‘Master, why are you telling me this?’
‘You are right. This is none of your concern. Only inasmuch as at this point I must place my life, and that of those I hold dear, in your hands.’
At first Nicander thought he had misheard. ‘Your l-life?’ he stuttered.
‘I am about to make you both a proposition. One that if it came to the ears of Chancellor Hao or the Emperor would undoubtedly result in my summary execution. If you do not wish to hear it, you must go now.’
Every instinct screamed at him to leave instantly – not to get involved in a life and death palace intrigue as a lowly player in whatever plot was unfolding.
Before he could say anything, Kuo quietly added, ‘I should perhaps tell you that the proposition will be to your undeniable advantage in your present situation.’
Nicander froze. If he left now it would be to abandon the only chance that had presented itself to them.
‘Please go on, sir.’
‘Should I provide you with a means of escape, gold, documents and so forth, would you undertake to be gone from here – with my daughter whom I would place in your protection as holy men I do trust?’
Nicander caught his breath. From anyone else but the all-powerful grand chamberlain the words would be incredible.
‘Master, I – we’re honoured in the trust you have placed in us. Do pardon while I explain the matter to my brother monk.’
He turned to Marius whose eyes lit up as he spoke. ‘Take it! Go – what’re you waiting for?’
Nicander held his gaze and whispered, ‘I have deep worries. We’ll be caught up in all this plotting up to our eyebrows, is one. The other is that do you want a woman, high-born at that – and they’re the worst – around our necks while we’re trying to get away? If we go with this, then whatever else we come up with has to be thrown aside, we’ll only get one chance!’
‘I say yes!’ snarled Marius. ‘Woman or not, I want out of here as I need air!’
‘I don’t like it! We’d be-’
‘We’re going! Tell him!’
Nicander realised if he didn’t agree, Marius would go on his own and be damned to all else.
He turned to Kuo. ‘Sir, we’ll do it.’
The sudden easing of the man’s body told its own story. ‘You cannot believe how grateful I am that my daughter will be clear of this… this gathering whirlwind, and you have my eternal thanks for it.’
In a voice charged with emotion he continued, ‘The details be pleased to leave to myself. It must be very soon, I fear. Do hold yourselves ready, for it will happen fast and without chance of return.’
‘How will we know-?’
‘We cannot be seen meeting again. The next time will be on the night of your departure. The signal will be a messenger requiring you to present costumes for my approval. Bring one, but I have to tell you that of your belongings you will only be taking what you have on your person.’
‘I understand, Master.’
‘Then I will bid you good night – and again, please know you have my most earnest expression of gratitude!’
Marius was beside himself in glee. ‘We’re on our way! No more poncing about, soon we’ll be as free as birds!’
‘You haven’t thought about this much, have you, Marius?’
‘What’s to think? We’re away out of it, thank the gods.’
‘Has it ever occurred to you that this doesn’t really add up? It’s starting to smell – something isn’t quite right. Answer me this: why is it that we, slaves – and holy men too, let it be said – are being asked to conduct a high lady out of here? Why not a dedicated band of warriors, a tight crew of compulsors or whatever they call them here. Why us, who stick out as foreigners?
‘And another thing. Why is Mr Kuo and his doggy assistant staying? You’d think he’d want to be gone, surely.’
Was it that they were to be sacrificed as cover to a larger plot?
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next afternoon an imperial herald arrived. ‘Where’s Beastmaster Yi?’ he demanded.
‘Oh, he’s indisposed.’
‘Message from His Celestial Majesty. Performance tonight – he wants it clear it had better be funny, he’s got guests.’
‘Yi sheng is not well. Can we not-?’
The herald gave a cynical smile.
‘Without him…’
There was no response from the man.
‘Message from the Grand Chamberlain,’ a voice piped up behind him.
‘Get away, young ’un,’ the imperial herald grunted. ‘Emperor before Grand Chamberlain, mate.’
‘Oh, let him deliver his message,’ Nicander said in desperate hope.
‘Master Kuo wants you to present your costumes to him for approval,’ the youth said. ‘Right now, he means.’
‘Ah, yes. Of course.’
His heart began pounding but Nicander managed to tell the imperial herald that the Emperor’s wishes would be obeyed for the performance.
Their escape was on!
In the matter of belongings there was no difficulty. They had lost all they owned to the pirates and apart from their sycees had little to show for their time at court.
At the Grand Chamberlain’s residence they were quickly brought inside and the gate firmly shut.
A servant hurried them to the meditation chamber. Kuo was leaning on his staff, serene and calm. Wang stood close by.
‘This night you shall be made free. Are you prepared?’
‘Master Kuo. There are things that are not clear to us. For instance-’
‘All will be revealed to you in good time. I must first ask you – will you truly do this? As a father, the placing of my daughter in the protection of another is a matter I cannot take lightly. Do you both give me your word that you will stand by her until she reaches sanctuary?’
Satisfied with their response, Kuo continued, ‘This is the plan. The Emperor will be exceedingly angry at her departure – we are both confined here under penalty of death, but more important, she would be seen as a focus for any popular rebellion, and would be hunted down mercilessly throughout the kingdom. It is my fervent desire that my dear daughter is safely quit of a land that is fast descending into a pit of chaos, therefore I ask that you conduct her to the only place where I can be certain she will be, heart and soul, safe from his reach.’
‘Where is this, sir?’
‘Out of China to the lands beyond the mountains – to your own country.’
‘B-but…’
‘In this way you will not only be able to depart from here, but also gain the means to return to your native soil. This is my assurance that you will have every reason to stay by her.’
Nicander fought a torrent of doubts. Just how realistic was Kuo being – did he know where the Byzantine Empire actually was, seeing that nobody here was aware it existed? Had he taken into account the pirates, outer barbarians, the incredible distances?
‘Master, how do you plan we do this?’
‘I desire you should journey to Chang An, where my brother is a merchant. From there caravan argosies of silks go west, into the setting sun to Ta Ch’in as of old. The precious cargoes are passed hand to hand, but where goes the silk, so may a traveller, I’m persuaded.’
‘It will probably cost much, sir. A very great deal, I fear. And if-’
Kuo fumbled for a chest on a nearby table and laid his hand on it. ‘In this coffer is enough to see you through to Chang An. There my brother will make arrangements for you to draw upon his account with his agents along the route. He is a well-established man and may be relied upon.’
A tidal wave of hope threatened to undo Nicander’s cool while he rapidly brought Marius up to date.
He turned to Kuo, ‘Sir, you may rely on us, too.’
There was one last detail. ‘My country is not renowned for its charity, sir. If your daughter-’
‘She will be given the means to subsist there independently as a lady of nobility. Your mission will be accomplished the day you set foot on your native soil, for you will understand it can never be permitted that my daughter finds herself reliant on the charity of holy men, however well disposed.’
Against all reason… a miracle was happening! In a very short time they would be free – and on their way…