The girl, keeping her eyes down, pointed at a cured haunch on display The young apprentice wrapped the meat in a cloth and placed it on the bench. The girl waited until he had stepped back before laying the coin beside it and picking up the package. No conversation, no eye contact, no touching; it was all very proper. Yet I sensed something between them.
Although part of me knew it was not honourable, I narrowed my eyes and focused as I did with the dragons. At first, there was nothing. Then I felt a strange shift in my mind's-eye, as though I was stepping closer, and a surge of orange energy flared between the girl and boy, swirling around their bodies like a small monsoon. Something soured in my gut and spirit. I dropped my gaze to the ground, feeling like a low intruder, and blinked away my mind-sight.
When I looked back, the girl was already turning to leave. There was no sign of the energy around them. No sign of the pulsing brightness that had left a searing after-image in my mind.
Why could I suddenly see such intimate human energy? Neither my master nor any of my instructors had ever spoken of it: emotion was not the province of the dragon magic. A rushing heat prickled through my body; it was another difference to keep hidden from the world. I pushed away from the wall, needing to work the backwash of power and shame out of my muscles.
My master's house was three roads away, all uphill. The pain in my hip had changed from the familiar ache of overuse to a sharper warning. I needed to get to a hot bath if I wanted any chance of practising the approach sequence. The alley beside the pork-seller was a good shortcut. If it was empty. Stepping to the left, I shaded my eyes and studied the narrow walkway It seemed
safe; no dock boys sharing a quick pipe or waiting for a limping diversion to chase. I took a step out, but hesitated as a familiar wave of motion moved through the crowd — people scrambling to the edges of the road and dropping to their knees, their chatter suddenly silenced.
'Make way for the Lady Jila. Make way for the Lady Jila.'
The voice was high but masculine. An elaborately carved palanquin was moving down the road carried on the shoulders of eight sweating men, the passenger concealed behind draped purple silks. Twelve guards, dressed in purple tunics and carrying curved swords, formed a protective square around it. The Shadow Men, the soldier eunuchs of the Imperial court. They were always quick to beat down those who did not clear the way or bow fast enough for their liking. I dropped to my good knee, balancing on my hands, and dragged my bad leg beneath me. The Lady Jila? She must be one of the Emperor's favourites if she was allowed out of the inner precinct. I lowered into the 'court noble' bow.
Beside me, a stocky man in the leggings and oiled wrap of the seafarer sat back on his heels, watching the approaching procession. If he did not bow down, he would attract the attention of the guards. And they were not careful about who they struck.
'It is a court lady, sir,' I whispered urgently 'You must bow Like this.' I held my body at the proper angle.
He glanced at me. 'Do you think she deserves our bows?' he asked.
I frowned. 'What do you mean? She's a court lady, it doesn't matter what she deserves. If you don't bow, you will be beaten.'
The seafarer laughed. A very pragmatic approach to life,' he said. 'I'll take your advice.' He lowered his shoulders, still smiling.
I held my breath as the palanquin passed, squinting as the dust raised then settled. Beyond us, I heard the crack of a sword laid flat against flesh; a merchant, too slow in his movements, knocked to the ground by the lead guard. The palanquin turned the far corner and a collective easing of muscle and breath rippled through the crowd. A few soft remarks grew in volume as people stood, brushing at their clothes. I dropped my hands to the ground and swung my leg out, preparing to stand. Suddenly, I felt a large hand under each armpit, pulling me upwards.
'There you go, boy'
'Don't touch me!' I jumped back, my arms across my chest.
'It's all right,' he said, holding his hands up. 'I just wanted to return the favour. You saved me from a sword across my back.'
He smelled of fish oil and old sweat and seaweed. I felt a memory move through my body: of holding up a heavy string of black pearl kelp, and my mother, nodding and smiling and coiling it into the basket strapped across her slight body. Then the image was gone. Too quick to hold, like all the others I had of my family
'I'm sorry, sir, you took me by surprise,' I said, tightening my arms around my chest. 'Thank you for the assistance.' Bowing politely, I stepped away from him. The shock of his grip was still on my skin.
