Part 6: Cinderella and the Great Prince of Southern China

Hi Kids,

Story time again. It's time to leave Qi for a while and follow around our male lead. Unfortunately the day did not start out well and it does not get better for him ... read on.

-Pops

Three Is Fresh Off the Boat

            Despite all that had happened that morning at the Evergreen Inn, as he headed back to his ship Three was thinking that the day was still young and there was much he could do. He was disappointed that he had not been able to finalize a marriage contract with Qi, but the door was still open, if even so slightly. He would make some inquiries probably tomorrow and see if he could contact General Zuo’s people about Qi. But the next order of the day was to find someplace to sleep other than the boat.

            As he worked his way down to his assigned slip at the docks, he had to stop. There was a very familiar ship in port—a very small streamline type of vessel that was legendary for its ability to move swiftly with and against the wind. They have their safe flag up, he thought. Instinctively, Three reached behind him and grabbed the wrist of a man who was about to pick off his purse.

            “Anto,” Three said nonchalantly, casting the wrist downward, “I almost didn’t feel you there. What are you doing here in the capital?” Anto was a small, thin, very wiry fellow, probably in his early 30s. He was dark, sported both a mustache and a beard. He moved quickly and had a nervous energy about him, almost monkey-like in his affect.

            “The whole world is here, my darling. Why not me? So many marks.” His voice had a raspy, whispering tone to it that forced you to pay attention fearing that you might miss something.

            “Yes, well, just stay away from my people,” Three warned.

            “As always. As agreed.”

            “Oh, and one other …”

            “Oh?”

            “A young woman, same age as me. She is slightly shorter than me. Manchurian higher banner stock, pale, slim, almost girlish, wears the white uniform of the Palace Kitchen when she comes down here. She is one of the supervisors. Very pretty, but a very bold woman.”

            “What about her?”

            “Consider her under my protection. I assume she comes down to the docks to shop. If you harass her, I’ll kill you.”

            “Pardons my dear, but … I remind you, you don’t even know how to kill a cockroach.”

            “I can learn.”

            “Very well then. Do you have a name?”

            “Name is Qi. But she stands out from everyone else when she walks about here. You’ll know who she is. And I gave her my Five-Dog charm. So no lifting that from her.”

            “That ugly family heirloom of yours? I’d think you want me getting it back for you. I can, you know. I do that for you for free. She’ll never know it’s missing. But, darling, I’ve never known you to take this much of interest in any female.”

            “I’ve decided it was time to start looking for a wife.”

            “And you want this one?”

            “Yes, but I probably won’t get her. She’s engaged to another.”

            “Me and my boys will kidnap her for you. THAT will cost you though.”

            “Thank you Anto, but your special services will not be necessary. Come to think of it she is a palace employee, so she really doesn’t need my protection. The guards would hunt you down and eviscerate you I’m sure. Tell me, did you really intend to take my purse?”

            “Just to get your attention. If I succeeded, I would never let you hear the end of it. Just seeing if you were paying attention. I know you can sense when a pickpocket is about.”

            “I don’t mean to tell you your business Anto, but like any good hunter, wash once in a while. Prey animals are highly sensitive to smells, if you know what I mean?”

            “Actually, I am very glad to run into you. I find myself a bit … depleted after the long journey here.”

            “Anto, really? Your skills as a … repurposer of goods are slipping. You do look ill fed. When did you last eat?”

            “I’ve forgotten.”

            “Send your men over to my ship’s mess—there are probably four plus you right? Tell them to follow me.” Three removed his purse and gave it to Anto. “I count 22 gold coins in here. No interest if you get it back to me in one day. I am sure you will either double it by gambling or by other means, if you are indeed the lucky scoundrel I know.”

            “Why thank you very much,” said Anto. “I’m deeply touched.”

            “And to save you some time, I’m told the best gambling hall in this town is the Red Lantern Inn. You will find it if you bear down this road here. The former ambassador to Japan spoke quite highly of it. You can pay me back once you’ve multiplied it by your scheming tricks. I’ll drop by later and see if I can collect early from you.”

