“Have you heard anything recently?” Charles asked.
“We've heard rumors that General Tonglong appears to be up to something big. So big that the Resistance feels they may need to shift their focus from the Emperor to Tonglong. They plan to keep an equally close eye on his mother, AnGangseh. They are a slippery pair.”
A man came into the dining cabin carrying the largest platter of pork Charles had ever seen. Bacon, ham, pork chops, pickled pig's feet, and soused pig's face were piled precariously high. His mouth began to water, and across the table, he heard Fu's stomach grumble. Hok and Malao, however, looked like they were going to be sick.
“I think I'm going to step outside,” Hok said.
“Me too,” Malao muttered.
“Make sure you come back in time for the next course,” Captain Rutger said. “I believe it is blood pudding!”
Hok looked at Malao, and Malao swallowed hard.
“Perhaps Malao and I will just turn in for the night,” Hok said. “We've had a long day.”
“As you wish,” Captain Rutger said, standing. “I will take you to see my bosun. If you'd like something else to eat, just let him know. He will also clear a cabin for the four of you and sling your hammocks. I hope you don't mind bunking in the same room. It's a tight ship.”
“Thank you, sir,” Hok said. “We'll be fine.”
Charles, Malao, and Fu echoed her thanks.
Captain Rutger stepped away from the table. “As much as I'd love to join you in this lovely meal, I should get back to my watch. Charles, I suggest you move your sloop to the far side of the island before you go to sleep tonight. I know it's a lot of work, but with all this talk of Tonglong, I would feel better knowing your ship was outside the cove. I feel a bit like a sitting duck here with the entire squadron out. I expect the seas to be calm for at least the next day, so you should have no trouble mooring her offshore. Have the fishing boat follow you to bring you back here.”
“Aye, sir,” Charles said between bites. “Fu and I can do it as soon as we finish eating.”
Fu nodded his consent, grease dribbling down his chin.
“Excellent,” Captain Rutger said, looking around the cabin. “Will you all be so kind as to join me here in the morning for breakfast? Say, an hour after sunrise?”
Charles and Fu nodded in enthusiastic agreement, their cheeks stuffed to the breaking point. Hok and Malao nodded politely, too.
“Very well,” Captain Rutger said. “We shall meet again in the morning. Let us find a place for you to get some rest. With the current state of things, who knows what is going to happen next.”
CHAPTER 18
AnGangseh sat in the back of the imperial sedan chair, stroking the Emperor's thinning hair. The gates of Shanghai were in sight. She leaned her perfect face over and purred in his ear, “Tell me, my dear, what is on the agenda for the next few days?”
The Emperor shifted in his seat and adjusted his brilliant yellow hat. “Fight club activities, of course. I have a few other things to attend to, but they are none of your concern.”
AnGangseh ran a long fingernail along the side of his neck. “You know how much I enjoy witnessing great men in action, Your Highness. Won't you invite me to at least one of your meetings?”
“You shall see plenty of great men in action in the pit arena,” the Emperor replied, pushing her hand away. “Lei—Thunder—is to fight Golden Dragon. It is sure to be spectacular.”
“Lei and Golden Dragon are but children. Will the warlords be there?”
“Of course. They wouldn't miss it for the world.”
“Even Xie's father?” AnGangseh asked, glancing out the sedan-chair window at a giant of a man riding atop a surprisingly small horse. Xie, or Scorpion, was the Emperor's personal bodyguard. He glared at AnGangseh, a look of disgust on his face.
“Yes,” the Emperor said. “The Western Warlord will be there, too. Though he rarely travels this far south or this far east, he recognizes what a great championship this will be. He will also be meeting with me and the other warlords. We shall have a splendid time, unless that uncouth Southern Warlord, HaiZhe, ruins it. He can be such a pest sometimes.”
“Will you introduce me to them?” AnGangseh asked.
“I shall. You will join us in my private box during the bouts. Perhaps I will also allow you to attend one of our intimate postfight gatherings. Would you like that?”
AnGangseh looked deeply into the Emperor's eyes. “You have no idea how much that would please me.”
“Then I shall make it so,” he said, glancing away. “A meeting like that might change your life forever.”