Merlin's Ring Read online

  “It was the hope of this unworthy person that through your beneficence, Oh, Exalted One, that His Imperishable Majesty, upon whom may praise be scattered, might be informed of these weary struggles in the pursuit of knowledge —and thereby some crumbs of affluence be sprinkled upon us both from the overflowing coffers contained in the Royal Treasury.”

  “Pray continue!” exclaimed the astonished Gwalchmai. “Surely, any plan which will contribute to an addition of even a single string of cash to a chronically limp purse is worth a moment’s consideration. Yet, I must warn you, that should this information prove of no value, you will find that this one’s anger is not a thing to be lightly ignored.”

  “Then if the Estimable Councilman will but step this way, this ignorant and unpleasantly appearing mechanic, whose unimportant name is Wu, will instantly impart all desirable elucidation without further unnecessary verbiage.”

  So saying, he drew Gwalchmai, by hooking a dirty finger into his prospective patron’s long silken sleeve, into a noisy godown that had been fitted out as a foundry.

  Here in thick and choking smoke, men toiled at furnaces and molds that were being filled with gushing liquid bronze. At the far end of the godown, bronze cylinders were stacked in tiers of different sizes. They ranged hi size and dimensions from the simulacra of sections of large bamboo tubes no longer than a man’s arm to that of huge objects, beautifully embellished with gods, demons, and mythological animals, mostly longer than the height of a tall man and capable of considerable content.

  Gwalchmai turned to Wu, to whom he noticed the others deferred with the instant reaction of applying themselves to their labors with immediate impatience. It was obvious that however deprecating Wu might be of himself, his workmen were under no such illusions as to his temper and capabilities.

  Gwalchmai looked about with ill-concealed interest

  “May this obtuse visitor, admittedly slow in understanding, be apprised as to the purpose of these excellent objects of art, constructed with such diligence by the skilled workmen of the all-wise foundry-master Wu, upon whom the gods have obviously smiled?”

  “Possibly the gods may have smiled at first, considering the futility of all human effort, but of late their notice has been directed exclusively toward the frustrating of this unworthy person’s insignificant plans,” ruefully commented Wu, wearing upon his brow a restrained look of care. “It would seem that they now laugh heartily.

  “Unless this illiterate individual can speedily obtain an audience with the Imperial Presence, all labor must cease, as he now lacks both material with which to maintain further production and taels with which to purchase more.

  “Should this lamentable event occur, it will be accompanied by weeping and it may chance that the Illimitable One will be deprived of a potent weapon against the insulting dog-dwarfs of Nihon, in punishment of whom the avenging fleet is now being prepared.” The foundry-master here referred to the planned attack upon Japan, soon to be launched.

  While Gwalchmai had lain asleep in the Catacombs, twenty-five thousand Mongols had made a previous landing upon Tsushima, overrun the small garrison there, and fanned out into the interior of the island, until pushed back into their ships by the enraged samurai of the local Barons. Such a setback could not be brooked by the arrogant Kublai, who had lately assumed the title of “The Son of Heaven.”

  The Khan decreed that so many ships should be built for another assault that the hills would be in mourning for their stricken forests.

  This fleet lay now, hi near completion, in all the northern harbors, receiving the final touches and awaiting the assembly of the army it was to carry. There were giant junks capable of accommodating two thousand men. These possessed high fighting towers amidships, armed with catapults that fired explosive bombs.

  There were fleet scout vessels of all descriptions, swifter than anything they might be expected to encounter, meant to be used in sweeping the seas clean in advance of the news of the invasion. Supply ships were in great numbers, also slow tubby craft, so huge that the cavalry—the supreme Mongol weapon—could exercise their horses upon the decks.

  All thirty-five hundred ships were staring with their painted eyes in one direction only—the spot beyond the horizon where lay the shores of Japan.

  To imagine that such an armada, planned for seven years, lacked anything necessary to accomplish its conquest, seemed incredible to Gwalchmai. Yet Wu seemed to think so.

  He could foresee no benefit to himself in continuing the conversation. He bowed politely and shook hands with himself.

