It was a sight to behold.
Many times had Anh and Hei Lei arrived in villages and towns, greeted by crowds and cheers. Today, the crowds were larger. So large, Lord Cao advised, many had traveled from across Qin had come to Tinkling Village just to witness the procession. This procession did not belong to the Anh, or Hei Lei, nor the other dragons arriving with their Keepers. Only Minh Huyn stayed back to travel with the unmanned dragons. These crowds had gathered and snaked outside the gates beyond the orchards and through the hills to catch a glimpse of him.
Emperor Gaozu - The Conqueror – rode for Tinkling Village.
As he made for Tinkling Village, anticipation hung heavy in the air. The bustling town had been transformed into a spectacle of vibrant colours and festive decorations. Banners adorned with intricate motifs fluttered in the breeze, signifying the arrival of the conqueror. All were dressed in their finest garments, the Dragon Keepers no exception. The sound of distant drums grew louder, announcing the imminent arrival of Emperor Gaozu. The townspeople craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had risen to power.
All, except Anh who was scanning the faces in the crowds for Yara. She would have seen him arriving on Hei Lei an hour earlier. Each passing minute set his thoughts like wildfire about who she may have told, and further ignited a sense of fear in his heart about his impending confession after.
As the procession drew closer, the excited crowds reached a crescendo. General Xiang Ji, his armour adorned with golden embellishments, led the way through the gates on his magnificent horse. Behind him were the ten soldiers who had proven themselves in battle and would form the marriage alliance from the Chu side. Behind them, a legion of soldiers marched in disciplined formation with banners bearing the imperial crest.
They marched through the town towards Market Street, where Lord Cao waited eagerly. By his right was his household, including his daughters promised to the marriage alliance, and a new arrival; a baby boy by the name of Wang Cao to his second wife. To his left, his councilmen, Danzi, Hei Lei and Jiang, and the Dragon Keepers. Anh kept his distance from Tieze Senior who smirked when he landed Hei Lei. Anh glanced at him from time to time, half expecting Yara to stand by him. She never did.
Finally, amidst the entourage, Emperor Gaozu himself emerged, a golden crown adorning his head, while his robe shimmered with intricate embroidery. Anh momentarily forgot his search for Yara staring at the Emperor. He had piercing gaze, filled with ambition, and surveyed the throngs of people who had gathered to witness his arrival.
I have never seen an Emperor so vulnerable to his surrounds. Danzi mused.
Anh didn't understand what he meant until Jiang chimed in. Most would never ride on horseback.
He was a pig farmer once. Lao added. Perhaps he wants to appeal to his constituents by remaining humble.
Hei Lei snorted. There's nothing humble about being a conqueror.
The Emperor rode through to the town centre, and a hush fell over the crowd. A sense of reverence washed over the crowd. He flicked the reins, and the horse spun to face the crowds behind. It was so silent, a pin drop could be heard.
"How unafraid he is." Anh heard Lord Cao utter beneath his breath.
Emperor Gaozu dismounted from his horse and with measured steps stood before Lord Cao. Lord Cao rose from his chair and bowed.
"Tinkling Village welcomes you – Emperor Gaozu."
Emperor Gaozu regarded Lord Cao for a moment. His face was stern but before long small smile played upon his lips, revealing a hint of satisfaction. Emperor Gaozu cusped Lord Cao's arm. "Heaven smiles favourably upon your town."
Tinkling Village then erupted with wild enthusiasm. It was so loud, the dragons winced with sore ears from the tumultuous roar. The cheers echoed through the streets, reverberating off surrounding hills. It was as if the very earth itself was celebrating the Emperors arrival.
Sheep. Hei Lei grumbled.
Anh was rather carried away himself with the cheers when he felt her familiar presence. He looked off and spotted her at last. She had climbed on the roof of Joi's goose stall with a handful of children. Anh's heart began to beat rapidly. Her hair was loose and waved in the slight breeze. She was beautiful. Anh's hands balled inside his pockets. Surely she didn't say anything.
