Jade Fire Gold(18)

“Get up,” says the lieutenant, not unkindly. He has a blunt nose that looks like it’s been broken more than once, and his face is battle-scarred.

He shakes his head when he sees I’m physically incapable of doing much and lifts me up from the wagon floor, setting me down with more care than expected onto the soft grass.

Grass.

I’m surrounded by green, speckled with cheerful yellow. The field stretches all around us, tall trees hemming the far edges. Flowers scent the air, and a breeze lifts strands of hair off my face. For a moment, I think I’m dreaming again. Or that I’m dead. It’s too tranquil, too lovely here.

Then I see a retinue of two dozen armed soldiers standing at attention.

It’s not a dream. It’s a prisoner transfer.

No hood goes over my head this time, and my hands remain free, but the lieutenant escorting me to the carriage keeps his hand on the pommel of his sword, and I know the soldiers will draw their bows on me if I even think of running.

“Get in.”

I manage to drag myself into the carriage, collapsing feebly onto the cushioned seat. The lieutenant climbs in opposite me. He shouts a command and the horses start galloping. The field washes past in a blur. I’m surprised at how frantic our pace is.

“Who are you?” I croak. My tone is impolite. I should be according him more respect as a peasant should to a military man. But I’m thirsty and feverish.

To my surprise, he smiles, and I glimpse the young man he once was before the wars hardened him.

“I am Lieutenant Bao.” He inclines his head and I nod back. “I have been tasked to escort you to the Imperial Palace. We should arrive in the capital in about two weeks.”

“The palace? Why am I going to the palace?”

“My orders are to transport you there safe and sound. What the premier wishes to do with you is none of my concern.”

“The premier?”

“Premier Zhao Yang, former Grand General of the Imperial Army and our Minister of War.” He hands me a waterskin.

I drink every precious drop and wipe my chin with my sleeve. “What does a war minister want with me?”

Lieutenant Bao eyes me so cunningly that I’m convinced he can’t be someone who only follows orders. There’s a mind behind that heavy brow and barrel-chest.

“You have magic, don’t you?” he says.

There’s no point denying it, so I try to dig for information.

“Magic is banned in the Empire, and only the Diyeh priests can practice it. I should be executed. Why would you, a lieutenant, escort me back to the palace?”

“Our emperor is dead. Just because we have a truce with Honguodi, it doesn’t mean their spies do not remain in our land. And it doesn’t mean Mengu and Nandah aren’t watching, waiting for an opportunity to attack.”

Maybe if we weren’t so war-hungry ourselves, the other nations would leave us alone, I think. But I know better than to say it aloud.

“The Empire needs help,” he says in a matter-of-fact way. “We are always on the lookout for talent.”

“Talent? Why don’t you tell your priests to stop killing all Tiensai? They have magic,” I say before I can help myself. I shrink back, certain he’ll strike me for running my mouth off.

Instead, he laughs. “Be glad that I’m not a priest. Your words would have consequences.”

I look down, pretending to be chastised, wondering if maybe Bao isn’t fond of the priests either.

“I believe this is yours.”

Something cool lands on my palm. My jade ring. He must’ve taken it from the priests. They took it from me earlier. My fingers curl, clinging to my last piece of home. Tears threaten, but I sniff and keep them in.

“Thank you.”

More questions stack up in my head, but the look on Bao’s face shuts me up. He’s done with our conversation; the stern expression of a soldier returns.

I stare out the window, soaking in the sights of a land full of life. It’s so different from the desert villages I’m used to that I can’t help but gawk. But underneath the wonder, worry ripples through me. What awaits me at the capital? Bao didn’t act like I was going to be punished as a murderer. Does this mean Ama is safe? That no priest will harass her? If I’ve learned anything it’s to trust my instincts, and they tell me something isn’t right. But I can’t say what.

All I know is that they want me alive, and I must savor that as long as I can.

The days soon blur into one. None of the soldiers come within ten paces of me except for Lieutenant Bao who brings me my meals. However, he remains taciturn and I get no further information from him.

I think about escaping. But we take roads that wind around towns, far away from populated areas, often riding through the night. From the sun, I know we’re heading northeast, but I’ve no idea where we are. All the moth-eaten maps I’ve seen in Shahmo never gave me a complete picture of the Empire’s extensive lands. And it seems unlikely that I can outrun the soldiers’ arrows anyway.

Besides, the priests are always watching. The female priest sends sharp glances my way while Leiye observes me more discreetly. Even when I don’t see him, I can’t help but feel his eyes on my back. I want to ask him questions, but there’s a guardedness between the priests and soldiers, and it feels like I shouldn’t be talking to anyone.