Silence in the Shadowlands: The Xu Chronicles

By Marcel Boudet

Powerful elemental magic sleeps in the soul of a pauper in the slums of medieval Dongguan. Jian, a boy with no past and no identity, must find his answers in the wild labyrinth of the underworld.

The mystery of Xu is guarded from the majority by the wealthy and powerful royalty of the D’Quan. The caste structure of society rigidly forces the masses to keep their place. No one from the bottom caste is ever expected to make an impact in this cruel, harsh society. No hope – no future – Choon Guay – the Forgotten. Who will speak for those who have no voice?

Jian, Choon Guay boy, must find his identity, his calling, and his destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: May 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781662900372

Book preview

grip.

CHAPTER 1

Michi

Prince Michi watched as his attendant strapped the link mail greaves on his thick corded legs. His tent had the metal table with the sprawled-out map of the labyrinth near the state’s border. His eyes scanned the drawing; this area was dotted with rich farmland. Close to the ice wall, these farms were saturated fields, sometimes mud and filled with ichi. This staple grain had a thousand uses. This turn, maybe, they would be an impedance for friend or foe.

Two attendants lifted his breast piece into place. The iron alloy hauberk was not real plate but flat strips with rings that fastened to leather backing and buckled on the sides. On top of this, Michi clasped the thirty-grain marquise cut purple pendant around his neck. His servant placed on top over all, the cloak with fur on the upper half. He attached the cloak at the neck with a small gold chain. The cloak was typical of an ice wall city resident and comprised the fur of a great cavern canine with diagonal dark brown patterns over a light brown background. Cavern canine’s natural camouflage blended in well with the rock in these lands. The bottom half of the cloak appeared to be a chocolate brown rami material. Michi didn’t wear the gaudy colored cloaks that mages seemed to prefer. They were easy to spot in battle.

A guard announced his lead strategist at the entryway to the tent – a Commander who wore the standard gray leather of their city/state, Lechang. He came in and bowed. He wore a small-link alloy cuirass along with his complete set of gray leather. His only mark of rank was the silver broad-link chain fastening his cloak together. The Commander’s cloak was similar to the Prince but the cloth visible at the bottom was the same dull medium-gray of his leather. His features were standard D’Quan with the long black hair and soft rounded face.

My Lord, the army is preparing to march. The Infantry Commander announced.

Thank you, Commander, Michi saw the attendant tie the last lace on his leather boots. I want to go over the scouting report that came in last night. Michi’s attendant began braiding his long mauve hair into a tight plait, which he tucked in the back under his plate. Michi turned toward the table. The strategy was simple – kill as many Lu’An soldiers as possible. Shock them into giving up the territory. Hit them fast, hard, and heavy. He picked up the leather purse his attendant proffered and moved over by the table with his Commander.

The map in front of them had lines for roads; ovals, circles, and trapezoids marked the fields. Dotted lines marked elevated passageways while dashes highlighted the deep structures. D’Quan never viewed their world two-dimensionally. For in the underworld, every feature of the land had an elevation. Michi needed to know where his enemy was. If he made a mistake, the Lu’An warriors might come out of the ceiling like ants right behind his lines. He opened the purse and began placing platinum rings set with purple stones on each finger. The stones mimicked the one on his pendant yet not as large.

I think the bulk of the Lu’An forces are in this region, the Commander pointed at a disputed section of ichi fields and niu ranches along the borderline of the two states.

Our two states have been claiming and reclaiming this land for a thousand cycles. Michi surmised, perhaps our new tunnels will provide an edge. We’ve been working for nigh two petz to get the tunnels ready.

The Commander pointed at the map, we have completed the two tunnels to blast thickness, Sire. We’d hoped they’d come into this cavern near, uh, here for the main battle but there are no guarantees.

We must lure them in. My decoy will lead the army that direction. With haste. You may call them bait, yet this bait will have bite. He traced the map with his finger. I’ll take a dozen of our best Xu warriors and a squad of both infantry and archers down the newest Xu tunnel. My Xu Commander will duplicate in the other.

Your Majesty, I would warn against departing the main force and leading one of the pincer groups yourself. You are far too valuable ...

To the bold, goes the glory, Michi cut off his Commander. You will lead the main army with my stand-in. I wouldn’t position yourself too close to him. He might get some uh, attention from the Lu’An. Michi handed the empty purse back to his attendant. We may be an under-sized force but I’d put our Xu warriors up against any in the six kingdoms.

