The Dragon Songs Saga: The Complete Quartet: Songs of Insurrection, Orchestra of Treacheries, Dances of Deception, and Symphony of Fates

by JC Kang

  Between the lack of sleep, her aching thighs and butt, and the ridiculous pink dress, Jie hoped she would have little need for her physical Moquan skills today. Just like the day before, she picked her way north among the longshoremen, sailors, and boys crowding the docks at dawn—the difference being that today, she wasn’t disguised as a boy, and she waddled like a duck.

  And these types were not known for their chivalry. If she castrated every man who catcalled her in the first two blocks, Hua’s next generation of foul-mouthed, flea-ridden sailors might never be born. Instead, she ignored them, walking toward the five-mast Tarkothi ship moored at the twenty-sixth berth.

  Or was it the twenty-third berth? That’s what the sign at the head of the dock indicated. Had they taken the time and effort to move it three berths up overnight? The enormous black ship filled her visual field, and would have needlessly clogged up the harbor.

  She walked up the dock to the gangplank. Two marines stood guard, cutlasses dangling at their sides. They looked too small to be soldiers, and their features were almost effeminate. Eldaeri, in all likelihood. The nine-pointed silver sun emblazoned on their crimson surcoats—

  Crimson?

  The Tarkothi livery had been forest green. Unless they’d moved the ship and dyed their wardrobes, this was the Serikothi ship bearing their Prince Koryn all the way from Tivara’s far east.

  Fan hostilities, Crown Prince Kai-Guo had said. As if she knew enough about these northerners’ customs to do so.

  “We have no need for whores,” one of the marines called in Arkothi.

  The other elbowed him. “The way she walks, I’d bet my mama’s teats she serviced the entire Tarkothi ship last night.”

  The first laughed. “You’d lose that bet, since Tarkothi peckers are so small from crossbreeding.”

  Both men chortled.

  Jie rolled her eyes and spun on her heel, but not before looking up at the deck. Unlike the Tarkothi, who employed the larger ethnic Arkothi and Estomari, all the Serikothi appeared to be the elf-blooded Eldaeri. If the two countries’ rivalry were limited to trading insults about manhood sizes, Hua wouldn’t sell many cannons.

  Ignoring their continued jeers, she went back to the harbor front and continued north. Past the Serikothi giant, the Tarkothi behemoth loomed over the three-mast Hua ships. Jie paused and scanned from north to south and back, comparing. The two foreign vessels, with their black wood hulls and sheer size, might have been twins. Perhaps the size of their ships compensated for…

  She blew out a sigh. Serikoth and Tarkoth—along with a third kingdom, Korynth—had once been a single Eldaeri empire, divided over a century ago by a greed-driven civil war. That made it a lesson for Hua to learn from, given present circumstances.

  “Hurry up, girl,” a male voice called.

  She turned to find the large, belligerent Tarkothi officer from the day before. Snake Eyes, the one who had begrudgingly found her the dress that she begrudgingly wore now. Her attempt at an Arkothi-style curtsey met with a chuckle. “I am sorry, sir.”

  “We will be departing for the capital when the Iridescent Moon wanes to its second crescent.”

  Jie looked south to the moon. Just three hours before subjecting her poor body to yet more travel. Hopefully, it didn’t involve horses. “I will be—”

  “In the meantime, His Highness would like to see how the Cathayi river-barge system works.” Snake Eyes’ gaze paused on the Saint Gong, now completing docking procedures at the twenty-eighth berth, before he pointed past it. “I understand they start on the other side of the lighthouse? Go to the harbormaster’s office to arrange a guide.”

  Jie nodded. What a coincidence that Prince Aryn wanted to visit the scene of last night’s escapades. If Tian had done his job, there wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary to see. “My friend works for the harbormaster.”

  Snake Eyes stroked his bare chin. “Very well. Bring him here, but make it quick. I will inform the prince. And you—get yourself together and stop walking like a maid the morning after her wedding.”

  Heat rose to the tip of Jie’s ears. No more boats, no more sailors after this. If only there were somewhere clean to sit that wouldn’t wrinkle the dress. Right, no more dresses either.

  She turned back toward the harbormaster’s office, which might have been abandoned for all the activity going on outside. Usually, merchants and ship quartermasters crowded near the doors at this hour.