The alley opposite was no longer empty; a group of dock boys had congregated near the far end, squatting around a game of dice. I'd have to take the long way round. As if in protest, the pain in my hip sharpened.
The seafarer stopped beside me again. 'Perhaps you will help me once more,' he said. 'Can you tell me the way to the Gate of Officials?'
There was no suspicion or puzzlement on his face, just polite enquiry I looked at the dock boys again, then back at the seafarer. He was not overly tall, but his chest and shoulders were powerful and his face was tanned into stern lines. I glanced to see if he was armed: a knife slung through his belt. It would do.
'I'm going that way myself, sir,' I said, beckoning him across the road towards the alley. It was not strictly in the direction he wanted to go, but it would still be quicker than the main streets.
He smiled and followed me.
'I am Tozay, Master Fisher of Kan Po,' he said, pausing at the mouth of the alley. He clasped his hands together and nodded — adult to child.
From my ley-line studies, I knew that Kan Po was on the coast. It had one of the most fortunate harbours in the realm, shaped like a money pouch and ringed by seven hills that trapped good luck. It was also the port access to the islands. And beyond.
'I am Eon, Dragoneye candidate.' I bowed again.
He stared down at me. 'Eon? The lame candidate?'
'Yes,' I said, keeping my face impassive.
'Well now, isn't that something.' He dipped into an 'honoured acquaintance' bow.
I nodded stupidly, unprepared for the sudden change in status.
'We've heard all about you from the news-walker,' Master Tozay said. 'He came through our town a few months back. Told us the Council had decided to let you approach the mirrors.
Did my son a lot of good to hear that. He's a year younger than you, just turned eleven. By rights, he should be fishing with me, learning his craft, but he lost an arm in a net accident last winter.' Master Tozay's broad face tightened into hollows of grief.
'That must be hard for him,' I said.
I looked down at my twisted leg — at least it was still intact. I didn't remember much about the accident that had crushed my left hip, but I did remember the physician holding a rusted saw over me, deciding where to cut. He was going to take my whole leg off, but my master stopped him and called for the bonesetter. Sometimes I could still smell the old blood and decaying flesh on the jagged teeth of the saw blade.
We started walking again. I sneaked another look at the end of the alley — the dock boys had already shifted into a watchful line. Beside me, Master Tozay stiffened as he noted the lounging gang.
'It is hard on him. On the family too,' he said, brushing his fingers across the hilt of his knife.
'Wait, I have a stone in my shoe,' he said loudly and stopped.
I turned and watched as he bent and dug a finger down the side of his worn boot.
'You're a shrewd one, aren't you,' he said, his voice low 'Well then, if you want a bodyguard, you'd better move to my other side.' The look in his eyes made the soft words a command, but he didn't seem angry I nodded and shifted to his left.
'I just hope you're not taking me too far out of my way,' he said as he straightened, keeping his eyes on the boys.
'It is a shortcut,' I said:
He glanced at me. 'More for you than for me, hey?'
'For both of us. But perhaps a little more for me.'
&
nbsp; He grunted in amusement and placed his hand on my shoulder. 'Keep close.'
We walked towards the group, Master Tozay shortening his stride to match my slower pace.
The largest boy, thickset with the darker skin and bull-necked strength of the island people, casually kicked a cobblestone into our path. It skipped and bounced, narrowly missing my foot. His three friends laughed. They were city boys, thin and sharp, with the aimless bravado that was always in need of a leader. The island boy picked up a large stone, rubbing his thumb across its surface.
Afternoon, boys,' Master Tozay said.
The islander spat out a wad of tannin leaf, the fibrous mess landing in front of us. His movement made a pendant swing out on a thin leather cord from his clothing: a pale shell carving in the shape of bamboo branches enclosed in a circle. Master Tozay saw it too and stopped, checking me with a hand on my arm. He pushed me behind him then turned and faced the islander. The other boys nudged each other closer, keen for a show.
'You're from the south, aren't you?' Master Tozay said. 'From the far islands?'
The boy's shoulders stiffened. 'I'm from Trang Dein,' he said, lifting his chin.
