They finished their cakes in silence, and then went back to the car. In minutes, they were out of the mountain to where the flyers were, and were taking the monorail down to the palace, Kati looking out at the mountains in silence. She thought of Lui-Pang, and suddenly knew he'd seen her eyes change color that morning. Had he thought her eyes pretty then? Other changes would soon come. How would he react?

"You are very quiet," said Huomeng.

"My mind is a blur from what I've seen today," she said, and that seemed to satisfy him.

As they neared Kati's rooms, Sheyue came floating down the hallway towards them, and Huomeng saw her first. Kati felt the stir of emotion in him at the same time she felt Sheyue's desire.

Sheyue bowed to Huomeng, and smiled beautifully at him. "Honored teacher," she said.

"My work is finished for the day," said Huomeng, ignoring Kati. "Would you join me in the garden for a little while before mealtime? There are some new fish in the pool."

Sheyue looked at Kati. "Do you have need of me, Mengnu?"

Kati shook her head. "I need to rest before eating, and have a lot of things to think about. I'll see you at

mealtime."

As she entered her rooms, they were walking away from her, and Kati saw Huomeng's arm slide around the girl's waist.

She changed into an orange robe, looked into a mirror and saw that her eyes were their normal brown, a

sight that somehow comforted her. And then she lay down on her bed, relaxing, closing her eyes.

Mengmoshu. Can we talk a moment?I'm here, Kati. What is it?Huomeng showed me the big ships in the mountain today, and also where all the people are living.I know. We felt it was time.There are other things.Kati told him about their conversations, including Huomeng's dreams. He says there is a plan being made by the Moshuguang, and that he and I are a part of it. I want to know what I'm being prepared for. What am I to do?

There was a long pause, Mengmoshu masking himself from her.

Mengmoshu! Tell me something!

There is a plan, yes, but we're not certain of it yet. Your part in it will be determined by First Mother, but I ask you to do something now. Think about what you've seen and heard today. Ask yourself what is good for Shanji, and what isn't. Then decide what you would do to make things right. Soon, I will take you into the valley to meet the people and see their everyday lives. What Huomeng tells you comes from me. Remember that, Kati. Now tell me about the other new thing that disturbs you.

Kati knew instantly what he meant, for he could see everything she thought about at the moment.

The changes in my body have begun. My eyes started changing colors today.

She felt a strange elation coming from him, even happiness.

So, you are becoming a woman. That is wonderful, Kati. I will tell First Mother, and you must tell Her, too. Now, do what I ask you to do. Some people have just arrived in my office and I must leave you. We will spend much time together in the near future, and I look forward to it. You're dear to me, child.

And he was gone. Kati was left shaken by the burst of emotion, the sudden feeling of love that had just poured out of him. Suddenly, she was crying, remembering her own father bending over her in the dim light of the ger, that same feeling coming from him as he stroked her forehead and called her his little empress. Where was he now? Did he miss her? Think her dead? And little Baber, with his charging horse-dolls; what did he look like now?

She wondered if she would ever see them again, and if she did, if they would accept her for what she'd become: a kept, pampered girl living in the Emperor's palace, a Tumatsin, living in the ways of the Hansui n.o.bility.

Kati was suddenly afraid.

They ate dinner in Kati's rooms, the food brought to them by Tanchun. And afterwards, they bathed together again, as they often did. Now taller than Sheyue, Kati was no longer ashamed of her body in the girl's presence, for their figures were quite similar. Kati enjoyed these times with Sheyue, for it was then when they shared their secrets, and were most like sisters. They slid languidly into the water, sitting silently across the tub from each other until Kati spoke.

"Lui-Pang kissed me today," she said softly.

Sheyue did not squeal with excitement like a little girl, but had a twinkle in her eyes as she rubbed water on her white shoulders. "Were his lips soft, Mengnu? Is he a gentle lover?"

"It was just a kiss," said Kati, but then she told Sheyue everything: the feel of his probing tongue, the hardness of a nipple when his hand touched her breast, the tingling in her groin when he pressed against her. "I felt his desire there, but did not let it go further than that. He honored my wishes."

"Then he is a gentleman," said Sheyue, leaning her head back on the edge of the tub. "Do you want more from him, Mengnu? Do you want to feel him inside you?" Sheyue's hand dipped beneath the water, and Kati saw she was touching herself between her legs.

"I suppose I do," said Kati. "I felt desire for him, deep down, but also caution. It was my first kiss, Sheyue." As she spoke, Kati also touched herself, imitating the girl. Immediately, there was a tingling sensation where her finger touched the tender place beneath her mound.

Sheyue was now stroking herself, eyes closed. "Huomeng was also hesitant at first, thinking I was too delicate until I guided him into me. He is so gentle, so caring. The first time, there were tears in his eyes at his release. When I cried out with pleasure, he thought he'd hurt me."

