by Jean Roberta
Living in Tikanu was sometimes hard for Amber. Patterns that made themselves plain to Lily remained opaque to her, no matter how thoroughly she examined them. She often learned secondhand of the small missions, the repair and maintenance, that were so integral to the life of the land. The snake stayed by her always, but told her many times that neither of them could ever be truly at home in Tikanu. She believed it, and yet she had never felt more at home elsewhere. And there was beauty and satisfaction even in secondhand quests.
In Tikanu, Amber was not lonely. At gatherings she met strange, intelligent, friendly people. Leaning against Lily, arm around her waist, she joined in their arguments and sang their songs. They fed her, shared jokes and stories—and every once in a while, said things that simply struck her as wrong. Where she was from—wherever that was—something else was true.
Two years after Lily gave her the mint, Amber was clearing the previous tenant’s detritus from the closet of her senior year dorm room, and found that it seemed to go back farther than it ought to. From beyond the pile of papers, she smelled snow and pine needles and the smoky sharp tang of a bonfire. A lilting flute drifted on the edge of hearing. The snake poked its head out from her pocket, alert and eager.
Before she cleared away the last of the papers, she called Lily, and asked if she would like to visit Amber at home.
7
You Shall Be a Blessing
The land of Tikanu spreads from a thousand gardens along with the wild mint. Many people, faced with neighbors inexplicably enamored of weeds, still mark its boundaries with pesticides. But others have learned to recognize a magic akin to their own, and to mark boundaries more gently. They have found that, though one land’s wisdom is never quite so powerful beyond its own borders, still each land benefits from the sharing.
The Feast of Doors has grown to include a celebration of that sharing, because when the people of Tikanu were hungry, people from other nations gave them oranges.
This year, Samira brings her family to join Miriam’s at the library. Dinah is also there. She hugs her old friend, and they settle in a pair of well-cushioned chairs to catch up on gossip. Samira wanders off into the stacks, where she finds Lily and Amber arguing over a history book.
The book claims that, many generations ago, a questing party from Tikanu found a gate to Amber’s homeland. Amber knows the story of the princes from another world, of course, but the accounts diverge so far that she cannot believe they refer to the same events. Samira is drawn into their discussion, and relates her own land’s tradition of a pair of wanderers, at home nowhere, who pass from place to place, always claiming to have started their adventure in the one just past.
Eventually, they go in to where the table is set with oranges and parsnips, horseradish and flatbread, something from every household that has come to the library. This is a season of plenty, now. They sing songs, and give thanks for the turn of the year and the land’s well-being. Every child asks a question, some truly seeking knowledge, others secretly hoping to stymie their elders. And around the table, around the room, places are set for ants and golems, spirits and small winged things, and snakes who come as honored strangers.
Over salad and sweet minted lamb, Amber and Lily share their argument about the history book. Even in Tikanu, everyone has heard a different version of the story. With every conflicting detail, it seems to grow richer. It is a story of wanderers and rulers tied to their kingdoms, of bold sacrifice and quiet obligation, of boundless childhood and adults who grow into their strength. Some of the guests, exasperated by the disagreement, turn their attention to other topics, but Amber and Lily find themselves in love with the tale and all its contradictions.
After the feast, Amber and Lily go home with Samira. They spend a few days with her, learning the ways of her land, and then travel onward. On their adventures, they tell everyone a different story about their origins, some more true than others.
But they know, both of them, where they are from.
•
(Knotting
Grass, Holding Ring)
Ken Liu
Yangzhou, China, 1645
The proprietor of the Three Moons Teahouse brought Green Siskin and Sparrow upstairs to a private suite, where six men were seated around the table.
Through the open window, Sparrow saw a gentle spring rain fall upon the bustling streets of Yangzhou, where laborers and soldiers rushed to reinforce the city walls. Residents milled about below the window, exchanging anxious rumors.
