by Matt Weber
“I’d better keep it.” She looked suspiciously at the Ratter. “I don’t even know you.”
“I wouldn’t dare seize it,” said the Ratter. “Come. You must be hungry.” A hard thing to be, these days, in the Great South Plain.
“I’m hungry.”
They picked their way over the stones of the Orchid Palace, the slowness of their progress like nails on a chalkboard to the Ratter. Each negotiation of the huge blade over or around a new smashed stone seemed to take hours; and hours, to the Ratter, no longer felt as short as once they had.
“Are we going to have another storm?”
“I don’t think so,” said the Ratter. “I’m doing my best to make sure we don’t.”
The girl seemed to accept this without question. She was a princess, the Ratter reflected, accustomed to adults claiming huge responsibilities. They struggled on a while longer.
“Why is the sword going to a girl?” she asked after a while.
“That’s just how it happened,” said the Ratter.
“My sister is a fencer,” said the girl. “But she ran away. I hope she didn’t get caught in the storm. She’s good at fencing.” She nodded, yanking at the sword, which had gotten stuck in a crevice. It didn’t budge. “She told me.”
“I knew a woman who’s been a fencer since she could lift a stick,” said the Ratter, “and another who found it late in life. One still owes me a bowl of wine. Which was your sister?”
“I don’t think she owes you any wine,” the girl said.
“I mean which type of fencer.”
“Since she could lift a stick,” said the girl. “I’m good at geometry. Sonam is crap at geometry.”
“Do you think you might become a fencer?” said the Ratter.
The girl bit her lip, yanked again to no avail, and nodded. “I think I could be like your other friend. I think I could find it late in life.”
“Good,” said the Ratter. “It’s good to be adaptable. Especially at your advanced age.”
He leapt a bit behind her, where the Cerulean Sword was stuck in a crevice. It shrieked at him; the girl started. He lifted one of the stones that pinched the blade, careful not to touch the alien steel, and tossed it away. The girl lugged the sword another few steps, then began to climb a rock; the sword got stuck again. The Ratter gritted his teeth, versified elaborate oaths inside his head, and stayed.
To be continued…
TENSHING PRATHAMA, “WHITE TENSHING” (his style)
Born -28, to Dorje, a barley farmer of Palden Duchy, and his wife, Akara, a lay minister. Led the White Battalion against the legions of the Priestkiller Worm, winning martial distinction in over two dozen battles including the Sack of Imja and the Horrors at Cricket Vale; personally defeated innumerable heroes of the enemy, not least Gawang Blood’s Midwife and Lin Chön the Biding Thunderhead. Posthumously conferred the crown of Uä after saving his people from the depredations of the Priestkiller Worm, whom he subdued during the course of the Battle at Pongyo Gorge. Master of the Eight Weapon Hand, the Crane’s Migration Step, the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions, the Infinitesimal Step, the Four Conflagration Touch, the Diamond Word, and the Silken Palace Palm. Died 0, of wounds inflicted by the Priestkiller Worm.
TENSHING DVITIYA, “RED TENSHING” (his style)
Born -1, eighth son of Tenshing Prathama (not yet King) and first of Queen Manya of Lha. Raised by his mother at the ducal estates in Imja during the regency of Duke Rabten of Imja. After his escape, led an army of warrior-priests and Green Morning brothers to conquer Palden Duchy (now called the Great South Plain) and found the city of Rassha where the Silver Dragon emerged from the Cradle Mountains. Designed and built the Orchid Palace. Defeated the duchies of Imja, Dhakamma, and Gyachun in battle, extracted oaths of fealty from the dukes, and fostered their heirs. Caused the Summer Palace at Therku to be built. Master of the Eight Weapon Hand, the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions, the Infinitesimal Breath, and the Silken Palace Palm. Died 54, of pneumonia, on the ultimately failed campaign to seize what is now Therku from the Garden.
TENSHING TRTIYA, “MAGNANIMOUS TENSHING” (his style)
Born 44, eighth son of King Tenshing Dvitiya and fifth of Knowing Queen Amta, his senior wife. His eldest brother, Tashi, led a short regency between the King’s tenth and thirteenth years, ceding power peacefully on his thirteenth birthday. Partially suppressed the Indigo Rupture, retaining nearly half the territory of Imja and great majorities of the other duchies as of his thirtieth birthday. Achieved near victories at Evanescent Ford and the Flatulent Springs. Signed the Apple Blossom Charter, instituting the class of freemen. Master of the Eight Weapon Hand, with lesser ranks in the Crane’s Migration Step, the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions, the Infinitesimal Breath, and the Silken Palace Palm. Died 110, of causes unknown.
