The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu

Author:Ken Liu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Saga Press

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

THE EMPRESS’S REQUEST

PAN: THE TENTH MONTH IN THE ELEVENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF FOUR PLACID SEAS.

Footsteps echoed through the circular hall. Still the only prisoner in these lonely cells, Gin Mazoti looked up.

Two figures emerged from the shadows and stopped on the other side of the bars. One was a guard holding a large ring of keys. Behind him was Empress Jia, holding a wooden tray on which sat a porcelain flask and a single cup, both of which glowed with a pale white light. The guard opened the door to the cell.

Empress Jia nodded at the guard. “You may leave.”

The guard looked at Gin, who remained seated, and then looked back at the empress.

“Leave,” said the empress, less patiently this time.

The guard bowed and left, the jangling of his keys gradually fading until they disappeared into the silent shadows.

Jia came in, set down the tray in front of Gin, and sat opposite her in géüpa, as though she and Gin were simply friends sitting down for an afternoon chat. Slowly, she poured for Gin, her movements steady and methodical. When the cup was filled, she pushed the cup toward Gin.

The fragrance of osmanthus, sweet and mind-cleansing, filled the air and relieved the cell of some of its dankness.

Just one cup, thought Gin. She doesn’t even bother to pretend anymore.

“This is from the basement of an old Amu noble family in Dimushi whose property escheated to the state when they were found to be plotting treason. The vintage is among the best for osmanthus wine, I’m told, though I’m no expert. Since you were from Dimushi, I thought you would appreciate it more than I.”

“I suppose that Amu noble’s acts of treason were more substantial than mine.”

“You don’t consider harboring the leaders of a rebellion under the banner of the Hegemon treason?”

“I consider it a duty to protect witnesses to a plot brewing at the side of the emperor as he lies asleep.”

The way Jia froze told Gin that her guesses had been right. It was cold comfort, but it was some comfort.

“Noda Mi and Doru Solofi were fools,” said Gin. “They never understood that they were mere stones in someone else’s cüpa game. And Rin . . . ah, Rin . . . he was always too insecure.”

“I always knew that you would be the one to figure it out,” muttered Jia. “You were always the better tactician.”

“Not as good as you,” said Gin.

“You waited too long,” said Jia in agreement. “I never thought you’d be so bold as to harbor those two. At most I hoped that Zomi Kidosu might convince you to save some of their followers. But when you saved Mi and Solofi, I knew that I had to move right away.”

“I thought the emperor would listen to me.”

“You relied on his trust; that was always your blind spot.”

Gin picked up the cup, and still saying nothing, drained it in one gulp. The wine was excellent, pure and dry, probably the best Gin had ever had.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.