I have reasons for not telling you everything now. My hope is still for a limited war, perhaps even a show of force, but there are those around me who have different plans for Shanji on this pa.s.s, and they are people of influence and politics. They are people who only understand power. You must show them that power, Kati, and use it if necessary. You must be prepared to destroy my armies, and even me.

Mandughai! I cannot!

You must do it. There could be no other hope for Shanji. In the time remaining for us together in the place of creation I want you to think on a grander scale when you move energy. You can destroy a planet or a star if you will it.

I don't want to kill, Mandughai. I just want to help my people.

I know. Your powers are tempered by a great compa.s.sion I'm also grateful for. But in war, there is no compa.s.sion when the killing starts. You must be strong. Kati? KATI! There's more we must talk about! DON'T LEAVE ME NOW!

Kati opened her eyes, saw the candles flickering on her shrine and remembered the sorrowful look on Mandughai's face the instant before she'd left her behind in the gong-shi-jie. She stood up, looked in her mirror, and again saw the face of the Emerald Empress.

She was crying.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

PARTING.

I had it, but it's gone again, just like before! It's not a case of being able to move ma.s.s. My aura seems to extend as far as I can imagine it! You saw the ma.s.s I dipped from Tengri-Nayon. It looked like a small sun when I brought it to me. The problem is the transition, Mandughai. It's just a flash to me. Something happens in the transition, and the ma.s.s is left behind!

It won't be easier if you're upset, Kati.

But I've failed again. I can't bring ma.s.s to the gong-shi-jie!

As long as you try, you haven't failed. I would help you if I could, but you're beyond me. I cannot move ma.s.s or energy like you do, and the transition is also just a flash to me. I think the ma.s.s must be converted to hot light before entering the gong-shi-jie, and time is required for that to happen. We must slow the transition, but I don't know how to do it.

I'm sorry, Mandughai. I've tried hard, but I don't think the power is in me.

We can't be sure of that. For now, we'll focus on moving even larger ma.s.ses in real s.p.a.ce. That could be quite useful in accelerating a ship to high velocity, though the travel time would still be long. I'd hoped, of course, we could move such a ship at infinite speed in the gong-shi-jie, but now I see a terrible complication. If ma.s.s has to be converted to hot light, then back again to ma.s.s, what horrible things could happen to that ma.s.s, and any humans within it? Each atom must be rea.s.sembled, and put in its proper place. I'm beginning to think the task is not achievable, even by you.

I can bring light in and out of the gong-shi-jie. Could that be useful?

Yes, it could. Maybe we should work on that. If you can transfer enough power, ships can be propelled by light, but the power required is more than that produced by all our worlds, and we'll still be traveling for long times in real s.p.a.ce. But it's something to look at. You have a lifetime to work on these things, Kati.

Not if we wage war, Mandughai. I will fight with my people, for reasons you still haven't given me.

Mandughai looked sorrowfully at her from the face that was Kati's. There is risk to both of us, and we'll try to minimize it. I will tell you one thing, now. My own daughter will lead my soldiers, and there is risk to her as well, Kati. She will take my place one day, if she survives.

You have a daughter? You never told me!

Mandughai smiled. A daughter, and sons; grand-children and great-grandchildren. I'm old, Kati. I will not lead my soldiers, but I'll be there. My hope is that you and I, and my daughter, will be able to meet when it's over. You're surprised again?

Yes. Somehow, when we're here, I still don't think of you as a real person.

As real as you. I'm the thirty-fifth Mandughai of Tengri-Nayon, Kati. My daughter follows me. I want her reign to be as benevolent to the people as mine has been, and I fear it won't be. I do not want the cruelties of the first Mandughai and a few after her to be repeated, but I want all our people together in harmony. She knows my will, Kati, but she's difficult and has influence with my military people.

I've deliberately kept her from you to avoid any conflicts of personalities. She can be harsh and abrasive, and is jealous of the training I've given you. I do not trust her to move freely in the gong-shijie, and have only guided her here a few times. In many ways, she's different from you, and I think it's best that you first meet her on the field of battle. Her powers are less than mine, and she cannot move ma.s.s or energy. Your abilities concern her, Kati, because soon after you're Empress you will be dealing with her, not me. My reign is coming to an end, and the two of you must work together for the good of our people.

First we must fight each other. It seems a poor way to begin. Kati drifted closer to her own image. At least I now see who my true enemy is. It is your daughter.

