"Pleasant night?" she asked.
"I think so," he replied, heading for the privy. While he was gone a servant arrived with food and a summons to court. She read the latter and then set it aside for the moment.
After a midday meal and more tea he was in a better mood and regaled her with what he could remember of the night before. Apparently the court at Khotan was a center of trade, and delegations from surrounding lands, both near and far, were always coming and going.
"I heard an envoy from Hind also is here to buy horses," she ventured. He nodded.
"The jewel in his turban would pay for a hundred of them," he said. "I have not seen so much wealth worn in one place at one time." He grinned. "But after the way we stopped the attack yesterday, Zhin Hua is favored at court, and it is said that he will be first to bid for the horses of Ferghana. Of course he was pleased with us." Lin Mei made a pleased face.
"That is good, brother," she said. "But remember, when you make friends, you also make enemies. Others may be displeased at that. Be careful when you walk in the market place." He nodded, his face suddenly grim.
"I got the impression that the court is also a center of intrigue," he said. "There was an attempt on the Iskanderi's life last month."
"Most courts are like that," she replied. "We may get a chance to learn more." She handed him the summons. "Our best clothes, and our swords," she said. He nodded in agreement.
A short while later, dressed in blue silk jackets and black silk trousers, they arrived at the thick-walled royal compound. Grim-faced guards let them in through the massive iron barred doors. Lin Mei noted they were not asked for their swords, despite the obvious concern for security. The reason became obvious when they were met by an elderly man who introduced himself as Rushanak. "Vizier to the Iskanderi," he informed them. He was a tall, elderly man with a hooked nose above a pointed beard and dark brooding eyes that made Lin Mei uneasy. He escorted them to a building set apart from the main palace.
"Prince Firuz and his court are housed here," he said. "Please await him. There is wine and food," he added, pointing to a nearby table. He left in a flurry of silken robes, much to Lin Mei's relief.
"Interesting character," Biao Mei muttered. Lin Mei nodded.
It was not long before a small party entered the room, two men and a woman, escorting a young boy barely in his teens.
The young boy was Firuz, of course, and the woman was introduced at Ayshan, his mother. The two men were relatives, who also seemed to be guards.
"I'm told you two saved my life yesterday," Firuz said. "Thank you."
"Our pleasure, and an honor," Biao Mei replied gallantly. "It is unfortunate that your entry was marred by such an incident."
"It would have been much worse if it had succeeded," Ayshan said. "It is good to arrive safely."
"A journey over the mountains in winter cannot have been easy," Lin Mei noted.
"It wasn't," Ayshan replied curtly. Then as if suddenly noting her tone of voice, she softened.
"Please, sit down, and let us eat together."
The meal was good, if simple. Lin Mei used the occasion to learn something about the lands to the West, being careful to avoid stirring up painful memories.
"Iskander is a common name?" she asked. Ayshan nodded.
"And a title. The ruler here is called the Iskanderi. A thousand years ago a king named Iskander led an army from the far West to the borders of Hind, and almost to the borders of the Empire," she said. "He married a woman of these lands," she waved her hand to the window, now shuttered against the winter cold, "named Rukshan, and they had a son. Even after a thousand years, his shadow lays long across the lands he conquered." She smiled slightly. "The Iskanderi, ruler of Khotan, has golden hair, and because of that, claims descent from the conqueror." Her slight smile showed her doubt. Lin Mei smiled back. Dubious claims of descent were not uncommon.
"You must stay here, as my guests," Firuz said suddenly. "You can be my guards." Lin Mei took a moment to gather her thoughts.
"We are servants of the Empire" she replied diplomatically, "and such a decision would require the approval of the Iskanderi, who rules here." To soften the words, she said to Ayshan, "Perhaps his approval could be sought?" Ayshan smiled.
"I could ask," she said. "But we have taken too much of your time," she added, rising. "Thank you for all you have done."
"A pleasure," Lin Mei replied. But something in the look Ayshan gave her as they parted made her motion to her brother as their hosts left the room. She was not surprised when Ayshan returned a few moments later, alone.
