The Dragon Gods Box Set

by Resa Nelson

  Dizzy and light-headed, Frayka collapsed to the ground and blacked out.

  CHAPTER 22

  “Now you understand,” Madam Po said to Ti in the otherwise-empty courtroom in the Hall of Justice. “It is especially important because you are empress. Everything you do will set precedent for all people of Zangcheen, the Wulong Province, and even all of the Far East. It is why you must strive to act with wisdom with every decision you make.”

  Now let’s see how the empress responds.

  Ti blanched.

  For days, Madam Po had suspected Empress Ti knew more than she cared to admit about the sudden death of Emperor Po. To the best of Madam Po’s knowledge, everyone assumed it to be an accidental death. But she had her doubts, which Ti had just confirmed.

  The empress knows that I suspect. Let’s see what she’ll do next.

  “Will you help me?” Ti said.

  The empress’s response both surprised Madam Po and gave her a sense of relief. If the girl empress had done something terrible, there might yet be a chance for her to redeem herself. Madam Po bowed. “It would be my greatest pleasure.”

  Ti’s gaze turned sharp. “It is my pleasure to learn everything you can teach me. But I’m now tired and have other things to do. You’re dismissed until tomorrow.”

  Empress Ti then called out for the guards, who opened the closed doors and entered the courtroom from the hallway outside. Ti told them, “Escort Madam Po to her quarters.”

  “My Empress, please,” Madam Po said, standing her ground. “I beg for your consideration that I might return to my own home.”

  Ti motioned for the guards to wait. “Your home? Does the palace offend you?”

  Madam Po knew she must tread with care. “Of course not, my Empress. But I am accustomed to living a simple life in a simple home. Spending so much time in the palace is overwhelming.”

  What Madam Po failed to mention was that being imprisoned in a small room in the palace made it impossible for her to search for Njall. She worried about him and wondered if he had been sent to a distant region of the Wulong Province or maybe even killed.

  Another guard entered the room. He hesitated for a moment, looking from the other guards to Madam Po and then to Empress Ti. The guard took a cautious step forward. “Empress?”

  Ti answered him with a stern look.

  The guard cleared his throat. “The merchant TeaTree waits outside. He says he brings the finest new clothes fit for royalty.”

  “Oh!” Ti brightened. “I’ll see him.”

  When the other guards moved toward Madam Po, Ti told them, “Not yet.”

  To Madam Po, Ti said, “So you’re used to a simple life. You’re still a member of the Po Dynasty. And I’ve asked you to help me. To teach me. It’s obvious that it’s far more convenient if you stay here in the palace than travel back and forth every day to your house in Zangcheen.” Ti offered a sweet smile. “I wouldn’t want any harm to come your way.”

  Madam Po met the cold stare behind Ti’s smile with resolve. Madam Po recognized the disguised threat. Only someone who suspected Ti of bringing harm to her own father would understand the warning in her words.

  If the girl had no qualms about bringing about her father’s death, then she won’t hesitate to kill me.

  Madam Po bowed. “I am most happy to do as my empress wishes.”

  The cold expression remained in Ti’s eyes. “Good.”

  As the guards escorted Madam Po out of the courtroom, her path crossed with TeaTree.

  Without uttering a sound, Madam Po arched a questioning eyebrow at TeaTree when he met her gaze.

  TeaTree gave the slightest shake of his head to indicate “no.”

  He’s had no luck in finding Njall either.

  Before Madam Po stepped out of the courtroom, she ventured a peek behind. She felt no surprise to discover Empress Ti staring at her.

  When Ti shifted her gaze to the merchant, Madam Po sensed that the empress had witnessed the subtle exchange between Madam Po and TeaTree. But did Ti have any way of knowing what it meant?

  Madam Po believed the wisest step she could take would be to lie low. Surrounded by guards, she saw nothing to gain by fighting them, even though Madam Po knew she could easily defeat them and escape the royal palace. But at what price? Being targeted for death by Empress Ti? Not being alive to help Frayka should she need it? Leaving the city of Zangcheen during this period of upheaval?

