Dragon Dance by John Christopher

Author:John Christopher
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Aladdin

8

SIMON ASKED BEI PEN: “WILL you send someone after them?”

“It would serve no purpose.”

“You could have him brought back.”

“Supposing they could be found, in the first place. The bounds of the Middle Kingdom are wide. And would he thank me for it? Or thank you?”

“He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He needs protection from the illusion she puts into his mind. Protection against himself, if you like.”

“In sleep, first mind is defenceless against the dreams that invade it. But B’lad was not sleeping when he went away with Li Mei.”

“But he doesn’t have the powers she has!”

“True. And that is why I broke the illusion for him. It was not easy, and the consequences are immeasurable.”

“You may have broken it, but obviously it’s come back.”

“There is a difference. Now he knows it to be an illusion, even though he embraces it.”

“But can’t you do something about that?” Simon tried, hopelessly, to think of a Chinese word for deprogramming. “Through the law of suggestion?”

“A puppet pulled by different strings is still a puppet. It may be that in the end he will reject illusion. But only he can do it.”

“If you won’t do anything,” Simon said, “I shall. At least I can go and look for him.” He stared at Bei Pen. “You won’t try to stop me?”

Bei Pen inclined his head. “No one will.”

• • •

Bei W’ih said: “I leave in the morning. Are you coming with me, Si Mun?”

“No.”

The big man looked speculatively at him. “I looked to have two companions. First, one is lost and now, it seems, the other. Your friend follows a will-o’-the-wisp. What is it you have decided you would rather do than watch my dragons fly?”

“I’m going after him.”

“And which road will you travel?”

Simon did not answer.

“If you go south and they have gone north, it will be a long journey. And every crossroads can lead you further astray.”

He came to Simon and put an arm around his shoulders.

“It is understandable that you should wish to find your friend, and proper. But let us apply second mind to the situation and think rationally. You could wander for years and find yourself further off at the end. It is better to be in one place and listen to what travels on the wind. The army has scouts and spies by the thousand. If their eyes and ears do not bring news of him, nothing can. And meanwhile”—he grinned—“you will see the dragons.”

• • •

They travelled very light, taking no rations. Everywhere, at the sight of the blue priestly robes, the villagers brought out the best of their food and drink. On the third night, at a large village in the rich farming land of the plain, a banquet was provided by the local mandarin.

As the long succession of exotic dishes wound towards an end, Simon became aware of an atmosphere of expectancy. When the lamps were being extinguished, he guessed what it was about: a magic show like the one Bei Tsu had failed to perform at the palace.

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