The Commander grimaced. Better than Lu’An, I’m sure. For many generations, their ancient rival got the best of them. Lu’An was the pre-eminent city of the underworld with over 400,000 people and a standing army of almost 30,000.

Now, have your forces ready to take our caverns back by the dinner bell. Once they all settle in for their meal, enter this cavern. Michi pointed at the map. He checked his katana by pulling the long-gilded sword out of its sheath, then snapped it into place, and buckled the fabled sword around his waist. The sound of the battle will let us know when to strike. We’ll blast the wall and come in heavy on their flank.

We must hasten to gain our position, the Commander saluted, pivoted, and left the tent.

Michi’s Commander squinted across the perpetual dusk of the ichi cavern. This cavern stretched out for almost a quarter league. It had a low ceiling with row upon row of the short knee-high ichi planted. Although the walls had the luminescent kuan flowers and chrysanth, the field was huge – a foreboding gloom settled on the paddock. He could see dregea vines twisted around each column on the farm. A nuisance vine for farmers, for the Commander, they were hiding places for friend and foe. They crawled across the field and spiraled around columns like spider webs.

The Commander spotted his scouts among the columns now. They still had arms raised in the all-clear signal. He could see a few oil lamps here and there on support columns in the distance. These served to accentuate the shadows cast by the structures. The ichi fields were ready for harvest; the farmers had begun stringing the lanterns. The Commander grinned; the Lechang got to the field first.

The air was heavy with the moisture of the fields. He knew several streams came in from the west and fed the fields with the water carefully channeled down the rows. Dotting the fields all the way across were rock columns seven span wide by a hundred and fifty span long. These were the natural supports of the cavern left in place when the field was carved out of the labyrinth hundreds of cycles ago. In a battle, these were natural defense barriers especially from archers. His army was filing out of two southern entrances along the road that outlined the fields. He saw the Prince’s decoy come out leading several squads. He came out of the third entrance, an eastern approach. The decoy’s stunning purple cloak was clearly visible across the field. Surely, the Lu’An scouts could see him.

The infantry moved orderly; they were the best trained along the ice wall. Each infantryman had a rectangular shield, waist high, strapped to their back with dao swords on their side. They carried the standard short spear so popular for tunnel/cavern warfare. It was called a mao. Chest-high, the mao had a long metal grip with an iron shaft and alloy, broad-oval sword-tip. War in the labyrinth was up-close – a scarlet embrace.

The Commander gave it a moment, pulled a gauntlet off, and put two fingers in his mouth. A shrill whistle echoed off the cavern wall. At once, two rows of shield warriors rushed out each of the three entrances and sprinted across to the middle of the field. These infantries knew their role – standard tactics. They ran to the middle of the fields and the first row, in unison, pulled the large, rectangular, heavy shields off their backs. The shields flashed in the dim light as they brought them over their heads with great force. It was like the rolling of fingers on the table – the edges slammed into the ground. Each shield was adjacent to the next from many hours of practice. Each shield had a rounded corner leaving a gap. The infantry then stuck their short spears into the gap. Within moments, the second row had their shields on top of the first, creating a shield wall across the southern half of the cavern.

The decoy strode behind the wall in his vivid purple cloak, barking orders at the men and women in the ranks. D’Quan women were only marginally smaller than their men and played an equal role in all aspects of D’Quan society. In fact, one of his captains was a woman; she strode purposely beside the decoy now ensuring adequate wall construction. He was a ploy; she was the leader.

The Commander came in next and went to the nearest support column. He strode the length of the wall, climbed up in the dregea vines, crushed a rather large spider with his gauntlet, and peered across the field. The shield wall took up most of the cavern height but he could just see over the tops. Visibility remained poor. The ichi was not bioluminescent but the dregea flowers were and the lamps across the way provided some illumination. Shadows flitted through the far fields but he could see glints and gleams from their targets spreading out – the Lu’An took the field.

Here they come! He shouted across the field. His message relayed down the lines. Across the cavern, he saw the lamps of the enemy now filing into the cave. He could just make out the light gray leather of the Lu’An troops. Row upon row upon row of archers were taking up position along the northern wall. He saw the front row kneel with the gleaming metal crossbows used by archers. Wood was so scarce; metal crossbows were predominant. The crossbows were technically called chu-kat, a ubiquitous tool of all D’Quan armies.

