"I will stand guard over this one while you see to your child, Remo."
Chapter 29
The Master of Sinanju waited until Remo and Jilda of Lakluun disappeared from view. He bent over the Dutchman's cringing form.
"Forget the pain in your throat," Chiun said softly. " Focus on your breathing. My son has robbed you of breath, disrupting your inner harmony. Take slow sips. Hold them deep in the stomach before releasing the bad air. That is it. Good. "
The Dutchman found the strength to sit up. His eyes were glazed like a birthday cake.
"He was. . . " The words rattled in the throat. The Dutchman coughed painfully.
"He was stronger than you expected," finished Chiun. "Yes. He is a different Remo now. He knows who he is. He understands that he is the avatar of Shiva on earth. The knowledge troubles him, but he has taken an important step in his development. I sometimes think he is almost as powerful as I. Almost."
"My powers are greater."
"Your capacity for destruction is greater, that is all. Nuihc has taught you well. Although he is long dust, I still rue the day I taught him Sinanju. Are you able to walk?"
The Dutchman nodded. "I think so."
"Stand up, then. You will follow me into the village."
"No. I will wait here for your pupil's return. "
"You no longer wish death. I saw it in your face. And Remo will surely kill you when he returns."
"I'm not afraid of him," the Dutchman said sullenly.
"You are, whether you admit it or not. And I am afraid for my son. If you agree to follow me into the village, I will see that you live to see another day."
"You slew Nuihc, who was like a father to me," said the Dutchman in a bitter voice. "I will make no deals with you. "
"And I will make none with you, carrion who murdered a child of my village," blazed Chiun. He slapped the Dutchman across the face. "If it were within my power to snuff out your base life without extinguishing Remo's with the same stroke, you would now be so much scavenger food. Arise! "
The Dutchman stumbled to his feet. His face was red where Chiun had slapped him. His eyes were strange. "You will come with me to the village."
The Dutchman nodded numbly.
The Master of Sinanju walked two paces behind the Dutchman so that he could watch him at all times. The Dutchman walked unsteadily. His confidence was gone, Chiun knew. He had allowed himself to be manhandled by Remo. That was bad enough. But he had also displayed cowardice in combat-a trait that was considered unSinanju. The discovery that he feared death in spite of his boasts had shaken this white youth. He was still turning the realization over in his mind. What was left of it. For Chiun knew that the Dutchman walked along the edge of madness. It had been his lot ever since he discovered his mutant powers. They had always been accompanied by a strange desire to kill, which the Dutchman called the beast. It had never been fully controllable.
As they descended into the sheltered village, Chiun began speaking quietly.
"You see the square below?"
"Yes," the Dutchman said woodenly. "You see my villagers there?"
"Yes. "
"When we reach the square, we will walk among my people. They will be curious. They will come close to see you better. Can you still use your mind powers?"
"I think so."
"Be certain. Imagine for me a butterfly. A pretty summer butterfly. "
The Dutchman concentrated. About his head, black wings fluttered in the moonlight. A butterfly. But Chiun saw that the butterfly, although having a beautiful pattern to its veined wings, had a flaming skull for a head. Despite himself, Chiun shuddered.
"You will use your power of mind," Chiun went on, "in this fashion. . . . "
Remo found Freya in the first trunk he opened. His ears had zeroed in on her heartbeat as soon as he entered the House of the Masters. Surprisingly, the heartbeat was very calm.
"Are you okay?" Remo asked, lifting her into his arms. Freya looked at him seriously, but her face was unafraid. "I'm okay. Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Remo laughed. "I'm okay."
"Hi, Mommy."
"I would hug you, my child," Jilda said warmly, holding out her seared arms, "but I cannot. Your father will hug you for me."
"What happened to your hands, Mommy? Did you burn them? "
"Never mind, child. It is nothing."
"She takes after you," Remo said admiringly.
"How do you mean?"
"Brave. The both of you. Locked in a trunk for a couple of hours. I'll bet you didn't even cry, did you?" Remo asked Freya.
"Nope," replied Freya. "Why should I cry? I knew you'd come to get me out. Isn't that what daddies are for?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Remo said. "That's what daddies are for. "
"Did I tell you about my pony?" Freya asked. "His name is Thor. I ride him every day. "
"Hush," said Jilda. She turned to Remo. "As long as the Dutchman lives, none of us are safe. What can you do with him that will not cause your own destruction?"
"I don't know," answered Remo. "I'll think of something, because no one is ever going to lay a hand on this little girl again. Right, Freya?"
"Right," Freya said stoutly, making a little fist. "We'll beat him up. Pow!"
Remo set Freya down. He searched Jilda's face. "We gotta talk," he said seriously.
"My arms need attention," she said, holding them up.
The skin was singed to the elbow. Remo examined her carefully.
"Not good," he decided. "But not bad. Chiun knows a lot of healing stuff. I'll bet he can have you swinging a sword again inside of a month."