"Let the old woman go," Jen said. "She has no part in this."
"She does," Natha said. "I want her alive, a hostage to guarantee the flute girl's good behavior." He motioned to the warriors. "Take them. The headsman waits."
Before Jen could embrace his beloved for the last time, he was marched from the chamber. Mafoo and Moxa, Plum Blossom and Voyaging Moon were prodded along behind him, out of the palace and through the Jade Gate.
Men at arms hedged the square. In the pale morning light, a crowd had gathered, held back by spearmen and archers. Many there had seen the Young Lord Prince depart happily from the city, and they had cheered him. Now they stood mute with despair. Two of Natha's guards seized Jen, led him a little distance from the gate, and halted him before the executioner.
The headsman gestured for the guards to stand aside. He seized the condemned man by the hair and forced him to his knees, then brought up a long-bladed sword.
Weapon poised, he tightened his grip on the hilt. Outcries rose from the crowd. The executioner hesitated.
"Strike!" Nathas voice rang out. Sword raised, the executioner stood as if frozen. His eyes had turned from his victim to the far fringe of the crowd. The cries spread, swelling to wild screams. Low rumbling filled the air. The executioner's mouth fell open. He stared in terror and disbelief.
The crowd parted. Onlookers flung themselves aside, scattering to make way for a column of horsemen and foot soldiers. The ground shook beneath the tread of the approaching warriors. Unswerving, step by step, they moved across the square: not men, but statues sprung to life.
The warriors were of solid stone.
Leading them, his granite features set in grim determination, eyes blazing with the cold brilliance of diamonds, rode Li Kwang. Having struggled from the cavern, obeying the instructions of Master Wu, he and his troop had borne steadily toward Ch'angan. Day after day, month after month, in summer sun and winter snow, they held their slow and agonizing course. Through mountain passes, trackless forests, every inch seeming a mile, Autumn Dew had never faltered, nor had Li Kwang lost hope. Now, at last, Li Kwang had reached his goal.
He and his troop pressed forward. At sight of them, Natha's guards attempted to hold them off, raining volley after volley of arrows on the cavalcade. The shafts rattled and glanced off; the warriors never halted their inexorable advance. On they came, while spears shattered against their stone breasts. Horses' hooves and booted feet pounded a relentless rhythm. Threatening to crush all who stood in their path, the warriors drew ever closer. No beings of mere flesh and blood could resist this massive onslaught, like a glacier on the march. Seeing attack was hopeless and defense impossible, Natha's guards broke ranks and fled.
"Strike!" Natha roared again. "Strike Now!"
But the executioner had already raced away in panic. Spitting curses, Natha snatched his sword from its scabbard. Glimpsing Li Kwang, Jen sprang to his feet. By then, Natha was upon him, kicking him to the ground, raising the sword high in both hands to sweep it downward.
• • • • •
Has Li Kwang come too late? Will nothing save Jen? Those who care to know what happens should go quickly to the following chapter.
30
• Visitors To Ch'ang-an •
• Happy Phoenix Gardens •
• Valuable Objects Given Again •
THEY FOLLOWED THE RISING SUN. With Niangniang, the great eagle, at her side, Fragrance of Orchid sailed amid shafts of light. The kite bore the girl on the wind tides, up the slopes and down the valleys of air currents. She had learned to guide the kite, to fly as skillfully and swiftly as Niang-niang. Laughing, she plunged down through the clouds. Niang-niang beat her powerful wings to catch up with the child.
They swooped lower. Fragrance of Orchid glimpsed rooftops, streets, and bridges. Tall towers, flashing golden, caught her eye. She veered to hover above them. "The Celestial Palace in Ch'angan," the eagle told her.
"How beautiful!" exclaimed Fragrance of Orchid. "We've never been here before. Oh, Niang-niang, I must have a closer look!"
Fragrance of Orchid dropped earthward. "See all the people in the square," she called to Niang-niang. "Is it a festival? But why are soldiers holding them back? And there, what are those? Can they be statues?" She caught her breath in astonishment. "Yes, warriors of stone," she gasped, "but they're marching! Marching into the square!
"And there's a man holding a big sword. And someone's being dragged in front of him. What's happening?" Fragrance of Orchid narrowed her eyes and sharpened her vision. "Niang-niang, I know who he is! He gave me this kite!"