“That’s a lovely waist,” said the man seated at the head of the table as he contemplated nineteen-year-old Green Siskin. He was dressed in a brand-new-looking red battle cape, and Sparrow guessed that he was an army captain.
Green Siskin smiled seductively at him and glided gracefully to the silk-covered bench next to the window. While the captain continued to admire her form with drunken eyes, Green Siskin nodded at Sparrow, who hurried over with her pipa.
The thirteen-year-old then retreated to a corner of the suite, where she set down Green Siskin’s wicker overnight case and tried to make herself inconspicuous. Two weeks ago, the last time she had gone with Green Siskin on a client visit, Green Siskin had complained to Big Sister Magpie:
The guests pay for a certain vision of class, not her muddy shoes and floor-scrubbing fingers constantly on display!
Sparrow’s ears grew hot. Of all the girls at the Songbird Garden, Green Siskin was the meanest, and yet Sparrow also craved her affection the most.
Sparrow’s stomach growled, and she stared at the rich spread on the table with longing: tiny dishes filled with sugared lotus seeds, water chestnuts marinated in wine, salt-boiled peanuts, frozen sweet tofu, salted meat dumplings… The smell of plum wine filled the air. Ever since the Manchus had laid siege to the city, most everyone at the Songbird Garden had been making do with small rations of plain porridge and moldy, pickled vegetables. What real food could be obtained was reserved for the leading girls like Green Siskin.
“Captain Li. A man of courage like you deserves the best girl the blue houses of Yangzhou have to offer!” one of the other men—by the look of his luxurious robe, a salt merchant—said as he refilled the captain’s cup with more wine.
“Master Wen speaks the truth. A brave man must be served by a great beauty!” added another.
A third piped up, “A girl like that is only barely adequate, considering your, uh…” He stuttered as he tried to find a new word of praise. “…courageous bravery,” he finished lamely.
Listening to these men vying to flatter the officer, Sparrow wanted to laugh. She suspected that the soldiers commanded by Captain Li were quartered at the houses of the merchants, who were unhappy with the way the rowdy men made a mess of their beautiful mansions. They had pooled their money to hire Green Siskin, the most popular girl at the renowned Songbird Garden, to entertain Captain Li so that he would rein in his men.
“General Li,” Green Siskin said, her voice as silky and melodious as her namesake, “Do you have a favorite tanci story?”
“That’s Cap—” one of the man started to say, but he yelped as Wen stepped on his foot under the table.
“I guess I look like a general to her!” Captain Li laughed.
“Sometimes fools speak truths!” Wen said. “Maybe our Captain Li will soon be General Li after the Manchu barbarians cower before his might!”
Captain Li shook his head humbly, clearly enjoying himself. Sparrow marveled at Green Siskin’s skill. Her “mistake” had done more to put Captain Li in a good mood than all the unimaginative, repetitious flattery from the five merchants. They were certainly getting their money’s worth by hiring her.
Green Siskin was so clever, so pretty, so admired by all the clients. But Green Siskin had never had a kind word for Sparrow. Back when Sparrow was a little girl and Green Siskin was about Sparrow’s current age, she had convinced Big Sister Magpie that Sparrow was too ugly to ever be attractive to clients, and there was no need to waste
money and time to pretty her up. Best to just leave her feet unbound so that she could run up and down the stairs and perform menial tasks for the other girls.
“I’m just a rough soldier,” Captain Li said. “I know nothing about tanci. Why don’t you just tell a story you like?”
Green Siskin nodded and held up the pipa in her lap. She strummed it a few times. “Since we’re on the topic of generals and beauties, how about I entertain the honored guests with the tale of General Wei Ke and the concubine he saved?”
“Oh, this sounds like a good story,” Captain Li said.
Green Siskin smiled and began to sing as she plucked a lively melody on her pipa:
King, duke, general, minister of state,
Beggar, monk, thief, woman from a blue house,
Here’s a tale your sad pity to arouse:
Who kens the ways of unknowable Fate?
