Eon - 01 Eon

by Alison Goodman

'Did she, perhaps, ask you to befriend me?'

  My misstep answered his question. He smiled at my surprise.

  'It was not so hard to divine,' he said. 'My mother is a woman and so believes the bonds of friendship and love are stronger than the bonds of political alliance.' He stopped and turned to face me. 'Which do you think is the strongest bond. Lord lion?'

  I looked into his dark eyes, searching for some clue to the answer. Was he like so many others of rank who just wanted to hear his own thoughts echoed, or was he truly interested in my view? All I could see was curiosity and openness. I would have to guard against his charm —his warm manner could make it easy to fall into the trap of voicing an unguarded opinion.

  'Political alliance, Your Highness.'

  Even as I said it, my thoughts flashed to Dolana and the salt farm. The first night I arrived she pushed me against the wall and slept in front of me, her body a shield. The next morning she sewed a pocket in my rough tunic for my few belongings, and showed me how to hold my body to avoid the whipmaster's attention. Later, at the salt pit, when she fell to the ground coughing, I hauled her sack and mine to the carts and kept the line moving. In that one night and day, there had been no time for the higher pursuits of friendship or politics. Our immediate bond had been far more basic.

  'Well, my father will be pleased,' the Prince said.

  He started walking again. I matched his pace, pushing through the stiffness that was fast overtaking me. He was frowning. Was my answer wrong, after all?

  'I believe love and friendship are stronger,' he said abruptly. 'Do you think me weak and womanly?'

  'No,' I said, startled into bluntness.

  He gave me a quick, self-conscious smile. 'Sometimes I wonder if my thoughts are too much influenced by living here. With the women.'

  We paused in front of the large middle gate as the porter hurried to lift the latch. Through the gilded bars I saw another courtyard, this one dominated by an elaborate pavilion set in the centre of a large pond. A wooden bridge arched over the water to a small veranda, the corners of its gold roof sweeping upwards into a carved dragon at each point. Two large folding shutters had been pulled back and showed the figure of a man watching our approach.

  The porter swung the gates open, falling to his knees as we passed under the arch of the wall.

  'Men also think friendship is a strong bond, Your Highness,' I said, feeling the gods' whimsy in my sudden role as authority on manliness. 'But it is not something that happens on order and the trust at its centre can take a long time to ripen.'

  The Prince nodded. 'That is true.' He tilted his head and gave me a long considering look.

  'Lord Eon, I will speak plainly I doubt that you or I have a long time ahead of us if things are left as they are.'

  It was said in a matter-of-fact tone but I saw him swallow hard. In the last few days of whirling fear, I had thought the danger and terror was all mine. But now the truth of the situation wrapped itself around me, like a giant web binding me to the destiny of this young Prince. Every move I made would send ripples through a dynasty of Emperors. A line in one of the Dragoneye texts sprang to mind: Beware the friendship of a Prince. I was sure it was good advice.

  'We may not have friendship yet, Your Highness,' I said, my heartbeat quickening at the boldness of my next words. 'But there is a bond which we can agree upon immediately'

  'What is that, Lord Eon?'

  An image of Dolana, her thin chest heaving with spasms, flickered through my mind.

  'Mutual survival,' I said.

  We looked at one another; a silent sizing up of a new ally.

  Agreed,' he said, and swept his hand from forehead to heart, sealing the bargain.

  The Pavilion of Earthly Enlightenment was sparsely furnished compared to the opulence of the other palace buildings. The most interesting decoration was Teacher Prahn: an old eunuch with skin so pale it showed the blue of his veins, and a shaven head topped by a scalp lock that proclaimed his devotion to the scholarly life. Apparently he lived in the pavilion, although I saw

  no evidence of his tenure. He must hide his bedroll each morning in the tall bureau that stood against the wall. Or maybe he pushed together the hard cushions we were sitting on and slept under the low table.

  '...and the library covers nearly every subject known to mankind. It would be my honour to show you the holdings after our lesson,' Prahn said, sweeping his arms to either side to indicate the buildings that formed the courtyard.

