‘How do you read the other leaders?’ asked Talisman.
Lin-tse let the question hang for a moment, marshalling his thoughts. ‘The weakest of them is Bartsai. He is old. He doesn’t want to die. Quing-chin is as I remember him, brave and thoughtful. I am grateful to Gargan. Had he not been marching here with his army I would have been forced to kill Quing-chin. It would have scarred my soul. Kzun? The man has a demon within him. He is unhinged, Talisman, but I think he will stand tall.’
‘And what of Lin-tse?’
‘He is as you knew him. My people call me the Man with Two Souls. I do not think it is true, but the years at Bodacas changed me. I now have to try to be Nadir. It is worse for Quing-chin. He killed my best fighter — and refused to take his eyes. I would not have done that, Talisman, but I would have wished to. You understand?’
‘I understand,’ said Talisman. ‘They took from us.But we also took from them. We will put it to good use here.’
‘We will die here, my friend,’ said Lin-tse softly. ‘But we will die well.’
‘Brothers unto death,’ said Talisman. ‘And perhaps beyond. Who knows?’
‘Now what orders do you have for me, general?’
Talisman looked into Lin-tse’s dark, brooding eyes. ‘It is important that we begin this venture with a victory – no matter how small. Gargan will come with the main van of the army. Ahead will be several companies of Lancers. They will reach us first, and I want you and your Sky Riders to bloody them. Bartsai tells me there is a narrow pass twelve miles west. When the Lancers reach it, attack them – not head on, but with arrows. Then run – back through the pass. You will have most of today and early tomorrow to prepare your surprises. Bring back spoils if you can.’
Lin-tse nodded. ‘You are thinking of Fecrem and the Long Retreat.’
‘I am indeed. As I said, a victory is important. What is vital, however, is that you take no unnecessary risks. If there are more than three companies, do not engage them. Your thirty men are irreplaceable.’
Lin-tse rose. ‘I will do my utmost, general.’
‘Of that I have no doubt. You have the coolest head, Lin-tse. That is why I chose you for this mission.’
Lin-tse’s expression did not change. Without a word he strode away. Gorkai stepped forward. ‘He is a hard man, that one,’ he observed.
‘A man of stone,’ agreed Talisman. ‘Where is Zhusai ?’
‘She went into the Shrine to pray.’
Talisman followed and found her standing by the stone sarcophagus. It was cool in the shadowed chamber and he stood for a moment, watching her. She turned towards him and smiled. ‘It is so quiet here,’ she said.
‘I saw you give the scarf to Kzun. Why did you do it?’
‘He is a dangerous man, and one who might . . . question your orders.’
‘A man that gold could not buy – and you won him with a piece of linen. You are a surprising woman, Zhusai.’
‘There is nothing I would not do for you, Talisman. You will forgive me for being forward, but time is precious, is it not?’
‘It is,’ he admitted, moving to her side. She took his hand and held it to her breast.
‘Have you been with a woman?’ she asked him.
‘No.’
‘Then there is much for us both to discover.’ Drawing her to him, he touched his lips to hers. The scent of her hair filled his nostrils, the taste of her mouth swamped his senses. He felt dizzy and weak, and drew back from her. ‘I love you, my Talisman,’ she whispered.
For just those fleeting seconds he had forgotten the perils that awaited them both. Now realization struck him like a fist. ‘Why now?’ he asked, pulling away.
‘Because that is all there is,’ she said. Swinging to the sarcophagus, she ran her hand over the iron plate. ‘Oshikai Demon-bane, Lord of War,’ she read. ‘He was beset by enemies when he wed Shul-sen. And they had so little time, Talisman. They were together only four years. But great was their love. Ours will be as great. I know it. I feel it, here in this place. And if we die we shall walk hand in hand through the Void. I know this too.’