            “They serve food there?”

            “The ambassador said they have a sumptuous selection of ‘bottoms.’ I wasn’t sure what that term means here, but I assume he meant food.”

            “It is refreshment of a sort. I’ll show you when you meet me. Thank you Your Majesty, O Great Prince of Southern China.”

* * *

            “Backie, Lucky! Grab your gear and my duffle,” yelled Three as he mounted the gangway to his ship, “I need you two near me the next two days. We are going to find some lodging. I have a good lead on a place …”

            “We’re ahead of you Boss. The whole bunch of porters and students you sent came earlier and took all of our stuff to a big compound up on the hill. Lucky went with them. I’m just waiting here with this guy who’s gonna escort us up.”

            “What? Porters? Students? I didn’t send anybody.”

            “If I may interject?” A gaunt, middle-aged man, stood up to greet Three. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Blessing. Sorry for the surprise, but my employer thought it best if he acted first before anyone else did.”

            “You boarded my ship and took away my personal belongings? How did Lucky let this happen? That’s a crime! I oughta call the authorities on you.”

            “Hey Boss,” said Backie, “the pirates are here. They say you’re going to feed them?”

            “Take ’em to Cookie. They had a rough trip.”

            “C’mon guys,” said Backie as Anto’s crew of four tan, lean, mean-looking, sinewy men boarded. As each came on, they removed their knives and threw them into the wall of the wheelhouse, checking their weapons in respect as they entered the domain of the Great Prince.

            The last man, the oldest, stopped by Three. “I hear somebody board you, Raja? You want we take care?” He threw a sneer at Blessing. Three thought the poor old servant was going to faint, he had become so pale.

            “Thanks Ska, but Backie and I have got this one. Lotta ‘worked metal’ in this town, so be very careful. Try to keep Anto out of trouble. He seems to be losing his touch.”

            “Gotcha Raja.”

            “Did he say, ‘pirates?’” asked Blessing.

            “Backie is prone to colorful figures of speech. You don’t frequent port areas often I take it?”

            “Actually, never. My employer is Dr. Wu, the Headmaster of the Mountain View Preparatory Academy. He said he became acquainted with you last night at the Princess Banquet. You were seated next to his daughter?”

            Three tried to remember the girl’s proper name that Qi had told him. “South Phoenix. Right. Sigh.”

            “She is at the awkward age,” said Blessing reassuringly. He was quite accustomed to tired look everyone adopted when referencing his master’s child.

            “I don’t recall telling him that I needed a place to stay. Nor of his offering. Nor of my accepting.”

            “Are you not in need of a place to stay? Surely it can’t be very pleasant on this boat?”

            “I like Dr. Wu a lot, but truthfully he and his family act eccentrically in public and in my experience, people who act so in public are even MORE eccentric at home.”

            “I understand what you are saying about the Wu’s, and that is totally reasonable. I am his steward and I have served the family all my life. But Dr. Wu enjoys an envied status in society. He and the Emperor were childhood friends and he is quite highly connected. It may be advantageous to strengthen such a connection with them.”

            “Even so, I’m going to go with my gut. Perhaps you can advise me how I can respectfully decline his hospitality.”

            “Please some with me up to the compound and at least view the accommodations before you decline. At the very least we could lodge you in the dormitory with the students if you prefer not to be in the Headmaster’s house. I am told there are no lodgings for hire to be found in the capital right now. As for declining the invitation, as you say, Dr. Wu is an eccentric and it is nearly impossible to offend him, just as he has no idea that he is offending you when he so casually collects your things and then takes them to his house. If things are not to your liking, just tell him you are leaving and I will have the porters and students move your belongings wherever you instruct.”

            Three put his face in his hands and thought hard. Backie had come back and took Three aside to confer. “Boss. We WERE going go out and look for a place anyway. This would be free, right? Probably free food too? We’ll save a load of money.”

            “It’s never that simple. The money you save is never worth the trouble. You have to do things to be a good guest, so certain obligations attach. Since it’s a private residence, they have their own code of conduct, and since it’s a literati family you KNOW it’s going to be really weird there. Maybe we should just stay on the ship—if he gets us up on the property there, it’s a done deal. And then, there’s the daughter.”