"Thank you for meeting me," she said, motioning to the seats. "I think it would be good for you two to move in here." Lin Mei looked a question at her.
"You fear danger?" she asked. Ayshan nodded, her lips a thin, grim line.
"Before the invasion, the Vizier, Rushanak, wrote to me asking that I send him the Casket of Dioxippus," she said. "It is a small wooden box bound with iron, locked, about this size." She held her hands apart a short distance. "When we had to flee I brought it with me, thinking it might be useful. When we arrived the Vizier asked if I had it, and immediately took it. It seems very important to him."
"Do you know what is in it?" Lin Mei interrupted.
"I think it may be the ashes of Dioxippus," Ayshan replied, "but I am not sure. I know that Dioxippus was a great fighter, and a champion of Iskander, who incurred his lord's wrath and was forced to drink poison, but the story is old, and that is all I know." Lin Mei nodded.
"Who is Rushanak?" she asked. "Besides being the Iskanderi's Vizier, what is he?"
"He is the Iskanderi's uncle, and the tutor to his son." Ayshan replied, "and Master of the Storerooms. His brother is Captain of the Guard."
"So he is family," Lin Mei interrupted.
Ayshan nodded. "Last night I heard the horses outside in the courtyard snort and whinny as if they were frightened," she went on. "I opened the shutters and saw a dark figure speed across the courtyard, too fast for a normal man. When I went down the stairs I found the guards in an agitated condition. Someone had been seen trying to enter the royal compound, but had escaped. They described him as all in black, from top to bottom."
"Anshazhe!" Biao Mei breathed. "Out here?" Ayshan looked puzzled.
"Spies and assassins, for hire," Lin Mei explained. "We have encountered them before."
"Then you must stay," Ayshan said with resolve. "I will ask it of the Iskanderi right away."
By mid-afternoon they were ensconced in the royal compound, in luxurious quarters near the ones given to Firuz and his much abbreviated court.
"I could get used to this," Biao Mei said, popping a dried date into his mouth. Lin Mei smiled.
"Enjoy it while it lasts," she said. "We return to our usual life as caravan guards when the winter season ends." She looked out the window at the country side beyond. Thin silver lines traced out canals, frozen over now, that enclosed brown fields patched with snow. In summer they would be green, irrigated by water brought down from the snow covered peaks to the West. The lands around them for hundreds of miles were referred to as the Gardens of Asia. In addition to the wealth of the fields and the jade mines, Khotan sat at the junction of several important roads and benefited from the trade that passed over them. They were in a rich and powerful kingdom. She closed the shutters. A warm meal awaited them.
Afterwards they went out, her brother to the market square, while she took a stroll about the compound. She talked to the guards, reaching an accommodation and understanding. She and her brother were there at the whim of Prince Firuz, to ease his mind. She and Biao Mei would do occasional rounds, for the sake of form, but the guards would continue to be responsible for the safety of the compound and all within it. With everyone satisfied, she went down into the city.
A few hours in the market place netted her more gossip, and the location of a certain temple. A short walk and she was in a simple courtyard enclosing an open air altar beneath a roof supp
orted by two wide pillars. A pool of water lay between the gate and the altar, on which a fire burned. She paused to drop two silver coins into the collection box, which brought a pleased look from the attendant priest. She took a pinch of incense from a small bowl nearby and dropped it into the flame, and clapped her hands and muttered a short, general prayer. It was always wise to show respect to the Gods in a foreign land.
"I have heard of your faith," she said to the priest, a tall gray-bearded man dressed all in white, who gave his name as Aban.
"We follow the teachings of Zarustra," he said. "The Path of Light. Earth and water, fire and air. There are the forces of the world. We keep them in balance in the battle between Light and Dark."
"People say it is the faith of the land of Prince Firuz." A cloud came over the priest's face.
"Yes," he replied slowly. "But evil times come. Followers of a new faith have conquered the lands of our ancestors. The temples are torn down and believers must flee. The king, Yazdgerd, was beheaded before his own son." He looked down at Lin Mei.
