by JC Kang
The Tianzi raised an eyebrow. In retrospect, it was strange for a minister to give something to the ruler, who had all. What had he been thinking? He started to return the box to the fold of his cloak.
“Well?” The Tianzi’s eyebrows now scrunched together.
He wanted to see it! Hong bowed and rose again. His heart pattered like summer raindrops as he opened the—
The silver dragon pendant within glared at him with ruby eyes. It uncoiled in clouds of black smoke, clogging Hong’s lungs. The flesh of his wrinkled hands withered to grey. What was left of his hair thinned and fell out. His manhood shriveled, and all energy seeped from his limbs.
His worst nightmare! Debilitating age and dotage.
“Ghosts!” yelled a man.
“Centipedes, crawling all over me!” screamed another.
Around him, the vaunted imperial guard fell into disarray. Dao rasped out of sheaths. The porters fled in all directions. A female servant looked about, bewildered.
“Retreat, retreat!” the Tianzi yelled. “Fall back to the castle and seal the gates. All the hereditary lords are rebelling! Hong, find the empress and make sure she makes it back to the castle.”
“Yes, Huang-Shang!” Despite using all his energy to speak, Hong’s voice came out a whisper. He wobbled to his feet, even as his shriveled arms and legs weighed him down like ship anchors. One foot in front of the other, he staggered back toward the palace grounds. After a few steps, he hazarded a glance at the demonic pin in his hand.
It was just a silver brooch, formed in the shape of a dragon. Exquisite, really. What had happened?
He looked back. The Tianzi had disappeared into the winding alleys of the castle, leaving his own palanquin behind. Imperial guards watched over the bridge. Horns blared.
Those horns…the ones that indicated an enemy had breached the palace walls. Once the castle gatehouse closed, the Tianzi would be sealed off from the rest of the world.
Who would lead now?
Liang Yu huddled by a tree, just outside the pottery shop where the Moquan leadership received secret reports. If the old adage about information winning wars was true, the Black Lotus Clan might rival the Floating World in strategic value.
He unfolded the first missive from the agent in the South and deciphered the coded language. Peng had let the Madurans through the Wall. The fool! At least an assassination attempt on Lord Peng was in the works, and the Moquan were particularly adept at such operations. Thoughts of the Beauty and Surgeon, long banished to fond memories, surfaced yet again. Liang Yu was growing soft and nostalgic in his old age.
He refolded the message and sighed. With dumb luck, all the idiotic army deployments Chief Minister Hong had been whispering into the Tianzi’s ears would avert disaster. The combined imperial and auxiliary provincial forces should have little problem repelling the Madurans, and that would send a warning to the independence-minded Lord Lin in Linshan.
The nation was on the brink, and he had put them there. His plans to unite the hereditary lords in the call for war against foreign neighbors had instead weakened Hua. Some Architect he was. He sighed again and unfolded another note.
Liang Yu’s eyes widened. A missive from the Moquan guarding the palace. The Tianzi had barricaded himself inside the castle, insistent that the Tai-ming had risen up against the Jade Throne. The confused hereditary lords had declared the Tianzi’s second cousin, a babe of just four-months, as acting Tianzi. His grandfather, Tai-Ming Lord Liu of Jiangzhou, would be his regent.
What had happened? The Tianzi was weak-willed and incompetent, to be sure, but insane? If anyone were more weak-willed and incompetent than the current Tianzi, it was Lord Liu. It couldn’t all be a coincidental perfect storm. At the same time, anyone who could orchestrate so many parts was more of an Architect than he.
Harrumphing, Liang Yu almost tore the last message while trying to unravel it. A message from Princess Kaiya’s Moquan bodyguard. The princess had been injured in an assassination attempt, and the half-elf requested a replacement.
Standing, he stashed the note into his robe. With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching, he returned to the funerary pot and dropped in the other two messages. The Moquan leadership needed to know about the unholy alliance between Peng and the Madurans, as well as the chaos inside the palace.
As for the half-elf’s… That one, he would keep. If Hong’s mistress was right, Princess Kaiya would be arriving at the river docks sometime tomorrow, expecting a new Moquan bodyguard.