TENSHING CATURTHA, “TENSHING SILVERHAND” (his style)
Born 74, eighth son of King Tenshing Trtiya and second of Queen An of the City of Choirs; through his mother, Vavasour of Dovetree Barony in the western Garden, a title that descends through the line. Author of many of Uä’s great laws, including the Charter of Corporations, the Catalogue of the Rights of Freemen, and the White Excises. Organized the colonial expeditions that would later grow into the duchies of Therku, Degyen, Tanggang, and Shrastaka. Healed the schism with Imja with a marriage, taking Zangmo, the sister of Duke Dorje of Imja, as his senior wife and marrying three of his elder brothers into the ducal line. Narrowly avoided a fresh rupture with Imja over the succession (see “Tenshing Panchama”). Master of the Diamond Word, the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions, the Infinitesimal Breath, the Silken Palace Palm, and the Reflecting Pool Mind. Said to have made his King’s mark on the Noon Courtyard flagstone by using the Diamond Word to order the stone to yield. Died 145, of a chill.
TENSHING PANCHAMA, “COLD TENSHING” (his style)
Born 110, eighth son of King Tenshing Caturtha and first of his fifth wife, Retiring Queen Daksha, a cousin of the Marchioness of Nagoor in the northern River. Tenshing Panchama Did not receive the royal cognomen until his majority, having been born among a set of identical triplets and days prior to the son of Zangmo of Imja, a sister of the ducal heir of Imja. The attorneys of Queen Zangmo swiftly asserted her son’s claim to the throne, on the grounds that the triplets were born simultaneously and thus tied for seventh; this argument was opposed by the Riverman consulate, which backed the second-born of the triplets for the throne. However, in the chaos of the birth, the order of the triplets was unknown. Thus, until the heirship was determined, the candidates were known by names from the Noble Family of beasts, with the King known as Bat, his co-triplets designated Tiger and Chusrin, and Zangmo’s son called Wind Horse.
Named heir at age thirteen after prevailing over his younger brother and co-triplets in a contest of the Rigors Martial. Although the boy then called Bat displayed no talent at five of the Rigors, his performance in the Four Conflagration Touch and the Diamond Word far outstripped both brothers and father. Survived numerous assassination attempts before the proving, accounting for two of the assassins with his own ferocity and guile.
Defeated numerous heroes of the realm in single combat, though never with a military objective. Escaped Rassha on many occasions, sometimes for several weeks. Present for, though possibly not implicated in, the sack of the Summer Palace in Therku in 156; escaped the chaos at the palace only to surface near the village of Naga-gyo, some weeks later.
Master of the Four Conflagration Touch, the Diamond Word, and the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions. Died 157, of causes unknown.
TENSHING SASTHA, “KEEN TENSHING” (his style)
Born 157, eighth son of King Tenshing Panchama and Queen Charvi of Paggai. Came to the crown after a long regency headed jointly by the King’s Lama and the King’s General. Secured territory promoting several border colonies into the duchies now known as the Plums—Therku in the north, Tanggang and Shrastaka in the east, and Degyen in the south. Supported said conq
uests with several famous orations, notably the Sermon at Dzangbo and the Address to the Eastern Vanguard, and led from the front at numerous critical battles, including the Snowdrift Slaughter and the Charge at the Seared Prairie. Created four dukes for the new duchies from one scion of each of the ducal lines and one of his elder uncles. Master of the Eye of Ten Thousand Apprehensions and the Diamond Word. Died 228, of heart failure.
TENSHING SAPTAMA, “SAGACIOUS TENSHING” (his style)
Born 186, eighth son of King Tenshing Sastha and Queen Xia of Tanggang, styled Seven Feet of Sorrow for her deadliness with the twinned sabres. Suppressed two major incursions from the tribes of the Grass, and defended the Plums against several border raids from the Garden and the River, although at no time did he lead troops or himself engage in combat. Built and expanded libraries across Uä, notably the House of the Green Morning in Rassha, the Archives of Prayer and Engineering in Dhakamma, and the Vault of the Erotic Sciences in Degyen. Master of all the Rigors Martial save the Reflecting Pool Mind. Died 251, of causes unknown.
