."
  Liang Hong flushed red and said, "You sold out to them last time, Shen. I'm not going to trust you. My cousin got killed! He treated everyone fair when he was the leader."
  Shen Meng looked down sheepishly. He said, "I know, Hong. I'm sorry. But you saw what they were doing. They would've beat me or maybe even killed me if I didn't go along. I tried to go easy on the people down in the mine. Really. I didn't want no one to get hurt. I promise you. I'll help you and do whatever it takes. I'll defend our village from any thugs that show up again, even if they kill me."
  Liang Hong said, "You better be straight with me, Shen. I'll let it go for now, but I'll be watching you! Princess Jinyat, we will follow the law, but if anything starts to look bad, or if those troops don't show up real soon, I can't make any promises. We're going to protect ourselves, no matter what. I'm not letting any thugs, no matter where they come from, take over here again."
  Princess Jinyat said, "I understand, Liang Hong, and I agree. Your lives come first."
  About two hours later, Seven returned with the group of villagers he'd taken with him to the mine. With them were some villagers that they'd freed. Trailing behind them, tied up and injured, were some of the thugs. The villagers were carrying a couple of others, faces and bodies covered with blankets, on make-shift stretchers.
  Seven said, "It's done. We freed the people from the mine and got rid of the thugs. The ones that didn't run off we have here. A few of them got hurt in the fight, and we had to kill a couple. The hurt ones need some treatment."
  Liang Hong said, "Treatment! Why should we waste time and medicine on those animals?"
  Princess Jinyat answered gently, "Liang Hong, I know, but you promised you'd uphold the law, Until the thugs are given a trial, they have to be treated humanely, right? Please, I'm asking you and the rest of the villagers not to abuse them. Treat them well, and maybe some of them will turn around and help you."
  Liang Hong said, "You're still young, princess, and you've been protected all your life. You haven't seen the things I've seen. But you're the princess, so we'll do what you ask."
  Jinyat said, "Thank you, Liang Hong. I know you all have been through a lot here, and I want to make sure things are put right, if I can, as my father, the Emperor, would want. But for things to be right, I need... the village needs... your help. Please." Princess Jinyat bowed deeply to Liang Hong.
  Liang Hong exclaimed, "Oh, princess! You mustn't! You're an imperial princess! I...I...you really shouldn't, princess! You've done so much for us already, princess. We should be thanking you!" She rushed over to Princess Jinyat and helped her to stand up.
  Six spoke up. "Liang Hong, I am Ginginya Liu-Er, assistant to the Emperor and head of the Ministry of Imperial Security. Let me add to what Princess Jinyat said. I will speak with the Emperor personally about what happened here. He will take action, I assure you. The Sea and Mountain Society has been far too audacious here. The Ministry has been watching them for some time. This is the first time they've dared to take over an entire village like this. We will not let their crimes here go unpunished."
  Liang Hong said, "Thank you, Princess. Thank you, Sir Ginginya. We will have to trust you and do our best to protect ourselves until the troops come to help us. There's nothing else we can do."
 
  After jailing the prisoners and making sure the village was settled, Princess Jinyat, Amalie, Toma, and Six rested at Liang Hong's manor in Xoxongshar for two days, then resumed their journey north. When they reached River's End village a few days later, they stopped again to rest and to make sure that some imperial troops and a magistrate were sent back to Xoxongshar. They also sent a Delivery Dog back to Sendoshi with a message to the Emperor with a report about what had happened, requesting that patrols be increased in the area of the village, and letting the Imperial Family of the Great Sacred Empire know that they were healthy and unharmed. Six sent a message directing the Ministry of Imperial Security to crack down on the Sea and Mountain Society in the area.
  With their promises to the villagers of Xoxongshar kept, they set off on the road northeast to the border with Chessa. The four still had a long journey ahead of them to reach Chessdo and meet Queen Na'Omi.