Liang Yu could play that role. She would need it, since even though Regent Liu was incompetent, he would still see her as a threat to his grandson’s claim to the Jade Throne.
By protecting her, Liang Yu could control someone with a legitimate claim to the Mandate of Heaven. Or make demands of the Royalists who supported the Wang family.
He just needed to get to her before the imperial guard. That might not be hard, since they apparently had their hands full in the palace.
Geros shifted in the bloodwood chair, not trusting the spindly struts to support his weight. He must look ridiculous, but better that than sitting on the floor like these uncivilized Cathayi. His own officers and soldiers stood at attention behind him, likely dubious of the other seats brought to the Lord Zheng’s audience chamber.
If his sour face was any indication, the castle chamberlain had been none too pleased to bring one chair, let alone scrounge up a dozen. All the other assembled Cathayi councilors and officers appeared equally bewildered and angry.
Lord Zheng, on the other hand, revealed nothing in his expression. He sat cross-legged across from Geros, a sheathed Cathayi broadsword in front of him. “Where is my eldest son? Or have you gone back on your word?”
Geros snorted. “Viceroy Zheng, I only said that if you did not open the gate, I would start removing your sons’ body parts. I have been generous and given two of them back.” Of course, he would have returned Ming, if only for good will, had the slippery lordling not escaped.
“Where is he, then?” Neither Lord Zheng’s face nor tone had changed. The most dangerous man was one who could not be read.
It was time to find out just how much his newest vassal knew. Geros laughed. “Let’s stop playing games. You know, of course. Princess Kaiya’s half-elf rescued him.”
Now Zheng’s expression did twitch, if only for a split second. He knew nothing of the escape, apparently, which meant…
In Geros’ fury at the escape, he had missed the logical connection. His heart leapt as he leaned forward in his chair. “If the half-elf was here, where is Princess Kaiya?” If she had not yet fled to Huajing, he could delay the assault until Leina could thoroughly undermine the government.
“She returned to the capital.” Lord Zheng’s mask and glib tone had returned.
“When?” Geros kept the urgency out of his voice. Yet if had been recent, he could send some officers on horseback to chase her down.
“Three days ago, as soon as she was well enough to travel after the assassination attempt.”
Geros sucked in a breath. She must have reached Huajing by now, into the nest of snakes vying for power. One of those had likely sent the assassin in the first place. Geros had to protect his love. Unless Lord Zheng lied. “So why was the half-elf still here?”
“I don’t know,” Lord Zheng said. “It was not my place to question the princess. However, she had expressed interest in marrying my son, so perhaps she had left her bodyguard here to greet him. Or facilitate his escape.”
Geros scratched his chin. As soon as Princess Kaiya reached the capital, Leina would surely send a messenger bird to let him know. The intelligent Eldaeri-bred birds gave the Teleri a significant communication advantage over the horse-relay systems which most other nations used. “Make sure all imperial horse relays are cut off, Viceroy Zheng. You are dismissed.”
Bowing, Lord Zheng collected his sword. He stood and backed out of the room, followed by his own men.
Geros motion
ed toward a shadow near the wall. “Was Lord Zheng telling the truth?”
Master Feiying stepped into view and bowed. “He is hard to read, Your Eminence, but I suspect he did not lie.”
“Follow him and make sure he executes my commands faithfully.” Geros beckoned the officer in charge of communications, a Bovyan of Kanin stock. “Lieutenant Espios, prepare a messenger bird bound for Leina in Huajing. Tell her that Princess Kaiya may be walking into a trap, and to arrange protection.”
A familiar, annoying laugh erupted from the entrance. A sinking feeling settling into his stomach, Geros looked up.
The Altivorc King, with none of his usual retinue of vile guards, leaned against the door frame, twirling that wand of his. “Geros, Geros, since when did you care about a woman so much, you would forget all about military strategy?”
Heat rushed to Geros’ face. How dare the king mock him in front of his men? “The princess has important strategic value. The people adore her, and our son will legitimize Teleri rule over Cathay.”
