Spider's Bite
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Kai Mow watched from the recess of the window as Kwai Chang Caine, his son Peter, and Mr. Lee rushed in to aid the Ancient apothecary.
"Please, Master Caine do something for him. If he dies I will be considered eldest in the community. I am not worthy of that honor," Mr. Lee pleaded.
"We'll do what we can," Peter stated. "Why don't you return to your shop. There may be herbs there that we're going to need."
"We are here, my friend," Caine said quietly. "Tell me what has happened."
"I do not know," the Ancient stated. 'Mr. Lee and I were working on a potion for Mrs. Chung. I suddenly grew dizzy. I could not catch my breath. It was as if I was suffocating. I felt weak."
Kai Mow flatten his body against the wooden frame to conceal himself, as if trying to become part of the woodwork as Kwai Chang Caine looked around. He could not allow himself to be discovered too soon or his plan would have ended before it began. So far, it had its desired effect and no one noticed. He continued to watch and listen to what was going on. Then the moment of action came and Kai Mow quickly left the shelter of the window and hid under a bush. It was there that he changed shape. He would move more swiftly as a man. He would need to inform the members of the sect that the first stage of their plan had been put into action.
***
Caine took the Ancient's hand in his, turned his wrist upward and placed it on a small round leather pillow. He felt for a pulse and found it to be stronger than what it appeared, yet not as strong as it should have been. He could see perspiration forming on Lo Si's forehead. What could have caused the Ancient to become ill? As he worked, Caine felt a presence was watching them, but he could not pinpoint the location. Then the presence disappeared and everything was as it should be. Still, some evil force was at work.
"Peter," Caine summoned his son. "Go to the apothecary. Tell my father what has happened and bring back the following herbs. It will help strengthen Lo Si's qi. "
"But won't Lo Si have them here?" Peter asked as Caine wrote on a sheet of paper what he required.
"Lo Si's supply of herbs is small. Please hurry, Peter. The Ancient does not have much time." Kwai Chang Caine watched Peter leave then turned back to Lo Si. "I will do what I can, my friend, but you must tell me everything that has happened."
Lo Si stared at his friend, not questioning his abilities at knowing that he had not told Caine the whole truth. "You must beware, Kwai Chang Caine. Death's bite is at hand. I am old. My time here is limited. I must choose a new voice of reason for the community. It must be someone whose skill is as great as my own."
"Your time on this plane is not yet over, my friend. You are still needed."
"I am dying. No amount of medicine will cure what I have. Though you may prolong my life, eventually, the inevitable will happen. I know how much time I have left."
Caine swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He could not bear to be parted from this friend. They had been through so much together.
"Do not grieve, my friend," Lo Si stated, "We shall meet again."
"What about, Peter?" Caine asked. "You must tell him the truth about Ping Hai."
"He already knows and has accepted the truth."
"But you must help us fight this new evil that has entered our midst," Caine pleaded.
"I cannot," Lo Si stated. "Only you can face this evil, Kwai Chang Caine. This evil will force you to make choices. Friends will turn against friends. You may be forced to choose between your son and an old man. All is not as it seems."
Kwai Chang Caine's eyes narrowed. What was the Ancient saying that his son was also in danger and he must choose between Lo Si and Peter? Friends will turn against friends? What was this new danger they were facing?
Continues with Part 3
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2002.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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