"His sister is one of the wives of the Son of Heaven" he said. "It is believed Prince Firuz and his followers will seek protection at the Heavenly Court." She nodded. It confirmed what the street vendor had told her.
"We met him earlier today," Lin Mei said. "The Vizier to the Iskanderi led us to him." She kept her face neutral as a shadow crossed over Aban's face.
"Be careful of the Vizier," the priest said. "He fancies himself a magician, and in truth he seems to know something of the dark arts. He is no Khotan, but from Fergana. His sister was the mother of the Iskanderi.
"How is that?" Lin Mei asked. The priest shrugged.
"A generation ago the two kingdoms were one, and then the royal family split. The rulers of Fergana do not recognize Khotan, and call Rushanak their Governor here. They will not allow anyone to come into Fergana to purchase horses, but insist that all sales be done by the Vizier of Khotan. The horses are herded here after the transactions are concluded."
"And his brother is the Guard Captain. That is odd," Lin Mei said thoughtfully. "And the Iskanderi allows this?" Aban made a gesture.
"Kings have their ways," he said.
"Such an arrangement would allow the Vizier great opportunities for profit," she mused. Aban snorted.
"If so, there is little evidence of it. His dress and quarters are no more than might be expected."
Lin Mei thanked him, dropping another silver coin as an offering as she left.
It was late afternoon when she returned to their quarters. The cats were asleep, Shadow on his back near the bones of a cooked fowl. His rounded belly gave evidence of where the rest of the bird had gone. Twilight rested nearby, paws tucked neatly under her, eyes closed, some fish bones neatly piled in front of her. Somehow Lin Mei felt that the meal had not been intended for them. Smiling she rang a bell for the servants to bring another meal for her and her brother.
It arrived just as he did. They ate with gusto, hungry after the day's events.
"Another dinner at the palace tonight," he said around a mouthful of food. "I could get you an invitation if you want."
She shook her head. "I'll rest instead," she said. "Don't drink too much wine, I think we should do some scouting later, after you return." A look of interest crossed his face.
"That dark figure?" he asked. She nodded. He shrugged. "The wine here is good," he said, "and the royal cellars are well stocked. But I have the rest of the winter to sample them. I'll leave early."
It was not too late when he returned. The windows in their new quarters also opened out over a terrace, and soon they were traversing the rooftops of the compound. Earlier she had determined the location of the Vizier's home, a flat-roofed building separate from all others within the royal compound, but it was only a short distance away. Her gathering of gossip had paid well. Some servant girls had told her of the rooms they cleaned. On the upper floor of the Vizier's quarters was a room always locked and forbidden to all others.
A deep shuttered window a few feet below offered only a short delay. Lin Mei went down first, crouching in the window opening while she listened for sounds from within. Nothing. She picked the latch and slowly pushed open the shutters. After assuring that the room was empty she reached out and caught the cats as Biao Mei dropped them down. Shadow and Twilight were already exploring the room as he dropped in. They left the shutters open to allow in light, and looked around.
It was a large room, taking up a quarter of the upper level of the building. Boxes and bound bundles were stacked on the floor, and shelves held books and scrolls. But there was no sign of anything that might be the Casket of Dioxippus. A sudden cold suspicion grew in her.
"The Palace!" she said. The door to the hallway was easily opened from inside, although she was careful to make sure it locked behind them. The courtyard in the center of the royal compound was empty at that time of night, and they made quick progress to the Iskanderi's palace. Guards were posted around it, but a short distance away, around a corner and out of the guards' sight they spotted a tall figure in the shadows, crouching over a small box. Quickly they ducked into the shadow of a stairway from where they could watch.
It was the Vizier. They heard him start to chant in a slow, sonorous voice, his hands tracing symbols in the air before him.
Slowly a dark shadow rose before him, coalescing into a manlike form. It was tall, as tall as Rushanak, but heavier, more muscular. And suddenly clarity flashed in Lin Mei's mind.