  I nodded guiltily, aware that I had drifted into my own thoughts. 'Thank you. I would be most interested,' I said.

  Outside, the intricate weavings of ensemble music drifted from somewhere in the harem complex. The ladies practising their instruments, the Prince had whispered to me when the haunting melody had started.

  'We have all the works of the great philosophers,' Prahn continued, 'and our maps cover all of the known world.'

  'Teacher Prahn is the keeper of the library,' the Prince said. 'He knows everything in it.'

  The teacher bowed his head modestly. 'I don't know about that, Your Highness. But it is my honour to care for the collection. It is truly superb — scholars from far and wide come to study our scrolls.'

  'They come into the harem?' I asked.

  'Only to this courtyard,' Prahn assured me. 'There is a small gate to the east, the Scholars'

  Gate, that allows entry to the library And all credentials are strictly checked.'

  'The library is only open to scholars in the afternoon,' the Prince said. 'The ladies of the harem have their lessons in the morning, after me. Is that not right, Teacher?' His voice was edged with amusement.

  Prahn's complexion deepened into a blotchy red. 'Correct, Your Highness.'

  The Prince leaned over to me. 'My sisters give him a lot of trouble. Always asking questions and debating his answers.'

  'I did not know that ladies could be educated. Like scholars,' I said, my skin prickling with the idea.

  The Prince nodded vigorously. 'My father says he will not have ignorant fools for companions. And my sisters will one day marry into high positions that will require more than music and dancing. Of course, there are some who say educating women can only bring disaster.' The Prince looked slyly at Prahn. 'But what the Emperor commands must be right. Is that not so, Teacher?'

  Prahn bowed from the waist. 'The Heavenly Master is as wise as he is generous.'

  'I am glad to hear it,' a voice said from the doorway We all turned to see the Emperor seated in a sedan chair carried by two sturdy servants. They were flanked by the royal physician and his pair of eunuchs.

  'Father!' the Prince said. 'You did not say you would come today'

  The Emperor waved his hand forwards, the gold nail cover on his forefinger catching the light. The two servants carried him into the room, setting the chair gently down at the head of the table. The royal physician, this time dressed in gaudy gradations of blue, hovered beside him, ordering the eunuchs to change the position of a small stool for the royal foot.

  'Enough,' the Emperor snapped. His long purple day tunic looked oversized on his shrunken frame, and the Imperial Pearl, glowing pale and pure at the base of his throat, emphasised the yellow cast of his skin. He looked even sicker than he had at the banquet.

  He waved his attendants away, the physician and servants bowing and backing out of the room. The Prince dropped to his knees in front of his father. I bowed my forehead to the floor, Prahn prostrating himself beside me.

  'Come now, what is the rule of the Pavilion of Earthly Enlightenment?' the Emperor chided.

  'All who enter are equal in the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge,' Prince Kygo said quickly, sitting back on his heels.

  'Yes, all are equal in this room. All ideas welcome,' the Emperor said. 'Rise, Lord Eon. And you too, Teacher Prahn.'

  I sat up, warily watching the three men around the table. I did not understand this idea of equality. There was rank even amongst slaves; it was the nature of men.r />
  And what is today's lesson, Teacher Prahn?' the Emperor asked.

  The scholar glanced sideways at me, his face flushed. 'We are studying the advantages and disadvantages of isolationism, Your Majesty'

  A most worthy topic,' the Emperor said.

  Again, Prahn looked across at me, and I realised that the subject was for my benefit.

  The debate began, and although I did not understand all the words or recognise the names of the philosophers, I was able to follow the gist of the arguments. The Emperor, jabbing the air with his gold forefinger, mounted a persuasive defence of his policy to open the land to foreigners for trade and political alliance. Prahn took the opposition, and I knew from Lady Dela's instruction that the isolationist beliefs he put forward echoed those of High Lord Sethon. The Prince acted as mediator, adding a sharp comment here and there that won him smiles of approval from his father and tutor. Finally, the Emperor turned to me, his worn face vibrant from the battle of wits.

  And what do you say, Lord Eon? Does the acceptance of foreigners into our land dilute our magnificent culture?'