TENSHING ASTAMA, “THE GRACIOUS REGENT” (his style)
Born 236, eighth son of King Tenshing Saptama and Queen Nyima of the Garnet Grove, his then senior wife (Queen Esha the Silver Scholar having died in childbirth in 228). In 252, settled a dispute over the borders of Degyen by marrying Queen Pema, later known as Mother-of-Daughters, Chatelaine of Dhaul and Vavasour of Seventeen Shrines Meadow, both titles that descend through the line. Abdicated the Orchid Throne in 273 to Kandro of Naga-gyo, styled the Rough-Hewn Torch, for whom he subsequently fought in engagements against a second pretender, Paljor of Jorra, styled the Iron Eunuch. Narrowly escaped death at the hands of several hundred Gardener Cavaliers at Naga-gyo. Dealt the Priestkiller Worm a debilitating wound in battle. Master of all the Rigors Martial save the Reflecting Pool Mind. Died 275 at the hands of the Fatal Lout, a thrall of the Priestkiller Worm.
RATTER JHAN, retainer to Perfect Judge Dorje.
UNERRING JANGMU, secretary to Perfect Judge Dorje.
A CABBAGE-MONGER, bound for parts unknown.
DATANG, freewoman of Shrastaka, styled THE APE’S LEFT HAND. An accomplished student of arms and of the Crane’s Migration Step.
JINZEN, styled THE GOLDEN BAT. A small-time tough.
KING TENSHING ASTAMA, master of seven of the Rigors Martial and eighth King of Uä.
GYALTSEN, King’s General of Rassha and master of the Cerulean Sword.
THE CERULEAN SWORD, a voluble weapon of unknown provenance.
THE KING’S LAMA of Rassha, highest-ranked cleric of the White Way.
LIN GYAT, styled ENVIED OF SNAKES. Brother of the Green Morning and accursèd of the Deity Who Waits.
A THEOLOGIAN, selector of petitioners to the King.
A LEGALIST, selector of petitioners to the King.
LIN YONGTEN, styled THE EAGER EDGE. Brother of the Green Morning, major in the Versicolor Guard, and military historian; formerly selector of petitioners to the King.
THOGMEY, vassal to Baron Huchul of Dhakamma and caretaker to Mingma, an oracular dzo.
KANGJUNGKANGGU SONAM PEMA, Chatelaine of Dhaul and Vavasour of Seventeen Shrines Meadow, known as “Mother-of-Daughters.” Queen of Uä.
TARA, princess of Uä, daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. A young girl.
TSETSEN, princess of Uä, daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. A toddler.
LAMTO, a colonel of the Versicolor Guard, disinclined to allow ingress through the Bat Gate.
MARGAD, a colonel of the Cerulean Guard.
A CORPORAL AND SEVEN MEN of the Versicolor Guard, out to avenge their fellow-armsman.
AN UNFORTUNATE ASSASSIN retained by the Rough-Hewn Torch to eliminate the King.
A CLERK of the Logistics Bureau, no friend to Colonel Lamto.
KALSANG, a machinist of Gyachun.
THE MASTER OF THE EIGHT WEAPON HAND.
SONAM, princess of Uä, eldest daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. An aspiring fencer.
THE MASTER OF THE REFLECTING POOL MIND.
TWO MEN OF THE VERSICOLOR GUARD, disinclined to assist their Cerulean colleagues.
THOTO, soldier of the Versicolor Guard and fiancé to the Princess Sonam.
KEDZETEN, Thoto’s sometime partner.
BENBA, styled FIVE PROSPERITIES, Magistrate of the Northern Border.
A CORDWAINER possessed of unconventional opinions.
A RIDER in the army of the Rough-Hewn Torch, Chief-Marshal Kandro.
NYATRI, prince of Uä, son of King Tenshing Astama and Queen Seba. A young boy and an aspiring artist in pastel.
MME WINTER, patroness of the Jugged Dragon.
KADZATI, princess of Uä, daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. A young woman and an enthusiast of mathematics and military strategy.
LHAMI, princess of Uä, daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. A young girl.
AKARA, princess of Uä, daughter of King Tenshing Astama and Mother-of-Daughters. A young girl.
ODZON, brother of Lamto and soldier of the Versicolor Guard.
SIXTEEN SOLDIERS OF THE VERSICOLOR GUARD with murder in their hearts.
THE WHITE UMBRELLA DEITY.
KANDRO, styled THE ROUGH-HEWN TORCH, lumberjack of Therku, chief-marshal of the First Therku Insurrection, and claimant to the throne of Uä.
THE ENTOURAGE OF KANDRO.
THE QUEEN MOTHER OF RASSHA, keeper of the House of Ogyal in Therku.
