“Here, now,” said Tohon, beckoning to Kesh. “Is that necessary?”

“I should think so.” Even the heady smell of blooming flowers could not cover the rancid odor of the men and, in particular, their clothing. “Folk in the Hundred bathe every day if they can. Don’t you have bathhouses in your country?”

This word brought blank looks.

“Water weakens a man,” said Chaji.

“It’s not what we’re accustomed to.” Tohon had given up on the ear and was now twisting the few whiskers that grew, like a wraith’s beard, from his chin. “There are evil spirits in water. Everyone knows that.”

The bold and brave Qin soldiers shuffled their feet and looked toward the gate to the outer court, as if seeking escape.

“The baths lie just beyond the gate,” said Walla, “and you can advance no farther into the goddess’s body without cleansing.” She beckoned to her companions. They sauntered back to the gate and went in, leaving the gates ajar.

“Baths aren’t bad,” said Shai hesitantly, and the others looked at him, and away. “They never killed anyone, eh?”

Released by the sun’s heat, fragrance poured off the flowers until it seemed to drown them. Birds flitted within the lush arbors of musk vine with their bright red passion flowers.

Jagi jumped to his feet. “I’ll try it!”

That was enough for most of them. They trundled forward cautiously, leaving Kesh sitting on the bench beside Shai, Chaji, and Tohon. Tohon gestured to Shai, and the young man sighed but, obediently, stood and followed the others.

“It can’t be right, this story about the whores picking and choosing and turning a man down if he wants them,” said Chaji after Shai was gone. “They’re just saying that to take advantage of us.”

“Best you go in after them,” said Tohon to Kesh. “Make sure the lads do what is fitting. We have to learn to live in this land.”

He might as well have been in collusion with Bai! With a grimace, Kesh rose. “You’re not coming?”

Tohon slanted a gaze sidelong toward Chaji. “Anyway,” he added, “I have an old feud with the water spirits. I’m not sure about these ‘baths.’ ”

“There are bathing pools, it’s true,” said Kesh, “but you can also just wash yourself out of a big basin. You just have to strip down and wash your whole body with a cloth and soap. You have to clean yourself before you can get in the pools anyway. And, honestly, you might want to—well—wash your clothes.”

Chaji rose, both hands in fists. “What makes you think you can insult us? You’re no better than a naked rat, a worthless—”

“Chaji-na,” said Tohon sharply. The young soldier sat down, shoulders heaving.

Kesh was shaking, but he kept his voice cool. “I was born in the Year of the Goat, Gold Goat, as it happens, not that you would know what that signifies.”

“No need,” said Tohon mildly, “to keep talking, lads. I’d recommend you both to shut your mouths. Keshad, go on, as I told you.”