The Commander squinted and saw something ominous. Lu’An was a rich state. He could just see a row of longbows on the second rank. Lechang had precious few of the wooden bows. He craned his neck and saw what he was looking for. Mages! He cried out. His Captain glanced at him; she looked over her shoulder at the colorful Lechang mages. She held her hand up at them, fist closed, hold in the tunnel.

His shield warriors braced behind their shields. The commander shifted his position behind the rock abutment. He knew that the fight would be like a fire across the field. He saw the violet colors quickly intersperse among banks of enemy shield warriors that were moving forward. As expected, Lu’An was taking the offensive posture in this battle; they were confident. The Commander gave three short whistles using his fingers. Some captains had actual whistles throughout the ranks and mimicked him.

Four flights of archers ran forward with long bows – all of his ranged fighters. On command, the top of the shield wall dropped. The long bowmen let a volley loose across the field and the top row of shields repositioned. The Commander saw some infantry on the other side fall in random flops. A few screams echoed off the cavern walls. First strike, he whispered. He got the volley off before the enemy’s walls were completed. One purple-donned mage fell. That would be one less that his forces had to deal with.

Here it comes! He yelled and gave one loud piercing long whistle.

Next, he felt something cavern dwellers NEVER feel. Wind! For soldiers, a gnawing, retching feeling always grabbed the gut when they felt the drafts billowing in a fight. Yet, the Commander was a veteran of the skirmishes; he had seen the whirling vegetation and circular dust patterns of a Xu attack many times. He gave two screeching whistles and hugged the vines. Multiple mage blasts rocked the cavern. His shield wall crumpled in three spots from the percussive blasts despite his soldiers valiant attempts to brace the wall. Shields and infantrymen flew high in the burst. One careened off his column, head snapping as he hit. The Commander ducked. Two gaping holes were in his lines now and a third spot only had the bottom row.

His warriors held the wall in the rest of the formation. Soldiers rushed forward with shields to fill the gap. His two-whistle command also brought forth his own mages from behind the ranks. Six violet cloaked wizards ran up to the gaps in the line. They stood still a brief moment, feet apart and heads down. The heads popped up and hands outstretched. Again, the wind swirled around him.

The violet Xu mage – the ultimate weapon of a labyrinth army. Fury lashed out at their enemy. The rolling maelstroms shook the cavern and dust settled from the ceiling. He peered out and saw ranks of the Lu’An blown apart by the ferocity of the magic. Several, including two mages, bounced off the ceiling and crumpled below into the water troughs of the ichi rows.

First salvo, mine. He whispered to himself. They struck too soon.

Archers followed the mages and veered to his right. Smart, he whispered, gazing at his Captain on the field. She had directed the right flank to move the shield wall closer. Now in crossbow range they could let loose hundreds of leather piercing bolts. He watched as his warriors free-fired into the confusion across the field. The Lu’An were still erecting their broken shield wall when round after round of crossbow bolts lanced their positions. Howls answered – blood chilling shrieks of pierced foes. Soldiers fell clutching guts or throats. The Commander’s eyes narrowed and his lips crested at the corners.

We got to the cavern first, the Commander mumbled. He saw his lines re-form; they now had the best position. He saw the Lu’An react. Brace it, he bellowed to the nearest squad of shield warriors who had advanced their position. Then he felt the wind again. He looked behind him, relieved that his mages made it back to the tunnels in time. He gripped the vines of his column; the next round of pounding from the Lu’An wizards started to pelt his positions. A shield rocketed off his column, knocking a chunk loose. The infantry wall in front of him shattered. Lu’An had many wizards.

His own mages responded, allowing the soldiers to reform ranks. The Commander saw several light gray soldiers across the paddock spinning as if caught in a whirling windstorm. Another round of Lechang bolts slammed into their ranks. The Commander strained his neck to see the colored warriors run back into the midst of the commotion. He put fingers to lips for another long whistle.

As soon as he did, the Lu’An struck again. The bellows and screams of the wounded now created the familiar din of battle. Dust and ripped vegetation were swirling around with each blast, adding to the confusion and horror of the cavern battle. The Lu-An followed with another magical attack which broke his lines in several spots. A lone shield went spinning backwards and decapitated one of his archers. He was confident that his warriors were trained for this gory carnage – cavern war. They would not cower.