  “I fear I must beg you to restrain the flow of your most elegant eloquence. It has been an extreme pleasure to view your industrious establishment, and to inspect the exquisite workmanship of these splendidly manufactured bronze bases, doubtless inspired by the interest of single-minded gods in your behalf.

  “However, as I mentioned before, important matters await my undivided attention and as I fail to conceive what value the Supreme Omnipotence could place upon such creations, I must respectfully bid you farewell.”

  Wu hastily prostrated himself before the door of the go-down.

  “Stay, but for a dozen drops of water in the clock, Esteemed Councilor, and thy well-arranged words shall be revised toward the certain profit of us both, if such be directed into the ears of ineffable perfection that ornament the head of the Divine Offspring of the Seventh Circle!”

  As Gwalchmai made no tentative movement to step over him and leave, Wu quickly motioned to the nearest workman in a peremptory manner. This laborer nervously shoveled out, with a wooden scoop, a sooty compound from a small bamboo keg and, without lingering, poured it at once into the open end of one of the aforesaid vases.

  He laid it on its side into a wooden frame that fitted its rondures. He then packed a quantity of soft paper into it, dumped in a double handful of stones, and tamped more paper in upon that.

  Another workman set a large gong against a backing of sandbags laid against the far wall and hastily left its vicinity.

  “Observe carefully, Discerning Lord, to whom all things are already known and your intuition as to this invention of little account shall be confirmed.”

  Wu motioned ttf~the first worker, who now applied a glowing coal to the base of the bronze container. Unfortunately it had not been fastened to its frame, in the haste of preparation, and to the accompaniment of a thunderous bellow and a vast amount of smoke, it straightway leaped into the air as it vomited forth the stones in an improper direction, narrowly missing one of the furnaces with its alarmed attendants.

  The stones continued on, tearing a large ragged hole in the wall of the godown and had not friendly demons been in charge of the proceedings, Wu would have exchanged condolences upon the events of the day with his revered ancestors—for the primitive cannon shot over his head while he still lay prostrate.

  “Oh, inept and mentally deficient one!” Wu howled, falling upon his clumsy helper with cruel blows of a hurriedly grasped bamboo.

  “Oh, witless clown, tarry no longer within the bounds of this establishment! Assuredly, you are as stupid as the cat who thought to grow fat by the eating of oranges. Begonel Should you return there will be the matter of a burning sulphur plaster applied with skill to soothe those wounds of which you now complain so bitterly!”

  “Desist, I pray you, estimable foundry-masterl” exclaimed Gwalchmai, in a two-edged .voice, seizing his arm. “Surely, this buffoon so lacking in judgment has been punished enough by Heaven simply by being an encumbrance to the earth. It is unnecessary to call yourself to the attention of the gods by slaying him and sending him where he will doubtless be unwelcome. It is most probable that the ghost of one of your concerned ancestors will guide his footsteps into a deep well.”

  Wu considered the happy thought and reluctantly lowered the bamboo. The workman went out of the godown as though fired out of his own tube, neglecting in his haste to request a settlement of the account due him, and they saw him no more.
/>   Wu squatted upon his heels and rocked to and fro, wailing and scattering cinders from the floor upon his head and shoulders.

  “This is unquestionably the ultimate misfortune to fall upon this ignoble person whose worthless life has been filled with catastrophe. It is past belief, Imperishable Nobility, that I am not already Passing Beyond before the awesome sight of your well-justified wrath.”

  “Nay, worthy purveyor of devouring fire. I beseech you arise and let us seek a more private place where we can discuss over a bowl of noodles the practicalities of this startlingly novel use of the earth thunder powder. Possibly we may be able to come to some efficient conclusion of your problem. It might even be that this admitted clumsily handled affair can be turned to advantage by arranging a more carefully managed demonstration to attract the interest of the All-Wisest”

  “Such a desirable event would assuredly lift a most ponderous tombstone from the back of this deservedly crushed individual,” declared Wu, leaping up with alacrity.“”Follow me, Most Incomparable, to the establishment of The Seven Virtuous Maidens, where entertainment tod the richest of viands shall be provided for you, entirely at this unworthy mendicant’s expense.“

  It has been justly observed by sages of all lands that although a man may be most happily married and continue in that state with the utmost contentment, it does not necessarily follow that he has therefore been struck stone-blind. Consequently, it was with some curiosity and anticipation that Gwalchmai approached, in the wake of the relieved foundry-master, the inn that bore such a fascinating name.

