The emperor contemplated with unease the latest news and lifted a cup of tea to his nose and inhaled the deep fragrance lofted by the steam.
An enormous crash shot through the room, deafening the Emperor and leaving bright colored spots lingering in his eyes. Danhieras stood only a few inches away from the Emperor’s shaking hand. The cup lay dashed on the floor in pieces and the foreigner’s slippers were damp with spilled tea. “A thousand pardons, Emperor—I thought I’d end up a bit further back.” Danhieras took a few steps backwards while rubbing his temples and squinting.
Chamberlains scattered towards the far doors screeching and falling over themselves in hysteria. Emperor Shi Huangdi slowly placed a hand over his galloping heart while the color gradually returned to his face. The wailing cries of his Chamberlains molded his fright into burgeoning fury since none had attempted to rush to their master’s aid.
The Emperor gritted his teeth and wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked at the perspiration on the back of his hand and shot an angry look at Danhieras. “Why do you intrude so? Are you not disgraced as well?”
Danhieras winced from the Emperor’s shouts and returned a pained look. “You can thank Hsu for that. Why do you insist on calling me, just to have me wait for an hour? By then you’ll have forgotten why you called me in the first place.”
The Emperor stood firm with his fists on his hips. “Do not speak down to me in front of these imbeciles!”
Danhieras began to laugh. The Emperor’s fury melted and he too broke into laughter. “My head is killing me,” said Danhieras, “and your yelling isn’t making it any better.”
“You think I’m loud magician? Wait until you hear these monkeys scream in pain!” A low wail emanated from the men on the floor.
Two sharp raps echoed on the far door. It slid open revealing Hsu, kneeling low with his forehead touching the floor. He announced in a loud, wavering voice, “Divine Emperor, I have discovered that the foreigner plots to assassinate you and your son!”
The Emperor looked curiously at Danhieras who shrugged and rocked back and forth on his heels. “And where is this assassin, servant?”
Hsu replied in a confident voice, “I have him surrounded by guards who are ready to take his head by your blessed order.”
The Emperor sat down on his chair and loudly clapped his hands together. “I am truly blessed to have a Chamberlain who is more effective than my top Generals! Rise servant!”
Hsu’s face rose from the floor with toothless exuberance, only to be replaced with fear when he saw Danhieras, smiling back at him.
