The Burning Man

1

Tiananmen Square was deserted. The only movement came from the Morvren now nestling on every building, their unforgiving eyes turned on Church, Shavi and Tom who stood alone in the vast public space. Beyond, Beijing was still and silent beneath a brooding silver sky.

‘Where is everybody?’ Church asked.

‘I don’t think we need to be hanging around to find out, do you?’ Tom said. He tugged at the ring uncomfortably.

‘Veitch?’ Shavi asked.

‘He’s here somewhere.’ Tom shoved his ring hand into a pocket.

‘If he’d already got the location of the Second Key he wouldn’t be hanging around,’ Church said. ‘We need to persuade the King of Foxes to tell us. Then with the information Shavi got from the Daughters of the Night, we’ll have the upper hand.’

‘Don’t sound so self-satisfied,’ Tom cautioned. ‘That is usually the most dangerous time. Or do you think all your feathered friends up there are mistaken?’

Church removed Caledfwlch from its scabbard across his back. It flared brighter than he had seen in a long time. ‘The Blue Fire’s much stronger here,’ he said, puzzled.

The roosting formation of the silent Morvren appeared to be guiding them past the modern government and military buildings to the historic architecture of the Forbidden City beyond. It lay behind twenty-four-foot-high walls that gave the impression of a prison from which they would never escape.

Uneasily, they approached along the stone-flagged Imperial Way towards the imposing Meridian Gate set in the southern wall. Two grand protruding wings funnelled visitors towards five entrances, and from the top of each wing two deserted watchtowers looked down.

A shimmer like a heat haze revealed a man at least seven feet tall, his hair and beard a flowing white, his robes the green of a spring field. He held a staff topped with a hexagonal golden symbol, and around his neck hung a large clock, the hands whirling continuously. His eyes were purple.

‘The King of Foxes bids me welcome you, honoured guests.’ His tongue flashed out, thin, black and forked. He bowed. ‘My name is Tai Sui, President of the Celestial Ministry of Time.’

‘We are-’

‘I know who you are, Brother of Dragons. And you, Brother of Dragons. And you, True Thomas.’ His tone was hard, but he smiled broadly.

‘And we’re welcome here?’ Church asked suspiciously.

Tai Sui bowed again. ‘Of course. Good fortune follows you. Your deeds are well known to us here in Zilin Cheng. Enter our home and partake of all we have to offer, given freely and without obligation.’

Tai Sui led them through the Meridian Gate into a large square that at first appeared empty, but as the gate shut behind them, Church saw they were not alone. A shaft of sunlight illuminated scores of people moving somnolently across the square, their heads bowed. It was only after a moment that he noticed they cast no shadows. As they came to obstacles, they passed right through them.

‘Ghosts?’ Tom said.

‘The Guei,’ Tai Sui corrected. ‘Spirits formed from yin, the negative essence of souls.’

‘These are the people of Beijing?’ Church asked.

‘Some of them.’ Tai Sui gestured to the grand square. ‘This is Taihemen Square,’ he said proudly, ‘and you will see passing through it the Inner Golden Water River, which runs from this world to the next. It is said that even Fragile Creatures may sail along it between the worlds.’

They crossed one of five bridges and passed under another great gate before coming to another square. Rising from it was an elaborate three-tiered white marble terrace, and on top of it were three halls that were the focus of the palace complex.

Tai Sui indicated the largest, which towered almost ninety feet above the square. Along the roof ridge, ten gargoyles looked down. Church thought he saw them move, but put it down to a trick of the light.

‘The Hall of Supreme Harmony,’ Tai Sui said. ‘It is from here that all power emanates in this Great Dominion. And its fortuitous construction and siting make it a power beyond all others. Numbers are power,’ he added with a sly smile, ‘but you would know that, Brother of Dragons. You will note that the hall is nine bays wide and five deep. This is the voice of Existence speaking. Nine and five are the numbers of power and majesty of the Emperor.’

‘Five,’ Shavi mused.

‘Five,’ Tai Sui repeated. ‘Yet I see only two Brothers of Dragons. And one … other.’

‘Not all numbers are equal,’ Church said. ‘Two Brothers of Dragons beat a thousand others.’

Tai Sui bowed. ‘Your wisdom is recognised, honoured one. Please, enter the hall.’

The great imperial space was decorated everywhere with dragon motifs. At the far end of the hall, flanked by six golden pillars, was a large throne with five dragons coiled around the arms and back. Behind it was a screen with a further nine gloriously intricate dragons.

Church noted the numbers of the Fabulous Beasts and recognised a hint of some greater meaning not yet revealed to him. He could see that Shavi, too, sensed something.

‘This place … it fees like home,’ Shavi said. ‘I cannot express it more clearly than that. It calls to me.’

‘Why is it deserted?’ Church asked.

‘Deserted? Look again.’ Tai Sui indicated the ceiling above the throne where there was a caisson decorated with a final coiled dragon. From its mouth cascaded a series of metal balls, like a chandelier. ‘It is known as the Mirror of Xuanyuan, the Yellow Emperor.’