No! I am Mandughai, and I am Empress here, not my daughter. We disagree only on the agenda for Shanji and the scale of the war, and you must be prepared for the very worst! Tumatsin and Hansui must come together against us if they're to survive my daughter's plans. But I am also involved. I still see no other way to persuade the Tumatsin they must not separate themselves from the rest of the people by believing in myths. A foreign threat by me is the only way. Do not hesitate to threaten them with my coming, Kati. Do not use my daughter to excuse my actions. This is important. I don't think they'll believe you, anyway. Their belief will come when the first ordus burn. They will fight to protect themselves, but it's your task to make them fight for all of Shanji. Lead them, Kati. Lead them as Empress!

I will do my best, but it's like fighting a war with my own mother, Mandughai. I feel badly about this.

So do I. I would feel blessed if you were my own daughter. We must come together as Mandughai, a foreign Empress, and Mengnu, the future Empress of Shanji. If we survive, you will know my true name, and that of my daughter. It's now time for us to be apart. I'll miss you, Kati. This must be our last meeting before I come to Shanji.

Mandughai! You said you'd always be with me!

The time will pa.s.s quickly, but it's necessary for us to distance ourselves from each other before the conflict. We are much too close to each other to do what will be necessary.

But what about our work here, in the place of creation?

It will wait. You're ready to work on your own, and I encourage you to do it, but your focus should now be on Shanji. Get your people ready, Kati. You'll be warned again about my coming - and it will be soon. Goodbye until then, dear. I love you.

The tearful image of Mandughai drifted away from her to the green vortex that was Tengri-Nayon. A flash, and She was gone, and Kati was alone in the gong-shi-jie. It wasn't sudden fear that she felt in this familiar place, but a terrible sense of loneliness. In the past, Mandughai had always been watching her, even when it seemed She wasn't there, but now She was truly gone.

Her own vortex seemed to be tugging at her, urging her back to the body sitting before the shrine in her room, but she resisted it. This place had become as much hers as Mandughai's. She traveled for a while, but not far, dipping in and out of real s.p.a.ce to play with a prominence on Tengri-Nayon, a vortex of cooler material on the surface of Tengri-Khan, grasping, then releasing the hot gases with her aura. The third time in transition, she found herself near the great ship in orbit above Shanji, and resisted the temptation to push on it. Perhaps, one day, Huomeng would be on that ship, and she could help to hurry him along to wherever he wanted to go. Another dream, achievable only if she survived a war.

She gazed down at wispy clouds, the blue of the great sea, the mottled colors of land in the light of Tengri-Khan.

A beautiful world. Her world, and her people were there.

Shanji.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

HOMECOMING.

There was no sleep for Kati the night before Mengmoshu came to take her to her people. Her mind would not cease its whirling with fear and apprehension about the trip, and Huomeng's visit, while comforting, had only added to the confusion of her thoughts.

He'd stayed quite late while they talked in her sitting room. He'd pulled up a chair, and they'd sat knee to knee in quiet conversation for nearly two hours when she could have been trying to sleep. They'd talked about the visit, and what she could say to a people she'd been absent from for twelve years. They would surely see her as a Tumatsin; her physical presence was enough for that. There was Da and Baber and many others who had known her as a child, but now she was coming to them after many years as a ward of the Moshuguang, and accompanied by a Searcher. Wouldn't they see her as a spy for the Emperor? She could not hide her own mental probe from them for long and then they would see she was also a Searcher, somehow transformed by those they despised.

"But you are Moshuguang, Kati," said Huomeng. "It's a part of your being, and you can't deny it. And while your powers are beyond those of the Tumatsin, you're still one of them. They must see your special gifts as the reason First Mother has chosen you to lead them. You must show them these gifts, Kati, even if they feel threatened by them. And they must know that you care about their welfare."

Huomeng had leaned close and taken her hands in his, startling her. "This will be a difficult time for you. You've waited so long to see your father and brother again, and I wish I could tell you what their reaction will be in seeing you, but I cannot. It might not be pleasant, Kati, and I don't want your expectations for a joyful reunion to be too high. I don't want you to be hurt."

He'd held her hands tightly and looked straight into her eyes, and the feelings coming from him were warm and wonderful, so much so that Kati's thumbs stroked his knuckles in return and they sat for a moment, just looking at each other.

"If there is pain for you, remember who you are," he whispered. "You are to be Empress over all the people, not just the Tumatsin. Your world is much bigger now, and there is loneliness in leadership, a terrible loneliness when difficult things must be done. Your own people might reject you, but still you must lead them if they're to survive. Follow your instincts, and do what an Empress must do. This is the task First Mother has chosen you for, and now it's time to do it."