The Commander climbed higher, craning his neck to see wide swaths of destruction among their foe. Still, more enemy clamored into the cavern from the north, trying to bolster their thinning ranks. He stuck his fingers in his mouth and signaled his own reinforcements. The Lechang lines were advancing into the fields inching the shield walls forward. Reconstructing when their own mages struck and gaining a few hand-spans each volley.

Some of his infantry were trying to gain the western wall, sloshing through the muddy fields as quickly as possible. If they could gain the left flank, they could attack with sword and shield. More magical attacks collapsed the middle of his lines. Some soldiers flopped back under their shields yet sprang back into position. The noise was deafening – blasts, screeches, and bellows. The Commander could smell the earthy, muddy stench of the ichi soil that was uprooted. This mixed with a new smell: fresh blood. A metallic smell, the odor could cause fear.

He saw that Lu’An infantry warriors were gathering for a rush. Two more screeching whistles from his lips. His mages rushed back out and gave all they had left. At the same moment, his crossbows on the western flank gained their range. Dozens of bolts whipped through the air after the familiar ‘fwap’ sounds of the crossbow – like staccato drums.

He peered through the haze and ranks of the Lu’An were in disarray. He saw them regrouping in the center of the field. If so, the Lu’An infantry would charge. He knew that a few moments might pass before this becomes a free-for-all and the enemy mages would disappear north. The Lu’An must have felt confident in their ability to win a straight battle. The Lechang were … outnumbered.

The Commander drew his sword and looked down at His Captain by the next column as if to say ‘now’. His next archer volley flew, and behind it, she charged. She could not allow them to get organized. The decoy led another charge fifty span to his right. They had to get the Lu’An mages’ attention. His warriors screamed the roared challenge across the field and rushed forward; iron dao waving above their heads. The Commander heard the familiar rumbling gallop of the infantry; he saw the mages at the northeast corner turn for the attack.

Powerful aftershocks pierced the din of battle!

The cavern walls right beside the Lu’An wizards in the northeast corner blew apart. Boulders, stone, and tons of soil careened into the corner of the cavern in a stunning explosion that echoed through the paddock!

Agghhhhh! The Commander’s zeal peaked; perfect timing. His eyes followed a large rock which dropped right on top of a Lu’An mage. The enemy’s purple-shod warriors had bunched right beside the northeast exit. The stupendous blast landed amidst them with all of that rock, throwing the Xu warriors like rag dolls around the exit. Their own troops impaled some; others slammed into the ceiling; a few crushed together into their own shield warriors. Michi arrived! Only he could have produced a blast with that intensity. Chaos reigned in the enemy ranks!

The Commander hopped down from his column and joined the charge up the middle. His own troops on the western wall already engaged the Lu’An rear. The enemy lost their flank in moments. Sure, some escaped up the northern tunnels but Michi’s squads trapped those at the northeast exit.

The Commander caught glimpses of the valiant Prince; his katana rose and fell. Ranks of Lu’An soldiers were thrown backwards by his Xu blasts. Beside him were two squads of Lechang’s finest warriors. The new force cut through the enemy ranks like a dao through a teff stalk. The Lu’An ran screaming. Yet they were caught between the Commander’s troops and Michi’s reinforcements.

The only exit now available was in the middle of the north wall and that was where the Commander led his charge. Shaped like a spear tip, his force rammed through the ranks of Lu’An in a thunderous clash of metal. Even the best of the Lu’An turned to flee; the Lechang cut them down in a horrific gory sweep. Like a scythe through the ichi fields, Michi cut into the right flank of the Lu’An. The enemy between Michi and his Commander were in a pincer and had nowhere to go. His fresh troops at the west end of the cavern made a gate-like swing against the Lu’An troops left there.

A bloody slaughter ensued. Swords clanged, spears pierced, soldiers moaned. Alloy axes, katanas and maces ripped through leather. Crossbow bolts littered the muddy bottoms of the ichi farm. Red rivulets formed, running from west to east across the rows. Labyrinth battle was always horrific, always carnage. A Lu’An captain called for his remaining squads to lie down in the crimson mud and drop their weapons. Blusters and moans, screams of agony, shrieks of despair.

Prince Michi stood in the middle of the field, his katana raised in left hand. Enemy blood was smattered on his armor and he appeared a fearful apparition. As he shook the sword, the soldiers cried out, ‘victory, victory’!