            “Oh, the little, retarded girl who’s white as a ghost? The one that farts constantly and stinks? She was poking around all over the ship looking for you. Guess she thought you were hiding. Little imp doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. She just breezed right by us like we weren’t there.”

            “Hai, hai. She’s really clingy. I don’t think it’s going to go well if go there. But it would be good for Lucky’s joints if we could get him in a bed for a few nights on solid ground eh?”

            “He hasn’t been complaining to you, but yeah,” agreed Backie. “Some heat would do him a lot of good. The Prof said he’d draw him a bath every night.”

            “Let’s check it out. I’m relying on you to scope it out for any risks, got it?”

            “I’ll give it a full security check.”

* * *

            The Mountain View Academy compound was located in a quiet hillside community; it consisted of Dr. Wu’s residence, a student dormitory with connected classrooms and workshops, a central garden and courtyard, and grounds for training in archery, sword handling, and horsemanship.

            As they approached the compound, Blessing sounded a whistle, such that when he, Three, and Backie entered the front door to the reception hall, the entire household was lined up to greet Three. Three bowed to the Headmaster and his wife. He took a look at the lineup and assumed they were a second steward, two maids, possibly a governess for Toad, a cook, and a cook’s assistant. He was told there were several other men, brothers and male cousins of the servants, who hung around as casual labor for hire and food—probably the army of porters Backie mentioned.

            Toad was jumping for joy behind her father at Three’s arrival. She was at turns running behind the line and peeking out at him. He thought how like an untrained puppy she was. And like a puppy, the girl had her hair loose and unkempt and she was tumbling about without a stitch of clothing. Her skin was almost absolutely white—such that she reminded him of depictions of she-demon ghosts he’d seen in Japanese magazines featuring folk stories of the occult. He wondered if had so misjudged Toad’s character, for it surely seemed she was a stark-raving lunatic, and none of the household seemed in the least perturbed by her odd, indecorous behavior. Three thought it was amazing what you get used to if you see it every day.

            “Headmaster? Mrs. Wu? Blessing?” said Three. “Thank you for your kind offer of lodging, but I think I’ve seen enough … too much actually …”

            The wild girl sensed what Three was about to do. She couldn’t let him go, not when she had gotten him this close. She dashed over to him, sat at his feet, and grabbed his shins and looked up with eyes pleading, about to burst into tears.

            “Your violet eyes are beautiful, young lady,” Three said. “Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. And do not dishonor them by crying them red. That would make me very sad.”

            “Our daughter is very happy that you are here,” said Mrs. Wu. “I wish you would reconsider.”

            “I think my presence would be disruptive to your household,” said Three.

            “It might be MORE disruptive if you leave,” said the Headmaster.

            “DEAR! How rude!” scolded Mrs. Wu. “When Lady Silver Bird told us she was looking for a family that might put you and your men up, Toad here heard that and she pleaded that we set up our history library as a guest room. She worked all night herself cleaning up and moving things out. Would you at least come and see what she has done. It would mean so much to her.”

            “Who is Lady Silver Bird?” asked Three.

            “The Princess Seven’s attendant. She was standing on Her Highness’ left when you were announced.”

            “Oh, one of the Capital Face girls.”

            “I beg your pardon?”

            “Never mind. Sure, let’s have a look a this room,” said Three as he let himself be led down a separate wing. “Backie is my security guard. He’ll be doing a walk-through of the premises if that’s all right?” The Headmaster nodded and waved the servant on. Three was taken to a spacious room lined with books and scrolls that had been cleaned, swept, mopped, and dusted. It seemed incongruous that a girl who lived in such chaos could bring this level of order to anything. His items had been unpacked, clothes hung, and a sleeping platform made into a bed. “You cleaned up this room?” asked Three. Toad nodded vigorously and then sat on the floor by the door, and then tucked her head down, rolling into a ball.