I leaned to my right to get a better look at him. A year ago, the Emperor had ordered raids on the Trang Dein people as punishment for their bold independence. It was whispered in the city taverns that all the male Trang prisoners had been viciously gelded, like animals, and forced to serve on the Imperial ships. This boy was only about fifteen, but big enough to pass as a man. Was he one of the Trang cattle-men? My eyes dropped, but he wore the loose tunic and trousers of the dock labourer. I couldn't tell by just looking.
Or could I? A cattle-man's energy would be different from a whole man's energy, wouldn't it?
Maybe my new mind-sight would work on him as it had with the kitchen girl and apprentice.
The memory of watching their bright monsoon union made my skin prickle with shame, but I still narrowed my mind into the energy world. There was the same strange sensation of stepping forwards, and then light, so bright that tears came to my eyes. I couldn't separate anyone's energy: it was a roiling blurred mass of red and yellow and blue. Then, like a flickering cloud shadow, another presence. And pain, deep and low in the belly Ten times worse than the monthly pain, as though barbs were being dragged through my innards. Only a power born of evil spirits could have such agony ride with it. My mind-sight buckled. I drew in a shuddering breath as the alley twisted back into view. The pain vanished. Never again would I intrude upon such savage energies.
Beside me, I heard Master Tozay say, 'I fish the Kan Po coast. Hired a few of your people as hands on my boats. That was before the raid, of course. They were all good workers.'
The island boy nodded warily.
'The islands are quiet now,' Tozay said softly. 'Not so many soldiers in Ryoka. Some of the missing are making their way home.'
The boy let the stone drop to the ground, his hand groping for the shell carving. Holding it like a talisman, he glanced back at his friends, then faced Master Tozay and hunched his shoulders as though to separate himself from his companions.
Are you hiring now?' he asked, stumbling over the words.
'I may have a place,' Master Tozay said. 'If you're looking for honest work, then meet me at the Grey Marlin dock tomorrow. I'll wait until the noon bell.'
Master Tozay turned, herding me with his body As we walked out of the alley and into the busy Sweet-sellers Road, I looked back at the island boy. He was staring at us, oblivious to his friends, his hand clenched around the pendant.
'What is that thing he wears around his neck?' I asked Master Tozay as we crossed the road. A good luck symbol?' But I knew the pendant had to be more than that.
Master Tozay snorted. 'No, I wouldn't say it was good luck.' He looked closely at me.
'You have a politician's face, Eon. I'd wager you know a lot more than you show the world. So what have you noted about the change in our land?'
More beggars, more raids, more arrests, more hard words against the Imperial court. I had also overheard my master in low conversation with others of his rank: the Emperor is ill, the heir too callow, the court split in its loyalties.
'What I have noted is that it is safer to have a politician's face and a mute's tongue,' I said wryly.
Master Tozay laughed. 'Prudently said.' He looked around then pulled me over to the narrow space between two shops. 'That boy's pendant is an islander totem, to bring longevity and courage,' he said, bending close to my ear, his voice low 'It's also a symbol of resistance.'
'To the Emperor?' I whispered, instinctively knowing the danger of such words.
'No, child. To the real power in the Empire of the Celestial Dragons. High Lord Sethon.'
The Emperor's brother. The son of a concubine. According to the old ways, when the Emperor came to his throne, he should have ordered his brother Sethon killed, along with all the other male children born to his father's concubines. But our Emperor was an enlightened man, an educated man. He let his eight younger brothers live. He made them his generals, and Sethon, the eldest of the eight, he made his commander-in-chief. Our Emperor was also a trusting man.
'But High Lord Sethon commands the armies. What can islanders do against such might?' I asked.
Master Tozay shrugged. 'Not much. But there are others, more powerful, who remain loyal to the Emperor and his son.' He paused as an old woman stopped at the shop-hatch next to us to poke through a display of yeast cakes. 'Come, this is not the talk for such an open place,' he said softly. 'Or indeed for any place.' He straightened. 'I fancy a sweet bun. How about you?'
I longed to ask him who opposed High Lord Sethon, but the subject was clearly at an end.