Fragrance of Orchid's gaze fell on other figures. "I see Grandmother Plum Blossom! How has she come here? Why are soldiers around her? No matter, I've found her. You said I would, if that's where my path led. Come, fly down with me."
"I am not permitted," said Niang-niang. "You, yes. Fly, if you wish, as fast as you can. Your grandmother is being held captive. The stranger who gave you the kite is the rightful King of T'ang. He has been condemned to death."
"We have to save them both," cried Fragrance of Orchid. "Please, Niang-niang, please help me. I need you more than ever."
"I cannot do as you ask," replied the eagle. "You have come to the end of your journey, if indeed you choose to end it. But I must tell you this: If you set foot upon the ground here, then you and I must part forever. And you, child, will never fly aloft, except in dreams."
Though fearing her heart would break, Fragrance of Orchid hesitated less than an instant. "Farewell-farewell, dear Niang-niang."
"Farewell, dear child of air and earth."
Only once did Fragrance of Orchid look back for a last glimpse of Niang-niang. But the great golden eagle had vanished.
Jen thought it was a huge bird swooping from the sky. Then he realized it was a kite with a child clinging to it. That same moment, plummeting at top speed, Fragrance of Orchid flung herself upon Natha before he could swing the sword. The girl's attack threw him off balance, and he staggered back, half-stunned.
Jen sprang up. Believing him safe, the girl gave a cry of joy and ran to the arms of Plum Blossom. Voyaging Moon, Mafoo, and Moxa sped to Jen's side.
But Natha would not be cheated of his victim. Roaring, brandishing the sword, he set straight for Jen.
"To Li Kwang!" Jen shouted, thinking to take refuge amid the ranks of stone warriors.
Natha's guards, however, fearing their chieftain's wrath more than Li Kwang's grim troop, plucked up their courage and regrouped, blocking the path of the escaping prisoners.
"This way!" Mafoo gestured frantically. "Li Kwang will deal with those fellows. Out of here! Out of Natha's reach!"
Mafoo raced from the square. Jen and Voyaging Moon, with Moxa loping beside them, followed. Natha, in hot pursuit, was at their heels, gaining ground as they plunged down a narrow street and swung around a corner.
Had Mafoo sought to escape through the twisting lanes and alleys, his plan failed. Natha, maddened with rage, still followed. Moxa, shouting for his companions to press on, halted and tried to fling himself on their pursuer. Eyes only on Jen, Natha lunged past Moxa, sending him head over heels, and doubled his pace. In moments, he would be within striking distance. Natha tightened his grip on the sword. Ahead, Jen faltered for an instant. Natha shouted in triumph.
It had been a long journey for Master Chu. From the day he picked up the bronze bowl at the riverbank, he had turned his steps southward. All through the winter, he made his way along snow-drifted roads, plodding from village to village, town to town, sleeping in doorways or under bridges. Sleet froze in his beard, wind buffeted him but he continued nevertheless. Though he asked for no alms, many folk felt strangely drawn to him and eager to fill his bowl. Some offered him shelter in their homes. He smiled, thanked them kindly but shook his head and continued on his way.
At last, one morning, Master Chu came to Ch'angan. The streets were nearly empty. Most of the townspeople had gone to the square in front of the Celes
tial Palace. Master Chu did not join them. Instead, he hobbled down a twisting lane not far from the palace.
Turning a corner, he stopped short. Several people raced toward him. Master Chu stepped aside as Jen and his companions sped past. Close behind them came an armored man wielding a sword.
"Natha Yellow Scarf," Master Chu called out, "you easily broke an earthen bowl. Let us see what you can do to bronze."
He flung the bowl at Natha's feet, tripping him and sending him pitching headlong.
Natha scrambled up almost immediately and resumed the chase, but his victims had for the moment outdistanced him. Master Chu retrieved the bowl and hobbled after them.
In the Happy Phoenix Gardens, an individual wearing a felt cap with earflaps sat at a folding table, an umbrella beside him. Chen-cho had fulfilled one of his ambitions. He had long dreamed of seeing the famous gardens. At last, he had made his way there, arriving just in time to catch the morning light. Next to him, as was his habit now, he had set up the landscape he had painted months before in a village called Ping-erh. Chen-cho had dipped his brush and begun to work. He stopped in midstroke.