Take your hands out of your pockets, Anh. Lao said ribbing his side.
Anh winced without taking his eyes off of Yara. Their eyes met. If only she understood dragonspeech. They could have spoken at this distance over the cries of the crowd. The Emperor was looking over the dragons.
"It has been a wish of mine to one day look upon such beasts." He said wistfully.
The Dragon Keepers and their dragons bowed – including Hei Lei.
"This is just the manned dragons," Lord Cao beamed. "There are some twenty in the Haven."
"Remarkable." The Emperor said looking over Danzi before meeting Anh and Hei Lei. He regarded Anh in front of dragon. "This is the Black Thunder I hear so much of..." Anh kept his head bowed.
Hei Lei huffed but restrained himself from making a scene. And you're just mutton dressed as lamb.
Hey Lei! Anh hissed.
"That noise he makes," The Emperor said. "that's him communicating with you, isn't it?"
Anh fiddled with the cord around his jacket. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to look up, so he simply nodded.
Emperor Gaozu placed a finger under Anh's chin. "Look at me, boy. What does the Black Thunder say?"
Anh stared at Emperor Gouzu's hands. They were clean, even his fingernails. But Anh grimaced, feeling as though there were invisible particles of filth under his nails and within the lines and curves of his knuckles and palms, like soldiers in their trenches. Planning their attack on their enemies. He wanted as little to do with this conqueror as possible.
"He says welcome." Anh lied.
The Emperor grinned and tapped Hei Lei's chest a few times, like a father does to his son when he's proud. Anh held his breath. Were this anyone else, Hei Lei would have brought his teeth down upon their flesh! But Hei Lei remained poised as the Emperor moved on with Lord Cao.
Next to him, Anh heard Bong exhale. Wow! Hei Lei, I'm impressed.
Piss off. Hei Lei spat.
The Emperor disappeared into the Lord Cao residence with Lord Cao and his councilmen. The crowds dissipated into festivities. Alcohol and food flowed and music played. Yara was still on the roof when Hei Lei beckoned Anh.
Are you coming? Hei Lei said nodding towards the orchards where the remainder of the party would join them in the evening.
Anh looked back over to where Yara was sitting on the roof. Anh turned back to Hei Lei. He could see the disappointment in his eyes when it dawned on him what Anh's intentions were.
I thought you were done with her? Hei Lei said. To outsiders, the noise coming from the black dragons sounded like a light gonging.
Anh bit his lips, knowing today was going to be a make or break for more than one friendship. Not yet, he said.
Hei Lei snorted before taking flight. His moves were so sudden, a handful of townsfolk ducked, anticipating him to swoop. Anh sighed looking back towards Yara who was still on the roof. She was watching him, and waved shyly. Anh owed her an apology for his disappearance, but could see that was forgivable. Would she forgive him for accusing her of sharing the secret, however?
Anh hadn't even taken two steps towards Joi's stall when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He didn't need to turn to know it was a Chu soldier, but what surprised him was that this was one of the soldiers picked as part of the marriage alliance.
"You speak Chu?" The man asked. He was a handsome man of about thirty, taller than most, and wore the regal black and blue uniforms provided by the military to men who performed great deeds or lead victories. Anh said yes. "Who's the girl on the roof?" He added with a nod towards Yara.
Anh clenched his hands into fists. "She does not form part of the marriage alliance if that's your question."
The man cupped Anh's shoulder and brought him in closer. "That was not my question, Dragon Keeper. My question was, who is she?"
Anh pursed his lips. "Tieze Yara."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Is she related to Councilmen Tieze?"
"His daughter."
"Hmm." The man pondered looking up at the girl. He clapped Anh's shoulders once more before disappearing with the rest of the Emperors Procession. Anh stared as the man left trying to grab a glimpse of his heart. It was folly. He looked back up at the roof. Yara was still there watching him. The children were now long gone. It was now or never.