  No. It made more sense to remain inside the royal palace where she could keep a watchful eye on Empress Ti.

  And, for now, Madam Po rested confident knowing that TeaTree would find a way to weasel his way into the Empress’s heart.

  * * *

  “My Empress,” TeaTree said, sweeping his arms out to the side while bowing deep. He then placed his hands over his heart when he looked up at her in reverence. “We have not yet been properly introduced. I am TeaTree, merchant to the Far East and lands beyond, the Wulong Province, the city of Zangcheen, and the royal complex. I have served war lords, kings, and your father, the Emperor. It would be my greatest honor to serve you, as well.”

  “Serve me?” Ti walked toward him and then stopped to look him up and down. “How can a Northlander like you serve me?”

  TeaTree bowed again. “Begging my Empress’s pardon, but I am no Northlander. Of course, you would have no knowledge of this because we are meeting for the first time. I come from the Midlands, but I have spent much of my life here in the Far East.”

  Empress Ti crossed her arms and gave him a blank stare. “Midlands, Northlands. They’re all the same. All enemies of the Far East.”

  Where does this girl get her ideas? Those countries were never enemies of this one.

  Maybe she is testing me. Maybe she wants to see how I react to outrageous lies.

  TeaTree considered several tacks before choosing the most logical. “I have always been a friend to the Far East and the Po Dynasty.”

  “Is that why you and Madam Po are friends?” Ti’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  TeaTree jumped at the opportunity to confirm his relationship with his dearest friend. “Yes! Our friendship spans decades, as does my relationship with your family.”

  “War lords?” Ti said, shifting focus. “You say you dressed war lords? Where? When?”

  “Many years ago,” TeaTree said, his voice softening as the memory saddened him. “Before you were born, my Empress. When war raged from the Northlands to the Southlands.”

  “The one that caused their destruction?” Ti nodded. “I’ve heard the stories.” Her interest intensified. “And you were in the thick of it?”

  TeaTree saw a chance to ingratiate himself to the girl.

  “Not as a soldier, no,” he said. “But serving the war lord gave me insight. I learned his plans. I brought information back to Madam Po, which she relayed to Emperor Po.” TeaTree looked squarely into Empress Ti’s eyes. “I served the Po Dynasty as an infiltrator. Being a merchant gave me the perfect excuse to travel between countries. The strong fashions of the Far East provided an excellent reason to come here often. And every time I came to the Far East, I kept the Po Dynasty updated on the troubles in other parts of the world. By doing so, I kept your nation informed should those troubles attempt to threaten the Far East.”

  The hard expression in Empress Ti’s eyes softened. “You protected us.”

  TeaTree bowed again. “With great pleasure, my Empress.” When he straightened, TeaTree said, “And now I come bearing the finest clothing fit for your new standing.”

  “But you come empty-handed.”

  “I dared not to bring my cart of goods inside the Hall of Justice without your permission. My wares wait outside.”

  TeaTree’s heart leapt with hope when Empress Ti nodded her consent and led the way out of the courtroom to the plaza outside. The guards by the door followed Ti’s command to join them.

  TeaTree bounded into the cart and tinkered with the rolls of cloth and piles of clothing inside.
“I still keep an eye on the latest trends. And there are none finer than those throughout the provinces of the Far East.”

  Empress Ti sidled next to the cart and watched him. “I imagine the finest of all come from the Wulong Province.”

  “It’s all a matter of taste, but Wulong produces marvelous things.” TeaTree gave a small squeal of delight. “I want to show this to you first.” He proceeded to hold up the first item. “This silk robe comes from the northern region of Wulong. This shade of red would look beautiful against your skin.”

  Ti reached out and compared her arm to the dark red. “You’re right.” To the nearest guard, she said, “Jojen, hold this for me.”

  TeaTree handed the robe to Jojen. “This warm cloak comes from the northern province. The stitching around the hood forms a lovely pattern. Notice the fur lining the hood, which will come in handy on cold mornings or nights.”

  “I like that,” Ti said.

