Free Dragonwall by Troy Denning Page B

statements. Ju-Hai’s answer, however, had been sincere, though he would never convince Ting of that.
    “Perhaps you speak the truth,” the Tigress said, looking away to show Ju-Hai that she didn’t believe he did. “Even so, you would never embarrass yourself before the emperor—not on my behalf, or anyone else’s. And considering that someone must have been feeding information to the spy the guards captured, it almost appears that you’re a traitor.”
    The only reason Ju-Hai did not lose his temper was that he had already considered that same point. His outburst had come at the wrong time. Taken by itself, it appeared that the minister was trying to hide something. When he considered the spy and the map, even Ju-Hai could not deny that his behavior cast a pall of suspicion over him.
    For several moments, Ting studied her mentor with hard demanding eyes. Finally, her mouth dropped open and she pointed an accusing finger at the minister. “That’s it! You are a spy.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Ju-Hai said evenly. If he thought she were serious, he would not be able to keep from shouting. However, Ju-Hai felt convinced that Ting was merely putting on an act. The accusation had been so dramatic and sudden that it seemed rehearsed.
    Besides, if Ting believed him to be a spy, she would not make the mistake of accusing him while alone and inside the walls of his home.
    As Ju-Hai expected, the Tigress followed her accusation with a demand. “If you’re not the spy, why the outburst? What are you hiding?”
    “I am hiding nothing,” Ju-Hai lied.
    “How can I believe that?” Ting responded angrily. “The evidence is—” She stopped in midsentence and looked around the garden. A moment later, she rose quickly and bowed, saying, “Please forgive me, Minister. I forget myself. Perhaps I should go.”
    Her voice trembled with a fear Ju-Hai knew she did not feel. If Ting were truly afraid, she would appear angry and dangerous, not timid and apologetic.
    “Yes, perhaps you should go,” the Minister of State replied. He poured himself some more tea and did not bother to rise.
    “If you have that evidence you speak of, take it directly to the emperor.”
    Ting hesitated, furrowing her smooth brow in confusion. Finally, she said, “But I couldn’t. I owe you—”
    “If you believe me a traitor,” Ju-Hai interrupted, “you owe me nothing. Your duty is to present your evidence to the emperor.”
    Ting exhaled wearily, then returned to her seat. “I don’t believe you’re a traitor, Minister, and I never did. But I am the Minister of State Security.”
    Ju-Hai smiled with heartfelt warmth. “Understood, my dear. I expected nothing less.”
    Ting sighed heavily and turned in her seat to look out over the goldfish pond. “The emperor and the other mandarins are already commenting on your suspicious behavior. What am I to say? That we had tea and that I have your assurance you remain faithful to Shou Lung?”
    Ju-Hai shook his head. “No,” he admitted. “That won’t do.”
    She looked at him with pleading eyes. “I can’t help you unless I know what you are hiding.”
    “I am hiding nothing,” the elder minister responded. It was not difficult for him to lie, even to friends. He did it every day as a normal part of his duties. “You have my word.”
    “Splendid,” she answered, rolling her eyes away from Ju-Hai’s. “I’ll sleep like the dragons tonight.”
    For nearly a minute, Ting stared at the pond, watching the fat goldfish swim lazy circles. Finally, she looked back to her mentor. “If you’re not the spy, who is?”
    “I don’t know,” Ju-Hai answered, shaking his head sadly. “But if my honor is to be saved, that is the question you must answer.”
    Ting shifted forward in her chair. “I need some help.”
    “Perhaps you could compare calligraphy?” Ju-Hai suggested. He lifted his teacup and looked at the table while he drank, as if the matter were of little consequence to