            “I’m going to talk to her privately, if you would give us a moment,” said Three. He looked over at the woman he assumed to be her governess. “You are her nurse?”

            “Yes, Mr. Wang.”

            “You should stay in the room.”

            “Of course.” After everyone left Three went into his bag and produced two garments.

            “These are mine,” said Three to Toad, “but I want you to wear them when you are in view of me. You will do this as a courtesy to me.” It was a pair of black peasant trousers and a rough hemp work shirt. “It is my costume that I put on when I go incognito among workers.”

            “She will not wear clothes in the house,” said the nurse. “Never has …” but before she could finish that sentence, Toad slipped into them.

            “I thought I was to be your parent’s guest, but it’s really your invitation isn’t it?” said Three.

            Toad nodded.

            “Are you ever going to speak?” ask Three.

            She looked thoughtful for a moment, and then shrugged.

            “Speak to me in a language that nobody else knows in this house,” said Three.

            [Latin] “Do you know in Latin?”

            “It will work.”

            “I KNEW you would know it! How do you know it?”

            “Christian missionaries from Portugal need rental agreements too. Sometime it helps to speak in something different than the soldiers they’re with.”

            “You and I, we will make our OWN language too!”

            “Calm down. Fine. Whatever. If I am to be your guest and your friend, I need three things from you before I decide to stay.”

            “I know! You want me to wear clothes! I hate them. They hurt my skin.”

            “Try silk.”

            “Silk, hurts, too.”

            “I’m sorry, but you live in world that wears clothes. Not some desert island.”

             Long pause, fretful looks. Finally, “I’ll put up with it. For you.”

            “Good. Two. You will restrain your bodily functions and hold all gases, liquids, and solids inside you until you get yourself to the latrine.”

            “But that’s so hard!”

            “You’re going to have to try and actually succeed. Will you do that?”

            “It’s HARD.”

            “It will get easier the more you do it. It’s OK if you make a mistake, but keep at it.”

            She let out a scream of frustration, but adopted a submissive posture with a bowed head.

            “I’ll take that as a yes. Three. You will not prance about like an idiot, but you will hold your posture poised and erect like mine when we are together, and you will look at me when you talk. Can you do that?”

            “You sound like my father.”

            “I’m NOT your father. These are not orders. They’re suggestions of courtesies you’re extending to me so that we can be friends. Do that and we can relate like human beings. Now, I will let you request some courtesies from me. What do you want?”

            “I don’t know yet.”

            Three looked around. “The room is very nice. I appreciate your work in getting it together. I’m sure it was a lot of work.”

            “It wasn’t that much. Will you sit with me at meals then and draw a maze again?”

            “I’ll sit with you whenever we’re in the house together and draw you whatever you want. Just know that I’ve got to go in and out for business over the next few days.”

            “You have to take me with you wherever you go.”

            “If it’s someplace safe, fine.”

            “Right now, I MUST go to the latrine. Will you come with me?”

            “NO. You do that by yourself unless you are a baby, an invalid, or a granny. You are NONE of those.”

            “Be right back!” She tore off the clothes as soon as she left the room.

           

            “Well, that’s a start,” Three said to the nurse.

            “What on earth did you say to her in that weird language? You made her so calm. And she dressed. I can hardly believe it. I hope you can stay,” said the nurse.

            “She has a skin ailment. You need to find a better physician for her. I think she’s in constant pain and therefore irritable. Why is she like this temperamentally? Like a large toddler?” asked Three.

            “What a question. I say she has a demon inside her.”

            “That’s one idea. Not one I agree with. Professor? Are you out there?”

            “Right here, my lad. You’re very good with her.”

            “Shouldn’t you be occupying her mind with rigorous study and building self-discipline? She’s rather clever. Get her a tutor.”

            “She can’t be taught anything.”

            “She is far from an idiot. She is conversant in Latin for the sake of Heaven!”

            “Don’t you think I know how smart she is? She hears or looks at something once and she knows it. She is tremendously bored—that is her problem. She has sat in on all of the Academy courses and if she were to take the exams, she’d be the highest scorer. I know it. What she is, is a demon.”