  TeaTree handed the cloak to Jojen. TeaTree rifled through a pile and then displayed items he knew would seem exotic to the empress. “These cream-colored skirts and bodices make nice under things.” TeaTree held up a skirt against his waist to display it. “I’ve kept these stored for decades with the hope they would someday find a deserving owner. The flax came from an island in the Southlands. The people on that island made the finest linen I’ve ever found.” He hesitated, missing the days when he traveled widely. “Of course, they’re gone now with the rest of the Southlands.”

  “Under things,” Ti said, reaching out to touch the material.

  “Yes, my Empress,” TeaTree said. “To wear beneath your royal robes. Or perhaps dresses.”

  He reached toward his cart and held up a dark blue dress made of silk. “The Midlanders often traded for silk from the Far East and made beautiful dresses.”

  Ti stared in wonder at it. “Where would I wear such a thing?”

  TeaTree smiled. “Wherever the Empress wishes.”

  “Then I should have it just in case I need it.”

  TeaTree handed the blue dress to Jojen.

  Hopping down from the cart, TeaTree added, “I want to show you my favorite. This is like a pair of pants I once saw worn on the streets on Zangcheen. I later made a trip to seek something similar for a woman.” With a tender touch, TeaTree held up a heavy robe made of an animal skin covered with pale and short yellow hairs that looked as if a kitten had walked across it and left muddy paw prints.

  Ti stepped closer. “What is that?”

  “A robe made for a ruler. This is made from the skin of an animal from the Far South.”

  “The Far South?” Ti said with a questioning voice. “No such place exists except in fairy tales.”

  TeaTree shook his head. “Don’t believe rumors, my Empress. I have traveled and traded in the Far South several times, although not recently. It is quite a dangerous place full of vicious animals unknown to the rest of the world.”

  The color drained from Empress Ti’s face, and she stumbled back a step.

  TeaTree rushed toward her and placed a steadying hand on her arm. “My Empress!”

  Jojen shoved his armful of clothing at another guard and pushed TeaTree away. Jojen extended his forearm in front of Empress Ti, offering it like a guardrail.

  Empress Ti waved away TeaTree’s concern but grasped Jojen’s forearm with both hands. “I’m fine,” Ti said.

  Bowing, TeaTree said, “Begging the pardon of my Empress, but you look unwell.” Turning to the guards rushing to her aid, TeaTree said, “Call the royal physicians!”

  When he looked back at the empress, TeaTree noticed her legs wobbled as if her bones had turned to jelly.

  Before the empress could collapse, Jojen caught her in his arms.

  Genuinely concerned for the girl’s well being, TeaTree said, “Please, my Empress. What can I do to help?”

  But darkness returned to Empress Ti’s eyes. Still cradled in Jojen’s arms, she gestured to the remaining guards around them. “Take the merchant to Zangcheen. I ban him from the royal complex.”

  Astonished, TeaTree shouted protests that went unanswered while the guards escorted him out of the courtroom.

  CHAPTER 23

  Frayka wavered in and out of consciousness. She felt as if she were floating on a cloud. Every time she opened her eyes, the world appeared dark and mottled.

  “Frayka.” Wendill’s voice sounded distant and strained. “You must do everything within your power to listen to me.”

  The sensation of floating calmed Frayka. It reminded her of what it felt like when she had a portent, even though the portents had abandoned her since she rejected the last one that tried to take her in the Hall of Concubines. More than anything else, she wanted to drift asleep.

  “Frayka!” Wendill’s voice insisted.

  “Not now,” Frayka murmured. “Some other time.”

  “No! Pay attention, Frayka. The serpent dragon’s bite should have killed you, but it didn’t.”

  She vaguely remembered a scuffle with a serpent dragon that entered Wendill’s garden. Frayka had promised to care for the garden. Protect it. The serpent had bitten and scratched.

  But Frayka felt no pain.

  “Tell me, Frayka. You must have ingested something that protected you. What was it?”

  “Ingested,” Frayka repeated. Such a funny word. Thinking about that funny word made her feel like her body sank back to the ground. She giggled at the funny word before letting go of the pull she felt on her body and allowing it to rise again.

