Chapter 9
“We can go now,” said Sheiji to Fa-Ying and Inon. “My audience with His Regency is over.”
“Good,” replied Fa-Ying. “That was very foolish of you, Sheiji. You could have…Sui-Tsai could have killed you!”
“I know,” replied Sheiji. He caught Fa-Ying’s eye and nodded at the wall. Fa-Ying nodded. They had become very good at understanding many different nods and expressions on each other’s faces.
“Inon, go ahead and check his Majesty’s room,” commanded Fa-Ying.
“No, Inon, stay. I wish to have you with us,” Sheiji replied.
Inon stood looking from one to the other, not sure who to obey. Fa-Ying stood looking at Sheiji who stared back with a pleading expression on his face.
“Oh! All right then, Inon. Stay with us,” Fa-Ying consented.
Carefully and quietly, the three snuck to their secret meeting room in the wall. They rarely met there in the day, because of the risk of spies.
“What happened in there?” asked Fa-Ying when they were safely in the room. Inon stood staring wide-eyed around him. Then suddenly he fell to his knees before Sheiji crying, “Vua, Your Majesty. What a place!”
“Get up, Inon,” Sheiji said. Inon stood slowly, still wide-eyed.
“Listen, Inon. Here, in this room, we are safe to talk about anything without fear of spies. But here, also, we have no rank. We are only friends. Here, I am not your king, Fa-Ying is not my advisor and you are not my bodyguard. We are simply friends. Do you understand? Treat me as you would any one of your friends.”
“Yes, Vua…what shall I call you?” asked Inon.
“Sheiji,” replied he. “Just Sheiji.”
“Yes…Sheiji,” Inon answered with difficulty. From birth, all people learned greatest respect for the king and his family. No good citizen would speak a king’s first name, at least not without the title “Vua.”
“Good,” said Sheiji. “Now, I’ll tell you what happened. I nearly walked into a deadly trap.”
“What happened Sheiji?” asked Fa-Ying in a low voice.
“Well, the Royal Swindler in there tried to get me to sign a paper that, to sum it all up, said I commanded him to break the Treaty of Sugawa and wage war on Nakuchi and that Sui-Tsai was only obeying orders, so he was not responsible for anything.”
“Did he really think you would fall for it?” asked Inon.
“Well, what he told me, and what was written on the paper were two totally different things,” replied Sheiji. “You see, the paper was written in Thánh.”
Fa-Ying turned to stare at Sheiji. He was grinning from ear to ear. “And you understand it?” he asked excitedly.
“What? Oh, yes, I figured it out last night. But he didn’t, and still doesn’t, I hope, know that I know it,” replied Sheiji.
Fa-Ying was still smiling proudly, “So how did you get away from signing it?”
“Well,” Sheiji said slowly. “I didn’t exactly. I wanted time to think about it. I have to sign it tonight.”
“I see. Well we will just say that you can’t break the Treaty of Sugawa,” said Fa-Ying.
“Except,” began Sheiji. “The Swindler never told me the name of the nation he wanted to make war against. And I would not be expected to know about the Treaty of Sugawa.”
Fa-Ying thought for a minute, “Then we must think of another way. Ask your brother, tonight what the name of the nation is, then…”
“Then you can say you do not want to war with Nakuchi because it is where your other betrothed was from,” suggested Inon. “And you love her so much and you could never hurt her family.”
“Excellent!” exclaimed Sheiji. “Inon, it’s perfect. It would be just the thing an uneducated prince would say. But is it enough to ward off war?”
“It may work for now, at least until we can think of a better plan,” replied Fa-Ying.
“You have changed, Vua…Sheiji,” commented Inon. “You are braver and you walk with confidence. A thousand pardons for my saying so, but you used to be such a coward. You would have never spoken to His Regency that way before.”
“Thank you, Inon. I owe it all to Fa-Ying. He has taught me everything,” replied Sheiji.
“Yes, he is right, Sheiji,” said Fa-Ying. “You filled my heart with pride this morning. You walked with confidence and a swagger in your step that said your command must not be questioned. And you spoke with a strong heart and voice.” Fa-Ying smiled bigger still, “And let’s not forget the way you brought him to his knees!”
Then Fa-Ying’s smile suddenly faded and he said softly, “Yes, he will never forget that. He will never forget you made him kneel. You are in even more danger.” Fa-Ying looked suddenly older. He rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes.
“Are you ill, Fa-Ying?” Sheiji was suddenly fearful for his friend and advisor.
“No, no. Only weary, my son,” replied Fa-Ying. “I should not look so in your presence, it puts more worry upon your small shoulders.”