  From the entrance, she poked her head into the huge room. The rows of low tables, each covered with papers, brushes, and inkstones, suggested two dozen people worked there, but today only a handful of clerks and officials were on duty. Tian included. He looked up, eyes meeting hers, a smile blooming on his face. She beckoned him out.

  He reached her side almost before she could blink. “Was the princess all right?”

  Not good morning or I’m glad to see you’re safe. For show, Jie squeezed her mouth into a tight frown. Make him squirm a little. “Come, walk with me.”

  He glanced back into the building, and then nodded. “What happened?”

  Jie started back toward the Tarkothi ship. “She was attacked by large men, using Moquan weapons.”

  He sucked in a breath. “So is she unharmed?”

  For someone so smart, so able to draw connections, he missed the obvious. “The port would be on high alert if she were hurt. Yes, she is fine.”

  He blew out a sigh. “They had Moquan tools?”

  “Throwing stars, Moquan swords, cat claws, and smoke packets. They also used repeating crossbows, though with a larger magazine and bolt head.”

  “Our weapons and tools are secrets.” Tian tapped his chin. “There must be a traitor to the clan.”

  Yet everyone was accounted for. “Master Yan is devoting significant resources to uncovering the mystery. In the meantime, what did you do with Fat Nose Jiang and his henchman?”

  “We drugged them. They won’t remember a thing. I presume they are at the river docks arguing with the harbormaster.”

  Right, the docks. She pulled his sleeve. “I need your help.”

  “All right. Let me tell the manager on duty.” He disappeared into the office.

  Jie glanced at all the ships, each representing Hua’s dominance in international trade. Its lifeblood. So much wealth, and so many people vying to control it.

  “Lead the way,” Tian said.

  Had he snuck up on her? That would be a first! She nodded and headed north with Tian at her side.

  “You are waddling. Like a duck. You shouldn’t have grinded up against Fat Nose Jiang.”

  Concern? Even if the tone was matter-of-fact? She grinned. “Consider yourself lucky you’re not a Black Lotus sister.” The chorus of longshoreman and sailor whistles punctuated her point.

  Tian glared at them, only to meet with laughs.

  “Come on little girl, you can do better than a skinny clerk. I can show you what it’s like with a real man.”

  Jie reached over and took Tian’s hand in her own. He started to yank it away, but then stiffened up. The sailors laughed.

  At the twenty-third dock, three Serikothi men in polished steel cuirasses and scarlet capes assessed a herd of some thirty horses led by three merchants. No doubt the stodgy harbormaster would have taken issue with the beasts blocking the way and leaving stinking piles in the roads, had he not been busy at the river docks.

  One of the Eldaeri men shook his head. “Is this the best you have?”

  “The best in Cathay,” a merchant said in Arkothi with a thick Hua accent. “The Dongmen Provincial cavalry buys from me.”

  Jie glanced at Tian. His father ruled Dongmen, and his eldest brother was an officer in their cavalry. If he thought anything about the horse trader’s comments, his expression revealed nothing.

  “The national cavalry buys from me,” said the second trader.

  Another Serikothi harrumphed. “Then they are getting ripped off.”

  A third Serikothi laughed. �
�We make better ships, breed better horses.”

  “But no firepowder,” Jie muttered.

  “What is the commotion, lieutenant?” A Serikothi man in a crimson uniform approached from the docks. He walked with a confident gait and bore a strong resemblance to Tarkoth’s Prince Aryn. Two other officers flanked him.

  The second Serikothi crossed his arms against his chest and bowed his head. “Your Highness, none of these horses meets our standards. We would look foolish riding them into the capital.”

  Yet another Eldaeri prince. With the rebellion in the North, maybe having all the foreigners around was a bad idea. Not just for their own safety, but… Jie leaned in to Tian. “You don’t think any of these foreign governments are helping Lord Tong? Perhaps in return for firepowder, funneled through Yutou Province?”

  Tian tilted his head toward the Serikothi black ship. “According to the Intimidator’s manifests, it stopped in Yutou. We’d have to sneak on board to find out more, but I don’t know the first thing about Eldaeri ship layouts.”

  She didn’t either. “Maybe—”

  “You.” The Serikothi prince beckoned Tian.

