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nothing.
Both wore the golden robes of the Emperor's court. They crossed the reception
hall, and disappeared into the elevator taking them to their living quarters
below.
"The boy is too thin for a five-year-old. He does not look healthy," said
Mengyao, as they sat down again.
"I hear he's a delicate child," said Mengmoshu, "but even now his presence is
required at court, and he likely hasn't eaten for hours. The Emperor begins
the training of his heir at childhood, and has a difficult task ahead of him."
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"There will be other children, I suppose."
"That I doubt, considering the age of The Son Of Heaven. Shan-lan is marvel
enough. You felt his fear?"
"Yes."
"Then we will soon be called."
And ten minutes later they were finally ushered into the throne room of
Wang-Shan-shi-jie to find the
Emperor sitting on his throne alone. The man who had ushered them in quickly
left, closing the doors
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behind them.
Compared to the reception hall, the room was small, twenty meters on a side.
All was in red, except for the throne in white stone. Thick carpeting, painted
walls and ceiling, six rows of pews for group audiences, with an aisle down
the center leading to the throne, behind which hung thick curtains.
Juimoshu often hid herself behind those curtains, probing the minds of
plaintiffs during delicate hearings, but she would not be there now. The
Emperor trusted her judgment in all matters, except when dealing with the
Moshuguang, for she was one of them.
Wang-Shan-shi-jie beckoned for them to come forth. "Please excuse me for the
long delay, but I
presumed you would wish to speak in private."
Let no other ears hear our displeasure.
Of course. And no witnesses to any promises. Remember that.
They walked forward to the throne and bowed deeply before it. The Emperor
smiled down on them, elbow on one arm of the throne, a fist against his chin.
Now in his mid-sixties, his hair was white, braided into two pigtails hanging
down across his chest. His robe was gold, but on his feet were the soft, black
slippers of a peasant, and he wore no jewelry. A myriad of lines creased his
face, but his eyes were wide and alert and focused on their faces, never
moving from them.
"You've had a long day, and I will try to be brief," said Mengmoshu, then
smiling, "It has been months since I've seen your son. He's a handsome boy."
"He is my joy in times of difficult decisions," said the Emperor. "And
pleasantries aside, I believe you are here to discuss one of those decisions."
Careful. He takes responsibility for it.
"The decisions are yours to make, Son Of Heaven. I'm here only to clarify an
understanding I thought we had with you. Perhaps I have not remembered it
correctly," said Mengmoshu in a respectful tone.
"And how do you remember it, Chancellor?" The Emperor's fist had not moved
from his chin.
"We discussed the discovery of a gifted Tumatsin child we'd traced to an ordu
just west of here, an ordu
you felt was the source of all our recent sabotage. Whatever happened, it was
our wish that child would not be harmed, and we could bring her here for study
and possible training."
"Yes, I remember. And I hear this has been accomplished. The child is now
resting comfortably within the Hall of Ministers. Is there a problem with
this?"
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- Chapter 5
"It is only good fortune that has saved the child. My understanding was that
we would be allowed to retrieve her before any military action was taken
against the ordu
. But your flyers did not wait for that.
We had nearly reached the ordu when the attack took place; Mengyao here was
nearly cut down by laser fire as he tried to approach. Your people nearly
killed a senior member of the Moshuguang, and the child was near death when we
found her!"
The Emperor blinked once. "I do admit to a military error in timing, and the
flight commander has been admonished for it, but he was following my orders to
destroy that ordu and anyone in it. When Mengyao voiced protest from the
ground, the attack was broken off, and I showed considerable mercy in not
pursuing the survivors in case the child was among them. What else would you
have had me do? I went against my own orders to appease your wishes and save a
child I have no interest in. Be reasonable, Mengmoshu." He smiled, as if
talking to a small child.
"The child's mother was killed, and she has been traumatized by it. If she has
the abilities we seek, I fear it will affect her training."
"That is tragic, of course, and you have my full support in making her
comfortable in her new home. But tell me, Mengmoshu, would it have been less
traumatic if you'd simply taken her away from her family?"
"Yes, I think so. Her mother is dead, and the child's abilities likely come
through her, though it could be by the father. We're not sure. The father and
brother had traveled west, and have fortunately survived.
We must know the complete lineage and want them kept safe. We urge you not to
attack any ordu s on the coast."
The Emperor chuckled. "Such concern for the Changelings is most humane,
Mengmoshu. I hear the words of my first wife, and respect them. But rule
Shanji, and the sabotage had to stop. I have taken
I
action to assure that, yet I am also humane, even with the Tumatsin.
"So put your mind at ease, Mengmoshu. The Tumatsin have a sacred place, a
canyon and fields far to the west. I have today sent them a decree giving them
this place, and all lands west to the sea, as their own. I
will not violate this territory I have deeded to them, but any Tumatsin who
ventures outside of it will be shot on sight. And I maintain the right of
inspection, by air or ground. They are forbidden to build an army, for they
have no need of one. I will protect them against any foreign aggressors. It's
all in the decree, Mengmoshu. I will send you a copy of it."
It is better than we'd hoped for, Mengmoshu.
"Your judgment is most generous, Son Of Heaven, and we appreciate it. If we
wish to search out relatives of the child, may we enter the Tumatsin
territory?"
"Of course. You need only ask, so I may provide you with an escort." Now the
Emperor seemed to relax, taking the fist from his chin, and leaning back, his
piercing gaze suddenly softened.
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"I have sorrow for the child, for I know the feeling of losing a loved one,
Mengmoshu. I have had these feelings in my life in several ways."
An infant child dead, then putting aside a loved, but barren wife, and now my
own inability to conceive again.
"Please let me know what you require for the child, and I will honor it. Now,
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is there anything else?
Even an Emperor must eat, and my family is waiting."
"In your wisdom you have anticipated all our concerns, Son Of Heaven. We will
work with the child, and hope to use her in your service," said Mengmoshu,
bowing.
"Another Juimoshu, perhaps," said the Emperor, standing up. "She has been very
helpful to me, but now we both grow older by the day." He took the two steps
down from the throne's platform, and put a hand on Mengmoshu's shoulder. "Walk
with me, Chancellor."
They walked towards the door, Mengyao following respectfully behind by a step.
"I wish to continue working with the Moshuguang in an amiable way, Mengmoshu,
and will do so as long as its activities are confined to the sciences of the
body and mind," said the Emperor. "But those sciences must be used in my
service, and I remain a traditionalist like those men who have ruled before [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]