Fabled Lu’An was routed.

CHAPTER 2

The Forgotten

The west wall of the giant cavern displayed a tapestry of colors from a myriad of glowing plant life and rock formations. Gypsum ridges, glowing cukos, jade clusters, kuan flowers, and chabba rock flowers each provided soft light with a kaleidoscope of colors. Though more than a league underground, the natural light was abundant but soft. Some would still call this mighty city dark. For the D’Quan peoples, this was home with a perpetual glow – Dongguan.

Jian scrambled up the vines along the west wall of the canyon he called home. City of black stone, metropolis of the west, Dongguan lay on the edge of D’Quan territory. Jian scampered up by wedging his toes into small indentations in the sheer cliff wall on the first level of the city. The asarina vines with fragrant periwinkle flowers provided his hand-holds; he had done this many times. At a point almost twenty hand-span above the ground level, he spun around and wedged each shoulder under the hard vines so he could turn and view the city. This maneuver slipped him into the shadows behind the bioluminescent foliage. He felt like a dark spider hanging in the web, surveying his territory.

Jian liked it here. Solace – a feeling of removal from his meager existence. Escape to my perch, he mumbled. He could see the top of the orphanage from this vantage. His old home, Jian was expelled last petzi due to his age. D’Quan were by-and-large rule followers. He had to go; the Shanaan Sisters gave him his tin cup, sandals and old cloak. That summed it, everything he owned.

Now, he survived on the streets of the slums otherwise known as the Choon Guay sector. Jian was Choon Guay, the lowest rung on the D’Quan caste system … the untouchables. The bottom of the city, orphans mixed with cripples, blind, malformed – all the unwanted lived here. Forgotten. If it wasn’t for the flowers enveloping him, he could smell the stench of his poverty. Yet, Jian had no idea the sector stunk; it was home.

Jian took a heavy inhale of the floral bouquet. He loved to hang like this above the world. The bullies couldn’t chase him – he was too fast. The guards didn’t care if he climbed up here. Guards … he had been beat the previous turn for begging. I shoulda snitched his boot dagger, Jian mumbled. I coulda sold that thing and fed us for a few turns.

Jian held perfectly still and his jointed, cup-shaped ears rotated forward, fanning his long black hair out in a comical look. Up here, on his perch, he might catch the occasional bancha or gecko. The bancha bug was crunchy but provided only a spot of nourishment. Geckos were better. His rotund, oval eyes darted around to try and catch movement. No insects out today? He asked the air.

Movement caught his eye across the way. He had a good view of the slaughter pen on level six from here. He could hear the niu baying in their stalls. He had to look diagonally up to see the next terrace – the levels were massive. Shu told him the city had seven levels in all … one for each caste. The expanse of the canyon went beyond sight; the rich lived in the ceiling cliffs, up in the haze.

Jian’s eyes wandered to his left, to the north. The Academy blotted out the panorama. A six story hexolith of cold black stone rose into the air. One day, I’ll go there, he whispered. The Academy of Dongguan was a mystical focal point of the sector. Since most of the working level lay sprawling to his north in short, unadorned buildings, this massive building stood out. They constructed the building entirely with magic, which caused the building to look anomalous with no joints. It just had smooth, black, rounded stone with strange copper glyphs embedded into the side of the stone going all the way up each of the six spires. Jian had an odd fascination with it while most of the Choon Guay ignored the building. Jian sighed, what’s behind those walls? Maybe rich students studying gemology, magic, … he didn’t know what they studied. He just dreamed.

His toe hold slipped but he was stuck in tight. His tin cup clanked against the wall. It was tied to his cloak. Don’t wanta lose that. Jian peered down and saw the cup still dangling from the tie. He used the dented vessel for fetching water from the pull, begging near the orphanage, or heating food – if they ever got any. His last real meal was the snake he snagged two turns ago. Even digging in the Academy trash revealed no treasure.

Jian sighed and looked down to his reality … a camp located below him. After expulsion, Jian found a camp in the slum that accepted him. His camp consisted of a crippled girl with a deformed ankle, an older deaf man, Jian, and one older boy - Shu. Shu and Jian did the physical work for the others although the cripples made the best beggars. Two women in the camp next to them were the primary caretakers of the lame but the boys were the runners; their job was to root through garbage, catch lizards and rustle scraps. Maybe they could snitch something. Jian was a younger member of the team and was destined for the thief role in the group. He could also fit in some pretty tight spots; hunt the small prey.