  Bowing, Tian shuffled over. “Prince Koryn Vardamcar, welcome to Cathay. How may I be of service?”

  “You look like an official. When did the Tarkothi dock?”

  Why so curious? Jie studied the prince’s fine features.

  “Yesterday, Your Highness,” Tian said.

  “Be a good man and see to it that when your emperor sends our guide, we ride ahead of the Tarkothi. Pay the man, Captain.” He bent his head toward his aide, even more handsome then the rest.

  And blond. Eldaeri supposedly didn’t come fair-haired. With his thin eyebrows and full lips, he might even be considered beautiful. Looking at the prince with fervent devotion, the captain crossed his arms in front of his chest and bowed. He withdrew two foreign gold coins and presented them to Tian.

  Shaking his head, Tian held up a dismissing hand. “I am just a scribe. For the harbormaster. The Imperial Foreign Ministry will be in charge of assigning a guide.”

  Prince Koryn stroked his beardless chin. “Perhaps we shall take it up with the Tarkothi, then. Scribe, who leads them?”

  “It is not my place to know.” Tian said.

  In all likelihood, he did know, even if his official position didn’t require it. Still, Crown Prince Kai-Guo had given the order to spit in ricebowls, and if there was any chance either of these rival nations were in league with Lord Tong’s rebellion, this might be a way to find out. Jie bowed. “If I may, Your Highness, that would be Prince Aryn.”

  Prince Koryn turned and scrutinized her. “What a pretty girl. Thank you.”

  Even if his words carried no emotion, heat flared in Jie’s cheeks. Tian had undoubtedly heard the compliment. Still, his face remained blank. She said, “Prince Aryn hired me to translate for him. We are headed there now, where Scribe Zheng will give him a tour of the river docks. Perhaps I can facilitate an introduction.” And instigate trouble.

  Tian’s brows clashed together. “What—?”

  Apparently, Prince Koryn had a similar idea. “What is Prince Aryn paying you?”

  “A silver crown a day, Your Highness.” She curtseyed, or at least tried to.

  “I’ll pay you two silver crowns a day to be our guide.”

  To be a guide, and not a spy? This seemed more a battle of one-upmanship than a serious conflict. In any case, it might be a way to get aboard the ship. “I…I… Let me think about it.”

  Tian’s brows furrowed, his lips drawn into a rigid line.

  Prince Koryn peered at her. “Don’t take too long. In the meantime, I’ll take you up on your offer to introduce us.” He turned to the first three men. “Choose the twelve best horses for your cavaliers. Captain, bring eight marines with us.”

  “What are you doing?” Tian hissed.

  “Finding a way onto his ship.” And seeding trouble, per the prince’s orders, but Tian didn’t have to know it.

  His eyes widened for a split second, his beautiful brown irises darting toward the approaching Serikothi marines.

  They all carried repeating crossbows. With a larger magazine, just like the Moquan last night.

  “Lead on.” Prince Koryn gestured toward the Tarkothi ship.

  Jie exchanged glances with Tian, then bowed her head. There had to be some way to get ahold of one of the crossbows.

  When they reached the Tarkothi ship, Prince Aryn was waiting with Snake Eyes and several marines dressed in green and silver livery. Hands crept toward weapons, though Prince Aryn himself yawned.

  Snake Eyes growled. “Look what flotsam the tide brought in.”

  “Now, now, Peris,” Prince Aryn said. “No need for hostilities to ruin a joyous occasion.”

  “It could hardly be joyous with that filth,” Snake Eyes Peris growled.

  Prince Koryn straightened, drawing himself to his full height, not even as tall as Tian. “Had I known the Cathayi had invited Tarkothi mutts, I wouldn’t have considered our own invitation such an honor.”

  Peris pulled his sword a quarter of the way out of his scabbard. Marines on both sides all shouldered forward, cutlasses flashing and crossbows leveled. Jie would have rolled her eyes at men and their toys, but Jiangkou harbor was about to become the scene of an international incident.

  “At ease, General.” The Tarkothi prince stayed Peris’ hand. “We are guests here.”

  Prince Koryn snapped his own longsword back, though not before revealing its strange grey metal. “Prince Aryn is right. Maybe when we leave, we can settle this outside of the harbor, ship to ship.”