Kati nodded. "I know."

Huomeng raised her hands to his mouth, and kissed them. "I'll be waiting," he said, and his look was so intense that she felt her cheeks flush. He seemed suddenly embarra.s.sed, releasing her hands and standing up abruptly.

Kati stood up with him, and without a thought put an arm around him to rest her head against his shoulder. She felt his arms go around her, his cheek on top of her head. Suddenly, she wanted him to kiss her, but he did not. They stayed that way for only a moment, and then he gave her a little squeeze and released her, hurrying away, leaving her trembling.

Sleep did not come that night.

Mengmoshu came for her before dawn, and she was waiting for him dressed in her riding leathers, the three precious amulets hanging from her neck, the artifacts of her two worlds that Mandughai had decreed must be made one. Mengmoshu wore the full armor of a trooper and gave her a hooded robe to wear over her leathers. They were the only two pa.s.sengers in the monorail car driven by a Moshuguang trooper to the flyer field above the palace.

The guard at the gate was also a Searcher, and he led them to a flyer set apart from the others. The field was quiet and all the troopers she saw had the prominent foreheads of the Moshuguang. Not a word was spoken by anyone as they reached the flyer, and Kati saw that Mengyao was its pilot.

The field commander is a friend of the Moshuguang. The Emperor will not hear about our leaving.

Kati had never been in a flyer, and was nervous as she climbed into the open c.o.c.kpit of the craft and strapped herself in.

Relax. I fly even better than I ride a horse. I didn't drop you on the way to the city, and I won't drop you now.

Where do we go, Mengmoshu?

To the border. We'll take horses from there to the ordu Manlee was last reported to reside in. Since the fences went up, we haven't kept good track of Tumatsin movements, so we might have to search for her. Mengyao will fly cover for us at all times. The Tumatsin have come to think of themselves as an independent nation since the border was established, but they have granted our request for this visit. They are expecting to see the future Empress of Shanji.

You told them that?

I told them the truth. What comes from this visit is up to you.

And they will see their Empress to be a nineteen-year-old girl dressed in riding leathers.

Their future Empress is a Tumatsin. Tighten your lap belt. We're taking off, now.

The flyer jerked upwards as she reached for her belt to pull it tightly across her thighs and chest. Mengyao looked back and grinned at her terror. The craft rose straight up, humming loudly, and she clutched at the belt, heart pounding, eyes fixed at the nape of Mengyao's neck. Above her, the dome glowed dimly and a dark patch suddenly grew there, showing stars beyond. She fixed her eyes on the stars, not daring to look down as they lifted, her stomach sinking.

The square opening in the dome rumbled, already beginning to close as they pa.s.sed through it. Straight above them was the intensely orange Tengri-Nayon, now the brightest star in the night sky. Less than two years to closest approach, thought Kati, and Mandughai was readying Her army for the coming confrontation. Would the people believe? Believe that the G.o.ddess they thought would deliver them from the Emperor came to destroy them as well as him? Suddenly, Kati was filled with doubt about any success of her mission, and in her own abilities to lead a people socially divided by so many centuries of archaic rule.

"You're missing a good view," said Mengmoshu. "Look to your right."

She did so as the craft leveled, and saw the city sprawled up the side of the mountain like a crust of fluorescent crystals, illuminating the dome in a soft blue. Mengyao made a slow turn north before the city, then another turn west, pa.s.sing over the cliffs and then the plateau, the summits of the three peaks a hundred meters below them. It was too dark to see the little meadow there, the place where Lui-Pang had first kissed her. The plateau glowed in starlight and she thought of her rides on Sushua and the trek to Festival with Da on black Kaidu. The trip of days on horseback rushed beneath her as Mengyao held a steady course westward. Kati began to relax and dared to look over the edge of the open c.o.c.kpit, pressing her nose to the plastic windshield rising a meter above her head. She saw the rolling hills crisscrossed with trails, then the black gash that was the canyon leading to the Festival area, then more hills. It seemed only minutes before a line of orange lights appeared ahead of them, a long line snaking north to south, and suddenly the whine of the flyer lowered in pitch. They were losing alt.i.tude and Kati's stomach was rising again.