It showed a reflection of the room, now full of figures, all so hideous in appearance that Church reeled backwards in shock. When he raised his gaze, the hall was now as full as the reflection, but those present resembled men and women of the imperial court half a millennia gone. Church knew, though, that he had glimpsed their true form.

On the throne sat a man in purple robes, wearing a tall hat marked with Chinese characters. Green eyes stared from vulpine features; tufts of auburn hair protruded from the back of his head, running into mutton-chop sideburns and a short beard. His smile revealed yellow teeth.

‘My advisors tell me you are blown by the winds of destiny, Brother of Dragons, but I sense destiny in your stride.’ A smile flickered around the edge of the King of Foxes’ mouth.

‘We were told you had information that could help us,’ Church said.

‘Told? By whom?’

‘Seth, one of your Egyptian relatives. I think he hoped that sending us here would lead to our destruction.’

‘Ah.’ The King of Foxes tapped his fingertips together regally. ‘There are no other gods beyond the ones in this Great Dominion. We are exalted.’

‘Yes, we’ve heard that before.’

‘Tell me,’ Shavi said, ‘there are some beings of higher power who align themselves with Existence, others who ally themselves with the Devourer of All Things. Where do your people stand?’

The King of Foxes held up a medallion with a circle divided by a curving line into dark and light halves.

‘The yin and yang symbol,’ Shavi said.

‘Everything that exists is determined by a natural order based on balance and harmony,’ the King of Foxes said. ‘The universe is held in balance by two interacting forces. Yin, the female, encompasses cold, dark, softness, the earth. Yang, the male, is associated with light, warmth, hardness, the heavens. Opposites, mutually dependent, but if they are in equilibrium, there will be harmony.’

‘Is that supposed to answer the question?’ Church said.

The King of Foxes gave a slight bow. ‘The yin and the yang are present in every aspect of the world. You will see them in life and death, and in good and evil. You will see them in gods and Fragile Creatures, in the land, in animals. At the beginning of all things, the yin and the yang were there in the cosmic egg, and their struggle cracked the shell and begat the universe. And they will be there at the end.’

‘The Gnostic secret again,’ Shavi whispered to Church before stating loudly, ‘You are saying that you are attempting to balance the two sides? That you are neutral?’

‘One cannot be neutral in the currents of the universe. Sometimes the gods drift in one direction, sometimes in another.’

Tom stepped forward. ‘Why would a king sit on an emperor’s throne?’

The King of Foxes did not answer.

‘Further, I do not recall the Chinese people ever worshipping a King of Foxes.’

‘This is my throne now, Fragile Creature.’ His tone was much harsher when he spoke to Tom.

‘So you usurped it from the true owners,’ Tom pressed. ‘Where are the real rulers of this Great Dominion?’

The King of Foxes’ eyes glittered. ‘This Great Dominion is not like any other you may have encountered. It is the most powerful, and therefore the most dangerous. We did not need your clumsy, tramping feet to wake us from our slumber. We woke at the first stirrings in the chi, which is at its most potent in this glorious empire of heaven. Those who woke quickest moved fastest. And the fox is the fastest one of all.’

‘You support the Void because it helps you maintain control here,’ Church said. ‘You’re not going to help us.’

‘The Brothers and Sisters of Dragons are a threat to the eternal balance. The Hu Hsien have already attempted to deal with your kind. Good fortune was not with them that day. But now the time is more auspicious!’ The King of Foxes clapped his hands. ‘Here in my great court there is nowhere to hide, little mice.’

Church turned to Shavi. ‘Looks like it’s time.’

‘You are sure? You will be on your own.’

‘Oh, stop it,’ Tom interjected. ‘He’s been dying for his big moment ever since he got that sword.’

Shavi and Tom backed towards the door as the eight remaining members of the Hu Hsien emerged from the crowd. They flanked the throne, their human masks betraying hints of the foxes that lay beneath. One by one, they each adopted a fighting stance.

The clang of the door signalled Shavi and Tom slipping away as planned. Church drew Caledfwlch. Amidst a roar like a furnace, the blue flames rushed along the edge of the blade, so intense that even Church gasped. The brilliance of the blaze cast shadows dancing across the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and lit the King of Foxes’ face with a sapphire glow.

‘The chi,’ the king said grimly. ‘The spirit-fire fills you. I expected less … some pathetic Fragile Creature … but now I see-’ He wafted his final words away with an imperious hand.

‘We came here in good faith to find the location of the Second Key,’ Church said.

‘Not even the Devourer of All Things would be allowed that information. It plays a vital role in maintaining balance.’

‘A bargaining chip to keep you on the throne.’

‘If you will.’

‘And you would dishonour yourself by attacking someone who came in peace?’ Church chose his words carefully.

‘There is no dishonour in facing such a powerful enemy.’ He waved his hand almost imperceptibly and the Hu Hsien attacked.

Church was momentarily stunned by the ferocity of the assault. They came at him from all directions with a ritual cry, spinning and leaping twelve feet or more into the air, and as they moved they changed, their faces becoming vulpine, slavering jaws snapping savagely, claws breaking through the tips of their fingers.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ Church said under his breath. ‘Kung fu foxes?’