Yawning, the altivorc strolled down the middle of the room. “As you say. It doesn’t matter to me, as long as you hold up your end of our deal.”
Geros waved him off. “Yes, yes, the Cathayi pyramid is yours.”
“There are two more things I want.” With a flourishing twirl, the King sheathed his wand. “Inside the Temple of Heaven in Huajing, there is a chunk of a fallen star. A token, really.”
Right. Geros grinned. Anything the lizard wanted had to carry some importance. “This was never part of our deal.”
“Of course not,” the Altivorc King said. “Which is why if you bring it to me, I will start ending the Bovyan Curse, beginning with you.”
An end to the curse. Geros gawked in spite of himself. He had promised Ming Zheng the hand of Princess Kaiya once he died, but now it seemed his death would not come so soon. All of the plans and timetables to secure his legacy, now less relevant. No; hope must not replace resolve. Even still… “And the second thing you want?”
“Information. I overheard something about the princess’ half-elf. Where did you see her last?”
CHAPTER 15:
Many Unhappy Returns
The sloshing waves changed in frequency and mingled with the nearly inaudible buzz of the Fallen Star in the Temple of Heaven, letting Kaiya know that she had reached the Songyuan river docks in Huajing.
She afforded herself a silent scoff. If the Tiger’s Eye allowed her any sense of nostalgia, her inner voice might’ve waxed poetic about that naïve girl who had set off from these quays just over a year before.
Tested by conspiracies, dictators, and a dragon, she was no longer that girl. At what cost, though? Four of the five imperial guards who’d accompanied her that morning had died in her defense. Her beloved, also as dead as her emotions. Her beloved’s brother, perhaps needlessly sacrificed.
She scanned the dockside. Dockworkers and sailors bustled about, seeming no different from the last time she’d been here. Did the imperial court know of the impending invasion? It didn’t appear so. It had taken them three days by boat, but the horse relays should’ve brought news of the Teleri breaching the Wall within just a few hours.
Unless Lord Zheng had managed to silence every loyal imperial soldier… Impossible.
If that were the case, the imperial armies would have three less days to mobilize. She had to warn Brother Kai-Wu.
Though herbal medicine and rest had helped her regain some energy, her legs wobbled as she rose. Weiyong came to her side and helped her disembark with a firm hand.
She offered him a grateful nod, then turned to the captain of her escort. “We must make haste to the palace.”
“Dian-xia,” Fang Weiyong said, “For your safety, we should not travel through the city without a contingent of imperial guards.”
He was right. She pursed her lips. Plenty of people in the capital would recognize her. If just one spotted her, news of her arrival would spread faster than she could walk. Who knew if the insurgents had been completely pacified?
Still, Brother Kai-Wu needed to know about the imminent Teleri attack. Withdrawing the pouch containing Tian’s tablet, she proffered it in two hands to Fang Weiyong. With Lord Zheng’s and Tian’s names inscribed, it could only come from Dongmen. “Weiyong, take this to Sun-Moon Palace. It is proof. Tell them—”
“Wait, Dian-xia,” a weathered male voice called.
Her guards all placed hands on their broadswords, their eyes shifting left to the source of the voice. She followed their gazes.
A middle-aged man knelt, one fist to the ground, the other hand clasping a walking staff. He bowed, exposing streaks of silver in his long hair.
Who was he? She lifted her chin. “Rise.”
He raised his head, revealing an average-looking face with no defining features. Had she seen him before? If a foreign artist were to sketch a Hua male, this would be him—one who could melt in with the faceless crowds.
“Dian-xia,” he repeated. He shuffled forward and held up a creased sheet of paper. The gibberish was likely Moquan code, written in Jie’s unmistakable scrawl. “Your black lotus asked for a replacement.”
Black Lotus? Unless he was describing Jie’s dark heart and pretty looks, only a Moquan would know the clan name for the Tianzi’s spies and assassins. Most of the select few people who’d even heard of the name would assume it referred to an order of cloistered monks who kept historical accounts. The half-elf must’ve disobeyed the order to hold her post, and asked for a replacement. If not for the Tiger’s Eye, Kaiya might have taken it personally. Instead, she nodded. “What is your name?”