From this vantage, he could see the Choon Guay begin to bed down for the sleep turn. The sleep bell had not even rung yet. That didn’t matter. Bells meant little to the residents of the ghetto. Even Shu lay down. I guess I should make my way down. Jian gripped his vines with both hands to swing down.

Right before he began the egress, Jian noted movement over near the foundations of the Academy. He saw the flash of steel – a glint. Two of the academy guards were coming off the academy stairs. Unusual, Jian whispered, squinted his eyes, and began the climb down. As he made it toward the floor of the great cavern, his ear picked up a metallic groan – wheels. He dropped the last body length, flexing his knees on impact. Something’s up, I need to get Shu. He hopped over several stone blocks, leaped across two sleeping Choon Guay and landed by his mat in his own camp.

Jian swiped the hair behind his left ear and listened to a sudden crescendo of hushed whispers. Something was happening in the slum – something unusual.

Shu, Jian’s hoarse voice directed over his shoulder. Someone’s coming! Shu slept on the mat behind him. Jian jiggled his leg, Shu. Shu popped up beside him, ears leaning forward. The older boy’s nostrils flared out on his typical flat nose.

Immediately, he leaped to his feet. Cloaks, he whispered in a clipped tone, hood up. Jian already had his cloak. He slipped the sandals on and followed Shu’s lead. They moved north with Shu pulling his ragged gray cloak over bony shoulders. This is different, he muttered in low, shushed tones following the code of Choon Guay – whisper, no real noise.

As they padded down the street, Jian’s thoughts were confirmed. Hushed whispers, murmurs and a creaking of wheels. The creaking noise came from down near the huge footings for the Academy. Jian heard people around them rustling, but the wily Shu was ahead of them and they outpaced the other slum residents to get to the north, to the Academy. Shu picked his way around mats; dodging refuse, people, and broken buildings. We gotta get close to get anything. Shu didn’t have time to respond to Jian’s puzzled expression. He took Jian’s hand. He almost lifted him from his feet and pulled him through the maze. Although there were no shelters underground, there were plenty of stones and blocks as people marked territory or set up cubby holes for their camps.

Stone and metal, boy! Shu implored, get a move on. Shu had made it to the wider avenue and rushed down the broken lane. That is when Jian got a glimpse of them.

Wow, he whispered, it’s a real people cart with Xu lamps! Jian saw two Xu lamps swaying back and forth with the jiggle of the cart. It was a standing cart but the glare of the lamps cut off his vision. He could hear a niu baying down the way.

How observant of you? Shu replied, yanking Jian’s collar. We need to get you up to the front of the crowd.

What? Why? Jian started but Shu slithered between people, maneuvering his way to the front, dragging Jian by the back of his cloak. Jian noticed the cart was being pulled by two niu, the pack mule of the D’Quan. Niu were waist high with short legs and broad shoulders. They were also one of the main proteins and hide sources for the city.

Shu pulled up, blocked by a row of four-deep kids. They were gawking and whispering; the crafty kids jockeyed for position. Jian saw the two guards coming forward in front of the cart. They were brawny for D’Quan although brawny is relative since none of the D’Quan were thick. They each held the leather-gripped, short spear typical of D’Quan along with a shield. The spear had a wide-head and Jian would later find out that they were called – a mao. Both wore the black leather armor of the city guard. Not full armor, just hauberks and pauldrons with short skirts, breeches beneath. And the guards also had the saber-like swords in their belts called dao. Jian was transfixed as all young boys around soldiers.

Then Jian saw the cart occupant – and verbally gasped. Shu tugged him to shush the boy. Jian didn’t care; standing there was an absolute goddess! At least that’s how Jian would remember this meeting forever. What’s more, she had blonde hair! No D’Quan had blonde hair. Black was homogenous. Yet here she was, an obvious blonde. Jian then noticed some black hair on the front part of her head. ‘Odd,’ he thought; his left eyebrow lifted. She wore a long flowing deep green velvety cloak fastened with a silver chain around the throat, contrasting his own drab gray garment.

Sparkles around her hands caught his eyes too. Jewelry! Jian whispered with an open, gaping mouth. She had on silver looking rings, about five of them. All of them appeared to have golden stones. She also had a silver-colored necklace and a circlet. The goddess appeared regal and majestic. As he watched, her eye roved among the children while she worked.