            “You people keep saying that about her and it’s no surprise she believes it and acts like one.”

            “But she is monstrous! She’ll kill us all in our sleep by some advanced means that she will invent. She thinks we’re all a bunch of worms,” said her father. “How did I ever sire such a creature? She’s surpassed me in every way possible and she’s only 14. To tell you the truth I’m just plain fearful.”

            “She’s a teenaged girl who needs some control. Show some backbone man. I don’t mean to be rude, but if your house is in disorder, it’s your own fault. She can be so much better than this.”

            “You’re right, of course. What was I thinking becoming a father at such an advanced age? But what do you know about fathering. You’re a bachelor and you’re only 26.”

            Three thought of the responsibilities his father had thrust upon him and about all the time he spent restraining his playboy older brothers, getting rid the girls they would bring around and subsequently break up with, and then dealing with those girls’ parents. On top of that, he had to maintain top performance out of his father’s retainers whom he was instructed never to fire, but who all likewise had conflicts with parents or children or both into which he had to intervene. He thought he had a pretty good idea of the drama engendered with adolescent age group.

            “I have some experience,” said Three, “not directly as a father, but as a father substitute. I find that the answer to almost any problem is to cultivate more of the practice of loyalty.”

            “Loyalty?” That seemed as likely to solve anything as concocting some quack mercury pills.

            “Don’t get me started. Loyalty’s a big thing with me. But pragmatically, if she’s a problem, why not just marry her off? If you dressed her right I think you’d get a few offers. Maybe one of your academy alumni owes you a really big favor?”

            “I could never do that. My conscience would bother me. The Little Demon warned if I betrothed her to anyone she disapproved she would poison him and all his family.”

            “Adolescent hyperbole. She’ll settle down. I’m sure of it.”

            “I don’t doubt for a moment that she’d poison an unwanted husband. Are you perhaps interested in her that way? I think you could handle her.”

            “Professor, you’ve already tipped me off about her. I don’t like poison in my tea.”

            “I’d waive the bride price.”

            “I’m working on a marriage proposal myself. So, no, not at this time. She’s way too young for me. I’m flattered though.”

            “You’re flattered, I’m desperate, and tired. We went to a professional go-between and she laughed at us. Told us we couldn’t have a dowry big enough for anybody to want her.” Just then Toad returned, fully dressed, and she quietly took her place beside Three, mimicking his posture exactly. She was trying hard, thought Three. Would it kill me to be a nice guy and try to work with her? he thought.

            “Toad, or rather, Phoenix, Professor, I am happy to be a guest of this house.” Three was trying to sound happy rather than resigned. “Thank you for your kind hospitality.”

            “Excellent,” said the Headmaster. “You’re already moved in, so let me introduce you to the Academy now.”

            The Headmaster led Three out into an open exercise area where the students and teachers were lined up for presentation. There were four cohorts in which there were each six students. Cohort One comprised boys ages 12 and 13; Cohort Two, boys ages 14 and 15; Cohort Three boys ages 16 and 17; and Cohort Four boys 18 and above. There were four teachers in four disciplines, Classics, Rhetoric, Languages, and Martial Arts. Cohorts Three and Four had already been assembled by the martial arts sifu for fencing practice and were standing there in their uniforms and holding their bamboo practice poles.

             “Boys,” said the Headmaster, “I want to introduce Wang Three, third son of the Duke of the Jewel River Valley in the Eastern Expanse. He is a guest of our house in town for the royal wedding festivities, so you will see him about for the next few days. He is quite learned in the languages of the south and in the principles of international trade and economics, so feel free to stop him and ask him about any of the subjects while he is with us.”

            One of the young men in Cohort Four requested permission to speak. “I am Lao One also of the Eastern Expanse. My uncle in the Civil Service said that you attained the highest score in the exams in the southern provinces and have yet to be surpassed.”

            “Son, I cannot vouch for now as I don’t keep track of such things, but I do know that the record held for time. But records are meant to be broken—it is not good if it stands because it means we are not progressing as a society. Promise me that you will study hard and better it.”

