Taming Poison Dragons Read Online Free PDF

rest of us must stay.’
    ‘But my wife is with child!’ he says, desperately.
    This surprises me. I’m told less than half of what happens in Three-Step-House. I should feel happy at her fecundity. Yet good fortune can be a curse in times like these. So I say: ‘That is good news. Yes, send her with the boys. We can pretend her pregnancy is more advanced than it is. . .’
    I struggle to recollect something important. Thousand- li -drunk spoke of the Imperial cavalry who galloped through in their sky-blue cloaks, pursued by General An-Shu’s men.
    * 
    ‘What of the Emperor’s horsemen?’ I ask.
    Eldest Son waves an impatient hand.
    ‘They have been seen loitering further up the valley. It is typical of our misfortune! For some reason they wish to plague us.’
    Again I recall Thousand- li -drunk’s words. For all his air of mystery, he seemed certain the horsemen were to our benefit. Eldest Son interrupts my thought.
    ‘You must go to the monastery as well, Father,’ he says.
    I peer at him. To go would be to resign the burden of my position as Family Head. I could drink wine and write poems all day with learned monks for company. A tempting prospect. But I have not sunk so far. Not quite.
    ‘Do as I have said,’ I mutter. ‘Now I must go to my room to think. Have some food brought.’
    ‘Father! Do you intend to get drunk?’
    ‘What if I do?’
    For a moment he blocks my way, bristling, then subsides. He bows. I sense that, however much I annoy him, he is relieved I am not deserting him for the monastery.
    ‘Forgive me, Father.’
    ‘Do as I say. That is enough.’
    I stumble up to the topmost house and my room. At least the wine jar is where I hid it, and apparently undiminished, though it looks as though someone has been poking around. I dip the ladle and pour myself a cup, then raise it to my lips with two shaking hands. It does not taste so sweet as it did last night. Proof, perhaps, I have not had enough.
    Tentative taps on the door. I start up, peer round. The taps become firm knocks, at once revealing my visitor.
    Everyone can be recognised by small signs, as one knows a friend in the distance by his walk.
    ‘Enter!’ I croak.
    Daughter-in-law’s head appears round the lintel. She wears no make-up, surely a sign of something. I motion her in. She adjusts her silken dress and cape; then, to my surprise, gets on her knees before me, paying homage. I blink suspiciously.
    ‘Do I disturb Honoured Father’s rest?’ she says, for once not fixing me with her blackbird’s eye. She seems almost afraid. Evidently I am to be spared advice concerning my most intimate ailments.
    ‘Well, Daughter-in-law?’ I say.
    Her eyes remain fixed on the ground.
    ‘I have come to say farewell, Honoured Father,’ she says, sniffily. ‘And to ask for your blessing.’
    Then I remember. She and the grandchildren are to find refuge in the monastery near Whale Rocks. At such a time I should give appropriate advice.
    ‘You will be accompanied by some stout fellows,’ I say.
    ‘There is little danger. But you must leave as soon as possible. And obey the monks in everything. Remember you are their guest.’
    It is the best I can manage.
    ‘Why can’t my husband guard me and the children on the road?’ she asks.
    ‘He is needed here,’ I say.
    She does not move to go.
    ‘Are you displeased with me Honoured Father?’ she asks.
    ‘In what way?’
    ‘You are sending me away.’
    Now I see her anxiety. One of the five grounds for divorce, and the most common, is offending one’s parents-in-law.
    ‘No, foolish girl, it is not that. These are dangerous times. You are aware of our situation. I want you and the grandchildren to be safe, that is all.’
    Still she does obeisance. I grow uncomfortable.
    ‘Something else is troubling you?’
    ‘Yes, Honoured Father. It’s someone I’m forbidden to mention.’
    I can guess who.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘My husband’s brother. . .’ she says.
    ‘What of him?’ I