Read Dark of the Sun for Free Online Page B

know which I want.”
    Ro-shei took up the red paper envelopes, each containing a small gold coin, and said, “I’ll return shortly,” before letting himself out of the salon.
    The steward paid Ro-shei no heed, concentrating his attention on Zangi-Ragozh. “The chief groom has already filled a small barrel for you, as you instructed. I suppose it is the sort of oil you want. It smells of garlic.” There was a suggestion of disapproval in Jho’s tone which might have been the result of his long-standing rivalry with Sheh.
    “That is the oil, which I add to the grain. It keeps the horses’ coats from damage, and worms from their guts.” He nodded toward the jade figurines. “Will you be good enough to find boxes for those two lions, and pack them to travel with me?”
    “Certainly,” said Jho, doing his best not to appear curious.
    “It being winter, I would like to have a bit more protection with me—for luck. Those two lions should ward off danger,” Zangi-Ragozh told him, knowing it would appeal to his sense of propriety.
    “Everyone needs luck,” said Jho, taking a liberty he would not dare had his employer been Chinese.
    “Indeed. See them packed in boxes and stowed with my things in the second wagon. Have the gifts for Wen Yuan been loaded yet?”
    “All but the ivory screen. That is being wrapped in quilts and bound with soft ropes,” said Jho. “I have made an accounting of all the items you are taking to Chang’an. Will you endorse it with your chop?” He pulled a small rolled scroll from his sleeve.
    “Bring it to me,” said Zangi-Ragozh. “I trust you have made a copy for me to take with me, for the customs officials?” He went to his writing desk and opened it, removing his chop and inkpad.
    “Of course,” said Jho, handing over the scroll. “Both sheets are rolled together.”
    “I thought as much,” said Zangi-Ragozh, a bit distantly as he reviewed the items on the list, pausing to add two notations to the information contained in the accounting. “This appears to be complete, and sufficient for the customs officials’ specifications.” He put the scrolls down and secured them open with small jade paperweights, then affixed his chop to the bottom of both of them.
    Jho waited while the red ink dried. “Do you know when you’ll return yet?”
    “As soon as I may properly do so,” said Zangi-Ragozh. He picked up his large square, red visiting card with instructions written on its back. “You should be able to reach me at these places. I’d like to have fortnightly reports from you, carried by official courier. The service has already been paid for.”
    “I will do as you ask, of course,” said Jho, taking the visiting card and one of the scrolls; he tucked them into his sleeve and prepared to leave the room. “Is there anything more you require?”
    “You have checked the stores? You have brought them all up to the levels I requested? The regular ones and the emergency ones?”
    “They are all in order,” said Jho. “Food for a year in the cellar of this house, all sacks and barrels labeled, all fruits dried. Blankets and bedding in the attic, along with cloth for new clothing. Food for a month in the kitchen. Food for horses for six months in the stables, and grazing areas at the west side of the inner wall. A clear well in the garden, an orchard and berry bushes within the compound. We may take in ten people beyond those who already live here and still be able to last a year inside the compound; this will allow four wives and their children to be given shelter. All the medicinal supplies are on the second floor in your herb-room, next to your workroom. The herbalist Pao Yan-Fen has the keys to the chests there. He is to be consulted if any illness or injury should occur, and his recommendations followed.” Jho recited this by rote. “No fevered person is to be admitted if there is disease in Yang-Chau, no soldiers are to be admitted if there is an insurrection.