He gulped as he made his way through the crowds, and climbed the latticework unto Joi's roof. He didn't need the helping hand, but he accepted Yara's when she offered to pull him up.
"Yara…" He began.
"Oh, good." Yara interrupted in a flat tone, poking at his arms. "You're real! Why, I almost thought you were just an apparition of the man I loved. A figment of my imagination. Perhaps even a ghost."
Anh swallowed. "Yara – "
"I thought you were sick. Then I hear from your cousin that you were just dandy, that you had left suddenly to spend your days joyously flying Hei Lei in the Haven. That's well and good for you, but you still could have said goodbye." She crossed her arms as she sat back on the flimsy rooftiles. "What happened, Yu Anh?"
"Yara," Anh began. "I am so sorry – "
"You should be!" She snapped.
Anh huffed. He deserved this. His gaze meeting Yara's determined eyes. He knew he couldn't hide the truth any longer.
"Yara, I can't express how sorry I am for disappearing like that."
Yara's expression softened, a mix of curiosity and concern replacing her initial anger. She leaned closer, urging him to continue.
Anh fumbled with his hands in his pockets. "Yara… I thought by disappearing, I could spare you from knowing that I failed you."
Yara frowned. "Failed me at what?"
Anh's voice wavered slightly as he revealed his true intentions. He looked down, unable to meet Yara's gaze, fearing her reaction. "I tried to speak to your father about our future together. I wanted his blessing. But when the moment came and I asked…" He chuckled. "I couldn't bear to burden you with that disappointment."
Yara's eyes widened as understanding dawned upon her face. She reached out and gently touched Anh's arm, her voice filled with compassion.
"You twit." She said softly, with a smile in her voice.
Anh's shoulders slumped. "I know. It was stupid."
"Yes, it was." Yara said bringing her sleeve to her face to hid her giggle. "He never would have approved."
"I know that now." Anh said with a roll of his eyes. "It wouldn't have worked, anyway." He confessed. "Hei Lei flat out disapproved as well when I told him. He doesn't believe we can merge our worlds together."
"Anh, I had no idea. You didn't have to shoulder this burden alone. Had I known you would be speaking with my father, I could have spared you the pain."
Anh pursed his lips. "Telling you would have ruined the element of surprise."
"Yes, well." Yara mused. "It's better than disappearing." Anh couldn't argue with that. "Besides…" Yara blushed. "My father mightn't have approved. But if you'd have asked me, I'd have said yes."
Anh's heart skipped a beat. He lifted his gaze, meeting her eyes. He reached out for her hand and she accepted it.
They could have left it there. Cripes, Heaven knows Anh wanted to leave it there, but there was still one more burning question he had.
"Yara," He said tentatively. "I need to ask you something. And it's not easy for me to ask."
Yara swung her legs around to face him. "Like you asked my father to marry me?"
Anh lightly kicked her foot. It was now or never. "Do you remember New Years Eve, three years ago?"
Yara frowned and looked off towards the festivities in the market center. "I remember we drank an awful lot down there." She smiled looking up at Anh. "And, I remember flying to Jade Mountain."
Anh did not share her smile. "Anything else?"
Her eyes bore into his as questions formed between them. "No."
"You don't remember…" Anh looked below and shuffled in closer to Yara. No one could hear them from up there, but he wasn't taking the risk. "Anything I told you?"
Yara shook her head. When Anh pressed again she grew flustered. "What am I supposed to remember, Yu Anh?"
"I told you how to find the Dragon Haven." Anh seethed.
Yara's eyes betrayed her. "Oh. Yes, you did."
"I need to know," Anh said shifting to his knees. The space between them was so close, anyone looking from the market would have thought they were sharing a kiss. "did you tell anyone?"
"No." Yara whispered.