Shu was not watching the woman or mesmerized by her beauty. Shu was a veteran of the Choon Guay. He watched the scene, get ready. He told Jian and pushed him ahead between the rows of children.

What? He responded under his breath.

Shu pointed.

Smaller children, like him, were darting to the cart, hands out, eyes lowered, and heads bowed. If royalty were here, no one dared shout. Shouting or even talking was the wrong protocol. If a royal deigned to show favor on a Choon Guay, bow or kneel, but never look up. The woman handed food out to the kids.

Shu prodded his back, don’t look up, kneel, and loosen your cloak so she can see your ribs sticking out. He hesitated as Jian loosened his cloak. Now, forward. You’re a dense poor slum murid,, he barked in a whisper, got it?

Uh-huh, Jian moved forward swiftly; his tattered leather sandals shuffled on the compacted andisol roadway. His bowed his head and lowered his eyes, playing his role. He got up to the cart and dropped to one knee as instructed. He could see peripherally that the woman had a sack in one hand and was handing out wafers to the street children. They made wafers and loaves out of teff; a fine grain abundant near the underworld peat bogs.

The child in front received his wafer but didn’t run back, instead holding out his other hand. Shoo boy, the guard waved his spear at the young fellow who hopped back out of reach and returned to the crowd. Jian didn’t want to get hit again.

Here boy, the woman’s soft melodic voice tingled Jian’s ear. It was his turn. But at the sound of the mesmerizing voice, Jian instinctively looked ... up! He looked straight into her deep, piercing blue eyes with a soulful gaze. Jian was just taken aback. He grasped for breath. He had seen nothing so beautiful as the creature standing over him now. This golden goddess shimmered with the swaying Xu lamps. He almost feinted but held her stare.

Her head cocked to the side, like she was gauging him.

At once, the nearest guard raised his spear to strike Jian with the leather end. Jian didn’t notice. He was transfixed. In his poor little life, all he had was that moment with that goddess. He noticed when the end of the spear began to swing. He started to flinch, anticipating the strike, but the blow never came. The woman reached out and touched the guard’s arm, staying his hand. Instead, she came down from the cart and bent to look Jian in the face. She stooped, wiped a smudge off his cheek, and peered at his grimy visage. Her eyes narrowed. Jian absently reached to the side of his jaw, pupils glistening. You child shall have two. Jian glanced at the guard who stood expressionless after his rebuke. She dug deep in the sack. Setting the sack back down, she took hold of Jian’s hands.

You look hungry, child, she said to him, her voice full of compassion.

Yes ma’am, Jian whispered, watching her eyes glimmer.

Here you go boy, she pressed two wafers into his right hand but she also placed something hard into his left hand. The Choon Guay have not been forgotten. Her eyes flickered to his and then away.

He didn’t look at what she gave him – he balled his fist around it, lowered his eyes, bowed at the waist, and began backing away. Jian politely said goodbye to his goddess in green.

He felt two hands grab his shoulders and pull him back into the crowd. Shu took hold of Jian’s wrist and steered him south, back toward their camp. What d’ya get? Shu whispered.

Not here, he answered.

Did ya get enough for both of us?

I think so. Let’s get back Jian clutched both fists around the goddess’ bounty, looking over his shoulder furtively, an eye out for muggers.

Once back at the camp, Jian held out his right hand showing Shu the bread. Two wafers, good boy. You make a good street murid. Shu applauded. Shu was older than Jian by five or six cycles. He had long black hair down almost to his shoulders and tied off in a stub at the back. His ears were smaller than some D’Quan and he had silver irises around the extra-large pupils common among the D’Quan.

Jian smiled and held out his other fist. As he opened it, he realized it was a polished cut gem: money! Gems were the currency of the underworld. Yet it was no gem Jian had ever seen. The only gem he knew was opal, the bottom rung of the currency scale. It’s blue, Jian cocked his head, eyes wide.

Can’t be! Shu whispered; his eyes grew three sizes. Where’d you get this? He curled Jian’s fingers back over the stone so no one saw it.

She gave it to me, I swear. I didn’t nip it, Shu! Jian said, bobbing his head up and down. What is it?

It’s an aquamarine, Shu whispered. Or shall I say, a thousand specks.

Jian was aghast. He looked heavenward, I’m holding a thousand opals?