“Fu, Dian-xia.” He bowed. “My cover name is Golden Fu.”
Where had she heard that name before? Perhaps someone Zheng Ming had mentioned when the Moquan rooted out the former Chief Minister Tan as a conspirator. She stared at him. “You knew of my arrival.”
He straightened and grinned. “Of course. It is our business to know things.”
Definitely Moquan. No telling what kind of weapon the walking staff was. But… “If you knew, why did the Tianzi not send a contingent of imperial guards to greet me?”
Fu’s gaze darted to her guards, then settled on hers. He edged closer, cupped his mouth, and whispered in her ear. “Dian-xia, we are not going to the palace. It is not safe right now.”
Not safe? She leaned back and narrowed her eyes. “There is no place in Hua more defensible than Sun-Moon Castle.”
He whispered again, his words barely audible. “The danger I speak of is inside the palace itself. Your brother never fully recovered from Peng’s poisoning. He went mad and sequestered himself in the main keep. There has been no contact with him.”
Could it be true? Gentle Second Brother, driven insane? “Who rules?”
“Lord Liu of Jiangzhou rules as regent, and plans to ship you off to a nunnery. On his command, the imperial guard will apprehend you the instant you step into Sun-Moon palace.”
Never. Lord Liu’s absolute loyalty came from an utter lack of ambition. The imperial guard would side with her, anyway. Keeping suspicion out of her voice, she summoned her most incredulous tone: “How did Lord Liu become regent? Why would he capture me?”
“His son is married to your cousin, Wang Kai-Hua. Her son, now four months old, was next in line to the Jade Throne. You are a threat to his grandson.”
Kai-Hua, a mother. To an unwitting usurper, no less. She’d never willingly be part of such a plot. Had Lord Liu hidden his ambitions like Cousin Peng? “If you are loyal to the Tianzi, why are you helping me?”
“The imperial guard is loyal to the Jade Throne. Our clan is loyal to the Wang family. There are several of us here to protect you.” He pointed a subtle thumb behind him to his right, then to his left.
A mirror flashed from a warehouse, then another from a tea shop. Both in the directions he had indicated. Six black-garbed faces bobbed up from a third rooftop.
Even if he wasn’t who he claimed, th
ey were surrounded. Perhaps by dozens of soldiers. But he’d flashed Jie’s letter, so perhaps she could trust him. Though that would also mean Brother Kai-Wu was mad, and yet another cousin had betrayed her. “Where are we going, then?”
“One of our clan’s safehouses.” Fu handed her a travelling cloak. “Please cover your head.” He turned to her guards and spoke up. “Soldiers of Hua. You are now the imperial guard. Your first duty is to the princess.”
Kaiya pursed her lips. These men, while serviceable, were not imperial guards. It seemed like an insult to Chen Xin, Zhao Yue, Li Wei, and Xu Zhan.
The soldiers all snapped to attention. Golden Fu beckoned them to follow.
Never had Liang Yu been so close to the supposed once-in-three-generations beauty, and for the first time his old eyes could appreciate her gorgeousness. He guided the princess and her small entourage into an alley, grateful he’d been able to convince her to follow. Her suspicious questioning, hidden behind a decent semblance of shock, suggested she was no longer the gullible girl he remembered stalking a year ago. Even then-Household Minister Hong had manipulated her.
Liang Yu glanced around to make sure they weren’t being followed. For the time being, he held a potential claimant to regent. The sooner he took care of her eight guards, none who appeared formidable—
“Fu,” she said. “Everyone seems so calm. Life goes on as usual. Are the imperial armies ready to repel the invasion?”
Fu nodded. “Yes, Dian-xia. A combined force of imperial and provincial soldiers, three hundred thousand strong.”
“Which provinces march with the imperial army?”
So idealistic. She was undoubtedly trying to think of a peaceful resolution to the rebellion. Her leadership would make Hua stronger…but only after they crushed Peng and his Maduran allies. “Zhenjing, Ximen, and Fengu Provinces all obeyed the Mandate of Heaven.”
“And the others?” Her authoritative tone showed the slightest hint of worry.
