Sheiji drifted in and out of consciousness. Several times he called for Suyo who came immediately to his side. He burned with heat and shivered with chills. His mouth was dry and his tongue choked him. Sheiji did not know how long he was feverish.
Sheiji awoke to voices. His mind was clearer than it had been at other times.
“This is the one?” asked a deep voice.
“Yes,” Suyo’s voice replied. “I know him only by the name of Kitu, but I heard the man call him Vua.”
“Yes,” said the deep voice. “He has the same eyes as Yukoshi.”
“I would not know, my lord,” Suyo said.
“Yes, it is who you say,” the voice replied. “But will he survive his wounds?” Sheiji moaned in pain as the man probed his stomach.
“We will take him to the palace. We’ll take him in the litter,” the man said. Sheiji felt himself lifted and settled back onto thick pillows. If it weren’t for his pain, Sheiji would have been extremely comfortable. He could not say how long he rode in the litter, for he fell once again into unconsciousness.
Sheiji’s fever finally broke and he opened his eyes to find himself in a luxuriously furnished room. His bed was draped with red silk. The pillows and mattress were made of goose feathers. Gold, silver and precious gems decorated the room.
The door opened and a middle-aged man stepped in. He wore a purple tunic with gold embroidery. “You are awake at last,” he said, sitting beside the bed on a golden chair. “We almost feared that the fever would take you.”
“Who?” Sheiji’s mouth was still dry. The man held a cup and Sheiji gulped the water. But he had no strength and even that little effort wore him out. He lay back on the pillows gratefully and closed his eyes.
“I am Naro, King of Jiwu,” the man replied. “Also your uncle. Your mother was my full sister.”
“Then you are the one who will help me get my throne?” Sheiji asked, eyes wide now.
“Yes.”
“How long have I been ill?” Sheiji asked.
“For six days,” King Naro said.
“Six days! I must hurry. Sui-Tsai will kill Fa-Ying. I cannot let it happen!” Sheiji struggled to sit up, but King Naro pushed him back down.
“You cannot help him unless you get strong. Now you must rest and regain your strength,” King Naro said.
“But—.”
“No, Sheiji. You will rest, by order of the king. Do you understand?”
Sheiji closed his eyes and he was soon asleep, despite his feeling of desperation.
“Where did Suyo go?” Sheiji asked the next time King Naro visited.
“Suyo?” King Naro asked. “Oh, the boy who came to find me when you were hurt? He left as soon as he saw you would live.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“No. But he left you this,” King Naro took a piece of paper out of his robe.
“What does it say?”
“I have not read it, but I can read it to you if you like.”
“I’ll read it,” Sheiji said, taking the letter from the king. His strength was returning more and more every day. In a rough scrawl was written:
Kitu. gooDbye. I wIl nOt See you aGEn. Do not bee aNGre AT me fOr lEvINg, bUt i Cud not STa. i HOp yoU Becum kINg. Matsuyo.
When Sheiji had first discovered that Suyo was a girl, he had not been able to truly comprehend it. He had been faint with pain and loss of blood, and the revelation did not surprise him. Now, however, as he lay in bed with nothing better to do, he thought about this turn of events.
Looking back, Sheiji could think of several peculiarities that could be explained by the fact that Suyo was a girl, such as her never removing her turban, even when she slept. But why had she dressed like a boy? Why did she hide?
Sheiji reread Suyo’s letter. Would he ever see Suyo again? And why had she left him? Sheiji wished she had never discovered who he was. She was probably angry that he had kept such a secret from her. Yes, that was it. It must be it. Why else would she leave?