  “You must tell me now or you will die. If that happens, your child will die with you.”

  Oh, that’s right. Wendill says I carry a child.

  When Frayka turned her attention to her belly, she thought she detected a bit of extra weight. Not much more than the weight of a feather, but a weight nonetheless.

  My child.

  The feather-like weight anchored Frayka and kept her from floating away from Wendill’s voice.

  “Ingested,” Frayka said once more.

  “Yes, Frayka,” Wendill said. “Please think.”

  Her memories hovered like milkweed silks all around her, glistening in the dim light. One brightened and drifted close enough for Frayka to see it.

  “I remember,” she said. “Her own village sacrificed Ling Lu to a serpent dragon. It protected her. Her sister Luan killed it. If those people could sacrifice Ling, what would they do to me? I ran away. Back to the serpent dragon’s den. I ate the meat of the serpent dragon.”

  “That explains what protects her.” Wendill sounded as if he were talking to someone else, someone Frayka didn’t see in the darkness all around her. “But it wouldn’t exacerbate the harm done to her body. There must be something else in her system.”

  As if an unexpected breeze stirred the air, the milkweed memories whipped closer to Frayka in a frenzy, allowing her to see bits and pieces of her journey throughout the Far East along with the voyage she had made with her husband Njall by sea. One milkweed silk showed their ship battered by the storm that deposited them in the Midlands before they reached the Far East.

  “Limru,” Frayka whispered. “I drank the water at Limru.”

  “The Temple of Limru? In the Midlands?” Wendill’s voice dropped to a whisper. Once again, he seemed to talk to someone other than Frayka. “I was at that temple 20 years ago. I took Norah there. She restored herself inside the Dragon’s Well at Limru. We found it dry. When Norah restored herself, she restored the well.”

  Frayka heard other voices speak softly, but she didn’t understand what they said.

  “Frayka,” Wendill said. “Are you saying that you drank the water from the Dragon’s Well at Limru?”

  Before Frayka could find the wherewithal to answer, the lure of the deepest sleep she would ever know beckoned to her with a wispy hand emerging from the darkness.

  Too exhausted to do anything else, Frayka accepted that hand and allowed the darkness to engulf her.

  * * *

&
nbsp; Empress Ti clung to the royal guard Jojen when he carried her through the long and intersecting hallways inside the palace that led to the royal bedroom. Her insides felt as if they were twisting in knots. Everything in her body felt loose, making her feel like little more than a bag full of bones. She took little comfort when she heard the shouts of the royal physicians to each other as they gathered and raced toward her bedroom.

  Am I dying? Why is everything happening so fast?

  Panic-stricken, Ti struggled to sort her thoughts. Finally, a clear answer came to her.

  When Jojen eased Ti into her bed, she clung to his arms and pulled him close. She whispered into his ear, “Bring Asu Chu to me.” She gave Jojen’s arms a final squeeze before releasing him.

  Without hesitation, Jojen raced out of Ti’s bedroom. He fought his way through the influx of physicians on their way to crowd around her bedside.

  One physician felt her forehead. “You have a fever, Empress. You must drink a full pot of tea.”

  Other physicians checked her limbs, startled by the results. “Her bones!” one of them said. “They’re like clay! How can they be so pliable?”

  Another physician broke into a nervous sweat and backed away from Ti’s bed. “It’s chaotic magic. Someone has cursed her!”

  “The court magician,” said an elderly physician examining her hands. “Someone send for the court magician!”

  “No,” Empress Ti said. Under normal circumstances, she would have yanked herself free of every physician with his hands on her. But she felt weak and helpless, barely able to move at all. “I’ve sent for someone who will know how to cure me. Have the kitchen make tea for later. I dismiss all of you.”

  The elderly physician placed a brief and gentle hand on her head. “Do not despair, Empress. You must hold onto hope.”

  In Ti’s weakened state, his words felt like a warm blanket offered to protect her from the cold of the night. It took all the inner strength Ti could muster to keep from sobbing in relief. She wanted nothing more than to sink into the arms of the elderly physician and let him comfort her.