Kati was shocked, yet somehow not surprised. "You've lain with my teacher? Where?"

"In the garden, and once in my rooms. Several times, all of them wonderful."

"You will get pregnant by him!" warned Kati. "Be careful, Sheyue. His mate must be chosen by the Moshuguang. You could make trouble for yourself."

"I have the tea my mother sent with me," said Sheyue, still stroking herself, breath quickening. "I drink it every day, and there will be-no-child. Mmmm . . ." She sighed. "I feel him in me now."

Kati's own finger was rubbing softly, and the tingling was spreading throughout her groin and lower back. She took her hand away, but the feeling was still there.

Sheyue opened her eyes, and looked at Kati. Her eyes widened, and she smiled. Her body seemed to glow, a golden, shimmering cloud enveloping her. She waded across the tub on her knees, and put her arms around Kati's neck.

"Mengnu-you are so beautiful."

Sheyue kissed Kati on the mouth with soft, full lips.

"Love your man," she murmured, then stood up and stepped from the tub, the golden cloud moving with her.

Kati followed, rubbing herself dry with a soft towel that only enhanced the pleasureful feeling within her. She went into the dimly lit bedroom and saw a golden glow that was Sheyue climbing into bed. She put on a light robe, and turned to a mirror to put up her hair.

What she saw there both pleased and astounded her.

Her own body was surrounded by a halo of gold, a layer of blue at skin's surface, fans of red, yellow and orange radiating from her head. This pleased her, this first sight of her own aura, and that of Sheyue's. It verified her womanhood.

It was the sight of her face that astounded her, for her eyes were blazing like beacons in the night, and their color was emerald-green.

CHAPTER TEN.

SHAN-LAN.

It was the first time Kati had seen The Son of Heaven in over eight years. And when she saw him, one look at his aura told her he was extremely ill. Just above his groin the colors were gone, replaced by a grey fog in the energy field, a parasitic ma.s.s growing there and slowly draining him. Her first thought was to use her hands on him, funneling purple energy from the gong-shi-jie itself to destroy the ma.s.s and prolong his life. But the thought quickly pa.s.sed, for He was the Emperor, the man responsible for the death of her true mother. She would not help him.

She was sitting on her usual bench, the practice sword in her lap when the Emperor appeared. He followed a phalanx of four troopers, all armed with rifles, and walking beside him was a young boy dressed in a simple black robe, a polymer sword held casually across his chest.

The boy was beautiful: tall, slender, with extraordinarily fine features for a Hansui, giving him a feminine look. His hair hung in two pigtails and he walked proudly erect, knowing she had seen him. She felt his apprehension as she stood and bowed deeply to the Emperor.

"Son of Heaven," she said simply, lowering her eyelashes as she bowed.

The guards stood around them in a semi-circle. "So you are Mengnu," said the Emperor. "The last time I saw you, you were a child. It appears that palace life has been satisfactory for you."

"I'm in your debt for the kind treatment I've received," said Kati, nodding her head and again lowering her eyelashes with the serene smile of a Sheyue.

"This is my son, Shan-lan, who will join you in exercises with Master Yung. I'm told you are a superior student."

"I'm honored, Prince of Shanji," said Kati, bowing to the boy. "I strive to do my best in all things."

Shan-lan was staring at her, transfixed. There was a delicacy about him, a gentleness, and Kati liked him before he spoke a single word.

"You are somewhat more advanced than I," said Shan-lan, "and I hope to learn from you." His voice was soft, like that of a young girl.

The door beside them opened, and Master Yung appeared in his usual white robe. He bowed stiffly to the Emperor, then motioned his two students inside without speaking a word. He closed the door, took them to the center of the room and had them stand facing each other. Shan-lan's aura was golden but dim, a lovely, red fan surrounding his head. A creative person, an artist or a poet, perhaps, but certainly not a warrior. His energy field was weak, as if he hadn't eaten for several hours.

"There is no rank or cla.s.s here," said Master Yung. "In this room, you are students and nothing more. You will not hold back on any exercise. You will not fear for hurting the other, for if you do, I will work you until the fear is gone. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master," they said together, then bowing stiffly to each other."Very well. Come to sword length."They stretched forth their swords so that the points were touching."First dong! Zhumbei!"They crouched, arms bent, each blade pointed at the opponent's chest."Strike!"Slash, slash, slash, each aimed at the head, and blocked."Second dong! Zhumbei!"Again, as before. Kati felt his apprehension and fear, yet Shan-lan had done the first exercise well."Strike!"Slash, thrust, disengage, slash, towards head and body. Shan-lan was quick, the disengagement delicate.

