Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart

of the sculpted plants, his shoulders tensed. He had the feeling that he was being watched.
    When he reached the brazier, he set down his candle and teapot, and used the cloth to lift the hot kettle from its hook. He poured the simmering water into the teapot carefully, and replaced the kettle. By the time he had finished, the courtyard was silent. Brother Martin must have fallen asleep.
    He turned around, teapot in one hand, candle in the other, and caught his breath. In front of him, blocking his way, was a figure. He raised his candle in order to illuminate the face, but in his surprise he moved his arm too quickly. The flame went out.
    â€œWho is there?” he asked the darkness.
    â€œI have startled you,” came the voice. “I can give you a flint, but it would be easier simply to use the brazier.”
    Li Du recognized the accented speech. He set the wick of the candle against a glowing coal, then turned and raised it again, this time slowly. Its light caught the pendants and rings adorning the velvet robes of Sir Nicholas Gray.
    Even in the soft glow of the candle, Gray’s face showed the effects of hard travel. The skin was irritated and peeling where the sun and wind had chapped it. The deep-set eyes were further sunken by the bruised shadows around them.
    â€œI thought you knew I was here,” said Gray.
    â€œI did not.” Li Du tried to steady his breath.
    Gray looked at the silhouette of Brother Martin across the courtyard. The young man’s head now rested on his folded arms. “What has he been doing there?”
    â€œThe magistrate asked him to pray for Brother Pieter’s soul.”
    â€œHe chose an unusual prayer.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œOnly that he was reading the Canticle of Mary.”
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œI’m not much of a religious man, but that prayer is not usually said in the middle of the night. The young brother must be tired. He is not a seasoned traveler. And the shock—well, we were all shocked.”
    Gray remained standing in front of Li Du. The full teapot was heavy, and Li Du struggled to hold it steady. He looked over Gray’s shoulder, hoping that Gray would step aside, but Gray made no move to do so.
    â€œAn interesting man,” said Gray. “I have not had many dealings with the Jesuits, myself. They have their ways of approaching China, and we have ours.”
    â€œâ€˜We’?”
    â€œThe Company. The English East India Company, my employer.”
    Li Du searched for a response. “Brother Pieter was impressed by the astronomical piece in your tribute. He said that it was a magnificent gift for the Emperor.”
    It was difficult to read the man’s face in the strange light of the flame, but it seemed to Li Du that Gray’s expression tightened. Li Du recalled Pieter’s unrepentant confession that he had gone into the treasure room without permission.
    But if Gray was upset, he controlled it quickly. “It is a marvelous invention,” he said. “I have some experience with construction, but that device is far beyond my understanding. It was calibrated by our astronomers and watchmakers in Calcutta. Jesuits, jewelers—the Company consulted every expert. I brought it here undamaged, which was no small feat, through the forests of the headhunters on barely passable trails. The box itself required the skills of fourteen carpenters to make.”
    â€œWhy—”
    â€œTo protect it from damage. The tellurion is splendid, of course, but there are many pieces in the tribute more wondrous still. Brother Pieter was an astronomer—I assume you knew that already—so I am not surprised that he liked that particular treasure. What matters, though, is that the tribute pleases the Emperor.”
    â€œI understand that your company hopes to enter into a trade agreement with China.”
    â€œJust so. You see, I believe it is the businessmen, not the men