Chasing the Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page B

functions. Innermost and most intimate were the dwelling places for the king, his family, and their necessary entourages. Burying all these buildings had necessitated the sacrifice of the gardens and courtyards and the construction of wooden passageways to connect them all to one another.
    Deep into the palace their path led, up stairs and down, turning and twisting and sometimes passing through walls that were slid aside to reveal hidden corridors and then shut firmly again behind them. But by ignoring such complications and considering each building as a node, Surplus was able to keep a mental map of their labyrinthine wanderings. This revealed that they were following a long spiral, moving inexorably toward the very center of the palace. Had they gone directly they would already be there. But they were being deliberately confused, in order to render them lost and helpless.
    It was chilling to reflect on the personality of a monarch who would think this necessary in his own palace.
    At last they were deposited in an unadorned room with wooden walls and two chairs. “You will be sent for at the Hidden King’s pleasure,” White Squall said. “As I am a kindly woman, I warn you: His appetite for novelty does not extend to flights of nonsense. I advise you to restrict yourselves to the unadorned truth and hope that, in his mercy, he will sentence you to a relatively painless death.”
    â€œThat was precisely our intention,” Darger said. “Except for the last part, of course.”
    â€œYou cannot leave,” White Squall said. “It would be fatal to try.” Then she departed. The guards took position in the hall outside and closed the double doors.
    Darger and Surplus sat down facing each other.
    â€œPoor General Bold Stallion!” Surplus exclaimed. “He looked so terrified to be met by a high-ranking official and so relieved to be dismissed.” Then, in English, he said, “Do you suppose they have somebody eavesdropping on us?”
    â€œThey’d be fools not to,” Darger replied, also speaking in English. He was careful to speak slowly and sonorously, as befit a sage. “It is a bad sign when an underling fears to come face-to-face with his ultimate superiors. It suggests that the loyalty they demand of him is not returned.”
    â€œWhat do you make of the palace so far?” Surplus asked.
    â€œThe buildings, which predate the Hidden King, are of the richest materials and finest craftsmanship. Yet the passages connecting them are merely functional. Everywhere, I saw vacant niches in the walls where jade statues should be and curiosity cabinets thronged not with gold-and-silver-filigree masks and Ming Dynasty porcelain but empty shelves. The furniture is sturdy but hardly worthy of a monarch. Clearly, everything of value has been sold to fund the impending war. Which means that titles, public lands, mines, and future tax revenues from entire cities and industries have been sold as well. Which in turn means that war is inevitable. Without an influx of tribute from conquest, the Abundant Kingdom will be bankrupt within the year.”
    â€œThat was my conclusion as well.”
    Capable Servant crouched between the two on the floor, watching them intently, though clearly he understood not a word of what they were saying. Now, as the two friends fell silent, reflecting on how best to adapt to this deplorable lack of lootable knickknacks, he said, “Oh, sirs! On our trip here, I was speaking with your new friend the city guard, and he expressed his undying gratitude for the kind words regarding him you spoke to his superior officer.”
    â€œThat is as it should be,” Darger said, switching back again to Chinese. “I am glad to learn that courtesy is not dead in Brocade.”
    â€œHe also said to tell you that you will be tested. He said that the man you will be shown is not the Hidden King.”
    â€œThat was an interesting