So why was he afraid?By the time they finished the tenth dong, the reason was apparent. Shan-lan's energy was draining rapidly. He had no stamina, and on the fourth beat she could have easily disemboweled him with a single thrust-cut, for he was a half-beat behind her. There was no time for rest in the presence of Master Yung. He handed them the wire-mesh masks for combat-play, and they put them on."First dong! Zhumbei!" They moved closer to each other, now.

"Strike!"Kati struck Shan-lan hard on the mask with her third beat, and felt his surprise."Second dong! Zhumbei!""Strike!"Kati slapped his sword hard on the disengagement, and punched him sharply in the chest. The gold in his aura had faded, the red fan about his head now gone, replaced by blue spikes. Shan-lan was

exhausted, but hanging on with raw courage.By the time they reached the seventh dong, Shan-lan was wincing with each blow from her sword, and there was nothing left in him: no apprehension or fear, only shame.

And so she hesitated at beat three to let him catch up. He barely parried her blade, but finished the exercise without being struck by her.

"Again!" said Master Yung.

This time she hesitated on first beat, letting him get a jump on her.

Master Yung stepped up, and put his face right up to her mask.

"AGAIN!"Now it was Kati who felt shame, and anger, for Master Yung's instructions had been clear and she was not respecting them. A little growl escaped her throat and her face was hot. She crouched, and struck hard at Yung's command, and by the end of the tenth dong her own mind was in agony from the pain caused by all the blows she'd rained down upon the son of the Emperor.

But Master Yung seemed satisfied. "Leave your masks on, but put down your swords, and stand as you

are."

Shan-lan was breathing heavily. Blue jets emanated from his knees, his right shoulder and elbow. His strength was gone. But for the moment, Kati could not feel for him. She had shamed herself before Master Yung, and would not do it again, even for this delicate, gentle boy.

Yung went to his shrine, and removed the two crossed swords from the wall there. He handed a sword to each of them. "You have practiced with toys long enough. Now it is time for these, but only at sword's length. Get the feel of them first."

The curved steel blade seemed like a natural extension to her arm, the balance and weight familiar, but the wire-wrapped hilt giving her a firmer grip than with the practice weapon. She held it out, made a few practice slashes with it, and the blade flashed in the light. Not a toy, but like the sword carried by her mother at a Festival in the distant past of another life. The feel of it charged her with energy and excitement. This was a weapon of war, not play. She lost all thought of Shan-lan, as Yung gave his command.

"At sword length. First dong! Zhumbei!"

"Strike!"

She slashed furiously; the flash of gleaming blades, the sound of steel ringing with the shock of impact surged through her like electric current, and she nearly knocked the sword from Shan-lan's grip.

By the third dong, the sword was barely in his hand and his technique was gone, the blade waving wildly to meet hers in pure defense. Suddenly, his point dipped to the floor, and he sank to his knees, head bowed. "I cannot go on," he gasped. "I have no strength left."

Kati could only stand there and feel his shame. But she discovered there was kindness in Master Yung. He helped Shan-lan to his feet and took the sword from him. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder as the mask was removed. Shan-lan looked down at the floor, gasping, his face glistening with sweat.

"You're improving, young Prince, and you will continue to improve. Dedicate yourself to the art, and your father will be proud of you. Please, now, wait outside for your escort. I need to have a word with your opponent here."

Shan-lan bowed to Yung, and to Kati, then walked wearily to the door and closed it behind him.

Kati thought Master Yung might compliment her, but it was not so. He jerked the sword from her hand, his face close before she could even remove her mask.

"If you ever hesitate again, I will have you standing with two swords outstretched for half an hour! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Master. I'm sorry. I will not do it again."

"You are not here to play, but to prepare yourself, by order of the Moshuguang! I will not accept less than full effort from you! To hesitate in battle is to die!"

"Yes, Master. I will give you everything I have, and more, and I'm shamed by what I did today. I have no excuses for it."

Now his face softened. "You fight well with anger in you. For several moments, I saw a fierceness that is necessary in battle."

"I was not angry, Master." Yung reached up, pulled the mask from her head, and looked at her with a smile. "Your eye color betrays you. Anger is good, to a certain point, for it gives energy and quickness. Too much of it clouds the judgment. There is a fine line between too little and too much. This you will have to find for yourself. Now go. Your progress is excellent, but you will achieve much more with continued dedication."

Kati left the room as Master Yung returned the swords to their position on the wall. Shan-lan was sitting on the bench, leaning his head against the wall. His face still glistened with sweat, and his eyes were filled with tears he made no effort to hide from her as she sat down beside him.

Kati dared to put a hand on his shoulder. "Master Yung does not lie. You are quite good in your technique, but I think you lack energy. Do you eat before coming to practice?"