Page 70 of The Cinders
Captain Duan’s left brow twitched, then stilled; the only sign of life in the large man as he stared, unblinking, at Lim.The sudden thrust of his arm, the clench of his hand at Lim’s collar was not entirely unexpected, but still wrenched a cry from a shoemaker who really ought to learn to keep his mouth shut.
‘Perhaps I’ll snap your neck now, and save us the gruel you’ll be fed in the cells.’The captain’s fingers crept around Lim’s neck; hard and tight and broad as acangue.Airflow stopped, and Lim coughed and spat, panicked as he felt himself being lifted to the tips of his toes.
‘If this is the Marquess of Kunming’s shoemaker, then perhaps this shoe is his, and not stolen?’Master Chen called out, offhand, just as Lim landed a successful kick against the captain’s knee; earning himself a violent shaking.
‘I know nothing of that shoe, but this is the shoemaker.’
Lim’s body jerked and shuddered, speckles of white filling his vision; dribble cold as it ran down over his chin and down his neck.All the while, the captain stared at him in something of a maniacal trance.
‘Captain Duan, might I have a word with you?’Master Chen said, easily as though he’d asked for tea.‘Before you break him, preferably.It will be worth your while.I assure you.’
Lim’s eyelids were dragging down; his world was filled with an intense hum.But at last the fierce grip around his neck slackened.
He collapsed to the ground, taking such desperate gulps of air his lungs spasmed.
‘I’m in no mood for your schemes, Chen.The man’s an arrogant rogue who has trespassed on his lordship’s land.’
Lim pressed a shaking hand to his chest, trying to gather himself.
‘Certainly, certainly.I do not question your thoroughness and seniority, in such matters.But if this shoe is to be our gauge then he is also a remarkably talented shoemaker.And do we not both have a master who relishes fine things?’Master Chen cradled the slipper in the crook of his arm as if it were a dozing cat.Lim would not have been surprised at all to see him stroke it.‘He enjoys adding treasures to his collection, with Kunming’s prince his favourite gleaming jewel, right now.’
Lim dug his fingertips into the dirt.
‘Make your point, Chen,’ the captain snapped.‘Must you always be so long-winded?’
Master Chen sighed.‘I’m just suggesting you not act too hastily, here, Duan.His lordship has a court full of foreign guests and dignitaries, nobles from lands with a growing appetite for the exotic luxuries of the strange and mysterious Orient.’He lifted the slipper.‘And we have a shoemaker who has made this for the Emperor’s own son.’
Lifting his head, Lim glared through watering eyes at the other shoemaker, but that only seemed to delight Master Chen.
‘See!It is true.Oh, my good man, you would never survive in a palace.Your truth is writ too large upon your face.’Chen patted the slipper.‘He’s brought this slipper for Prince Xian.A shoemaker fit for royalty.His lordship shall not want him in a cell; he’ll want him in my workshop, creating shoes that will seduce the English nobles and please the British Empire even more than Manhao does already.Perhaps their queen shall wish to visit the Palace of Endless Prosperity herself, such will be our renown.’
Lim could barely believe his ears.He’d gone from being thrown into a cell to being tied to Master Chen’s workbench; neither brought him any closer to Xian, but this option was far more preferable to the last.
‘All this over shoes?’The captain said, incredulous.‘You overestimate your craft, Chen.’
‘Would your lady think so, Captain Duan?Or any of the mandarin’s consorts?What of the emperor, with his bright yellow boots?Or the kings of France, with their red heeled shoes?’
‘Do not bother me with your prattle, Chen.There will be advantage in this arrangement for me?’
‘Of course.’
The captain grunted.‘Then I am done here.’He stood in front of Lim, who was still lightheaded from the strangling.‘If you do not wish another bruise to be added to your prince’s flesh, then I will have word from Master Chen that you are nothing but the perfect servant.’
Lim struggled to get to his feet, swaying dangerously.‘You wouldn’t dare lay a hand on him.’
‘Not tonight, of course.’The Captain tilted his head, like a vulture eyeing carrion.‘It wouldn’t do to spoil the fun of those who will pay for such pleasures.But once the new year arrives, and the guests are gone, then perhaps I’ll have your prince dance for me, wearing those slippers you have brought, and nothing else.’
Lim lunged at him, but Jang Ming was there, grabbing a hold and shouting at him to stay still.
Eyes now hard as granite, Captain Duan turned away.‘Shackle his ankles.And do not make me regret this, Chen.’
The guard, Yuze, appeared bearing the shackles, as though they were kept hidden in the gardens, ready for when the captain might grow displeased with someone in the residence.
Yuze snapped the metal around Lim’s ankle; pinching at his skin.But Lim barely noticed; seething at the captain’s lewd insinuations.
Pay for the pleasure of the prince’s company?Duan goaded him, surely?Hinting at a vileness that could not possibly be true.
The Englishman’s words, his talk of finding Xian before midnight — before it was too late — suddenly filled Lim’s mind.Had that emerald-eyed man known what could befall Xian in this sordid place?