"Now, what the devil is this?" Chen-cho had hoped to be undisturbed, but several people were streaking in his direction. Why they were running at such speed and what their purposes might be were none of his business. He started back to his painting. He looked again and set down the brush.
"Why-it's Ragbag! That rascal! Oho, I see what this is all about." Chen-cho chuckled to himself. "He's run off with a girl. And two friends helping them elope. And here comes her angry father. In a fine fury, I'd say. He's got a sword." The painter's amusement suddenly vanished when he saw the pursuer was Natha Yellow Scarf. "Ragbag! Ragbag! Here!" Chen-cho shouted. He turned to the painting beside him. "Quick! Lao-hu!"
Even when he had time to think about it, Jen could not entirely piece together what happened so quickly. First, he heard Chen-cho calling him. He halted and spun around, only to find Natha behind him.
Jen flung up his arms. Teeth bared, eyes blazing, Natha raised the sword for a last killing stroke. That instant, Jen believed he heard a voice cry out:
"Give me no more to drink!"
The blade shuddered and twisted like a living thing and wrested itself from Natha's hands. Despite his bewilderment, Jen snatched up the fallen blade.
At the same time, across the garden paths bounded an enormous tiger. Natha fell back, lurched away, and sped down one of the paths, the huge animal at his heels. "Lao-hu!" Chen-cho shouted and waved his arms. "To me!"
With the tiger snarling behind him, Natha was driven toward the artist, who was holding up a painting.
"Hurry, Natha!" cried Chen-cho. "Into the woods! Jump!"
Before Jen could swallow his astonishment at seeing the artist, let alone the sudden appearance of a furious tiger, he was astonished again. For the next thing he saw, though he could not believe his eyes, was Natha plunging into what Jen took for a painted landscape. The tiger leaped after him. Both vanished.
By this time, with Moxa and Mafoo at her side, Voyaging Moon had run to Jen, who stared dumbfounded while Chen-cho laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Never fear, Honorable Ragbag. I don't think that villain will be back."
Jen rubbed his eyes. "Chen-cho? What are you telling me? Where's Natha? For a minute, I'd have sworn I saw him jump into that picture."
"Oh, he did. He did, indeed," replied Chen-cho. "I'll tell you about that later. One thing I can promise you now. He's not where he'd like to be. If he's anywhere at all."
Chen-cho held the painting for the baffled Jen to examine. "Nice, isn't it? Lovely landscape, best I've done. Thanks to the brush and ink stone you gave me. Look closer. You might see a friend of mine." Chencho bent and called out, "Lao-hu? Are you busy?"
Jen peered at the beautiful scene of meadows and forests. Voyaging Moon was the first to notice, and she pointed to a thicket of greenery. Gazing out from it, orange eyes aglow, was the head of a tiger contentedly licking his chops.
"No question," said Chen-cho. "Natha won't be back." Jen had still digested none of this when a horseman cantered up and sprang from the saddle. "Li Kwang!" Jen stared at him. "In the square-I saw you and your men. As if you were stone statues."
"Stone once, but no longer," Li Kwang replied. "A promise has been made and kept. Much has happened to us, but for now you need only know this: Master Wu found us trapped in Mount Wu-shan. He told me that if I and my men could reach Ch'angan, and you still lived, we would again be flesh and blood. And so it has come to pass. I failed once in my duty toward you. I have not failed again."
Jen, during this, caught sight of an old man limping toward him. "Master Chu?" He would have gone to the beggar, but Li Kwang raised a hand.
"My warriors have armed the household troops. Natha's men have fled, all who lived to do so. Go immediately to the Celestial Palace, Your Majesty."
"What did he say?" murmured Chen-cho. "Your Majesty? King Ragbag?" "Something like that." Jen grinned. "Come with us. And bring your tiger."
They gathered in the Great Hall of Audience. On the Dragon Throne, Voyaging Moon beside him, with Mafoo and Moxa close by, Jen listened with ever growing amazement to each account of the objects he had given during his journey.