“What is it that makes you so weary, Fa-Ying?” asked Sheiji. “Please tell me. Perhaps I can help.” Then a terrible thought struck the boy and he cried, “Oh, no! It’s me. I know it. I am too much a burden to you, Fa-Ying. My father was not so. But I don’t know anything and so I am a terrible burden on your mind and soul!”
“No, that is not it, Sheiji,” replied the old advisor. “I shall tell you then, though I fear it will bring much fear to your young heart.”
“Oh, do tell me, Fa-Ying,” begged Sheiji as he looked into the sad, sad eyes of his teacher.
“Soon, you must leave, Sheiji. You must leave the palace or die,” Fa-Ying began sadly. “Your brother will not accept his position as regent much longer. He must come to you for approval for the very slightest of matters. He wants all the power, Sheiji, as I told you that first night. He wants total power. Especially after you made him kneel before you and now that you will not consent to his plans.”
Fa-Ying stared at his hands, old and hard as leather. Strong hands that had fought many battles, killed many enemies, guided many kings. Gentle hands that had held each new son of the king, that had comforted many, that had now taught with love. They were calloused, scarred and worn. He was an old man.
“It will not be long. It may be even today. He hates you, Sheiji, but most of all he fears you.”
Sheiji looked lovingly at this man he had grown to love in so short a time. He knew Fa-Ying was right.
Inon spoke up, “Honored Teacher, I will give my life to protect Sheiji. He is the only king I serve.”
“I know, Inon. I too am willing to give my life if it could protect our king. But I fear the only thing that will save him now, is for him to flee. I have a plan, but it will require you, Inon, to gather information.”
“Whatever I may do to aid my king,” Inon replied. “Speak your plan.”
“Listen carefully, Sheiji,” said Fa-Ying. “When the time comes, you must flee to Jiwu. You must go to your mother’s family, the royal family in Taukama. They will help your cause. When you arrive there, tell them your story. Spies will inform you in Taukama of Sui-Tsai’s army. You will have help along the way from friends loyal to you alone. You will know a friend or one of our spies by this: they will carry a lotus charm, a purple lotus with a white lotus over the top. One will say ‘The Cygnet grows into a Swan,’ and the other will say, ‘And the Falcon shall not hunt forever.’ Have you got that?”
“Yes,” replied Sheiji. “White lotus over a purple lotus and ‘The Cygnet grows into a Swan and the Falcon shall not hunt forever.’ Why those words, Fa-Ying?”
“As you know, Sheiji, we Imatsurans love our swans. They are considered good luck. You are the Swan of Imatsuro, Sheiji. You were young, like a cygnet. Now you are becoming a swan as you learn to fight for your rights as king. As for the second phrase, Sui-Tsai is the falcon. The phrase means that he won’t be regent forever, nor king. For you are coming, Sheiji.
“Should you meet someone with a purp
le lotus, know he is an enemy, no matter what he says; the purple lotus is Sui-Tsai’s sign. Should you meet someone who knows the password, but doesn’t immediately show you the right charm, he also is an enemy. Finally if you meet someone who shows you the charm but does not give the password, do not trust him, for only the man who has both the charm and password is a true friend. Do not trust anyone else, no matter what he says, do you understand, young one?”
“Yes, Fa-Ying,” replied Sheiji.
“Good. Now, Inon, here is where you may help. Whenever I give you the signal, which we shall arrange presently, you must somehow get yourself on duty at the northeast gate of the palace. Can you arrange that?”
“I think so, Fa-Ying. Though the Captain of the Guard, himself, wears the Purple Lotus. But perhaps I could bribe the guard on duty.”
“Good. Inon, do you know many who wear the Purple Lotus?”
“Yes,” Inon smiled. “And I could find out more. A man who has wet his mouth with rice wine will say much. I shall give you the names of all that I know.”
“Later, now we must plan more—,”
“No, there are three you must know now,” said Inon. “The Chamberlain; his brother, the king’s own Scribe; and EL-Yoran, the high priest of Eiron.”
“Hmm, good to know,” replied Fa-Ying thoughtfully. “The high priest, you say?”
“Yes, Honored Teacher.”
“Hmm. Well then, Inon, I have thought of a sign. When it is time, I or more likely a servant will come to you and tell you the king’s hunting falcon flew off and you must find it.”
Inon nodded, “I shall remember.”
“Good,” replied Fa-Ying. “Now, Inon, I want that list you promised me, but the servants shall be wondering about our king. Stay here and I shall return presently.”
Fa-Ying and Sheiji left and cautiously returned to Sheiji’s room.
“Say nothing of what we have spoken of, Sheiji. Not a word,” Fa-Ying whispered. Then he said loudly, “You must prepare for your engagement feast tonight, Vua. Call your servants and have them help you.”
Fa-Ying retreated down the hall.