Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [245]
At least, I hoped so.
Waiting out of bowshot, none of us could hear what words were exchanged. When I saw the Emperor's men go to their knees, I released the breath I was holding. I heard dozens of others do the same, a sound like a soft wind sighing through a wheat field. Snow Tiger turned in the saddle and beckoned to us. As we approached, the Imperial soldiers stared at our motley party with disbelief and dismay, appalled to find the daughter of the Son of Heaven in such disreputable company.
"Give these people every respect," the princess said, sensing their silent disapproval. "They have served the Celestial Throne with great loyalty and honor."
Rising to the occasion, the captain offered a deep bow. "On behalf of the Imperial army, I offer my gratitude."
All around me, weather-beaten faces glowed.
She will be a great ruler one day, the dragon offered. If we live.
I shivered. "I think so, too."
While the princess, Master Lo, and our stick-fighters took counsel with the captain of the watch-guard, I occupied myself with grooming my mount, a long-legged bay gelding who was grateful for the attention. A few of the farmers drifted nearby as though they might offer to perform the chore for me, but no one did. I didn't mind—I was glad to have something to do—but it served to remind me that I too was very much alone in the midst of many.
You have me. The dragon's tone darkened. And that insolent warrior is very fond of you.
It made me smile. "Thank you, treasured friend. It is good to remember."
You will always find love on your path. Hers will be a lonelier one.
"I know," I said softly. "I am doing my best to make it less so."
Yes.
After the counsel session ended, we learned that the Imperial army's camp was a mere half day's ride away. It had been decided that we would set out in the late afternoon that we might arrive under cover of darkness. The captain and half his men would escort us, leaving a handful behind to safeguard our passage.
With gentle adamancy, Snow Tiger dismissed the farmers.
They didn't want to go. They knelt and stretched out their arms to her, protesting and pleading, but this time, she would not be swayed.
"No," she said firmly. "You have done me a great service for which I will ever be grateful. Here, it ends. We must travel swiftly and unencumbered. Go. Go home, and pray to the gods for our success."
There was more wailing and pleading, but at last they went, urged none too subtly by Captain Li Shen and his men. I watched the princess' shoulders ease in relief as the country folk departed. They had aided us, aye, but it was one less burden for her to carry.
And soon…
Home! the dragon caroled.
I tried not to think about the army that waited between us and White Jade Mountain, and the terrible weapons they wielded. The booming roar of the Divine Thunder echoed in my memory. "Aye," I agreed. "Home."
* * *
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
An hour into our journey toward the Imperial army, White Jade Mountain came into view.
It was beautiful, so beautiful.
I would have thought so anyway, but my awareness of the dragon's yearning made it all the more poignant. The mountain loomed in the distance, impossibly tall, its snow-capped peak rising high above a mantle of dark green spruce forest.
"Oh," I whispered, drawing rein involuntarily. "Oh! It's lovely."
Yes.
"Where is the lake, treasured friend?" I asked him. "The reflecting lake where you hid your pearl?"
Snow Tiger tilted her head in my direction, listening.
High in the mountains. The dragon sounded apologetic. Very high. You will have to climb very far.
I glanced at the princess. "Then we will."
By the time sunset gilded the snowy peak, we could make out a vast sprawl of tiny figures arrayed on the slopes of the mountain and around its base. From a distance, they seemed no more consequential than a colony of ants.
The nearer we drew, the more it changed.
Men, so many men. There were tens of thousands of them. When