  In the expectation that it would not only be thronged with admiring customers, but also in all likelihood long lines of ne’er-do-wells would be queued in the street waiting impatiently for entrance, not so much as to purchase noodles as to test the alleged high qualities so blatantly announced upon the scarlet lacquered sign without, he assumed that it might be some while before they could be seated.

  He was pleasantly surprised that there existed no such obstruction in their way. In fact, those who passed upon that side of the street usually did so looking upward and noticeably quickened their pace when under the overhanging windows of the establishment. When a slop bucket was emptied into the street without warning, Gwalchmai realized the reason for their concern.

  The pair had no difficulty in entering or in finding a con-venient table. It seemed that all the corners were quiet and most of the booths vacant.

  The cause of this peacefulness was made evident when their order was taken by a simpering gap-toothed -harridan, whose mother had apparently been frightened by an exceedingly ill-favored dragon at least a hundred years previously. She made suggestions as to the delicacies available.

  Gwalchmai hesitated. Wu said, “If you do not care for the mice preserved in honey, or the century-old eggs, let me recommend the pressed duck. It is the specialty of the house and a most excellent dish.” Gwalchmai pleaded a slight appetite.

  Soon their tea, noodles, and salted pickles, whick they had finally chosen, were brought to them-by a second antiquated damsel, whose family resemblance to the first was unmistakable. When she left, Gwalchmai noticed two others, certainly no younger, who were serving the few occupied booths on the other side of the room and assumed the remainder of the sisters to be engaged in kitchen duties or attending to necessary labors in the rooms above.

  He could only guess at the dubious attractions of those who were farther away; for the semi-darkness of the Inn of the Seven Virtuous Maidens not only insured privacy for its patrons, but also protected them against violent shock and loss of appetite should one look up suddenly in an absent moment and thus come unexpectedly face to face with one of the servitors.

  Gwalchmai courteously forbore to express an opinion indicating disappointment while these ladies were creaking by within earshot, but to Wu’s ears alone he conveyed a delicate intimation that if the inn should meet with financial reverses or if the fire-god should avidly seize upon its worm-eaten timbers, they need never fear for lack of employment.

  “How so, Worthy Councilman?” queried Wu, somewhat thickly through a tangle of noodles.

  “Why, surely, it should be evident that Cambaluc, even though it be a new city, must be surrounded by a large expanse of arable country in which are doubtless abandoned farms?”

  “That is indisputably so,” Wu agreed, listening attentively and for the moment halting the steady plying of his chopsticks. ,

  “Then must it not necessarily follow that some of these farms have vacant buildings that are in sadly dilapidated condition?”

  “That is likewise true.”

  “Considering this lamentable fact, it would seem a most noble act of kindness that someone should suggest to these superannuated sisters that should some worse misfortune fall upon them than the years have already brought—though I truthfully cannot imagine what that might be—they might constantly be in demand for the haunting of the wrecked dwellings, which no doubt are younger than they are.”

  Wu stared for a moment, pondering the thought, but he was not slow of wit and soon began to laugh.

  “Ah, you are thinking of the sign! Your suggestion was at ‘first opaque as a moonless night. You perhaps expected loveliness equivalent to that of swaying plum blossoms in the perfumed wind of spring!

  “Let me assure you, Gracious Lord, the sign does not lie. The virtuousness of these seven maidens has never been held in question, for it has never been put to the test. As you can see, by its weather-beaten aspect, the sign has swung over this entrance for a very long time.”

  “I do not doubt either statement for the briefest of instants,” said Gwalchmai, in a somewhat distant voice, his disposition being overspread by a certain flatness and not improved by the belated discovery that the pickle he had just swallowed was-spoiled.