"Dioxippus!" she breathed sharply into her brother's ear. He nodded, his face drawn and intent. Next to them the cats crouched, ears drawn back, tails whipping back and forth.
In tales told in the market, gossip in taverns and inns, legends spun around campfires, they had heard of magicians bringing the dead back to life to do their bidding. They had seen enough to know that at least some of the tales were true.
The chanting stopped. The Vizier pointed toward the palace. The dark figure moved away, traveling faster than its pace should have allowed. In moments it was lost in the shadows. Lin Mei's mind raced before settling on a decision.
"Assassin!" she yelled, stepping out into the light. The guards nearby sprang to alertness, looking in her direction, some already reaching for their weapons.
"Assassin!" she cried again. "An assassin is after the Iskanderi! He is already inside the palace!"
"Who are you?" one of the guards yelled.
"Lin Mei!" She yelled back. "We talked earlier," she added, recognizing him. He nodded, seeing her in the light. Quickly he turned, barking orders. Lin Mei used the moment to look for the Vizier, but he was nowhere to be seen.
All around the compound men were yelling and running about, torches were being lit, and windows were being thrown open and candles and lamps lit within.
In moments they were surrounded, their weapons taken, and they were escorted into the lower level of the palace to the guard rooms. They were treated respectfully, but they knew better than to cause any problems. The cats paced alongside, eyed curiously by the guards, but no one interfered.
She used the time to think. They were in the Lion's Den, a phrase she had heard from a storyteller telling tales from the far West, and unarmed, save for their wits. Her wits, she corrected herself silently. Her brother was a tough and skilled fighter, and while he was not lacking in wit, she was better at matters not involving cold steel. Fortunately he had enough sense to know that.
"Anshazhe," she whispered to him. He nodded.
"What did you say?" one of the guards asked.
"Anshazhe," she said, more loudly. "Hired spies and assassins. We have encountered them before. They dress all in black, and use a variety of weapons." That caused a flurry of questions and some of the guards were sent upstairs with the new information. They were led to a small room with chairs and a table, and told to wait. The cats curled up in a corner.
Soon a man entered the room, tall, with an air of authority, armed and armored. His hooked nose
and brooding eyes made it no surprise when he introduced himself at Afsar, the Guard Captain.
"Anshazhe?" he asked. They both nodded. "And how did you two happen to be out at this time of night?"
"We are part of Prince Firuz's Guard," Lin Mei responded. "We were doing our rounds when we spotted him approaching the palace. We gave the alarm."
Afsar looking at them hard for a few moments before turning to one of his men.
"Is that so?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir," the guard replied, one of the men she had spoken to earlier. "Prince Firuz requested they be part of his Guard. The Iskanderi approved the request."
Afsar looked back down at them, his lips pursed in a thin line. They were spared further scrutiny by the arrival of a guard at the door, who whispered something in Afsar's ear.
"Some of the guards on the upper floor reported a dark figure lurking in the shadows at the end of a hallway near the Iskanderi's rooms," he said. "The man fled as they approached with torches. So it appears your story may be true."
Another guard appeared in the doorway.
"The Iskanderi wishes to see these two," he said, motioning to Lin Mei and Biao, "and their…" he stopped for a moment, looking at the cats, "…creatures," he finished.
Afsar looked down at them for long moment, then at the cats. His lips set in a thin smile.
"Then let's not keep him waiting," he said.
The Iskanderi was a tall man, muscular, with a horseman's stance. He was dressed in red silk jacket and blue silk trousers, with a gold diadem on golden curly hair, cut short. But the twin daggers and the sword at his belt were plain and showed use. They entered the room and bowed. He gestured with his hand for them to approach. The two cats padded along behind.
"So I have you to thank for giving the alarm," he said.
"Our duty and our pleasure," Biao Mei said.
"Anshazhe," he mused. "I have heard of them. But not so far from the Empire."
"They are hirelings," Biao Mei said. "And this is a rich kingdom. There would be gold to hire them, if someone wanted to." The Iskanderi looked at them, then down at the cats. He might have been amused.
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress XXV Page 10