Li Kwang had brought the saddle with him. He laid it at Jen's feet. "This is not mine to ride," Li Kwang said, "and so I return it to you."
Master Chu held out the bronze bowl. "This belongs in your Hall of Priceless Treasures, and I have brought it here."
"Your kite let me fly, as I always wished," said Fragrance of Orchid, leaving Plum Blossom's embrace to stand before Jen. "Now it's yours again."
"I'll say likewise for the brush and ink stone," put in Chen-cho. "I painted as I never painted before. Even so, I can manage well enough without them."
"No," Jen said, looking at each in turn. "You must keep them. All that was given has come back to me, but I give them again to each of you. Were they valuable objects when I first set out with them? No, I think not. You have made them so. Gifts? You offered me gifts greater than ever I gave you: friendship, devotion, help when I most needed it. Only the sword will be kept, and locked away, for I do not intend to use it."
"What about the flute?" Voyaging Moon said, with a teasing smile. "Lady Shadow Behind a Screen hasn't offered to give it back. I suppose I should."
"Never." Jen smiled back. "Master Wu said it was a gift for Yuan-ming. I believe he made a mistake. It was yours, always, from the first."
"I think you're right," said Voyaging Moon.
• • • • •
Happy end at last! Not yet. Those who have come this far have read tales of six valuable objects. Now, Jen must have a tale of his own, and it will be found in the next chapter.
31
• The Tale Of King Jen And The Second Journey •
KING JEN AND PRECIOUS CONSORT VOYAGING MOON governed happily and wisely in the Kingdom of T'ang. Their chief councillor was a good-natured, practical minded fellow named Mafoo, who had served his master from the days when King Jen was still the Young Lord Prince. First Official of the Treasury was a reformed robber, Moxa, who was best able to keep an eye open for possible thieves.
Once, long before, when he was a young man, Jen had set out for the marvelous realm of T'ien-kuo. He had never reached his destination and he regretted it. He still remembered the vow he had made to himself on a bleak road in the northern province to continue his journey with Voyaging Moon. Yet, each time he thought he might keep that promise, he found himself always too occupied with other matters of benefit to his own kingdom.
And so the years passed. Jen and Voyaging Moon raised many sons and daughters. The people of T'ang were as happy as their rulers. They thrived and prospered, the land yielded harvests in abundance, the arts flourished as richly as the orchards. The laws that King Jen devised were just, but seldom enforced, since Jen encouraged his subjects to deal with each other as they themselves would wish
to be dealt with. Few officials were needed, but they served their monarch and the people well.
At last, Jen saw that the best moment had come, and he resolved to set out once again for T'ien-kuo.
"From what you once told me," Precious Consort Voyaging Moon said, "we can't go emptyhanded to the palace of Yuan-ming."
"True," King Jen said, "but we shall go emptyhanded nevertheless. Since I do not know what to offer, I shall carry nothing at all.
"The great Yuan-ming will not grant us audience, nor shall I seek one. I wish only to see his kingdom with my own eyes. In that way, perhaps, I may learn how better to govern T'ang."
Voyaging Moon agreed. So, leaving the Celestial Palace in the good care of Mafoo, Moxa, and the steadfast general, Broken Face Kwang, they traveled northward, as Jen had done so long ago.
Jen and Voyaging Moon drove their carriage themselves, taking no escort or entourage, knowing they would be welcomed and received with affection at every stop along the way.
However, scarcely a full day from Ch'angan, they halted. In the road ahead stood an old man, white haired, barefoot, leaning on a staff.
"Can that be Master Wu?" Jen climbed from the carriage and, with Voyaging Moon, hurried to greet him.
"No, it's not Master Wu," Jen said, drawing nearer. "It's Master Fu. No, it's Master Shu. Or-can that be Master Chu?"
It was none of them. It was Master Hu, his beloved teacher who, years before, had vanished from the palace.
Jen gave a joyful cry and ran to embrace him. "Dear Master! What happy chance to find you. But here? Of all times and places."
"Time and place are not important," replied Master Hu, beaming. "Indeed, I get myself constantly mixed up in them; I can never be certain which is which, where or when, and so I ignore them. As for chance, my boy, is there such a thing? Do we call 'chance' only what we cannot foresee?