            “I will do that sir. If I may ask, why have you not entered the Service?” The nearest teacher went over and clapped him on the head for asking such and impertinent and rude question.

            “Restrain your hand Rhetoric Master,” said Three. “I was to take a position at the provincial seat, but at the request of my father I was required to enter his service.” No more was required to be said on that topic for it was clear to all assembled that Three had answered the highest call that could made on a son. “At some point, I do hope to return into service for the Emperor.”

            The sifu came up to Three. “Sir, I was wondering if you might advise these young men why they should try to excel in mastering the sword? We were having a spirited discussion earlier.”

            “They’re lazy then?”

            “Headmaster Wu has a knack for recruiting boys who would all rather read. My job is rather like training cats to act like dogs.”

            “I don’t know that I am the best advocate. But I’ll try.” He turned to the boys, “I encourage you to approach your physical training with the same focus as you do to the classics. A learned man should be able to at least defend himself or his honor when challenged and to put up a reasonable fight. You will never prevail against a trained man of arms, but you don’t want to look like an idiot.”

            The boy Lao spoke again, “But sir, you have a hired bodyguard. Do you even need that skill now?”

            “Son, as much as I trust and depend on my attendant, he may not always be there. I know you’d rather be reading and writing and reciting, but its good know at least enough to keep yourself from getting killed. We still live in a dangerous age.”

            “How much do you remember?” asked Lao.

            “Frankly, I don’t know.”

            “How about we find out?” asked the sifu.

            “You want me to spar you? That would teach us nothing except how bad I am compared to you.”

            “Well then,” said the sifu, “how about we let the Threes and Fours come at you and you hold off each of them for a count of 30 until you are touched in the chest or the neck by a pole?”

            “And my humiliation by schoolboys will help them how?”

            “If you do poorly, it will show the need to practice. If you do well, you will be model that the ‘Great Prince of Test Takers in Southern China’ finds such skills worthy of study and retention. They will enjoy this little diversion from their regular exercises.”

            “Did you just make up that title right now?” asked Three.

            “ Come on Boss,” said Backie, “I’ve never seen you handle a pole. This will be fun.”

            “You stay out of this,” said Three. “Sigh, I suppose I can leave my pride at the door for the sake of education.” The sifu handed Three his own pole and then arranged the 12 boys according to their ability starting with the weakest. To Three’s great surprise, he fended of all 12 in the allotted time, but mostly because they were running through all of the compulsory offensive moves in standard practice order.

            “MY turn,” said Backie as he took a pole from student. The bodyguard varied his pushes, but was unable to land a chest or neck blow within the count of 30. “Boss, you’re not half bad. Although I’m sure I’d tire you out in another count of 30. You’re sweating pretty hard.”

            “I assure you boys,” said Three, “that is definitely the case. But I have at least put up what I decided for myself was an honorable defense. Honor your sifu by besting him. Make that your goal.” The sifu grabbed Backie’s pole and rushed Three. Three waited until the last moment, but rather than defend plunged forward, turned and ducked and touched his pole to the left side of the sifu’s chest as he passed by.

            “Well done,” said the sifu. “You hid the move all this time, quite effectively. Scholars can strike and not just parry.”

            “To be fair,” said Three, “if he took another run at me, I would be dead. But I might have enough time to run. So be ready for surprises boys, and always let people underestimate you. It’s the only tactic I really have.”

* * *

            Later that afternoon, Three was at a rice merchant stall, bargaining for supplies to replenish the ship’s mess as Cookie had asked him. After striking a deal, Three remembered he had given his purse to Anto earlier. He apologized for the lack of payment and promised to return to complete the transaction.

            “You were with Madame Cui’s apprentice the other day down here were you not?” asked the merchant. “If you will put in a good word for me with her, I will make the delivery on credit.”

