The House of Green Waters - Southern Swallow Book IV (The Southern Swallow 4) by Edward C Patterson

Author:Edward C Patterson [Patterson, Edward C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dancaster Creative
Published: 2014-01-15T22:00:00+00:00

The snow fell heavily. Despite a chilling wind, the stench of burning flesh, which His Majesty found bracing, sickened anyone who had survived the destruction of Huai-shan-t’ou. Hai-ling halted in the courtyard while his gentlemen draped him in furs, removing his bonnet, and replacing it with an ermine cap. His feet were rebooted and his hands were mitted in leather.

Once His Majesty confirmed his comfort, he strode beyond the Ya-men gates — gates broken and smoking. The town’s main concourse was strewn with the signs of his victory — haphazard headless torsos and frozen limbs piled against the walls. Soldiers still formed lines before women, who spread wide for the martial assault, but when His Majesty appeared, the soldiers came to reverentially, covering their groins — groins flaccid in winter’s excess. His Majesty kicked heads and hands and assorted limbs aside taking care not to slip in the screed of disembowelments. He sniffed the rotten air which spoiled the aromas from the Temple. He covered his mouth with his mitts, and then turned a corner to reach an open square — a plaza as foul as any other. He was gladdened by the sight.

A large earthen cauldron sat atop a roaring fire, the bamboo faggots fully ablaze, the liquids boiling in the pot. Also in the pot were two men — or the remains of two men, stripped naked, the charred skin peeling into the soup.

“Now here’s the reward for interfering with Heaven’s will,” Hai-ling announced as he strutted past his audience to the cauldron’s lip. He gazed in, the men unconscious, but still alive, their bodies trembling as their flesh melted in the scorch. “Which one is this?” he asked regarding the smaller of the two men.

“General Wu Shan-hu,” said a man, who had been following His Majesty.

Hai-ling turned about.

“Wan-yan Tu,” the Emperor said. “Good of you to come.” He gave his cousin a studied glance. “Where are your robes of state?”

“Packed, as they should be, my lord,” he replied. “I’ve been about your business. As you can see it is bloody business.”

“You fought?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I did much in your service today, and these men fought bravely also.”

“But they have lost to me nonetheless.” He turned to address the cauldron. “So, Wan Shan-hu. Do you find your accommodations suitable? And you, Min P’ieh — warrior of many a tale and story, you now have an end to your tale.” The water roiled as Min P’ieh’s body slipped. “I do believe this one’s gone to tell the last bit of gossip to his ancestors. Oh, how I wish I was present to hear their initial screaming.” He turned again, glaring at General Sung Xu-go. “Yes, I’ve been denied the pinnacle of my victory by those who conspire to see me uncomfortable.” He shuddered. “I’m cold, cousin, despite the kettle’s boil. Must be my heart.”

“It’s best you seek the shelter of the Ya-men, my lord. We can sort these corpses out for you.”

“I want them wrapped in silk,” Hai-ling said to Sung Xu-go, nodding his instructions.

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