And I had not had a sweet bun in a very long time — there was no money for such excesses in my master's household.
'I should not dawdle...' I said.
'Come, it will not take long. We'll get them as we walk. Can you recommend a seller?'
I nodded. One bun would not take long. I spotted a break in the slow-moving crowd and led Master Tozay through it, cutting diagonally across the road to the corner of the covered White Cloud Market. It was busier than usual, the afternoon sun driving people under the shade of the broad white silk sails that had been stretched between carved poles. We passed Ari the Foreigner serving some merchants in his coffee stall, the heavy perfume of the strange black drink thick in the air. Ari had once given me a bowl of his coffee, and I had liked the rich bitterness and the slight buzzing it left in my head. I touched Master Tozay's arm and pointed at the pastry stall to our left, its counter blocked by customers.
'The red bean ones are said to be good here,' I said, standing on my toes to see the trays of buns arranged in neat lines.
The nutty smell of bean paste and sweet dough radiated in a wave of heat. A sharp roil of hunger joined the ache in my gut. Master Tozay nodded and, bowing politely, managed to neatly insert himself ahead of a woman hesitating over her choice. As I watched his broad back and sunburnt neck, I felt another flicker of memory: of being carried on a big man's back and the salty warmth of sun-leathered skin against my cheek. But, once again, I couldn't make the image stay. Was it a memory of my father? I no longer had any clear idea of what he looked like. A moment later Master Tozay turned, holding a bun in each hand, wrapped in a twist of red paper.
'Here you go,' he said, handing me a pastry 'Be careful. The seller said they're just out of the steamer.'
'Thank you, sir.' The heat from the bun stung my palm through the thin wrapping. I slid the paper down, fashioning a handle. It would be best to wait until it had cooled, but the smell was too tantalising; I bit into it, juggling the steaming pastry around with my tongue.
'Tasty' Master Tozay said, fanning his mouth with his hand.
I nodded, unable to speak as the hot dense filling made my jaw seize with its sudden sweetness.
He motioned forwards with his bun. 'Is this the way to the gate?'
I swa
llowed and sucked in a breath of cooling air. 'Yes, you follow the white sails until they end,' I said, pointing at the silk roof, 'and then turn right. Just keep walking and you'll come to the Gate of Officials.'
Master Tozay smiled. 'Good boy. Now, if ever you make the journey down the coast to Kan Po, you must look for me. Ybu can be sure of a welcome.' He hesitated then put his hand on my shoulder. 'If that dragon has any sense tomorrow, he'll choose you,' he said, giving me a gentle shake.
I smiled. 'Thank you, sir. And travel well.'
He nodded and raised his pastry in salute, then joined the flow of people in the centre of the walkway. As his solid form merged into the shapes and colours of the crowd, I felt as though he was taking my mother and father with him. Two half-memories that were already fading, leaving only an imprint of a smile like mine and the smell of sun-warmed skin.
CHAPTER 2
The full-hour bell was ringing as I finally lifted the latch of the gate that led to the kitchen of my master's house. Irsa, one of the bond maids, was standing at the delivery door with the miller's man. I watched as she laughed, her hands spread on her hips to show their generous shape, as the young man hoisted a large sack onto his shoulder. Then she saw me and quickly stepped back into the shelter of the doorway Her coy giggles dropped into the hissing undertones of gossip. The miller's man swung around and stared at me, his fingers curling into a ward-evil. I looked away and made a show of shutting the gate. Better to wait until he followed Irsa into the storage rooms.
When the courtyard was clear, I walked slowly up the path towards the kitchen. Lon, the gardener, was on his knees repairing the low bamboo fence that enclosed the Sun Garden. I nodded as I passed and he waved a dirt-crusted hand. Lon mainly kept to himself, but he always greeted me with gentle courtesy and even had a smile for Chart, the slops boy His kindness was not copied by many of my master's other staff. Our small household was very much divided: those who believed a cripple could be a Dragoneye, and those who did not. All who served my master knew that his wealth had nearly run dry; there would be no funds to train another candidate. If I did not secure the apprentice bonus and the twenty per cent tithe tomorrow, my master was ruined.