Shanji 1 - Shanji by James C. Glass

Author:James C. Glass
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
Published: 2011-09-23T07:43:39+00:00

* * *

She sat down beside Mengmoshu. Jin-yao took the reins, sitting on a seat in front of them and the crowd parted as the wagon moved. Mengmoshu was amazed. There were no shouts, no cheers, only silence, thousands of faces looking up at the emerald eyes. Kati looked from side to side, repeating her mental greeting over and over. A focus to keep the color of her eyes? Or were the people hearing it?

They hear me. You don’t need to think up a new test to prove it.

Mengmoshu chuckled, then spoke aloud. “Jin-yao is the Comptroller for Wanchou, My Lady. He"s responsible for all commerce within the city limits, but also deals with the flow of goods from factories and farms.”

“A great responsibility,” said Kati.

“I"m not worthy of the position,” said Jin-yao, “but I work very hard.”

Kati questioned him all the way to the first buildings of Wanchou, wanting to know who he dealt with: factory and store managers, city planners, transportation officials, all in the employ of the nobles. Jin-yao answered happily, pleased by her interest. There was little traffic on the road leading to the base of the mountain, few people to stare as they passed by, but as they reached the first buildings, the cobblestone street was suddenly packed with little carts drawn by animals and people, and others walking, stooped over beneath heavy burdens. Tengri-Khan was blocked out by tall buildings a step from either side of the street, buildings forty stories high, hundreds of windows with awnings and racks from which clothing was hanging in open air. The buildings were constructed of inferior, brownish concrete; absorbed water had created a myriad of cracks and peeling slabs of faded green, grey and yellow paint.

The stench of urine and animal droppings made their eyes water, but it was soon overpowered by something even worse.

The crowd parted for them, people scurrying to get out of the way, and Kati"s greeting was again booming in his head. I come from First Mother, and bring you Her greetings.

The people who gawked at her had weathered and wrinkled faces burned brown by sunlight. All were slender, their clothes clean but worn-looking. The people stared, made way for them, and finally they stopped before a building like all the others. Jin-yao got out of the cart. “There will be a reception for you, Lady Mengnu, but I wish to show you a dwelling for our people if you"re willing to climb a flight of stairs.”

“Of course,” said Kati. What is that horrible odor?

Raw sewage. It runs in conduits just beneath the street to settling ponds outside the city. A million forms of bacteria are breeding right beneath us.

They went into the building and up a flight of stairs. There were no elevators to be seen, and no lighting. Jin-yao knocked on a door and a tiny Hansui woman opened it, beaming at them and bowing, over and over again.

Jin-yao showed them two rooms while the woman and five children, two boys and three girls ranging in age from five to fifteen, stood shyly to one side.

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