As they came close to the ground, Kati saw the wire fence with yellow lights s.p.a.ced far apart, marking the boundary of Tumatsin lands. They were coming up on a stone building with a thatched roof, and people were there with horses, the area brightly lit by a circle of lights mounted on tall poles. Mengyao slowed the flyer to hover over the area, then settled it slowly to the ground as four troopers armed with laser rifles came forward to meet them. All four were Moshuguang. All four bowed to Kati, then to Mengmoshu and Mengyao as they exited the craft.

"They are waiting by the fence," said one trooper to Mengmoshu. "They've been here for over an hour."

Mengyao remained standing by the flyer, and Mengmoshu motioned Kati ahead of him to follow the troopers. Four guards standing before the stone building came rigidly to attention as Kati pa.s.sed by them, and ahead was a gate in the fence, beyond it several people on horseback with two riderless horses awaiting them in yellow light. The guards opened the gate and pa.s.sed through it ahead of them. They stood at attention on both sides of Kati as she came close to the riders and stopped, looking up at them.

There were six men, and one woman.

The woman was Goldani.

Kati smiled, and started to speak, but then Mengmoshu pushed past her and bowed to the riders before gesturing back at her.

"This is Mengnu, the one chosen by First Mother. We thank you for coming to escort us at such an early hour."

Seven Tumatsin faces were unreadable masks, but Kati felt their wary interest in her. Goldani looked her up and down, and said, "We came mainly to satisfy our curiosity, Searcher. She is very young, and we weren't aware that Shanji requires a new leader. Has something happened to the Emperor?"

"No," said Mengmoshu. "He's quite ill, however, and the one you call Mandughai has decided the time has come for major changes in the leadership of Shanji. She will soon return with her armies to enforce these changes and place Mengnu on the throne as Empress."

"Indeed," said Goldani. "Mandughai has not informed me of these developments."

"Perhaps she has spoken to Manlee about it. It's Manlee we wish to visit with first," said Mengmoshu.

Goldani stiffened, still looking at Kati. "Manlee has been dead for nearly two years, and I have been chosen to take her place as intermediary to Mandughai. You all see the truth of my words, including this young woman. I feel her probing my mind."

"I have the abilities of a Searcher," said Kati, "but I'm searching for your memory of a little girl carried away by the Emperor's troopers after the ordu with no name was destroyed twelve years ago. I didn't know you were still alive, Goldani. I thought you might have died with my mother."

Goldani seemed to catch her breath, and leaned forward to look at Kati more closely. "I see that you're Tumatsin in appearance. Am I supposed to know you?"

"You rode with my mother in Festival procession when I received my first horse. Her name was Toregene, and she could make her eyes green, Goldani. I am her daughter, Kati, and I've come to see my people again. I've waited many years for this moment."

Goldani's face was still expressionless, but now she dismounted, and walked towards Kati. The guards moved to block her, but Mengmoshu waved them away. The woman stopped within reach, and Kati saw the red of her eyes. Suddenly, her heart was aching, and she felt the sting of tears.

"I've been a ward of the Moshuguang, the Searchers, for twelve years. They always promised me the day would come when I could see my people again, and now it's arrived. You're as I remember you, Goldani. It's good to see a familiar face again."

Goldani put out a hand to finger the necklaces hanging from Kati's neck, her lips pressed tightly together.

"Ma gave me the Eye of Tengri when I went to Festival. The sh.e.l.ls came from Edi, a little girl who also received her first horse when I did. The other is from Juimoshu, a woman of the Moshuguang. It is the eye of Mandughai, whom the Moshuguang call First Mother. We are all related to Her, Goldani, both the Tumatsin and the Moshuguang, from two different sons of Her body. She has called me to be Empress of Shanji, and unite all our people. That is why I'm here."

Goldani reached up and touched a tear on Kati's cheek, while the guards nervously shuffled their feet. "I've never seen such green in the eyes of a Tumatsin woman," she said softly.

"The green color comes when I'm happy. I've missed being with my own kind."

Kati grabbed the woman in a hug, felt her stiffen, then relax, one hand resting softly on Kati's back. Kati whispered, "I've missed Da and Baber, and the others in my ordu. I don't even know who's alive! Can you take me to them?"

Goldani stiffened again, and held Kati at arm's length. "This will come, but first I must know you better. I see a woman, not a little girl I remember, and your reason for coming here is extraordinary. While we ride, you must tell me everything that has happened to you since the day Toregene was killed."

"You're not certain of me, but you want to believe," said Kati.

"Yes-I want to believe. We have an hour's ride for you to tell me everything."

"Mengmoshu, here, has been my teacher in many things. You'll have questions he can answer."

"Then we'll ride together," said Goldani.