  “You’ll need firepowder,” Jie offered. “Maybe extra cannon fitted to your deck. You know what they say about a ship and its number of cannons.”

  Tian nudged her. What are you doing? his eyes asked.

  Neither of the princes appeared to have heard her. Prince Aryn’s lighthearted demeanor melted away, replaced by eyes fixated on his counterpart’s sword. “I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You are?”

  Maybe the Serikothi Crown Prince paused for dramatic effect, or maybe he didn’t plan to answer at all.

  “Crown Prince Koryn,” Jie supplied, ignoring a glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

  A grin forming on his lips, Prince Aryn crossed his arms and bowed his arms. “Well met, Cousin. Distant cousin.” He turned to the blond aide. “And you must be Captain Damaryn. Your reputation precedes you. Even in Tarkoth, it is said you have bedded half the noblewomen in Serikoth.”

  With his nonchalant expression, Prince Aryn sounded like the drunken uncle at a New Year’s feast; not that Jie had any uncles to compare. His lip twitched for a split second. Had his words been premeditated?

  Coughing, Captain Damaryn exchanged glances with Prince Koryn, then crossed his arms and bowed his head. “It is my honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

  “I’m sure.” Prince Aryn yawned at his Serikothi counterpart. “You seem to have found my guide. Feel free to join us on our tour of their river docks.”

  The Serikothi prince held a finger up. “I came to discuss the order in which our parties will enter Cathay’s capital.”

  “If it matters that much to you, the Serikothi may go first.” Prince Aryn shrugged. With his unflappable nonchalance, it would be hard to instigate troubles between the two.

  Whatever else, the enmity between the two nations likely discounted both the Eldaeri kingdoms conspiring with Lord Tong. Jie waved northward. “Didn’t you want to see the docks? This is my friend, Scribe Zheng, who works for the harbormaster.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Tian placed his right fist into his left hand and bowed.

  “Lead the way,” Prince Aryn said. He looked over his shoulder at the Serikothi prince. “By all means, join us.”

  Prince Koryn’s eyes shifted from Prince Aryn to Tian and back. “We have other matters to attend to.” He turned to Jie. “Remember my offer.”

  Crossing his
arms, he bowed his head. The captain and Serikothi marines saluted as well, and then followed their prince back to the Intimidator.

  Harrumphing, Prince Aryn resumed his walk toward the river docks. “I thought we’d never be rid of them. Now, Jyeh, what is this offer he mentions?”

  She feigned a shy smile. “He offered to pay me two silver crowns a day to act as his translator and guide.”

  He laughed. “Prince Koryn may be a capable field general, but in matters of state, he only cares about appearances. If it matters that much to him, then by all means, take up his offer. Just know that if you do your work well, I have a long-term job in mind.”

  Tian raised an eyebrow. Whatever Jie was up to with these Eldaeri princes, it had little to do with rooting out traitors or uncovering a conspiracy. It was also wasting his time. The Saint Gong, which had just docked when he joined Jie, was almost tied down to the moorings at berth twenty-eight, right beside them. According to the manifests, Tai-Ming Lord Peng and his first son were aboard, and deceased Lamp Man Sha had named him as one of the conspirators.

  “Scribe Jung.” Mispronouncing Tian’s name, stout Peris’ voice grated like a knife dragged across a whetstone. “The prince asked you a question.”

  Tian looked up. “I’m sorry. Question?”

  Prince Aryn pointed toward the mouth of the Jade River, emptying into the harbor. “Why put the lighthouse so far inland?”

  “To ensure oceangoing vessels don’t run aground.”

  “I bet that seawall helps with that, too.” Was that sarcasm in the prince’s voice? It was hard to tell in Arkothi.

  Tian nodded. “Jiangkou was established as close to the capital as possible. The Jade River gets shallow fast. There’s a lot of silt from its tributary, the Iron River.” Which flowed from the hotbed of rebellion. And the seawall ensured the shallowness, to prevent larger ships from getting too close to the capital. It was curious that the Tarkothi would be interested in the river barges. “This is as far as a ship can travel inland. That’s why goods have to be transferred to river barges here.”

  Prince Aryn pointed. “So what is going on there? I’d wager the commotion is what kept me awake last night.”