            “Let’s get the product in hand let me review the quality delivered first, and then I am happy to do so. Three was glad he was able to ride on Qi’s goodwill in this pinch, but not everybody was going to recognize him. He decided it was time to pay Anto a visit at the Red Lantern Inn and get back part of his purse. Three had given Lucky and Backie the afternoon off to bathe and rest while he ran errands to provision the ship and to find a banner maker to execute some hangings to accompany some other wedding presents  from his father. Following in tow behind him were Toad (that was his promise after all) and Toad’s nurse, who was reluctantly chaperoning this jaunt which in her mind was so hideously common and commercial.

            “Are you ladies uncomfortable moving into this part of the dock area?” asked Three pointing in the direction of the inn.

The nurse nodded a vigorous “YES! Get us out of here,” while Toad shook a just as vigorous “NO! This is sooo interesting …”   

            “Looks like a draw. We proceed,” said Three. “Follow me.”

            “I can’t believe you would bring the Headmaster’s daughter to a place like this!” complained the nurse.

            “I didn’t bring her. She just came.”

            “Can’t we go somewhere else?” said the nurse. “These people are horrible. And the smell.”

            “I find it hard to believe you are sensitive about smells,” said Three glancing at Toad. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

            “With what? You’ve sent your bodyguard off to sleep.”

            “He is very good with a stick, Nanny,” said Toad unexpectedly, “I am not worried.”

            “A stick? That’s supposed to be comforting? He doesn’t have one in his hand.”

            “You know,” said Three, “you’re free to return to the school if you’re apprehensive. I’ll take care of Little Phoenix. I just need to get some money from an associate who is at this casino. And here it is.”

            True to its name, the Red Lantern Inn had many such lanterns hanging about its large and gaudy front. It was a sprawling compound of quickly constructed shacks surrounded by a head-high fence behind which one could not see. Three looked down the alley side of one perimeter and saw a man straddling the wall and then dropping down onto the ground. The man looked in both directions and then started heading toward Three.

            “Actually,” said Three, “I believe my associate is coming to me, right now. Anto?”

            “Raja! You will excuse me, but I must hurry off.”

            “I’ll walk with you. Put on my hat.” Three put his robed arm around Anto obscuring him from those who might be coming up on them from behind. “I came to ask you about my purse.”

            “Yes. About that … I’ve suffered some bad luck …” They found themselves halted in their steps by a wall of man standing legs astride just before them.

            “Pardon me, sir. But we have business with your companion there.” Three tilted his head up. It was a man near his age, maybe older, but perhaps he may just be weathered from a life outdoors, thought Three. He was a full head taller than nearly every man on that street. Imperial military tunic and boots were on him, but no armor, probably officer rank. The man was handsome but bore numerous scars on his face and hands, and most likely elsewhere. Three had never seen such a trim and fit fellow in his life until he saw the man’s three companions standing behind him, similarly attired, and brawnier, if that were possible.

            “Anto? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of joining the army? I’m sorry but I cannot allow him to enlist yet. This man owes me a lot of money and I cannot brook his life being put into any kind of jeopardy until he makes good his payment.”

            “That being the case, sir, we have common cause. It seems he has tried to disappear from the gaming tables when he has a debt to me as well. He scaled the wall to escape his responsibility. His kind is easily tracked and flanked. And just who are you sir?”

            “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

            “Why, I am …” the officer started, but one of his companions laid a hand on his shoulder and shook his head to signal silence about his identity.

            “My friends and associates call me Three.”

            “Three? How quaint. My own father called me that when I was a child about your size. My opponents call me ‘Glint.’”

            “As in a flash of light?”

            “That’s all they ever see of me.”

            “That’s great. Maybe when I grow up I can be just like you.”

            “You are a droll fellow. Now give him over to me.”

            “What are you going to do with him?”

            “It’s none of your business.”

            “I think it is. I’m highly concerned about his capacity to make money so I can be paid back. This would include his good health and freedom of movement. Anto, what is the dispute?”

            “I owe ‘Glint’ some money.”

            “How much?” asked Three.

            “200 silver,” said Anto. Three felt four tugs from Toad on the back of his robe. He lifted his head and saw crewmen Ska and his cousins now flanking the four imperial officers from behind. “Sloppy,” Three thought, but these soldiers though big were drunk. The pirates’ hands were on their knives. They were not drunk—they looked fed and rested.