She paused, cradled the pipa, and spoke, her voice and gestures animated:
“Let’s go back to the days before the Emperors, when all the states were vying for dominance during the Spring and Autumn Period. When Minister Wei Chou of Jin was sorely ill, he summoned his son, Wei Ke, and said to him:
If I should die, my child,
Do not bury my favorite concubine with me.
Still young, with a heart mild,
She deserves to live out her days sitting by the sea.
“And Wei Ke, being an obedient son, said yes.”
“Was the concubine as pretty as you?” interrupted Captain Li. “That ancient custom is a bit harsh, but if she was I’d certainly want her with me always.” He laughed.
The other men joined in and all said they’d do the same.
Sparrow shuddered, thinking about being led into a dark tomb and then having the heavy stone doors shut and sealed behind her. The laughter of the men frightened her. Good thing that Minister Wei was more kind-hearted than these men.
“I’m but a lowly girl of the blue houses,” said Green Siskin, her expression placid. “How dare I compare myself to a beloved concubine of the House of Wei?”
“Continue,” said Captain Li, draining his cup. The merchants promptly fought over who got to refill it.
“Minister Wei’s illness worsened, and it was clear his moments were numbered. He summoned Wei Ke again, and said:
When I’m dead, my child, bury my favorite concubine with me.
For in my stone tomb I shall be lonely without her by my knee.”
“Ah, I knew the old man would come to his senses,” said Captain Li.
Sparrow shook her head. Why did Green Siskin have to pick such a morbid story?
Green Siskin continued as if he hadn’t said anything. “But Wei Ke buried his father alone, and allowed the concubine to remarry.”
“He disobeyed his father’s wishes?” Captain Li’s face, red from the alcohol, was incredulous.
“How unfilial!” said one of the merchants.
“A man lacking in virtue,” assented another.
“A woman like me can’t comment on virtue, of course,” said Green Siskin, “Many in the State of Jin did criticize Wei Ke for his disobedience, but he was unperturbed. He said, ‘When my father spoke to me the first time, he was still alert. But when he spoke to me the second time, he was so ill that he no longer knew what he was saying. I respected his true wishes. Virtue is a matter of many mouths, but what is right exists only in my heart.’”
“A pretty piece of sophistry.” Captain Li humphed.
Green Siskin plucked a few notes, signaling a transition. “A few years later, the State of Qin invaded Jin, and Wei Ke was appointed commander-in-chief to defend his homeland. When the Qin and Jin armies met at Fushi, the Qin champion, a man by the name of Du Hui, challenged Wei Ke to single combat on the field.
“Now this Du Hui was a giant. He was eight feet tall and his eyes blazed like a demon’s. His fists were the size of copper pots, and he wielded an axe that could smash through the thickest armor and lop off a horse’s leg at a single stroke.”
“Sounds like a copy of you, Captain Li,” said one of the merchants.
“Don’t you mean ‘General Li’?” said another.
Captain Li waved impatiently at them to be quiet.
Green Siskin went on. “Wei Ke fought valiantly, but Du Hui was so fierce that Wei Ke’s arms began to feel numb from fending off the heavy blows from that axe. He had to retreat, and Du Hui pursued closely.
“Soon, the two came to a hill covered in long grass. As the two ran up the hill, Du Hui stumbled. Seizing the opportunity, Wei Ke turned around and engaged Du Hui again, and managed to behead him this time.
“After he had a moment to collect himself, Wei Ke saw that the grass around Du Hui’s feet was all tangled and knotted, as though someone had been there to set a trap. He looked up and saw a mongoose dashing away, fading into the sea of grass.
“That night, as General Wei Ke slept in his camp, he saw an old man in his dream.
“‘Who are you?’ asked Wei Ke.
“‘I’m the dead father of your father’s concubine. To thank you for sparing my daughter’s life, I asked to return to this world as a mongoose to give you what little aid I could.’
Our every act has its echo in time,
Karma turns the wheel, be mindful of your climb.”