"Yara, please." Anh said cusping her face between his hands. He spoke slower. "Did you tell anyone at all? Even a snippet of what I said."
"No!" She snapped out of his embrace.
"I need to know – "
"Anh," Yara said in a firm voice. "I haven't told a soul. I barely remember anything from that night, asides from flying to Jade Mountain and some drunken lullabies."
Anh searched Yara's eyes, her demeanor, her heart; anything that may betray her. He then listened to what his own heart said. There were no lies, no deceit. She hadn't told a soul.
"Okay…" Anh said nodding drawing his knees to his chest. "Okay."
Yara regarded him for sometime, and hesitantly placed a hand on his knee. "Please tell me what's going on, Anh?"
"I fucked up." Anh said in barely a whisper. "I fucked up bad."
"No one knows you told me." Yara assured him.
"It's not that." He said clasping a few locks of his hair. "There were people everywhere that night. I'm trying to connect the dots. Someone must have heard."
"So what if they did?" Anh told her about the dragon hunter who had accosted the Haven nights before. Yara's eyes widened and she cusped her mouth with her hand. "Was anyone hurt?"
"Danzi took a blow to his wing, but it was minor. Hei Lei slaughtered the hunter before he reached the plateau and could hurt the others." Yara said nothing, but placed her arms around Anh's shoulders. "I swore an oath to never betray the Haven's location and I broke it that night."
"Wouldn't your…" Yara lingered for a moment tapping between her eyes. "Wouldn't your Second Sight have warned you if someone who meant the dragons harm was there?"
Anh sighed. "It was three years ago."
Yara understood well enough. "Tinkling Village was different back then. There was food in the Qin Empire."
"There was money and work." Anh continued.
"Whoever was listening that night wasn't desperate back then." Yara concluded.
They sat in silence for a while holding each other before Anh said softly, "I'm sorry I blamed you."
Yara nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips, signalling her forgiveness. "Apology accepted, Anh. Let's move forward. Side by side." She added. "Against my father, and Hei Lei."
"Hei Lei is never going to forgive me for this." Anh said scanned around the crowds.
Yara followed his train of sight and shrugged. "Do you have to tell him?"
"It's the right thing to do." Anh sighed. He failed to mention to Yara how this would likely push Hei Lei to never return to Tinkling Village, among other towns. How from now on he was probably going to have to convince Jiang and Bong to let him visit.
The festivities went on. As the afternoon grew late, Lord Cao's residence opened up to allow the street party to flow through. It gave the normal residents of Tinkling Village a chance to meet the Emperor himself and offer their loyalty or well wishes. Lord Cao's residence was filled with mingling bodies, dancing and feasting. The Chu army had kept their promise to open the trade routes again between the Qin towns and for the first time in months, food and wine flowed without discretion.
The inside of Lord Cao's guest room transformed into something of a throne room. People lined the halls to just get a glimpse at the Emperor, seated between his general and Lord Cao who introduced the well wishes as they came and went. They peeped over and under the throngs of people, only occasionally catching a word of what he said.
"He's not as fat as I thought he would be." Yara said. The people closest to her and Anh turned to glare at her and she shrugged. Anh bit his lips trying not to laugh. Yara eventually gave up on trying to see the Emperor. "Shall we dance?"
Anh could sense her father was nearby and told her so. She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, leading them out to the courtyard where the merry danced. They were both terrible dancers themselves, but they were swept away in the enthusiasm. For a while, Anh completely forgot about Hei Lei and the dragon hunter and his impending confession and he and Yara's blurred lives. He just allowed himself to be swept away.
They had found themselves in a circle dance when he felt Lao was nearby. He spotted him across the room and waved. The circle dance skipped around for an eternity before he eventually reached him and pulled himself and Yara out of the dance. Lao was standing with Lord Cao's wife who was holding her newborn.
"Look at this, Anh!" Lao beamed as he dangled a cherry above little Wang Cao's head. The babe ogled at the cherry and reached out for his left hand.
