Tasi-feng suggested, “Perhaps we could speak in private?”

Shih-ka’i peered into the jeweled eyes of Tasi-feng’s mask. “The changing of the guard, eh?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“What’s to be discussed? Nothing’s changed. We have our hands full here. The Deliverer’s dragons are overhead.”

“Lord…”

“Your games are your games. We have a job. Let’s stick to it, eh? What’s going on out there can take care of itself. If your candidate wins and doesn’t like me, she can send me back to the Fourth Demonstration.”

“Lord, we just wanted you to know what was happening. It’s not likely to affect us.”

“Then talk it out and get back to work. The Deliverer is on his way.”

“As you command, Lord.” Tasi-feng nodded to someone at the table. The Tervola dispersed.

“I’ll be on the wall, watching him come up,” Shih-ka’i said. “I don’t want to hear any more politics while I’m commander. Understood?”

Tasi-feng bowed slightly. “As you command, Lord. We’re perfectly satisfied.”

The Deliverer’s patrols were encircling the city when Shih-ka’i reached the wall. “What do you think, Pan ku? Send out skirmishers?”

Pan ku shrugged.

“No. Of course not. They’re almost done. Make them come to us.” The patrols looked like the dead now. “Time is on our side. Another week and he won’t have anything left.”

The hours rolled. The sun declined. The moon came out. Shih-ka’i remained rooted, watching besiegers who pitched no tents, who lighted no campfires, who merely stood waiting in lines surrounding the city.

“What will he try, Pan ku?”

“That sound again, Lord. Something to shake the walls.”

“I’d say so, too. But we can take that away from him.”

“Lord?”

“Hsu Shen…”

Pan ku pointed. “Someone coming, Lord.”

A shadow flitted toward them, darting from one pool of darkness to another. Pan ku drew his longsword. Shih-ka’i let his senses reach out, felt no danger. “Easy. I think he’s friendly.”

Pan ku did not relax. He was not that kind of man.

The shadow moved more slowly as it came nearer. Shih-ka’i snorted in surprise. “Put that thing away, Pan ku.”

His batman did as he was told. Reluctantly.

Their visitor wore Tervola garb, but no mask. The moonlight illuminated his lean, aristocratic face, exposing weariness and fear. “Lord Ssu-ma.”

“Lord Kuo.”

“I’ve suffered a turn of fortunes.”

“So I’ve heard.” Shih-ka’i examined his feelings. He wanted no part of Shinsan’s tortuous politics. He simply wanted to get on with his job. Yet he owed this man. Lord Kuo had given him his chance at a major command. “We’ve tried to avoid getting involved.”

“Your situation. Is it bad?”

“Looking better today.” He explained. Lord Kuo nodded thoughtfully. “What brings you to me?” Shih-ka’i asked.

“I didn’t have anywhere else to go.” Kuo did not ask for help directly.

“Uhm. My officers aren’t your friends.”

“That’s my own fault.”

“The situation being what it is, there’s not much I can do.”

“I understand.”

“There’s Hsu Shen’s island, Lord,” Pan ku said.