THE QUEEN-GRANDMOTHER OF RASSHA, her mother-in-law.
TWO GUARDS OF THE HOUSE OF OGYAL.
SEVERAL HUNDRED GARDENER CAVALIERS with ill intentions toward our four confrères. A detachment from the Gardener invasion force in Therku.
THE SICKLY DRAGON, a Gardener spy.
THE ELOQUENT DRAGON, a Gardener spy.
PERFECT JUDGE DORJE, judge and sometime executioner of the Gentian Circuit of the Court Celestial. In another aspect, known as THE PRIESTKILLER WORM.
AKAR, styled THE ELEGANT REED, Undersecretary for Social Harmony in the Precincts of the Great South Plain. A scholar of the ninth rank, with distinction in dendrology, cerevisiation, and gender studies.
THE WIFE AND CHILDREN of Thogmey, plowman of Dhakamma.
THE DEITY WHO WAITS.
YAMA, a soldier of the Cerulean Guard.
A STREET PROPHET with pronounced views on the lineage of Kings former, current, and would-be.
BHUPEN, Abbot of Gar Monastery, briefly mentor to Lin Gyat.
ZIGSA, a swordmaster of the Cerulean Guard and aide to Gyaltsen.
A SPY OF QUESTIONABLE HYGIENE, newly returned from the northern border.
FOUR DEMON GUARDS brave enough to resist the Cerulean Sword.
THE MINISTER OF LOGISTICS.
THE MINISTER OF PROCURATION.
THE MAGISTRATE OF RASSHA.
THE MASTER OF THE ROYAL FORGE.
THE MASTER OF HORSE.
THE SECRETARY FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THE SECRETARY OF ENGINEERING.
THE SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.
A BAT of the Bat Mountains.
THE GIANT OF THE GRASS, a fencer of diverse talents sworn to the Duke of Imja.
LIN RINCHEN, styled MONKEY TRAINER, a Green Morning brother of Imja.
TWO GREEN MORNING BROTHERS OF IMJA, colleagues to Monkey Trainer and the Giant of the Grass.
LIN JINPA, associate of the Assassin’s Guild of Rassha, a fencer of paralleled loyalty and impeachable reputation.
A MAID OF THE ORCHID PALACE, prone to insubordination.
DORJE, DUKE OF IMJA.
TWO HOUSE-WIZARDS of the ducal estates.
A NUMBER OF DUCAL GUARDS, difficult to count in the circumstances.
A GRASS-SPIRIT OF THE EARTHEN SKY.
A WAGONEER OF IMJA, given to snitching.
PALJOR OF JORRA, styled THE IRON EUNUCH, pretender to the throne of Uä.
THUNDEROUS LIN, a Green Morning brother of ad
vancing years.
TWO LAMAS of the University of Heavenly Ordnance, slightly lax in their piety.
THE FATAL LOUT, thrall to Perfect Judge Dorje. Colleague of the Violent Lout, the Sickly Lout, and the Hungry Lout.
TWO STABLE-GUARDS, soldiers in the Iron Eunuch’s army.
THE MANY-COLORED DEITY.
THE THOUSAND ARM DEITY.
THE LION RIDER DEITY.
THE GREEN CRESCENT DEITY.
THE UNBORN DEITY.
ANANDA, a former nun, now a ghost.
judge, a scribe, and a lout walked into an establishment dedicated principally, though not absolutely, to the sale and use of wine. The proprietor turned to greet them across the empty room with the smile of a man saved, which perished on his face as he laid eyes upon the judge.
“Please pay no mind to my superior’s condition,” said the scribe, a stately, slender woman garbed in a faintly unfashionable qipao. “We require food and drink.”
The proprietor’s throat bobbed up and down like a duck dabbling for pond weeds. “I should surmise you require a physician,” he said.
“We do not compensate surmises,” said the scribe. “Provisions, now—”
“I won’t have a man falling to ashes in my common room,” said the proprietor, finding a minim of courage as he realized that, of his three guests, one was a woman and one gave off the look and reek of a recently expired midden fire; only the silent one a step or two behind them seemed formidable in any measure. He did, granted, carry four long poles with wicked-looking blades at the end; but four struck the proprietor as an inauspicious quantity, both for its well-known numerological properties and the fact that the lout only had two hands.
“That you won’t,” the judge agreed, in a voice that sounded like the words one utters after the death rattle. A cloud of greasy black flecks puffed from him as he took a seat. “Bring all the meat you’ve got. I’ll look much better when I’m through it.”
“Your Honor,” said the proprietor, “I must insist—”