Page 86 of The Wind Dancer
She wanted to object. I heard it in her breath. Whether out of discipline or trust, she let it pass. She gave a small nod, letting me know she understood and accepted it.
“If you get there before me, or if we don’t meet for some other reason, do you know what to do?”
“Kill the bastards, especially Fouche.” I smiled widely at her, but she didn’t smile back. Unlike me, she completely understood the threat posed by the ritual.
“We need to stop the ritual before its climax. Before the fabric of reality rips... Before anything comes through it.”
“And if we’re late?”
“Then the tower will become an actual gateway. And those on the other side will come in droves.” She paused and looked at me. She stared for a very long time, and said softly, “We can’t be late, Feng Lao...”
CHAPTER 24
The night had always been more dear to me than the day. There was no sweltering heat and scorching sun. There were fewer crowds, and the guards were less keen. They tried to avoid the Lower City at night, as that sharply decreased the likelihood of them ending up with a knife in their back. So when the dark came, laws slithered away, and the rules of the streets took over.
The city was now the living embodiment of lantern flames and spice-filled smoke. The celebration was gaining momentum: the crowds were singing and laughing, the merchants were shouting, drumming a fun rhythm on their stall counters. The colors had hit my eyes like the wine from earlier had hit my head. But I didn’t have the time or the desire to participate in this. I was in for some very dangerous negotiations with mistress Lin Juying, and if I screwed up, the rats would eat well tonight.
The Garden of the Nine Gates was, as always, untouched by the city’s chaos. None of the street riffraff dared to cause trouble here, and no one stole. The Tongs ruled this place, led by their mistress.
In the old dynasty’s language, Lin Juying meant the Forest of Nine Shadows — a metaphorical place where all who did not belong simply disappeared. No one knew whether it was her given name or one that had come to fit her too well.
I stopped in front of the back gate. There was no need to visit the common room today. I rang a small brass gong which was covered with faded symbols. The impact and the sound wave echoed through the street. Then I held still for two heartbeats before quickly striking it twice. It was a sign that the one who had struck the gong knew where they were and, most importantly, who they had come to see.
“The garden welcomes you, Shadow,” the gatekeeper, rumored to be the granddaughter of the owner of the place, said softly. The girl in a blood-red silk outfit looked tired, but I knew how deceptive that expression was. She was no older than me, but her eyes had seen far more, and I knew there were more daggers hidden in her clothes than there were in a blacksmith’s shop. And she was a master at throwing them.
“I have come to see your mistress. I need to have a meeting with her.”
“A meeting? Aren’t you overstepping your position?” I looked her straight in the eye, and she looked away.
“Blood, coin, and reputation. The three pillars of the streets. Remove one, and this world will collapse.”
That was the phrase used when someone wanted to involve the Tongs in a matter.
She gave a short nod, telling me to wait. Her footsteps were faint, and I could only hear her by the rustle of silk. I knewI hadn’t been able to hear such things before. The Sanctuary had changed more than I had originally noticed.
I had to wait. No one was in a rush to welcome the youngest master Shadow. Thankfully, I still had time, but it would soon become more expensive than gold.
She finally came back.
“The mistress agrees to a meeting. Come with me.” They didn’t even bother locking the door, only an idiot would trespass here.
I was led through narrow corridors. Our footsteps were muffled by the soft carpets. The air was filled with the scent of incense and gun oil. An interesting combination, which was very fitting for this place.
She stopped in front of the door and knocked several times, immediately opened it, and invited me to enter.
The mistress of the Garden of the Nine Gates was waiting at a long, low table. She wore a lavish robe of fine gray silk, embroidered with golden snakes that almost seemed alive. I didn’t bother imagining how much it had cost, if she had paid for it at all.
“Well, well, look who decided to make a poor old woman happy by gracing her with his presence.” You could call her old, but she looked great for her age. But poor... I would’ve laughed. “Come in, have a seat. Would you have some wine with me? It’s been so hard to find a good companion since your old man’s death.”
“It would be an honor, mistress Lin.” I sat down and poured wine for both of us. A man would always pour the wine, even if the woman was of a higher status.
“Let’s skip the ‘mistress’, boy. Your mentor and I respected each other and knew how to coexist. I don’t yet know how things will go with you.” She studied me as if she had never seen me before.
“I’m just another Shadow.”
“A Shadow that comes to me speaking of blood, coins, and reputation. A Shadow, who had a disagreement with Elder Fu Shang, who then promptly disappeared.” I took a big sip of wine and said with a smile:
“A beautiful aroma, the lady knows her wines.” She laughed merrily in response.
