There was silence in the hall as the Chief Prefect ran from the stage. Minutes passed and no-one moved or spoke. The Chief Prefect returned and handed the sheaf of papers to Gargan, who stood and studied them. Fanlon stepped forward. ‘There is no question as to the handwriting, Lord Gargan,’ he said softly. ‘These are Okai’s papers. And I see that you marked them yourself. There can be no mistake.’
Gargan blinked. Okai stepped forward, hand outstretched. Gargan stared at him, then looked down at the sabre in his own trembling hands. Suddenly he thrust the sabre at Fanlon. ‘You give it to him!’ he hissed. And he strode from the stage.
The elderly tutor smiled at Okai. ‘This was well-merited, young man,’ he said, his voice carrying to all in the hall. ‘For five years you have endured much, both in physical hardship and emotional cruelty. For what it is worth – and I hope it is something – you have my respect and my admiration. I hope that when you go from here you will carry with you some fond memories. Would you like to say a few words to your fellow cadets ?’
Okai nodded. Stepping forward, he stood and ran his gaze over the assembled cadets. ‘I have learned much here,’ he said. ‘One day I will put that knowledge to good use.’ Without another word he walked from the stage, and out of the hall.
Fanlon followed him from the stage and approached Premian. ‘I shall appeal on your behalf and have your papers re-examined.’
‘Thank you, sir. For everything. You were right about the discs. I saw Jashin’s fingers were closed as he dipped his hand into the bag; he already had a disc ready for Okai.’
‘Jashin will be in serious trouble,’ said Fanlon. ‘Lord Gargan is not a forgiving man.’
Later that day Premian was summoned to Gargan’s study. The general was still in his armour, and his face was grey. ‘Sit down, boy,’ he said. Premian obeyed. ‘I am going to ask you a question, and I put you on your honour to answer it with truth.’
‘Yes sir,’ answered Premian, with a sinking heart.
‘Is Okai a friend of yours?’
‘No, sir. We rarely speak; we have little in common. Why do you ask, sir?’
For a long moment Gargan stared at him, then he sighed. ‘It does not matter. It broke my heart to see him take the sabre. However, that is of no interest to you. I called you here to tell you there has been an error in the marking. You have gained a credit pass.’
‘Thank you, sir. How . . . did it happen?’
‘It was an honest mistake, and I hope you will accept my apologies for it.’
‘Of course, sir. Thank you, sir.’
Premian had left the study and returned to his room, where at midnight he was awakened by a tapping at the door. Rising, he lifted the latch. Okai stood there; the Nadir was fully dressed for travel. ‘You are leaving? But the prize-giving is not until tomorrow.’
‘I have my sabre,’ said Okai. ‘I came to thank you. I had thought Gothir honour was all sham. I was wrong.’
‘You have suffered here, Okai, but you emerged triumphant and I admire you for it. Where will you go now?’
‘Back to my tribe.’
Premian held out his hand and Okai shook it. As the Nadir turned away Premian spoke: ‘Do you mind if I ask a question?’
‘Not at all.’
‘When we were at the burial of your friend, Zhen-shi, you opened the coffin and pressed a small package into his hand. There was blood on it. I have often wondered what it was. Is it part of some Nadir ritual?’
‘Yes,’ said Okai. ‘It gave him a servant in the next life.’
With that Okai walked away.
Three days later, after continuing complaints of a bad smell coming from behind a wall in the new section of the north tower, labourers dug out several blocks of stone. Behind them they found a rotting body, from which the eyes had been cut out.
Chapter Seven
Nuang Xuan was a wily old fox, and he would never have brought his people into Chop-back territory had fortune not ceased to smile upon him. Shading his eyes he scanned the surrounding land, pausing at the pinnacles of rock to the west. His nephew Meng rode alongside. ‘Are they the Towers of the Damned?’ he asked, keeping his voice low so as not to invoke the spirits who dwelt there.
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