            Three glanced further down the street and saw two police officers settling a dispute between a merchant and buyer. Beyond that saw what he seemed like a team of pickpockets about to fan out. Across from that a group of Malaccan and Filipino sailors (they looked like Ska’s countrymen) came raucously stumbling out of some drinking house—the Han Chinese barkeep was hurling ethnic invectives at them, which they were quick to return. Next door a group of workmen with hacking machetes on their belts were stacking some heavy bamboo poles to build up a shed. Some roofers had ladders up against buildings where they effecting repairs. And just beyond that, a couple of teamsters were having trouble keeping control of a couple of horses that were about to bolt from them as they struggled to lash them to a cart loaded with barrels. An ideogram on the barrels seemed to indicate they were filled with oil. Approaching noisily were a gang of novice monks running through the streets in some sort of devotional practice. Three prided himself on thinking several steps ahead. The possibilities that potentially unfolded before him were endlessly exciting and enticing, never before having seen a street so ready to explode if he were to say the words "Let's run!", but Three was in the end a very boring and practical man.

            “I’ll cover his debt and move it over to me,” said Three.

            “I’ll have my 200 silver from you then.”

            “I don’t actually have any cash on me right now. Why don’t we all go back into the casino and I can set up an account with the proprietor who will pay you off.” So they moved back into the Red Lantern. The owner did not know Three and refused to extend him credit. Three thought about sending the nurse and Toad back to fetch some cash from his strongbox or to borrow it from the Headmaster, but he did not want to involve them in this.

            “We are at an impasse,” said Glint. “Hand him over.”

            “Give me until this evening to give you your silver.”

            “We’ll hold him hostage until then.” Three knew that Ska and crew would not wait and would try to free him.

            “Instead of that hostage messiness, let me give you a more valuable security.” He reached into his tunic pulled forth the Four-Dog pendant that Qi had given to him earlier that day. He knew he could easily redeem it. “The gold in this alone is worth 10 times as much as his debt. Let’s go to one of the pawnshops where I’ll take a loan on this and you can be on your way.”

            Glint held it to the light. “This is indeed a fine piece,” said Glint. “I have only seen work of this quality when we have plundered … or rather, exacted proper tribute from royal treasuries.”  Glint put it on as Three raised his hand to stop him. “It is hot out and I am not going anywhere else following you about like a dog. I am here in this town for relaxation,” said Glint. “Plus I will not go into such a shameful place as a pawnshop. I will hold your jewelry in security until midnight. If you are not back with the proper amount by then, it is mine to do as I please.”

            “Fair enough. Where are you going to be?”

            “I am not going anywhere, I will be here.”

            “What if you’re not?”

            “Are you suggesting that I am a liar? Unlike you, who does business with lowlifes and pawnshops. I’m a man of honor.”

            “I don’t like your suggestion that I’m not without honor. You’re a big guy, and a soldier to boot, but in my experience soldiers are all just …” Three felt strong tugs on his robe from behind. He turned about and saw the nurse and Toad bowing and grimacing to keep him from shooting his mouth off where they thought he was being goaded. Anto also put his hand on Three and gave him a look that said, “He just needs a legal excuse to exercise mayhem on those who disrespect military rank. Don’t get yourself hurt because of me.” Three composed himself and continued. “All I’m suggesting is that plans change.”

            “You’re nervous. You like this trinket. I can tell. I am so gifted such that I am highly attuned to the temperaments of men who are under stress. It’s my specialty. Someone you care about gave you this didn’t they? A woman?”

            “You might be right.”

            “Why do you care about this piece of shit of a man that you would stake this against him? He’s a cheater you know.”

            “He’s cheated me too, but we go a long way back.”

            “Your … associate … is free to go. Him I don’t care if I ever see again. But I like you Three. You’re a fiercely loyal man. I smell it thick on you. In my work I rely on it greatly. I look forward to seeing you again tonight … Three.”

                                  © 2012 by Vincent Way, all rights reserved.