  The foundry-master was about to turn the conversation in the direction of business, but the opportunity had already passed, for it was at this moment that the promised entertainment began.

  A small boy entered, leaping, bounding, and turning cartwheels to the accompaniment of a long string of exploding firecrackers. He was followed by a blandly smiling man in long silken robes, embroidered with dragons, Fong-Onhangs or phoenixs, and the signs of the zodiac. From a capacious sleeve he produced yards upon yards of vari-colored silk, which as it issued he flung over and concealed the panting child. He plunged a knife into its midst

  The heap writhed, seemed to enlarge, and became quiet From the other sleeve, the magician brought forth a Wand of Power and gently tapped the mound of silk. It was im-mediately flung aside and a beautiful girl stepped out, clad in the briefest of costumes.

  She began to dance about the room, as lightly as a drifting feather. All eyes were upon her as she circled it thrice, but her glances were only for Gwalchmai, wanton and inviting. She returned to her master, tossed a fold of silk over herself and gracefully sank to the floor.

  He tapped again with the wand. The concealing cloth fell away and in place of the dancer, the boy sat cross-legged, holding a large bowl in his lap, filled to the brim with water in which goldfish swam.

  The magician took the bowl and placed it carefully upon the nearest table, but as it touched the-wooden surface, it became, between his hands, a bamboo cage of singing crickets.

  The magician paused for applause* A few clapped, fewer still flung a brass cash; a drunken customer tried tp seize the boy, who ran about picking up the rolling coins, possibly thinking that he might again change into the more desirable dancer—and as the trickster bowed, Gwalchmai laughed.

  The magician straightened up. His face was calm, but his stiff stride indicated his anger. He came over to the booth where Gwalchmai and Wu were dining and bowed again.

  “It is a source of ineffable gratification that the humble efforts of the clumsy and inept Shan Cho have provided joy for the noble lords,” he remarked affably. “Doubtless, judging by their apparel, they are in disguise. Possibly the disguise might be improved to the greater sa
tisfaction of an and create even more merriment for the many were they to leave this place upon four feet instead of two—perchance in the form of a mangy alleycat and that of a flea-bitten Wonk, in which to howl a mirthful duet to the uncaring moon?”

  As the Wand of Power twitched slightly, Wu blanched to a sickly ochre and would have fled, but he could not leave without pushing the magician aside, so he sat there shivering, looking beseechingly from one to the other.

  Gwalchmai placed both hands flat upon the table, to indi-cate that he bore neither ill will nor weapon. “All-powerful and inestimably skilled Shan Cho, whose slightest movement attests to long years of arduous study in his art, this stupid apprentice and humble follower of the ancient wisdoms of Loegres, Khemi, and the Danaan was not by unseemly noises criticizing thy undoubtedly supreme talents. Rather, these admittedly ill-timed sounds burst forth without considered forethought at the practice of such unusual and praiseworthy dexterity before such an uncouth group of insensitive feasters. Can it be that a mage of such evident accomplishments and infinite capacities is reduced by malevolent demons to this melancholy means of acquiring nourishment?”

  “Alas, it is indeed as you say,” bitterly acknowledged the mollified magician, who had been furtively appraising Gwalchmai’s ring. “It would appear that nowhere in this triply condemned city of teeming population and boundless wealth is there any place for a follower of the mystic arts—as this person feels confident the noble lords must agree. It was unfortunate of this purblind one that their qualities were so well hidden that they were at first not apparent.

  “As it is evident that, judging by the ring which you wear, this blunt-witted practitioner is hindering affairs of great moment, he will respectfully withdraw, leaving the noble lords to their subtle and edifying discussions.”

  He had already slipped the threatening wand back into its place of concealment and was backing away, attempting to avoid any appearance of haste, never removing his gaze from Gwalchmai’s quiet hand, upon which the opal engraved with Merlin’s monogram smokily flared like a bloodshot eye. He stopped nervously when Gwalchmai lifted that hand and beckoned to him.