Green Siskin strummed the pipa a few times to emphasize the end of her story.
Captain Li seemed to awaken from a dream himself. “A pretty tale well told.”
“Honored General Li praises me too much,” said Green Siskin, inclining her head.
“Let’s drink in memory of honorable General Wei Ke.”
The merchants were about to join in with a chorus of how “General Li” was even more honorable when the proprietor of the Three Moons opened the private suite door and rushed to Captain Li’s side to hand him a note.
“Official business,” said Captain Li. He got up, but the wine made him sway a bit. “Gentlemen, I regret to say that I must leave immediately.”
“But Captain, you’ve barely had time to sample the delights this girl has to offer,” said one of the merchants, no doubt thinking of all the money they had spent to hire Green Siskin. Then he timidly added, “I hope it’s not the Manchus doing more mischief?”
“Don’t be alarmed,” said Captain Li, as he made his way unsteadily to the door of the suite. “Yangzhou has already withstood their siege for seven days, and I don’t think that barbarian brute Dodo has the stomach to stay here much longer. Grand Secretary Shi Kefa has pledged that as long as he remains alive, he will allow no harm to come to any citizen of Yangzhou. I pledge to all of you the same.”
The captain disappeared down the stairs, and the merchants, after a moment of silence, began to fuss and complain.
“An uncultured man indeed,” said one. “He didn’t even know how to use the finger-cleaning bowl properly! I hope the Manchus go away soon so that we don’t have to deal with these illiterate peasant soldiers any longer.”
“Really, they’re barely better than criminals,” added another.
“Why would anyone join the army unless he had no other skills?” asked a third.
No matter how many times she saw it, Sparrow couldn’t get over how the merchants and scholars all seemed so good at saying one thing while thinking another. Impulsively, she said, “Captain Li is fighting to protect all of us. I think he’s very brave even if he has rough manners.”
The merchants seemed startled to realize she was still in the room.
“This must be a first,” sneered Wen. “A whore is lecturing me about virtue and respect.”
“Honored masters,” said Green Siskin, “forgive the rash and ignorant girl. Women like us really can only admire virtue, of which we obviously possess none. But there is the little matter of the rest of my fee.”
•
Sparrow, running besides the palanquin and struggling with the weight of Green Siskin’s luggage, whispered at the palanquin’s window. “Sorry
. I just couldn’t hold my tongue.”
From within the palanquin, Green Siskin lifted the curtain over the window and said curtly, “Don’t worry about Big Sister Magpie. I’ll deal with her.”
Sparrow was relieved. Part of her job was to make sure the clients paid. Magpie believed the Songbird Garden needed to maintain a certain decorum, and so it was unseemly for the client to haggle with the girl they ordered directly. A servant like Sparrow, however, could threaten to make an embarrassing scene in front of a crowd, if necessary.
But after Sparrow’s outburst, the annoyed merchants had insisted that they would not pay for a full day and night, and they were beyond caring about embarrassment at a time like this. It had taken Green Siskin a lot of work to soothe them and get paid for at least the day.
“Thanks,” Sparrow said, out of breath. At moments like these she was glad that her feet were not bound. No one was going to carry her around; that was for sure.
“You’d probably mess up the explanation anyway,” added Green Siskin, “and get us both in trouble.”
Sparrow’s face flushed. Every time she thought Green Siskin was softening towards her, she would say something to shatter that illusion. It was like she went out of her way to make sure Sparrow knew she didn’t like her.
Still, she liked talking to the older girl, who always said things no one else would say. “Hey, Green Siskin,” Sparrow whispered next to the window so that the palanquin carriers would not overhear, “can I ask you something?”
The curtain over the window did not lift. “What is it?”
“Do you really think the Manchus will take Yangzhou?”
For a few moments, silence. Then: “You better hope not. Women generally don’t fare well when cities fall, and women like us do especially poorly.”
“Grand Secretary Shi Kefa promised we’d be safe though.”