Anh was out of breath but managed to smile. "He's left-handed!"
"Rare trait for non-keepers." Lao said tickling the babe's chin. "We'll have to keep an eye on this one."
Yara waggled a finger at the baby. They cooed over the baby when Anh felt an unwanted presence behind them.
"Not again." He cursed.
Lao Longzi raised an eyebrow, but Yara saw immediately who was bothering him. They turned to face Yara's father, Tieze Senior – accompanied by the Chu soldier from earlier. Tieze Senior glared at Anh as he and Yara unlinked arms.
"Father." Yara said with a polite bow.
"Yara," Tieze Senior placed a hand behind the tall Chu soldiers back. "This gentlemen would like to dance with you."
"Oh." Yara said, the color from her cheeks draining. She pursed her lips. "You speak Qin?" She asked in broken Chu.
The man smirked, but Tieze Senior answered for him. "He doesn't, not that it matters. Come!" He said gesturing Yara to his side.
Anh and Tieze Seniors glared at one another as Yara submitted to dance with the man. Lao Longzi stood by Anh.
What's going on between you two? He asked firmly.
Anh was about to answer when another appeared from behind them. Anh turned and bowed his head immediately. Lao stumbled for a moment before bowing too, as did Tieze Senior.
"Your grace." Tieze Senior stuttered.
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "None of that now." He said with a smile. "I was wondering if I may have a word with the Dragon Keepers?" Tieze Senior bowed once more and disappeared, leaving Anh and Lao with the Emperor.
"Walk with me." He said. His gait was poised but not unnerving and he was unfazed by the crowds that dissipated around them. Anh looked back. He spotted Yara and the Chu soldier dancing. He felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest.
The Emperor asked Lao Longzi about Dragon Keeping. How many dragons were left? How many Keepers, etc. "Your numbers are few." The Emperor concluded. "Have you considered returning to Imperial posts to make up for the losses?"
Anh held his tongue knowing this was a touchy subject for Lao Longzi. Lao remained composed, but firm. "Your grace," He said. "We have long shrugged the cloaks of imperialism. Dragons prefer being free – we prefer being free."
Anh had heard whispers of Emperors having powers granted from Heaven to strike down on those who oppose their views or reject their offers. He looked at Emperor Gaozu expecting him to point a finger at Lao and have lightning shoot from his fingertips. But he was not a born emperor; he was a made emperor. Perhaps instead of lightning, he's call for his guards to slit Lao's throat.
Instead, the Emperor simply laughed. "Very well."
Anh raised an eyebrow. Huh. He said. I half expected him to smite you.
I was waiting for it, too. Lao said.
The Emperor bid Lao to return to the festivities. Anh stood to take his leave too, but the Emperor interjected. "Please, young Dragon Keeper – stay a little longer with me."
Anh looked over at Lao who nodded. Do as he says. Lao said. I'll be with the dragons.
They had already been talking for half an hour. He wanted desperately to return to Yara. What's more, every minute talking with the Emperor meant prolonging telling the dragons what he had done. He'd already waited too long.
"Dragon Keeper?" The Emperor said, firmly.
Anh bowed and sat back down. The Emperor gestured to a squire to pour them both a drink. "I am not accustomed to the Qin's three cup rule." He said.
"Neither am I."
"I understand you're from Hmong?"
Anh felt a flush in his cheeks. "Pardon me your grace," He said conscious of his accent. "is it obvious?"
The Emperor chuckled. "It's my business to know about everyone and everything, Dragon Keeper. But I confess there are many things I am yet to learn. Like you, I was born a bastard with very little. I couldn't read until I was in my late twenties. Then I devoured every book until I knew the laws of these lands and manipulated them to my advantage."
At least he's honest with himself, Anh thought bitterly.