Shu nodded. This could feed both of us for the rest of the petza. I’m sticking with you, kid; you have the luck of a bianfu. Bianfu are bat-like creatures of the caves – hard to kill.

Jian, however, felt weak in the knees and leaned back. He fell on his butt. Why me? He whispered.

Good Fu, I guess, Shu sat beside him. Lot of money, he whispered. He thought for a moment more, Jian, my friend, I think it’s time for a real plan. A way to change our lives.

Jian nodded with a weak twitch. After begging or fighting for every scrap of food since he left the orphanage, he needed a break. If they drew water for every vendor in the sector, they might get thirty opals. But one thousand!

First things first, Shu fished in his cloak. He got out his small leather money pouch. How many specks ya got?

Jian fished his pouch out, three.

Gimme, Shu held his pouch open.

Without hesitation, Jian dropped his opals in the pouch then put the aquamarine into his own pouch. It felt good even though it weighed the same as one opal, exactly ten grain. The state regulated it.

Shu then had Jian loop the cord and tie it around his upper thigh beneath his tunic. That’ll protect us from thieves till we figure. Shu then laid out his version of a good plan. I know a guy that’ll help us. Shu paused, then nodded as if convincing himself. Yeah, Ja will help us.

I know who he is. Since the end of the petzi, he’s only said one word to me, Jian said.

What’s that?

Ja, Jian answered.

Yeah, he’s like that, Shu said laughing. He’s gotta get to know ya. But I promise ya this… Ja knows more than anyone in the Choon Guay sector. By the Mighty, Jian, he’s almost forty cycles old. He used to be high in the city but lost his sight. Shu pointed up in the air as if it were a fairy tale.

Jian looked up at all the little points of light.

Then maybe he can tell me why we gauge people by cycles. Or for the matter, what by stone, is a cycle?

Shu smiled and patted Jian’s shoulder, sleep bell.

On cue, the large bell near the top of the city rang. Bells on each level mimicked the command bell.

Queen Jihye’s lips moved in wordless command to her Xu lamp. She paused to see the beryl answer, and the room brightened around her with the soft light of the magical lantern.

Come Jia, she unbuttoned her fur cloak and, with care, placed the tomes on the stone table in the middle of her plush chambers. As the light brightened, Jia followed her Aunt into the chambers and plopped a volume on the table. She gazed around the room, wide-eyed. The Queen’s chambers had transformed from neat and clean to piles of scrolls, books bound with string – massive volumes with dust still clinging to them. Jihye scooted a pile over on her stone dining table. We must study. She laid her cloak on the big padded stone chair in the living area and returned to the table.

Jia’s face fell, you know I’d rather be on the hunt, Aunt Jihye. Her niece twirled her short black pony tail around on her finger. She had the light brown skin typical of her race with deep penetrating silver eyes. Jia’s gaze wandered around the room as if there were anything else she could do. You have books everywhere, Aunty. By the Mighty, you’ll hurt your eyes.

Jihye brushed her long mauve locks off her shoulders and looked down her slender nose at the young Baroness. She smiled. When she did, several tiny creases beside her golden eyes formed and squinted at the girl. Jia was only fifteen cycles-old but showed an exceeding amount of promise. She was already handy with a sword, had a quick wit, and was an avid huntress. I get out, dear. When the time is ripe for it. Time is a precious commodity for us; I must discover secrets. Jihye paused and her pupils enlarged, this is all part of your training, my dear.

Yes, your Highness, Jia lightly bounced on her feet and dipped … an exaggerated curtsy. She bowed her head and peered through slatted eyes back up to the Queen.

Jihye frowned in return, Aunt will be fine. The Queen selected the tome she wanted and opened it on one of the few clean spaces she had – directly under the lamp.

The young woman grasped the wrought-iron chair and moved it up to the table, slithering her lithe form into the seat. First, she looked down at the beautiful swirls and patterns in the Xu-wrought stone floor of the Queen’s chambers. Then she slumped back in the chair, made a smacking sound with her lips, and looked up at her Monarch. Jihye continued undeterred, we must learn the secrets of the ancients. I found these tomes in the catacombs of the palace. We might be the first to have seen them in a millennium, dear. Isn’t that exciting? One of Jihye’s black eyebrows shot up in the air and she looked sideways at her niece.

Thrilling, Jia’s monotone