  My tongue clagged to the top of my mouth. What could I add to such a learned discussion? I had no knowledge of foreign policy No deep understanding of politics. Across from me, the Prince nodded encouragingly I groped for the only thing I had: experience.

  'I like the coffee that Ari the Foreigner sells in the market, Your Majesty' I said, knowing my words sounded foolish and naive. 'I do not know about diluting our culture. It is just a drink and he is just a man who sells it.'

  The Emperor's smile widened. 'Yes. Just a man, like any other.' He leaned closer, his gaze holding me still. And tell me, young philosopher, how can we know a man's heart? How can we know if he means us ill or good?'

  There was something behind the question that I did not understand. Some kind of test. What did the Emperor want? There was no clue in his politician's face; he'd had a lifetime of hiding his thoughts. The full-hour bell rang through the courtyard, silencing the ensemble music. It was as though the whole palace waited for my answer.

  'No one can ever truly know what is in another man's heart,' I said. That was the gamble my master and I were taking. I clenched my fists beside my thighs, riding out the long silence as His Majesty studied me.

  'Indeed,' he finally said. All men have a hidden nature. I am glad you understand that, Lord Eon.'

  I licked suddenly dry lips. Did the Emperor see through me to my true self? I tensed as he turned to the Prince.

  'But it is also important to understand that a hidden nature is not always an evil nature,' he said to his son. 'Is that not correct, Lord Eon?'

  I nodded, smiling with relief; there did not seem to be any special knowledge in the Emperor's looks or posture. His questions were aimed at other concerns: the instruction of his son and the protection of his throne.

  The Emperor sighed and sat back in the sedan chair. 'A most invigorating debate, Teacher Prahn,' he said. 'My compliments. But now it is the hour for me to sign the daily edicts.'

  He clapped and the two servants hurried back into the room, deftly lifting the chair under the unnecessary direction of the physician. I bowed low as the Emperor was carried from the room, the physician darting around the chair, murmuring orders to his eunuchs like a buzzing fly

  'Teacher, show us the library's sword collection before the ladies come,' the Prince said, rising from his own bow.

  Prahn smiled. 'It is always the swords with you, Your Highness. When will you have such enthusiasm for the philosophy texts?'

  The Prince shrugged. 'You want to see the swords too, don't you, Lord Eon?'

  I nodded, more to please the Prince than in true interest. 'And I would very much like to see more of your library, Teacher Prahn,' I said. 'Does it hold Dragoneye texts too?' Perhaps something in its collections might help my search for the red dragon's name.

  'Of course not, my lord,' Prahn said, his colourless mouth puckering in shock. 'Dragoneye texts are always kept by the Dragon lords in their halls.' He stopped, frowning. 'Wait, that is not right — we do have one Dragoneye text. A red leather folio bound with black pearls strung on silk. A most beautiful thing. It is one of the Mirror Dragon treasures saved from the fire.' He rubbed between his eyes, as though his head hurt. 'I'm sure I saw it amongst the other things. The restorers will be preparing it for the Twelfth Day celebrations, when His Majesty returns the treasures into your keeping.'

  'Can I see it? Can you show it to me now?'

  'Before Twelfth Day?' Prahn shifted nervously.

  'Yes, I need to see it.' I tried to control the urgency in my voice.

  The Prince caught my tension. 'Surely there can be no problem with that, Teacher?' he said.

  'The treasures will soon be Lord Eon's property'

  Prahn twisted his hands together. 'I am not surc.no, no, it is not procedure.'

  I bit my lip and looked across at the Prince. I needed to see that text.

  The Prince's bearing suddenly changed. 'Lord Eon will see his property, Teacher Prahn,' he said, rising from the floor and standing over the scholar. For the first time I saw the young ruler within him. 'Take us there, now.'

  Prahn froze for a moment, then bowed until his forehead touched the wooden floor. 'Yes, Your Highness.'

  He scrabbled to his feet, hovering in a half bow as the Prince walked out of the pavilion. He stayed in that position as I struggled to my own feet and followed the next Emperor out of the room of equality and across the wooden bridge.