The Emperor continued, "But knowledge is not merely a means to gain power for oneself. It is the key to unlocking the potential within us and uplifting those around us. I have witnessed the injustices that plague our land, and I have seen how ignorance breeds suffering. That is why I dedicated myself to the pursuit of knowledge, for it is through understanding that we can bring about change."
Anh drank from his cup. He found it hard to believe anything a conqueror had to say when they had allowed an army to starve half the Qin Empire.
"But, Dragon Keeper, power and knowledge are tools that can be wielded for good or for evil. It is the intent behind their use that defines their impact." He placed a hand on Anh's shoulder.
Anh bit his lip. He began to wonder if there was more to this monologue… "What would you have me do, your grace?"
The Emperor's smile weakened. "I have heard rumours that dragons can bring rain. Is this true?"
That was it? "Yes." Anh nodded. "Dragons that can fly can bring rain."
"How?" The Emperor said leaning in.
"They use their breath to create clouds of steam…and…"
"And?"
Anh chuckled. "Forgive me, your grace. And then they spit through them."
The Emperors face scrunched. He looked over Anh to see if the young man was playing him. "Spit?"
Anh nodded. "Yes, sir. I know, it's disgusting, but dragon spit is what fills the lakes and rivers and feeds the lands when there is drought."
The Emperors lips twisted into a knowing smile. "That is disgusting. But I suppose spit is better than thirst and famine." They sat in silence for some while. Anh used the opportunity to look for Yara within his heart. She was outside the door, seated. The Chu soldier was with her.
"I want us to be friends, Dragon Keeper." Anh's search was interrupted by the Emperor. He looked over at Emperor Gaozu who continued, "I want dragons and the Empire to work together again so we can create a brighter future for the Han Empire."
"Imperialism didn't work for them before, your grace." Anh said softly.
"I do not ask of the dragons to return to the palaces." The Emperor said firmly. "But I do ask." He leaned in so only Anh could hear him. "If the Han Empire needs rain, can I count on the dragons to deliver it?"
Anh was silent. It was a big ask. Dragons delivered rain when peasants asked, but waried when someone of power did. It could be considered a political vice which dragons and Keepers swore off hundreds of years ago.
Anh was about to say so when the Emperor continued, "Times have already changed. I understand you convinced the dragons to warn the Qin of my army. You broke your own principles."
The Emperor's voice resonated with conviction. "I only want what is best for the Han Empire, for my people. What is it that you want, Yu Anh, if I had to beg?"
At that moment, Tieze Yara and her father entered the room with the crowd. She looked over with sad eyes at Anh as her father lead her over towards General Xiang Ji.
"She's a pretty girl." Emperor Gaozu whispered. "I'm told you two have been friends for many years. Aren't intimate relationships shunned by Dragon Keepers?"
Anh sighed as he tore his eyes away from Yara and looked at the Emperor. "I'll talk to the dragons."
A warm smile broke over the Emperors face. He held his hand out for Anh to grasp. "It's been a pleasure, Yu Anh." With that, the Emperor beckoned another councilman over. He took his leave, but not before catching Yara's eye again. He mouthed the word 'apple,' as the orchard was where he was headed, and prayed she would understand as he left.
Anh pocketed his hands as he tentatively made his way through the crowds. A sense of dread hung over him as he inched closer and closer towards the camp. He had hoped perhaps just Hei Lei, Danzi and Jiang would be there so he would have a smaller crowd to confess too. He searched in his heart, however, and it sunk when he realised the trio were not alone. All dragons had arrived, awaiting to perform the fly by in the morning.
He could hear the sound of windchimes and happy flutes. They were having a wonderful evening. He searched for Hei Lei's voice – he was bragging about that time he fought a phoenix again with Tun, Sha and Ming. They were happy. So, so happy, which made Anh's heart sink further into despair.
Hei Lei spotted Anh. At last! He said with a cheer. He arrives.
Anh's heart pounded in his chest as his best friend cheered him in. How he almost wished Hei Lei was still angry, instead.