“I agree,” Tonglong said. “I predict the acrobats will put on a performance near the bridge. It's the most logical location because they will draw people from both shores. The bandits will attend in hopes of catching up with Bing, and the boys will follow the bandits. They will feel safe blending in with the crowd, and the crowd is where their focus will be. We should be able to attack from the dragon boats. They will never see it coming.”
“Which boy has the map scroll?” HaMo asked. “Your brother?”
“Half brother,” Tonglong corrected again. “Not that it matters one bit.” He looked at AnGangseh. “Forgive me for saying this, but my connection with Seh means nothing. I will sever it just as readily as I will sever the head of anyone who gets in my way.”
AnGangseh nodded once and a smirk slithered up the side of her face. “I didn't raise you to sssee things any other way. You're not like Ssseh, who ssseems to have inherited his father's sssensibilities. Your father would be proud.”
Tonglong nodded back.
HaMo glanced sideways at Tonglong, and Tonglong scowled. “What are you looking at? Get back to work! That's what I'm paying you for, isn't it? Finish assembling the decorations on this dragon boat, then prepare the remaining craft. Tomorrow my journey to the throne picks up where my father's left off!”
The next morning, Hok woke early and tiptoed out of the tent while Charles and GongJee slept. She found her mother alone, stoking the campfire.
“Good morning,” Bing said.
“Good morning,” Hok replied. “I think.”
“Is something wrong?” Bing asked.
Hok nodded and pulled the wanted poster from the folds of her robe. She handed it to her mother.
“Hmmm …,” Bing said as she read the document. “I should have guessed something like this would happen. Try not to let it bother you. My picture has been on that same board many times.”
Hok frowned. “Oh.”
“I wouldn't worry too much about it,” Bing said. “As long as you wear your turban, you will not stand out during the festivities today. There will be thousands upon thousands of people. No one will notice you.”
“Are you sure?” Hok said. “I wouldn't want to get you or anyone else in trouble.”
“There won't be any trouble,” Bing said. “I have a white veil you can wear if it will make you feel better. It will even help conceal those pesky bruises still lingering on your face.”
“Won't the veil draw more attention to me?” Hok asked.
Bing shook her head. “Have you noticed the number of people walking around with open sores? A veil will actually help keep people away from you. They will be afraid to catch whatever it is you are trying to hide.”
“I guess,” Hok said. She thought about the conditions she'd seen when they first entered the city. “I've been wondering, why is everything so dirty and dilapidated here? This is the capital, right?”
“What did Grandmaster teach you about the politics of this region?” Bing asked.
“Politics?” Hok said. “We weren't allowed to discuss that at Cangzhen.”
Bing shook her head. “That sounds like Grandmaster. What do you know about the new Emperor?”
“Nothing, really. I know that Ying was working for him when he attacked Cangzhen, so I had been assuming that the Emperor was bad. However, there is another posting by the bridge that announces that the Emperor has imprisoned Ying for ‘crimes against the state.’ “ She paused. “I guess I don't know what to think now.”
“You cannot label most people as good or bad,” Bing said. “Especially people like the current Emperor. He is an opportunist, and his agendas change as often as the wind changes direction. Do you know why we are in Kaifeng now?”
Hok shook her head. “Not exactly.”
“Your father and I are part of a loose group of different organizations sometimes referred to as the Resistance. Our goal is to create lasting peace and prosperity in this region, and throughout China. Things need to change, and we're trying to make those changes happen. We're trying to change the Emperor.”
“Is he responsible for the conditions here in Kaifeng?” Hok asked.
“Partially, yes,” Bing said. “He has taxed the people beyond all reason, leaving most of them wondering if they'll be able to afford their next meal. However, we recognize that the current Emperor is no worse nor better than the previous Emperor, or the Emperor before that. Our primary goal is to get this Emperor's attention in order to establish an open dialogue with him. Only through logical discussions can we begin to make a difference. Do you understand?”