  The low buildings that formed the library were similar to those in the first courtyard, but the shutters were plain and the doors were crossed with thick bands of metal. Prahn, his shoulders still hunched, led us towards the buildings on the left. The Prince dropped back slightly to match his pace to mine.

  'Do you think this Dragoneye text holds the mysteries of the Mirror Dragon?' he asked softly He walked so close that I could smell the spice of the storage herbs in his clothes.

  'I'm not sure, Your Highness.' I angled my face to watch him. It was hard to tell where the dark brown met the black in his eyes, making his expression oddly intense. 'It is possible.

  Although if it does, then it seems strange that the text has not been studied before now.'

  'Not so strange,' he said. 'My father told me the vault has been sealed since the dragon was lost.'

  'Then it could have some answers,' I said, my excitement growing.

  'That's the Scholars' Gate, Lord Eon,' Prahn said, calling my attention to a narrow alley between the first two buildings. At the end was a solid metal gate set in the harem's outer wall. One of the large eunuch guards stood at attention, only a slight move of his head showing he had noted our passage.

  'There is another gate too,' the Prince whispered. 'The Concubines' Gate. An escape route for the ladies of the harem in case of danger. Only the Imperial guards know its whereabouts. But I happen to know that women can come in that gate as well as go out.' He grinned at me. 'We should look for it.'

  I felt heat rise to my face. The Prince stared at me for a moment then his own face flushed.

  'I apologise, Lord Eon. Of course, you would have no interest in such things. Forgive my vulgarity.'

  I nodded, keeping my face carefully averted. Part of me wanted to claim interest, wanted to lean closer and listen, but a Moon Shadow would not continue the conversation. The Prince quickened his pace, leaving me to walk by myself.

  We stopped at the door in the second building. The window shutters were closed, but yellowish lamplight showed along the edges. Prahn pushed open the door and entered, beckoning us inside. I followed the Prince into an overwhelming smell of dust and camphor sweetened by the rich honey of wood wax. A large bureau stood in the centre of the room, half of it darkened with polish and glossed by the soft lamplight. On the floor beside it, a young eunuch was kowtowing to the Prince, most of his grey tunic covered by a rough smock.

  A long trestle table was pushed up against the far wall and held
an odd collection of silver, jewellery and porcelain. Another smocked eunuch was prostrated behind an open lacquer chest stacked with bolts of cloth. I saw red velvet, orange silk and a rich brown satin, its folds rusty with age.

  'The Mirror Dragon treasure,' Prahn said, bowing to me.

  All of this was mine? I turned in a circle, noting a large brass incense burner and three carved stools under the window, one of them blackened on the seat.

  The Prince slid open one of the bureau doors. 'This is a handsome piece,' he said. 'How was it saved?'

  'We think it was a new order that had not yet been delivered to the Mirror Dragon I [all, Your Highness,' Prahn said.

  I touched the oiled wood, leaving a smear on the glowing surface.

  'Lord Eon,' the Prince called from the trestle, 'look at this Dragoneye compass. It is magnificent.'

  It had to be the jewelled compass that Lord Ido mentioned at the banquet. I headed to the table, brushing my fingers across the smooth blue head of a porcelain lion as I passed. It was the male of a door-guardian pair. I looked for the female, but she did not seem to have survived the fire.

  The compass was extraordinary: a gold disc with a large ruby in the centre and smaller rubies around the outer edge to mark the cardinal points that formed the first circle. The other twenty-three circles were defined by rings of tiny seed pearls set so closely together that they looked like shimmering paint. I stroked the fine etchings of the animal signs in the second circle. The cardinal points and the animals were the only levels I understood, but soon I would be taught how to use the mysterious characters that ringed each of the other circles. I would learn how to use them to calculate the strongest ley lines, find pure paths of Hua and focus my power.

  If I could find my dragon's name.

  'Where is the Dragoneye text?' I asked, inspecting the crowded table.

  Prahn nudged his foot into the eunuch kneeling beside the bureau. 'Lord Eon wishes to see the folio bound by the black pearls.'

  The eunuch lifted his head. 'Forgive me, Excellent Prahn. I have not seen such a folio.'